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.

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.