E230: What Great VCs Actually Do for Founders

In this episode of the "How I Invest" podcast, David Weisburd interviews Vivek Ladsariya, a VC and two-time founder, about his investment strategies and insights into the startup ecosystem. Vivek discusses his preference for investing early in founders, even before their ventures are fully formed, emphasizing the importance of being a thought partner rather than trying to overly influence their business. The conversation explores the role of ego in successful founders and VCs, the overrated nature of startup ideas versus the importance of customer pain points and relentless iteration, and the evolving expectations for raising a Series A in light of AI advancements. Vivek shares practical examples of how AI is streamlining processes and increasing efficiency in both his own work and his portfolio companies, and also touches on the skills he hopes to impart to his newborn daughter in a post-AI world, emphasizing persuasion, empathy, and deep understanding of customer needs.