Today's Venture Capital Pulse
Clip raises $500M to expand fintech platform
Mexican fintech Clip secured a $500 million funding round, lifting its valuation above $2.5 billion. The capital will fund the rollout of a consumer‑focused wallet and broaden its suite of financial‑services tools.
Also developing:
By the numbers: OpenAI raises $122B in private financing
E140: Sagar Kochhar (Co-Founder & CEO, Eatsure, Rebel Foods)
The post curates three recent podcast episodes that serve as masterclasses for entrepreneurs and investors: Material Security’s founders turned the 2016 election hack into a billion‑dollar email‑security startup by designing protection assuming breaches, Kevin Carter explains why India’s massive, young, digitally‑savvy population makes it the leading emerging‑market for public‑equity tech investments, and VC partner Arun Penmetsa shares the strategies behind seven exits in ten years, emphasizing founder‑fit, operator‑advisor involvement, and a focus on healthcare SaaS. Key takeaways include building security layers that work even after a breach, capitalizing on India’s rapid digital consumption, and leveraging deep domain expertise to identify and scale high‑growth startups. The author presents these conversations as actionable insights for anyone looking to launch or fund the next billion‑dollar venture.
LA Tech Week Fireside Chat Featuring Top Startup Leaders
LA, we're coming for you! Our fireside chat for #LATechWeek by @techweek_ is happening Oct 14, and you’re gonna wanna be there. We’ve teamed up with @rivianofficial, @quantfi_cfo, and @FidelityPrivate to bring you an evening with two stellar humans: 🎤 @KhalZahar (Founder...
Thrive’s @Vhankes Shapes Modern VC with Iconic Bets
In many ways, Thrive is helping define the current era of venture capital. @vhankes is one of the best in the business; he's behind their investments in OpenAI, SpaceX, Databricks, Stripe, and many more. He's also an excellent board member and...
Episode 85: Shomik Dutta Returns to the Show!
The post points out that the supplied text is merely a SoundCloud browser‑compatibility notice rather than a full article. It explains that without a proper title, author, date, or body, there’s nothing to summarize. The author asks the reader to...
Automated $9M E‑commerce Portfolio Generates $2M Profit
This one’s a machine. Automated, profitable, lean at scale. New on @acquiredotcom: 2-site SMM ecom portfolio doing $9M TTM revenue and $2M profit. > 1M lifetime customers > $9M TTM revenue > $2.04M profit > 15% YoY growth Full listing: https://t.co/bdyQOrGZh5 https://t.co/Yl8iTRsvzV
AI-Powered Dealflow Tool Launching Soon for VCs
Coming soon: AI Dealflow for VCs from https://t.co/iXj7ZJdxfx https://t.co/3uAYV5Z4pn
How He Went From the Music Industry to VC, Investing in Tech Vs. Brands, and When Down Rounds Make Sense...
In this episode Mike Gelb interviews Joe Seager, a former Virgin executive turned partner at True, to explore how his experience in a founder‑driven culture shaped a unique multi‑stage VC model that blends VC, PE, public markets, and advisory services...
Stoke Space Secures $510M to Fast‑Track Reusable Nova Rocket
Congrats to @stoke_space on their $510M Series D! They're accelerating development of their fully reusable Nova rocket and the activation of Launch Complex 14 at Cape Canaveral next year. https://t.co/W2O5qzsqEp
Tackle Uncertainty to Unlock Creative Solutions
Sometimes, uncertain tasks are just as hard as certain ones. Work on the problems where there is more uncertainty –– that's where creativity is unleashed. @drfeifei's advice for Founders at the @Mastersofscale Summit. https://t.co/WyhhrayVbT
Max Altman and Ben Braverman: Returning to Tradition with Saga Ventures
The post is a podcast roundup where Kent Lindstrom interviews a range of unconventional investors and founders—from 1517 Fund’s Danielle Strachman and Michael Gibson, who champion teen, non‑degree founders, to fintech veteran Frank Rotman, Lean Startup guru Eric Ries, Upfront...
