Shows
Running Through WallsWhere You Can Learn the MostHunter Smith, Rhythm Pharmaceutical's Chief Financial Officer, joins Venrock's Nimish Shah for a conversation about how he manages the financial intricacies of a public company to enable them to change the lives of patients with rare neuroendocrine diseases. They go deep on how Hunter and the rest of the leadership team's journey took the stock from single-digits to over $100 today, how they motivated their team along the way, and the unique considerations for healthcare companies ahead of and after an IPO.
2025-11-1221 min
Running Through WallsBringing Trust Back to HealthcareMatt Holt, Managing Director & President, Private Equity at New Mountain Capital speaks with Venrock's Bryan Roberts and Siobhan Nolan about how the healthcare industry should come together to build a system that optimizes for patient outcomes through the rebuilding of trust on all sides. While there's significant work to do, they're optimistic about how AI can help us get past regulatory complexity and upside down incentive structures faster.
2025-11-0530 min
Running Through WallsMarrying the Business with the ScienceSam Kulkarni, PhD, CEO and Chairman of CRISPR Therapeutics, joins Venrock's Nimish Shah for a conversation about how they're using gene editing to find potential cures so miraculous, it almost sounds like science fiction. Sam shares advice on how to fundraise in the extraordinarily capital-intensive biotech market, having the courage to go after difficult things and face detractors, and how CEOs should find opportunity in volatility.
2025-10-1525 min
Running Through WallsRebuilding Financial MarketsDylan Parker, Co-Founder and CEO of Moment, joins Venrock investor Nick Beim to discuss how Moment is transforming the fixed income market, starting with rebuilding execution and portfolio management for some of the largest players in U.S. wealth management. Their discussion ranges from how to win in an industry with a risk tolerance of zero, never letting your talent bar drop, when to diversify from your core product, and beyond.
2025-09-0329 min
Running Through WallsSoftware-Defined WarfareEllen Lord, former Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (A&S) at the Departmet of Defense, joins Venrock investor Morgan Hitzig to discuss the defense tech ecosystem, building resilient supply chains and efficient teams, and making the often conflicting timelines between VC, government, and early stage companies work for industry and our warfighters. Plus, our new favorite piece of advice: "you have two ears and one mouth, use them proportionately."
2025-07-1625 min
Running Through WallsInvisible Assistive LayerPunit Soni, CEO and Founder of Suki, joins Venrock partner Bob Kocher for a conversation about how AI will invisibly assume administrative burdens in healthcare, enabling a future where doctors get to do what they love – serving patients. They discuss building companies during generational step changes, advice for getting started in health tech, jumping on high-growth rocket ships, and more.
2025-05-0823 min
Running Through WallsLead with FundamentalsCharlie Glazer, Head of Healthcare Equity Capital Markets at Jefferies, joins Venrock partner Nimish Shah for a conversation on what will move the needle for the healthcare market in the months ahead. He shares advice on transactions including crossovers, reverse mergers, IPOs and also, his thoughts on what makes a strong management team, and how companies can prepare to impress public investors.
2025-03-1225 min
Running Through WallsCompetitive, Meaningful WorkJonathan Violin, CEO of Crescent Biopharma and Venture Partner at Fairmount, speaks with Venrock partner Nimish Shah about how the company is keeping a frenetic and exciting pace to generate a new class of drugs while preparing to launch on the public markets later this year.
2025-02-0521 min
Running Through WallsGet Caught TryingCameron Turtle, CEO of Spyre Therapeutics,Inc. speaks with Venrock partner Nimish Shah about Spyre's priorities for 2025, building a collaborative and productive Board, how culture shines through when the going gets tough, and the best advice he's ever received. This podcast was recorded in December 2024. Please be advised that comments made during this podcast contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to Spyre Therapeutic, Inc.'s ("Spyre") expectations regarding Spyre's product candidates including their potential safety and efficacy, business and clinical trial plans, milestones and timelines. All s...
2025-01-1521 min
Running Through WallsKeeping Technology Simple & ElegantBruce Perkins, healthcare advisor and former Humana leader, speaks with Venrock partners Bryan Roberts and Bob Kocher about how he built Humana into a juggernaut of Medicare Advantage and his prognostications for the industry amid CMS-HCC model version 28, GLP-1s, margin structure recovery, and ongoing drug price negotiations.
2024-12-1826 min
Running Through WallsTranslating the ScienceAshish Jha, Dean of Brown University's School of Public Health, speaks with Venrock partners Bryan Roberts and Bob Kocher about the chapters of his career in public health before, during, and after the pandemic. He shares what he got right and wrong during his time as White House COVID-19 coordinator, how he managed 40-50 media interviews a day, where we have work to do on public health issues, and more.
2024-11-1332 min
Running Through WallsElectrifying the MarketElizabeth Pemmerl, Chief Revenue Officer at GitHub, speaks with Venrock partner Ethan Batraski to discuss her nearly decade-long journey with GitHub. Pemmerl shares how she transitioned from working in the public sector to GitHub, go-to-market strategies, balancing developer vs. enterprise needs, changing developer behavior and more.
2024-07-3129 min
Running Through WallsIf You're Going to Bet on Anyone, Bet on YourselfDavid Stark, Chief Medical Officer at Morgan Stanley, speaks with Venrock partner Bob Kocher to discuss his career journey from practicing medicine to taking a non-clinical role in business. Stark shares how he views his role as Chief Medical Officer, advice for other doctors who want to transition out of practicing medicine, what he's proudest of at Morgan Stanley and more.
2024-07-1736 min
Running Through WallsKnow What Problems You're SolvingAlex Rosemblat, former Chief Marketing Officer at Datadog, speaks with Venrock partner Ethan Batraski to discuss his 11-year run at the helm of Datadog's Marketing Team and what's next for his career. Rosemblat shares insights into leading Datadog's go-to-market strategy, advice for other marketing leaders tackling this for a new product or company for the first time, his biggest learning from Datadog and more. During the conversation, Rosemblat recommended Digital CMO's Guide to Marketing Measurement by Bryan Semple. Book mentioned: https://vnrk.co/3VuFvxg
2024-06-2636 min
Running Through WallsBe Planful as Early as PossibleHeather Turner, CEO at Carmot Therapeutics, speaks with Venrock partner Nimish Shah to discuss her time as CEO. Turner shares how she guided the company through its acquisition by Roche, advice for other CEOs on the verge of an acquisition, her perspective on the GLP-1 market and what excites her about the future of biotech.
