Startup & VC Jargon · Managing Director level

"Moat"

"Moat" refers to a lasting competitive advantage that makes it difficult for rivals to erode a company's market position.

Say this instead: lasting advantage

How "Moat" shows up at work

Borrowed from Warren Buffett and now used freely in pitch decks to describe anything from a patent to a slightly better onboarding flow. The word does a lot of reassuring work in investor conversations, which is exactly when you should ask what the moat actually is.

Buzzword

Our data network is the moat that keeps competitors from catching up.

Plain English

Our data network is the lasting advantage competitors can not easily copy.

Corporate Rank: Managing Director · Category: Startup & VC Jargon

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