Olivier Pomel built Datadog into a $40B company while burning only $25M in capital. In our conversation, he shares the fundraising lessons, operating principles, and core insights that made this possible. He also discusses the pros and cons of building a tech company in NYC, how early-career professionals should approach learning AI tools, how Datadog is building a trusted relationship with their users around AI features, and much more

(00:00) Intro

(01:30) Datadog's Early Challenges and Lessons

(04:32) The Core Insight Behind Datadog

(05:20) Building the Right Product

(07:46) Transitioning to Open Beta

(09:38) Expanding Datadog's Product Line

(11:26) Platform Vision and Modular Products

(18:12) Empowering Product Teams

(22:14) Acquisitions and Integration Strategy

(33:18) Customer-Centric Approach

(36:39) Bottom-Up Sales Strategy

(46:04) Navigating Founder Challenges

(46:37) Building a Collaborative Management Team

(48:32) Staying Close to Customers

(51:36) Maintaining a Culture of Discipline and Efficiency

(56:26) Pricing Strategy and Market Positioning

(01:01:24) Fostering a Low-Ego, High-Performance Culture

(01:06:32) Hiring and Promoting for Long-Term Success

(01:12:21) Fundraising and Investor Relations

(01:16:03) Deciding Whether to Sell or Scale

(01:18:26) The Impact of AI on Software Development

(01:23:24) Choosing New York Over Silicon Valley

(01:28:04) Final Thoughts and Reflections

Executive Producer: Rashad Assir

Producer: Leah Clapper

Mixing and editing: Justin Hrabovsky

Check out Unsupervised Learning, Redpoint's AI Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCUl-s_Vp-Kkk_XVyDylNwLA

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

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🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow

About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.

Steve Kaufer led Tripadvisor to multi-billion dollar success over a 20+ year run as CEO. He discusses getting acquired and spun out from IAC, becoming a public company CEO, and his biggest operating lessons from his decades-long journey. Steve also shares behind-the-scenes of his new venture, Give Freely, and reflects on his entrepreneurial path.

(00:00) Intro

(01:00)  Steve Kaufer's Journey with Tripadvisor

(03:18) Handling Negative Reviews and Legal Issues

(05:24) Psychology of Reviews and User Behavior

(10:01) Impact of AI on Review Platforms

(15:02) Graduation Speech and Key Lessons

(16:33) Speed Wins: The Importance of Agility

(22:46) Measuring Success and Embracing Change

(28:40) Hard Work and Personal Growth

(36:20) Management and Leadership Insights

(40:23) Setting Company Culture

(48:00) Adapting to Market Changes

(51:45) Hiring the Right People

(53:27) Identifying Red Flags in Interviews

(54:51) The Importance of Self-Improvement

(55:29) Curiosity and Adaptability in Candidates

(56:36) Managing Through Crises: 9/11 and COVID-19

(01:02:12) Lessons from Early Career and Centerline Software

(01:05:02) Founding Tripadvisor and Its Growth

(01:18:03) Tripadvisor's Acquisition and Integration with IAC

(01:25:23) Transitioning from Tripadvisor to Give Freely

(01:27:26) The Vision and Impact of Give Freely

(01:37:10) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Show Notes:

https://givefreely.com/ 

Executive Producer: Rashad Assir

Producer: Leah Clapper

Mixing and editing: Justin Hrabovsky

Check out Unsupervised Learning, Redpoint's AI Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCUl-s_Vp-Kkk_XVyDylNwLA

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

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🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow

About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.

Since 2017, Bill Shufelt (CEO, Athletic Brewing) went from hedge fund trader to the CEO of the leading producer of non-alcoholic craft beer. Unlike the typical tech-focused chats, this one centers around a product many have fallen in love with. In the conversation, Bill tells stories of the unscalable but crucial strategies he used to build a brand, push past rejection, and redefine the non-alcoholic beer industry.