2024-06-1220 min
Running Through WallsThink Big, Focus SmallMark McKenna, chairman and CEO at Mirador Therapeutics, speaks with Venrock partner Nimish Shah to discuss his most recent role at Prometheus Biosciences and the beginning of his new company, Mirador. McKenna shares a behind-the-scenes look into leading Prometheus during its acquisition by Merck, why he started Mirador Therapeutics, advice for other CEOs, what he values in a team and more.
2024-05-2223 min
Running Through WallsHealthcare Prognosis 2024We have a special episode today because Venrock's 8th annual Healthcare Prognosis results are in! From drugs (e.g., GLP-1s, pricing negotiations) to fundraising and optimism around the equity market to cybersecurity and AI regulations - this year's survey covers it all. In this episode, partners Bryan Roberts and Bob Kocher sit down to share their perspectives on the most interesting findings.
2024-05-0913 min
Running Through WallsSelectively Ignore to Positively DisruptSami Inkinen, founder and CEO of Virta Health, speaks with Venrock partner Bob Kocher to discuss how Virta has evolved since he was on the podcast seven years ago. Inkinen shares how he views the GLP-1 craze, insights on his go-to-market strategy, advice for founders entering the healthcare market, and how Virta uses AI and technology.
2024-04-1724 min
Running Through WallsTaking Sand Out of the GearsLatané Conant, Chief Revenue Officer at 6sense, speaks with Venrock partner Brian Ascher to discuss how her previous marketing role prepared her for her promotion to Chief Revenue Officer. Conant shares her approach to keeping product market fit, her opinion on Marketing Qualified Leads (MQLs), how AI could impact sales and marketing and more.
2024-04-0320 min
Running Through WallsOvercoming Skepticism to Deliver ValueIsan Chen, CEO of MBrace Therapeutics, speaks with Venrock partner Racquel Bracken to discuss his career trajectory leading up to his founding of MBrace. Chen shares the impetus behind his decision to become an oncologist, why he switched from academic medicine to the industry side, lessons learned from years in drug development and more.
2024-01-2423 min
Running Through WallsRelentless ExecutionPatrick Conway, CEO of Optum Rx, sits down with Venrock partners Bryan Roberts and Bob Kocher to discuss his first few months on the job. Conway also shares his views on the best early metric indicators of success, the effectiveness of Medicare Advantage Star Ratings, the role of technology in value-based care and more.
2023-12-0636 min
Running Through WallsDo the Easiest Version of the Hard ThingEd Park, co-founder and CEO of Devoted Health, sits down with Venrock partners Bryan Roberts and Bob Kocher to discuss the founding of Devoted. Park talks about his priorities for the next five years, the value he sees in AI and LLMs, Medicare Advantage industry changes, his favorite interview question for job candidates and more.
2023-11-0136 min
Running Through WallsThe Ins and Outs of Being CEOYing Huang, CEO of Legend Biotech, speaks with Venrock partner Nimish Shah about his career path to Legend Biotech and the lessons he learned from transitioning from Wall Street to an operating role. Huang also discusses what he prioritized when he first started the role, the most rewarding parts of his job and what characteristics he looks for when hiring people for his team.
2023-10-1813 min
Running Through WallsUsing Rugged Flexibility to Master ChangeBrad Stulberg, best-selling author of The Practice of Groundedness and co-author of Peak Performance, speaks with Venrock partner Bob Kocher about Stulberg's new book, Master of Change: How to Excel When Everything is Changing—Including You. Stulberg and Kocher discuss ways to rethink change, the concept of rugged flexibility and paths for embracing and growing from life's constant instability.
2023-09-0524 min
Running Through WallsOptimizing TeamworkSenthil Sundaram, CEO of Terns Pharmaceuticals, speaks with Venrock's Nimish Shah about the lessons learned balancing personal health events while being CEO of a young company. Sundaram also discusses the "Working Genius" model, an approach focused on leveraging the types of work that bring an employee energy, and his attitude towards team-based leadership and how it propels growth in the workplace.
2023-06-1421 min
Running Through WallsTake the Road Less TraveledDr. Sheila Gujrathi, a biotech industry veteran with a strong track record as an entrepreneur, physician executive, translational scientist, board member, and drug developer, speaks with Venrock's Nimish Shah about the lessons learned in her career at biotech companies both big (Genentech) and small (Gossamer Bio, Receptos, Inc.). Dr. Gujrathi also discusses the importance of building a team of people with shared values, the most challenging parts of being a CEO, and how she's helping to push diversity in biotech forward.
2023-05-2426 min
The Outer JoinHow Early Stage Startups Can Jumpstart their Marketing with Mike Boyarski, CMO at DeepLMike Boyarski, chief marketing officer at DeepL, chats with Venrock partner Ethan Batraski about the role marketing plays at an early stage company. A marketing veteran with more than 20 years of experience at companies such as Fivetran and SingleStore, Boyarski shares best practices for building a marketing foundation, engaging your community, and when early stage startups should hire their first marketer. [00:02:06] Rapid fire questions [00:05:12] The role of marketing in an engineering-dominated company [00:06:39] How to handle marketing before your first marketing hire [00:09:23] Engaging developers in the marketing process [00:17:05] Wh...
2023-05-1926 min
The Outer JoinBuilding Better Software that Users Love with Tuomas Artman, co-founder at LinearTuomas Artman, co-founder at Linear, speaks with Venrock partner Ganesh Srinivasan about what inspired the idea for Linear. Artman also shares his thoughts on building world-class software to help companies build better product, the importance of minimizing technical challenges, and why he’s excited about the potential of AI. [00:01:10] Tuomas’s start in the industry [00:02:32] The early days of Linear [00:04:44] The motivation to build better software [00:06:20] Why users love Linear [00:07:52] Minimizing technical challenges [00:09:44] Scaling and planning ahead [00:11:16] The database as a means, not an end [00:13:34] Excitement for AI...
