RRE POV

What happens when your company wasn't born with AI, but now has to compete with those that were? In this episode of RRE POV, Raju Rishi and Will Porteous tackle what established companies should do when AI-powered competitors start knocking at the door. They break down how to protect your business while using AI to get better at everything you do. You’ll hear real company stories and experiences, plus practical advice on which AI tools to adopt right now.Show Highlights: (00:00) Introduction (00:45) How do Old Companies Survive AI?(02:00) Competing with Companies Built with AI from day one(04:06) Smart Baby Monitor Beats AI-Native Competition(07:00) Five Ways to Protect Your Business from AI (12:28) Using AI to Improve Sales and Marketing(15:06) Two Examples of AI-native Tools Driving Efficiency(18:02) How Some Founders Are Training Agents to Code like Them.(23:01) VoiceRun’s AI Support Breakthrough(26:32) Why Finance is the Next Frontier of AI transformation(31:00) How AI Is Changing Fundraising Expectations(34:36) Why SaaS Might Be Dead(40:12) Advice for Company Leaders Navigating AI(40:51) Gatling Gun: Will AI Replace Us?(44:11) How to Contact Us

This episode of RRE POV turns history into a high-stakes trivia match as Raju quizzesWill on the 20 greatest inventions of all time. From the wheel and the compass to electricity and the computer, Will puts his historical memory to the test — nailing dates, inventors, and surprising details along the way. Together, they trace humanity’s most game-changing breakthroughs, exploring how each invention reshaped the world and paved the way for today’s technological revolutions.Show Highlights:(0:00) Introduction(5:29) Writing Systems & Languages: Sumerians, Egyptians, Chinese(7:41) The Compass: Chinese invention, global navigation(10:53) Gunpowder: Chinese alchemists, global impact(12:13) Printing Press: Gutenberg, mass communication(16:06) Vaccination: Edward Jenner, public health(18:55) Sanitation Systems: Modern sewage, clean water, public health(25:03) Light Bulb: Edison, Swan, Davy(25:30)Automobile: Benz, mass mobility(26:31) Airplane: Wright Brothers, first flight(27:16) Antibiotics: Penicillin, Alexander Fleming(28:07) Computer: Turing, Zuse, ENIAC(33:19) Vulcanization, PlayStation, Chick-fil-A, and other fun mentions(36:00) Wrap-up & reflections on the impact of these inventions

The hardest startup decisions are the ones you can’t undo. In this episode of RRE POV, partners Raju Rishi and Will Porteous share the critical early choices that can make or break a company, from branding and pricing to hiring, titles, and product design.Drawing on real boardroom experiences and founder stories, they share where startups often trip up, how to avoid costly missteps, and practical frameworks for making decisions today that won’t limit your options tomorrow.

You’ve closed your funding round. The wire’s hit. Your team is pumped. Now what?  In the latest episode of RRE POV, General Partners Raju Rishi and Will Porteous dive into the crucial early days AFTER a deal is done — when expectations are fresh, possibilities seem endless, and the real work of building a high-functioning relationship between founders and investors begins.If you're a first-time founder or just kicked off a fresh relationship with a new VC, this episode is your playbook for getting it right from day one.Show Highlights: 00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks00:58 Post-Funding Expectations02:14 First Conversations with Entrepreneurs04:10 Onboarding and Initial Steps07:22 Board Meetings and Communication12:36 Establishing Board Culture18:52 Reality Check and Adjustments22:19 Maximizing Board Member Contributions23:01 Engaging with Directors Beyond Meetings24:21 Leveraging Board Members' Superpowers26:21 Effective Communication Strategies30:16 Handling Bad News and Financial Literacy33:25 Worst Board Meetings and First Dates40:14 Fun and Final Thoughts

In this episode of RRE POV, Raju and Will sit down with Samir Dutta and Noah Faro, co-founders of Farsight, an AI platform reshaping how financial institutions operate. Raju first connected with the Farsight team through a fun coincidence they all happened to be part of the same MIT fraternity, Phi Beta Epsilon. Though they were there years apart, that shared bond made teaming up on this company a natural fit. The guys dive into how Farsight helps analysts move faster by generating slide decks and models in minutes, not weeks, and how it’s already driving real revenue for clients. With proactive AI agents on the horizon, Farsight is quickly becoming a must-have tool for modern financial workflows.

