Ben Metz, Vice President and CTO at Jack Henry, leads the charge in modernizing outdated banking systems. He reveals how many banks still rely on pre-internet technology and the regulatory hurdles hampering innovation. Metz shares insights on integrating AI and cloud computing into community banks, aiming to reshape the financial landscape. He discusses the critical need for startups to collaborate with traditional institutions and offers practical advice for fintech founders eager to drive change in an evolving market.

a16z Partner Seema Amble talks with MongoDB and Viam co-founder Eliot Horowitz about building sustainable open source software tools. From challenging Oracle to building the de facto cloud-based database management tool, Horowitz outlines MongoDB’s early go-to-market strategies, approach to community building, and enterprise sales motion. This episode provides detailed tips on creating solutions for the developer community, building trust amongst enterprises, and successfully scaling a business supported by the open source community.  01:18-03:42 Why open source is a strategic business decision 3:42:6:03 Product development strategy + making developers’ lives easier6:03-08:24 MongoDB strategy of building community through meetups08:24-10:49 The five-second rule for developer products10:49-13:09 How MongoDB used meetups to fuel growth13:09-15:35 The importance of getting people excited about your product15:35-19:29 MongoDB’s enterprise sales strategy  19:28-20:26 MongoDB’s recruiting strategy 20:26-25:12 Open source customers vs. users, adoption patterns 25:12-27:35 The evolution of enterprise deals and building trust through demos27:35-32:23 Product communication strategies and tactics 32:23-39:37 Managing customers and building long-term relationships39:37-40:16 Outro

Wade Foster, co-founder of Zapier, known for his expertise in product-led growth, shares insights on transforming Zapier into a $5 billion powerhouse. He discusses their innovative customer acquisition tactics that emphasized community engagement and direct feedback. Foster reveals how embracing a quirky brand identity set them apart in a competitive market. Additionally, he delves into their iterative approach to product development and the significance of early customer interactions in achieving profitability within three years.

In this episode, a16z Partner Seema Amble chats with Tomer London, co-founder of Gusto, about establishing product-market fit and product discovery. London shares how Gusto, now valued at ~$10 billion with 300,000+ customers, identified early customers who could provide valuable feedback that helped the team optimize the self-service product experience. The conversation explores Gusto's approach to product development, as well as managing and incorporating customer feedback while maintaining a clear product vision.1:18-3:14   Gusto’s founding story 3:14- 4:56  Solidifying a GTM sales strategy 4:56-10:03 Identifying early customers and perfecting the sales pitch10:03-12:45 Working with customers to optimize the product UX12:45-14:31 Engendering trust and finding success with accountants 14:31-16:41 The role accountants planned in Gusto’s success16:41-19:34 Creating a feedback funnel and balancing product vision19:34-22:38 Self-service strategy and measuring success22:38- 23:45 Refining the UX at scale 23:45-25:45 Identifying real-world use cases to inform product strategy25:45-29:52 GTM learnings and advice29:52-30:05 OutroPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should not be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

Lisa Su, CEO of AMD and a trailblazer in high-performance computing, shares her insights on building a thriving AI ecosystem. She discusses the critical role of semiconductor technology in generative AI and the importance of adapting computing solutions for diverse applications. Su elaborates on navigating the chip supply chain challenges, the impact of the CHIPS Act, and the significance of partnerships in fostering innovation. Additionally, she offers valuable advice for startup founders aiming to contribute to this rapidly evolving landscape.

David George, head of the a16z Growth fund, dives into late-stage investing with a focus on identifying companies poised for explosive growth. He shares his unique mental models and insights on what makes a growth company, emphasizing the significance of inputs over outputs. The conversation covers the journey to going public, the transformative role of AI, and strategic R&D spending. David also reflects on his career path, discussing lessons learned and the importance of innovative business models in today's competitive market.

Alexandr Wang, Founder and CEO of Scale AI, discusses the vital link between human data and AI progress. He highlights how abundant data fuels the growth of generative AI, emphasizing innovative algorithms and diverse data sources. Wang also critiques big tech's investment strategies and identifies where the best AI businesses will flourish. He shares insights on hiring challenges faced by growth-stage founders and offers a thoughtful approach to scaling companies while maintaining culture and team dynamics.

John Stecher, Chief Technology Officer at Blackstone and a leader in tech innovation, shares insights on the evolving intersection of finance and technology. He discusses the pivotal choice between in-house tech development versus startup partnerships, emphasizing the need for strategic resource allocation. Stecher also highlights how AI is revolutionizing sectors like real estate and private equity, reshaping analyst roles, and creating new opportunities in the investment landscape. His advice for startups focuses on understanding market dynamics and delivering quick value.

Tim Karpoff, the Global Head of Strategy at Citi, dives into a fast-paced discussion on the intersection of AI and banking innovation. He explores the vital role of startups partnering with traditional banks and challenges the common perceptions surrounding AI adoption in finance. The talk includes insights into Citi's revamped risk controls following recent banking crises and the delicate balancing act between cutting costs and driving revenue growth through AI. Karpoff's views illuminate the future regulatory landscape that will shape banking's technological evolution.

Waymo co-CEO Dmitri Dolgov joined a16z general partner David George to discuss how Waymo is using genAI to help them build safer, sustainable, and more accessible transportation. In the conversation, Dmitri talks about the potential of embodied AI, the value of simulations and building training data, and his approach to leading a company focused on solving the challenges of building AI that can navigate the real world.[00:01:22] The early days of autonomous vehicles[00:05:27] Layering genAI into traditional AI/ML[00:09:42] The value of simulation[00:15:56] The hard part about integrating AI in autonomous systems[00:22:45] AI in the real world[00:28:47] Where does Waymo go from here?[00:37:21] Dmitri's learnings from hard problemsThis conversation is part of our AI Revolution series, which features some of the most impactful builders in the field of AI discussing and debating where we are, where we’re going, and the big open questions in AI. Find more content from our AI Revolution series on www.a16z.com/AIRevolution.