RRE POV

What really makes a great startup founder? In this episode, Raju and Will rank the top characteristics they believe best define successful startup founders—from grit to customer obsession—all backed by real-life stories. 

They break down essentials like adaptability, salesmanship, and technical skills, while also spotlighting often-overlooked qualities like delegation and decisiveness. Whether you're a seasoned founder or just getting started, this comprehensive conversation will give you a better understanding of what it takes to excel.

Show Highlights

(0:00) Introduction

(1:01) Ranking founder traits on a scale of 1 - 10

(1:46) Grit

(5:09) Adaptability

(9:34) Startup Experience

(12:28) Domain Knowledge

(15:50) Salesmanship

(19:28) Vision

(23:52) Decisiveness

(29:02) Technical Skills

(31:56) Customer Obsession

(33:47) Delegation

(38:28) Gatling gun section

Links 

RRE POV Website: https://rre.com/rrepov

X: @RRE

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rre-pov/id1719689131

In this episode of RRE POV, General Partners Raju Rishi, and Will Porteous dive into why augmented reality is poised to outpace virtual reality as the next mainstream tech platform.  Raju and Will explore the near-term AR investment landscape and the kinds of apps they’d bet on today. If you're a founder thinking about what to build—or an investor scanning the horizon—this episode is your blueprint for where AR is headed and why it matters now.

Show Highlights 

(00:00) Introduction

(1:15) Limitations of virtual reality (VR)

(2:09) What is augmented reality (AR)?

(3:40) Will and Raju’s earliest experiences with AR

(6:55) More recent examples of AR

(9:06) Early AR hardware

(10:31) Different iterations of smart glasses

(14:56) Fitness mirrors: AR or not?

(18:50) AR will compete with other devices for attention capture

(20:31) Early AR applications

(24:23) Foursquare’s role in anchoring mobile devices to the physical world around them

(27:01) Consumer-driven AR applications

(31:00) Enterprise-driven AR applications

(35:40) Gatling Gun Section

Links
RRE POV Website: https://rre.com/rrepov

X: @RRE

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rre-pov/id1719689131

In this episode, Raju and Will break down the high-stakes world of annual budgeting for startups—because let’s face it, a bad plan (or no plan) can sink your business before it even takes off. They dive into what founders must include in their early-stage plans, how established companies can refine their strategy, and what to do when your budget completely hits the fan.

Show Highlights 

(0:00) Introduction

(1:28) The value of annual plans for entrepreneurs 

(5:29) What should be a part of your early-stage plans as a founder

(12:05) What already operating companies should add to their annual plans

(20:57) What you should do if your budget “hits the fan”

(26:29) How do you pivot when you’re blowing away financial targets

(32:07) Tips on how to best plan for your annual budget

(38:32) Gatling gun section

Links

RRE POV Website: https://rre.com/rrepov

X: @RRE

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rre-pov/id1719689131

In this episode, Raju welcomes Vic Singh as the newest partner at RRE. Vic's journey comes full circle, having started his career at RRE after college. The conversation begins with their shared experiences growing up as immigrants in New York City before diving into key lessons from Vic’s entrepreneurial ventures, including NearVerse, Tracks, and Kanvas. Vic also shares insights into his latest project, Originalis, which leverages AI to transform the venture capital landscape.

Show Highlights

(0:00) Introduction

(0:53) Vic Singh's background, return to RRE, and impeccable skincare routine

(4:13) Vic's early life after immigrating to the U.S. from Guyana

(10:23) Reflecting on points in Vic's life that could have sent him down a different path

(12:59) Vic's career beginnings with NearVerse

(20:09) Starting Trax after NearVerse

(26:54) Lessons learned from working on Kanvas

(32:22) What Originalis is going to do for venture

(38:17) The three most important lessons Vic learned from working in venture capital

(45:00) Gatling gun section

Links

RRE POV Website: https://rre.com/rrepov

X: @RRE

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rre-pov/id1719689131

How can technology help you take control of your health? In this episode of RRE POV, Raju and Will dive into the evolving world of health and wellness technology. As passionate advocates for personal fitness—reflected in some of the companies they’ve invested in—they explore how tech is reshaping the way we stay active. From performance-tracking devices to cutting-edge exercise equipment, they break down the innovations that are making it easier than ever to achieve your fitness goals. Tune in to discover how these advancements will shape the future of health and wellness.

Show Highlights

(0:00) Introduction

(1:09) How Will’s athletic accomplishments have influenced Raju’s fitness goals in recent years 

(5:18) An overview of the health technology services that RRE has invested in

(7:37) The future of technology and exercise equipment

(15:01) How can health companies continue to justify their subscription services to their customers

(18:41) What do fitness apps have to offer?

(25:04) Innovations happening with health measurement devices

(34:41) Gatling gun segment

Links
Tricia Han’s episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/7c74ec4a

RRE POV Website: https://rre.com/rrepov

X: @RRE

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rre-pov/id1719689131

CES 2025 is officially in the books, and Raju was on the show floor to explore the breakthroughs and innovations from across various sectors. He chats with Will about some of the standouts from Las Vegas over this past weekend. Highlights include NVIDIA's latest AI hardware, AI-empowered TVs, sleep-enhancing smart mattresses, advanced coffee machines (Raju’s personal favorites), and futuristic automotive entertainment systems.

