The Learning Corner by Precursor

Mia Farnham, Charles Hudson
  • 5.0 (6)
  • 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. 6D AGO

    Episode #36: Founder Optimism, Seed Math Is Broken, Aumni Venture Beacon Report

    In this week’s episode of The Learning Corner, recorded in person during Precursor’s team onsite in San Francisco, Mia Farnham and Charles Hudson dive into the following topics: Embracing Optimism in Venture Inspired by a recent essay from Collin and Joshua Wallace, we explore the often-overlooked value of modeling best-case scenarios. While founders and investors are trained to anticipate risk, we ask: what would it look like to plan with optimism, and why is that mindset essential to long-term success? Bill Gurley on the Broken Math of Seed We break down Hadley Harris’ viral thread and Bill Gurley’s response on how price does matter in seed investing and how it could become more difficult to win back ownership in follow on strategy. Aumni’s Q1 2025 Venture Beacon Report With deal sizes compressing and investor protections rising, we examine the broader recalibration of the venture market.

    20 min

  2. JUN 5

    Episode #35: A Founder's Postmortem, Teachers And The AI Dilemma, Emerging GTM Across AI

    In this episode of The Learning Corner by Precursor, Mia Farnham and Charles Hudson explore the emotional rollercoaster faced by startup founders, shedding light on the prevalence of burnout and the implications of startup culture on personal well-being. They delve into the role of AI in education, discussing both the hurdles and opportunities it presents. The conversation broadens to the global repercussions of AI transformation and its influence on venture capital dynamics. Additionally, they examine the business models and inherent challenges confronting AI companies.

    21 min

  3. MAY 29

    Episode #34: AI’s Labor Problem, Bridge Round Realities & Big Tech’s Acqui-License Deals

    In this episode of The Learning Corner by Precursor, hosts Mia Farnham and Charles Hudson dive into the week’s most thought-provoking articles and trends shaping tech, venture capital, and the future of work. They explore the growing tension between AI advancement and labor displacement, discussing how automation is reshaping entry-level jobs and what it means for the next generation of workers. The conversation also unpacks the realities behind “bridge rounds” in startup funding—when they work, when they don’t, and what founders and investors should consider before doubling down. Finally, Mia and Charles break down the DOJ’s antitrust investigation into Google’s acquisition tactics in the AI space, and what these new “acqui-license” deals mean for founders, incumbents, and the broader tech ecosystem. Tune in for candid insights, practical advice, and a behind-the-scenes look at the decisions shaping tomorrow’s economy.

    20 min

  4. MAY 22

    Episode #33: Do $1B Outcomes Matter?, Vibe Investing, The Agentic Web and The Original Sin

    This week, Mia, Charles and Leon break down three timely topics shaping the future of venture and technology: VC Exit Math is Changing: David Clark (VenCap) expands on Packy McCormick’s analysis of billion-dollar exits, showing how top-tier venture returns are moving from $1B to $20B+ outcomes. We explore what this shift means for fund pacing, graduation rates, and why mid-sized funds are feeling the squeeze. “Vibe Investing” & Perishable Knowledge: Collin Wallace (Lobby Capital) dives into AI’s impact on investor behavior and startup creation. We talk about the limits of pattern recognition, the risk of thesis mimicry, and why real conviction still requires “showing your work.” Was Advertising the Web’s Original Sin?: Ben Thompson’s latest Stratechery essay revisits internet economics in the age of AI. We unpack the idea of an “agentic web,” what AI-native payments might look like, and how stablecoins could become critical for creator monetization.

    20 min

  5. MAY 15

    Episode #32: Is AI Coming For Your Job?, Myths About AI Native Startups, Specialist vs. Generalist Investing

    In this episode we unpack three topics across the VC/Startup ecosystem: AI Is Coming for Jobs, And CEOs Are Finally Saying It: Fiverr CEO Micha Kaufman recently published one of the most candid memos we’ve seen, acknowledging AI’s very real disruption of the gig economy. We talk about what happens when leaders stop spinning AI as pure efficiency, and start confronting what’s being lost. The Myth of the AI-Native Startup: Why are so many “AI-native” companies failing to deliver meaningful results? We discuss Casey Newton’s piece on the reality of these startups, how investor FOMO is outpacing ROI, and what lessons from SaaS might apply as the hype cycle matures. Why Specialist Funds Lose Their Edge After Fund I: Nick Moran shared a sharp LP take: specialist funds often outperform early, but lose discipline as they scale. We debate whether today’s real arbitrage might be outside of AI entirely, and what long-term evolution really looks like in venture.

    17 min

  6. MAY 8

    Episode #31: Do We Need a VC Prenup?, Lightspeed Becomes an RIA, Financing the AI Revolution

    In this episode of The Learning Corner, we explore founder frustrations with venture capital and the concept of VC prenups. The discussion transitions into the blurring lines between venture capital and private equity, examining their structural differences. We delve into the evolution of venture capital, focusing on profitability and LightSpeed Venture Partners' shift to RIA status. The conversation highlights the impact of RIA status from the perspective of founders and the trend toward diversified VC firms. We also discuss the sustainability of mid-sized venture funds, with insights from The Information's AI event, and examine consumer behavior and the integration of AI into daily life.

    20 min

  7. MAY 1

    Episode #30: Pre-IPO Company Talent Wars, Winning Fast as Fund Managers, Tariff Impact on Startup/Early Stage VC

    In this episode of The Learning Corner, we delve into the impact of AI enthusiasm and tariffs on tech businesses, exploring how these factors are reshaping the landscape. Charles Hudson shares insights on talent retention challenges faced by startups. The conversation shifts to Plaid's potential public offering and the considerations for venture capital returns. We also discuss liquidity and secondary opportunities available to limited partners. The episode examines tariffs and their economic effects on startups. The episode concludes with final thoughts on the broader implications of tariffs.

    20 min

  8. APR 24

    Episode #29: Agentic Hunger Games, What's an Effective Board Meeting?, The Future of Angel Investing

    In this episode of The Learning Corner, we begin with an introduction and welcome before diving into Ed Sim's insights on the "Enterprise Agent Hunger Games." The discussion explores the dynamics of enterprise software, the challenges posed by AI, and the competitive landscape. We examine how founders can build for scale and sustain AI tools within enterprises. The conversation shifts to reframing board meetings and Precursor's approach to supporting founders. We also touch on Halle Tecco's decision to move away from angel investing after years in the ecosystem.

    21 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 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
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 The Learning Corner by Precursor
  • Show Website
    The Learning Corner by Precursor

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