<p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">In this unfiltered conversation, we discuss bad bets, overhyped markets, and where VCs should actually put their money. I sat down with Deedy Das (Principal, Menlo Ventures), Nikunj Kothari (Partner, FPV Ventures), and Niko Bonatsos (Early-Stage Venture Capitalist) to get their hot takes on industries.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Timestamps:</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">00:00 - Intro</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">00:58 - Deedy’s journey & the Anthropic story</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">05:10 - Nikunj’s background</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">11:32 - Niko’s story</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">13:31 - Sectors to avoid as an investor</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">23:17 - Today’s hottest sectors</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">27:31 - Emerging AI trends</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">38:37 - Declining birth rates + AI’s role</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">48:19 - Abundance & capitalism</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">53:19 - Raising kids in an Instagram world</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">55:39 - No tech: the next big business?</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">1:00:55 - The future of dating apps</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">1:06:52 - Key predictions for the next frontier</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">1:10:14 - Will urbanisation continue?</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">1:13:51 - Longevity & wellness industry</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">1:16:01 - Which sector will boom by 2035?</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">1:25:59 - Rethinking senior living</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">1:32:52 - Content vs. product: what builds a brand?</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">1:43:50 - Individual vs. legacy brands</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">1:47:30 - EVs & mobility: the road ahead</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">1:58:03 - Opportunities in beauty & luxury</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">2:02:17 - Where live events are headed</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">2:06:14 - Climate tech & its impact</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">2:11:49 - Data centers: the best bet?</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">2:15:13 - Vices as an industry</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">2:24:18 - Wrapping it all together</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">2:29:02 - Legal AI: opportunities & challenges</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">2:32:29 - India in the global AI race</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">#NikhilKamath - Investor & Entrepreneur</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">Twitter: [</span><a href="https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio</a><a href="https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio%5D(https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbm9WZVh3cHVTX3JEeGptVjlOZ1R3cW5rVkZJUXxBQ3Jtc0tuekFjWnRXME9XUUVLcDNCTk9YcHd5OU1MV1NMamE0cWE1T25meGJ4VWRMa21OY3VYLWM2T05iOUJtYTNWbWRSLW5YUXNzTTRHUUpjOGdZSGJzNEYxMkt2Y2hmWVNUeU51Nk5MRFVieVNtSTJwMkFXZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fnikhilkamathcio&v=wHQiewz8k9g)" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">](</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbm9WZVh3cHVTX3JEeGptVjlOZ1R3cW5rVkZJUXxBQ3Jtc0tuekFjWnRXME9XUUVLcDNCTk9YcHd5OU1MV1NMamE0cWE1T25meGJ4VWRMa21OY3VYLWM2T05iOUJtYTNWbWRSLW5YUXNzTTRHUUpjOGdZSGJzNEYxMkt2Y2hmWVNUeU51Nk5MRFVieVNtSTJwMkFXZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fnikhilkamathcio&v=wHQiewz8k9g" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbm9WZVh3cHVTX3JEeGptVjlOZ1R3cW5rVkZJUXxBQ3Jtc0tuekFjWnRXME9XUUVLcDNCTk9YcHd5OU1MV1NMamE0cWE1T25meGJ4VWRMa21OY3VYLWM2T05iOUJtYTNWbWRSLW5YUXNzTTRHUUpjOGdZSGJzNEYxMkt2Y2hmWVNUeU51Nk5MRFVieVNtSTJwMkFXZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fnikhilkamathcio&v=wHQiewz8k9g</a><a href="https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio%5D(https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbm9WZVh3cHVTX3JEeGptVjlOZ1R3cW5rVkZJUXxBQ3Jtc0tuekFjWnRXME9XUUVLcDNCTk9YcHd5OU1MV1NMamE0cWE1T25meGJ4VWRMa21OY3VYLWM2T05iOUJtYTNWbWRSLW5YUXNzTTRHUUpjOGdZSGJzNEYxMkt2Y2hmWVNUeU51Nk5MRFVieVNtSTJwMkFXZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fnikhilkamathcio&v=wHQiewz8k9g)" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">)</a></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">LinkedIN: [](</span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGNsNjlxS2NyU3VxOUNIQU1VUmczaWNobmtJd3xBQ3Jtc0tsVmczaDdwdkpMZWlNaVdISk1mQUFfbmhZNVB2al9OU1hwbF9rYTFoMFJGN2FKRnFreXFEaXZhRGttd2xLRHBpQVhIS19XaW5wQTZ3UjB6bm5vazVmdUkwSEdsU0MxS1lXYmJvVnhlekVRczc0RmdTRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fnikhilkamathcio&v=wHQiewz8k9g" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGNsNjlxS2NyU3VxOUNIQU1VUmczaWNobmtJd3xBQ3Jtc0tsVmczaDdwdkpMZWlNaVdISk1mQUFfbmhZNVB2al9OU1hwbF9rYTFoMFJGN2FKRnFreXFEaXZhRGttd2xLRHBpQVhIS19XaW5wQTZ3UjB6bm5vazVmdUkwSEdsU0MxS1lXYmJvVnhlekVRczc0RmdTRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fnikhilkamathcio&v=wHQiewz8k9g</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGNsNjlxS2NyU3VxOUNIQU1VUmczaWNobmtJd3xBQ3Jtc0tsVmczaDdwdkpMZWlNaVdISk1mQUFfbmhZNVB2al9OU1hwbF9rYTFoMFJGN2FKRnFreXFEaXZhRGttd2xLRHBpQVhIS19XaW5wQTZ3UjB6bm5vazVmdUkwSEdsU0MxS1lXYmJvVnhlekVRczc0RmdTRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fnikhilkamathcio&v=wHQiewz8k9g)https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilkamathcio/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">)</a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilkamathcio/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilkamathcio/</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">Instagram: </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/nikhilkamathcio/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.instagram.com/nikhilkamathcio/</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/nikhilkamathcio/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.facebook.com/nikhilkamathcio/</a></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">#DeedyDas - Principal, Menlo Ventures</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">Twitter: </span><a href="https://x.com/deedydas" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://x.com/deedydas</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">LinkedIN: </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/debarghyadas/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.linkedin.com/in/debarghyadas/</a></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">#NikunjKothari - Partner, FPV Ventures</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">Twitter: </span><a href="https://x.com/nikunj" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://x.com/nikunj</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">LinkedIN: </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikunjk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikunjk/</a></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">#NikoBonatsos - Early-Stage Venture Capitalist</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">Twitter: </span><a href="https://x.com/bonatsos" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://x.com/bonatsos</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">LinkedIN: </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonatsos/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonatsos/</a></p>

