Before Andrew Bialecki took Klaviyo public and scaled the company to $6B, he bootstrapped it to over $1M in ARR. In our discussion, Andrew reveals his philosophies around fundraising, finding the best talent, cultivating entrepreneurship inside Klaviyo, scaling culture, and more.

(00:00) Intro

(01:13) Klaviyo's Bootstrap Beginnings

(09:37) The Strategic Pivot to E-commerce and Retail

(15:02) Narrow Focus as a Catalyst for Growth

(25:48) Building a Culture of Learning and Growth

(34:02) The Entrepreneurial Path: From Engineer to Founder

(37:09) The Commute to Innovation: A Startup Journey

(37:57) From Performable to HubSpot: A Tale of Acquisition and Growth

(39:26) Building Klaviyo: Lessons in Entrepreneurship and Team Building

(40:40) Scaling a Startup: The Challenges of Leadership and Hiring

(47:04) Fostering a Culture of Experimentation and Entrepreneurship

(53:15) The Art of Hiring: Identifying Entrepreneurial Spirit

(58:39) Chronological Resumes and the Power of Storytelling in Interviews

(01:06:16) Embracing the Unsexy: The Philosophy of 'Eating Your Vegetables'

(01:13:33) Klaviyo University: Training Future Founders and Leaders

(01:15:25) Cultivating a Culture of Learning at Klaviyo

(01:16:17) The Genesis of Klaviyo University

(01:17:05) Core Curriculum and Electives: A Deep Dive

(01:20:46) Adapting Learning Programs in a Remote World

(01:21:56) The Art and Science of Effective Business Writing

(01:28:35) Recruitment and Onboarding: Strategies for Success

(01:38:05) Building and Sustaining Company Culture

(01:41:28) Leveraging Boston's Ecosystem for Growth

(01:47:06) The Future of Software: Productivity vs. Output

(01:52:33) Closing Thoughts and Acknowledgements

Produced: Rashad Assir & Leah Clapper

Mixed and edited: Justin Hrabovsky

Executive Producer: Josh Machiz

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugS0jD5IAdoqzjaNYzns7w?sub_confirmation=1

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🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow

About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.

After 23+ years in venture capital, Jeremy Levine has thrived in many eras, taking risks on now-iconic companies like LinkedIn, Shopify, Yelp, Pinterest, and more. In our discussion, Jeremy shared stories behind these investments and the mindsets he’s developed along the way. We also explored how the VC landscape has evolved over the last 20 years and where the industry may head next. Plus, Jeremy shares insights from his journey into VC, along with foundational advice and principles that anyone aspiring to succeed in the industry may find valuable. Overall, an in-depth discussion for anyone who wants to nerd out on venture capital with us.

(00:00) Intro

(01:03) Exploring the Personal Motivations Behind Venture Capital

(01:41) The Impact of Technology on Venture Capital

(03:11) The Reality of Venture Capital Impact

(06:45) The Ideal Venture Investment: The Donut Company Metaphor

(07:30) Operator vs. Career Investor: The Best Venture Capitalists

(09:57) The Dynamics of Choosing a Venture Investor

(14:03) The Unique Paths to Success in Venture Capital

(17:04) Authenticity and Adaptability in Venture Capital

(26:33) Navigating the Complexities of Venture Capital Careers

(34:11) Jeremy Levine's Journey to Bessemer Venture Partners

(40:00) Navigating the Venture Capital Landscape: Insights and Strategies

(40:30) The Competitive Edge in Early 2000s Venture Capital

(43:26) Reflections on Career Paths and the Role of Serendipity

(47:04) The Intricacies of Decision Making in Venture Capital

(52:37) Evaluating Investment Opportunities: The Price Sensitivity Debate

(55:22) Learning from Success and Failure: The Jet.com Story

(01:08:26) The Evolution of Successful Entrepreneurs: Insights from Shopify and Yelp

(01:16:22) The Strategic Advantage of Repeat Entrepreneurs in the Startup Ecosystem

