Join host Nataraj as he sits down with Todd Bracher, founder of BetterLab, an industrial design firm partnering with scientists and innovators to create game-changing products. Previously Executive Creative Director and Design Partner at Human Scale, Todd has also collaborated with iconic brands like Issey Miyake, Herman Miller, and 3M. A two-time International Designer of the Year and recognized by Wallpaper Magazine as a Top 100 Global Design Influencer, Todd shares his insights on the intersection of design, science, and technology.

About the Episode:

This episode explores the world of industrial design through the lens of Todd Bracher's extensive experience.  The conversation delves into building a successful design firm and the critical importance of human-centered design. Todd recounts his journey from art school to becoming a leading industrial designer, emphasizing the role of manufacturing, materials, and understanding market needs. He highlights the shift towards sustainability in design, including the use of recycled materials and circularity principles. The discussion covers BetterLab's innovative projects, such as glasses designed to combat myopia using full-spectrum light and a UVC light-based hand sanitizer called Lightwash. Todd also shares his perspective on digital design, the influence of Japanese design principles, and his role as a design advisor with Antler, a pre-seed stage firm. He touches upon products he admires, including the Leica M camera, and the importance of integrating design early in the product development process.

About the Guest and Host:

Todd Bracher: Founder of BetterLab, an industrial design firm. Former Executive Creative Director and Design Partner at Human Scale.  Connect with Todd: 

→ Website: https://betterlab.com/

Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor. 

→ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/

→ Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam

→ Email updates: ⁠https://startupproject.substack.com/⁠

→ Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://thestartupproject.io⁠⁠⁠



Timestamps:

00:01 - Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:55 - Todd's Background and Entry into Design

01:45 - The Definition of Industrial Design

03:22 - Early Influences and Drawing

04:27 - Examples of Industrial Design Projects

06:06 - Admired Technology Products (Beyond Apple)

09:14 - Trends in Industrial Design: Sustainability vs. Consumable Products

12:02 - Todd's Take on IKEA's Design and Business Model

14:37 - Admired Brands: VITSO and Dieter Rams

15:54 - Sustainability and Longevity in Well-Designed Products

17:05 - The Business of Running a Design Firm: BetterLab

19:39 - Products from BetterLab: Myopia-Correcting Glasses

24:48 - Sustainability Project: UVC Light Hand Sanitizer (Lightwash)

28:44 - Working with Antler: Advising Early-Stage Startups

30:08 - Day-to-Day Products Todd Uses and Admits

31:53 - Modern Design Aesthetics and Globalization

36:01 - Todd's Take on Digital Design

37:46 - Trend Back into Hardware

40:01 - What Makes Japanese Design Unique

42:00 - Design Hubs in the US

44:13 - Current Consumption (Books, Podcasts, etc.)

45:39 - Mentors and Influences: Charles Darwin

46:55 - Lessons Learned: The Importance of Business Acumen

Subscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs!

→ Email updates: ⁠https://startupproject.substack.com/⁠



#StartupProject #IndustrialDesign #DesignThinking #BetterLab #ToddBracher #Sustainability #P

Award-Winning Industrial Designer on How to Design Great Hardware Products at Scale? | Todd Bracher Founder of Betterlab | Startup Project #99

Join host Nataraj as he sits down with Zach Lloyd, the founder and CEO of Warp, a company developing an intelligent terminal aimed at modernizing the command line experience for developers. Zach, a former principal engineer at Google, having worked on Google Sheets and Docs, and co-founder and CTO of Selfmade, shares his insights on the future of software development, the evolution of the terminal, and AI's role in building new products.

In this episode, they discuss:

 * How Warp leverages AI to improve developer productivity
 * The challenges of building an AI-powered developer tool
 * The future of coding and the evolution of the terminal
 * Bridging the gap between traditional terminals and modern IDEs
 * The current AI hype cycle and its impact on the developer community



Guest:
Zach Lloyd

 * Founder and CEO of Warp
 * Former Principal Engineer at Google
 * Co-founder & CTO of Selfmade
 * Website: https://www.warp.dev/



Host:
Nataraj

 * Host of the Startup Project podcast
 * Senior PM at Azure & Investor
 * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/
 * Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam
 * Email Updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/
 * Website: https://thestartupproject.io



Timestamps:
00:01 - Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:55 - What is Warp?
02:59 - How Developers Use Warp
04:56 - Warp's Compatibility with Existing Developer Tools
05:21 - Warp's Intelligence and Features
06:31 - Integrating Existing Developer Nuances into Warp
07:24 - Warp's AI-Powered Enhancements
10:06 - The Future of IDEs and Terminals
13:50 - The Evolution of Abstraction in Software Development
16:37 - The AI Hype Cycle and Developer Productivity
18:07 - Developer Feedback and Adoption of Warp
20:30 - Go-to-Market Strategy and Customer Acquisition
21:33 - Leveraging LLMs in Warp
23:28 - The Role of AI Agents in Software Development
25:49 - Cost and Sustainability of AI-Powered Tools
27:17 - Warp's Pricing Model and Margins
30:04 - Open-Source Models and Profitability
32:43 - Key Metrics for Warp's Success
34:45 - Go-to-Market Motion and Acquiring Customers
37:40 - Using AI in Building Warp
39:15 - The Impact of AI on Developer Demand
41:00 - The Current State of AI and Developer Productivity
43:31 - The Importance of Context and Knowledge in AI
44:31 - What Zach is Consuming
45:40 - Zach's Mentors
46:25 - Lessons Learned as a Founder



Subscribe:
Subscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs!
https://startupproject.substack.com/



Tags:
#StartupProject #Warp #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Terminal #DeveloperTools #Coding #Productivity #SoftwareDevelopment #DevOps #VentureCapital #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation

Warp Dev The AI Terminal Changing Software Development | Zach Lloyd CEO & Co-Founder of Warp Dev | Startup Project #98

Join Nataraj on Startup Project as he interviews Jennifer Jeronimo, CEO of Gaingels, a venture capital syndicate that has deployed over $900 million into 2,500 startups.

About the Episode:

Jennifer shares Gaingels' unique journey from an investment club focused on LGBTQ+ founders to one of the largest venture capital syndicates globally, with a diverse community of over 4,000 accredited investors. Learn about their investment strategy, focusing on co-investing alongside top-tier VC firms like Sequoia and Greycroft, and their mission to democratize venture capital by providing access to high-potential deals.

Discover how Gaingels sources deals, conducts due diligence, and supports its portfolio companies. Jennifer also discusses the current venture landscape, offering insights into market trends, diversification strategies, and the importance of building a balanced portfolio over time.  She also discusses her mentors and books that inspired her journey.

About the Guest and Host:

Jennifer Jeronimo: CEO of Gaingels, former banking executive, and advocate for diversity in venture capital.

→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-jeronimo1/

Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor.

→ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam  

→ Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam

→ Email updates: ⁠https://startupproject.substack.com/⁠

→ Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://thestartupproject.io⁠⁠⁠



Timestamps:

00:01 - Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:59 - J-Engels: A Venture Capital Syndicate

01:28 - How J-Engels Works & Its Mission

02:58 - Evolution from AngelList Syndicate

04:41 - Deal Flow Sources

07:17 - Securing Allocation in Competitive Deals

08:39 - J-Engels' Organizational Structure

10:38 - Deal Evaluation Process

13:47 - The Strength of Community in Venture

18:44 - Role of Venture Partners

20:09 - Navigating Market Corrections and Trends

23:35 - Portfolio Diversification Strategies

28:15 - J-Engels' Vision for the Future

30:20 - What Jennifer is Consuming Now

31:59 - Jennifer's Mentors

34:15 - Investing Advice for Beginners



Subscribe to Startup Project for more insightful conversations with leading investors and entrepreneurs!



→ Email updates: ⁠https://startupproject.substack.com/⁠

#StartupProject #VentureCapital #Investing #Syndicate #Diversity #Startups #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation #PortfolioDiversification #MarketTrends #AngelInvesting


How to Build a Scalable Venture Community | Jennifer Jeronimo CEO of Gaingels Inc| Startup Project #97

Join host Nataraj on Startup Project as he sits down with Vanessa Larco, Partner at NEA, to discuss the transformative impact of AI on startups and venture capital.

About the Episode: This episode delves into the evolving landscape of tech investing, exploring how AI is reshaping business models, pricing strategies, and the future of work. Vanessa, a former Director of Product at Box and co-founder of Funloop, shares her insights on:

* The shift towards AI in venture capital

* The commoditization debate surrounding LLMs

* The evolving pricing models in the age of AI

* Common mistakes startups make when fundraising

* How to identify and secure promising deals

* Vanessa's personal journey and mentorship experiences

About the Guest and Host:

Vanessa Larco: Partner at NEA, investing in Series A and Series B technology companies. Former Director of Product at Box and co-founder of Funloop.

Connect with Vanessa:

→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessalarco



Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor.

→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/

→ Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam

→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/

→ Website: https://thestartupproject.io

Timestamps:

00:01 - Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:01 - AI's Impact on Venture Capital

04:12 - The Commoditization of LLMs

08:57 - The SaaS Subscription Model and AI

16:04 - AI-Enabled Investment Ideas

18:50 - Life as a Partner at NEA

23:42 - Working with Series A & B Companies

25:40 - Traction Metrics for Series A

27:59 - Case Studies: Majoree & Rewind

33:04 - Common Startup Mistakes

36:37 - Sourcing Deals in Venture Capital

38:57 - What Vanessa is Consuming Now

40:20 - Mentors in Vanessa's Career

41:38 - Lessons Learned in Venture Investing

Subscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs!

→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/



#StartupProject #NEA #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #VentureCapital #Startups #SaaS #PricingModels #Fundraising #ProductMarketFit #Investing #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation

Startup Mistakes to Avoid: Overvaluation, Fundraising, AI, SaaS Pricing & More | Vanessa Larco | Startup Project #96

Join host Nataraj as he sits down with Karthee Madasamy, the Managing Director of MFA Partners, to discuss his journey from chip designer to venture capitalist in the world of deep tech.

About the Episode:

This episode explores Karthee's transition from a technical background in semiconductors and wireless communication to a successful career in venture capital. He shares his experiences at Qualcomm Ventures, where he led investments in companies like Waze and MapMyIndia, and discusses his current focus on deep tech companies at MFA Partners. Karthee provides valuable insights into the evolution of venture capital, the challenges of raising a fund, and the exciting potential of technologies like AI, robotics, and quantum computing.

Karti dives into the nuances of investing in deep tech, sharing his investment thesis for MapMyIndia and highlighting the importance of understanding technology commoditization. He also discusses the incentive structures within corporate venture capital versus traditional VC firms, and offers advice for those considering a career in the field.

About the Guest and Host:

Karthee Madasamy: Managing Director of MFA Partners, previously Managing Director and Vice President at Qualcomm Ventures. 

→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kartheemfv/

Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor. 

→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/

→ Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam

→ Email updates: ⁠https://startupproject.substack.com/⁠

→ Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://thestartupproject.io⁠⁠⁠

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

00:51 - Karthee's Journey into Venture Investing

02:46 - First Job in Venture Capital

04:52 - Early Deals and Learnings

07:34 - Identifying Technology Commoditization

09:56 - Investment Thesis for MapMyIndia

13:32 - Incentives in Corporate vs. Traditional VC

18:09 - Starting MFA Partners and Fundraising Challenges

23:37 - Lessons Learned from Fundraising

25:01 - The State of Deep Tech

32:42 - Investing in PsiQuantum and the Future of Quantum Computing

43:34 - Staying Updated and Influential Content

45:54 - Key Learnings about Investing

Subscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs!

→ Email updates: ⁠https://startupproject.substack.com/⁠

#startupproject #deeptech #venturecapital #investing #qualcommventures #mfapartners #ai #robotics #quantumcomputing #technology #innovation #entrepreneurship #podcast #youtube #tech #mapmyindia #waze #psiquantum #semiconductors



Deep Tech's Golden Age: Investing in Robotics, AI, and Quantum Computing | Startup Project #95

Join Nataraj on Startup Project as he talks to Aatish, CEO and founder of EquityZen, a secondary market for private equities. They discuss the evolution of secondary markets, EquityZen's business model, the value proposition of secondary equity platforms, investor strategies, and the nuances of investing in secondary shares. They'll also delve into various IPO types and their pros and cons for investors, providing a glimpse into the future of secondary markets and IPOs by 2025.



About the Episode:

This episode explores how EquityZen created a market for secondary shares, connecting founders, employees, and early investors with individuals seeking pre-IPO investment opportunities. Aatish shares his personal journey from quant hedge fund employee to entrepreneur, highlighting how EquityZen helps late-stage private companies provide liquidity to shareholders.



The conversation also covers:

- Evolution of secondary markets

- EquityZen's business model and platform

- Investing in secondary shares

- Different investor strategies

- IPO types and their impact on investors

- The future of secondary markets and IPOs in 2025

About the Guest and Host:

Aatish: CEO and founder of EquityZen, former co-founder and CTO of Nullsoft, and VP of product at Ampush.  Connect with Aatish:

→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atishdavda/

→ Website: https://equityzen.com/



Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor. 

→ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam 

→ Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam

→ Email: ⁠https://startupproject.substack.com/⁠

→ Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://thestartupproject.io⁠⁠⁠



Timestamps:

 * 00:00 - Introduction

 * 01:10 - What is EquityZen and How Did It Start?

 * 04:19 - The Evolution of Secondary Markets

 * 09:00 - Standardization in Secondary Transactions

 * 14:44 - Portfolio vs. Individual Company Investments

 * 20:10 - EquityZen's Business Model: Fees & Carry

 * 22:21 - EquityZen's Stats and User Base

 * 24:34 - EquityZen's Relationship with Companies and Issuers

 * 27:17 - Rights of First Refusal and Blocking Rights

 * 30:36 - Navigating the Secondary Market: Legitimacy and Risk

 * 33:33 - How EquityZen Uses Data

 * 37:14 - Marketing EquityZen in a Regulated Industry

 * 40:19 - IPOs vs. Direct Listings: What's the Difference?

 * 44:04 - Outlook for IPOs and Secondary Markets in 2025

Subscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs!



→ Email updates: ⁠https://startupproject.substack.com/⁠



#StartupProject #EquityZen #PrivateEquity #SecondaryMarket #PreIPO #Investing #IPO #VentureCapital #Stocks #Finance #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation #Entrepreneur"



Secondary Markets Explained: How EquityZen Provides Liquidity for Pre-IPO Shares | Startup Project Podcast #94

Join host Nataraj as he sits down with Aviel Ginsberg, the founder of Simply Measured (acquired by Sprout Social), managing director at Amazon's Alexa Accelerator, general partner at Founders Co-op, and now co-founder of Foundations, a shared workspace and accelerator designed to bolster Seattle's VC ecosystem.

About the Episode:

This episode explores Aviel's journey through the Seattle tech scene, from his arrival during the 2007 recession to his current venture. He discusses the evolution of Founders Co-op, their investment strategies, and the challenges faced by startups in the Pacific Northwest. Aviel shares insights into his investment philosophy, emphasizing the importance of founders' motivations and the long-term vision for their companies.

Aviel also delves into the creation of Foundations, a community-driven space aimed at connecting founders, investors, and mentors. He discusses the need for such an anchor in Seattle's ecosystem and how it addresses the unique challenges faced by startups in the region. The conversation touches upon the changing landscape of venture capital, the impact of large language models, and the future of Seattle's tech community.

About the Guest and Host:

Aviel Ginsberg: Co-founder of Foundations, founder of Simply Measured, managing director at Amazon's Alexa Accelerator, and general partner at Founders Co-op. 

→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avielginzburg/

→ Website: https://seattlefoundations.org/

Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor. 

→ LinkedIn: / natarajsindam

→ Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam

→ Email updates: ⁠https://startupproject.substack.com/⁠

→ Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://thestartupproject.io⁠⁠⁠

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[00:30] What is Foundations?

[00:51] Aviel’s journey with Founders Co-op

[01:21] Navigating the 2007 Recession

[03:22] Early days in the Seattle tech scene

[03:36] Transitioning from employee to founder

[06:46] Founders Co-op’s current focus

[08:16] Evolving investment thesis

[08:45] The art of investing in founders

[10:47] The importance of people over product

[11:07] Investing strategies and FOMO

[14:23] Deal makers and breakers

[14:36] The motivation of founders

[16:47] De-risking entrepreneurship and motivation

[18:56] The rise and fall of first-time funds

[20:18] Exaggerated opportunity sizes

[21:16] The realities of early-stage investing

[22:20] The distortion of valuations

[22:57] Winners bias and trillion-dollar companies

[23:13] The illusion of constant growth

[26:37] The Ally acquisition and Microsoft Viva Goals

[27:50] Was the acquisition a fund returner?

[28:32] The Clubhouse story

[29:23] The importance of knowing when to sell

[30:20] The trend of secondaries

[30:50] Incentivizing founders

[31:25] The future of secondaries

[32:50] The vision behind Foundations

[38:33] What else does Seattle need?

[39:05] The need for pre-accelerators

[40:38] Lack of pre-seed funds

[41:02] Accessing Bay Area capital

[42:41] What are you consuming?

[43:14] Podcasts, books, and movies

[44:31] What do you wish you knew about investing?

[44:39] The long feedback loops of investing

Subscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs!

→ Email updates: ⁠https://startupproject.substack.com/⁠

#startupproject #seattle #startupecosystem #venturecapital #founders #foundations #simplymeasured #founderscoop #amazon #alexaaccelerator #techstars #innovation #entrepreneurship #podcast #youtube #technology #investing  #davidishim #readai #ai #artifici

Seattle's Ambition to Become the Next Silicon Valley | Aviel Ginsberg | Startup Project

Join host Nataraj as he sits down with Jacob Bank, founder and CEO of Relay.app, a platform building AI agents to revolutionize how we work. **About the Episode:**This conversation explores the evolution of AI agents and how Relay is solving customer problems by automating cross-tool workflows. Jacob, a former product lead at Google (Gmail, G Suite), shares his entrepreneurial journey from academic AI research to building productivity tools. He discusses the challenges of product development in the fast-paced AI landscape and the importance of integrations for a successful product.Jacob explains how Relay transitioned from a workflow tool to an AI-powered automation platform. He delves into their customer acquisition strategy, focusing on product-led growth and community building, with a strong emphasis on content and partnerships.**Key Discussion Points:*** Evolution of Relay from workflow tool to AI agent platform* Building AI agents that integrate with various tools* Prioritizing integrations and the importance of robust APIs* Balancing AI automation with human-in-the-loop capabilities* Customer acquisition and the power of community building * Usage-based pricing models for AI agents* Jacob's entrepreneurial lessons learned* Scaling strategies and fundraising considerations* The future of work with AI agents**About the Guest and Host:****Jacob Bank:** Founder and CEO of Relay.app. Former product lead at Google (Gmail, G Suite), founder of Timeful (acquired by Google).→ LinkedIn: Search for Jacob Bank (currently waiting for LinkedIn Integration)→ Website: https://www.relay.app/**Nataraj:** Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor.→ LinkedIn: / natarajsindam→ Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam→ Email updates: ⁠https://startupproject.substack.com/⁠→ Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://thestartupproject.io⁠⁠⁠**Timestamps:*** 00:00 - Introduction and Guest Introduction* 00:58 - What is Relay and how did it get started? * 07:18 - Transitioning to an AI agent platform * 08:06 - Prioritizing tool integrations* 12:14 - Traction and company scale* 13:30 - Driving adoption and product-led growth* 19:57 - Upcoming integrations* 24:19 - Open-source integrations discussion* 26:38 - Competition and differentiation* 28:15 - Pricing models* 30:19 - Lessons from previous company* 32:35 - The future of AI agents* 38:06 - Scaling and fundraising* 41:43 - Working at Google vs. StartupSubscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs!→ Email updates: ⁠https://startupproject.substack.com/⁠#StartupProject #Relay #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Agents #AIWorkflows #NoCode #Automation #Productivity #SaaS #Integrations #CommunityBuilding #ProductLedGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation

Revolutionizing Workflows with AI Agents | Jacob Bank | relay app | Startup Project

Join host Nataraj on the Startup Project podcast as he sits down with David Blumberg, a seasoned investor with over three decades of experience in early-stage tech companies. From his early days at T. Rowe Price to founding Bloomberg Capital, David shares his unique journey and insights into the world of venture capital.



About the Episode:

This episode explores David's evolution as an investor, from his initial interest in government to his realization that business and entrepreneurship were the true drivers of positive change.  He discusses his early investments in Israeli tech companies, his time at Claridge, a prominent family office, and the lessons he learned along the way.



David shares his investment philosophy, emphasizing the importance of strong teams, large market potential, and minimal competition. He highlights his experience with successful companies like Double Verify and Nutanix, emphasizing the value of repeat founders and the power of building strong relationships.



The conversation also delves into David's personal investment strategy, his passion for energy humanitarianism, and his belief in the potential of AI to revolutionize various industries. He shares his insights on the evolving landscape of venture capital, the importance of continuous learning, and the impact of regulatory changes on the business world.



About the Guest and Host:

David Blumberg: Founder and Managing Partner of Blumberg Capital, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage and growth investments. 

→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjblumberg

→ Website: https://blumbergcapital.com/



Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor. 

→ LinkedIn:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/

→ Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam

→ Email updates: ⁠https://startupproject.substack.com/⁠

→ Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://thestartupproject.io⁠⁠⁠



Timestamps:

00:01 - Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:42 - David's Location and Work Model

00:54 - David's Career Journey and Interest in Tech Investing

01:22 - Early Influences and the Importance of Entrepreneurship

05:10 - First Tech Investment and Israeli Tech Ecosystem

09:22 - Israel's Tech Growth and the Yozma Program

13:45 - Government's Role in Fostering Innovation

17:53 - The Israeli Military's Influence on Entrepreneurship

19:54 - Experience at Claridge and Transition to Bloomberg Capital

24:34 - The Evolution of Venture Capital and Bloomberg Capital's Strategies

27:15 - Working with Repeat Founders

30:40 - Decision-Making in Pre-Seed Investing

34:19 - Defining Talent in Early-Stage Founders

39:32 - Importance of Domain Expertise

41:11 - Lawyers in Leadership Roles

43:15 - Bloomberg Capital's CIO Innovation Council

48:29 - Personal Investment Strategy and Energy Humanitarianism

51:39 - Admired Investors and the Venture Capital Landscape

56:06 - Current Consumption (Books, Podcasts, etc.)

01:00 - Mentors and Their Influence

01:01 - Advice for Young Investors



Subscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs!

→ Email updates: ⁠https://startupproject.substack.com/⁠



#StartupProject #VentureCapital #Investing #TechInvesting #Israel #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation #Energy #Humanitarianism #AI #CIO #BloombergCapital




Building a Billion-Dollar Portfolio: David Blumberg's Investment Strategies

This episode of Startup Project tackles that very problem! Join host Nataraj as he sits down with David Shim, CEO of Read.ai, a company that just raised $50 million in Series B funding to revolutionize how we handle meetings and work in general. About the Episode: This insightful conversation dives deep into Read.ai's innovative AI-powered meeting summarizer. David, a repeat founder, trader, investor, and former CEO of Foursquare, shares his journey, from the initial spark of an idea during a particularly unproductive Zoom call to Read.ai's current position as a top meeting note-taker. He reveals the secrets behind their rapid growth, achieving a remarkable climb from #20 to #2 in the world in less than 18 months – all with zero dollars spent on media marketing! David discusses his unique approach, combining video analysis with text, to create meeting summaries that go beyond simple transcriptions. Learn how Read.ai analyzes sentiment, engagement, and even subtle cues like speaking pace to deliver truly insightful summaries. The conversation also touches upon the future of work, with David advocating for hybrid work models and sharing his perspective on the current AI hype cycle. He provides a compelling vision for Read.ai's evolution into a true "co-pilot" for everyone, everywhere, seamlessly integrating with various platforms to streamline workflows and boost productivity. The discussion extends to David’s own investment strategies, offering valuable insights into his approach to venture capital and angel investing. About the Guest and Host: David Shim: CEO of Read.ai, repeat founder, trader, investor, and former CEO of Foursquare. Connect with David: → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidshim/. → Website: https://www.read.ai/ Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor. → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/ → Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam → Email updates: ⁠https://startupproject.substack.com/⁠ → Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://thestartupproject.io⁠⁠⁠ Timestamps: 00:02 - Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:54 - David's Location and Work Model 01:17 - Remote vs. Hybrid Work Models 03:37 - The Origin Story of Read.ai 05:50 - Read.ai's Initial Idea and Technological Challenges 08:42 - Analyzing Video and Text Data 11:33 - The Evolution of Read.ai's Product and Value Proposition 12:41 - Overcoming Challenges in Product Adoption and User Experience 14:50 - Customer Acquisition Strategy and Product-Led Growth 16:58 - Word-of-Mouth Marketing and Inherent Virality 19:43 - Read.ai's Expansion Beyond Meeting Notes: "Copilot Everywhere" 20:16 - Vision for Read.ai as a Universal Work Copilot 22:57 - Targeting Specific Verticals While Maintaining a Horizontal Approach 24:55 - Foundation Models and Pricing Strategies 29:15 - David's Perspective on the Current LLM Landscape 30:37 - Using AI to Optimize Internal Operations at Read.ai 34:09 - Thoughts on AI Agents and Their Current State 36:44 - Read.ai's Vision for the Next Few Years 41:11 - David's Investment Thesis and Strategies 46:21 - David's Early Career in Trading 50:59 - Current Consumption (Books, Podcasts, etc.) 52:38 - Mentors and Their Influence 54:13 - Lessons Learned as a Founder and Investor Subscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs! → Email updates: ⁠https://startupproject.substack.com/⁠ #StartupProject #ReadAI #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Meetings #Productivity #HybridWork #RemoteWork #VentureCapital #AngelInvesting #SeriesB #Funding #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation #AIEverywhere #Copilot

From Zero to $50 Million Read.AI's Explosive Growth | David Shim Founder of Read AI

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