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In this episode of The Venture Capital Podcast (VC.fm), hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris sit down with Olivia Goldstein, General Partner at StartFast Ventures and CEO of Upstate Venture Connect, to discuss venture capital, startup ecosystems, and why the best founders and companies can be built far outside Silicon Valley. Olivia shares her founder journey (including building a startup that used influencer marketing and exiting in 2019), her thesis on investing in overlooked markets like Upstate New York, and practical advice for founders raising venture capital from non-traditional hubs. The conversation also explores emerging opportunities in entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA), small business succession as baby boomers retire, and how AI and shifting labor markets may push more people toward owning real-world cash-flowing assets. Keywords and topics:Venture capital, StartFast Ventures, Upstate Venture Connect, Upstate New York startups, Buffalo startups, Rochester startups, Syracuse startups, B2B SaaS investing, startup ecosystem, founder-led companies, fundraising advice, entrepreneurship through acquisition, ETA, small business acquisition, SBA loans, VC opinions, investing outside Silicon Valley. Follow the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/venturecapitalfm/Twitter: https://twitter.com/vcpodcastfmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/venturecapitalfm/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BQimY8NJ6cr617lqtRr7N?si=ftylo2qHQiCgmT9dfloD_g&nd=1&dlsi=7b868f1b72094351Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/venture-capital/id1575351789Website: https://www.venturecapital.fm/ Follow Jon BradshawLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw Follow Peter HarrisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudentInstagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpeteYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@peterharris2812

In this episode of The Venture Capital Podcast (VC.fm), we sit down with Paul Allen, founder of Ancestry.com, to explore how public-domain data, viral growth, and platform risk shaped one of the most iconic internet businesses—and how AI is about to transform government, media, and civic life. Paul breaks down the original insight behind Ancestry’s billion-dollar IPO, why genealogy was always a massive market hiding in plain sight, and the hard lessons he learned building on top of platforms like Facebook. We then go deep into his latest ventures, including CitizenPortal.ai and Elected.ai, which aim to use AI to bring transparency, efficiency, and accountability to government at every level. This is a wide-ranging conversation on AI, startups, platforms, public data, and the future of governance—with sharp insights for founders, investors, and operators navigating the next technological wave. In this episode, we cover: How Ancestry used public-domain data to build a multi-billion-dollar companyThe hidden size of the genealogy market (and how Paul validated it early)Scaling fast on platforms—and what happens when the platform pulls the plugViral growth loops before paid ads, Facebook, or Google distributionCitizenPortal.ai: turning public meetings into objective local news using AIElected.ai: dashboards for 500,000 elected officials to improve governanceUsing AI and automation to reduce government waste and improve servicesThe future of AI, privacy, and why society may split into two pathsWhy AI could uplift humanity—or deepen control, depending on design choicesIf you care about AI, startups, venture capital, govtech, public data, or building durable companies, this episode is for you. Follow the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/venturecapitalfm/Twitter: https://twitter.com/vcpodcastfmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/venturecapitalfm/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BQimY8NJ6cr617lqtRr7N?si=ftylo2qHQiCgmT9dfloD_g&nd=1&dlsi=7b868f1b72094351Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/venture-capital/id1575351789Website: https://www.venturecapital.fm/ Follow Jon BradshawLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw Follow Peter HarrisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudentInstagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpeteYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@peterharris2812

Loïc Houssier (CTO, Superhuman) joins VC.fm to unpack the Grammarly acquisition of Superhuman and what it signals about the future of AI-native productivity tools. We talk AI in the workflow vs standalone AI tools (ChatGPT/Gemini), voice-first computing, vibe coding vs production engineering, AI’s impact on hiring, and why UX taste and product design may be the real moat in an era where everyone has access to the same LLMs. Keywords: Grammarly acquires Superhuman, Superhuman email, Loïc Houssier, AI productivity, AI-native software, email AI, workflow AI, OpenAI, Anthropic, LLMs, vibe coding, Cursor, UX design moat, product-led growth, startup defensibility, AI hiring. Follow the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/venturecapitalfm/Twitter: https://twitter.com/vcpodcastfmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/venturecapitalfm/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BQimY8NJ6cr617lqtRr7N?si=ftylo2qHQiCgmT9dfloD_g&nd=1&dlsi=7b868f1b72094351Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/venture-capital/id1575351789Website: https://www.venturecapital.fm/ Follow Jon BradshawLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw Follow Peter HarrisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudentInstagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpeteYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@peterharris2812 #Superhuman #Grammarly #AI #Productivity #Startups #VentureCapital #Email #LLM #OpenAI #Anthropic #VibeCoding #UXDesign #ProductManagement #Engineering

