VC10X - Investing, Venture Capital, Asset Management, Private Equity, Family Office

Two years ago, Google declared a "Code Red" because of ChatGPT. Now, the tables have turned. On December 1st, 2025, Sam Altman sent a panic memo to OpenAI staff, declaring a "Code Red" to fix ChatGPT as traffic plunges for the first time in history.In this deep dive, we break down why OpenAI is suddenly losing the AI war to Google's Gemini and the viral "Nano Banana" tool. We analyze the 6% user drop that terrified Sam Altman, the massive $500 Billion valuation bubble that could burst, and why OpenAI's lack of a "moat" is finally catching up to them.KEY TAKEAWAYS✅ Why ChatGPT traffic is down 6% in just two weeks✅ The viral success of Google's "Nano Banana Pro" vs. OpenAI's expensive Sora✅ The risk behind OpenAI's $500 Billion valuation and $20B ARR target✅ Why top talent like Mira Murati is leaving OpenAI✅ How Google's infrastructure advantage (TPUs, Data Centers) is finally winningTIMESTAMPS:(0:00) - Intro(0:51) - Why the sudden panic?(1:23) - Nano Banana Pro threat(1:39) - Google's infrastructure edge (2:01) - The burden of massive valuation(2:28) - Heavy reliance on consumer subscriptions(2:50) - Chaos in product roadmap(3:39) - Empire strikes back(4:21) - Is this the end for Chatgpt?SOURCES & DATA- SimilarWeb Traffic Data: ChatGPT down 6% daily active users- The Information: "Sam Altman Declares Code Red"- Valuation Data: OpenAI at $500B vs SpaceX at ~$200BSUBSCRIBE FOR MORE VC & STARTUP STRATEGYVC10X breaks down the most important stories in tech, startups, and investing every week. If you want actionable insights to help you build or invest in the next great company, subscribe now.LET'S CONNECTWebsite: https://VC10X.comX / Twitter: https://x.com/choubeysahabLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/choubeysahabCOMMENT BELOWHave you switched to Gemini or are you loyal to ChatGPT? Let us know in the comments.#OpenAI #ChatGPT #GoogleGemini #SamAltman #ArtificialIntelligence #TechNews #VentureCapital #CodeRed #StartupStrategy

Fundraising used to be a relationship business. Now, it’s a volume game.In this episode, we sit down with the founder of Aduro Advisors to unpack the data behind the current venture capital landscape. With $131 Billion+ in assets under administration across 650+ firms, they have a bird’s-eye view of the market that few others possess.We dive deep into the "haves vs. have-nots" dynamic in VC, why the era of the generalist firm might be ending, and the exact operational mistakes that stop emerging managers from scaling. If you are raising a fund or managing a firm in 2025, you need to hear this.⭐ Sponsored by Podcast10x - Podcasting agency for VCs - https://podcast10x.comTopics covered:- Shift to Solo GPs: The rise of individual managers over large platforms.- Fundraising Reality: Why raising capital is now a volume-based "numbers game."- Market Polarization: The widening gap between the "haves" and "have-nots."- Specialization Wins: Why LPs favor sector-focused funds over generalists.- The 100% Rule: Data showing funds that invest 100%+ of capital outperform.- Smaller Funds: The strategic advantage of "right-sized" funds for faster returns.- Individual Investors: The massive influx of High Net Worth individuals into VC.- AI & Operations: Using AI to automate fund administration and data reporting.About the Guest:Aduro Advisors is a premier fund administration firm supporting over 650 venture capital and private equity firms with more than $131 Billion in assets under administration. Their platform, FundPanel, leverages data and AI to streamline operations for the next generation of investors.Timestamps:(00:00) - Introduction and episode overview(00:02:43) - Inspiration behind founding Aduro Advisors(00:04:25) - Major shifts in fund operations and data flow(00:05:58) - Aduro Advisors' data insights on fund performance and market recovery(00:09:48) - Evolution of fund sizes and LP composition(00:11:22) - Common mistakes made by first-time fund managers(00:12:40) - The importance of sector specialization versus diversification for LPs(00:17:24) - Surprising findings from Aduro Advisors' Q2 2025 report(00:20:16) - Longevity of firms and the "haves and have-nots" dynamic(00:23:09) - Characteristics of top-decile performing funds(00:25:48) - How Fund Panel streamlines fund administration and reporting(00:27:17) - The role of AI in fund administration(00:30:38) - Changes in fundraising approach post-pandemic(00:32:23) - Biggest opportunities for innovation in fund operations(00:33:54) - Where to learn more about Aduro Advisors and Fund PanelLearn more about Aduro Advisors:Website: https://aduroadvisors.com/FundPanel: https://fundpanel.io/VC10X links:VC10X website - https://VC10X.comFollow Prashant on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/choubeysahab#VentureCapital #Fundraising #PrivateEquity #EmergingManagers #StartupInvesting #AduroAdvisors

