Eiso Kant, Co-founder and CEO of Poolside.ai, dives into the competitive world of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) funding, sharing insights on their recent $500M raise. He discusses how Poolside differentiates itself from other AI models and the challenges of competing with giants like Nvidia. The conversation touches on scaling laws, the future of model performance, and whether $600M is sufficient to remain relevant in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Kant also explores the dynamics of AI infrastructure and the emotional journey of entrepreneurs.

Maria Angelidou, a seasoned product leader with a rich history at Meta, shares her wisdom on building successful product teams. She discusses the vital traits to look for when hiring and how to structure an effective hiring process. Maria reveals common pitfalls in product reviews, emphasizing the difference between good and great approaches. She also contrasts the work ethic and cultural nuances between US and EU product teams. Insightful strategies for balancing speed and quality in product development round out this engaging conversation.

Bret Taylor, CEO and Co-Founder of Sierra and former CTO at Facebook, discusses the real state of AI, challenging the notion of an AI bubble. He questions the efficiency of companies building their own software and argues that pre-training models are outdated. As a board member at OpenAI, he claims foundation models are quickly depreciating. Taylor identifies the shift towards AI-driven interfaces and predicts a decline in phone reliance. He also shares insights on leadership in tech, including valuable lessons learned from Mark Zuckerberg.

Donald Tang, Executive Chairman of SHEIN, shares insights on the company's meteoric rise in the fashion world. He reveals the secret behind SHEIN's real-time retail strategy and innovative supply chain, which sets it apart from competitors. Donald discusses the balance between price and quality, and how social media fueled rapid growth. He also delves into the upcoming IPO and addresses concerns about climate impact and labor conditions. Plus, he opens up about the challenges of balancing a demanding career with family life.

Jeetu Mahtani, an early HubSpot leader, shares his insights on scaling a startup to nearly $1 billion in ARR. He discusses key strategies for international expansion, including common pitfalls and effective team structures. Mahtani emphasizes the importance of aligning sales and customer success incentives, revealing mistakes made while managing a 1,500-strong customer success team. He also critiques discounting practices, advocating for genuine customer engagement and the role of AI in evolving sales tactics. A treasure trove of growth strategies awaits!

Eric Vishria, a General Partner at Benchmark Capital and former CEO of RockMelt, discusses the dynamic landscape of AI investments. He shares insights on the commoditization of foundation models and why Nvidia won't dominate the market forever. Eric differentiates between successful high-quality AI applications and those riding the hype wave. He also explores Benchmark's decision-making process for new deals, revealing the complexity of analyzing AI startups and the importance of understanding revenue quality in this fast-evolving sector.

In this engaging conversation, Dmitry Gurski, co-founder and CEO of Flo Health—a leading women's health app and the first European femtech unicorn—shares his journey from a potato farm to a billion-dollar valuation. He challenges startup norms, declaring that competition can be beneficial and highlighting the importance of resilience over traditional talent. He reflects on lessons from his past, including the significance of simplicity in app design, user retention strategies, and the ongoing struggle of fundraising in the tech world.

Phil Carter, a growth advisor and angel investor renowned for accelerating the success of companies like Faire and Quizlet, shares valuable insights on consumer subscription strategies. He discusses the seven core levers for growth, emphasizing the importance of optimizing pricing and onboarding. Phil highlights the significance of targeted metrics for user engagement and paywall design, while cautioning against common pitfalls in growth strategies. With actionable advice on enhancing customer retention, he presents a roadmap for startups navigating subscription challenges.

Akshay Kothari, Co-Founder of Notion and former LinkedIn VP, shares insights on navigating startup challenges. He discusses the concept of 'Founder Mode' and its impact on decision-making, emphasizing the importance of a founder's 'veto power.' Akshay reveals the thought process behind raising significant funds, including a $270M round at a $10BN valuation, and the lessons learned from investor dynamics. He also reflects on the need for diverse board members and the role of first principles in scaling a successful startup.

Shardul Shah, a Partner at Index Ventures and a leading cyber security investor, shares his insights on venture capital. He challenges the validity of total addressable market, emphasizing the importance of focusing on strong teams instead. Shardul discusses the necessity of brief initial meetings to enhance decision-making and the difficulties of remote partnerships. He highlights the balance between intuition and analysis in evaluating deals, and stresses the need for authenticity and effective communication in driving investment success.