Podcasts about market leaders

The hardest part of transformation is knowing what to let go of.Dan O'Connell, now leading Front as CEO and formerly on the board at Dialpad, joins Joubin Mirzadegan to explore the delicate balance between legacy and innovation as he leads a decade old company through the AI revolution.He also reflects on why courage and control can coexist in leadership, and what it means to “make decisions that give you energy.”Guest: Dan O'Connell, CEO of Front​Connect with Dan O'ConnellXLinkedIn​Connect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins

Before AI became a buzzword, a few true believers were already building.Since early 2022, Mati Staniszewski and his team at ElevenLabs have been among them, working to create voices that “actually represent emotions.”He shares with Joubin Mirzadegan how voice AI is transforming diverse fields, from delivering personalized healthcare for different age groups to amplifying creativity in filmmaking.Guest: Mati Staniszewski, co-founder and CEO of ElevenLabsConnect with Mati StaniszewskiXLinkedIn​Connect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com​​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins

In this episode, we speak with Randall Eason and Keoni Schwartz, Co-Founders and Managing Directors at Altamont Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused on transforming and scaling lower-middle market companies through deep operational expertise and value-creation capabilities. Since its founding, Altamont has invested in over 45 companies across the industrials, business services, financial services, and franchising & multi-unit sectors, with more than $4 billion in capital under management. Randall leads investments in the industrials and franchising & multi-unit sectors. Previously, he was a Principal at Golden Gate Capital, and held roles at Bain & Company and Williams-Sonoma. He holds an MA in sociology and a BA in economics, Phi Beta Kappa, from Stanford. Keoni leads investments in the financial and business services sectors. He was formerly a Principal at Golden Gate Capital and began his career as a consultant at Bain & Company and The Bridgespan Group. He holds a BA in history with honors from Princeton. Altamont was recently recognized by GrowthCap as a Top Private Equity Firm of 2025. I am your host, RJ Lumba. We hope you enjoy the show. If you like the episode click to follow.

What's product-market fit like when you give people the power to do what they never thought was possible?On this rerun of Grit from April 2024, Victor Riparbelli, co-founder and CEO of Synthesia, shares how his platform gave billions a new way to create video without cameras, and explores a future where video and audio replace text as the primary way to share knowledge and content.Guests: Victor Riparbelli, CEO and co-founder of Synthesia and Josh Coyne, Partner at Kleiner PerkinsConnect with Victor RiparbelliX: https://x.com/vriparbelliLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorriparbelli/​Connect with Josh CoyneX: https://x.com/josh_coyneLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuacoyne/​Connect with JoubinX: https://x.com/JoubinmirLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joubin-mirzadegan-66186854/Email: grit@kleinerperkins.com​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins:https://www.kleinerperkins.com/

Ed and Simon Baker engage with Joost Dop, CEO of Funda, to explore the dynamics of the Dutch real estate market, emphasizing the importance of engagement metrics over traffic volume. They discuss the challenges of housing shortages, Funda's role in addressing these issues, and the unique ownership structure that fosters strong relationships with brokers. The conversation also delves into pricing strategies, the development of tools for brokers, and the impact of AI on the real estate industry, highlighting the need for continuous adaptation and learning from global market trends.

Make your product irresistible, and everything else will follow.That's the philosophy of Grant Lee, co-founder and CEO of Gamma, an AI design platform with an 'anti-PowerPoint approach', used by over 50M people.This week on Grit, he also shares why enduring businesses aren't one person shows, and how their deliberate hiring process shapes and strengthens company culture.Connect with Grant LeeXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

Connect with Carson:https://www.linkedin.com/in/carsoncre/Click to access the 120k Southwest Airlines Performance Business card offer (click Performance Business card at the top) Email Jonathan with comments or suggestions:podcast@thesourcecre.comOr visit the webpage:www.thesourcecre.com*Some or all of the show notes may have been generated using AI tools.

Scaling a business globally comes down to leaders who align teams and drive them forward together.Snowflake serves over 12,000 customers, and early executives Chris Degnan and Denise Persson share how they scaled the company while keeping the unlikely pairing of sales and marketing perfectly aligned through hypergrowth.They join Joubin Mirzadegan to share insights from their new book, Make It Snow, revealing how they built Snowflake's ‘go-to-market engine' and fostered a customer-first culture across every function.Guests: Chris Degnan, former CRO and advisor to the CEO at Snowflake, and Denise Persson, CMO at Snowflake.Connect with Chris Degnan LinkedIn​Connect with Denise PerssonLinkedIn​Connect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins:https://www.kleinerperkins.com/

Welcome to EO Radio Show – Your Nonprofit Legal Resource. I'm Cynthia Rowland, and this is the third episode in a short series about using AI for impact and how nonprofits can work smarter in the digital age. In today's episode, I am again joined by Sly Atayee and Kirstie Tiernan from BDO. We delve into the risks and realities of adopting AI in the nonprofit sector. From securing donor data to preventing bias and managing tool sprawl, we explore how nonprofits can protect their mission while embracing innovation.  Show Notes: Cynthia Rowland, Podcast Host, Partner, Farella Braun + Martel Sly Atayee, Director, BDO USA, Certified Fraud Examiner Kirstie Tiernan, Principal - Digital Go-to-Market Leader, Labs Practice Leader, BDO USA BDO USA: The Top AI Risks in the Nonprofit Sector EO Radio Show AI YouTube playlist EO Radio Show #136: AI on a Shoestring: A Startup Nonprofit's Real-Life Journey EO Radio Show #137:  Leading With AI: Nonprofit Management and Boardroom Perspectives COSO Integrated Internal Control Framework Executive Summary EO Radio Show Nonprofit Fraud Prevention YouTube playlist EO Radio Show #84: Nonprofit Book Review: ABA Guidebook for Directors of Nonprofit Corporations If you have suggestions for topics you would like us to discuss, please email us at eoradioshow@fbm.com. Additional episodes can be found at EORadioShowByFarella.com. DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be, nor should it be interpreted as, legal advice or opinion.

