Dick Costolo Joins Maybe Capital, a New Satirical Board Game About Valley Venture Capitalists
The tech community in Silicon Valley has been a rich source of satire, as seen in TV shows like Silicon Valley. It’s not surprising that a new board game
As anyone who’s watched the TV show Silicon Valley knows, the tech community there is ripe for satire. So it’s not surprising that the next "product" to be born into this satirical "vertical" is a board game where you must go through the sometimes tortuous process of raising money.
The Game: A Journey Through Silicon Valley
The Maybe Capital Board Game launched this week on Kickstarter, and its launch is being supported by former CEO of Twitter, Dick Costolo. As a former stand-up comedian and contributor to the aforementioned TV show, he definitely gets the funny side of the tech industry.
Produced by a fictional VC firm, Maybe Capital, "the most powerful venture capital firm in Silicon Valley," the game turns you into a VC-in-training, where you must pitch companies to your fellow players, eventually winning all the money for your firm. While pitching, you must travel up and down the infamous 101 Highway that runs through the Valley like a spine, earning money and investors, pitching companies and networking with other famous VCs and founders.
A Satirical Take on the Tech Industry
The game will obviously hone your pitch skills, although at the more non-serious end of things. You’ll encounter Steve Jobs, who, guru-like, will advise you, and stop in places like Marin to "smoke pot with someone famous" (and pick up their $5 million investment). After various twists and turns, you’ll win the game when you get your portfolio of startups to an IPO first. Alternatively, if a player suddenly secures $50 million in a Series A round, they can declare that the bubble is clearly about to burst and winter is coming…
The Online Component: Expansion Packs and Benefits
There’s also an interesting online component. Kickstarter backers will get expansion packs and other benefits uploaded to the Maybe Capital site. This adds another layer of depth to the game, allowing players to continue their experience even after they’ve finished the main campaign.
A Serious Side: Highlighting Disparities in Earning Power
But there’s also a slightly serious side to the game. There’s different pricing for men and women, to highlight the disparity in earning power in the Valley. This is a clever move by the developers, using satire to bring attention to a serious issue.
The Team Behind Maybe Capital
Maybe Capital was started by Rick Powers, Dre Koval and Anya Kandel, who all have variously worked in Valley startups. They coordinated with Laura Sagen for the war propaganda-esque designs. The team’s experience and knowledge of the tech industry shines through in the game.
A Unique Opportunity: Equity in Maybe Capital
Tweet a pitch to Koval at the end of the campaign, the winner will get 1 percent equity of Maybe Capital the board game. This is a unique opportunity for fans of the game to invest in its success.
What the Team Says
"What the Maybe Capital team figured out is that Silicon Valley isn’t really about doing something, it’s about starting a conversation so other people can do something," says another backer, Michael Fertik, executive chairman of Reputation. "We’re creating a game that captures the essence of this conversation."
"I wouldn’t say this is a terrible idea," adds Dick Costolo.
A New Way to Experience Silicon Valley
The Maybe Capital Board Game offers a new way to experience the tech industry. By combining satire and gameplay, it provides a unique perspective on the world of startups and venture capital. Whether you’re a fan of the TV show or just interested in the tech industry, this game is definitely worth checking out.
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