“The best founders find a way to make it happen”: VC Roundtable with Bryan Kim and David Clark | E2222
DEC 11, 202570 MIN
“The best founders find a way to make it happen”: VC Roundtable with Bryan Kim and David Clark | E2222
DEC 11, 202570 MIN
Description
<p>This Week In Startups is made possible by:</p><p><br></p><p>Uber - <a href="http://uber.com/twist" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">http://uber.com/twist</a></p><p><br></p><p>Pilot -<a href="https://pilot.com/twist" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"> https://pilot.com/twist</a></p><p><br></p><p>Northwest Registered Agent - <a href="https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist</a></p><p><br></p><p>Today’s show: </p><p><br></p><p>Boom is still making supersonic jets but ALSO plans to start selling their turbines as power sources for AI data centers. It’s a perfect example of problem-solving on the go and how “the best founders… MAKE IT HAPPEN.”</p><p><br></p><p>Join us for another insightful VC roundtable episode, featuring special guests Bryan Kim (a16z) and David Clark (Ven Cap).</p><p><br></p><p>They’re discussing why Boom’s turbine announcement is about necessity AND opportunity PLUS…</p><p><br></p><p>- Why we might NOT be in an AI bubble after all</p><p>- Promoting your startup without spending your entire runway on marketing</p><p>- Why founders need to be RELENTLESS</p><p>- Bill Gurley’s classic response about Uber’s Total Addressable Market</p><p>- AND LOTS MORE</p><p><br></p><p>Bill Gurley’s iconic “Miss By a Mile” post: https://abovethecrowd.com/2014/07/11/how-to-miss-by-a-mile-an-alternative-look-at-ubers-potential-market-size/</p><p><br></p><p>Link to David’s LinkedIn (including the AI Bubble chart): https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7404139606398443520/</p><p><br></p><p>Timestamps:</p><p><br></p><p>(02:11) It’s a VC Roundtable with special guests Bryan Kim (a16z) and David Clark (Ven Cap)</p><p><br></p><p>(03:07) Why Bryan is leading a Series A into learning app Oboe</p><p><br></p><p>(06:20) Calculating a startup’s value to make everyone “somewhat unhappy”</p><p><br></p><p>(09:19) How Oboe hits a lot of the same metrics that LAUNCH looks for in startups</p><p><br></p><p>(11:58) Uber AI Solutions - Your trusted partner to get AI to work in the real world. Book a demo with them TODAY at <a href="http://uber.com/ai-solutions" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">http://uber.com/ai-solutions</a></p><p><br></p><p>(12:57) How funds decide when to cash out and lock in some DPI</p><p><br></p><p>(18:12) When some LPs want to sell and others want to buy…</p><p><br></p><p>(19:57) Pilot - Visit <a href="https://www.pilot.com/twist " target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://www.pilot.com/twist </a>and get $1,200 off your first year. </p><p><br></p><p>(24:07) Is the threat of AI job displacement boosting self-improvement apps?</p><p><br></p><p>(27:37) Why Jason says we’re all standing on the shoulders of Bill Gurley</p><p><br></p><p>(29:46) Northwest Registered Agent - Form your entire business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Get more privacy, more options, and more done—visit <a href="https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist " target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist </a>today!</p><p><br></p><p>(31:28) Boom’s turbine pivot, and why it’s about necessity AND opportunity (in that order)</p><p><br></p><p>(34:14) THE BEST FOUNDERS find a way to make it happen!</p><p><br></p><p>(39:10) So… are we in an AI bubble? David says NOT NECESSARILY! Checking out the actual metrics.</p><p><br></p><p>(44:36) We’re still SO EARLY in AI… We’re still seeing mostly skeuomorphic uses! (It’s a real word!)</p><p><br></p><p>(48:06) William Gibson was right: “The Street finds its own uses for things”</p><p><br></p><p>(51:11) How AI startups should think about margins</p><p><br></p><p>(55:58) Why LAUNCH tells founders to “start at the high end”</p><p><br></p><p>(57:33) Should founders spend a lot of $$$ on marketing in 2025? The panel disagrees!</p><p><br></p><p>(1:00:05) Momentum vs. Product Release Velocity</p><p><br></p><p>(1:03:26) It all comes back to the “relentlessness of the founder”</p><p><br></p><p>(1:05:17) Our panel’s hopes and dreams for the coming year</p><p><br></p><p>*</p><p><br></p><p>Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com</p><p><br></p><p>Check out the TWIST500: https://twist500.com</p><p><br></p><p>Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp</p><p><br></p><p>*</p><p><br></p><p>Follow Lon:</p><p><br></p><p>X: https://x.com/lons</p><p><br></p><p>*</p><p><br></p><p>Follow Alex:</p><p><br></p><p>X: https://x.com/alex</p><p><br></p><p>LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm/</p><p><br></p><p>*</p><p><br></p><p>Follow Jason:</p><p><br></p><p>X: https://twitter.com/Jason</p><p><br></p><p>LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis/</p><p><br></p><p>*</p><p><br></p><p>Thank you to our partners:</p><p><br></p><p>(11:58) Uber AI Solutions - Your trusted partner to get AI to work in the real world. Book a demo with them TODAY at <a href="http://uber.com/ai-solutions" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">http://uber.com/ai-solutions</a></p><p><br></p><p>(19:57) Pilot - Visit <a href="https://www.pilot.com/twist" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://www.pilot.com/twist</a> and get $1,200 off your first year. </p><p><br></p><p>(29:46) Northwest Registered Agent - Form your entire business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Get more privacy, more options, and more done—visit <a href="https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist</a> today!</p><p><br></p>
