Nikhil Basu-Trivedi

Nikhil Basu-Trivedi, Co-founder and General Partner at Footwork, shares his insights from a successful venture capital career. He argues that small funds outperform large ones, revealing why he views Assets Under Management as a misleading metric. Nikhil emphasizes the importance of 'traction first' investing, focusing on genuine product-market fit over revenue. He also delves into the critical dynamics between founders and investors, advocating for open communication. Finally, his take on the AI startup landscape warns that many will likely fail.

Nikhil Basu Trivedi, co-founder of Footwork and early backer of trailblazers like Canva and Hinge, shares his insights on investing in category-defining companies. He discusses the importance of 'durability genetics' over flashy growth metrics like '0 to $2M in 10 days'. Nikhil emphasizes the need for ruthless prioritization, using Farmer's Dog's three-SKU strategy as a key example. He also highlights the advantage of hybrid business models and the significant role of user outcomes in building lasting companies.

Mike Smith, operator-turned-investor who scaled Stitch Fix, and Nikhil Basu Trivedi, venture investor who backed Canva, chat about founding Footwork and their hands-on approach. They discuss AI driving a new wave of solo entrepreneurs. They explain Footwork’s two-seat board model, the one-pager they share with founders, and how investing pace differs from operating.