Podcasts about Index Ventures

Eléonore Crespo is the Co-Founder and CEO @ Pigment, one of Europe's fastest-growing companies. With Pigment, Eleonore has raised over $397M from the best in the world including ICONIQ, Greenoaks and IVP to name a few. Prior to Pigment, Eléonore was on the other side of the table as an investor with Index Ventures. In Today's Episode We Discuss:  [04:10] “I had 3 surgeries. That's when I knew I had to become a founder.” [06:50] Why Index Ventures isn't on her cap table [08:40] Eleonore's CIA-style co-founder hunt (she literally made a target list) [11:50] Co-CEOs: “We talk 3x a day. That's our superpower.” [13:30] The boutique coffee metaphor for product excellence [15:40] Yuri Milner's 4 traits of legendary founders (one is shocking) [17:30] “Hiring is everything. I hunt talent like a football scout.” [19:00] Wild Olympic Games story → led to hiring a top CFO [24:50] How she filters out title-chasers and political hires [29:30] “Too much process? I make teams list the dumbest ones.” [33:00] Her blunt answer on whether Europe can produce scale execs [35:00] Why she raised so much money… even when they didn't need it [38:50] Board power is real: “They can fire you. I've seen it.” [43:30] Rob Ward's counter-cyclical advice: double down during a downturn [44:50] “We closed a massive US deal… at 2am… while drenched in rain.” [47:10] Selling into the US as a European founder—her full playbook [50:20] The hardest part of being a CEO no one talks about [54:00] “Children remind you what happiness is.” [56:30] “I don't fast. That would make me unhappy.” On longevity culture [59:20] Why her husband knows nothing about Pigment [01:04:20] “Forget $50B. I want to build a $200B company.” Follow Eleonore Crespo LinkedIn: Eleonore Crespo Pigment: pigment.com Subscribe to 20VC for more conversations with the world's best founders and investors.  

Origins host Beezer Clarkson sits down with her colleague Nate Leung, fellow LP and Partner at Sapphire Partners, to riff on  her recent conversation with Nina Achadjian, Partner at Index Ventures. Together, Beezer and Nate walk through the steps Index took to become a franchise - the decisions they made and the mistakes they avoided, plus the firm's ability to pick excellent companies early. They discuss the edge GPs gain by investing with a broader purpose, as well as the LP POV on the need for distributions and consolidation in 2025.Learn more about Sapphire Partners: sapphireventures.com/sapphire-partnersLearn more about OpenLP: openlp.vcLearn more about Asylum Ventures: asylum.vcLearn more about Index Ventures: indexventures.comSubscribe to the OpenLP newsletter for a monthly roundup of the latest venture insights, including the newest Origins episodes, delivered straight to your inbox.CHAPTERS:(0:00) Welcome to Origins2:04-Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing to Build a Franchise3:43-Liquidity and IPOs(4:45) 2025 - The Year of Reckoning(7:13) Let There Be More Distributions9:34-Finding the Great Companies Early

After nearly a decade at Index Ventures, where he backed standout fintech companies like Plaid, Persona, Lithic, and Pilot, Mark Goldberg left to launch Chemistry, an early-stage venture firm. Founded alongside Kristina Shen and Ethan Kurzweil, the $350 million fund is part of a growing trend in venture capital: seasoned investors breaking out from large platforms to build more focused, boutique outfits. Today on Equity, Mary Ann Azevedo caught up with Goldberg about what led him to make the move, what Chemistry is all about, and how the venture landscape has evolved over the past few years. Listen to the full episode to hear more about: The state of fintech, a sector Goldberg has long had his eye on—and why he sees “a lot more tech-fin than fintech” these days Why those waiting for a wave of fintech IPOs might be in for a long hold What he's watching for in 2025 and beyond, from the impact of AI on fraud to shifting deal activity, including a pickup in M&A and secondaries Equity will be back with our weekly news roundup on Friday, so don't miss it! Equity is TechCrunch's flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday.  Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes here. Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. We'd also like to thank TechCrunch's audience development team. Thank you so much for listening, and we'll talk to you next time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nina Achadjian is a Partner at Index Ventures, where she invests across seed, venture, and growth stages in AI, enterprise software, and vertical SaaS. She sits down with Beezer Clarkson, LP at Sapphire Partners, and the two discuss Nina's predictions for M&A in 2025, the importance of product market fit and what Nina looks for in a new hire. Plus, the two dig into Index's recent IPO with ServiceTitan, and how they managed a high-profile exit in the difficult IPO market of 2024.Learn more about Sapphire Partners: sapphireventures.com/sapphire-partnersLearn more about OpenLP: openlp.vcLearn more about Asylum Ventures: asylum.vcLearn more about Top Tier Capital Partners: ttcp.comSubscribe to the OpenLP newsletter for a monthly roundup of the latest venture insights, including the newest Origins episodes, delivered straight to your inbox.CHAPTERS:(0:00) Welcome to Origins(1:49) The Trading Floors of London and New York4:54-The ServiceTitan IPO(15:22) The Exit Window for SaaS Companies in 2025(17:45) Predictions & AI(25:10) More M&A vs. IPO(30:34) Investment Lessons Learned at Index(34:59) Hiring People Who Become Great Investors(39:03) Hive & the Armenian Tech Ecosystem

Wes Kao is an entrepreneur, coach, and advisor. She co-founded the live learning platform Maven, backed by First Round and a16z. Before Maven, Wes co-created the altMBA with best-selling author Seth Godin. Today, Wes teaches a popular course on executive communication and influence. Through her course and one-on-one coaching, she's helped thousands of operators, founders, and product leaders master the art of influence through clear, compelling communication. Known for her surgical writing style and no-BS frameworks, Wes returns to the pod to deliver a tactical master class on becoming a sharper, more persuasive communicator—at work, in meetings, and across your career.What you'll learn:1. The #1 communication mistake leaders make—and Wes's proven fix to instantly gain buy-in2. Wes's MOO (Most Obvious Objection) framework to consistently anticipate and overcome pushback in meetings3. How to master concise communication—including Wes's tactical approach for brevity without losing meaning4. The art of executive presence: actionable strategies for conveying confidence and clarity, even under pressure5. The “sales, then logistics” framework—and why your ideas keep getting ignored without it6. The power of “signposting”—and why executives skim your docs without it7. Exactly how to give feedback that works—Wes's “strategy, not self-expression” principle to drive behavior change without friction8. Practical ways to instantly improve your writing, emails, and Slack messages—simple techniques Wes teaches executives9. Managing up like a pro: Wes's clear, practical advice on earning trust, building credibility, and aligning with senior leaders10. Career accelerators: specific habits and tactics from Wes for growing your influence, advancing your career, and standing out11. Real-world communication examples—Wes breaks down real scenarios she's solved, providing step-by-step solutions you can copy today—Brought to you by:• WorkOS—Modern identity platform for B2B SaaS, free up to 1 million MAUs• Vanta—Automate compliance. Simplify security• Coda—The all-in-one collaborative workspace—Where to find Wes Kao:• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weskao/• Website: https://www.weskao.com/• Maven course: https://maven.com/wes-kao/executive-communication-influence—Where to find Lenny:• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com• X: https://twitter.com/lennysan• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/—In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Introduction to Wes Kao(05:34) Working with Wes(06:58) The importance of communication(10:44) Sales before logistics(18:20) Being concise(24:31) Books to help you become a better writer(27:30) Signposting and formatting(32:05) How to develop and practice your communication skills(40:41) Slack communication(42:23) Confidence in communication(50:17) The MOO framework(54:00) Staying calm in high-stakes conversations(57:36) Which tactic to start with(58:53) Effective tactics for managing up(01:04:53) Giving constructive feedback: strategy, not self-expression(01:09:39) Delegating effectively while maintaining high standards(01:16:36) The swipe file: collecting inspiration for better communication(01:19:59) Leveraging AI for better communication(01:22:01) Lightning round—Referenced:• Persuasive communication and managing up | Wes Kao (Maven, Seth Godin, Section4): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/persuasive-communication-wes-kao• Making Meta | Andrew ‘Boz' Bosworth (CTO): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/making-meta-andrew-boz-bosworth-cto• Communication is the job: https://boz.com/articles/communication-is-the-job• Maven: https://maven.com/• Sales, not logistics: https://newsletter.weskao.com/p/sales-not-logistics• How to be more concise: https://newsletter.weskao.com/p/how-to-be-concise• Signposting: How to reduce cognitive load for your reader: https://newsletter.weskao.com/p/sign-posting-how-to-reduce-cognitive• Airbnb's Vlad Loktev on embracing chaos, inquiry over advocacy, poking the bear, and “impact, impact, impact” (Partner at Index Ventures, Airbnb GM/VP Product): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/impact-impact-impact-vlad-loktev• Tone and words: Use accurate language: https://newsletter.weskao.com/p/tone-and-words-use-accurate-language• Quote by Joan Didion: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/264509-i-don-t-know-what-i-think-until-i-write-it• Strategy, not self-expression: How to decide what to say when giving feedback: https://newsletter.weskao.com/p/strategy-not-self-expression• Tobi Lütke's leadership playbook: Playing infinite games, operating from first principles, and maximizing human potential (founder and CEO of Shopify): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/tobi-lutkes-leadership-playbook• The CEDAF framework: Delegating gets easier when you get better at explaining your ideas: https://newsletter.weskao.com/p/delegating-and-explaining• Swipe file: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swipe_file• Apple Notes: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/notes/id1110145109• Claude: https://claude.ai/new• ChatGPT: https://chatgpt.com/• Arianna Huffington's phone bed charging station (Oak): https://www.amazon.com/Arianna-Huffingtons-Phone-Charging-Station/dp/B079C5DBF4?th=1• The Harlan Coben Collection on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/81180221• Oral-B Pro 1000 rechargeable electric toothbrush: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UKM9CO/• The Best Electric Toothbrush: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-electric-toothbrush/• Glengarry Glen Ross on Prime Video: https://www.amazon.com/Glengarry-Glen-Ross-James-Foley/dp/B002NN5F7A• 1,000,000: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/1000000—Recommended books:• On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction: https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Well-Classic-Guide-Nonfiction/dp/0060891548/• Stein on Writing: A Master Editor of Some of the Most Successful Writers of Our Century Shares His Craft Techniques and Strategies: https://www.amazon.com/Stein-Writing-Successful-Techniques-Strategies/dp/0312254210/• On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft: https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Memoir-Craft-Stephen-King/dp/1982159375• Several Short Sentences About Writing: https://www.amazon.com/Several-Short-Sentences-About-Writing/dp/0307279413/• High Output Management: https://www.amazon.com/High-Output-Management-Andrew-Grove/dp/0679762884• Your Brain at Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Brain-Work-Revised-Updated/dp/0063003155/—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.—Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed. Get full access to Lenny's Newsletter at www.lennysnewsletter.com/subscribe

