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

David Tisch, Managing Partner at BoxGroup, and Terrence Rohan, Managing Director at Otherwise Fund, dive into the gritty realities of seed investing. They challenge misconceptions like signaling and argue why many traditional strategies, such as maintaining reserves, might actually hinder returns. Tisch insists seed investing remains an inefficient market, advocating for price insensitivity and individual decision-making over groupthink. They also discuss the evolving power dynamics favoring founders in today's funding landscape, emphasizing the need for authentic relationships.

Will Wu, CTO at Match Group and former VP of Product at Snap Inc., shares his journey in tech and product development. He discusses building Snapchat's Discover and Chat features, emphasizing the importance of user engagement strategies. Will reveals his approach to hiring top product talent and the value of psychological safety in teams. He also explores the balance between intuition and data in product decisions, and the transformative role of AI in design, particularly within dating apps.

In this discussion, Dave Kellogg, a veteran SaaS executive and former CMO of Business Objects, shares his wisdom on essential metrics for SaaS success. He argues that the CAC payback period is flawed and explains why the CAC ratio is more relevant. Dave emphasizes the importance of hiring three sales reps at once and reveals the biggest forecasting mistakes companies make. He also explores how to align customer success with sales goals to drive more revenue and addresses the evolving strategies that CFOs are adopting in the tech landscape.

Ryan Akkina, a member of the MIT Global Investment Team, shares insights from his journey in fund investing. He discusses the rigorous manager evaluation process at MIT, emphasizing the importance of relationships and track records. Ryan reveals how MIT constructs its diverse portfolio and the three check sizes they leverage. The conversation also dives into MIT's direct investing strategy and lessons learned from past mistakes, highlighting the complexities of making investment decisions in today's competitive landscape.

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.