The Generalist

Aydin Senkut, the founder and managing partner of Felicis Ventures, shares invaluable insights from his two-decade journey in venture capital. Growing up in Turkey, his entrepreneurial upbringing shaped his risk-taking perspective. He emphasizes the benefits of a generalist approach, advocating for broad portfolio diversification with 50-70 companies per fund. Aydin discusses Felicis's aggressive investments in AI, the importance of timing and market factors, and lessons learned from both successes and misses, like Airbnb. His unique strategies reveal a compelling vision for the future of technology.

Joey Krug, a cryptocurrency investor and partner at Founders Fund, shares his insights on the evolution of prediction markets, having co-founded Augur a decade ago. He discusses how these markets are reshaping finance and breaking critical information barriers. Joey explains the struggles Augur faced and his transition to backing Polymarket, which emerged as a leader in the space. He also covers the rise of crypto treasury companies, the implications of regulatory shifts, and how savvy investors can navigate market dynamics.

Parth Garg, the resilient founder and CEO of Aspora, shares his incredible journey from near-bankruptcy to leading one of fintech's fastest-growing startups. He vividly recounts the shocking moment his co-founder vanished, leaving him to rebuild alone. Parth discusses the immense financial potential of the Indian diaspora and how Aspora leverages stablecoins for rapid transactions. He emphasizes the importance of a transparent team culture and structured experimentation in finding product-market fit, all while envisioning a future cross-border banking solution.

Erick Brimen, founder and CEO of Próspera, discusses his ambitious project to create a private charter city in Honduras. He shares how his upbringing in Venezuela shaped his views on governance. The conversation dives into innovative governance models inspired by successful cities like Dubai and Singapore. Brimen emphasizes the importance of dynamic regulations for attracting industries like biotech and crypto. He also addresses the political challenges faced by Próspera and the protective measures in place, including international arbitration.

Kevin Ryan, known as the 'Godfather of NYC Tech', discusses groundbreaking advancements in psychedelics and materials science. He shares how psychedelics are emerging as effective treatments for PTSD and depression, highlighting their therapeutic applications and necessity for professional support. Ryan also delves into the role of AI in rapidly discovering new materials, emphasizing its potential for transformative innovations. From incubator challenges to societal impacts of imprisonment, Ryan’s insights paint a vivid picture of the future of tech and mental health.

Navin Chaddha, Managing Partner at Mayfield and a seasoned Silicon Valley investor, discusses the exciting surge in AI infrastructure spending. He explains how 'vibe coding' is democratizing tech creation, reshaping our work and social lives. Navin shares insights on India's evolving tech scene and the massive opportunities in AI hardware, including stealth startups skyrocketing to success. He also emphasizes the importance of a people-first investment approach and reflects on valuable lessons learned from cricket in leadership and teamwork.

Laura Deming, a prodigy in longevity research and co-founder of Until, dives into the fascinating realm of reversible cryopreservation. She discusses her childhood obsession with aging and how she transitioned from academia to founding a venture firm focused on longevity. Laura explains vitrification, which transforms tissue into glass to enhance organ preservation. She also addresses the philosophical implications of pausing life and the social challenges posed by this groundbreaking technology, making a compelling case for how it could revolutionize medical practices.

Martin Casado, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz and a pioneer in software-defined networking, shares insights on the ongoing AI boom. He compares today’s excitement to 1996, asserting we’re still in early stages with a $3 trillion market potential in AI coding tools. Martin discusses the importance of a market-first investment strategy and critiques the conversations around AGI as distractions. He also highlights World Labs' mission to revolutionize 3D content creation, emphasizing its implications for robotics and VR.

Cate Hall, CEO of Astera and former top-ranked poker player, dives into the intersection of agency and AI risk. She discusses how her poker strategies focused more on human behavior than math, highlighting the importance of reading people. Cate contrasts ambition with agency, arguing they are often conflated. She explores the idea of a 'soft takeover' by AI, where human meaning is gradually eroded. Additionally, she suggests a slowdown in AI development to establish crucial social technologies for navigating this complex future.

David Krakauer, President of the Santa Fe Institute and a leading complexity scientist, delves into the complex relationship between AI and human intelligence. He argues that large language models are misinterpreted as intelligent, lacking essential cognitive dimensions like representation and strategy. Krakauer warns that these AIs could threaten our cognitive capabilities, much like an addictive substance. He also highlights the value of creativity inspired by Cormac McCarthy, and offers strategies to maintain our cognitive autonomy in a tech-driven world.