The Next Next

Harnessing AI in Design: A Journey with Ben Blumenrose from Designer Fund In this episode of 'The Next Next,' host Jason Jacobs interviews Ben Blumenrose, co-founder and managing partner at Designer Fund. They explore how AI is revolutionizing design and shortening the product development cycle. Ben shares his journey from design lead at Facebook to investing in early-stage tech companies focusing on health, sustainability, and prosperity. He discusses the evolution of design tools, the impact of AI on entry-level design jobs, and the importance of speed and quality in product development. The conversation also delves into the convergence of engineering, design, and product management roles and the importance of fostering more design founders in the AI age. Tune in for insightful discussions on building ambitious companies, leveraging AI tools, and the future of design. 00:00 Introduction to Ben Blumenrose and Designer Fund 00:42 The Evolution of Design and AI's Impact 01:16 The Next Next: A Learning Journey 01:56 Ben Blumenrose's Background and Career 03:21 AI's Role in Modern Design 06:19 The Changing Landscape of Design Education 26:10 The Rise of Design Founders 31:12 The Rise of Design in Startups 31:31 Challenges Faced by Designer Founders 31:49 The Impact of Design on Company Success 32:42 Convincing Investors About Design 34:34 The Role of Designers in AI 38:05 The Future of Product Development 41:27 The Evolution of Design and Engineering Roles 43:57 New Tools and Processes in Design 47:54 Building Software Faster Than Searching 51:23 Implications for Venture Capital 57:42 Leveraging Tools at Designer Fund 59:32 Encouragement for Designers and Tinkerers 01:02:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Revolutionizing Warehouse Automation with Jon Miller Schwartz of Ultra In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs welcomes Jon Miller Schwartz, co-founder and CEO of Ultra. Ultra is pioneering the development and deployment of general-purpose robots aimed at transforming American warehouses. Jon discusses Ultra's mission, the importance of adaptable robots versus traditional static systems, and the role of AI in making these advancements possible. He outlines Ultra's unique technology, the challenges they've faced in the robotics industry, and their strategic focus on the e-commerce logistics space. The conversation also delves into the benefits of these robots for customers, the current state and future of robotics, and the importance of data in improving robotic capabilities. Jon shares insights about Ultra's rapid growth, their operational strategies, and the immense potential for robotics in various industries. 00:00 Introduction to The Next Next 02:01 Meet Jon Miller Schwartz: Ultra's Mission and Background 02:43 The Evolution of Robotics and AI 05:24 Jon's Journey: From 3D Printing to Robotics 07:30 Challenges and Innovations in Robotics 14:51 Focusing on Logistics: Ultra's Strategic Direction 20:07 Building and Deploying Robots: Ultra's Progress 22:34 Targeting the Logistics Industry: Ultra's Customers 26:22 Augmentation Strategy and Industry Growth 26:50 Robots in Fulfillment and Labor Optimization 28:03 Robot Performance vs. Human Packer 29:29 Cost Efficiency and Utilization of Robots 30:16 Impact on Human Workers and Job Shifts 32:31 Challenges in Robotics and Future Prospects 34:59 Focus on E-commerce Fulfillment 36:24 Competition and Defensibility in Robotics 37:42 Data Collection and Model Training 44:13 Technological and Societal Readiness 48:55 Future Vision and Company Goals 50:50 Hiring and Collaboration Opportunities 51:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this engaging discussion, Chris Olson, CEO of Mach 1 and former general manager of Trace's sports business, shares his insights on integrating AI into business operations. He reveals how Mach 1 automates tasks, reduces costs, and enhances efficiency across various sectors. Chris also dives into the transformative impact of AI on the youth sports industry, discusses the importance of maintaining employee satisfaction amidst these changes, and reflects on the cultural shifts required for successful AI adoption.

