Ilya Strebulaev

Ilya Strebulaev, PhD, is a Professor of Finance at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He is one of the world’s foremost experts on venture capital and corporate innovation. At Stanford, he founded the Venture Capital Initiative, a research center dedicated to understanding the mechanics of the startup ecosystem. His work is frequently cited in major financial publications like The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.\n\nHe is the co-author of The Venture Mindset: How to Make Smarter Bets and Achieve Extraordinary Growth. Strebulaev studies why startups are able to innovate faster than established corporations. He translates the decision-making principles of Silicon Valley VCs—such as how to evaluate risk and when to "pull the plug"—into lessons for traditional business leaders. His research bridges the gap between academic theory and the high-stakes reality of investing.