Sand Hill Road

Scott McGrew sits down with Tom Drummond, co-founder of developer-first VC firm Heavybit, fresh off the announcement of the firm’s fifth fund and second opportunity fund. Drummond explains why the traditional enterprise sales model is fading, and why developers now hold the keys to software adoption. He talks about resisting the temptation of early revenue, the dangers of “cargo cult” startup thin...

It's our annual tradition—venture capitalists and startup founders share the books that shaped them. From sci-fi and civil rights to artificial intelligence and management, this year's reading list offers insight into the minds of Silicon Valley’s most thoughtful leaders. Highlights include: Master of the Senate by Robert Caro, recommended by Casber Wang of Sapphire Ventures for its deep explorati...

Stanford lecturer and venture investor Robert Siegel argues the lone-wolf CEO is not just outdated—but dangerous. In this episode, he joins Scott to explain why today's most effective leaders are those who can hold competing truths at once: acting with empathy and accountability, being tactical and strategic, thinking locally and globally. Drawing from his new book The Systems Leader , Siegel shar...

(Encore! Encore!)   Mike Jones has helped launch some of the most unexpected breakout brands in consumer goods—from canned water with a death metal vibe to subscription underwear and a prayer app. The former CEO of MySpace and founder of Science Inc. joins Sand Hill Road to talk about why creating fans matters more than just getting customers, what he learned navigating the rise of Facebook, and h...

Joseph Alalou of Daring Ventures says too many VCs  choose "performance" over discovery — prioritizing brand-building over finding overlooked talent. In this episode, he shares how his journey from washing cars at Enterprise to investing in underdog founders shaped his contrarian view of venture capital. We talk about cultural gatekeeping, the myth of meritocracy, and why cereal in a rental car's...

      Jessica Owens of Initiate Ventures joins Scott McGrew to talk biotech, bold bets, and what happens when venture capital meets whiteboard-stage science. From her early days in a CDC biohazard lab to co-founding an $8 billion cancer detection company, Owens shares inside stories from the front lines of public health and startup investing. It’s a candid, fascinating conversation about the scien...

This week on Sand Hill Road, a remarkable conversation at the kitchen table of Masha Bucher. Scott McGrew talks with the founder of Day One Ventures about her transformation from PR powerhouse to unicorn-spotting investor, the emotional toll of exile from her homeland, and what it means to align your life's work with your deepest values. Sara Bueno manages NBC Bay Area's digital platforms. Stephan...

 Sand Hill Road Host Scott McGrew speaks with Wharton Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship Lori Rosenkopf, author of Unstoppable Entrepreneurs: 7 Paths for Unleashing Successful Startups and Creating Value through Innovation.  They talk about breaking the mold of the "typical" founder, why the median age of successful startup founders is older than you think, and how economic dislocation may actually fue...

Sand Hill Road Host Scott McGrew spoke with Navin Chaddha, managing partner at Mayfield Fund, to learn more about what the world of entrepreneurship really is. Chaddha has placed in the Top 10 of Forbes' Midas List four times and is hoping to make that list again.    Sand Hill Road is hosted by Scott McGrew. Sara Bueno manages NBC Bay Area's digital platforms. Stephanie Adrouny is the station's ne...

Sand Hill Road Host Scott McGrew spoke with Larry Gadea, CEO and founder of Envoy, to learn more about his early days at Twitter, now known as X, and Google and what led him to make the entrepreneurial jump.   Sand Hill Road is hosted by Scott McGrew. Sara Bueno manages NBC Bay Area's digital platforms. Stephanie Adrouny is the station's news director. If you'd like to get in touch, email us at sa...

Just like Godzilla and Frankenstein were misunderstood, so is the case with tax breaks on carried interest, according to those who benefit from it. Some would characterize venture capital as a high-risk business, and the economic incentives of carried interest make it worthwhile. Congress has attempted to kill the carried interest tax loophole, but Bobby Franklin, president and CEO of the National...

There's no shortage of cybersecurity companies, and artificial intelligence continues to help transform that competitive landscape. So, how do investors decide who's worth helping? Casber Wang, a partner at Sapphire Ventures, identifies what's hot in the market now and where there's promise.   Sand Hill Road Host Scott McGrew spoke with Wang to learn more about the space and what stands out to him...

Dr. Joshua Reicher, co-founder and CEO of Imvaria, initially missed the opportunity to develop a company similar to DraftKings and instead decided to focus on saving lives. As a serial entrepreneur, he has been committed to using artificial intelligence to improve patient diagnostics since some may not be accurate. Reicher aims to change that, particularly in the context of certain lung diseases,...

Dr. Jim Tananbaum, founder and CEO of Foresite Capital, has always had two areas of interest: mathematics and computer algorithms, biology and healthcare. With his passions in mind, he has developed and managed a venture firm with close to $3.5 billion in assets under management.   Sand Hill Road Host Scott McGrew spoke with Tananbaum to learn more about how artificial intelligence is fueling deve...

Terry Doyle, managing partner and vice president of Telus Global Ventures, is vocal about spreading the firm's mission, from changing names to understanding how 'Canadian values' play a role in the venture capital market.   Sand Hill Road Host Scott McGrew spoke with Doyle, the former senior director of corporate development at Nokia, to learn more about Telus' investment strategy and the closest...

Steve Vassallo, a general partner at Foundation Capital, has been known to invest at the intersection of design, technology, and business, but at a very early stage. He said much of it has to do with hearing the lessons of his "helicopter mom," the late Helen Guillette Vassallo, a well-known business professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.   Sand Hill Road Host Scott McGrew spoke with Vassal...

Exploding Kittens, a kitty-powered version of Russian Roulette, has become a household staple. The company launched on Kickstarter and has never lost its edge. However, despite much success, the company's founding team decided to accept a $40 million investment, which it has yet to use.    Sand Hill Road Host Scott McGrew spoke with Elan Lee, the creator of one of the most successful card games in...

The state of venture capital appears to be rocky at the moment.   A report from PitchBook Data and the National Venture Capital Association highlights potential weakness ahead in the venture industry. The Pitchbook/NVCA Venture Monitor First Look report showed fewer active investors and high deal counts but repeat investing.   What does that mean for the Bay Area?   Sand Hill Road Host Scott McGre...

Analysis by SignalFire shows the Bay Area still has more tech than 10 other cities combined. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Gigascale founder has big ideas on clean power and clean air. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Patron Fund's co-founder invests in video games. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Marks discusses global supply chains, manufacturing and his stint as interim CEO at Tesla in 2007. This episode was first released on Nov. 22, 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Smith talks about AI company misconceptions and his journey from startup fixer to venture capitalist investor. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Floodgate co-founder considers how some startups change the future. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The co-founder of Obvious Ventures gets deep into the science. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.