ACQ2 by Acquired

Bill McDermott, CEO of ServiceNow and former SAP leader, shares insights from his remarkable career starting at Xerox. He reveals the essentials of enterprise sales, emphasizing empathy and personal relationships as keys to success. McDermott discusses the importance of teamwork and adaptability in today's corporate landscape, as well as the transformative impact of AI on customer service. He also highlights the need for a unified vision and brand identity in enterprise software, making a compelling case for prioritizing people and joy in the workplace.

Guillermo Rauch, Founder and CEO of Vercel, dives into the revolution of web development. With over 6 million users, Vercel empowers developers with tools like Next.js. He reveals the creation of ‘v0’, an AI that turns English into functional web apps, hitting $2m ARR in just 14 days. The discussion covers balancing startup agility with enterprise reliability, and how AI is reshaping developer collaboration. Guillermo also shares insights on building a business around open-source projects and the future of web development for small teams.

Rene Haas, CEO of Arm Holdings and a former VP at NVIDIA, shares the astonishing journey of ARM from its roots in 1990 as a low-power chip designer to its current status as the backbone of modern computing. He discusses how ARM's innovative licensing model fueled the mobile revolution and enabled giants like Apple and Samsung to innovate. The conversation also dives into ARM's plays in AI, the competitive landscape against x86, and the dramatic story of NVIDIA's attempted acquisition. ARM's adaptability and impact on everyday technology are truly remarkable.

Luis von Ahn, Co-founder and CEO of Duolingo, discusses the groundbreaking changes his app has made in self-guided education. He reveals how gamification and mobile-first strategies propelled Duolingo to success. Von Ahn shares personal stories about the transformative power of learning English and the backstory of the app's beloved green owl mascot. The conversation also dives into monetization challenges, user engagement tactics, and the role of AI in evolving language learning. Tune in for insights on the future of education technology!

Clem Delangue, CEO of Hugging Face, shares his insights as a leader in AI model hosting. He argues against a few dominant foundation model companies, envisioning a future filled with specialized AI models from myriad developers. The conversation dives into the balance of open-source versus proprietary systems, discussing how Hugging Face facilitates collaboration and innovation. Clem also highlights the need for a diverse ecosystem to enhance accessibility and safety in AI, reflecting on the evolving landscape and its impact on software entrepreneurship.

Joe Montana, legendary NFL quarterback and now venture investor at Liquid2 Ventures, shares his unique perspective on transitioning from sports to startup investing. He reveals how lessons from winning Super Bowls fuel his investment strategies. Topics include the importance of team diversity in both football and venture capital, and the mental demands of quarterbacking. Joe also discusses the challenges of early-stage investing and the value of seeking support as a founder, offering insights that blend athletics with entrepreneurship.

Sebastian Siemiatkowski, Co-founder and CEO of Klarna, dissects the impressive journey of building a disruptive payments company over 19 years. He shares insights on the evolution of the buy-now-pay-later model and the importance of consumer trust. The conversation dives into Klarna's use of AI for operational efficiency and enhancing customer service. Siemiatkowski also addresses the challenges of competing in a rapidly changing fintech landscape and the balance between growth and cost management.

Austin Link, co-founder and CEO of Starfish Space, shares his insights into the booming space industry of 2024. He discusses how lower launch costs are enabling startups to thrive and the innovative satellite servicing technology his company is developing. The Otter, an autonomous spacecraft, can dock with and reposition aging satellites, significantly extending their lifespans. Austin also delves into the importance of navigating government contracts and the need for a diverse workforce, highlighting the exciting future of space exploration.

In this discussion, Aart de Geus, co-founder of Synopsys, and CEO Sassine Ghazi dive into the software behind the semiconductor industry. They explore how Electronic Design Automation (EDA) has evolved with AI, revolutionizing chip design. Challenges from early design limitations to modern complexities are highlighted, alongside the impact of Moore's Law. The conversation also touches on advancements in EUV lithography, custom silicon design, and the importance of corporate culture in driving innovation and social responsibility in tech.

Lotte Bjerre Knudsen, Novo Nordisk’s Chief Scientific Advisor, shares her remarkable journey in discovering semaglutide, the molecule behind Ozempic. She reveals the initial skepticism faced in the 90s and her steadfast belief in its potential for weight loss, which was a goal from the start. Lotte discusses the complex mechanisms of GLP-1 agents, how they impact appetite and weight management, and the innovative pharmaceutical testing processes enhancing drug effectiveness. Her insights shed light on the collaborative spirit necessary in biomedical science.