Podcasts about a16z

Crypto News: Bitcoin rallies to a new high of $124,000 and Ethereum crosses $4,700. Bullish asset exchange goes public on the NYSE. Google tries to bank non custodial crypto wallets.Show Sponsor -

Gm! This week Miles Jennings and Eddy Lazzarin join Yano to dive into how a16z is approaching the current crypto landscape with a big focus on token design, designation, and how Founders can think pragmatically both along legal and engineering lines to execute their project.  -- Start your day with crypto news, analysis and data from Katherine Ross. Subscribe to the Empire newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/empire?utm_source=podcasts -- Follow Eddy: https://x.com/eddylazzarinFollow Miles: https://x.com/milesjenningsFollow Jason: https://x.com/JasonYanowitzFollow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod -- Join the Empire Telegram: https://t.me/+CaCYvTOB4Eg1OWJh -- SKALE is the next evolution in Layer 1 blockchains with a gas-free invisible user experience, instant finality, high speed, and robust security. SKALE is built different as it allows for limitless scalability and has already saved its 50 Million users over $11 Billion in gas fees.  SKALE is high-performance and cost-effective, making it ideal for compute-intensive applications like AI, gaming, and consumer-facing dApps. Learn more at https://skale.space and stay up to date with the gas-free invisible blockchain on X at @skalenetwork -- Katana is a DeFi-first chain built for deep liquidity and high yield. No empty emissions, just real yield and sequencer fees routed back to DeFi users.  Pre-deposit now: Earn high APRs with Turtle Club [https://app.turtle.club/campaigns/katana] or spin the wheel with Katana Krates [https://app.katana.network/krates] -- Ledn is the leading platform for Bitcoin-backed loans, offering a secure and transparent way to unlock liquidity without selling your Bitcoin. Ledn has issued over $9 billion in loans since 2018 and has never lost a single satoshi of client assets, earning a reputation as the name you can trust in the crypto space. Visit https://www.ledn.io to learn more. – Timestamps: (03:36) Progress In DC (05:42) Paul Atkins' Onchain Declaration (13:55) End of Foundation Era In Crypto (27:31) Ads (Skale, Katana) (29:02) DUNAs & BORGs (40:12) Defining Tokens (54:54) Ads (Skale, Katana) (56:25) Token Transparency & Classifications (01:07:29) When Fees? (01:15:55) Ads (LEDN) (01:16:57) Balancing PortCos (01:19:44) Common Founder FAQs — Disclaimer: Nothing said on Empire is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Santiago, Jason, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

In this episode, Julie Yoo and Jay Rughani are joined by Thatch cofounders Chris Ellis and Adam Stevenson to explore why ICHRA—a more recent policy innovation—might quietly revolutionize employer-sponsored health benefits. Unpacking the surprising history of how U.S. healthcare became entangled with employment, they make the case for a defined-contribution future that mirrors the rise of the 401(k) and HSA. Tailored especially for today's distributed and fast-moving workforce, ICHRA allows employers to offer tax-free health dollars employees can spend how—and where—they choose. For healthcare entrepreneurs, the conversation provides a blueprint for navigating a rapidly shifting payer landscape, including insight into how fintech infrastructure, policy tailwinds, and carrier ecosystem integrations unlock market readiness. This episode was originally published in October of 2024. The conversation remains relevant today. 

Today Anjney Midha, General Partner at a16z joins The Cognitive Revolution to discuss sovereign AI and China's growing semiconductor capabilities. Check out our sponsors: Gemini CLI, Labelbox, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, Shopify. Shownotes below brought to you by Notion AI Meeting Notes - try one month for free at https://notion.com/lp/nathan What is Sovereign AI? Varies by stakeholder - for enterprises it means controlling where AI workloads run, while for nation-states it represents both technical independence and cultural alignment with local values Semiconductor Competition with China: "Chip sanctions on China have resulted in an enormous doubling down of local investment in Huawei's ecosystem... they're in a full-on tear to try to decouple themselves from American chips" Middle Path on American AI Policy: Midha advocates for a Marshall Plan for AI where countries maintain sovereignty over models while partnering with the US on semiconductor infrastructure European AI Alignment: "It's a huge win for America that MARA in Europe is going with American chips and not Huawei chips... the European continent has been courted by the Chinese semiconductor industry like never before" The Race to Close the Gap: "Huawei is in a much stronger position today than it was three years ago... They will be able to close the gap and because workloads are becoming more efficient, they can decouple at least the inference part of their ecosystem from the US within two to three years" Cultural Independence in AI: Nations seek models that align with their values while maintaining technical independence - requiring a nuanced approach to global AI partnerships Links:Anjney Midha & Jensen Huang on Winning the AI Race https://a16z.com/podcast/jensen-huang-and-arthur-mensch-on-winning-the-global-ai-race/ Sponsors: Gemini CLI: Open-source, lightweight utility for direct Gemini access—find Gemini CLI on GitHub. Labelbox: Labelbox pairs automation, expert judgment, and reinforcement learning to deliver high-quality training data for cutting-edge AI. Put its data factory to work for you, visit https://labelbox.com Oracle Cloud Infrastructure: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is the next-generation cloud that delivers better performance, faster speeds, and significantly lower costs, including up to 50% less for compute, 70% for storage, and 80% for networking. Run any workload, from infrastructure to AI, in a high-availability environment and try OCI for free with zero commitment at https://oracle.com/cognitive Shopify: Shopify powers millions of businesses worldwide, handling 10% of U.S. e-commerce. With hundreds of templates, AI tools for product descriptions, and seamless marketing campaign creation, it's like having a design studio and marketing team in one. Start your $1/month trial today at https://shopify.com/cognitive PRODUCED BY: https://aipodcast.ing

Today on Moment of Zen, we're excited to cross post a conversation from the newly revamped a16z podcast featuring Antonio Garcia Martinez and MSNBC's Chris Hayes exploring how AI-generated content is reshaping the attention economy, from algorithmic manipulation to the future of human creativity in digital spaces. Listen to more episodes of The a16z Podcast here: link.chtbl.com/blpusvv- --

Fresh off a $243 million fundraise from Oak HC/FT and A16Z, Ambience Healthcare is on a mission to kill medical billing — and build “Iron Man suits for doctors.”Today we sit down with co-founder and CEO Mike Ng to talk about how Ambience is tackling one of healthcare's most painful problems: the administrative burden that eats up 73% of a clinician's day. We cover:

Katherine Boyle and Erin Price-Wright are General Partners at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), leading the firm's American Dynamism practice. This episode explores how their team invests in companies tackling national imperatives—ranging from defense and manufacturing to energy and critical infrastructure. Katherine shares how American Dynamism emerged from portfolio patterns at a16z, while Erin describes how her background at Palantir informs her investment lens. Together, they unpack why the U.S. must reindustrialize, how software is now eating the physical world, and what they look for in high-capex startups. This conversation also highlights the evolving U.S.-China industrial competition, the role of government in innovation, and why talent is moving from Big Tech into “hard tech.”In this episode, we cover: ⁠[02:30]⁠ An overview of a16z⁠[04:59]⁠ Its thesis shift from defense to energy and industry⁠[07:49]⁠ How AI is transforming heavy industries[8:24] Tech stack for US vs. China[12:23]⁠ Role of government versus private capital⁠[16:14]⁠ Why software is still the core of industrial innovation[16:55]⁠ Base Power as a software-led grid infrastructure play⁠[20:42]⁠ When vertical AI-native startups beat incumbents⁠[21:48]⁠ How a16z helps startups navigate Washington⁠[27:51]⁠ Why energy problems require system-level solutions⁠[31:57]⁠ Moats in energy and manufacturing[37:51] a16z's American Dynamism 50 list⁠[40:16]⁠ Battery supply chains and the China dependency⁠[46:44]⁠ Why capital stack strategy matters for hard tech founders⁠[48:52]⁠ Looking 10 years aheadEpisode recorded on May 21, 2025 (Published on July 29, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Martin Casado is a General Partner @ a16z where he leads the firms $1.25BN infrastructure fund. At a16z, Martin has led investments in companies like Cursor, dbt Labs, and Fivetran to name a few. Before joining a16z, he co-founded Nicira, acquired by VMware for $1.26B. At VMware, he served as CTO of Networking. Widely regarded as a visionary in enterprise infrastructure, Martin has helped shape the modern cloud computing stack. Agenda: 00:00 – Analysis of Current AI Investment Landscape 04:45 – Will Anthropic Kill the AI App Layer? 09:20 – “The Oligopoly Is Coming—Just Like Cloud” 12:50 – Are AI Models Actually Terrible Venture Investments? 15:40 – Why it is BS to Put Down AI Apps for Having Temporary Revenue 21:30 – “Open Source Is a National Security Weapon—And We're Losing” 26:40 – “Have the Foundation Models of the Future All Been Founded Already” 34:30 – Why it is BS to Denigrate AI Apps for Having Low Margins 38:40 – Does AI Make 1x Engineers 10x or 10x Becomes 100x 44:10 – “We're All Dead Wrong About AI and Job Loss” 50:30 – “The Only Sin in Venture: Backing the Wrong Winner” 55:10 – What People Think They Know About Wealth But Do Not  