Nvidia finds itself in hot water as it releases an unusual defensive tweet amidst reports that Meta is negotiating to use Google's AI chips instead. This shift poses a serious threat to Nvidia's dominance in the GPU market. The discussion reveals how Google's TPUs are more energy-efficient and faster, prompting Meta to prioritize cost-saving technology due to its massive infrastructure spending. As Nvidia's monopoly weakens, the podcast unpacks the implications of these changes in the fast-evolving landscape of AI hardware.

What does it really take to scale a B2B software company from early traction to a category leader? In this episode, Maitlan Cramer, Managing Director at Bow River Capital, breaks down the "Capital Plus" playbook used to manage roughly $4.7 billion in assets across the firm.Maitlan moves beyond the typical VC advice, explaining why growth equity is about "rolling up your sleeves" to fix broken processes rather than just writing checks. He shares why he will always choose a great market over a great product, how to distinguish between vanity growth and sustainable revenue, and why founders need to stop fearing the "growth equity" label.⭐ Sponsored by Podcast10x - Podcasting agency for VCs - https://podcast10x.comWHAT YOU'LL LEARN:📒The Growth Equity Playbook: How investing at the growth stage differs from early-stage VC.📉 Market over Product: Why you can fix a bad company, but you can’t fix a bad industry.🚩 Red Flags: How to spot "unhealthy growth" and vanity metrics before they kill your business.🤝 Sales & Talent: Why Maitlan hires for "grit" over resumes, and how to rebuild a C-Suite.🤖 The AI Wave: How artificial intelligence is reshaping retention, moats, and software pricing.TIMESTAMPS(00:00) - Let's start(00:41) - Introduction to Maitlan Cramer and Bow River Capital(02:36) - Maitlan's journey from Grant Ventures to managing $4.7B fund(04:18) - Stage of investment and growth equity vs buyout approach(05:11) - Majority ownership and buyout strategy explained(06:48) - Misconceptions founders have about growth equity capital(08:07) - Board involvement across different software verticals(08:24) - Case study: Altvia and building go-to-market motion(12:45) - Case study: HR Soft and restructuring the C-suite(15:43) - Impact of AI on competitive advantages and moats in software(16:33) - Assessing competitive advantage through customer calls(20:15) - AI strategy and data flywheel effects(23:29) - Great market vs great product investment philosophy(24:45) - Key operational metrics beyond revenue growth(27:38) - Bootstrap vs venture-backed investment opportunities(30:41) - Trends in customer acquisition costs and retention metrics(33:32) - Identifying and hiring great sellers(38:19) - Biggest learning: trusting the process(41:12) - Rapid fire round begins(41:24) - Sectors and regions of investment(43:03) - Typical stage and revenue range for investments(44:04) - Ownership targets in portfolio companies(45:07) - Typical check size and capital deployment(46:15) - How founders can get in touch(46:45) - Where to follow Maitlan and Bow River Capital(47:05) - Closing remarksABOUT THE GUESTMaitlan Cramer is a Managing Director at Bow River Capital, a Denver-based alternative asset manager. The firm manages approximately $4.7 billion in assets and operates across seven private fund platforms. Maitlan leads investments for the Software Growth Equity team, focusing on majority-control recapitalizations and buyouts of mission-critical B2B software companies.CONNECT WITH USWebsite: https://VC10X.comBow River Capital: https://www.bowrivercapital.com/Maitlan Cramer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maitlan-cramer-b797a744#GrowthEquity #SaaS #PrivateEquity #Investing #Startups #BowRiverCapital #BusinessPodcast

