This 26 year old investor funded Nadeshot and 100 Thieves: A conversation with Blake Robbins

TL;DR

Blake Robbins demonstrates that proactive, value-driven cold outreach can land a VC internship and lead to a influential role at Ludlow Ventures and 100 Thieves. He stresses tailoring messages to the recipient, building relevant experience, and investing time to learn the ecosystem, plus leveraging connections to unlock opportunities in startups and gaming culture.

Transcript

When are we going to see the first billionaire YouTuber? Well I think it might happen through the the same way that 100 Thieves got started. One of the biggest eSports brands on the planet. Today we're sitting down with Blake Robbins Who as a venture capitalist at Ludlow Ventures, helped build 100 Thieves. And he's only 26! Let's get started. - Bl... Read More

Key Insights

• X is that early, targeted cold outreach can break into high-growth startups if it clearly demonstrates value to the recipient. Robbins shows how to map one’s actions to the recipient’s priorities and deliver tangible help upfront.
• The key to breaking into VC is treating one’s resume as a live portfolio of impact, not just a list of roles. Robbins built credibility by interning at notable tech companies and staying relentlessly proactive.
• Z is that persistence alone is not enough; thoughtful outreach matters. Robbins emphasizes understanding what the recipient cares about and offering concrete ways to help, which increases response rates and opportunities.
• The creation of 100 Thieves is a case study in leveraging personal passion into a scalable business, combining creator influence with strategic partnerships and early hires to grow a brand beyond a personal image.
• Influencer strategy is central to new consumer startups. Robbins explains how creators can drive early traction, product feedback, and growth channels when aligned with a startup’s business model and equity framework.
• Creators can be cofounders or key early hires in startups. The discussion outlines how to align incentives, manage equity, and ensure founders and creators share a clear, complementary vision.
• The dialogue highlights a pay-it-forward culture in tech ecosystems, where mentors and peers provide access and introductions that compound over time, rewarding initiative and helpfulness.
• Robbins reflects on lessons learned and what he wished he knew earlier, underscoring the value of choosing internships and opportunities that build strategic networks and practical experience.
• More videos from this channel:
  • What is first principles thinking for billion-dollar startups?
  • How Immigrant Tech Couples Built Silicon Valley
  • How to maximize YC batch week through founder retreat
• More from this channel: Garry Tan

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Blake Robbins start pursuing venture capital in college

Blake explains that he began during freshman year by cold-emailing every company on TechCrunch to learn about startups and the broader ecosystem. He treated his resume like a portfolio, seeking practical exposure rather than traditional internships. This approach yielded opportunities with early-stage startups and guided him toward a focus on venture capital as a career.

Q: What role did internships play in Blake’s path

Internships were critical to Blake’s trajectory. He targeted high-profile learning experiences at SpaceX, Nest, and General Assembly to build credibility and relevant skills. These roles helped him demonstrate that he could contribute meaningfully to startups, reinforcing the value of proactive networking and continuous learning in tech environments.

Q: How did Blake approach Ludlow Ventures for an internship

Blake cold-emailed Ludlow Ventures while finishing college, explaining his eagerness to learn and contribute. Initially met with hesitation, his persistence paid off when connections through Ryan Hoover and Product Hunt helped him secure discussions. This culminated in an internship that evolved into a long-term role at Ludlow.

Q: Why is persistence paired with thoughtfulness in outreach important

Blake emphasizes that successful cold outreach must be both persistent and thoughtful. Many people email frequently, but few tailor messages to the recipient’s focus and provide concrete value. By demonstrating how he could help, Blake increased his chances of receiving responses and meaningful opportunities.

Q: What is the 100 Thieves creation story in the interview

The interview traces 100 Thieves back to the creator ecosystem, where founders and influencers collaborate to build a brand beyond a single personality. The story highlights how early hires and creator partnerships can scale a gaming and lifestyle brand into a broader consumer startup, illustrating the intersection of content and commerce.

Q: How did Blake leverage creator relationships for startups

Blake discusses using creator relationships to drive growth, product validation, and audience reach. By aligning incentives and providing early support, creators help startups test ideas and accelerate traction. The discussion also covers equity considerations and how to structure partnerships so creators and startups share a common long-term goal.

Q: What advisory mindset does Blake promote for aspiring VCs

Blake advocates being genuinely helpful before asking for something in return, not just saying how you can help. He notes that the best VCs earn trust through consistent, tangible value, whether through intros, mentoring, or hands-on support for portfolio companies and creator partnerships.

Q: What lessons does Blake wish he knew earlier

Blake reflects on wishing he had known earlier the importance of choosing internships and opportunities that build strategic networks. He underscores that early exposure to successful startups and mentors accelerates learning, and that the ecosystem rewards those who combine passion with practical impact and thoughtful outreach.

