Shows
The Venture Variety ShowWhy National Grid Is Betting $100M on AI and Energy InnovationEpisode: Aaron Panzer on Powering the AI Era: National Grid’s $100M BetSummaryIn this episode of The Venture Variety Show, Alastair Goldfisher talks with Aaron Panzer, Head of Venture Acceleration at National Grid Partners, about how AI is reshaping the energy landscape.Aaron shares why NGP committed $100 million to AI investments earlier this year—and what it means for startups, infrastructure, and the growing strain on the grid. From optimizing capacity to rethinking storage and transmission, this conversation covers the future of utilities, venture collaboration, and the urgent need to power the...2025-07-2422 min
The Venture Variety ShowCherae Robinson on What Founders Want from VC Platform TeamsEpisode #24 The Venture Variety ShowWhat Founders Really Want From Their VCsWith Cherae Robinson, Head of Platform & Marketing at FlybridgeIn this episode, I talk with Cherae Robinson about what founders really want from venture capital—and how the platform role inside VC firms is evolving fast to meet those needs.Cherae shares her journey from bootstrapping a travel startup to leading platform and marketing at Flybridge, where she now supports hundreds of early-stage founders. We talk about building trust, founder connectivity, go-to-market strategy, and how VCs can actually deliver on...2025-07-1626 min
The Venture Variety ShowWhy Storytelling Still Wins in a Noisy, AI-Fueled WorldEpisode SummaryIn this episode of The Venture Variety Show, I talk with Tony Stubblebine, CEO of Medium, about the power of writing in a noisy, AI-driven world.Tony shares why storytelling is still the most underrated skill in entrepreneurship—and how Medium is helping real voices rise above the noise. We dive into writing as a strategic edge, how platforms shape behavior, and why user-generated content still matters more than ever.“You are an expert in your own life.”“Writing gives you an opportunity to clarify your thoughts, to research somethin...2025-07-1022 min
The Venture Variety ShowLean Teams, AI Agents and the New Shape of WorkMulti-Sapiens Teams: Managing AI Agents in the Real World with Tatyana MamutKeywordsAI agents, Wayfound, multi-sapiens teams, future of work, human-AI collaboration, team structure, trust in AI, workplace culture, AI leadership, anthropology, AI operationsSummaryIn this episode, I talk with Tatyana Mamut, co-founder and CEO of Wayfound, about how AI agents are already reshaping teams, operations, and leadership. With a background in anthropology and product leadership, Tatyana brings a unique perspective to managing AI agents in the workplace.We explore how AI agents interact with each other...2025-07-0127 min
The Venture Variety ShowWhy Entrepreneur-Led Funds are Reshaping the Investment LandscapeAlternative Titles:— Entrepreneur-Led Funds Are Changing the Future of Venture— How VC, PE, and Corporate Investors Are Converging — And What It Means for StartupsKeywords:emerging managers, venture capital, private equity, fund administration, corporate venture, diversity in venture, liquidity, founder-led funds, fundraising trends, investment landscapeEpisode Summary:In this episode of The Venture Variety Show, Braughm Ricke, founder and CEO of Aduro Advisors, joins the conversation to share insights from over two decades in venture capital and private equity.With his firm supporting more t...2025-06-3023 min
The Venture Variety ShowKira Noodleman on Deep Tech, AI Agents & the Future of StartupsEpisode Title: From Deep Tech to Ikigai to Yoga – A VC’s Purposeful Path with Kira NoodlemanSummary:In this episode of The Venture Variety Show, host Alastair Goldfisher sits down with Kira Noodleman, partner at Bee Partners, to explore what it means to invest at the edge of innovation and humanity. Kira shares her nontraditional path into venture capital, her thesis on deep tech and “machines will win,” and how Bee Partners supports early-stage founders with more than just capital. From discussing AlphaFold and AI's impact on R&D to reflecting on yoga, founder psycholo...2025-06-2428 min
The Venture Variety ShowHow Overlap Helps Frontier Tech Founders Scale SmarterEpisode Title:How Overlap Helps Frontier Tech Founders Scale SmarterWith Justin Stevens, Founder & CEO of Overlap HoldingsKeywordsFrontier Tech, Debt Financing, Venture Capital, Capital-Intensive Startups, Fundraising Strategy, Equity vs Debt, Startup Advice, Relay Race Funding, Financial StructuringEpisode SummaryWhat if your cap table isn’t your only tool for growth?In this episode, Justin Stevens — founder of Overlap Holdings — explains why founders in capital-intensive sectors like climate, robotics, and life sciences need more than just equity to scale.With nearly 20 years of experience on Wal...2025-06-0925 min
The Venture Variety ShowFull Video: How AI Is Rewriting the Executive Job SearchEpisode SummaryIn this episode of The AI Cognitive Shift, host Alastair Goldfisher interviews Andy Mowat, founder of Whispered, a platform reinventing how executives find their next role. They discuss the hidden job market, the growing role of AI in recruitment, and why personal relationships still carry more weight than résumés. Andy explains how Whispered blends AI with a human-first approach to help leaders navigate their career journeys.KeywordsAI recruiting, executive search, Whispered, unposted jobs, networking, job market trends, hiring tech, career strategy, future of work, VC talentKe...2025-06-0324 min
The Venture Variety ShowBeyond the Honeymoon: How Honeyfund Is Growing Up and Gearing Up with AIBeyond the Honeymoon: How Honeyfund Is Growing Up and Gearing Up with AI🎙️ Sara Margulis on staying scrappy, building a $10M business, and why AI is the next leap for love techEpisode Summary:Sara Margulis founded Honeyfund nearly 20 years ago—before the iPhone, before “crowdfunding” was a thing, and long before AI was on every startup’s roadmap. In this episode, we talk about what it takes to not just launch, but last. From a DIY registry idea to a $10M business, Sara walks us through how Honeyfund stayed relevant, adapted through crisis, and i...2025-05-2727 min
The Venture Variety ShowVenture in the Age of AIPodcast Title:Venture in the Age of AI: Don Butler on Jobs, Tools, and the Future of VCRefined Description:Don Butler has seen a few cycles. He joined Thomvest Ventures in February 2000—just as the dot-com bubble was about to burst. Now, 25 years later, he’s watching another massive shift take hold: AI.In this episode of The Venture Variety Show, Don and I dive into how artificial intelligence is changing the way venture capital firms operate—from sourcing and diligence to hiring decisions and team structure. We explore the tools...2025-05-1527 min
The Venture Variety ShowFull Video: Why Xiaoyin Qu Made AI Her CEOShow Notes – The AI Cognitive Shift: Xiaoyin Qu, heyBossAIGuest: Xiaoyin Qu, founder of heyBossAIHost: Alastair GoldfisherLength: ~30 minutesOriginally recorded for The AI Cognitive Shift (in collaboration with AiNews.com)In this episode:Xiaoyin Qu made headlines by stepping down as CEO of heyBossAI and handing the role to an AI agent named Astra. In this conversation, she shares the thinking behind that bold decision—and what it means for the future of leadership, automation, and trust.We discuss:Why Astra was outperforming human execs on key tasksWhat...2025-05-0931 min
The Venture Variety ShowFrom Flack Fairy to AI: Beck Bamberger Gets RealEpisode Title: Unlocking the Power of Storytelling in Venture — with Beck BambergerSummary:In this episode of The Venture Variety Show, I chat with Beck Bamberger — founder of BAM and author of the new book Flack Fairy. We dive into why storytelling is such a critical (and often overlooked) skill for venture-backed founders, how to navigate the tricky world of PR and media, and what role AI is starting to play in marketing and communications.Beck pulls no punches: while AI tools can help draft and shape content, she believes the essence of PR...2025-05-0526 min
The Venture Variety ShowInside the Startup Mindset: Lessons from Doug LevinIn this episode of The Venture Variety Show, Alastair Goldfisher talks with Doug Levin — founder of Black Duck Software, Harvard lecturer, startup advisor, investor, and author of Lessons from a Startup Life on Substack.They explore how the post-ChatGPT boom has reshaped the startup world, why investors are drawn to small, nimble AI teams, and why product-market fit is a continuous process, not a one-and-done milestone. Doug also shares practical advice for founders on raising capital, avoiding common mistakes, and why you should always be thinking about your exit strategy.Topics covered:Startup le...2025-05-0229 min
The Venture Variety ShowAI, Lawsuits and the Death of the Billable HourTitle:AI, Lawsuits, and the Death of the Billable Hour? | Alon Shwartz, TrellisShow Notes:In this episode of The Venture Variety Show, I sit down with Alon Shwartz, co-founder and COO of Trellis, to explore how AI is transforming one of the oldest professions: law.Trellis is a legal tech startup using generative AI to make state trial court data searchable and accessible. Alon shares how this shift is affecting everything from legal research and billing models to the role of junior associates—and why data, not just prompts, is the real mo...2025-04-2124 min
The Venture Variety ShowNew Episode: Louis Lehot on IPOs, M&A and Navigating Venture in 2025🎧 Episode: “The Exit Bottleneck and the Path Forward”In this episode of The Venture Variety Show, I talk with Louis Lehot, a Silicon Valley-based attorney at Foley & Lardner who works closely with startups, investors, and acquirers across the venture ecosystem.We dig into what’s really holding back venture capital right now—and what might finally break things loose in 2025.In this episode, Louis shares insights on:Why DPI is stalling the VC flywheelHow founders can raise capital creatively—without waiting for the market to “settle”What’s needed for...2025-04-1420 min
The Venture Variety ShowArt in the Age of Artificial IntelligenceEpisode Title: The Artist AI Didn't Replace - A Conversation with Daniel AmbrosiDescription: Join host Alastair Goldfisher for the inaugural episode of "The AI Cognitive Shift," a podcast series brought to you in collaboration with AiNews.com. This series delves into how artificial intelligence is reshaping our cultural and societal landscapes through intimate conversations with innovators at the intersection of technology and creativity.In this episode, we explore the intriguing world of AI and art with Daniel Ambrosi, a renowned digital artist who has harnessed AI to expand the horizons of traditional landscape photography...2025-04-0828 min
The Venture Variety ShowExploring Art and Innovation in Healthcare with Emily PetersTitle: Emily Peters on Art, AI, and the Future of Health EquitySummary:In this episode, Alastair Goldfisher speaks with Emily Peters, a healthcare brand strategist and author of "Artists Remaking Medicine," about the intersection of art, technology, and healthcare. Emily shares insights from her work in the digital health space, her personal journey as a patient, and her belief in the power of creativity to drive innovation in healthcare. The conversation also explores the potential of AI to address administrative challenges and the importance of health equity, highlighting Emily's upcoming participation in the Health...2025-04-0125 min
The Venture Variety ShowThe VC Who Let an Algorithm Take the WheelPodcast Title: The Venture Variety Show: How AI is Reshaping Venture Capital with Fred Campbell of TRAC.vcShow Notes:Episode Description:Is AI the future of venture capital? In this eye-opening episode of The Venture Variety Show, host Alastair Goldfisher dives deep into the data-driven revolution transforming the investment landscape. Alastair interviews Fred Campbell, Managing Partner and Co-founder of TRAC.vc, a venture firm at the forefront of AI-powered investing. Fred, a self-described "reluctant VC" and former tech entrepreneur, shares his unique journey and TRAC's groundbreaking approach to identifying and f...2025-03-2726 min
The Venture Variety ShowVenture Marketing Best Practices That Actually Help Founderskeywordsventure capital, marketing strategy, storytelling, consistency, earned media, video content, podcasting, founder support, work-life balance, authenticitysummaryIn this episode of The Venture Variety Show, Alastair Goldfisher interviews Kayla Liederbach, a seasoned VC marketing expert. Kayla shares her journey into venture capital, her experiences at SOSV, and the importance of consistency in marketing strategies for VC firms. She discusses the significance of owned and earned media, the role of video and podcasting, and what founders should look for in a VC firm. Kayla emphasizes the need for authenticity and maintaining a work-life...2025-03-1729 min