How Did Foresight — and a Lot of Grit — Turn One Client into a Thriving Business?Can tenacity turn setbacks like the 2008 GFC into career breakthroughs?This week on Retail Retold, Chris Ressa sits down with Bethany Babcock, founder of Foresite Commercial Real Estate — and a mom of three who has built a thriving firm through sheer tenacity.Bethany's journey is anything but conventional. Born in the U.S. but raised in Chile, she came to Texas at 18 with no financial support and worked her way through college while getting her start in real estate. When the 2008 financial crisis hit, she doubled down instead of walking away — jumping into commission-only investment sales and eventually founding her own firm in 2014 with a single client.Since then, Bethany has grown Foresite into a respected full-service company with offices in San Antonio, Austin, and Houston. Along the way she created the CRE Launch Program, an internship pipeline that's bringing fresh talent into the industry. Her story blends personal grit with professional innovation, offering valuable lessons for anyone navigating today's retail real estate market.From raising bilingual kids to raising capital, Bethany shows what it takes to persevere — and why “trust but verify” is more than just a business mantra.What you'll hear: How a mom of three turned setbacks into a thriving CRE businessWhy 2008's downturn became a springboard, not a stumbling blockHow mentorship and grit fueled Bethany's career shift into retailThe inside story of launching Foresite with one client and growing from thereThe birth of the CRE Launch Program and its role in shaping new talentMarket insights: San Antonio and Austin leasing strength, local buyers vs. international investorsA high-stakes deal that fell apart — and the hard lesson learnedChapters00:00 Introduction to Bethany Babcock02:43 Bethany's Journey into Commercial Real Estate06:05 Career Development and Starting Foresite08:52 Growth and Challenges in Business11:39 Current Market Insights and Trends14:53 Local vs. International Investors17:55 Lessons from a Challenging Deal21:40 The CRE Launch Program and Closing Thoughts

Are you hiring your first go-to-market team, or looking to scale your B2B SaaS sales organization? In this episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains sits down with William Spengler, founder of Frederick Fox, to discuss the realities—and pitfalls—of building a high-performing sales team for SaaS startups.Will reveals why most early sales hires fail, how the staffing industry is undergoing disruption, and his blueprint for assembling a scrappy, effective team in a marketplace crowded with resumes and inflated claims. The conversation ranges from the challenges of hiring senior versus raw talent, the tactical necessity of reference checks, the evolving role of AI in recruiting, how to avoid cash crunches even when revenues are up, and why clarity in your hiring process is the foundation of success. If you're ready for a brutally honest, actionable guide to hiring and scaling (without the fluff), this episode is for you.Key Takeaways00:00 Effective Sales Strategy & Hiring04:56 Real Estate-Style Recruiter Model08:51 "Reality Check: Starting a Firm"11:47 Competitor Research for Business Growth15:04 Defining Critical Hiring Needs20:49 Experience Over Elbow Grease22:14 Streamlining Interview Processes28:25 Incentivizing Sales with High Commissions29:57 "Finding High-Performing Sales Talent"36:37 AI Tools in Recruiting: Limitations40:02 The Limits of AI Interviews42:33 Building an Effective GovTech Sales Team45:24 Verifying Sales Candidate References50:14 "AI Systems & Sales Strategies"Tweetable QuotesQuote: "I would say start to target their top salespeople. That's really what recruiters do. We do the research, we cold call, we email them and we sell your value proposition." — William Spengler How to Attract Top Talent: “A player is going to pick up on that confidence and is going to want to join you. If you're going to go, if you're going to talk to Lebron James and you're not confident, they're not going to take you seriously." — William Spengler Viral Topic: The Traits of Top Sales Talent: "I always think that's a red flag when a really good salesperson is paycheck to paycheck, that it's sort of a red flag." — William Spengler "It's not just about hiring someone with a shiny resume or a smooth pitch because they all seem to have that." — Jeff MainsThe Secret to Unstoppable Leadership: "It's not strategy, not charisma. It's not even luck. It's relationships. — Jeff MainsSaaS Leadership LessonsBuild for Clarity, Not Convenience:Ensure all stakeholders align on what the business truly needs from a hire before you start searching for "unicorns."Check the Hype at the Door:Don't just trust claims and shiny resumes. Take the time to verify past performance, especially for sales roles.Know Your Numbers—And Theirs:Ask candidates detailed questions about past targets and results, and verify them. Top performers are always eager to share real numbers.Prioritize Process Discipline:A clear, concise hiring process beats endless rounds every time. Do more work upfront—it pays off with better hires.Scale Operations Before Sales Explode:Investing in back office, accounting, and compliance early prevents massive headaches and cash crunches when you scale rapidly.Bet on Talent That Bets on Themselves:Seek out salespeople willing to trade high base salaries for high upside. These are often the true A-players.Guest...

In this episode, host Steve Brady, Market Leader of Transaction Advisory at Withum, is once again joined by Marina Gentile, Lead of Global Transfer Pricing Strategies, to discuss the topic of tariffs and global trade and their impact on the diligence process.

