HR Heretics welcomes back guest Brett Queener, Managing Director at Bonfire Ventures, for a check in on the current venture landscape.

Fresh from raising a $245 million fund, Queener explores how AI is fundamentally changing software companies, emphasizing the need for rapid iteration and questioning traditional playbooks. He shares thoughtful perspectives on evaluating AI startups beyond the hype, the changing nature of talent requirements, and why successful companies must embrace a "change economy" mentality to thrive.

*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: hrheretics@turpentine.co

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KEEP UP WITH BRETT, NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDIN

Brett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettqueener/

Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/

Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/

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LINKS:

Bonfire Ventures: https://www.bonfirevc.com/

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OTHER RECOMMENDED LINKS:

The Change Economy:

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(01:07) Bonfire's $245M New Fund

(03:24) Today's Frothy AI Market

(06:30) The 11X AI SDR Case Study

(08:18) AI's Revolutionary Impact on Products

(11:12) First-Time vs. Repeat Founders in AI

(14:39) Sponsors: Planful | Metaview

(17:38) Rethinking How Companies Operate

(19:43) Hiring in the AI Era

(22:58) Teams Getting Younger and AI Native

(25:04) The Future of Junior Roles

(28:22) The 11X Controversy Explained

(30:29) Evaluating What's Real in AI Companies

(33:29) Vibey Revenue and Real Value

(37:00) Product Viability and Renewals

(39:42) Assessing Founders and Products

(42:10) The Case for In-Office Collaboration

(44:31) The "Holy S**t" Product Moment

(46:09) Wrap

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VC Brett Queener Unpacks AI-Native Startups and the End of Grunt Work

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