Cardinal Ventures

??Apply to?Cardinal?Ventures' Fall Cohort?! Deadline: Sunday, September 29th @ 9pm? Application: https://lnkd.in/g5ZEiMaB Working on a startup idea? Want to join an accelerator with a community of top VCs, mentors, and entrepreneurs??If so, we think that applying for our fall accelerator program would be a great move for you! ? Program Details: - Access to key resources to support all of your needs, including top VCs, free legal, financial, public relations, branding advising/agencies, and more. - A biweekly dinner series with guest speakers including our alumni, top entrepreneurs, and more! Past guests have included John Hennessy, Evan Moore (DoorDash co-founder & former Khosla?Ventures?partner), Sara Ittelson (Accel partner), and many more! - A network and community of top founders, investors, and industry experts! Questions? Email?[email protected]?&?[email protected]!? We look forward to reviewing your application?? Nika Farokhzad Angela Tsao Michelle Vinocour Bar W.

?????????????? ?????????????????? ???????? ?????????? ????????: ?? ???????????? ?????? ???????????????? ????????????????’?? ???????????? On March 11th, we were fortunate to invite?Frank Chen, the architect behind our Early Stage Venture (ESV) Programs team at?Andreessen Horowitz. At the helm of developing pivotal resources like the Founder Library and an LLM-based chatbot interface, Frank’s insights into the startup world were both profound and practical. Here are some things we learned from Frank: ?????????????????? ?????? ?????? ???? ???????????? ?????? ??????????????:?According to Frank, the secret ingredients to startup success extend beyond mere innovation; they lie in the nuanced understanding of market timing and the synergy within founding teams. His advice to engage in candid discussions about goals, expectations, and strategies underscores the importance of alignment and resilience in the face of adversity. ?????????????????? ???????? ??????????????????: Frank’s investment philosophy boils down to balancing optimism with realism. He champions the potential of startups to revolutionize industries, advocating for a visionary yet pragmatic approach to evaluating their prospects. This dual focus on groundbreaking ideas and thorough due diligence forms the cornerstone of sustainable venture growth. Frank’s narrative is a testament to the transformative power of strategic investment, dedicated support, and visionary leadership. As we delve into the intricacies of startup growth and technological advancement, let’s draw inspiration from his journey: to envision broadly, act boldly, and build wisely. ???? ?????????? ???????? ???? ???????? ???????? ???????????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ??????????. ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????’?? ???????????????????? ???????????????? ???????? ??????? ?????? ???? ?????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ?????????? ???????????????? ???? ???????? ?????????????????????????????? ?????????????? ???? ???????????????? ????????????????????? ??

?????????????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ???? ?????????????? ?????????????? ?????? ???? ???????????????????? ???????? ?????????????????? ???????? ???? ?????????????? ?????????????? Recently, we had the privilege of gaining deep insights from Stephanie Zhan, a seasoned investor at Sequoia Capital. Together, we took a deep dive into the evolving landscapes of venture capital and technological innovation. Here are some ?????? ?????????????????? from our discussion: ??. ???????????????????? ???? ????????????????: Stephanie stated that, in the B2B sector, it is crucial for products to address major pain points, ranking within the top two concerns of a business. Products that solve significant problems are more likely to be retained and prioritized in budgeting, especially during times when companies are reducing expenses. On the consumer side, successful products often tap into fundamental human desires and behaviors, like vanity or greed, which can be likened to the 'seven deadly sins'. This approach tends to generate more engagement and usage because it aligns with strong, immediate emotional or psychological needs. ??. ????'?? ???????? ???? ?????????????????? ?????? ????????????: Stephanie discussed the significant potential of AI to transform the educational landscape by enabling personalized learning experiences and making education more accessible through reduced costs. However, she also cautioned the challenges associated with monetizing and differentiating such AI-driven solutions in a competitive market. According to Stephanie, many new entrants in the educational technology sector are attempting similar models, which may lead to a need for differentiation in user experience, distribution strategies, and targeted subject areas or demographics. ??. ?????????????? ?????????????? ???? ?? ???????????????? ?????? ????????????: Through her work at Sequoia, Stephanie showcased how venture capital isn't just about funding—it's about fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurs from the ground up. Her insights into the lifecycle of investments, from seed to growth stages, reveal the nuances of building successful, scalable companies. Stephanie's expertise offers invaluable lessons on leveraging venture capital to drive technological advancement and entrepreneurial success. Her forward-thinking approach invites us to consider how AI will continue to shape the global business landscape. ????'?? ???????? ???? ??????? ???????? ?????????? ???? ????? ???????????? ???? ???? ?????? ?????????????? ??????????????. ??????? ?????????????????????? ?????? ?????? ?????????????? ??????????? ?????? ???? ?????? ?????? ????????? ???????????????????????? ?????????????????????? ???????? ????????????????? ???????? ????? ???????????????????????? ??????????! ????