ZEAL Network SE Elevator Pitch: Key TakeawaysZEAL Network SE – Inside the Future of Digital LotteryPresented by CFO Andrea Behrend on seat11a.comBusiness Model, Market Dominance & Bold StrategyCFO Andrea Behrend takes us inside ZEAL's powerful business model, market dominance, and bold strategy to redefine the future of lottery as a thrilling digital-first experience with innovative offerings.A 25-Year Evolution into a Lottery Tech PowerhouseFounded over 25 years ago, ZEAL has evolved into a lottery tech powerhouse. With more than 1.4 million active monthly users, a market cap of over €1 billion, and €382 million contributed to good causes in 2024 alone, ZEAL merges tech innovation with social purpose. And it doesn't stop there. The average monthly billing per user stands at €63, showcasing the brand's strong consumer engagement and lifetime value model.“We're not just selling lottery tickets. We're selling dreams,” says CFO Andrea Behrend — and those dreams are delivered with German efficiency and digital sophistication.Core Business: B2C Lottery Brokerage ModelAt the heart of ZEAL's business is its core B2C lottery brokerage model, operating under the popular consumer brands Lotto24 and Tipp24. These platforms offer licensed access to Germany's beloved state lotteries such as Lotto 6aus49 and EuroJackpot, but with the added convenience, speed, and security of e-commerce. ZEAL doesn't take on jackpot risks — it earns through brokerage commissions and service fees, while state lotteries handle prize payouts.Why Do Users Love ZEAL?Because it's a 24/7 digital lottery experience, secure (no more lost tickets), fully mobile, with automatic prize notifications, personalised offers, and a suite of traditional, social, and instant-win products. Whether you're dreaming of a €120 million EuroJackpot or a luxury home in Bavaria through the Traumhausverlosung, ZEAL makes lottery participation simple, meaningful, and exciting.Strategic Differentiators44% market share in German online lottery brokerageHigh customer retention and lifetime value (up to 20+ years)Diversified revenue via new product lines such as:freiheit+ (social lottery with strong charity partners)Traumhausverlosung (luxury house raffles)Virtual Games (now over 580 live titles)Market OpportunityThe total German lottery market is estimated at €10 billion, with an online penetration rate of only 29% — significantly behind sectors such as music streaming (81%) and banking (67%). ZEAL forecasts online lottery penetration rising to 50–70%, which would expand the digital market to €5–7 billion.ZEAL's AmbitionCapture 50% of that online market, which would mean €2.5–3.5 billion in annual billings — more than double today's level. With a highly scalable business, 80–85% of additional revenue is directly attributed to the EBITDA line, providing ZEAL with a clear pathway to margin expansion and increased shareholder value.Shareholder BenefitsStrong cash generation & stable EBITDAAttractive dividend policy + share buybacksExposure to a digital-native platform in a growing regulated marketHigh data-driven predictability and CRM-driven user retentionA Digital Platform Blending Profitability with PurposeWhether it's recurring player cohorts, record-breaking jackpot years (such as 2024, with 13 peak jackpots), or expansion into new game categories, ZEAL is positioning itself as a dominant, resilient, and deeply trusted lottery technology platform...T&C This publication is intended solely for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. By using this website, you agree to our terms and conditions as outlined on www.seat11a.com/legal and www.seat11a.com/imprint.

What does it take to reinvent entire industries, over and over again?This week on Grit, Sebastian Thrun, the “godfather” of self-driving cars and massive open online courses, reflects on a career pushing the boundaries of technology across mobility, education, and AI.With Joubin Mirzadegan, he shares why he believes autonomous driving could become the biggest lifesaving technology in history, and how a wake-up call led him to found Udacity to truly democratize higher education.Guest: Sebastian Thrun, CEO of Stealth Startup, founder of Google X and UdacityConnect with Sebastian ThrunXLinkedIn​Connect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins

Welcome to EO Radio Show – Your Nonprofit Legal Resource. I'm Cynthia Rowland, and this is the second installment in a three-part series about using AI for impact and helping nonprofits work smarter in the digital age. We explore how nonprofits can leverage artificial intelligence to do more good.  In the previous episode, we discussed how AI can empower small nonprofits. Today, I'm joined again by Sly Atayee and Kirstie Tiernan from BDO, and we're shifting gears slightly to examine how nonprofit leaders and board members can approach AI strategically.  Show Notes: Cynthia Rowland, Podcast Host, Partner, Farella Braun + Martel Sly Atayee, Director, BDO USA, Certified Fraud Examiner Kirstie Tiernan, Principal - Digital Go-to-Market Leader, Labs Practice Leader, BDO USA BDO USA: The Top AI Risks in the Nonprofit Sector EO Radio Show #136: AI on a Shoestring: A Startup Nonprofit's Real-Life Journey EO Radio Show AI YouTube playlist EO Radio Show #84: Nonprofit Book Review: ABA Guidebook for Directors of Nonprofit Corporations If you have suggestions for topics you would like us to discuss, please email us at eoradioshow@fbm.com. Additional episodes can be found at EORadioShowByFarella.com. DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be, nor should it be interpreted as, legal advice or opinion.

Jaxon Junior is a new face in the solar industry, but he's already making waves as one of the fastest growing producers of this generation. Coming from discipline and hard work in pest control, he's redefining growth in the industry: using a different approach towards recruiting and his team's work-life balance. CLICK HERE: https://apply.solarpreneurs.com/ https://zendirect.com/ https://crmx.app/ https://zapier.com/ https://www.solarscout.app/taylor TOP 10 MOST DOWNLOADED EPISODES OF ALL TIME https://www.youtube.com/@solarpreneurs goals.solarpreneurs.com oneliners.solarpreneurs.com https://solciety.co/ - JOIN SOLCIETY NOW! SIRO APP - LEARN MORE

What kind of founder builds a billion-dollar company around something anyone can use for free? Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress and CEO of Automattic, joins Joubin Mirzadegan to reflect on two decades of building the platform that now powers over 43% of all websites through cycles of doubt, decline, and reinvention.He also shares how Automattic aligns employees with its mission to democratize publishing and commerce through paid sabbaticals and remote work.Guest: Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress and founder and CEO of AutomatticConnect with Matt MullenwegXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins

Welcome to EO Radio Show – Your Nonprofit Legal Resource. I'm Cynthia Rowland, and this is the first episode in a short series about using AI for impact and helping nonprofits work smarter in the digital age. Over three episodes with special guests Sly Atayee and Kirstie Tiernan from BDO, we will explore how nonprofits can harness artificial intelligence to do more good, more efficiently.  In today's episode, we dive into Kirstie's journey building an AI-powered nonprofit from the ground up, and discuss how small organizations can use technology to punch above their weight. Show Notes: Cynthia Rowland, Podcast Host, Partner, Farella Braun + Martel Sly Atayee, Director, BDO USA, Certified Fraud Examiner Kirstie Tiernan, Principal - Digital Go-to-Market Leader, Labs Practice Leader, BDO USA BDO USA: The Top AI Risks in the Nonprofit Sector EO Radio Show AI YouTube playlist EO Radio Show #84: Nonprofit Book Review: ABA Guidebook for Directors of Nonprofit Corporations If you have suggestions for topics you would like us to discuss, please email us at eoradioshow@fbm.com. Additional episodes can be found at EORadioShowByFarella.com. DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be, nor should it be interpreted as, legal advice or opinion.

In this episode of The Capital Table, host Steve Brady, Market Leader of Transaction Advisory at Withum, welcomes Mark Birket, Managing Director at Configure Partners, to provide an update on the current state of the credit markets.