Bayley Wang, Co-founder and CEO of PrismaX, joined me to discuss the future of robotics and how robots will leverage crypto and blockchain technology.Topics:- Bayley's time at MIT- PrismaX Overview- Raising $11 Million raise from a16z- Robots using Blockchain and Crypto- The impact of robotics on the economy and everyday life- Future of CryptoShow Sponsor -

On this TCAF Tuesday, Josh and Michael are joined by Sam Broner of a16z crypto to break down the biggest developments in the world of stablecoins. From PayPal and Circle to the role of U.S. regulators, this conversation covers where the money's moving and why it matters. Sam explains how stablecoins are quietly reshaping payments, banking, global finance and more. Then at 44:05 hear an all-new episode of What Are Your Thoughts with ⁠⁠⁠⁠Downtown Josh Brown⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Michael Batnick⁠⁠⁠⁠! This episode is sponsored by Public. Fund your account in five minutes or less by visiting: https://public.com/WAYT   Sign up for ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Compound Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ and never miss out! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/thecompoundnews⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/thecompoundnews⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-compound-media/⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thecompoundnews⁠⁠⁠⁠ Public Disclosure: All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Public Investing, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. Cryptocurrency trading services are offered by Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (NMLS ID 1890144), which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the NYSDFS. Cryptocurrency is highly speculative, involves a high degree of risk, and has the potential for loss of the entire amount of an investment. Cryptocurrency holdings are not protected by the FDIC or SIPC. Alpha is an experimental AI tool powered by GPT-4. Its output may be inaccurate and is not investment advice. Public makes no guarantees about its accuracy or reliability—verify independently before use. *Rate as of 6/24/25. APY is variable and subject to change. Investing involves the risk of loss. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be or regarded as personalized investment advice or relied upon for investment decisions. Michael Batnick and Josh Brown are employees of Ritholtz Wealth Management and may maintain positions in the securities discussed in this video. All opinions expressed by them are solely their own opinion and do not reflect the opinion of Ritholtz Wealth Management. The Compound Media, Incorporated, an affiliate of ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ritholtz Wealth Management⁠⁠⁠⁠, receives payment from various entities for advertisements in affiliated podcasts, blogs and emails. Inclusion of such advertisements does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation thereof, or any affiliation therewith, by the Content Creator or by Ritholtz Wealth Management or any of its employees. For additional advertisement disclaimers see here ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ritholtzwealth.com/advertising-disclaimers⁠⁠⁠⁠. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. The information provided on this website (including any information that may be accessed through this website) is not directed at any investor or category of investors and is provided solely as general information. Obviously nothing on this channel should be considered as personalized financial advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. See our disclosures here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ritholtzwealth.com/podcast-youtube-disclosures/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the first video diffusion models started emerging, they were little more than just “moving pictures” - still frames extended a few seconds in either direction in time. There was a ton of excitement about OpenAI's Sora on release through 2024, but so far only Sora-lite has been widely released. Meanwhile, other good videogen models like Genmo Mochi, Pika, MiniMax T2V, Tencent Hunyuan Video, and Kuaishou's Kling have emerged, but the reigning king this year seems to be Google's Veo 3, which for the first time has added native audio generation into their model capabilities, eliminating the need for a whole class of lipsynching tooling and SFX editing. The rise of Veo 3 unlocks a whole new category of AI Video creators that many of our audience may not have been exposed to, but is undeniably effective and important particularly in the “kids” and “brainrot” segments of the global consumer internet platforms like Tiktok, YouTube and Instagram. By far the best documentarians of these trends for laypeople are Olivia and Justine Moore, both partners at a16z, who not only collate the best examples from all over the web, but dabble in video creation themselves to put theory into practice. We've been thinking of dabbling in AI brainrot on a secondary channel for Latent Space, so we wanted to get the braindump from the Moore twins on how to make a Latent Space Brainrot channel. Jump on in! Chapters 00:00:00 Introductions & Guest Welcome 00:00:49 The Rise of Generative Media 00:02:24 AI Video Trends: Italian Brain Rot & Viral Characters 00:05:00 Following Trends & Creating AI Content 00:07:17 Hands-On with AI Video Creation 00:18:36 Monetization & Business of AI Content 00:23:34 Platforms, Models, and the Creator Stack 00:37:22 Native Content vs. Clipping & Going Viral 00:41:52 Prompt Theory & Meta-Trends in AI Creativity 00:47:42 Professional, Commercial, and Platform-Specific AI Video 00:48:57 Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts

FILL OUT THE SURVEY BY CLICKING HERE Welcome back to The Gwart Show! Today, Robert Chang, crypto trader and prolific Twitter shitposter, joins us to talk about his wild ride through crypto's highs and lows - from being a Luna lunatic to losing everything on Hyperliquid, navigating AI agent metas, getting rugged by VCs stealing his ideas, and why internet capital markets might just be elaborate poker chips with better marketing. Subscribe to the newsletter! https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com • Luna looping strategy led to total account loss • Hyperliquid refunded liquidation due to oracle issues   • AI agent tokens hit incredible market caps in 2024 • Worm project went from idea to 4M market cap • A16Z agent reached peak before January market top • Most crypto VCs are "incredibly stupid" mercenaries Timestamps: 00:00 Start 00:24 Robert's background 01:20 Working in crypto 05:11 Lately 07:07 Traders vs users 11:07 Hyperliquid early days 13:10 Markets recently 15:05 Bigger names enter market 16:27 Current market 20:50 AI agents 22:48 WORM 26:12 WORM goes to zero 28:47 Elipsis Labs 29:48 VCs sniping ideas 32:43 ICM 36:08 ICM (this time is different) 44:05 AI16z value proposition? 47:15 Base 50:05 The future 54:15 Bullish VC coins? 58:28 Alliance DAO 1:01:28 Bullish on what? 1:04:32 Ryan Park 1:07:28 ETH (don't call it a comeback) 1:08:23 BTC is mid 1:09:16 Wrap up

