My little one keeps singing this in the car:
“Yesterday was history.
Tomorrow is a mystery.
Today is a gift.
That’s why we call it The Present.”
I hadn’t heard it before. Catchy, simple – and totally spot on.
Attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt (and also floating around in Kung Fu Panda lore), the quote is one of those deceptively light lines that lands with surprising weight. Especially when you work in technology due diligence, venture, or early-stage investing.
Because here’s the irony: our entire industry is obsessed with the past and the future.
We dig through historical financials, product releases, leadership changes – yesterday’s story.
We model revenue runways, future ARR, risk-adjusted exit valuations – tomorrow’s dream.
But what we’re actually assessing, investing in, and placing bets on… is today.
Right now. This team. This codebase. This go-to-market motion.
What’s the “Present” in DD?
When we’re doing tech DD, we’re not just ticking boxes. We’re diagnosing present-state readiness.
✅ Is the current infrastructure resilient enough for scale?
✅ Are the founders demonstrating clarity and adaptability today – not just in pitch decks?
✅ Can the business survive if the roadmap shifts tomorrow?
✅ Is the culture functional now, or papered over with promises?
The best founders have a gift for staying grounded in today. They know what the long game looks like but execute as if the clock’s running out. That paradox is what separates fantasy from fundable.
As an investor or advisor, I’ve learned this:
- The past matters, but only as a context check. It’s not a verdict.
- The future matters, but only as a hypothesis. It’s not a certainty.
- The present matters most. It’s the only leverageable data point we have.
And maybe that’s the wisdom behind the quote. The present isn’t just a moment in time – it’s a gift, if you choose to actually use it.
So I’m taking my daughter’s car karaoke as a reminder to stay grounded. And yes, that might just be the best due diligence tool I’ve picked up this year.