The apps and websites we use every day depend on systems most of us never see.Jay Kreps joins Joubin Mirzadegan to share how Confluent became the ‘central nervous system' for companies like Expedia and eBay, letting them respond to business operations instantly.They also break down why the myth of AI-driven efficiency falls short, and why building truly transformative companies takes far longer than most people expect.​Guest: Jay Kreps, Co-Founder & CEO of ConfluentConnect with JayXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins

A story about turning impatience into competitive advantage.This episode is for SaaS founders tired of building "professional" products nobody remembers—and anyone wondering if controversy beats convention.Most SaaS companies fail because they try to please everyone.They play it safe with every decision.Joao Marques, CEO of Oscar, took a different path.He quit his job, built the app in four months, then raised 70K euros to start acquiring customers. Created an on-demand home services marketplace that sends marketing messages designed to provoke action. Became Portugal's market leader in two years—by deliberately risking cancellation with every campaign.And this inspired me to invite Joao to my podcast. We explore how strategic controversy creates memorable brands faster than perfect products. Joao shares hard truths about focus, growth over features, and why being hated by some customers beats being ignored by all. You'll discover why having your entire company obsess over one metric beats any complex strategy.We also zoom in on two of the 10 traits that define remarkable software companies: – Focus on the essence – Master the art of creating momentumJoao's story is proof that market leadership often starts by doing what makes others uncomfortable.Here's one of Joao's quotes that captures his philosophy:"Just having one goal. My focus, for example, right now, is acquisition and then GMV, so volume in my app. I'm refreshing the dashboard every 10 minutes. Every decision that we make is based on that. Every goal is based on that. Everyone in my team, and we are, like, 50 people, from customer support to senior management, everyone knows GMV on a daily basis.”By listening to this episode, you'll learn:Why building features before growth is startup suicideWhat happens when you do the unscalable things competitors avoidWhen being annoying drives better retention than being niceWhy one metric beats ten strategiesFor more information about the guest from this week: Guest: Joao Marques, CEO OscarWebsite: oscarapp.com

Can a no-code giant reinvent itself in the AI-native era?This week on Grit, Airtable CEO Howie Liu shares what it means to “refound” a company, how speed comes from tearing up old playbooks, and why conversational AI is reshaping his product—and his company.Guest: Howie Liu, Co-Founder & CEO of AirtableChapters:00:00 Intro01:04 First startup & YC04:06 Salesforce acqui-hire07:31 Life-changing exit at 2211:07 Scaling too fast, layoffs14:04 Sparks vs. coasting growth19:33 Two years to launch24:04 Could AI Build It Faster?27:06 Vibe coding & AI startups36:47 Everyone can build software41:08 Refounding Airtable with AI51:04 Sprint vs. marathon58:15 Cap tables & control01:03:29 Always be hiring01:05:00 What grit meansLinks:Connect with HowieXLinkedInConnect with AirtableWebsite: airtable.comXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

For Bill McDermott, work has never been just a job.On this Labor Day rerun of Grit, first published Jan 9, 2023, the ServiceNow CEO reflects on what he learned from his earliest jobs and how he carried those lessons from a deli counter in Long Island to the boardroom of an $80B software company.We cover:Why Bill bought a deli when he was in high school — and how he competed against 7-Eleven (04:00)Interviewing at Xerox and wanting it more than anyone else (08:17)Unwavering optimism and being a source of strength for others (12:34)How a love of work has shaped Bill as a person (16:44)Facing challenges and keeping a promise to his father (22:00)Enjoying the present and keeping an eye on the future (30:01)Leaving Xerox for Gartner and learning from a tough experience (33:29)Sloan Kettering and Father Michael Judge (39:22)Following the “original dream” vs. building something new at ServiceNow (44:59)Losing an eye and getting a pep talk from two Medal of Honor winners (51:15)Why Bill started and ended his book with quotes from two Kennedys (01:01:21)Connect with BillXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com Learn more about Kleiner Perkins

From extreme ups to startling downs, every week can feel like the peak of expectations and the trough of disillusionment for AI.  SHOW: 954SHOW TRANSCRIPT: The Cloudcast #954 TranscriptSHOW VIDEO: https://youtube.com/@TheCloudcastNET CLOUD NEWS OF THE WEEK: http://bit.ly/cloudcast-cnotwCHECK OUT OUR NEW PODCAST: "CLOUDCAST BASICS"SHOW SPONSORS:[DoIT] Visit doit.com (that's d-o-i-t.com) to unlock intent-aware FinOps at scale with DoiT Cloud Intelligence.[VASION] Vasion Print eliminates the need for print servers by enabling secure, cloud-based printing from any device, anywhere. Get a custom demo to see the difference for yourself.SHOW NOTES:THE UPS AND DOWNS OF AI - THE CONSTANT HYPE CYCLEHealthy Competition [YES]Consumer and Enterprise Markets [YES]Market leader(s) [YES, sort of]Well-Defined, profitable business model [NO]Open, lower-cost alternative emerged [YES/NO]Usage patterns emerging [YES/NO][ups] Constant high-profile VC, Sovereign wealth, hyperscaler funding of AI startups[ups] Constant high-profile CAPEX spending by hyperscalers, model builders, data center builders[ups] Rapidly growing user-bases[ups] Growing revenues at some companies (NVIDIA, OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, Anthropic)[downs] Growing losses at high-profile companies  [???] Frequent, high-profile movement by key people at high-profile companies (engineers, leadership)[downs] Frequent, partial acquires of founders and key engineers, but not entire companies[downs] Secondary market scales of startup shares, bypassing traditional secondary and public markets[downs] No “NetFlix of AI” company[downs] No “AI Agent” success stories[???] Consumer “winner-take-all” mindset from AI companies[downs] Enterprise companies struggling to create ROI+ projects (in early days)[???] Enterprise “bundles” raising prices (CoPilot, Gemini, etc.)[downs] Unclear if new frontier models are getting better than previous versions (e.g. GPT-5)[???] Are inference prices coming down? [ups] Consumers have many excellent AI choicesIt's unclear if AI companies have created any moats yet; it's unclear if LLMs can be differentiatedChatbots, developer-assistants and document management are use-cases. What else?Are agents ready to be mainstream yet? Pick-axe providers are making the money right now (NVIDIA, Broadcom, etc.), but is there moat entirely on super-premium HW?User-experiences are still being understoodWill AI + Ads (business model) be a big bang event, or happen gradually? FEEDBACK?Email: show at the cloudcast dot netTwitter/X: @cloudcastpodBlueSky: @cloudcastpod.bsky.socialInstagram: @cloudcastpodTikTok: @cloudcastpod

