Our 2026 predictions are in. From IPOs to AI to robots - check out what we think is actually coming in 2026.

To wrap up 2025, I regroup with Mike and Phuong for our annual end-of-year episode, where we look back at last year's predictions (they passed with flying colors) and set our sights on what’s ahead.

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the topics covered:

✅ AI’s real impact on blue and white collar jobs.

📈 The slow thaw of the IPO market.

💸 The maturing of venture capital into a robust capital market ecosystem.

🤖 Why humanoid robots might finally enter the chat.

🚀 How seed-stage startups have fundamentally changed - and what will make or break them next year.

If you're a founder, investor, or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, this one’s packed with insight.

🎧 Listen & let us know what YOU think is coming in 2026? Drop your predictions in the comments. 👇

⏱ Chapter Markers

00:00 – Intro: 2025 Recap & Predictions for 2026

01:00 – Michael’s 2025 Prediction Scorecard: AI, Jobs & Valuations

06:30 – IPO Market Outlook & The Tale of Two Venture Markets

12:00 – AI Foundational Models vs. Application Layer

16:45 – 2026 Exit Landscape & The Rise of Secondaries

21:00 – Will Big Tech Pull Back from the Application Layer?

25:00 – AI Enterprise Adoption & Salesforce’s Big Bet

28:00 – The Robotics Curve: Consumer vs. Construction Use Cases

33:00 – Phuong’s 2025 Prediction Debrief: Tariffs & CX

38:00 – AI at Home? Why Consumers Aren’t Adopting (Yet)

41:00 – How Seed-Stage Startups Have Changed in 2025

46:00 – Labor Mismatch & The Talent Problem in AI Startups

49:00 – Who Wins in 2026: Full Workflow Automation

52:00 – Who Loses: Commoditized Content, Support & Legal Tools

55:00 – The Real Risk: Obsolescence & Distribution Moats

57:00 – Wrap Up & 2026 Outlook

Links:

Book: AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order
Book: The Lean Startup
Book: The Power Law: Venture Capital and the Art of Disruption
Interplay: Website, LinkedIn, Twitter
MPD: LinkedIn, Twitter
Michael Rogers: LinkedIn, Twitter
Phuong Ireland: LinkedIn, Twitter

Series 3: Mixcloud and the art of bootstrapping 9/10

FT Start-Up Stories

Choosing Profitability Over Rapid Growth

The AI-powered Podcast Player