“The best founders find a way to make it happen”: VC Roundtable with Bryan Kim and David Clark | E2222
December 10, 2025
AI Summary
5 min read🎙️ The Speakers & Context
This episode features a roundtable discussion format with three prominent venture capitalists reflecting on the state of the AI market and venture capital landscape. The overall tone is analytical and forward-looking, emphasizing both informed predictions and strategic insights regarding emerging technologies.
The Key Players:
- Brian Kim: Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, specializing in consumer AI investments, known for his deep understanding of AI's impact on various sectors.
- David Clark: Chief Investment Officer at VinCap International, providing insights from a fund-of-funds perspective, particularly on market dynamics and valuations.
- Jason Calacanis: Founder and GP at Launch, a seasoned investor and entrepreneur, known for his practical approach to startup funding and market opportunities.
🎣 The Executive Hook
The "One Big Idea": The AI market is not in a bubble despite frothy valuations; instead, it's at the beginning of a major technological cycle where the simultaneous installation and deployment of AI technologies are reshaping industries.
Why It Matters: Understanding the unique dynamics of the AI market is crucial for investors and founders as they navigate capital allocation and identify long-term opportunities amidst rapid technological advancement.
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What you'll learn
- 1 `(00:00)` **🎙️ Introduction: Brian Kim, David Clark, Jason Calacanis**
- 2 `(00:04)` **AI Bubble Discussion**
- 3 `(00:30)` **Valuation Trends in AI**
- 4 `(03:07)` **Investment in Obo**
- 5 `(04:59)` **Product Evaluation**
- 6 `(06:20)` **Competitive Landscape**
- 7 `(07:55)` **Valuation Climate for AI Investments**
+ Full timestamped outline available in the app
Show Notes
This Week In Startups is made possible by:
Uber - http://uber.com/twist
Pilot - https://pilot.com/twist
Northwest Registered Agent - https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist
Today’s show:
Boom is still making supersonic jets but ALSO plans to start selling their turbines as power sources for AI data centers. It’s a perfect example of problem-solving on the go and how “the best founders… MAKE IT HAPPEN.”
Join us for another insightful VC roundtable episode, featuring special guests Bryan Kim (a16z) and David Clark (Ven Cap).
They’re discussing why Boom’s turbine announcement is about necessity AND opportunity PLUS…
- Why we might NOT be in an AI bubble after all
- Promoting your startup without spending your entire runway on marketing
- Why founders need to be RELENTLESS
- Bill Gurley’s classic response about Uber’s Total Addressable Market
- AND LOTS MORE
Bill Gurley’s iconic “Miss By a Mile” post: https://abovethecrowd.com/2014/07/11/how-to-miss-by-a-mile-an-alternative-look-at-ubers-potential-market-size/
Link to David’s LinkedIn (including the AI Bubble chart): https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7404139606398443520/
Timestamps:
(02:11) It’s a VC Roundtable with special guests Bryan Kim (a16z) and David Clark (Ven Cap)
(03:07) Why Bryan is leading a Series A into learning app Oboe
(06:20) Calculating a startup’s value to make everyone “somewhat unhappy”
(09:19) How Oboe hits a lot of the same metrics that LAUNCH looks for in startups
(11:58) Uber AI Solutions - Your trusted partner to get AI to work in the real world. Book a demo with them TODAY at http://uber.com/ai-solutions
(12:57) How funds decide when to cash out and lock in some DPI
(18:12) When some LPs want to sell and others want to buy…
(19:57) Pilot - Visit https://www.pilot.com/twist and get $1,200 off your first year.
(24:07) Is the threat of AI job displacement boosting self-improvement apps?
(27:37) Why Jason says we’re all standing on the shoulders of Bill Gurley
(29:46) Northwest Registered Agent - Form your entire business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Get more privacy, more options, and more done—visit More from this podcast