Promus Ventures' Sam Collett Seeks Startups with Defensible Business Moats
New investment associate Sam Collett at Promus Ventures outlines his approach to identifying promising deep tech companies. He emphasizes the importance of durable competitive advantages and team quality for long-term success.
Sam Collett, a new investment associate at Promus Ventures, has returned to the venture capital firm focusing on deep technology investments. Collett's role involves identifying and evaluating new opportunities, specifically seeking companies with the potential for sustainable competitive advantages.
Collett rejoined Promus Ventures as an investment associate in June 2026, following an earlier internship with the firm. Prior to his return, he worked as an investment analyst at WTW, where he gained experience in end-to-end investment management.
Collett highlights the critical importance of a "defensible moat" for deep tech companies. He cites examples such as Rocket Lab and Whoop, which have built their competitive edges by capturing value across multiple layers of their respective industries. Rocket Lab's recent acquisition of Iridium, integrating satellite communications with their existing component manufacturing and launch services, exemplifies this strategy.
For startups, Collett advises focusing on creating a "stellar product" that is not easily replicated. He references Hamilton Helmer's "seven powers" framework for building competitive advantages, including cornered resources, switching costs, and economies of scale. In deep tech, cornered resources, such as unique technology or regulatory advantages, are particularly valuable. Economies of scale, like Rocket Lab's integrated manufacturing process, can also lead to significant cost reductions.