a16z Podcast

Join Scott Hassan, CEO of Suitable Technologies and creator of Beam robots, Shan Sinha, CEO of Highfive, and Craig Walker, CEO of Switch Communications. They dive into the world of telepresence, exploring its evolution and impact on remote work. The trio discusses the challenges of hiring talent in competitive markets and how technology can bridge communication gaps among distributed teams. They also touch on the significance of culture and empathy in virtual collaboration, emphasizing the need for user-friendly designs that enhance team interactions.

Joe Grundfest, a Stanford law professor and former SEC commissioner, teams up with Nicki Locker, a senior partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, to delve into the often-overlooked importance of board meeting minutes. They argue that these records are vital legal documents that serve as essential litigation insurance. The duo humorously describes the balance required in documenting these minutes, emphasizing detail and transparency while managing conflicts of interest, making even the seemingly mundane topic immensely valuable for corporate governance.

Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, a serial entrepreneur and founder of The Board List, and John China from Silicon Valley Bank tackle the pressing issue of diversity in tech company boards. They discuss the transformative power of inclusive networks and the creation of a talent marketplace to nominate qualified women for board roles. The conversation delves into the potential risks for startup CEOs in adding new members and how diverse perspectives can enhance decision-making and crisis management. Ultimately, they highlight the need for open dialogue and endorsements to empower underrepresented voices.

Michael Raynor, Director at Deloitte and co-author on disruptive innovation with Clayton Christensen, dives into the real meaning behind disruption theory. He questions the buzzword's overuse and challenges misconceptions about its application, using examples like Uber and the iPhone to illustrate his points. Raynor highlights the importance of precise language in understanding disruption, discusses its predictive power for venture capital success, and explores the strategic dilemmas entrepreneurs face while navigating innovation.

Benedict Evans, a tech analyst known for his insights on future tech trends, joins Steven Sinofsky, former Microsoft executive, to discuss the evolution of computing beyond smartphones. They explore how the perfection of current PCs signals a shift in technology, reflecting on historical advancements from mainframes to mobile. The conversation anticipates a future where innovation must tackle the limitations of already pervasive technology, delving into the potential of the Internet of Things and how interconnected devices may redefine user experiences.

Oprah Winfrey, a legendary talk show host and philanthropist, sits down with Resham Thakkar, a featured guest from her 'Belief' series. They explore the profound impact of storytelling on faith and personal journeys, revealing how shared narratives foster connection. Discussion highlights include the universal principles of love across religions and the courage required to express one’s beliefs. They emphasize the importance of understanding diverse perspectives while celebrating the rituals and stories that unite humanity.

We just witnessed the largest acquisition in tech history, and before Dell made it happen, it would have been hard to imagine. Not so much that the two companies would come together, but that the much smaller Dell would be buying its larger peer EMC. If he imagined anyone doing the acquisition it would have been EMC, says a16z’s Peter Levine, but the realities of being a public company and the pressure of activist shareholders are what made this an “upside down acquisition.” “Dell was able to do this deal because they were a private company and had no activists,” Levine says. “EMC could only do this deal because they had activists.” Levine is joined on this segment of the a16z podcast by Actifio Founder and CEO Ash Ashutosh, and Cumulus Networks Co-founder and CEO JR Rivers in a conversation examining the Dell/EMC deal. What were the technological forces that brought these two companies together, and what does that say about the future of enterprise technology and the people who buy it? Finally, what role did the public and private markets play in this deal, and what will Michael Dell need to do to pull it off? 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.

Michael Franklin, co-founder of AMPLab at UC Berkeley, and Haoyuan Li, founder of Tachyon Nexus, share insights on the intersection of academia and entrepreneurship. They delve into how AMPLab fosters innovation through open source projects like Apache Spark. Li recounts his journey from student to startup founder, discussing the challenges and triumphs of commercializing research ideas. The duo also explores the evolution of data storage solutions and the importance of a collaborative ecosystem in nurturing groundbreaking technology.

Marc Andreessen reflects on how losing NSF funding spurred the creation of Netscape. The discussion highlights academia's evolving role in the startup scene, focusing on collaborations between universities like Stanford and Berkeley and industry. The integration of computer science with liberal arts is explored to foster innovation. New graduates are merging tech skills with biology, paving the way for advancements in healthcare. Practical experiences for students, alongside the nuances of venture capital and patent licensing, are emphasized as crucial for navigating the startup landscape.

Elizabeth Weil, a member of a16z's market development team, dives into how big corporations can tap into Silicon Valley's innovative spirit. She discusses why Fortune 500 companies are eager to explore this landscape, emphasizing the urgency posed by agile startups. Elizabeth shares insights on effective collaboration strategies that prioritize preparation and experimentation. She also highlights the evolving dynamics of corporate-startup relationships and the challenges startups face in integrating with large firms, advocating for clear communication and cultural understanding.