Post Money

In-depth conversations with top founders and VCs on building, scaling, and raising capital across industries.
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Post Money Podcast features conversations with the world’s leading founders and venture capitalists across industries. Hosted by Nilanjana Bhowmik, Founder & General Partner at Converge, Post Money dives into the art of raising capital, building high-growth companies, founder psychology, early-stage strategy, and the human decisions behind iconic outcomes. New episodes weekly with the builders and backers shaping the next decade of innovation. postmoneypodcast.substack.com

  1. 6d ago

    AI Is Changing E-Commerce Forever

    OpenAI won't reach nearly $300 billion in annual revenue by selling ChatGPT subscriptions alone. It will have to expand into some of the world's biggest markets, and commerce is one of them. So what happens when the biggest AI companies in the world decide they want a piece of your shopping cart? And where does that leave the startups trying to build in their shadow? According to Ben Lerer, co-founder and Managing Director at Lerer Hippeau, that shift will create enormous opportunities for a new generation of startups. Inside The Episode: * The arbitrage window brands have right now to master new AI shopping interfaces. * How Shopify already killed the old “technology advantage” in commerce, and why AI tooling is about to erase what’s left of it. * How Zipline evolved from an African medical delivery company into Walmart’s drone delivery partner. * Why today’s tech giants are far better positioned to capture this cycle than incumbents were during the shift to mobile or cloud. * How AI-powered shopping could create entirely new customer acquisition channels for startups. * Why autonomous logistics may become one of the biggest opportunities created by AI. * Whether companies like OpenAI should acquire AI-native businesses instead of building everything themselves. * How founders should think about defensibility as foundation models become increasingly powerful. * Why the future of AI extends beyond software into physical infrastructure, logistics, and commerce. Watch Full Episode on YouTube: About Ben Lerer: Ben Lerer is Managing Partner at Lerer Hippeau, one of the most active early-stage venture capital firms in the United States, known for backing category-defining consumer and technology startups. The firm has backed companies that went on to become major global brands including Warby Parker, Allbirds, Zipline, and Hungryroot. Before entering venture capital, Ben was an entrepreneur in the digital media industry. He co-founded Thrillist, which grew into one of the most prominent digital lifestyle media brands before merging with Group Nine Media, later acquired by Vox Media. Connect with Ben Lerer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benlerer/ About the Host Nilanjana Bhowmik is a General Partner at Converge and host of the Post Money Podcast, where she speaks with founders, investors, and industry leaders shaping the future of technology, innovation, and venture capital. Through in-depth conversations, Post Money explores the ideas, decisions, and trends driving the next generation of transformative companies. Connect with Nilanjana Bhowmik: linkedin.com/in/nilanjanabhowmik Converge VC website: converge.vc This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit postmoneypodcast.substack.com

