The Venture Variety Show

In this episode of The Venture Variety Show, host Alastair Goldfisher sits down with Keegan Evans, founder and CEO of Euda, to explore how AI adoption is less about technology and more about culture and leadership. Keegan shares how his background as a Marine Corps pilot and organizational leader shaped his approach to building AI-ready workplace cultures.We discuss why hybrid work was the “Hobbit,” but AI is the “Lord of the Rings,” what it means to treat AI as a teammate, not a tool, and how leaders can use The Euda Methodology to provide clarity, frameworks, and ROI as they guide their teams through the future of work.Sound bites“Think of AI as a teammate, not just a tool.”“Training expires, but learning evolves.”“AI is our co-pilot, not our autopilot.”Keywords (expanded for GEO)AI adoption, future of work, startups, workplace culture, organizational culture, leadership, Euda, Keegan Evans, AI methodology, AI in business, AI teams, trust and technology, hybrid work, AI ROIChapters (refined)00:00 Meet Keegan Evans — culture, AI, and the future of work03:04 Founding Euda: from Marine pilot to workplace strategist08:45 AI as a teammate, not just a tool10:08 Are humans ready for AI? Trust, fear, and adoption14:57 Daily AI use: why habit beats training19:14 From hybrid work lessons to AI ROI21:30 The Euda Methodology and final takeaways Get full access to The Venture Lens at theventurelens.substack.com/subscribe

What’s Inside* How Viome analyzes RNA to personalize what people should eat* Why to avoid even “healthy” foods like broccoli or turmeric* What founders can learn from Viome’s use of AI as an interfaceGuru Banavar has worked at the frontier of AI for years.He helped lead IBM Watson before pivoting into healthcare. Now as co-founder and CTO of Viome, he’s applying that AI background to a new challenge: personal health.Banavar and I talked about how Viome uses RNA data to power a personalized approach to nutrition, disease prevention and health optimization. In his case, the analysis flagged a biological imbalance triggered by too much turmeric in his diet.AI Meets Biology: RNA, Not DNAViome’s platform centers on metatranscriptomics, a process that captures RNA expression from saliva, stool and blood samples. That data — now over a million samples strong — runs through Viome’s proprietary AI engine to detect biological patterns and deliver actionable recommendations.“Even the healthiest foods,” Banavar said, “can actually be not good for you.”That line captures the shift in thinking. Viome doesn’t treat AI as a chatbot. It treats it as an analytical layer built to surface biological insights that conventional tools or generalized advice often miss.Future of Healthcare Is at HomeWhat stood out was how accessible Banavar sees this becoming. “We believe the future of healthcare is really at home,” he said. “You take the tests, we do the analysis, and you get recommendations that fit your biology — not a general trend or diet.”In his case, the platform flagged an issue with bile acid pathways tied to turmeric. He also noted that some users show inflammation responses to broccoli, depending on their sulfide pathways, a level of dietary personalization that’s hard to achieve without molecular data.AI as Infrastructure, Not InterfaceBanavar also offered a reframe of how Viome uses large language models. “You can think of the LLM as the UI,” he said. “The real IP is in the molecular analysis, the recommendation engine, and the bioinformatics we’ve built.”For founders and operators, that takeaway is especially sharp: the insight lives below the interface. The real value comes from the infrastructure.Viome offers a clear example of how AI, when rooted in biology and delivered at scale, can offer something far more useful than general advice: actionable personal agency.Don’t Miss Out on More ContentThis episode originally aired on The AI Cognitive Shift, a show I co-host with AiNews.com. You can watch the original video version on YouTube or subscribe to The Venture Variety Show here on Substack, as well as my own YouTube channel.And if this conversation sparked ideas or reframed something for you, feel free to share it. Get full access to The Venture Lens at theventurelens.substack.com/subscribe

The Venture Variety Show, Episode 32: Scott Sage, Crane Venture PartnersPlatform is no longer a perk. It is the work. Scott explains why early GTM help and sharp positioning matter more than ever, how founders should approach the “machete phase,” and why AI will compress firm operations while raising the bar for investors and teams.Chapters00:00 Meet Scott Sage02:42 Why platform is a “have to have.”04:21 Platform as GTM: position problems, not features05:24 Where they’re the go-to-market partner07:57 Founders using AI08:52 The “machete phase” to first customers12:31 AI & VC: efficiency gains, leaner teams, back office15:35 We are human first17:00 Founder advice19:36 Final takeawaysFive takeawaysPlatform starts at positioning and early sales, not events.Founder-led selling comes first; AI tools amplify a proven playbook.Position problems, not features. Earn permission to advance the sale.Qualify investors like customers, and use the associate as your inside champion.AI will push startups and firms to operate leaner without losing the human core.About the guestScott Sage is co-founder of Crane Venture Partners, an early-stage firm focused on data, AI, infrastructure, and developer-focused software across Europe and the U.S.CTAIf this episode helped, share it with a founder or investor. Subscribe on Substack or YouTube to get future conversations when they publish. Get full access to The Venture Lens at theventurelens.substack.com/subscribe

