Motion Blur

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.

Grant and Hammad discuss how the act of creating a company is like surfing a monster 100 foot wave. Grant begins by sharing a surfing metaphor that explains what it’s like to build a company. Hammad steps in to share his pushback, and then the conversation transitions to some stories about John Doerr, Tesla, and Navy SEALs and sledgehammers. They conclude the show by discussing some of the deep currents they’re focusing on today. 🔗 Show Resource Links 100 foot wave tweet Deep Currents Not Dead, Can’t Quit (Let’s get our sledgehammer on) 🎙️ Podcast Links ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠⁠⁠X (FKA Twitter)⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠ 🌀 About Motion Blur Exploring 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, ⁠⁠⁠Embers⁠⁠⁠ Hammad Aslam, ⁠⁠⁠@_hammad_aslamh⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Susa Ventures⁠⁠ If 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 Harrison⁠⁠⁠ Thanks for reading and listening to Motion Blur! ⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠ to get notified for future episodes.

The discussion contrasts the roles of insiders and outsiders in venture capital, emphasizing how these identities shape opportunities. Insights on personal journeys reveal biases and the importance of authentic connections. The conversation also explores the dynamics of empire building, highlighting the insider's maintenance focus versus the outsider's quest for growth. Listeners gain perspectives on navigating the entrepreneurial landscape, learning that perseverance and collaboration are vital for success.

This special Thanksgiving chat dives into personal gratitudes, spotlighting a must-read book and a game-changing app. The hosts reflect on travel stories enhanced by tech and celebrate a founder's inspiring journey of resilience. Listeners can feel the camaraderie as they share laughs and insights about friendship, personal growth, and the importance of community. It's a heartwarming reminder of what truly matters as the holiday season kicks off!

Explore the intriguing concept of 'IBMification' and its chilling effects on innovation within technology and venture capital. Discover how major firms are shifting towards risk-averse strategies, impacting startup growth and creativity. The discussion balances radical innovation against incremental progress, revealing the challenges companies face in staying competitive. Insights into founder stories illustrate the historical context of venture practices and the need for renewed boldness in entrepreneurship to sustain market relevance.

The discussion kicks off with the vital phrase 'How can I be helpful?' and its impact on venture capital dynamics. Listeners learn about navigating the competitive landscape of investor-founder relationships and the importance of authenticity in support. Emotional stability is spotlighted, particularly in tough times, showing how calm can guide better decisions. The value of clear communication is emphasized in cultivating partnerships. Lastly, the transformative power of dinner conversations for networking and discovery is explored, proving true connections can blossom over a meal.