23 Feb 2026
1h 6m

20VC: Inside Coatue's $70BN Machine: Why Price Matters Least | Why Mega Markets are the Most Important | How to Assess Durability of Revenue and Margins in AI with Lucas Swisher

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The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch

Lucas Swisher from Coatue discusses the evolving landscape of public and private SaaS companies in light of AI advancements. He notes that AI is causing investors to question the long-term value of SaaS, leading to market instability and a flight to other sectors. He emphasizes that while public markets offer liquidity, private markets are essential for accessing future growth, particularly in AI-driven platform companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. Swisher highlights the importance of identifying companies with the ability to reinvent themselves and expand into new markets, citing Databricks and Canva as examples. He also stresses that while valuation is important, potential for significant revenue growth and the ability to double down on successful investments are key considerations.

Outlines

Part 1: Market Shifts, SaaS, and Valuation

Part 2: Investment Strategies and Fund Dynamics

Part 3: Public Markets and Key Industry Figures

Part 4: Career Reflections and Future Outlook

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