This episode features a special interview with James Currier, a partner at NFX. In this conversation, James sits with Erik Torenberg to discuss why founders tend to be more authentic at the accelerator stage than at the seed stage, James's skepticism about B2B marketplaces, and how NFX approaches investments and decision-making. This was recorded as part of a live event in 2021.

---

Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns

Each episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more,

Spotify

Apple

---

SPONSOR: HARMONIC | SQUAD

🧲 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.

Access global engineering without the headache and at a fraction of the cost: head to choosesquad.com and mention “Turpentine” to skip the waitlist.

---

Join our free newsletter: https://turpentinevc.substack.com/ -

---

RELATED SHOWS: @10xcapitalpodcast

If you like Turpentine VC, check out our show The 10x Capital Podcast with David Weisburd, where David talks to the investors behind the investors: https://10xcapitalpodcast.com/

---

X / TWITTER:

@JamesCurrier (James)

@eriktorenberg (Erik)

@turpentinemedia

---

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(02:47) James's experience at Battery

(04:35) Building up NFX

(09:40) What works and what doesn't in venture business

(13:42) Sponsor: Squad | Turpentine

(15:56) Post-COVID implications for building companies

(20:04) Where we at in consumer social today

(28:03) Spotting inflection points

(31:41) Talk about marketplaces

(40:28) Market for generalist investors today

(45:10) What can you do with 300 million

(50:10) What's important when evaluating B2B marketplaces

(54:57) Challenges and opportunities in healthcare and fitness investments

(59:40) Investment strategies

(01:02:55) Wrap

---

This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.

Media Martyrs and Symbolic Resistance

Omar Suleiman

Requesting to Carry the Banner in Battle

The AI-powered Podcast Player