The NFX Podcast

By NFXTechnology

The NFX Podcast episodes

June 22, 2021 Tony Fadell on Learning To See, Telling Stories, & Being A Troublemaker
In this episode, Tony Fadell and Pete Flint discuss the role of fresh perspectives in entrepreneurship and how climate change can be addressed as a design problem. They explore the importance of storytelling in startups, the iterative process of startup development, and the value of learning from failure. The conversation also covers reflections on the product design process and the relationship between constraints and creativity.
It’s not often you get to see through the eyes of someone who created a product that you and hundreds of millions of other people use, hundreds of times a day, every single day, and have for a decade or more.
Tony Fadell is the legendary inventor of the iPod, co-inventor with Steve Jobs of the iPhone, and Founder of Nest. Now he is the Principal at Future Shape, an investment and advisory firm coaching over 200+ startups.
There’s almost an infinity of things to learn from Tony, but what we most wanted to uncover are his product frameworks and first principles for design. How can Founders think about designing products that are both high-utility and beloved -- that achieve dent-in-the-universe levels of adoption?
As Tony puts it: For truly great designs, 50% of the design is the design. 50% of the design is the story behind the design.
And it all begins with re-learning how to see.
(0:00) Introduction and guest Tony Fadell
(3:01) The role of naivety and fresh perspective in entrepreneurship
(8:15) Addressing climate change as a design problem and the role of storytelling
(14:25) Learning from the pandemic and the relationship between constraints and creativity
(20:00) The importance of storytelling in startups and decision making
(23:04) The iterative process of startup development and assisting founders
(35:21) The importance of being a troublemaker and learning from failure in entrepreneurship
(44:17) Reflections on product design process, sprints, and failure modes
40 min
June 17, 2021 The Founders' List: Shishir Mehrotra with an Inside Look at How YouTube Scaled (Rituals for Hypergrowth)
In this episode, Shishir Mehrotra shares insights from his time at YouTube, discussing team structure, cross-functional coordination challenges and best practices. He delves into the specifics of meeting cadences, effective communication methods, and the art of canceling unnecessary meetings.
This is The Founders' List - audio versions of essays from technology’s most important leaders, selected by the founder community.
When Shishir Mehrotra left YouTube in 2014, a number of other company leaders wanted to understand how YouTube worked from the inside. He wrote this article summarizing their key rituals in a stage of hypergrowth. This article was originally published in 2015, but has since been expanded upon by Shishir.
Read the full essay here - https://coda.io/@shishir/rituals-for-hypergrowth-an-inside-look-at-how-youtube-scaled
(0:00) Introduction
(1:02) Inside YouTube: Team structure and integration into Google
(3:01) Overcoming cross-functional coordination challenges
(4:32) Culture, rituals, and best practices at YouTube
(6:52) Cadences and meetings: The YouTube way
(10:20) Effective communication: From meeting readouts to email broadcasts
(11:10) The art of canceling unnecessary meetings
(11:24) Conclusion and outro
12 min
June 15, 2021 Super Founders with Ali Tamaseb & James Currier
In this episode, James Currier converses with guest Ali Tamaseb about his book "Super Founders", discussing the methodology and data collection process. They delve into the impact of socioeconomic diversity among founders, the correlation between success and academic or career history, and the venture capitalism game. Insights on overcoming narrative bias, the value of small failures, and the role of faith and adaptability in venture capitalism are also explored.
What started as a viral medium article from two years ago has now turned into 'Super Founders', a book on what data reveals about billion-dollar startups. Today on the NFX Podcast we have Ali Tamaseb (partner at DCVC) talking with James Currier about his data-driven approach to understanding what really differentiates billion-dollar startups from the rest.
The book includes exclusive interviews with the founders/investors of Zoom, Instacart, PayPal, Nest, Github, Flatiron Health, Kite Pharma, Facebook, Stripe, Airbnb, YouTube, LinkedIn, Lyft, DoorDash, Coinbase, and Square, venture capital investors like Elad Gil, Peter Thiel, Alfred Lin, and Keith Rabois.
