Venture Meets Mission: Aligning People, Purpose, and Profit to Innovate and Transform Society

by Arun Gupta, Gerard George, Thomas J. Fewer

THE NATIONAL BESTSELLER

The world is facing dramatic geopolitical, environmental, and technological shifts.

Venture Meets Mission argues that if Business, Government, and Society come together, rebuild trust, and collaborate, we have a generational opportunity to address societal challenges―climate change, cybersecurity, disease outbreaks, food insecurity and education. The book explains, with hope and passion, how our existing entrepreneurial ecosystem, with the ideals of democracy, can be the foundation for a new mission-driven capitalism.

The good news is the components of this problem-solving ecosystem already exist. The authors explain what is required to join people, purpose, and profit together for world-changing impact―starting with rebuilding trust among Business, Government, and Society. The authors draw on their leadership experience with Silicon Valley innovation, venture capital, and work at the highest levels of the federal government.

The book tells engaging stories of successful entrepreneurs, with diverse perspectives and intersectional experiences, who combine mission and venture to solve critical societal problems. This book seeks to inspire a generation of students, young professionals, and entrepreneurial executives to pursue mission-driven ventures that can make the world a better place. Venture Meets Mission also explains why and how forward-thinking government officials and policy makers can harness private sector entrepreneurship and innovation to solve society's problems.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Government

280 pages, Hardcover

Published January 9, 2024

About the author

Arun Gupta is a venture capitalist, Lecturer at Stanford University for “Valley Meets Mission”, and Adjunct Entrepreneurship Professor and Senior Advisor to Provost at Georgetown University. He is CEO of NobleReach Foundation, which is focused on catalyzing and inspiring a renewed spirit of national service through innovation. NobleReach is scaling infrastructure to build pathways connecting top technology talent and innovation networks with government and providing the scaffolding to support their success. Arun is active in the emerging technology, entrepreneurship, public policy, and venture finance communities. He is passionate about inspiring students to pursue mission-oriented entrepreneurial careers and has committed to contribute ALL his proceeds from book sales to the NobleReach Foundation.

At Stanford University, Arun serves on the Stanford in Washington (SIW) Advisory Board, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies Advisory Council, and is a Faculty Lecturer teaching " Valley Meets Mission: Purposeful Entrepreneurship with Government" at Stanford in Washington. The class highlights his venture capital and academic experience building successful mission-oriented ventures at the intersection of the government, mission, technology, and entrepreneurship.

At Georgetown University, Arun serves on the Georgetown Entrepreneurship Advisory Board, Tech & Society Steering Committee, and teaches Entrepreneurial Finance and Venture Capital at McDonough School of Business. He was awarded the Entrepreneurial Faculty Teaching Excellence Award and the Peter W. Gonzalez Jr. Award for Excellence in Faculty Teaching.

As a Partner at Columbia Capital, Arun’s investment career spanned eighteen years including initiating the firm’s Cybersecurity and Government technology investments with a focus on National Security, AI, and SaaS/Cloud infrastructure sectors. Prior to joining Columbia Capital in 2000, Arun was at Carlyle Venture Partners focused on software investments. Prior to Carlyle, Arun held positions in Arthur D. Little’s telecom and technology consulting practice and shared responsibility for establishing ADL’s management consulting operations in Mumbai 1995-98.

Arun received a B.S. degree with Distinction in Electrical Engineering and an M.S. degree in Engineering Economic Systems from Stanford University (’91). He received his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School (’95).

Arun has lived in the Washington DC metropolitan area for over 40 years and has been actively involved in local community organizations focusing on coaching youth sports, inner city educational programs, and food insecurity programs for vulnerable communities. Arun has been happily married for 27+ years to Dr. Anjali Mehta Gupta and has three wonderful children.

Reviews

[Dewey Murdick · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "Venture Meets Mission," authors Arun Gupta,* Gerard George, and Thomas J. Fewer* explore the critical talent that new firms bring to addressing key national challenges often thought of as solely the government’s domain

I picked up this book because of its focus on accessing talent regardless of industry, country/nationality, or credentials in order to tackle difficult challenges. This broad, possibly unconventional argument, is supported by ample evidence and aims to include America's innovators. These innovators are often labeled as merely profit-driven but in mission-focused endeavors they can help secure our Nation's future, which is essential for U.S. government leaders and all of us to hear. Their approach offers fresh perspectives on how to secure our nation's future by better engaging innovative talent. With their unique combination of backgrounds, the authors offer a thought-provoking blueprint for connecting a venture-driven entrepreneurial mindset with mission-oriented public service, enriching the dialogue with new insights and examples.

"Venture Meets Mission" examines the intersection of governmental roles, entrepreneurial ventures, and societal needs in the context of major global challenges. The book starts by noting a generational shift brought about by events like the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the increased social commitment of younger generations. It proposes a new model for mission-driven venture, advocating for a symbiosis between mission-driven businesses and objectives defined by society — often via democratic government. This model aims to foster partnerships that connect with societal needs. The authors dissect the alignment of goals across sectors, stressing the importance of a collective approach and the need for new paradigms in government-venture collaborations. The narrative extends to the significance of diverse career paths and intersectional leadership in this ecosystem. Concluding with a vision for integrated collaboration, the book underscores the roles of trust, intersectoral cooperation, and talent empowerment.

"Venture Meets Mission" is a must-read for those passionate about innovation, governance, and nurturing talent in the face of societal challenges. The book provides a nuanced perspective on the synergy between entrepreneurial ventures and public missions, offering valuable insights for creating a future that helps people with purpose best use profit motivations. I think the reader will find the book's vision and insights are invaluable in understanding and navigating the evolving landscape of societal change with a new set of tools.

More Thoughts: If you are really into this review, then I continue below and highlight a few of the key elements of the book as well as some limitations that merit further discussion…

Talent is the Key to Success

Attracting the right people to solve the most pressing problems is essential, regardless of industry or sector. But for the public sector as it tackles numerous public and technology policy challenges, it is imperative. The importance of talent has been the most consistent finding from my team's analysis at Georgetown University since we started in 2019.

Businesses Can Help Tackle National Problems

The authors present a compelling case for using venture strategies to identify and address nationally important problems, and then develop effective business models to implement viable solutions. The book tries to break the mindset that mission oriented work can only be done within the government or via a non-profit organization.

I find myself questioning whether businesses will self-govern in the best way possible when dealing with these issues and not let profit blind them in the pursuit of these important missions. Fortunately, the authors stress the importance of a national strategy, which cannot be understated. This gets to one of the core messages of the book, which aims to break the mindset that mission oriented work can only be done within the government or via a non-profit organization. Regarding oversight, the authors insightfully add that “... we, the people, have to make sure that technology is developed and used responsibly. That is our solemn obligation. Thus, in the pursuit of transforming mission into impact, the ecosystem must not only capitalize on the value of liberal democracy, but also embody and reinforce its values.” This is a timely concern.

Limitations of the Book

While "Venture Meets Mission" presents a robust framework for bridging the gap between the private sector’s innovation and public service missions, I felt that it leaves the clear action plan for individuals as an exercise for the reader. I would have loved it if they would have further detailed the practical steps for individuals and organizations to navigate this ecosystem effectively. Nevertheless, the book nicely highlights the need for governments to improve transparency and foster positive interactions to overcome biases and incompatibilities. The authors suggest focusing on trust-building, talent development, and resource alignment. Moreover, they underline the importance of breaking the mindset that mission-oriented work outside the government is exclusive to non-profits, a crucial insight for contemporary societal challenges.

Concluding Thoughts

The book resonates deeply with those of us who value a vibrant innovation environment, emphasizing the shared responsibility in developing and using technology responsibly. The authors provide valuable insights on transferring public-sector skills, such as persuasion, complex decision-making, and crisis management, to the private sector, demonstrating their broader applicability. Furthermore, the emphasis on tackling real and pressing problems and advocating for non-linear career paths to foster empathy is highly relevant in today’s polarized and inequitable society. These insights are essential for anyone engaged in innovation, governance, or talent development.

*Disclosure: Dewey Murdick is the Executive Director at Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET). CSET has received funding from the NobleReach Foundation where 2 of the 3 authors currently work.

[Ashley Bayana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Upon a colleague's recommendation, I eagerly acquired a copy of this book.

Here are the key takeaways:

Venture refers to the path, while mission is all about the ultimate goal. Authors Gupta, George, and Fewer remind us that the universal rights of individual and collective self-determination come with social, cultural, and political responsibilities that we all must face as leaders and decision makers. America's pursuit of excellence, prosperity, and wealth should not be taken for granted, nor should these same opportunities inevitably result in hubris.

