In 2017, Gradient was established by Google specifically to invest in early-stage artificial intelligence companies. At that time, many venture capitalists were skeptical, viewing AI investments as niche and unappealing compared to the booming cryptocurrency sector. Engineers at Gradient, like Shirazi and Bratun-Glennon, noted that few outside the tech community recognized the significance of AI's potential. As interest in AI has surged over the years, Gradient navigated initial reservations and skepticism from potential limited partners (LPs) by now including outside investors for the first time in its fifth fund. With the AI sector gaining ground in both popularity and importance, Gradient's latest move marks a significant shift in the venture capital landscape. Previously, AI startups struggled to secure funding, but there has been a notable increase in funding amounts, with some seed rounds exceeding $100 million. This is something Bratun-Glennon cautioned against, expressing concerns about the sustainability of such inflated funding rounds. He emphasized that while AI was gaining momentum, the fundamentals of startup success remained critical. As Gradient embarks on this new chapter, it retains Google as a primary limited partner while also expanding its investor base with interest from institutional investors. Shirazi and Bratun-Glennon now have control of the management company, signaling a transformative change in their operational strategy. This evolution aligns with broader trends in venture capital, with firms focusing heavily on AI investments, reflecting a rapid maturation and validation of the AI technology sector. The combination of established interest from Google and external LPs exemplifies how perceptions around AI potential have shifted dramatically since 2017. Nonetheless, Gradient's leaders remain cautious about the burgeoning enthusiasm in the market, aware that success in the startup world requires more than just vast amounts of capital.