Gm! This week we're joined by Ali Yahya to discuss the state of crypto in 2025. We deep dive into crypto venture in 2025, the Solana thesis, stablecoins, funding apps vs infra & more. Enjoy! -- Follow Ali: https://x.com/alive_eth Follow Jack: https://x.com/whosknave Follow Lightspeed: https://twitter.com/Lightspeedpodhq Subscribe to the Lightspeed Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/lightspeed Join the Lightspeed Telegram: https://t.me/+QUl_ZOj2nMJlZTEx -- Katana is a DeFi-first chain built for deep liquidity and high yield. No empty emissions, just real yield and sequencer fees routed back to DeFi users. Pre-deposit now: Earn high APRs with Turtle Club [https://app.turtle.club/campaigns/katana] or spin the wheel with Katana Krates [https://app.katana.network/krates] -- Grab your tickets to Permissionless IV. Use code LIGHTSPEED10 for 10% off: https://blockworks.co/event/permissionless-iv -- Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ -- (00:00) Introduction (06:44) a16z's Crypto Thesis (14:23) Katana Ad (15:23) The State Of Crypto VC (20:20) Investing On Short vs Long Term Timeframes (27:55) The Solana Thesis (32:03) Katana Ad (33:02) Stablecoins (39:20) Worldcoin (44:33) Investing In Apps vs Infra -- isclaimers: Lightspeed was kickstarted by a grant from the Solana Foundation. Nothing said on Lightspeed is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Mert, Jack, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

In this episode, Patrick McKenzie (@patio11) is joined by Jennifer Li, a general partner at a16z investing in enterprise, infrastructure and AI. Jennifer breaks down how AI workloads are creating new demands on everything from inference pipelines to observability systems, explaining why we're seeing a bifurcation between language models and diffusion models at the infrastructure level. They explore emerging categories like reinforcement learning environments that help train agents, the evolution of web scraping for agentic workflows, and why Jennifer believes the API economy is about to experience another boom as agents become the primary consumers of software interfaces.–Full transcript: www.complexsystemspodcast.com/the-ai-infrastructure-stack-with-jennifer-li-a16z/–Sponsor:  VantaVanta automates security compliance and builds trust, helping companies streamline ISO, SOC 2, and AI framework certifications. Learn more at https://vanta.com/complex–Links:Jennifer Li's writing at a16z https://a16z.com/author/jennifer-li/ –Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(00:55) The AI shift and infrastructure(02:24) Diving into middleware and AI models(04:23) Challenges in AI infrastructure(07:07) Real-world applications and optimizations(15:15) Sponsor: Vanta(16:38) Real-world applications and optimizations (cont'd)(19:05) Reinforcement learning and synthetic environments(23:05) The future of SaaS and AI integration(26:02) Observability and self-healing systems(32:49) Web scraping and automation(37:29) API economy and agent interactions(44:47) Wrap

In this episode, Alex Immerman, partner at Andreessen Horowitz, joins CJ to discuss the CFO role and how it's changing in the era of AI. He explains what the components of a company's AI agenda the CFO should own, how and where it should be leveraged in an organization, and why, if you're preparing to go public, AI needs to be mentioned in your S-1. He breaks down how the financial landscape differs greatly between AI-native SaaS companies and traditional B2B SaaS companies in terms of retention curves and gross margins, and how this relates to the ever-important LTV to CAC metric. As someone who has worked with prominent CFOs and interviewed many for a16z's portfolio companies, Alex also describes the qualities of a great CFO, and shares his favorite interview question, before discussing CFOs, CEO, and board dynamics.—LINKS:Alex Immerman on X (@aleximm): https://x.com/aleximmAlex Immerman on a16z: https://a16z.com/author/alex-immermanAlex Immerman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/immermanAndreessen Horowitz: https://a16z.comCJ on X (@cjgustafson222): https://x.com/cjgustafson222Mostly metrics: http://mostlymetrics.comRELATED EPISODES:So You're Looking for a “Strategic” CFO? Bloomerang's Steve Isom on What That Really Means: —TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Preview and Intro(02:19) Sponsor – Navan | NetSuite | Planful(05:52) What Separates Good CFOs From Great Ones(11:56) Questions Alex Asks When Interviewing CFOs for Portfolio Companies(15:17) How CFOs Should Engage With Investors During the Hiring Process(17:22) Sponsor – Tabs | Rippling Spend | Pulley(22:22) What a Great CFO-Investor Relationship Looks Like(24:46) The CFO-CEO-Board Dynamic(28:27) How the Role of a CFO Is Changing in the Era of AI(31:41) AI-Native Company Versus Incumbent for Finance Category Leader(33:49) Components of a Company's AI Agenda That the CFO Should Own(38:39) Why the LTV to CAC Metric Is So Important to Investors(41:13) LTV to CAC by Sector(42:41) The Importance of Gross Margin Adjusting Your CAC Payback(43:21 Retention and Churn Patterns in AI-Native Companies(45:23) Gross Margin in AI-Native Companies Versus Traditional B2B SaaS(50:11) What It Takes To Be a Public Company-Ready CFO Today(53:58) How IPO Expectations for the CFO Have Shifted in the Past Few Years(55:05) Wrap—SPONSORS:Navan is the all-in-one travel and expense solution that helps finance teams streamline reconciliation, enforce policies automatically, and gain real-time visibility. It connects to your existing cards and makes closing the books faster and smarter. Visit navan.com/Runthenumbers for your demo.NetSuite is an AI-powered business management suite, encompassing ERP/Financials, CRM, and ecommerce for more than 41,000 customers. If you're looking for an ERP, head to https://netsuite.com/metrics and get the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning.Planful's financial planning software can transform your FP&A function. Built for speed, accuracy, and confidence, you'll be planning your way to success and have time left over to actually put it to work. Find out more at www.planful.com/metrics.Tabs is a platform that brings all of your revenue-facing data and workflows - billing, AR, payments, rev rec, and reporting - onto a single system so you can automate and be more flexible. Find out more at: tabs.inc/metrics.Rippling Spend is a spend management software that gives you complete visibility and automated policy controls across every type of spend, saving you time and money. Get a demo to see how much time your org would save at rippling.com/metrics.Pulley is the cap table management platform built for CFOs and finance leaders who need reliable, audit-ready data and intuitive workflows, without the hidden fees or unreliable support. Switch in as little as 5 days and get 25% off your first year: pulley.com/mostlymetrics.#AINativeSaaS #a16z #CFO #LTVtoCAC #AIinSaaS Get full access to Mostly metrics at www.mostlymetrics.com/subscribe

The Rollup TV is brought to you by:Boundless: https://beboundless.xyz/AltLayer: https://www.altlayer.io/Mantle: https://www.mantle.xyz/Vertex: https://vertexprotocol.com/Subsquid: https://www.sqd.ai/Summer: https://summer.fi/Join The Rollup Family:Website: https://therollup.co/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1P6ZeYd..Podcast: https://therollup.co/category/podcastFollow us on X: https://www.x.com/therollupcoFollow Rob on X: https://www.x.com/robbie_rollupFollow Andy on X: https://www.x.com/ayyyeandyJoin our TG group: https://t.me/+8ARkR_YZixE5YjBhThe Rollup Disclosures: https://therollup.co/the-rollup-disclTimestamps00:00 Introduction and Format Changes06:05 Meme Tweets and Community Engagement09:58 Market Analysis: Stablecoins and Trends11:22 Guest Segment: Trading Insights with Jake27:28 Security Concerns in Crypto29:10 Guest Segment: Insights from Reagan on Market Trends52:29 Exploring Zero-Knowledge Technology and Its Applications56:19 The Rise of Stablecoins in Emerging Markets59:38 The Future of Payment Solutions with Stablecoins01:03:57 Building Native Rollups and Their Impact on Ethereum01:09:51 The Shift Towards Revenue in DeFi Protocols01:23:19 Navigating Challenges in the Crypto Landscape01:34:28 Innovations in Internet Capital Markets with Dupe

Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote revealed a lot – just not what you'd expect. Siri's long-awaited AI upgrade was quietly delayed, and instead Apple rolled out a grab bag of long-overdue features, flashy design updates, and deep ChatGPT integrations. Is this a bold product reset, or proof that Apple is falling behind?Meanwhile, Elon Musk and Donald Trump butt heads, Ukraine rewrites warfare with AI-powered drones, and a16z explains how consumer AI startups can finally scale, if they get a few key things right.In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein sift through this huge week of tech news, breaking down the topics that really matter for founders and early-stage operators. In this episode, you will:Understand the real implications of Elon Musk and Donald Trump's public falloutExplore how the Musk/Trump feud could fracture the MAGA-tech alliance and reshape Silicon Valley politicsLearn why Apple is releasing papers criticizing AI reasoning—and what that means for AGI hypeAssess whether Apple's WWDC 2025 was a quiet revolution or just a catch-up actDiscover how Ukraine's AI-powered drone strike changes the future of war and global defense techUnpack why AI consumer startups now have better monetization paths than ever before

The future of coding. We cover multiplying engineering output, vibe coding bottlenecks, agents as reviewer, AI roll-ups, and the future of developing software. Merrill Lutsky is co-founder and CEO of Graphite, bringing AI-acceleration and automation to code review. Founded in 2020 out of New York, Graphite has become a key part of the developer ecosystem — as more code is generated with AI, they enable developers to scale the evaluation, testing, and review process before it is released. A growing bottleneck that has become incredibly important. The startup has raised over $70M from leading VC’s such Accel, A16Z, Menlo as well as a receiving a strategic investment from model provider Anthropic. Last year Graphite grew its revenue 20X and is trusted by over 45,000 developers at top engineering organizations such as Shopify and Figma. His second startup, Merrill has helped develop and manage software products for high output engineering companies such as Square, Oscar Insurance, and SelfMade. He holds a degree in Applies Math and Economics from Harvard. Sign up for new podcasts and our newsletter, and email me on danieldarling@focal.vcSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahmed Nimale, Founder of KYD Labs, is working to disrupt the live events industry with a venue-first approach to ticketing. Having worked at Fan Exchange, Vivid Seats and Ticketmaster, Ahmed brings deep industry knowledge to solving the core problem: venues and artists lack data about their customers while spending heavily on marketing with poor returns. In this episode, Ahmed explains how KYD's platform increases venue revenue by 30-40% through automated marketing and better conversion rates.This episode is brought to you in partnership with LEDNhttps://www.ledn.io/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Matt Perault, Head of AI Policy at a16z, discusses their approach to AI regulation focused on protecting "little tech" startups from regulatory capture that could entrench big tech incumbents. The conversation covers a16z's core principle of regulating harmful AI use rather than the development process, exploring key policy initiatives like the Raise Act and California's SB 813. Perault addresses critical challenges including setting appropriate regulatory thresholds, transparency requirements, and designing dynamic frameworks that balance innovation with safety. The discussion examines both areas of agreement and disagreement within the AI policy landscape, particularly around scaling laws, regulatory timing, and the concentration of AI capabilities. Disclaimer: This information is for general educational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy, hold, or sell any investment or financial product. Turpentine is an acquisition of a16z Holdings, L.L.C., and is not a bank, investment adviser, or broker-dealer. This podcast may include paid promotional advertisements, individuals and companies featured or advertised during this podcast are not endorsing AH Capital or any of its affiliates (including, but not limited to, a16z Perennial Management L.P.). Similarly, Turpentine is not endorsing affiliates, individuals, or any entities featured on this podcast. All investments involve risk, including the possible loss of capital. Past performance is no guarantee of future results and the opinions presented cannot be viewed as an indicator of future performance. Before making decisions with legal, tax, or accounting effects, you should consult appropriate professionals. Information is from sources deemed reliable on the date of publication, but Turpentine does not guarantee its accuracy. SPONSORS: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is the next-generation cloud platform that delivers better, cheaper, and faster solutions for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. Experience up to 50% savings on compute, 70% on storage, and 80% on networking with OCI's high-performance environment—try it for free with zero commitment at https://oracle.com/cognitive The AGNTCY: The AGNTCY is an open-source collective dedicated to building the Internet of Agents, enabling AI agents to communicate and collaborate seamlessly across frameworks. Join a community of engineers focused on high-quality multi-agent software and support the initiative at https://agntcy.org/?utm_campaign=fy25q4_agntcy_amer_paid-media_agntcy-cognitiverevolution_podcast&utm_channel=podcast&utm_source=podcast NetSuite by Oracle: NetSuite by Oracle is the AI-powered business management suite trusted by over 41,000 businesses, offering a unified platform for accounting, financial management, inventory, and HR. Gain total visibility and control to make quick decisions and automate everyday tasks—download the free ebook, Navigating Global Trade: Three Insights for Leaders, at https://netsuite.com/cognitive PRODUCED BY: https://aipodcast.ing

Rand Fishkin joins Ross Hudgens to unpack the latest acronym craze—GEO, AEO, LEO—and why none may be necessary. They explore the origins of SEO, the rise (and fall) of inbound marketing, and how marketers can avoid falling into the trap of trend-chasing. From naming conventions to the real value of brand clarity, this is a conversation for anyone navigating search in the age of AI. Rand also shares a bold bet on AI's impact on jobs, reflects on his early days in the “promised land of SEO”—and discusses why “SEO for AI” might be the clearest path forward. Plus: Cooking games, Snack Bar Studios, and whether creating a new marketing category is ever worth the effort. Show Notes 0:08 – Why SEO has too many new acronyms 0:44 – The wild origin of SEO in Bend, Oregon 1:29 – Danny Sullivan, Circuit City, and the OG SEO crowd 2:54 – Who coined “zero-click search”? 3:29 – Why naming trends like GEO can hurt clarity 5:00 – Is GEO catching on because A16z backed it? 5:59 – Should we name this shift at all? 6:37 – Why "SEO for AI" is clearer than new acronyms 8:09 – Organic digital vs SEO vs paid—don't confuse your client 9:33 – Naming things doesn't always benefit the person who coined it 10:13 – Why SEO isn't in decline (despite the narrative) 11:07 – Google is still orders of magnitude bigger than any AI tool 12:34 – Rand bets $100K AI won't take half of all jobs 13:39 – “SEO for AI” has 100% clarity, unlike GEO or AEO 14:58 – GEO and AEO should be considered tags under SEO 16:07 – Simplifying your services for buyers: SEO still works 17:11 – SEO can carry baggage—but it's still foundational 18:20 – Organic growth as the category; SEO as the tactic 19:03 – The Snickers bar analogy for misaligned category tags 20:01 – Why HubSpot had the power to rebrand with inbound marketing 20:54 – Applying lessons from game tagging at Snack Bar Studios 22:16 – Final thoughts: ride the wave if you're Mars; otherwise, keep it clear 23:07 – Rand's AI/job displacement bet explained 24:53 – Revisiting his blockchain bet with Dharmesh from 2016 25:21 – What worries Rand more than AI? Government decisions 26:14 – Elon, politics, and the future of tech influence 26:22 – Snack Bar Studios: magical boars and carbonara 26:56 – Sparktoro and “Search Everywhere Optimization” 27:03 – Tagging the cooking game: chill action, story rich, 2D action 27:51 – Geraldine's writing brings it to life Show Link It's Still SEO (SparkToro Blog): (https://sparktoro.com/blog/its-still-seo-search-everywhere-optimization/](https://sparktoro.com/blog/its-still-seo-search-everywhere-optimization/) a16z: GEO Rewrites the Rules of Search: (https://a16z.com/geo-over-seo/) Rand's Game Studio: (https://snackbarstudio.com/](https://snackbarstudio.com/) Subscribe today for weekly tips: (https://bit.ly/3dBM61f](https://bit.ly/3dBM61f) Listen on iTunes: (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/content-and-conversation-seo-tips-from-siege-media/id1289467174) Listen on Spotify: (https://open.spotify.com/show/1kiaFGXO5UcT2qXVRuXjsM](https://open.spotify.com/show/1kiaFGXO5UcT2qXVRuXjsM) Listen on Google: (https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9jT3NjUkdLeA) Follow Siege on Twitter: (http://twitter.com/siegemedia](http://twitter.com/siegemedia) Follow Ross on Twitter: (http://twitter.com/rosshudgens](http://twitter.com/rosshudgens) Directed by Cara Brown: (https://twitter.com/cararbrown](https://twitter.com/cararbrown) Email Ross: (ross@siegemedia.com](mailto:ross@siegemedia.com) #seo | #contentmarketing Subscribe today for weekly tips: https://bit.ly/3dBM61f Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/content-and-conversation-seo-tips-from-siege-media/id1289467174 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kiaFGXO5UcT2qXVRuXjsM Listen on Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9jT3NjUkdLeA Follow Siege on Twitter: http://twitter.com/siegemedia Follow Ross on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rosshudgens Directed by Cara Brown: https://twitter.com/cararbrown Email Ross: ross@siegemedia.com #seo | #contentmarketing

