StrictlyVC Download

Mina Fahmi, Founder and CEO of Sandbar, introduces Stream, an AI ring that captures whispered thoughts, while Toni Schneider, Partner at True Ventures, shares insights on investment in hardware. They discuss the importance of privacy in wearable tech and how Stream's design focuses on user control. Mina contrasts her product with competitors, emphasizing a single-use excellence before expanding features. The conversation also touches on competing with giants like OpenAI and the value of intimate, thoughtfully designed devices in the wearable market.

In a captivating discussion, Colin Angle, the co-founder and former CEO of iRobot, delves into the climactic journey of his company, from Roomba’s success to its recent bankruptcy. He argues that the blockage of a $1.7 billion Amazon acquisition was not just a business misstep but a pivotal error by regulators. Angle also shares the taxing 18-month fight with the FTC and discusses his new stealth startup aimed at blending emotional sophistication with robotics. Plus, he offers insights on the future of humanoid robots and the importance of focusing on real user needs.

In this insightful conversation, Pat Gelsinger, a semiconductor veteran and former Intel CEO, teams up with Nicholas Kelez, CEO of deep-tech startup X-Light. They dive into the groundbreaking EUV laser technology that aims to revive Moore's Law. Pat and Nicholas discuss the U.S. government's pivotal investment in X-Light and the importance of U.S. competitiveness in the AI era. They touch on the challenges and opportunities in scaling semiconductor innovations and the moral responsibilities of tech leadership.

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.