Innovation with Mark Peter Davis

Mike and I sat down this week to chat about current events and their implications for the innovation economy. We begin our conversation by highlighting successful tech IPOs like Reddit and Estera, suggesting a strong demand for tech companies in the public market. We discuss how these IPOs could signal to other entrepreneurs and investors, potentially fueling more listings and investments. Our conversation shifts to a significant settlement in the real estate world, impacting companies like Compass. We analyze how changes in realtor commissions could shift capital to homeowners and potentially disrupt the real estate brokerage industry. Lastly, We touch upon Boeing's recent challenges, reflecting on corporate management issues and the potential for new players to enter the aviation industry. We discuss the lack of innovation in commercial aviation and suggest opportunities for entrepreneurs and government intervention to foster competition and innovation in the sector.Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @MikeyjrogPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this podcast are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The podcast may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the podcast does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The podcast is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

I joined my alma mater, Columbia Business School to give a talk at The Annual Columbia Business School Real Estate Symposium. I was invited by the Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate and decided to discuss the impact of AI on the real estate industry and various sectors. During the talk, I delved into the potential of AI across various sectors, including its convergence with augmented reality, robotics, and quantum computing. I point out how these advancements could transform not only industries but also national security. In the context of real estate, I highlighted the challenges and opportunities AI presents, urging listeners to adapt to this rapidly changing landscape.Ultimately, I believe it's crucial for us to approach AI with responsibility, recognizing its potential for both good and harm. I'm grateful to Columbia Business School for the platform to share my insights, and I hope my talk encourages others to navigate the evolving technological landscape effectively.*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this podcast are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The podcast may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the podcast does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The podcast is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

Phuong is back on the podcast this week to discuss the importance of doing things that don't scale in startups. Phuong explains that this concept, popularized by Paul Graham of Y Combinator, involves manually handling processes to acquire customers, test concepts, and iterate on products before scaling. We dive into examples such as Seamless and Diapers.com, showing how hands-on approaches helped them understand customer needs and refine their offerings. We emphasize the importance of prioritizing learning and validation over rapid growth in the initial stages of a startup. Being involved in the early stages helps founders understand their business deeply, which is crucial for long-term success. Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplayPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this podcast are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The podcast may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the podcast does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The podcast is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

Chris is back on the podcast this week, joining me to discuss recent market shifts. Our overall assessment is that the year started with uncertainties but seems to be stabilizing, with tech companies performing well and equity markets thriving. However, despite positive signs, there's concern over a potential commercial real estate crisis, as refinancing becomes challenging. The Fed is cautious about rate cuts, waiting for labor market weakening and lower inflation. While the economy seems close to a soft landing, the looming commercial real estate issue remains unresolved. Chris shares insights into the commercial real estate market, indicating a significant drop in rental rates. The episode concludes with plans for future discussions on wealth management.Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn*DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this podcast are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The podcast may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the podcast does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The podcast is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

Phuong is back for her first appearance in 2024, where she shares insights on effectively conducting user testing for MVPs. We discuss the importance of learning from customer behavior, gathering a small group of dedicated users, setting clear objectives, tracking engagement metrics, and using various feedback methods like observing user interactions and conducting interviews and surveys. We emphasize the need to iterate based on user feedback and avoiding falling in love with the product over solving the identified problem. I aim to underscore the importance of solving for "no" rather than seeking only positive outcomes. Phuong highlights the significance of sticking to validated pain points and suggests silently observing users to understand their true interactions with the product. Overall, it's a valuable discussion on the iterative process of refining MVPs based on user feedback.Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

On this week’s pod I sat down with Alan Feld, Founder & Managing Partner of Vintage Investment Partners. Vintage is a stalwart in the venture ecosystem and manages roughly $4 billion. As a result of building such an incredible venture firm, Alan has had the chance to really think about and hone in on what makes a company special. What I love about Alan’s perspective is that he uses those insights to focus internally at Vintage so it was only natural that we have a wonderful discussion about team dynamics, humility and character.Additionally, we dive deep into how conflict is affecting Israel’s startup ecosystem. Vintage is based in Israel and Alan was kind enough to share his thoughts and updates.The conversation isn’t about  who's right and who's wrong. The conversation is about the impact of this conflict on an otherwise thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem and what this will do after that.I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation and I hope you do too. A special thanks to Alan for joining me on the pod.Links:Guest Links: Vintage Investment PartnersFollow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @alanf_feld Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

I sat down to chat with Dylan Taylor, CEO and chairman of Voyager Space. Voyager Space has a contract to build America's next space station, STARLAB, in collaboration with NASA. Dylan I would say is probably one of the top five most significant names  in the entire space industry. A lot of people know Bezos and Musk, but Dylan's  in that bucket. He's got a message for us today around the importance of space as an industry for social advancement.A lot of us get tangled up in thinking about space in the context of the mission to Mars. And it seems pipe dream-ish, Dylan brings us back down to reality, reframing space as a unique environment for scientific research, manufacturing, and societal advancement. He highlights Voyager's mission to scale up space infrastructure projects and recent milestones achieved with Airbus and SpaceX. Our conversation explores the implications of privately owned space infrastructure and the emergence of two distinct space ecosystems led by the US and China. Dylan emphasizes the benefits of privatization in advancing the space industry, citing SpaceX's innovations like reusing rocket boosters to reduce costs and increase accessibility to space. Dylan also shares his personal journey from a real estate executive to involvement in space exploration, highlighting the importance of following one's passion. Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @DylanTaylor, @VoyagerSH Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedInVoyager Space Company Links: Website, Instagram, LinkedInDylan Taylor’s Social Link: Instagram, LinkedInBook Recommendation: The Last Lecture

In the closing episode for 2023,  I’m discussing rapid-fire predictions with my colleagues—Phuong, Mike, and Chris—highlighting insights for the upcoming year.Phuong discusses her predictions for 2024, focusing on AI's impact on businesses, particularly in marketing, customer service, and the rise of co-pilots. Mike dives into predictions about higher valuations for Series A, abundant growth market capital, increased M&A activity, and a potentially opened IPO market in 2024. Chris is foreseeing volatility across various asset classes, a potential credit crunch or crisis, and geopolitical tensions impacting global markets. He predicts lower interest rates, a higher S&P 500, unresolved conflicts in regions like Ukraine and the Middle East, and the likelihood of a new conflict arising, possibly in East Asia.Please remember self-care during the holidays, take time off and take care of yourself for mental relaxation and well-being.Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @MikeyjrogPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

This week we delve into the intricate dynamics of global markets and the impact of the Federal Reserve's decisions on economic shifts worldwide. Chris is back to dissect the recent tumultuous events in the public equity and bond markets. Our discussion centers on the significant shift in the Federal Reserve's stance, moving from a pessimistic outlook, indicating rate increases and economic slowdown, to a more lenient approach.We touch on the potential intersection of political influence and economic policy, suggesting a plausible strategic move by the current administration for a rate cut in line with the election cycle. Also discussing the global repercussions of these market movements, with the US setting the tone for Western economies while affecting currency values and commodity prices worldwide.We emphasize the complexity and interconnectedness of global economic systems, shedding light on how decisions made by the Federal Reserve reverberate across various regions and markets. As usual, big thanks to Chris for taking the time to share his insights! *DISCLAIMER*Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this podcast are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The podcast; may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the podcast; does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The podcast; is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

Description: Instead of our usual discussions, I'm excited to share some recent tech discoveries that have caught my attention. These recommendations, I believe, can truly help you level up a few parts of your life. I've been exploring some fascinating Apple features, like stunning screensavers from Apple TV on Macs, widgets on the desktop, and a game-changing contact-sharing feature on iOS 17 that simplifies exchanging info at events. I highly recommend two impactful books: 'Unreasonable Hospitality' by Will Guidara for exceptional service and 'Essentialism' by Greg McKeown for efficiency in work and life. For software, Airtable stands out as a powerful cloud-based platform that could replace costly CRM systems for many companies. The iPhone health app surprises with a nifty at-home hearing test using the Mimi app. Lastly, I've come across two travel gadgets that have made big differences for me—a versatile Anchor portable charger and the AirFly dongle for seamless AirPods connectivity on flights.I hope you find these recommendations useful. Thanks for tuning in, and catch you next week for more insights!Links:Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @MikeyjrogPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedInProduct Links: https://amzn.to/3T8i7WM, https://amzn.to/3Tewhpl