In this episode of The Capital Table, host Steve Brady, Market Leader of Transaction Advisory at Withum, is joined by Paul Marino, Partner at Sadis & Goldberg, and Drew Brantley, Managing Director at Frisch Capital, to dissect the current trends and topics around the private credit market. In this conversation, you will hear a preview from Steve, Paul and Drew of a variety of topics that will be highlighted at The Earnout Private Credit Symposium on September 11, 2025 in Chicago, IL.

How do you win when your competitors are the biggest companies in the world?This week on Grit, Dropbox co-founder and CEO Drew Houston retraces the path from a bus-stop prototype to competing head-on with Google, Apple, and Microsoft.He explains why grit is “learning to run toward discomfort,” and the moments he realized founders keep going “for the love of the game.”Guest: Drew Houston, Co-Founder & CEO of DropboxChapters:00:00 Trailer00:52 Introduction01:35 Towards full autonomy16:20 Coming back to school21:45 Golden ticket to California25:23 No one's born a CEO28:15 Y Combinator and a co-founder37:53 The craft of being a great CEO53:41 Metabolizing the stress1:10:14 Tactical advices and frameworks1:27:48 Who Dropbox is hiring1:29:35 What “grit” means to Drew1:32:10 OutroLinks:Connect with DrewXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

Wes TowersTurning Construction Brands into Market Leaders OnlineI've spent over 20 years helping businesses — especially those in construction — stand out and grow online. But I didn't start with a marketing degree or big corporate background. I built my own business the hard way — making mistakes, figuring things out on the job, and learning what works when you're in the trenches.Today, I run Uplift 360, where we help builders, contractors, and construction companies turn their websites, SEO, and marketing into real business growth — without the jargon, hype, or overpriced “solutions” that don't deliver.The construction industry often gets overlooked when it comes to smart digital strategy, but the businesses that embrace it are the ones leading their markets. That's where I come in — I show companies how to get noticed, build trust, and grow online using lessons I've learned from years of hands-on experience.For podcast audiences, I bring practical, no-nonsense advice — the kind that business owners, marketers, and decision-makers can actually use. Whether they're in construction or any other industry, the lessons apply: how to stand out, how to avoid wasting money online, and how to build real, sustainable growth without the usual marketing fluff. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a very long roadtrip, let's explore the lessons we can learn from some of the greatest business models in tech and how or if they apply to the AI era companies. SHOW: 951SHOW TRANSCRIPT: The Cloudcast #951 TranscriptSHOW VIDEO: https://youtube.com/@TheCloudcastNET CLOUD NEWS OF THE WEEK: http://bit.ly/cloudcast-cnotwCHECK OUT OUR NEW PODCAST: "CLOUDCAST BASICS"SHOW SPONSORS:[VASION] Vasion Print eliminates the need for print servers by enabling secure, cloud-based printing from any device, anywhere. Get a custom demo to see the difference for yourself.[DoIT] Visit doit.com (that's d-o-i-t.com) to unlock intent-aware FinOps at scale with DoiT Cloud Intelligence.SHOW NOTES:7 Powers of Competitive DynamicsMicrosoft (Vol 1, Vol 2)Google Meta AWSNVIDIA (Vol 1, Vol 2, Vol 3) LESSONS FROM THE GREATEST BUSINESS MODELSFounder control, nearly immediately profitable, growth strategies, How long Enterprise businesses take to matureIs there an AI business model that's profitable? Is there a business model that isn't Enterprise or Ad-supported?Microsoft - commoditize your compliments, understand market expansions, Google - Customer acquisition, scaling economics, AdWords, AdSenseAWS - Meta - Adapting the offeringsNVIDIA - Vertical integration (HW + SW)FEEDBACK?Email: show at the cloudcast dot netTwitter/X: @cloudcastpodBlueSky: @cloudcastpod.bsky.socialInstagram: @cloudcastpodTikTok: @cloudcastpod

Even with AI, sales still comes down to human connection. This week on Grit, Dan Lee shares how Nooks automates busywork like research and dialing for thousands of sales teams, letting reps focus on the conversations that close deals.He also shares his “do more with less” approach, why cold calls still convert, and how to maximize human impact alongside AI.Guests: Dan Lee, CEO and Co-founder of Nooks and Leigh Marie Braswell, Partner at Kleiner PerkinsConnect with Dan Lee: XLinkedInConnect with Leigh Marie BraswellXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

If you're running a marketing campaign in 2025, you can't afford to skip earned media. A smart, well-distributed press release puts your brand on the radar of algorithms, search engines, and AI systems shaping today's buyer decisions. Visit https://pressreleasezen.com/ Press Release Zen City: London Address: 15 Hardwood Rd Website: https://pressreleasezen.com/

What if your tools shared context like your team does?This week on Grit, Shishir Mehrotra shares how the Coda and Grammarly collaboration unlocks context as a “superpower,” reflects on his early days at Google and YouTube, and hints at a future where tools anticipate intent and amplify how we work.He also shares how this paves the way for agent-based workflows and AI-native communication, beginning with Superhuman's email experience.Guest: Shishir Mehrotra, co-founder of Coda and CEO of GrammarlyConnect with ShishirXLinkedInChapters: 00:00 Trailer01:24 Introduction02:09 Zoo vs safari12:02 A TV ahead of its time21:25 Product decisions31:25 The data behind the algorithm37:26 The AI native productivity suite48:06 Agents are digital humans57:55 Pressure trade-off1:12:50 Insulated from judgment1:25:19 Who Grammarly is hiring1:25:51 What “grit” means to Shishir1:29:30 OutroMentioned in this episode: YouTube, Ray William Johnson, Spotify, Twitch, MTV, Chris Cox, Facebook, TikTok, Google TV, Centrata, Google Chrome, Android, Gmail, Microsoft, Super Bowl, Mosaic, Panasonic, Sony, Susan Wojcicki, Rishi Chandra, Apple TV, Amazon Firestick, Comcast, LoudCloud (Opsware), Quest Communications, AT&T Southwestern Bell, Salar Kamangar, Patrick Pichette, Eric Schmidt, OpenAI ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Mark Zuckerberg, Meta Platforms, Sundar Pichai, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Hamilton, Reid Hoffman, Sam Altman, Tesla, Waymo, Airtable, Notion, Max Lytvyn, Alex Shevchenko, Superhuman, Duolingo, Luis von Ahn, Khan Academy, MrBeast, Facebook Messenger, Snap (Snapchat), WhatsApp, Google+, Meta LLaMa, Satya Nadella, Tim Cook, Daniel GrossConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

