Brad Burnham

Fred Wilson and Brad Burnham, founding partners at Union Square Ventures, share their journey through tech investment since 2003. They discuss their unique investment thesis focused on open networks and the evolution of their approach amid different tech cycles. The duo reflects on missed opportunities, like rejecting Airbnb, and the early promise of Bitcoin. They also explore the implications of AI and the tension between decentralization and market consolidation, all while maintaining a commitment to intellectual curiosity.

Scott Heiferman, founder of Meetup, shares his journey from conceptualization to creating a verb that defines community gatherings. He discusses the inspiration behind Meetup stemming from 9/11 and Burning Man, emphasizing offline connections. Brad Burnham, co-founder of Union Square Ventures, contributes insights on the NYC tech scene versus Silicon Valley. They reflect on digital media's dual nature, navigating competition with Facebook, and the importance of community in modern entrepreneurship. Anecdotes reveal the challenges and joys of fostering real-world interactions.

Brad Burnham, Co-Founder @ Union Square Ventures, shares his journey into venture capital and team building. He discusses market cycles, the extension of the private market, and the inflection points in the firm's history. The podcast also explores trends in the IPO market, the problem of consolidation, and the importance of a predefined thesis in early stage startup investing.