The Full Ratchet (TFR): Venture Capital and Startup Investing Demystified

Mike Droesch, Partner at Bessemer, talks about AI applications, vertical AI companies, FinTech in supply chain, and making non-consensus bets in venture capital. They discuss advancements in AI, challenges in supply chain operations, and the potential for FinTech to revolutionize efficiency.

Experienced investors Todd Klein, Larsen Jensen, and Alex Edelson share key advice for early venture careers. Topics include the importance of independent perspectives, contrarian investments, relationship-building in VC, and evaluating multiple deals for informed decisions.

Adam Felesky, CEO of Portage, discusses open banking, fintech risk assessment, and the future of embedded fintech. Topics include investing in Web3, crypto, and blockchain, modernizing financial infrastructure, open banking benefits, fintech acquisitions, and portfolio support.

Experienced investors Rob Rueckert, Tomasz Tunguz, and Frank Rotman share key career lessons. Rueckert emphasizes personal conviction in investments. Tunguz discusses supporting companies like Snowflake through challenges. Rotman highlights maintaining food quality while maximizing profitability in startups.

Alexa Von Tobel, Co-founder of Inspired Capital, discusses investing in societal problems, structurally broken markets, AI value distribution, and future of FinTech. The podcast explores the competition between big tech incumbents and AI startups, navigating uncertain macro environment for investment strategy, and guest features with book recommendations.

Experienced investors Todd Klein, Alan Patricof, and Ilya Strebulaev share insights on passing on investment opportunities and the outcomes. Topics include regrettable decisions in Chinese elder care, transformative experiences investing in a restaurant chain, the significance of food, missed opportunities like passing on Starbucks, and venture funding for coffee shops.

Rick Heitzmann of First Mark discusses NYC vs. Bay Area, investing in DraftKings, AI's impact on SaaS, evaluating entrepreneurs' potential, and why remote work can ruin startups. Insights on unicorn selection, consumer investing, and the future of healthcare and video games.

Visionary founders in mental health and space tech are discussed by Jain, Jensen, and Edelson. Topics include convenient meal solutions, Tovala's partnership with Costco, and balancing food quality and cost.

Katelin Holloway, VP of Founders and Operations at Seven Seven Six, discusses HR Tech Development, Identifying Strong Founders, Using a Standardized Scorecard System for Evaluation, Assessing Founders' Integrity, Important Questions for Founders, Common Hiring Mistakes, and Recruiting Lessons. The podcast covers diverse topics from talent identification to successful partnerships and bleeding-edge technology investments.

Entrepreneurs and investors Aoun, Dukach, and Rueckert share the best questions asked by allocators. Topics include founders overcoming VCs' doubts, insightful questions from Limited Partners, and the impact on investment strategies.