(01:19:38) Navigating Market Dynamics: Insights and Analogies

(01:20:09) The Evolution of a Venture Capitalist: From Ideas to Impact

(01:21:22) Pioneering User-Generated Content: A Venture Success Story

(01:23:36) Exploring E-Commerce and the Power of Advertising

(01:24:59) Innovative Investment Strategies: SaaS and Payment Processing

(01:34:53) Bessemer's Legacy and Venture Capital Evolution

(01:39:57) Expanding Horizons: Bessemer's Global and Diverse Investment Approach

(01:52:35) Cultivating Talent and Embracing Industry Dynamics

(02:02:36) Navigating Budgets and Investment Strategies in Venture Capital

(02:03:55) The Importance of Accountability and Decision-Making Records

(02:05:46) Investment Memo Strategies: Beyond Templates

(02:08:43) The Dynamics of Voting and Decision Making in VC Firms

(02:16:19) The Evolution of Venture Capital: Trends and Predictions

(02:21:13) Building a Successful Venture Capital Firm: Culture and Operations

(02:29:57) Mentorship and Individual Growth in Venture Capital

(02:39:40) Navigating the AI Investment Landscape

(02:41:36) The Debate on Announcing Funding Rounds

(02:44:20) Closing Remarks

Produced: Rashad Assir & Leah Clapper

Mixed and edited: Justin Hrabovsky

Executive Producer: Josh Machiz

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

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🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow

About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.

Garrett Langley is the CEO of Flock Safety, a $4B company helping solve 10% of US crimes with AI-powered tech. Garrett offers an in-depth look into Flock Safety’s ambitious vision to eliminate crime in America and all the operating lessons he’s learned along the way, including how to build a strong and motivated team, keep people accountable, and leverage PR for rapid growth. 

(00:00) Intro

(01:03) The Mission to Eliminate Crime with Innovative Tech

(01:54) The Genesis of Flock Safety: A Response to High Crime Rates

(07:48) The Evolution of Flock Safety's Crime-Fighting Technology

(24:37) Impact Stories: How Flock Safety is Changing Lives

(31:00) Navigating the Balance: Safety, Privacy, and Community Impact

(36:58) Exploring the Universal Appeal of Safety Across America

(37:38) The Role of Community Decisions in Public Safety

(39:02) Addressing Misinformation and Enhancing Safety with Technology

(39:58) Collaboration and Data Sharing Among Cities

(41:26) The Impact of Technology on Policing and Public Safety

(43:24) Innovative Solutions to Modern Policing Challenges

(49:18) Flock's Vision for the Future of Public Safety

(56:05) Building a Business on Solving Crime

(56:38) The Importance of Team and Culture in Business Success

(01:10:45) Navigating Growth and Maintaining Culture in a Scaling Company

(01:12:33) Cultivating a Strong Remote Work Culture

(01:12:46) The Power of Cultural Norms in Business

(01:13:01) Building Accountability and Responsiveness

(01:14:16) The Importance of In-Person Interactions in a Hybrid Company

(01:14:50) Assessing Substantive Work Over Managing Up

(01:17:50) The Strategy of Being a Macro Optimist and Micro Pessimist

(01:20:16) Celebrating Milestones and Focusing on Impact

(01:21:58) The Unique Dynamic of Working with Family

(01:30:42) Reflections on Early Success and the Drive to Build Meaningful Companies

(01:37:58) Overcoming Fundraising Challenges and Understanding Market Dynamics

(01:46:55) Concluding Thoughts and the Future of Flock Safety

Produced: Rashad Assir & Leah Clapper

Mixed and edited: Justin Hrabovsky

Executive Producer: Josh Machiz

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

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🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow

About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.

In less than 8 years, Sanjit Biswas scaled Samsara from 0 to over $1B ARR. In our latest conversation, Sanjit shares all the lessons he’s learned about running a hyper-growth organization, including all the changes he’s made since growing and selling his first company Meraki to Cisco for $1.2B and going on to scale Samsara to $20B. A great episode for anyone who wants to continuously reinvent themselves within a rapidly changing workplace.

