In this episode of Fireside with a VC, I sit down with John Frankel, founder and partner at ff Venture Capital, to discuss:

· The rise of AI Point Solutions (AIPS)

· ff VC’s new fund driving innovation in energy and manufacturing

· How VC fund size and strategy influence performance across different economic cycles

John shares insights on how targeted AI solutions and sector-focused innovation can rejuvenate America’s competitiveness — and what it takes for a venture fund to thrive or fail under shifting market conditions.

Upcoming Live Event

Hear John present his fund strategy at 7BC’s Global VC Demo Day in New York City on September 17th, 2025, alongside 100+ VCs, family offices, institutional investors, HNWIs, startups, and more. Join us for a 2-hour networkingreception following 7 hand-selected VCs presenting their funds.

👉 Register here: https://lu.ma/f3qxubi5
📌NYC is the 4th stop of our global tour.

Apply to attend our upcoming events: https://lu.ma/user/usr-8Y0b18KjVLZhAPm

Global Tour Dates🍎 New York City – September 17, 2025 – Host: Brown Rudnick
🇺🇸 Washington DC – September 25, 2025 – Host: Foley (all-star VC panel + networking, not VC Demo Day)
🇨🇱 Austin – October 14, 2025 – Host: CBRE
🇺🇸 San Francisco – October 29, 2025 (Day after TechCrunch Disrupt) – Host: Greenberg Traurig
☀️ Los Angeles / Santa Monica – November 5, 2025 – Host: ExpertDOJO
🌴 Miami – December 4, 2025 (During Art Basel, Dec 3-7)
🇦🇪 Dubai – February 2026
🇨🇱 Austin – March 18, 2026 (SXSW VC-LP mixer – no VC Demo Day) – Host: CBRE
🍎 New York City – April 2026 – Host: Brown Rudnick
🇺🇸 San Francisco – April 2026 – Host: Greenberg Traurig
🇸🇬 Singapore – May 2026 – Host: Greenberg Traurig
🇩🇪 Berlin – June 11, 2026 (Day after SuperVenture)🇬🇧 London – June 16, 2026 – Host: Brown Rudnick

E124 | John Frankel of ff Venture Capital on AI Point Solutions (AIPS), Energy, Manufacturing & Fund Size Strategy

Fireside with a VC

E124 | John Frankel of ff Venture Capital on AI Point Solutions (AIPS), Energy, Manufacturing & Fund Size Strategy