Podcasts about Venture capital

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

Why did it take government pressure for Kraft Heinz to clean up its act? The hosts unpack the conglomerate's pledge to drop artificial dyes from its products by 2027, and what it says about Big Food's priorities. The episode also features interviews with the founders of two remarkable early-stage brands: Maura Duggan of Fancypants Baking Co. and Allison Elliott of Farmer Foodie. Show notes: 0:35: The Biggest Apple. Pin It, Emma. Hey, Big Food - Why Now? Gamey-Time. Clear Use Case. – The hosts review the recently held BevNET Live Summer 2025 in New York City and how the event reflected a sense of positive energy throughout the beverage industry as well as the growing power of founder-driven innovation to meet modern consumer demands. They also discuss Pinterest's foray into e-commerce via a co-branded coffee launch with Emma Chamberlain along with Kraft Heinz's decision to remove artificial dyes by 2026 and whether companies should act proactively in response to clean label trends. Mike busts out some Berski, a new brand of ancestral meat sticks made with beef liver and heart, while John highlights Brightland's new line of everyday olive oils. 26:06: Interview: Maura Duggan, Founder & CEO, Fancypants Baking Co. – Maura shares her journey from baking decorative cookies in her apartment in 2004 to launching a full-fledged CPG brand in 2024. She discusses the company's transition from fresh bakery sales to packaged consumer goods, emphasizing their commitment to high-quality, nut-free ingredients and their signature small, crunchy cookies. Maura highlights the strategic use of bright red packaging and a playful peacock mascot to stand out on shelves, the importance of limited-edition flavors to keep consumers engaged, and the advantages of self-manufacturing. 41:45: Interview: Alison Elliott, Founder & CEO, Farmer Foodie – Alison talks about the origins of Farmer Foodie, which is known for its shelf-stable, dairy-free and gluten-free Cashew Parm products, her background in farming and social impact and how she started Farmer Foodie as a food blog and transformed it into a CPG company during the pandemic. Alison also discusses overcoming the challenges of landing retail placement, differentiating in a nascent category, and her products' appeal beyond vegan consumers.  Brands in this episode: Fancypants Baking Co., Farmer Foodie, Olipop, Liquid Death, Chamberlain Coffee, Top Of The Mornin', Jell-O, Crystal Light, Kool-Aid, Berski, Archer, Yaza, Brightland, Graza, Mariona, Brez, Cann, Moshi, Kif

In this conversation, Shannon Huffman Polson and Dave discuss the importance of purpose and values in leadership and entrepreneurship. Dave shares his early career experiences at Hewlett Packard, the challenges he faced while founding Good Technology, and the profound impact of Joseph Campbell's hero's journey on his perspective. He introduces the concept of evergreen companies, which prioritize long-term sustainability over rapid growth, and outlines the seven P's that define these companies. The discussion emphasizes the need for a community of like-minded entrepreneurs who share these values and principles. In this conversation, Dave discusses the importance of partnerships, particularly his relationship with Jessica Herron, and how it shaped his understanding of building evergreen companies. He emphasizes the need for a deliberate approach to innovation and growth, focusing on sustainability rather than quick profits. The discussion also highlights the significance of aligning personal purpose with professional goals, especially in the context of employee engagement and satisfaction. Dave envisions a future where a new generation of entrepreneurs can redefine business success by prioritizing purpose and creativity over traditional funding models. Takeaways Purpose and values are crucial for effective leadership. Early experiences shape our understanding of corporate culture. Personal challenges can impact professional journeys. The hero's journey offers valuable insights for business leaders. Evergreen companies focus on long-term sustainability. Community support is vital for like-minded entrepreneurs. The seven P's provide a framework for building lasting companies. Introverts often have a strong internal compass for their goals. Rewiring our thinking is necessary for new business models. Hidden evergreen companies exist and need recognition. Partnerships can significantly influence business development. Evergreen companies prioritize long-term sustainability over quick profits. Innovation requires a deliberate approach to risk management. Personal purpose alignment is crucial for employee satisfaction. Companies should measure personal purpose during recruitment. Growth rates impact the capacity for reflection and development. Evergreen companies can thrive without external capital. The true purpose of many companies may differ from their stated mission. Investors often prioritize financial returns over authentic company purpose. A new generation of entrepreneurs can redefine business success.   Contact Details Website: https://www.tugboatinstitute.com Book https://bookshop.org/a/15754/9798892791137  

Os Bastidores de Grandes Negócios: De M&A a Venture Capital| #podcast #empreendedorismo #podcastbrasil

This week, Lightspeed Partner Mike Mignano sits down with Moritz Baier-Lentz, Partner and Head of Gaming and Interactive Media at Lightspeed. From the world's #1 ranked Diablo II player to Goldman Sachs banker to VC, Moritz has lived multiple lives—all shaped by a deep passion for games. In this episode, Moritz joins Michael Mignano to talk about the AI revolution in gaming: how generative tech is transforming studios, gameplay, and player experiences. They dive into what makes games work in 2025 and why the next billion-dollar games may not look like games at all. Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview01:16 Moritz Bayer's Gaming Journey02:53 The Economics of Gaming06:28 Competitive Gaming and Personal Growth09:32 Marathon Adventures and Life Philosophy13:16 Venture Capital in Gaming24:38 AI's Impact on Gaming29:50 Future of Gaming and AI39:40 Game Theory Podcast and Final ThoughtsStay in touch:www.lsvp.comwww.lsvp.com/gametheory X: https://twitter.com/lightspeedvpLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightspeed-venture-partners/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightspeedventurepartners/Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: generativenow.comEmail: generativenow@lsvp.comThe content here does not constitute tax, legal, business or investment advice or an offer to provide such advice, should not be construed as advocating the purchase or sale of any security or investment or a recommendation of any company, and is not an offer, or solicitation of an offer, for the purchase or sale of any security or investment product. For more details please see lsvp.com/legal.

Brian D. Pieninck didn't take a conventional path to healthcare leadership. He started his career as an 18-year-old IT contractor and spent two decades working across the industry before becoming President and CEO of CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield. He now also serves as Chair of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, bringing both local and national perspective to the role. In this episode, Keith Figlioli speaks with Pieninck about what it means to lead a not-for-profit regional payer at a time of seismic change. With 3.6 million members and coverage that spans commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid, CareFirst has become a vital part of healthcare access and infrastructure across the Mid-Atlantic. Pieninck reflects how demographic shifts, rising costs, and policy uncertainty are challenging how healthcare organizations evolve, while staying focused on long-term outcomes.  Pieninck and Keith discuss: Advancing health equity as part of the community. Pieninck sees CareFirst not just as a payer, but as part of the region's civic infrastructure, creating economic opportunities, delivering care through primary and urgent care locations, and supporting long-term health equity initiatives across Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia. Medicaid coverage and its downstream impact. With nearly half of children in Maryland and DC relying on Medicaid, Pieninck warns that cuts or disruptions don't reduce the need for care; they push it into higher-cost, less coordinated settings like emergency departments. The balloon effect in healthcare financing. As costs are squeezed in one area, they inflate in another. Pieninck challenges the idea that market forces can realign care efficiently. He discusses how efforts to contain spending in one area often lead to inefficiencies elsewhere, and the system ends up paying more later because early, lower-cost interventions are underfunded or inaccessible.  Innovation that simplifies the system. Through CareFirst's innovation arm, Healthworx, Pieninick highlights the need to design a system that works for people by reducing complexity and embedding support directly into the healthcare experience. AI and infrastructure: opportunity meets readiness. With nearly three decades of experience on the technology side of healthcare, Pieninck is bullish on AI's potential—especially now that it's available at a price point that can scale. Real progress, he notes, will depend on thoughtful governance, better interoperability, and models built around human needs. This episode offers a look at how one regional plan is thinking through the tensions between access, affordability and innovation, and what that means for the broader system.  To hear Brian D. Pieninck and Keith discuss these challenges in depth, listen to this episode of Healthcare is Hard: A Podcast for Insiders. 

On the heels of Bryan's blog post about the similarities between aspiring college athletes finding a team and entrepreneurs raising a round of capital, Bryan and Adam were joined by Robert Bogart to discuss his own experiences with both--and the life lesson accrued along the way.In addition to Bryan Cantrill and Adam Leventhal, we were joined by special guest, Robert Bogart.College Baseball, Venture Capital, and the Long MaybeOxF: Debugger‑Driven DevelopmentAnthony Ervin – WikipediaEddie Reese – WikipediaMetaweb – WikipediaIf we got something wrong or missed something, please file a PR! Our next show will likely be on Monday at 5p Pacific Time on our Discord server; stay tuned to our Mastodon feeds for details, or subscribe to this calendar. We'd love to have you join us, as we always love to hear from new speakers!