India's IPO market has completely lost its mind. Groww is worth more than the Bombay Stock Exchange (as of 18th Nov '25 the date of recording). PhysicsWallah is losing ₹243 crore but got a 33% listing pop. And companies are literally moving their headquarters from the US to India just to IPO here. What's going on?In this deep dive, we expose the wild world of Indian startup IPOs. You'll discover how companies magically become profitable right before going public, why retail investors are gambling billions on unprofitable startups, and the shocking "reverse flip" trend where unicorns are abandoning Silicon Valley for Mumbai's markets. This is the untold story of the biggest IPO boom and potential bubble in the world right now.Note- The video was recorded on 18th Nov '25, all numbers and stock prices are true to that date.Disclaimer: This video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Please do your own research or consult a registered financial advisor before making investment decisions. The creator is not responsible for any profits or losses resulting from investment decisions.KEY TAKEAWAYS:✅ How Groww became worth more than the 150-year-old Bombay Stock Exchange✅ Why PhysicsWallah got a 33% listing gain despite losing ₹243 crore✅ The accounting tricks companies use to become "profitable" before IPOs✅ Why 70+ startups are moving from US/Singapore to India (reverse flipping)✅ India vs USA IPO markets: lower requirements, higher valuations, unlimited appetiteFEATURED COMPANIES:Groww: ₹1.1 lakh crore valuation (more than BSE itself on 18th Nov '25)Lenskart: Years of losses, then ₹297 crore profit in FY25—just before IPOPhysicsWallah: Loss-making but 33% listing gainsPine Labs: 2.5x oversubscribed despite unclear profitabilityZomato, Paytm, Nykaa, Ola Electric: The cautionary talesTIMESTAMPS:(0:00) Introduction(0:33) Groww IPO(1:54) Lenskart IPO(2:36) Pine Labs IPO(3:15) Physicswallah(4:51) Why & how do companies turn profitable just before the IPO?(6:51) Class of '21 - Zomato, Paytm, Nykaa(9:45) India vs USA IPO Markets(10:46) Reverse Flipping(12:04) Why are companies reverse flipping to India?(13:11) Is indian IPO market visionary or plain crazy?(13:58) ClosingSUBSCRIBE FOR MORE VC & STARTUP STRATEGYVC10X breaks down the most important stories in tech, startups, and investing every week. If you want actionable insights to help you build or invest in the next great company, subscribe now.LET'S CONNECTWebsite: https://VC10X.comX / Twitter: https://x.com/choubeysahabLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/choubeysahabCOMMENT BELOWIs India's IPO market the future or a bubble waiting to pop? Have you invested in any of these companies? Let us know in the comments.#IndiaIPO #Groww #PhysicsWallah #Lenskart #StartupIndia #VentureCapital #IPOMarket #RetailInvesting #ZomatoIPO #PaytmIPO

In this episode, we sit down with a true legend of the tech and investing world, Fabrice Grinda, Founding Partner at FJ Labs. With a track record that includes founding the global classifieds giant OLX (used by 350M+ people), achieving over 350 exits as an investor, and being named the #1 Angel Investor by Forbes, Fabrice shares a masterclass on what it takes to win in the world of startups.We dive deep into his incredible journey, from leaving McKinsey at 23 to chasing his entrepreneurial dream, to the bold "spaghetti on the wall" strategy of launching OLX in 100+ countries simultaneously.Fabrice gets candid about nearly going bankrupt, borrowing money on his credit cards to make payroll, and the resilience it took to build a company to $200 million in revenue.You'll also hear the untold story of how he tried to buy the "Alibaba.com" domain from a then-unknown Jack Ma, and the pattern recognition that allowed him to become an early investor in future giants like Alibaba, Airbnb, and Flexport.If you're an entrepreneur, investor, or just fascinated by what it takes to build and identify world-changing companies, this conversation is packed with priceless insights.⭐ Sponsored by Podcast10x - Podcasting agency for VCs - https://podcast10x.comVC10X website - https://vc10x.comFJ Labs website - https://fjlabs.com/Fabrice Grinda on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabricegrinda/🎙️ Hosted by Prashant ChoubeyFollow Prashant on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/choubeysahabWe talk about -- Why Fabrice left a prestigious job at McKinsey to become a founder.- The high-risk strategy that made OLX a global phenomenon.- Lessons from nearly losing everything and bouncing back stronger.- The key traits that separate successful companies from those that fail.- His contrarian take on the current AI bubble and where the real opportunities lie.- The future of marketplaces and the next trillion-dollar opportunities.Timestamps:(00:00) - Introduction(03:02) - Journey from McKinsey to becoming an entrepreneur(04:48) - OLX's global expansion strategy and market selection(07:33) - Fundraising approach and VC backing for OLX(09:44) - Building Zingy to $200M revenue after near bankruptcy(11:16) - Bootstrapping Zingy with small incremental raises(12:32) - Transition from operator to investor(14:16) - Being named #1 angel investor by Forbes(16:11) - Framework for evaluating marketplace opportunities(17:32) - Pattern recognition in successful vs failed companies(19:09) - Current marketplace market conditions and valuations(22:30) - How AI is changing purchasing behavior in marketplaces(24:42) - Why B2B marketplaces are compelling now(26:18) - AI's impact on marketplace defensibility and network effects(27:41) - Early investments in Alibaba, Airbnb, and Flexport stories(29:58) - Cross-border marketplaces and live commerce trends(32:27) - International arbitrage and business model innovation(34:10) - Solving the chicken and egg problem in marketplaces(36:00) - Take rates in marketplaces from early to mature stages(39:12) - Marketplace monopolies and pricing power(41:06) - Zomato's valuation and public market implications(45:45) - Biggest hurdles for marketplace founders today(46:35) - Contrarian belief: Investing in marketplaces over AI(48:08) - Rapid fire: Investment sectors, stages, and check sizes(49:26) - How to reach Fabrice and closing remarksFor sponsorship or guest appearance requests, write to prashantchoubey3@gmail.comSubscribe to VC10X on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.#FabriceGrinda #AngelInvesting #Marketplaces #OLX #StartupStory #VentureCapital #Alibaba #Entrepreneurship #TechInvestor #FJlabs