Episode SummaryBowen Pan's career is a playbook on turning hidden opportunities into global products. Currently the VP of Product at Common Room (a $52M Series B startup backed by Greylock and Index Ventures), Bowen previously shaped major products at Facebook and Stripe. At Facebook, he discovered latent buying and selling behaviour buried in groups, leading to the creation of Facebook Marketplace, now serving over 500 million people worldwide. Later, at Stripe, Bowen built their apps platform, creating an ecosystem empowering small businesses around the globe.Bowen's product philosophy hinges on ruthless curiosity, finding underserved markets, and cultivating teams focused on impact, not visibility. From his formative days at Trade Me in New Zealand, through launching ambitious new verticals at Facebook, to redefining payments at Stripe, Bowen shares how Kiwi generalism laid the foundation for his product-led approach.In today's episode, we cover:• How Bowen uncovered and scaled Facebook Marketplace from a simple SQL query• Why high-impact, low-visibility projects are career superchargers• How New Zealand shaped Bowen's holistic view of product building• The secret to spotting hidden user behaviour that others overlook• The skills you should build (and ignore) to be an exceptional product leader• Why truth-seeking is the greatest career skill of all• How Common Room is reinventing go-to-market by putting people firstWe also explore Bowen's thoughts on investing in passionate founders, the future of product management amidst AI-driven tools, and how Kiwi companies can better leverage global opportunities.Time Stamps00:32 Bowen's journey from Trade Me to Facebook, Stripe, and Common Room02:27 Spotting hidden opportunities: the power of latent user behaviour09:45 Building Facebook Marketplace from scratch21:00 How Bowen validated Marketplace's potential28:43 Stripe's mission and building a platform for SMBs35:43 What defines excellent product management?47:26 The future of product leadership in the age of AI55:18 How New Zealand shaped Bowen's global career59:25 Using New Zealand as a global testing ground01:03:55 Investing philosophy: finding founders with secret insightsResourcesBowen Pan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bowenpan/Common Room - Reinventing go-to-market software: https://www.commonroom.io

We're opening in a celebratory mood this week with Wiz's big exit to Google, which if it holds will offer some much needed liquidity to venture firms and their LPs. It's a big win for several of Silicon Valley's heavy hitters, including Sequoia's Doug Leone, Index Ventures' Shardul Shah, and Greenoaks' Neil Mehta. IPOs are looking a little bit more uncertain, however. Plus, Deel's allleged corporate espionage at Rippling has all the makings of a great HR tech spy thriller. Next up, we touch on the new liberal "abundance" agenda, which has more than a few similarities to Marc Andreessen's "Time to Build" manifesto. In the second half of our show, Eric sits down with Browserbase CEO Paul Klein to discuss their tools for running headless browsers and their rapid growth over the past year.Produced by ⁠Christopher Gates⁠

We're opening in a celebratory mood this week with Wiz's big exit to Google, which if it holds will offer some much needed liquidity to venture firms and their LPs. It's a big win for several of Silicon Valley's heavy hitters, including Sequoia's Doug Leone, Index Ventures' Shardul Shah, and Greenoaks' Neil Mehta. IPOs are looking a little bit more uncertain, however. Plus, Deel's allleged corporate espionage at Rippling has all the makings of a great HR tech spy thriller. Next up, we touch on the new liberal "abundance" agenda, which has more than a few similarities to Marc Andreessen's "Time to Build" manifesto. In the second half of our show, Eric sits down with Browserbase CEO Paul Klein to discuss their tools for running headless browsers and their rapid growth over the past year.Produced by ⁠Christopher Gates⁠

Conversé con Arturo Sánchez, cofundador y CEO de Sofía Salud, una startup de seguros médicos todo en uno. Arturo fue uno de mis primeros invitados al podcast cuando Sofía tenía un enfoque B2C que no terminaba de despegar. Pero hoy, tras hacer un pivot hacia un modelo B2B dirigido a PYMEs, proyecta crecer más 200% este año.A la fecha, Sofía ha levantado $25M de inversionistas como Index Ventures, Kaszek y Ribbit Capital.-En Startupeable hacemos más gracias a  Notion, la plataforma todo en uno para organizar tu startup. Centraliza documentos, tareas y bases de datos en un solo lugar: el cerebro digital de tu negocio, ahora con IA para agilizar tu trabajo.Nos aliamos con Notion para regalarte 3 meses gratis del plan Plus y acceso ilimitado a su IA.

Anant Bhardwaj is the founder and CEO of Instabase, an AI-native unstructured data platform. They've raised $322M in funding to date from NEA, Andreessen Horowitz, Greylock, and Index Ventures. He did his masters from Stanford and PhD from MIT. Anant's favorite book: The Singularity Is Near (Author: Ray Kurzweil)(00:07) Defining Unstructured Data(01:18) The Growth of Unstructured Data and Its Challenges(02:05) Evolution of Tools for Analyzing Unstructured Data(04:25) How Large Language Models (LLMs) Changed Data Processing(05:27) Do We Still Need ETL in the LLM Era?(06:05) Structured Queries vs. Direct Unstructured Querying(08:22) Applying LLMs in Enterprise Settings(09:34) Ensuring Accuracy in AI-Driven Data Analysis(11:29) SQL vs. AI-Driven Queries in Business Use Cases(13:48) Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) for Enterprise AI(15:02) The Founding of Instabase and Its Early Vision(19:03) Building the MVP of Instabase(22:52) First 10 Customers: Lessons from Early Sales(26:01) Scaling Customer Acquisition: Experiments and Failures(30:35) When to Hire a Sales Team: Key Lessons(33:52) AI Adoption at Instabase for Internal Productivity(37:48) The Technology Stack Behind Instabase(42:36) Transition from OS-Based Architecture to LLM-Based System(43:45) Rapid Fire Questions--------Where to find Anant Bhardwaj: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anantpb/--------Where to find Prateek Joshi: Newsletter: https://prateekjoshi.substack.com Website: https://prateekj.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prateek-joshi-91047b19 X: https://x.com/prateekvjoshi 

In today's 40 Minute Mentor episode, we're joined by Molly Alter, Partner at Northzone, the multi-stage fund partnering with Founders from Seed to Growth, across Europe and the US.  Molly started her career in VC in 2016, straight out of Harvard University. Since then, Molly has worked with some of the biggest funds in the industry, including Insight Partners and Index Ventures.  Now, at Northzone and back in New York, Molly focuses on vertical SaaS and AI, across early and growth stages.  In today's episode, we dive into her career in VC and her transatlantic focus. 

