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

Austen Allred, Founder and CEO of Lambda School, shares his incredible journey from homelessness to successful entrepreneur. He delves into his unique approach to risk and money, highlighting how his viewpoint has evolved. Austen also discusses the complexities of scaling his rapidly growing team and the vital role of a COO. He reflects on the importance of choosing the right investors and how post-COVID dynamics are reshaping the educational landscape. Plus, he shares insights on the digital growth of Lambda School amidst changing tech environments.

Ravi Gupta, a Partner at Sequoia Capital and former COO & CFO at Instacart, dives into the transformative power of hyper-growth and high-performing teams. He discusses key questions for evaluating talent, the balance of prioritization in leadership, and the importance of vulnerability. Ravi shares insights on his transition from Instacart to Sequoia, emphasizing authentic relationships and the power of teamwork. He also encourages a human-centric approach to venture capital, highlighting empathy as a crucial element in the startup journey.

In this engaging discussion, Alex Tew, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Calm, reveals his journey from a FIFA enthusiast to the driving force behind a top meditation app. He shares insights on the qualities of successful brands, emphasizing the importance of opinion-dividing messaging. Tew also dives into customer acquisition costs, debating paid versus organic strategies. With thoughts on creative pressure and the dynamics of building viral products, he offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs aiming to blend business growth with well-being.

Angela Strange, a General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, shares her journey from Google's product manager to a leading fintech investor. She discusses why every company is becoming a fintech company and how removing barriers is enhancing product quality and accessibility. Angela explores optimal market insertion points, the significance of transitioning to the 'system of record,' and the current trend of bundling versus unbundling in financial services. Her insights shed light on the evolving landscape of fintech and its impact on various business models.

Alyson Friedensohn, Co-founder and CEO of Modern Health, dives into her journey of transforming workplace mental well-being. She shares insights on assessing personal psychology and navigating crisis modes. Alyson also provides invaluable advice for non-technical founders, emphasizing the balance between sales goals and mental health. The conversation explores the dynamics of founder-investor relationships, stressing the importance of vulnerability and trust. Finally, she reflects on the unique challenges and support structures of marrying another founder in the startup world.

Join Kevin Hartz, co-founder of A* and former CEO of Eventbrite, alongside partner Troy Steckenrider, a former COO at ZeroDown. They dive into the world of SPACs, explaining how these Special Acquisition Companies can revolutionize the venture landscape. Kevin discusses the dramatic rise in SPAC popularity and its implications for startups, while Troy highlights the strategic advantages they offer. They candidly address the challenges within the SPAC industry and share insights on how to foster successful partnerships, making SPACs a compelling alternative to IPOs.

In this engaging conversation, Jennifer Tejada, CEO of PagerDuty, shares her journey from consumer marketing to the forefront of enterprise leadership. She reveals how she navigates risk and insecurity while making decisions with imperfect data. Tejada emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of healthy debate within teams and outlines her strategies for effective board management. She also discusses the critical need for diversity in tech, advocating for transparency and accountability in leadership roles.

Sahil Lavingia, Founder and CEO of Gumroad, shares insights from his journey in the startup world and his role at Pinterest. He dives into the revolutionary concept of rolling funds, discussing how they create greater accessibility in venture capital. Sahil highlights the importance of evaluating market conditions, team dynamics, and product quality. He advocates for transparency in funding and addresses the emotional toll of declining investments. Additionally, he emphasizes the value of community support for seed founders navigating challenging environments.

Ben Rubin, Founder and CEO of /talk and co-founder of Houseparty, shares his journey through the startup landscape. He discusses essential lessons from scaling Houseparty to millions, stressing that traditional metrics like DAU and MAU fall short in measuring product success. Rubin explains the shifting principles from early to later stages of product development and the importance of team dynamics in hypergrowth. He also reflects on navigating pivots, board management, and the value of a balanced approach to workplace collaboration.

Apurva Mehta, Managing Partner at Summit Peak Investments, shares his journey from limited partner to founding his own firm. He emphasizes the evolving dynamics in early-stage venture capital and the rise of solo capitalists. Discover why he believes references hold varying significance during diligence and how LP concentration can impact funds. Apurva also discusses navigating fundraising complexities post-COVID and the shift to virtual networking, underscoring the need for strong relationships in the investment landscape.