Bucky Moore joins Molly O'Shea to announce his new role as Partner at $30B AUM Lightspeed Venture Partners. Bucky opens up about his transition from Kleiner Perkins, the decision to join an established platform versus launching his own fund, the structural and economic elements of changing funds, and what it means to invest at the earliest stages during a generational market cycle.
We dive deep into the evolution of megafunds, the heat they’re receiving, the shifting LP landscape, and how venture capital is being reshaped by the rise of targeting trillion-dollar outcomes in companies like OpenAI and SpaceX. Bucky shares his insider take on how to win deals in a hyper-competitive market, the importance of long-term founder relationships, and why early-stage investing is still the soul of great VC firms—even at scale.
From navigating fund transitions and valuation froth to unpacking the real impact of AI and what makes a high-stake founder, Bucky brings sharp insights and grounded wisdom. He also reflects on the power of gratitude, taste, and team in an increasingly complex venture ecosystem.
Molly on X: https://x.com/MollySOShea
Bucky on X: https://x.com/buckymoore
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TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Transition to Lightspeed
01:48 - Why Lightspeed Over Own Fund? Transition Dynamics
05:01 - Mega Funds & Trillion-Dollar Strategies
09:19 - “Venture Arrogance Score”
18:28 - How to Win Competitive Rounds
22:03 - The Importance of ‘Picking’ as a Lead Investor
26:32 - Valuations in Pre-Seed & Seed Rounds
30:46 - The Concept of Taste in Venture Capital
38:02 - Sourcing & Building Relationships with Founders
44:22 - Looking Forward: New Beginnings at Lightspeed
#podcast #investing #technology #venturecapital #entrepreneur #startup #siliconvalley
