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

Shaun Maguire, a Partner at Sequoia Capital and seasoned investor in transformative companies like SpaceX, shares his provocative insights on global politics. He argues that Iran poses a significant threat, urging a reevaluation of U.S. foreign policy. Shaun discusses the potential for Trump to bring stability to the Middle East and critiques current DEI initiatives as detrimental. He also explores the state of freedom of speech and the realities of international conflicts, emphasizing the need for candid dialogue amidst societal changes.

Dax Dasilva, Founder and CEO of Lightspeed Commerce, shares insights from his impressive journey of bootstrapping his company before going public. He argues that venture capital funding distorts the landscape for SaaS startups and discusses the difficulties he faced while scaling and navigating public market perceptions. Dax also reflects on his return as CEO to tackle operational challenges and the importance of adapting leadership skills for future success. His narrative emphasizes the blend of profitability and innovation in today’s competitive environment.

Alexis Ohanian, founder of Seven Seven Six and co-founder of Reddit, dives into the financial landscape of sports teams, focusing on Angel City Football Club's impressive $31M revenue. He explores innovative revenue streams, including ticket sales and sponsorships, and discusses the balancing act of managing a sports team's annual budget. Ohanian also addresses the rising prices of sports assets and the impact of private equity. The conversation highlights the future of women's sports and the potential for growth through strategic investments and storytelling.

David Cahn, a Partner at Sequoia Capital with a rich history in AI investments, dives deep into the future of artificial intelligence. He discusses the $600BN question in AI and how high capital expenditures are reshaping the competitive landscape. Cahn believes data centers are the backbone of AI's evolution, emphasizing the crucial role of 'servers, steel, and power.' He reveals that the biggest opportunities lie in building out data centers and navigating supply chain challenges, urging startups to seize the moment amidst the shifting tech dynamics.

Ben Fiechtner, the Chief Revenue Officer at Clari, brings extensive experience from Salesforce and UiPath. He shares insights on closing deals faster, emphasizing the need for urgency and recognizing key points in a deal cycle. Ben discusses the crucial transition from SMB to enterprise, warning of common pitfalls and advising on efficient strategies. He also dives into the concept of verticalised sales teams, explaining their advantages and optimal resourcing. Plus, he reveals how to hire top sales talent by focusing on attitude and authenticity.

Ethan Mollick, an Associate Professor at the Wharton School and Co-Director of the Generative AI Lab, dives into the pressing issues within AI. He discusses how adding more compute might not yield better models, and why OpenAI may be mishandling consumer product development. Ethan critiques the startup landscape and the challenges of AI adoption, emphasizing the need for user-centered approaches. He also explores the importance of local connections in Venture Capital and the evolving role of AI in education as we approach AGI.

Delian Asparouhov, a Partner at Founders Fund and co-founder of Varda Space Industries, dives into the unseen realities of venture capital. He challenges the notion that Western Europe won’t see struggles akin to third-world nations. Delian also critiques current venture practices, predicting major shifts in the industry and discussing why SaaS may be on the decline. Listeners gain insights on the essential qualities for emerging VCs and why the right founding team can make or break a startup's success.

Nilan Peiris, Chief Product Officer at Wise, shares his expertise on scaling growth. He discusses key strategies that helped Wise acquire their first million users and reveals what didn't work. Nilan emphasizes the importance of creating two types of content to outpace competitors and explains why SEO and SEM still matter. He also dives into performance marketing, highlighting common mistakes and the right time to diversify channels. Hear firsthand insights from his journey in the fintech sector and valuable lessons on customer acquisition.

Jason Lemkin, a pioneering SaaS investor and founder of the large SaaS community SaaStr, delves into pivotal industry topics. He analyzes Wiz's bold decision to reject Google's staggering $23 billion offer, debating potential IPO strategies and regulatory hurdles. The discussion shifts to CrowdStrike, scrutinizing their crisis response and future market position, while pondering the duality of their bull and bear cases. Additionally, Lemkin highlights the explosive growth in legal tech, with Clio's recent impressive funding round setting a vibrant tone for the sector's future.

Kevin Hartz, co-founder of Eventbrite and early-stage investor at A*, shares his experiences in venture capital. He discusses pivotal moments, like losing a $10BN opportunity with Airbnb due to an exploding term sheet. Hartz emphasizes the importance of assessing founders and reveals why he believes a barbell strategy of seed and Series C investing is optimal today. He also reflects on the challenges in navigating the VC landscape, touching on how dynamics have shifted and the pressing need to tackle mental health issues in the startup community.