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

In this engaging discussion, Bhavin Shah, who shared his insights on Moveworks’ acquisition by ServiceNow, and Andrew Feldman from Cerebras, dives into the recent Coreweave IPO. They explore the ripple effects of tariffs on tech stocks and the complexity of navigating regulation in the startup landscape. Shah emphasizes the ongoing AI craze while Feldman reveals the challenges and opportunities in the chip market. Their conversation sheds light on the dynamics of investment growth versus sustainability in the fast-paced tech world.

Kevin Scott, the CTO of Microsoft and former SVP of Engineering at LinkedIn, dives into the evolving landscape of AI. He challenges traditional scaling laws, arguing they are overrated. Scott discusses the future of synthetic data and AI agents, predicting substantial shifts in software development driven by AI. He also emphasizes the importance of leadership lessons from Microsoft’s Satya Nadella and examines how we may be underestimating China’s role in tech innovation. A thought-provoking look at where value truly lies in an AI-driven world!

Julia Hoggett, CEO of the London Stock Exchange and former director at the Financial Conduct Authority, shares her insights into the challenges facing UK companies seeking to go public. She discusses the potential listing of fintech giants like Revolut and Monzo and argues that the UK market is undervalued compared to the US. Hoggett highlights the need for pension fund reforms and a more favorable regulatory environment to boost innovation. She also emphasizes the need for a mindset shift regarding entrepreneurship in the UK.

Mitchell Green, Founder and Managing Partner of Lead Edge Capital, shares insights from his extensive investment background in companies like Alibaba and ByteDance. He discusses the flaws in traditional VC models post-2021 and emphasizes the crucial role LPs play over founders. Green reveals why AI infrastructure is a poor bet and critiques the IPO market. He also argues TikTok's challenges won't impact ByteDance's value and warns of social media's dangers on youth mental health, calling for urgent regulation.

Niklas Östberg, the visionary Founder and CEO of Delivery Hero, shares his insights from leading a global food delivery powerhouse. He discusses the costly $200M loss on Gorillas and the lessons learned from 35 acquisitions, including the strategic purchase of Glovo. Östberg explores the tough competition against giants like Uber and DoorDash while shedding light on why emerging markets are ripe for investment. He emphasizes the importance of operational excellence, resilience, and adapting to market dynamics in the fast-paced world of quick commerce.

Andrew Feldman, Co-founder and CEO of Cerebras, shares deep insights into the AI chip landscape. He discusses how NVIDIA's strengths have become liabilities and why claims of reaching scaling laws in AI are misleading. Delving into the cost of inference, Feldman highlights the inefficiencies of algorithms and the necessity for a shift in AI architecture. He believes we underestimate China's tech advancements and critiques current U.S. policies in the realm of hardware export controls. Expect a thought-provoking analysis of AI's future and market dynamics!

Elias Torres, Co-founder and CEO of Agency and former Drift co-founder, shares insights on his complex journey in tech. He discusses why selling Drift for $1.2BN felt like a massive failure, highlighting the pitfalls of a cushy company culture. Elias examines how incumbents are slower and less effective in today's fast-paced AI landscape, emphasizing that the most valuable companies may remain small and agile. He also reflects on the emotional challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with parenthood, offering a fresh take on success and meaningful work.

Peter Singlehurst, Head of Private Companies at Baillie Gifford, shares insights from his extensive experience in private investments. He discusses the 10 crucial questions that guide their investment decisions and why they passed on opportunities like Stripe and Coinbase. Singlehurst outlines the exceptional growth potential for companies like Anduril, exploring how it could become a $200 billion powerhouse. He also contrasts the dynamics of public vs. private investments and the shifting landscape of venture capital, especially in the tech sector.

Yamini Rangan, CEO of HubSpot, brings her expertise from Dropbox and Workday to the discussion. She delves into the challenges of transitioning to a CEO role and the dynamics between wartime and peacetime leadership. Yamini explores why B2B isn't a winner-take-all market and how HubSpot positions itself against Salesforce. She shares insights on leveraging AI for customer engagement and the shift away from traditional SEO, emphasizing the need for agility and adaptability in modern marketing strategies.

Matt Biilmann, Co-founder and CEO of Netlify, dives into the transformative role of AI in product design and development. He introduces the concept of agent experience (AX), explaining how it shifts focus from users to AI agents. Topics covered include the potential extinction of certain SaaS tools and the future dynamics of platforms, stressing the importance of open systems. Additionally, Matt discusses the rise of agent economies, emphasizing the need for innovative products that harness AI to enhance creativity and efficiency.