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

20VC: Why SaaS is Dead | Why AI First Companies Will Win | We are in the Middle of a Cold War for AI Talent | Why Europe is F******* and We Need to Stop Whining with Daniel Khachab, Co-Founder @ Choco

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Oct 28, 2024

Daniel Khachab, co-founder and CEO of Choco, shares insights on the shift from SaaS to AI-first companies, claiming SaaS is dead. He discusses how AI will dominate the next decade and the vulnerabilities of traditional models. The conversation dives into Europe's challenges in the AI talent race, emphasizing the pressing need for innovation in chip production and renewable energy. Khachab also highlights the emotional toll of workforce changes during this transition, showcasing the resilience required for startups in today's landscape.

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INSIGHT

SaaS is Dead

SaaS businesses face disruption from AI replicating their technology and offering better value.
Companies must embrace an "AI-first" mindset, prioritizing AI integration and upskilling their teams.

INSIGHT

Changing Modes

Traditional SaaS modes, like proprietary relationships and data, offer some protection from AI disruption, but technological advantages may diminish.
Companies should focus on strengthening their remaining modes and adapting to the changing landscape.

INSIGHT

AI's Impact on Jobs

AI will significantly impact various job roles, including product design, where the focus will shift from UI design to AI persona design.
Companies should adapt to this change by training their employees for new skills required by AI.

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Daniel Khachab is the co-founder and CEO of Choco. Today, Choco’s AI platform facilitates half of all food traded in major cities like New York, Paris, London, and Berlin, cutting food waste and streamlining distribution. Since its founding in 2018, Choco has raised $330 million from Bessemer, Coatue (its first European investment), and Insight, reaching unicorn status within 2.5 years. Previously, Daniel was the youngest Managing Director at Rocket Internet, where he oversaw growth across Latin America, Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.

From Seed to $1BN in 30 Months:

1. We Killed a $BN SaaS Business to be AI First:

Why does Daniel believe that SaaS is dead?
What does an AI-first company mean?
Why does Daniel believe AI-first companies will win the next 10 years?
What foundation models does Daniel and Choco use today?
How has the cost of using different models changed?
What categories are vulnerable to being attacked with vertical products from the foundation model providers?

2. Europe is F*******: Why and What To Do:

Why does Daniel believe Europe is at a massive disadvantage in the next 10 years of AI?
Chips: What can Europe do to encourage chip production and manufacturing to take place on European soil?
Energy: What can European governments do to encourage energy providers and new forms of renewable energy to innovate to provide the energy AI needs?
Talent: Why does Daniel believe AI talent is the hardest problem that Europe faces? What can governments in EU do to resolve this problem?

3. Lessons Scaling to $1BN in 30 Months:

Does Daniel regret raising at a $1.1BN valuation?
Why did he throw a unicorn party with the round? Why does he regret it so much?
What did Daniel spend money on that he wish he had not spent money on?
What did Daniel not spend money on that with the benefit of hindsight, they should have spent money on?
When your competition raises a lot of funding, does that mean you should also?