Uncapped with Jack Altman

Dylan Field, co-founder and CEO of Figma, shares insights on transforming the design landscape. He reflects on Figma's journey, emphasizing the slow build that led to success against challenges like the failed Adobe acquisition. Dylan discusses the merging roles of designers and product teams, the impact of AI on design, and the importance of strong storytelling in the competitive landscape. He also highlights the need for empathy in leadership and staying relevant with younger generations to foster creativity and innovation.

In a captivating discussion, Alex Pall, one half of the Grammy-winning duo The Chainsmokers and co-founder of Mantis VC, shares the creative stories behind iconic tracks like "Closer" and "Don't Let Me Down." He dives into the unpredictability of music-making and the delicate balance between artistic integrity and audience expectations. Additionally, Pall explores how his experiences in music influence his approach to venture investing, highlighting the role of AI in music and the importance of maintaining focus in both art and business.

Thomas Laffont, co-founder of Coatue, shares insights from his extensive experience in technology investments. He discusses how the evolving system of record is transforming enterprise workflows and the role of AI in data centralization. Thomas also emphasizes the importance of a wide-aperture approach in investing, allowing for flexibility across sectors. He highlights the significance of star quality in founders, reflecting on how personal presence aligns with market narratives. Plus, he delves into the value of golf in building relationships in the investment world.

Roelof Botha, Managing Partner at Sequoia Capital, shares insights from his impressive career, including his role in early investments in YouTube and Instagram. He discusses the 'healthy paranoia' essential for venture success and the cultural traits that drive joy in leadership. Roelof examines the evolving venture landscape, asserting that venture isn’t a typical asset class, and highlights the next trillion-dollar markets, particularly in robotics and AI. He also stresses the importance of a relentless cost focus in Silicon Valley startups.

Vince Hankes, a Partner at Thrive Capital, shares insights from his vast investment experience with brands like OpenAI and SpaceX. He discusses the art of non-consensus investing and how Thrive's strategy revolves around writing billion-dollar checks during downturns. Vince reveals how they managed to buy Carvana at its lowest point and the importance of compounding in investment success. He also explores AI's transformative impact on industries, the future of robotics, and why backing large platform companies often yields better returns.

Ali Rowghani, founder of First Harmonic and former CFO at Pixar and Twitter, shares insights from his remarkable career. He delves into Pixar's relentless pursuit of quality, recounting how they revamped Toy Story 2 to uphold their standards. Rowghani reflects on Twitter's journey from inception to IPO, detailing their monetization strategies and the challenges of global expansion. He also discusses the sapling phase of startups, emphasizing the need for tailored support in early growth stages, and his belief in helping founders without expecting returns.

Lulu Cheng Meservey, founder of Rostra and author of the Flack newsletter, shares her insights on modern communication strategies. She discusses the 'moment' comms are having, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and authenticity. Lulu highlights how clarity versus personality shapes messaging and the unique roles of word choice and narrative arcs in persuasion. She also reflects on the implications of perceived reputation in recruitment and predicts that the human element in comms will remain essential as media evolves.

Balaji Srinivasan is an angel investor, entrepreneur, and author renowned for his insights on technology and governance. In this conversation, he analyzes the current political landscape, mapping it into four factions: the internet, Blue America, Red America, and China. Balaji critiques U.S. tariffs and suggests alternatives for better industrial policy. He discusses the rise of wokeness as a cultural force and introduces concepts from his Network School, detailing how communities can form outside traditional U.S. politics to navigate these changes.

Martin Casado, a General Partner at a16z and co-founder of Nicira, dives into the evolving landscape of venture capital. He discusses the necessity of specialization as markets grow complex and the critical role of media presence for investors. Casado also shares insights on the conflicts present in AI investments and emphasizes the importance of open source. With a focus on coding's future and the dynamics of board relationships, he provides a nuanced view of what it takes for startups to thrive.

Greg Rosen, Partner at BoxGroup, shares insights from his journey in venture capital, starting as the first hire at BoxGroup and working with startups like Plaid and Warby Parker. He discusses the importance of collaboration at scale in investing and avoiding adverse selection. Rosen emphasizes getting to 'yes' with founders, the value of proactive networking, and the significance of individual decision-making in his team. He also touches on the evolving tech landscape, from mobile devices to the potential of AI and brain-computer interfaces.