StrictlyVC Download

This week on StrictlyVC Download, Connie Loizos spoke with Science Corp founder Max Hodak to discuss how brain-computer interfaces are arriving faster than anyone realizes. The Neuralink co-founder and former president shares how his company recently achieved what may be the biggest breakthrough in vision restoration in decades, enabling 80% of blind patients to read again with a tiny retinal implant smaller than a grain of rice. In this conversation, the two also explore the near-term commercial path for BCIs through medical applications, the long-term potential for cognitive enhancement and “binding” multiple brains together, and why Science, which has so far raised $260 million from investors, is keen to generate revenue while it invests in its future products. Not last, Hodak addresses the practical and ethical questions around hacking, enhancement, and why he thinks it may well be possible in the not-too-distant future to “move consciousness” outside of the body. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a captivating discussion, Kevin Hartz, a serial entrepreneur behind Eventbrite and Zoom, shares insights on the surge of teenage founders, revealing they make up 20% of his investments now. He emphasizes the need for grit in founders and discusses A-Star Capital's innovative incubation model, including his autonomous security startup Sauron. Hartz also tackles the challenges of public markets and the impact of private capital on quality companies. His unique take on why venture capital remains essential in today's tech landscape offers a fresh perspective.

Tim Chen, founder of Essence VC and a solo investor, shares his unique journey from engineer to impactful VC. He argues against the YC revenue-at-all-costs mantra for infrastructure startups, advocating a focus on strategic pivots and deep technical understanding instead. Chen reflects on his small exit experience, emphasizing the importance of genuine founder empathy in venture capital. He also discusses the value of community-building and the evolving landscape of multimodal applications, showcasing how thoughtful product vision can drive success.

Astro Teller, Captain of Moonshots at Alphabet’s X, dives into radical innovation and what it takes to launch ambitious projects. He shares the three key components of a true moonshot and explains why 98% of ideas are killed early. Astro emphasizes the importance of small teams and discusses how X's unique culture allows for efficient learning from failures. He also demystifies AI, urging us to treat it like electricity while highlighting the need for real-world testing of new technologies.

Winston Weinberg, co-founder and CEO of Harvey, a cutting-edge legal AI startup, shares fascinating insights into the company's journey. He reveals that Harvey's inception came from a unique Dungeons & Dragons experience with GPT-3. The discussion touches on Harvey's impressive growth, with one-third of revenue now from corporate clients. Winston also dives into the complexities of creating a multiplayer legal platform that respects ethical walls across 63 countries. He argues that AI will change the legal landscape but asserts that professional services won't disappear overnight.

Vinod Khosla, the founding CEO of Sun Microsystems and venture capitalist at Khosla Ventures, dives into the future of entrepreneurship in a world dominated by AI. He asserts that every profession is a startup opportunity and discusses his vision for building AI workers to replace high-value jobs. Khosla forecasts a dramatic rise in Fortuna 500 company failures and advocates for a national wealth-sharing strategy. Additionally, he reveals his early investment in OpenAI, critiques U.S. immigration policies, and describes innovative energy solutions like fusion and geothermal.

Roelof Botha, a longtime partner at Sequoia and former PayPal CFO, discusses his imminent departure from Sequoia and the firm's investment philosophy. He shares insights on venture capital's nature and emphasizes the importance of fierce debates in investment decisions. Botha elaborates on Sequoia's Scout program and the challenges of the current AI boom, cautioning founders against quickly raising high valuations. His perspective on vertical market winners emerging faster than ever adds depth to the conversation.

Lee Roberts, Chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, discusses his vision for integrating AI into university operations and academics. He explains the recent merger of data science and library science to foster collaboration. Roberts addresses the $38 million in federal grant cuts, focusing on public health impacts while remaining optimistic about diversifying funding sources. He also defends the investment in football coach Bill Belichick as a crucial revenue strategy to support UNC's extensive athletics program.

Hans Swildens, founder of Industry Ventures and a trailblazer in venture secondaries, shares insights on selling to Goldman Sachs amidst his firm's 25th anniversary. He discusses the evolution of their two-decade partnership and the strategic timing behind the sale. Swildens highlights how secondaries have become the new IPO for startups and examines the state of emerging fund managers. He also explores future liquidity solutions and the challenges of adapting private equity products for venture capital, offering a fascinating glimpse into the industry’s changing landscape.

Chris Lehane, Chief Global Affairs Officer at OpenAI, shares insights on the company's new video tool, Sora, and its significant promise for creativity. He delves into the complexities of copyright and fair use in AI training, illustrating how their iterative deployment model prioritizes responsible innovation. Lehane discusses the immense infrastructure needs to remain globally competitive, particularly against China, and what keeps him up at night, emphasizing the importance of democratizing AI benefits and addressing geopolitical challenges.