Summary

In this video, Blake Robbins, a venture capitalist at Ludlow Ventures, shares his journey from being a gamer and YouTuber to becoming a venture capitalist. He discusses how he discovered venture capital, his early experiences in startups, and his role in building 100 Thieves, one of the biggest esports brands. He also touches upon the opportunities and challenges of working with influencers and creators in the startup world.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Blake Robbins get started in venture capital?

Blake grew up in the suburbs of Detroit and initially thought he would end up in the automotive industry. However, he realized during college that he was more interested in startups and tech. He researched and reached out to various companies, eventually landing an internship at a startup called Zaarly. This experience sparked his interest in venture capital.

Q: How did Blake break into venture capital despite being told it was rare for someone right out of college?

Blake viewed his resume as a portfolio and leveraged his internship experiences at companies like SpaceX and Nest to make his resume more attractive to venture capitalists. He reached out to investors and managed to secure an internship at Ludlow Ventures through a connection with Ryan Hoover, the founder of Product Hunt. From there, he continued to prove his value and eventually became a full-time team member.

Q: What is the importance of connections and being persistent in the startup world?

Blake highlighted the importance of connections and persistence in the startup world. He emphasized the power of cold emailing and reaching out to people who can help you. He also mentioned that being thoughtful and providing value in your interactions can greatly increase your chances of success. He shared his own experiences of reaching out to influencers and creators and how those connections opened doors for him.

Q: How did Blake and Ludlow Ventures get involved with 100 Thieves?

Blake explained that while exploring the gaming and esports space, he noticed the potential of 100 Thieves, a brand started by YouTuber Nadeshot. Ludlow Ventures saw an opportunity to enter the esports industry and incubate their own team. They reached out to Nadeshot and proposed the idea of relaunching and expanding 100 Thieves together. After persistent efforts, the collaboration became a reality, and Ludlow Ventures helped build 100 Thieves into a successful esports brand.

Q: What are the considerations for startups and influencers when working together?

It is crucial to ensure alignment and motivation between both parties. Blake mentioned that creators should have a significant stake in the startup to ensure their commitment and dedication. This can be achieved through structuring equity deals where the influencer's channel or platform becomes part of the company. It is important to avoid situations where the creator has other income streams and does not prioritize the startup's success.

Q: How can startups and influencers work together beyond cash-for-impressions deals?

Blake suggested exploring equity-based partnerships where influencers receive a small percentage of equity in exchange for a set number of promotional videos. This approach aligns both parties' interests and can result in a genuine endorsement and commitment from the influencer. It also allows startups to leverage the influencer's audience and distribution without solely relying on cash payments.

Q: How can influencers contribute to the growth of a startup beyond their promotional efforts?

Blake discussed the value of influencers' involvement in the startup beyond promotional videos. By pooling their platforms and channels into the business, influencers can contribute to the growth and success of the company. Their participation allows them to influence product development, brand identity, and the overall direction of the startup. In return, the startup benefits from the influencer's dedicated audience and loyalty.

Q: What challenges can arise when working with celebrity co-founders?

Blake highlighted the challenge of aligning the goals and motivations of celebrity co-founders, especially if they already have independent wealth and success in their main careers. It can be difficult to ensure their commitment and prioritization of the startup when they have other income streams. Clear and thoughtful structuring of equity, ownership, and commitment is necessary to address this challenge.

Q: Are there successful examples of influencers becoming true co-founders in startups?

Blake mentioned the example of Aviation Gin, where the creator, Ryan Reynolds, became a true co-founder and played a crucial role in the brand's success. He emphasized that the influencer's involvement should be more than just promotional and should align with the core goals and operations of the startup. When structured properly, such partnerships can lead to significant growth and success.

Q: What advice would Blake give his 18-year-old self?

Blake would advise his younger self to continue exploring different interests and going down various paths. He believes that curiosity and persistence are key to finding success. He also emphasized the importance of making genuine connections with people and being open to opportunities that may arise from those connections.

Takeaways

Blake Robbins' journey from being a gamer and YouTuber to becoming a venture capitalist highlights the power of connections, persistence, and aligning interests in the startup world. The opportunities for startups and influencers to work together go beyond cash-for-impressions deals, with equity-based partnerships and true co-founder roles offering compelling possibilities. When structured properly, these collaborations can lead to significant growth and success for both parties. It is important to ensure commitment, alignment, and mutual goals to maximize the benefits of such partnerships.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Blake Robbins shares a persistence-based path into venture capital starting from freshman year, cold-emailing startups to gain exposure and learning opportunities. He outlines how this approach helped him land internships at SpaceX, Nest, and other tech firms, building a resume as a portfolio of experiences.

• Robbins details how a cold email to Ludlow Ventures eventually led to an internship and a long-term role, emphasizing the balance between persistence and delivering real value to potential mentors. He frames networking as a voluntary, pay-it-forward culture that compounds over time.

• The conversation covers the 100 Thieves origin story, the role of creators and influencers in startup growth, and how startups can partner with creators, including equity considerations and early hiring strategies that align creator and founder goals.