Follow me @samirkaji for my thoughts on the venture market, with a focus on the continued evolution of the VC landscape.In this episode, I sat down with Logan Bartlett, Managing Director of Redpoint Ventures. We explore the evolving landscape of venture capital and startup investing and dive deep into the challenges facing unicorn companies post-2021, the transformative potential of AI, and the critical factors for successful startup investments. Logan shares insights on identifying promising founders, navigating market uncertainties, and the importance of adaptability in both founding teams and venture capital. Key takeaways include the need for founders with rapid learning capabilities, the potential disruption and opportunities in AI, the changing dynamics of startup valuations and exits in a challenging market environment, and so much more.About Logan BartlettLogan Bartlett is a Managing Director at Redpoint Ventures, where he leads early-growth investments in enterprise software, with a focus on infrastructure, SaaS, and AI. Since joining Redpoint in 2020 after six years at Battery Ventures, Bartlett has backed high-growth companies such as Ramp, Cribl, Cyera, Monte Carlo, FloQast, Crossbeam, and Workato. His work has earned him recognition on both the Forbes 30 Under 30 and the Midas Brink lists.Beyond investing, Bartlett hosts The Logan Bartlett Show, a podcast featuring in-depth conversations with top founders, operators, and investors. The show offers insights into startup growth, market cycles, and venture capital strategies, and has become a respected resource within the tech ecosystem.Redpoint Ventures, founded in 1999, is a venture capital firm that partners with visionary founders to create and redefine markets. The firm invests in startups across various stages, from seed to growth, and has backed over 578 companies, including industry giants like Snowflake, Looker, Kustomer, Twilio, and Netflix. With 181 IPOs and M&A exits and managing $7.2 billion across multiple funds, Redpoint's expertise in guiding businesses toward success is well-established.Timestamps:In this episode, we discuss:* Logan Bartlett's Path into Venture Capital (1:46)* The 2021 Unicorn Logjam and Future Outlook (4:38)* AI's Role in Reshaping Legacy Companies (8:32)* Liquidity Challenges and Growth Stage Investing (11:16)* Portfolio Construction and Risk Balance (17:16)* Underwriting Series B Investments (22:41)* Portfolio Composition and Risk Appetite (26:36)* Evaluating AI Companies and Revenue Durability (30:01)* Forecasting and Macro Underwriting (35:32)* Key Investment Decision Criteria (40:11)* Traits of Successful Venture Investors (45:28)* Final Thoughts and Takeaways (49:58)I'd love to know what you took away from this conversation with Logan. 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 X. 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

How do you pivot from a record-breaking NFL career to transforming the investment space?  Marques Colston shares his compelling story of grit, adaptation, and leading with purpose. In this episode of Mitlin Money Mindset®, Larry Sprung sits down with Marques Colston, a Super Bowl champion and founding partner of Champion Venture Partners. Marques reflects on his journey from being an overlooked draft pick to a trailblazer in democratizing sports investments, emphasizing resilience, operational excellence, and accessibility for all investors. Marques discusses: His transition from NFL athlete to entrepreneur and the pivotal role of self-awareness The vision behind Champion Venture Partners and its focus on accessibility in investments The parallels between sports and business, highlighting discipline and risk-taking How fractional ownership and emerging sports are reshaping the investment space The significance of education and empowering new investors for long-term impact And more! Resources: Mitlin Financial   The JOY and Productivity Journal by Lawrence Sprung  Download Your Free Copy of the Couple's JOYful Money Guide Connect with Larry Sprung:  LinkedIn: Larry Sprung Instagram: Larry Sprung Facebook: Larry Sprung X (Twitter): Larry Sprung Connect with Marques Colston:  Website: Champion Venture Partners Website: Marques Colston LinkedIn: Marques Colston  Twitter: Marques Colston   Instagram: Marques Colston  LinkedIn: Champion Venture Partners  Instagram: Champion Venture Partners Facebook: Champion Venture Partners TikTok: Champion Venture Partners YouTube: Champion Venture Partners  About our Guest: A seasoned business leader, Marques's business career is shaped by the perspectives and lived experiences gained from his journey to becoming an unlikely NFL standout. Marques's journey from small school prospect through a decade-long NFL career taught him how success has to be earned everyday, and sustaining it at the highest level requires humility that allows you to be an active learner, curiosity to explore new ways to unlock value, and confidence built on preparation and repetition. This philosophy is the foundation of Marques's post-football journey as an entrepreneur, educator, financial advisor, and executive coach and strategic consultant for dozens of companies – startups to Fortune 100.  His diverse path is connected by the vision to empower underserved and underestimated communities, helping them envision and achieve beyond their current limitations.  CVP represents an opportunity for Marques to leverage his passion, skills, influence, and access to build a firm with the potential to build a legacy of doing well and good, by creating access to wealth building opportunities to a more diverse group of investors. Disclosure: Guests on the Mitlin Money Mindset are not affiliated with CWM, LLC, and opinions expressed herein may not be representative of CWM, LLC. CWM, LLC is not responsible for the guest's content linked on this site.  

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Sarah Dusek, a visionary entrepreneur, investor, and advocate for female founders. After building and selling her first company, Under Canvas, for over $100 million, Sarah launched Enygma Ventures, a venture capital fund focused on supporting women-led businesses in Africa. Her work has empowered over 10,000 entrepreneurs through investor-readiness programs. Sarah is also the author of Thinking Bigger: A Pitch Deck Formula For Women Who Want To Change the World, and the Co-Founder & CEO of Few & Far, a net positive travel company pioneering aerial safaris and large-scale ecological regeneration in South Africa. In this powerful episode, Sarah shares her journey from scaling a $100M company to reimagining the intersection of business, impact, and investment. She and Catherine dive into the systemic funding gap facing women entrepreneurs and how Sarah is working to close it through Enygma Ventures. They also discuss her new ventures in climate-positive travel, the importance of storytelling in pitch decks, and how building a bold, values-aligned business can truly change the world. Whether you're an investor, founder, or dreamer, this episode will inspire you to think—and act—bigger. Websites Mentioned: www.enygmaventures.com www.fewandfar.com https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com https://svwomenfoundersfund.vc www.sheangelinvestors.com    Follow Us On Social Facebook @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X) @sheangelsinvest Instagram @sheangelinvestors & @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn @catherinelgray & @sheangels  

Legendary technologist and investor Bill Tai joins our latest episode for a wide-ranging conversation spanning decades of Silicon Valley innovation. Bill shares his remarkable journey from being employee #1 at TSMC to becoming one of the first seed investors in Zoom and Canva, and his early embrace of Bitcoin when it was priced at just 7 cents.The conversation explores Bill's unique investment philosophy shaped by mentorship from Don Valentine of Sequoia Capital, his innovative approach to building entrepreneurial communities through kiteboarding, and his insights into the intersection of AI, energy infrastructure, and cryptocurrency. Bill discusses the massive energy crisis facing AI data centers, drawing parallels to the telecom infrastructure buildout of the 1980s.From his early days as a kid reverse-engineering electronics to his current role as Chairman of Hut Eight Mining and his partnership with the Trump organization on American Bitcoin Corp, Bill provides invaluable insights into recognizing structural market changes and backing the right entrepreneurs and emerging technologies at the right time.LinksLearn more about Bill's blockchain companies Hut Eight Mining and BITFURY - Hut 8 Corp, BITFURYBill's original tweet from 2010 about the potential of bitcoin: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb7QQ8GHN12/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D Read Bill's founding stories on Zoom and Canva: https://medium.com/@billtai/30b-stress-test-on-necker-island-814553c7f520Bill's early memo detailing his conviction about Zoom's technology: https://www.instagram.com/p/BwcaZjFpNrs/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== Article: Design start-up Canva raises $3 million after kitesurfing in Hawaii: https://www.smartcompany.com.au/startupsmart/design-start-up-canva-raises-3-million-after-kitesurfing-in-hawaii Canva now tops the list of most popular AI tools: https://explodingtopics.com/blog/most-popular-ai-tools Learn about TSMC's history - Taiwan SemiconductorRead the article that changed Bill's life - Secrets of the Little Blue BoxMore fun items mentioned during the discussion2600 Hacker Quarterly: https://www.2600.com/The Cap'N Crunch whistle used by early hackers: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/capn-crunch-whistleThe Radio Shack 100-in-one electronics kit: https://www.rcgrabbag.com/radio-shack-100-in-1-electronic-project-kit/

Is Bitcoin just a financial instrument, or is it a wedge into the future of energy, policy, and power? Brian Morgenstern, head of public policy at Riot Platforms, lays out how mining is becoming critical infrastructure and why the US can't afford to fall behind. From sovereign wealth strategies to regulatory fragmentation, this conversation unpacks how Bitcoin could reshape geopolitical leverage and why Texas may be at the center of it. Episode HighlightsMining as energy monetizationBitcoin as a strategic reserveThe sovereign wealth fund questionTax policy throttles adoptionWhy stablecoins are infrastructureBitcoin's edge over other cryptoFragmented and reactive regulationNuclear's resurgence via AI demandWhat's Next Austin?“Bitcoin miners, AI, energy, all getting married in Texas to make the US the leader of the world.”Guest LinksBrian MorgensternRiot Platforms -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

