Creative Capital

Venturecapitalistsarethehandmaidensofinnovation.Operatinginthebackground,theyprovidethefuelneededtogetfledglingcompaniesofftheground--andtheadviceandguidancethathelpsgrowingcompaniessurvivetheiradolescence.InCreativeCapital,SpencerAntetellsthecompellingstoryoftheenigmaticandquirkyman--GeorgesDoriot--whocreatedtheventurecapitalindustry.TheauthortracesthepivotaleventsinDoriot'slife,includinghisexperienceasadecoratedbrigadiergeneralduringWorldWarII;asamaverickprofessoratHarvardBusinessSchool;andasthearchitectandfounderofthefirstventurecapitalfirm,AmericanResearchandDevelopment.ItartfullychroniclesDoriot'sbusinessphilosophyandhisstewardshipinstartups,suchastheimportantroleheplayedintheformationofDigitalEquipmentCorporationandmanyothernewcompaniesthatlatergrewtobeinfluentialandsuccessful.Anaward-winningBusinessWeekjournalist,Antegivesusararelookatamanwhooverturnedconventionalwisdombyprovingthatthereisbigmoneytobemadebyinvestinginsmallandriskybusinesses.ThisvividportraitofGeorgesDoriotrevealstherewardsthatcomefromrelentlesslypursuingwhat-ifpossibilities--andoffersvaluablelessonsforbusinessmanagersandinvestorsalike.