Venture with Grace

Aditya Naganath joined Kleiner Perkins’ investment team in 2022 with a focus on artificial intelligence, enterprise software applications, infrastructure and security. Prior to joining Kleiner Perkins, Aditya was a product manager at Google focusing on growth initiatives for the next billion users team. He previously was a technical lead at Palantir Technologies and formerly held software engineering roles at Twitter and Nextdoor, where he was a Kleiner Perkins fellow. Aditya earned a patent during his time at Twitter for a technical analytics product he co-created.Originally from Mumbai India, Aditya graduated magna cum laude from Columbia University with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, and an MBA from Stanford University. Outside of work, you can find him playing guitar with a hard rock band, competing in chess or on the squash courts, and fostering puppies. He is also an avid poker player.Topics: From Palantir to KP: What Real Technical Rigor Looks Like in AI StartupsHow AI Infrastructure Is Being Rewritten — and What Founders Keep Getting WrongLessons from Google’s Next Billion Users Team: Building for Massive, Global Scale#VentureCapital #AI #EnterpriseSoftware #TechInfrastructure #StartupFounders

Rachel Holt is Co-founder and General Partner of Construct Capital, an early stage focused venture firm that invests in extraordinary founders who are transforming the most foundational industries of our economy. Sectors such as manufacturing and supply chain to logistics and transportation drive half our economy’s GDP yet lack advanced technology and are failing to meet customer expectations. Before Construct, Rachel spent nearly 8.5 years at Uber and was a long time member of the company’s Executive Leadership Team. Rachel began as one of the company’s first 30 employees, and her role quickly expanded to running the US & Canada Rides business in addition to Global Marketing and Brand, and Customer Support, which represented nearly half of Uber's bookings, and just under half of the team. Most recently, Rachel led the company's New Mobility organization, which includes the eBike and eScooter businesses as well as running Uber's Incubator which funds and develops new products and services on Uber platform. Topics: Scaling Uber: Lessons from Building a Global Mobility GiantWhy Construct Bets on the Real Economy’s Biggest Broken MarketsAI & Automation: The Future of Manufacturing and Supply Chain#VentureCapital #Founders #SupplyChainTech #Mobility #IndustrialAI

Karen Ng, Executive Vice President of Product at HubSpot, shares her extensive experience from Google and Microsoft, highlighting the importance of AI in go-to-market strategies. She discusses the concept of AI Engine Optimization (AEO), contrasting it with traditional SEO and explaining its implications for businesses. Karen emphasizes the significance of human-led channels for authenticity and AEO performance, while introducing HubSpot’s innovative loop marketing framework for adapting to AI advancements. She also advises startups on product-market fit and the evolution of product management.

Kourosh Zamani, co-founder of Laurel, innovates in the realm of AI-driven time tracking for professional services. They delve into the transformative power of AI in automating timekeeping and how this can revolutionize workflows. Kourosh shares insights on securing initial customers, key strategies for scaling sales, and the importance of partnership structures in traditional sectors like law. The conversation also touches on navigating decision-makers and the evolving roadmap from time automation to advanced time intelligence.

Anish Srivastava, VP at Swisscom Ventures and founder of Vinaj Ventures, is a seasoned venture capitalist with extensive experience in tech innovation. He discusses the dynamics of corporate venture capital and the current trends across regions like the US, EU, and APAC. Anish emphasizes the importance of startup readiness and what corporates look for in potential partners. He also explores the strengths of European tech, the rising need for AI in cybersecurity, and how Swisscom helps startups scale through strategic enterprise connections.

In this discussion, Ernie Bio, Managing Director at ForgePoint Capital, shares his journey from Air Force fighter pilot to a leader in cybersecurity investments. He dives into the complexities of security sales and why trust is paramount in the industry. Ernie highlights two major trends: securing AI and utilizing AI to enhance cybersecurity. He reflects on the importance of first-mover advantage and the evaluation process for startups in the security domain, underscoring key traits that make founders successful in this rapidly evolving field.

Laura Burkhauser, CEO of Descript and former product leader at Twitter and Amazon, dives into the revolutionary world of AI-driven video creation. She discusses her journey from literature to tech and the importance of rapid prototyping in product development. Laura highlights how Descript is reshaping storytelling with innovative editing features. She shares insights on balancing AI tasks with human creativity and emphasizes the value of mentorship in her career. Get ready for a masterclass in product innovation and the future of media!

Join Jon Callaghan, Managing Partner at True Ventures and co-founder of the firm, as he shares his wealth of knowledge in early-stage investing. He discusses spotting founders who create generational companies and emphasizes the significance of empathy and integrity in the data-driven VC world. Jon argues that AI represents a transformational opportunity akin to the internet revolution. He explains how True Ventures evaluates and sources founders while maintaining robust, supportive relationships with them throughout their journeys.

Ross Fubini, Managing Partner at XYZ Ventures, shares his journey from founder to top venture investor with insights into his extensive background in public-sector tech. He dives into how his engineering roots shaped his investment strategies and discusses the significance of early bets on companies like Anduril and Verkada. Ross reveals his views on sourcing successful founders, navigating public-sector markets, and the evolving role of AI in go-to-market strategies, while advocating for authentic pivots based on market trends.

Natalie Dillon, a Partner at Maveron and former financial analyst with deep expertise in consumer trends, dives into the evolving landscape of brands and startups. She offers advice on achieving product-market fit and the importance of building consumer trust. The conversation explores how AI is reshaping consumer experiences and backend operations, along with the impact of social media platforms like TikTok on e-commerce. Natalie also shares insights on food and beverage trends, influencer strategies, and the significance of community-building for founders.