???????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????? ?????? Cardinal Ventures will be hosting our annual Demo Day this ??????????????????, ?????????? ????????, from ??:???? ???? ???? ??:???? ???? ??????! Our latest cohorts showcase 12 of Stanford's top student-run companies specializing in AI, cloud SAAS, devtools, and deeptech. They’ve been working hard at building so we’re excited to have them present all the amazing progress they’re making with you soon. ????????????: ??:???? ???? - ??:???? ????: Meet and Greet ??:???? ???? - ??:???? ????: Keynote speech by Andre Iguodala ??:???? ???? - ??:???? ????: Cardinal Ventures Founder Pitches ??:???? ???? - ??:???? ????: Networking * ???????????? ?????????????? Ho Jun Yang ???? Bar W. ???? ?????? ?????? ???????????????????? ???? ??????????????????.

???????????????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????? ????????????: ?????? ?????????????????? ???? ?????????????? ?????? ???????????????????? Earlier this year, we had the privilege of inviting Mike Maples, Jr from Floodgate for a talk on navigating startups through innovation. In a world where startups vie for attention and success, Mike stands out not just as an investor but as a visionary who sees beyond the horizon. With a keen focus on what he terms "Inflection Theory," Mike has carved out a niche that looks deeply into the core of what makes startups succeed or fail. Here are some key takeaways from Mike’s talk: ???????? ?????????????? ???? ????????????: At the heart of Mike's investment strategy is the belief that true startup success stems from insights rather than mere market assessments. These insights are non-consensus and correct views of the future, often born from the founders' ability to "live in the future," enabling them to intuit what to build with uncanny accuracy. This future-centric perspective is crucial, as it informs the intuition that guides the creation of products and services poised to redefine markets. ?????? ???????????????????????? ????????????????: Mike distinguishes between what he calls "startup capitalism" and "typical business capitalism," highlighting a sequence that starts with a profound insight, moves to product development (achieving product-market fit from 0 to 1), and then scales growth from 1 to N. This sequence underscores the importance of investing in insights and the capacity to pivot, as 85% of profits come from these strategic shifts. Most significant companies often begin with a vision of the future rather than a product ready for the present market. ???????????? ?????????????? ???????????????? ?????? ??????????????????????: A crucial part of Mike's evaluation process involves stress testing the founders' insights and the inflections they believe are happening. He asks pointed questions about empowerment: Who does it empower? How? And under what conditions? This helps distinguish between mere trends and true inflections — the turning points that signal a fundamental shift in the market or technology. Mike’s approach to investing and supporting startups is a delicate craft that combines foresight, strategy, and the art of possibility. As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of innovation, his insights serve as a beacon for those daring to dream big and build the future. ???? ???????????? ?????? ???? ?????????????? ???? ?????????? ???????????????????? ?????? ???????????? ???????? ????: ?????? ???? ????????’?? ??????????????? ???????????????? ??????? ???????? ???????? ???? ?????????????? ??????????????? ??????? ??????????????? ??????? ?????? ???????????????????? ??????? ???????? ???????? ??????? ???????? ???????? ????? ????????????? ??