S4:E183 David starts out with The Weekly Venture Update and Paul interviews 2 VentureSouth market leaders about their startup markets, Jay Shaffer in Chattanooga, TN and and Eric Thome in Charleston, SC. They talk about what brought them to those markets and the kind of startups and investors they see. (interviews recorded 4.26.25 & 6.17.25)Follow David and Paul: https://x.com/DGRollingSouth https://x.com/PalmettoAngel Connect On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidgrisell/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulclarkprivateequity/ We invite your feedback and suggestions at www.ventureinthesouth.com or email david@ventureinthesouth.com. Learn more about RollingSouth at rollingsouth.vc or email david@rollingsouth.vc.

Join XNC Podcast with Hosts @colteastwood & Parris of Kinda Funny Games & @marcello696 to discuss Xbox is the Market Leader | Ultimate PS6 v Next Generation Xbox Console Breakdown Xbox News Cast 214Join the channel to early access: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyGYHo1qVIeGq3ZLnSDaEcg/joinMerchandise: https://teespring.com/stores/colteastwood-merchFollow: https://twitter.com/ColteastwoodAdd me on Xbox Live: ColteastwoodPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/colteastwoodTopics Covered on the Colteastwood Channel:Microsoft Sony Xbox One Xbox One X Xbox Two Xbox Scarlett Xbox Project Scarlett Xbox 2 Next Generation Consoles Playstation PS4 PS5 Playstation 5 Exclusive Games Console Exclusives xCloud Project xCloud Xbox Game Pass Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Xbox games Playstation Games Xbox Lockhart Xbox Anaconda Danta Xbox Consoles Game Streaming Cloud Streaming Zen 2 Zen 2+ Navi GPU SSD Next Gen Consoles Xbox One S Xbox Live Xbox Live Gold Xbox Rewards Microsoft Rewards E3 E3 2019 E3 2020 X019 Xbox Leaks Rumor News Gears Halo Fable IV Forza Horizon Motorsports Halo Infinite Playstation Now PSNow Phil Spencer Xbox Game Studios Exclusives PS Now PSNow Xbox Series X Xbox Series S Playstation 5 PS5

In this episode, host Steve Brady, Market Leader of Transaction Advisory at Withum, is joined by Marina Gentile, Lead of Global Transfer Pricing Strategies, and Boris Pogil, Tax Senior Manager. Together, they explore the key impacts and challenges of transfer pricing in M&A transactions. 

Ivan Zhao joins Joubin Mirzadegan on Grit to break down how the company's minimalist design became a strategic edge in a world overwhelmed by bloated software. He shares why the AI agent still hasn't arrived, and how Notion's modular approach might be the closest thing to making it real.Guest: Ivan Zhao, co-founder and CEO of NotionMentioned in this episode: Fuzzy Khosrowshahi, Airbnb, Sequoia Capital, Linear, Figma, Apple, Things, Microsoft, BMW, Lumiere, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Rippling, Matt MacInnis, Inkling, Steve Jobs, Douglas Engelbart, Alan Kay, Bill Gates, OpenAI ChatGPT, Y Combinator, Andrej Karpathy, Toby Schachman, Simon Last, Spotify, SlackConnect with Ivan ZhaoXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

How did Tripadvisor become every traveler's starting point?Steve Kaufer joins Joubin Mirzadegan on Grit to break down how Tripadvisor became the internet's trusted travel companion, built on over a billion reviews and decades of trust. He also shares why early personalization fell short and how AI is finally doing what travel agents once did by understanding the traveler, but faster, smarter, and at scale.Guest: Steve Kaufer, co-founder of TripAdvisorChapters:(00:00) Trailer(00:45) Introduction(01:32) Early days of Tripadvisor(08:14) Catching the startup bug(18:42) Luck and timing(26:54) $200M: a combo of money and risk(37:37) I love creating stuff(40:45) Hardest part of being a public CEO(46:21) Never let a good crisis go to waste(51:54) An average traveler(55:49) Social proof vs artificial intelligence(1:02:59) Back in the saddle(1:09:54) Not for the faint of heart(1:12:16) What “grit” means to Steve(1:12:31) OutroMentioned in this episode: Google, Expedia Group, Barry Diller, Interactive Corporation (IAC), Uber, Dara Khosrowshahi, OpenAI ChatGPT, IMDb, CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction), Amazon, Google Chrome, Give Freely, Honey, Rakuten, Macy's, American Cancer Society, Google GeminiLinks:Connect with SteveXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

"It's hard not to love" Spotify's (SPOT) business model and growth potential, according to LikeFolio's Landon Swan. He calls Spotify a "market leader" in the streaming space and points out his firm's data showing the company continuing to eat up market share. The issue? Valuation. While Landon believes the stock has more room to the upside, investors may have already priced in perfection.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day. Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/ About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

Ignoring small problems now can lead to significant costs later. Are you hoping your team's missteps, inefficiencies, or cultural issues will just “work themselves out”?   In this episode of "It's Your Business," host Jess Dewell, a strategic growth consultant, is joined by Dean Barta, a financial advisor, and Christy Maxfield, a business consultant. They discuss how to identify the silent signals of larger issues and what to do when “business as usual” is no longer effective. They offer practical approaches and share hard-earned lessons from their direct experiences.   You will learn: Why overlooking small misalignments holds your team back and can even halt projects altogether. How to recognize the issues you may be ignoring. The skills you need to develop or enhance. How to engage in healthy confrontation that leads to better decision-making.   When you confront the actual conditions of your business, supported by data, you gain more value than simply relying on hopeful but unfounded narratives.   Use your voice with courage. Whether you're a CEO, consultant, or team leader, you'll gain actionable insights on embracing difficult truths, leading with intention, and creating lasting momentum. -------------------- If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the “Growth Framework Reset” approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or the Red Direction website.

