a16z Podcast a16z Podcast: Where is the Technology That "Matters?" Right Here
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Mar 21, 2014 
Benedict Evans, a venture capitalist and tech analyst, joins Balaji Srinivasan, an entrepreneur and author, to discuss the often-overlooked depth of tech innovation. They argue that what might seem like trivial apps can pave the way for significant advancements in healthcare, finance, and transportation. Evans and Srinivasan highlight the skewed media focus on consumer tech versus enterprise innovations, pressing for a shift in perception. They emphasize that real transformation is happening beneath the surface, driven by young entrepreneurs wielding advanced technologies.
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Media Bias Misrepresents Tech Priorities
- Media coverage emphasizes consumer fluff while ignoring deep infrastructure work in Silicon Valley.
- This skews public perception despite large VC investment in enterprise and infrastructure.
Fluff Today Can Power Real Tech Tomorrow
- Seemingly trivial consumer apps often enable substantial technological advances later on.
- Examples include gaming leading to 3D graphics and social features enabling services like Lyft.
VC Dollars Favor Infrastructure
- A large share of VC goes to enterprise and infrastructure, contradicting the 'fluff' narrative.
- Data shows 70% of venture capital funds enterprise companies, much infrastructure-focused.