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

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.

How did Intel go from losing $18.8 billion to a $4.1 billion profit in just six months? A legendary venture capitalist, Lip-Bu Tan took over and executed a masterclass in corporate turnaround strategy. We break down the VC playbook that not only saved the iconic chipmaker but also convinced its biggest rival, Nvidia, to invest $5 billion.In this deep dive, we unpack one of the most dramatic business stories of 2025. You'll learn how Intel lost its dominance, the brutal decisions their new CEO had to make, and the strategic capital moves that shocked Wall Street. This isn't just a story about a big company; it's a goldmine of lessons for every founder, operator, and investor.Important Note: The stock graph screenshots & figures were taken after market closing on 28 Oct '25. Not a financial advice.TIMESTAMPS(00:00) Introduction to Intel's dramatic turnaround story(00:50) Intel's fall(02:06) Enter The VC - Introduction of Lip-Bu Tan as new CEO(03:18) Tan's turnaround playbook(5:52) Q3 2025 earnings report and financial results(7:04) Key lessons for startups and VCs:- Lesson 1: Value of an outsider perspective- Lesson 2: Importance of strategic capital- Lesson 3: Focus is everything- Lesson 4: Speed of execution- Lesson 5: Possibility of a comeback(8:53) Closing remarks and call to action for viewersKEY LESSONS COVERED✅ The power of an outsider's perspective in a crisis.✅ How to use strategic capital (not just any capital) to validate your turnaround.✅ The importance of radical focus and cutting non-core assets.✅ Why execution speed is a company's greatest weapon.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 BELOWWhat's the boldest corporate turnaround you've ever seen? Let's discuss it in the comments.#Intel #VentureCapital #StartupStrategy #Turnaround #Investing #Business #TechNews #Nvidia

Jan Szilagyi, co-founder of Reflexivity, dives into how AI is revolutionizing market research for hedge funds. With a focus on combining micro and macro analysis, Reflexivity leverages LLMs to transform raw data into powerful insights. Szilagyi discusses the challenges of data overwhelm and how AI can democratize investment strategies, improving alpha access. He also shares lessons from legendary investors and highlights the importance of human collaboration in a tech-driven landscape, all while navigating the competitive AI landscape.

Ganesh Padmanabhan, Founder and CEO of Autonomize AI, previously scaled infrastructure at Dell before tackling healthcare's data dilemmas. He discusses the transformative potential of AI agents in automating healthcare operations and the industry's paradox of technological advancement yet perceived decline in quality. Ganesh shares insights on channel partnerships, the challenges of AI implementation, and the importance of trust and data privacy in his mission to enhance patient care and operational efficiency.

Jatin Desai is a Co-founder & Managing Partner at Inflexor Ventures. He is a seasoned operator turned venture capitalist who has successfully built and exited businesses in both the US and India. In this episode, Jatin shares his playbook on investing in deep tech, the future of AI in India, and the single biggest challenge facing Indian startups.⭐ Sponsored by Podcast10x - Podcasting agency for VCs - https://podcast10x.comInflexor Ventures - inflexor.vcJatin Desai on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jatin-desai-b47b183/🎙️ Hosted by Prashant ChoubeyFollow Prashant on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/choubeysahabWe talk about -- Journey from Wall Street to building Inflection Ventures and achieving top decile fund performance globally- Investment thesis across three buckets: India for India, India for the world, and emerging tech- Cap table construction mistakes and why Indian founders dilute equity too early- GTM as the single biggest challenge for Indian startups at different revenue stages- Operator VC model and how real entrepreneurial experience helps portfolio companies& lots moreTimestamps:(00:00) Introduction(02:53) Jatin Desai's background and story of starting Inflexor Ventures(06:37) Inflexor Ventures' investment thesis(08:00) Three investment buckets: India for India, India for the World, and Emerging/Deep Tech(13:48) Different evaluation approaches for different investment categories(15:57) HDFC AMC's commitment to their opportunities fund(18:58) Differences between Indian, Silicon Valley, and European tech innovation approaches(22:14) Discussion on AI innovations in India(25:44) Exciting sectors in India for investment(28:18) How Inflexor Ventures works with portfolio companies(32:16) Navigating uncertainty with global tariffs and policies(35:00) Biggest learnings from years of venture investing(38:19) Rapid-fire round of questions about Inflexor Ventures' investment strategyFor sponsorship or guest appearance requests, write to prashantchoubey3@gmail.comSubscribe to VC10X on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Harish Chandramowli, Co-Founder of Flaire, he transitioned from Lead Engineer at MongoDB to building fashion ERP software despite having zero industry background.We dive into his journey from cybersecurity engineer to fashion-tech founder, the bold decisions that shaped his company's growth, and his contrarian views on the future of enterprise software in the AI era.⭐ Sponsored by Podcast10x - Podcasting agency for VCs - https://podcast10x.comFlaire - https://www.flairesoftware.com/Harish Chandramowli - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scharish🎙️ Hosted by Prashant ChoubeyFollow Prashant on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/choubeysahabTimestamps:(00:00) Introduction(02:11) Validating the Flaire idea without a fashion background(04:53) Operating in stealth mode with design partners(06:00) Challenges in getting demos and converting customers(08:14) Using AI to solve real workflow problem(10:11) Learning curve of transitioning from tech to sales(11:25) Approach to product-market fit and go-to-market strategy(13:08) Building a product that adapts to macro changes in fashion workflows(16:15) Dealing with the urge to radically pivot(17:22) Unique metrics for fashion ERP(18:18) Approach to fundraising as a technical founder(19:26) Building defensibility and moats in the age of AI(21:38) Most vulnerable moment building the startup(22:22) Pivotal decision that changed Flaire's growth trajectory(25:17) Transition from employee to founder and impact on lifestyle(27:01) Contrarian view on the future of fashion tech and ERP(29:04) Strategic decision to complement Shopify(31:16) Biggest learning as a founder(33:34) Closing remarks and where to follow Harish's journeyFor sponsorship or guest appearance requests, write to prashantchoubey3@gmail.comSubscribe to VC10X on Youtube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts.

