WTF is with Nikhil Kamath Inside Silicon Valley's VC Playbook | WTF is Venture Capital? - 2025 Edition | Ep. 24
4 snips
Sep 1, 2025 
Join Deedy Das, a Principal at Menlo Ventures with a focus on AI investments, Nikunj Kothari, a seasoned Partner at FPV Ventures, and Niko Bonatsos, an early-stage venture capitalist for a lively discussion. They dive into bad investment trends and emerging industries worth the hype. The trio highlights the potential of AI, critiques declining birth rates, and contemplates the future of urban living and senior care. Plus, they explore the evolving landscape of dating apps and the impacts of climate tech on our world. Get ready for some frank insights on venture capital!
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Deedy’s Journey From Engineer To VC
- Deedy Das described his path from India to Cornell, Meta, Google, Glean and then Menlo Ventures.
- He emphasized transitioning from engineering to product to venture within a few years.
Operator To Focused Early-Stage VC
- Nikunj Kothari recounted roles at LinkedIn, startups, Opendoor and Meter before joining FPV Ventures.
- He highlighted learning operational lessons at Opendoor and choosing a concentrated seed/Series A investing approach.
VCs Shy From High-Capex Businesses
- Venture investors avoid high-capex sectors because returns rarely match VC expectations.
- That bias doesn't mean those sectors can't build great businesses, just fewer VC-style home runs.