While many founders chase the latest trends, Yannis Ouzounopoulos saw opportunity in an overlooked $4 billion category – and struck breakfast gold. Yannis is the founder and CEO of Olyra, a fast-growing brand of organic breakfast bars and biscuits inspired by his family's fifth-generation flour milling business in Greece. Launched in 2017, Olyra was born from Yannis' conviction that the U.S. breakfast bar aisle – vast but stagnant – was ripe for disruption. His solution: better-for-you products made with ancient grains, authentic ingredients and significantly less sugar. That vision proved prescient. Today, Olyra's products can be found in thousands of retail locations across the U.S., including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Harris Teeter and The Fresh Market. In this episode, Yannis shares the origin story behind Olyra and how both free and paid data sources helped shape the brand's overall business approach, including product development, shelf strategy and consumer messaging. He also dives into why he prioritizes long-term thinking, the importance of staying close to the customer, and the ongoing process of refining taste and brand positioning. Show notes: 0:25: Yannis Ouzounopoulos, Founder & CEO, Olyra –  Yannis shares his journey from Greece to New York City, detailing the early challenges of selling to independent retailers and his eventual strategic pivot to focus on larger retail chains. He explains how Olyra began as a diversification effort within his family's heritage business, ultimately evolving into a brand designed to fill a white space in the $4 billion breakfast and snack bar category. Drawing on free and low-cost market data, Yannis crafted a more informed strategy, learning from early missteps—such as overly ambitious velocity projections. He emphasizes that product development is a continuous process, shaped by layered consumer feedback used to fine-tune taste, texture, and packaging. Yannis also describes how Olyra's brand messaging evolved to highlight clearer nutritional benefits in response to shifting consumer preferences. He credits Charles Coristine of LesserEvil with inspiring his commitment to long-term brand building and a relentless focus on taste excellence. Brands in this episode: Olyra, Belvita, RXBAR, Nature's Bakery, Nutrigrain, LesserEvil

What will it take to recover more critical materials when demand is growing and recovery systems aren't keeping up? With the growing deployment of solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles, and data centers, demand for metals and minerals is rising fast. But current systems for recovering and reusing these materials are limited, inefficient, or missing entirely. In this episode, Aly Bryan, Senior Member of the investment team at Closed Loop Partners' Venture Group, explains why critical materials have become a central topic in the circular economy. She introduces the concepts of small-loop and large-loop circularity, discusses the role of modular recovery infrastructure, and shares why relying on large, centralized processing facilities may no longer be the most effective approach. Aly also explores how circular startups can work within existing supply chains and why reverse logistics is essential to making recovery work at scale. This episode is part of VC for Circularity - the Venture Capital Perspective on Circular Economy Startups.

Larry Aschebrook is the Founder and Managing Partner of G Squared in what is one of the wildest stories of venture capital. Larry started G Squared with nothing, dialling for dollars having personally invested in Twitter and Uber. In his first fund, Larry made sizable bets into SpaceX, Palantir, Alibaba and Twitter. Larry has also had mega losses along the way (discussed in the show) in Getir, 23andme and more. Today, Larry manages over $5BN and has invested in all the best from Wiz to Spotify to Revolut and Anthropic.  Agenda: 00:00 – From Broke to Billion-Dollar Bets 03:40 – The $800M Coursera Windfall 06:10 – Lyft Made Millions, Uber Lost $50M 09:05 – “We Fcked Up”: The Billion-Dollar Vintage 11:50 – How a $150M Spotify Bet Made a Billion 15:10 – The Gut Call That Dodged Theranos 18:00 – Vampires vs Zombies: The Coming Startup Purge 20:30 – When Success Almost Killed the Firm 24:20 – DPI Is King, MOIC Is Bullsht 27:40 – Why I'd Buy Anthropic at $61BN Today 30:05 – Losing $70M on 23andMe 32:10 – The Janitor of Venture Capital 34:00 – The Getir Deal That Nearly Broke Me 36:25 – Does Money Actually Make You Happy? 39:00 – What Cal Ripken Jr. Taught Me About Venture  

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

Learn more about Lisa or follow her at:   https://www.refashiond.com/https://www.instagram.com/lisahellebo/https://www.youtube.com/@refashiondventureshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/supplychainlocalization/ Show Notes Timestamps:0:00 Introduction to B2B Podcast3:53 Little Lisa has been obsessed with fashion and how things are made. 

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the recent developments in the tech industry, focusing on Apple's WWDC and AMD's product roadmap. They explore Apple's integration of AI into its operating system and the implications for developers, as well as AMD's performance and its competitive stance against Nvidia. The conversation also highlights the importance of networking in AI infrastructure and the evolving business models in the AI space.

How do you lead at the cutting edge of health, data, and AI—while staying deeply human?Angeli Möller has led global data science teams across pharma giants, co-founded one of Europe's most ambitious AI alliances, and now builds high-performance biotech strategies with precision. But what truly sets her apart isn't just her technical fluency—it's her clarity, courage, and care in how she builds teams, solves problems, and pushes the boundaries of innovation.In this episode, Angeli opens up about the quiet frustrations that fuel her mission, the invisible cost of ignoring innovation, and the principles that guide her client work today. Whether you're an investor, founder, or policymaker, her journey will reshape how you think about leadership, AI, and what truly moves the needle in healthcare.Here's what you'll take away:Why most AI projects fail—and how to spot the ones that won't.How to lead technical teams with vision, warmth, and accountability.Why proprietary data matters more than fancy algorithms.What real innovation feels like—and how to know when you're missing it.At the center of it all: a calm, fiercely smart leader who sees through the noise and builds what matters.As she says: “Start with the real problem. If you don't understand the problem, AI won't help you.”Timestamps & Topics

OverviewThis newsletter issue commemorates 20 years of TechCrunch, reflecting on its landmark influence in shaping the startup ecosystem and tech journalism since its launch in 2005. Beyond nostalgia, the content reveals key ongoing shifts in technology, venture capital, AI innovation, and market dynamics that continue to define the industry's present and future.Listeners will gain perspective on how TechCrunch grew from a simple Web 2.0 weblog to a foundational startup network hub, alongside insights into current critical trends such as AI's evolving role in venture capital and software development, Apple's design and AI strategy, evolving IPO markets, and debates around AI ethics. The combination of historical context and forward-looking analysis makes this a compelling episode for anyone interested in the tech industry's trajectory.Key Trend 1: The Enduring Influence and Evolution of TechCrunch as a Startup NetworkTechCrunch's founding vision was not only to report new Web 2.0 companies but to serve as a connective platform for entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators globally.It emerged as the definitive startup network akin to how Facebook shaped social networks, fundamentally influencing tech culture, funding, and ecosystem formation.Today, TechCrunch remains a vital resource, expanding its global footprint with strategic partnerships and deeper engagement in key startup hubs like Europe.Key Trend 2: AI's Growing Impact on Venture Capital, Software Development, and Industry StructureAI continues to reshape venture capital with strong focus on B2B operational tooling, platform/API-first startups, and developer-centric innovation.Large models and AI coding tools (e.g., vibe coding, integration in Xcode) signal a shift towards AI-assisted software creation workflows.However, challenges remain in reasoning capabilities of AI models, skeptical internal debates on AI safety, and ethical implications within leading tech firms.Strategic investments and valuation surges of AI companies, such as Anysphere's rapid growth and Meta's big bet on Scale AI, highlight intense competition for AI supremacy.Key Trend 3: The Resurgence of Public Markets and Shifting Investment Dynamics2025 has marked a reopening of the IPO window, especially favoring growth-stage B2B SaaS companies and innovative tech firms with strong fundamentals.High-profile IPOs like Circle and CoreWeave demonstrate renewed investor appetite, with smaller deals sometimes outperforming large ones.Secondary markets in venture capital are becoming primary liquidity sources, with record transaction volumes and large funds specializing in venture secondaries addressing liquidity constraints.AI and defense tech sectors continue attracting major funding rounds and valuations, underpinning strategic industry shifts.Apple's new “Liquid Glass” design language and UI changes blur lines between iPad and Mac, signaling acknowledgment of evolving user expectations.AI-driven interfaces are moving beyond traditional input methods to embrace natural language, voice commands, and conversational experience.Voice AI technologies, such as “Voice in a Box” and true speech-to-speech models that incorporate prosody and emotion, are poised to revolutionize both consumer and enterprise interfaces.The future of devices will increasingly be defined by AI assistance quality rather than hardware aesthetics, with “legacy” hardware becoming less relevant.Key Trend 5: Ethical, Social, and Political Implications of AI and Tech PlatformsMajor tech companies wrestle internally with AI safety, privacy risks, and ethical governance amid fierce innovation pressures.AI's societal impact carries dual potentials for utopia or dystopia, prompting calls for governance frameworks balancing innovation with responsibility.Social media platform changes, such as X's transformation and decentralized alternatives like Bluesky, reveal ongoing tensions in moderation, community cohesion, and political discourse.Criticism of Big Tech growth focus and user experience degradation shows persistent cultural dissatisfaction despite transformative potential.Discussion QuestionsHow has TechCrunch's role as a startup network reshaped the venture capital ecosystem compared to traditional tech media? What lessons does this hold for emerging platforms today?Given the dominance of B2B and automation-focused AI startups in YC's recent accelerator cohorts, what does this suggest about the future directions of AI entrepreneurship versus consumer applications?Apple is pushing hard on design and controlled AI integration, while Meta invests heavily in superintelligence labs—how do these divergent strategies reflect different visions of AI's role in society and technology?What are the implications of the IPO resurgence and growing secondary markets for startup founders, investors, and public market investors in the current economic cycle? Does this signal a sustainable tech market rebound or potential volatility?With ethical concerns rising within companies like Apple and voices like Vinod Khosla warning of AI's societal risks, what governance or regulatory frameworks should be prioritized to ensure safe and equitable AI development?How do changes in social media dynamics—such as the rise of decentralized platforms like Bluesky and the transformation of X under Musk—impact political communication and community building in the digital age?What does the evolution of voice AI and UI convergence (e.g., iPadOS blending with macOS, ‘vibe coding' tools) mean for how individuals will interact with technology in the near future? Could these trends reduce technical barriers or introduce new challenges?Closing SegmentTechCrunch's 20-year journey exemplifies the power of dedicated media to build ecosystems and influence innovation rhythms. As we stand on the threshold of AI-driven transformation, the themes resonate: human connection remains central even as machines advance; technology for good requires intention amid rapid change; and markets and devices evolve to meet new realities while grappling with legacy and complexity.Our final thought: The future will not be defined solely by the most advanced algorithms or sleekest designs, but by how well the industry balances innovation, ethics, human values, and global inclusion to craft a truly transformative technology landscape. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thatwastheweek.com/subscribe

Dans cet épisode, nous découvrons avec Nicolas Perard le rôle que joue aujourd'hui le Fonds Européen d'Investissement dans un marché marqué par la raréfaction des IPOs et des acquisitions corporate plus sélectives. À travers une lecture fine de la chaîne de valeur, notamment dans la Tech' et l'énergie, le FEI renforce sa présence sur le segment du Private Equity, perçu comme un levier essentiel pour accompagner la croissance et la transformation des entreprises européennes. L'épisode explore aussi les dynamiques entre Venture Capital et Private Equity dans cette phase de transition : cloisonnements historiques, complémentarités émergentes, dialogues encore timides. Avec un portefeuille de 64 fonds construits sur deux décennies, Nicolas nous partage les enseignements et signaux faibles qui orientent aujourd'hui les nouvelles stratégies d'allocation.Nous plongeons également dans les coulisses du FEI : la structuration des équipes, les expertises sectorielles et le mode de fonctionnement. Chaque année, 500 millions d'euros sont alloués à une quinzaine de fonds. Quels sont les critères de sélection ? Qu'est-ce qui fait "tilt" dans une stratégie ? L'épisode met aussi en lumière des fonds atypiques, notamment ceux qui s'insèrent dans la chaîne de valeur énergétique et questionne l'usage limité du levier dans les stratégies soutenues.Ce choix s'explique autant par les mandats que par une volonté affirmée de privilégier la croissance réelle. Enfin, nous abordons la place des fonds émergents et leur potentiel structurant dans les grandes transitions. L'objectif de cette équipe, au-delà des chiffres ? Mettre le capital au service d'une transformation profonde, patiente et alignée avec les enjeux systémiques européens.***************************Finscale, c'est bien plus qu'un podcast. C'est un écosystème qui connecte les acteurs clés du secteur financier à travers du Networking, du coaching et des partenariats.

Can a sober celebrity build a booming booze brand? The hosts dig into the paradox behind a high-profile actress and entrepreneur who doesn't drink – but is betting big on alcohol. Plus, a tea company rooted in a 1930s family recipe is brewing something fresh with younger consumers. With a grassroots strategy and nostalgic appeal, could it be the next big thing for Gen Z and millennials? Show notes: 0:35: Live & Not In Person. Coffee Shots. Irony Vs. Authenticity. A $30M Joyride. Evil Does Good, Again. – Was BevNET Live Summer 2025 an amazing event? The hosts can't be sure at this point. Wellness shot maker Sol-ti gets a big time partner in a deal that surprised some of the Taste Radio team. Ray goes on a classic rant about authenticity, but John tries to reel him in. Everyone is happy for BFY candy brand Joyride, as well as a new and healthier option for crunchy cheese snacks and an Indian food brand designed to create fast and convenient meals. 19:32: Kelley McShane, Owner, Granny Squibb's – Kelley discusses her journey into the beverage industry and her role in reviving and growing Granny Squibb's. She discusses the New England-based iced tea brand's mission-driven approach and how it emphasizes a grassroots growth strategy focused on the region before national expansion. Kelley also explains how the brand's nostalgic packaging and premium ingredients help it stand out and her commitment to building a sustainable, socially impactful beverage company. 33:23: Interview: Daniel Danes, Founder & CEO, TITIN – Originally from Madrid and inspired by his great-grandmother "Titin," Daniel talks about his goal of bringing high-quality, traceable olive oil to the U.S. He discussed Titin's distinctive purple squeeze bottle and how he's attempting to build trust with younger consumers via transparency and taste, while keeping prices competitive. Daniel also highlights TITIN's recent market launch in New England and why he believes the U.S. offers greater business potential than Spain. Brands in this episode: Singing Pastures, Monsoon Kitchens, Granny Squibb's, Titin, Farmer Foodie, Fancypants Baking Co., Joyride, Starbucks, Sol-ti, Spindrift, Brew Dr., Koia, Vive Organic, Betty Buzz, Betty Booze, Delola, Lesser Evil, Jack Daniel's, Coca-Cola, Cheetos, Masala Gossip

Scott's back with golf betting consigliere Joe Koziol to preview the 2025 US Open at Oakmont, the hardest test in golf—and the most honest major to bet. The guys break down who can survive the brick-wall greens, brutal rough, and USGA sadism, then roll through their top plays, longshots, and the unofficial return of their flagship segment: Guy Stuff. What You'll Learn: Why Oakmont rewards discipline, not dopamine Scott's favorite Top 10 prop that's free money (he swears) Joe's sleeper pick who's either missing the cut or finishing T-3 The one LIV player neither of them will touch Why betting the cut line might be more fun than betting the winner Follow Scott on IG/Twitter @kitun

Alexandre Lazarow isn't your typical VC.He's the author of Out-Innovate, a global venture capitalist, and the founder of Fluent Ventures.In this episode, we talk about what founders in Nairobi, São Paulo, and Jakarta know that Silicon Valley often misses.We unpack why the best ideas are coming from unexpected places, how fintech is shaking up the global economy, and what the future of VC looks like beyond the Bay Area.If you're building something big outside the bubble, this one's for you.Hosted by Shane Ray Martin, investor, author, and certified peace mediator helping founders build, scale, and raise with purpose.

In this episode Jack Altman, CEO of Lattice and host of Uncapped, interviews Marc Andreessen on how venture capital is evolving — from small seed funds to billion-dollar barbell strategies — and why today's most important tech companies don't just build tools, they replace entire industries. They cover:The end of “picks and shovels” investingWhy missing a great company matters more than backing a bad oneThe power law math behind fund size and asymmetric returnsAI as the next computing platform — and a test for Western civilizationPreference falsification, media power, and what founders can't say out loudThis is a conversation about ambition at scale, the structure of modern venture, and the deep forces reshaping startups, innovation, and power.Resources: Listen to more from Uncapped: https://linktr.ee/uncappedpodFind Jack on Xhttps://x.com/jaltmaFind Marc on X: https://x.com/pmarcaFind Uncapped on X: https://x.com/uncapped_podTimecodes: 00:00 What You Can't Say  01:20 Founders, Funders, and the Future  02:00 Fund Size and Power Law Math  06:45 From Tools to Full Stack Startups  10:00  Market Sizing and Asymmetric Bets  13:00 Public Markets Mirror Venture Dynamics  17:00 The Barbell Strategy in Venture  20:00 The Conflict Dilemma in Venture  25:00 Staying in Early-Stage Venture  29:30 The Death of the Middle  32:00 Why It's So Rare to Build a New Top VC Firm  35:00 The Case for Power in Venture  37:45 Limiting Factors for Big Companies  41:00 AI as the Next Computing Platform  45:30 Betting on Startups, Not Incumbents  48:00  How a16z Thinks About Risk  51:00 Building a Top-Tier GP Team  55:00 Taste, Timing, and Getting Into the Scene  57:00 Raising Capital Is the Easy Part  1:00:30 AI's Existential Stakes  1:05:00 Autonomous Weapons, Ethics, and War  1:11:00 Tech, Government, and Power  1:13:00 Media, Mistrust, and Narrative Collapse  1:24:00 Preference Falsification and Cultural Cascades  1:32:00 The Thought Experiment  1:33:00 Career Advice for Young Builders  1:35:00 Marc vs. the Huberman Protocol  1:39:30 What Would Prove You Right?  Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16zFind a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zSubscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenbergPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

