Scott Kupor

Scott Kupor, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and former partner at Andreessen Horowitz, discusses his mission to inject tech talent into the federal government. He introduces the US Tech Force, aimed at recruiting top engineers and AI experts for two-year stints. Kupor reveals challenges in attracting tech workers, emphasizing culture over compensation. He proposes merit-based hiring, abandoning degree requirements, and revolutionizing performance evaluations, all while addressing bureaucracy to streamline operations and enhance government modernization.

Scott Kupor, Director of the Office of Personnel Management, dives into the inadequacies of Democratic leadership amidst rising left-wing extremism. He discusses the normalization of political violence and the impact of social media on public discourse. The hosts vent their frustration over politicians who refuse to take a strong stance against violence from the left. They also explore the looming government shutdown and the ongoing hunt for waste and fraud in federal spending, emphasizing the need for effective governance and accountability in today's political climate.

Scott Kupor, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and former managing partner at Andreessen Horowitz, discusses launching the U.S. Tech Force to attract top tech talent into government. He aims to modernize federal hiring practices, emphasizing performance-based evaluations and the removal of outdated barriers like degree requirements. Kupor shares insights from his Silicon Valley experience to make public service appealing again and addresses the critical need for merit-based testing in civil service reform.

This discussion features Alex Albert, Head of Developer Relations at Anthropic, who delves into the advancements in AI with their new model, Claude Opus 4.1, emphasizing its superior capabilities in complex tasks. Kyle Harrison, from Contrary Research, analyzes Apple's potential strategies for its massive $100B buyback, while Sean Henry discusses Stord's unique cloud supply chain integration. Scott Kupor shares insights on modernizing talent management in government roles, all while engaging in some light-hearted musings on the latest tech and investment trends.

Scott Kupor, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and former tech investor, discusses the newly launched U.S. Tech Force aimed at recruiting top tech talent into federal service. He highlights plans to hire specialists in AI and cybersecurity while addressing why tech professionals often shy away from government jobs. Kupor outlines how this initiative differs from past efforts through private-sector partnerships and a focus on modernizing agency IT with advanced tech. He advocates for a culture that embraces AI and continuous learning within federal jobs.

In this discussion, Evan Spiegel, co-founder of Snap Inc., explores the evolution of augmented reality at Snap, emphasizing the significance of their innovative on-device AI and AR tools for creators. RJ Scaringe, founder of Rivian, shares exciting insights about the forthcoming R2 electric vehicle and the importance of vertical integration in enhancing their offerings. Scott Kupor, from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, elaborates on the launch of the U.S. Tech Force, aimed at modernizing government with tech talent, while Colin and Samir analyze trends fueling the creator economy.

Follow me @samirkaji for my thoughts on the venture market, with a focus on the continued evolution of the VC landscape.This week we’re joined by Scott Kupor, Managing Partner at Andreessen Horowitz. Scott was the first employee of the firm alongside Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz. He has been instrumental in the firm’s growth to now having north of $35B in AUM. Scott also authored a Wall Street Journal bestselling book called Secrets of Sand Hill Road: Venture Capital and How to Get It, and previously also served as chairman of the board of the NVCA. Scott goes through the history of a16z and the learnings along the way in building the multi-product investment company it is today.Frank, Rimerman + Co.’s history is closely intertwined with that of Silicon Valley. With humble beginnings similar to so many start-ups, Frank, Rimerman was formed with a desire to serve the entrepreneurial and venture communities of the Valley and the determination to think outside-the-box.When it comes to venture funds, we work with almost 500 VC groups from over 20 states across the USA. We have worked with over 400 fund groups during their first year of operations, making us one of the leading providers in the country to emerging managers.No one wants to be bored at work. That’s why we chose to work with some of the most innovative and creative people – people who are changing the world around us every day. Their excitement fuels our passion and determination to grow and serve this special community.Frank, Rimerman + Co, Passion Works Here.www.frankrimerman.comAbout Scott Kupor:Scott Kupor is Managing Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, focused on growth-stage companies building in the bio and healthcare industries, manages the firm's investor relations team, and is responsible for the firm's growth initiatives. Scott was the first employee at Andreessen Horowitz and managed the firm's growth from $300 million in AUM to more than $30 billion. Prior to joining the firm, Scott worked Hewlett Packard, Opsware, and represented startups through M&A processes. Scott is the author of the Wall Street Journal bestselling book, Secrets of Sand Hill Road: Venture Capital and How to Get It, and serves on the boards of Cedar, Headway, Foursquare, Labster, Ultima, and SnapLogic. He also served as chairman of the board for the National Venture Capital Association.Scott earned a bachelor’s degree and a JD from Stanford University.In this episode, we discuss:(02:24) Scott’s journey to a16z(04:52) Lessons from the dotcom bubble (08:29) Why the original thesis for a16z was so different(12:33) How Mike Ovitz and CAA inspired them(16:44) Early days building the firm and recruiting the team(20:26) Running the firm like a startup(25:58) Challenges of building and maintaining a culture(30:01) Building cohesion with a global workforce and work from home(33:18) What “founder-friendly” means at a16z(36:34) Advice for new managers(40:49) Where we are in the current market cycle(44:59) The advice Scott would give e himself as a new graduate.I’d love to know what you took away from this conversation with Scott. Follow me @SamirKaji and give me your insights and questions with the hashtag #ventureunlocked. If you’d like to be considered as a guest or have someone you’d like to hear from (GP or LP), drop me a direct message on Twitter.Podcast Production support provided by Agent Bee This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ventureunlocked.substack.com

Scott Kupor, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and former managing partner at Andreessen Horowitz, discusses the complexities of federal employment. He highlights how federal agencies have rehired after layoffs due to miscalculations and examines the surprisingly low removal rates for poor performance. Kupor advocates for modernizing recruitment practices to attract younger talent and emphasizes the need for reforming job classifications to streamline hiring. He also outlines the importance of aligning workforce planning with agency goals and discusses upcoming tech-focused recruitment initiatives.

Scott Kupor, managing partner at Andreessen Horowitz and author of "Secrets of Sand Hill Road," shares invaluable insights into the venture capital world. He uncovers common pitfalls entrepreneurs face when trying to secure funding and emphasizes the importance of storytelling in pitches. Kupor highlights the vital traits he looks for in founders, the dynamics between entrepreneurs and investors, and calls for more diversity in funding. He also discusses how AI can shape future business opportunities, making this an enlightening listen for aspiring entrepreneurs.

"Private Market Valuations" is a fascinating podcast featuring Scott Kupor and Andrea Auerbach. They delve into the controversial topic of private market valuations, discussing the relevance of interim valuations, challenges in valuing early-stage venture sites, and potential manipulation in the valuation process. The podcast also highlights the client-first mentality of Franklin Templeton Alternatives and explores the impact of the economic environment on VC funds and portfolio companies. The importance of consistency and transparency in private market valuations is emphasized, along with the need for better communication and standardization in the industry.