The Next Next

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

Redefining Venture Capital for the Creator Economy with Megan Lightcap of Slow Ventures In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs interviews Megan Lightcap, a partner at Slow Ventures and the manager of their newly launched Creator Fund. The fund is a pioneering venture capital initiative aimed at backing creator entrepreneurs with a $60 million-plus seed fund. Megan talks about her journey into venture capital, Slow Ventures' distinctive approach, and the inception and growth of the Creator Fund. The discussion covers Slow Ventures' philosophy, the evolving landscape of consumer behavior, and the unique challenges and strategies involved in investing in creators versus traditional startups. Megan also shares insights into the sourcing and evaluation process, the importance of community engagement, and the future potential of creator-led brands. The episode delves into the operational and strategic differences between Slow's core seed investments and the Creator Fund, while highlighting the value of authenticity and passion in the creator economy. 00:00 Introduction to Megan Lightcap and Slow Ventures 00:41 The Rise of Creator Entrepreneurs 04:25 Overview of Slow Ventures and Its Funds 06:15 The Creator Fund: Concept and Execution 19:23 Early Experimentation and Learnings 27:25 Identifying the Right Creator Fit 27:59 Evaluating Founders and Teams 29:13 Charisma and Obsession in Founders 31:12 Team Dynamics and Screening Processes 32:49 Equity Stakes and Profit Sharing 34:34 Long-Term Partnerships and Value Creation 36:06 Expanding Beyond Creators 37:25 Networking and Learning Among Creators 40:25 Sourcing and Evaluating Future Stars 44:39 Platform Preferences and Audience Engagement 46:43 The Future of Creator Development 50:31 Final Thoughts and Parting Words

Leveraging AI for Personalized Medicine with Sunita Mohanty of Vibrant Practice In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs interviews Sunita Mohanty, co-founder and CEO of Vibrant Practice, a healthcare startup focusing on personalized medicine. Sunita shares her journey from being a product leader at Meta to founding Vibrant Practice after facing health challenges that led her to functional medicine. The discussion covers the integration of AI into Vibrant Practice's EHR and practice management platform, addressing issues like doctor burnout and operational inefficiencies. Sunita also discusses the mindset shift required in the healthcare industry, the balance of using AI and human touch in care, and the company's journey from building manually to leveraging AI-driven automation. The conversation touches on the company's SaaS business model, the importance of providing better patient care, and future scaling plans while maintaining a lean, technology-based team. 00:00 Introduction to Today's Episode 00:01 Meet Sunita Mohanty: From Meta to Vibrant Practice 00:45 The Birth of Vibrant Practice 01:24 The Role of AI in Healthcare 01:48 Welcome to The Next Next 03:42 Sunita's Journey to Functional Medicine 06:47 Challenges and Opportunities in Personalized Medicine 08:45 Building Vibrant Practice: The Early Days 12:14 The Shift Towards Functional and Integrative Medicine 17:26 The Future of Healthcare: Technology and Mindset Shifts 20:40 Navigating the Healthcare System: Insurance and Cash-Based Models 24:10 Vibrant Practice: The All-in-One Platform 28:07 Integrating Point Solutions for Clinicians 29:32 AI in Clinical Operations 32:35 Business Model and Market Strategy 34:44 Balancing AI and Human Touch 43:06 Scaling the Team with AI 46:10 Future of AI in Startups and Venture Capital 51:17 Opportunities in Underserved Markets 55:09 Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

Democratizing Programming: The Vision of Val Town with Steve Krouse In this episode of 'The Next Next,' host Jason Jacobs interviews Steve Krouse, founder of Val Town, a platform designed to make programming more accessible and collaborative through web-based tools. Steve talks about the challenges of traditional code collaboration, the integration of AI tools into Val Town, and their growth strategy focused on interoperability. He emphasizes the potential long-term impact of Val Town on democratizing programming for both professional developers and newcomers. The conversation also explores the evolution of AI in coding, the importance of accessible programming, and fostering better collaboration within the tech community. Additionally, Steve shares insights into the medium- to long-term vision of Val Town, the importance of creating web-native programmable interfaces, and the company's approach to leveraging AI without directly competing in AI code generation. The episode offers a deep dive into the future of collaborative programming and how Val Town aims to shape it. 00:00 Introduction to Steve Krouse and Val Town 01:02 Host Introduction and Show's Purpose 01:52 Steve's Journey and Initial Interaction with Val Town 03:35 Steve's Background and Climate Interest 07:06 Genesis of Val Town 15:13 Challenges in Code Collaboration 21:34 Val Town's Vision and Future 36:46 Google Docs for Production Code 37:42 Enhancing GitHub Collaboration 39:38 AI's Role in Val Town 41:18 Shifting AI Strategy 44:43 Integration and Openness 49:09 Growth and User Engagement 58:17 The Future of Programming and AI 01:04:57 Community and Collaboration 01:09:01 Val Town's Vision and Goals 01:10:08 Conclusion and Contact Information

Balancing Innovation and Community: Reagan Bonlie on Nudge Money In this episode of The Next Next, Jason Jacobs speaks with Reagan Bonlie, co-founder and CEO of Nudge Money. They discuss how Nudge Money, a financial wellness platform, uses AI to help credit unions better understand and serve their members, particularly focusing on community development and personalized financial advice. Reagan shares insights from his extensive background at JPMorgan Chase and the journey of pivoting Nudge Money's business model. They also delve into the challenges and opportunities in integrating AI in the conservative and highly regulated credit union sector, emphasizing that the technology must add real value without disrupting the human-centric mission of credit unions. 00:00 Introduction to Reagan Bonlie and Nudge Money 00:26 The Role of AI in Nudge Money 00:52 Challenges and Opportunities with Credit Unions 01:46 Reagan's Passion for Community Development 02:54 Introduction to The Next Next Show 03:34 Reagan's Journey from JPMorgan to Nudge Money 04:17 Nudge Money's Mission and Approach 04:58 Reagan's Entrepreneurial Background 05:47 The Genesis of Nudge Money 08:23 Challenges in the Financial Wellness Space 09:44 Pivoting to Work with Credit Unions 13:07 Understanding Credit Union Needs 17:43 Building and Iterating the Product 25:03 Leveraging AI in Product Development 27:12 Navigating Industry Challenges and Opportunities 28:56 Balancing Compliance and Innovation 30:25 Leveraging AI for Efficiency 32:20 Market Perceptions and Realities 36:42 Strategic Growth and Community Impact 42:11 Funding and Capitalization Strategies 45:28 Long-Term Vision and Success Metrics 49:31 Final Thoughts and Contact Information