Chris Dixon, a founding partner at a16z crypto and author of "Read, Write, Own," dives into how AI and crypto can revolutionize the internet. He discusses the potential of decentralized systems to support creators, reshaping economic models and enabling new business opportunities. Dixon also reflects on the fading of the internet's original economic covenant, where creators traded free access for visibility. He emphasizes the necessity of balancing power away from central players, envisioning a future where innovation thrives on an open ecosystem.

Brian Schimpf, co-founder and CEO of Anduril, a cutting-edge defense technology firm, speaks with David George about the revolutionary role of AI in modern warfare. They dive into how AI helps strategize military decisions by handling vast battlefield data. Schimpf also navigates the tricky waters of U.S. defense procurement, urges for faster R&D cycles, and highlights the promise of defense startups in transforming military solutions. The discussion reveals the fusion of technology, geopolitics, and the future of warfare.

How does a company as massive as Mastercard decide where to deploy AI? Instead of centralizing every AI initiative, Mastercard operates under a “hub and spoke” model — balancing centralized AI leadership with decentralized innovation across business units.In this episode, a16z Partner Marc Andrusko chats with Mastercard’s Chief AI and Data Officer Greg Ulrich about Mastercard’s long history of using AI, the opportunities (and potential risks) associated with integrating generative AI into fraud detection, determining what tech to employ based on use cases, and the best advice he’s ever gotten.“In the Vault” is a podcast series by the a16z Fintech team, where we sit down with the most influential figures in financial services to explore key trends impacting the industry and the innovations that will shape our future. Resources:Find "In The Vault" on a16z.com: https://a16z.com/podcasts/in-the-vault/  Find more about a16z's vision for the future of fintech: https://a16z.com/banking-on-ai/Find Marc Andrusko on X: https://x.com/mandrusko1Find Greg Ulrich on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregu/Find a16z on X: https://x.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zSubscribe to the a16z Fintech newsletter: https://info.a16z.com/newsletters-fintech.html

Ben Metz, Vice President and CTO at Jack Henry, leads the charge in modernizing outdated banking systems.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.