Generative Now | AI Builders on Creating the Future

Lightspeed Venture Partners
Generative Now | AI Builders on Creating the Future

Generative Now is a weekly series from Lightspeed, highlighting the stories, strategies and insights behind today's most exciting AI companies and how they’ll change everything about the way we work. Inspired by the popular in-person Generative Meetups in places like New York, San Francisco, LA and Europe, host and Lightspeed Partner Michael Mignano will speak with founders, engineers, designers and other leaders that are leveraging AI to take their product to new heights. Listen and follow Generative Now wherever you get your podcasts.

  1. Rohan Nayak: How Pocket FM is Using AI to Reinvent Audio Storytelling

    1 DAY AGO

    Rohan Nayak: How Pocket FM is Using AI to Reinvent Audio Storytelling

    There’s no doubt we have more choices for entertainment than at any other point in history. And yet, once a series ends, it can be difficult to find something you like just as much. But what if AI could give you a seemingly endless supply of quality content? In this episode of Generative Now, host Michael Mignano, partner at Lightspeed, sits down with Rohan Nayak, CEO and co-founder of Pocket FM, an audio platform that has pioneered the audio series format.  Rohan talks about how he identified a gap in the audio entertainment space and how Pocket FM leverages  AI to optimize everything from audience retention to discovery to identifying hit shows. He also discusses how Pocket FM’s employment of AI has allowed for the making of an all-in-one content creation and consumption platform, where creators can use AI as a writing coach, editor, and productivity partner — all in one. The conversation offers a glimpse into the future of storytelling and how AI is reshaping the way content is created, discovered, and consumed.      Episode Chapters: (00:00) Introduction  (02:23) Story of Rohan and Pocket FM (06:02) Solving for a content gap (08:42) Creating a new audio entertainment format (11:06) Building Pocket FM (17:17) Using AI in audio content creation (21:11) Human and AI partnership in content creation (24:07) Challenges of improving an AI writing model (28:45) Using AI to identify blockbusters (33:00) AB testing with content (36:11) Training AI to create webtoons (41:14) Evaluating and propagating content (43:47) Matching content with users (44:50) Future of Pocket FM (48:02) Closing Thoughts Stay in touch: www.lsvp.com X: https://twitter.com/lightspeedvp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightspeed-venture-partners/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightspeedventurepartners/ Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: generativenow.co Email: generativenow@lsvp.com The content here does not constitute tax, legal, business or investment advice or an offer to provide such advice, should not be construed as advocating the purchase or sale of any security or investment or a recommendation of any company, and is not an offer, or solicitation of an offer, for the purchase or sale of any security or investment product. For more details please see lsvp.com/legal.

    49 min
  2. Your Questions Answered: Vibe Coding, Consumer Defensibility, and the Future of Agent Management

    17 APR

    Your Questions Answered: Vibe Coding, Consumer Defensibility, and the Future of Agent Management

    In this special mailbag episode of Generative Now, Lightspeed Partner Michael Mignano tackles your questions from X and LinkedIn. He gets into AI's market expansion, startup defensibility, which verticals investors are watching, and how the most interesting new roles are being shaped by AI.  Plus, Michael shares what is exciting about consumer AI products right now. Episode Chapters (00:00) Introduction (00:35) AI Opportunities: New vs. Existing Markets (02:09) Will SaaS TAMs Expand or Contract with AI? (02:59) Creating Defensibility for Consumer AI Startups (05:29) Emerging Roles: Agent Engineers vs. Agent Managers (08:25) Best Verticals for Consumer AI (11:39) What Acquisition Could Fix Apple's AI Lag? (13:19) AI's Potential in Dispute Resolution (14:38) The State of VC Funding in AI  Stay in touch: www.lsvp.com X: https://twitter.com/lightspeedvp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightspeed-venture-partners/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightspeedventurepartners/ Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: generativenow.co Email: generativenow@lsvp.com The content here does not constitute tax, legal, business or investment advice or an offer to provide such advice, should not be construed as advocating the purchase or sale of any security or investment or a recommendation of any company, and is not an offer, or solicitation of an offer, for the purchase or sale of any security or investment product. For more details please see lsvp.com/legal.

    18 min
  3. Generative Quarterly with Semil Shah: Seed Markets, Vibe Coding, and the Flappy Bird Effect

    10 APR

    Generative Quarterly with Semil Shah: Seed Markets, Vibe Coding, and the Flappy Bird Effect