In this episode of The Mark Haney Show, Mark sits down with Growth Factory partners Rick Spencer and Ali Mackani for a bold conversation at the intersection of artificial intelligence and venture capital. They explore: • Why AI is changing the rules of investing and startup building • How "Venture Science" could reshape the VC industry • The myth of job loss vs. the reality of augmented human potential • What industries are being disrupted first—and where opportunity lies • How AI can empower both technical and non-technical founders • The importance of values, community, and youth preparation in the AI age Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or simply AI-curious, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and practical frameworks for building a future that works—for all of us. ______________________________________________________________ If this episode inspires you to be part of the movement, and you believe, like me, that entrepreneurs are the answer to our future, message me so we can join forces to support building truly great companies in our region.  - Subscribe to my channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCom_​...  -   Mark Haney is a serial entrepreneur that has experience growing companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He is currently the CEO and founder of HaneyBiz  -   Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarkhaney​  Facebook: www.facebook.com/themarkhaney  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markehaney​  Website: http://haneybiz.com​  Audio Boom: https://audioboom.com/channels/5005273​   Twitter: http://twitter.com/themarkhaney - This video includes personal knowledge, experiences, and opinions about Angel Investing by seasoned angel investors.  This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice.  Nothing in this video constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, or endorsement. #thebackyardadvantage #themarkhaneyshow #entrepreneur  #PowerOfWith #SacramentoEntrepreneur #Sacramento #SacramentoSmallBusiness #SmallBusiness #GrowthFactory #Investor #Podcast

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Evan Finkel and Charlotte Palmer from Integra Global Advisors. Evan and Charlotte discuss their approach to venture capital investing, focusing on emerging managers while also sharing insights into evaluating new fund managers, emphasizing the importance of transparency, unique investment theses, and consistent communication. The conversation also covers challenges in the current VC landscape, including the competitive fundraising environment and the need for succession planning. Key takeaways include the value of building strong LP-GP relationships, the potential of smaller funds to generate alpha, and the critical role of motivation and differentiation for emerging managers. Also, don't miss our insider segment as Jason Kropp from Sidley discusses the complexities of cross-border venture capital investments, highlighting the importance of tax optimization, international investment structures, and navigating regulatory uncertainties in the current global investment landscape.Highlights from this week's conversation include:Evan's Background and Journey (1:09)Charlotte's Journey to Allocator (3:04)Integra Overview and Differentiation (4:41)Geographic Focus of Clients (8:24)Motivation and Competitive Landscape for Emerging Managers (11:13)Market Correction and Emerging Manager Archetypes (15:29)Diligencing Differentiated Perspectives (19:37)Off-List References and Deeper Diligence (23:51)Insider Segment: Complexities of Cross-Border Investments (24:48)LPAC Involvement and Value (28:56)How LPs Should Give Feedback (31:00)Questions GPs Should Ask LPs (34:18)Assessing LP Commitment and Stickiness (38:40)Succession Planning in VC Firms (42:55)Lessons Learned as LPs (47:31)Final Thoughts and Takeaways (50:00)Integra Global Advisors is a registered investment advisor (RIA) functioning like a multi-family office. The firm invests across the entire investable universe but on the venture side, the team specializes in early-stage investments across the U.S., Israel, Latin America, and Europe. Focused exclusively on emerging managers, Integra provides capital and strategic partnerships, actively engaging in LPAC positions to help funds succeed. Learn more at www.integraga.com.Sidley Austin LLP is a premier global law firm with a dedicated Venture Funds practice, advising top venture capital firms, institutional investors, and private equity sponsors on fund formation, investment structuring, and regulatory compliance. With deep expertise across private markets, Sidley provides strategic legal counsel to help funds scale effectively. Learn more at sidley.com.Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Stacy and Rob Morier met over 25 years ago at Julius Baer Investment Management, long before podcasting, LinkedIn, and fund manager personal brands were even a thing.Fast forward to today, and Rob's resume reads like an adventure novel. He's done it all. From Wall Street, to teaching the next generation about all things VC as a Professor at Drexel University, he knows a thing or two about how asset managers can go from scrappy startups to stable, growth-ready firms.In this Episode, Rob and Stacy dig into: Rob's backstory – how a history major with dreams of being a teacher ended up on Wall StreetLessons learned at a boutique firm with $1.6 billion AUM that grew to $76 billionRob's “middle innings” specialty: helping emerging managers bridge the gap from scrappy to institutionalWhy being able to “ride the bike while building it” matters for emerging managersWhat he learned about developing resilience and a founder's mindset through researching teenage lifeguards How raw, hard conversations with his mom behind the mic led him to host the Dakota Live! podcastThis is a conversation about growth, grit, and the power of coming home to yourself. Tune in and meet Rob! More About Rob Morier:Rob Morier is a professor at Drexel University, where he teaches courses on venture capital, early-stage finance, and private markets. With 25 years in business development and investor relations, he's passionate about empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs and investors.His research explores environmental factors in ocean lifeguarding and entrepreneurship, studying how lifeguard training fosters resilience, leadership, and decision-making. His work, based in Wildwood Crest, NJ, has been featured in Entrepreneur & Innovation Exchange, Financial Times, and the Philadelphia Inquirer.Outside academia, Rob co-founded Twelve Pound Productions LLC and hosts the Dakota Live! Podcast, where he interviews leading investors and shares insights on business and leadership. He also advises asset managers on fundraising strategies, leveraging his experience raising billions in assets.Rob lives in Philadelphia with his family and enjoys rowing, running, and biking.Want More Help With Storytelling? +  Subscribe to my newsletter to get a weekly email that helps you use your words to power your growth:https://www.stacyhavener.com/subscribe   - - -Make The Boutique Investment Collective part of your Billion Dollar Backstory. Gain access to invaluable resources, expert coaches, and a supportive community of other boutique founders, fund managers, and investment pros. Join Havener Capital's exclusive membership - - -Thinking about expanding your investor base beyond the US? Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz to find out if your firm is ready to go global and get all the info at billiondollarbackstory.com/gemcap- - -Make The Boutique Investment Collective part of your Billion Dollar Backstory. Gain access to invaluable resources, expert coaches, and a supportive community of other boutique founders, fund managers, and investment pros. Join Havener Capital's exclusive membership

Postmodern Patrimonialism. That's the term Brookings Institution scholar Jonathan Rauch uses to describe Trump's second presidency, arguing it represents a 21st century model of running government as if it's his own personal property. Rauch describes Trump 2's "everything everywhere all at once" strategy as a venture capital-like approach: launching numerous initiatives simultaneously to overwhelm opposition, expecting some to succeed while recognizing that others will fail. Noting that this strategy has slowed since March due to court challenges and declining approval ratings, Rauch discusses the institutional breakdown of Congress, the emergence of Gavin Newsom as the apex of the resistance to Trump 2, and identifies Stephen Miller and Russell Vought as key strategic masterminds behind the administration's coordinated assault on universities, law firms, and democratic norms. Five Key Takeaways * Patrimonialism, Not Fascism: Rauch has shifted from describing Trump as fascist to "patrimonial"—running government as personal property and family business. This model is less organized than fascism but equally corrosive to democratic institutions.* "Everything Everywhere All at Once" Strategy: Trump's administration deliberately overwhelms opposition by launching simultaneous attacks on multiple fronts (universities, law firms, agencies, individuals), making coordinated resistance nearly impossible.* Congressional Institutional Collapse: America has effectively moved from a three-branch to two-branch government, with Congress absent as a check on executive power—a more fundamental threat than Trump himself.* Democratic Governors as Resistance Leaders: Figures like Gavin Newsom are emerging as the most effective opposition voices, using states' rights to challenge federal overreach in ways Congress cannot.* Miller and Vought as Strategic Masterminds: Stephen Miller (immigration/security) and Russell Vought (domestic policy/OMB) are identified as the key architects behind the administration's coordinated assault on democratic institutions.Jonathan Rauch is a senior fellow in the Governance Studies program at the Brookings Institution and the author of eight books and many articles on public policy, culture, and government. He is a contributing writer of The Atlantic and recipient of the 2005 National Magazine Award, the magazine industry's equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize. His many Brookings publications include the 2021 book “The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth”, as well as the 2015 ebook “Political Realism: How Hacks, Machines, Big Money, and Back-Room Deals Can Strengthen American Democracy.” Other books include “The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better after 50” (2018) and “Gay Marriage: Why It Is Good for Gays, Good for Straights, and Good for America” (2004). He has also authored research on political parties, marijuana legalization, LGBT rights and religious liberty, and more.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting the daily KEEN ON show, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy interview series. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

Specificity isn't just a design choice. It's the differentiator when inches matter. Nick Tippmann, founding partner of TipTop VC, explains how vertical AI is rewriting the software industry by going deeper, not wider. From the transition beyond SaaS to the gray zone between foundational models and high-stakes applications, we explore how vertical AI can transform laggard industries and why Austin might lead the race.  Episode HighlightsWhat Vertical AI Really MeansSpecificity as the New MoatFounders, Not Just ModelsWhen General AI FailsSeed-Strapping Real or NotRewriting Pricing LogicVertical AI Talent MixRedefining TAM in Niche MarketsScaling without OverspendingWhat's Next Austin?"Austin becomes a global hub for vertical AI winners with the rich combo of the enterprise SaaS lineage, the critical industries that are based here, the talent from the previous winners, the emerging talent from the universities, and more and more experienced operators and founders moving here for their second act"Nick TippmannTipTop VC -------------------Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedInEcosystem Metacognition Substack

