Minus One

Niall Ferguson, a renowned historian and author at the Hoover Institution, shares his insights on pivotal moments in history and their influence on today's tech landscape. He discusses the risks of neglecting historical lessons in Silicon Valley and examines the implications of AI and declining birth rates. Ferguson highlights the importance of adapting institutions to avoid stagnation and explores humanity's purpose amidst technological advancements. A thought-provoking conversation that intertwines history with the future of innovation!

Vinod Khosla, a renowned venture capitalist with a legacy of groundbreaking investments including OpenAI, shares his insights on the future of technology. He discusses the critical importance of building the right team, why intrinsic motivation is key in an AI-driven world, and his belief that AGI is already among us. Khosla reflects on the emotional challenges of entrepreneurship, the need for resilience, and the exciting potential of innovative AI models. He emphasizes preparing future generations to thrive in an evolving landscape fueled by artificial intelligence.

Blake Scholl, Founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, shares his vision for reviving supersonic travel and making it accessible to the masses. He discusses overcoming challenges in aerospace innovation, emphasizing that passion and storytelling are crucial for team motivation. Scholl highlights the importance of iterative learning, innovative aircraft engine development, and the emotional journey of entrepreneurship. He also reflects on creating milestones to boost team morale while daring to challenge conventional wisdom in the industry.

Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft renowned for transforming the tech giant through cloud and AI initiatives, engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Aditya Agarwal and Ruchi Sanghvi. They explore the concept of 'refounding' Microsoft, emphasizing continuous adaptation. Nadella shares insights on AI's evolution, stressing the enduring importance of critical thinking. He also delves into Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI and the groundbreaking potential of quantum computing, illustrating how these advancements will reshape our future and empower underserved communities.

Kirsten Green, founder of Forerunner Ventures and 8-time Midas List investor, sees the next wave of breakout brands emerging at the intersection of shifting consumer behavior, novel business models, and technological inflection points.In this conversation with Ruchi Sanghvi, she unpacks the investment frameworks behind early bets on companies like Warby Parker and Glossier—breaking down structural shifts that fueled their scale. They explore:• AI’s role in reshaping consumer distribution and brand-building• the enduring mechanics of advertising and its evolution across platforms• the biggest misconceptions about early-stage consumer investing• what defines the next generation of category-defining brandsConnect with us here:1. Kirsten Green – https://x.com/kirstenagreen2. Ruchi Sanghvi – https://x.com/rsanghvi3. South Park Commons – https://x.com/southpkcommonsThis episode was produced and distributed by our friends at Atomik Growth: https://atomikgrowth.com/00:00 Trailer00:56 Introduction02:25 Humble beginnings05:12 Vague misconceptions07:44 Consumer AI direction11:43 How to win in consumer AI18:32 Where is distribution now22:49 "What caught your attention?"24:45 The problems and the solution27:35 Consumer traction and engagement30:50 Giving venture the finger?34:06 Counterintuitive Traits of Founders37:03 Effective channels and connections39:53 Business of saying no41:49 Agents43:04 Search experience44:09 Education and healthcare economy46:36 Physical personalization48:31 Healthcare and social51:55 Key roles54:51 Outro

From launching Ola as a ride-hailing startup to expanding into EVs, AI, and now a third shot at food delivery, Bhavish Aggarwal has remained in relentless “founder mode.” He dives into the mental models that shaped his journey, how he processes failure, and his vision for India’s deep-tech future. Connect with us here: 1. Bhavish Aggarwal- https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhavishaggarwal/ 2. Aditya Agarwal- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adityaagarwal3/ 3. Prateek Mehta- https://www.linkedin.com/in/prateek-mehta-a571972/ 4. South Park Commons- https://www.linkedin.com/company/southparkcommons/ The production and distribution of this episode were managed by our friends at Atomik Growth. (00:00) Trailer (00:55) Introduction (01:55) The chaos of building Ola (06:36) Rebels start companies (10:21) Leadership and Indian tech (16:48) Rationale instinct (21:30) Intelligence, consciousness, philosophies (25:40) How Krutrim fits in (33:13) Founders struggles (36:33) Indian ethos is still growing (43:13) Impact in business and personal life (47:46) Authentic execution, zero BS (55:33) Outro

Scott Belsky, Adobe’s Chief Strategy Officer and former co-founder of Behance, shares his insights on the convergence of design, technology, and business to tackle important challenges. He reveals how his journey through frustration fueled his success and discusses launching Behance in NYC's dynamic tech scene. Belsky delves into the 'messy middle' of company growth, the role of AI in design, and the need for impactful networks in tech. He emphasizes fostering creativity amidst commoditization while navigating the evolving landscape of automation.

In this episode, Alexandr Wang, the Founder and CEO of Scale AI, discusses the intense journey of establishing an AI infrastructure company. He shares insights on the US-China AI race, emphasizing the critical need for startups to navigate emerging technologies and data quality. Alexandr evokes the emotional rollercoaster of early entrepreneurship, highlighting resilience and a focus on product excellence. He also critiques the reliance on funding over innovative problem-solving, encouraging a contrarian approach amidst geopolitical challenges.

Mike Krieger, co-founder and former CTO of Instagram, now Chief Product Officer at Anthropic, shares his inspiring journey from tech prodigy in Brazil to social media pioneer. He discusses the significance of tangible creation, the emotional challenges of career transitions, and the importance of user experience in product development. Krieger dives into the complexities of startup life, navigating pivots, and the growing impact of low-code platforms on innovation. His insights illuminate the evolution from connecting friends to enhancing AI products.

Lindsay Kaplan is the Co-founder & Chief Branding Officer at Chief, the world’s largest network of senior women executives. She joined us in person at SPC-NYC to share how her experience leading marketing at Casper and other high growth startups led to the creation of Chief from the ground up—and why maximizing leadership impact for women in the 21st century is a worthwhile investment.