StrictlyVC Download

This week on StrictlyVC Download, Alex Gove speaks with Eric Slesinger from 201 Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on seed-stage defense tech startups in Europe. They discuss Eric's journey from CIA to investor and how he recognized the untapped potential in European defense tech while others were dismissive, and how he's working to overcome the cultural taboo that once made defense investments "bad manners" in European VC circles. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction and Eric's CIA background 04:17 - Why Europe for defense tech investments 06:32 - Changing European attitudes toward defense technology 09:00 - Ukraine as a testing ground for new technologies 11:24 - Launching 201 Ventures with NATO Innovation Fund 14:30 - Investment partnerships and sourcing strategies 18:07 - The Polar Mist story and maritime defense 20:15 - Gray zone dislocations and technology focus areas 22:59 - Evaluating government demand for new technologies 25:50 - Mission goals and the future of 201 Ventures 28:03 - Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ali Partovi, co-founder and CEO of Neo, a venture fund focused on nurturing future tech leaders, shares insights on spotting potential billionaires early. He discusses Neo’s shift from a scholar program to a $320 million fund, emphasizing three key traits for founders: charisma, leadership potential, and the ability to attract talent. The conversation also touches on the evolving landscape of startup locations and the delicate balance between ambition and caution for young entrepreneurs.

Julie Wainwright, founder of The RealReal and Pets.com, shares her incredible journey from facing public failure to triumph in tech. She discusses her memoir, detailing the unique challenges of female leadership in a male-dominated industry. Wainwright highlights her experience navigating board dynamics and the pressures of media scrutiny, particularly during the dot-com bust. She also delves into her latest venture, Ahara, which emphasizes personalized nutrition as a key to health. Her insights serve as a powerful entrepreneurial survival guide.

This week Connie Loizos and Alex Gove are joined by return guest Hans Swildens. Hans is the founder and CEO of Industry Ventures, a firm known  for its pioneering role in the venture secondary market. With stakes in over 700 venture funds and years of experience in the secondaries market, we wanted to have him on to discuss how VCs are thinking about venture’s current liquidity problem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kirsten Green, Founder and Managing Partner at Forerunner Ventures, discusses her decade-long journey in venture capital, emphasizing the firm’s knack for spotting consumer trends like those that led to their investments in Oura and Chime. She shares her insights on navigating the direct-to-consumer landscape, the pivotal role of AI in shaping investment strategies, and the importance of building trust with founders. Kirsten also offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs on what makes a standout founder in today’s rapidly evolving market.

Ryan Peterson, CEO of Flexport, shares his insights on managing global supply chain challenges amid tariff impacts. He discusses the ripple effects of tariffs, especially on Chinese imports, and strategies for businesses to adapt. Peterson highlights Flexport’s innovative solutions to enhance cargo efficiency while navigating regulatory changes. He emphasizes the importance of effective communication during crises and the integration of technology in logistics, balancing efficiency and customer service in a rapidly evolving industry.

Peter Diamandis, an entrepreneur and futurist behind the XPRIZE Foundation, explores the intersection of technology and longevity. He reveals his vision for achieving longevity escape velocity and discusses the role AI plays in this revolution. Diamandis emphasizes the need for equitable access to health innovations, critiquing the potential for wealth concentration to limit advancements. He also highlights exciting projects like Fountain Life and the Healthspan XPrize, aiming to make these breakthroughs accessible to all.

In this lively discussion, Jonah Peretti, Founder and CEO of BuzzFeed, shares insights from his 20-year journey in digital media. He unveils BuzzFeed's new AI-native social media platform, BF Island, aimed at fostering a more positive online environment. Peretti critiques traditional social media strategies and discusses the role of AI in content creation. He also dives into the challenges facing digital journalism after the closure of BuzzFeed News, emphasizing the need for innovation amidst financial pressures in the media landscape.

This week on StrictlyVC Download TechCrunch editor-in-chief Connie Loizos and StrictlyVC’s Alex Gove are joined by Michael Kim, the long-time VC and founder of Cendana Capital where he has built a $2.6 billion portfolio focused exclusively on seed and pre-seed funds, backing some of the most successful emerging managers in the industry. In this episode they discuss Cendana’s latest $600 million fundraise, the rise of secondaries and how they’re affecting returns, how Cendana’s team sniffs out the winners in a competitive market, and of course we got into how AI is changing the startup ecosystem.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction03:49 - The Fundraising Journey and Institutional Investors05:20 - Key Partnerships and Early Support07:48 - Growth and Investment Strategy Adjustments11:20 - The Rise of Secondaries in Venture Capital14:32 - Identifying and Backing Emerging Fund Managers17:24 - The Impact of AI on Venture Capital and Startups18:19 - Changing Venture Investment Structures and Trends20:26 - Spotlight on New Fund Managers21:41 - Co-Investments, SPVs, and Strategic Adjustments Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aileen Lee, the founder of Cowboy Ventures and the visionary behind the term 'unicorn,' joins the conversation to explore exciting new horizons. She weighs in on the impact of AI on job creation and the evolving workforce, discussing how automation can reshape everyday processes. Aileen also highlights the potential in 'unsexy tech' and the shifts occurring within Cowboy Ventures, including team transitions. As venture capital faces challenges, her insights on adapting to the market are both timely and thought-provoking.