Josh Kamdjou is CEO and Founder of Sublime Security. Josh started Sublime after realizing just how easy it was for him to break into companies with phishing emails. He wanted to build a solution that better addressed the tailored environment of each organization such as historical data. Now the company has raised over $80 million from leading VCs such as IVP, Index Ventures, and Decibel. Before Sublime, Josh worked as a DoD hacker for 9 years.In the episode we discuss his emphasis on leveraging the attacker perspective, the fundamental difficulties of email security, his conviction in product-led growth, and more.Website: https://sublime.security/Sponsor: VulnCheck

George Sivulka, hailed as a wunderkind by Peter Thiel, is the founder of Hebbia, a groundbreaking AI company revolutionizing financial research. Having worked at NASA as a teenager, he later earned a math degree from Stanford in just 2.5 years. George has secured $130M in funding for Hebbia at a $700M valuation, backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Index Ventures, Google Ventures, and Thiel himself. Hebbia's AI platform, trusted by firms like Centerview Partners and Charlesbank, has driven a 15x revenue growth in 18 months by pioneering RAG techniques that ensure LLM outputs remain within company-sanctioned data.In this conversation, we discuss:How Hebbia is reshaping financial research with retrieval-augmented generation (RAG).The leap from academia to entrepreneurship—how George Sivulka turned research into real-world impact.The expanding role of AI in high-stakes industries where precision is critical.The ethical challenges of AI and how transparency can make or break trust.Why AI agents will change knowledge work—but not in the way you might think.The future of AI-powered research and its impact on decision-making.Resources:Subscribe to the AI & The Future of Work Newsletter: https://aiandwork.beehiiv.com/subscribe Connect with Sivulka on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sivulka/ AI fun fact article: https://www.chicagobooth.edu/review/what-ai-sees-market-that-you-might-not On How AI-Powered Writing is reshaping Enterprise Content Creation: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/may-habib-ceo-of-writer-discusses-llms-and-the/id1476885647?i=1000628256870 

French startup Hyperline wants to build the next-generation Chargebee. Over the past two years, the startup has built a new billing platform that can be used for recurring subscriptions, one-off purchases, usage-based billing and more. Hyperline raised an initial €4 million funding round from Index Ventures back in 2023 ($4.1 million at today's exchange rate). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to Michael Lingelbach, CEO and co-founder of Hedra—a company that specializes in long-form generative video and agentic AI solutions. In just over a year, Michael and his team have seen explosive growth and raised backing from leading tech investors, including Index Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz. From marketing and social media campaigns to corporate training videos, Hedra’s technology is revolutionizing how we produce immersive, human-like content at scale. Michael and I discuss the power of agentic AI, the ethical dimensions of automated digital creation, and how he’s charting new paths for startups, enterprises, and content creators alike. KEY TAKEAWAYS We’re still very early in ‘generative media’. Stable Diffusion came out 2 years ago for images, video models have been maturing rapidly, but right now they’re focused on small fragments of content not cohesive brand storytelling. Building models that can not only generate compelling dialogue performances, and incorporate consistent identities and assets is a challenging research problem and something we’re pushing on. When people first think about generative AI they think about increasing the volume of content, but that typically isn’t a problem. The predominant concern of most marketers now is engagement. We live in a limited attention economy, so the focus now – in my opinion – is how to make really good content that’s going to hook people. For short-form content you’re usually trying to hook the viewer’s attention in the first 5-10 seconds as they’re scrolling through Tik Tok style feed. You want bright colours, a crazy character or a hook like “OMG you’re not going to believe what we’re going to talk about today!” With long-form content you’re optimising for retention. You still want the viewer to be engaged, but usually they want information or entertainment. We think the big opportunity is making it accessible for product/social marketing managers to have all this powerful technology to generate video and have a workflow were they’re working together with AI to make compelling content. That doesn’t require them to outsource to an external agency. We then get rapid feedback cycles rather than drawn out ones when you’re working with an external partner. BEST MOMENTS ‘We’re focused on bringing this technology from something that’s fun to play with to something that’s a strong part of an enterprise/brand marketing workflow.’ ‘Are you conveying information that makes the user feel like you’re conveying information that’s also usable for them? That’s the job of a content creator.’ ‘Video is the most natural form of communication; people have been talking to each other face-to-face for a long time!’ ‘Video is a massive market and it’s growing rapidly, it’s where most advertising, marketing information, learning and spending is shifting towards.’ ABOUT THE GUEST Michael Lingelbach is the CEO and co-founder of Hedra. While pursuing his PhD at Stanford, Michael worked closely with world-renowned AI researchers and developed a deep interest in pushing the boundaries of long-form video generation. Seeing an opportunity to combine advanced visual models with natural, human-centered dialogue, he set out to create a platform that produces fully generated video and immersive, conversational virtual avatars. Under Michael’s leadership, Hedra attracted early backing from top-tier investors, including Index Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz. Since launching publicly in 2023, the company has grown its user base to over one million registered users, earning recognition from both independent creators and major enterprises. Hedra’s generative video technology now powers cutting-edge use cases ranging from marketing and social media content to more complex interactive experiences. ABOUT THE HOST Sabine is a corporate strategist turned entrepreneur. She is the CEO and Managing Partner of Alchemy Crew a venture lab that accelerates the curation, validation, & commercialization of new tech business models. Sabine is renowned within the insurance sector for building some of the most renowned tech startup accelerators around the world working with over 30 corporate insurers, accelerated over 100 startup ventures. Sabine is the co-editor of the bestseller The INSURTECH Book, a top 50 Women in Tech, a FinTech and InsurTech Influencer, an investor & multi-award winner. Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Facebook TikTok Email Website

In this episode, Andrew is joined by Jesse Buckingham, CEO and cofounder of Vooma. Jesse studied law and economics at the University of Sydney and got his MBA from Stanford. Before Vooma, he was CEO at ASG LogisTech, whose businesses included Trucker Tools, Record360, e-Courier, and PackageRoute. He was also a consultant at Bain & Company.Now, Jesse's leading the Vooma team in building AI tools that will automate the shipment lifecycle and help brokerage teams enhance productivity and reduce opex. Vooma recently raised $13M in Series A funding led by Craft Ventures, on top of a $3.6M seed round led by Index Ventures, with support from founders and execs at companies like Motive, Project44, Ryder, and Uber Freight. Andrew and Jesse cover:How to motivate teams, lead with passion, and build trust when you're not the founder.The greatest challenges around addressing and automating manual processes in logistics. How AI tools like Vooma will reinvent the way brokerages run their internal operations. The future of hiring for the skills required to thrive in an AI-driven environment.The artful balance of building an innovative, new business with having a newborn at home.Follow The Freight Pod and host Andrew Silver on LinkedIn.***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

Raising Angel Finance and Venture Capital for Your UK Startup Starting and growing a business often requires substantial funding. For UK entrepreneurs, angel finance and venture capital (VC) are two of the most popular options for scaling a startup. In this episode of the Charles Kelly Money Tips Podcast, we break down these funding sources and share how you can access them. Watch video - https://youtu.be/uUuhpoE2lcg What is Angel Finance?Angel investors are high-net-worth individuals who provide funding for startups, typically in exchange for equity. They often invest at earlier stages than VC firms and may also offer mentorship and business connections. Platforms like Seedrs or Angel Investment Network can connect you with UK-based angel investors. What is Venture Capital?VC firms provide larger amounts of funding to businesses with high growth potential. They look for startups that have already proven some traction and scalability. VCs like Index Ventures and LocalGlobe are popular choices in the UK. How to Attract Angel Investors and VCs: Craft a Winning Business Plan: Clearly outline your market opportunity, growth potential, and financial projections. Build a Strong Network: Attend pitch events, startup accelerators, and industry conferences to meet investors. Show Traction: Highlight existing sales, user growth, or partnerships that prove your concept is working. Prepare for Due Diligence: Be transparent and organized when presenting financials and business operations. While both angel finance and VC can accelerate your growth, they come with trade-offs like equity sharing. Choose the right path for your business goals. For more tips on funding your startup, watch the latest episode on the Charles Kelly Money Tips Podcast on YouTube. How will Labour’s new Renters Rights Bill 2024 affect buy-to-let landlords? The Labour Party’s Renters' Rights Bill 2024 is poised to bring significant changes to the UK’s rental market, impacting both tenants and buy-to-let landlords. Understanding these changes is crucial for landlords to navigate the evolving landscape effectively. Watch video version - https://youtu.be/Wx1HXgVW1bM Section 24 Landlord Tax Hike Interview with Chartered Accountant and property tax specialist who reveals options and solutions to move your properties from your own name into a limited company or LLP whilst mitigating the potential HMRC pitfalls. Email charles@charleskelly.net for a free consultation on how to deal with Section 24. Watch video now: https://youtu.be/aMuGs_ek17s #MortgageRates #FixedRateMortgage #BaseRate #UKHousing #InterestRates #MoneyManagement #CharlesKellyMoneyTips #Podcast #PersonalFinance #HomeLoans #property #buytoletmortgage #landlord #section24 #Inflation #Landlords #PropertyInvestment #RentalIncome #CharlesKellyMoneyTips #UKEconomy #RealEstate #AngelInvestors #VentureCapital #StartupFunding #UKBusiness #Entrepreneurship #RaiseCapital #CharlesKellyMoneyTips #FundingTips #BusinessGrowth

