Cerebras IPO makes billions for Benchmark but VC Eric Vishria almost didn’t take the meeting

Benchmark invested in Cerebras, a hardware startup, despite their rare backing of such ventures. Eric Vishria initially hesitated but ultimately agreed to hear the pitch. This investment has led to significant returns for Benchmark. The story highlights the potential of taking calculated risks in investing. Cerebras' success is a notable exception to Benchmark's general avoidance of hardware startups.