Best Sand Hill Road Podcasts (2025)

1
The Meme is the Message: Kanyi Maqubela on Crypto, Culture, and the Future of Value 27:59

6d ago27:59

27:59

Kanyi Maqubela’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary—from fleeing apartheid South Africa as an infant, to living in a homeless shelter in New York City, to becoming a venture capitalist in Silicon Valley. As managing partner at Kindred Ventures, Maqubela sits at the intersection of culture, finance, and technology. In this episode, he talks w…

1
Heavybit Announces Its Largest Raise Yet: $180m 23:08

14d ago23:08

23:08

Scott McGrew sits down with Tom Drummond, co-founder of developer-first VC firm Heavybit, fresh off the announcement of the firm’s fifth fund and second opportunity fund. Drummond explains why the traditional enterprise sales model is fading, and why developers now hold the keys to software adoption. He talks about resisting the temptation of early…

1
2025 Summer VC Reading List 8:42

28d ago8:42

8:42

It's our annual tradition—venture capitalists and startup founders share the books that shaped them. From sci-fi and civil rights to artificial intelligence and management, this year's reading list offers insight into the minds of Silicon Valley’s most thoughtful leaders. Highlights include: Master of the Senate by Robert Caro, recommended by Casbe…

1
The Systems Leader vs The Lone Wolf with Robert Siegel 20:32

1M ago20:32

20:32

Stanford lecturer and venture investor Robert Siegel argues the lone-wolf CEO is not just outdated—but dangerous. In this episode, he joins Scott to explain why today's most effective leaders are those who can hold competing truths at once: acting with empathy and accountability, being tactical and strategic, thinking locally and globally. Drawing …

1
From MySpace to Liquid Death: Mike Jones on Building Brands People Love 28:48

1M ago28:48

28:48

(Encore! Encore!) Mike Jones has helped launch some of the most unexpected breakout brands in consumer goods—from canned water with a death metal vibe to subscription underwear and a prayer app. The former CEO of MySpace and founder of Science Inc. joins Sand Hill Road to talk about why creating fans matters more than just getting customers, what h…

1
Practicing Venture Not Performing It: Joseph Alalou’s Outsider Ethos 27:56

2M ago27:56

27:56

Joseph Alalou of Daring Ventures says too many VCs choose "performance" over discovery — prioritizing brand-building over finding overlooked talent. In this episode, he shares how his journey from washing cars at Enterprise to investing in underdog founders shaped his contrarian view of venture capital. We talk about cultural gatekeeping, the myth …

1
Biotech and Bold Bets with Jessica Owens, Inititate Ventures 28:56

2M ago28:56

28:56

Jessica Owens of Initiate Ventures joins Scott McGrew to talk biotech, bold bets, and what happens when venture capital meets whiteboard-stage science. From her early days in a CDC biohazard lab to co-founding an $8 billion cancer detection company, Owens shares inside stories from the front lines of public health and startup investing. It’s a cand…

1
Masha Bucher Day One Ventures 17:00

2M ago17:00

17:00

This week on Sand Hill Road, a remarkable conversation at the kitchen table of Masha Bucher. Scott McGrew talks with the founder of Day One Ventures about her transformation from PR powerhouse to unicorn-spotting investor, the emotional toll of exile from her homeland, and what it means to align your life's work with your deepest values. Sara Bueno…

1
Lori Rosenkopf's Unstoppable Entrepreneurs 16:30

2M ago16:30

16:30

Sand Hill Road Host Scott McGrew speaks with Wharton Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship Lori Rosenkopf, author of Unstoppable Entrepreneurs: 7 Paths for Unleashing Successful Startups and Creating Value through Innovation. They talk about breaking the mold of the "typical" founder, why the median age of successful startup founders is older than you thin…

1
Entrepreneurship through the eyes of Navin Chaddha 24:26

3M ago24:26

24:26

Sand Hill Road Host Scott McGrew spoke with Navin Chaddha, managing partner at Mayfield Fund, to learn more about what the world of entrepreneurship really is. Chaddha has placed in the Top 10 of Forbes' Midas List four times and is hoping to make that list again. Sand Hill Road is hosted by Scott McGrew. Sara Bueno manages NBC Bay Area's digital p…

1
Larry Gadea's startup journey 28:54

3M ago28:54

28:54

Sand Hill Road Host Scott McGrew spoke with Larry Gadea, CEO and founder of Envoy, to learn more about his early days at Twitter, now known as X, and Google and what led him to make the entrepreneurial jump. Sand Hill Road is hosted by Scott McGrew. Sara Bueno manages NBC Bay Area's digital platforms. Stephanie Adrouny is the station's news directo…

