Innovation with Mark Peter Davis Innovation, Startups & VC

This week's pod is a mid-year check-in on the global markets with Chris Zhang. Chris shares his insights on the current state of the U.S. and global markets and we dissect key economic data, market trends, and potential risks, offering a nuanced evaluation of the economic landscape.

Phuong delves into the crucial strategies for acquiring initial customers when launching a B2C (business-to-consumer) product. We discuss the importance of targeting early adopters who feel the problem intensely and are willing to tolerate an imperfect product. Practical advice is provided on how to find these initial users both offline and online, emphasizing the value of human contact and direct feedback. The episode also highlights successful pre-launch community building and beta program strategies, with real-world examples such as Harry's pre-launch referral program.
Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplayPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn

I recently sat down with Chris Zhang, CIO and partner at Ascend Interplay, to discuss the often misunderstood concept of diversification. We explored the endowment model, which focuses on alternative assets like private equity, venture capital, and real estate, and how it can be applied to ultra-high-net-worth families and individuals with long-term investment horizons. I note how this approach can help capture the illiquidity premium and provide diversification benefits. Chris shared his insights on the limitations of traditional measures like volatility and correlation, and we discussed how true uncorrelated assets are scarce in the current macro environment. Our conversation highlighted the importance of understanding the nuances of diversification and risk management in investing.
Links:
Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplayPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn
*DISCLAIMER*
Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this podcast are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The podcast may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the podcast does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The podcast is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

DESCRIPTION
Recruiting and team construction are crucial for any company's culture and success. This week, Phuong and I dive into this topic and how important it is to focus on hiring when building a startup. Phuong provides insights into assessing team needs, creating effective job descriptions, conducting thoughtful interviews, and evaluating candidates based on grit, humility, and integrity. When looking to add people to the team not only should technical qualifications be considered but we underscore the significance of soft skills.  Every person you bring into your team has an impact on shaping organizational culture and success. Lastly, we share a tool used here at Interplay, Superman Analysis. We use Superman Analysis to assess team needs and identify gaps in skills enabling us to ensure our team is structured and staffed as it should be. 
LINKS
Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @MikeyjrogPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Superman Analysis
*DISCLAIMER*
Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this podcast are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The podcast may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the podcast does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The podcast is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.

Mike and I had the pleasure of sitting down with Todd Saunders (CEO of Broadlume), and Chetan Narain (co-founder and CTO of Pepper) to discuss the concept of vertical SaaS and its application in different industries. We explore how Broadlume and Pepper leverage vertical SaaS to serve the flooring and food distribution markets. Our conversation delves into the evolution and advantages of vertical SaaS, emphasizing the importance of owning customer relationships and leveraging industry-specific data. We speak about the potential for vertical SaaS companies to expand into broader markets beyond software, highlighting scalability and value proposition, particularly in high transaction volume industries. Additionally, Todd Saunders and Chetan Narain discuss the impact of AI on their businesses, focusing on its role in increasing internal efficiency, improving customer experience, and driving profitability. Our discussion underscores the broader implications of AI adoption, including its potential to enhance productivity, customer satisfaction, and shareholder value across industries.
Links:
Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @Mikeyjrog, @toddsaunders Company Links: Pepper LinkedIn, Pepper Website, Broadlume Website, Broadlume LinkedIn Podcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn
*DISCLAIMER*
Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this podcast are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The podcast may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the podcast does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The podcast is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither...

Mike and I sat down this week to chat about current events and their implications for the innovation economy. We begin our conversation by highlighting successful tech IPOs like Reddit and Estera, suggesting a strong demand for tech companies in the public market. We discuss how these IPOs could signal to other entrepreneurs and investors, potentially fueling more listings and investments. Our conversation shifts to a significant settlement in the real estate world, impacting companies like Compass. We analyze how changes in realtor commissions could shift capital to homeowners and potentially disrupt the real estate brokerage industry. Lastly, We touch upon Boeing's recent challenges, reflecting on corporate management issues and the potential for new players to enter the aviation industry. We discuss the lack of innovation in commercial aviation and suggest opportunities for entrepreneurs and government intervention to foster competition and innovation in the sector.
Links:
Follow us on Twitter: @mpd, @interplay, @MikeyjrogPodcast Links: Website, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn
*DISCLAIMER*
Interplay Family Office LLC (“Interplay”) is registered as an investment adviser with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Information about the qualifications and business practices of Interplay is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov._ Interplay only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Offering of asset management services through Interplay is pursuant to an investment advisory agreement.The views expressed in this podcast are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The podcast may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.Information communicated during the podcast does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice but is limited to the dissemination of general market information. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies or options presented. The podcast is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned herein. Neither Interplay nor its advisory persons render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your circumstances.