Ali Tamaseb has spent thousands of hours manually amassing what may be the largest dataset ever collected on startups, comparing billion-dollar startups with those that failed to become one—30,000 data points on nearly every factor: number of competitors, market size, the founder’s age, his or her university’s ranking, quality of investors, fundraising time, and many, many more.
(0:00) Introduction and Guest Introduction
(2:00) Ali Tamaseb's Background and Journey
(4:11) Methodology and Data Collection for "Super Founders" Book
(9:51) Solving Personal Problems and Creating Narratives in Startups
(14:25) Socioeconomic Diversity Among Founders and Its Impact
(18:55) Correlation Between Founders' Success, Schools Attended, and Previous Workplaces
(22:02) The Venture Capital Game and the Importance of Building and Selling
(24:09) Wrap-up of Data Analysis and Key Findings Discussion
(25:22) The Value of Small Failures and Overcoming Narrative Bias in Entrepreneurship
(31:09) Inspiration for Founders and a Deeper Look into Characteristic Levels in Venture Capitalism
(37:21) The Role of Faith, Acceptance of Randomness, and Adaptability in Venture Capitalism
(38:13) Closing Remarks and Future Plans
39 min
June 10, 2021 Major Opportunities for Young Founders with Jon Levin, Dean of Stanford GSB
In this episode, Pete Flint talks with Jon Levin about the career prospects for the class of 2021, emerging industries, and trends for entrepreneurs. They delve into the evolution of entrepreneurship, the societal impact of business leaders, and the shifting landscape for startup founders. They also discuss capitalism, government roles, and Stanford Business School's new task force. Lastly, they reflect on lessons from Levin's tenure as a Dean and the future of education.
Stanford GSB Dean Jon Levin joins NFX Partner Pete Flint to discuss his perspective on new Founders entering the industry, how Stanford encourages its students to solve real-world problems with technology, macroeconomics, and the overall state of capitalism.
Jon Levin started teaching at Stanford in 2000. Has been Dean of Stanford Graduate School of Business since Sept 2016 and is about to celebrate 5 years in that role. Levin received his BA and BS degrees from Stanford University in 1994, an MPhil in Economics from Oxford in 1996, and his PhD in Economics from MIT in 1999.
Pete got to know Dean Levin from being on the GSB Management Board after graduating in 2005. He has also co-taught a number of cases at the GSB.
(0:00) Introduction to the NFX podcast and guest Jon Levin
(7:00) Career prospects and emerging industries for the class of 2021
(10:00) Opportunities and trends for early-stage entrepreneurs in 2021
(14:00) The evolution and diversity in entrepreneurship among students
(17:00) Changing expectations on business leaders and their societal impact
(18:34) Sponsor: ${name}
(19:00) The state of capitalism, role of government and potential future changes
(24:00) Shift in corporate objectives and the new task force at Stanford Business School
(29:00) The changing landscape for startup founders and teaching disagreement in diverse teams
(34:00) Lessons from five years as a Dean and the future of educational institutions
(37:00) Closing remarks
38 min
June 02, 2021 The Insider Story of Waze with Noam Bardin
In this episode, former CEO of Waze, Noam Bardin, delves into the importance of U.S. success for a global brand, his framework for assessing business ideas, and Waze's unique design strategies. He discusses the power of network effects, the impact of user activity on functionality, and the value of data in Waze's business model. The conversation also covers growth tactics after achieving product-market fit, the costs of losing focus, and understanding competitor strategies.
Underlying Waze's journey is a little-known approach to product thinking, super-powerful data network effects, and a guiding north star metric. This is Waze's insider story, as told by their former CEO, Noam Bardin.
NFX Partner Gigi Levy-Weiss recently sat down with Noam, where they discussed the step-by-step story of the company's growth, starting from their early days in 2008 with just 2,000 monthly active users, through being acquired by Google for $1B in 2013, and hitting 140M monthly active users at the time Noam stepped down in Feb 2021.
Early-stage Founders are wise to study as many successful growth stories as they can. While there is no single playbook of best practices, each case contains deeply valuable learning that we at NFX aim to pass along from Founder to Founder.
