How to Find a Killer Executive for a Consumer Company

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Ebay was founded in 1997 by Pierre Omidyar and Bruce Dunleavy. The company would go on to become one of the world's largest e-commerce sites. It is now worth more than $20 billion, making it a major player in global online retailing. Randal says that when he first started working for eBay they didn't let any press inside because they were afraid of giving up trade secrets. He embeds with auction web at its launch but later left after being fired from his job as an engineer.

Benchmark Capital. We tell the tale of the legendary equal partnership that accomplished something no other venture firm can claim: twice it has produced the highest returning fund of its cycle, each time with a 100% different GP lineup. If ever there were a playbook for successful generational transfer of a generational-defining venture firm, this is it. We spend 3.5+ hours digging into how the dotcom “eBay eBoys” transformed into the rockstar Fab Four of the Uber, Instagram and Snap mobile gold rush (spoiler: not by a straight line!), and what the future holds for Benchmark’s next GP generation. If you’re a student of the venture game from any angle — founder, GP, LP, etc — this is a story you need to tune in for!

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‍Note: Acquired hosts and guests may hold assets discussed in this episode. This podcast is not investment advice, and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any financial transactions.