Layer Zero

Samir Kaul, Founding Partner and Managing Director at Khosla Ventures, is a veteran investor in transformative innovations like AI and sustainability. He shares insights on betting early on breakthrough technologies and the psychology behind high-agency entrepreneurs. The conversation dives into the potential of deep tech in emerging markets, the underfunded areas like fusion energy, and how AI can revolutionize traditional industries. Kaul emphasizes the unique challenges faced by hard science companies as they navigate go-to-market strategies.

I had an insightful conversation with Jason Shuman, General Partner at Primary Venture Partners and Forbes 30U30, where we dove deep into how he’s helping reshape the venture capital landscape, especially through a uniquely hands-on approach to supporting early-stage founders. We explored the evolution of DTC businesses (where Jason has deep roots as a founder himself), the operational challenges most commonly facing startups today, and why Primary’s model, where the operations team outnumbers the investment team, is a game-changer. If you're building in DTC, raising capital, or rethinking what modern VC partnerships should look like, you won’t want to miss this one.

I caught up with Bradley Tusk, founder of Tusk Ventures, to talk about how regulation is reshaping the VC landscape, and how he's actively working to bring mobile voting to the mainstream. We also got into his perspective on the coming wave of AI regulation, and why it matters now in the AI race. Finally, Bradley shared stories from putting together Bloomberg’s mayoral campaign and launching Ivory Gaming Acquisition Corp on the NASDAQ. If you're curious about the intersection of tech, policy, and early-stage investing, this one's for you.

I had a great conversation with Lily Lyman, partner at Underscore VC, where we dug into the current state of the startup and venture scene in Boston... what makes it unique, what’s changing, and what founders should know. We also talked about how she evaluates early-stage companies, the GTM challenges she sees most often, and how founders can navigate them in today’s market. Finally, Lily shared reflections from her time scaling new products at Facebook to 100M new users in 4 years and how that experience shaped her perspective on product, growth, and leadership. If you're curious about venture capital, early-stage company building, or how global trends are shaping the next wave of innovation, this one’s for you.

I had the change to speak with Zach Lloyd, founder of Warp, to unpack how he’s rethinking one of the most foundational tools in software... the TERMINAL. We talk about how Warp is different from the traditional command line, why it matters for modern developers, and what it takes to build a tool that engineers actually love using.We also dive into how Zach has approached go-to-market for Warp... from building in public to creating a product-led motion around a category that hasn't changed in decades. And we revisit his time at Google, where he led engineering for Docs and Sheets, and how that experience shaped his approach to product, scale, and engineering culture.If you’re interested in dev tools, GTM strategy, or what it looks like to build truly novel software, you will enjoy this!

In this episode, I sit down with Landon Campbell, General Manager of Drive Capital’s Chicago office, to unpack why the Midwest is having a tech moment. We explore how the startup scene in cities like Chicago is shifting rapidly, what’s pulling Big Tech inland, and why the next wave of innovation in quantum, healthcare, AI, and more might come from the middle of the map. If you're curious about what’s happening beyond the coasts, this conversation is a must-listen.

Ann Miura-Ko, co-founder of Floodgate and a prominent early-stage investor in Silicon Valley, discusses the essence of authenticity in founders. She highlights the critical need for technical builders to enhance their soft skills for lasting success. The conversation also delves into her investment philosophy centered on 'Prime Movers' and shares insights on effective storytelling, team dynamics, and essential traits she seeks before investing. Ann's reflections on the evolving landscape of venture capital and the implications of generative AI add depth to this engaging discussion.

In this episode, I chat with Teddy Solomon, co-founder and CEO of Fizz — the viral, anonymous social app taking over college campuses! With $42M raised and presence on 350+ campuses, Fizz is redefining Gen-Z social with raw, unfiltered community. We dive into how they’ve scaled so fast, why anonymity is their superpower, and what’s next as they roll out new features and expand beyond college. If you care about social, growth, or building for Gen-Z… this one’s a must-listen!

In this episode, I sit down with Jake O’Shea, Principal at Antler and one of the sharpest thinkers on early-stage venture strategy. We dive into how founders can build real moats in a world where speed is everything, why GTM is the new product, and how momentum can become its own form of defensibility. Jake shares candid insights from working with dozens of startups globally—and what he’s seeing in the founders who are breaking through right now.

In this episode, I sit down with Brad Feld, cofounder of Techstars and Foundry Group, and one of the most respected voices in early-stage venture. We talk about what’s changed—and what hasn’t—over his 25+ years in tech, the real ingredients behind lasting entrepreneurship networks, and why timing and emotional resilience matter more than most founders think. Brad shares hard-won lessons about Giving First and reflects on how to build companies (and careers) that stand the test of time.