

Aileen Lee
Founder of Cowboy Ventures and the investor who coined the term 'unicorn'; provides perspective on seed investing, valuations, and what founders need today.
Top 10 podcasts with Aileen Lee
Ranked by the Snipd community

75 snips
Nov 11, 2025 • 28min
How to get funded now: VCs Reid Hoffman, Aileen Lee, and Stacy Brown-Philpot, with Van Jones
Join venture capitalist Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn; Aileen Lee, the visionary behind the term 'unicorn'; and Stacy Brown-Philpot, who scaled TaskRabbit, as they discuss the evolving landscape of startup funding. Moderated by journalist Van Jones, they dive into the shifting focus towards profitability, the heightened expectations for AI-driven growth, and the critical need for founders to adapt. From navigating investor skepticism to unlocking pathways for diverse talent in tech, this conversation illuminates the complexities of today’s venture capital world.

25 snips
Jan 23, 2024 • 1h 15min
DeSantis Drops Out, Stock Market Soars, and Guest Aileen Lee
In this conversation, Aileen Lee, founder of Cowboy Ventures and the brains behind the term "unicorn," shares insights into the booming venture capital landscape. She discusses the rise of billion-dollar startups and the shifting dynamics of investment strategies. The hosts tackle Ron DeSantis' exit from the race and what it means for the political climate. They explore the recent uptick in the stock market and positive economic trends while pondering the disconnect between consumer sentiment and underlying data.

11 snips
Mar 11, 2025 • 35min
VC Aileen Lee Still Sees the Most Promise in Mundane Tech
Aileen Lee, the founder of Cowboy Ventures and the visionary behind the term 'unicorn,' joins the conversation to explore exciting new horizons. She weighs in on the impact of AI on job creation and the evolving workforce, discussing how automation can reshape everyday processes. Aileen also highlights the potential in 'unsexy tech' and the shifts occurring within Cowboy Ventures, including team transitions. As venture capital faces challenges, her insights on adapting to the market are both timely and thought-provoking.

8 snips
May 2, 2014 • 37min
a16z Podcast: Demystifying Venture Capital
Ann Winblad, a venture capitalist with a background in software entrepreneurship, joins Aileen Lee, founder of Cowboy Ventures, and Teresa Gao from Aspect Ventures. They discuss the daily grind of a venture capitalist and emphasize the importance of understanding tech entrepreneurs. The conversation covers challenges faced by female founders in a male-dominated industry, the role of past experiences in shaping founders, and the delicate balance of managing relationships within venture firms. Empowering insights for aspiring investors abound!

6 snips
Jul 12, 2017 • 27min
#17 - Aileen Lee and Kirsty Nathoo at the Female Founders Conference
Aileen Lee, founder of Cowboy Ventures and a pioneer in early-stage investing, joins Kirsty Nathoo, CFO and partner at Y Combinator. They discuss the crucial differences between small and large funds, emphasizing the hands-on support that seed-stage founders need. Aileen shares insights on what traits attract investors, how to pitch effectively, and ways to project confidence during fundraising. The conversation also addresses the importance of building inclusive cultures in response to industry misconduct, and offers practical advice for women entrepreneurs navigating the investment landscape.

5 snips
Jan 27, 2024 • 1h 9min
Unicorns: now and then with Aileen Lee | E1887
Aileen Lee, founder of Cowboy Ventures, is a pioneering venture capitalist known for coining the term "unicorn." In this engaging discussion, she shares her experiences overcoming gender barriers in the tech industry. Aileen dives into the evolution of the Unicorn Club, assessing how the Zero Interest Rate Policy has impacted startup valuations. Predictions about which startups might sustain their unicorn status spark intrigue, as she reflects on the recent shifts in funding dynamics and the importance of diverse entrepreneurship in today’s landscape.

Jan 18, 2024 • 33min
Back in the Unicorn Club with Cowboy Ventures’ Aileen Lee
Aileen Lee, managing partner at Cowboy Ventures and the founder of the term 'unicorn,' dives into the latest insights on billion-dollar startups. She discusses the explosive growth of unicorns from 39 to over 532, the implications of market shifts, and introduces quirky new terms like 'unicorpse' and 'zombiecorn.' Aileen highlights the rising competition for unicorn status, the challenges of diversity in founding teams, and how AI is reshaping consumer software expectations. Plus, we learn why New York is becoming a unicorn hotspot.

Jul 22, 2025 • 35min
VC Aileen Lee Still Sees the Most Promise in Mundane Tech (Re-Release)
Aileen Lee, founder of Cowboy Ventures and the coiner of 'unicorn,' dives into the future of venture capital. She discusses the evolving startup landscape, highlighting the rise of 'unsexy tech' and how AI can empower workers through skill development. Aileen shares insights on navigating economic shifts and the importance of diverse teams in innovation. She also addresses the pressures faced by college freshmen regarding their career paths and emphasizes enjoying the college experience amidst uncertainties.

May 9, 2024 • 55min
LinkedIn's Reid Live from the Bloomberg Tech Summit
Reid Hoffman discusses AI at Bloomberg Tech Summit. Aileen Lee talks about venture capital investing. Monique Woodward looks at AI's impact on work. Anthony Aguirre addresses AI risks businesses face.

Jan 31, 2024 • 26min
Venture Unlocked Shorts: Looking back the era of Unicorns and what's ahead?
Aileen Lee of Cowboy Ventures discusses the rise of unicorns and the evolution of capital efficiency. She explores the role of experienced venture capitalists in rising tide markets and the importance of understanding business models. They also discuss the current state of venture capital funding and trends.