2023-05-1021 min
The Outer JoinThe Biggest Challenges in Serving 50 Million Daily Active Users with Anupam Singh, VP Engineering at RobloxVenrock partner Ethan Batraski speaks with Anupam Singh, VP of engineering, growth & ML at Roblox, about the biggest challenges in serving Roblox's 50 million daily active users. Singh also discusses the strategy behind configuring and scaling a bare metal infrastructure and the biggest challenges in adopting and deploying a commercial solution internally. [00:01:25] Anupam’s start in the industry [00:03:40] The biggest challenges in serving 50 million daily active users [00:07:10] Dealing with unpredictable loads [00:10:02] The strategy behind configuring and scaling of bare metal infrastructure [00:15:30] The biggest challenges in adopting and...
2023-04-2519 min
The Outer JoinBuilding Reliable Systems that Stand the Test of Time with Anush Kumar, VP of technology at ExpediaAnush Kumar, VP of technology at Expedia, speaks with Venrock partner Ganesh Srinivasan about the technical challenges Expedia faced during COVID, the importance of thinking about the "collective why" in engineering, and the need for planning for a worst-case scenario from the get-go. Kumar also shares his thoughts on the rise of intelligent applications. [00:01:10] Anush’s path to Expedia [00:03:39] The scale and challenges of Expedia during COVID [00:05:34] Thinking about the "collective why" in engineering [00:07:16] Planning for a worst-case scenario from the get-go [00:08:34] The rise of intelligent applications...
2023-03-3018 min
The Outer JoinAn Intentional Approach to Open-Source with Abby Kearns, former CTO at Puppet LabsVenrock partner Ethan Batraski interviews Abby Kearns, most recently the CTO at Puppet and previously, CEO at the Cloud Foundry Foundation, about her experiences building in open-source, open-source licensing, separating open-source projects from commercial product strategies, and more. [00:01:12] Abby’s career journey and what turned her to tech [00:05:23] What’s happening in open-source right now [00:09:38] Where it makes sense to have a commercial open-source model [00:16:30] Choosing between an Apache-like or Elastic-like license [00:19:17] Starting an open-source project with intent to commercialize [00:23:08] The biggest risk of starting with a...
2023-03-3030 min
The Outer JoinPioneering a Cloud-Native Platform with Ganesh Srinivasan, former Chief Product Officer at ConfluentVenrock partner Ethan Batraski interviews the firm's newest partner Ganesh Srinivasan about his time at Confluent, why moving to the cloud was important for Confluent, and other learnings from technical challenges faced along the way. Srinivasan also shares his thoughts on what most people get wrong about Kafka and what he's most excited about in his new role at Venrock. [00:00:59] The biggest technical challenges at Confluent [00:01:35] Why moving to the cloud was important [00:04:13] The importance of marketplace integration [00:07:30] What most people get wrong about Kafka [00:09:13] Rapid fire q...
2023-03-3011 min
Running Through WallsThe Truth Will Always Be Revealed, So Act AccordinglySam Kintz, co-founder, and CEO of Enliven Therapeutics, speaks with Venrock partner Nimish Shah about the journey that led him to found Enliven. Kintz delves into lessons learned during his time at Roche Venture Fund, and how his time at Stemcentrx and Abbvie revealed what truly matters most to him – being a part of an entire drug development story. Kintz discusses his decision to pursue a reverse merger (and how he persuaded everyone involved to follow this path), what defines a great leader, and shares the best advice he received from one of his mentors.
2023-03-2226 min
Running Through WallsC.O.R.E. Culture with the Right Team Venrock partners Andrew Gottesdiener and Nimish Shah speak with Michael Henderson, CEO of Apogee Therapeutics, about his role's unique challenges and opportunities. Henderson discusses his accelerated career trajectory, valuable lessons that have helped shape his success, and Apogee's recent Series B financing round. Henderson delves into the importance of culture building, including Apogee's guiding principles (CORE: Care, Original, Resilient, Ego-Less), and his strategies for navigating a challenging biotech industry.
2023-03-0117 min
Running Through WallsThe Innovation Frontier of Wealth ManagementVenrock's Nick Beim speaks with Steve Lockshin, founder of Vanilla, about lessons learned as a serial entrepreneur in wealth management services. Lockshin shares what drives him as an entrepreneur, the need for more digestible information in estate planning, and his most valuable lessons learned on the path to building Vanilla. Lockshin also discusses the importance of humility and how it helped guide his decisions as a business leader.
2023-01-1720 min
Running Through WallsBe Humble About What You Know (And Don't Know)Venrock partner Nick Beim speaks with Bill McNabb, former chairman and CEO of Vanguard, an asset management company that pioneered low-cost investing for the consumer. McNabb shares important leadership lessons including the importance of being humble, having a clear definition of success, and knowing what makes a high-performing team. McNabb reveals significant decisions he made during his time at Vanguard, such as having "no layoffs" during a crisis, and highlights the importance of thinking long-term while still being agile.
2022-12-1426 min
Running Through WallsThinking Long Term is the Greatest GiftFarzad Mostashari, founder and CEO of Aledade, speaks with Venrock's Bryan Roberts and Bob Kocher about improving the quality and efficiency of patient care with a focus on preventative care. With the recent launch of Aledade Care Solutions and new focus on Medicare Advantage, Mostashari delves into Aledade's efforts to scale and deliver where average primary care practices can't. Mostashari also reveals his approach to value based care incentive structure, and why building a valuable solution requires a long time horizon.
2022-11-0928 min
Running Through WallsDiversifying the Cap TableVenrock partners Bryan Roberts and Bob Kocher, speak with Heather Fernandez, co-founder and CEO of Solv, about Solv's mission, building more cap table diversity in tech, and the healthcare field today. Fernandez delves into Solv's Series C funding round where she created a special purpose vehicle (SPV) focused on women of color, bringing in first-time investors who wouldn't otherwise have access. Fernandez also shares how Solv is unlocking capacity with software, its pricing strategy, and its goals for the next 2-3 years.
2022-10-2631 min
Running Through WallsThe Balancing Act of Drug DiscoveryLarry Hamann, co-founder, president, and CEO of Interdict Bio, speaks with Venrock Vice President Mariana Mihalusova about lessons learned from his career in drug discovery. Hamann delves into where his love for organic chemistry stems from and why inclusive environments are essential to building successful teams. He also speaks about the do's and don'ts when structuring collaborations with big pharma, when a drug is "good enough" to move forward in development and new approaches he's excited for.
