Motion Blur

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.

Dive into a lively debate on index investing versus concentration strategies in early-stage investments. The hosts share insightful anecdotes and perspectives, including a discussion on high-stakes partnerships in tech. They also examine the challenges faced by CEOs juggling multiple ventures and the implications of the Adobe-Figma merger. With a sports analogy highlighting the balance between specialization and versatility, the conversation wraps up with reflections on investment approaches in today's volatile market.

Join a discussion that takes you on a flavorful journey through Tokyo, where lessons learned blend with culinary experiences. Discover how Shinkei Systems is revolutionizing the fish processing industry using robotic technology and the humane ike-jime technique. Explore the sustainability challenges of fishing and the untapped potential of automation in a struggling workforce. Lastly, delve into the impact of DeepSeek on AI innovations, highlighting the rapidly evolving tech landscape and investment opportunities.

Ian Rountree, Founder and Managing Partner of Cantos Ventures, shares his insights from pioneering deep tech investments. He discusses the 'incentive problem' within venture capital and contrasts East Coast biotech approaches with Cantos' generalist philosophy. Ian emphasizes the transformative potential of technology and the importance of genuine relationships in deep tech investing. Wrapping up, he offers bold predictions for 2025 and reflects on the evolving landscape of venture capital, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

We’re back for the first episode of 2025! Today we’re exploring one of Grant’s older essays:The Starlink IPO. We open the conversation discussing Amazon and it’s path to creating AWS, and then compare that story to SpaceX and Starlink's meteoric rise. Grant discusses his thesis in greater detail and Hammad asks him what attributes he seeks in founders trying to build multi-act companies. Hammad also asks Grant to share the biggest difference between Blue Origin and SpaceX. Finally we conclude with a project Hammad is excited to put together for the coming year.🔗 Show Resource LinksThe Starlink IPO (a play on Ben Thompson’sThe AWS IPO)The Idea Maze🎙️ 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 at⁠⁠Cantos⁠⁠ 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.

As the year closes, a lively discussion revisits bold tech predictions. From maritime advancements and the robotics revolution to the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency, insights abound. Excitement for wearable tech and Apple's innovations stirs mixed public reception. The conversation shifts to the vital debate of open vs. closed ecosystems, using past failures as lessons. Lastly, geopolitical changes shape defense tech, revealing a complex interplay between enthusiasm and reality. A reflective wrap-up marks the end of a dynamic year.