Venture capital isn’t just about funding — it’s about making the right bets at the right time. Nick Washburn, Senior Managing Director of Intel Capital, shares insights on founder-investor dynamics, venture capital strategies and the evolving landscape of AI-driven business models.
Specifically, Nick discusses:
(03:34) The move from law to venture capital.
(10:46) Companies are bought, not sold — startups must plan ahead for acquisition.
(15:47) Product-market fit sparks growth, but scaling is the real test.
(19:55) Investing without deep market knowledge leads to failure.
(26:01) Data pipeline optimization is costly but crucial.
(33:20) AI growth looks impressive, but true revenue quality is uncertain.
(44:13) The last mile — packaging, experience and distribution — matters most.
(56:19) There’s no single playbook — success depends on product and buyers.
(01:23:59) Building genuine investor relationships starts with patience and an open mind.
Resources Mentioned:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-washburn-32216226/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/intelcapital/
National Venture Capital Association
https://nvca.org
https://www.kauffmanfellows.org
https://www.intelcapital.com
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