(00:00) Introduction to Athletic Brewing

(00:52) The Early Days and Breakthrough Moments

(01:15) Celebrity Partnerships and Brand Building

(03:16) The Philosophy of Brand and Movement

(07:33) The Non-Alcoholic Beer Market

(10:46) The Entrepreneurial Journey and Personal Sacrifices

(18:22) Scaling the Business and Marketing Strategies

(28:20) Navigating Regulations and Health Trends

(39:07) The Importance of a Tech Co-Founder

(39:31) Home Brewing Beginnings

(40:13) Innovative Brewing Process

(41:13) Food Safety Challenges

(43:24) Raising Funds and Building a Brewery

(44:24) Vertical Integration Benefits

(45:33) Early Sales Efforts

(46:56) Investor Relations and Accountability

(51:14) Long-Term Vision and Focus

(01:00:10) Cultural Differences in Non-Alcoholic Beer

(01:02:35) Health Considerations and Alcohol

(01:10:38) The Sensation of Drinking

(01:12:50) Reflections on the Entrepreneurial Journey

(01:14:46) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Executive Producer: Rashad Assir

Producer: Leah Clapper

Mixing and editing: Justin Hrabovsky

Check out Unsupervised Learning, Redpoint's AI Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCUl-s_Vp-Kkk_XVyDylNwLA

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

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🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/loganbartshow

🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow

About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.

In the midst of meme stock craziness, Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev shared his most eye-opening insights from running the company that transformed the game for retail investors. He talks about Robinhood’s new Gold Card, his views on crypto, the media side, how artificial intelligence could change finance, and more.

(00:00) Intro

(03:27) The Origin of the Name 'Robinhood'

(08:43) Navigating the GameStop and Meme Stock Saga

(10:52) Rebuilding Trust and Brand Impact

(19:10) Crisis Communication and Leadership Lessons

(23:54) Industry Insights and Future of Trading

(31:00) AI and Financial Services

(33:34) Crypto and Regulatory Challenges

(40:14) The Viral Launch of Robinhood

(47:01) The Gold Card Launch and Customer Strategy

(50:08) The Vision Behind Robinhood's Credit Card

(53:50) Building vs. Buying: The X1 Acquisition

(56:12) Integrating X1 into Robinhood

(57:11) The GM Structure and Its Benefits

(58:42) Challenges and Trade-offs of Decentralization

(01:01:08) Financial Modeling and Customer Economics

(01:04:48) Navigating Remote Work and Returning to the Office

(01:09:14) Managing Stock Price Expectations

(01:13:23) Hiring and Retaining Talent

(01:17:11) Fundraising and Investor Relations

(01:31:09) Launching Sherwood Media

(01:38:56) Reflections and Future Aspirations

Executive Producer: Rashad Assir

Producer: Leah Clapper

Mixing and editing: Justin Hrabovsky

Check out Unsupervised Learning, Redpoint's AI Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCUl-s_Vp-Kkk_XVyDylNwLA

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugS0jD5IAdoqzjaNYzns7w?sub_confirmation=1

Follow on Socials

📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theloganbartlettshow

🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/loganbartshow

🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow

About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.

On the day of the ChatGPT-4o announcement, Sam Altman sat down to share behind-the-scenes details of the launch and offer his predictions for the future of AI. Altman delves into OpenAI's vision, discusses the timeline for achieving AGI, and explores the societal impact of humanoid robots. He also expresses his excitement and concerns about AI personal assistants, highlights the biggest opportunities and risks in the AI landscape today, and much more.

(00:00) Intro

(00:50) The Personal Impact of Leading OpenAI

(01:44) Unveiling Multimodal AI: A Leap in Technology

(02:47) The Surprising Use Cases and Benefits of Multimodal AI

(03:23) Behind the Scenes: Making Multimodal AI Possible

(08:36) Envisioning the Future of AI in Communication and Creativity

(10:21) The Business of AI: Monetization, Open Source, and Future Directions

(16:42) AI's Role in Shaping Future Jobs and Experiences

(20:29) Debunking AGI: A Continuous Journey Towards Advanced AI

(24:04) Exploring the Pace of Scientific and Technological Progress

(24:18) The Importance of Interpretability in AI

(25:11) Navigating AI Ethics and Regulation

(27:26) The Safety Paradigm in AI and Beyond

(28:55) Personal Reflections and the Impact of AI on Society

(29:11) The Future of AI: Fast Takeoff Scenarios and Societal Changes

(30:59) Navigating Personal and Professional Challenges

(40:21) The Role of AI in Creative and Personal Identity

(43:09) Educational System Adaptations for the AI Era

(44:30) Contemplating the Future with Advanced AI

Executive Producer: Rashad Assir

Producer: Leah Clapper

Mixing and editing: Justin Hrabovsky

Check out Unsupervised Learning, Redpoint's AI Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCUl-s_Vp-Kkk_XVyDylNwLA

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugS0jD5IAdoqzjaNYzns7w?sub_confirmation=1

Follow on Socials

📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theloganbartlettshow

🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/loganbartshow

🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow

About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.

