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

Domm Holland, Founder and CEO of Fast, shares his journey following the company's unexpected closure. He reflects on the harsh lessons learned, highlighting the key mistakes made and contrasting Fast's challenges with Bolt's successes. Holland provides candid insights into excessive burn rates and the difficult decisions surrounding layoffs. He also discusses the unique experience of having Stripe as an investor and emphasizes the importance of perseverance and adaptability in the ever-evolving startup landscape.

In this discussion, Avichal Garg, Co-Founder of Electric Capital, a powerhouse in crypto venture capital, shares his journey from software to crypto investing. He dives into the competitive crypto landscape, highlighting how crypto firms are uniquely poised to challenge traditional VCs. Avichal explains the complexities of token pricing and the evolving role of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) in governance. He emphasizes the collaborative nature of crypto investing and the need for a narrative-driven approach in this dynamic market.

Eric Liaw, a General Partner at IVP, shares deep insights from his 20-year journey in venture capital. He reflects on lessons learned during his time at TCV and discusses his investment style evolution, including a notable miss that shaped his approach. The conversation navigates the shifting landscape of IPOs and M&A in the current market, emphasizing the importance of genuine relationships in VC. Eric also touches on balancing professional ambitions with family life, offering a candid look at the challenges that come with parenthood.

Brian Hale, Vice President of Consumer Product & Growth at DoorDash, shares insightful strategies from his extensive experience at Facebook. He discusses the crucial timing for startups to hire growth leads and how to accurately assess product-market fit through retention metrics. Brian delves into the common hiring mistakes startups make and outlines vital interview questions for growth team candidates. He also challenges popular myths about user retention, emphasizing sustainable growth over quick tricks.

Thomas Tull, the visionary founder of Tulco, LLC and former CEO of Legendary Entertainment, shares insights from his incredible journey in film and investment. He discusses how growing up with financial struggles shaped his entrepreneurial mindset. Tull emphasizes the delicate balance between luck and skill in achieving success and examines his evolving relationship with money. He also reflects on resilience in entrepreneurship and recent investments in groundbreaking genetic technologies, showcasing his forward-thinking approach to the industry.

Eddie Vivas, Co-founder and CEO of Curated, shares insights from his journey in tech and angel investing. He reveals the 'aha moment' that led to Curated's founding and emphasizes the importance of hiring 'missionaries, not mercenaries.' Eddie discusses the pitfalls of rushing to scale and how building in-house tools can enhance a startup's strategic value. He also addresses common mistakes startups make in their equity plans and hiring processes, offering advice on creating a sustainable work culture while navigating growth challenges.

In a fascinating conversation, Olivia Nottebohm, Chief Revenue Officer at Notion and former executive at Dropbox and Google, shares her insights on operational excellence. She discusses the balance between data analysis and quick decision-making in startups. Olivia emphasizes the importance of great operations and reveals the key mistakes founders often make. The hiring process is also a hot topic; she explores the trade-offs between hiring speed and finding top talent. Trust dynamics between leaders play a crucial role in successful operations, as does empathy in management.

Jeff Lieberman, Managing Director at Insight Partners, shares his journey from a working-class background to leading a $20 billion venture capital firm. He discusses the impact of economic cycles on investing, drawing from core lessons learned during the dot-com bust and 2008 crisis. Jeff emphasizes the importance of price sensitivity and transforming misses into strategy improvements. He also critiques traditional business education while advocating for active listening and the need for diversity in the venture space, all while preparing the next generation of investors.

Dive into the growth secrets behind giants like Facebook and Instagram! Learn how Instagram skyrocketed from 440M to over 1B users in just 2.5 years. Discover the strategic shifts at Twitter that made signing up easier. Hear firsthand accounts of balancing data with gut instincts to fuel growth. Explore the importance of building strong growth models and the need for collaboration among founders. Plus, get insights on navigating equity management for startups and personal development in the fast-paced tech world.

In this discussion, Grant LaFontaine, Founder and CEO of Whatnot, shares insights from his journey in tech and entrepreneurship. He argues that startups often falter due to a lack of risk-taking and criticizes the inefficiency of A/B testing in driving innovation. LaFontaine also addresses the challenges of hiring product managers and highlights the traits of exceptional engineers. His experiences at Facebook have shaped his approach to building a culture of adaptability and empowerment within Whatnot.