Divot

Navin Chaddha, Managing Partner of Mayfield Fund, shares insights from his impressive career backing tech startups like Lyft and Poshmark, driving over 40,000 jobs. He discusses the significance of investing in people over ideas, emphasizing compassion in leadership. Chaddha reflects on his journey from IIT Delhi to Silicon Valley, intertwining spirituality and capitalism. He also explores how AI reshapes entrepreneurship, enhances productivity, and creates new opportunities while advocating for resilience and learning from failures in the startup ecosystem.

What if the biggest problem in the NBA today was also the key to unlocking its future?In this episode, we sit down with Kirk Goldsberry — bestselling author of SprawlBall and Hoop Atlas, current University professor, former NBA strategist and ESPN analyst — to talk about how spatial analytics, Steph Curry, and the three-point revolution changed the game forever. And why it might be time to change it again.From his early days mapping court data to working with the Spurs, MIT, and Harvard, Kirk shares the inside story of how shot charts became mainstream, why he believes we need to rethink the corner three, and how the culture of basketball is shaped by math, emotion, and identity.We explore how rules evolve, why bigs might dominate the next era, and what the NBA must do to stay competitive, creative, and culturally relevant. If you're into basketball, analytics, or game-changing innovation, this is a must-watch.Follow Kirk – X (Twitter): https://x.com/kirkgoldsberryFollow Derek – X (Twitter): https://x.com/derekjandersenEpisode Partners:NotionStartups get up to 6 months free of Notion with unlimited AI. Use code SGXNotion: https://ntn.so/startupGoogle CloudAccelerate your AI startup with Google for Startups Cloud Program: https://partners.startupgrind.com/partner/google-cloud/Follow Divot:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DivotpodX (Twitter): https://x.com/divotdotorgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorgTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg/#KirkGoldsberry #NBAAnalytics #StephCurry #BasketballInnovation #ThreePointRevolution #ShotCharts #SprawlBall #HoopAtlas #DivotPodcast #SportsAnalytics

Josh Luber, co-founder of StockX and collectible toy brand Ghosts, dives into his fascinating journey from sneakers to creating a $4B platform. He discusses how storytelling, scarcity, and market data influence the hype economy. Josh explains the Dutch auction model that allows consumers to set prices, revolutionizing traditional pricing strategies. He shares insights on nostalgia in sneaker culture and how innovative collectible toys are transforming personal expression and community engagement in the collectibles market.

Shaun Neff, co-founder of Neff Headwear and branding wizard, illuminates his journey from selling beanies to partnering with stars like Kendall Jenner and Millie Bobby Brown. He shares insights into spotting breakout markets and building brands that resonate deeply with consumers. Neff emphasizes the importance of authenticity in celebrity partnerships, revealing how true enthusiasm outweighs financial incentives. With stories of launching innovative brands like Noise and rescuing Sun Bum, he showcases the power of storytelling in forging lasting brand connections.

Pejman Nozad, a powerful force in Silicon Valley and Forbes' #1 seed investor, recounts his incredible journey from washing cars with just $700 to investing in billion-dollar startups like Dropbox. He shares invaluable insights on building relationships in the venture capital world and outlines the strategies for identifying unicorn startups. Pejman also reflects on the lessons learned from a $500 million investment mistake involving Facebook. His story is a testament to resilience, networking, and the belief that anyone can break into the startup scene.

Justin Kan, co-founder of Twitch and a prominent entrepreneur, shares his journey from tech success to personal fulfillment. He discusses the disconnect between financial success and true happiness, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness and gratitude. The conversation delves into the challenges of building startups, navigating emotional landscapes, and the value of collaboration. Kan also reflects on how embracing discomfort and fostering connections can maintain a youthful mindset, ultimately advocating for inner peace over external achievements.

Doug Leone, a billionaire venture capitalist and former Global Managing Partner at Sequoia Capital, shares his inspiring journey from an Italian immigrant to a Silicon Valley leader. He discusses how early struggles foster resilience and highlights Sequoia’s collaborative culture. Doug recounts navigating the dot-com crisis, emphasizing the importance of empathy in VC-founder relationships. He reflects on mentorship's transformative power and advocates for deregulation to unleash entrepreneurial creativity. His insights blend personal growth with profound industry lessons.