Michael Burry—the legendary investor who predicted the 2008 housing crash—has just placed a massive bet against the AI boom. His latest 13F filing reveals he's shorting Nvidia and Palantir, the two darlings of the AI revolution. Is this the beginning of the AI bubble bursting, or is Burry making the biggest mistake of his career?In this deep dive, we break down Burry's exact positions, the warning signs he's seeing that others are ignoring, and what this means for the future of AI investing. We also examine the counter-argument: why betting against this market could be incredibly dangerous.TIMESTAMPS(00:00) - Michael Burry's billion-dollar bet against AI(00:24) - How we know about Burry's bet: 13F filings revealed(00:44) - Burry's targeted bets: NVIDIA and Palantir put options(00:55) - Why shorting NVIDIA is significant(01:15) - Why shorting Palantir matters(01:36) - The two-pronged attack strategy(02:05) - Warning sign #1: Smart money is cashing out (SoftBank exits NVIDIA)(02:31) - Warning sign #2: Astronomical valuations(03:11) - Warning sign #3: Spending doesn't match profits(03:43) - Why Burry could be wrong: This isn't the dot-com bubble(04:05) - AI as a true platform shift(04:22) - Burry's past mistakes: The Tesla bet(04:38) - What this means for founders & investors(05:18) - Is this Big Short 2.0?(05:48) - Final thoughts and call to actionKEY TAKEAWAYS✅ Why Michael Burry is shorting Nvidia and Palantir specifically.✅ The three warning signs that suggest an AI bubble.✅ How smart money (like SoftBank) is quietly exiting AI stocks.✅ What founders and VCs should focus on in this new environment.SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE VC & STARTUP STRATEGYVC10X breaks down the most important stories in tech, startups, and investing every week. If you want actionable insights to help you build or invest in the next great company, subscribe now.LET'S CONNECTWebsite: https://VC10X.comLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/choubeysahabCOMMENT BELOWDo you think the AI market is a bubble? Or is Burry making a massive mistake? Let us know in the comments.#MichaelBurry #Nvidia #Palantir #AI #BigShort #VentureCapital #TechBubble #Investing #Startup

After selling your company for half a billion dollars, what do you do next? Our guest, Shay Levi, decided to start all over again with an even more ambitious mission. Shay previously co-founded the API security giant Noname Security, which was acquired by Akamai for a staggering $500 million.Now, he's back with Unframe, a company taking on the entire software industry with a radical promise: they'll build your custom software for free, and you only pay if it delivers a real impact.Today, Shay walks us through his incredible journey, the contrarian thinking behind his new venture, and how Unframe is using AI to build working solutions in just a matter of days.⭐ Sponsored by Podcast10x - Podcasting agency for VCs - https://podcast10x.comVC10X website - https://VC10X.com/Unframe website - https://unframe.aiShay Levi on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaylevi2🎙️ Hosted by Prashant ChoubeyFollow Prashant on X - https://x.com/ChoubeySahabFollow Prashant on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/choubeysahabTimestamps:(00:00) - Introduction to Unframe's business model and value proposition(01:07) - Shay Levy's background and Noname Security's $500M exit(02:52) - Founding story of Noname Security(04:51) - Difficult moments and challenges during the Noname journey(07:05) - Learning from failures and improving processes(08:22) - Decision to start Unframe after successful exit(11:38) - How Unframe's business model works in practice(14:44) - Pricing structure and customer alignment(17:14) - Managing client expectations and feature requests(19:24) - Using AI tools for building solutions quickly(21:45) - AI models and developer tools used at Unframe(22:34) - Team structure for building solutions(23:45) - Building blocks approach and platform architecture(24:00) - Early days GTM strategy and customer acquisition(25:39) - Emerging from stealth with $50M funding(27:54) - Fundraising experience and investor reactions(30:41) - Positioning Unframe as a foundational platform(32:21) - Product-market fit indicators for Unframe(34:06) - Building a moat and competitive advantages(37:40) - Lessons learned from Noname Security(38:40) - Biggest learning as a founder: the importance of hard work(41:24) - Closing remarksFor sponsorship or guest appearance requests, write to prashantchoubey3@gmail.comSubscribe to VC10X on Youtube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts.

