Michael Corwin

If anyone is in North County San Diego, on Thursday May 2nd, we will be hosting a tech entrepreneur and investor meet up at 5:30pm. We’ll have a couple speakers, one of which is a fin-tech start-up raising a round, followed up by a presentation on the state of the stock & crypto market. We host these events quarterly and usually get a lot of founders and investors to attend. If anyone is interested, please message me and I can send you the details. LaunchPad San Diego #startups #startupincubator #entrepreneur #investing #crypto #meetup

30

1 Comment

We now live in a world where marriage rates and face-to-face interactions are on the decline, are AI companions fulfilling a glaring need? Or are they just a perverse implementation of a new technology? John Dave Rossel explores the nuances of this topic in today's feature story. Read: https://lnkd.in/djKY3hpt

3

INTERVIEWS OF 2024 SXSW PITCH WINNERS: Dhavel Patel of Lotus Every March in Austin, 50 of the world's most impactful startups showcase their talents at SXSW Pitch. Today we begin a series of short interviews with some of the category winners from the 2024 event. Founder and CEO Dhaval Patel has been growing Lotus for three years. At this year's SXSW Pitch, his San Jose based startup emerged as the winner of the "Smart Cities, Transportation & Sustainability" category. Patel's short answers to our questions are below. SXSW: What is Lotus?  Patel: A wearable ring that controls objects at home by pointing. See https://www.getlotus.com/ SXSW: What community does Lotus serve? Patel: Folks with limited mobility -- older adults, veteran soldiers, people with disabilities.  SXSW: Who is your all-time favorite entrepreneur? Patel: Warren Buffett. SXSW: Best startup-related advice you have received? Patel: Don't start building first, find the need first. SXSW: Current entrepreneurial trend that excites you the most? Patel: Desire for tech that is intuitive and simple. SXSW: Fail fast or perseverance? Patel: Persevere in failing fast repeatedly. SXSW: Favorite VC? Patel: Andreessen Horowitz. SXSW: Favorite gadget or device? Patel: Apple AirPods. SXSW: Government can best support startups by Patel: Moving faster. SXSW: Most over-hyped technology at present? Patel: AI. SXSW: Most under-hyped technology at present? Patel: Consumer hardware. SXSW: What did you enjoy most about your experience at SXSW? Patel: The people -- each person wanting to make the world a better place. SXSW: What is your best trait as an entrepreneur? Patel: Simplifying complex problems. SXSW: What is your best advice for other startups? Patel: Focus (say "no" to more). Learn more about Dhaval Patel of Lotus plus other 2024 SXSW Pitch winners by listening to the audio of their session at this year's event. See https://lnkd.in/gHtwQB8n Applications for SXSW Pitch 2025 will open in late summer. See https://lnkd.in/gE2hcVPK #sxsw, #sxsw2024, #startups, #founders, Chris Valentine, Dhaval Patel, SXSW, #venturecapital, #entrepreneur, #entrepreneurs, #startup, #founderstories, #sxswpitch, Lotus (Techstars'23), #techstars, #Austin, #ATX, #creativity, #innovation, #hardware, #consumerhardware, #pitch, #accessibility,

54

3 Comments

Packed house for #ATSL24 and a great discussion between Jeff Green, CEO of The Trade Desk and our own Ciarán O'Kane of FPC and ExchangeWire. The discussion touched on the lack of VC participation in AdTech (despite being a $1 Trillion addressable market). “Generalist VCs avoided AdTech because it’s complex. They often don’t understand why they’d win or lose”. This summed up exactly why FirstPartyCapital exists. A $1T+ complex sector needs specialists to fund innovation, provide deeper DD, illuminating context, access to networks and relevant portfolio support. Over time we hope this provides a stronger signal to generalist VCs and PEs. Look out for Rich Ashton Jack Tunney Alex Powell Mike Follett Mark Giblin Dan Jones Rafael Michelucci Ed French Shane Shevlin Lumen Research LightBox TV Contxt Media Bedrock Platform Exiber Pixels AI