WTF is with Nikhil Kamath

[email protected]

Inside Silicon Valley's VC Playbook | WTF is Venture Capital? - 2025 Edition | Ep. 24

SEP 1, 2025172 MIN
WTF is with Nikhil Kamath

Inside Silicon Valley's VC Playbook | WTF is Venture Capital? - 2025 Edition | Ep. 24

SEP 1, 2025172 MIN

Description

<p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">In this unfiltered conversation, we discuss bad bets, overhyped markets, and where VCs should actually put their money. I sat down with Deedy Das (Principal, Menlo Ventures), Nikunj Kothari (Partner, FPV Ventures), and Niko Bonatsos (Early-Stage Venture Capitalist) to get their hot takes on industries.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Timestamps:</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">00:00 - Intro</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">00:58 - Deedy’s journey & the Anthropic story</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">05:10 - Nikunj’s background</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">11:32 - Niko’s story</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">13:31 - Sectors to avoid as an investor</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">23:17 - Today’s hottest sectors</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">27:31 - Emerging AI trends</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">38:37 - Declining birth rates + AI’s role</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">48:19 - Abundance & capitalism</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">53:19 - Raising kids in an Instagram world</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">55:39 - No tech: the next big business?</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">1:00:55 - The future of dating apps</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">1:06:52 - Key predictions for the next frontier</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">1:10:14 - Will urbanisation continue?</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">1:13:51 - Longevity & wellness industry</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">1:16:01 - Which sector will boom by 2035?</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">1:25:59 - Rethinking senior living</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">1:32:52 - Content vs. product: what builds a brand?</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">1:43:50 - Individual vs. legacy brands</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">1:47:30 - EVs & mobility: the road ahead</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">1:58:03 - Opportunities in beauty & luxury</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">2:02:17 - Where live events are headed</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">2:06:14 - Climate tech & its impact</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">2:11:49 - Data centers: the best bet?</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">2:15:13 - Vices as an industry</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">2:24:18 - Wrapping it all together</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">2:29:02 - Legal AI: opportunities & challenges</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">2:32:29 - India in the global AI race</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">#NikhilKamath - Investor & Entrepreneur</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">Twitter: [</span><a href="https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio</a><a href="https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio%5D(https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbm9WZVh3cHVTX3JEeGptVjlOZ1R3cW5rVkZJUXxBQ3Jtc0tuekFjWnRXME9XUUVLcDNCTk9YcHd5OU1MV1NMamE0cWE1T25meGJ4VWRMa21OY3VYLWM2T05iOUJtYTNWbWRSLW5YUXNzTTRHUUpjOGdZSGJzNEYxMkt2Y2hmWVNUeU51Nk5MRFVieVNtSTJwMkFXZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fnikhilkamathcio&v=wHQiewz8k9g)" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">](</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbm9WZVh3cHVTX3JEeGptVjlOZ1R3cW5rVkZJUXxBQ3Jtc0tuekFjWnRXME9XUUVLcDNCTk9YcHd5OU1MV1NMamE0cWE1T25meGJ4VWRMa21OY3VYLWM2T05iOUJtYTNWbWRSLW5YUXNzTTRHUUpjOGdZSGJzNEYxMkt2Y2hmWVNUeU51Nk5MRFVieVNtSTJwMkFXZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fnikhilkamathcio&v=wHQiewz8k9g" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbm9WZVh3cHVTX3JEeGptVjlOZ1R3cW5rVkZJUXxBQ3Jtc0tuekFjWnRXME9XUUVLcDNCTk9YcHd5OU1MV1NMamE0cWE1T25meGJ4VWRMa21OY3VYLWM2T05iOUJtYTNWbWRSLW5YUXNzTTRHUUpjOGdZSGJzNEYxMkt2Y2hmWVNUeU51Nk5MRFVieVNtSTJwMkFXZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fnikhilkamathcio&v=wHQiewz8k9g</a><a