After 18 years leading Guidewire (~$10B), Marcus Ryu made the transition from CEO to partner at Battery Ventures. In the episode, Marcus shares his journey of co-founding Guidewire in 2001, steering the company through its IPO in 2012, and building one of the largest vertical software businesses in the world. He shares his insights on how to build a durable company in troubling times, what he looks for in entrepreneurs, the future of vertical software, and much more.

(00:00) Intro

(01:31) The Philosophical Approach to Investing and Strategy

(03:27) Unpacking the Strategy: Diagnosis, Market Definition, and Execution

(04:31) The Intricacies of Investment Decisions and Entrepreneurial Insight

(10:39) From Philosophy to Silicon Valley: A Personal Journey

(12:29) The Dot-com Bubble and Lessons Learned

(26:19) Guidewire's Founding: Identifying a Niche in the Insurance Industry

(37:13) The Early Days: Building from Scratch

(37:34) The Founder's Balance Sheet: Energy, Time, and Market Demand

(37:54) Starting with Nothing: The Humble Beginnings of a Startup

(38:14) The Power of Insight and Precision in Startup Success

(39:58) Product Development and Market Strategy: The Binder's Role

(40:37) The Brutal Reality of Go-to-Market: Rejection and Resilience

(42:59) The Parable of the Horse: Navigating Startup Highs and Lows

(45:23) Overcoming Legal Battles and Finding a Moral Purpose

(48:37) The CEO Transition: Learning from Leadership Changes

(50:49) Foundational Principles for Sustaining Founder Relationships

(53:41) Cultivating a Company Culture Based on Core Values

(01:01:31) The Journey from Founder to Investor: A New Chapter

(01:03:53) The Role of a Board and Achieving Founder-Investor Alignment

(01:08:25) Managing Founder Psychosis and Scaling as a Leader

(01:12:52) The Founder's Journey and Commitment

(01:13:27) The Philosophical Underpinnings of Insurance

(01:14:03) Insurance: A Civilizational Necessity

(01:15:01) The Impact of Insurance on Society and Innovation

(01:19:32) Navigating the Complexities of Insurance Regulation

(01:21:07) The Dark Side of Ad Tech and Its Societal Impact

(01:28:41) The Challenge of Communication and Leadership

(01:31:46) The Future of Software: Vertical Specialization

(01:42:05) Evaluating Founders and the Essence of Entrepreneurship

(01:45:56) Emerging Opportunities and the Specificity of Markets

(01:48:53) Concluding Reflections on Authentic Leadership

Executive Producer: Rashad Assir

Producer: Leah Clapper

Mixing and editing: Justin Hrabovsky

Check out Unsupervised Learning, Redpoint's AI Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCUl-s_Vp-Kkk_XVyDylNwLA

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

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🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/loganbartshow

🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow

About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.

After last week’s announcement that IBM is acquiring HashiCorp for $6.4B, HashiCorp co-founder Armon Dadgar discussed a few behind-the-scenes elements of the acquisition and HashiCorp’s full journey from the early days. Armon shares some of his biggest lessons from the journey, from fundraising to community building and more.

(00:00) Intro

(01:17) Explaining HashiCorp: Simplifying Cloud Infrastructure for Enterprises

(03:24) Navigating the Acquisition: Emotions, Expectations, and the Future with IBM

(09:01) The Founding Story: Choosing the Path of a Venture-Backed Business

(10:59) Challenging Silicon Valley Wisdom: HashiCorp's Multi-Product Strategy

(17:54) The Importance of Being Pragmatic: Adapting Products to Market Needs

(32:27) Customer Trust and Commitment: The Foundation of HashiCorp's Success

(36:27) Organizational Evolution: Adapting Structure to Strategy at HashiCorp

(38:36) Exploring Product Verticals and Team Structures

(39:16) The Evolution of Product Portfolio

(40:46) Strategic Product Development and Market Fit

(41:51) Transitioning from Product Expansion to Monetization

(43:27) The Impact of Docker on Fundraising and Strategy

(50:31) Navigating the Challenges of Multi-Product Strategy

(55:33) The Significance of Branding and Product Naming

(01:00:46) Understanding User vs. Buyer Dynamics in Open Source Monetization

(01:09:17) The Founders' Journey: From University to HashiCorp

(01:16:39) Navigating Leadership and Hiring Challenges

(01:17:14) The Search for the Right Leadership: A Journey of Discovery

(01:17:57) Realizing the Need for Specialized Roles

(01:18:24) The Turning Point: Hiring Key Executives

(01:19:57) Overcoming the Ego: Embracing Change for Company Success

(01:21:18) The Final Decision: Bringing in New Leadership

(01:22:45) Reflecting on the Hiring Process and Its Impact

(01:28:27) Building a Culture of Execution and Communication

(01:50:51) The Importance of Airline Loyalty for Busy Executives

Executive Producer: Rashad Assir

Producer: Leah Clapper

Mixing and editing: Justin Hrabovsky

Check out Unsupervised Learning, Redpoint's AI Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCUl-s_Vp-Kkk_XVyDylNwLA

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

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🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/loganbartshow

🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow

About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.