From Bench Space to S‑1
Surreal to see an S-1 from a company we backed when it was just the founders sharing bench space. https://t.co/YkVATB5C0b
How Saboteurs Threaten Innovation–And What to Do About It
The article warns that incumbents—from Fortune 500 companies to entrenched government contractors—routinely sabotage startups and internal innovators through tactics ranging from patent lawsuits and procurement protests to budget strangulation, pre‑announcements and strategic acquisitions. AStartup founder cited faces roughly $500,000 in...
The Future of Gaming: Game Economies, New Business Models, Gamification, Blockchain Technology & AI Innovation with Brian Cho, Co-Founder of...
In this episode, Mike Gelb interviews Joe Seager, partner at True, to explore how the firm’s vertically integrated, multi‑stage model gives consumer‑focused founders a strategic edge, especially within Europe’s fragmented venture landscape. Seager shares insights from his time with Richard...
Unveiling the Power Shift: Private Wealth’s Impact on Venture Capital
The post recaps a panel from the Arctic15 LP Summit where family offices and high‑net‑worth investors discussed their growing influence on venture capital, noting that the average single family office now manages roughly $989 million and allocates 5‑10% to VC. Panelists...
E139: Karthik Prabhakar (Managing Partner, PeerCapital)
The post introduces "The Desi VC" podcast, hosted by immigrant founder Akash Bhat, which aims to bridge the Indian and US venture‑capital ecosystems by sharing stories of desi founders and investors. It highlights episode E139 featuring Karthik Prabhakar, Managing Partner at...
E138: Aditya Nambiar (Co-Founder, Fennel AI)
In episode E138 of The Desi VC, host Akash Bhat sits down with Aditya Nambiar, co‑founder of Fennel AI, to explore how the AI‑driven startup is navigating the US‑India venture landscape. Nambiar shares the origins of Fennel AI, the challenges of...
The Evolution of Premium Products in Mainstream Retail with Marcel Bens, CEO of Emil Capital Partners
The post explores how premium consumer products are breaking into mainstream retail, drawing on insights from three podcast episodes with industry leaders—Joe Seager on Europe’s multi‑stage VC model, Alex Cantwell on JUUL’s rapid rise and retail lessons, and Jake Bullock...
When to Invest in Consumer Technology with Vanessa Larco at NEA
In this Consumer VC episode, host Mike Gelb talks with Joe Seager, partner at True, about the optimal moments to back consumer‑technology startups, highlighting True’s multi‑stage model that blends VC, PE, public and advisory support to give founders an edge....
E137: Mayuresh Raut (Managing Partner, Seafund)
The post introduces "The Desi VC" podcast, which bridges the India‑US startup ecosystem, and spotlights episode E137 featuring Mayuresh Raut, Managing Partner at Seafund, who shares insights on cross‑border investing, cultural fluency, and how Seafund helps Indian founders tap US capital....
E136: Swati Bhargava (Co-Founder, CashKaro.com)
The post introduces episode E136 of "The Desi VC with Akash Bhat," featuring Swati Bhargava, co‑founder of CashKaro.com, and frames the podcast’s mission to bridge Indian and US startup ecosystems through immigrant perspectives. It highlights the show’s broader lineup, including episodes...
Turning Science Into Consumer Brands with Osman Khan, CEO of Squared Circles
In this episode of Consumer VC, Mike Gelb talks with Joe Seager of True about how a multi‑stage, vertically integrated venture model gives consumer founders a decisive edge, especially within Europe’s fragmented but fast‑growing ecosystem. Seager shares behind‑the‑scenes stories of...
E52 Pricing Strategies for Generative AI with Orb Co-Founder and CTO Kshitij Grover
In this episode of Sand Hill Road, host Erasmus Elsner interviews Kshitij Grover, co‑founder and CTO of Orb, about how startups can price generative AI services effectively. Grover explains Orb's usage‑based billing model, the challenges of balancing predictability for customers...