Dating apps are broken — and AI matchmaking might be the next platform shift. Dini (Nandini) Mullaji, co-founder of Sitch, joins Whitney Hazard (M13) to explain how conversational AI and LLMs are replacing swiping with a matchmaker-style experience: deep onboarding, memory, non-negotiables, and curated introductions. We cover consumer AI defensibility, why Sitch avoids subscriptions (pay-per-setup), growth through referrals + branding, what dating data reveals (politics > height), and why AI should scale the matchmaker — not replace human connection. Keywords: AI dating, matchmaking, dating apps, consumer AI startups, venture capital, M13, Sitch, LLMs, OpenAI, relationship tech, seed investing, Stanford GSB, growth marketing. Guests Nandini Mullaji — Co-founder, SitchWhitney Hazard — Investor, M13 (Seed + Series A)Follow the Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/venturecapitalfm/Twitter: https://twitter.com/vcpodcastfmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/venturecapitalfm/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BQimY8NJ6cr617lqtRr7N?si=ftylo2qHQiCgmT9dfloD_g&nd=1&dlsi=7b868f1b72094351Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/venture-capital/id1575351789Website: https://www.venturecapital.fm/Follow Jon Bradshaw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw Follow Peter Harris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudentInstagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpeteYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@peterharris2812

In this episode of The Venture Capital Podcast, Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris are joined by Stine Mølgaard Sørensen, Partner at Alliance VC, a Nordic early-stage fund focused on AI. Stine—an operator and repeat founder turned investor—shares how Nordic venture approaches contrarian vs consensus investing, why Scandinavia can be a powerful “safe launchpad” for startups, and what founders should consider when scaling beyond Europe. The conversation also tackles a question most investors avoid: when should a board member step down—and how do you make that change without blowing up relationships? They also discuss Alliance VC’s portfolio, including 1X (humanoid robots) and Superside, plus what it takes to build real conviction early. Follow the Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/venturecapitalfm/Twitter: https://twitter.com/vcpodcastfmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/venturecapitalfm/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BQimY8NJ6cr617lqtRr7N?si=ftylo2qHQiCgmT9dfloD_g&nd=1&dlsi=7b868f1b72094351Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/venture-capital/id1575351789Website: https://www.venturecapital.fm/Follow Jon Bradshaw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw Follow Peter Harris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudentInstagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpeteYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@peterharris2812

AI is changing recruiting faster than most founders realize — and not always in the way they expect. In this episode of The Venture Capital Podcast, we’re joined by Greg Toroosian, Founder & CEO of Samson Rose and host of Machine Minds, to break down how AI, robotics, and automation are reshaping hiring, why resumes are starting to look the same, and what actually matters when evaluating talent in 2025 and beyond. We unpack: Why AI-generated resumes are flooding hiring pipelinesHow recruiters are using AI (and where it breaks)Why startups are struggling to compete with Meta, Google, and Big Tech for talentThe real reasons great candidates ignore outreachHow founders can hire elite engineers without overpayingWhat’s changing in robotics and AI talent marketsWhich robotics companies Greg is most excited about right nowWhether you’re a founder, investor, recruiter, or engineer, this episode is a no-BS look at what’s actually happening in the talent market — and how to stay ahead as AI rewrites the rules. 🎧 Listen for practical insights on hiring, retaining top talent, and building teams in the age of AI and robotics. Follow the Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/venturecapitalfm/Twitter: https://twitter.com/vcpodcastfmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/venturecapitalfm/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BQimY8NJ6cr617lqtRr7N?si=ftylo2qHQiCgmT9dfloD_g&nd=1&dlsi=7b868f1b72094351Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/venture-capital/id1575351789Website: https://www.venturecapital.fm/Follow Jon Bradshaw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw Follow Peter Harris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudentInstagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpeteYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@peterharris2812

