I opened this podcast conversation with an observation I hear from founders all the time about money and services from venture firms. Capital is table stakes, but what entrepreneurs want is a partner who can help them win. Scott Sage, co-founder of Crane Venture Partners, did not hesitate. Platform isn’t a perk anymore. It’s a […]
The way we see AI has changed. And so has the way we talk about it. The other day over iced coffee with a friend, I found myself saying something I never would have three years ago: “The conversation around AI has evolved.” When ChatGPT landed in late 2022, the topic of generative AI and […]
What’s Inside SaaS hits its “fast fashion” era as moats collapse Gainsight pivots from selling software to selling outcomes Jevons’ Paradox: why AI creates more work, not less The AI Express: Gainsight CEO Chuck Ganapathi says Jevons’ Paradox about coal burning and steam locomotives helps to explain how AI agents expand work instead of replacing […]
Welcome back to In the Viewfinder, the weekly insider update for supporters of The Venture Lens and The Venture Variety Show. This week is the Newsletter edition, as I share what’s on my desk, angles I’m testing and a request for sources. Reporting in progress … Read more
What’s Inside Why storytelling beats features in sales and fundraising How small teams can use AI to build and scale faster Sharmin Ali’s advice on avoiding me-too startups and founder burnout Sharmin Ali has built and sold AI startups, mentored dozens of founders and written a 70,000-word book about her journey. She argues that storytelling […]
What’s Inside AI is reshaping the founder–VC dynamic Why some investors see a red flag if founders aren’t using AI Where trust, tone and human judgment still matter most On the pitch call, nobody knows it’s your AI doing the talking. AI has become more than a tool for Silicon Valley. It’s now a gatekeeper […]
AI Overview Starting a new venture—whether you’re opening a restaurant, launching a retail shop, running a nightclub, or building an online store—comes with a lot of moving parts. Beyond branding, staffing, and operations, today’s business owners must also prioritize how they accept payments, manage invoices, and track sales data. That’s where Nationwide Payment Systems (NPS) […]
AI Overview This article serves as a guide for entrepreneurs aiming to build a profitable business. It identifies key characteristics of successful ventures, such as providing high-demand services with low overhead or capitalizing on profitable e-commerce niches. The article highlights several examples of high-margin service-based businesses, including digital marketing and IT consulting, as well as […]
Welcome to the debut of In the Viewfinder, a short weekly inside preview for supporters of The Venture Lens and The Venture Variety Show. Every Friday, I plan to send this update to share my upcoming podcast guests, projects I’m working on and invite your questions. Coming up on the mic … Read more
What’s Inside Why founders should evaluate investors as carefully as investors evaluate them What to expect from real platform teams, and what to ignore How to think about board seats Greg Sands doesn’t dance around the truth. When I asked what early-stage founders often miss when choosing investors, he got straight to it: “Founders should […]
