E18: Sam Lessin on What's Going to Happen to VC in 2024

Today we’re back with Sam Lessin for a round 2 focused on the changing landscape of venture. We dig into the viability of M&A as a strategy for startups, “its always been crypto”, media businesses, and the role of reputation systems. If you need an ecommerce platform, check out our sponsor Shopify: https://shopify.com/momentofzen for a $1/month trial period.

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Episode Preview

(01:27) Round 2 with Sam, the VC Doomer

(06:24) The mechanism of how low interest rates leads to public markets valuing companies at super high multiples

(10:28) Disruption fundamentally changed who the winners and losers would be

(15:49) Sponsor - NetSuite

(16:50) What would a $100B company look like in 15-20 years

(23:20) The emergence of cultural changes after Covid-19

(28:27) The only way to make real money is to be betting differently

(36:36) Do franchises go public and the fundamental liquidity question

(42:01) What's the best business to build on top of media company?

(51:20) Sam's insights on reputation businesses

(55:00) Sam's take on advanced reputation system