What does M12, Microsoft’s Venture Fund, look for in the next generation of AI startups? Michael Stewart, Managing Partner at M12, joins the Icons Podcast to discuss artificial intelligence, venture capital, and the opportunities he believes more founders should be pursuing.Michael breaks down what makes a founder stand out, why M12 invested in Fastino’s small, task-specific AI models, and how startups can thrive in the gap between what technology makes possible and what large companies are building. We explore the importance of speed, conviction, timing, and bringing more than money to the table.From conversational AI and interactive entertainment to AI gaming and next-generation displays, Michael shares where he sees overlooked opportunities. He explains why cost and distribution are central to bringing AI to billions of people—and why the future should be about solving problems, not just answering questions.We also discuss his journey from scientist and inventor to venture capitalist, the painful lessons of the clean-tech boom, how to pitch M12, and what it takes to build genuine founder–investor relationships that last beyond the first check.Subscribe to the Icons Podcast for more conversations with founders, investors, and innovators shaping the future.#ArtificialIntelligence #VentureCapital #Startups

🚀 He Invented the Hashtag. Now He’s Redefining the Future.Chris Messina is the inventor of the hashtag (#) — a cultural icon that changed how billions communicate online. But his story goes far beyond Twitter. From shaping the open-source movement, to pioneering social product design at Google, Uber, and beyond, Chris has spent his career building the tools that define how we connect.In this ICONS Podcast episode, we dive into:The untold story of how the hashtag was born (and why Twitter didn’t believe in it at first)Lessons from building at Google & Uber during hypergrowthThe next wave of social technology, AI, and human connectionHow creators and founders can design products that truly scale cultureWhether you’re a founder, investor, or creator, this conversation reveals the mindset behind one of the most influential builders of our time.📌 Watch until the end for Chris’s unfiltered advice on creativity, reinvention, and the courage to shape culture.

A masterclass in how to sell a dream to anyone. Growing up homeless, raised by a single mom with four siblings, Alex now sells $50 million homes to billionaires. She is the face of resilience, tenacity, and not taking no for an answer. Whether you're aspiring to be an entrepreneur, investor, creative, you will need to sell to someone. Alex teaches a masterclass in cold calls, door knocking, building relationships with ultra-worth individuals, and manifesting your goals.

What makes someone walk away from one of the biggest venture funds in the world to start from scratch?In this ICONS episode, I sit down with Kevin Jiang, a founding team member of SoftBank’s $100B Vision Fund and now founding partner of Mangusta Capital — a next-gen AI-native venture fund backed by the Luxottica family (Ray-Ban, Oakley) and designed to back mission-driven, high-conviction founders.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer and a powerhouse in public service. In this episode, Fiona shares her journey from immigrant roots to managing the financial operations of the world’s 4th largest economy (3:00 - 5:55).

Key highlights from this discussion include:

• Shaping California's Economy: Discover how Fiona leverages her office to fund critical infrastructure, including affordable housing, education, and small businesses (5:55 - 11:11).
• Political Resilience: Fiona opens up about her unconventional path to politics, her secrets to never losing an election, and why she is a vocal advocate for the voiceless (14:48 - 20:39).
• Fundraising & Branding: Learn her unique approach to fundraising, the importance of personal connection, and how she protects her reputation in the public eye (28:01 - 38:08).
• Tech and AI Innovation: Gain insights into how Fiona is embracing AI in government and why she is a champion for keeping tech innovation thriving in San Francisco (45:48 - 57:35).
• Overcoming Adversity: Hear about the hardest days in her career, including navigating a challenging, frivolous lawsuit, and what keeps her motivated to serve (1:00:15 - 1:16:17).

Whether you are an aspiring leader, an entrepreneur, or simply interested in how California functions, this episode is packed with wisdom on tenacity, sacrifice, and the power of breaking glass ceilings.

Nicole Quinn is one of the most iconic consumer investors of her generation: the VC behind Lady Gaga's Haus Labs, Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop, Calm, Cameo, Rothy's, Zola, Beehiiv and more. In this episode of the Icons podcast, she sits down with us to break down how she built a career at the intersection of finance, brand and creativity: from a decade at Morgan Stanley (working on the Facebook, Groupon and Pandora IPOs) to nearly ten years at Lightspeed Venture Partners, where she's now a Venture Partner, and co-founding Connect Ventures, where she serves as Managing Partner.We go deep on how she spots the next big consumer brand before it's mainstream, what actually makes a founder succeed, how she partners with A-list celebrity founders, why AI is about to reshape consumer products, and how motherhood reframed her entire approach to work. If you're a founder, an aspiring investor, or anyone trying to build a personal brand and back yourself, this one's for you.

Join media mogul Larry Namer, the visionary founder of E! Entertainment, as he recounts his extraordinary journey from building a network with limited funds and countless rejections to creating a global entertainment empire. In this insightful conversation, Larry shares his masterclass on entrepreneurship, the power of scrappy innovation, and his expert perspective on spotting cultural trends long before they go mainstream.From jumping fences at the Oscars to launching iconic programs like Talk Soup and catapulting stars like the Kardashians and Howard Stern into fame, Larry discusses why traditional rules no longer apply in the modern creator economy. He also dives deep into his forward-thinking views on the future of AI in media, the rise of vertical dramas, and the importance of humanizing technology to tell better stories.

Erin Harkless Moore | Pivotal Ventures | Women in VC | Melinda French GatesHow did Erin go from Goldman Sachs and Harvard to becoming one of Melinda French Gates’ most trusted advisors?This conversation covers:• How Pivotal Ventures is shifting power in venture capital• What most VCs get wrong about impact investing• How to lead with clarity, conviction, and consistency• Real advice for underrepresented founders and investorsSubscribe for more ICONS episodes featuring the most impactful leaders in venture, tech, and social change. Iconscommunities.com

Carter backed 14 unicorns, founded M13, and married another ICON- Paris Hilton. In this episode, we sit down with Carter Reum - co-founder of M13, early investor in companies like Ring, Lyft, and ClassPass. Carter opens up about the mindset required to build great companies, why storytelling is a founder’s secret weapon, and how pattern recognition powers his deal flow. Whether you’re navigating startup chaos or making long bets on AI, this conversation is a masterclass in resilience, vision, and the art of backing greatness before the world sees it. Learn more about the Icons podcast at: iconscommunities.com

Multiple Decacorns, the first consumer investor ever, the genius that backed Snapchat, Affirm, and Honest Company. My personal icon and legend Jeremy Liew, General Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners unpacks the strategies to become a top investor and founder. He shares the playbook on how to pitch to top investors and how to develop your home ground advantage.Learn more about the Icons podcast at: iconscommunities.com