(00:00) Intro

(01:28) Samsara's Journey: From Startup to Billion-Dollar Valuation

(06:50) The Evolution of Samsara's Product Line: From Temperature Sensors to AI

(12:48) The Impact of ELD Mandate on Samsara's Growth

(14:16) Expanding Horizons: Samsara's Multi-Product Strategy

(29:41) Leadership Lessons: Scaling a Company and Rehiring Yourself

(38:07) Insights on Hiring: Finding the Right Fit for Growth

(40:56) Maintaining High Hiring Standards in Rapid Growth

(42:21) Innovative Hiring Practices: Talent Calibrators and Bar Raisers

(43:12) Embracing a Flexible Workplace Post-Pandemic

(43:20) Navigating the Shift to Remote Work and Its Impact on Talent Acquisition

(45:06) Evaluating Employee Performance and the Keeper Test

(46:42) Lessons from Legendary Venture Capitalists and Building Board Relationships

(50:16) Samsara's Journey: Building a Billion-Dollar Business

(50:34) From Academic Project to Commercial Success: The Meraki Story

(54:35) The Power of Direct Sales and Learning from Customer Interactions

(01:14:24) Reflecting on Growth, Culture, and the Future of Samsara

(01:24:08) Closing Thoughts and Advice for Future Founders

Produced: Rashad Assir & Leah Clapper

Mixed and edited: Justin Hrabovsky

Executive Producer: Josh Machiz

Check out Unsupervised Learning, Redpoint's AI Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCUl-s_Vp-Kkk_XVyDylNwLA

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

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🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow

About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.

Produced: Rashad Assir & Leah Clapper

Mixed and edited: Justin Hrabovsky

Executive Producer: Josh Machiz

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugS0jD5IAdoqzjaNYzns7w?sub_confirmation=1

Follow on Socials

📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theloganbartlettshow

🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/loganbartshow

🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow

About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.

One of the most preeminent AI founders, Aravind Srinivas (CEO, Perplexity), believes we could see 100+ AI startups valued over $10B in our future. In the episode, we discuss why Perplexity decided to compete with Google and Aravind shares predictions for the utopian future of artificial intelligence. He also discusses the differences between working at both DeepMind and OpenAI, why personalized knowledge on demand could be a trillion-dollar opportunity and more.

(00:00) Intro

(01:34) The Evolution of Search Engines

(04:01) Perplexity: Bridging the Gap Between Google and Wikipedia

(05:04) The Philosophy Behind Perplexity and Its Unique Approach

(06:33) Redefining Search: The Shift from Links to Answers

(09:02) The Business Model Dilemma: Google's Challenge with Innovation

(13:46) The Importance of Aligning Shareholder and User Interests

(27:00) The Complexities of Building a Competitive AI Talent Pool

(33:33) Perplexity's Business Model and Subscription Strategy

(39:54) The Future of Search: Personalization and Real-Time Data

(44:21) Enhancing User Engagement with Suggested Next Questions

(48:10) Key Success Metrics and the Importance of Daily Queries

(50:21) The Challenge of Gaining User Trust

(50:48) Personalizing Products for User Engagement

(50:55) Navigating the AI Model Landscape

(51:40) The Strategic Decision Against Building Own Models

(52:22) Leveraging Open Source Models and Infrastructure Efficiency

(53:37) The Business Model and Value Proposition

(58:12) AI's Potential to Transform Work and Empowerment

(01:03:11) The Future of AI: More Compute or Breakthroughs?

(01:05:39) The Startup Ecosystem and AI's Billion-Dollar Potential

(01:07:26) AI Safety and Regulation: A Founder's Perspective

(01:08:15) Inspirations and Influences: Learning from Larry Page

(01:20:51) Building a User-Centric Product: The Perplexity Journey

(01:36:13) The Future of Perplexity and Changing User Habits

Produced: Rashad Assir & Leah Clapper

Mixed and edited: Justin Hrabovsky

Executive Producer: Josh Machiz

Check out Unsupervised Learning, Redpoint's AI Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCUl-s_Vp-Kkk_XVyDylNwLA

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

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🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/loganbartshow

🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow

About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.

Produced: Rashad Assir & Leah Clapper

Mixed and edited: Justin Hrabovsky

Executive Producer: Josh Machiz

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

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🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow

About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.

This week, Tracy Young launched her second startup, TigerEye, from stealth mode. After selling PlanGrid to Autodesk for $875 million and working with YC for a couple of years, Tracy and her husband/co-founder decided to build the software they wished they’d had while building PlanGrid. In our conversation, Tracy unmasks her vision for TigerEye and shares everything she learned as a first time CEO that she’s bringing into her second company.