Farhan Thawar is the head of engineering at Shopify, where he oversees more than 1,000 engineers and a platform that powers over 10% of all U.S. e-commerce. Before Shopify, he was VP of engineering at Pivotal Labs and Xtreme Labs, and co-founder of Helpful.com. In our conversation, Farhan shares:• Why choosing the harder path leads to better outcomes• How to create intensity within your org (without burnout)• Why every company should be embracing pair programming• How he hires without interviewing• How he built the world's largest internship program• His mission to create a “crafter's paradise” for engineers• Much more—Brought to you by:• DX—A platform for measuring and improving developer productivity• Persona—A global leader in digital identity verification• Vanta—Automate compliance. Simplify security—Find the transcript at: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/how-shopify-builds-a-high-intensity-culture-farhan-thawer—Where to find Farhan Thawar:• X: https://x.com/fnthawar• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fnthawar—Where to find Lenny:• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com• X: https://twitter.com/lennysan• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/—In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Farhan's background(05:38) Choosing the hard path(09:37) Getting comfortable with looking dumb(13:20) Lessons from working with visionaries(19:19) Creating intensity in organizations(22:06) The power of pair programming(29:18) Shopify's culture of intensity(37:18) Meeting Armageddon: revolutionizing company meetings(39:46) Reducing distractions(41:10) Deleting 1M+ lines of code(49:05) Three buckets of building(57:45) Remote work and trust battery(01:00:29) Finding stability in uncomfortable times(01:03:14) Hiring philosophy(01:11:41) Internship programs and co-op systems(01:15:32) Lessons from managing 120 direct reports(01:20:40) Failure corner(01:27:46) Lightning round and closing thoughts—Referenced:• The Steve Jobs quote about connecting dots: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/463176-you-can-t-connect-the-dots-looking-forward-you-can-only• Shopify: https://www.shopify.com/• GitHub: https://github.com/• Farhan's “questions to ask” framework: https://x.com/fnthawar/status/1514193402828574721• Palantir: https://www.palantir.com/• Joe Liemandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liemandt• Chamath Palihapitya: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamath_Palihapitiya• Xtreme Labs: https://www.xtremelabs.io• Parkinson's law: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-parkinsons-law-6674423• Pair programming: https://dev.to/documatic/pair-programming-best-practices-and-tools-154j• Cody Fauser on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/codyfauser• How Shopify builds product: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/how-shopify-builds-product• Chaos Monkey: We look at Shopify's new ‘culture of focus': https://www.siliconrepublic.com/careers/shopify-chaos-monkey-meetings-culture-deann-evans• Empowering devs with AI: How Shopify made GitHub Copilot core to its culture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVKBwcm5dbw&t=2318s• Tobi Lütke of Shopify: Powering a Team with a ‘Trust Battery': https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/24/business/tobi-lutke-of-shopify-powering-a-team-with-a-trust-battery.html• Brian Chesky's new playbook: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/brian-cheskys-contrarian-approach• Stop Being Deceived by Interviews When You're Hiring: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesleadershipforum/2012/02/07/stop-being-deceived-by-interviews-when-youre-hiring/• Shopify's made the Life Story a major part of their interview: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39294140• Internships at Shopify: https://internships.shopify.com• Nick Adams on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-adams-32b28139• React Native: https://reactnative.dev• Swift: https://www.swift.org• Acquired podcast: The Mark Zuckerberg interview: https://www.acquired.fm/episodes/the-mark-zuckerberg-interview• The Power of Performance Reviews: Use This System to Become a Better Manager: https://review.firstround.com/the-power-of-performance-reviews-use-this-system-to-become-a-better-manager• Airbnb's Vlad Loktev on embracing chaos, inquiry over advocacy, poking the bear, and “impact, impact, impact” (Partner at Index Ventures, Airbnb GM/VP Product): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/impact-impact-impact-vlad-loktev• The Secret to a Great Planning Process—Lessons from Airbnb and Eventbrite: https://review.firstround.com/the-secret-to-a-great-planning-process-lessons-from-airbnb-and-eventbrite• How to do great work: https://www.paulgraham.com/greatwork.html• Challengers on Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Challengers-Luca-Guadagnino/dp/B0CX5MZ9M4• Halt and Catch Fire on Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Halt-Catch-Fire-Season-1/dp/B0CKXZNT96• Meta Ray-Bans: https://www.meta.com/smart-glasses/shop-all• Making Meta | Andrew ‘Boz' Bosworth (CTO): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/making-meta-andrew-boz-bosworth-cto—Recommended books:• The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds: https://www.amazon.com/Undoing-Project-Friendship-Changed-Minds/dp/0393254593• Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World: https://www.amazon.com/Range-Generalists-Triumph-Specialized-World/dp/0735214484• Manna: Two Visions of Humanity's Future: https://www.amazon.com/Manna-Two-Visions-Humanitys-Future-ebook/dp/B007HQH67U• Business Adventures: Twelve Classic Tales from the World of Wall Street: https://www.amazon.com/Business-Adventures-Twelve-Classic-Street/dp/1504000021—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.—Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed. Get full access to Lenny's Newsletter at www.lennysnewsletter.com/subscribe

Jacob sits down with Stef van Grieken, Co-Founder & CEO of Cradle. Cradle has raised over $100M from investors like IVP and Index Ventures to build and expand their AI-enabled protein engineering platform. They discuss how Cradle plans to use their new Series B funding, what's been happening in AI bio, the technical underpinnings of Cradle's platform, and more. [0:00] Intro[0:22] Cradle Bio's Rapid Growth and AI Innovations[0:53] The State of AI in Drug Development[1:15] Challenges and Opportunities in AI Biospace[2:21] Cradle Bio's Approach to Biologics Development[3:11] AI's Role in Hit Identification and Lead Optimization[7:42] Cradle Bio's Software and Customer Base[10:33] Inside Cradle Bio's Lab and Data Strategy[24:10] Future Directions and Protein Modalities[26:21] Navigating the Pharma SaaS Market[28:48] Challenges in Adopting New Protocols[30:15] Software vs. Service Companies[31:47] Gaps in Drug Development[33:46] Advances in AI and Bio[41:28] Future of Drug Discovery[44:18] Advice for Aspiring Bio Entrepreneurs[48:03] Quickfire Out-Of-Pocket: https://www.outofpocket.health/

Hoy conversé con Diego Burgos, CTO de Pomelo, una fintech enfocada en desarrollar la infraestructura de tarjetas para América Latina. En 2023, Pomelo procesó más de $55M en transacciones diarias. Actualmente, atiende a más de 100 bancos y empresas multinacionales. Han levantado más de $100M, incluyendo una reciente Serie B de $40M, liderada por Kaszek y con la participación de inversionistas como Monashees, Index Ventures e Insight Partners.-Este episodio es presentado por: Hubspot para Startups:Crece tu startup sin perder tiempo ni dinero. Acelera tus ventas y marketing con automatizaciones y herramientas de IA. Empieza con hasta un 50% de descuento y $80,000 en beneficios para founders.

In this episode, our Managing Partner Carlos Espinal is joined by our Talent Manager James Wright, and special guest Dominic Jacquesson, a veteran VC operator who recently received an MBE for his contributions to the UK entrepreneurship and technology ecosystem. Dominic shares insights from his varied career, including his extensive experience at Index Ventures working with top-tier tech companies, and from his latest book, 'Scaling through Chaos' written on behalf of Index to offer founders a comprehensive roadmap for scaling teams and leadership. The conversation covers key topics, such as: - Building effective teams; - Leadership, and the role of culture and values in scaling a startup; - Risk management, setting up processes, and the applicability of OKRs/KPIs. Dominic also announces his new venture into studying neuroscience after an accomplished career in the startup ecosystem. Show Notes: Dominic Jacquesson MBE - linkedin.com/in/dominicjacquesson Carlos Espinal MBE - linkedin.com/in/carloseduardoespinal James Wright - linkedin.com/in/jdhwright Scaling Through Chaos and other resources from Index Ventures, including the web app TeamPlan, are available for free on Index Press (https://www.indexventures.com/index-press) 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:46 Dominic Jacquesson's Career Journey 07:53 Writing 'Scaling Through Chaos' 15:01 Scaling Startups: Key Insights 17:24 Navigating Leadership and Hiring 37:08 Risk Management in Scaling 45:29 Dominic's New Venture 49:50 Conclusion

