Together with Sequence

Before we begin, we have a HUGE update for you!

Introducing the Rich Habits Retreat in Austin, Texas (May 1-2). Taking place at Capital Factory, the #1 seed fund in the entire state of Texas — this hands-on experience will give you direct access to industry leaders, while uncovering actionable steps to better prepare for the future of venture investing. There are only a few tickets remaining (click here).

The event is taking place Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2 — here’s what you’ll learn while in attendance. 

And on top of all of that… 10 ATTENDEES CAN JOIN US AT THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE (NYSE) ON MONDAY, MAY 4TH! If you buy a ticket, you will automatically be enrolled for this raffle to join us at the NYSE. If you can’t do both, no problem — but it’s an incredible perk!

A quick breakdown — in case you don’t have the time.

This chart is great visual of how far Iran can push — and where the risk of overplaying their hand begins.

Point X is the last resort. This is the maximum pressure point, where Iran would eventually need to capitulate and agree to leave the Strait of Hormuz open. But getting all the way to that point is NOT what we want…

Because before that sits Point R. That’s the line where a prolonged disruption to global energy flows starts to tip into a full-blown global recession. And once you get there, the response is coordinated, aggressive, and decisive around the world. Most countries would be facing substantial issues and want to work with the US in order to end conflict as quickly as possible. Iran would be facing even more intense pressure at this point.

Which is why Area N matters. This is the zone where pressure is applied, leverage is built, but escalation is contained. And importantly — it’s not just the U.S. or its allies that benefit from staying in this range. Iran does too.

If they push this into a 1970s-style energy shock, they don’t just hurt the West — they trigger a global slowdown that works against their own interests and increases the probability of a response they can’t control.

So while the goal for Iran may be to get as close to Point R as possible — to maximize leverage in negotiations — holding out indefinitely or pushing beyond that line simply isn’t in Tehran’s best interest.

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👉 Episode 162: How Anyone Can Invest in OpenAI & Anthropic w/ Ben Miller

In this week's Monday-morning episode of the Rich Habits Podcast (linked here) — Austin and Robert broke down one of the biggest shifts in investing over the last decade: why the best companies are staying private longer… and how everyday investors are finally getting access.

With venture-backed giants like OpenAI, SpaceX, and Anthropic creating massive value before ever going public, this episode explores how Fundrise is trying to bridge the gap with its new NYSE-listed ticker, VCX.

Here’s what they covered…

The bigger message: the future of investing may not just be about what you own — but when you’re able to own it. And platforms like Fundrise are trying to move that access earlier in the value creation cycle through offerings like VCX.

👉 Q&A: The Rich Habits Retreat, Investing Your First $100K, & Accelerating Retirement Timeline

Here’s a link to the Q&A episode that was posted this morning.

Earnings estimates are moving higher — even as the headlines get worse.

This chart shows something you almost never see during geopolitical stress: analysts raising profit expectations across every quarter while markets digest war, higher oil, and macro uncertainty.

Q1 estimates moved from ~10.9% to 11.9%. Q2 jumped toward ~18%. Even Q3 — which initially dipped — has now reversed higher. And Q4 is pushing back toward ~18% growth. That’s not defensive positioning — that’s confidence in corporate earnings power.

But here’s the disconnect. Markets are trading on fear. Analysts are modeling growth.

Historically, when those two things diverge — when earnings revisions move up while prices move sideways or down — it’s been a bullish setup. It means expectations are improving beneath the surface while sentiment remains cautious.

That said, there’s a lag. Earnings estimates don’t adjust overnight to shocks like this. If oil stays elevated or supply chains start to break, these numbers will come down. That’s the risk. But as it stands today, Corporate America is still expected to grow — not contract — through this. And that’s why the market hasn’t broken.

The concern around AI agents is no longer theoretical — it’s showing up in filings.

This chart tracks how many public software companies are explicitly calling out AI agents as a competitive risk. A year ago, it was barely mentioned. Now it’s everywhere. From just 2 companies in Q4 2024 to 27 in Q1 2026 — that’s not a trend, that’s a shift in how the industry sees its future.

And the fear is pretty straightforward.

If AI agents can operate software the same way humans do — but faster, cheaper, and without friction — then a lot of today’s SaaS model starts to break. Fewer employees means fewer seats. Fewer seats means less recurring revenue. And in some cases, agents may bypass the software entirely.

That’s the real threat. Not that AI replaces software overnight — but that it compresses how much software is needed to run a business. Investors are beginning to price in what all of this could mean for growth, margins, and long-term demand.

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