(00:00) Intro

(01:39) The Shift in Market Dynamics and PlanGrid's Response

(07:07) The Importance of Addressing Multiple Stakeholders in Product Development

(09:08) From PlanGrid to TigerEye: Tracy Young's New Venture

(11:39) The Significance of Organizational Structure and Team Dynamics

(15:03) The Evolution of Sales Strategy and Team Structure

(17:28) The Decision to Sell PlanGrid and Its Aftermath

(24:17) The Genesis of TigerEye and Its Mission

(31:09) Cultivating a Purposeful Company Culture at TigerEye

(39:29) Recruitment Strategies and the Value of Reference Calls

(45:42) Product Development Insights and Market Focus

(49:39) The Importance of Customer Tracking for Startups

(49:57) The Challenges of Scaling with CRM and ERP Systems

(51:55) Navigating the Tough Decisions of Firing Employees

(57:08) The Journey from Construction Engineering to Tech Entrepreneurship

(57:42) The Birth and Growth of PlanGrid

(01:01:24) Navigating Personal and Professional Growth

(01:05:50) The Emotional Journey of Losing a Co-Founder

(01:17:34) From Stealth Mode to Market Impact with Tiger Eye

(01:18:31) Embracing Remote Work and Building a Diverse Team

(01:30:15) Reflections on Fundraising and Board Meetings

(01:34:28) Finding Work-Life Balance in Startup Culture

Produced: Rashad Assir & Leah Clapper

Mixed and edited: Justin Hrabovsky

Executive Producer: Josh Machiz

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

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🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow

About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.

Zach Weinberg is the Co-Founder and CEO of Curie.Bio, which has raised over $500 million to combine early-stage investing in biotech and drug discovery copiloting. He is also the co-founder of Flatiron Health, which sold to Roche for $1.9B, and Invite Media, which sold to Google when he was 21.

In the episode, Zach dives into the current venture market landscape, private company valuation and funding trends, and the art of reshaping company culture. Zach unveils his unique blueprint for interviewing top-tier candidates and holding them accountable, as well as the case study tactics he uses to make more confident hires.

(00:00) Intro

(00:44) The Art of Hiring: Strategies for Building a Winning Team

(01:22) Market Dynamics: A Deep Dive into Valuations and Trends

(06:29) The AI Revolution: Impact on Valuations and the Future of Tech

(08:26) Cultural Shifts: Navigating the Changing Landscape of Startup Culture

(31:36) The Accountability Framework: A Blueprint for Success

(38:50) The Importance of Third-Party Hiring Reviews

(40:19) Cultivating a Culture of Accountability and Skill Testing

(41:23) Insights on Case-Based Interviewing and Its Impact

(43:07) Navigating the Complexities of Hiring for Unique Roles

(43:50) The Art of Case Design in Interviews

(49:52) Leveraging Take-Home Assignments for Deeper Insights

(58:40) The Challenges of Remote Work and Building Credibility

(01:00:39) Adapting Hiring Practices for Remote and Hybrid Models

(01:03:27) The Value of References and Real-World Testing in Hiring

(01:12:59) The Foundational Role of People in Business Success

(01:16:11) Reflecting on the Journey and Looking Ahead

Produced: Rashad Assir & Leah Clapper

Mixed and edited: Justin Hrabovsky

Executive Producer: Josh Machiz

Check out Unsupervised Learning, Redpoint's AI Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/ @RedpointAI  

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

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🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow

About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.

Produced: Rashad Assir & Leah Clapper

Mixed and edited: Justin Hrabovsky

Executive Producer: Josh Machiz

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugS0jD5IAdoqzjaNYzns7w?sub_confirmation=1

Follow on Socials

📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theloganbartlettshow

🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/loganbartshow

🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow

About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.

Tooey Courtemanche has been the CEO of Procore for over two decades, bringing the company from $0 to over $1B ARR and a $11B+ valuation today. In my latest episode, we explore how Tooey built the #1 Construction Management Software company, including his strategies for maintaining a talented team, his mindsets for tough times, lessons from mentors like Satya Nadella, Tooey’s advice for founders, and much more.

(00:00) Intro

(01:22) Valuation and Investor Relationships: A Founder's Perspective

(04:57) Procore Explained: Revolutionizing Construction Management

(06:07) The Early Struggles and Breakthroughs of Procore

(06:40) Surviving the Global Financial Crisis and Pivoting to Success

(17:53) Cultural Shifts and the Importance of Hiring Right

(31:26) The Power of Being a Platform: Procore's Technical Edge

(33:42) The Unconventional Path to Success

(34:19) Navigating Early Business Challenges

(35:31) The Power of Partnership and Mentorship

(36:14) Securing Investment and Scaling the Business

(38:12) Leadership and Organizational Growth

(41:40) Evolving with the Business: A Founder's Journey

(45:43) Maintaining Employee Engagement and Motivation

(49:07) Strategic Capital Allocation and Product Innovation

(53:53) Expanding Internationally: Lessons and Strategies

(56:14) Decision-Making and Leadership Style

(58:03) Balancing Growth and Profitability

(01:01:30) Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

(01:05:37) Rethinking Education and Career Paths

(01:11:56) Reflecting on Societal Transformation

(01:13:11) From Encyclopedias to AI

(01:13:56) AI's Impact on the Construction Industry

(01:17:13) Personal Journey: From Carpentry to Tech Entrepreneur

(01:19:45) The Genesis of Procore: Merging Construction and Technology

(01:26:11) Mentoring Entrepreneurs

(01:31:47) The Therapeutic World of Lego Building

(01:38:16) Lessons from Lego

Produced: Rashad Assir & Leah Clapper

Mixed and edited: Justin Hrabovsky

Executive Producer: Josh Machiz

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

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About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.

Niraj Shah is the Co-founder and CEO of Wayfair. In this episode, Niraj shares Wayfair’s journey from a collection of 250 sites generating $500 million in revenue to a single, unified brand achieving over $10 billion in online sales of home goods and furniture.

He explains the challenges of overseeing a vast e-commerce platform with more than 10,000 employees, managing a complex supply chain with over 7 million products, and maintaining relationships with suppliers. The conversation offers detailed insights into Wayfair's strategic growth, effective talent acquisition practices, and the pivotal rebranding effort that propelled the company forward.

(00:00) Intro

(00:13) The Journey of Wayfair

(01:02) Understanding the Market and Competition

(01:45) The Genesis of Wayfair

(03:11) The Strategy Behind Niche E-commerce

(05:40) The Challenges of Inventory Management

(06:18) The Evolution of E-commerce

(07:26) The Growth and Expansion of Wayfair

(09:59) Understanding the Retail Market

(15:53) The Decision to Rebrand

(18:24) The Challenges of Rebranding

(20:22) Building the Wayfair Brand

(25:22) The Importance of Logistics and Delivery

(32:10) The Complexity of Final Mile Delivery

(33:17) Investing in Advertising and Marketing

(33:23) Building a Brand: Lessons and Insights

(33:56) The Power of Branding and Customer Loyalty

(34:47) The Journey of Building a Brand: The Apple Example

(35:36) The Role of Independent Brands in Business

(37:56) The Importance of High-Quality Images in Online Retail

(39:49) The Role of Generative AI in Business

(41:41) Building a Culture of Incremental Improvements

(44:52) The Importance of Hiring for Specific Traits

(01:02:19) Navigating Public Misinformation and Conspiracy Theories

(01:05:47) Competing in the Market: A Focus on the Customer

(01:11:08) Reflections on the Entrepreneurial Journey

Produced: Rashad Assir & Leah Clapper

Mixed and edited: Justin Hrabovsky

Executive Producer: Josh Machiz

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugS0jD5IAdoqzjaNYzns7w?sub_confirmation=1

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🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/loganbartshow

🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow

About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.

In this memorable episode from our podcast archives, we revisit our conversation with Parker Conrad, Co-Founder of Rippling and former CEO of Zenefits. Parker opens up about his entrepreneurial path, detailing everything from fundraising challenges to his departure from Zenefits and the founding of Rippling. We also discuss the dynamics between VCs and founders, including what founders really value from investors, as well as the many entrepreneurial lessons Parker has gained from growing four companies (including two that reached unicorn status).

This episode was originally aired in May 2022.

