a16z Podcast

Andre Iguodala, an NBA star with a keen interest in technology and business, shares his journey from the court to Silicon Valley. He discusses the synergy of passions with tech investments, emphasizing how athletes can strategically partner with tech companies. Iguodala also highlights the innovative grooming solutions for people of color and the use of data analytics in enhancing basketball performance. Finally, he navigates the balance between traditional scouting methods and modern analytics in the NBA, shedding light on how technology is reshaping the sport.

Mellody Hobson, president of Ariel Investments, dives into the depths of investing with Ben Horowitz. They discuss the importance of patience in investment strategies, illustrated by a turtle logo symbolizing long-term thinking. Hobson shares her unique insights on navigating market dynamics while emphasizing the significance of mentorship in career growth. Of course, they can't resist touching on Star Wars, with Hobson's insider view on the franchise's filmmaking journey, blending creativity with strategic decision-making.

Benedict Evans, a renowned analyst specializing in mobile tech, shares insights on the past year's mobile landscape. He analyzes Apple's continued dominance in the high-end market while discussing Android's expansion into budget segments. The conversation highlights mobile's central role as a tech ecosystem hub, the challenges of search and user intent, and the ongoing evolution of VR and AR technologies. Evans emphasizes the absence of a major breakthrough in these areas and explores future opportunities for emerging tech companies.

Our virtual reality-enabled future is arriving, but it’s hard to know -- as it is with every new technology platform -- how quickly we’ll all make the transition to VR and what it will ultimately look like. For example, beyond gaming and entertainment what applications does it seem like VR is best suited for, and will we all be wearing full VR-enabled body suits some day? When will the Matrix become real? a16z’s virtual reality-obsessed Kyle Russell and Sakunthala Pandit are joined by perceptual and computational neuroscience expert Beau Cronin, to offer their informed opinions on the present state and future of VR. They give the rationale for travel, shopping, and education getting the VR treatment, and why software developers would kill for a VR-enabled dev environment. So strap your “face toy” on and dive into virtual reality. The views expressed here are those of the individual AH Capital Management, L.L.C. (“a16z”) personnel quoted and are not the views of a16z or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources, including from portfolio companies of funds managed by a16z. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, a16z has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation. This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Furthermore, this content is not directed at nor intended for use by any investors or prospective investors, and may not under any circumstances be relied upon when making a decision to invest in any fund managed by a16z. (An offering to invest in an a16z fund will be made only by the private placement memorandum, subscription agreement, and other relevant documentation of any such fund and should be read in their entirety.) Any investments or portfolio companies mentioned, referred to, or described are not representative of all investments in vehicles managed by a16z, and there can be no assurance that the investments will be profitable or that other investments made in the future will have similar characteristics or results. A list of investments made by funds managed by Andreessen Horowitz (excluding investments and certain publicly traded cryptocurrencies/ digital assets for which the issuer has not provided permission for a16z to disclose publicly) is available at https://a16z.com/investments/. Charts and graphs provided within are for informational purposes solely and should not be relied upon when making any investment decision. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The content speaks only as of the date indicated. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects, and/or opinions expressed in these materials are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by others. Please see https://a16z.com/disclosures for additional important information. Stay Updated:Find a16z on XFind a16z on LinkedInListen to the a16z Podcast on SpotifyListen to the a16z Podcast on Apple PodcastsFollow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Connie Chan and Anu Hariharan, partners at Andreessen Horowitz, dive into the tech ecosystems of India and China. They discuss how local startups navigate intense competition against global giants. E-commerce strategies differ significantly, with India facing unique payment challenges. They explore mobile innovations transforming business models and analyze venture capital dynamics, shedding light on cultural perceptions of mobility. The conversation also touches on the balance between innovation and imitation, revealing the entrepreneurial spirit of both nations.

Reshma Sahoni, co-founder of Seedcamp, and Shakil Khan, founder of CoinDesk and early Spotify investor, dive into London's vibrant tech scene. They unpack how European startups scale differently than their Silicon Valley counterparts, stressing the importance of local engagement. The duo highlights emerging companies to watch and the generational shifts in the entrepreneurial mindset, focusing on diversity and global strategies. They also discuss challenges faced by companies like Halo in the European transportation market, offering insights into the evolving landscape.

Geoffrey Woo and Michael Brandt, co-founders of Nootrobox, dive into the world of nootropics—natural cognitive enhancers aimed at boosting mental performance and productivity. They discuss the benefits of these supplements over caffeine, such as improved focus and memory. The conversation touches on the importance of scientific research and transparency in the industry, while exploring the connections between nootropics and trends in biohacking and self-optimization. Can enhancing our brains be the next frontier in personal development? Tune in to find out!

Michelle You, co-founder of Songkick, Nick Babaian, former Skype engineer and co-founder of Lifecake, and Matt Clifford, co-founder of Entrepreneur First, dive into London's unique entrepreneurial ecosystem. They discuss how London's diversity enriches tech startups and the cultural shifts among graduates moving towards entrepreneurship. The guests also explore the impact of DeepMind on fostering local talent and the importance of collaboration between academia and startups in driving innovation. Their insights reveal the distinct advantages of building tech companies beyond Silicon Valley.

Brett Hagler and Alexandria Lafci, co-founders of New Story, share insights on revolutionizing non-profit home building. They discuss the urgent need for permanent housing in Haiti post-earthquake and how their social-media-driven approach blends charity with entrepreneurial strategies. The duo emphasizes innovative fundraising tactics that encourage community engagement, ensuring donor accountability and transparency. They also touch on the importance of building trustworthy partnerships to create sustainable communities and enhance their impact.

In this engaging discussion, Ushma Garg, co-founder and CEO of Gobble, shares insights on how data science is revolutionizing food preparation. She explains the intricate logistics involved in meal planning for large groups, emphasizing the critical role of technology in ensuring efficient delivery during busy occasions like Thanksgiving. Ushma highlights how food companies should view themselves as tech entities, revealing fascinating trends in consumer preferences for nostalgic meals while navigating the evolution of dining experiences and healthy eating habits.