Travis Kalanick said that only 1% [2] of venture capitalists are helpful to entrepreneurs during a recent reflection on his career.
The comments highlight a growing tension between high-profile founders and the financial institutions that fund them. As robotics and AI require massive capital injections, the relationship between those providing the money and those building the technology is under increased scrutiny.
Kalanick, the founder of Uber and the robotics company Atoms, said his perspective on Wednesday. He said the vast majority of venture capitalists do not provide meaningful support to the founders they back [1], [3].
"Only 1% are helpful," Kalanick said [2].
The critique comes at a time of significant growth for his latest venture. Kalanick has raised $1.7 billion [1] for Atoms, a startup focused on robotics. Despite the substantial funding, Kalanick said the role VCs play in the entrepreneurial process is often overestimated [3].
This is not the first time Kalanick has clashed with the norms of Silicon Valley. His history with Uber was marked by frequent disputes with investors and board members over corporate governance, and leadership style.
By targeting the VC industry, Kalanick is challenging the narrative that venture capital firms provide essential mentorship and strategic guidance. His comments suggest that for many founders, the relationship is purely transactional—providing capital without adding operational value [1].
“"Only 1% are helpful."”
Kalanick's comments reflect a broader shift in the power dynamics of Silicon Valley, where 'super-founders' with proven track records can secure billions in funding while remaining openly critical of the investor class. By dismissing 99% of VCs, Kalanick signals that for elite entrepreneurs, capital has become a commodity, while genuine strategic partnership remains rare.