119

3 Comments

Coming soon on Aug 1: "Transformation to a Fresh Tomorrow." This is theme of our 3rd Annual Web3 Investor Day, as we welcome the innovators and investors convening in Chicago for these discussions around the next generation Internet. Our theme reflects the optimism, determination and commitment investors and innovators have solidified off the depths of the bear markets to drive success in the bull markets. Broader investor optimism suggests that fresh institutional funds into Web3 across both tokens and equity may endure.  Across adoption metrics, customer interest and developer activity, Web3 seems to have normalized. It’s refreshing to see the transformation and next evolution of Web3 and it’s refreshing to meet many of you on August 1.  And yet, even with the improved optimism from last year, there still remain open questions in the development and adoption of our next generation Internet:  1. the balance of speculative versus productive investor capital in this current cycle 2. the productive role of liquid trading capital in fostering Web3 innovation 3. the attractiveness of venture investments in follow on financings 4. the role of policy and regulation that may enhance innovation 5. the continued developer activity to improve the underlying infrastructure 6. other Web3 recovery characteristics in target customer use cases. We remain committed to navigating regulatory shifts, fostering investor optimism, and building the customer use cases for Web3.  Physical spaces enhance our innovation conversations.  In person relationships foster our collaboration.  Relationships drive breakthrough innovations.  Reach out to Rizza Torres at Decasonic if you would like to join us! #web3investorday #web3 #venturecapital

20

6 Comments

“When people aren't having any fun, they seldom produce good work.” — David Ogilvy I was delighted to be reminded of this classic Ogilvy-ism in our fabulous conversation with Russ Somers 👓 🎸, Chief Marketing Officer at Quantified.ai. His perspectives on AI implementation were enlightening, for sure, but what really struck me were his thoughts on the personal aspects of getting started. Russ emphasized the importance of play, discovery, and starting from a personal place rather than diving straight into work. This approach is often overlooked, to the detriment of the explorer, and the organization. One of Russ's key insight was the importance of avoiding complacency. It's easy to get comfortable and settle into routines, but true progress requires us to challenge ourselves and push beyond the familiar. For whatever reason (I call it “care”), folks tend to demand more excellence from solutions to personal concerns than to work-imposed ones. So starting with a personal project is an exceptional hack to invoke care. So, here’s the takeaway: to discover the value of GenAI, start personal. Real change happens when we stay engaged and keep pushing forward, and if you want to see real change with this powerful technology quickly, your biggest barrier is summoning your own activation energy. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Drop a comment below. And if you're interested in more practical insights, click the link in the comments to listen to the full podcast episode. It’s packed with valuable takeaways!

35

37 Comments

I spend a lot of time discussing #VentureStudios — often these are #investors (#angels, #LP's, #VC's, and #FamilyOffices), current and aspiring studio operators, and #startup #founders curious about how being part of a studio might benefit them. This is a relatively new asset class, so many of the questions I get come down to understanding the studio model itself (e.g., what exactly is—and isn’t—a studio). For me, the simplest way to explain it is this: a venture studio is a company that builds companies. They typically serve as founding or cofounding entities. While #incubators and #accelerators can offer similar support, they tend to work with businesses that are already up and running. What sets studios apart is their involvement from the very start.

9

Charles Hudson is hands-down one of the sharpest minds in early-stage investing. As the Founder and Managing Partner at Precursor Ventures, Charles has backed over 375 companies and supported more than 400 founders. → His portfolio includes hits like Clearco, Juniper Square, and Carrot → He's helped founders raise over $175 million across four funds → He's an active leader in the VC community, serving as the 2023-2024 Chair of the NVCA Board of Directors But even with all of his successes and accolades, what really sets Charles apart is his founder-first philosophy. He's not looking for "coachable" founders who hang on his every word. He wants founders who are decisive, independent thinkers. He believes his job is to give founders what they need, not impose his own agenda. Charles is the kind of investor every founder wants in their corner. One who shows up, follows through, and builds genuine relationships over time. And on this week’s episode of Minimum Viable Podcast, he's sharing his insights on what makes for a truly productive founder-investor partnership. Founders, this is a conversation you’ll want to hear. — What's the #1 quality you look for in an investor? Tune in to the full episode when it drops this Wednesday to hear much more from Charles and learn how to make the most of your investor relationships.

