This Week in Startups

This week dives into Basecamp's controversial ban on political discussions, leading to significant employee resignations. The conversation highlights the clash between workplace culture and political expression. A discussion on prioritizing work over politics emphasizes the importance of core mission focus. Insights on fostering meaningful connections reveal strategies for building relationships at work. Additionally, listeners get advice on surrounding themselves with great people and navigating complex corporate dynamics.

Everett Randle, Principal at Founders Fund and former team member at Bond Capital and Kleiner Perkins, delves into Tiger Global's rapid, disruptive strategies in the investment landscape. He discusses how they are reshaping venture capital by taking significant stakes in startups and the implications for founders. Randle introduces his "Walmart of VC firms" model, emphasizing the importance of founder trust amid aggressive capital deployment. The conversation also touches on evolving funding dynamics and the challenges faced by traditional investors.

Brandon Brown and Mei Siauw, CEOs of Grin and LeadIQ respectively, share their insights on scaling sales in the B2B SaaS world. They discuss creating effective sales motions and structuring sales pods for maximum efficiency. Brandon emphasizes the importance of hiring a great VP of sales and training SDRs into AEs. Mei dives into building a robust outbound sales team, highlighting the need for personalization in outreach. Together, they tackle challenges in hiring top talent and improving team dynamics, especially in a remote work environment.

Arlan Hamilton, founder of Backstage Capital, shares her inspiring journey of raising $5M in crowdfunding to support underestimated founders, particularly women and people of color. She discusses the groundbreaking success of her campaign on Republic and how it reflects a growing interest in inclusive investment. Arlan also highlights her Founder University program, aimed at mentoring diverse entrepreneurs and preparing them for the challenges of venture capital, while tackling issues of systemic injustice in the startup ecosystem.

Dive into the intense rivalry between Tim Cook and Mark Zuckerberg as Apple and Facebook clash over privacy updates. Discover how Apple's iOS 14.5 impacts Facebook's advertising. The philosophical divide of user privacy versus data collection unfolds. Explore potential solutions for businesses navigating these changes. Plus, the push for a subscription model that prioritizes user privacy and trust in a tech landscape fraught with tension. It's a fascinating examination of the future of digital advertising and personal data.

Brad Gerstner, founder of Altimeter Capital and a leading figure in SPAC investments, delves into the groundbreaking public offering of Grab, the largest SPAC ever. He critiques the traditional IPO process for its flaws and proposes solutions for improvement. Gerstner emphasizes the importance of responsible retail investing and advocates for a bold idea: investing $2000 for every American at birth to harness capitalism's potential for societal betterment. He also discusses the future of retail investing and the challenges that accompany market accessibility.

Join Mehak Vohra, Founder and CEO of SkillBank, a career accelerator for marketing, and Kate Bradley-Chernis, CEO of Lately, a cutting-edge social media management platform. They dive into how Mehak leveraged TikTok to boost signups with engaging content strategies. Kate shares her secrets on effective business writing and enhancing B2B engagement on LinkedIn, emphasizing authenticity and clarity. The conversation also touches on the power of AI in crafting content and the significance of storytelling to truly connect with audiences.

The hosts dive into Apple's Spring Loaded event, showcasing the exciting releases like the M1 iMac and iPad Pro. They discuss the revamped Apple Podcasts app, highlighting its impact on creators and users alike. Apple's new AirTags steal the spotlight, raising questions about privacy while offering innovative tracking solutions. The conversation also touches on competition in the tech space, particularly concerning anti-competitive practices, and the cultural influence of shows like Ted Lasso on Apple TV Plus.

MetaKovan, a crypto investor famed for buying Beeple's $69 million NFT, shares insights on the evolving digital art landscape and its significance beyond mere investment. He discusses the challenges in social audio platforms like Clubhouse, emphasizing competition from giants like Reddit and Facebook. The conversation also highlights the importance of supporting emerging artists through community-focused funding and the transformative potential of NFTs in reshaping art ownership and investment strategies within the crypto realm.

This week dives into the vibrant world of equity crowdfunding and inspiring fundraising stories. Insights on user retention highlight strategies for customer acquisition and product roadmaps. The journey through NFTs and the venture capital landscape reveals innovative connections for founders. Effective investment strategies emerge, focusing on growth stocks and the importance of diversification. A candid discussion about embracing failure in entrepreneurship touches on accountability and the impact of remote work, setting the stage for future explorations.