HD in HD: Unscripted Conversations with Henrique Dubugras

From Wildlife to Benchmark with Victor Lazarte

Nov 19, 2024

Victor Lazarte, co-founder of Wildlife Studios and partner at Benchmark Capital, shares his fascinating journey from JP Morgan to the mobile gaming industry. He discusses the challenges of fundraising and the vital role of mentorship, emphasizing lessons from early betrayals in business. The duo delves into the unexpected success of Racing Penguins, revealing how a simple game icon captured millions of players. They also reflect on childhood memories and cultural influences, tying personal experiences to their entrepreneurial growth.

01:53:41

Episode guests

Victor Lazarte

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Victor Lazarte's journey from JP Morgan to co-founding Wildlife Studios highlights the risks and rewards of entrepreneurial ventures in mobile gaming.

The early struggles with investment and competition taught Victor the significance of trust and focusing on product integrity over external pressures.

Wildlife Studios fostered a collaborative culture that emphasized passion for gaming, contributing to innovation and strong teamwork among employees.

Transitioning to venture capital at Benchmark, Victor aims to leverage his gaming experience to support and guide new entrepreneurs towards success.

Deep dives

Wildlife Studios' Journey to Success

Wildlife Studios was co-founded by Victor Lozarte and his brother, focusing on mobile games. Operating from Brazil, they faced significant challenges early on, including struggles with investors who tried to copy their business model. They initially encountered rejection in their attempts to raise funds, but as their first games gained traction, they began attracting attention from investors. Ultimately, they created a profitable business, generating substantial revenue and reaching two billion downloads across their games.

Intro

5min

Navigating Betrayal and Mentorship

6min

Navigating the Startup Journey Through Research and Inspiration

2min

The Unexpected Impact of a Game Icon

2min

Nostalgia for Classic Games and Childhood Limitations

2min

Navigating Early Aspirations

17min

Brothers in Competition: A Journey of Growth

11min

A Month of Meditation and Self-Discovery in India

2min

From Banking to Entrepreneurship: A Journey of Discovery

18min

10.

The Journey of Racing Penguins: From Free Launch to Billion-Dollar Success

3min

11.

The Journey to Entrepreneurial Success

20min

12.

Mastering Product and Distribution for Business Success

1min

13.

From Game Design to Investment Insights

25min

Victor Lazarte took a flyer on his first company, leaving a prestigious job at JP Morgan to make mobile games. Now he sits on the board of one of the most prestigious Venture Capital firms in the world. Victor opens up to Henrique about his early attempts to grow his business, making money in the competitive world of online games, and making the transition from founder to VC. Plus, the two talk shop about growing up in Brazil and how Victor was able to talk his way out of being expelled from grade school.

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HD in HD: Unscripted Conversations with Henrique Dubugras

From Wildlife to Benchmark with Victor Lazarte

Episode guests