Leveraging AI in Sports with Jason Syversen of SportsVisio In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs interviews Jason Syversen, founder and CEO of SportsVisio, a company that uses AI to automate basketball statistics and video highlights. They delve into Jason Syversen's entrepreneurial journey, including his previous success in cybersecurity and his unexpected return to the startup scene. The discussion covers Sports Visio's inception, product development, customer engagement, market strategy, and the challenges of integrating advanced AI in sports analytics. Jason Syversen also shares insights into balancing entrepreneurial endeavors with family life and the importance of using business as a vehicle for societal good. 00:00 Introduction to Jason Syversen and SportsVisio 01:19 Jason's Entrepreneurial Journey 04:56 Deep Dive into SportsVisio 06:43 Balancing Family and Entrepreneurship 18:30 The Genesis of SportsVisio 29:41 Building the Team and Product Development 31:55 Lessons Learned and Future Plans 36:14 Mobile Processing vs. Cloud Processing in Sports Tech 36:38 Challenges of Multi-Object Tracking in Basketball 38:44 Edge Processing: Current Limitations and Future Potential 41:42 Human in the Loop: Balancing Cost and Accuracy 44:42 Expanding to New Sports and Markets 45:59 Leveraging AI in Sports: Custom vs. LLM Solutions 54:10 Scaling SportsVisio: Goals and Strategies 01:09:35 Entrepreneurship for Societal Good 01:13:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The Future of Product Management in the AI Era with Jeremy Crane In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs welcomes Jeremy Crane, Head of Product at Ankored, who shares his extensive experience as a product leader at various companies including Jasper, the Wanderlust Group, and HubSpot. They delve into topics such as the evolving role of product management in the era of AI, how AI tools are transforming team dynamics, and the balance between traditional processes and emerging technologies. Jeremy also discusses how product leaders can navigate the accelerating pace of technological advancement and leverage AI to stay competitive. This episode is a deep dive into the future of product development and the essential skills needed to thrive in an AI-first world. 00:00 Introduction to Jeremy Crane 00:40 Why Jeremy Crane? 01:18 Welcome to The Next Next 02:07 Catching Up with Jeremy 02:51 Jeremy's AI Journey 04:35 The Changing Role of Product Management 09:56 Product Development Processes 14:58 Balancing Process and Flexibility 18:19 Customer Feedback and Innovation 21:01 Future of Product Leadership 24:32 Unlocking the Value of Secure Data 26:53 Building Customer Intuition 29:37 Navigating Rapid Technological Change 33:38 AI-First Companies: Buzzword or Reality? 39:49 The Future of Software Engineering 42:38 Implications of Easier Software Development 45:17 Advice for Product Leaders Embracing AI 47:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Exploring AI's Frontier with Yohei Nakajima In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs is joined by Yohei Nakajima, a venture capitalist, innovator, and artist. Yohei, known for his work with Untapped Capital and the creation of BabyAGI, discusses his latest endeavor, The Agent Fund, focused on AI agents. The conversation delves into Yohei's multifaceted career, from his artistic projects like PixelBeasts to his AI-centric investments and automation efforts. They explore the rapid advancements in AI, the societal impact, and the evolving landscape of venture capital. Yohei shares insights into his investment strategy, the future of AI-native applications, and his unique approach to parenting in a tech-driven world.  00:00 Introduction to Yohei Nakajima 00:26 Yohei's Multifaceted Career 01:23 The Next Next: A Learning Journey 02:07 Starting the Conversation with Yohei 03:25 Yohei's Investment Philosophy 04:44 The Role of AI in Yohei's Work 07:28 The Evolution of AI and Its Impact 10:52 Challenges and Opportunities in AI 15:18 The Future of AI and Society 25:38 The Agent Fund and AI Investments 29:19 The Future of Company Growth in the Age of AI 30:14 Challenges and Opportunities for the Next Generation 33:43 Navigating Career Choices in a World of AI 36:02 AI's Role in Youth Development and Education 36:43 Investing in AI: Strategies and Insights 47:52 Balancing Structure and Flexibility in Daily Life 49:56 Final Thoughts and Future Outlook

Building SwingVision: An AI-Powered Revolution in Racket Sports In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs interviews Swupnil Sahai, co-founder and CEO of SwingVision, an AI-driven app for tennis and racket sport performance tracking. Swupnil shares his journey from working on Tesla's autopilot team to founding SwingVision, blending his passion for tennis with his expertise in AI. The app leverages a single iPhone or iPad to provide amateur players with pro-level analytics, including real-time stats, automatic line calling, and video highlights. They discuss the inception of SwingVision, early challenges, data collection strategies, and the importance of user feedback in refining the technology. Swupnil also talks about the company's go-to-market strategy, funding journey, and future aspirations, including potential expansion into other sports and improving infrastructure at sports facilities. The conversation highlights the merging paths of entrepreneurship and AI in sports tech, providing valuable insights for aspiring founders. 00:00 Introduction to The Next Next 00:33 Meet Swupnil Sahai: From Tesla to SwingVision 01:37 SwingVision: Revolutionizing Tennis Analytics 04:16 The Reality of Entrepreneurship 06:49 Swupnil's Journey: From Academia to Tesla 11:15 Building SwingVision: The Early Days 14:47 Training AI Models for Tennis 19:40 Gathering Data and Scaling Up 22:07 Launching the MVP and Iterating 23:27 Advice for Aspiring AI Entrepreneurs 25:15 Customer Feedback and Data Utilization 26:56 Fundraising Journey and Initial Challenges 29:01 Go-to-Market Strategy and Organic Growth 31:23 Adapting to AI Advancements 36:03 Freemium Model and Product Experiments 41:23 Future Vision and Expansion Plans 49:01 Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Entrepreneurs

