RRE POV

In this episode of RRE POV, Raju Rishi and Will Porteous unpack two major forces shaping the future of AI: model distillation and the debate between open-source and proprietary models. They break down what distillation means, why it matters for model defensibility, and how open systems have historically reshaped major technology markets. From Linux and Android to the open internet, the conversatio...

AI is transforming industries at an extraordinary pace, but the path to real-world adoption is proving more complex than the headlines suggest. In this episode of RRE POV, Raju and Will unpack the biggest growing pains facing AI today — from hallucinations and infrastructure costs to GPU shortages, talent bottlenecks, legal uncertainty, data governance, and the realities of enterprise adoption. Dr...

In this episode of RRE POV , hosts Raju Rishi and Will Porteous sit down with Tive founder and CEO Krenar Komoni for a deeply personal and forward-looking conversation on building at the intersection of hardware, software, and AI. Krenar shares his journey from growing up in Kosovo during political upheaval, to becoming a full-stack entrepreneur leading one of the world’s most advanced real-time s...

In this episode of RRE POV , Raju and Will dive deep into the evolving science and philosophy of longevity. Moving beyond the simple goal of living longer, they explore what it really means to live better for longer. Raju shares his latest thinking on the five major sectors shaping the longevity landscape: health data, insights and planning, personalized medicine, verticalized solutions, and front...

In the first-ever video edition of the RRE POV podcast, Raju sits down with longtime collaborator and friend Dan Rosenberg, Founder and CEO of Octane11. Dan and Raju share stories from their scrappy days building Rave Wireless, and reflect on what makes great early startup teams, why culture is shaped by your first hires, and how those early experiences shaped their approach to building companies...

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, a...

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.  Dra...

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,...

This episode of RRE POV turns history into a high-stakes trivia match as Raju quizzes Will 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 inventi...

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 practica...

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...

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...

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 dro...

A company is only as good as the people on its team. In this episode, Raju and Will talk about what it takes to retain top talent within companies. Employee retention can be an intricate problem, and they’re breaking down the important factors founders need to keep in mind if they want to be successful.  From the hidden costs that come with turnover to the significance of setting the right company...

What really makes a great startup founder? In this episode, Raju and Will rank the top characteristics they believe best define successful startup founders—from grit to customer obsession—all backed by real-life stories.  They break down essentials like adaptability, salesmanship, and technical skills, while also spotlighting often-overlooked qualities like delegation and decisiveness. Whether you...

In this episode of RRE POV, General Partners Raju Rishi, and Will Porteous dive into why augmented reality is poised to outpace virtual reality as the next mainstream tech platform.  Raju and Will explore the near-term AR investment landscape and the kinds of apps they’d bet on today. If you're a founder thinking about what to build—or an investor scanning the horizon—this episode is your blueprin...

In this episode, Raju and Will break down the high-stakes world of annual budgeting for startups—because let’s face it, a bad plan (or no plan) can sink your business before it even takes off. They dive into what founders must include in their early-stage plans, how established companies can refine their strategy, and what to do when your budget completely hits the fan. Show Highlights   (0:00) In...

In this episode, Raju welcomes Vic Singh as the newest partner at RRE. Vic's journey comes full circle, having started his career at RRE after college. The conversation begins with their shared experiences growing up as immigrants in New York City before diving into key lessons from Vic’s entrepreneurial ventures, including NearVerse, Tracks, and Kanvas. Vic also shares insights into his latest pr...

How can technology help you take control of your health? In this episode of RRE POV , Raju and Will dive into the evolving world of health and wellness technology. As passionate advocates for personal fitness—reflected in some of the companies they’ve invested in—they explore how tech is reshaping the way we stay active. From performance-tracking devices to cutting-edge exercise equipment, they br...

CES 2025 is officially in the books, and Raju was on the show floor to explore the breakthroughs and innovations from across various sectors. He chats with Will about some of the standouts from Las Vegas over this past weekend. Highlights include NVIDIA's latest AI hardware, AI-empowered TVs, sleep-enhancing smart mattresses, advanced coffee machines (Raju’s personal favorites), and futuristic aut...

With President Donald Trump’s inauguration just a week away, Raju and Will delve into how his presidency could shape the landscape for startups and VC firms. They examine the potential impacts of the Trump administration on various industries, including anticipated regulatory changes and the ripple effects that may unfold over the next four years. There will be huge growth opportunities for invest...

This week, Will and Raju are joined by Gaurav Sharma, CEO and co-founder of Capitalize, an RRE portfolio company. Gaurav takes listeners through his journey from the shores of Australia to Wall Street, and ultimately to founding Capitalize. Capitalize strives to simplify the complexities of saving within America’s retirement system. Gaurav shares how he developed his entrepreneurial drive, the inv...

In this week's episode, Will and Raju delve into emerging breakthrough technologies and their potential to reshape our world. They explore the future of geothermal energy and its promise to revolutionize energy markets and transform residential power consumption. The conversation shifts to advancements in space technology, focusing on SpaceX's Starship and its far-reaching implications for space e...

Anushka Salinas joins Will and Raju to share her experience as a first-time CEO, having led RRE portfolio company Nanit for the past six months.  Anushka describes her journey to the top as the textbook definition of the American Dream.  The child of Indian immigrants, she cut her teeth in the fashion industry and now calls the shots on the future of parenting technology.  In this week's episode,...

Join hosts Will and Raju on this week’s episode of RRE POV as they delve into the transformative world of applied AI. Discover how AI is reshaping industries, sparking innovation, and challenging startups and established giants. With an eye on the future, Will and Raju reveal the real-world opportunities—and the obstacles—facing companies eager to harness AI’s power. Show Highlights (00:00) Introd...