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

20VC: Uber CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi on Why Uber Eats is Not Losing the Fight to Doordash | Uber's M&A Strategy; A Scorecard Analysis from Careem to Postmates & Skip | Why Uber's Investment in Scooters was a Mistake | Secret to Marriage, Parenting & High Per

Mar 27, 2023

Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber and former CEO of Expedia, shares his journey from the Iranian Revolution to leading a global tech giant. He discusses Uber Eats’ strategies to compete with DoorDash, emphasizing the importance of capital allocation and decision-making frameworks. Dara reflects on the influence of his family's history on his leadership style and the value of trust in team dynamics. He also candidly addresses his missteps, including regrets over investments in scooters, proving that even powerful CEOs face tough lessons.

45:27

Creator website

Episode guests

Dara Khosrowshahi

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

How to Manage Trust and Team

01:17

Strategic Insights on Uber Eats vs DoorDash Competition

01:17

Leadership is about results and no excuses

00:52

Don’t make prediction they bias you

01:32

Intro

4min

Rebuilding Legacies: The Influence of Family on Ambition and Success

2min

Redefining Success in Leadership

7min

Navigating the Constraints of a Marketplace Business

2min

Strategic Capital Allocation at Uber

15min

Navigating Leadership and Trust

13min

Expressing Gratitude and Spotlighting Essential Business Tools

3min

Dara Khosrowshahi is the CEO of Uber, where he has managed the company’s business in more than 70 countries around the world since 2017. Dara was previously CEO of Expedia, which he grew into one of the world’s largest online travel companies. Dara was promoted to Expedia CEO after serving as the Chief Financial Officer of IAC Travel. Before joining IAC, Dara served as Vice President of Allen & Company and spent a number of years as an analyst. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Expedia and Catalyst.org and was previously on the board of the New York Times Company.

In Today's Episode with Dara Khosrowshahi We Discuss:

1. From the Iranian Revolution to One of the Most Powerful CEOs:

What is Dara running from? What is he running towards?
How did seeing his family lose everything impact his mindset to life and business?
What are 1-2 of Dara's biggest lessons from working with the legendary Barry Diller?
How did Daniel Ek @ Spotify convince Dara to take the CEO role at Uber?

2. Dara Khosrowshahi: The Foundations of Great Leadership:

What does high performance in business mean to Dara?
Does Dara agree, "the best CEOs are the best resource allocators"?
Does Dara believe he is a better peacetime or wartime CEO? Which is he at Uber?
What decision-making framework does Dara use to make really hard decisions?
How does Dara does what to focus on and what to prioritise?

3. Investments and Acquisitions: The Scorecard:

Why did Dara decide to make the Kareem acquisition? Has it been successful?
What was the thinking behind the Postmates acquisition?
What does Dara believe is the single best acquisitions he has made at Uber?
What has been the worst acquisition he has made at Uber?
Why does Dara believe that Uber entering scooters was a mistake?

4. The Future: Food Delivery, Parenting, Marriage:

What does Dara say to those who suggest Uber Eats has lost the war to Doordash?
What does Dara believe is the secret to a happy marriage?
How does Dara define great parenting? What does Dara do to be the best father he can be?
What would Dara like to improve or change about himself? Why?

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.