Executive Producer: Rashad Assir

Producer: Leah Clapper

Mixing and editing: Justin Hrabovsky

Check out Unsupervised Learning, Redpoint's AI Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCUl-s_Vp-Kkk_XVyDylNwLA

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugS0jD5IAdoqzjaNYzns7w?sub_confirmation=1

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📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theloganbartlettshow

🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/loganbartshow

🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow

About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.

Before Andrew Bialecki took Klaviyo public and scaled the company to $6B, he bootstrapped it to over $1M in ARR. In our discussion, Andrew reveals his philosophies around fundraising, finding the best talent, cultivating entrepreneurship inside Klaviyo, scaling culture, and more.

(00:00) Intro

(01:13) Klaviyo's Bootstrap Beginnings

(09:37) The Strategic Pivot to E-commerce and Retail

(15:02) Narrow Focus as a Catalyst for Growth

(25:48) Building a Culture of Learning and Growth

(34:02) The Entrepreneurial Path: From Engineer to Founder

(37:09) The Commute to Innovation: A Startup Journey

(37:57) From Performable to HubSpot: A Tale of Acquisition and Growth

(39:26) Building Klaviyo: Lessons in Entrepreneurship and Team Building

(40:40) Scaling a Startup: The Challenges of Leadership and Hiring

(47:04) Fostering a Culture of Experimentation and Entrepreneurship

(53:15) The Art of Hiring: Identifying Entrepreneurial Spirit

(58:39) Chronological Resumes and the Power of Storytelling in Interviews

(01:06:16) Embracing the Unsexy: The Philosophy of 'Eating Your Vegetables'

(01:13:33) Klaviyo University: Training Future Founders and Leaders

(01:15:25) Cultivating a Culture of Learning at Klaviyo

(01:16:17) The Genesis of Klaviyo University

(01:17:05) Core Curriculum and Electives: A Deep Dive

(01:20:46) Adapting Learning Programs in a Remote World

(01:21:56) The Art and Science of Effective Business Writing

(01:28:35) Recruitment and Onboarding: Strategies for Success

(01:38:05) Building and Sustaining Company Culture

(01:41:28) Leveraging Boston's Ecosystem for Growth

(01:47:06) The Future of Software: Productivity vs. Output

(01:52:33) Closing Thoughts and Acknowledgements

Executive Producer: Rashad Assir

Producer: Leah Clapper

Mixing and editing: Justin Hrabovsky

Check out Unsupervised Learning, Redpoint's AI Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCUl-s_Vp-Kkk_XVyDylNwLA

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugS0jD5IAdoqzjaNYzns7w?sub_confirmation=1

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🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/loganbartshow

🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow

About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.

After 23+ years in venture capital, Jeremy Levine has thrived in many eras, taking risks on now-iconic companies like LinkedIn, Shopify, Yelp, Pinterest, and more. In our discussion, Jeremy shared stories behind these investments and the mindsets he’s developed along the way. We also explored how the VC landscape has evolved over the last 20 years and where the industry may head next. Plus, Jeremy shares insights from his journey into VC, along with foundational advice and principles that anyone aspiring to succeed in the industry may find valuable. Overall, an in-depth discussion for anyone who wants to nerd out on venture capital with us.

(00:00) Intro

(01:03) Exploring the Personal Motivations Behind Venture Capital

(01:41) The Impact of Technology on Venture Capital

(03:11) The Reality of Venture Capital Impact

(06:45) The Ideal Venture Investment: The Donut Company Metaphor

(07:30) Operator vs. Career Investor: The Best Venture Capitalists

(09:57) The Dynamics of Choosing a Venture Investor

(14:03) The Unique Paths to Success in Venture Capital

(17:04) Authenticity and Adaptability in Venture Capital

(26:33) Navigating the Complexities of Venture Capital Careers

(34:11) Jeremy Levine's Journey to Bessemer Venture Partners

(40:00) Navigating the Venture Capital Landscape: Insights and Strategies

(40:30) The Competitive Edge in Early 2000s Venture Capital

(43:26) Reflections on Career Paths and the Role of Serendipity

(47:04) The Intricacies of Decision Making in Venture Capital

(52:37) Evaluating Investment Opportunities: The Price Sensitivity Debate

(55:22) Learning from Success and Failure: The Jet.com Story

(01:08:26) The Evolution of Successful Entrepreneurs: Insights from Shopify and Yelp