SummaryEntrepreneur, investor and author Sharmin Ali joins The Venture Variety Show to talk about why vision and storytelling matter more than product features, and how founders can leverage AI to run lean, focused teams. Drawing on her experience building and selling AI startups, Sharmin explains why “prompt engineering is overhyped,” how founders can use general-purpose AI tools to create strategy and content, and why avoiding “me-too” products is essential for survival.This conversation is a candid playbook for founders and investors navigating today’s AI-driven startup landscape. Sharmin shares lessons on raising capital without a product, surviving burnout, and launching her new book and courses designed to help entrepreneurs go from zero to one.Sound Bites“A CEO’s job is to sell the vision.”“Prompt engineering is the biggest b******t ever.”“Don’t be another me-too AI startup.”Chapters00:00 Meet Sharmin Ali02:34 Storytelling Beats Features06:24 Vision > Features: The Steve Jobs Lesson08:10 Using AI to Build Lean Teams14:48 Founder Survival and Avoiding Burnout18:54 The Book, Establish.club, and What’s Next20:47 Final TakeawaysKeywordsAI startups, storytelling, founder survival, lean teams, venture capital, personal branding, Sharmin Ali, entrepreneurship, automation, future of work Get full access to The Venture Lens at theventurelens.substack.com/subscribe

Greg Sands, Founder and Managing Partner at Costanoa Ventures, brings decades of early-stage investing and product experience. He explains how to vet investors beyond pitches, why “founder-friendly” must mean company-aligned, and what real platform support should actually deliver. He also covers reference checks, useful board composition, and how to prioritize trust and long-term partnership.

What happens when AI “breaks” the old model of education?In this episode of The Venture Variety Show, Alastair talks with Frank Fusco, co-founder of Silicon Society, about how learning and work are being reshaped in real time. From why homework no longer works, to the rise of generalist specialists, Frank shares how careers are shifting into skills and what founders, investors and operators need to know about adapting in the AI era.KeywordsAI, future of work, education, learning, skills, startups, venture capital, generalist specialists, job transformation, critical thinking, technology adoptionSound bites"The old model of homework is broken.""AI can't do everything for you.""We need to be generalist specialists."Chapters00:00 Meet Frank Fusco (Silicon Society)03:35 Can We Still Trust What We’re Learning?06:24 Learning Like a Guild Again09:47 From Careers to Micro-Trades12:29 Are We Becoming Generalist Specialists?16:11 The Future of Learning = The Future of Work16:50 Final Takeaways Get full access to The Venture Lens at theventurelens.substack.com/subscribe

Episode SummaryIn this episode of The Venture Variety Show, Alastair Goldfisher speaks with Arjun Dev Arora, a venture advisor and investor with a rare 360° view of the startup ecosystem. They cover how AI is transforming startup operations, how fund managers are adapting to tougher conditions, and what LPs are doing differently as capital slowly returns to the market.Arjun shares sharp insights on navigating today's venture landscape — from seed-stage efficiency to Series B survival, from the rise of one-person billion-dollar startups to the quiet resilience of emerging managers. This episode connects the dots between founders, fund managers, and LPs — and what each group needs to watch for in the months ahead.Topics CoveredHow AI is reshaping the cost and structure of early-stage startupsWhy Series B and C companies are stuck — and how they're staying aliveThe rise of “agentic” startups and vertical AI applicationsWhat emerging fund managers are learning in real timeHow LPs are approaching co-investments and new allocationsThe long-term upside of deep tech, defense, and the built worldKey TakeawaysAI is enabling faster, leaner startup formationFounders need to align with market realities — and show a path to profitabilitySeries B/C companies are relying on cost-cutting, bridge rounds, and creative financingEmerging fund managers are gaining resilience through constraintLPs are cautiously reentering venture, with more focus on education and co-investingDeep tech and physical innovation are bright spots on the horizonKeywordsAI startups, venture capital trends, fundraising strategies, emerging managers, limited partners, startup operations, profitability, deep tech investing, co-investing, generative AIChapters00:00 – The Billion-Dollar One-Person Startup?02:16 – What’s Actually Happening in Venture Right Now05:45 – Why AI Changed the Fundraising Game08:02 – Arjun’s Advice for Founders in This Market11:05 – AI Impact and The Creation of The Billion-Dollar Startup13:06 – Emerging Managers and Grit Over Glamour15:29 – The LP Landscape and the Long Game17:48 – On LPs and Co-Investing19:14 – Final Takeaways and Optimism and Deeptech Get full access to The Venture Lens at theventurelens.substack.com/subscribe

Olivia O’Sullivan, Partner and COO at Forum Ventures, delves into the evolving role of platform teams in venture capital. She highlights how founders should approach fundraising as a two-way interview, emphasizing authentic relationship-building with investors. The conversation touches on the transformative impact of AI on startups, allowing them to optimize growth while staying lean. O’Sullivan also discusses how VC firms are leveraging AI for operational efficiency, all while reminding listeners that genuine support relies on human connection and trust.