17

2 Comments

Scaling Investor Outreach: How We're Using AI to Personalize VC Fundraising at Scale As a General Partner at Vibe Capital, I'm always looking for innovative ways to connect with potential investors and grow our fund. Recently, I developed an AI-driven system that's revolutionizing our approach to investor outreach. (Tentative name: Vibey) I'd like to share how we're using cutting-edge technology to build stronger relationships in the VC world. Our challenge was clear: how do we personalize communication with hundreds of potential Limited Partners (LPs) while maintaining efficiency? The solution came in the form of a three-part automated pipeline: 1. Smart Contact Categorization: First, I created a script that taps into the power of AI (specifically, the Claude model) to analyze our vast network of contacts. It combs through our email history, categorizing each contact as a potential LP, a referral source, or other. This crucial step allows us to focus our efforts where they matter most. 2. AI-Powered Personalized Emails: Next, I developed a system that generates highly personalized emails for each potential LP. These aren't your typical templated messages. Our AI crafts unique emails that reference recent interactions, highlight Vibe Capital's latest portfolio successes, and even extend invitations to exclusive events in San Francisco. It's personalization at a scale that would be impossible to achieve manually. 3. Streamlined Email Delivery: Finally, I automated the sending process. This script handles the technical aspects of delivering emails via Gmail's API, carefully managing rate limits and potential errors. It ensures our personalized messages reach investors' inboxes efficiently and reliably. The results are...TBD. We just sent out the emails today! That said, we're now able to reach out to a much larger pool of potential investors with messages that feel personal and relevant. It's allowing us to build and maintain investor relationships more effectively than ever before, which is crucial as we approach our next fund close in Q3 2024. But beyond the immediate benefits, this project represents something bigger. It's about embracing technology to enhance the human touch in our relationships. We're using AI to create more meaningful connections, to start real conversations. As we continue to refine this system, I'm excited about its potential to reshape how we approach investor relations in the VC world. It's a perfect example of how AI can be a powerful tool in building the relationships that drive our industry forward. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this approach. How do you see AI shaping the future of VC and investor relations? #VentureCapital #AI #InvestorRelations #Innovation #TechInnovation #Fundraising #AIinVC #InvestmentStrategy #DigitalTransformation #VCInsights #FutureOfInvesting #PersonalizedOutreach #InvestorEngagement #AIApplications # #ScalableSolutions #InvestmentTech #NextGenVC #Vibecap

23

9 Comments

I have room for one more partner at Goldenhour Executive Forum -- an invite-only gathering of the 50 leading CMOs in technology -- happening on September 19 in SF. The program was well-loved last year (earning a respectable NPS 63), and although it was our first year, the curriculum is a format that Kaley Klemp and I have been developing for a decade now. Here are 3 reasons why you should consider doing it: 1) Your team will build relational equity with an influential audience. The format for GEF is inspired by YPO and intentionally designed to curate meaningful relationships for attendees. Your brand representative will be at the table, building trust and connection with the leading marketing executives within our industry. 2) We'll save you three seats to invite your own prospects / customers. Given the intimate nature of the discussion (and our focus on quality conversations), we intentionally keep program attendance capped at an invite-only list of 50. We'll save your brand three seats so you can provide rich value to high profile prospects or customers. 3) It's happening during Dreamforce. If you haven't already planned your presence at Dreamforce, this is an incredible opportunity to partner on an activation at a tier-1 venue in San Francisco with little operational overhead. Details in the image. Send me a DM if you're interested. Note we are down to our last partnership slot -- would be happy to get on a call next week to answer any questions. PS. If you're a CMO and want to request an invite, let me know :)