(01:16:22) The Strategic Advantage of Repeat Entrepreneurs in the Startup Ecosystem

(01:19:38) Navigating Market Dynamics: Insights and Analogies

(01:20:09) The Evolution of a Venture Capitalist: From Ideas to Impact

(01:21:22) Pioneering User-Generated Content: A Venture Success Story

(01:23:36) Exploring E-Commerce and the Power of Advertising

(01:24:59) Innovative Investment Strategies: SaaS and Payment Processing

(01:34:53) Bessemer's Legacy and Venture Capital Evolution

(01:39:57) Expanding Horizons: Bessemer's Global and Diverse Investment Approach

(01:52:35) Cultivating Talent and Embracing Industry Dynamics

(02:02:36) Navigating Budgets and Investment Strategies in Venture Capital

(02:03:55) The Importance of Accountability and Decision-Making Records

(02:05:46) Investment Memo Strategies: Beyond Templates

(02:08:43) The Dynamics of Voting and Decision Making in VC Firms

(02:16:19) The Evolution of Venture Capital: Trends and Predictions

(02:21:13) Building a Successful Venture Capital Firm: Culture and Operations

(02:29:57) Mentorship and Individual Growth in Venture Capital

(02:39:40) Navigating the AI Investment Landscape

(02:41:36) The Debate on Announcing Funding Rounds

(02:44:20) Closing Remarks

Executive Producer: Rashad Assir

Producer: Leah Clapper

Mixing and editing: Justin Hrabovsky

Check out Unsupervised Learning, Redpoint's AI Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCUl-s_Vp-Kkk_XVyDylNwLA

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

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🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow

About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.

Garrett Langley is the CEO of Flock Safety, a $4B company helping solve 10% of US crimes with AI-powered tech. Garrett offers an in-depth look into Flock Safety’s ambitious vision to eliminate crime in America and all the operating lessons he’s learned along the way, including how to build a strong and motivated team, keep people accountable, and leverage PR for rapid growth. 

(00:00) Intro

(01:03) The Mission to Eliminate Crime with Innovative Tech

(01:54) The Genesis of Flock Safety: A Response to High Crime Rates

(07:48) The Evolution of Flock Safety's Crime-Fighting Technology

(24:37) Impact Stories: How Flock Safety is Changing Lives

(31:00) Navigating the Balance: Safety, Privacy, and Community Impact

(36:58) Exploring the Universal Appeal of Safety Across America

(37:38) The Role of Community Decisions in Public Safety

(39:02) Addressing Misinformation and Enhancing Safety with Technology

(39:58) Collaboration and Data Sharing Among Cities

(41:26) The Impact of Technology on Policing and Public Safety

(43:24) Innovative Solutions to Modern Policing Challenges

(49:18) Flock's Vision for the Future of Public Safety

(56:05) Building a Business on Solving Crime

(56:38) The Importance of Team and Culture in Business Success

(01:10:45) Navigating Growth and Maintaining Culture in a Scaling Company

(01:12:33) Cultivating a Strong Remote Work Culture

(01:12:46) The Power of Cultural Norms in Business

(01:13:01) Building Accountability and Responsiveness

(01:14:16) The Importance of In-Person Interactions in a Hybrid Company

(01:14:50) Assessing Substantive Work Over Managing Up

(01:17:50) The Strategy of Being a Macro Optimist and Micro Pessimist

(01:20:16) Celebrating Milestones and Focusing on Impact

(01:21:58) The Unique Dynamic of Working with Family

(01:30:42) Reflections on Early Success and the Drive to Build Meaningful Companies

(01:37:58) Overcoming Fundraising Challenges and Understanding Market Dynamics

(01:46:55) Concluding Thoughts and the Future of Flock Safety

Executive Producer: Rashad Assir

Producer: Leah Clapper

Mixing and editing: Justin Hrabovsky

Check out Unsupervised Learning, Redpoint's AI Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCUl-s_Vp-Kkk_XVyDylNwLA

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugS0jD5IAdoqzjaNYzns7w?sub_confirmation=1

Follow on Socials

📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theloganbartlettshow

🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/loganbartshow

🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow

About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.