???????????????? ?????? ???????????? ???????? ?????????? ??????????????: ?????????????????????????????? ?????????????????????? ???????? ???? In an era where technology continually reshapes our world, we recently had the privilege of meeting with Naren Chittar, a visionary at JP Morgan. His role in spearheading the Machine Learning Center of Excellence and his background in groundbreaking AI/ML applications have set the stage for transformative change across industries. Here are some key insights from his talk: ???????????????? ???? ??????-??????????: Naren’s focus on cutting-edge applications, like NLP and knowledge graphs, underscores the vast potential of AI in making data-driven decisions more accessible and insightful. ???? ???????????????? ????????????????: At JP Morgan, the evaluation of new AI solutions hinges on scalability, security, and the ability to drive tangible business outcomes, reflecting a pragmatic approach to technology adoption. ???????????? ???? ????????????????: For entrepreneurs eyeing the enterprise AI market, Naren emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique challenges of large organizations and tailoring AI solutions to meet these needs effectively. Naren's perspective on leveraging AI not just as a tool but as a strategic asset offers a roadmap for enterprises and startups to navigate the future of technology-led innovation. ??????? ???? ???????????????????????? ???????????? ?????? ????? ????????? ?????? ???? ?????? ?????? ???? ????????????? ????? ???????????? ???? ???????? ????????????????? ?????? ???? ???????? ???? ????? ?????????????? ?????????????? ??????????. ????

?? ???????? ???????? ?????????? ???????????? ???? ?????????????????? ?????? ?????????????? ???? ?????????????? ?????????????? ?? We recently had the incredible opportunity to host Brian Jacobs, the visionary behind Emergence Capital and Moai Capital, and an esteemed lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business. Here’s a glimpse into the future of successful startups, straight from a master of the game: ???????? ????????????????: Central to startup success is not just a visionary leader but a cohesive team that thrives on diverse feedback and strategic decision-making. ???????????????????? ????????????????????: Brian’s approach — a blend of market size scrutiny, founder-problem fit, and a keen eye for scalable models — offers a blueprint for nascent ventures aiming for monumental growth. ?????????????????????? ????????????: At Stanford, Brian shapes future investors and founders, emphasizing the importance of targeted pitches and the strategic avoidance of VC pitfalls. ???? ?????? ???????? ????????????: With a critical eye on the AI hype, Brian leans towards the infrastructure side, signaling a cautious but informed approach to emerging tech investments. Brian’s journey is a testament to the power of insightful investment, strategic growth, and the relentless pursuit of innovation. As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of technology and entrepreneurship, let’s take a leaf out of his book: be voracious listeners, strategic thinkers, and fearless innovators. Thank you, Brian, for a conversation that was both enlightening and profoundly inspiring. Here’s to building the future, one venture at a time. ?? ????????? ??????? ??????? ?????????????? ?????’?? ?????????????? ?????? ??????? ?????????? ???? ?????????????????????? ??????????.

Apply at https://lnkd.in/g4EqKA_K & please send any questions to [email protected]! Michelle Vinocour Defne Gen? Brian Donohugh

???????????????? ???????? ???????? ?????????????????? ???????? ????????????????!?? This week, we had the honor of welcoming Professor Hennessy for a conversation that illuminated and inspired our minds. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us – your enthusiasm and engagement truly made this event special! And of course, a special shout-out to S32 for co-hosting the event with us, bringing this event to life.

?????????????????? ?????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???? ?? This week, we were privileged to have Arvind KC share his insights on cultivating and scaling culture, establishing core values, and mastering the art of assembling the right team. Arvind's rich tapestry of knowledge and actionable advice on elevating company culture truly inspired us, arming us with the tools necessary to bring positive transformation within our communities.