Instead, "We the People" are invited to continuously and ceaselessly redefine and repurpose ourselves, all for the values we hold dear and the relationships we hold sacred. Appropriately quoting Oscar Goldman, "Gentlemen (/ladies), we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to make the world's first..." The "we" parts that authors repeatedly mentioned in the book are all about mentoring, while seeking innovations, inventing through creativity and imagination, and discovering with marketing and selling in mind.

"We" don't build just because we have new toys; "We" build because we are a nation of builders. "We" don't see the future just because we created and shaped it; "We" see the future because it is America's destiny to make this world a better place, far better than the planet that we all grew up in and with.

As visionaries, leaders, and belonging to a very rare breed of thought leaders, the authors give "We the People" a far greater understanding and in-depth interpretations of entrepreneurship, education, and enterprise that need to be discussed, tackled, and overcome. "We" the people have to "venture," and in doing so we continue the "mission" that we all inherited from the Founding Fathers.

[Jessica Knocklein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Venture Meets Mission provides a powerful blueprint for how Business, Government, and Society come together to address our most pressing challenges. In the opening pages of the book, the authors assert that there is a post-COVID "generational reset" occurring, where the younger generation is searching for purpose - an there is an opportunity to convert this search for "purpose" into pursuit of a "mission." This opportunity necessitates "a collectivity that builds on the power of partnership between private and public enterprise, fosters a sense of purpose and meaning, and shuns the polarizing labels of shareholder capitalism or government," or in other words, "a new vernacular where Venture Meets Mission." This characterization of our current times deeply resonates with me as a young person and mission-driven entrepreneur. From my experience working with the federal government and universities, I have recognized firsthand the challenges the government experiences with recruiting young, diverse talent. This is addressed in Chapter 5, titled "A Venture Meets Mission Ecosystem: How Government Can Catalyze Innovation," which discusses powerful case studies for building trust between government and the public and developing talent. Reading this book has reinforced my passion for working at the intersection of government, academia, and industry!

[Jeremy Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

On college campuses today, it's tough to forge a path into careers that provide true purpose, the chance to influence important decisions, and decent compensation. Venture Meets Mission serves as a guidebook for today's college grads (as well as second-chapter career professionals) looking to create these kinds of careers. The book provides excellent insight into the fantastic value and versatility of starting in the government or private sector and then moving between the two worlds to gain experience in each and--most critically--bringing those experiences to the other. The book argues convincingly that only with a workforce that has cross-sectoral expertise and appreciation of both the private and public sectors can the government and the economy create and harness the critical technologies America and the world need to prosper in the coming decades.

Beyond that, the book is a lively must-read for anyone interested in America's challenges and opportunities in the coming decades. It provides fascinating biographies of inspiring leaders most have never heard of who have forged impressive cross-sectoral careers and done such good in the world.

[Ted W · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book that isn't ideological and presents what Prof. Gupta thinks is a vision of how startups and government and work together to solve the pressing issues of our time.

I do think the book is rather abstract and intangible and presents more of a vision of a future, but not any concrete, actionable steps of how we can arrive at said future. I suspect this is intentioned, and meant as a thought-provoking read for both the layperson and/or professional. It certainly behooves oneself to determine what concrete steps one might take in their career in venture capital or startups afterward, but as a book painting a picture of the future, I think Gupta did a good job at illustration.

I did laugh at the notion that government waste amounts to pennies on the dollar. This is very evidently an extreme understatement.

I enjoyed Gupta distinction between perceived drivers and perceived preconceptions of both government and the private sector. The inclusion of charts to illustrate was very useful and hearkened back to business classes I took in undergrad.

I would recommend this book.

[Lexi Dupont · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book after listening to a podcast featuring author Arun Gupta where he discussed AI and emerging technologies in the larger context of national competitiveness. Feeling disenfranchised by the polarization of our current government and acknowledging some of the negative consequences of the private sector, I was skeptical about the core thesis of the book. By the second chapter, I was hooked. The authors upended my understanding of the public and private sectors and created a compelling argument that the only way forward is by bringing these two groups together (they call this 'government-venture arrangements'). I found the book written in a way that was easy to read- with interesting supporting data, historical anecdotes and examples, and powerful contemporary vignettes. The book is a must read for anyone in the tech, venture, or government communities, and is sure to inspire you to think differently about your role in our collective future!

