Uncapped with Jack Altman

Dan Feder, Senior Managing Director at the University of Michigan Investment Office, shares his expertise in venture capital and private equity. He discusses the intricacies of endowment portfolio construction and the balance between risk and return. Feder delves into the importance of incentive structures in limited partnerships and shares insights on backing conflicting strategies. Plus, he emphasizes the significance of selecting the right fund managers and the impact of herd mentality in investment decisions.

This episode features a lively conversation about the future of AI and its potential to transform scientific discovery. Sam Altman shares insights on the risks of superintelligence and what might come next in tech development. There’s also a discussion on how AI will impact employment and leisure, and the evolving nature of leadership in this rapidly changing landscape. The brotherly banter adds a fun layer as they navigate the thrilling yet challenging world of technology and innovation.

In this conversation, Marc Andreessen, a prominent figure in venture capital and co-founder of Netscape, discusses the evolving landscape of investing and technology. He delves into the dynamics between small and large funds, emphasizing a shift toward innovative startups. Insights on AI highlight its transformative potential and ethical dilemmas. Andreessen provocatively claims, 'the middle is dead', while showcasing how only a few companies lead in innovation. He reflects on the interplay of politics and technology, urging listeners to grasp the complexities of today’s market.

Jordan Bramble, CEO of Antares, discusses the cutting-edge world of nuclear energy, particularly focusing on special-purpose microreactors. He highlights the fascinating history of nuclear technology, including the first reactor beneath UChicago's football field. Bramble explains how small modular reactors are essential for powering remote applications and supporting the Department of Defense in both terrestrial and space contexts. The conversation touches on the critical role of nuclear in achieving net zero and the interdisciplinary talent needed to tackle energy challenges.

David Tisch, Managing Partner of BoxGroup and co-founder of TechStars NYC, shares his insights on seed-stage investing. He discusses the challenge of scaling what seems unscalable and emphasizes the importance of collaboration in venture capital. Tisch also argues that VC help can be overrated, advocating for authentic relationships over traditional metrics. Plus, he dives into the nuances of building a brand in NYC’s competitive landscape, underscoring that taste is an unteachable skill in this industry.

Qasar Younis, Co-Founder and CEO of Applied Intuition, shares insights from his journey through the tech and automotive industries. He emphasizes the importance of radical pragmatism in leadership and nurtures a contrarian company culture. The conversation dives into the complexities of developing autonomous systems for both commercial and defense sectors and how education plays a role in this evolution. Younis also highlights the future of generative AI and robotics, urging investors to engage in open dialogue and challenge norms.

It was a pleasure to sit down this week with Josh Kopelman, one of the original architects of seed stage investing who continues to re-invent what it means to operate within venture. Josh co-founded First Round Capital, which has invested at the earliest stages in companies like Square, Uber, and Roblox. Some of Josh’s more recent investments include Notion, Pomelo Care, Loyal, and Perpay. Since First Round’s inception in 2004, Josh has invested in 500+ startups and has frequently made the Forbes “Midas List” which ranks the top 100 tech investors. Josh has been a founder three times (four if you include founding First Round). In 1992, while in college, he co-founded Infonautics Corporation – and took it public on NASDAQ in 1996. Josh co-founded Half.com in 1999 and led it to become one of the largest sellers of used books, movies and music in the world. Half.com was acquired by eBay in 2000, where Josh remained for three years. In late 2003, Josh helped to found TurnTide, an anti-spam company that created the world’s first anti-spam router. TurnTide was acquired by Symantec just six months later. We covered: His “Venture Arrogance Score” The role of relevance in venture Making money in disequilibrium Overlooking margin superiority Decision-making as a product --- Timestamps: (0:00) Intro (0:25) Current landscape (4:39) Venture Arrogance Score (10:49) Comparing fund models (14:24) The role of relevance in venture (21:03) Small funds vs large funds (26:36) Making money in disequilibrium (33:57) Overlooking margin superiority (43:17) First Round’s strategy (49:02) Operating like a company (56:49) Future of First Round --- Linktree: https://linktr.ee/uncappedpod Twitter: https://x.com/jaltma Email: friends@uncappedpod.com

Garry Tan, CEO of Y Combinator and a prominent figure in early-stage startups, discusses his journey from co-founding Posterous to leading one of the most influential startup accelerators. He shares insights on running YC like a founder and the evolving landscape of startups influenced by AI. Garry highlights the importance of empathy in successful leadership and the rise of compound startups. He also touches on the role of YC in hard tech and his engagement in local politics to address community challenges.

Elad Gil, a serial entrepreneur and startup investor, shares insights from his impressive background, including his time at Google and co-founding Color Health. He discusses the importance of optimizing for market needs and cultivating optionality in career growth. Elad reveals his secrets for achieving long-lasting success and leveraging time effectively. He also dives into investing outside of AI and emphasizes the significance of getting the right theme in business. Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on navigating the evolving tech landscape and scaling startups.

In this engaging conversation, Sarah Guo, founder of Conviction and former General Partner at Greylock Partners, shares her insights on the ever-evolving world of venture capital. She discusses the compounding qualities that make firms endure and the critical role of branding in investment success. Guo also delves into navigating the AI landscape, emphasizing the shift from focusing on inputs to outputs. Additionally, she highlights the importance of equipping future generations with essential skills, preparing them for the challenges ahead.