In a world reliant on Zoom, Raju and Will make the case for getting on the plane. From the boardroom to baggage claim, they break down why in-person connection still drives better outcomes—especially in venture capital and high-stakes decision-making.These two seasoned road warriors share sharp insights on building trust, reading a room, and setting the tone for in-person meetings. Plus, they drop their best travel hacks—from packing like a minimalist to leveraging your hotel concierge—and swap stories from the road. Whether you're building a company or just trying to beat jet lag, this episode delivers both practical wisdom and plenty of laughs.Show Highlights:(1:45) The relationship value of in-person meetings(4:32) The power of body language(7:51) In-person vs. Zoom meetings(10:35) Basing your board meetings around a meal(13:35) Remote-only companies(16:25) Know how a hotel actually works(20:10) Adjust to the time zone before you get on the plane(24:00) Out of the ordinary things to bring when traveling(26:44) Favorite airports(27:39) Favorite travel experiences(31:42) Worst travel experience

A company is only as good as the people on its team. In this episode, Raju and Will talk about what it takes to retain top talent within companies. Employee retention can be an intricate problem, and they’re breaking down the important factors founders need to keep in mind if they want to be successful. From the hidden costs that come with turnover to the significance of setting the right company culture, Raju and Will offer vital strategies for fostering a motivated, loyal, and high-performing workforce.Show Highlights(0:00) Intro(1:27) The hidden cost of replacing employees(11:07) Why most startups face compensation challenges(22:11) Providing a healthy culture and a sense of purpose(30:44) Tips and tricks to make sure you don’t lose your best people(43:45) Gatling gun sectionLinks: RRE POV Website: https://rre.com/rrepovX: @RREApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rre-pov/id1719689131

What truly defines a successful startup founder? Grit and adaptability top the list, with personal stories illustrating their impact. Financial literacy is a game-changer, fueling innovation and sustainability. The balance of delegation and involvement can make or break a founder's journey. Plus, the influence of a founder on company culture is highlighted in an unexpected case study. To lighten things up, the hosts share their weekend escapades, blending business insights with a touch of fun!

In this episode of RRE POV, General Partners Raju Rishi, and Will Porteous dive into why augmented reality is poised to outpace virtual reality as the next mainstream tech platform.  Raju and Will explore the near-term AR investment landscape and the kinds of apps they’d bet on today. If you're a founder thinking about what to build—or an investor scanning the horizon—this episode is your blueprint for where AR is headed and why it matters now. Show Highlights (00:00) Introduction(1:15) Limitations of virtual reality (VR)(2:09) What is augmented reality (AR)?(3:40) Will and Raju’s earliest experiences with AR(6:55) More recent examples of AR(9:06) Early AR hardware(10:31) Different iterations of smart glasses(14:56) Fitness mirrors: AR or not?(18:50) AR will compete with other devices for attention capture(20:31) Early AR applications(24:23) Foursquare’s role in anchoring mobile devices to the physical world around them(27:01) Consumer-driven AR applications(31:00) Enterprise-driven AR applications(35:40) Gatling Gun SectionLinksRRE POV Website: https://rre.com/rrepovX: @RREApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rre-pov/id1719689131

In this episode, Raju and Will break down the high-stakes world of annual budgeting for startups—because let’s face it, a bad plan (or no plan) can sink your business before it even takes off. They dive into what founders must include in their early-stage plans, how established companies can refine their strategy, and what to do when your budget completely hits the fan.Show Highlights (0:00) Introduction(1:28) The value of annual plans for entrepreneurs (5:29) What should be a part of your early-stage plans as a founder(12:05) What already operating companies should add to their annual plans(20:57) What you should do if your budget “hits the fan”(26:29) How do you pivot when you’re blowing away financial targets(32:07) Tips on how to best plan for your annual budget(38:32) Gatling gun sectionLinksRRE POV Website: https://rre.com/rrepovX: @RREApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rre-pov/id1719689131