Follow me @samirkaji for my thoughts on the venture market, with a focus on the continued evolution of the VC landscape.Today I'm excited to speak with the founding team of Chemistry, a new venture firm led by Kristina Shen, Ethan Kurzweil, and Mark Goldberg, who recently spun-out of blue chip firms Andreessen Horowitz, Bessemer, and Index Ventures, respectively. The firm just announced a significantly oversubscribed $350MM debut fund. As a new entrant to the market (in the toughest time to start a new firm in over a decade), I wanted to ask them about their blueprint for building a firm, including how they chose to partner up and the work they did beforehand, LP strategies and selection, and what they felt was their unique reason to exist in a highly competitive market. About Kristina ShenKristina Shen is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Chemistry Ventures, overseeing a $350M fund focused on early-stage software investments. Formerly a General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz (2019-2024), she led significant investments in Mux, Pave, Wrapbook, and Rutter. Kristina specialized in high-growth startups.She began her venture career as a Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners (2013-2019), working with companies such as Gainsight, Instructure, and ServiceTitan. Previously, she worked in investment banking at Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse, focusing on technology sectors.About Mark GoldbergMark Goldberg is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Chemistry Ventures since, investing in seed and Series A software startups. Previously, a Partner at Index Ventures (2015-2023), he worked with companies such as Plaid, Pilot, Intercom, and Motive, establishing a strong fintech and software portfolio.Prior to Index, Mark worked at Dropbox in Business Strategy & Operations and Strategic Finance (2013-2015), where he contributed to growth strategies during Dropbox's scaling phase.He started his career as an Analyst at Morgan Stanley (2007-2010) before joining Hudson Clean Energy as a Senior Associate. Mark holds an AB in International Relations from Brown University.About Ethan KurzweilEthan Kurzweil is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Chemistry Ventures, leading investments at the seed stage for tech-driven startups. He also serves as a board member for companies like Intercom and LaunchDarkly.Previously, Ethan was a Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners (2008-2024), where he worked with companies such as HashiCorp, Twilio, and Twitch. His focus on software and digital platforms spanned roles as board member and investor, contributing to significant IPOs and acquisitions.Early in his career, Ethan worked in business development at Linden Lab (creators of Second Life) and served as a Senior Manager in the CEO's Office at Dow Jones. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and an AB in Economics from Stanford University.In this episode, we discuss:* (01:43): Importance of Team Chemistry and Partnership Formation* (03:27): Challenges of Building a Firm in the Current Environment* (08:00): Unique Value Proposition for Early-Stage Founders* (10:18): Early-Stage Focus and Differentiation from Large VC Firms* (16:12): Fundraising Insights and LP Relationship Building* (19:00): Choosing Aligned LPs and Targeting Long-Term Partnerships* (27:23): Single-Trigger Investment Decision-Making Model* (30:12): Balancing Conviction with Collaborative Feedback* (35:23): Independent Decision-Making for Follow-On Investments* (39:19): Personal Contrarian Beliefs about the Venture Industry* (42:18): Closing Remarks on Building a New Venture FranchiseI'd love to know what you took away from this conversation with Kristina, Mark, and Ethan. Follow me @SamirKaji and give me your insights and questions with the hashtag #ventureunlocked. If you'd like to be considered as a guest or have someone you'd like to hear from (GP or LP), drop me a direct message on Twitter.Podcast Production support provided by Agent Bee This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ventureunlocked.substack.com

Mark Goldberg is a Managing Partner and Co-Founder at Chemistry, a $350M fund announced just yesterday with the mission to lead the best seed and Series A rounds. Before Chemistry, Mark was a Partner at Index Ventures, where he led early stage investments in Plaid, Bridge, Pilot, Anrok and Persona. Prior to Index Ventures, Mark was one of the first business hires at Dropbox. In Today's Episode with Mark Goldberg We Discuss: 1. The Truth About Multi-Stage Firms: Why are portfolio services there to help the investing partners and not the founders? What are the most broken elements within a multi-stage firm? How does decision-making break down in large partnerships? When is the right time to work with multi-stage firms? When is not? 2. From Boutique High Margins to Commoditised Low Margins:  With the immense amount of cash that has entered VC, will returns simply get worse? Who will be the winners in the next 10 years of venture? Who will be the losers? What can they do today to change this? What element of the future of venture are not enough people spending time on? 3. Lessons from Leading Unicorn Company Rounds: What happens to all the unicorns with insanely high prices they cannot grow into? What has been Mark's biggest hit? What did he learn? What has been his biggest miss? How did that change his go-forward approach? Does Mark agree that 90% of VC do not add value?    

L'ospite di oggi ha vissuto gli anni d'oro della Silicon Valley e di Internet, si è fatto strada nel mondo tech ed oggi è partner di uno dei fondi di venture capital più famosi al mondo, nonché membro del board di molte aziende tra cui anche Ferrari. Parlo di Mike Volpi, partner di Index Ventures. Index Ventures nasce nel 1996 a Ginevra ma con l'arrivo di Danny Rimer, che è considerato da Forbes uno dei top investitori al mondo, ha aperto gli uffici prima a Londra e poi a San Francisco. E' proprio in questa fase Americana che entra in campo Mike, già noto nel mondo tech e startup della Silicon Valley. Tra le aziende in cui ha investito Index Ventures in America ci sono Dropbox, Pure Storage e Cloudera.  Durante la puntata abbiamo affrontato tanti argomenti interessanti sia per chi vuole fondare una startup sia per chi invece ambisce a diventare un investitore. SPONSOR Sblocca 6 mesi di Notion Plus (valore di $6,000)Migliaia di startup utilizzano Notion come spazio di lavoro connesso per creare e condividere documenti, prendere appunti, gestire progetti e organizzare le conoscenze, il tutto in un unico luogo. Abbiamo collaborato con Notion per offrirvi 6 mesi di nuovi piani Plus, tra cui Notion AI illimitato. Per riscattare l'offerta Notion per le startup: 1. Clicca su questo link:https://ntn.so/madeit e seleziona Made IT nell'elenco dei partner. 2. Inserisci il codice partner, STARTUP4110P10624. SPONSOR Startup Geeks è il più grande incubatore online in Italia per aspiranti imprenditori e startup.Hai un'idea di business ma non sai da dove cominciare? Startup Geeks ha la soluzione: si chiama Startup Builder, un percorso di incubazione online della durata di 12 settimane, pensato proprio per chi vuole trasformare la propria idea di business in una startup pronta a raccogliere i primi investimenti e a essere lanciata sul mercato. Scopri di più a questo link: www.startupbuilder.it NEWSLETTER Iscriviti a Il Digestivo la nostra newsletter mensile sul mondo startup italiano: https://ildigestivo.substack.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA Se vi piace il podcast, il modo migliore per dircelo o per darci un feedback (e quello che ci aiuta di più a farlo diffondere) è semplicemente lasciare una recensione a 5 stelle o un commento su Spotify o l'app di Apple Podcast. Ci ha aiuta davvero tantissimo, quindi non esitate :) Se volete farci delle domande o seguirci, potete farlo qui: Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@madeit.podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@madeitpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Termsheet erhalten, was nun? Die rechtlichen Aspekte der ersten institutionellen Finanzierungsrunde sind eine Herausforderung, welche es nicht zu unterschätzen gilt. Bastian und Manuel geben dir tiefe Einblicke in den Prozess vom Termsheet bis zum Closing und erklären, worauf Gründer bei der Vorbereitung und Verhandlung achten sollten.Was du lernst:Wie bereitest du dich optimal auf eine institutionelle Finanzierungsrunde vor?Welche Punkte sollten bereits im Termsheet geregelt werden?Welche Auswirkungen haben ausgewählte Entscheidungen auf zukünftige Runden?Welche Vertragsbestandteile solltest du verhandeln?Was ist beim Board-Setup zu beachten?Wichtig: Dies ist keine Rechtsberatung. Für deinen individuellen Fall fragst du bitte zusätzlich deinen Anwalt des Vertrauens.Schreib mir gerne deine Gedanken zum Format, damit es Legal Bakery in Zukunft öfter geben kann. (fabian@unicornbakery.de)ALLES ZU UNICORN BAKERY: https://zez.am/unicornbakeryRESSOURCEN & TOOLSCap Table Tool von Cherry Ventures: https://drp.li/rp64UMitarbeiterbeteiligungsrechner von Index Ventures: https://drp.li/rdjW6Datenraum Template: https://drp.li/U3IftBastian Krautwald:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bastiankrautwald/ Manuel Nikolajic:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuelnikoleyczik/ Musfeldt: https://www.musfeldt.law/Join our Founder Tactics Newsletter: 2x die Woche bekommst du die Taktiken der besten Gründer der Welt direkt ins Postfach: https://newsletter.unicornbakery.deMarker:(00:00:00) Der richtige Zeitpunkt für Price Rounds & die rechtliche Unterstützung(00:08:23) Fundraising Seasons (00:12:53) Best Practices: Data-Room & Fundraising Process(00:29:40) VC Investment Process(00:39:55) Term-Sheet - Was passiert danach?(01:08:36) How To: Board Management (01:13:59) Die wichtigsten Terms (01:18:34) Darauf solltest du beim Gründer-Vesting achten(01:28:39) Verträge der Priced Round(01:37:00) Signing to Closing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the EUVC podcast, Andreas discusses with Hannah Seal, Partner at Index Ventures. Andreas and Hannah explore the dynamics of founder relationships, the European venture landscape, and more with insights from the recently launched book - Scaling Through Chaos.As a Partner at Index, Hannah focuses on B2B software and enterprise AI applications. She works with founders, reshaping every sector of the economy by digitizing workflows, automating manual processes, and transforming the services sector at large.In close to a decade at Index, she has built a track record of helping visionary entrepreneurs from day one and supporting them as their companies scale. She is particularly energized by founders who leverage technology to tackle daunting problems in large and traditional sectors previously deemed too hard to tackle. Her investments at Index include DataSnipper, who supercharge auditors; Remote, a platform to hire, manage and pay global teams; Multiverse, the company bringing apprenticeships into the digital age; and Fonoa, tax technology for global businesses.Go to eu.vc for our core learnings and the full video interview

