Category
- Opinions on the bass
Written by
Luke Lee (CEO)
Date
Jul 21, 2025
In the previous post , "What is a Founder's 'Ambition'?", we discussed why BASS became fixated on the word 'ambition' and how ambition connects to the nature of a founder .
In this article, we will go one step further and discuss why BASS Ventures considers ‘ambition’ as the first investment criterion and what the specific form of ‘ambition’ we invest in looks like .
Ambition is not innate
No matter how smart you are or how great your abilities are, nothing will happen if you don't take action.
Intelligence is innate, but ambition is a mindset you choose.
Ambition that begins with the inner belief that “I am a better person”, “I am a greater person”
It makes you repeat the loop of [run → fail → learn → overcome] over and over again, and that repetition ultimately leads to success.
It makes you repeat the loop of [run → fail → learn → overcome] over and over again, and that repetition ultimately leads to success.
BASS does not simply invest in founders with good ideas or technologies.
We are looking for entrepreneurs who can innovate large markets and create sustainable growth.
We are looking for entrepreneurs who can innovate large markets and create sustainable growth.
One of the most important factors at this time is ambition .
Everyone wants something. I think that when it goes beyond the personal and instinctive level and becomes a constant pursuit of some social value, it becomes an ambition.
“Everyone wants to be rich, eat good food, and live in a nice place, but I think the density of what each person wants is a little different.
“Some people really want it like crazy, and some people just seem to want it.”
(From the BZCF podcast Luke Lee (CEO))
“Some people really want it like crazy, and some people just seem to want it.”
(From the BZCF podcast Luke Lee (CEO))
Why is an entrepreneur’s ‘ambition’ important?
So why does BASS consider ambition to be a criterion for a great founder?
1.
The size of your ambitions can limit or expand your company's growth.
A founder's ambition is great, meaning that he or she has the will and the ability to execute to have an overwhelming presence in the market beyond mere survival. A founder without ambition is likely to settle for small successes or give up easily when difficulties arise.
2.
Ambition is the driving force that overcomes difficulties and moves forward.
Startups face many challenges, including lack of capital, market uncertainty, and team building. Ambitious founders have the mental fortitude and drive to endure short-term difficulties for long-term goals.
3.
You can have a team and investors as big as your ambitions.
Ambition is not just a goal, it is a force that inspires others. Founders who present a big vision are more likely to persuade great team members, convince investors, and attract more resources from the market.
Let's take Gravity Labs, one of BASS's bands, as an example.
On the surface, Moneywork may seem like a simple rewards app. But when you meet the CEO and talk to him in person, you realize that Moneywork is simply the starting point for a much bigger vision of extending the healthy lifespan of humanity.
If we had judged it only by the current visible indicators such as sales, MAU, and service type, we would not have invested. However, we were able to invest because we believed in the direction and ambition of the world that the CEO wanted to create through this service .
Gravity Labs' Vision
BASS Ventures Talks About ‘Ambition’
So what is the ambition that BASS is talking about?
1.
A commitment to creating social value, not just a simple desire
Everyone wants something, but most people want personal success - that's Desire.
Ambition goes further than this, to include the will and commitment to create socially meaningful change.
That is, the goal is not simply financial success, but to transform an industry or create greater value.
2.
An attitude of constantly expanding goals
Ambitious entrepreneurs don't stop once they've achieved their goal.
Instead of thinking, “This is good enough,” we continue to challenge ourselves toward bigger markets, more innovative methods, and higher levels of performance.
This attitude is the key driving force behind startups’ rapid growth and continuous innovation.
3.
Strong will combined with execution ability
Ambition is meaningless if it is just a dream or a word.
Ambitious entrepreneurs have strong execution skills and demonstrate this through direct action.
Rather than just saying, “I want to achieve this vision,” we create specific implementation plans and deliver real results in the market.
To sum up
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The bigger the ambition, the bigger the vision, and the bigger the vision, the bigger the startup's growth potential.
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If you have ambition, you will have the drive to push through to the end, even in difficult situations.
•
Ambitious founders have the power to attract people, motivate teams, and drive investors.
The reason why BASS considers the founder's ambition as one of the most important criteria is that:
After all, it is the most powerful factor that increases the chances of a startup's success .
After all, it is the most powerful factor that increases the chances of a startup's success .
[Deadline Approaching] Recruiting Growth Team Intern (Talent) for the Second Half of 2025
Early-Stage VC BASS Ventures that helps startups grow to great heights
We are looking for talented individuals to join our Growth Team as Intern (Talent) in the second half of 2025 !
We are looking for talented individuals to join our Growth Team as Intern (Talent) in the second half of 2025 !
•
Number of recruits: 1 person
•
Document deadline: ~2025.07.22 (Tue) 23:59
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Application Submission: https://slashpage.com/growth-intern-talent
If you join as a Growth Team Intern (Talent), you will help startups in the 'recruitment and team building' area. You will be able to participate in position design, recruitment strategy, recruitment operation, leadership design, etc. with various founders and the Growth Team. In addition, you will be able to experience the entire IR and investment with the key players who created the growth of Naver/Kakao/Tmon/Toss.
This will be a great opportunity for those who dream of a career as an HR professional, especially those who are thinking of becoming an HR Manager in a technology-based startup . We will share with you a lot of our know-how!
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