In this episode of The Venture Capital Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Muthu Alagappan, CEO & Co-Founder of Council Health, and Rob Biederman, Managing Partner at Asymmetric Capital Partners, to explore how AI is reshaping healthcare delivery. We unpack the idea of “care at the cost of compute”, why primary care is fundamentally broken, and how AI-native, physician-supervised models could dramatically expand clinical supply without sacrificing safety. You’ll hear a candid discussion on: Why healthcare has massive supply–demand gapsAI hallucinations and why off-the-shelf models aren’t safe for medical adviceHow Council combines medical AI with real doctors in the same workflowWhether AI will replace primary care doctors or act as a co-pilotThe role of data, prevention, and personalized care in the future of medicineA grounded, real-world look at where AI actually works in healthcare — and where it shouldn’t. Follow the Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/venturecapitalfm/Twitter: https://twitter.com/vcpodcastfmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/venturecapitalfm/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BQimY8NJ6cr617lqtRr7N?si=ftylo2qHQiCgmT9dfloD_g&nd=1&dlsi=7b868f1b72094351Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/venture-capital/id1575351789Website: https://www.venturecapital.fm/Follow Jon Bradshaw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw Follow Peter Harris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudent Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@peterharris2812

Rob Hadick (GP at Dragonfly) joins VC.fm to break down how crypto venture actually works through cycles — and why the smartest firms stay countercyclical when everyone else is panicking. We go deep on the shift from “protocols capture all value” to the rise of crypto applications that generate real revenue, including prediction markets (Polymarket), stablecoin infrastructure, DeFi-backed fintech products, and the next era of tokenization + onchain financial rails. Rob also explains stablecoins in plain English, why adoption is accelerating across emerging markets and Fortune 500s, and where AI + crypto overlaps in ways that aren’t pure speculation. Follow the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/venturecapitalfm/Twitter: https://twitter.com/vcpodcastfmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/venturecapitalfm/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BQimY8NJ6cr617lqtRr7N?si=ftylo2qHQiCgmT9dfloD_g&nd=1&dlsi=7b868f1b72094351Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/venture-capital/id1575351789Website: https://www.venturecapital.fm/Follow Jon Bradshaw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw Follow Peter HarrisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudent Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@peterharris2812

Breaking into VC is harder than breaking into professional sports — literally. In this episode, Intuit Ventures investor Tanvi Lal explains why VC recruiting is so broken, why most people don’t actually know why they want to be in venture, and how she finally cracked the code after dozens of rejections. We dive into: • Why VC hiring is a “barter system of social capital” • The #1 mistake candidates make when trying to break in • How corporate VC really works behind the scenes • Why AI + accounting might be fintech’s wildest opportunity • How founders should think about taking CVC money • The difference between real ARR vs “founder math” If you’re exploring VC, raising from VC, or trying to understand AI’s impact on finance — this conversation hits. Follow the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/venturecapitalfm/Twitter: https://twitter.com/vcpodcastfmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/venturecapitalfm/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BQimY8NJ6cr617lqtRr7N?si=ftylo2qHQiCgmT9dfloD_g&nd=1&dlsi=7b868f1b72094351Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/venture-capital/id1575351789Website: https://www.venturecapital.fm/Follow Jon Bradshaw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw Follow Peter HarrisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudent Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@peterharris2812