Sandra Schwarzer, Board & Talent Insights leader at Index Ventures, joined us on The Modern People Leader.  We talked about Index Ventures' experience helping founders “scale through chaos”, how much time founders spend on HR-related tasks, their 14-point framework for running executive searches, and how investors evaluate founders' view on talent. ----  Timestamps: (3:54) Sandra's career story: From East Germany to Index Ventures (10:42) Defining 'Scaling through Chaos' and key takeaways (13:56) Founders spending 50% of their time on HR-related tasks (17:44) Challenges in hiring engineering talent and how Index Ventures supports founders (20:07) Structuring time for hiring and talent-related tasks (27:05) AI adoption in the people function: Early challenges and insights (38:48) The 14-point executive search framework for successful hires (44:06) How to balance speed and cultural fit when hiring (50:26) Common mistakes in executive hiring and learning from them (54:11) The importance of organizational design and a CEO's view of the people function (56:53) Index Ventures' tool for optimizing team planning and scaling ---- 

While online discourse would make it seem that venture has retreated to the Bay Area, with San Francisco being the most important place to build a startup, Index Ventures is looking to bulk up its New York-based investing team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

French startup Jump raised approximately $12 million in a Series A funding round led by Breega, with contributions from Index Ventures and Raise Ventures. Jump provides full-time contracts to freelancers, allowing them to achieve stability and benefits similar to full-time employees while maintaining independence. Freelancers can work with multiple clients and negotiate contracts directly. Jump's platform facilitates client billing and payslip generation, aiding income management. A permanent contract grants freelancers benefits including national healthcare registration and pension contributions. Additional offerings include health insurance, meal vouchers, and employee savings schemes. The service costs €99 per month, with deductions from freelancer pay. Currently, around 2,000 freelancers use Jump's platform. The startup aims to expand to the British market, targeting freelancers in the U.K.Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shardul Shah is a Partner at Index Ventures and one of the greatest cyber security investors of the last two decades. Among his many wins, Shardul has led rounds in Datadog, Wiz, Duo Security, Coalition and more. Shardul is also the only Partner investing at Index to have worked in every single Index office from London, to SF, to NYC to Geneva. Prior to Index, Shardul worked with Summit Partners, focusing on healthcare and internet technologies. In Today's Episode with Shardul Shah We Discuss: 1. Investing Lessons from Wiz and Datadog: Why does Shardul believe that TAM (total addressable market) is BS? Why does Shardul believe that every great deal will be expensive? How does Shardul evaluate when to double down and concentrate capital vs when to let someone else come in and lead a round in an existing company? How does Shardul think about when is the right time to sell a position in a company? 2. How the Best VCs Make Decisions: How does Shardul and Index create an environment of truth-seeking together, that is optimised for the best decision-making to take place? What are the biggest mistakes in how VCs make decisions today? Why does Shardul believe that all first meetings should be 30 mins not 60 mins? Why does Shardul believe it is so much harder to make investment decisions when partnerships are remote? What is better remote? 3. The Core Pillars of Venture: Sourcing, Selecting, Securing and Servicing: Which one does Shardul believe he is best at? What is he worst at? Does Shardul believe with the downturn we have moved into a world of selection and not just winning every new deal? Does Shardul believe that VCs provide any value? What are the biggest misnomers when it comes to "VC value add"? 4. Lessons from the Best Investors in the World: Who is the best board member that Shardul sits on a board with? What has Shardul learned from Gili Raanan and Doug Leone on being a good board member? What have been some of Shardul's biggest investing lessons from Danny Rimer? Why does Shardul hate benchmarks when it comes to investing?  

Vlad Loktev spent 10 years at Airbnb, where he started as an IC PM and quickly advanced to lead the core Airbnb marketplace business and then GM the entire homes business, managing over 1,000 people and reporting directly to CEO Brian Chesky. He recently left Airbnb and joined Index Ventures as their newest partner. Vlad was my manager at Airbnb for many years, and is the person I credit most for teaching me how to be a great product manager. Prior to Airbnb, Vlad spent a year at Zynga, where he helped grow Words with Friends to over 14 million daily active users. In our conversation, Vlad shares:• Insight into Brian Chesky's leadership style• Why success as a PM is all about impact, impact, impact• Why chaos can be good• Why as a leader it's OK to let some fires burn• Why you should learn to “poke the bear”• Balancing product release speed with quality• Lessons on prioritization, decision-making, and organizational design• Advice for founders on building company culture• Much more—Brought to you by:• Pendo—The only all-in-one product experience platform for any type of application• Vanta—Automate compliance. Simplify security• Eppo—Run reliable, impactful experiments—Find the transcript and show notes at: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/impact-impact-impact-vlad-loktev—Where to find Vlad Loktev:• X: https://x.com/vladimirloktev• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladimirloktev/—Where to find Lenny:• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com• X: https://twitter.com/lennysan• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/—In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Vlad's background(02:54) Reflecting on transformative years at Airbnb(04:28) Skills and mindsets for success(11:03) Impact-driven mindset(13:16) Saying no and inquiry before advocacy (17:54) “Poking the bear”(22:46) Psychological tools for leadership(30:08) Building and scaling teams(36:12) Letting fires burn(47:34) Embracing chaos(54:40) The unsell email strategy(01:02:01) Finding your place in an organization(01:05:38) The importance of company culture(01:13:16) Airbnb's unique approach to product management(01:26:41) Failure corner(01:31:32) Lightning round and final thoughts—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.—Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed. Get full access to Lenny's Newsletter at www.lennysnewsletter.com/subscribe

Dropbox has acquired AI-powered scheduling tool Reclaim.ai, which counts Calendly and Index Ventures among its backers. The development was revealed in a blog post on Reclaim.ai's website Tuesday. Dropbox hasn't disclosed the terms of the deal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

André Petry baut mit Tacto das Einkaufsbetriebsystem für den Mittelstand.. Mit dreistelliger Kundenanzahl, über 70 Mitarbeitern und einer erfolgreichen 50 Mio EUR Finanzierungsrunde in 2023, angeführt von den renommierten US-Investoren Sequoia Capital und Index Ventures, befindet sich Tacto auf dem Weg zum deutschen Marktführer. André spricht über sein Ideal einer nachhaltigen Company, die wahrscheinlich erfolgreichste Finanzierungsrunde im schwierigen Marktumfeld 2023 und seine genaue Anleitung zu Co-Development Partnerschaften mit Mittelständlern für den Erfolg von Tacto. Zudem schildert André, warum sie zu Beginn insbesondere junge Generalisten eingestellt haben, was es für First-time Manager zu beachten gilt und wie sich seine Hiring-Strategie im Laufe der Stages angepasst hat.Was du lernst:Wie Tacto durch engen Kundenkontakt, Co-Developments und iterative Entwicklung schnell Product-Market-Fit & 100+ Kunden erreichteDetails zur erfolgreichen 50 Mio EUR Finanzierungsrunde mit Sequoia Capital und Index VenturesAufbau der Go-To-Market Motion im Mittelstandssegment zu 100+ Kunden (von Kaltakquise zu Webinaren mit 700+ Teilnehmern)Warum André davon abrät, die ersten Kunden alle aus dem eigenen Netzwerk zu sourcenWorauf André beim Hiring von jungen Talenten achtetWieTacto seine Unternehmenskultur trotz schnellem Wachstum bewahrtWie Tacto kompetitive Job Offer für Talente designt und nahezu 100% Offer Conversion erreichtALLES ZU UNICORN BAKERY: https://zez.am/unicornbakeryAndré Petry findest du hier:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrepetry/ tacto: https://www.tacto.ai/ Unicorn Bakery WhatsApp Broadcast: Hier erfährst du alles, was du als Gründer wissen musst: https://drp.li/jrq5SUnser WhatsApp Broadcast hält dich mit Einblicken in die Szene, News und Top-Inhalten auf dem Laufenden.Marker:(00:00:00) Wie Tacto zu einem der gehyptesten deutschen Startups wurde(00:05:13) Andrés Umgang mit Druck(00:09:08) Details zur Dynamik der 50 Mio EUR Finanzierungsrunde mit Sequoia und Index(00:23:18) Go to Market Strategie von 0 zu 100+ Kunden(00:29:11) Produktentwicklung & Founder lead-sales(00:34:00) Hiring Junior vs. Senior(00:48:16) How To: Job Offer Design für nahezu 100% Offer Conversion(00:54:12) Wie André über Mitarbeiterbeteiligungen nachdenkt(01:02:01) Must-Haves von Mitarbeitern(01:06:22) Bastelbude vs. solide Firma - Erfahrungswerte zu Organisationsentwicklung(01:16:36) Die erste Mio EUR ARR(01:19:55) How To: Pricing(01:33:13) How To: Co-Development Partnerschaften richtig managen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 190 of Fintech Chatter Dexter Cousins is joined by Chad West, VP of Marketing for Argent. Dexter first met Chad in 2018 when Chad was VP of Marketing for Revolut. Tune in as they talk about Chad's journey from UK Politics to UK Fintech and now the world of digital assets.About Argent - Argent is the world's most simple and secure smart wallet for Ethereum. It puts the power of crypto into the hands of anyone with a phone. Empowering users to control and prosper from their digital assets and identity.Store, save and send; borrow, earn interest and invest. No-nonsense and non-custodial. Combining beautiful design and bulletproof security. Without borders or boundaries.Launched in 2018 Argent is backed by Silicon Valley and Europe's top investors, including Paradigm, Index Ventures, Creandum and firstminute capital.About This Episode -Chad and Dexter talk about the early days of Revolut. When Chad joined as their first marketing leader, he was employee no25. Revolut had amassed a fairly impressive 50,000 customers at this stage. Chad shares some of the strategies he harnessed to take the company to 20 MILLION customers just 5 years later.Dexter also talks to Chad about his career post Revolut. And Chad shares why he believes the world of digital assets has even more potential to fulfil the early promise of Fintech.And as one of the most accomplished marketers on the planet, Chad shares his tips for founders and gives some career advice to marketeers concerned about the rapid shake up in the industry by AI.About Chad West Chad was an early employee and Director of Global Marketing & Communications at Revolut. He helped transform the company from a fintech app that no one had heard of, into one of the fastest-growing technology companies in the world.Chad's marketing philosophy is a little different. He doesn't believe in blowing money on expensive Super Bowl ads, but instead by bringing customer's as close to the business as possible, and scaling through advocacy.From product marketing and community building, to referral campaigns and engagement, Chad has seen it all.Chad began his career in Public Affairs supporting at the the time UK Prime Minister, David Cameron.He then joined renowned Internet giant Rocket Internet, where he really cut his teeth in growth marketing, before joining Revolut as their first senior marketing hire in 2017.Chad is now VP of Marketing for Argent and holds an advisory role with Sorare.Send us a Text Message.Subscribe Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fintech-leaders-7092732051488980992/Connect on Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3DsCJBp

