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

Jag Duggal, Chief Product Officer at Nubank, shares insights from his journey in tech, transitioning from Silicon Valley to Brazil's fintech scene. He argues that product management is 90% science, emphasizing the importance of strategic clarity and effective customer feedback methods. Jag warns against falling in love with your own ideas and discusses the true challenges of scaling a product for 80 million users. His advice on hiring the right team highlights the crucial role of dynamics and strategic alignment in product success.

Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber and former CEO of Expedia, shares his journey from the Iranian Revolution to leading a global tech giant. He discusses Uber Eats’ strategies to compete with DoorDash, emphasizing the importance of capital allocation and decision-making frameworks. Dara reflects on the influence of his family's history on his leadership style and the value of trust in team dynamics. He also candidly addresses his missteps, including regrets over investments in scooters, proving that even powerful CEOs face tough lessons.

Mike Maples, Co-founder of Floodgate, shares invaluable insights from the recent SVB crisis. He emphasizes the necessity of scenario planning and financial agility for startups, advising founders on managing banking relationships effectively. Maples also highlights the critical role of crisis communication, encouraging transparency and radical humanity in tough times. He critiques the Western world's financial irresponsibility and urges for reform, making this discussion a must-listen for entrepreneurs navigating uncertainties.

Frank Fillmann, the CRO for Salesforce Australia, shares his journey from selling kitchen utensils to leading a $1B revenue line. He emphasizes the importance of resilience and adapting strategies for sales success, especially around understanding client needs over pricing. Fillmann discusses building effective sales playbooks and highlights the CFO's role in the buying process, advocating tailored messaging. He also touches on multi-threading relationships within organizations and innovative tools for remote collaboration, revealing strategies for thriving in today's sales landscape.

Bill Ackman, CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, shares his insights on the current banking crisis and its implications for the economy and political landscape. He discusses the importance of trust in partnerships and the high and lows of his investment journey, emphasizing lessons learned from failures. Ackman advocates for better regulation and support for smaller banks, while also exploring wealth inequality and proposing innovative solutions. Throughout, he reflects on leadership, resilience, and the potential for positive change in America.

Ophelia Brown, founder of Blossom Capital and a former GP at LocalGlobe, dives into the complexities of venture capital. She shares her unique journey from a DJ and restaurant owner to a leading VC. Ophelia critiques the prevailing growth investor mentality, arguing it has detrimentally influenced the market. She discusses the lack of substance in venture marketing and how follow-on investments can hurt returns. With insights on relationship building and strategic investing, she empowers founders to discern authenticity in the investment landscape.

In a captivating discussion, Adam Grenier, a growth expert with a rich history at Uber and other tech giants, shares his journey into the growth world. He reveals why you don’t necessarily need a dedicated growth team and how to instill growth principles in existing ones. Adam also provides insights into effective hiring practices that identify growth mindsets. He talks about Uber's scaling challenges in China and the balance of data and user psychology for sustainable growth, highlighting the importance of real-world marketing strategies.

In this discussion, Jackie Reses, CEO of Lead Bank, and Kris Dickson, CFO of Lead Bank and former Lehman Brothers CFO, unpack the rapid downfall of Silicon Valley Bank. They explore the critical role of venture capitalists, social media, and management missteps in the crisis. The duo also examines the implications for depositors, discussing potential guarantees and the viability of neo-banks. With insights into possible buyers for SVB and strategies for restoring depositor confidence, their conversation sheds light on navigating turbulent financial waters.

Amjad Masad, Founder and CEO of Replit, shares his journey from a rebellious child in Iran to a tech innovator in Silicon Valley. He passionately believes that AI will create an unprecedented number of billionaires, potentially giving rise to more visionaries like Elon Musk. Amjad discusses the looming challenge of wealth inequality, the potential ban on TikTok, and how AI will change the landscape of employment, predicting that one engineer will eventually replicate the work of 100. His insights spark a vital conversation about the future of tech and society.

Glen Coates, VP of Product at Shopify, shares insights from his journey from game developer to leading e-commerce innovations. He discusses why the best product managers often emerge from gaming backgrounds and the importance of clear product principles. Glen emphasizes the significance of collaborative tools for effective team dynamics and how Shopify's restructuring enhances productivity. He critiques product marketing strategies and outlines the need for engaging messaging across diverse business sizes, all while striving for innovation in a competitive landscape.