    History may not repeat itself, but it certainly rhymes. Vibe coded games, like a flight simulator from @levelsio, are reminiscent of early iPhone app store games like Flappy Bird and Paper Toss. How else are consumer tech cycles evolving? Lightspeed Partner Michael Mignano welcomes back investor Semil Shah for their quarterly check-in. They talk about the landscape of VC seed investing, the impact of AI on tech hubs like New York, LA, and the Bay Area, and whether accelerators like Y Combinator still have the same edge? Flight Simulator: fly.pieter.com Episode Chapters: (01:22) LA vs NYC Tech Scenes (02:54) AI's Geographic Pull (05:37) Gaming as Future Consumer Tech (08:35) Vibe Coding (17:40) Seed Investing in the AI Era (25:13) The Series A Crunch (36:03) Rising Series A Standards (41:14) Bootstrapping vs VC for AI (45:26) Value of University Degrees (55:32) YC's Expanded Cohorts (57:52) Overlooked Seed Trends Stay in touch: www.lsvp.com X: https://twitter.com/lightspeedvp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightspeed-venture-partners/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightspeedventurepartners/ Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: generativenow.co Email: generativenow@lsvp.com The content here does not constitute tax, legal, business or investment advice or an offer to provide such advice, should not be construed as advocating the purchase or sale of any security or investment or a recommendation of any company, and is not an offer, or solicitation of an offer, for the purchase or sale of any security or investment product. For more details please see lsvp.com/legal.

    1 hr
  4. Scott Belsky: Content Creators, Creativity, and Marketing in the AI Landscape (Encore)

    3 APR

    Scott Belsky: Content Creators, Creativity, and Marketing in the AI Landscape (Encore)

    This week, we’re revisiting a conversation with Scott Belsky, who recently announced a new role leading innovation at A24. Lightspeed Partner and Host Michael Mignano talks with Scott about the evolution of marketing with generative content, the future of personalization, and overlooked opportunities in the AI landscape.  This conversation took place at the Robin Hood Opportunity x AI Summit. Robin Hood is the largest foundation fighting poverty in New York City.  The group has invested nearly $3.5 billion over 35 years and Robin Hood supports all five boroughs with food pantries, high-performing schools, job-training programs, shelters and more. The group has a venture-like approach; they scale programs that are working and find new programs to fill gaps. Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:32) Scott Belsky on AI and Creativity (04:06) The Role of Creators (5:18) AI Generated Content on Social Media  (7:59) Customers Inspiring Product Development (09:59) The Hyper Personalization of Digital Experiences  (13:57) Overlooked Business Opportunities in AI (18:38) How AIs Can Scale SMBs  (20:46) Legal Risks with Enterprise Adoption (25:02) Custom Tuned Models Generated From IP (26:34) The Rise of AI Agents (29:12) Why Scott Belsky is An AI Optimist Stay in touch: www.lsvp.com X: https://twitter.com/lightspeedvp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightspeed-venture-partners/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightspeedventurepartners/ Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: generativenow.co Email: generativenow@lsvp.com The content here does not constitute tax, legal, business or investment advice or an offer to provide such advice, should not be construed as advocating the purchase or sale of any security or investment or a recommendation of any company, and is not an offer, or solicitation of an offer, for the purchase or sale of any security or investment product. For more details please see lsvp.com/legal.

    32 min
  5. Lulu Cheng Meservey: The New Rules of Founder Comms (Encore)

    27 MAR

    Lulu Cheng Meservey: The New Rules of Founder Comms (Encore)

    Lulu Cheng Meservey puts founders in control of their narrative using one simple principle: Go Direct. This week, we’re revisiting our conversation with the CEO and Founder of Rostra, the go-to communications agency for Silicon Valley founders. Lulu joins Lightspeed Partner and Host Michael Mignano on the podcast to talk about her ​​modern communications playbook for founders of places like Ramp, SSI, Scale, Anduril, Suno, and The Free Press. They talk about why a comms strategy is just as important as a product strategy. Plus, Lulu shares her after action reports on Based Zuck, SpaceX, Tesla, and Waymo. Episode Chapters: (00:00) Introduction  (01:29) Why Founder Led Communication Works  (03:47) Challenges and Strategies for Founders (06:49) Lulu's Career Experience (08:34) Substack  (12:11) Have a Clear Company Mission  (18:01) The ‘Go Direct’ Manifesto (23:59) Traditional Media in Communication Strategy (24:40) Targeted Communication: Persuading Key Decision Makers (25:54) Effective Use of Press and Media Outlets (28:30) Lulu’s After Action Report: Tesla's Recent Event (36:11) Apple's Strategy and Public Perception (38:46) Waymo's Underrated Progress in Autonomous Vehicles (40:17) Meta's Positive Feedback Loop and Based Zuck (43:42) The Importance of Founder-Led Companies (47:27) Final Thoughts Stay in touch: www.lsvp.com X: https://twitter.com/lightspeedvp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightspeed-venture-partners/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightspeedventurepartners/ Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: generativenow.co Email: generativenow@lsvp.com The content here does not constitute tax, legal, business or investment advice or an offer to provide such advice, should not be construed as advocating the purchase or sale of any security or investment or a recommendation of any company, and is not an offer, or solicitation of an offer, for the purchase or sale of any security or investment product. For more details please see lsvp.com/legal.