Episode 84: Doug Holtz-Eakin
In Episode 84 of The Puck, host Jim sits down with economist Doug Holtz‑Eakin, president of the American Action Forum, to dissect the United States’ pressing economic challenges. Drawing on his academic and governmental background, Holtz‑Eakin examines sustainable growth, fiscal...
Investing in the Future of Healthy Living with Abby Miller Levy, Managing Partner and Founder at Primetime Partners
The post is a podcast‑style interview series where host Mike Gelb explores how consumer‑focused venture capital is shaping the future of healthy living, from Joe Seager’s multi‑stage model at True to Alex Cantwell’s lessons from JUUL’s hypergrowth and Jake Bullock’s...
Electrifying the Market
The post highlights the "Electrifying the Market" episode of the Running Through Walls podcast, featuring GitHub Chief Revenue Officer Elizabeth Pemmerl in conversation with Venrock partner Ethan Batraski. Pemmerl recounts her near‑decade at GitHub, detailing her shift from the public...
E135: Anish Achuthan (Co-Founder & CEO, Open Financial Technologies)
In this post, Akash Bhat introduces "The Desi VC" podcast—a platform that connects Indian and US startup ecosystems by featuring immigrant founders and investors sharing their journeys, challenges, and insights. The highlight is episode E135 with Anish Achuthan, co‑founder and CEO...
How They Built a Direct-to-Consumer Baby Food Brand and Scaled to Selling Millions of Products Each Month with Angela Vranich...
In this episode, Mike Gelb interviews Joe Seager, partner at the multi‑stage VC firm True, about his experience working with Sir Richard Branson at Virgin and how True’s vertically integrated model supports consumer‑focused founders. Seager explains how True combines venture,...
Opal Security's Umaimah Khan on Security-First Identity
The post highlights Opal Security’s mission to make identity and access management a security‑first, least‑privilege function, arguing that many breaches stem from weak, password‑only controls. CEO Umaimah Khan explains how Opal’s platform ingests and normalizes auth data across systems to...
If You're Going to Bet on Anyone, Bet on Yourself
The episode "If You’re Going to Bet on Anyone, Bet on Yourself" features David Stark, Morgan Stanley’s Chief Medical Officer, discussing his shift from clinical practice to a business role and urging doctors to trust their own capabilities when considering...
E134: Edul Patel (Co-Founder & CEO, Mudrex)
The post introduces "The Desi VC" podcast, which connects Indian and US startup ecosystems, and spotlights episode E134 featuring Edul Patel, co‑founder and CEO of Mudrex. It emphasizes Patel’s perspective on building a crypto‑trading platform, navigating regulatory challenges, and leveraging cross‑border...
Founder Collective's Eric Paley on Empathy and Execution in Venture Capital
The post is a podcast roundup where Kent Lindstrom interviews several venture‑capitalists—Danielle Strachman and Michael Gibson of 1517 Fund, Frank Rotman of QED Investors, Eric Ries, Kobie Fuller of Upfront Ventures, and David Anderman of Stellar Ventures—highlighting their unconventional backgrounds, focus on empathy, execution, and the future of tech such as...
E133: Navin Honagudi (Managing Partner, Elev8 Venture Partners)
In episode E133 of "The Desi VC," host Akash Bhat sits down with Navin Honagudi, Managing Partner at Elev8 Venture Partners, to explore how Indian‑origin investors are shaping the US startup ecosystem. Honagudi shares insights on navigating cross‑border deal flow, the...
Future of Food Tech, Can A Retail Model Like Foxtrot Work at Scale, and Channel Strategy for Food Brands with...
In this episode, Mike Gell interviews Joe Seager, partner at True, to explore how the firm’s vertically integrated, multi‑stage model gives consumer‑focused founders a distinct advantage and how Europe’s fragmented venture ecosystem—shaped by Brexit and emerging Nordic hubs—affects capital flows....
Know What Problems You're Solving
The episode "Know What Problems You’re Solving" features Alex Rosemblat, former CMO of Datadog, who explains how defining the right problem drives effective go‑to‑market strategy and marketing leadership. He shares practical advice for new product marketers, highlights his biggest learning...