Invest Like the Best with Patrick O'Shaughnessy

Ravi Gupta, a Partner at Sequoia Capital and host of the Glue Guys podcast, shares his insights on the transformative power of AI in business. He argues that traditional success metrics are becoming liabilities and highlights the importance of 'magic per employee' and agility. Ravi discusses the strategic shift towards smaller, efficient teams and how adaptability is crucial in this new era. He emphasizes the need for curiosity and humility in navigating AI's complexities, encouraging listeners to embrace the opportunities it presents.

Marc Andreessen, co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz and a leading voice in Silicon Valley, discusses the seismic shifts in technology and geopolitics. He explores the implications of open-source AI, particularly DeepSeek, in the U.S.-China rivalry, while providing insights into the evolving landscape of venture capital. Katie Ellenberg, head of investment operations at Geneva Capital Management, joins in to address the changing dynamics of capital allocation and the vital human connections necessary for nurturing entrepreneurial talent in an increasingly complex market.

Graham Duncan, founder of East Rock Capital, is renowned for his exceptional talent selection in investments. He discusses the importance of empathy in hiring and recognizing candidates' motivations, which can transform traditional recruitment practices. The conversation also dives into fostering creativity through thoughtfully designed workspaces and highlights effective strategies for building strong investment partnerships. Katie Ellenberg adds her insights on the significance of operational efficiency in investment management, enhancing the listener's understanding of modern finance.

Blake Hall, co-founder and CEO of ID.me and former U.S. Army officer, shares compelling insights from his military service, including lessons in leadership and preparation behind a 90% success rate in combat operations. He discusses his transition from the battlefield to founding a tech startup aimed at streamlining digital identity verification. Topics include the critical role of identity in preventing fraud, navigating startup challenges, and building strong company culture. With Katie Ellenberg from Geneva Capital, they explore the profound impacts of tech on the modern economy.

Dylan Field, co-founder and CEO of Figma, shares his vision of design's future while navigating the evolving landscape of AI. He passionately discusses the underappreciated aspects of AI reasoning and emphasizes that great design still requires human creativity. Joining him is Katie Ellenberg from Geneva Capital Management, who shares insights on implementing innovative investment management platforms. Together, they explore the intersection of technology and design, highlighting the importance of long-term thinking and ethical considerations in entrepreneurship.

Tal Zaks, a physician-scientist and biotech executive who played a key role at Moderna during the COVID-19 vaccine development, shares his insights into turning scientific innovations into effective medicines. He discusses the challenges and opportunities in drug development, particularly in personalized therapies. Katie Ellenberg from Geneva Capital Management adds her perspective on investing in biotechnology, emphasizing the need for agility and collaboration in the sector. They also explore the transformative potential of AI and mRNA technology in healthcare.

Gaurav Misra and Dwight Churchill, co-founders of Captions, discuss the exciting world of AI-powered video generation. They tackle the difference between bounded and unbounded AI problems, providing insights into creating sustainable businesses. The duo reveals that Hollywood-quality video generation could be just 18 months away and explains how their unique data flywheel contributes to rapid growth. They also highlight that building advanced AI products doesn’t necessarily require large teams, opening doors to innovations in the tech landscape.

Jack Kokko, CEO of AlphaSense, reveals how his AI-driven market intelligence platform started by unifying fragmented financial data and evolved with large language models. He discusses the recent acquisition of Tegus, which expands their services beyond investment firms. The conversation delves into building user trust amidst rapid AI advancements, cultural integration during mergers, and navigating startup growth. Kokko's enthusiasm for the future of AI and its potential to revolutionize business decision-making is palpable!

Jared Kushner, former senior advisor to President Trump and current CEO of Affinity Partners, shares his multifaceted journey in real estate, diplomacy, and private equity. He dives into the complexities of negotiating peace in the Middle East and the strategic lessons learned from the Great Recession. Joining him is Katie Ellenberg, who discusses streamlining investment operations. The conversation touches on resilience, personal growth, and the significance of relationships in navigating both business and geopolitical challenges.

Scott Wu, co-founder and CEO of Cognition, discusses his groundbreaking AI software engineer, Devin, which is evolving to complete comprehensive coding tasks. He envisions AI democratizing software creation, tackling the bottlenecks in development, and potentially outperforming top programmers soon. Alongside Katie Ellenberg from Geneva Capital Management, they explore how Ridgeline is reshaping investment operations. The episode also features Scott showcasing an impressive card trick, adding a fun twist to the tech talk!