    48 min
  6. Johnny Ho: The Future of Online Search (Encore)

    20 MAR

    Johnny Ho: The Future of Online Search (Encore)

    This week, we are revisiting a conversation between Lightspeed Partner and host Michael Mignano and Johnny Ho, co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Perplexity. Perplexity is the AI powered search engine that is rapidly growing and challenging the industry status quo. Johnny and Michael talk about his background as a competitive programmer, the business model of search, and Perplexity’s Publisher Program, where publishers earn a share of advertising revenue. Johnny has been ranked number one in the world of competitive programming. He previously worked at Quora as a software engineer –  he accomplished all of this before graduating from Harvard. Episode Chapters (00:00) Introduction (00:40) Johnny Ho's Engineering Background and IOI Achievements (02:44) Transition to Product Strategy (05:39) Perplexity: The Answer Engine (11:06 )Technology Behind Perplexity (15:47) Challenges and Future of AI Models (19:41) Growth and Distribution Strategy (23:54) Setting and Achieving Team Goals (25:35) Perplexity's Business Model and Future Plans (31:01) Challenges and Opportunities in AI and Search (32:55) Publisher Program and Content Credibility (39:59) Voice and Multimodal Experiences (42:04) What's Next for Perplexity? (43:12) Conclusion and Final Thoughts Stay in touch: www.lsvp.com X: https://twitter.com/lightspeedvp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightspeed-venture-partners/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightspeedventurepartners/ Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: generativenow.co Email: generativenow@lsvp.com The content here does not constitute tax, legal, business or investment advice or an offer to provide such advice, should not be construed as advocating the purchase or sale of any security or investment or a recommendation of any company, and is not an offer, or solicitation of an offer, for the purchase or sale of any security or investment product. For more details please see lsvp.com/legal.

    44 min
  7. Dan Shipper: The First MultiModal Media Company

    13 MAR

    Dan Shipper: The First MultiModal Media Company

    Code is content. Writers build apps. App builders write newsletters. This is  Every CEO & Founder Dan Shipper’s vision for the modern media company. Michael Mignano, Partner at Lightspeed, sits down with Dan to talk about building the first multimodal media company, developing viral software like Cora, and cultivating an audience and talent at Every.  Check out our episode with Nathan Baschez, Every cofounder and Lex CEO Episode Chapters (00:00) Introduction(02:54) Dan's Journey into Coding(03:47) Cofounding Firefly(06:53) The Evolution of Every(15:40) Vibe Coding(24:37) The Creation of Cora(30:12) Every's Product Ecosystem(34:47) AI&I Podcast(35:37) Innovative Uses of AI Tools(37:46) Deep Background and Research Tools(41:07) Exploring AI Models and Their Capabilities(49:14) Voice as the Future Interface(57:04) The Future of AI and Startups(01:03:26) Final ThoughtsStay in touch:www.lsvp.comX: https://twitter.com/lightspeedvpLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightspeed-venture-partners/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightspeedventurepartners/Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: generativenow.coEmail: generativenow@lsvp.comThe content here does not constitute tax, legal, business or investment advice or an offer to provide such advice, should not be construed as advocating the purchase or sale of any security or investment or a recommendation of any company, and is not an offer, or solicitation of an offer, for the purchase or sale of any security or investment product. For more details please see lsvp.com/legal.

    1h 4m
  8. Josh Mohrer: Is the Future of AI Businesses A Solo Pursuit?

    6 MAR

    Josh Mohrer: Is the Future of AI Businesses A Solo Pursuit?

    AI is rapidly expanding what we can get done in a day. So, can entrepreneurs leveraging AI start companies of one? In this episode of Generative Now, host Michael Magnano, partner at Lightspeed, sits down with Josh Mohrer, the founder and CEO of Wave, a revolutionary AI app that records, transcribes, and summarizes meetings and conversations. Josh talks about his entrepreneurial journey, transitioning from running Uber's New York operations to building a successful solo venture. He shares how he leveraged AI technologies like GPT-3 to learn to code and develop Wave, the challenges and advantages of being a solo founder, and his hands-on approach to customer support.  Episode Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(00:31) Josh's Journey with Uber(09:29) Transition to Building Wave with AI(24:41) Embracing the Solo Entrepreneurial Journey(25:26) Balancing Expectations and Investor Influence(26:20) The Role of AI in Engineering and Development(27:17) Improving App Performance and User Experience(29:03) The Future of Solo Ventures and AI-Driven Companies(31:54) AI's Impact on Coding and Development Practices(35:53) Leveraging AI for Customer Support and Internal Tools(38:59) How Josh Leverages AI ToolsStay in touch:www.lsvp.comX: https://twitter.com/lightspeedvpLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightspeed-venture-partners/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightspeedventurepartners/Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: generativenow.coEmail: generativenow@lsvp.comThe content here does not constitute tax, legal, business or investment advice or an offer to provide such advice, should not be construed as advocating the purchase or sale of any security or investment or a recommendation of any company, and is not an offer, or solicitation of an offer, for the purchase or sale of any security or investment product. For more details please see lsvp.com/legal.

    52 min
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Generative Now is a weekly series from Lightspeed, highlighting the stories, strategies and insights behind today's most exciting AI companies and how they’ll change everything about the way we work. Inspired by the popular in-person Generative Meetups in places like New York, San Francisco, LA and Europe, host and Lightspeed Partner Michael Mignano will speak with founders, engineers, designers and other leaders that are leveraging AI to take their product to new heights. Listen and follow Generative Now wherever you get your podcasts.

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