Acquired

Jim Weber, CEO of Brooks Running, shares his journey of transforming Brooks from a cash-strapped brand into a billion-dollar powerhouse. He discusses the innovative strategies that fueled their growth, including a focus on culture and inclusivity in running. Weber reflects on leadership lessons learned during tough times, like the pandemic and the Great Recession, emphasizing the importance of community and customer loyalty. His insights reveal how strategic pivots and a commitment to quality reshaped the brand into a top performer in the fitness market.

Packy McCormick, a prolific writer and investor behind the "Not Boring" newsletter, shares insights from the lively Idea Dinner. He discusses investment ideas from tech to real estate, analyzing key players like Snowflake and Opendoor with humor. Anu Hariharan, managing partner at Y Combinator's Continuity Fund, offers a unique perspective on late-stage investments, emphasizing community and peer learning. Together, they reflect on the evolving venture capital landscape and the importance of narratives in investing.

NVIDIA's unexpected turnaround highlights its leap from gaming to advanced computing, transforming AI and deep learning. The pivotal role of CUDA architecture shifted perceptions of GPUs in tech. Breakthroughs like ImageNet and AlexNet showcased NVIDIA's influence on AI image recognition. The firm navigated challenges, including a failed ARM acquisition, while making strides in data centers and cybersecurity. With innovations like the Omniverse, NVIDIA continues shaping the future of autonomous markets and enterprise simulations.

Hamilton Helmer, a prominent strategy thinker and author of "Seven Powers," teams up with his colleague Chenyi Shi from Strategy Capital to dive deep into platform businesses. They discuss the 'Seven Powers' framework and its relevance to understanding market dynamics. The conversation explores platform power economics using Uber as a case study, highlighting customer loyalty and user preferences. They also dissect YouTube's competitive edge, emphasizing its rich content library and user experience, all while navigating the balance between growth and profitability.

Explore the thrilling ascent of Nvidia from a struggling graphics chip maker to a titan in the GPU market. Delve into the fascinating life of CEO Jensen Huang, his bold decisions, and the innovative breakthroughs that reshaped gaming graphics. Discover the challenges faced during the company's early days, their strategic partnerships, and how Nvidia's tech innovations revolutionized computer graphics. Uncover the significance of GPU advancements over CPUs and the impact of their pioneering work in the gaming industry.

Brad Gerstner, the Founder and CEO of Altimeter Capital, shares insights on how his firm shifted the landscape of investing by successfully combining hedge fund and venture capital strategies. He discusses the evolution of Altimeter from a modest $3M fund to managing nearly $15B and its investments in tech giants like Snowflake and Facebook. Gerstner reflects on the changing dynamics of entrepreneurship, the importance of mentorship, and the role of AI in modern investing. His perspective on the future of venture capital and democratizing investment opportunities is both enlightening and thought-provoking.

Discover the remarkable journey of Sony, born from post-WWII Japan's ashes, and its rise as a global tech giant. Explore the transformative impact of iconic products like the Walkman and PlayStation. Learn about the fierce competition with Apple and Nintendo, the complexities of acquiring CBS Records, and the longstanding legacy of the Spider-Man film rights. Dive into Sony's innovative strategies and financial evolution as it navigates a rapidly changing marketplace.

In this engaging discussion, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, an acclaimed actor and founder of HitRecord, alongside Brian Koppelman, a talented showrunner known for Billions, delve into the adaptation of Uber's tumultuous story into their series, Super Pumped. They enthusiastically unpack the challenges of crafting compelling narratives from real-life events and the responsibility of storytellers in today's culture. They also reflect on innovative techniques used during filming and the dynamic interplay between ambition and morality within the entrepreneurial landscape.

Brendan Eich, CEO of the Brave Browser, is a pivotal figure in web history, credited with inventing JavaScript and shaping both Netscape and Mozilla. In this engaging discussion, he covers the Brave browser's unique approach to user privacy using attention tokens and its impact on online advertising. Brendan also dives into the evolution of browsers, the ongoing 'browser wars,' and how Brave is navigating the crypto landscape. His insights into integrating AI with cryptocurrency and maintaining user privacy in a tech-dominated world are particularly thought-provoking.

Peloton's journey is a rollercoaster of highs and lows, from pandemic darling to a significant stock downturn. The arrival of new CEO Barry McCarthy promises fresh leadership amid recent layoffs. The podcast also delves into Peloton's innovative marketing strategies, the rise in subscriptions during the pandemic, and the controversial holiday commercial that unexpectedly boosted their brand. Their evolution from boutique fitness to a powerful business model emphasizes community, while financial challenges and strategic partnerships are explored in depth.