2022-09-2229 min
Running Through WallsBust the Liars Without Elevating the LiarsVenrock partner Bob Kocher speaks with Dr. Drew Altman, CEO of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) and founding publisher of Kaiser Health News (KNH), about dealing with misinformation and skepticism with expertise and facts. Altman reveals how misinformation, fragmented media, and a broken political system exacerbate the public's low trust in experts. Altman discusses KHN's origin story, the importance of busting liars without elevating them, and his thoughts on the Inflation Reduction Act.
2022-08-3126 min
Running Through WallsHealthy Skepticism in Product ManagementJim Del Favero, Head of Product at Figure, a fintech company using blockchain to help homeowners better tap their home equity, joins Venrock partner Brian Ascher to discuss what makes a great product manager. Del Favero reveals why great PMs focus on outcomes, not outputs, and critically think about the problem that needs to be solved. Del Favero and Ascher also talk through common mistakes PMs make, the engineering and PM relationship, and data-driven vs. years of experience decisions.
2022-08-0340 min
Running Through WallsCulture and ConnectionVenrock partner Brian Ascher speaks with Nicole Alvino, co-founder and CEO of Firstup, about effective workforce communication both digitally and in person. Alvino highlights fostering employee connection through authentic and transparent communication, using the power of video to drive engagement, and discusses expectations for corporate social responsibility. Plus, Alvino reveals a non-obvious lesson learned – employees want to hear from their peers (not just their leaders).
2022-05-2520 min
Running Through WallsHigh Will Over High SkillCompany success is predicated on the people, according to Daversa Partners founder and CEO, Paul Daversa. Venrock partner Bryan Roberts chats with Daversa about the nuances of recruiting impactful senior-level leadership candidates who are a fit for the needs of the company. They cover hiring high will over high skill, understanding that candidates are stage sensitive and ways to avoid terminal hires. Daversa also discusses the intentionality of Dreamscape, the challenges, and the impact they've made thus far.
2022-03-3031 min
Running Through WallsCourse Correcting for Long-Term Success Venrock partner Andrew Gottesdiener speaks with Jigar Raythatha, former CEO of Constellation Pharmaceuticals, about lessons learned from his time at Constellation. As Constellation has evolved from an early-stage company to being acquired by MorphoSys, Raythatha dives into its many life-cycles, his heavy involvement in the recruitment process, and the decision to conduct a PIPE financing. Raythatha also shares the characteristics to look for in an investor syndicate and the challenges of scaling a public company.
2022-02-0925 min
Running Through WallsBe Comfortable Being Uncomfortable Venrock partner Racquel Bracken speaks with Markus Renschler, President and CEO of Cyteir Therapeutics, to discuss the journey that led him to Cyteir, and the company's path to going public. Renschler dives into an important lesson his parents instilled in him from a young age, "be comfortable with being uncomfortable," and explains how this lesson has played an important role in his career journey. As a practicing hematologist oncologist, Renschler highlights the value of people skills and how developing those skills can positively influence leadership style, recruiting, and even fundraising. Renschler shares some of his highs and lows along the dru...
2022-01-0527 min
Running Through WallsPublic Health & Pandemic PremonitionsWith rising reports of Omicron in the United States, Venrock partner Bryan Roberts speaks with Dr. Charity Dean, CEO and co-founder of Public Health Company (PHC), to discuss her predictions and concerns for the latest Covid-19 variant. Dean and Roberts also talk about the long-term societal impacts of Covid, the severity of disease, and which groups are best protected. As Covid-19 revealed the cracks in the U.S. public health system, Dean shares how she anticipates public infrastructure to evolve, including more public and private sector partnerships. Dean delves into what led her to become a public health officer...
2021-12-0731 min
Running Through WallsLaying the Foundation for Sustainable SuccessBrad Stulberg, bestselling author of the books 'The Passion Paradox' and 'Peak Performance,' joins Venrock partner Bob Kocher to discuss his newest book, 'The Practice of Groundedness.' Stulberg offers a healthier, more sustainable model for success and dives into what groundedness means to him – a sense of feeling solid, stable, and whole; in a way that doesn't eliminate ambition. Stulberg highlights the value of being present and how his views on well-being and performance have evolved. Kocher and Stulberg also discuss the importance of active reading, how grit only works if you have the right fit, and ho...
2021-10-2526 min
Running Through WallsPandemic Preparedness: The Intersection of Academia and Public HealthVenrock partner Bob Kocher speaks with Ashish Jha, MD, MPH, Professor and Dean at Brown University School of Public Health, about the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and knowledge translation in tackling big public health problems. Dr. Jha delves into the journey that led him to become Dean at Brown University and his thoughts on academia's role in sharing information with the public. Dr. Jha and Kocher discuss the challenges of allocating vaccines and investing more in public health and pandemic preparedness. Dr. Jha also shares his thoughts on how Covid-19 will evolve, what will happen when schools open up in...
2021-08-2625 min
Running Through WallsAutomating Inventory ManagementNot knowing where items are located, what's in stock, or if they are properly priced cost the global retail industry more than a trillion dollars. Venrock partner David Pakman speaks with Brad Bogolea, co-founder and CEO of Simbe Robotics, about how Simbe's robot Tally is solving these major blind spots. Bogolea delves into how robotic solutions can keep up with rapid changes without overhauling infrastructure and provide greater optical data than traditional solutions. Bogolea discusses the competitive and consumer pressures prompting retailers to embrace robotic solutions and how the pandemic exposed the need for autonomy and better data. Bogolea...
2021-06-2329 min
Running Through WallsBiotech's Digital TransformationVlad Coric, M.D., CEO of Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, joins Venrock partner Nimish Shah to speak about the significance of innovation and creativity across all aspects of a business. Coric dives into the challenges of launching Biohaven's drug, Nurtec ODT, during the pandemic and why he believed it was their moral duty to continue the drug supply chain, despite the lockdown. Still seeing patients today, Coric discusses how his patient-centric approach positively guided him as a drug developer. Coric touches on Biohaven's collaboration with Khloe Kardashian for Nurtec's launch and his excitement for the digital transformation occurring in biotech. Coric...
