The Learning Corner by Precursor

Mia Farnham, Charles Hudson
  • 5.0 (4)
  • INVESTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The Learning Corner by Precursor

Welcome to the Learning Corner, a weekly Precursor Ventures podcast, where members of the Precursor team walk through their favorite articles and news snippets across the venture ecosystem.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Episode #20: AgTech and Venture Capital, Signs of a Failing Company, What The Heck Does Pre-Seed Even Mean?

    In this episode of The Learning Corner, the conversation kicks off with insights into understanding the role of Agtech in early-stage investing. The discussion then moves to identifying signs that a startup might be on the brink of failure, with a focus on the critical role of product velocity. Attention is given to recognizing red flags in founder behavior that could signal potential challenges. The episode concludes with a detailed exploration of pre-seed rounds, highlighting their significance and impact on the broader venture capital landscape.

    19 min

  2. FEB 13

    Episode #19: Venture Capital 3.0, Deciphering Early Stage Traction, 90's Tech Bubble vs. Current AI Valuations

    In this episode of The Learning Corner, the discussion kicks off with an introduction to the podcast and the significance of ARR milestones in the startup journey. The conversation then transitions into the evolving landscape of venture capital in the AI era, examining AI's influence on VC operations and the unique challenges faced in pre-seed funding. The episode delves into the nuances of analyzing early-stage traction, debunking common misconceptions. A comparison is drawn between the current AI investment hype and the 1999 tech bubble, offering insights into the potential parallels. The episode wraps up with a forward-looking perspective on AI investment strategies and concluding thoughts.

    20 min

  3. FEB 6

    Episode #18: Founders Quitting vs Stopping, The Rise of Spinout VC Funds, AngelList State of Venture Report

    In this episode of The Learning Corner the episode delves into Hunter Walk's essay, exploring the critical themes of founder perseverance and timing decisions in the startup journey. The conversation then shifts to a Forbes article examining Sarah Guo's recent fundraise and the opportunity of spinouts across venture capital. The episode also reviews the AngelList state of venture report, offering a comprehensive look at current and future trends in seed and venture dynamics.

    19 min

  4. JAN 30

    Episode #17: DeepSeek, Importance of Running a Fundraising Auction, Growing Seed Round Sizes

    In this episode of The Learning Corner, the discussion begins with an introduction to the podcast, setting the stage for an analysis of DeepSeek and ripple effects across venture, the public markets and startups. The conversation then shifts to predicting the future of AI, focusing on the potential of low-cost models. The episode explores auction-based fundraising, offering practical advice for founders. The importance of maintaining an updated diligence room for founders is emphasized, followed by a discussion on the dynamics of seed rounds, where size truly matters. The challenges and tips for founders navigating large seed rounds are also covered. The episode wraps up with closing thoughts and a call to action.

    20 min

  5. JAN 23

    Episode #16: Pre-Seed/Seed M&A Activity, Solo Founders, Harvey $3B Raise, Fund Performance Recalibrations

    In this episode of The Learning Corner, the conversation begins with an engaging overview of the current venture ecosystem, setting the stage for a discussion on M&A trends in venture capital. The focus then shifts to the unique challenges and dynamics faced by solo founder startups. The episode explores the rise of legal AI startups and their significant impact on the industry, followed by insights into AI's broader influence on professional services. The discussion also addresses how to navigate valuation resets within the venture capital landscape. The episode concludes with thoughtful closing remarks, bringing together the key themes explored.

    20 min

  6. JAN 17

    Episode #15: Andrea Funsten, Robert Vinall, Manny Medina

    In this episode of The Learning Corner, the conversation opens with a warm welcome, setting the stage for an exploration of transparency in venture capitalists' investment memos. The discussion then transitions to a presentation on the lessons learned from mistakes of omission in investing, offering valuable insights into recognizing and avoiding missed opportunities. The episode also delves into a LinkedIn post discussing the intersection of SaaS founders, AI, and evolving business models, highlighting the innovative ways these elements are reshaping the industry.

    19 min

  7. JAN 10

    Episode #14: The Information, TechCrunch, LifeSciVC (shared by Jay Ripley)

    In this episode of The Learning Corner, the discussion kicks off with insights into venture financing, setting the groundwork for a deep dive into Bench's shutdown and the dynamics between investors and founders. The conversation then navigates the complexities of venture debt, highlighting potential pitfalls, and addresses trust issues in founder-investor relationships. An exploration of Silicon Valley's unique venture capital landscape is followed by strategies tailored for non-Valley founders. The episode also delves into venture capital economics and fund strategies, comparing exits in biotech and emerging sectors.

    20 min

  8. 12/20/2024

    Episode #13: Rob Go, Zain Rizavi, New York Times

    This is the last episode of 2024 for The Learning Corner, and it's packed with great insights from across the ecosystem. The discussion first shifts to the dynamics of founders choosing firms and people, offering recommendations for repeat founders and insights into risk assessment. The episode delves into investment strategies, emphasizing timing and due diligence, and compares public and private market investing. An exploration of the history and evolution of venture capital is provided, alongside an analysis of founder preferences and decision-making. The dialogue highlights significant learning moments and predictions for the venture ecosystem, wrapping up with closing remarks and expressions of gratitude.

    20 min
See All (20)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Learning Corner, a weekly Precursor Ventures podcast, where members of the Precursor team walk through their favorite articles and news snippets across the venture ecosystem.

Information

  • Creator
    Mia Farnham, Charles Hudson
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 The Learning Corner by Precursor
  • Show Website
    The Learning Corner by Precursor

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