ACQ2 by Acquired

Join Andrew Abramson, Director at Riviera Partners, a leading executive search firm in Silicon Valley, as he shares insights on recruiting product leaders. Discover how companies can identify when they're ready to partner with search firms and the importance of aligning talent with business goals. Andrew discusses the journey for product managers advancing in their careers and emphasizes that exceptional founders prioritize leadership over product management. Explore the evolving dynamics of tech recruitment and the vital role of relationships in successful placements.

Venture capital is undergoing a massive transformation, especially in early-stage funding. The typical Series A fund size has ballooned to between $500M and $1B. Seed funding now looks strikingly similar to Series A, reflecting broader economic shifts. Major players are reshaping investment strategies, blending growth principles with a demand for data. The landscape is ripe with both challenges and opportunities, especially for founders navigating this new environment of higher expectations and evolving vesting schedules.

Discover the pivotal role of personal relationships in venture capital fundraising. Learn how to evaluate a CEO’s appeal to investors and the importance of setting the tone for due diligence. Explore strategies for pitching to investors and the nuances of seed stage investments. Understand the significance of compliance, legal diligence, and the evolving dynamics of investor relationships. Finally, gain insights on balancing speed and relationship-building to foster successful partnerships.

Phil Kimmey, co-founder of Rover and a notable figure in the startup scene, shares insights into the evolution of the successful pet-sitting marketplace. He discusses the crucial balance between core features and the temptation to overcomplicate with additional functionalities. Phil emphasizes the significance of data-driven decisions in marketplace technology, architectural transitions, and adapting to mobile platforms. Additionally, he reflects on the challenges of scaling teams and maintaining trust between users and the platform.

The hosts dive into the fascinating world of recent IPOs, spotlighting the contrasting paths of Uber and Lyft. They tackle the challenges of profitability for these ride-sharing giants amidst fierce competition. The discussion also covers the impact of tech regulations and the evolving role of retail investors in an unpredictable market. Plus, there's an exciting look at the future of self-driving technology and how companies like DoorDash are thriving in suburban areas. Listeners are treated to a lively Q&A session that brings real-world context to these discussions!

Brian Tolkin, one of Uber’s first 100 employees, built the Product Ops organization and led the way for UberPOOL. He explains the importance of a decentralized operational structure, allowing cities to thrive independently. Tolkin shares insights on Uber's playbook culture, which celebrated local successes to drive growth and engagement. He also discusses dynamic pricing strategies to balance supply and demand, as well as his current role at Opendoor, where he focuses on simplifying real estate transactions for a better user experience.

Dive into the world of venture capital as the hosts unpack the intricate details of term sheets. Discover how these documents shape investment negotiations and the unique nuances between preferred and common stocks. They highlight the significance of pro rata rights and founder vesting while demystifying legal processes post-signing. With insights on compliance and trust, the discussion reveals how relationships influence funding dynamics. Plus, enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes stories from Lyft's journey—it's a must-listen for founders and investors alike!

Kevin Zhang, Partner at Upfront Ventures, shares insights on the evolution of the LA tech ecosystem and Upfront's emergence from its roots in retail. He discusses the importance of rebranding for transparency and alignment with values. The conversation dives into the growth of the LA venture community, highlighting the dynamic Upfront Summit. Kevin emphasizes gaming as a lucrative investment area and the crucial need for talent acquisition in that sector, along with the continuous evolution in game design to keep players engaged.

“80% of the worlds workforce doesn’t sit at a desk, and 95% of the world’s software is built for people who sit at a desk. Once people build software for the other 80%, the size of the addressable market that could be created could dwarf what we currently have, which is pretty humbling to think about.”Jake Saper, Emergence Capital (@jakesaper) We dive deep into the nitty gritty details of SaaS investing and company building with the best in the business, Jake Saper from Emergence Capital. Emergence has been around since the beginning of the SaaS industry and -uniquely for a venture firm- is entirely focused on early-stage investing within it. They were early investors in major successes like Salesforce, Veeva, SuccessFactors, Box and Yammer, and more recently, Gusto, Zoom, and many more. This episode is a must-listen for anyone investing in, operating in, or thinking about modern SaaS companies!Sponsors:Statsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig24 Be sure to follow the Acquired Podcast:Acquired.fm@AcquiredFMLinks from the Show:Emergence CapitalEmergence Capital – “Series-A SaaS Metrics”Emergence Email Newsletter

We continue the conversation with Emily White, covering topics including her career path, what it was like working with Sheryl Sandberg for so many years, her time at Snap, her experience serving on public company boards, and how she operates as an investor now at Anthos Capital.Sponsors:Statsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig24