Each week, StrictlyVC Editor-in Chief Connie Loizos and Alex Gove, a former journalist, VC, and operating exec, review the top stories in StrictlyVC and intervi...
Why the founder of BuzzFeed is building an AI-Native social media platform with Jonah Peretti
Today Connie and Alex are joined by Jonah Peretti who has been working in digital media for the past two decades as the founder and CEO of BuzzFeed—a brand that has seen a ton of evolution. Last month, Jonah announced the next phase of Buzzfeed, a social media platform that will use AI to ensure a positive environment. They’re investing $10 million into BuzzFeed island which is an AI-native social media platform.
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
03:19 - Previewing BF Island: A New AI-Native Social Platform
09:40 - Reimagining the Internet: From Crack Cocaine to Beer and Wine
11:16 - AI Models, Guard Rails, and Creative Hallucinations
15:26 - BuzzFeed's Business Model and Financial Strategy
18:30 - Divesting Complex Networks and First We Feast
22:03 - AI's Role in Content Creation and Media Efficiency
25:48 - The Closure of BuzzFeed News and Digital Journalism Challenges
28:24 - Balancing Financial Pressures with Creative Innovation
32:33 - Future of Media and Launching New Platforms
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33:41
The rise of secondaries and seed-stage liquidity with Michael Kim
This week on StrictlyVC Download TechCrunch editor-in-chief Connie Loizos and StrictlyVC’s Alex Gove are joined by Michael Kim, the long-time VC and founder of Cendana Capital where he has built a $2.6 billion portfolio focused exclusively on seed and pre-seed funds, backing some of the most successful emerging managers in the industry. In this episode they discuss Cendana’s latest $600 million fundraise, the rise of secondaries and how they’re affecting returns, how Cendana’s team sniffs out the winners in a competitive market, and of course we got into how AI is changing the startup ecosystem.
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
03:49 - The Fundraising Journey and Institutional Investors
05:20 - Key Partnerships and Early Support
07:48 - Growth and Investment Strategy Adjustments
11:20 - The Rise of Secondaries in Venture Capital
14:32 - Identifying and Backing Emerging Fund Managers
17:24 - The Impact of AI on Venture Capital and Startups
18:19 - Changing Venture Investment Structures and Trends
20:26 - Spotlight on New Fund Managers
21:41 - Co-Investments, SPVs, and Strategic Adjustments
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24:36
VC Aileen Lee Still Sees the Most Promise in Mundane Tech
In this episode TechCrunch Editor in Chief, Connie Loizos, is joined by Aileen Lee the founder of Cowboy Ventures. Aileen coined the term "unicorn" in a TechCrunch article all the way back in late 2013. In this conversation, they discuss what’s on the horizon for Cowboy Ventures and how she’s thinking about AI’s impact on job creation, automation, and new business models—while also giving listeners a glimpse into Cowboy’s own recent team changes.
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
04:30 - The Startup Liquidity Crisis and Venture Capital Overload
06:59 - The Secondary Market and Startup Exits
12:00 - Investing in "Unsexy Tech"
19:46 - Changes at Cowboy Ventures and Team Transitions
21:30 - The Workforce of the Future and AI’s Role
31:25 - AI’s Role in Reviving Consumer Tech
34:21 - AI’s Potential to Reinvent Everyday Processes
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35:28
Can Kevin Rose and Alexis Ohanian bring Digg back?
In this week's episode, Connie Loizos is joined by Kevin Rose, best known for founding Digg. The news aggregator changed the way people engaged with the news back in 2004, and it's apparently coming back. That’s right. Kevin joined forces with Alexis Ohanian – his former rival and the co-founder of Reddit, and Digg’s new CEO Justin Mezzell to relaunch Digg for a completely new and expanded audience. In this conversation, Rose shares the story behind repurchasing Digg, why now is the perfect moment for a comeback, and how AI will play a key role in moderating and enhancing online discourse.
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37:50
Chris Farmer of SignalFire is betting the venture industry will never look the same
In this episode of StrictlyVC Download, Connie Loizos is joined by Chris Farmer, founder of SignalFire, to discuss the current state of venture capital. With many startups stuck in financial limbo and no clear path to exit, Farmer shares why he believes the industry has a structural problem. He also shares his perspective on new funding mechanisms, including secondary sales and venture buyouts, and why founders should rethink their exit strategies. Plus they touch on AI-driven investing and why having a decades worth of industry data gives SignalFire a competitive edge.
00:00 - Introduction
02:02 - Chris Farmer on SignalFire’s Investment Strategy
04:28 - The Role of Data and AI in Venture Capital
06:52 - Measuring SignalFire’s Performance and Returns
08:38 - The Liquidity Challenge in Venture Capital
10:18 - The Rise of Secondary Sales and Venture Buyouts
13:02 - Alternative Financing Models for Startups
14:00 - The Impact of Political and Economic Shifts on VC
16:33 - Closing Thoughts and Future Predictions
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Each week, StrictlyVC Editor-in Chief Connie Loizos and Alex Gove, a former journalist, VC, and operating exec, review the top stories in StrictlyVC and interview a mover and shaker in the world of tech.
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