Drop 1: Metamask + web3authhttps://www.coindesk.com/tech/2025/06/02/consensys-acquires-web3auth-to-reinvent-metamask-onboardingDrop 2: a16z Crypto Foundations - end of an erahttps://a16zcrypto.com/posts/article/end-foundation-era-crypto/Drop 3: Sunsetting ApeCoin DAOhttps://cointelegraph.com/news/yuga-labs-aims-to-replace-apecoin-dao-with-apecoCircle IPOs with over 160% gain on day onehttps://blockworks.co/news/circle-hits-75-nyse-tradingNBX to use BTC as backing for Cardano stablecoin USDMhttps://live.euronext.com/en/products/equities/company-news/2025-06-02-norwegian-block-exchange-nbx-establishes-bitcoin-treasuryGlobal Dollar Network + The Block: stablecoin use cases reporthttps://www.tbstat.com/wp/uploads/2025/06/20250604_GlobalDollar_Network_Report.pdfUK FCA will lift the ban on cryto ETNs for retail investorshttps://www.coindesk.com/policy/2025/06/06/uk-regulator-fca-to-lift-ban-on-crypto-etns-for-retail-investorsUber Explores Global Stablecoin Transfers https://cryptorank.io/news/feed/42bcf-uber-stablecoin-transfers-bitcoin-value. Redes sociais / comms.. https://blockdropspodcast.xyz/.. Instagram.com/blockdropspodcast.. Twitter.com/blockdropspod.. Blockdrops.lens .. https://warpcast.com/mauriciomagaldi.. youtube.com/@BlockDropsPodcast.. Meu conteúdo em inglês twitter.com/0xmauricio.. Newsletter do linkedin  https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7056680685142454272.. blockdropspodcast@gmail.com

Drop 1: Metamask + web3auth⁠https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2025/06/02/consensys-acquires-web3auth-to-reinvent-metamask-onboarding⁠Drop 2: a16z Crypto Foundations - end of an era⁠https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/article/end-foundation-era-crypto/⁠Drop 3: Sunsetting ApeCoin DAO⁠https://cointelegraph.com/news/yuga-labs-aims-to-replace-apecoin-dao-with-apeco⁠More:Circle IPOs with over 160% gain on day one⁠https://blockworks.co/news/circle-hits-75-nyse-trading⁠NBX to use BTC as backing for Cardano stablecoin USDM⁠https://live.euronext.com/en/products/equities/company-news/2025-06-02-norwegian-block-exchange-nbx-establishes-bitcoin-treasury⁠Global Dollar Network + The Block: stablecoin use cases report⁠https://www.tbstat.com/wp/uploads/2025/06/20250604_GlobalDollar_Network_Report.pdf⁠UK FCA will lift the ban on cryto ETNs for retail investors⁠https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2025/06/06/uk-regulator-fca-to-lift-ban-on-crypto-etns-for-retail-investors⁠Uber Explores Global Stablecoin Transfers ⁠https://cryptorank.io/news/feed/42bcf-uber-stablecoin-transfers-bitcoin-value⁠. Redes sociais / comms.. ⁠https://blockdropspodcast.xyz/⁠.. ⁠Instagram.com/blockdropspodcast⁠.. ⁠Twitter.com/blockdropspod⁠.. Blockdrops.lens .. ⁠https://warpcast.com/mauriciomagaldi⁠.. ⁠youtube.com/@BlockDropsPodcast⁠.. Meu conteúdo em inglês ⁠twitter.com/0xmauricio⁠.. Newsletter do linkedin  ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7056680685142454272⁠.. ⁠blockdropspodcast@gmail.com⁠

When Monik Pamecha co-founded AI voice startup Toma in early 2024, he hadn't anticipated spending the summer months sweating in Bible Belt car dealerships. He and co-founder Anthony Krivonos were still focused on banking and healthcare customers when the dealers came knocking.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does it take to build a venture firm from scratch—and scale it across multiple waves of technological and cultural change?In this special episode recorded at the a16z LP Summit, Marc Andreessen joins Erik Torenberg for a conversation on the origins and evolution of Andreessen Horowitz. From raising Fund I during the depths of the 2008 financial crisis to shaping the firm's multistage, multi-sector strategy, Marc reflects on how the firm was built—and rebuilt—as the tech landscape shifted.They discuss the rise of “Little Tech,” why policy now matters to startups, how scale became a strategic advantage in venture capital, and why the move from generalists to vertical specialists was inevitable.Along the way, Marc shares behind-the-scenes stories on Facebook's near-sale to Yahoo, the evolution of founder archetypes, the global talent arbitrage, and what too many people still misunderstand about tech's role in society.Resources: Find Marc on X: https://x.com/pmarcaFind Erik on X: https://x.com/eriktorenbergStay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16zFind a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zSubscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenbergPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

AGNTCY - Unlock agents at scale with an open Internet of Agents. Visit https://agntcy.org/ and add your support. What does it really take to turn cutting-edge AI research into a successful foundation model company?   In this episode of Eye on AI, we sit down with Anjney Midha, General Partner at a16z, to unpack how he helps scientists and researchers transform their breakthroughs into scalable, real-world AI businesses.    From his early backing of Anthropic to launching Mistral and Black Forest Labs, Anjney shares a behind-the-scenes look at how AI infrastructure companies are born.   We dive into the critical challenges of model reliability, evaluation beyond academic benchmarks, and the rise of hybrid architectures combining transformers with diffusion and LSTMs.   If you're building in AI or investing in it, this is the roadmap to what's next. Stay Updated: Craig Smith on X:https://x.com/craigss Eye on A.I. on X: https://x.com/EyeOn_AI   (00:00) Turning AI Research into Real Companies   (02:08) Anjney's Journey into Venture Capital   (05:44) The Birth of Anthropic   (08:26) Backing Mistral and Stable Diffusion   (13:16) Are Transformers Really Enough?   (18:36) Why AI Evaluation Is Broken   (22:10) Making AI Models More Interpretable   (28:38) The Real Potential of AI Agents   (32:43) How a16z Spots AI Breakthroughs   (37:45) Investing Like It's the 1970s   (43:31) What AI Voice Tech Needs Right Now (46:32) Models vs Products   (51:17) What's Holding Back AI Agents   (55:41) Anjney Startup Investing Strategy   

Join Nolan Fortman and Logan Kilpatrick as they sit down with legendary investor and builder Anjney Midha to chat all things AI. From foundation model progress, to evals, to how to find the next generation of AI enabled products, Anjney shares his deep insights around AI as one of the critical figures in the ecosystem.