1
Bobby Franklin’s unkillable movie monster 23:23

3M ago23:23

23:23

Just like Godzilla and Frankenstein were misunderstood, so is the case with tax breaks on carried interest, according to those who benefit from it. Some would characterize venture capital as a high-risk business, and the economic incentives of carried interest make it worthwhile.Congress has attempted to kill the carried interest tax loophole, but …

1
How AI is transforming the cybersecurity landscape 27:49

4M ago27:49

27:49

There's no shortage of cybersecurity companies, and artificial intelligence continues to help transform that competitive landscape. So, how do investors decide who's worth helping? Casber Wang, a partner at Sapphire Ventures, identifies what's hot in the market now and where there's promise. Sand Hill Road Host Scott McGrew spoke with Wang to learn…

1
Diagnosing diseases and saving lives with AI 19:10

4M ago19:10

19:10

Dr. Joshua Reicher, co-founder and CEO of Imvaria, initially missed the opportunity to develop a company similar to DraftKings and instead decided to focus on saving lives. As a serial entrepreneur, he has been committed to using artificial intelligence to improve patient diagnostics since some may not be accurate. Reicher aims to change that, part…

1
AI 's role in developing category killer therapeutics 30:16

5M ago30:16

30:16

Dr. Jim Tananbaum, founder and CEO of Foresite Capital, has always had two areas of interest: mathematics and computer algorithms, biology and healthcare. With his passions in mind, he has developed and managed a venture firm with close to $3.5 billion in assets under management. Sand Hill Road Host Scott McGrew spoke with Tananbaum to learn more a…

1
Fungus among us? 'Canadian values' in the Bay Area VC market 27:06

5M ago27:06

27:06

Terry Doyle, managing partner and vice president of Telus Global Ventures, is vocal about spreading the firm's mission, from changing names to understanding how 'Canadian values' play a role in the venture capital market. Sand Hill Road Host Scott McGrew spoke with Doyle, the former senior director of corporate development at Nokia, to learn more a…

1
Why does Steve Vassallo of Foundation Capital choose to invest early? 29:00

6M ago29:00

29:00

Steve Vassallo, a general partner at Foundation Capital, has been known to invest at the intersection of design, technology, and business, but at a very early stage. He said much of it has to do with hearing the lessons of his "helicopter mom," the late Helen Guillette Vassallo, a well-known business professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Sa…

1
A $40 Million Investment in Exploding Kittens 20:24

6M ago20:24

20:24

Exploding Kittens, a kitty-powered version of Russian Roulette, has become a household staple. The company launched on Kickstarter and has never lost its edge. However, despite much success, the company's founding team decided to accept a $40 million investment, which it has yet to use. Sand Hill Road Host Scott McGrew spoke with Elan Lee, the crea…

1
E53 Going from no app to a super app with Henry Shi, co-founder of super.com 26:42

7M ago26:42

26:42

In this episode, Erasmus Elsner is talking to Henry Shi, co-founder of super.com an all-in-one savings super app for everyday Americans. Having recently raised a $85m Series C led by Inovia Capital, the company is trusted by over 5 million customers worldwide and has helped them save over $150M to date. Super.com is backed by Tier 1 investors inclu…

1
Bay Area Venture Market Remains King 11:36

7M ago11:36

11:36

The state of venture capital appears to be rocky at the moment. A report from PitchBook Data and the National Venture Capital Association highlights potential weakness ahead in the venture industry. The Pitchbook/NVCA Venture Monitor First Look report showed fewer active investors and high deal counts but repeat investing. What does that mean for t…

1
San Francisco's Death is Greatly Exaggerated 14:10

9M ago14:10

14:10

Analysis by SignalFire shows the Bay Area still has more tech than 10 other cities combined.By NBC Bay Area

1
Mike Schroepfer is Saving the World, One Big Step at a Time 28:05

9M ago28:05

28:05

The Gigascale founder has big ideas on clean power and clean air.By NBC Bay Area

1
Brian Cho is Ready to Play 18:34

11M ago18:34

18:34

Patron Fund's co-founder invests in video games.By NBC Bay Area

1
Michael Marks of Celesta Capital 25:07

11M ago25:07

25:07

Marks discusses global supply chains, manufacturing and his stint as interim CEO at Tesla in 2007. This episode was first released on Nov. 22, 2023.By NBC Bay Area

1
E52 Pricing strategies for generative AI with Orb co-founder and CTO Kshitij Grover 34:50

11M ago34:50

34:50

In this episode, Erasmus Elsner is talking to Kshitij Grover, co-Founder and CTO of Orb (www.withorb.com), a billing platform provider that solves usage-based billing needs. The SF based startup has to date raised a total of c. $19.1 million across its Series A ($14 million led by Menlo) and seed ($5.1 million led by Greylock).…

