Today’s episode of Request for Startups features

* Will Summerlin: Managing Partner at Autopilot, Former Co-Lead at ARK Investment Management LLC, @WSummerlinAI on X

* Erik Torenberg: Investor, Founder of Turpentine.co. @eriktorenberg on X

In this conversation, Will Summerlin, managing partner at Autopilot, joins Erik Torenberg to discuss the transformative potential of AI and FinTech. They also share various topics related to venture capital, including non-consensus investing, LP challenges, choosing investments, ideal fund size, opportunities in AI and FinTech sectors, concentrated investment portfolios, and automation in financial services.

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(00:22) Diving deep into the AI super cycle

(02:45) Startups vs. Incumbents in the AI arena

(06:00) Opportunities and challenges various AI markets

(11:23) Will’s request for startups

(13:53) Sponsor: Brave

(14:55) From commoditization to AI agents

(21:21) Future of job markets with AI and automation

(24:15) Fund strategy and focus in the venture capital landscape

(28:06) Evaluating the venture capital ecosystem and AI's role

(31:31)  Debate around venture capitalists

(38:01) Identifying monopolistic markets for investment

(40:00) Fund size strategy for series A and B investment

(43:25) FinTech opportunities and AI automation

(45:05) Introducing the Autopilot podcast

(46:30) Wrap

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit requestforstartups.substack.com