a16z Podcast

Parker Conrad, CEO and co-founder of Zenefits, shares his journey of transforming his startup from being banned in Utah to gaining government approval. He discusses the anxiety of being in a less visible industry like HR software and the importance of customer advocacy in overcoming regulatory hurdles. Conrad emphasizes the need for proactive communication with government officials and highlights Utah's evolving tech landscape, showcasing how collaboration can foster innovation while addressing regulatory challenges.

Michael Casey and Paul Vigna, Wall Street Journal journalists and co-authors of 'The Age of Cryptocurrency,' delve into the evolving perspective on Bitcoin. They outline its journey from disdain to acceptance, highlighting critical moments in Wall Street's acknowledgment of blockchain. The duo discusses how Bitcoin redefines trust in currency through decentralization and emphasizes its potential to transform finance, especially for the unbanked. With today's financial vulnerabilities, they argue Bitcoin could be key to restoring faith in currency.

Kim Zetter, a senior staff writer at Wired and author of Countdown to Zero Day, dives into the world of cyber hacks. She discusses the evolution of hacking techniques, from phishing to sophisticated state-sponsored attacks, revealing the increasing organization behind these threats. Zetter analyzes high-profile incidents like the Sony hack, questioning motivations and attributing blame. She also underscores the necessity for companies to adapt their cybersecurity practices amid these growing risks, emphasizing the balance between convenience and safety in cloud data security.

Seth Sternberg, co-founder of Honor and former Meebo team member, teams up with Sandy Jen, Honor's Head of Engineering, to reshape senior care through technology. They discuss how to prioritize emotional well-being while ensuring seniors can remain at home longer. The duo emphasizes the importance of user-friendly tech that fosters human interactions, community connections, and personalized care. Their journey is not just about innovation but also about creating meaningful solutions driven by personal experiences and a commitment to enhancing the lives of the elderly.

Benedict Evans, a Venture Partner at Andreessen Horowitz and expert on technology trends, shares fascinating insights on the future of messaging as a platform. He discusses how smartphones have transformed into social hubs, enhancing user data access. The conversation shifts to Facebook's strategic acquisitions and their influence on user engagement. Evans also examines Facebook's control over content and the competitive dynamics with Apple and Google in mobile notifications, hinting at the innovative challenges that lie ahead.

Cyber attacks are growing in number and impact, and the reason is simple: there's more of value (and more vectors to) steal in our increasingly virtual world. So how are we to continue to move forward along this connected path as a culture and as businesses? Marc Andreessen tackles that question in this segment of the a16z Podcast -- against the backdrop of ever-more sophisticated hackers and hacks, Edward Snowden, and the rise of trillions more devices coming online. Still, despite the real risk and pain of cyber attacks we won't go backwards -- we have no choice but to move forward, says Andreessen. "The reason we don’t have a choice is there’s too much value in the virtual world." Smartphones, the internet; pick your favorite device, app, or service... ask yourself what (if anything) you would be willing to give up. Not much, right? 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.

Join Bill Krause, former Chairman and CEO of 3Com, Aaron Levie, CEO and co-founder of Box, Spencer Rascoff, Co-founder and CEO of Zillow, and Dan Warmenhoven, former CEO of NetApp, as they share invaluable board leadership insights. They discuss the importance of diversity on early-stage boards, emphasizing the balance between VCs and CEOs. The conversation dives into the necessity of transparent board meetings, strategic communication, and ongoing relationships, ensuring boards effectively guide companies toward growth and preparation for IPO.

Dawn Lepore, former Chair and CEO of Drugstore.com, Amy Bohutinsky, CMO of Zillow Group, and Michelle Wilson, ex-SVP at Amazon, dive into the nuances of corporate board roles. They discuss the motivations behind joining boards, highlighting personal growth and diverse skill sets. The trio contrasts public versus private governance, sharing insights on the evolving responsibilities of board members. They also tackle the challenges of balancing board commitments with demanding careers, emphasizing the importance of effective communication and relationship-building.

Diane Greene, VMware co-founder and former CEO, shares her wisdom on board dynamics at Google and Intuit. She emphasizes that directors should ask questions instead of defining strategy. Effective communication and consistency are vital in solving issues. Greene also discusses the unique challenges of board membership in startups versus larger companies, highlighting the importance of hands-on involvement and preparing for honest discussions. Discover golden rules for navigating board relationships and the role of audit committees in risk management.

Shellye Archambeau, CEO of MetricStream and board member at Nordstrom and Verizon, collaborates with Gerri Elliott, a board member of Whirlpool and former Chief Customer Officer at Juniper Networks, to discuss their journeys and insights on corporate boards. They explore strategies for diversifying board memberships and emphasize the importance of mentorship and networking. The duo highlights navigating the challenges of board compositions, the significance of value propositions, and the transformative role board members can play in driving company success.