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

Keith Rabois, a General Partner at Founders Fund, discusses his groundbreaking role in the creation of Opendoor, inspired by a pivotal conversation with Peter Thiel. He shares insights into the market dynamics that fueled his excitement for the venture and the unique challenges he encountered in launching the company amidst capital scarcity. Rabois also delves into the importance of consumer trust and pricing accuracy, as well as the evolving nature of startup fundraising today, highlighting lessons learned from both Opendoor and his current venture, OpenStore.

Ralf Wenzel, Founder and CEO of JOKR, shares his journey from founding foodpanda to leading a global instant retail delivery platform. He discusses the misalignment in consumer packaged goods and advertising, predicting a shift away from giants like Amazon and Alibaba. Ralf delves into innovative fulfillment strategies, emphasizing the importance of treating drivers as full-time employees for better retention. He also highlights consumer expectations for personalization and sustainability, painting an optimistic future for quick commerce.

Casey Winters, Chief Product Officer at Eventbrite and former growth leader at Pinterest and Grubhub, shares his expertise in scaling growth teams. He defines what makes a great Head of Growth and reveals the right time to hire one. Casey discusses the importance of a data-driven approach in the hiring process and the initial tasks vital for onboarding new growth teams. He emphasizes the dynamic relationship between a growth leader and the CEO, providing tips on effective communication and collaboration for success.

Hans Tung, Managing Partner at GGV Capital, shares his wealth of experience in venture capital. He discusses his transition from entrepreneurship to investing, shaped by witnessing market booms and busts. Hans analyzes today’s competitive venture landscape, emphasizing the importance of price sensitivity and market sizing. He reflects on lessons learned from backing giants like Peloton and Alibaba, often highlighting the misjudgments many investors make regarding market scope. His insights shed light on navigating the complexities of global investment opportunities.

Nazim Salur, Founder and CEO of Getir, shares his journey from launching a taxi-hailing app to disrupting last-mile delivery with rapid grocery services. He discusses the importance of owning the entire vertical stack and strategic site selection for micro-fulfillment. Driver acquisition strategies vary by location, and Salur reveals insights into balancing SKU minimization with consumer demand. He emphasizes developing strong consumer loyalty and predicts the future dynamics of the grocery delivery market as it continues to evolve.

Doug Leone, Global Managing Partner at Sequoia Capital, shares his 33-year journey in venture capital. He reflects on the pivotal meeting that led him to Sequoia and the evolution from COO to a more inspired leadership role. Leone discusses the importance of team culture over familial bonds in business and offers insights on navigating international expansion, particularly in China and India. He also candidly talks about the highs and lows of his early investments and how to recognize the qualities that lead to success in the venture landscape.

Sameer Gandhi, Partner at Accel, shares his journey in venture capital, highlighting his investments in tech giants like CrowdStrike and Dropbox. He recounts a pivotal 2-hour meeting with CrowdStrike's CEO, focusing on market analysis and timing strategies. Gandhi emphasizes the importance of speed in execution and building strong relationships with founders. He discusses the balance between rapid growth and sustainable vision, while also stressing trust and cultural insights in the venture capital landscape.

Marcelo Claure, CEO of SoftBank Group International and a key player in tech investments, shares his insights into a year spent with Masa Son. He reveals how their partnership redefined his approach to investing and operating. Topics include softbank's strategy in Latin America, with the potential for several IPOs next year, and the importance of founder-centric investments. Marcelo emphasizes the need for collaboration among entrepreneurs and uncovers how intuition plays a crucial role in venture capital. His commitment to empowering underrepresented groups in LATAM's business landscape also shines through.

Frank Rotman, co-founder of QED Investors, dives into the evolving landscape of venture capital and fintech. He discusses how price discipline seems to be fading and the implications of rapid deployment timelines. Frank shares insights on the importance of initial ownership positions and how to build them effectively over time. He examines the dynamics between investors and founders, the necessity of empathy, and the rising trends in pre-emptive funding rounds. With a focus on collaboration, he sheds light on the future potential of fintech innovation.

Emilie Choi, the President and COO of Coinbase, shares her impressive journey from corporate development at LinkedIn to steering one of the leading names in cryptocurrency. She reveals how Coinbase Ventures thrives without dedicated employees and discusses the strategic hiring process for key roles like COO and Head of Corp Dev. Emilie emphasizes the importance of a collaborative culture, effective onboarding, and how to prioritize resources for innovation while managing a fast-paced startup environment.