The Hidden Power of Optionality

(And Why VentureStaking Is Built on It)

March 21, 2025

Delivered March 21, 2025 @ 5:00pm ET

Weather in Bloomington, Indiana - Partly Cloudy, 130 C / 560 F

Table of Contents

Welcome new subscribers!

My name is Gerry Hays, and for lack of a better description, I’m the custodian and convener of Doriot, a movement to break open the gates of venture and expand innovation and wealth beyond an elite few.

I’ve been in the game of venture as a founder, investor, researcher, inventor, author, game designer, and professor. I’ve built companies and developed a global venture portfolio entirely from the great state of Indiana, all while teaching over 6,000 undergraduates and MBAs at Indiana University, as well as in Croatia, Hong Kong, Slovenia, and Singapore.

The Week in Democratize Venture

  • On a recent episode of the All-In Podcast, host Jason Calacanis and Crypto Czar David Sacks tossed around the idea of a “Financial Sophistication Exam” as a potential pathway to accreditation. Many of you already know that Doriot University has put this idea into action with the release of the QAI—Qualified Accredited Investor exam. We first approached the SEC in 2021 to inform them of Doriot University's QAI Exam and have continued to provide regular updates on our progress ever since.

Latest Doriot Updates

VentureStaking™ is being revealed on April 15, 2025. Here are the latest updates.

We officially announced the Reveal on LinkedIn this past Tuesday, inviting people to reserve a spot for the live session on April 15, 2025, at Noon (ET).

Following a private briefing, we received our first official endorsement of VentureStaking™ from Andrew Savikas, a current board member of the Crowdfunding Professionals Association.

In a matter of a few days, 95 people across the globe have registered for the live event—which is a great start! Whether we stay at 95 or grow to 950, the show will go on, and VentureStaking™ will be placed into the hands of the market. We believe this is history in the making, and we hope you’ll not only join us live but be among the first to kick the tires. You’ve come this far. Go the distance!

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be ramping up content on LinkedIn to explore the virtues and features of VentureStaking™. In about a week, we’ll also begin warming up the algorithms on Instagram and TikTok.

And if you bring in 10 verified referrals (via the Doriot site—sign up here to play), you’ll receive a limited-edition commemorative VentureStaking™ T-shirt (estimated Delivery in May/June). We're only making a handful of these, and they’re exclusively for early supporters.

If you have any ideas or suggestions to help expand our reach, I’d love to hear them—just shoot me a note at [email protected].

The Hidden Power of Optionality — And Why VentureStaking™ Is Built on It

We’ve all been there — standing in the cereal aisle, 37 choices in front of us, and suddenly you’re paralyzed. Too many options can make personal decisions harder, more stressful, even paralyzing.

But when it comes to wealth creation — options are everything.

In fact, the more options you have with your money, the better off you are. Why? Because optionality gives you time, flexibility, and leverage — three things that are priceless in an uncertain world.

What Is Optionality, Really?

Optionality means having the right, but not the obligation, to make a move when the time is right. It’s the ability to watch, wait, and act when conditions are in your favor — without risking everything upfront.

With optionality, you’re not locked in. You’re hedging against an uncertain future while still giving yourself room to capture massive upside.

This is the logic behind the options market. It’s why people use real estate contracts to secure deals before they buy. It’s why startup founders hold equity that could be worth billions someday. Options = leverage.

Traditional Venture Gives You Zero Optionality 

In the world of traditional venture capital, the door is either closed or wide open — there’s no in-between. You either get selected by the gatekeepers (VCs, accelerators, etc.), or you don’t. You either bet big money early, or you miss out. No flexibility, no “watch and wait,” no low-risk entry points.

My years of active participation in the entrepreneurial and innovation economy have led me to identify three key areas for improvement — each rooted in increasing optionality — that could create a more accessible and equitable venture system.

  1. Entry Optionality – You can get in early for pennies, not dollars, and secure your place in a potential breakout startup before anyone else sees it.

  2. Decision Optionality – You’re not forced to commit to a full investment upfront. You can observe how things evolve, gather more information, and act when you're confident.

  3. Exit Optionality – As the marketplace develops, there should be opportunities for secondary trading, allowing early participants to benefit from liquidity as demand grows.

In a World Full of Risk, Optionality Is Protection

Optionality doesn’t guarantee success — but it gives you a chance to succeed, without risking everything. It’s the smart, strategic path. And now, for the first time, it’s being applied to startup investing in a way that’s accessible to everyone — not just insiders.

Final Thought

We’re not building a system for those who want all the answers up front. We’re building it for those who want the option to act when the timing is right. That’s the power of VentureStaking™. That’s the future of venture.

Find out on April 15! Here’s my referral link to join the movement :)

Have a great weekend!

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