Aditi Maliwal, a Partner at Upfront Ventures and expert in seed and Series A investments, dives into the shifting dynamics of early-stage funding. She explores how AI is reshaping investment criteria and the importance of grit among founders. Aditi discusses the growing significance of specialized networks in venture capital and the rise of larger funding rounds. She also highlights the need for authenticity in communication between investors and founders, and shares insights on overlooked investment categories and the evolving landscape of startup funding.