RRE POV

RRE Ventures
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Demystifying the conversations we're already here at RRE and with our portfolio companies. In each episode, your hosts, Will Porteous and Raju Rishi will dive deeply into topics that are shaping the future, from satellite technology to digital health, to venture investing, and much more.

  1. JAN 19

    Owning the Code: The Enterprise Playbook for Voice Agents

    In this episode of RRE POV, Raju and Will sit down with Nick Leonard, co-founder and CEO of VoiceRun — the world’s fastest, most extensible voice agent platform. The guys unpack Nick’s career pivots and hard-earned startup lessons, and go deep on the business behind the technology.  They discuss why voice AI has historically fallen short, why enterprises, not startups, are driving real adoption, and how a code-first, serverless, LLM-native architecture enables speed, extensibility, observability, and trust. Nick shares what it truly takes to deploy production-grade voice agents across banks, insurers, and restaurant platforms, and why owning the code has never mattered more. Shownotes: (00:00) The Big Decision: College or Career? (00:47) Introducing the Guest: Nick Leonard (03:17) Nick's Journey from Muncie to MIT (14:44) Early Career and Entrepreneurial Lessons (28:56) The Evolution of People Leadership (31:02) The Rise of Voice AI (32:58) Building Voice Run: Challenges and Insights (36:17) Future of Voice AI and Final Thoughts

    56 min

  2. 11/10/2025

    The AI Revolution: Opportunity, Risk & Reality

    In this episode, Will and Raju pull back the curtain on what it really takes to invest in AI right now — amid trillion-dollar forecasts and valuations, and a pace of change that’s rewriting company building in real time. From “vibe coding” to AI agents that find the hottest DJ sets, they explore how the tech is reshaping daily life, work life, product roadmaps, and the venture math behind it.  Drawing from decades of pattern recognition across the PC, internet, and mobile eras, they share how to separate hype from lasting value — unpacking RRE’s framework for backing durable AI businesses. Whether you’re building the future, backing the future, or just trying to understand it, this is the episode you don’t want to miss. Show Notes: (00:00) Introduction(01:41) The Staggering Numbers in AI Investment(04:41) Should Entrepreneurs Start an AI Company?(07:03) How Raju Uses AI(09:16) Why AI Won't Kill the Music Industry(12:18) Will's AI Use as (18:50) AI Valuations Are Bonkers(20:54) Comparing Four Tech Inflection Points(24:02) Three Unsolved Problems in AI Business Models(27:47) Raju's Four Characteristics for AI Investments(31:45) Why Nanit Is the Perfect AI Investment Example(34:41) The Fraudulent Satellite Imagery Problem(36:10) Data Authenticity as Investment Opportunity(38:30) Final Advice

    40 min

  3. 09/29/2025

    AI or Die: Reinventing Old Companies in a New Era

    What happens when your company wasn't born with AI, but now has to compete with those that were? In this episode of RRE POV, Raju Rishi and Will Porteous tackle what established companies should do when AI-powered competitors start knocking at the door. They break down how to protect your business while using AI to get better at everything you do. You’ll hear real company stories and experiences, plus practical advice on which AI tools to adopt right now. Show Highlights: (00:00) Introduction  (00:45) How do Old Companies Survive AI? (02:00) Competing with Companies Built with AI from day one (04:06) Smart Baby Monitor Beats AI-Native Competition (07:00) Five Ways to Protect Your Business from AI  (12:28) Using AI to Improve Sales and Marketing (15:06) Two Examples of AI-native Tools Driving Efficiency (18:02) How Some Founders Are Training Agents to Code like Them. (23:01) VoiceRun’s AI Support Breakthrough (26:32) Why Finance is the Next Frontier of AI transformation (31:00) How AI Is Changing Fundraising Expectations (34:36) Why SaaS Might Be Dead (40:12) Advice for Company Leaders Navigating AI (40:51) Gatling Gun: Will AI Replace Us? (44:11) How to Contact Us