Read the full NFX Essay here - https://www.nfx.com/post/the-insider-story-of-waze
(0:00) Introduction and guest introduction - Noam Bardin, former CEO of Waze
(7:36) The importance of U.S. success for a global brand and the shift to a globalized view of startups
(14:29) Noam's framework for assessing business ideas and the role of user perception
(16:30) The design strategies behind Waze's user interface and balancing functionality and fun
(24:10) The danger of over-promising to users and addressing product flaws
(27:25) The power of network effects in Waze and building the Waze map from scratch
(32:21) The impact of user activity and driving habits on Waze's functionality
(37:08) The value and importance of data in Waze's business model
(42:25) Sponsor: ${name}
(43:08) Growth tactics and strategies after achieving product-market fit and the power of innovative partnerships
(51:45) The cost of losing focus and the importance of understanding competitor strategies
(1:00:19) Wrapping up, final advice from Noam Bardin, and closing remarks by the NFX host
1 hr 2 min
May 25, 2021 Heather Fernandez & Pete Flint on Startup Speed As A Public Good
In this episode, Pete Flint, Heather Fernandez, and James Currier discuss the business model of Solve Health and its strategic approach to navigating through the pandemic. They analyze the complexities and opportunities in the American healthcare industry, the impact of regulations on innovation, and the importance of understanding supply and demand in healthcare marketplaces. The episode concludes with advice for young entrepreneurs interested in healthcare.
Speed is routinely acknowledged as a major advantage for startups. But startup speed is not sufficiently understood as an invaluable competency for society at large. Solv Health’s growth during the pandemic is a great example. Just 4 years old, the startup managed 5 million Covid tests in 2020, compared to 7 million tests by long-established CVS.
Today NFX General Partner Pete Flint is joined by Heather Fernandez, Co-Founder and CEO of Solv Health and previously a leader with him at Trulia. They analyze mental models and hard tactics for using speed to convert chaos to growth — and good.
Read the full NFX Essay here - https://www.nfx.com/post/startup-speed-as-a-public-good
(0:00) Introduction to the NFX Podcast and guest Heather Fernandez
(1:11) Overview of Solve Health and its business model
(9:18) Comparison of 2008 real estate crisis and COVID-19 impact on Solve Health
(13:39) Strategic approach to navigating through the pandemic and changes to Solve Health's roadmap
(19:12) Discussion on different risk profiles within health tech and the implications of COVID-19 for Solve Health
(22:27) Analysis of American healthcare industry complexities and opportunities
(28:29) Discussion on healthcare regulations and their impact on innovation
(31:19) Building a healthcare startup and targeting high frequency, low fidelity healthcare services
(35:36) Importance of understanding supply and demand in healthcare marketplaces
(41:57) The evolution of Solv and advice for young entrepreneurs interested in healthcare
(47:49) Wrap-up and conclusion of the episode.
49 min
May 21, 2021 The Founders' List: The Great Online Game by Packy McCormick
In this episode, Packy McCormick shares his insights into crypto's role in the online game, its intersection with the creator economy, and the potential of DAOs. The discussion also delves into game design principles, their application to the online game, and personal experiences in the meta game.
The Great Online Game is an infinite video game that plays out constantly across the internet. It uses many of the mechanics of a video game, but removes the boundaries. You’re no longer playing as an avatar in Fortnite or Roblox; you’re playing as yourself across Twitter, YouTube, Discords, work, projects, and investments.
Packy McCormick is the founder of the Not Boring Club, a newsletter on business strategy and pop culture. This episode is narrated by Packy himself.
We were referred to this post by Li Jin, our most recent guest on the NFX Podcast. Read the full essay here - https://www.notboring.co/p/the-great-online-game
(0:00) Introduction to the episode and Packy McCormick's insights
(1:34) Deep dive into crypto and its significance in the online game
(2:08) Impact of social media on the great online game
(4:59) Understanding successful game design and its relevance to the online game
(8:02) Real-life examples of players in the great online game
(11:38) Intersection of the creator economy and the great online game
(13:26) Exploration of crypto's value in the online gaming community
(15:20) The role and potential of DAOs in the great online game
(17:24) Applying game design principles to the online game
(19:20) Personal experiences and the meta game within the great online game
(20:01) Podcast outro
21 min
May 18, 2021 Li Jin on The Passion Economy & Its Hidden Currency
In this episode, James Currier and guest Li Jin delve into the passion economy, discussing its social implications and the role of self-promotion. They explore the involvement of Gen Z, investment dynamics, and examine case studies such as Mirror and Maven. The conversation also touches on the evolution of digital transactions, challenges in the passion economy, the impact of remote work, personal branding, and the arrival of Web 3.0.
