Jon Callaghan

Jon Callaghan, managing partner and co-founder of True Ventures, shares insights from over two decades of seed-stage investing. He emphasizes a founder-first approach, prioritizing high ownership and valuing quiet support over flashy promotion. Callaghan discusses the risks of mega-rounds, pointing out that unique outlier founders often get overlooked. He also explores the transformative potential of AI in consumer applications, predicting a shift towards personalized software and new interfaces, while cautioning against capital-intensive infrastructure risks.

Hannah Seal, a venture capitalist at Index Ventures with a knack for spotting tech gems, and Jon Callaghan, a seasoned AI investor at True Ventures, dive deep into the future of technology. They discuss whether we're in an AI bubble or boom and what sectors like healthcare and robotics might emerge. Hannah emphasizes the need for adaptable founders, while Jon highlights AI's potential in drug discovery. Both guests share insights on job displacement, the UK’s infrastructure challenges, and the balancing act of innovation with human connection.

Jon Callaghan, managing partner at True Ventures with two decades of early-stage investing and hits like Fitbit and HashiCorp, talks curiosity-driven sourcing and spotting nascent markets. He discusses why long duration is a feature, how to balance acceptable versus unacceptable risks, the value of repeat founders and referrals, and what makes this AI cycle different. Short, thoughtful, and contrarian perspectives on early-stage venture.