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

Steve Pagliuca, Senior Advisor at Bain Capital and co-owner of the Boston Celtics, shares his inspiring journey from a humble arrival at Duke to the heights of sports ownership. He discusses the parallels between managing sports teams and companies, emphasizing the critical lessons for new owners. Pagliuca also delves into the reasons behind the surge in sports investment, reflecting on the Chelsea acquisition and the evolving dynamics of team ownership. With insights on community engagement and long-term sustainability, he paints a vivid picture of the future of sports.

Ariel Cohen, Co-founder and CEO of Navan, shares thrilling insights from his journey of scaling the travel management super-app during the pandemic. He argues that SAP and Salesforce will crumble due to innovation stagnation and reveals how startups can maintain their edge. Cohen discusses education's shortcomings, emphasizing the need for personal interest in learning. He also touches on the transformative role of AI in travel, predicting a rise in margins and efficiency. Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on resilience and the future of venture capital.

Orlando Bravo, the Founder and Managing Partner of Thoma Bravo, shares his insights on value investing and software buyouts. He emphasizes that every company is worth its future cash flows and reveals the three crucial elements he looks for in potential deals. Orlando discusses his journey from Puerto Rico to becoming a top dealmaker, influenced by key mentors, and reflects on the changing landscape of the software industry. Additionally, he offers poignant thoughts on wealth, parenting, and the importance of balance in professional and personal fulfillment.

In this engaging discussion, Shreyas Doshi, David Lieb, Marty Cagan, and Kayvon Beykpour share their extensive expertise in product leadership. They break down the three types of product leaders—operators, craftspersons, and visionaries—highlighting the importance of hiring a Chief Product Officer at the right time. The conversation dives into crafting effective hiring processes, evaluating candidates based on experience versus potential, and the balance between domain expertise and product skills. Their insights are invaluable for any startup aiming for growth!

In this discussion, Alex Bouaziz, Co-founder and CEO of Deel, shares insights from his journey scaling the HR platform from $57M to an astonishing $295M in annual recurring revenue in just one year. He emphasizes the critical importance of speed in execution for startups and offers tips on balancing rapid growth with maintaining quality. Alex recounts how a simple WhatsApp group helped him identify product-market fit and reveals the challenges of hiring a global remote team, including the need for trust and adapting to diverse market dynamics.

Hunter Walk and Satya Patel, co-founders of Homebrew, share their insights on the evolving venture capital landscape. They discuss the shift away from external LP capital to investing their own money, emphasizing the strategic benefits of this decision. The duo explores how wealth impacts partnerships and investment strategies, urging founders to consider taking secondaries earlier. They also highlight the importance of liquidity and the market cycle's effects on funding needs, advocating for transparency in investor-founder relationships.

Cliff Obrecht, Co-founder and COO of Canva, shares his inspiring story of transforming rejection into success. He discusses overcoming over 100 VC rejections before scaling Canva to a $40 billion valuation. Cliff reveals the secret to hiring talent by considering 'distance traveled' and how he evolved his approach based on past mistakes. He also underscores the importance of relationships over wealth, emphasizing philanthropy and personal values. Tune in for insights on startup growth, talent acquisition, and redefining success.

Stevie Case, the CRO at Vanta and former VP of Mid-Market Sales at Twilio, shares her journey from pro female gamer to sales leader. She discusses why startups shouldn't juggle Product-Led Growth and enterprise sales simultaneously, offering insights on transitioning gradually. Stevie also emphasizes the importance of inclusivity for parents in the workplace and advocates for transparency in sales comp plans as a way to motivate teams. Her unique perspective blends professional resilience with a personal touch, making her story truly inspiring.

In this discussion, Albert Wenger, managing partner at Union Square Ventures, dives into his journey from failed entrepreneur to respected VC. He critiques Elon Musk’s Twitter acquisition and emphasizes the need for better content moderation. Wenger also tackles pressing issues like income inequality, advocating for universal basic income as a solution. He discusses climate change, the necessity of civil disobedience, and explores innovative strategies for education and investment in a changing world. His insights are timely and thought-provoking.

Mike Cessario, the founder and CEO of Liquid Death, revolutionizes the beverage industry with his unique canned water brand worth over $700M. He shares insights on overcoming skepticism around unconventional ideas, emphasizing the importance of data and feedback. Cessario highlights that great brands evoke emotional connections and often face criticism. He discusses innovative marketing strategies, including humor and celebrity involvement, to create viral content on a budget. Ultimately, he champions resilience and authenticity in building a lasting brand.