  2. Jul 17

    What Happens When AI Enters the Physical World

    Bosch outsells nearly every software company in the automotive industry, but nobody in Silicon Valley thinks of Bosch as a software company. That blind spot is the entire thesis of this episode: the physical world runs on trillions of dollars of GDP that AI has barely touched, and the founders who win there won’t come from the industries they’re disrupting. In this episode, Bilal Zuberi explains why we’re entering the era of Physical AI, where intelligence moves beyond screens and becomes embedded inside machines, factories, vehicles, robots, and infrastructure. While thousands of startups compete to automate office work, some of the biggest opportunities are emerging inside industries that have historically been underserved by modern software. Automotive, aerospace, construction, defense, manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare are all undergoing fundamental transformation as AI becomes deeply integrated into physical systems. Inside the episode: * Why Physical AI may become the largest AI opportunity of the next decade * Why software is only the beginning of AI’s economic impact * How AI could accelerate breakthroughs in chemistry, healthcare, materials science, and scientific research * Why manufacturing, automotive, defense, construction, and industrial systems are becoming AI’s next frontier * Mike Maples’ framework for why some founders looked at GPS on the iPhone 4 and saw Uber and DoorDash while everyone else just saw a map * How a nation-state cyberweapon created an entire industrial cybersecurity category, and how a company built on discovering unpatched machines on operational networks became a billion-dollar acquisition by Mitsubishi Electric * The investment philosophy Bilal has followed through multiple technology cycles * The enormous market size hiding behind traditional physical industries * Real portfolio examples spanning industrial cybersecurity, autonomous mobility, and defense technology * Practical advice for founders building companies at the intersection of AI and the physical world Watch Full Episode on YouTube: About Bilal Zuberi Bilal Zuberi is the Founder and Managing Partner of Red Glass Ventures, an early-stage venture firm investing in AI, robotics, industrial technology, defense, healthcare, and other sectors transforming the physical world. Previously, he spent nearly 12 years as a General Partner at Lux Capital, where he backed companies including Applied Intuition, Nozomi Networks, Saildrone, Desktop Metal, Aurora Solar, and Nominal. A graduate of MIT with a background in physical chemistry and materials science, Bilal is known for his investment thesis that the next generation of category-defining companies will emerge at the intersection of AI and the physical economy. Connect with Bilal Zuberi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bzuberi/ About the Host Nilanjana Bhowmik is a General Partner at Converge and host of the Post Money Podcast, where she speaks with founders, investors, and industry leaders shaping the future of technology, innovation, and venture capital. Through in-depth conversations, Post Money explores the ideas, decisions, and trends driving the next generation of transformative companies. Connect with Nilanjana Bhowmik: linkedin.com/in/nilanjanabhowmik Converge VC website: converge.vc This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit postmoneypodcast.substack.com

  3. Jul 10

    Why Talent Is The Single Biggest Competitive Advantage In Venture | Brad Svrluga

    Every month, new startups launch with access to the same models, the same tools, and increasingly similar technology. In today’s episode of Post Money Podcast Brad Svrluga explains why founder quality, hiring, and relentless execution have become the defining advantages in a market where innovation cycles now move at unprecedented speed. For founders, the challenge is no longer simply building a great product. It’s building a company that can adapt faster than the technology itself. Brad shares how that shift is changing the way he evaluates startups, allocates capital, and identifies the founders most likely to build enduring businesses. Inside the episode: * Why founder quality matters more than products, markets, or ideas. * The recruiting strategy that has become a competitive advantage for top venture firms. * How venture capital is evolving from financial backing to operational partnership. * How AI is lowering barriers to building companies while dramatically increasing competition. * Why startups are better positioned than incumbents to lead the AI revolution. * The rise of software agents and the massive new markets they are unlocking. * Whether AI is creating winner-take-all markets or simply raising the bar for execution. * How venture portfolio strategy is changing as failures become more common and billion-dollar outcomes become even larger. Watch Full Episode on YouTube: About Brad Svrluga: Brad Svrluga is a co-founder and General Partner at Primary Venture Partners. He began his career in venture capital at the very end of the internet bubble and invested through the difficult market cycles of the early 2000s. His investment focus spans vertical SaaS, healthcare, and financial services, and he has partnered with multiple companies in each of these sectors that have gone on to exceed $1B in valuation. Together with co-founder Ben Sun, Brad helped scale Primary into what is now the world’s largest standalone seed-stage venture firm. He currently serves as Managing Partner and co-leads the firm’s investment team. About the Host Nilanjana Bhowmik is a General Partner at Converge and host of the Post Money Podcast, where she speaks with founders, investors, and industry leaders shaping the future of technology, innovation, and venture capital. Through in-depth conversations, Post Money explores the ideas, decisions, and trends driving the next generation of transformative companies. Connect with Nilanjana Bhowmik: linkedin.com/in/nilanjanabhowmik Converge VC website: converge.vc This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit postmoneypodcast.substack.com