Navigating Startups, AI, and Family Life with Andrew Lau of Jellyfish In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs interviews Andrew Lau, co-founder and CEO of Jellyfish. Jellyfish is a Boston-based software company that provides engineering leaders with data-driven insights to align their team's work with broader business objectives. Andrew discusses the founding and growth of Jellyfish, including their successful Series C round led by Accel in early 2022. The conversation covers the challenges of balancing startup growth with family life, the transitional impact of AI on engineering productivity, and the future of AI in business operations. Andrew shares insights on navigating market changes, the importance of strategic decision-making, and the value of building a supportive team culture. 00:00 Introduction to The Next Next with Andrew Lau 00:17 Meet Andrew Lau: Co-Founder and CEO of Jellyfish 00:35 Jellyfish's Mission and Venture Success 01:03 Andrew's Perspective on AI and Business 01:58 Introduction to The Next Next: A Learning Journey 02:38 Reconnecting with Andrew Lau 03:38 The Early Days of Runkeeper and Jellyfish 04:22 Building Jellyfish: Challenges and Successes 06:58 Balancing Family and Startup Life 09:05 Navigating Business Phases and Trade-offs 21:58 The Impact of COVID-19 on Jellyfish 25:14 Focusing on Engineering Leaders 26:18 Shifting to Larger Companies 26:29 Mid-Market Sales Strategy 29:38 Adapting to AI in Customer Operations 36:48 Internal Use of AI Tools 37:01 Future of Teams and AI Integration 40:13 Disruption and Market Adaptation 41:06 Reflections on Startup Evolution 45:23 Jellyfish's Future Vision 47:33 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Exploring AI-Driven Ventures with Hadley Harris of Eniac Ventures In this episode of The Next Next, Jason Jacobs hosts Hadley Harris, co-founder and general partner at Eniac Ventures. Since its inception in 2010, Eniac Ventures has made significant investments in AI, data, developer tools, SaaS, and healthcare. The discussion delves into the evolution of Eniac Ventures, from its early days focusing solely on mobile-first companies to becoming a pioneer in AI-first investments. Harris shares insights on the AI landscape, the timing of investments, the impact of AI on various sectors, and societal implications. Additionally, the episode explores the practical aspects of venture capital, including the use of AI in internal operations and the emerging trends in secondary markets. Jacobs also pitches an idea around using AI in the sports coaching and analysis space, seeking Harris's feedback. Tune in for an engaging conversation about navigating and harnessing the potential of AI in venture capital and startups. 00:00 Introduction to Hadley Harris and Eniac Ventures 00:55 Hadley's Journey and Eniac's Evolution 01:16 The Changing Landscape of Venture Capital 01:38 Deep Dive into AI and Its Implications 04:12 Hadley's Early Career and AI Involvement 05:37 The Impact of AI on Various Industries 09:18 Investment Strategies and Timing 12:14 Challenges and Opportunities in AI 15:14 Future of AI and Venture Capital 24:25 Bootstrapping vs. Hyperscale in the AI Era 29:37 Transition from Mobile to AI 30:13 The Evolution of AI in Business 32:03 AI's Role in Modern Companies 33:38 Balancing AI and Human Expertise 38:11 Ethical Considerations in Venture Capital 42:24 The Future of Liquidity in Venture Capital 47:04 Exploring AI in Sports and Fitness 52:33 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Navigating AI and Creativity with Gregg Spiridellis In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs interviews Gregg Spiridellis, co-founder of JibJab and StoryBots. Gregg shares his journey from investment banking to digital entertainment, discussing the evolution of his creative process and the impact of new technologies. He highlights how he and his brother are using AI to revolutionize content creation, including their latest endeavor to build a feature-length animated film based on Parry Grip's music. Gregg also touches on the challenges and strategies in navigating Hollywood's power dynamics and the significance of balancing career ambitions with family life. 00:00 Introduction to Gregg Spiridellis 00:05 The Journey from Investment Banking to JibJab 00:51 StoryBots and Netflix Success 01:10 New Ventures with Parry Grip 01:46 Exploring AI in Creative Processes 02:52 Introduction to The Next Next 04:48 Gregg's Current Projects 05:11 Building a Family Franchise 08:00 The Evolution of Creative Formats 11:58 Challenges and Iterations in Creativity 13:33 The Impact of Technology on Media 21:24 Failed Ventures and Lessons Learned 25:31 Collaborating with Parry Grip 27:19 Exploring Creative Origins 27:46 Building a Business Around Animation 28:44 Involving Gatekeepers and Developing Content 30:44 The Pixar Playbook and Technological Advances 34:06 Phases of Production and Financing 36:30 Embracing AI in Creative Processes 44:26 Industry Disruption and Future Implications 45:08 Philosophical Reflections on Legacy and Innovation 49:30 Final Thoughts and Future Plans 55:55 Conclusion and Parting Words