Shaw Walters is the founder of ElizaOS—the popular GitHub repository for AI agent development that is powering over $20 billion in projects, all built without venture funding.We dive into whether AI will end civilization, what are multi-agent systems, why Shaw chose open source over proprietary AI, and his prediction that we'll need nuclear power plants for next-gen AI. This conversation will challenge how you think about our AI future.⭐ Sponsored by Podcast10x - Podcasting agency for VCs - https://podcast10x.comElizaOS website - https://elizaos.ai/ElizaOS tutorial - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8Ghq3cvD9g🎙️ Hosted by Prashant ChoubeyFollow Prashant on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/choubeysahabWe talk about:- Open source strategy for AI development versus proprietary approaches- Multi-agent systems and how AI agents communicate and coordinate with each other- Current limitations of AI agents and their potential for complex task execution- Whether AI will end human civilization and existential risks of artificial intelligence- Energy requirements for future AI development and the need for nuclear power infrastructure& moreTimestamps:(00:00) Introduction(02:40) Origin of ElizaOS and the problem it aims to solve(05:18) Reasons for keeping ElizaOS open-source(09:32) Explanation of multi-agent simulation framework(13:47) Deeper dive into how agents interact and reason(16:17) Discussion about potential risks of AI and robot civilization(22:51) Conversation about AI learning and data collection(31:25) Brief discussion about AI trying to avoid being shut off(34:36) Broader implications of AI on society and jobs(39:44) How to build an AI agent and current challenges(47:07) ElizaOS's integration with Web3 and Solana blockchain(53:45) Speculation about the future of AI and agents(54:13) Shaw's prediction for the next five years in technology(58:40) Closing remarks and how to learn more about ElizaOSFor sponsorship or guest appearance requests, write to prashantchoubey3@gmail.comSubscribe to VC10X on Youtube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts.

Santosh Sharan is the founder of Zeer.ai and a go-to-market veteran with over 20 years of experience.Santosh believes we're at an inflection point where the traditional SaaS model is fundamentally broken. In our conversation today, we explore why the old playbooks don't work anymore, how AI is reshaping startup economics, and Santosh's vision for agent-to-agent interactions replacing traditional sales processes.⭐ Sponsored by Podcast10x - Podcasting agency for VCs - https://podcast10x.comZeer AI website - https://zeer.ai/Santosh Sharan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssharan🎙️ Hosted by Prashant ChoubeyFollow Prashant on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/choubeysahabIn this episode, we talk about -- Building AI startups versus traditional SaaS startups- The breakdown of traditional go-to-market strategies and rising customer acquisition costs (CAC)- Platform versus point solutions and the future of venture capital- Agent-to-agent interactions and buyer-led go-to-market approaches- Creating defensible moats through data flywheels and proprietary datasets& moreTimestamps:(00:00) Introduction(03:05) Santosh Sharan's background and introduction to Zeer AI(05:34) Differences between building AI startups and traditional SaaS startups(07:51) The challenges of building AI products and the importance of going beyond being a wrapper(11:57) The rapid changes in the tech industry and the need for founders to be ready to pivot quickly(15:05) Impact of low-cost software development on business margins and valuations(20:17) Thoughts on venture funding and raising capital for AI startups(22:43) Platform solutions vs. point solutions in the current market(27:38) Creating a moat in the AI startup ecosystem(31:44) Changes in go-to-market strategies and traditional sales approaches(38:37) The future of buyer-seller interactions and agent-to-agent communication(41:49) Using LinkedIn for prospecting and generating interest(44:21) Cutting through the noise in the AI market and standing out(46:23) Predictions for the future of B2B interactions in five years(49:09) Overview of Zeer AI's buyer concierge conceptFor sponsorship or guest appearance requests, write to prashantchoubey3@gmail.comSubscribe to VC10X on Youtube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts.

Rishi Taparia, Co-founder and General Partner at Garuda Ventures, has a rich history as an operator at Poynt and Legion. He discusses the dramatic shifts in B2B SaaS driven by AI, highlighting the necessity of customer trust as a competitive edge. Rishi introduces his investment framework focusing on team, market, product, and vision. He candidly shares his emotional journey in entrepreneurship and the complexities of early-stage investments, emphasizing the importance of founder autonomy and developing strong relationships in a volatile market.