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

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.

Phil Carter, a growth advisor and angel investor renowned for his work with brands like Faire and Quizlet, shares invaluable insights on consumer subscription success. He discusses the seven core levers for winning in this space, like optimizing pricing and the importance of user onboarding. The conversation dives into boosting marketing efficiency, refining paywall strategies, and maximizing 'time to value' to enhance user retention. Phil also highlights common pitfalls founders face, emphasizing the need for adaptable growth strategies and effective use of data.

Akshay Kothari, Co-founder of Notion and former VP of Product at LinkedIn, shares insights on the challenging 'Founder Mode.' He highlights the power of veto decisions and reflects on crucial opportunities Notion missed. Akshay discusses their decision to raise $50M without needing the funds and what led to a $270M round at a $10B valuation. He also touches on the dynamics of building a supportive board and the importance of lean operations in a rapidly growing startup.

Shardul Shah, Partner at Index Ventures, dives into the intricacies of venture capital, particularly in cybersecurity. He challenges the notion of total addressable market, asserting that every great deal comes with a hefty price tag. Shardul emphasizes the need for effective decision-making, revealing why initial meetings should be shorter. He shares invaluable insights on prioritizing unique strengths in partnerships and the importance of trust and clarity in investment dynamics, shedding light on his successes with companies like Datadog and Wiz.

Mike Hudack, Co-founder and CEO of Sling, previously led product at Monzo and Deliveroo, and worked at Facebook. He dives into the balance between art and science in product design, questioning if simplicity is always the best approach. Hudack shares insights from his time at Facebook about impactful meetings with Mark Zuckerberg and the ads product lessons learned there. He reflects on the fast-paced decisions made at Deliveroo, the importance of understanding user needs, and how intuition sometimes trumps data in product development.

David Schneider, General Partner at Coatue, played a pivotal role in scaling ServiceNow to an impressive $5 billion in ARR. He shares secrets behind rapid growth, like effective hiring strategies and the significance of customer-centric products. The discussion dives into the challenges of transitioning from operator to investor, and the common pitfalls VCs face—calling out the so-called 'seagull VCs' who detract value. Schneider also offers insights on leadership dynamics and the importance of understanding customer needs in navigating market missteps.

Sean Rad, the visionary founder and former CEO of Tinder, shares his insights on scaling the iconic dating app into a global phenomenon. He reflects on pivotal strategies, including the need for annual redesigns and lessons in user acquisition. Rad also explores the emotional detachment from company performance that leaders should cultivate. Delving into finance, he discusses his evolving relationship with wealth and the value of meaningful connections over material success, offering a profound look at love, dating, and personal fulfillment.