PALO ALTO, CA — A sophomore at Palo Alto High School rejected a scout position at prestigious venture capital firm Bonsai Capital after determining that buying and selling Pokémon cards paid more than the firm’s compensation package, particularly in money.
“They kept saying the upside was uncapped,” the student said. “I asked when it was money.”
Partners walked the candidate through discretionary bonuses and a carry allocation described as meaningful by the person allocating it. The child reportedly became concerned when the explanation required a second whiteboard.
“Right now, I make more money selling Pokémon cards. My buyer pays me, and then I have been paid,” the student explained, packing a recently sold Charizard. “Their job had a waterfall.”
The firm countered with access to exceptional founders, exposure to category-defining companies and the opportunity to attend board meetings without speaking. None appeared in the child’s spreadsheet under income.
A senior partner cautioned that card trading lacked venture’s patient, long-term orientation. The child confirmed that this was what made it possible to buy lunch.
Negotiations ended after the firm offered a larger title instead of an actual salary.
At press time, the partners were explaining that the child’s failure to appreciate deferred compensation demonstrated exactly why they preferred to hire people with student loans.