This Week in Startups
Dara Khosrowshahi, Bill Gurley, Brad Gerstner, & Jason Calacanis on Uber's growth and future | E1878
Jan 12, 2024
Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, recounts his initial hesitations about joining the company before leading it to profitability. Joined by Bill Gurley, a legendary venture capitalist, and Brad Gerstner from Altimeter Capital, they explore Uber's financial resilience during COVID-19 and effective crisis management strategies. They discuss the competitive landscape, the balance between growth and profitability, and how AI is shaping Uber's future. Insights into startup financing and innovations in the gig economy wrap up an engaging conversation.
01:14:57
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Quick takeaways
- Dara Khosrowshahi initially hesitated to become Uber's CEO but was convinced by the company's impact and potential.
- The importance of network effects in driving growth and sustainability in Uber's business model was emphasized by Bill Gurley and Brad Gerstner.
Deep dives
Dara Khosrowshahi's Journey as Uber's CEO
Dara Khosrowshahi describes his initial hesitation to take on the role of CEO at Uber, but was convinced by the impact and potential of the company. He reflects on the challenges he faced in putting out fires and growing the business. Khosrowshahi discusses the transformation of Uber's financials, going from significant losses to profitability. He credits the discipline and focus on core competencies, such as building marketplaces and leveraging data, as key factors in Uber's success. He also highlights the significance of the company's membership program, Uber One, and the upselling opportunities provided by AI algorithms.
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