This Week in Startups

David Sacks, an entrepreneur and investor known for his impactful roles at PayPal and Yammer, shares his insights on the current state of the world. He discusses the mixed perspectives within his poker group regarding the pandemic, the U.S. government's response, and the effectiveness of public health measures. Sacks critiques bureaucracy, questioning the decision-making around mask mandates and the handling of Chloroquine as a treatment, while highlighting the cultural clash between scientific experts and entrepreneurs in navigating this crisis.

Listeners explore whether launching a startup in an economic crisis can be beneficial. Strategies for attracting investors and leveraging equity offerings are discussed. The podcast emphasizes the vital role of advisors and how to compensate them to enhance credibility. Insights into marketing spend, especially for no-code startups, reveal adaptive approaches during downturns. There's also a discussion on how COVID-19 has impacted food delivery services and innovative solutions like cloud kitchens. Jason shares thoughts on tackling unemployment challenges in today’s market.

Shawn Carolan, Managing Partner at Menlo Ventures, is known for his early investments in unicorns like Uber and Roku. In this conversation, he discusses the changing venture capital landscape, especially with the influx of new funds. Shawn shares valuable insights on recognizing high-value startups even at steep valuations. He recounts his experiences with dynamic founders like Travis Kalanick and reflects on his strategic shifts amid the pandemic, as well as the lessons learned from investments in Siri and JUMP Bikes.

Roy Bahat, Head of Bloomberg Beta, and Zach Coelius, Managing Partner at Coelius Capital, dive into the tech landscape's response to the COVID-19 crisis. They discuss the timeline for returning to normal, how startups can access crucial loans, and the potential bounce back of VC funding. Concerns about Zoom's security and the shocking fall of Luckin Coffee highlight the risks in today's market. The duo also explores Notion's impressive $50M raise, signaling optimism in tech investments amidst uncertainty.

Balaji Srinivasan, former CTO of Coinbase and an angel investor, shares his insights on corporate journalism and its failures during the COVID-19 pandemic. He discusses the rise of techlash, the need for decentralized citizen journalism, and critiques traditional media's bias. Balaji envisions a new era of journalism that embraces diverse voices, while examining the US's pandemic response and potential endgame scenarios. He poses crucial questions about accountability in reporting and the ethics of risk in managing public health.

In a compelling discussion, Jeff Richards, Managing Partner at GGV Capital, shares insights from his extensive experience navigating crises in the startup landscape. He reflects on lessons learned from the 2008 recession, emphasizing the importance of a level-headed approach for founders. Jeff advises on taking venture debt and pricing strategies in a fluctuating market. He also explores the dynamics between board members during turbulent times, advocating for effective guidance to help companies pivot successfully. Ultimately, he remains optimistic about tech's resilience and future opportunities.

In this engaging discussion, Eric Ries, the author of "The Lean Startup" and founder of the Long-Term Stock Exchange, shares invaluable insights for today's founders. He emphasizes the importance of compassionate leadership during economic downturns. Eric offers tactical advice on extending runway, handling layoffs gracefully, and discovering new revenue opportunities. He also weighs in on the advantages of authoritarian versus democratic governance in crises and discusses innovative solutions like his initiative at schoolclosures.org, blending entrepreneurship with social responsibility.

Dylan Field, CEO and co-founder of Figma, shares his journey in the world of collaborative design tools. He discusses the pivotal role of WebGL in Figma's creation and the flourishing of ChromeOS in schools. Dylan also dives into the challenges of SaaS pricing, highlighting the importance of transparency and user trust. He reflects on Figma's rapid feature releases and how remote work has reshaped insights into team performance. Plus, learn about the company’s funding journey and the lessons learned from initial rejections by major investors.

In this engaging talk, Sarah Guo, a General Partner at Greylock Partners, dives into the art of early-stage investing. She shares insights on Greylock's 'Zero to One' investment thesis and her criteria for evaluating teams, markets, and products. Sarah reflects on her journey in venture capital, emphasizing the importance of sharpening decision-making skills and work-life balance. She also discusses the evolving challenges in the VC landscape, especially for female founders, and reveals missed investment opportunities like Zoom—all while identifying key traits in promising startup products.

Vincent Woo, an independent journalist known for his critical insights into startups and political corruption, dives deep into Lambda School's controversial model. He reveals the troubling disparities in their reported job placement rates and the implications of their Income Share Agreements. Vincent shares his investigative journey, highlighting significant failures and the need for improvement. He also discusses the broader challenges of remote education and the entrepreneurial blind spots that can lead to major missteps in the startup world.