In this episode of The Venture Capital Podcast, Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris sit down with Costas Papaikonomou, co-founder of the $200M Una Terra Early Growth Fund, to unpack what it really takes to scale the circular economy. Costas shares how his background in engineering, innovation consulting, and a successful exit to Accenture shaped Una Terra’s thesis: backing “drop-in” solutions that plug into existing industrial infrastructure instead of trying to rebuild the world from scratch. They get into: • Why packaging, waste and food ingredients are massive, underrated VC markets • How regulation in Europe is reshaping single-use plastics and recycling • Why Una Terra focuses on real-world unit economics first, impact second (but still runs as an Article 9 impact fund) • Case studies: pulp-based bottle packaging, Greyparrot’s AI for waste sorting, and circular fashion brand Another Tomorrow • Power law vs “normal distribution” returns, and why most exits will be strategic acquisitions, not unicorn IPOs If you care about climate, industrial innovation, and non-SaaS venture opportunities, this one’s loaded. Follow the Unaterra HQ: www.Unaterra.vc  Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/una-terra-vs  Costas Book (Disruption Fallacy): www.re8el.com  Follow the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/venturecapitalfm/Twitter: https://twitter.com/vcpodcastfmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/venturecapitalfm/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BQimY8NJ6cr617lqtRr7N?si=ftylo2qHQiCgmT9dfloD_g&nd=1&dlsi=7b868f1b72094351Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/venture-capital/id1575351789Website: https://www.venturecapital.fm/Follow Jon Bradshaw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw Follow Peter HarrisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudent Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@peterharris2812

What happens when a former gaming founder takes a hard look at his marriage — and realizes the biggest problem isn’t love, it’s routine? In this episode, we sit down with Offer (Founder & CEO of ARYA) and Phylicia Koh (General Partner at Play Ventures) to unpack how a single moment — “Babe… what happened to us?” — sparked a new category in relationship wellness. We dive into: Why routine is the “final boss” in every relationshipHow game design and psychology can rebuild intimacyThe real meaning of gamification (and why most people get it wrong)Why consumer apps struggle with engagement — and how free-to-play mechanics fix itHow AI can responsibly support human connectionThe blue-ocean opportunity in taboo or overlooked marketsFrom a Typeform MVP that people actually paid for… to the deeper science behind staying in love, this episode blends tech, human behavior, VC insight, and real vulnerability. Whether you’re building products, building relationships, or both — this convo hits. Follow the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/venturecapitalfm/Twitter: https://twitter.com/vcpodcastfmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/venturecapitalfm/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BQimY8NJ6cr617lqtRr7N?si=ftylo2qHQiCgmT9dfloD_g&nd=1&dlsi=7b868f1b72094351Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/venture-capital/id1575351789Website: https://www.venturecapital.fm/Follow Jon Bradshaw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw Follow Peter HarrisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudent Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@peterharris2812

How do you build long-term trust between founders and investors—and what happens when that trust meets the chaos of AI-driven commerce? In this episode, Peter Harris and Jon Bradshaw sit down with Kimberly Shenk, founder & CEO of Novi, and Brian Rothenberg, partner at DeFi VC, to explore: How past working relationships shape investor–founder dynamicsThe art of saying “no” without burning bridgesWhy small brands can outrank giants in AI-powered shoppingThe death (and rebirth) of SEO in the LLM eraReal frameworks for finding product-market fit “Machines care more about truth; humans are easily persuaded.” A high-signal, no-fluff conversation on the future of trust, data, and growth in the age of AI. Follow the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/venturecapitalfm/Twitter: https://twitter.com/vcpodcastfmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/venturecapitalfm/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BQimY8NJ6cr617lqtRr7N?si=ftylo2qHQiCgmT9dfloD_g&nd=1&dlsi=7b868f1b72094351Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/venture-capital/id1575351789Website: https://www.venturecapital.fm/Follow Jon Bradshaw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw Follow Peter HarrisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudent Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@peterharris2812

