StrictlyVC Download

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.

Kevin Rose, a serial entrepreneur famed for founding Digg, discusses its ambitious relaunch alongside Alexis Ohanian of Reddit fame. They explore how AI will redefine online discourse and enhance community moderation, aiming to attract a wider audience. The conversation addresses striking a balance between nostalgia and innovation while integrating community feedback. Rose shares insights into strategic acquisition, navigating the emotional landscape of entrepreneurship, and fostering authentic connections in a competitive tech environment.

Chris Farmer, founder of SignalFire, a venture firm managing $2 billion in assets, delves into the rapid changes in venture capital. He discusses the structural issues plaguing the industry, with startups facing financial uncertainty. Farmer argues for innovative funding models like secondary sales and venture buyouts. The use of AI and data helps SignalFire maintain a competitive edge. He also emphasizes the need for founders to rethink exit strategies amidst evolving market dynamics.

This week on StrictlyVC Download, we're catching our breath and catching up with all of the news that's been happening in the industry. Connie Loizos and Alex Gove are breaking down the top headlines from Slow Ventures’ new creator fund, to Meta’s step into the humanoid robot race, to the continued saga between Elon Musk and Open AI.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Nextdoor CEO Nirav Tolia joins Connie and Alex to talk about the challenges of running a public company, his strategy to improve user engagement, and why he’s betting on AI and third-party content to make Nextdoor indispensable. They also get into Nextdoor's current product overhaul and whether an acquisition is on the table.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction03:49 - Fixing Nextdoor’s Product and User Experience05:42 - Bringing in New Content and Third-Party Publishers08:01 - Addressing Toxicity and User-Generated Content Challenges12:54 - Using AI to Improve Conversations and Reduce Conflict15:38 - Privacy, Data Use, and AI Training at Nextdoor21:12 - Who Owns Nextdoor and Investor Confidence23:18 - Financial Challenges and Nextdoor’s Path to Growth26:44 - The Role of Acquisitions and Industry Consolidation27:44 - Would Nextdoor Consider Selling?28:43 - A Radical Reimagining of Nextdoor’s Future Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, hosts Connie and Alex sit down with Steven Wang, the 23-year-old founder of Dub, a rapidly growing copy trading platform. Wang shares how Dub is revolutionizing retail investing by allowing users to automatically mirror the portfolios of top traders, hedge fund managers, and even politicians like Nancy Pelosi. He also dives into the challenges of navigating financial regulations, his entrepreneurial journey from dropping out of Harvard, and his vision for reshaping the asset management industry.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction01:57 - How Copy Trading Works04:18 - User Demographics and Popular Portfolios06:09 - Dub’s Growth and Fundraising06:29 - Customer Acquisition and Marketing Strategies07:37 - Influencers, Hedge Funds, and Monetization12:39 - Regulation and Compliance Challenges15:29 - Social Investing vs. Traditional Investing17:56 - Risk, Education, and Investor Behavior19:56 - Dub’s Business Model and Revenue Streams22:50 - Expansion Plans and Future Innovations26:04 - Steven’s Entrepreneurial Journey30:53 - Regulation’s Role in Fintech Innovation31:47 - Investing, Gambling, and Market Accessibility Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we sit down with Blake Scholl, CEO of Boom Supersonic, to discuss the company’s ambitious mission to revolutionize commercial aviation. From developing the Overture, a supersonic airliner, to embracing sustainable aviation fuels, Blake shares how Boom plans to make faster, greener air travel a reality. They also discuss their recent test flights, with plans to break the sound barrier over the Mojave Desert.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction and Boom Supersonic’s Mission02:11 - Landscape of Supersonic Aviation Today04:09 - Balancing Consumer and Defense Markets08:10 - Sustainable Aviation Fuels and Environmental Impact12:06 - Challenges in Scaling Sustainable Fuel Production15:53 - Innovation Stagnation in Commercial Aviation18:02 - The Need for Entrepreneurial Rebirth in Aviation20:55 - The XB-1: Boom’s Prototype Supersonic Jet24:12 - Breaking the Sound Barrier: XB-1 Test Plans28:06 - Overcoming Regulatory and Noise Challenges30:27 - Funding Boom Supersonic: The Road Ahead32:19 - Closing Remarks and Future Aspirations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices