Grit

Emil Michael, former Uber executive turned U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, who scaled companies globally and now integrates AI into defense. He discusses integrating AI across the military. He explains new pathways for defense tech startups. He talks about securing critical minerals and reshaping procurement to move faster.

Bret Taylor, co-founder and CEO at Sierra and former Google Maps co-creator and ex-CTO of Facebook, talks about scaling AI agents for enterprise customers. He covers Sierra’s rapid ARR growth and product-market fit. He explains hiring senior talent alongside AI-native teams. He discusses why the AI-agent market is fiercely competitive and where applied AI delivers the most value.

Marcin Kleczynski, founder and CEO of Malwarebytes who turned fixing infected PCs as a teen into a global cybersecurity company. He discusses AI-driven scams and how defenders adapt. He covers product strategy shifts, splitting consumer and B2B paths, and reorganizing leadership to scale. He also talks about identity protection, automated attacks using AI, and the discipline of evolving ahead of threats.

Ping Wu, CEO of Cresta and former Google conversational AI leader, applies generative AI to contact centers to blend AI with human workflows. He discusses scaling support without burning out agents. Conversation covers when to eliminate, automate, or augment interactions. He outlines three real-world limits on automation and how to boost agent productivity with AI-assisted tasks.

Jeremy Allaire, CEO of Circle and builder of USDC, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on regulated, dollar-backed digital currency. He discusses how fully reserved stablecoins fit into law and finance. He revisits near-bankruptcy in 2019 and the pivot that doubled down on USDC. He also shares Circle’s role as an internet platform for dollars and his routines for sustaining leadership.

Arvind Jain, founder and CEO of Glean, discusses his journey scaling the company to a $7.2B valuation. He emphasizes that AI's vast potential remains largely untapped, with organizations using just 1% of current capabilities. Arvind shares insights on the essential role of adaptability, the challenges of rapid growth, and the importance of clear communication in a tech-driven environment. He also explores the value of hiring for AI fluency and fostering curiosity among team members, positioning Glean as a leader in AI solutions.

This conversation features Yamini Rangan, CEO of HubSpot, who discusses how AI is transforming customer engagement and boosting sales productivity. Garrett Lord, co-founder of Handshake, explains the critical role of expert networks in enhancing AI model training. Michelle Zatlyn, co-founder of Cloudflare, raises concerns about AI disrupting online content economies and suggests innovative compensation methods for creators. Lastly, Evan Spiegel, co-founder of Snap, shares insights on how augmented reality glasses can evolve into collaborative tools for multitasking.

James Cadwallader, co-founder and CEO of Profound, shares insights on how brands navigate AI-driven visibility challenges. He reveals how AI, especially ChatGPT, reshapes consumer discovery and highlights the urgency for brands to adapt. With a lighthearted take on rapid hiring rituals and office culture, he discusses scaling strategies. Ilya Fushman, a partner at Kleiner Perkins, offers an investor's view on market dynamics and talent shortages in the AI space, stressing the importance of building content for both machines and humans.

Evan Spiegel, co-founder and CEO of Snap Inc., discusses his vision for the future of computing through AR glasses. He shares insights on why Snap turned down a $3B offer from Meta, emphasizing the importance of independence and user validation. Spiegel and industry veteran Bing Gordon dive into the potential of see-through glasses for shared computing and multitasking. They address AI's role in enhancing user interaction and the need for tech leaders to confront public anxiety surrounding AI. Spiegel also reflects on maintaining creativity within teams and the challenges of leadership.

Joubin Mirzadegan, co-founder and CEO of Roadrunner and former partner at Kleiner Perkins, shares his journey of grit and resilience. He discusses how a childhood split between two households shaped his disciplined yet irreverent approach. Reflecting on his startup experiences, Joubin underscores the importance of willpower in building and how failures can lead to growth. He elaborates on using AI to revolutionize outdated quote-to-cash processes at Roadrunner, emphasizing that true grit is sustained passion and perseverance.