Today’s show:

We’re back with another all-star VC roundtable discussion.

Joining Jason are Dave McClure of Practical VC, NVNG’s Grady Buchanan, and Tomasz Tunguz of Theory VC. Together, they’re having a deep insider discussion of the state of venture, secondary markets, running funds of funds, the legacy of Lina Khan, the difficulty of recruiting, and why the pendulum has potentially swung in founders’ favor.

Timestamps

(0:00) INTRO, The origins of Practical VC and how secondary funds work.

(05:44) So… how does Dave decide what to BUY?

(09:27) Melanie - Companies are staying private longer… Is this good for fund managers?

(10:02) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST

(11:18) Show Continues…

(14:17) We’ve all heard about unicorns but… what about centaurs?!

(16:19) Jacob - Are VC marks… bullsh*t?! How long until your LPs should see DPI? The panel debates.

(17:22) Jacob - Is Jason too hard on Lina Khan? Dave says VCs created the problem!

(20:07) AWS Activate - AWS Activate helps startups bring their ideas to life. Apply to AWS Activate today to learn more. Visit aws.amazon.com/startups/credits

(21:30) Show Continues…

(30:01) Public - Take your investing to the next level with Public. Build a multi-asset portfolio and earn 4.1% APY on your cash—with no fees or minimums. Start now at public.com/twist.

(31:16) Show Continues…

(31:34) When it’s time to embed an expert into a struggling startup

(34:15) How investing in SO MANY COMPANIES gave Dave a trove of data

(40:33) Sometimes VCs have to be the “voice of reality”…

(45:53) Are stock buybacks the best use of capital?

(49:29) Jacob - The End of the ZIRP Era meets the Dawn of the AI Era

(51:04) Why running your business on debt, not equity, requires tough choices

(58:23) When you need to “take the medicine” on returns and live to fight another day.

(01:11:17) Is Grady actively seeking managers that have shown a demonstrated ability to produce liquidity?

(01:13:24) Dave says the pendulum has swung into founders’ favor.

(01:20:25) Dave teases his new secondary podcast, “Trading Places”!

Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com

Check out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.com

Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp

Follow Lon:

X: https://x.com/lons

Follow Alex:

X: https://x.com/alex

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm

Follow Jason:

X: https://twitter.com/Jason

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis

Thank you to our partners:

(10:02) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST

(20:07) AWS Activate - AWS Activate helps startups bring their ideas to life. Apply to AWS Activate today to learn more. Visit aws.amazon.com/startups/credits

(30:01) Public - Take your investing to the next level with Public. Build a multi-asset portfolio and earn 4.1% APY on your cash—with no fees or minimums. Start now at public.com/twist.

Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis

Follow TWiST:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups

Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

Anarchism – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 56

The Very Short Introductions Podcast

Anarchism in Everyday Culture

The AI-powered Podcast Player