Ben Gilbert

David Rosenthal and Ben Gilbert, co-hosts of the Acquired podcast, dive into their shared obsession with entrepreneurship history. They discuss the importance of authenticity in narrative and the complexities of biographical storytelling. Insights from legends like Charlie Munger and Henry Flagler are revealed, alongside reflections on the evolution of podcasting and monetization strategies. They tackle the delicate balance of nurturing wealth in future generations and emphasize that true success stems from learning both from triumphs and failures.

Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal, founders of Acquired podcast, share their stories and the success behind their podcast. They discuss the formation of their podcast, lessons learned from dissecting business stories, and the importance of having a co-founder. They also explore topics like early influences, side hustles, luck in success, the power of optimism, and lessons from successful organizations.

Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal, co-hosts of the Acquired podcast, dive deep into what makes companies like TSMC and Hermès truly great. They debunk common myths of business success, highlighting the random nature of extreme outliers and the crucial role of founder control in preserving company identity. The duo explores the importance of narratives in shaping corporate success and the delicate balance between management and visionary leadership. They also contrast Hermes' focus on craftsmanship with the fast-paced nature of tech competition.

Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal, co-hosts of the Acquired podcast, delve into the intriguing history of the NFL. They discuss how Teddy Roosevelt influenced safety reforms and the formation of the NCAA to save football. The duo shares insights on how the NFL's revenue-sharing model supports all teams and explores the revolutionary impact of Monday Night Football on television. Their humor shines as they relate personal anecdotes and critique the league's history with segregation and competition, all while making complex business strategies accessible and entertaining.

Podcast featuring Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal, founders of Acquired, sharing insights on building enduring companies, lessons from dissecting business stories, and the importance of co-founders. They discuss the evolution of their podcast, compounding in content creation, and strategic decisions in podcasting. Emphasizing the value of quality content, freedom in business relationships, unwavering commitment, and navigating industry norms while remaining authentic.

David Rosenthal and Ben Gilbert, venture capitalists and co-hosts of the Acquired podcast, dive into the transformation of the venture capital landscape. They discuss the historical context of the industry, touching on the impact of cloud computing and the rise of angel investors. Their engaging storytelling reveals how businesses have shifted to stay private longer and the potential disruption from cryptocurrency. With personal anecdotes sprinkled in, they share insights on failure and the lessons learned from their unique career paths.

Ben Gilbert, co-founder of the podcast Acquired and a savvy entrepreneur, dives into Microsoft's misunderstood era. He traces the tech giant’s evolution from 1995 to 2014, emphasizing key innovations and missed opportunities in mobile and gaming. Ben discusses how antitrust challenges reshaped Microsoft’s culture and innovation strategies. With insights from Bill Gates’ interviews, he highlights the company’s transition to cloud dominance and the lessons learned in this tumultuous tech journey. Plus, exciting news about their upcoming live show!

Ben Gilbert, co-founder of Acquired podcast, talks about experimentation in media, combining feeds, and the importance of quality over quantity in podcasting. He also gives advice for podcasters and discusses the future of Acquired, including doing deep dives and finding a niche audience.

Acquired's Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal join the show to discuss how they think about public market investments (1:43), VC token sales (27:25), a VC market overview (45:40), the Vision Fund's impact on Silicon Valley (1:00:33), and Amazon's core pillars! (1:13:21) (0:00) Jason intros today's guests and topics: Crossover Pod with Acquired! (1:43) Private markets overview, Jay Trading, Ben's investment thesis for TSMC and Shopify (13:44) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist  (14:52) Jason makes two live Jay Trades, better solutions for employee stock options (26:14) Dell - Apply for Dell for Startups and get an additional 10% off Dell Latitude products at https://dell.com/twist  (27:25) Crypto regulation, VC token sales (39:33) Zapier - Try for free today at https://zapier.com/TWIST (41:02) The burden of going public, final ideas on digital asset regulation (45:40) Major takeaways from PitchBook's Q2 US VC Monitor: exit value collapse, deal volume down, seed not impacted as much, signs of life in the early-stage (1:00:33) Reflecting on Masa's precarious position and the impact that SoftBank's Vision Fund has had on the VC industry (1:13:21) Ranking the most impressive pillars of Amazon's business: AWS, Prime, marketplace, advertising

Ben Gilbert, Managing Director at Pioneer Square Labs, and David Rosenthal, Co-founder of Kindergarten Ventures, delve into effective portfolio construction and the recent transition at Sequoia Capital. They discuss the downfall of Fast.co and what it means for the venture capital landscape. Lon Harris, a streaming media expert, analyzes the gripping finale of 'The Dropout,' sharing insights into its narrative and the broader implications for future seasons. This rich conversation blends venture capital strategies with engaging media analysis.