href="https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio%5D(https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbm9WZVh3cHVTX3JEeGptVjlOZ1R3cW5rVkZJUXxBQ3Jtc0tuekFjWnRXME9XUUVLcDNCTk9YcHd5OU1MV1NMamE0cWE1T25meGJ4VWRMa21OY3VYLWM2T05iOUJtYTNWbWRSLW5YUXNzTTRHUUpjOGdZSGJzNEYxMkt2Y2hmWVNUeU51Nk5MRFVieVNtSTJwMkFXZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fnikhilkamathcio&v=wHQiewz8k9g)" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">)</a></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">LinkedIN: [](</span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGNsNjlxS2NyU3VxOUNIQU1VUmczaWNobmtJd3xBQ3Jtc0tsVmczaDdwdkpMZWlNaVdISk1mQUFfbmhZNVB2al9OU1hwbF9rYTFoMFJGN2FKRnFreXFEaXZhRGttd2xLRHBpQVhIS19XaW5wQTZ3UjB6bm5vazVmdUkwSEdsU0MxS1lXYmJvVnhlekVRczc0RmdTRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fnikhilkamathcio&v=wHQiewz8k9g" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGNsNjlxS2NyU3VxOUNIQU1VUmczaWNobmtJd3xBQ3Jtc0tsVmczaDdwdkpMZWlNaVdISk1mQUFfbmhZNVB2al9OU1hwbF9rYTFoMFJGN2FKRnFreXFEaXZhRGttd2xLRHBpQVhIS19XaW5wQTZ3UjB6bm5vazVmdUkwSEdsU0MxS1lXYmJvVnhlekVRczc0RmdTRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fnikhilkamathcio&v=wHQiewz8k9g</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGNsNjlxS2NyU3VxOUNIQU1VUmczaWNobmtJd3xBQ3Jtc0tsVmczaDdwdkpMZWlNaVdISk1mQUFfbmhZNVB2al9OU1hwbF9rYTFoMFJGN2FKRnFreXFEaXZhRGttd2xLRHBpQVhIS19XaW5wQTZ3UjB6bm5vazVmdUkwSEdsU0MxS1lXYmJvVnhlekVRczc0RmdTRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fnikhilkamathcio&v=wHQiewz8k9g)https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilkamathcio/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">)</a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilkamathcio/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilkamathcio/</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">Instagram: </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/nikhilkamathcio/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.instagram.com/nikhilkamathcio/</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/nikhilkamathcio/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.facebook.com/nikhilkamathcio/</a></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">#DeedyDas - Principal, Menlo Ventures</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">Twitter: </span><a href="https://x.com/deedydas" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://x.com/deedydas</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">LinkedIN: </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/debarghyadas/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.linkedin.com/in/debarghyadas/</a></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">#NikunjKothari - Partner, FPV Ventures</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">Twitter: </span><a href="https://x.com/nikunj" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://x.com/nikunj</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">LinkedIN: </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikunjk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikunjk/</a></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">#NikoBonatsos - Early-Stage Venture Capitalist</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">Twitter: </span><a href="https://x.com/bonatsos" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://x.com/bonatsos</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80);">LinkedIN: </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonatsos/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonatsos/</a></p>