  4. Jul 3

    Top VC's Advice on Shipping Fast | Nihal Mehta, Eniac Ventures

    AI is shrinking teams, accelerating product development, and changing what investors look for in founders. The biggest competitive advantage is no longer having the largest team, it’s learning faster than everyone else. Nihal Mehta from Eniac Ventures shares why the future belongs to founders who ship relentlessly, stay close to customers, and keep burn low until the market pulls them forward. Inside The Episode: * The startup mistakes that burn through cash too early * Why shipping imperfect products wins in the AI era * The new rules for finding product-market fit * Why customer conversations matter more than hiring sales teams * How AI is changing startup teams forever * The rise of one-person billion-dollar companies * Why healthcare is becoming one of AI’s biggest opportunities * What Nihal Mehta looks for in the first 10 minutes of every founder pitch Watch Full Episode on YouTube: About Nihal Mehta Nihal Mehta is a co-founder and managing partner at Eniac Ventures, a founder-led seed-stage firm he’s helped build over 16 years. Before venture capital, Nihal was a serial founder who experienced both exits and failure, including a Chapter 7 bankruptcy in his early 20s, followed by acquisitions of ipsh! by Omnicom and buzzd/LocalResponse by BlueCava. He began investing early, backing companies such as AdMob (acquired by Google), Alloy, Brightwheel, Tala, and Uber. Alongside his wife Reshma, he is an active angel investor and LP supporting underrepresented founders, and is deeply involved in philanthropy through initiatives like Project Ahimsa and Help Main Street. Connect with Nihal Mehta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nihalmehta/ About the Host Nilanjana Bhowmik is a General Partner at Converge and host of the Post Money Podcast, where she speaks with founders, investors, and industry leaders shaping the future of technology, innovation, and venture capital. Through in-depth conversations, Post Money explores the ideas, decisions, and trends driving the next generation of transformative companies. Connect with Nilanjana Bhowmik: linkedin.com/in/nilanjanabhowmik Converge VC website: converge.vc This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit postmoneypodcast.substack.com

  5. Jun 26

    The Defense Tech Boom Is Just Getting Started, Every Founder Should Be Paying Attention

    Some of Silicon Valley's biggest success stories started with government funding, not venture capital. The U.S. government has helped build some of the world's most valuable technology companies, from Hewlett-Packard and Oracle to Pixar and Palantir, and the next generation may be no different. Alexander Harstrick has watched this shift happen from the inside: first in military intelligence and Pentagon technology acquisition, and now as the co-founder of J2 Venture Partners, where he invests in dual-use companies built for both commercial markets and government demand. Defense technology is no longer a niche category. It’s becoming one of the fastest-growing opportunities in venture capital, attracting billions of dollars and a new generation of founders building AI, robotics, enterprise software, healthcare, telecommunications, and advanced manufacturing companies. Every founder should be paying attention. Inside The Episode: • How the Pentagon shifted its innovation strategy after 2014 • The “Dual-Use Barbell” strategy every founder should understand • How startups can use government funding without sacrificing commercial success • The biggest mistakes founders make when selling to the DoD • The sectors Alexander believes offer the biggest opportunities over the next decade Watch Full Episode on YouTube: About Alexander Harstrick: Alexander Harstrick is a Managing Partner at J2 Ventures, investing in dual-use and deep-tech companies at the intersection of defense, government, and commercial markets. He brings an operator’s perspective shaped by experience in venture investing, military intelligence, and national security innovation. Before J2, Alexander worked in corporate venture investing at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, served as a U.S. Army Military Intelligence Officer with deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, and led early-stage technology investments inside the Department of Defense through the Defense Innovation Unit and National Security Innovation Capital. He has also worked with KKR and supported strategic finance initiatives for the U.S. Air Force via AFWERX. About the Host Nilanjana Bhowmik is a General Partner at Converge and host of the Post Money Podcast, where she speaks with founders, investors, and industry leaders shaping the future of technology, innovation, and venture capital. Through in-depth conversations, Post Money explores the ideas, decisions, and trends driving the next generation of transformative companies. Connect with Alexander Harstrick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderharstrick Connect with Nilanjana Bhowmik: linkedin.com/in/nilanjanabhowmik Converge VC website: converge.vc This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit postmoneypodcast.substack.com

  6. Jun 19

    Hot Take: The US Government Banned Fable. SpaceX Bought Cursor. What’s Going On?

