Starting a Company and Finding Success

Today we're joined by Elad Gil, an accomplished investor and founder, who shares his insights on the idea maze and solo capitalism. He discusses the significance of market changes and shifts in technology in identifying viable business opportunities. In addition, Gil shares his viewpoints on sectors like AI, crypto, and EdTech. If you’re looking for an ERP platform, check out our sponsor, NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/turpentine

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Check out Erik's new show Request for Startups featuring a rotating cast of founders and investors (including Dan) sharing their requests for startups they want to exist in the world, and also their stories of navigating the idea maze in different sectors so founders don’t have to reinvent the wheel anymore. The first episode is out now - we over better dating apps, references as a service, and WeWork for productivity

• Watch and Subscribe on Substack: https://requestforstartups.substack.com/p/receipt-based-dating-reference-checks
• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/request-for-startups-with-erik-torenberg/id1728659822
• Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/739L1LR32QI2XyoZlRh5nv

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We're hiring across the board at Turpentine and for Erik's personal team on other projects he's incubating. He's hiring a Chief of Staff, EA, Head of Special Projects, Investment Associate, and more. For a list of JDs, check out: eriktorenberg.com.

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SPONSOR: HARMONIC | NETSUITE

🧲 Learn why Craft, Bedrock, NEA and 100s more trust Harmonic’s data to source deals. Harmonic is the most complete startup database, finding new companies as soon as they incorporate and tracking them through IPO. Head to https://bit.ly/harmonicturpentine and make sure to mention Turpentine VC during your demo.

NetSuite has 25 years of providing financial software for all your business needs. More than 36,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, gaining visibility and control over their financials, inventory, HR, eCommerce, and more. If you’re looking for an ERP platform head to NetSuite http://netsuite.com/turpentine and download your own customized KPI checklist.

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Join our free newsletter to get Erik's top 3 insights from each episode: https://turpentinevc.substack.com/

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RELATED SHOWS:

If you like Turpentine VC, check out our show The Limited Partner with David Weisburd, where David talks to the investors behind the investors: https://link.chtbl.com/thelimitedpartner

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(00:43) "The best way to start a company is to start a company" - Elad's advice to entrepreneurs navigating the idea maze

(02:22) Elad's advice on which field in the business will result in a higher chance of success (and the three ways on how to think about this)

(07:00) The areas where there's exciting stuff to work on

(10:21) Sponsor - Netsuite

(11:25) Innovating in social networking

(14:06) Is crypto still going to be relevant?

(15:54) What drives market cycles in crypto

(21:04) On finding the better opportunity - mercenary vs missionary frameworks

(24:23) Limited supply of great founders or great opportunities

(28:52) Why Elad is bullish on healthtech

(29:40) Reasons why it is so hard to start good biotech and how biopharma really works

(32:48) Elad's strategy to winning in venture as it

relates to the broader market

(35:06) What's the most interesting and useful form of investment within a couple of years?

(35:49) Will there be any other important platform in the startup world or will market will always be fragmented?

(38:12) The bearish case of venture (and does Elad agree with it?)

(40:29) Elad's perspective on incubations

(43:07) On being a solo capitalist

(46:30) Reinventing yourself and being relevant