20VC: Lessons From Working with Chris Sacca, The Rise Of Mobile Commerce and Improving Push Notifications with Ellie Wheeler, Partner @ Greycroft Partners

Venture capital investment strategies in consumer-facing mobile and commerce sectors center on identifying companies with strong product-market fit and scalable digital experiences. Ellie Wheeler, partner at Greycroft Partners, highlights that while mobile commerce has become table stakes, conversion remains heavily dependent on email marketing, with future growth shifting toward AI-driven conversational interfaces. Investing in hardware presents significant risks due to manufacturing complexities and unproven market demand, leading to a preference for companies with established traction. Wearable technology currently lacks a compelling "killer use case," though future potential resides in smart fabrics integrated into everyday apparel rather than standalone devices. Wheeler’s investment thesis prioritizes data-backed evidence of consumer engagement, exemplified by recent portfolio additions like Blinkist, which leverages mobile-first content delivery to address modern consumption habits.