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

20VC: "How Being a Founder Almost Killed Me"; We Have Lied to a Generation of Founders | The Hardest Truths About Being a Founder Revealed | Why AI Co-Pilot is BS, Seat Pricing is Over & User Interfaces are Stupid with Christian Lanng

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Sep 27, 2023

Christian Lanng, founder and former CEO of unicorn Tradeshift, shares his hard-earned insights from his entrepreneurial journey. He candidly discusses the emotional toll of being a founder, revealing how burnout nearly took a toll on his life. Lanng critiques the myth that anyone can be a founder and unpacks the unspoken challenges of fundraising. He reflects on workplace politics, personal sacrifices, and why he believes U.S. startups have an edge over European ones. He also advocates for human-centered design in AI software, predicting a transformation in work experiences.

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ANECDOTE

From Garage to Unicorn

Christian Lanng, former CEO of Tradeshift, stepped down after 14 years.
He took Tradeshift from garage to unicorn, raising over $900M.

INSIGHT

Burnout and Disillusionment

Burnout made Lanng hate looking at his screen and Tradeshift's logo.
He realized something was wrong when his love for his work turned into dread.

ANECDOTE

Near-Death Experience

Lanng almost died from anemia due to neglecting his health while running Tradeshift.
This prompted him to prioritize exercise and monitor his health more closely.

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Christian Lanng is the Founder and Former CEO @ Tradeshift, a company he took from garage to unicorn raising over $900M for with a latest price of $2.7BN in 2021. Just last month, Christian stepped away from the company and is now Chairman @ Beyond Work, building a better work experience through AI native software.

In Today's Episode with Christian Lanng We Discuss:

1. Burnout: When it Hits:

How did Christian know when something was really seriously wrong? What were the signs?
How did being a founder literally almost kill Christian? How was that not a wakeup moment?
How does being a founder make you so out of touch with reality?

2. The Things We Are Never Told:

Why does Christian think one of the biggest crimes is the myth that everyone can be a founder?
What are the single biggest things about VCs that founders are not told?
Why does Christian believe fundraising is absolutely a game? What are the rules to win it?
What makes the best VCs? What makes the worst VCs?
Why does Christian not like to take a discount for a brand name VC?

3. The Chaos That Happens Inside a Company:

Why does Christian believe politics should not be discussed within companies?
What are Christian's biggest lessons on working with friends? Why after 14 years does Christian only have 3 friends that still talk to him?
How did Christian fire 50% of his leadership team and productivity not change at all?
Why does Christian believe US startups are inherently better than European ones?

4. Parenting and Relationship to Money:

Does Christian regret not being a present father for his child when building Tradeshift?
What are the two options as a founder you have when bringing up kids?
Was Christian scared to leave Tradeshift? How does he reflect on his relationship to money?

5. AI: Co-Pilot is BS, The Future Business Model and more...

Why does Christian believe co-pilot is the last dying breathe attempt from incumbents?
Why does Christian believe that per-seat pricing will die? What will replace it?
Why does Christian believe that AI will negate the importance of consumer-facing brands?
In what way does Christian believe that UI is total BS? How does it change over time?