AI's breakout moment is here - but where is the real value accruing, and what's just hype?Recorded live at a16z's annual LP Summit, General Partners Erik Torenberg, Martin Casado, and Sarah Wang unpack the current state of play in AI. From the myth of the GPT wrapper to the rapid rise of apps like Cursor, the conversation explores where defensibility is emerging, how platform shifts mirror (and diverge from) past tech cycles, and why the zero-sum mindset falls short in today's AI landscape.They also dig into the innovator's dilemma facing SaaS incumbents, the rise of brand moats, the surprising role of prosumer adoption, and what it takes to pick true category leaders in a market defined by both exponential growth - and accelerated wipeouts.Resources: Find Martin on X: https://x.com/martin_casadoFind Sarah on X: https://x.com/sarahdingwangStay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16zFind a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zSubscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenbergPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

This might be the most insane AI founder story you'll hear all year.Dropped out of high school.Met the Queen of England.

Crypto News: Bitcoin's price hits $110K, how high will it go? New XRP Futures ETF launches tomorrow. VanEck builds on Avalanche AVAX Blockchain. Worldcoin raises $135 million from a16z and others.Show Sponsor -

Recorded live at the 2025 a16z LP Summit, this episode is a candid conversation between a16z cofounders Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz—hosted by general partner Erik Torenberg.They cover the evolution of a16z from startup firm to multi-practice platform, how the media landscape is shaped by meme-speed narratives, why reorgs—not just returns—determine who wins, and what it takes to build an enduring venture franchise.They also share thoughts on the changing policy landscape for AI and crypto, the firm's bipartisan approach to Washington—and why Marc personally screens social media profiles before anyone joins the team. Resources: Find Marc on X: https://x.com/pmarcaFind Ben on X: https://x.com/bhorowitz Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16zFind a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zSubscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/Follow our host: Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenbergPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

Are you struggling to scale your cybersecurity sales from mid-market to enterprise? Wondering how to build a high-performance sales team that consistently generates pipeline? Curious about what it really takes to win enterprise clients—and keep them? This episode of the Cybersecurity Go-To-Market Podcast dives deep into those challenges and offers candid, tactical advice from someone who's done it.Mike Ferrari is the SVP Worldwide Sales at Doppel, the social engineering defense platform, and the fastest growing cybersecurity company in the A16Z portfolio.In this conversation we discuss:

Today on the a16z Podcast, we're sharing Marc Andreessen's recent appearance on TBPN.Marc—cofounder and general partner at a16z—joins hosts John Coogan and Jordi Hays for a wide-ranging conversation, recorded live at the a16z's 2025 LP Conference in Las Vegas.They cover the rise of AI, the future of open source models, and how tech is transforming every corner of the economy—from education and defense to healthcare and housing.Marc also shares his thoughts on the evolution of venture capital, the firm's new branding, and what it takes to build enduring companies in a rapidly changing world. Resources:Watch more from TBPN: https://www.tbpn.com/Find TBPN on X: https://x.com/tbpnFind Marc on X: https://x.com/pmarca Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16zFind a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zSubscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenbergPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

Corporate spies stealing Slack messages. Adam Neumann raising another $100M (for WeWork 2.0?). AI startups hitting $34B valuations with zero revenue and ordering Ben & Jerry's ice cream over 15 payments with Klarna on DoorDash. April was wild, and Jack Kuveke joins the show to unpack the chaos, controversy, and insanity behind the biggest startup headlines. This is different than our normal episodes— definitely a much lighter twist, to be taken with a grain of salt. Let us know what you think!Why You Should ListenWhy Adam Neumann can raise billions—but you can't raise your seed roundHow a $40B valuation for AI startups might not be as insane as it soundsWhy espionage is moving from Wall St to Silicon ValleyWhat Klarna and DoorDash teaming up says about consumer debt cultureWhy A16Z thinks VCs will be the last job standing when AI takes overKeywordsAdam Neumann, AI startups, Silicon Valley espionage, A16Z, Klarna DoorDash, startup news, corporate spies, consumer debt, tech valuations, VC funding00:00 Intro01:45 Neumann's new $500 M raise and the WeWork déjà‑vu08:20 Deel‑vs‑Rippling spy saga uncovered13:00 11x growth scandal and TechCrunch backlash18:25 Marc Andreessen says only VCs are irreplaceable20:38 ChatGPT's $10 M “please & thank‑you” GPU bill26:10 Safe Super‑Intelligence and the $34 B pre‑revenue club30:00 Klarna × DoorDash lets you finance ice cream37:40 How consumer debt became America's default setting41:55 Quick survival guide for founders (and a few rants)Send me a message to let me know what you think!

Today's Topics: 04:44 Analysis of $3 Billion Windsurf Acquisition 12:39 Will Mega Funds Win the Future of Venture Capital 18:39 Does Every Fund Have to do Pre-Seed to Win Series A and B Today 27:53 Why AI Will Create Massive Unemployment 31:06 The $100,000 Bet on the Future of Work  35:52 Why Venture Has Become a Bundled Good 37:52 Why Stage Specific Firms Will Win: a16z vs Benchmark 40:16 What Does Harvard Losing It's For Profit Status Mean for Venture 42:57 Why AI is Maiming and Not Killing Growth Companies on the Path to IPO 45:41 Decagon Raises 100x ARR: The Breakdown 52:50 Why VCs Are Upside Junkies and What That Means Today 01:03:37 Olo Looking to Sell: What Happens When Public Companies Want to Sell  

In today's episode, Jackson Ellis hosts Melissa Wasser, the Partner and Head of the Fintech Capital Network at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), a leading venture capital firm backing bold entrepreneurs building the future through technology. Tune in to hear about: - Melissa's career journey from Goldman Sachs to FT Partners to leading fintech support at a16z - How the Fintech Capital Network helps founders navigate fundraising, M&A, and strategic partnerships - The tradeoffs between equity and debt financing, and how fintech founders can structure smarter capital strategies

In this episode of AI + a16z, Anthropic's David Soria Parra — who created MCP (Model Context Protocol) along with Justin Spahr-Summers — sits down with a16z's Yoko Li to discuss the project's inception, exciting use cases for connecting LLMs to external sources, and what's coming next for the project. If you're unfamiliar with the wildly popular MCP project, this edited passage from their discussion is a great starting point to learn:David: "MCP tries to enable building AI applications in such a way that they can be extended by everyone else that is not part of the original development team through these MCP servers, and really bring the workflows you care about, the things you want to do, to these AI applications. It's a protocol that just defines how whatever you are building as a developer for that integration piece, and that AI application, talk to each other. "It's a very boring specification, but what it enables is hopefully ... something that looks like the current API ecosystem, but for LLM interactions."Yoko: "I really love the analogy with the API ecosystem, because they give people a mental model of how the ecosystem evolves ... Before, you may have needed a different spec to query Salesforce versus query HubSpot. Now you can use similarly defined API schema to do that."And then when I saw MCP earlier in the year, it was very interesting in that it almost felt like a standard interface for the agent to interface with LLMs. It's like, 'What are the set of things that the agent wants to execute on that it has never seen before? What kind of context does it need to make these things happen?' When I tried it out, it was just super powerful and I no longer have to build one tool per client. I now can build just one MCP server, for example, for sending emails, and I use it for everything on Cursor, on Claude Desktop, on Goose."Learn more:A Deep Dive Into MCP and the Future of AI ToolingWhat Is an AI Agent?Benchmarking AI Agents on Full-Stack CodingAgent Experience: Building an Open Web for the AI EraFollow everyone on X:David Soria ParraYoko Li Check out everything a16z is doing with artificial intelligence here, including articles, projects, and more podcasts.

