Jeff Richards of GGV Capital on Finding Growth in the Current Market Malaise (EP.253)

When Knut and I started Panic with Friends at the beginning of the pandemic, it was just that – panicking with a few friends on what was happening in the market. I don’t think either of us knew how successful the podcast would become over three years later. My good friend Jeff RIchards of GGV Capital made several appearances on the show in the early days, but we last had him on in January of 2022. In that episode, Jeff helped me frame the selloff and gave me a big picture view on the fundamentals versus where valuations were at the time. After a year or so where we were all just licking our wounds, I thought it was high time to get Jeff back on the show to get a handle on repositioning ourselves for what the future might look like.

Guest - Jeff Richards, Managing partner at GGV Capital 

howardlindzon.com, ggvc.com 

Twitter: @howardlindzon, @jrichlive, @GGVCapital, @PanicwFriends, @knutjensen 

linkedin.com/in/jeffrichards 

#fintech #invest #investment #venturecapital #stockmarket #finance 

Show Notes: 

Introduction (00:41)

Welcome back Jeff (03:42)

Investing in growth (04:10)

The next bull market (05:41)

Impact of higher rates (06:23)

Funding landscape (7:01)

Potential of generative AI (07:54)

App distribution constraints (08:47)

Embracing AI (10:46)

Contrast now and tech in 99/00 (13:40)

AI and physical brands (14:36)

Advice of the younger generation (15:52)

Growth in golf and pickleball (18:21)

Reimaging sports with infused tech (19:53)

GGV’s focus (20:10)

Founder/Startup headwinds (20:59)

Measuring VC success (22:09)

Looking ahead (24:33)

Looking at fintech & proptech (25:21)

Impact of higher interest rates (26:30)

Travel is booming (27:07)

Opportunity in ‘Treasury Management (29:26)

Record growth in SMBs (31:05)

Seeing a renaissance of innovation (32:31)

Hoping for innovation in healthcare (50:31)

Wrapping up (52:10)

Closing thoughts (53:10)