OVNIs Ep. #112 - Adam Draper - Build the Future, Not the Consensus: Inside Boost VC

In this episode of the OVNIs Podcast, hosted by Augustin Sayer, Adam Draper of Boost VC dives into the art of storytelling as a core skill in venture capital - explaining how strong narratives shape brands, attract founders, and ultimately define a fund’s identity. Drawing from his journey from early angel investing to building Boost VC, he shares how intuition, fast decision-making, and consistency have been central to backing category-defining companies like Coinbase, while emphasizing the importance of building conviction early - even before markets fully understand the opportunity. 

The conversation also explores deeper themes such as liquidity in venture capital, unconventional strategies like leveraging crypto assets, and the evolution of investment theses in a rapidly changing ecosystem. Adam highlights his long-term belief in “sovereign technology” and founder-driven innovation, while offering a candid look at how experimentation, bold bets, and differentiated thinking can unlock outsized returns. Looking ahead to 2026, the episode captures a forward-thinking perspective on where innovation is heading—and what it takes to stay ahead in the venture game.

[00:00:00] Intro & Adam Draper joins the podcast

[00:00:49] Why storytelling is a VC superpower

[00:01:56] From first startup to early angel investing wins

[00:02:54] The origin story of Boost VC

[00:06:07] Building a brand: consistency, identity & narrative

[00:07:06] Growing up with Tim Draper & shaping an investor mindset

[00:09:22] Why media, blogging & podcasting matter for investors

[00:10:48] The Coinbase bet before understanding Bitcoin

[00:13:48] Going all-in on crypto & building a fund thesis

[00:15:10] Contrarian investing & embracing controversy

[00:17:22] Personal branding & the power of consistency (the orange pants)

[00:19:09] From comics to crypto: investing in rebellion & systems change

[00:21:26] What makes a great VC partner

[00:23:04] Liquidity in venture: myths vs reality

[00:27:01] How venture capital is evolving (20 → 20,000 deals)

[00:30:03] The Bitcoin strategy inside a VC fund

[00:33:05] Returning capital using crypto liquidity

[00:35:03] Building a high-performing fund & DPI insights

[00:37:03] Evolving thesis: from crypto to deep tech & beyond

[00:39:49] Conviction investing: leading a $300M round

[00:46:01] Why bold bets define great investors

[00:46:26] The future of venture & secondary markets

[00:47:06] Why top funds sell before IPOs

[00:47:48] Managing risk vs maximizing long-term upside

[00:48:32] How great investors think about timing exits

[00:49:15] The evolution of venture as an asset class

[00:50:02] Early-stage vs late-stage: two different games

[00:50:44] Access vs luck in venture capital

[00:51:28] What truly defines a “great” investment

[00:52:10] Building companies that matter for humanity

[00:52:54] Patterns Adam looks for in founders

[00:53:36] Why conviction beats consensus every time

[00:54:18] Lessons from 15+ years in venture

[00:55:02] What excites Adam Draper about 2026

[00:56:10] Future trends: deep tech, bio & frontier innovation

[00:57:12] Final thoughts: building, betting & staying curious

[00:58:10] Outro & closing remarks

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