Buckle up for a raw, unfiltered journey of transformation that'll make your entrepreneurial soul IGNITE!From a rough San Francisco neighborhood to selling his financial advisory firm, building groundbreaking tech, and now revolutionizing sports content with Bench, Dasarte Yarnway is the embodiment of creating your own destiny. This isn't just another success story—it's a masterclass in turning trauma into triumph, authenticity into opportunity.In this electrifying episode, Dasarte breaks down:How losing his father at 12 became the fuel for his entrepreneurial fireThe power of being unapologetically yourself in a world that tries to dim your lightTurning personal pain into a mission to change generational financial narrativesInsider secrets from his journey through Fisher Investments, Altruist, and beyondWhether you're a budding entrepreneur, a sports fan, or someone hungry for real-world wisdom, this conversation will challenge everything you thought you knew about success.Connect with Dasarte:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dasarte-yarnway-b3b39443/Instagram: @dasarteyarnway

My guest today is Bill Gurley. Bill was the general partner at Benchmark Capital. He joins me for his sixth time on Invest Like the Best with his most comprehensive market analysis yet, examining the realities reshaping venture capital. Bill tackles the uncomfortable math underlying today's venture returns, with companies staying private for far longer. He also walks through why no one—from GPs to LPs to founders—has proper incentives to mark assets accurately, creating a system-wide coordination problem. And, we dig into the investment implications of AI as a platform shift, ranging from evaluating AI revenue quality to international competitive dynamics. Bill offers crucial perspective on playing the game both as it exists today and as it may evolve. Please enjoy my conversation with Bill Gurley. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page⁠⁠⁠⁠ here.⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- This episode is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ramp⁠⁠⁠⁠. Ramp's mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Go to⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ramp.com/invest⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. – This episode is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ridgeline⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Ridgeline has built a complete, real-time, modern operating system for investment managers. It handles trading, portfolio management, compliance, customer reporting, and much more through an all-in-one real-time cloud platform. Head to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ridgelineapps.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about the platform. –  This episode is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Arcana. Arcana is the world's most advanced portfolio intelligence platform, trusted by institutional investors managing trillions in AUM — including market neutral, long-short, long-only, and capital allocators. Arcana enables portfolio managers, risk teams, analysts, and CIOs to drill into exposures and idio, construct optimal portfolios, and decompose performance at incredible granularity. Visit arcana.io to request a demo and learn more. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com⁠⁠⁠⁠). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:05:23) State of the Union: Venture Capital Edition (00:07:58) The Rise of Mega VC Funds (00:09:38) Zombie Unicorns: The Overvalued Giants (00:17:29) The IPO and M&A Market Stalemate (00:24:08) The AI Wave and Its Impact (00:26:03) Private Markets and LP Liquidity Issues (00:29:57) The Future of Capital Markets (00:37:49) Advice for Founders in a Changing Landscape (00:39:27) The High-Stakes Game of Capital Battles (00:41:35) AI: The New General Purpose Technology (00:42:57) Challenges and Opportunities in AI Revenue Models (00:44:37) The Role of Founders in the AI Revolution (00:46:44) The Impact of Time and Liquidity on Venture Capital (00:50:35) Navigating the Future of Venture Capital (00:58:45) International Dynamics in the AI Race (01:13:58) Advice for Founders in the AI Era

This is a preview of a premium episode. To get access to the full episode, head to our Substack: https://designbetterpodcast.com/p/christopher-lyons Some careers have clear through lines: pick a college major, get a job in that industry. Others take serendipitous turns. Christopher Lyons is the latter, but with some surprising twists. Chris started his career as a music producer with Jermaine Dupri, founder of So So Def records in Atlanta, a role that honed his eye for recognizing talent and helping them reach their potential. Then, he joined renowned venture capital team Andresen Horowitz where he helped connect talent to business opportunities by creating the Cultural Leadership Fund. Eventually, he became a general partner at the firm. We talk to Chris about why he thinks EQ is far more important than IQ in a successful career, how he connects creative thinkers to business opportunities, and the common threads he sees across all creative disciplines. Bio Christopher Lyons is a visionary leader and President of Web3 Media at a16z crypto. Since joining a16z in 2013 as chief of staff to Ben Horowitz, he has helped shape the firm's strategic direction—most notably by launching the Cultural Leadership Fund (CLF) in 2018 and co-founding a16z's $400M Seed Fund in 2021. The CLF broke ground as Silicon Valley's first venture fund with an all-Black LP base, bridging cultural leaders from sports, music, and entertainment with the tech world while advancing opportunities for Black builders and creators. Lyons began his career as a sound engineer, working with Grammy-winning producer Jermaine Dupri before founding PictureMenu, a mobile menu platform. He now serves on the boards of Yuga Labs, the James Beard Foundation, the Black Economic Alliance, and New Story Charity. A Kauffman Fellow and founder of Lyons Wine, he brings a spirit of craftsmanship and mentorship to everything he does, including his continued involvement with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. *** Premium Episodes on Design Better This is a premium episode on Design Better. We release two premium episodes per month, along with two free episodes for everyone. Premium subscribers also get access to the documentary Design Disruptors and our growing library of books. You'll also get access to our monthly AMAs with former guests, ad-free episodes, discounts and early access to workshops, and our monthly newsletter The Brief that compiles salient insights, quotes, readings, and creative processes uncovered in the show. Upgrade to paid ***

What do TikTok, Target, and African superfoods have in common? They've all played a role in the remarkable resurgence of Kuli Kuli — the pioneering superfood brand founded in 2014 that introduced moringa to the U.S. market and is now carried in over 11,000 retail stores nationwide. Once known primarily for its moringa products, Kuli Kuli has since expanded its portfolio and reintroduced itself with vibrant new packaging, a broader superfood lineup, and a renewed focus on flavor and accessibility. Now found on shelves at Walmart, Target, and other major retailers, Kuli Kuli has traded in-store demos for a digital-first marketing strategy, including leveraging moringa's surprise moment of virality on TikTok.  In this episode, founder and CEO Lisa Curtis shares the behind-the-scenes story of Kuli Kuli's evolution — from navigating pandemic-era disruptions to spearheading a bold brand refresh that helped redefine the company's mission and identity. She also unpacks what it took to guide the brand to profitability, why shedding the “moringa-only” label was crucial, and what she sees as the ultimate key to long-term success in the crowded wellness space. Show notes: 0:25: Lisa Curtis, Founder & CEO, Kuli Kuli – Lisa recaps the origins of Kuli Kuli, which began as a Peace Corps-inspired effort to introduce moringa to the U.S. market and support female farmers globally, and why the company underwent a rebranding to embrace a broader identity as a vibrant, climate-smart superfood company. She also discusses the entrepreneurial rollercoaster of a 10-year journey marked by early momentum, a major COVID-related revenue dip, and now a resurgence with projected revenue doubling. Lisa also explains how Kuli Kuli's product innovation has matured, emphasizing a “fail fast” mindset, and how the company benefited from a surge in awareness about moringa and responded by producing its own science-backed educational content. She also admits that while the taste of moringa powder is not exactly a crowd-pleaser, Kuli Kuli has made strides to ensure their products either taste great on their own. Lisa also shares her personal strategies for managing entrepreneurial stress, including prioritizing health, travel, and cultural connection, why, despite being a capable fundraiser, she doesn't want to raise more equity funding and her belief that the key to startup longevity is persistence. Brands in this episode: Kuli Kuli

Nicole Spiegel-Gotsch is the CEO and founder of HelloMavyn®, a startup advisor and business coaching platform to help female founders succeed at building, launching and growing their companies and challenging prevailing stereotypes and misconceptions about female business leaders. Nicole has worked with startups, small businesses and Fortune 500 clients for 20 years, with a focus on fostering entrepreneurship for social good. 

Geoff Ralston, founder of SAIF (Safe Artificial Intelligence Fund), and former President of Y Combinator, shares his vision for building a safer AI future. Geoff discusses the risks and promise of AI as a force beyond traditional tools, posing AI as a set of entities that will reshape the way we work, live, and relate to each other. He talks about biosafety, interpretability, and misinformation as key focus areas for innovation. Geoff also shares advice for founders navigating this fast-evolving landscape and reflects on how thoughtful investment today can shape the future of humanity.In this episode, you'll learn:[02:05] Why Geoff believes AI is not ‘just' a tool but a cognitive force reshaping humanity[06:29] The subtle but profound difference between tools and intelligent agents[13:56] Who wins and who loses in an AI-driven future, and what roles must investors play?[20:36] Can we still design a utopian future with AI?[24:06] The types of founders Geoff wants to back through SAIF[26:30] Why mission-aligned safety startups still need product-market fit[28:46] What happens when AI does everything—and what humans will still choose to doThe nonprofit organization Geoff is passionate about: AI Venture LabAbout Geoff RalstonGeoff Ralston is the founder of SAIF (Safe Artificial Intelligence Fund) and former President of Y Combinator. A longtime startup investor, entrepreneur, and thought leader, Geoff previously founded Imagine K12, an edtech accelerator later merged with YC. With decades of experience launching and scaling category-defining startups, Geoff now focuses on funding companies that ensure AI becomes a force for good, addressing challenges around safety, security, and the future of human work.About SAIFSAIF (Safe Artificial Intelligence Fund) is a venture capital firm dedicated to building a safer future with AI. Founded by Geoff Ralston, SAIF invests in startups focused on AI safety, biosafety, interpretability, and information integrity. The firm supports mission-driven founders creating scalable solutions to counteract risks and ensure that AI technologies empower rather than endanger society.Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.