[Anonymous · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book resonates deeply with me, and I believe it will strike a similar chord with many others. Having recently graduated from university, I faced the daunting task of securing my first job. During this pivotal moment, I perceived three primary paths before me. The first option was to join the ranks of a corporate giant, akin to becoming a "storm trooper." The second path involved pursuing further academic endeavors. The third, and the one that aligned with my mission-driven self, was to dedicate my efforts to a nonprofit organization.

Curiously, government service never entered my considerations, as I had long viewed it as bureaucratic rather than mission-driven. If I had encountered "Venture Meets Mission" before embarking on this career exploration, my decision-making process would undoubtedly have taken a different trajectory.

[Nathan Turtledove · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, a very solid book that makes a strong argument for new model of venture and governmental collaboration, they honestly honestly make their entire point in the first two chapters and spend the remainder of the book looking at some examples of it in action, but don’t explain how to actually create that success or replicate it yourself.

I think that the book highlights are very important framework, but I finish reading and still have questions about how to enact it. I think my biggest outstanding question is “what can I do?” to contribute to the framework of the society theylay out? How can I get involved, and how can I create these opportunities for myself and others.

I want to emphasize, I love the framework and the model they provide, I just think that they maybe could’ve gone about illustrating it a bit better, clearer, and more concisely.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Laudable thesis and call for readers to serve a broader mission than profits, but struggles with a lot of buzzwords and generally lacks a coherent structure with frequent jumps back and forth between seemingly random examples. Defines entrepreneurship writ large quite narrowly in only discussing venture-backed startups, and struggles to go beyond a depth of thought leadership to actual substance and analysis. To me, incorrectly posits that venture capital helping government deliver offers the highest leverage instead of increasing state capacity.

Simple factual errors, such as conflating all U.S. economic activity with the size of government ("with a 2020 GDP of nearly $21 trillion, it can be difficult to truly comprehend how big the U.S. government truly is").

[Isaac Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a prepublication copy of this book. I think this is an important concept to further talk about and popularize.

Having spent time in the military prior to starting my company, I faced many of the frustrations with government outlined in this book. However, it wasn’t until reading this that I had a framework to better understand and name where that frustration came from.

I’ve known that our company has a mission but this was a great reminder of how important that is to talk about it and continue to share with my team.

[Iris · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was sent to me by georgetown. it outlines the inconsistencies between private and public work, the frictions among the various stakeholders, and how each of those parties can begin to address those frictions.
i think this book is good for managers at private corporations who have say in strategy setting, or leaders in government. but it doesn't have many practical applications for students who are just starting their jobs. i see myself maybe referring to this book 10 years down the line.

[Jonathan Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the decay of trust in government and growth of private-sector organizations performing various government functions and often providing larger compensation, the perceived achievement of working for the government is fading. And without a perception of public service or mission-driven work as a professional achievement, the generational gap in the government— one in which younger workers are less likely to join the government—will continue to increase. (p. 134)

[JeaniePembroke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Venture mission, told in story form, relays a collection of real experiences of entrepreneurs. After reading this book, you will feel hopeful that it's message is actually attainable: Society, Business, and Government collaborating and working with the next generation to solve problems that our world faces today. 5 stars

[Alexander Gallo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Venture Meets Mission is a must-read for our time. It provides not only an understanding of the great challenges we face as a country and society but also a roadmap to solve them -- by aligning the government, universities, and the private sector. Venture Meets Mission provides a playbook to make us more secure, more healthy, and more prosperous.

[Jon Bunting · Rating 4 out of 5]

The core message and content are fantastic, but had to skim through a lot of the of B-school buzzwords and fluff to stay engaged. Leans heavily on allegories of successful ventures and founders that bridged the public-private sector gap.

[Zach Chentouf · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5. Good examples, but not enough focus on damages of capitalism in general, even socially driven startups. Lovely anecdotes, but wish they were deeper. Felt the thesis of book to be hampered by lack of addressing criticisms of capitalism in general

[A M · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book to inspire American excellence and a brighter future!

[Kimberly Willette · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you believe that the world can be a better place and you believe in the power of democracy, then read this book! So so good.

[Pranav Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written exploration of the ways government and ventures can align to achieve mission driven public good. Felt reasonably actionable and thought-provoking.