Winners Welcome

Today’s conversation with KJ Sidberry explores where we are in the AI super cycle and why consumer technology may be entering a new renaissance. We discuss how AI could reshape healthcare, education, play, and storytelling, and what Google Ventures looks for in the next generation of founders.KJ Sidberry is a Partner at Google Ventures (GV), where he focuses on consumer and AI-native companies. Previously an investor at Forerunner Ventures, he’s known for his thoughtful perspectives on technology, culture, and the future of consumer products.Our podcast is sponsored by Gunderson Dettmer #PoweredByGundersonTimestamps:0:00 Intro + why KJ is one of the top voices in consumer AI1:52 Why consumer is due for a renaissance3:28 How AI democratizes access in healthcare and therapy5:18 AI should make us more human, not less human8:03 Lessons from Oura Ring and the future of consumer hardware12:45 Why wearable tech is becoming identity and status13:42 How AI could transform education16:56 Personalized learning and better employment outcomes19:35 Alpha School, AI learning, and new education models21:39 The future of play: AI toys, companions, and parenting26:01 Why storytelling may be one of AI’s biggest categories30:34 What Google Ventures looks for in founders33:10 How GV supports founders after investing34:19 Where we are in the AI super cycle36:45 The behavior changes AI may already be driving37:26 Why joy and delight matter more than productivity alone38:31 Founder advice: build with velocity and scratch your own itch41:40 OutroMore on KJ:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kjsid/More on Brandon:https://harlem.capital/team/brandon-bryanthttps://www.youtube.com/@Wallstreetpaperhttps://x.com/wallstreetpaperThe Winners Welcome Podcast, by Harlem Capital, brings elite founders and top investors into thoughtful conversations on pushing past possible, sharing the conviction, standards, and lessons behind building generational companies.Harlem Capital is a venture capital firm that backs the next generation of winners. The firm partners with exceptional founders with the irrational motivation to build generational companies. All Winners Welcome.We’d love to hear from you. Share your feedback at info@harlem.capital or DM us @HarlemCapital, and if you’re enjoying the podcast, please subscribe, rate, and review.

In this episode, Nicole DeTommaso speaks with Andrew Gazdecki, founder and CEO of Acquire. Having built multiple startups, including one he bootstrapped to $10M in annual recurring revenue, Andrew founded Acquire to make acquisitions easier for startups across the globe. Tune in as Nicole and Andrew discuss bootstrapping versus venture capital funding, building a brand through content and media, getting acquisition offers, and more.

In this episode, Nicole DeTommaso connects with Beezer Clarkson, Managing Director at Sapphire Partners. With over 15 years of experience in venture capital, predominantly on the LP side, Beezer provides insights into what institutional LPs look for when evaluating emerging managers. They discuss Sapphire's new $2 billion program focused on emerging VC managers in partnership with CalSTRS, as well as the importance of having an authentic investing strategy and portfolio construction. Tune in for tangible advice for early-stage funds on positioning for success in a tougher fundraising environment.

In this episode, Nicole DeTommaso speaks with Ruben Harris, Founder and CEO of Career Karma. Ruben started Career Karma in 2018 to provide career navigation technology to help people explore growth opportunities, and has now raised $52 million in funding and serves over 1 million people per month looking for career advice. Tune in as Nicole and Ruben discuss how he utilized media like Twitter and podcasting to jumpstart his entrepreneurial career, build Career Karma's audience, and fundraise. They also talk about Ruben's approach to developing strong convictions as a founder and get his take on AI.

Elizabeth Yin, co-founder and General Partner at Hustle Fund, shares insights on democratizing wealth through startups. She discusses the importance of niche focus in venture capital and Hustle Fund's innovative investment strategies for post-pre-seed startups. Discover how grassroots methods like cold emailing can enhance product testing and drive feedback. Elizabeth emphasizes the significance of media for both venture capital and startups, highlighting personal branding as key to attracting investors and creating essential connections in the startup ecosystem.

In this episode, Nicole DeTommaso talks with Peter Walker, Head of Insights at Carta. Carta manages over two trillion dollars in equity for nearly two million people globally. The company is trusted by more than 30,000 companies, over 5,000 investment funds, and half a million employees for cap table management, compensation management, liquidity venture capital solutions, and more. Together, Nicole and Peter explore the dynamics shaping the VC market, startup valuations, and the impact of equity on employee tenure. From dissecting the intricacies of data visualization and compensation trends to discussing the potential downturn in diversity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this episode offers a deep dive into the current state of the venture capital industry. Join us as we uncover critical insights and expert perspectives on the evolving landscape of equity, funding, and diversity in the startup ecosystem.

In this episode, Nicole DeTommaso chats with Nichole Wischoff, founder of Wischoff Ventures, which invests in early-stage, high-growth tech companies transitioning massive offline industries to online platforms. Join us as they explore Nichole’s journey of building her brand on social media platforms like Twitter and TikTok, her unique strategies for standing out in a landscape of limited capital and fewer firms, and her insights on engaging with potential investors and partners. They'll also explore the challenges of fund-raising and the role of social media in storytelling and building professional relationships. Tune in to discover how Nichole Wischoff navigates the competitive world of tech venture capital, balances online presence, and harnesses curiosity and research to drive her investment interests.

Welcome to More Equity, brought to you by Harlem Capital. In this episode, our Henri and Gabby discuss Harlem Capital's unique approach to taking breaks and time off, highlighting the the value of collective downtime. Building startups can contribute to burnout, but trusting founders and encouraging teams to practice self care goes a long way.

Welcome to More Equity, brought to you by Harlem Capital. In this episode, our hosts Henri Pierre-Jacques and Jarrid Tingle delve into the pivotal role of feedback in our personal and professional lives. They unpack their distinctive methodology for feedback sessions, emphasizing the need for fostering a conducive atmosphere for transparent conversations within teams. Henri and Jarrid also discuss the present macro landscape, fluctuations in interest rates, and the employment landscape. They explore the implications of these dynamics on investment strategies and aggressive market maneuvers.

Welcome to More Equity, brought to you by Harlem Capital. In this episode, our hosts Henri Pierre-Jacques, Brandon Bryant, and Gabby Cazeau discuss investing incentives, the influence of Elon Musk's Twitter following, the societal impact of movies like Black Panther and Barbie, and the need for term limits in the Supreme Court. The discussion also encompasses the role of unifying marketing campaigns, the disconnect between politicians and constituents, equal access to education, and the complex issue of legacy admissions.