2021-05-2623 min
Running Through WallsWhat Financial Advice Should BeVenrock partner Nick Beim speaks with Jason Wenk, founder and CEO of Altruist, about his mission to increase the accessibility of great financial advice. Wenk walks through his early entrepreneurial endeavors and explains how they've contributed to the creation of Altruist. As his leadership style has evolved over the years, Wenk shares the biggest lesson he's learned while building Altruist and how he's embraced the fact that it's okay to not know everything.
2021-05-0522 min
Running Through WallsThe Recipe for Drug DiscoveryCyrus Harmon, co-founder and CTO of Olema Oncology, joins Venrock partner Alex Rosen to discuss the history of Olema. Olema had a successful IPO last year and Harmon sheds light on what biotech companies should look for when selecting banks for an IPO and how to build momentum for financing rounds. He also dives into the factors that led to the founding of Olema and how the company evolved to develop their OP-1250 drug, used for the treatment of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Harmon shares the biggest challenges he encountered, things he would have done differently, and the importance o...
2021-04-2123 min
Running Through WallsNo Egos, No Jerks, No PoliticsVenrock partner Camille Samuels speaks with Angie You, CEO of Amunix, and Rich Heyman, Chairman of the Board, about the dynamics between a CEO and a Chairperson that foster a successful company. You and Heyman dive into the importance of mutual trust and respect between a CEO and the Board, and You shares her passion for people that makes her such a great talent hunter. You shares her experience as an Asian female CEO that has busted through multiple ceilings, and how her supportive friends and network help to make the CEO's role less lonely. They also discuss how...
2021-03-1030 min
Running Through WallsInclusion Comes FirstEric Brown, CEO of Dynamic Signal, joins Venrock partner Brian Ascher to speak about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Brown believes you can't have great culture without putting inclusion first, which is why it was the first thing on his agenda as he stepped into his role as CEO of Dynamic Signal last year. Brown discusses some of the company's initiatives, including the Mentorship and Access program, and shares how these programs have been received so far. Brown also shares the challenges of balancing family and work and how he had to purposefully make space for each of them to...
2021-02-1720 min
Running Through WallsWinning the Digital ShelfVenrock Partner Mike Tyrrell speaks with Jason Purcell, co-founder and CEO of Salsify to discuss his career and how Endeca's $1B exit lead to the creation of Salsify. Purcell explains how we are in the midst of a "masses of markets" world, and delves into how commerce experience management platforms like Salsify are helping brands navigate a space where consumers engage with products on a broad variety of channels and win on the digital shelf. Purcell shares the toughest part of his journey at Salsify and what the company sees as its "North Star". They also discuss the importance o...
2021-02-0317 min
Running Through WallsWhat Data Tells UsDataminr uses AI to detect when major events are happening, long before the first news reports emerge. How is this possible? Venrock's Nick Beim chats with Dataminr's co-founder and CEO Ted Bailey to discuss how the rise of real-time data platforms and misinformation around the 9/11 attacks helped spark the idea for the company. He shares how Dataminr helps clients mitigate and respond to potential crises more effectively, including the ongoing pandemic. They also discuss how the Dataminr workforce is responding to all-remote work and how Bailey has grown as a leader since founding the company in 2009.
2021-01-2025 min
Running Through WallsCareer GoalsEmily Drabant Conley, CEO of Federation Bio, joins Venrock partner Racquel Bracken to chat about lessons learned from her time at 23andMe and how Federation Bio is disrupting the microbiome space. Conley discusses key takeaways from her experience in handling moments of crisis, including the importance of transparency and staying consistent with your company's mission. As a female CEO, Conley shares what traits of 23andMe's Anne Wojcicki she tries to emulate and discusses how setting aggressive goals has helped her career. Conley also discusses the opportunities that come with working at a small company and reveals her passion for...
2021-01-0624 min
Running Through WallsNavigating the IPO ProcessVenrock partner Nimish Shah speaks with Jason Fenton, managing director and head of healthcare capital markets at Cowen, to discuss the explosion of activity in the biotech IPO market this year. Fenton dives into the pros and cons of a virtual IPO process and shares best practices for companies looking to go public. Shah and Fenton outline some of the important factors to consider when choosing bankers and touch on common mistakes CEOs make while going through an IPO. Fenton also walks through the components of a recent successful IPO deal and provides his expectations for the biotech market...
2020-12-1624 min
Running Through WallsNFL to VCRyan Nece is a former NFL player, Super Bowl winner, and now a venture capitalist at Next Play Capital. He joins Venrock partner Brian Ascher to chat about the transition from the field to the boardroom, including why so many professional athletes take an interest in venture capital and what elite athletes and successful entrepreneurs have in common. Nece shares the highs and lows of having a famous parent, football Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, and his gratitude for the opportunities made possible by his upbringing. No stranger to adversity, he also discusses a challenging time battling injuries that...
2020-12-0229 min
Running Through WallsWhen Demand SpikesVenrock partner Bob Kocher speaks with Hill Ferguson, CEO of Doctor On Demand, about how the company managed a huge spike in demand for virtual care as COVID-19 spread throughout the country beginning in March 2020. He shares how Doctor On Demand implemented a real-time assessment for higher-risk patients to handle growing wait times, and how they partnered with Medicare to cover virtual care visits for seniors for the first time. Kocher and Ferguson discuss how social injustice, economic hardship, and losing loved ones to COVID-19 are contributing to the increased demand in behavioral health services offered by Doctor on...
2020-11-1121 min
Running Through WallsRisky BusinessJennifer Bisceglie, CEO and founder of Interos, joins Venrock partner Nick Beim to discuss how Interos mitigates the challenges of third party risk management, particularly during the pandemic, by providing customers full visibility of their extended supply chain. Bisceglie describes how Interos continuously builds "family trees" of companies and scans for risk factors so customers can gain visibility into their supply chains and understand the vulnerabilities that can interrupt operations. She shares her proudest moments at Interos so far, the biggest challenge that female entrepreneurs face, and provides advice to women who are looking to start a business.
2020-10-2818 min
Running Through WallsM&A from the HeartVenrock partner Camille Samuels speaks with Corvidia co-founders Ram Aiyar and Michael Davidson about Corvidia's recent acquisition by Novo Nordisk, just four years after its founding. They discuss how inflammation contributes to cardiovascular disease – the number one killer in the United States – and how their drug Ziltivekimab "Zilti" is proving to be a successful therapy. Aiyar and Davidson share their experiences and advice for other companies exploring a sale, including always being ready for Plan B (or C), maintaining positive relationships, and not rushing any deals. They also discuss why the cardiovascular space is becoming increasingly appealing to entrepreneurs and...
2020-10-1433 min
Running Through WallsCMO's #1 Job is CultureLatane Conant, CMO of 6sense, joins Venrock partner Brian Ascher to chat about marketing strategy for B2B companies and the role of marketing in corporate culture. They discuss the "First Sip Club" which Conant started during the pandemic to stay connected to fellow SaaS marketers, and she shares how it has evolved to stay relevant in a rapidly changing environment. Conant also discusses her new book No Forms, No Spam, No Cold Calls: The Next Generation of Account-Based Sales and Marketing, which covers her distinct B2B marketing and sales philosophy, and gives advice for junior marketers looking...
2020-09-3021 min
Running Through WallsThe COVID & Medical Products ChallengeHealthcare industry veteran George Barrett joins Venrock partner Bob Kocher to discuss how the U.S. handled the unprecedented demand for PPE (personal protective equipment) for healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Barrett explains the significance of examining all components at the supply chain level to create a system that is more flexible and resilient. They also delve into Barrett's non-traditional business background and how his musical talents have shaped his career.
2020-09-1622 min
Running Through WallsGamifying the BlockchainVenrock partner David Pakman speaks with Roham Gharegozlou, CEO and founder of Dapper Labs about launching CryptoKitties, one of the world's first and most successful blockchain games, and shares his predictions for how crypto gaming will evolve in the next decade. They also discuss the launch of NBA Top Shot, a new kind of digital collectible that capitalizes on consumer affinity for collecting and sports, and Flow, which is a blockchain that takes care of the underlying technology so developers can focus on building their applications.
2020-09-0218 min
Running Through WallsDrug Development on a Global ScaleFollowing up on their discussion of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics, Venrock partner Bryan Roberts speaks with Mathai Mammen, Global Head of R&D at the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, about Mammen's career path and what differences he's found working on drug development in both small companies and large companies. Managing 14,000 people has its challenges, but the scale is incredible: J&J's products touch more than 1 billion people worldwide. They also discuss trends in gene editing and CRISPR thanks to machine learning and AI.
2020-08-1932 min
Running Through WallsCOVID-19 Vaccines and Therapeutics: Special EpisodeVenrock partner Bryan Roberts chats with Mathai Mammen about COVID-19 vaccine development and therapeutics in this special episode of Running Through Walls. Mammen serves as the Global Head of R&D at the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, where he is heading up the firm's COVID-19 vaccine development. They discuss J&J's unique approach to the vaccine and which therapeutics are promising in the fight against the virus. Mammen shares how the U.S. can be better prepared for the next pandemic, and highlights how his company approaches vaccine production and distribution on a global scale.
2020-08-0619 min
Running Through WallsRethinking Customer SuccessAllison Pickens, former COO at Gainsight and co-author of "The Customer Success Economy: Why Every Aspect of Your Business Model Needs A Paradigm Shift" joins Venrock Partner Brian Ascher to discuss the new and increasingly important function of customer success for SaaS companies. They discuss how customer success differs from customer support, how working with customers has evolved, what startups should consider when making their first customer success hires, and common mistakes companies make when rolling out new programs. Recorded pre-pandemic, Pickens also shares how startups can make sure all functions are working together to support customer success with...
2020-06-1722 min
Running Through WallsNature vs. NurtureVenrock Partner Bob Kocher speaks with Ezekiel Emanuel, Vice Provost for Global Initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania and chair of the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, about Emanuel's upbringing and family, how to deliver better patient care and implications of data/AI for medical ethics. They speak about their time working together in the Obama White House on the Affordable Care Act. With the 10-year anniversary of the legislation coming up in March, Emanuel talks about what's improved in the U.S. healthcare system and what challenges remain. Emanuel also shares his love for chocolate and...
2020-02-1222 min
Running Through WallsBuilding a Genomics Unicorn10x Genomics CEO and co-founder Serge Saxonov joins Venrock's Bryan Roberts to discuss the founding of the company and its recent IPO. Saxonov shares his story of emigrating from Tajikistan to New York City as a teenager, learning English and becoming an entrepreneur. He talks candidly about how he's grown as a leader over his six years as CEO of the company and how the company's technology has evolved to meet customers' needs.
2020-01-1525 min
Running Through WallsThe Ins and Outs of M&A DealsPaul Koenig founded SRS Acquiom to make M&A deals more manageable for entrepreneurs. Venrock partner Brian Ascher speaks with Koenig about what he's learned from seeing thousands of deals, including best practices for shareholder reps, common misconceptions about due diligence, and trends in all-cash vs. stock offers. They also discuss how entrepreneurs can set the stage for a smoother M&A process when they first start the company and why having the right advisors is crucial.
2019-12-1919 min
Running Through WallsYour Inputs Create Your OutputsAdam Boehler, CEO of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and former Deputy Administrator for Innovation & Quality at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, sits down with Venrock's Bob Kocher to talk about the business of healthcare. He shares his journey from venture to founder to government, and he offers lessons learned in the shift to a value-based healthcare paradigm. He talks about his experience as founder and CEO of Landmark, including the decisions and challenges in providing home-based medical care.
2019-11-2116 min
Running Through WallsA Robot for EveryoneVenrock's David Pakman speaks with Misty Robotics Founder and Head of Product Ian Bernstein and CEO Tim Enwall about the launch of Misty II and the company's evolution into a platform for developers. They discuss what sparked their initial interest in robotics and the various ways a robot can help people at home, from eldercare and cleaning to any other application that developers can dream up. They also share lessons learned from launching the BB-8 robot at Sphero, and how design factors into human-robot interaction.
2019-11-0619 min
Running Through WallsLessons of Leadership from the PentagonVenrock's DJ Patil speaks with Secretary Ash Carter, who served as the 25th Secretary of Defense in the Obama administration, about his experience in national security, technology and management. He shares how he successfully introduced new technologies to the Pentagon while earning the nickname "The Deliverer." He discusses his new book, "Inside the 5-Sided Box: Lessons from a Lifetime of Leadership in the Pentagon," and how he leveraged technology to make the world a safer place over his 35-year career.
2019-08-0720 min
Running Through WallsThe Right EQ for LeadershipVenrock partner Camille Samuels sits down with her fellow Unity board member Paul Berns to discuss his long career in the pharmaceuticals and biotechnology industries. He shares how he led Anacor to a $5B+ acquisition by Pfizer in 2016 and his approach to managing people (the most important variable for success) with intellectual honesty and a high EQ. They also discuss the history of Humira, the world’s largest drug, and how the patient ultimately shapes every business decision he makes.
2019-07-2400 min
Running Through Walls"The Passion Paradox," Live from Lyra HealthVenrock Partner Bob Kocher sat down with Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness in front of a live audience during the launch of their latest book "The Passion Paradox" at the offices of Lyra Health. They talked about cultivating a harmonious passion based on research that counters the conventional wisdom to find and follow your passions. "The Passion Paradox" is available on Amazon.
2019-05-1525 min
Running Through WallsPart 2: The Obi-Wan Kenobi(s) of Health ITEd and Todd Park join Venrock's Bryan Roberts to continue their conversation about fixing the big problems in healthcare. In the second part of our two-part episode, the Park brothers examine rewiring the healthcare stack for the inevitable shift to a value-based care paradigm. They talk about their success with their latest venture Devoted Health, including how they build and motivate a workforce to stand up to the challenge of healthcare.
2019-04-1719 min
Running Through WallsThe Obi-Wan Kenobi(s) of Health ITTodd and Ed Park, serial entrepreneurs in health IT, sit down with Venrock partner Bryan Roberts to discuss their early experiences founding athenahealth. Todd and Ed look back at how the company evolved from a women's health clinic to a provider of practice management services. Tune in to find out their advice for new entrepreneurs, the mistakes that shaped their path, and the core team that helped them get to where they are today.
2019-04-0320 min
Running Through WallsBorn PoliticianKathleen Sebelius joins Venrock partner Bob Kocher for this episode of Running Through Walls. Kathleen is a former Governor of Kansas and was Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services under President Obama. They discuss her upbringing in a political family, what led her to pursue a career in public service herself, and lessons learned from the implementation and subsequent fix of Healthcare.gov, following the unveiling of the Affordable Care Act.
2019-01-0917 min
Running Through WallsSerendipity and SuccessTodd Brinton, cardiologist and co-founder of Shockwave, spoke with Venrock's Colin Cahill to discuss his journey from studying bioengineering to starting medical device company Shockwave. He shares the ups and downs of applying to medical school, how he decided to veer off the traditional medical path, and why he values mentorship. They also discuss bringing Shockwave to market and the tremendous impact it's had on patients' lives so far.
2018-10-3122 min
Running Through WallsUnlocking CryptoVenrock partner David Pakman speaks with CoinFund's Jake Brukhman and Aleksandr (Alex) Bulkin about their path to the crypto space, projects they have worked on, as well as the challenges they have faced. The crypto ecosystem is still early in its evolution and there is a lot of room for improvement, but what will catalyze widespread adoption? David, Jake and Alex also discuss opportunities for investors and what projects excite them.
2018-10-0323 min
Running Through WallsTalking Culture, Live from VenrockJessica Neal, Chief Talent Officer at Netflix, joined Partner Tom Willerer for a special event at Venrock's office to discuss culture, hiring and what early-stage founders need to think about when building their teams. Tom and Jessica discuss some of the unique features of Netflix's culture and share their advice on all things HR/culture with the audience.
2018-09-1222 min
Running Through WallsPart 2: The Powers Behind Tesla, Stanford & Netflix Hamilton Helmer, strategy expert and author of "7 Powers: The Foundations of Business Strategy" joins Venrock partner Tom Willerer for part two of their conversation, applying the 7 Powers framework to three iconic organizations: Tesla, Stanford University and Netflix.
2018-06-2717 min
Running Through WallsPart 1: 7 Powers UncoveredHamilton Helmer, strategy expert and author of "7 Powers: The Foundations of Business Strategy" joins Venrock partner Tom Willerer for part one of their discussion about business strategy and Helmer's book. They discuss each power, why it matters, and how much attention early-stage founders should be paying to strategy.
2018-06-1321 min
Running Through WallsLifelong Pursuit of LearningVenrock's Megan Blewett speaks with Harvard chemistry professor EJ Corey about his childhood growing up in the Great Depression, what led him to pursue chemistry as a career, and how he became interested in human health. They discuss the day Professor Corey found out he won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1990, and he shares his perspective on mentorship, having mentored more than 700 students over the years.
2018-05-3019 min
Running Through WallsLessons from a First Time FounderDaphne Koller, co-founder of Coursera and professor of Computer Science at Stanford, joins Venrock's Tom Willerer to discuss her experience as a first-time founder. Daphne shares how her desire to make the world a better place led her to found Coursera, providing broader access to education for millions of users. She also discusses the decision to create a for-profit company vs. non-profit and why knowing your weaknesses helps when hiring a diverse team.
2018-05-1625 min
Running Through WallsThe Ultimate Proving Ground for Lifelong LearnersDr. Bob Harrington, an interventional cardiologist and Chairman of the Department of Medicine at Stanford University, speaks with Venrock's Dr. Bob Kocher about his passion for coagulation and thrombosis (seriously, he loves it) and his involvement with Gusto, a clinical trial that changed the way doctors treat heart attack patients. Bob also talks about working with an executive coach to develop new skills, when he found himself managing teams at Duke Clinical Research Institute.
2018-05-0220 min
Running Through Walls#TimesUp, Sweatshops, and Girl EffectMaria Eitel, founder and co-chair of the Nike Foundation, joins Venrock's Bryan Roberts to discuss the Time's Up movement and recent cultural shifts in the workplace. Maria shares her journey from working in the White House to founding The Girl Effect, and the simple formula girls need to be successful. She also discusses the importance of creating shared spaces where men are involved in the conversation.
2018-04-1826 min
Running Through WallsCOO vs. CEOVenrock partner Brian Ascher speaks with Randy Womack, a seasoned executive who has served as both COO and CEO in several companies, including his current role as co-founder and CEO at Socrates.ai. They discuss the "Sheryl" effect, what to look for when hiring a COO, and when is the best time to introduce the COO role into a company. As CEO at Socrates.ai, he shares the difference between the two roles and discusses common misconceptions about what a COO really does.
2018-04-0421 min
Running Through WallsBehind the News at The InformationJessica Lessin, founder and editor-in-chief of The Information, joins her college roommate, Venrock's Racquel Bracken, to discuss the evolution of journalism and how she created one of the most successful subscription news sites in Silicon Valley. Jessica shares her journey from the middle school newspaper all the way to the Wall Street Journal and breaking out on her own to start the Information. She also shares her views on journalism's role in the #metoo movement.
2018-03-2126 min
Running Through WallsNetflix's Culture in Context: Part TwoPart two of the discussion between former Netflix Chief Talent Officer Patty McCord and Venrock's Tom Willerer focuses on Patty's time at Netflix, where she created an acclaimed culture and learned how to encourage collaboration amongst colleagues. She and Tom also discuss the myths surrounding startup culture and why being on time was so important at Netflix.
2018-03-0717 min
Running Through WallsNetflix's Culture in Context: Part OneIn the first part of her conversation with Venrock's Tom Willerer, former Netflix Chief Talent Officer Patty McCord shares her experiences at Netflix and how she helped build a culture that startups and large corporations continue to emulate. Elaborating on the concepts mentioned in her book, Powerful: Building a Culture of Freedom and Responsibility, Patty discusses what it takes to develop trust in the workplace and why being "nice" isn't always the best approach for delivering constructive feedback.
2018-02-2022 min
Running Through WallsNo Trolls AllowedBen Anderson, CEO and co-founder of Amino, joins Venrock's David Pakman to discuss how Amino brings people together to share their passions. Amino is a mobile app where users join communities based on their interests, whether it's Game of Thrones, robotics or modern art (to name a few). Unlike most gathering places on the Internet, Amino is rare in that it's a positive place, almost always free of trolls. Being a first-time CEO, Ben tells David about the nuances of managing millennials and the importance of creating a constant stream of positive reinforcement. Ben shares how hustle, willpower, and...
2018-01-2418 min
Running Through WallsMedicine is a Family AffairChris Chen, CEO of ChenMed, joins Venrock's Bryan Roberts to discuss the challenges and successes of providing healthcare to the population that needs it most – the poor, the old, and the sick. Chris's father, James Chen, founded ChenMed as a way of providing concierge-style healthcare to low- and moderate-income seniors. When his father faced a health scare, Chris spent 24 hours learning how to run the business. After his father recovered and Chris completed his fellowship, they expanded ChenMed to 42 medical centers and significantly decreased hospitalization rates of their patients. With cardiovascular, oncological, and orthopedic diseases plaguing his patient population, Ch...
2018-01-0919 min
Running Through WallsCaring for the On-Demand EconomyNoah Lang, CEO and co-founder of Stride Health, joins Venrock's Bob Kocher to discuss the changing nature of work, and how his company is helping independent workers successfully create a "business of one." Lang recalls his childhood love of building and creating, and how it led him to study product design at Stanford and later launch Stride Health. Stride Health delivers a toolkit that helps independent workers find healthcare coverage and other benefits that workers outside of traditional 9-5 jobs do not typically receive. This shift towards independent employment has fueled Lang's passion for helping these workers keep more...
2017-12-1321 min
Running Through WallsCompeting is for LosersChris Lochhead, a three-time Silicon Valley CMO, co-author of Play Bigger, and former entrepreneur, joins Brian Ascher of Venrock to discuss the importance of category design and marketing on this week's episode of Running Through Walls. From having a provocative point of view to not accepting the status quo, Chris outlines what every business needs to do to become a category king. He discusses the right time to think about category design, whose job it is, and why concentrated campaigns called "Lightning Strikes" will grab the attention of consumers more effectively than traditional marketing.
2017-12-0622 min
Running Through WallsCovered California's Startup EthosPeter Lee, executive director for California's health benefit exchange Covered California, joins Venrock's Bob Kocher to discuss working with Washington and Peter's goal of making healthcare a right, not a privilege. Lee started his career as a lawyer and became an AIDS/HIV activist in the 1980s. Peter humorously recalls the time he was arrested outside the Reagan White House for protesting the government's lack of responsiveness to the AIDS epidemic, and how he had to disclose that story when he worked on the Affordable Care Act under the Obama Administration. Peter shares how he grew Covered California from 13...
2017-11-2219 min
Running Through WallsYouNow Introduces PROPS, a New CryptocurrencyCurious about cryptocurrency? Venrock's David Pakman talks to Adi Sideman and Yonatan Sela about the upcoming launch of PROPS, a new cryptocurrency. The YouNow team pioneered mobile live video and they were the first to introduce an economy around interactive video, where on the one side people can buy a virtual currency, and on the other side, creators who perform can earn that currency. They discuss what led them to this point, and how YouNow is setting out to distribute network value broadly across users and break up the centralized control of media with the PROPS project.
2017-11-0928 min
Running Through WallsPivoting to Success Brian O'Kelley, CEO and co-founder of AppNexus, started his entrepreneurial endeavors early, first in high school refurbishing old Apple II computers and later in college creating websites in the nascent days of the internet. Venrock partner Mike Tyrrell talks to O'Kelley about his path from odd jobs to CEO of a $1 billion company. He discusses the tough times at Right Media that led to his firing, and how he turned that experience into a positive one with the founding of AppNexus. And in the tough times of building the business, O'Kelley shares how his commitment to the vision of programmatic...
2017-10-0426 min
Running Through WallsTales from a TurnaroundAs the CEO of medical technology company ZELTIQ, Mark Foley was on the front lines of a major business transformation. Venrock's Bryan Roberts talks to Foley about turning the company around by changing the business model and swapping out the majority of leadership, culminating in the successful acquisition by Allergan for $2.4 billion in April 2017. But the exit wasn't all smooth sailing. Foley shares details on the initial failed bids that rocked the company's culture, how he managed morale during this tricky time, and what led to the successful deal in the end. He also shares how investors can recover...
2017-07-1925 min