The Orita Podcast

The Hidden Opportunities VCs Are Betting On, with Caitlin Bolnick Rellas and TJ Mahony


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Shopify is crowded. AI is everywhere. So where’s the real opportunity in commerce tech?


Venture capitalists Caitlin Bolnick Rellas (CRV) and TJ Mahony (Vinyl) have seen it all—e-commerce, B2B, logistics, AI, and beyond. In this episode, they break down:


💰 What they actually look for in a founder (Hint: It’s not just the idea.)


📦 Why the biggest untapped opportunities are in “boring” industries (logistics, reverse logistics, gov procurement)


⚡ Why point solutions are dead—and platform thinking is the future


🚀 How early-stage founders should be thinking about funding & scaling


🤖 The AI impact: Where it’s driving real value vs. where it’s overhyped


📊 Why traditional e-commerce is maturing—and where commerce tech is headed next


And yes, we also cover why nobody should pitch a three-phase master plan, how investors think about market timing, and why some of the most successful founders are a little bit crazy.


If you’re building, fundraising, or just want to understand where commerce tech is actually going, this episode is for you.

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The Orita PodcastBy Aaron Schwartz