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Hey listeners, If you work in tech, you’ve probably heard of Eric Hippeau, co-founder of Lerer Hippeau Ventures, one of the most prominent venture firms focused on the NYC startup ecosystem. With decades of experience in venture capital, Eric joins us to help unpack where we are in the new AI era, and where things may be headed next.

Throughout this episode, we discuss what the current state of AI means for startup valuations, how many $10B+ companies this wave could create, what it really means to take a company public and whether it’s still the right path for founders, and how venture firms can continue to stay relevant in a rapidly changing landscape. Finally, as the former CEO of The Huffington Post - one of the most influential digital media publications of its time - Eric shares his words of wisdom on the future of news, creators, and how we consume information online.

In this episode, we cover:

How Eric thinks about physical AI: Why the best startups won’t just be thin wrappers around existing models.

Why today’s startup market feels disconnected: With mega-funds, inflated seed rounds, and fewer realistic paths to liquidity.

What happened to journalism online: From building The Huffington Post to navigating today’s fragmented media environment. How is the new media landscape being shaped?

Venture capital is changing: Why solo GPs may struggle to compete against larger firms over the next decade.

Could AI reshape healthcare: Especially across diagnostics, primary care, and lowering the cost of basic medical services.

Anthropic tools like Claude are changing internal workflows: Why some firms are rebuilding around AI from the ground up.

AR glasses may deserve another look: Why lightweight wearables could succeed where bulky headsets failed.

The best founders treat startups like a marathon: How long-term thinking helps companies survive difficult markets and failed bets.

Watch or listen now on… YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify

Chapters in this episode:

(0:00) Why the Tech Market Feels Broken Right Now(4:45) The Biggest Tech Trends Everyone’s Watching(10:30) The New North Star” for Startups(14:20) The Hidden Cost of Overvalued Startups(21:00) Why Companies Still Go Public(24:00) Why AI Could Create Massive New Wealth(26:40) How VCs Are Fighting to Stay Relevant(32:20) The Biggest Mistakes Solo GPs Make(33:56) How New Media Changed Everything(43:30) Building The Huffington Post(49:10) Can Creators Build Billion-Dollar Companies?(53:00) Rapid Fire Questions

Stay in touch

Follow Eric on X (https://x.com/erichippeau)

Visit Lerer Hippeau (https://lererhippeau.com)

Follow Ollie on X (https://x.com/ollieforsyth)

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Why Startup Valuations No Longer Make Sense | Eric Hippeau

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Why Startup Valuations No Longer Make Sense | Eric Hippeau