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

Ryan Denehy, Founder and CEO of Electric, shares insights from his journey as a three-time entrepreneur in the venture capital landscape. He discusses the crazy pricing trends and the normalization of pre-emptive funding rounds, addressing concerns over diminished due diligence by investors. Denehy emphasizes the importance of alignment between founders and investors on pricing and cautions against accepting the highest offers blindly. He also highlights the critical connection between sales and product-market fit and advises on strategic timing for raising substantial funds.

McKeever "Mac" Conwell II, founder of RareBreed Ventures, shares his remarkable journey from homelessness to becoming a venture capital leader. He discusses the necessity of changing the venture ecosystem, emphasizing that brand prestige isn't everything when choosing investments. Mac also critiques diversity issues and advocates for institutional LPs to support emerging managers. He expresses his reservations about AngelList Rolling Funds and highlights innovative solutions for startups, showcasing a future-focused, inclusive investment approach.

Elena Verna, a growth expert with a rich background at SurveyMonkey and Miro, shares her insights on scaling growth organizations. She discusses the critical levers for sustainable growth and when startups should consider a growth team. Elena emphasizes the importance of data literacy and the common mistakes founders make in hiring and onboarding growth talent. Additionally, she highlights the necessity for collaboration between growth and product teams, advocating for experimentation and strategic decision-making in driving success.

Will Shu, the Founder and CEO of Deliveroo, shares his journey from finance to revolutionizing food delivery. He reveals the challenges of launching the platform, including building trust with restaurants and acquiring customers. The conversation delves into the strategic decisions behind expanding into new markets and the ongoing competition with rivals like Uber Eats. Shu also discusses Deliveroo's IPO experience and the future of grocery delivery, emphasizing the importance of local engagement and operational efficiency in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Ankur Nagpal, Founding Partner at Vibe Capital, discusses his successful transition from founder of Teachable, which sold for $250M, to venture capitalist. He reveals insights about his new $70M fund and how his perspective on investment has evolved. Ankur shares provocative thoughts on the potential drawbacks of VCs, emphasizing the importance of value for founders. He dives into the strategies for portfolio construction, the significance of relationships within VC, and the unique opportunities emerging markets present for investors.

Fidji Simo, CEO of Instacart and former Facebook leader, shares her inspiring journey from a coastal fishing town in France to the tech forefront. She discusses the need for sponsors over mentors in career advancement and connects management skills to parenting. Fidji emphasizes creating a culture of trust to enable accountability in decision-making. She highlights the significance of embracing uniqueness in the workplace while advocating for women's health issues. Finally, she envisions a future of personalized food experiences through local retailers.

George Kurtz, co-founder and CEO of CrowdStrike, shares his journey from McAfee to launching a cybersecurity leader with a $60 billion market cap. He discusses the importance of selecting the right investors and adapting fundraising strategies as a company evolves. Kurtz highlights innovative talent acquisition methods and the need for a strong team culture, especially in a remote work environment. He also addresses competition in tech, emphasizing innovation and leadership over rivalry, and shares insights on navigating self-doubt as an entrepreneur.

Chris Sacca, Founder and Chairman of Lowercase Capital and Lowercarbon Capital, dives into his mission to combat climate change and the motivation behind his return to investing. He reflects on his early ventures, including his pivotal $25K investment in Twitter, and shares candid insights on his evolving relationship with wealth. Sacca discusses the challenges of modern parenting, highlighting the need for resilience and empathy in raising today's children. He critiques major tech companies like Facebook while advocating for diversity and innovation in venture capital to drive meaningful environmental change.

Anthony Casalena, the innovative Founder and CEO of Squarespace, shares his journey from dorm room beginnings to leading a public company with over $700M in ARR. He discusses why he chose to bootstrap for years, emphasizing the impact it had on his mindset. Casalena reveals the strategic decision behind opting for a direct listing over traditional IPOs or SPACs, and shares insights on the complexities of being a public company CEO. He also reflects on the transformative effects of e-commerce growth in the wake of COVID-19, highlighting new opportunities for the future.

Anton Levy, Co-President of General Atlantic, shares his insights from over two decades in growth investing. He discusses two major shifts in the venture landscape and how founders should navigate the challenge of active versus passive cash. Anton emphasizes adapting investment strategies by moving earlier in the process and being selective in scaling investments. He also reflects on missed opportunities, such as Facebook, highlighting the importance of conviction in decision-making. This engaging conversation blends personal anecdotes with keen industry observations.