The world of venture capital is a mystery to most. Who gets funded and why? What's the math around valuations? And why is there so much "betting on the jockey"? So many questions with so few answers. That's why we invited Jason Corsello, founder and general partner at Acadian Ventures, on the podcast. He'll help us better understand the unicorn parade from a few years back, which resulted in a VC winter, which has led to the gradual thawing of capital into the world of work. What kind of companies are getting his attention, and wallet share, and what advice does he give to startups looking to raise that first seed round of capital. The veils are being lifted and the crystal balls are coming out on this one. Enjoy.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:14 The Unicorn Parade and VC Winter

07:16 Opportunities for Seed Investors

10:23 The Thaw and the Future of Venture Capital

16:23 Investment Themes: AI, Compliance, and Global Workforce

22:36 Advantages and Disadvantages of Incumbents in Leveraging Data

23:53 Challenges of Integrating HR Tech Systems

26:15 Evaluating Startup Pitches and the Importance of Referrals

29:55 Evaluating European Startups vs. US Startups

33:49 The Potential for Disruption in the ATS Market

35:23 Best Bets, Worst Mistakes, and Missed Opportunities in Venture Capital