This week on StrictlyVC Download, Techcrunch EIC Connie Loizos talks with Uncork Capital honchos Jeff Clavier and Andy McLoughlin. They discuss how their seed-stage firm is positioning itself in this environment, from a recent investment in AI chip maker Groq to bets on AI-native companies attacking unsexy industries like material sciences and robotics. Plus, the three dig into Uncork's philosophy of finding companies with unique datasets before they become obvious to the market, how Uncork is advising its established portfolio companies to reinvent themselves in an AI-first world, and whether San Francisco's comeback -- driven by AI moolah -- is sustainable.
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
01:48 - Market dynamics and late-stage firms entering seed stage
04:36 - Groq investment and AI chip industry insights
08:37 - Dave Agents investment and round economics
09:20 - Current AI investment themes and portfolio evolution
10:49 - Helping established portfolio companies adopt AI
13:58 - AI's impact on workforce and productivity
17:26 - Investing in unsexy industries with unique datasets
20:52 - Robotics investments and AI-driven automation
21:42 - Competitive positioning and value proposition
25:54 - Secondary market strategy and exit timing
27:37 - Private market democratization policy discussion
31:37 - San Francisco's resurgence as AI innovation center
35:02 - Closing remarks
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
