In this episode of The StrictlyVC Download, Connie Loizos talks withwith Vlad Tenev, the co-founder and CEO of Robinhood, to discuss the company’s remarkable evolution and recent designation as Yahoo Finance’s "Comeback Stock of the Year." Tenev shares how Robinhood is poised for significant growth through its innovative approach to prediction markets, sports betting, and wealth management. The episode also delves into Robinhood’s competitive edge in the financial technology space and its mission to empower a younger generation of investors. Don’t miss this deep dive into Robinhood’s ambitious plans for the future.

This week on the StrictlyVC Download, Connie sits down with GV CEO David Krane at our December StrictlyVC event in San Francisco to discuss his approach to identifying potential investments, what it's like to work so closely with Google while helping potential competitors, and why their approach to successful exits is much more long-term than other VCs. GV, Google's venture capital spinoff that started in 2009, has invested billions of dollars in companies from Uber and Nothing to scent digitizing startup Osmo.

This week, Connie and Alex are joined by the founder of Lead Edge Capital, Mitchell Green, to discuss his firm’s $5 billion portfolio, its eight-point investment criteria, and their playbook for discovering early stage startups in less popular markets. He also weighs in on Bytedance’s future, the aspects of AI that he thinks may be overhyped, and the tougher IPO market.00:00 - Introduction03:52 - Investing in global markets06:17 - Identifying opportunities in bootstrap businesses11:49 - Balancing venture investments with private equity13:06 - Insights into Bytedance and international markets17:59 - Thoughts on AI and its long-term potential23:47 - Exploring creative financing strategies28:09 - The state of the venture capital industry

In this episode, Connie sits down with Brynn Putnam, the former CEO of Mirror, and VC Ben Lerer to discuss why founders – and investors – are getting excited about consumer-focused startups for the first time in a handful of years. Putnam already turned her home fitness company into a $500 million success story. Now she’s building something new that she believes will help families and friends connect and put down their devices. Meanwhile, Lerer discusses what drew him to write the first check for Mirror, why he would follow Putnam into any company, and where he sees the consumer industry going from here.00:00 - Introduction06:54 - From Fitness Studios to MIRROR08:45 - The Early Days of MIRROR and Securing Venture Funding10:29 - Selling MIRROR to Lululemon15:18 - Innovating Social Tech and Gaming17:47 - Challenges and Opportunities in Consumer Hardware Startups20:00 - The Role of AI in Consumer Hardware’s Golden Age25:00 - Reimagining Consumer Marketing Strategies27:36 - The Future of New York’s Startup Ecosystem

In this discussion, Marc Lore, a serial entrepreneur and CEO of Wonder, shares his ambitious vision for the food delivery industry. He reveals Wonder's startling acquisition of GrubHub for $650 million, significantly under its previous valuation. Marc also explains how they are revolutionizing fast-casual dining by blending pre-cooked food systems with high-quality options. He delves into the role of AI in personalizing nutrition and emphasizes the importance of strong organizational culture and leadership strategies in scaling effectively.

Effie Epstein, a Partner at Sound Ventures with a knack for global strategy, shares insights alongside Ashton Kutcher and Guy Oseary. They delve into the early-stage landscape of AI startups, emphasizing the need for effective communication in pitching ideas. The trio discusses innovative investment strategies, the impact of AI on Hollywood, and the evolving dynamics of the music industry post-Napster. Their conversation also touches on collaboration success in managing billion-dollar funds and the importance of storytelling in engaging investors.

Vinod Khosla discusses the dual faces of AI, balancing its potential benefits against significant risks. He emphasizes the need for thoughtful regulation amid global competition. The conversation touches on national security, economic inequality, and calls for federal action to address wealth disparity. Khosla also navigates the complexities of AI governance and the role of entrepreneurship in driving social change. Lastly, he addresses concerns about election integrity and its impact on wealth distribution and the tech sector.

Connie and Alex talk to billionaire Frank McCourt about his plan to buy TikTok and transform it into a decentralized platform where users have control over their data and identity.

Join Pranav Singhvi, Managing Director at General Catalyst, and Hemant Taneja, a top executive known for healthcare innovation, as they dive into groundbreaking financing strategies. They discuss the 'Customer Value' funding model, allowing firms to fund customer acquisition with capped returns tied to generated value. Hear about General Catalyst's shift towards impactful investments, particularly in healthcare and AI, and explore unique financing methods that help companies grow without diluting ownership. This conversation is a treasure trove for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors!

Connie talks with former Vice President Al Gore and his business partner, Lila Preston, about a new, annual climate report that their sustainability-focused investment management firm, Generation Investment Management, has issued.