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

Dave Ripley, CEO of Kraken and co-founder of Glidera, dives deep into the challenges of cryptocurrency regulation. He argues that the SEC's current strategy is flawed and raises questions about Gary Gensler's leadership. Ripley discusses the real applications for crypto beyond value storage and critiques the current handling of global payments. He also explores how upcoming US elections might affect crypto markets and shares insights from his own journey in the crypto space, emphasizing the importance of strong leadership during transitions.

Sean Murray, CRO at Greenhouse, brings a wealth of experience scaling enterprises. He shares his journey into sales and reflects on what he wishes he had known at the start. The conversation delves into how sales and marketing must blend, emphasizing that CMOs should be sellers. Sean identifies common pitfalls for startups venturing into the enterprise space, like underestimating the power of logos. He also discusses effective sales team hiring strategies, the importance of conversational intelligence, and adapting in today's complex sales landscape.

Adam Fisher, Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners, shares his impressive journey in venture capital with over 60 investments and 23 successful exits. He debunks the myth that high-growth companies are always the best investments, advocating for smaller markets instead. Adam emphasizes the importance of recognizing effective entrepreneurs and the delicate balance of risk-taking. He discusses the evolution of VC from a boutique business to a more collaborative approach, while highlighting the nuances of negotiation and the significance of culture fit in hiring.

Zaria Parvez, Duolingo's Senior Global Social Media Manager, skyrocketed their TikTok from 50K to 8M followers with her creative strategies. She shares valuable lessons on creating viral videos, explaining how to make content feel like 'medicine to candy.' Zaria emphasizes the importance of authenticity and balance in storytelling, reflecting on how the pandemic transformed content marketing. She also discusses measuring success in social media while navigating trends and maintaining team creativity. Zaria's insights reveal what makes engaging content truly resonate.

Shyam Sankar, CTO of Palantir Technologies and Chairman of Ginkgo Bioworks, dives into the flaws in government defense procurement. He critiques how outdated processes stifle innovation and emphasizes the urgency for change in defense spending, especially in light of global conflicts. Shyam shares personal insights from his father's challenges, highlighting resilience and responsibility. He also draws parallels between hiring top talent in tech and the entertainment industry, advocating for a creative approach to assembling teams.

Brian Halligan, Co-founder and Executive Chairperson of HubSpot, shares insights from his journey scaling the company to a $30 billion powerhouse. He discusses the balance of luck and skill in entrepreneurship, revealing how his early job as a paperboy shaped his leadership approach. Halligan reflects on invaluable lessons learned from leaders like Elon Musk, the importance of effective team dynamics, and the evolving role of CEOs in today's business landscape. He also critiques the venture capital space, offering wisdom from HubSpot's fundraising adventures.

Keith Rabois, Managing Director at Khosla Ventures and a veteran venture investor, returns to discuss his recent transition from Founders Fund. He shares what he missed about Khosla and compares the investing styles of both firms. Rabois also highlights the significance of price sensitivity, lessons learned about liquidity, and the importance of founder-investor compatibility. Delving into the future, he reflects on balancing career challenges with family life and offers insights into the evolving dynamics of venture capital.

Join Ed Sim, Founder of Boldstart Ventures, and Jamin Ball, Partner at Altimeter Capital, as they dissect the future of investing in 2024. They reveal the three critical mistakes growth investors often make and debate whether Figma has reshaped the M&A landscape. Discover what it takes for companies to go public, including essential growth metrics. Additionally, they explore upcoming IPOs, the dynamics of private company acquisitions, and the evolving role of AI in venture capital. Pure insights from seasoned experts!

Kyle Samani, co-founder of Multicoin Capital, and Nick Tomaino, founder of 1confirmation, dive into the intersection of crypto and politics ahead of the 2024 elections. They discuss the aftermath of the FTX scandal, questioning if investors should have seen the red flags. The guests ponder whether Trump’s potential impact on crypto could lead to legislative cronyism and explore the future of NFTs and the shifting landscape of investment motivations within the crypto realm. A lively debate on the evolution from speculation to sustainable economic empowerment ensues.

Jason Lemkin, Founder of SaaStr and a leading SaaS investor, discusses the venture capital landscape as we approach 2024. He reflects on 2023's standout companies like OpenAI and addresses growing concerns about early-stage funding. The conversation delves into predictions on IPOs, with major players potentially going public, and the state of the M&A market. Lemkin also highlights the impact of political changes on startups and the challenges new VCs may face, especially amidst a turbulent funding climate.