30

1 Comment

Introducing Stephan Little, a pioneer in entrepreneurship, investment, and mergers and acquisitions, who will be joining the AI Panel at the California Investment Forum in Anaheim, CA, on May 8-11. Steve's journey as a serial entrepreneur began at a young age, and he has since scaled six startups to private nine-figure acquisitions and raised over $2 billion in startup and growth funding for businesses across various industries. As the founder and managing director of Zero Limits Ventures and Zero Limits Capital, Steve has become renowned for generating accelerated value growth and delivering extraordinary acquisition value multiples for his portfolio companies and clients. With a keen eye for unique opportunities and a track record of identifying untapped potential, Steve has mastered the art of spotting valuation growth where others may not. In this introduction video, Steve highlighted the transformative power of AI in three distinct areas. Firstly, he touched on the creation and development of AI and generative tools, which are reshaping industries. Secondly, he delved into AI's practical applications within enterprises, emphasizing how integrating AI can dramatically enhance productivity and growth, ultimately increasing value for entrepreneurs. The third area Steve discussed was the middle ground of AI implementation, which presents an exciting opportunity for companies lacking in-house expertise. This gap in the market suggests a burgeoning demand for external AI knowledge and solutions, which can rapidly propel a company forward. AI is accelerating at an extraordinary pace and significantly impacting market dynamics. As an "older statesman" in the tech world, Steve expressed his excitement about being part of this "big bubble" of innovation. Join us at the California Investment Forum to hear Steve's insights and expertise on AI deployment, bridging the gap between generic AI models and task-specific enterprise applications. Learn how we can harness the power of AI to drive competitiveness, efficiency, and growth, improve productivity, and enhance business values in the next decade. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the industry's most respected visionaries and game-changers. #AI #CIF Daniel Sieu Darlene Bryant (Chiu)

11

3 Comments

I’m delighted to showcase a special guest blog from my Stanford colleague, Dr. Frederik G. Pferdt. Frederik is Google’s original Chief Innovation Evangelist, and just published his first book, “What’s Next Is Now.” *** Let’s face it: our minds are wired to crave certainty about the future. We scour the news, analyze trends, and even check our horoscopes—all in search of a glimpse into what’s coming next. But here’s the thing: that relentless hunt for predictions is a mistake! Why? Because the future isn’t something that happens to you. It’s something you actively shape. By obsessing over predictions, we become passive observers, waiting for the future to unfold. But what if we flipped the script? What if we stopped worrying about what might happen and started creating the future we want? I’m a future optimist because I believe in embracing the opportunities ahead rather than fearing uncertainty. The choices you make today are the building blocks of your future. The more intentional and varied your choices, the more opportunities you create for yourself. On the flip side, if you avoid stepping outside your comfort zone, someone else ends up making choices for you. Ever wonder how people find themselves in unfulfilling careers? It’s often because they stopped making intentional choices that could have led them down a different path. They become passengers in a car driven by fate, luck, or happenstance. But here’s the good news: You don’t have to be a passenger. You can be the driver. Imagination is your most powerful tool. By engaging with the possibilities of each moment, you start to see a different landscape for your future. (More insights at the link in comments below!)

32

9 Comments

🔥 🔥 🙌 🙌 🎆 🎆 I'm *fired up* to share this. #VentureIQ by the 9point8 Collective is officially live. We've heard from investors of every size and type that it takes too long and costs too much to evaluate deal flow; this limits the scale and speed at which these capital allocators can operate. To address this problem, we've created an innovative solution which delivers high fidelity diligence information near instantaneously. From a time and cost perspective, VentureIQ immediately creates leverage to look at more deals - and creates space to focus deeply on the most meaningful opportunities. To learn more, you can reach out to me directly or visit VentureIQ.ai. I'll close with some thoughts on my team, to whom I'm so grateful. Blair Merlino, Neal Ghosh and Evan Allen don't just talk about interesting concepts, point out problems or pontificate on what could be. Instead, they identify a problem, frame and validate the solution, and do the work to bring it to reality. VentureIQ is the best example I've seen of this, to date. #VentureCapital, #FamilyOffice, #PrivateEquity #CorporateDevelopment #Startups

9

2 Comments