(00:00) Intro

(01:25) Parker's Early Life and Education

(02:08) Parker's Experience at Harvard and Early Career

(05:21) Parker's Journey to Entrepreneurship

(08:27) The Founding of Sigfig and Challenges Faced

(10:15) The Birth of Zenefits and its Rapid Growth

(13:13) The Downfall of Zenefits and Lessons Learned

(19:12) Parker's Perspective on Media Narratives and VC Involvement

(35:48) The Power of Investors and Branding

(37:22) The Influence of Media on Investment Success

(38:42) The Role of Venture Capitalists and Founders

(39:39) The Impact of Social Media on Business

(40:48) The Rise of Andreessen Horowitz

(41:18) Introducing Rippling: A New Approach to Business Software

(41:32) The Power of Employee Data in Business Software

(49:47) The Advantages of Compound Companies

(56:13) The Role of Founders in Business Units

(01:09:20) The State of San Francisco and the Tech Industry

Produced: Rashad Assir & Leah Clapper

Mixed and edited: Justin Hrabovsky

Executive Producer: Josh Machiz

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugS0jD5IAdoqzjaNYzns7w?sub_confirmation=1

Follow on Socials

📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theloganbartlettshow

🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/loganbartshow

🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow

About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.

Filip Kaliszan is the Co-Founder and CEO of Verkada, one of the fastest-growing private companies out there today. In the episode, Filip discussed many of the first principles decisions he has made in growing Verkada into a $3.5B business that employs over 2000 people. He also dives deep into their 2021 hack, what it was like dealing with that crisis and communicating with all their customers, as well as the many other unconventional lessons he’s learned from rapidly scaling Verkada. 

(00:00) Intro

(00:40) Understanding Verkada and its Growth

(02:12) Exploring Verkada's Product Lines

(03:29) Filip’s Early Fascination with Cameras

(05:51) The Genesis of Verkada

(06:59) Verkada's Approach to Physical Security

(09:21) Privacy and Innovation in Verkada's Products

(14:10) The Journey to Verkada's Access Control Product

(16:49) The Challenges and Successes of Building Verkada

(21:21) The Future of Verkada and its Products

(37:51) Empowering Teams to Innovate

(38:04) Maintaining Product Consistency Across Teams

(39:16) The Importance of Autonomy in Team Structure

(40:02) Sales Team Structure and Strategy

(40:37) Challenges of Scaling a Diverse Product Portfolio

(42:09) The Impact of Internal Sales on Product Success

(43:17) The Evolution of Customer Perception and Demand

(44:07) The Importance of Integration in Business Systems

(44:26) Traits of Successful Product Leaders

(45:22) The Role of Passion in Product Development

(45:26) The Importance of Passion and Depth in Hiring

(47:58) The Role of Sales in a Diversified Product Company

(48:38) The Challenges and Rewards of Rapid Company Growth

(52:31) Maintaining a Unified Company Culture in a Decentralized Structure

(53:08) The Balance Between Conventional Wisdom and First Principles

(01:01:17) The Impact of On-Site Work Culture on Company Growth

(01:12:25) The Importance of Adaptability in a Rapidly Growing Company

(01:15:55) The Role of Leadership Presence in a Growing Company

(01:18:23) Building Trust and Early Startup Challenges

(01:18:53) The Importance of Hiring the Right People

(01:19:02) The Need for a CFO and Strategic Finance

(01:20:48) The Value of In-House Counsel

(01:23:14) Building Company Culture: The 3-3-3 Program

(01:25:01) The Importance of Getting Hiring Right

(01:33:27) The Journey of CourseRank and Verkada

(01:33:29) Handling a Security Breach

(01:50:55) The Early Days and Challenges of Verkada

(01:54:45) The Importance of Storytelling in Fundraising

Produced: Rashad Assir & Leah Clapper

Mixed and edited: Justin Hrabovsky

Executive Producer: Josh Machiz

🎙 Listen to the show

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-logan-bartlett-show/id1606770839

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=3076e6c1b5c94d63&nd=1

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9zb0hJZkhWbg

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugS0jD5IAdoqzjaNYzns7w?sub_confirmation=1

Follow on Socials

📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theloganbartlettshow

🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/loganbartshow

🎬 Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theloganbartlettshow

About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.