On this episode of The Ben & Marc Show, a16z co-founders Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz dive deep into the unfiltered story behind the founding of Andreessen Horowitz—and how they set out to reinvent venture capital itself.  For the first time, Marc and Ben walk through the origins, strategy, and philosophy behind building a world-class venture capital firm designed for the future—not just the next fund. They reveal how they broke industry norms with a bold brand, a full-stack support model, and a long-term commitment to backing exceptional builders—anchored in the radical idea that founders deserved real support, not just checks.  Joining them to guide the conversation is Erik Torenberg—Andreessen Horowitz's newest General Partner—who makes his Ben & Marc Show moderating debut. Erik is a technology entrepreneur, investor, and founder of the media company Turpentine. You can learn more about Erik via Marc's announcement [here].  Together, they explore: - Why traditional VC needed reinvention - How a16z scaled with a platform model, not a partner model - The "barbell strategy" reshaping venture capital today - Why venture remains a human craft, even in the age of AI  We're thrilled to welcome Erik to the team—and we hope you enjoy this inside look at the structure, philosophy, and future of a16z. Resources: Marc on X: https://twitter.com/pmarca Marc's Substack: https://pmarca.substack.com/ Ben on X: https://twitter.com/bhorowitz  Erik on X: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Erik's Substack: https://eriktorenberg.substack.com/ Stay Updated: Find us on X: https://twitter.com/a16z Find us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z  This information is for general educational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy, hold, or sell any investment or financial product.Turpentine is an acquisition of a16z Holdings, L.L.C., and is not a bank, investment adviser, or broker-dealer. Individuals and companies featured during this podcast are not endorsing AH Capital or any of its affiliates (including, but not limited to, a16z Perennial Management L.P.). Any investments or portfolio companies mentioned, referred to, or described in this podcast are not representative of all a16z investments and there can be no assurance that the investments will be profitable or that other investments made in the future will have similar characteristics or results. A list of investments made by a16z is available at https://a16z.com/investment-list/. All  investments involve risk, including the possible loss of capital.  Past performance is no guarantee of future results and the opinions presented cannot be viewed as an indicator of future performance. Before making decisions with legal, tax, or accounting effects, you should consult appropriate professionals. Information is from sources deemed reliable on the date of publication, but a16z does not guarantee its accuracy. 

Hunter Somerville is a Partner at StepStone Group, an asset management firm with over $150BN+ in assets under management. Hunter focuses on venture capital and growth equity investments which includes fund investments, directs, and secondaries.⭐ Sponsored by Podcast10x - Podcasting agency for VCs - https://podcast10x.comStepStone Group - https://www.stepstonegroup.com/Hunter Somerville on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunter-somerville-2a24117/In this episode we talk about -- The different strategies they invest in at StepStone private equity & VC team- Key things you look for in fund managers- The different risks they are undertaking when backing a fund- Common mistakes new GPs make- How big is the opportunity in the secondary market? - His advice to GPs aspiring to build the Sequoia of tomorrow& lots moreTimestamps:(00:00) Introduction(05:23) Hunter's background and career journey(06:26) StepStone's investment strategies(09:04) Key characteristics and criteria for primary fund investments(11:31) Managing DPI and liquidity in early-stage venture investments(14:09) Evaluating secondary investments and portfolio strategies(16:27) Risks associated with fund investments(20:10) Building relevance and value for venture capital funds(23:03) Common mistakes made by new General Partners (GPs)(24:45) StepStone's approach to growth stage direct investing(27:08) Comparing risk and return across different investment strategies(30:19) The secondary market opportunity and its growth(34:17) Liquidity dynamics in venture capital investments(36:10) Advice for GPs aspiring to build the next Sequoia or A16Z(37:46) Emerging trends and exciting investment areas in venture capital(40:28) Rapid fire round of questions about StepStone's investment approachFor sponsorship or guest appearance requests, write to prashantchoubey3@gmail.comSubscribe to VC10X on Youtube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts.

We're back to opining on the state of tech media! A16z has aqui-hired Erik Torenberg and his newsletter Turpentine, while the Technology Brothers with ties to Founders Fund have created a podcasting empire. Eric and Tom reminisce about the original wave of “going direct,” why it failed, and what's different this time around. Later on, Madeline shares that crypto VCs are growing frustrated with President Trump's meme coin grifts, and how hosting a private dinner for top coin holders doesn't help legitimize the industry. 

Episode #377 of The VentureFizz Podcast is Victor D. Lombard (aka DIVINE), CEO & Co-Founder of Notes. As the host of this podcast, I have the honor of being able to help tell the story of so many founders and investors and each story is unique. But this one is a whole new level. DIVINE's full story is probably the most unique entrepreneurial story that has been told on our podcast.  From the streets of NYC to incarceration to master networker to fintech entrepreneur, this story has it all… including how one of Silicon Valley's top venture capitalists, that being Ben Horowitz helped change his life and built a friendship, plus his rap song that was the intro for the A16Z podcast. Oh… and it just so happens that the co-founder of his latest startup called Notes is Rakim. Yes, that same Rakim from the 80's hip-hop duo of Eric B & RAKIM… with legendary songs like Don't Sweat the Technique and Paid in Full… which is why you are hearing their song Let The Rhythm Hit ‘Em for this podcast intro and outro. Notes is a fintech and AI-powered platform empowering independent urban music artists and creators with access to capital, financial literacy, entrepreneurship and music business education, and more, for financial independence, and career growth and sustainability.  The company is in pre-launch. We cover a lot of ground in this podcast including: * DIVINE's full background story * His journey into the tech industry including working with Greg Selkoe at Karmaloop * How he connected with Ben Horowitz * The details of his own career as a rap artist * The journey into entrepreneurship * All the details on Notes * And more!

Jason Lemkin is one of the leading SaaS investors of the last decade with a portfolio including the likes of Algolia, Talkdesk, Owner, RevenueCat, Saleloft and more.  Rory O'Driscoll is a General Partner @ Scale where he has led investments in category leaders such as Bill.com (BILL), Box (BOX), DocuSign (DOCU), and WalkMe (WKME), among others. In Today's Episode We Discuss: 04:23 What is Wrong with Billionaires on Twitter: Are They Depressed? 08:49 Why Does product Market Fit Mean Less Than Ever 11:50 Why is Venture Capital More Risky Than Ever and No One is Discussing It 16:17 Will Private Equity Save a Generation of SaaS Companies and VCs 23:53 a16z's $20BN Fund: Seriously? 31:29 Why Josh Kushner and Thrive Capital are Masters of the World 38:21 Why is Seed Investing for Suckers 45:49 Why Are $50 Million Seed Funds Useless 46:21 Founders Fund Raises $4.6BN: Analysis 52:00 How WIll LPs Change Their Approach to Venture in the Next Five Years 59:53 When Will IPOs Comeback? 01:09:15 Why Does it Not Make Sense for the Best Companies to IPO 01:09:51 Lost Ethics and Morals in Founder Secondaries and Term Sheets 01:22:58 Quickfire: OpenAI, Cursor, Deel vs Rippling      

This week on Turpentine VC, we are releasing an episode from The Cognitive Revolution, hosted by Nathan Labenz. Nathan sits down with Olivia Moore and Anish Acharya from Andreesen Horowitz to discuss the trends, investment strategies, and future potential of AI voice technology in both B2B and consumer sectors, exploring its implications for various industries including call centers, SMBs, and personalized AI companions. — 

Welcome to the AI Rollup, your weekly ride through the fast-paced world of artificial intelligence! This week, we're joined by frontier tech enthusiast Josh Kale to unpack the drama around Meta's controversial launch of Llama 4, scrutinized for potentially overstating its capabilities. We dive into “AI 2027,” a provocative roadmap predicting espionage, geopolitical turmoil, and runaway intelligence, and explore Shopify's bold move making AI usage mandatory for employees. Plus, we cover Claude Education's groundbreaking efforts to boost student performance with tailored AI tutors and a16z's massive $20 billion AI startup fund aiming to shape the industry's next era.------