    In a matter of days, the U.S. government blocked access to Anthropic’s advanced Mythos and Fable models, while SpaceX surpassed a $2 trillion valuation and announced its $60 billion acquisition of Cursor, one of the fastest-growing AI software companies in the world. These events may appear unrelated, but together they point to a fundamental shift in the AI landscape. Advanced AI is no longer just a commercial technology. It is increasingly being treated as strategic infrastructure, with implications for national security, global competitiveness, regulation, and capital allocation. In this episode, Nilanjana Bhowmik sits down with James Falkoff to unpack the controversy surrounding Anthropic’s restricted models, the cybersecurity concerns that triggered government intervention, and the broader debate around sovereign AI. They discuss whether frontier AI systems can realistically be controlled, what this means for countries dependent on foreign AI providers, and why governments around the world are paying close attention. The conversation then turns to SpaceX’s rapidly expanding AI ambitions. Beyond Grok, SpaceX is building a vertically integrated AI business that spans large-scale compute infrastructure, data center operations, and now Cursor’s rapidly growing developer platform. James explains why the Cursor acquisition could significantly strengthen SpaceX’s position in AI and how the company is pursuing a long-term strategy centered on infrastructure, energy, and lower-cost AI deployment. Inside the episode: • Why the U.S. government blocked Anthropic’s Mythos and Fable models • Whether the reported jailbreak justified government intervention • The debate over AI safety, cybersecurity, and frontier model access • Why many cybersecurity experts opposed the decision • The emergence of sovereign AI as a strategic national priority • SpaceX’s $60 billion acquisition of Cursor and what it means for the company’s AI strategy • How Cursor’s developer ecosystem could strengthen Grok and future SpaceX AI models • The economics of AI infrastructure, data centers, and compute • SpaceX’s vision for vertically integrated AI • The long-term implications for technology companies, governments, and global markets Watch Full Episode on YouTube About James Falkoff: James has over 16 years of experience investing in technology across public and private markets, including more than a decade in venture capital. He has led over 25 early-stage investments and is known for his thought leadership, strong exit track record, and hands-on work with portfolio companies to drive growth. Before joining Converge, he was a Principal at Longworth Venture Partners, where he partnered with Nilanjana Bhowmik to identify high-potential sectors and secure early access to top startups. His portfolio includes companies like Olapic (acquired by Monotype), RapidMiner (Altair), JIBE (iCIMS), and TrackVia (Primus Capital). Connect with James Falkoff:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesfalkoff/ Connect with Nilanjana Bhowmik:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nilanjanabhowmik/ Converge VC Website: https://converge.vc/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit postmoneypodcast.substack.com

  7. Jun 11

    Everyone Is Building AI Agents. Smart Investors Are Building This Instead

    Venture capital spent the last twenty years chasing software. Now some of Silicon Valley’s most experienced investors believe the next generation of trillion-dollar companies will be built in the physical world. In this episode of the Post Money Podcast, Bain Capital Ventures Partner Ajay Agarwal explains why AI is moving beyond chatbots and software into factories, warehouses, construction sites, logistics networks, and robotics systems that interact with the real world. Having backed robotics before it was fashionable, including Bain Capital Ventures' investment in Kiva Systems long before it became Amazon Robotics, Ajay explains why investors walked away from the category for nearly two decades, what has reignited interest today, and why the next wave of AI winners may emerge from the physical world rather than software. We discuss how AI is transforming manufacturing, construction, logistics, and consumer robotics, why proprietary real-world data may become the most valuable asset in AI, and how a new generation of founders is building companies far beyond the traditional software playbook. Finally, Agay shares his views on AI regulation, public anxiety around job displacement, and why healthcare, life sciences, and education may be among the most transformative AI opportunities still ahead. Inside This Episode * Why Bain Capital Ventures believes Physical AI could become a multi-trillion-dollar opportunity * The untold story of Kiva Systems and how Amazon Robotics was built * Why venture capital avoided robotics for nearly twenty years * The rise of the Industrial Renaissance and the return of hardware investing * How AI is transforming construction, manufacturing, logistics, and warehousing * Why proprietary real-world data may be more valuable than foundation models * The future of humanoid robots and consumer robotics * Why software incumbents must embrace AI or risk becoming irrelevant * The cultural challenges facing large software companies in the AI era * How founders should think about AI disruption inside existing products * Why healthcare, life sciences, and education may be the next major AI frontiers * The debate around AI regulation, innovation, and public trust Watch Full Episode on YouTube About Ajay Agarwal Ajay Agarwal is a Partner at Bain Capital Ventures, where he has spent more than two decades investing in category-defining technology companies. He invests across AI, enterprise software, robotics, logistics, industrial technology, and the emerging Physical AI landscape. Ajay led Bain Capital Ventures’ investment in Kiva Systems, the pioneering warehouse robotics company that was acquired by Amazon and became the foundation of Amazon Robotics. He has also backed companies including ShipBob, Vention, Gather AI, TerraFirma, and several next-generation robotics and automation businesses. Before venture capital, Ajay was an entrepreneur and operator, co-founding an enterprise software company while studying at Stanford University. About the Host Nilanjana Bhowmik is a General Partner at Converge and host of the Post Money Podcast, where she speaks with founders, investors, and industry leaders shaping the future of technology, innovation, and venture capital. Through in-depth conversations, Post Money explores the ideas, decisions, and trends driving the next generation of transformative companies. Connect with Ajay Agarwal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajay1agarwal Connect with Nilanjana Bhowmik: linkedin.com/in/nilanjanabhowmik Converge VC website: converge.vc This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit postmoneypodcast.substack.com