Luis Poggi is the CEO and Co-Founder of HouseWhisper, a startup at the intersection of real estate and generative AI, building tools that transform how homes are marketed and sold. A seasoned tech executive with deep experience in product, marketing, and sales, Luis previously held leadership roles at Zillow and Expedia, where he helped scale industry-defining platforms in PropTech and travel.Now focused on shaping the AI revolution in real estate, Luis blends entrepreneurial vision with hands-on execution. He also shares insights on AI and business strategy through his newsletter at substack.com/luispoggi.(01:50) - Luis' Zillow journey & lessons(02:53) - The Birth of House Whisper(04:30) - The power of zero onboarding & personalization(05:11) - AI Agents & the Future of Real Estate(09:19) - Challenges & opportunities in AI for Real Estate Agents like Serhant(14:09) - Distribution strategy(16:29) - Will AI replace Real Estate agents like travel agents?(17:48) - Feature: CREtech: Join CREtech New York 2025 on Oct 21-22 for the largest Real Estate meetings program. Qualified Real Estate pros get free full event pass plus up to $800 in travel and hotel costs. See if you qualify and apply by emailing tangentcommunity@gmail.com.(19:14) - Avoiding the freemium pricing trap(22:48) - Usage & retention: 8K+ paying agents(29:22) - Collaboration Superpower: Andrej Karpathy (OpenAI Co-founder, Wiki)

What if crypto isn't just a speculative asset class—but the next foundational layer of the internet?In this episode, Chris Dixon, founding partner of a16z crypto and one of the earliest, most forward-thinking investors in the space, joins TBPN for a wide-ranging conversation on the real, long-term promise of crypto—and why we're still early.He unpacks:Why stablecoins are already functioning as internet-native moneyHow blockchains can serve as global, programmable financial infrastructureWhy programmability, not just low fees, is the real unlockThe evolving regulatory landscape and new bipartisan momentumThe rise of AI agents, decentralized platforms, and real-world crypto use casesThis episode is about long-term thinking, technical optimism, and building open infrastructure for the future of the internet.Resources: Find Chris on X: https://x.com/cdixonWatch TBPN: https://www.tbpn.com/ Timecodes:00:00 Meet Chris Dixon: Crypto Visionary00:26 The Evolution of Stable Coins02:49 The Future of Stable Coins and Global Payments06:04 Lobbying Efforts and Legislative Impact09:01 Adoption Across Different Sectors11:53 Competitive Forces in the Crypto Market14:37 The Crypto Talent Shortage15:05 Opportunities in the Crypto Space17:08 Crypto Fund Performance19:04 Venture Capital in Crypto23:30 Real World Assets on Blockchain26:34 Social Engineering and Proof of Humanity29:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16zFind a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zSubscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenbergPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

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

Daniel Kang is the co-founder of Flobo, a fintech company focused on democratizing financial access for creators and entrepreneurs. With a compelling personal journey from a low-income immigrant family to a leader in the venture capital and fintech spaces, Daniel’s mission is rooted in making opportunities fairly accessible to all. He's also the author of The Super Upside Factor, which explores how individuals can apply venture capital’s asymmetric investing principles to accelerate personal and professional growth. Daniel is known for his innovative thinking, resilience, and commitment to leveraging technology and finance to create positive societal impact. Takeaways: Asymmetric Betting for Everyday Life: Daniel breaks down how venture capital's methods—betting big on outlier wins while managing risk—can be adapted by individuals to create outsized professional and personal results. Start Small, Stay Consistent: Success comes from executing simple principles with unwavering consistency, rather than seeking shortcuts. Daniel’s own story—winning scholarships, writing a book, and building a fintech—emphasizes starting where you are and building up momentum daily. Impact Over Mediocrity: Daniel’s drive stems from a fear of mediocrity and a strong desire to scale positive impact using technology, smart positioning, and persistent effort, rather than just working harder. Sound Bites: "Budget for a 90% failure rate—success is about surviving long enough for luck to catch up." "Every bet should be positioned for outsized, 100x outcomes—even if you only win 10% of the time, your wins will outpace the losses." "Don’t fall into ‘intellectual obesity’—the real difference is made by executing a few simple principles, not by endlessly searching for shortcuts." Quote by Mick: "Sometimes you just got to get started with what you’re doing and understand that it’s a journey. The truth of the matter is, in almost everything we do in life, it takes time." Connect & Discover Daniel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsdankang/ X: https://x.com/itsdankang?lang=en Website: https://itsdankang.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsdankang Book: The Super Upside Factor FOLLOW MICK ON:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mickunplugged LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/Website: https://www.mickhuntofficial.com Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Starting a venture capital fund sounds glamorous — but the reality? It's a long, grueling, high-stakes journey. In this episode of the Demo Day Podcast, we sit down with Rick Smith, Co-Founder of Crosscut Ventures, to unpack why most first-time VCs fail, how to navigate the emerging manager landscape, and what it really takes to build a lasting VC career.Rick shares hard-won lessons from 25+ years in venture, including:- What makes or breaks a fund's first few years- How to raise capital from LPs when no one knows your name- Why early-stage VCs need to swing bigger- The hidden emotional toll of transitioning out of a firm- How Crosscut almost didn't survive Fund IWhether you're a founder, emerging fund manager, or aspiring venture capitalist, this episode is packed with tactical insights, emotional honesty, and behind-the-scenes stories from one of LA's most respected investors.#VentureCapital #StartupFunding #EmergingManagers #VCAdvice #RickSmith #CrosscutVentures #DemoDayPodcast #Founders #TechStartups #FundraisingTips

In this episode, Ben and Jay discuss the latest developments in the semiconductor industry, particularly focusing on Broadcom's earnings and the implications of AI on the market. They explore the growth of the semiconductor segment, the challenges in ASIC development, and the innovations in networking with the introduction of Tomahawk 6. The conversation also highlights the increasing importance of storage solutions in AI applications and anticipates upcoming events in the tech world.

Herbert L. Drayton III, a distinguished veteran of both the Marine Corps and Air Force, joins us to share his remarkable journey from a paperboy to the managing director of Highmark Capital. He discusses the critical lessons learned along the way, including the pivotal decision to leave corporate life for entrepreneurship and the importance of wealth creation in business ownership. Herbert offers a candid view on why treating a business as a side hustle might be less beneficial than many think, and he gives us an inside look into the founding of Highmark Capital—a venture capital firm with a mission to support Black-owned businesses in South Carolina.Launching Highmark Capital wasn't without its challenges. Herbert opens up about the barriers new venture capitalists face, particularly Black individuals in the industry striving to make a difference. He dives into the complexities surrounding corporate commitments to diversity and the essential role of social, moral, intellectual, and reputational capital in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through Highmark Capital, Herbert aims to provide both financial and knowledge capital, helping businesses grow and succeed. The discussion also touches on fostering local networks and the impact that significant financial milestones can have on relationships with banks and access to exclusive opportunities.Herbert's vision goes beyond just investing; it's about creating an inclusive venture capital landscape. Aspiring to establish at least 10 minority-owned VC firms in South Carolina within the next decade, he underscores the power of representation and mentorship in nurturing future entrepreneurs, especially military veterans who bring unique skills to the table. Herbert also challenges traditional wealth-building ideas, such as homeownership, and proposes alternative paths to financial success. Join us for an episode packed with insightful strategies for aspiring entrepreneurs, seasoned investors, and anyone passionate about the intersection of business, diversity, and community impact.Support the showhttps://www.patreon.com/c/EA_BookClub

Today's show: Jason and Alex dicuss stories shaping the tech and startup world: Circle's explosive IPO and what it signals about crypto regulation and public market sentiment, the potential for tokenized venture capital funds to bring liquidity and transparency to startup investing, and Cursor's extraordinary growth—scaling to over $500M in ARR in just six months.Timestamps:(0:00) Episode Teaser(2:25) Circle's IPO is Soaring and What This Means for Tech(10:21) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/twist(12:00) Is Tokenization the Future of Venture Capital?(20:20) Coda - Empower your startup with Coda's Team plan for free—get 6 months at https://www.Coda.io/twist(22:40) Oh, THAT'S Why Anthropic Cutoff Windsurf(27:06) Can the Rippling - Deel Saga Get Anymore Bizarre?(30:22) Sentry - New users get 3 months free of the Team plan (covers 150k errors). Go to http://sentry.io/twist and use code TWIST(34:08) Cursor Just Keeps on Winning(43:10) Polymarket: What Will Jerome Powell Do?Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.comCheck out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.comSubscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcpFollow Alex:X: https://x.com/alexLinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelmFollow Jason:X: https://twitter.com/JasonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanisThank you to our partners:(10:21) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/twist(20:20) Coda - Empower your startup with Coda's Team plan for free—get 6 months at https://www.Coda.io/twist(30:22) Sentry - New users get 3 months free of the Team plan (covers 150k errors). Go to http://sentry.io/twist and use code TWISTGreat TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarlandCheck out Jason's suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanisFollow TWiST:Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartupsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartupsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartupsSubstack: https://twistartups.substack.comSubscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