Venture capital isn’t dead — it’s evolving. Carta’s Head of Insights, Peter Walker, joins Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris to unpack what the data really says about the 2025 market. From the AI-fueled bifurcation to shrinking equity packages and a wave of secondaries, this episode breaks down how founders, VCs, and LPs are adapting in real time. Peter shares Carta’s inside view on: The comeback of deal flow and valuationsWhy down rounds are easing but hiring hasn’t reboundedHow founder dilution and equity norms have shiftedThe rise of liquidity via secondaries and fund-to-fund capitalWhat signals matter most heading into 2026If you care about where venture is heading next — this is the episode. Follow the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/venturecapitalfm/Twitter: https://twitter.com/vcpodcastfmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/venturecapitalfm/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BQimY8NJ6cr617lqtRr7N?si=ftylo2qHQiCgmT9dfloD_g&nd=1&dlsi=7b868f1b72094351Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/venture-capital/id1575351789Website: https://www.venturecapital.fm/Follow Jon Bradshaw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw Follow Peter HarrisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudent Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@peterharris2812

In this episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris are joined by Alex Sen, CEO of Meridian, and Nnamdi Okike, an investor associated with Meridian, to discuss the transformative role of AI and software in private equity and venture capital investing. Alex shares his journey from nearly a decade in private equity, battling with outdated CRM tools, to founding a next-generation AI-powered CRM and deal sourcing platform that streamlines workflows, surfaces proprietary deal opportunities, and enhances decision-making for some of the world's largest firms. Nnamdi provides the investor’s perspective, highlighting their decade-long commitment to leveraging software and data analytics to revolutionize venture operations. They discuss how AI is expanding the total addressable market by automating manual tasks, improving deal sourcing efficiency, and enabling investors to better track, prioritize, and engage with evolving companies. Both guests reflect on the challenges of AI adoption, the changing nature of junior analyst roles, and the importance of human intuition alongside advanced technology. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the evolution of investing software, the competitive shifts AI is catalyzing in the finance industry, and how firms must continuously elevate their capabilities to succeed. The conversation touches on the broader impact of AI on workflow, learning acceleration, and founder-investor relationships, making this episode a must-listen for investors, founders, and anyone curious about the future of AI-enabled investing. Follow the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/venturecapitalfm/Twitter: https://twitter.com/vcpodcastfmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/venturecapitalfm/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BQimY8NJ6cr617lqtRr7N?si=ftylo2qHQiCgmT9dfloD_g&nd=1&dlsi=7b868f1b72094351Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/venture-capital/id1575351789Website: https://www.venturecapital.fm/Follow Jon Bradshaw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw Follow Peter HarrisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudent Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@peterharris2812

In this episode of the Venture Capital Podcast, hosts Jon Bradshaw and Peter Harris sit down with Grace Gong, acclaimed VC podcaster, investor, and founder of the Smart AI Conference. Grace shares her inspiring journey from international student to a premier voice in tech and venture, hosting top shows like "Venture with Grace" and "Smart Venture Podcast." She details her mission to unlock access to venture and tech wisdom for those outside the usual networks, highlighting the importance of both online and in-person connections through her rapidly launched San Francisco AI conference. The conversation dives deep into the changing landscape of AI and startup building, from the GPT-driven chatbot era to today's surge in customizable agent tools and "vibe coding." Grace discusses why strong distribution and go-to-market strategy are the real bottlenecks, even as technical barriers fall, and explains the rapid rise of highly specific, domain-focused AI applications. She brings candid, contrarian insights from leading operators and executives, addressing trends in voice AI, workflow automation, the impact of AI on junior talent, and the evolving user experience centered on chat and conversational interfaces. Grace also addresses the risks of overrelying on automation, the future of AI hardware beyond today's wearables, and the vital role of hands-on learning. Her perspective is laced with real stories from her network and her own investments, making this episode a goldmine for founders, operators, and anyone eager to understand how community, execution, and adaptability will shape the next generation of tech companies. Follow the PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/venturecapitalfm/Twitter: https://twitter.com/vcpodcastfmLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/venturecapitalfm/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BQimY8NJ6cr617lqtRr7N?si=ftylo2qHQiCgmT9dfloD_g&nd=1&dlsi=7b868f1b72094351Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/venture-capital/id1575351789Website: https://www.venturecapital.fm/Follow Jon Bradshaw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbradshaw/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjonbradshaw/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw Follow Peter HarrisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterharris1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevcstudent Instagram: https://instagram.com/shodanpete Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@peterharris2812