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

David Frankel, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Founder Collective, shares insights from his impressive venture capital career, having backed giants like Uber and Coupang. He discusses why pro-rata rights may hurt founders and why Limited Partners are frustrated with VCs today. David dives into the evolving dynamics of seed funding, emphasizing the importance of adapting investment strategies in a shifting landscape. He reflects on the emotional challenges of guiding struggling startups and highlights the critical role of understanding entrepreneurs' characters in successful investments.

Eoghan McCabe, Co-founder and CEO of Intercom, dives into the limitations of AI investments and why they may underperform against the S&P 500. He argues that the early-stage venture landscape is challenging and discusses the differences between founder and manager mindsets. McCabe also shares his political views, warning that a Kamala Harris administration could threaten individual freedoms, while suggesting Trump may restore them. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of navigating freedom of speech amid censorship in today's climate.

Jeff Wang, Managing Partner at Sequoia Capital Global Equities, shares his insights on the shifting landscape of investments. He discusses the growing appeal of crossover funds and why public markets are currently more favorable than private ones. Jeff expresses concerns over Google's dominance and suggests that Meta could emerge as its biggest rival. He also evaluates NVIDIA's market position and ponders China's recovery potential. Additionally, they dive into how AI is affecting major tech players and the evolving investment strategies at Sequoia.

Eiso Kant, Co-founder and CEO of Poolside.ai, dives into the competitive world of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) funding, sharing insights on their recent $500M raise. He discusses how Poolside differentiates itself from other AI models and the challenges of competing with giants like Nvidia. The conversation touches on scaling laws, the future of model performance, and whether $600M is sufficient to remain relevant in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Kant also explores the dynamics of AI infrastructure and the emotional journey of entrepreneurs.

Maria Angelidou, Chief Product & Technology Officer at Personio and former VP of Product at Meta, shares her extensive experience in product management. She reveals key insights on hiring effective product teams, including three archetypes and non-obvious traits to look for in candidates. Maria discusses the common pitfalls in conducting product reviews and how to elevate their effectiveness. She also contrasts product team dynamics between Europe and the US, emphasizing cultural differences and work ethics that shape their approaches.

Bret Taylor, CEO and Co-founder of Sierra and former Co-CEO of Salesforce, dives into the current AI landscape. He questions the sustainability of the so-called AI bubble and challenges the notion that companies will create their own software. Taylor also discusses why foundation models might be the fastest depreciating assets and shares insights on AI's potential to replace traditional consumer interfaces. The conversation touches on the shifting landscape of computing, highlighting the importance of tailored software solutions in a rapidly evolving tech world.

Donald Tang, Executive Chairman of SHEIN, shares insights from his impressive career in finance and his role in transforming SHEIN into a global fashion powerhouse. He discusses the innovative supply chain strategies that give SHEIN a competitive edge, debunking the myth that their success is solely due to low prices. Tang also dives into the company's savvy use of social media for rapid growth and addresses pressing issues surrounding their potential IPO, sustainability, and worker conditions, emphasizing a customer-centric approach to retail.

Jeetu Mahtani, an early member of HubSpot, played a crucial role in scaling their revenue from $3M to nearly $1B. He shares valuable insights on international expansion, including key strategies and common mistakes to avoid. Jeetu emphasizes the importance of structured teams and effective onboarding in new markets. He discusses the challenges of scaling customer success, advocating for incentives that align with sales. Plus, he reveals his aversion to discounting and how to handle early sales team failures.

Eric Vishria, General Partner at Benchmark Capital, shares insights on the ever-evolving world of AI. He discusses the rapid commoditization of foundation models and why competitors will emerge beyond Nvidia. Vishria differentiates sustainable AI applications from those generating fleeting 'sugar high' profits, emphasizing the need for robust revenue quality. He also dives into Benchmark's decision-making processes and the dynamics that guide successful investments in this fast-paced landscape.

Dmitry Gurski, Co-founder and CEO of Flo Health, discusses his journey from potato farming in Belarus to leading a billion-dollar women's health app. He shares valuable lessons about leadership and why craziness, not just intelligence, is vital for founders. Dmitry dives into the realities of securing funding, especially as a minority founder, and emphasizes the importance of resilience in facing rejection. He explores the balance between freemium and premium models, and encourages a product-focused approach over conventional branding.