TopicsThe Gorge movie is soft disclosure of supersoldier programs dating back to the WW2 era. https://x.com/MichaelSalla/status/1928854147073208792Even organizations pushing limited hangouts that UFOs are a national security threat, etc., are being purged on Wikipedia. https://x.com/MichaelSalla/status/1929239227490791651Jared Isaacman's nomination for NASA Administrator was pulled just as he was on the verge of being confirmed by the US Senate. https://x.com/MichaelSalla/status/1929242597937070359President Trump dropped a truth bomb by reposting a claim that Joe Biden had been executed and cloned. https://x.com/MichaelSalla/status/1929288973505163613Psychic Communications, 12-Strand DNA and the future of Humanity: Interview with Brad Johnson https://x.com/MichaelSalla/status/1929506095753540066Dr. John Brandenburg's book, Death on Mars: The Discovery of a Planetary Nuclear Massacre provides compelling evidence of a nuclear war on another planet using NASA data. https://x.com/MichaelSalla/status/1929677009489182898Jason Wilde raises excellent points about the Moon's history, composition, position, etc. https://x.com/MichaelSalla/status/1930234459451760798The ET Disclosure Betrayal: Galactic Federation of Worlds Agreements with Global Elites https://x.com/MichaelSalla/status/1930590153736642904JP has just publicly released a photo of himself when he was 2 years old. JP served in the US Army for 4 years and has disclosed dozens of classified missions to space, Inner Earth, etc. https://x.com/MichaelSalla/status/1930632992847777968The Why Files focuses on evidence of the Planet Maldek, its destruction, and how that impacted Mars, and how the debris affected the outer planets and Venus. https://x.com/MichaelSalla/status/1930814608492859694Chris Bledsoe says NASA asked for his help to understand ORBS that were harassing their astronauts. https://x.com/MichaelSalla/status/1930950413626249300Building a Realistic Path to Disclosure and Paradigm Shift with Venture Capital https://globalintelhub.com/building...Monthly Briefing Today—Exopolitical Implications of Trump Musk Falling Out https://x.com/MichaelSalla/status/1931000911649780202Monthly Briefing Today—Exopolitical Implications of Trump Musk Falling Out https://x.com/MichaelSalla/status/1931000911649780202

Logan sits down with Bipul Sinha, CEO and co-founder of Rubrik and former VC at Lightspeed and Blumberg Capital. Bipul shares what he learned transitioning from investor to founder, why intuition beats expertise, and how he built Rubrik into a category-defining business by betting on uncool ideas. They talk product-market fit in the AI era, what most VCs get wrong today, and why the enterprise IT market is still just getting started. It's a conversation packed with hard-earned wisdom and bold takes on building lasting companies. (00:00) Intro (01:42) Transitioning from VC to Founder (02:27) The Genesis of Rubrik (03:30) Navigating Uncertainty in Business (06:57) Product Market Fit and Early Success (08:56) Evolving with the Market (13:14) AI and Data Security (18:53) Leadership and Intuition (28:34) Building a Transparent Culture (31:52) Handling Tough Questions in Board Meetings (33:28) Changing Perspectives Over Time (34:57) Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs (36:46) The Future of Venture Capital and Startups (40:38) Balancing Forward and Lateral Motion in Business (42:35) The Impact of AI on Various Industries (01:00:28) The Evolution of Work and Technology (01:02:52) Fostering a Collaborative Company Culture (01:04:56) Looking Ahead: The Future of Rubrik Executive Producer: Rashad Assir Producer: Leah Clapper Mixing and editing: Justin Hrabovsky Check out Unsupervised Learning, Redpoint's AI Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCUl-s_Vp-Kkk_XVyDylNwLA

Are they breakout stars or just... confusing? Pizza wine, salmon jerky, kava & mushroom-infused drinks, Gen Z-inspired peanut butter and “cheezy” puff snacks. Why we're thumbs up – or down – on buzzworthy new concepts in CPG. This episode also spotlights two remarkable women on a mission to elevate the way we eat: Holly Arbuckle of Singing Pastures and Swati Elavia of Monsoon Kitchens. Show notes: 0:35: Last Call. Coffee Comeback? Mo' Money For David & Moment. Yes, No, Ugh? Good Data. – BevNET Live Summer 2025 is days away. Do you have your ticket? John thinks RTD coffee is back on track, but why? Ray highlights David's $75M haul and purchase of a key supplier, as well as Moment's new $5M round. What's trending in Spate's Q2 food & beverage data? Insiders already know. It's a simple yes or no question, but we can't help ourselves when it comes to new and innovative products. 39:06: Interview: Holly Arbuckle, CEO, Singing Pastures – Fresh off her win at Naturally New England's Naturally Rising pitch competition, Holly shares the story behind Singing Pastures, a premium brand of fermented, slow-smoked meat sticks rooted in regenerative farming practices. She talks about her agricultural roots, the value of nutrient-dense food, and her vision for a more sustainable meat industry. 52:08: Interview: Swati Elavia, President, Monsoon Kitchens – A nutritionist with a deep love for Indian cuisine, Swati discusses Monsoon Kitchens' journey from serving institutions to launching retail products. She reflects on the challenges of scaling, the importance of staying true to culinary traditions, and her commitment to offering clean-ingredient Indian meals. Brands in this episode: Singing Pastures, Monsoon Kitchens, Starbucks, David, Moment, Brightland, Yellowtail, Mello, Bashi, One Trick Pony, Hippeas, Like Air, IQ Bar

Send us a textIn this episode, Aaron Moncur interviews Mihir Shah, an engineer-turned-entrepreneur who shares insights from his diverse career spanning Tesla, Inspect AR, and now Tomai Engineering. Mihir discusses his journey through engineering, startup growth, investment strategies, and the importance of first principles thinking.Main Topics:Engineering career pathFirst principles thinking in businessDesign for manufacturability (DFM)Startup and acquisition experiencesHardware FYI newsletterInvestment strategies with Shaw VenturesAbout the guest: Mihir Shah is an engineer and entrepreneur with a diverse background in hardware design, startup leadership, and industrial investment. He holds electrical engineering degrees from Santa Clara University and the University of Pennsylvania. His early work included roles at Tesla and Axon. In 2018, he co-founded inspectAR, an AR tool for PCB debugging, acquired by Cadence in 2020.He currently serves as President of TOMI Engineering, a CNC machining and assembly company serving the aerospace, defense, and medical industries, where he drives growth through investments in talent and technology. Mihir is also a Principal at Shah Capital Ventures, a family investment firm with holdings in industrial businesses like Summit Interconnect and Royal Circuits.Additionally, he co-founded Hardware FYI, a growing platform with over 12,000 subscribers that supports hardware engineers through resources like newsletters, job boards, and interview guides. His broad expertise makes him well-suited to speak on engineering leadership, startups, and the future of hardware.Links:Mihir Shah - LinkedInTOMI Engineering WebsiteHardware FYI Website 

Former beauty exec William Smolen turned a personal need into a business opportunity—creating the pet wellness category and scaling WagWell into a leader in just 15 months.For more on WagWell and show notes click here. Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

We sit down with Steve Ballmer, the legendary former Microsoft CEO and owner of the LA Clippers, for an epic conversation covering his 34 years at Microsoft. Steve listened to our Microsoft episodes and had some thoughts to share — and boy, did he deliver. Steve takes us point-by-point through the original IBM DOS deal that started everything, how he built Microsoft's enterprise business from scratch, and offers his candid reflections on missing mobile and search. We also cover the story behind “developers, developers, developers”, the complexities of his relationship with Bill Gates (including a year where they didn't speak), and why he ultimately decided to step down as CEO. Plus, we learn why Steve has held onto his Microsoft stock through it all — giving him arguably the best investment track record in the world over the last 10 years with his net worth growing from $20B to $130B since leaving. And of course, we couldn't resist also talking about his other passion: the Clippers and Intuit Dome. Hit play and get ready to experience the patented Steve Ballmer energy and fun on full display!Sponsors:Many thanks to our fantastic Summer ‘25 Season partners:J.P. Morgan PaymentsStatsigVercelAnthropicLinks:Join us July 15 at Radio City!More Acquired:Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episodesJoin the SlackSubscribe to ACQ2Check out the latest swag in the ACQ Merch Store!‍Note: Acquired hosts and guests may hold assets discussed in this episode. This podcast is not investment advice, and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any financial transactions.