Chris Merrill, Co-Founder and CEO of Harrison Street, joins Brandon Sedloff to explore a career defined by risk-taking, innovation, and a steadfast belief in building differentiated real estate strategies. The conversation traces Chris's early career in real estate through his formative years at Heitman, where he became one of the first Western investors to focus exclusively on Central Europe. That experience would inform the thesis behind Harrison Street—an investment firm centered on demographic-driven, need-based asset classes like student housing, medical offices, and self-storage. Chris shares how Harrison Street emerged from a 50-50 partnership with Motorola's former CEO Chris Galvin, and how its success has hinged on developing deep operator relationships, a repeatable process for innovation, and a long-term perspective on risk and value creation. They discuss: Why building a “pure play” Central European fund shaped his thinking on innovation and differentiation The early resistance to student housing, senior living, and self-storage as institutional asset classes How Harrison Street built an edge through proprietary scorecards and diversified operator relationships Why vertical integration was never the right strategy for Harrison Street's alternative real estate focus How infrastructure and on-campus partnerships are fueling the next phase of growth This episode is a masterclass in how to spot arbitrage opportunities and scale a business by staying contrarian. Links: Chris on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-merrill-006b243/ Harrison Street - https://harrisonst.com/ Brandon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsedloff/ Juniper Square - https://www.junipersquare.com/ Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:01:39) - Chris' background and career (00:12:22) - Capital raising in the mid-90s (00:15:25) - Founding Harrison Street (00:22:11) - What Harrison Street looks like today (00:23:24) - The evolution of Alternatives within Private Real Estate (00:25:26) - Investing strategies (00:32:42) - Milestones from the last 2 decades (00:34:46) - Failures (00:37:35) - What best-in-class operating partners look like (00:42:43) - Vertically integrated vs. allocator models (00:44:30) - Pivoting into infrastructure (00:48:19) - Making an ownership shift (00:52:16) - The intersection of innovation and Real Estate

Guests: Garrett Lord, co-founder and CEO of Handshake; and Mamoon Hamid, partner at Kleiner Perkins.Handshake set out to democratize career opportunity. In the process, it unlocked something more: a high-trust expert network built on verified talent and earned trust.This week on Grit, Garrett Lord shares how what began as a platform for student job seekers is now partnering with leading labs, enabling experts to train real-world AI systems. He explains how owning verified domain talent has become their core strategic edge, bypassing middlemen and turning a decade of trust into lasting advantage.Connect with Garrett LordXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmailConnect with MamoonXLinkedInLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Marcus Sheridan, the author of "Endless Customers: A Proven System to Build Trust, Drive Sales, and Become the Market Leader," explores thriving in the zero-click economy where customers get answers without visiting websites. Marcus discusses four pillars from his book: addressing "the big five" topics, leveraging video content, creating seller-free experiences, and humanizing brands. Discover strategies for building trust when AI recommendations dominate the zero-click landscape.

Zach Perret saw a fintech explosion coming—and built the rails before it arrived.On this week's Grit, the Plaid co-founder and CEO retraces his path from building tools for developers to linking the world's largest banks, and how a failed $5.3B acquisition by Visa became a launchpad.He unpacks the pressure of operating in a tightly regulated industry, why rebuilding trust after the deal collapse was harder than expected, and how Plaid is navigating the shift from startup to staple—while staying obsessed with the end user.Links:Connect with ZachXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

This is episode 772. Read the complete transcription on the Sales Game Changers Podcast website. This Sales Game Changers Podcast episode features a return to the show by Institute for Effective Professional past keynote speaker Marcus Sheridan. Marcus was the keynote speaker at the 2015 IEPS Award Event. The Sales Game Changers Podcast was recognized by YesWare as the top sales podcast. Read the announcement here. FeedSpot named the Sales Game Changers Podcast at a top 20 Sales Podcast and top 8 Sales Leadership Podcast! Subscribe to the Sales Game Changers Podcast now on Apple Podcasts! Purchase Fred Diamond's best-sellers Love, Hope, Lyme: What Family Members, Partners, and Friends Who Love a Chronic Lyme Survivor Need to Know and Insights for Sales Game Changers now! On today's show, Marcus discusses his new book "Endless Customers: A Proven System to Build Trust, Drive Sales, and Become the Market Leader." Find Marcus on LinkedIn.  MARCUS' TIP: "The fastest way to build trust and rise above the noise in B2B sales today is to show up on video—face-to-camera, one-to-one. Your prospects don't need another email. They need to see you, hear you, and feel like they already know you before the first meeting."

Liz Ann Sonders with Charles Schwab takes a closer look at today's FOMC meeting minutes from the June congregation. She notes dispersion between Fed heads on how many interest rate cuts the U.S. should have. Liz Ann also talks about the diversion she's seeing in sector leadership on Wall Street. Michelle Gibley later talks about the "tariff can kicked down the road." While the U.S. extended its timeline on tariff talks, Michelle shares caution when it comes to China. ======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-...Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-...Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/19192...Watch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplu...Watch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-net...Follow us on X – / schwabnetwork Follow us on Facebook – / schwabnetwork Follow us on LinkedIn - / schwab-network About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

Six leaders from across tech — from SaaS and semis to law and logistics — come together for our 250th episode milestone in this very special AI recap, where we unpack how new advances are transforming the way industries function, and how work gets done.Featuring:• Bret Taylor (Sierra Co-founder)• Winston Weinberg (Harvey Co-founder and CEO)• Matt Murphy (Marvell Technology Chairman and CEO)• Yamini Rangan (HubSpot CEO)• Chris Urmson (Aurora CEO)• Varun Mohan (Windsurf Co-founder and CEO)Connect with Joubin:- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joubin-mirzadegan-66186854/ - X:  https://x.com/Joubinmir Email: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins: https://www.kleinerperkins.com

