"Turpentine VC" | Venture Capital and Investing  cover image

"Turpentine VC" | Venture Capital and Investing

Latest episodes

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Mar 11, 2025 • 59min

E81: Inside Seven Seven Six with Alexis Ohanian [Classic Interview]

Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and founder of Seven Seven Six, shares his incredible journey in the tech and venture capital worlds. He dives into how Seven Seven Six leverages technology to enhance accountability and support for founders. The importance of transparency in investment tracking is a key topic, as is the integration of software solutions that revolutionize venture practices. Alexis also paints a vision for building community infrastructure that fosters collaboration among creators and emphasizes the future of mentorship and innovation in venture capital.
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68 snips
Mar 4, 2025 • 1h 7min

E80: Logan Bartlett on How Great VC Firms Truly Operate

Logan Bartlett, a partner at RedPoint and host of The Logan Bartlett Show, shares his deep insights on venture capital operations. He discusses how historical market cycles inform current investment strategies and emphasizes the importance of resilience in navigating public scrutiny. The conversation highlights talent cultivation within venture capital, the evolution of RedPoint, and the complexities of founder-VC dynamics. Bartlett also reflects on the emotional aspects of early-stage investing and the shifting generational trends in the industry.
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Feb 25, 2025 • 57min

E79: Now at $2B Valuation: Mercor CEO On How They Started

Brendan Foody, Founder and CEO of Mercor, shares insights on his AI-powered recruitment platform that has reached a $2 billion valuation. He discusses how automation revolutionizes hiring, improves efficiency, and connects employers with top talent. The conversation also covers the use of multimodal technology to enhance candidate evaluation and the challenges of predicting job performance through data analytics. Brendan highlights the development of a career planning tool and future innovations aimed at creating a more engaging application process.
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39 snips
Feb 18, 2025 • 1h 32min

E78: Why Benchmark is Different Than Other Firms with Sarah Tavel & Eric Vishria

Sarah Tavel and Eric Vishria, General Partners at Benchmark, discuss their firm's distinctive minimalistic approach to venture capital. They dive into the importance of deep partnerships with founders and how this shapes their investment strategy. The duo contrasts Benchmark's equal partnership model with larger firms, emphasizing the joy of collaboration. They also navigate the challenges of today’s market, highlighting the significance of sustainable investment practices and meaningful relationships in fostering long-term success.
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11 snips
Feb 11, 2025 • 1h 1min

E77: IVP's Somesh Dash on Growth Stage Investing and Strategic Discipline

Somesh Dash, a General Partner at IVP, shares insights from the forefront of growth-stage investing. He highlights the importance of strategic discipline and strong partnerships in navigating the evolving VC landscape. Somesh discusses how founders transition from early to later stages, emphasizing mental health support and effective communication. He also explores the nuances of fund construction and the current IPO landscape, all while advocating for innovation and collaboration within the venture capital ecosystem.
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17 snips
Feb 4, 2025 • 1h 10min

E76: Thrive Capital's Bold Bets on Category-Defining Companies with Kareem Zaki

Kareem Zaki, General Partner at Thrive Capital, discusses the firm's strategic focus on category-defining companies. He emphasizes balancing opportunism and concentrated investments while supporting founders through challenges. Zaki highlights the transformative tech landscape, opportunities in various sectors, and the unique influence of New York on innovation. He advocates for long-term partnerships and a qualitative growth mindset, addressing how macroeconomic factors shape investment strategies while maintaining a selective media approach to enhance the firm's mystique.
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Jan 28, 2025 • 51min

E75: Greg Castle (Anorak VC) on the Biggest AR/VR and Spatial Computing Opportunities

Greg Castle, founder of Anorak Ventures and expert in emerging technologies, dives into the exciting world of AR/VR and spatial computing. He discusses the evolution of these technologies and their profound impact on human interaction and learning. The conversation touches on the competitive landscape influenced by tech giants like Apple and Microsoft, the role of startups in innovation, and the promise of a more immersive digital future. Castle also highlights the challenges and opportunities that come with integrating AI into various industries.
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63 snips
Jan 21, 2025 • 48min

E74: General Catalyst CEO on Running VC Like an Enduring Company

Hemant Taneja, CEO of General Catalyst, a firm recognized for its operational prowess and notable investments like Stripe and Snap, discusses transforming venture capital into an enduring platform. He highlights the importance of operational rigor and merging partnership with structure. The conversation delves into responsible innovation, particularly in healthcare, and critiques the cleantech investment era. Taneja advocates for radical collaboration, emphasizing a shift from profit-driven to purpose-driven strategies in various industries, including education.
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27 snips
Jan 14, 2025 • 1h 2min

E73: Aydin Senkut on Building Felicis Ventures

Aydin Senkut, founder of Felicis Ventures and Google's first product manager, shares his journey in transforming Felicis from a solo practice into a distinguished venture capital firm. He emphasizes the importance of a generalist strategy and a supportive culture prioritizing mental health. Aydin discusses navigating the complexities of AI investments and his cautious stance on cryptocurrency. Additionally, he explores building trust with founders, the evolving landscape of venture capital, and the significance of continuous learning and adaptability in the industry.
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72 snips
Jan 7, 2025 • 1h 5min

E72: Keith Rabois: On Identifying Talent [Classic Interview]

Keith Rabois, an experienced entrepreneur and investor known for his roles at PayPal, LinkedIn, and Square, shares his insights on identifying talent. He discusses the importance of strategic thinking and adaptability in career paths, relaying anecdotes of successful executives who took unconventional routes. Rabois emphasizes leveraging social capital through networking and highlights the nuances in recognizing hidden talent beyond typical resumes. He also touches on how to find promising startup opportunities and the role of sleep in enhancing productivity.

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