Show Highlights

(0:00) Introduction

(1:06) Raju’s experience at CES 2025

(2:23 Raju’s thoughts on NVIDIA’s keynote presentation and Digits

(6:59) The latest TV and display tech at CES 2025

(11:28) What’s on the horizon for the automotive industry

(13:56) Innovations from healthcare and wellness

(23:35) Raju’s favorite next-generation consumer appliances

(36:09) Gatling gun segment

Links

RRE POV Website: https://rre.com/rrepov

X: @RRE

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rre-pov/id1719689131

With President Donald Trump’s inauguration just a week away, Raju and Will delve into how his presidency could shape the landscape for startups and VC firms. They examine the potential impacts of the Trump administration on various industries, including anticipated regulatory changes and the ripple effects that may unfold over the next four years. There will be huge growth opportunities for investors and startups across the board, but as always, you must consider the full scope before you hedge your bets. Raju and Will share their insights on navigating geopolitical risks, tax reforms, and evolving market dynamics to make informed decisions in this new era.

Show Highlights

(00:00) Introduction

(0:56) How the president can influence the “headwinds” and “tailwinds” of startups

(3:46) What defense and aerospace could look like under the Trump Administration

(7:33) The potential future of financial services, regulations, and crypto

(10:51) Manufacturing and construction

(16:54) What U.S. and China Relationships mean for startups and VC firms

(22:09) President Trump’s proposed tariffs and the retail industry

(25:01) Why agriculture could be negatively impacted under President Trump

(28:41) Gatling gun segment

Links 

RRE POV Website: https://rre.com/rrepov

X: @RRE

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rre-pov/id1719689131

This week, Will and Raju are joined by Gaurav Sharma, CEO and co-founder of Capitalize, an RRE portfolio company. Gaurav takes listeners through his journey from the shores of Australia to Wall Street, and ultimately to founding Capitalize. Capitalize strives to simplify the complexities of saving within America’s retirement system. Gaurav shares how he developed his entrepreneurial drive, the invaluable lessons he gained during his time in investment banking, and the insights he acquired while building Capitalize.

Show Highlights 

(00:00) Introduction

(01:56) Gaurav’s backstory and what brought him to the U.S.

(3:52) What drew Gaurav into financial services

(6:47) The impetus behind starting Capitalize

(10:52) The lessons Gaurav took away from working under David Einhorn 

(13:16) Capitalize and how it helps make the retirement savings market less complicated

(23:14) The business partners of Capitalize

(24:54) What’s on the horizon for Capitalize and the services it offers

(28:30) Lessons that Gaurav’s learned through trying to build Capitalize

(31:24) Gatling gun segment

Links 

Capitalize: https://www.hicapitalize.com

RRE POV Website: https://rre.com/rrepov

X: @RRE

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rre-pov/id1719689131

In this week's episode, Will and Raju delve into emerging breakthrough technologies and their potential to reshape our world. They explore the future of geothermal energy and its promise to revolutionize energy markets and transform residential power consumption. The conversation shifts to advancements in space technology, focusing on SpaceX's Starship and its far-reaching implications for space exploration and commercial travel. They also examine cutting-edge innovations in solar cells and chiplet technology, highlighting their impact on energy efficiency and semiconductor manufacturing. Lastly, Will and Raju discuss groundbreaking healthcare developments, including gene editing and weight loss drugs, reflecting on their ethical and societal challenges.

Show Highlights

(00:00) Introduction

(01:35) The emergence of geothermal technology

(5:03) Fracking: short-term or long-term problem

(9:38) Space, rockets, and the SpaceX Starship

(17:06) The potential of solar cells

(24:35) Chiplets and manufacturing

(32:02) The rise of weight loss drugs

(39:28) Gene editing treatments

(45:25) Gatling gun segment

Links 

RRE POV Website: https://rre.com/rrepov

X: @RRE

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rre-pov/id1719689131

Anushka Salinas joins Will and Raju to share her experience as a first-time CEO, having led RRE portfolio company Nanit for the past six months.  Anushka describes her journey to the top as the textbook definition of the American Dream.  The child of Indian immigrants, she cut her teeth in the fashion industry and now calls the shots on the future of parenting technology.  In this week's episode, Anushka discusses Nanit’s unique products, the cultural shifts she’s driving within the organization, and her vision for empowering modern parents through innovation.

Show Highlights

(00:00) Introduction

(01:45) Anushka's background before Nanit

(04:55) The early stages of Anushka's career

(08:23) The moment Anushka knew it was time to take the next step in her career

(11:53) Rent The Runway and giving power to women in business

(15:16) Growing professionally while building up a business

(17:32) Making the decision to come to Nanit

(21:21) Looking back on the first six months as CEO of Nanit

(25:37) Making cultural changes at Nanit and establishing leadership

(28:47) The vision for Nanit going forward

(33:38) Gatling gun segment

Links

RRE POV Website: https://rre.com/rrepov

X: @RRE

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rre-pov/id1719689131