Daragh Murphy is giving brands their own credit-card platform—no legacy bank required.On this week's Grit, the Imprint co-founder and CEO traces the leap from being a junior lawyer to closing nine-figure card deals.He breaks down the hidden economics of credit-card loyalty, the discipline of treating capital “like the last dollar,” and how AI will slash risk-and-support costs.Guest: Daragh Murphy, CEO & Co-Founder of ImprintChapters:00:00 Trailer00:48 Introduction01:30 Actualizing the dream08:37 Imprint11:37 Partnerships are massive16:48 Understand the market18:42 “Get more, spend more” tradeoffs23:57 Fishing in the wrong ponds31:32 Can't skip work32:43 Exciting and scary34:56 Pride and ownership46:50 The way you spend your day50:20 New technologies54:51 Who Imprint is hiring54:59 What “grit” means to Daragh55:34 OutroMentioned in this episode: Figma, Rippling, H-E-B Grocery Company, LP, Barclays US, IBM, Coinbase, Charlie Munger, Instagram, Hamptons, Google, Nick Huber, Ribbit, Ireland, WeWork, Adam Kim, Amazon, Shopify, Tobias Lütke, Duolingo, Parker ConradLinks:Connect with DaraghLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

Bill Staples has spent 30 years redefining how the world writes, ships, and secures code.On this week's Grit, the GitLab CEO shares what it takes to lead a public, all-remote DevSecOps company trusted by more than half of the Fortune 100. He breaks down the discipline of managing energy instead of hours, why weekly operating cadences beat quarterly plans, and how AI will 10× software engineers by auto-debugging code and closing security gaps.Guest: Bill Staples, CEO of GitLabChapters:00:00 Trailer00:42 Introduction02:34 True joy in life08:16 Winning teams13:53 When the energy isn't there18:00 Super ambitious21:01 It's not just technology29:27 Elevating quality and standard41:36 Lifelong collaborator51:22 Competent intelligence54:22 Structuring goals and time1:03:59 Who GitLab is hiring1:04:17 What “grit” means to Bill1:04:54 OutroLinks:Connect with BillLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

What does it take to build the logistics backbone for the next generation of commerce?Sean Henry, founder and CEO of Stord, joins Kleiner Perkins partner Ilya Fushman and Grit host Joubin Mirzadegan to talk about scaling a national fulfillment network that now moves 50 million packages a year and reaches 15% of U.S. households.They explore how Stored is using AI to connect warehouses, middle-mile routes, and delivery promises into one smart system. The goal: to give every brand an Amazon Prime-like advantage.Guest: Sean Henry, Co-Founder & CEO of StordLinks:Connect with Sean HenryXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

Eric Yuan turned a simple belief into Zoom, the platform that kept the world moving through a once-in-a-century shutdown and redefined modern work. On this episode of Grit, the Zoom CEO shares why velocity beats size, how a family-first ethos powered his leadership during COVID, and why the coming wave of AI dwarfs the original internet boom. He details how he's refreshing Zoom's culture for 7,500 people, opting for virtual deal calls over in person meetings, settling into life as an empty-nester, and keeping Zoom nimble enough to outpace Big Tech and the next wave of AI startups.Guest: Eric S. Yuan, Founder & CEO of ZoomChapters: 00:00 Trailer00:44 Introduction01:47 Walking with swagger03:48 Extremely exciting moment10:05 Classic innovators' dilemma12:59 Laser-focused bandwidth17:56 Family first: lead by example22:09 Everybody was doing their road shows25:34 The entire world was dependent28:04 Community care31:57 Valuation and a co-founder35:17 A lot of unhappy days39:25 Building Zoom for consumers46:57 Holograms?52:01 Home53:23 Huge competition, high velocity1:00:33 Where companies get wrong1:04:52 Giving back1:13:12 Who Zoom is hiring1:13:24 What “grit” means to Eric1:14:24 OutroMentioned in this episode: Webex by Cisco, Glean, Apple, HP, Netscape, Yahoo, Brian Armstrong, Emilie Choi, Coinbase, New Limit, Elon Musk, Windy Hill, Magic Leap, Rony Abovitz, Jony Ive, OpenAI ChatGPT, Bill McDermott, ServiceNow, Carl EschenbachLinks:Connect with EricXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

Over the past two decades, Bret Taylor has quietly helped shape the arc of Silicon Valley.From co-creating Google Maps to steering Facebook, Salesforce, and OpenAI, he's been behind some of the most consequential products in tech. Now, with his new company Sierra, he's starting from zero—again.In this conversation, Bret opens up about how founders navigate identity, why the best ideas often come from everyday friction, and how staying relentlessly focused can unlock real momentum in AI.Guest: Bret Taylor, Co-Founder of SierraChapters:00:00 Trailer00:49 Introduction01:57 Saving OpenAI09:15 Overwhelming yet capable of a lot13:36 Father and founder16:49 History is written by the victors22:13 How you price matters35:58 Stickiest piece of software49:48 The first realtime social network55:34 Facebook CTO who rewrote Google Maps1:02:10 Least known, most impressive1:11:39 The best way to predict the future1:16:22 Most personally passionate1:21:22 Currency of reputation1:27:17 Away from work1:28:35 Who Sierra is hiring1:28:58 What “grit” means to Bret1:29:18 OutroMentioned in this episode: Google Maps, Salesforce, OpenAI ChatGPT, Meta Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Sam Altman, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Google, Marissa Mayer, Excite, MSN, AltaVista, Amazon, Harvey, Airbnb, Coinbase, Apple, John Doerr, Cursor, Codeium Windsurf, Perplexity, xAI, Kleenex, Amazon Web Services (AWS), FriendFeed, Tumblr, Kevin Gibbs, Google Maps, Yelp, Trulia, iOS App Store, Blackberry, Facebook Messenger, Marvel Avengers, Slack, Quip, Leonardo da Vinci, Clay Bavor, Microsoft, Eric Schmidt, Alan Kay, Brian Armstrong, Brian Chesky, Shopify, SiriusXM, Patrick CollisonLinks:Connect with Bret TaylorXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins