The Khanversation with Imran Khan

Wais Jalali, founder and CEO of XNRGY, is a pioneer in thermal management for data centers, focusing on innovative waterless cooling solutions. He shares insights from his journey in thermal engineering and the explosive growth of AI infrastructure. The conversation dives into XNRGY's role in enhancing energy efficiency, innovative cooling technologies, and the challenges of scaling manufacturing. Wais also discusses the importance of reliability in mission-critical environments and offers valuable leadership lessons from building a rapidly expanding company in a competitive market.

Bipul Sinha, co-founder and CEO of Rubrik, shares his dynamic journey from engineer to entrepreneur and investor. He delves into the emerging intuition economy shaped by AI, emphasizing the need for resilient company cultures. Bipul explains Rubrik's counter-consensus focus on data security and cyber resilience, addressing the challenges posed by AI's expanding attack surface. He highlights the importance of hiring learners over experts and shares insights about navigating the venture capital landscape and the art of building successful teams.

Nima Ghamsari, founder of Blend Labs and a former Palantir employee, shares insights on revolutionizing the mortgage industry. He discusses how his company prioritizes customer ROI and transitions to vertical software. Nima highlights Blend’s unique outcome-based pricing model and its expansion beyond mortgages. He stresses the importance of a customer-centric culture, meaningful job titles, and how AI will reshape finance. His candid advice for entrepreneurs and thoughts on growth strategies provide valuable guidance in navigating the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

David Steinberg, the Founder and CEO of Zeta Global and a serial entrepreneur, shares his fascinating journey from selling insurance to leading a billion-dollar marketing tech powerhouse. He discusses the birth of Zeta Global and the critical role of first-party data in the modern marketing landscape. David dives into AI's influence on targeted advertising and provides keen insights on navigating entrepreneurial challenges. His strategies for optimizing business models and the importance of strong relationships in success make for a compelling listen.

Will Wu, former VP of Product at Snap and CTO at Match Group, shares his fascinating journey from a tech-savvy childhood to shaping beloved apps like Snapchat and Tinder. He highlights how small design tweaks can significantly enhance user engagement and discusses the cultural shifts between Snap and Match Group. Wu also delves into the transformative power of AI in consumer products and explores its potential to revolutionize online dating, improving match compatibility and reshaping personal connections.

Join former Sotheby's and Madison Square Garden CEO Tad Smith, now a partner at 1RoundTable Partners and 10T Holdings, as he dives into the complexities of value in art and sports. He discusses how scarcity drives sports valuations and the economic implications of money printing on assets like Bitcoin. Tad sheds light on the commoditization of knowledge in the AI era, drawing parallels to historical shifts. His reflections on financial literacy and the importance of continuous learning provide insightful takeaways for today's digital economy.

Evan Spiegel, the co-founder and CEO of Snap Inc., dives deep into Snapchat's transformative journey, starting with the early days at Stanford. He shares insights on pioneering features like Stories and AR Lenses that reshaped social media. The conversation shifts to his vision for Spectacles and making computing more human-centric. Spiegel discusses the challenges of rapid growth, the significance of company culture, and strategic decisions leading to their early IPO, all while emphasizing long-term innovation over short-term gains.

Scott McNealy, co-founder and former CEO of Sun Microsystems, shares his journey navigating the tech landscape. He discusses the pioneering work behind Java and the significance of open-source platforms. Reflecting on leadership, he reveals how Sun's unique culture produced over 200 future CEOs. McNealy also addresses the delicate balance between innovation and regulation in Silicon Valley, offering candid advice for today’s entrepreneurs. Plus, he shares his insights on the bittersweet lessons learned from past mistakes and what the future holds.

In this conversation, Dave Penski, CEO of Publicis Connected Media, shares his journey from politics to leading a major media group. He discusses the seismic shifts in advertising, from print to AI-driven digital strategies. Topics include the evolution of video advertising, the changing landscape of streaming, and the crucial role of brand safety. Penski also highlights the impact of AI on creativity and media, along with insights on industry mergers and the future of global agencies.

Jeremy Liew, a top consumer venture capitalist and nine-time Midas List investor, shares his journey from the early internet to significant bets on companies like Snap and Giphy. The discussion dives into the transformative role of AI in consumer tech, comparing it to the dawn of the internet. Liew discusses crucial investment strategies, the importance of understanding evolving consumer behaviors, and lessons learned from his two-decade career, including missed opportunities with Zynga and Jet that shaped his view on the changing landscape of venture capital.