The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch

20VC: Twitter's Most Controversial VC Delian Asparouhov on Inside the Walls of Founders Fund: What the World Does Not See | Why Western Europe Will Be Like the Third World | Why SaaS as an Industry Might Be Dead

Jul 29, 2024

Delian Asparouhov, a Partner at Founders Fund and co-founder of Varda Space Industries, dives deep into venture capital dynamics. He discusses why some firms, like Benchmark, have lost their edge and predicts the future winners and losers in the industry. Delian shares insights on what young VCs need to succeed, emphasizing the importance of relationships and adaptability. He provocatively argues that SaaS might be facing a decline and outlines the potential challenges of Western Europe's socio-economic landscape.

01:15:49

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Delian Asparouhov

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Quick takeaways

Delian Asparouhov discusses how Eastern Europe is emerging as a competitive startup hub, potentially overshadowing Western Europe economically.

The importance of embracing one's cultural background is emphasized as it fosters a deeper understanding of different perspectives in entrepreneurship.

Asparouhov warns that the software industry may be facing diminished economic returns due to low barriers to entry and easy replicability of products.

Deep dives

The Rise of Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe is becoming increasingly competitive and innovative compared to Western Europe, with a focus on capitalism and engineering. The podcast highlights how countries like Bulgaria, Romania, and Poland are embracing entrepreneurialism, which is reflected in their growing GDP rates and startup ecosystems. This shift may lead to a scenario where Western Europe could be perceived as a third-world region if current trends continue. The juxtaposition between the societal collapse predicted in Western Europe and the energetic growth seen in Eastern Europe illustrates a significant changing dynamic in the world economy.

Long-term thinking in the technology industry

00:48

Avoid Short-Term Thinking in Venture Investment

00:58

Craft a Vision, Assemble Your Stars

01:25

Defending Europe's Cultural Heritage

01:13

Intro

4min

Navigating Dual Identities

9min

Navigating Growth and Vision in Venture Capital

21min

Navigating Venture Capital Dynamics

17min

Navigating the Evolving Venture Capital Landscape

12min

Navigating Love: Openness and Authenticity

4min

The Future of Humanity: Speciation and Its Implications

2min

Reflections on Board Dynamics and Personal Growth

4min

Insights on Venture Capital and Industry Challenges

3min

Delian Asparouhov is a Partner at Founders Fund and Co-Founder and President of Varda Space Industries, which is building the world's first space factories. At Founders Fund Delian has led deals in the likes of Ramp ($7BN) and Sword Health ($3BN) among others. Before joining Founders Fund, he was a Principal at Khosla Ventures, Head of Growth at Teespring, and Founder of a healthcare company called Nightingale.

In Today's Episode with Delian Asparouhov We Discuss:

1. Venture Capital: Winners, Losers and Everyone Else:

Who are the Top 3 venture firms in the world today according to Delian?
Why does Delian believe that Benchmark are not the firm they were?
Who will be the winners in venture in the next 10 years?
Who will be the losers in venture in the next 10 years?

2. Inside Founders Fund: What No One Sees:

What are the most important and impactful elements of Founders Fund that no one knows about?
What does Delian believe that the Founders Fund partnership will strongly disagree with him on?
Why does Founders Fund believe the path of most resistance is the best way to make decisions?
What single topic has Delian publicly disagreed with Peter Thiel on most? How did it go?

3. What Every Young VC Needs to Know:

What are Delian's single biggest tips to young VCs looking to scale the VC ladder today?
What are the five core pillars of venture according to Delian? What should young VCs focus on?
Why does Delian disagree with Founders Fund partners that "the best founders do not need the help of their VCs?"
Does Delian agree with Vinod Khosla that "90% of VCs do detract value?"
What are the biggest ways that Delian believes VCs can and do detract value?

4. Europe Will Be Third World, Parenting and Marriage:

Why does Delian believe that Western Europe will become like the third world?
What are Delian's single biggest tips on finding a life partner?
What have been the biggest changes to Delian since becoming a father?
What question does no one ask Delian that someone should ask him?

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The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch

20VC: Twitter's Most Controversial VC Delian Asparouhov on Inside the Walls of Founders Fund: What the World Does Not See | Why Western Europe Will Be Like the Third World | Why SaaS as an Industry Might Be Dead

Episode guests