The Korea Society Riding the Momentum: How VCs Navigate Hype and Sustainable Growth
Sep 5, 2025
This discussion features Bryan Kim, a partner at Andreessen Horowitz known for his role in scaling Snap, Mike Kim from Third Prime focusing on vertical AI, Karen Moon, a two-time startup founder and innovation leader at Spangle AI, and moderator Danny Crichton from Lux Capital. They dive into the nuances of distinguishing hype from genuine growth in the AI sector. Insights on investment strategies, the evolution of tech founders, and the challenges faced by the Korean startup ecosystem make for a compelling exploration of today's venture capital landscape.
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Momentum Amplifies Power Law
- Momentum amplifies venture outcomes because AI increases winner-take-most dynamics.
- Faster product and user ramps raise the bar for fundability across the market.
Agentic AI Changes Unit Economics
- Agentic AI lets founders do more with fewer people, shifting metrics toward revenue-per-employee.
- Founders now plan for profitability and higher ROI per hire instead of only raising growth capital.
Explore Acquisitions For Cash-Flow Growth
- Consider non-VC paths like buy-and-roll or acquisitions for cash-flow businesses.
- Use AI to increase margins in small service companies instead of only building new VC-funded software.