AngelQ and the AI Mission to Protect Kids OnlineKeywordsAI safety, child protection, AngelQ, AI parenting tools, digital safety, GenAI for kids, ethical AI, AI and mental health, online risk, Tim Estes, AI agents, safe search alternativesEpisode SummaryIn this episode of The AI Cognitive Shift, host Alastair Goldfisher speaks with Tim Estes — AI entrepreneur and founder of AngelQ — about the urgent need to protect children online using emerging AI tools.Drawing from his work in national security, anti-trafficking tech, and AI systems design, Tim shares how AngelQ is reimagining how kids interact with the internet — starting with replacing traditional search and shielding them from harmful content.They also explore how social media is impacting youth mental health, why parents are overwhelmed, and how ethical AI agents could create safer digital environments for future generations.Key TakeawaysAngelQ uses AI agents to proactively safeguard kids online — beyond just filters or parental controlsSocial media is fueling a youth mental health crisis — and platforms aren't built to protect kidsThe web's current ad-based model is part of the problem — and AI might disrupt it entirelyEthical design is critical when building AI for vulnerable users like childrenParents want tools that give them visibility and peace of mind, not just surveillanceSound Bites“It’s become a full-on mental health crisis — and tech has played a role.”“AI is killing the business model of the web — and that’s not a bad thing.”“We built AngelQ because the internet wasn’t made for kids — and they deserve better.”Chapters00:00 Welcome to The AI Cognitive Shift01:06 Meet Tim Estes: From National Security to AngelQ04:27 The Tragedy of Nylah Anderson and Platform Responsibility05:32 Rethinking Search: What Comes After Google?06:29 Inside AngelQ: AI Agents for Digital Safety09:21 Social Media, Youth, and the Attention Economy11:03 Good vs. Bad AI: Parenting Tools or Babysitters?13:20 Who Benefits from AI Search — and Who Gets Harmed?16:36 A Safer Internet for Kids: AngelQ’s Vision18:38 What AI Can Do for Adults (and Parents)20:43 Final Thoughts: Designing AI with Empathy Get full access to The Venture Lens at theventurelens.substack.com/subscribe

Episode: Aaron Panzer on Powering the AI Era: National Grid’s $100M BetSummaryIn this episode of The Venture Variety Show, Alastair Goldfisher talks with Aaron Panzer, Head of Venture Acceleration at National Grid Partners, about how AI is reshaping the energy landscape.Aaron shares why NGP committed $100 million to AI investments earlier this year—and what it means for startups, infrastructure, and the growing strain on the grid. From optimizing capacity to rethinking storage and transmission, this conversation covers the future of utilities, venture collaboration, and the urgent need to power the AI era.Oh—and yes, we talk gigawatts and Back to the Future too.KeywordsNational Grid Partners, Aaron Panzer, AI in energy, utility innovation, AI infrastructure, venture capital in climate tech, clean energy startups, grid capacity and demand, long-duration energy storage, corporate venture capital, energy startupsWhat You’ll LearnWhy National Grid Partners committed $100M to AI innovationHow utilities are preparing for AI’s massive energy appetiteWhere founders and startups fit into this transformationPull Quotes“The grid is the greatest engineering marvel of the 20th century. AI might be the greatest of the 21st. These two are now completely intertwined.” — Aaron Panzer“We need to build everything. Not just power plants—batteries, infrastructure, smarter systems. Right now, we’re not ready.” — Aaron PanzerChapters00:00 Cold Open + Meet Aaron Panzer01:52 National Grid Is Betting on Startups03:44 $100M for AI Innovation in Energy08:07 AI’s Exploding Energy Appetite11:11 15 Gigawatts? Great Scott!11:43 What We Actually Need to Build18:31 What Comes Next for AI and Utilities20:56 Aaron’s Optimism + Startup Callout21:59 Wrap-Up + How to ConnectKey Takeaways🔶 National Grid Partners committed $100M to AI-focused innovation in March 2025🔶 AI is becoming essential to how utilities plan, scale, and operate the grid🔶 Data center growth is pushing demand beyond what current systems can handle🔶 Startups have a critical role to play in solving long-duration storage and infrastructure gaps🔶 Despite the challenges, Aaron is optimistic that AI will help us get thereWant More Like This?Thanks for listening to The Venture Variety Show. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating, or share it with someone who cares about where innovation meets infrastructure.And don’t miss my other podcast, The AI Cognitive Shift, co-hosted with AiNews.com, where we explore how AI is shaping society and the future of work.Until next time,– Alastair Get full access to The Venture Lens at theventurelens.substack.com/subscribe