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Make It in NYC with VC Fred Wilson
9 segments available
Fred Wilson of Union Square Ventures and Jordan Crook discuss New York City’s tech scene, women’s tenacity in business; the impact on human society of AR, VR, AI, robotics and other new tech.
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Is This the End of the World?
Fred Wilson discusses the current state of the tech industry, addressing concerns about a potential bubble and the overall health of venture capital funding. He emphasizes that while there may be a tendency to take less risk, the market remains active and funding opportunities are still available for entrepreneurs.
"yeah it's quite a chair just right kind of fall right into it so we had no prep call CU that's the way that both of us wanted it I think but you did send over a list of topics and we and the one reque..."
Valuation vs. Funding Reality
Wilson advises entrepreneurs to focus on securing funding rather than fixating on valuations. He shares insights on the importance of being realistic about market conditions and emphasizes that maintaining a level head can lead to successful financing outcomes.
"like you know things go up things go down and that's how life is but I don't think we're like in a major problem area crisis type of situation are you seeing a lot of mistakes in terms of you said peo..."
The Maternal Instinct in Business
Fred Wilson reflects on his blog post about the differences in investment approaches between men and women. He highlights women's tenacity and commitment to nurturing projects, contrasting it with men's tendency to cut losses more readily. This discussion underscores the importance of diverse perspectives in venture capital.
"think women are very tenacious and very committed to trying to you know make something work and uh you know I wrote it with my wife in mind because I see her doing that all the time and trying to help..."
The Future of VR vs. AR
Wilson shares his thoughts on virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), expressing a preference for AR technologies that enhance real-world experiences without isolating users. He discusses the potential societal impacts of these technologies and the timeline for their development.
"you look five or 10 years in the future and we can all afford one we're all sitting in our apartments are we you know disengaged with the real world are we disengaged with our real relationships do yo..."
AI: Optimism vs. Pessimism
In a conversation about artificial intelligence (AI), Wilson expresses his optimism about the technology's potential benefits, while acknowledging concerns about its rapid integration into daily life. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on higher-order problems that AI can help solve.
"he's built an avatar of someone that isn't really in love with him um culturally speaking are you concerned about this I think that as Society we do a pretty good job of um kind of rejecting things th..."
Tech Companies vs. Car Companies
Fred Wilson discusses the race for self-driving cars, suggesting that tech companies are better positioned to succeed due to their expertise in software and data. He highlights the ongoing investments from traditional car manufacturers to keep pace with technological advancements.
"person right two two-year-old daughter talks to his you know Alexa turn on YouTube or whatever and all of a sudden she's watching YouTube and I mean that's coming right like we're going to be talking ..."
The Promise of Drones
Wilson shares his excitement about the rapid evolution of drone technology and its potential applications across various industries. He discusses how drones can revolutionize sectors like construction and insurance by providing efficient aerial imaging and data collection.
"don't know if that means it's Tesla or if that means it's apple or that means it's Google um or somebody else but my instinct says that the tech companies are going to figure out the car thing uh bett..."
Job Displacement vs. Job Creation
The conversation shifts to the impact of technology on employment. Wilson reflects on historical trends of job displacement and creation, acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding the future job market as automation and AI continue to advance.
"never been able to do before with really inexpensive aerial Imaging well that's kind of what I wanted to ask is like it it's fun to have the selfie drones Etc but when we're talking about commercial u..."
Legacy and the Future of NYC Tech
Fred Wilson discusses his vision for the future of New York City's tech sector and his desire to be remembered for championing its resurgence. He emphasizes the importance of preparing the workforce for a tech-driven economy and fostering innovation in the region.
"technology going to reduce the number of jobs that are available uh in the world or is it going to reduce some jobs and create new jobs to replace those jobs and I don't think we know the answer to th..."