The "Passion Economy" as coined by Li Jin makes it easier for people to monetize their individuality through unique, creative work. This comes with a host of benefits, not the least of which is the emergence of new markets, a feeling of autonomy, and intrinsic satisfaction.
To work through this and more, James Currier is joined by Li Jin herself -- former investment partner at A16Z, now Founder and Managing Partner at Atelier. They discuss how NFTs are changing the economics of the Creator Economy, what happens when everyone has to be a marketer, and how they look for ways to make platform participants into platform owners.
Read the NFX Essay here - https://www.nfx.com/post/li-jin-passion-attention-economy/
(0:00) Introduction and discussion on the passion economy with guest Lee Jin
(7:19) Activism and social implications in the passion economy
(10:47) The role of self-promotion and marketing in the digital age
(13:50) Role of Gen Z and the dynamics of investment in the passion economy
(19:15) Sponsor: NFX
(20:27) Case studies: Passion economy companies Mirror and Maven
(26:02) Evolution of digital transactions and key elements in passion economy businesses
(31:50) Challenges and societal implications of the passion economy
(35:58) The influence of remote work and personal branding in the digital age
(40:01) The arrival of Web 3.0, misconceptions, and its future implications
(43:29) Conclusion: Wrapping up the conversation with Li Jin
45 min
May 14, 2021 The Founders' List: Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants from Marc Prensky
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This is The Founders' List - audio versions of essays from technology’s most important leaders, selected by the founder community.
This is, ‘Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants’ written by Marc Prensky. Marc Prensky is an American writer and speaker on education. He is best known as the creator of the terms "Digital native" and "digital immigrant" which he will expand on in this famous essay. Read by NFX.
Read the full essay here - https://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf
16 min
May 11, 2021 The IPO Whisperer Lise Buyer Talks Going Public
In this episode, Pete Flint and guest Lise Buyer discuss the shift from private to public investments, the rise of mega rounds, and the appeal and risks of SPACs. They explore the impact of the Robin Hood generation on IPOs, the importance of transparency for public listings, and share Google's IPO story.
Lise Buyer, known as the IPO whisperer Pete Flint on the NFX Podcast to discuss all things taking a company public via traditional IPOs, Direct Listings, and SPACs.
Lise consulted on Trulia’s IPO in back in 2012 when Pete was CEO and Co-Founder. Previously, Ms Buyer was the Director of Business Optimization for Google Inc. where she was one of the chief architects of the company’s innovative IPO.
Lise shares her expert thoughts on:
- What has changed in public markets
- Why some companies should stay private
- When to make the decision of going public as a company leader
- What stays the same in a company after going public
- Building the infrastructure to go public
- & the differences between traditional IPO vs. Direct Listing vs. SPACs
Read the full NFX Essay here - https://www.nfx.com/post/new-world-of-going-public/
(0:00) Introduction and guest Lise Buyer's insights on public markets
(7:36) Shift from private to public investments and rise of mega rounds
(12:42) The Fundraising Experience and Investor Engagement in different public offerings
(19:10) SPACs: Appeal, suitability, and potential risks
(30:15) Sponsor: NFX social channels and website promotion
(30:33) Future of public offerings and advice for startup founders
(36:12) Impact of Robin Hood generation on IPOs and stock price psychology
(41:48) Preparing for public listing: Transparency, disclosures, and building the right metrics
(45:11) Google's IPO story: Innovations, challenges, and aftermath
(51:35) Lise Buyer's career in IPOs and closing remarks
54 min

About The NFX Podcast

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We believe creating something of true significance starts with seeing things others do not. NFX is a venture firm exclusively focused on pre-seed & seed stage startups.