The Venture Variety ShowAI, Robotics and the Future of WorkkeywordsAI, robotics, technology, investment, labor force, productivity, industrialization, manufacturing, defense tech, automationsummaryIn this conversation, Marvin discusses his shift in investment focus towards AI, robotics, and manufacturing, emphasizing the importance of re-industrialization in America. He reflects on the implications of technology on the labor force, acknowledging both job displacement and the creation of new opportunities. Marvin also highlights how AI can enhance productivity, allowing smaller teams to achieve greater results.takeawaysMarvin has shifted his investment focus towards AI and robotics.Re-industrialization of America is...2025-03-1105 min
The Venture Variety ShowWhy Every Founder and Investor Should Consider Coaching ServicesAI Show Noteskeywordscoaching, leadership development, Sounding Board, executive coaching, venture capital, technology in coaching, democratizing coaching, pandemic impact, coaching trends, healthcare coachingsummaryIn this conversation, Alastair Goldfisher interviews Christine Tao, co-founder and CEO of Sounding Board, a company that provides executive coaching services. They discuss the founding story of Sounding Board, the evolution of coaching in organizations, and how technology has made coaching more accessible. Christine shares insights on the democratization of coaching, its role in venture capital, and the impact of the pandemic on coaching practices. The...2025-03-0512 min
The Venture Variety ShowThe Highs, the Lows, and Why Now is a Great Time to Be an EntrepreneurAI Show Noteskeywordsentrepreneurship, investment, Silicon Valley, personal development, startup advice, venture capital, networking, writing, core values, building startupssummaryIn this episode of The Venture Variety Show, Alastair Goldfisher interviews Marvin Liao, a seasoned investor and entrepreneur. They discuss the importance of personal development in entrepreneurship, the current investment landscape, and the need to return to Silicon Valley's core values. Marvin shares insights on how entrepreneurs can connect with investors, the significance of writing and sharing knowledge, and the challenges and opportunities present in today's startup environment....2025-02-2717 min
The Venture Variety ShowCourtney McCrea of Recast on Emerging Managers and the Bifurcation of VentureEpisode Title: Navigating the Bifurcation of Venture Capital with Courtney McCreaEpisode Summary: In this Valentine’s Day episode of The Venture Variety Show, Alastair Goldfisher talks with Courtney McCrea, co-founder of Recast Capital. They discuss the challenges and opportunities for emerging managers in the venture capital industry, which is increasingly dominated by large, established firms.What You’ll Learn:Background and Mission of Recast Capital: Discover the origins of Recast Capital, founded by Courtney McCrea and Sara Zulkosky, focusing on supporting and investing in diverse, emerging venture managers.The Current VC L...2025-02-1430 min
The Venture Variety ShowVenture Capitalist Gavin Myers on Harnessing AI to Build SmarterkeywordsGavin Myers, venture capital, built world, AI in construction, M&A activity, investor relations, technology investments, entrepreneurship, private equity, communication with LPssummaryIn this conversation, Gavin Myers shares his journey from investment banking to founding Prudence, a venture capital firm focused on the built world. He discusses the importance of technology in real estate and construction, the rise of AI solutions, and the current trends in M&A activity. Gavin emphasizes the significance of honest communication between investors and entrepreneurs, highlighting the need for transparency and alignment in their relationships.2025-02-1035 min