Meta and Amazon are making billions in profit, so why are they laying off thousands of employees in late 2025? It’s not a recession, it’s a strategic shift. We break down the real reasons behind the new wave of "quiet layoffs" sweeping Big Tech and what it means for the future of your career.In this deep dive, you'll learn about the "Great AI Re-Allocation," how the "Year of Efficiency" became a permanent strategy, and why the jobs of the future are becoming highly specialized. This isn't just news; it's a critical look at the new rules of the tech industry and how you can navigate them.TIMESTAMPS(00:00) - Introduction: Meta and Amazon layoffs despite record profits(00:37) - Recent layoff reports at Meta and Amazon(01:35) - The new normal: continuous strategic culling in big tech(02:00) - Reason 1: The great AI reallocation(02:50) - Reason 2: Year of efficiency as permanent operating philosophy(03:40) - Reason 3: Pandemic hiring aftershocks(04:17) - What does this mean for you?(05:04) - Silver lining: Talent boost for startup ecosystem(05:22) - Conclusion and call to actionKEY TAKEAWAYS✅ Why profitable companies are still cutting staff.✅ How AI is forcing a massive reallocation of talent and capital.✅ The new skills that are in high demand (and which are at risk).SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE VC & STARTUP STRATEGYVC10X breaks down the most important stories in tech, startups, and investing every week. If you want actionable insights to help you build or invest in the next great company, subscribe now.LET'S CONNECTWebsite: https://VC10X.comX / Twitter: https://x.com/choubeysahabLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/choubeysahabCOMMENT BELOWHas this new wave of layoffs affected you or your company? Let's discuss it in the comments.#TechLayoffs #Meta #Amazon #BigTech #JobMarket #CareerAdvice #AI #VentureCapital

In this episode, we sit down with Michelle Urben, Managing & General Partner of the Synergos Fund, an innovative firm that is challenging the traditional VC model. They've launched a "continuum fund," a new structure designed to support transformative companies through their entire lifecycle, from seed to commercialization.We dive deep into why they "don't invest for an exit," their mission to build "very durable companies that we want to own forever," and how they are tackling some of the world's biggest problems, from the global energy demand to recycling spent nuclear fuel.⭐ Sponsored by Podcast10x - Podcasting agency for VCs - https://podcast10x.comSynergos Fund - https://www.synergosholdings.com/general-7Michelle Urben on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-boquiren-urben-0538852🎙️ Hosted by Prashant ChoubeyFollow Prashant on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/choubeysahabTopics discussed:- The Continuum Fund Model - Conscious Capitalism and Impact Investing- Long-Term Investment Strategy vs. Quick Exits- Nuclear Energy and Spent Fuel Recycling- The Evergreen Fund Structure and Investor Flexibility& lots moreTimestamps:(00:00) Introduction to Michelle Urben and Synergos Fund(02:22) What makes a Continuum Fund different from traditional VC funds(06:55) Solving the critical problem of access in late-stage startups(07:30) Structure of the Continuum Fund compared to typical venture capital funds(10:12) Defining conscious capitalism and ensuring returns for investors(11:27) Investment deployment and flexibility for investors(14:45) Transparency and meaningful stakes in portfolio companies(18:02) Balancing patient capital with investor expectations(19:04) Advantages of Washington, D.C. for the companies they're backing(22:02) Navigating political uncertainty around clean energy and funding(25:19) Electricity demand from AI and clean energy solutions(27:31) Balancing active investing with community building in Washington, D.C.(31:06) Investor reception to the new investment model(33:02) Biggest learning from investing in startups(34:27) Rapid fire round begins - sectors, stages, and investment approachFor sponsorship or guest appearance requests, write to prashantchoubey3@gmail.comSubscribe to VC10X on Youtube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts.