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

Join Eric Paley, Managing Partner at Founder Collective, Mike Maples, Co-founder of Floodgate, and Jason Lemkin, Founder of SaaStr, as they dive into the changing venture capital landscape. They discuss why high startup valuations can be perilous, the pitfalls of following 'go fast' advice, and the significant risks for founders raising at inflated prices. With insights on market inefficiencies and strategic decision-making, they challenge the status quo, questioning if the seed model is still viable in today's market.

Miles Grimshaw, a General Partner at the prestigious Benchmark, shares his invaluable insights from years of venture capital experience. He discusses the five core pillars of successful VC, emphasizing the most critical aspects of sourcing, selecting, and servicing investments. Miles reveals his biggest lessons learned from missed opportunities like Figma and Plaid, highlighting the pitfalls of relying too heavily on data. He also delves into the transformative power of AI in business models and the emerging trends shaping the tech landscape.

Dive into the AI debate of model size versus data size! Experts discuss how these elements impact value creation for startups and incumbent companies. The conversation highlights the significance of diverse data sets and competitive strategies in accessing information. Discover the unique challenges faced by startups and established firms, and how agility can drive innovation in the tech landscape. Additionally, leadership insights unveil the future directions and financial strategies shaping the AI sector.

Suchit Dash, VP of Core Product Experience at Reddit and co-founder of Dubsmash, shares insights from his journey scaling Dubsmash to 43 million users in just 10 days. He discusses the importance of understanding user motivations and the pitfalls of retention challenges after rapid growth. Suchit also highlights the competitive edge TikTok had during Dubsmash's ascent, emphasizing the need for innovation in user engagement. With tips on product-market fit and building community, he offers valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs in the consumer social landscape.

David Velez, Founder and CEO of Nubank, discusses the incredible journey of building one of the world's largest neobanks, with half of Brazil's adults as customers. He shares insights from his time at Sequoia Capital and highlights key factors behind Nubank's rapid growth. Velez explores how AI will revolutionize financial services and the valuable lessons Western fintech can learn from LATAM markets. He also touches on balancing leadership with fatherhood, providing a relatable glimpse into his personal life.

Doug Adamic, CRO at Brex, shares his journey from finance to a thriving sales career. He discusses the innate versus learned aspects of sales and emphasizes the importance of listening and discovering customer needs. Doug unveils why everyone in a company should contribute to demand generation and the common pitfalls in sales discovery. He also shares insights on balancing growth with sales performance, the role of executive involvement in closing deals, and strategies for maintaining team morale during tough quarters.

Nikhil Basu-Trivedi, Co-founder and General Partner at Footwork, shares his insights from a successful venture capital career. He argues that small funds outperform large ones, revealing why he views Assets Under Management as a misleading metric. Nikhil emphasizes the importance of 'traction first' investing, focusing on genuine product-market fit over revenue. He also delves into the critical dynamics between founders and investors, advocating for open communication. Finally, his take on the AI startup landscape warns that many will likely fail.

Mudassir Sheikha, CEO and Co-founder of Careem, shares insights from his journey scaling the ride-hailing service to a $3.1BN acquisition by Uber. He discusses the pivotal moment that sparked Careem's creation and the crucial mistakes founders make in achieving product-market fit. Mudassir reveals how Careem outcompeted Uber with a fraction of their budget, offering advice for startups facing well-funded rivals. He also reflects on navigating complex negotiations with Uber while maintaining company culture and the challenges of leading in a developing market.

Noam Shazeer, co-founder and CEO of Character.AI, is a celebrated computer scientist known for his work in AI and NLP, including his role at Google Brain. He dives into the critical balance between model size and data size, questioning their true value in the evolving AI landscape. Shazeer shares insights on barriers to AI, his journey at Google, and the unique role startups can play amidst larger corporations. He also contemplates the future of AI, emphasizing the importance of fostering real human connections through technology.

Cris Valenzuela, Co-founder and CEO of Runway, a leader in generative AI for content creation, shares his insights on the evolving AI landscape. He discusses why AI models aren't a moat, emphasizing application over model size. Cris argues that current narratives around AI miss the mark, advocating for new stories that reflect its true potential. He dives into startup challenges like hiring and fundraising, debunking common misconceptions. His perspective offers a profound understanding of AI's role as a creative enabler in the industry.