Motion Blur

Entropy, record revenue growth, and persistenceToday’s episode covers the Second Law of Thermodynamics — entropy, and how it extends to the world of (AI) companies. We’ve seen a number of companies shatter revenue milestones in record times, and Hammad and Grant viewed this as an opportunity to talk about building enduring businesses in the face of shifting environment.We open with one of Grant’s favorite facts: the average age of a company in the S&P 500 has fallen over 50 years in the past few decades. The Hedonic Treadmill has only accelerated, and we’re seeing more and more companies impacted. AI companies are no different. Hammad carries us through discussion on some of the practical implications of what this means, and Grant shares some thoughts on the broader uncertainty (and opportunity) with building in such a rapidly shifting playing field.It’s hard to build a company. It’s even harder to make it last!“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'Wow! What a Ride!'“ —Hunter S. ThompsonLastly, please send us any questions you’d like us to cover in our upcoming Q&A episode! LinkedIn or Twitter DM us.🔗 Show Resource LinksClouded Judgement - 3.28.25 - The New AI Risk Curve — Jamin BallThe average company age in the S&P 500 — Innosight Corporate Longevity ForecastUSS Indianapolis🎙️ Podcast Links⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠X (FKA Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠🌀 About Motion BlurExploring what makes great companies and technologies work. Brought to you by Grant Gregory & Hammad Aslam. Grant is an investor at ⁠⁠Cantos⁠⁠ where he focuses on physical world technologies. Hammad is a Partner at Kivu Ventures, ⁠⁠Susa⁠⁠’s growth fund. Learn more about the hosts:Grant Gregory, ⁠⁠⁠@grant__gregory⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Embers⁠⁠⁠Hammad Aslam, ⁠⁠⁠@_hammad_aslamh⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Susa Ventures⁠⁠If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every week for new episodes.Intro music credit: ⁠⁠⁠Will Harrison⁠⁠⁠Thanks for reading and listening to Motion Blur! ⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠ to get notified for future episodes.

Explore the evolving concept of reindustrialization and its implications for the U.S. economy. The discussion examines the impact of recent tariffs on startups and supply chains, urging entrepreneurs to adapt to these changes. Delve into how global trade dynamics influence American industrial policy and discover investment strategies amid these tariff shifts. The challenges facing businesses are highlighted, alongside insights on operational innovation and navigating economic uncertainties in today's landscape.

The hosts dive into the quirky world of chicken sexing, linking it to talent evaluation in venture capital. They explore historical techniques like feather sexing and draw parallels between scouting founders and sports talent, emphasizing the importance of resilience over statistics. Discussions on authenticity in entrepreneurship highlight the pressures faced by founders. Navigating investment decisions is compared to the art of chicken sexing, illustrating the blend of instinct and analysis in spotting true potential. Expect laughs alongside insightful moments!

This discussion dives into the evolving role of AI in sales development, particularly the implications of automating human roles. It raises eyebrows over the controversies surrounding a specific AI SDR company and its market impact. The conversation then shifts to ethical marketing practices, addressing the balance between reputation and reality in tech startups. Insights on investment strategies in AI and cybersecurity reveal the tightrope firms walk between quality and concentration. Finally, the importance of preserving trust and accountability in business is emphasized.

Google is acquiring Wiz, so we decided it’s time to talk about M&A. There’s a lot of analysis on this particular acquisition and less about how it fits into the broader tech ecosystem, so that’s where most of our discussion centers.We open the conversation by talking about Grant’s time at the 3rd annual American Dynamism Summit in DC, and transition into the Wiz conversation by talking about his latest substack post. Hammad then gives us his perspective on the transaction and whether it will lead to a new era of M&A (and possibly venture liquidity).And lastly, here’s a tweet Hammad sent that gives some food for thought.🔗 Show Resource LinksFT - Alphabet agrees to buy cyber security group Wiz for $32bnOdysea - Waiting for the WhatsApp MomentBryce Roberts’ tweet🎙️ Podcast Links⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠X (FKA Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠🌀 About Motion BlurExploring what makes great companies and technologies work. Brought to you by Grant Gregory & Hammad Aslam. Grant is an investor at ⁠⁠Cantos⁠⁠ where he focuses on physical world technologies. Hammad is a Partner at Kivu Ventures, ⁠⁠Susa⁠⁠’s growth fund. Learn more about the hosts:Grant Gregory, ⁠⁠⁠@grant__gregory⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Embers⁠⁠⁠Hammad Aslam, ⁠⁠⁠@_hammad_aslamh⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Susa Ventures⁠⁠If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every week for new episodes.Intro music credit: ⁠⁠⁠Will Harrison⁠⁠⁠Thanks for reading and listening to Motion Blur! ⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠ to get notified for future episodes.

The hosts dive into the current market dynamics, discussing the American Dynamism 50 and reshoring industry in the U.S. They analyze venture capital strategies during economic downturns and the tension between long-term planning and short-term pressures. Emphasizing resilience, they connect lessons from athletics and venture with the need for adaptability in M&A and AI integration. The conversation wraps up with reflections on 'Deadwood', encouraging mindfulness and personal agency in today's complex landscape.

Matt Curtolo, a seasoned expert with over 20 years in private markets, shares his extensive knowledge in this engaging conversation. He dives into the evolution of his allocation strategies, especially for emerging managers, and discusses the balance of confidence and humility in fundraising. Matt critiques DEI efforts in venture capital, advocating for authenticity over performative actions. He also emphasizes the significance of relationship-building and qualitative storytelling in evaluating managers, likening it to sports analysis.

The discussion kicks off with the surprising news of HP acquiring Humane, marking a shift in tech direction. They delve into the influence of the movie 'Her' on our views of AI and the need for fresh ideas in the smartphone landscape. A deep dive into Humane's challenges reveals insights about startup pressures and innovation pitfalls. The hosts then explore the evolution of human-computer interaction, predicting a future led by gesture control and wearable tech. Finally, they ponder where tech innovation is headed beyond smartphones, emphasizing user feedback and trust.

The hosts dive deep into the transformative impact of AI on businesses today. They draw fascinating parallels between Formula 1 strategies and navigating entrepreneurial challenges. The conversation emphasizes adaptability, ambition, and communication as keys to leveraging AI. They also explore the competitive landscape between large tech firms and startups, with a special focus on healthcare opportunities. Finally, there's a light-hearted moment discussing favorite flowers just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Dive into the dynamics of competition as the hosts explore how Blockbuster’s mistakes paved the way for Netflix's rise. They discuss the significance of choosing competitors wisely and the strategic positioning of companies like Shopify against established players. The conversation also highlights the complexities of venture capital, emphasizing the balance between experience and unique insights. With a touch of personal passion and authenticity, they unveil how these elements can drastically alter the landscape of entrepreneurship.