Modern venture capital has transformed into an unchecked oligarchy, or “Cancer Capital”, where mega-firms managing $50B+ live off fees and shift risk elsewhere
We really, really need to talk about venture capital. Because it's not “venture capital” anymore.
Anil Dash
Related Coverage
- “Cancer Capital”, ha! Great phrase by @anildash. — When people in the Fediverse complain about VCs and Venture Capital, I think they mostly complain about that Cancer Capital, not so much traditional VC. We didn't have that term before, and it's a very useful distinction. Now we need one for non-Cancer VC. … @j12t@j12t.social · Johannes Ernst
- VC isn't VC anymore - understanding the rise of Cancer Capital Hacker News
Discussion
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@lexroman.com
Lex Roman
on bluesky
Absolutely blazing post from @anildash.com on how venture capital has become cancer capital. I am on a16z watch always bc those guys are terrifying as hell and they own everything we use on a daily basis. — You need to read this. — www.anildash.com/2026/09/02/ c...
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@anildash.com
Anil Dash
on bluesky
Everyone's seen how the most powerful tycoons in Silicon Valley have manipulated politics (and society) to their will. But we're stuck thinking of them as “VCs”. They're not. They evolved years ago into something far worse, which we could consider Cancer Capitalists: www.anild…
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@robin.berjon.com
Robin Berjon
on bluesky
I very strongly recommend reading this latest from @anildash.com, especially if you're not in tech, especially if you work in policy on issues of tech and innovation. — Most tech entrepreneurs don't want this and need alternatives. — www.anildash.com/2026/09/02/ c...
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@anildash.com
Anil Dash
on bluesky
The key point: it's a category error to think of them as having the same constraints and goals as other venture capitalists, or that venture capital has had in the past. Journalists, regulators, and other institutions (like those who are managing our pension funds!) are especial…
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@karlbode.com
Karl Bode
on bluesky
the extraction class
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@anildash.com
Anil Dash
on bluesky
They are _literally_ legally not VC firms anymore. They don't make most of their money from venture. They *do* make money from things like selling their investment in a company to... themselves, in a subsequent fund, during another round of funding for the company. And it gets…
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Danah Boyd
Danah Boyd
on linkedin
Anil Dash argues that “venture capital” has become “cancer capital.” He means it in the sense of vampiric erosion that is propelling oligarchic powers into play. …
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Anil Dash
Anil Dash
on linkedin
Venture Capital isn't venture capital anymore. And that's a problem, not just for founders or the tech industry, but for society as a whole. …