Our CEO Recommends: The One Book to Understand Venture Studios

"Venture Studios demystified" by Mitchel Peterman

At Next Mobility Labs, we often get asked: How exactly does a venture studio work?

The short answer: It’s not a fund, not an accelerator, not a consultancy. It’s a company that builds companies – repeatedly, systematically, and with long-term impact in mind.

The long answer? Mitchel Peterman gives it to you.

In Venture Studios Demystified, Peterman offers a rare inside look into a model that’s grown over 600% in the last decade and shaped startups like Snowflake, Hims, and MongoDB. What sets this book apart is its structured approach: grounded in interviews with 20+ studio leaders worldwide – from Expa to FJ Labs to High Alpha – and based on firsthand experience.

As a Stanford MBA and Harvard Kennedy School MPA, Peterman combines strategic thinking with operational know-how. He’s led startups in both criminal justice and digital health, and brings a strong background in growth, brand, and innovation design. His writing reflects that range – clear, analytical, and grounded in practice.

“Venture studios create companies. They don’t just invest – they act as co-founders.”

That sentence alone captures the mindset shift behind this model. Unlike traditional VCs, studios take the first risk, build in-house, and work side-by-side with founders. They’re not just capital providers – they’re company builders.

“Studios heavily incorporating AI are more likely to reduce their validation and build costs.”

This is exactly where the model is heading – and why it’s so relevant now. In our work at Next Mobility Labs, we’re seeing the power of AI-driven validation every day. When used right, it cuts iteration cycles, lowers risk, and helps small teams move fast with confidence.

What also makes this book valuable: it breaks down how venture studios are funded, and why they’re gaining traction with a different kind of LP – from family offices to corporate partners and public institutions.

“There is growing demand from universities, governments, and corporates to partner with studios – instead of trying to build internal innovation units themselves.”

For us, Peterman’s book is both a mirror and a map. A mirror, because it reflects the strategic logic behind our daily work. And a map, because it helps founders, investors, and institutions understand where this journey could lead next.

Venture Studios Demystified is a must-read for anyone serious about the future of entrepreneurship. To learn more or to get your copy, head over to this website.