StrictlyVC Download

Elad Gil, a solo capitalist and AI investing pioneer known for backing stars like Airbnb and Stripe, dives into the evolving world of artificial intelligence. He discusses how AI is revolutionizing company scaling and enhancing team efficiency. Elad also examines the nuances of human-AI relationships, highlighting risks like bias in education. He shares insights on AI tutoring's societal implications and the need for businesses to adapt amid the competitive landscape, emphasizing the delicate balance between founder involvement and delegation.

This week on StrictlyVC Download, we're bringing you to our recent event in Athens. Connie was joined by Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who shared an inside look at how the country is positioning itself as a refreshed hub for innovation, investment, and participation from the world's technology industry. They explored everything from policy changes to new global partnerships, to Greece's startup momentum — plus they offer a peek into why founders are starting to return to the country from shores near and far. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's episode was recorded live at StrictlyVC London, host Connie Loizos sat down with Accel partner Sonali De Rycker. They discussed Europe's regulatory challenges, compares US and EU tech ecosystems, and explores venture capital's evolving exit strategies in the absence of IPOs. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Strictly VC Download and Sonali de Rycker 01:48 - The "Queen of European VC" title and its origin 02:11 - Accel's 25th anniversary in Europe and early challenges 05:38 - Evaluating AI startup valuations in the current cycle 09:03 - European tech potential vs regulatory headwinds 11:37 - Impact of US-EU trade tensions on tech companies 14:22 - Defense tech investment opportunities in Europe 19:31 - Capital restructuring for founder alignment: The Kry example 21:27 - Founder liquidity and lessons from the Hopin experience 23:57 - AI talent retention and closing thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're taking you with us to our StrictlyVC event in Athens. Connie led a panel discussion with some of Greece's most notable investors about Greece's  evolving startup ecosystem. You'll hear from Panos Papadopoulos: Partner at Marathon Venture Capital, Apostolos Apostolakis: Partner at VentureFriends, Marco Veremis: Entrepreneur turned investor who founded and Upstream before co-founded Big Pi Ventures, Myrto Papathanou, Partner at Metavallon VC which invests in early stage companies; and Dimitrious Kottas: Founder of a defense tech startup who returned to Greece after working at Apple in Silicon Valley. The conversation covers everything from the current state of venture funding in Greece, the role of pension funds in the ecosystem, why ambitious founders are choosing to build in Greece, and what systemic changes could further accelerate the country's tech transformation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.