Rex Woodbury, Founder and Managing Partner at Daybreak Ventures, and previously a Partner at Index Ventures joined Erik to explore the evolution and impact of the creator economy. They discuss the challenges of monetization for creators, the future of consumer social platforms, and the changing demographics and behaviors of different generations. Grow and monetize your newsletter with Beehiiv: head to https://Beehiiv.com and use code “EMPIRES” for 20% off your first three months.

Send us a Text Message.Weekly pre-IPO reports…- Valuations, revenue multiples, performance = www.agdillon.com/reports- Market update pdf = www.agdillon.com/update- Index fact sheet = www.agdillon.com/index00:07 | Stripe's $70b valuation- Online payments company- Sequoia inter-fund transaction- $27.51/share at $70b valuation, +7.7% vs its last round- Sequoia LPs get liquidity, realized returns- Emerging tech is staying private for longer- Growth companies are private not public, time to allocate to pre-IPO stocks01:41 | Revolut $40b valuation- UK online bank- Tiger Global to lead $40b round- $2.2b 2023 revenue, 2x vs 2022- $574m 2023 pretax profit vs -$33m in 2022- 18.1x revenue multiple- $25b secondary market valuation, +60% overnight return!02:25 | Anthropic, Menlo launch fund- Anthropic is AI large language model biz, Menlo is premier Silicon Valley VC firm- $100m fund to invest into AI startups- Menlo makes investment- Anthropic provides AI LLM credits- Anthropic = $22b secondary market valuation, +20% vs Jan 2024 round03:22 | $267m for Human Interest- 401k focused fintech- 3 minutes to open 401k account- 25,000 small business customers- $100m in ARR- 70% projected 2024 sales growth- IPO planned within two years04:03 | Tekion $4b valuation- Automotive technology business- $200m investment from Dragoneer- Founder is former Tesla CIO, jay Vijayan- 2025 to be 1st profitable year- Other investors = Index Ventures, BMW i Ventures, Advent International04:53 | Starlink approved in South Sudan- SpaceX's satellite internet business- Only 36% of South Sudan citizens connected to internet- SpaceX seeks official distributor in South Sudan- $210b valuation based on current tender offer in process05:44 | OpenAI GPT-4o Mini launched- AI large language model business- 4o Mini is 60% cheaper vs 4o proper- 4o Mini is replacing GPT-3.5 Turbo- Businesses like smaller models as they get job done but at lower expense- Lower expense improves ROIs- Watch for big earnings pop and acquisitions from businesses that implement AI07:32 | Pre-IPO Stock Market Weekly Performance- www.agdillon.com/reports for full pdf- Pre-IPO +0.19% for week, +65.28% for last 1yr- Up week: Revolut +8.0%, Chime +5.5%, Deel 4.4%, Ramp +3.4%, SpaceX 3.2%- Down week: Cohere -11.2%, Epic Games -3.2%, Anduril -2.8%, Neuralink -2.4%, eToro -2.3%- Top valuations: ByteDance $290b, SpaceX $205b, OpenAI $106b, Stripe $70b, Databricks $44b08:23 | Pre-IPO Stock Vintage Index Weekly Performance- www.agdillon.com/index for pdf with constituent level performance by year- 2024 Vintage Index top contributors since inception: Rippling +107%, Revolut +68%, Anduril +51%, Klarna +46%, Epic Games +32%- Key metric averages for all Vintage Indexes 5 years old or older…445% cumulative return since inception61% realized, distributed to investors5.45 TVPI; 3.31 DPI, 2.14 RVPI4.1 years to return the fund

In this episode, Sasha sits down with Michelle Valentine, Co-founder and CEO of Anrok, the tax compliance infrastructure for the internet economy. They discuss the complexities of sales tax in the digital age, the historical context, regulatory changes, and challenges faced by startups operating online. Michelle shares her journey from VC at Index Ventures to founding Anorak and provides valuable advice for finance leaders and founders on navigating sales tax issues effectively. --

In this episode of Turpentine VC, Erik sits down with Mike Volpi, partner at Index Ventures. They discuss the evolution of venture capital–the transformative changes in the VC landscape since 2008, the rise of seed capital, multi-stage asset aggregators, and the professionalization of venture firms. Mike also shares Index Ventures' unique approach to building relationships with founders and fostering a strong company culture. The conversation also dives into challenges of building an open source business model in AI and the potential for smaller models and alternative architectures. 

889: Venture capital has driven technological advancement from hardware companies like Cisco to software giants like Google. But what does the future hold? In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High talks with Saul Klein, co-founder and managing partner of Phoenix Court, about his insights on a more balanced future for tech VC. They discuss Saul's innovative approach, which includes managing four distinct funds—LocalGlobe, Latitude, Solr, and Basecamp—to strategically support potential unicorns. With experience as a partner at Index Ventures and a non-executive director at the UK's Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Saul shares insights on the European and Israeli tech ecosystems, the historical and social context of innovation, and the need to demystify venture capital. Additionally, he analyzes the impact of Brexit on innovation, regulation, and trade agreements, and delves into the social impact initiatives of Phoenix Court and his perspectives on the future of tech investment.

889: Venture capital has driven technological advancement from hardware companies like Cisco to software giants like Google. But what does the future hold? In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High talks with Saul Klein, co-founder and managing partner of Phoenix Court, about his insights on a more balanced future for tech VC. They discuss Saul's innovative approach, which includes managing four distinct funds—LocalGlobe, Latitude, Solr, and Basecamp—to strategically support potential unicorns. With experience as a partner at Index Ventures and a non-executive director at the UK's Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Saul shares insights on the European and Israeli tech ecosystems, the historical and social context of innovation, and the need to demystify venture capital. Additionally, he analyzes the impact of Brexit on innovation, regulation, and trade agreements, and delves into the social impact initiatives of Phoenix Court and his perspectives on the future of tech investment.

Welcome to an exciting episode where we delve into the cutting-edge world of artificial intelligence and machine learning with Ben Gutkovich, the co-founder of Superlinked. Join us as we explore how Superlinked is transforming the landscape of AI-powered software, making it accessible and efficient for organizations worldwide. Superlinked stands at the forefront of AI data processing, turning complex data into vector embeddings at an unprecedented scale. With a $9.5 million seed round led by Index Ventures and Theory Ventures, Superlinked is poised to meet rising market demands and expand its product capabilities. In this episode, Ben takes us through his journey, sharing the evolution of Superlinked from its inception to its current state as a platform empowering machine learning engineers and data scientists. He elaborates on the primary value proposition of Superlinked and the critical problems it solves for its users, emphasizing the importance of control over data and the quality of AI-generated results. Ben provides a fascinating insight into vector embeddings, the language of generative AI models. He explains how Superlinked helps organizations turn both unstructured and structured data into vector embeddings, enhancing the performance of applications like chatbots, recommendation systems, and more. We also delve into the strategic pivot that Superlinked made with the launch of ChatGPT, moving from a full-stack recommendation system to a more versatile platform. Ben shares the inspiration behind this shift and the impact it has had on their product and market strategy. The episode further explores Superlinked's recent funding journey, highlighting how Ben and his co-founder Daniel navigated the investor landscape to secure significant backing. Ben discusses the importance of timing, networking, and making a compelling case to potential investors. Additionally, we learn about the geographical strategy of Superlinked, with teams spread across Hungary, Israel, London, and Silicon Valley. Ben explains how they maintain alignment and cohesion across these diverse locations, leveraging tools like Notion and Zoom, while also fostering a strong company culture through regular in-person gatherings. We also touch upon Superlinked's educational initiatives and community-building efforts, including their VectorHub platform and strategic partnerships with key players in the AI and machine learning ecosystem. Finally, Ben shares his vision for Superlinked's future, aiming to become the standard for vector embeddings in the AI industry. He also reflects on the entrepreneurs and innovators who have inspired him, including Sam Altman, Elon Musk, and Steve Jobs, and how these influences shape his approach to building and leading Superlinked. Join us for an enlightening conversation that promises to inspire and inform anyone interested in the dynamic world of AI and machine learning. For more insights into Superlinked, check out https://superlinked.com/ and for advice on recruiting leadership talent at AI startups & scaleups head over to https://alpinasearch.com/