In this week's episode of This Week in Games, we're joined by special guest Chris Sides for a jam-packed conversation covering everything from transmedia storytelling to the latest moves in the gaming industry. We dive into the surprising momentum behind the Minecraft movie, explore Gen Z trends and market predictions, and unpack Netflix's bold push into interactive fiction. Plus, we break down A16Z's new Speed Run initiative, take a close look at Supercell's evolving investment strategy, and compare War Robots to the newly launched Steel Hunters. 00:00 Introduction and Host Introductions01:58 Special Guest Chris and His Background02:49 Transmedia and Pop Culture Discussion03:48 Industry Updates and News07:03 Podcast Highlights and Recent Episodes09:21 Minecraft Movie Success16:54 Gen Z and Market Predictions20:48 Netflix's Interactive Fiction Strategy28:44 Speed Run Initiative by A16Z30:22 Supercell's Investment Strategy31:19 Supercell's Investment Philosophy32:54 Supercell's Investment History and Performance43:14 Blueprints: The Best Rated Game of 202549:21 RE's Latest Deck Recap53:36 Steel Hunters: Early Access and Unreal Engine01:03:02 War Robots vs. Steel Hunters01:05:02 Conclusion and Farewell

Martin Casado is a General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), where he focuses on AI and infrastructure investments. He previously co-founded Nicira which was acquired by VMware for $1.2 billion in 2012.In this episode of World of DaaS, Martin and Auren discuss:Economics of open source AIChinese AI innovation with DeepSeekModel collapse and data moatsRegulatory challenges in AILooking for more tech, data and venture capital intel? Head to worldofdaas.com for our podcast, newsletter and events, and follow us on X @worldofdaas.You can find Auren Hoffman on X at @auren and Martin Casado on X at @martin_casado.Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)

In this episode of The Cognitive Revolution, host Nathan Labenz speaks with Andreessen Horowitz partners Olivia Moore and Anish Acharya about the rapid evolution of voice AI technology and its real-world applications. The conversation explores how multimodal models, reduced latency, and improved emotional intelligence are enabling more natural voice interactions across various platforms including Hume AI's Octave model, Google's NotebookLM, and Sesame. Nathan and his guests discuss compelling business use cases—from Happy Robot handling complex negotiations with truckers to SMBs deploying voice AI for after-hours support—while also addressing philosophical questions about labor displacement and the urgent need for responsible innovation to protect consumers from potential AI voice scams. SPONSORS: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI): Oracle's next-generation cloud platform delivers blazing-fast AI and ML performance with 50% less for compute and 80% less for outbound networking compared to other cloud providers. OCI powers industry leaders like Vodafone and Thomson Reuters with secure infrastructure and application development capabilities. New U.S. customers can get their cloud bill cut in half by switching to OCI before March 31, 2024 at https://oracle.com/cognitive Shopify: Shopify is revolutionizing online selling with its market-leading checkout system and robust API ecosystem. Its exclusive library of cutting-edge AI apps empowers e-commerce businesses to thrive in a competitive market. Cognitive Revolution listeners can try Shopify for just $1 per month at https://shopify.com/cognitive NetSuite: Over 41,000 businesses trust NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud ERP, to future-proof their operations. With a unified platform for accounting, financial management, inventory, and HR, NetSuite provides real-time insights and forecasting to help you make quick, informed decisions. Whether you're earning millions or hundreds of millions, NetSuite empowers you to tackle challenges and seize opportunities. Download the free CFO's guide to AI and machine learning at https://netsuite.com/cognitive RECOMMENDED PODCAST: Second Opinion. Join Christina Farr, Ash Zenooz and Luba Greenwood as they bring influential entrepreneurs, experts and investors into the ring for candid conversations at the frontlines of healthcare and digital health every week. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A8NwQE976s32zdBbZw6bv Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/second-opinion-with-christina-farr-ash-zenooz-md-luba/id1759267211 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SecondOpinionwithChristinaFarr PRODUCED BY: https://aipodcast.ing CHAPTERS: (00:00) About the Episode (03:39) Introduction and Welcome (03:50) AI Scouting Methods (08:25) Best Voice AI Experiences (11:34) Voice AI for Seniors (14:27) Sponsors: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) | Shopify (16:54) Voice Technology Challenges (20:48) Human-Like Conversation Dynamics (24:13) AI Voice Negotiations (27:34) Apple's Siri Delays (31:13) Voice AI Stack Evolution (Part 1) (33:16) Sponsors: NetSuite (34:49) Voice AI Stack Evolution (Part 2) (37:57) Context Assembly Challenges (40:48) Enterprise Voice Applications (46:30) Labor Market Impact (49:36) SMB Voice Solutions (50:53) Creator Voice Tools (52:17) AI for Children (56:18) AI Companionship and Romance (58:58) Ethical Guidelines Discussion (01:02:46) Future of Voice Computing (01:04:49) Outro SOCIAL LINKS: Website: https://www.cognitiverevolution.ai Twitter (Podcast): https://x.com/cogrev_podcast Twitter (Nathan): https://x.com/labenz LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nathanlabenz/ Youtube: https://youtube.com/@CognitiveRevolutionPodcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-cognitive-revolution-ai-builders-researchers-and/id1669813431 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6yHyok3M3BjqzR0VB5MSyk

AI powered apps are growing fast, with ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and coding assistants leading. Reports from SimilarWeb, SensorTower, and A16Z show that AI tools for coding, data analysis, and content creation are getting the most traction. Apps like Cursor, Bolt, and Lovable make building software easier for coders and non-coders. DeepSeek's chatbot has quickly become a major player, forcing competitors to rethink pricing. Before that in the Headlines, Google cofounder has a new AI startup. Brought to you by:KPMG – Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.kpmg.us/ai⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about how KPMG can help you drive value with our AI solutions.Vanta - Simplify compliance - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://vanta.com/nlwThe Agent Readiness Audit from Superintelligent - Go to https://besuper.ai/ to request your company's agent readiness score.The AI Daily Brief helps you understand the most important news and discussions in AI. Subscribe to the podcast version of The AI Daily Brief wherever you listen: https://pod.link/1680633614Subscribe to the newsletter: https://aidailybrief.beehiiv.com/Join our Discord: https://bit.ly/aibreakdown

Joining us this week is Alex Thorn to break down why crypto markets are taking a hit. Major hacks, bearish macro signals, and fresh tariffs from the U.S. all played a role. But it's not all bad news: the SEC is backing off from lawsuits against Coinbase, OpenSea, and Uniswap, signaling a potential shift in regulatory pressure. Plus, Bybit suffered the biggest crypto hack ever, losing $1.5B—how did it happen, and who's behind it? Follow Alex: https://x.com/intangiblecoins ------

Technology doesn't grow in isolation—it evolves in waves. Just as mobile, cloud, and SaaS shaped the internet of the past 20 years, so too could crypto, AI, and new hardware usher in an era of the internet that's pro-innovation, pro-startup, and pro-creator. Speaking with a16z Growth General Partner David George, a16z crypto Founder and Managing Partner Chris Dixon breaks down his vision for a new internet, from using crypto to decentralize AI infrastructure and kickstart network effects, to why AI will be this era's native form of media just as film was in the 1930s. He also explores why the internet's original covenant—where content creators traded free access for search traffic—is breaking today, and how a better internet could introduce entirely new business models for creators. Right now, we have a choice to make: will the next era of the internet be shaped by a handful of centralized players, or transformed into an open ecosystem where power and control flow to creators across the globe?Resources:Watch the conversation here: https://youtu.be/gioxu1CVjhM  Read more, including the full transcript, here: https://a16z.com/ai-crypto-internet-chris-dixon/Chris's recent article on blockchain innovation: https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/article/blockchain-ai-internet/Find Chris's book, Read Write Own: Building the Next Era of the Internet:Penguin Random House: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/744504/read-write-own-by-chris-dixon/Penguin UK: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/459860/read-write-own-by-dixon-chris/9781804949245For more resources on AI & crypto visit: https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/?tag=ai-crypto,web2-to-web3Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16zFind a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zSubscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithioPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.