1
Rob Smith of M13 23:14

12M ago23:14

23:14

Smith talks about AI company misconceptions and his journey from startup fixer to venture capitalist investor.By NBC Bay Area

1
Mike Maples Jr. on Pattern Breakers 21:29

12M ago21:29

21:29

The Floodgate co-founder considers how some startups change the future.By NBC Bay Area

1
James Joaquin's World Positive Outlook 32:31

1y ago32:31

32:31

The co-founder of Obvious Ventures gets deep into the science.By NBC Bay Area

1
"Astounding and Inevitable": SVB's Second Act 20:49

1y ago20:49

20:49

Silicon Valley Bank's Marc Cadieux examines the bank's past and ponders its future.By NBC Bay Area

1
Friends & Family Capital 16:52

1y ago16:52

16:52

Colin Anderson funds public safety company Peregrine.By NBC Bay Area

1
Scott Beechuk is Bullish on SF 24:36

1y ago24:36

24:36

Norwest Ventures announces a new $3 billion fund.By NBC Bay Area

1
2024 VC Reading List 14:51

1y ago14:51

14:51

Favorite books from leaders on Sand Hill Road.By NBC Bay Area

1
GV's Frédérique Dame's "win win win approach" 18:25

1y ago18:25

18:25

Dame on women's health, her path as an immigrant and "living elegantly."By NBC Bay Area

1
Samyr Laine's Celebrity Investments 27:04

1y ago27:04

27:04

Laine is an investor, Olympic athlete and Mark Zuckerberg's college roommate.By NBC Bay Area

1
Liquid Death and Dollar Shave Investor Mike Jones 28:45

1y ago28:45

28:45

Jones is founder of studio and venture fund Science Inc.By NBC Bay Area

1
The Godfather of Israeli Cybersecurity 14:18

1+ y ago14:18

14:18

Shlomo Kramer created Check Point and now Cato Networks.By NBC Bay Area

1
Elad Gil: The Most Sought-After Angel Investor in the Valley 10:59

1+ y ago10:59

10:59

Gil was some of the first money into Airbnb, Stripe and Pinterest. This episode was first released on February 12, 2019.By NBC Bay Area

1
Bornstein's Rule of 30 18:21

1+ y ago18:21

18:21

Investor Howard Bornstein on shaking up industries.By NBC Bay Area

1
The Skinny With TPB's Bharat Vasan 25:36

1+ y ago25:36

25:36

Vasan's experience with Ozempic and how GLP-1s may affect the food industry.By NBC Bay Area

1
Network Effects with James Currier 33:08

1+ y ago33:08

33:08

The founding partner of NFX is a five time startup success and angel investor.By NBC Bay Area

1
Frederik Groce of Wellington Access Ventures 19:50

1+ y ago19:50

19:50

Investment in startups run by Black people was 0.13% last quarter.By NBC Bay Area

1
Ganesh Bell: Responsible AI Agreement 18:28

1+ y ago18:28

18:28

Venture firms work with startups to safeguard AI.By NBC Bay Area

1
Makena's Lara Banks 20:38

1+ y ago20:38

20:38

Banks is Managing Director at Makena Capital.By NBC Bay Area

1
IVP's Somesh Dash Goes to Washington 30:19

1+ y ago30:19

30:19

The IVP general partner speaks about AI and his famous grandmother.By NBC Bay Area

1
Accel Invests in Tailscale 21:17

1+ y ago21:17

21:17

Entrepreneur Avery Pennarun and Accel's Amit Kumar talk about leaving big companies to chase new adventures.By NBC Bay Area

1
Michael Marks of Celesta Capital 24:37

1+ y ago24:37

24:37

Marks discusses global supply chains, manufacturing and his stint as interim CEO at Tesla in 2007.By NBC Bay Area

1
Microsoft M12's Michelle Gonzalez 27:30

1+ y ago27:30

27:30

Gonzalez led a huge change at the tech giant's venture firm.By NBC Bay Area

1
John Roa: Get Rich And Die Trying 30:48

1+ y ago30:48

30:48

Selling a startup for a fortune was only the start of John Roa's problems. This episode was first released on September 15, 2020.By NBC Bay Area

1
A 30,000 Foot View of Venture With Brian Schettler 16:25

1+ y ago16:25

16:25

AEI HorizonX invests in Aerospace.By NBC Bay Area

1
Techstars Maëlle Gavet 21:14

2y ago21:14

21:14

Techstars has a staggering 3,800 companies in its portfolio.By NBC Bay Area

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