The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch

Matt Grimm, Co-founder and COO of Anduril Industries, discusses how a potential Trump administration may reshape U.S. foreign policy concerning conflicts like China/Taiwan and Russia/Ukraine. He considers the future of warfare, highlighting the role of AI and robotics in military evolution. The conversation covers the implications for the defense industry with rising funding, examining whether it's facing a bubble. Grimm also reflects on the need for innovative procurement practices and the importance of effective technology in modern combat.

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI and former president of Y Combinator, discusses the future of AI model capabilities and whether current scaling laws will persist. He shares insights on the implications of semiconductor supply chains and tensions that could impact tech growth. Altman weighs in on startup opportunities, warning of areas where OpenAI may 'steamroll' emerging ventures. He reflects on his leadership challenges, the role of youth in startup culture, and shares his vision of what he would create with today's AI technologies.

Vlad Tenev, Co-founder and CEO of Robinhood, dives into his journey of navigating the GameStop saga and the lessons learned in crisis leadership. He shares insights on scaling eight business lines, each exceeding $100 million. Vlad discusses the evolution of wealth management, emphasizing the transformative power of AI. He also reflects on the balance of personal growth through fatherhood and remote work dynamics in leadership. Throughout, he challenges traditional beliefs about innovation and success, offering a fresh perspective for aspiring founders.

Karri Saarinen, Co-founder and CEO of Linear, shares invaluable insights from his experience at Airbnb and Coinbase. He argues against the common notion that founders should 'always be raising,' emphasizing quality growth over hyper-growth. Karri discusses how to strategically leverage VCs by giving them productive 'homework.' He reflects on his best and worst fundraising meetings and shares lessons on minimizing dilution. The conversation highlights the importance of sustainable practices and user experience, offering a fresh perspective on scaling startups.

Daniel Khachab, co-founder and CEO of Choco, shares insights on the shift from SaaS to AI-first companies, claiming SaaS is dead. He discusses how AI will dominate the next decade and the vulnerabilities of traditional models. The conversation dives into Europe's challenges in the AI talent race, emphasizing the pressing need for innovation in chip production and renewable energy. Khachab also highlights the emotional toll of workforce changes during this transition, showcasing the resilience required for startups in today's landscape.

Mark Goldberg, Managing Partner at Chemistry and former partner at Index Ventures, dives into the intricate world of multi-stage venture capital. He reveals how portfolio services often prioritize VC interests over founders, discussing the pitfalls of large partnerships and decision-making breakdowns. Goldberg forecasts a shift from commoditized to boutique VC firms, reflects on the highs and lows of unicorn investments, and emphasizes the importance of genuine investor-founder relationships in shaping the future of venture.

AJ Tennant, Vice President of Sales & Success at Glean, has a rich history scaling sales teams at Slack and Facebook. In this conversation, he shares insights on selling AI tools, discussing the transition enterprises need to make and their adoption concerns. He addresses common mistakes in customer success management and how to create seamless handoffs between sales and CS. AJ also reveals innovative hiring strategies for sales teams, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive candidate evaluations and unique interview techniques.

Mamoon Hamid, General Partner at Kleiner Perkins and a renowned venture capitalist, shares his insights from leading investments in successful startups like Figma and Slack. He discusses the defining elements of a great investment, revealing what drove his decisions on these companies despite early challenges. Hamid explores the shifting landscape of AI, emphasizing the importance of application-layer companies and strategic growth. He reflects on lessons learned from past failures and the future of venture capital amidst a competitive market.

Antoine Le Nel, Chief Growth and Marketing Officer at Revolut and former VP of Growth at King, shares his insights on growth strategies in fintech. He argues that top product and growth teams succeed without A/B testing and emphasizes the importance of high-quality customer acquisition over CAC. Antoine discusses effective tactics that propelled Revolut to a $2.2 billion revenue milestone, highlights localisation as overrated, and stresses the significance of small, incremental improvements in driving sustained growth.

Zach Perret, CEO and Co-founder of Plaid, shares his insights on the dangers of "Founder Mode" and criticizes OKRs as ineffective. He believes that raising funds often distracts founders, advising them to limit fundraising efforts. Zach also reflects on his decision to turn down a $5BN offer from Visa and discusses the implications of high valuations. He emphasizes the importance of addressing "grinder problems" and advocates for sustainable growth strategies, arguing that angel investing can hinder founders instead of helping.