The Venture Variety ShowHigh Achievers Are Rethinking Innovation Through Guided JourneysIn this episode of The Venture Variety Show, I sit down with Jodi Lomask, founder of Creative Journey, to explore how psilocybin and guided nature-immersive retreats are helping high achievers unlock creativity, clarity and vision.On the podcast, Lomask shares how she transitioned from decades as a professional choreographer to guiding startup founders, VCs and innovators through transformative psychedelic experiences. These journeys aren’t just about altered states. They’re about breaking mental patterns, embracing fresh perspectives and authoring the future.In this podcast, we discuss:* The growing interest in psychedelics among professionals like...2025-02-0336 min
The Venture Variety ShowWrapping Up 2024!In this special short episode of The Venture Variety Show, Alastair Goldfisher reflects on 2024 and shares exciting updates about what’s coming in the new year.Highlights from This Episode:A big thank you to our listeners for supporting the launch of The Venture Variety Show this year.Updates on the upcoming lineup of incredible guests, including founders, VCs, LPs, artists, marketing professionals, and attorneys.A sneak peek into a conversation with Jodi Lomask, founder of Creative Journey, where we explore the intersection of creativity, leadership, and psychedelics.Key To...2024-12-2404 min
The Venture Variety ShowUnlocking Leadership Potential with Christine Tao of Sounding BoardIn this episode of The Venture Variety Show, we meet with Christine Tao, co-founder and CEO of Sounding Board, a tech-enabled coaching and mentoring platform.Christine shares her journey from her previous work at Tapjoy, Google and YouTube, to partner with Lori Mazan to launch Sounding Board, a venture-backed startup that has raised almost $50 million in funding.Christine and I chatted about the transformative power of coaching, exploring how it has evolved from a tool for derailed executives to a vital resource for leaders across all levels and industries. It was amazing to hear her...2024-10-3135 min
The Venture Variety ShowPremiere: Scott Brown on The Venture Variety ShowIn this conversation, Alastair Goldfisher and Scott Brown discuss the evolution and significance of platform roles in venture capital. Scott emphasizes the importance of value addition beyond capital, the impact of relationships, the changes brought about by the pandemic and advice for those looking to get into a platform role. Scott also shares insights on best practices for VC platforms and offers advice for entrepreneurs seeking investment from firms. Get full access to The Venture Lens at agoldfisher.substack.com/subscribe2024-10-2135 min
The Venture Variety ShowThe Venture Variety Show: An IntroWelcome to The Venture Variety Show! I’m Alastair and this is an intro to my video podcast. This podcast will explore the intersection of venture capital, startups, media and platforms. Join me as we dive into trends, strategies and success stories that shape the startup and venture communities. Expect engaging conversations and golden nuggets of wisdom to help you level up! Get full access to The Venture Lens at agoldfisher.substack.com/subscribe2024-10-1402 min
Corporate Venturing InsiderSpecial Episode | Corporate Venturing InsiderListen to James Mawson of GCV, Bedy Yang of 500 Global, Claudia Fan Munce of NEA, Nicolas Sauvage of TDK Ventures, and Phoebe Wang of Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund during this special episode hosted by Alastair Goldfisher, former editor of the Venture Capital journal for Reuters.2024-06-2231 min
Corporate Venturing InsiderSpecial Episode | Corporate Venturing Insider WebinarListen to James Mawson of GCV, Bedy Yang of 500 Global, Claudia Fan Munce of NEA, Nicolas Sauvage of TDK Ventures, and Phoebe Wang of Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund during this special episode of hosted by Alastair Goldfisher of EON.2024-06-2131 min
SF MusicTech SummitFireside ChatSF MusicTech Summit XVII on November 10, 2015
Hotel Kabuki, San Francisco, CA
www.sfmusictech.com
SPEAKERS:
Hany Nada, GGV Capital
http://www.ggvc.com
Alastair Goldfisher, PE Hub Network
https://www.pehub.com/
https://www.pehub.com/vc-journal/
*************************
Recorded by Media One AV
www.mediaoneaudio.com2015-11-1721 min