Helsing, a defense-focused AI startup, has raised €450 million ($487 million) to enhance security in Estonia and the Baltic states. The company's valuation surged from $1.85 billion to $5.4 billion. U.S. venture funds with defense tech plans are engaging investors with Department of Defense and military backgrounds. PitchBook reports peak startup valuations in 2024, primarily in top-tier companies. DreamFlare aims to aid content creators and animation artists through AI. Scribble Journey introduced an app for art therapy. Alma, founded by Aizada Marat, simplifies visa applications using AI for skilled professionals. Nala, an African payments startup, raised $40 million, showing potential in international remittances. Regard secured $61 million to improve diagnostic accuracy with AI in medical charts. Kudos raised $3 million to enhance diapers with 100% cotton. Index Ventures announced $2.3 billion in new funds, while Alpine Space Ventures collected $184 million for the space sector. Kearny Jackson raised a $65 million fund for B2B SaaS and fintech startups. Arianna Huffington and Sam Altman launched Thrive AI Health to promote healthier lifestyles.Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marcelo Lebre is the President and Co-founder of Remote, a Global HR Platform that helps companies hire, manage, and pay their entire team — and more effectively compete in the modern global economy through a comprehensive set of core solutions including, HRIS, payroll, international employment, contractor management, and more. Remote has raised to date $500 million from notable investors such as Accel, Sequoia, Index Ventures, Two Sigma, General Catalyst and Day One VenturesIn 2022, Remote surpassed a $1 billion valuation after closing a $300 million Series C round led by Accel. Where to find Marcelo Lebre:• Website: Global HR Solutions & Employment Tools for Distributed Teams | Remote• LinkedIn (9) Marcelo Lebre | LinkedInWhere to find Hadi Radwan:• Newsletter: Principles Friday | Hadi Radwan | Substack• LinkedIn: Hadi Radwan | LinkedInIf you like our podcast, please don't forget to subscribe and support us on your favorite podcast players. We also would appreciate your feedback and rating to reach more people.We recently launched our new newsletter, Principles Friday, where I share one principle that can help you in your life or business, one thought-provoking question, and one call to action toward that principle. Please subscribe Here.It is Free and Short (2min).

Mike Volpi is a longtime venture capitalist who joined Index Ventures in 2009 to establish the firm's San Francisco office and North American operations. Prior, he was Chief Strategy Officer at Cisco, overseeing a run of acquisitions still studied today as a model for technology merger strategy. Mike invests primarily in artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and open-source companies, and currently serves on the boards of multiple companies including Aurora, ClickHouse, Cockroach Labs, Cohere, Confluent, Covariant.ai, Kong, Scale, Sonos, and Wealthfront.     In this episode, Kevin and Mike discuss Mike's early childhood, how he got interested in the study of engineering, and his career experiences—including what led to Mike's long career at Cisco and his current Partner position at Index—including his board experiences with multiple companies.     Mike Volpi | Index Ventures  Kevin Scott    Behind the Tech with Kevin Scott    Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts.    

“There are days when you wake up and think ‘this is it - we're going to be the next Google' and then you wake up the next morning and feel like it's all over and you're going to fail.”  Today's 40 Minute Mentor is former VC investor turned serial entrepreneur, Greg Marsh.  Following his time as an investor with Index Ventures, Greg went to build pioneering luxury accommodation marketplace, onefinestay, which became a global success with over 700 people and an exit via acquisition by Accor Hotel in 2016 - a deal worth more than $200m.  But it didn't take long for Greg to throw himself back in the Founder seat.  In today's episode, we discuss his career to date in detail, plus find out more about his latest venture, Nous - the smarter way to save on household bills.  Episode chapters:  ➡️ Growing up in west London and finding his call as an entrepreneur [03:08]  ➡️ Becoming an Investor [04:37]  ➡️ The origins of onefinestay [10:11]  ➡️ Underestimating the difficulty of scaling a business [11:26]  ➡️ The collaborative nature of entrepreneurship [13:43]  ➡️ Building a support network around you [16:33]  ➡️ The emotional rollercoaster of being a Founder [18:46]  ➡️ Taking hiring seriously [21:12]  ➡️ Why Greg jumped back into the Founder seat [24:59]  ➡️ More about Nous [29:26]  ➡️ Building traction in a difficult market [34:56]  ➡️ Advantages of being a second time Founder [37:23]  ➡️ Audience Question: What practical advice do you have for making your money work harder in difficult times? [42:34]  ⛳ Helpful links: ➡️ Connect with Greg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gmarsh/  ➡️ Check out Nous: https://www.nous.co/  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is the new generation up to? Tune in as we invite Rex Woodbury, founder of Daybreak and the mind behind Digital Native, a digital newsletter with over 60,000 subscribers. From investing at TPG and Index Ventures to creating his venture fund, Daybreak, Rex brings a wealth of knowledge and advice to anyone looking to break into VC. Join us as we explore the founding rationale behind Daybreak, emerging trends in Gen Z, and how Rex held a record for the fastest half-marathon in a suit! Chapter Timestamps: (00:00) Background and Introduction to Rex (06:04) Digital Native and Serendipity (13:44) Writing Process (15:03) Shift in Work Economies (18:33) Behavior Shifts in Gen-Z (24:20) Starting Daybreak (32:25) Founder Traits (35:30) Seeking Mentorship (37:20) Half-Marathon in a Suit (41:00) Ikigai and Curiosity --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nyu-svs/support

In #40, Michael Sikand (@michaelsikand) and Simran Sandhu (@_simmy_) discuss the founders of Zette and Vizcom. Founded by 28-year-old Yehong Zhu, Zette is best described as "Netflix for News". By installing the Zette chrome extension and paying a monthly subscription, users can bypass the article paywall on over 100+ publisher sites including Forbes. So far, Yehong has raised $2.7M+ for the company, including a recent 7-figure crowdfunding round. Next up is Vizcom, which was started by 28-year-old co-founders Jordan Taylor and Kaelan Richards. Best described as Figma for industrial designers, Vizcom is an AI-powered software that helps industrial designers at companies like Ford and New Balance use a mixture of drawing and generative AI to make the process of creating innovative mock-ups and product designs more efficient. The company recently raised a $20M Series A which included investors like Index Ventures and Figma co-founder Dylan Field. 0:00 Intro 01:27 Story of Zette 19:07 Story of Vizcom Follow the show on IG: @ourfuturepod Message Michael on Twitter: @michaelsikand Message Simmy on Twitter: @_simmy_ Our Future Podcast is a production of Morning Brew. #business #startups #podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

20Europe is a new series profiling European ecosystems. Each episode is a roundtable format featuring investors based in countries including Germany, France, UK, Sweden and more. Half of the show will focus on how these local ecosystems operate, with the other half focused the tech and venture landscape. For Episode 3, we profile the UK. I was joined by Julien Bek, Partner @ Sequoia Capital, Georgia Stevenson, Partner @ Index Ventures & Finn Murphy, GP @ Nebular.

On this episode of LinkedIn Presents: Redefining Work, I'm joined by Martin Mignot and Sandra Schwarzer, two pivotal figures from Index Ventures who share the research, insights, and lessons behind their Scaling Through Chaos book and TeamPlan app.

(00:00) Intro(02:49) The Genesis of AI Investments and Understanding Human Logic(03:46) The Journey of Learning and Investing in AI(05:34) The Evolution of Technology and its Impact on Investments(09:17) The Role of Optimism and Pragmatism in Venture Capital(15:43) The Influence of AI on Equity Value(21:53) The Role of Government and Private Sector in AI Regulation(25:56) Investment Strategies and Decision Making(31:50) The Art of Investing in Young Entrepreneurs(35:58) Reflections on Career and Lessons Learned(38:55) Mentorship and Nurturing Young Venture Capitalists(40:12) The Art of Mentoring in Venture Capital(41:00) Empowering Partners: A Case Study(41:35) The Power of Frameworks in Decision Making(43:19) Understanding Your Weaknesses as an Investor(44:24) The Painful Misses in Investment(46:18) Redefining Yourself for Growth(49:26) Embracing Mistakes in Venture Capital(51:46) Learning from the Titans of Venture Capital(55:18) The Value of Market Leaders in M&A(59:17) The Journey from Italy to Silicon Valley(01:11:18) Lessons from Being a CEO(01:14:28) Reflections on Personal Growth and Learning(01:15:29) Transitioning from Operator to Venture Capitalist(01:17:30) The Philosophy and Strategy of Index Ventures(01:20:20) The Role of a Board Member and Building Personal Brand(01:32:20) Lessons from Serving on the Board of Ferrari(01:38:08) Advice for Young Professionals in the Tech Industry(01:41:30) State of the Venture Capital Industry Today Produced: Rashad Assir & Leah ClapperMixed and edited: Justin HrabovskyExecutive Producer: Josh Machiz