  8. Jun 4

    She Started a VC Fund at 25, Here's What $500M Later Looks Like | Lu Zhang

    When someone told me, “You have to invite Lu Zhang on the show because she’s fearless,” I was intrigued. That single word ended up shaping much of this conversation. Lu started investing in AI long before AI became the hottest topic in venture capital. She launched Fusion Fund when most people thought she was too young to be a venture capitalist, built the firm from less than $20 million to more than $500 million in assets under management, and spent the last decade backing founders across AI, healthcare, and industrial automation while much of Silicon Valley was focused elsewhere. In this episode, we explore what it actually means to have conviction before the rest of the market catches up. Lu shares how she evaluates market timing, why being too early can be just as dangerous as being too late, and how Fusion Fund built a unique advantage through deep networks of founders, researchers, CTOs, and industry leaders. We discuss why AI healthcare may finally be reaching a true inflection point, how major enterprises are accelerating AI adoption, and why the next generation of AI winners may look very different from what most investors expect. Inside the episode: * Why Lu Zhang started a venture fund when most people thought she was too young to be a VC * How Fusion Fund grew from less than $20 million to more than $500 million under management * The three sectors Fusion Fund has focused on for more than a decade * Why access to information has become a competitive advantage in venture capital * The turning point that is making AI healthcare finally take off * Why healthcare may become one of the biggest AI opportunities of the decade * The rise of vertical AI models in healthcare, finance, and insurance * The biggest opportunities in AI infrastructure, governance, and data management * What Lu looks for when evaluating AI founders Watch Full Episode on YouTube: About Lu Zhang Lu Zhang is the Founder and Managing Partner of Fusion Fund, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm focused on AI, healthcare, enterprise technology, and industrial automation. A Stanford-trained engineer, former entrepreneur, and investor, Lu is known for backing deep technology companies at the intersection of innovation and real-world commercialization. Originally from Inner Mongolia, Lu founded Fusion Fund in 2015 after building companies and conducting research in materials science. Since then, she has grown the firm into one of the leading early-stage investors in AI and frontier technologies. Her work has earned recognition from the World Economic Forum, Forbes, Business Insider, and Silicon Valley Women of Influence. Beyond investing, Lu is a frequent speaker at global conferences including Davos, Web Summit, and SuperReturn, serves on the boards of several technology and healthcare organizations, and is a guest lecturer at Stanford University. She holds an M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Stanford. Connect with Lu Zhang: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luzhangvc Connect with Nilanjana Bhowmik: linkedin.com/in/nilanjanabhowmik Converge VC website: converge.vc This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit postmoneypodcast.substack.com

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Post Money Podcast features conversations with the world’s leading founders and venture capitalists across industries. Hosted by Nilanjana Bhowmik, Founder & General Partner at Converge, Post Money dives into the art of raising capital, building high-growth companies, founder psychology, early-stage strategy, and the human decisions behind iconic outcomes. New episodes weekly with the builders and backers shaping the next decade of innovation. postmoneypodcast.substack.com

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  • Creator
    In-depth conversations with top founders and VCs on building, scaling, and raising capital across industries.
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Post Money Podcast
  • Show Website
    Post Money