“A zygote is the initial cell that…constitutes the first stage in a unique organism's development. Zygotes are usually produced by a fertilization event between two haploid cells…which combine to form the single diploid cell. Such zygotes contain DNA derived from both the mother and the father, and this provides all the genetic information necessary to form a new individual.” (Wikipedia)

When an entrepreneur first partners with an outside investor, something new is created, something which neither the entrepreneur nor the investor could have created alone. That new entity, like a zygote, contains DNA from both sources — a vision and passion from the entrepreneur, capital and experience from Zygote Ventures. This is the entity that will, we hope, grow into something new and great.

It is critical for an entrepreneur to choose a partner at this early stage that is compatible with the vision for the company.