    45 min

  4. 09/15/2025

    History’s Greatest Hits: The 20 Inventions That Changed Everything

    This episode of RRE POV turns history into a high-stakes trivia match as Raju quizzesWill on the 20 greatest inventions of all time. From the wheel and the compass to electricity and the computer, Will puts his historical memory to the test — nailing dates, inventors, and surprising details along the way. Together, they trace humanity’s most game-changing breakthroughs, exploring how each invention reshaped the world and paved the way for today’s technological revolutions. Show Highlights:(0:00) Introduction(5:29) Writing Systems & Languages: Sumerians, Egyptians, Chinese(7:41) The Compass: Chinese invention, global navigation(10:53) Gunpowder: Chinese alchemists, global impact(12:13) Printing Press: Gutenberg, mass communication(16:06) Vaccination: Edward Jenner, public health(18:55) Sanitation Systems: Modern sewage, clean water, public health(25:03) Light Bulb: Edison, Swan, Davy(25:30)Automobile: Benz, mass mobility(26:31) Airplane: Wright Brothers, first flight(27:16) Antibiotics: Penicillin, Alexander Fleming(28:07) Computer: Turing, Zuse, ENIAC(33:19) Vulcanization, PlayStation, Chick-fil-A, and other fun mentions(36:00) Wrap-up & reflections on the impact of these inventions

    36 min

  5. 08/18/2025

    You Broke It, You Bought it!

    The hardest startup decisions are the ones you can’t undo. In this episode of RRE POV, partners Raju Rishi and Will Porteous share the critical early choices that can make or break a company, from branding and pricing to hiring, titles, and product design.Drawing on real boardroom experiences and founder stories, they share where startups often trip up, how to avoid costly missteps, and practical frameworks for making decisions today that won’t limit your options tomorrow.

    47 min

  6. 08/04/2025

    Money's In The Bank, Now What?

    You’ve closed your funding round. The wire’s hit. Your team is pumped. Now what?  In the latest episode of RRE POV, General Partners Raju Rishi and Will Porteous dive into the crucial early days AFTER a deal is done — when expectations are fresh, possibilities seem endless, and the real work of building a high-functioning relationship between founders and investors begins. If you're a first-time founder or just kicked off a fresh relationship with a new VC, this episode is your playbook for getting it right from day one. Show Highlights: 00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks 00:58 Post-Funding Expectations 02:14 First Conversations with Entrepreneurs 04:10 Onboarding and Initial Steps 07:22 Board Meetings and Communication 12:36 Establishing Board Culture 18:52 Reality Check and Adjustments 22:19 Maximizing Board Member Contributions 23:01 Engaging with Directors Beyond Meetings 24:21 Leveraging Board Members' Superpowers 26:21 Effective Communication Strategies 30:16 Handling Bad News and Financial Literacy 33:25 Worst Board Meetings and First Dates 40:14 Fun and Final Thoughts

    42 min

  7. 07/21/2025

    The Analyst That Never Sleeps: Inside Farsight’s AI Revolution

    In this episode of RRE POV, Raju and Will sit down with Samir Dutta and Noah Faro, co-founders of Farsight, an AI platform reshaping how financial institutions operate. Raju first connected with the Farsight team through a fun coincidence they all happened to be part of the same MIT fraternity, Phi Beta Epsilon. Though they were there years apart, that shared bond made teaming up on this company a natural fit. The guys dive into how Farsight helps analysts move faster by generating slide decks and models in minutes, not weeks, and how it’s already driving real revenue for clients. With proactive AI agents on the horizon, Farsight is quickly becoming a must-have tool for modern financial workflows.

    52 min

  8. 06/16/2025

    Face Time > FaceTime: The Power of Showing Up

    In a world reliant on Zoom, Raju and Will make the case for getting on the plane. From the boardroom to baggage claim, they break down why in-person connection still drives better outcomes—especially in venture capital and high-stakes decision-making. These two seasoned road warriors share sharp insights on building trust, reading a room, and setting the tone for in-person meetings. Plus, they drop their best travel hacks—from packing like a minimalist to leveraging your hotel concierge—and swap stories from the road. Whether you're building a company or just trying to beat jet lag, this episode delivers both practical wisdom and plenty of laughs. Show Highlights: (1:45) The relationship value of in-person meetings (4:32) The power of body language (7:51) In-person vs. Zoom meetings (10:35) Basing your board meetings around a meal (13:35) Remote-only companies (16:25) Know how a hotel actually works (20:10) Adjust to the time zone before you get on the plane (24:00) Out of the ordinary things to bring when traveling (26:44) Favorite airports (27:39) Favorite travel experiences (31:42) Worst travel experience

    39 min
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About

Demystifying the conversations we're already here at RRE and with our portfolio companies. In each episode, your hosts, Will Porteous and Raju Rishi will dive deeply into topics that are shaping the future, from satellite technology to digital health, to venture investing, and much more.

Information

  • Creator
    RRE Ventures
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © RRE Ventures
  • Show Website
    RRE POV