Katy Koob

The #VentureStudio community is thriving and when two leaders from different studios get together it is always going to be a great conversation. This podcast is huge as two brilliant Venture Studio leaders Barry O'Reilly from Nobody Studios and Ben Yoskovitz from Highline Beta join to unpack the innovative world of venture studios and uncover the strategies that make startups thrive. In this episode, you will learn: 📈 The fundamentals of creating and scaling a venture studio 🛠️ Strategies for innovating with accelerators, incubators, and venture capital 💡 How to apply Lean Startup principles to build products people actually want 🤝 The importance of collaboration between founders, corporate partners, and investors 🔄 Insights into the specialization and future trends of venture studios Take a listen and learn from two masters.

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For my Investors, Family Offices, and Film Entrepreneurs in Los Angeles: We're heading to Los Angeles October 11th -13th for a meetup and birthday celebration of one of our producers. You're welcome to come. Here's the link to RSVP: https://lu.ma/sc6plybi Hollywood Birthday Bash & Exclusive Film Investment Meetup ​I’m excited to announce a special two-day celebration in Hollywood for a dear friend whose team has produced over 100 films and TV shows, including the iconic Fast and Furious franchise. ​But this event is more than just a birthday party! We’re inviting investors and family offices for an exclusive opportunity to discuss our Film Investment Fund and the unique benefits of investing in the entertainment industry. ​Why Attend? ​Networking: Build meaningful relationships with top investors, producers, and key industry players. ​Investment Opportunities: Learn how our fund focuses on smaller-budget films that maximize equity returns while minimizing risk. ​Industry Insights: Hear firsthand from those who have successfully navigated the film business and discover why film and entertainment can be a smart investment choice. ​Creative Control & Financial Gains: Understand how to leverage tax incentives, distribution channels, and the digital landscape to boost returns. ​Join us for a celebration filled with Hollywood flair, great conversations, and the potential for exciting new collaboration

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🚀Exciting News! AGS LABS / ALES GREY™ has been invited to pitch at FoundersBoost LA’s spring cohort and the Alliance for Southern California Innovation SoCal Venture Pipeline program at Google! If you’re an investor, please join us on June 4th for an exclusive joint Demo Day by FoundersBoost LA & the Alliance for SoCal Innovation! 🌟 The Alliance and FoundersBoost are joining forces to showcase some of the top young companies in LA! In addition to hearing the amazing pitches, you’ll be able to network with other investors, incredible mentors, supporting partners, program leaders, and the startup founders. Refreshments will be served. 🍹 📌 IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a private invite event due to capacity constraints and to maintain a value-add atmosphere. Sign Up Link Below. https://lu.ma/lademoday Don’t miss this opportunity to discover and support the next big thing in innovation! 🌐 #FoundersBoost #DemoDay #Innovation #Startups #Investors #Networking #PitchEvent #AGSLABS #ALESGREY #SoCalInnovation #GoogleEvents

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INTERVIEWS OF 2024 SXSW PITCH WINNERS: Dhavel Patel of Lotus Every March in Austin, 50 of the world's most impactful startups showcase their talents at SXSW Pitch. Today we begin a series of short interviews with some of the category winners from the 2024 event. Founder and CEO Dhaval Patel has been growing Lotus for three years. At this year's SXSW Pitch, his San Jose based startup emerged as the winner of the "Smart Cities, Transportation & Sustainability" category. Patel's short answers to our questions are below. SXSW: What is Lotus?  Patel: A wearable ring that controls objects at home by pointing. See https://www.getlotus.com/ SXSW: What community does Lotus serve? Patel: Folks with limited mobility -- older adults, veteran soldiers, people with disabilities.  SXSW: Who is your all-time favorite entrepreneur? Patel: Warren Buffett. SXSW: Best startup-related advice you have received? Patel: Don't start building first, find the need first. SXSW: Current entrepreneurial trend that excites you the most? Patel: Desire for tech that is intuitive and simple. SXSW: Fail fast or perseverance? Patel: Persevere in failing fast repeatedly. SXSW: Favorite VC? Patel: Andreessen Horowitz. SXSW: Favorite gadget or device? Patel: Apple AirPods. SXSW: Government can best support startups by Patel: Moving faster. SXSW: Most over-hyped technology at present? Patel: AI. SXSW: Most under-hyped technology at present? Patel: Consumer hardware. SXSW: What did you enjoy most about your experience at SXSW? Patel: The people -- each person wanting to make the world a better place. SXSW: What is your best trait as an entrepreneur? Patel: Simplifying complex problems. SXSW: What is your best advice for other startups? Patel: Focus (say "no" to more). Learn more about Dhaval Patel of Lotus plus other 2024 SXSW Pitch winners by listening to the audio of their session at this year's event. See https://lnkd.in/gHtwQB8n Applications for SXSW Pitch 2025 will open in late summer. See https://lnkd.in/gE2hcVPK #sxsw, #sxsw2024, #startups, #founders, Chris Valentine, Dhaval Patel, SXSW, #venturecapital, #entrepreneur, #entrepreneurs, #startup, #founderstories, #sxswpitch, Lotus (Techstars'23), #techstars, #Austin, #ATX, #creativity, #innovation, #hardware, #consumerhardware, #pitch, #accessibility,

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Stepping into adjacent containers, digital, physical, magical to just, oh I don't know, keep it spicy. "Seira, a series of digital video artworks, is a synthesis of modern day technology and the yearning for profound human experiences. Utilizing TouchDesigner, AI software, code, and my original designs, I explore the intersection of the digital and the organic– drawing inspiration from technoromanticism, ancient Greek sirens, and synesthesia.   At its heart, this series is an exploration of the complex relationship between death and _l'appel du vide_—the call of the void. This psychological phenomenon, which tempts humans with the allure of self-destruction, is mirrored in the ancient myth of the sirens. The siren's song, like the void, is a lure that challenges us to confront our deepest impulses—the pull towards oblivion and the simultaneous yearning for transcendence. I intentionally draw a parallel between _l'appel du vide_ and the siren’s call, as both are manifestations of our intrinsic fascination with the unknown, with that which lies beyond the boundaries of safety and rationality." Seirá, Meditations on l'appel du vide (2024) by Neesh Chaudhary https://lnkd.in/gDm_3KTS

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Last Wednesday, we were lucky to get a hold of Investor, Technology Thought-Leader, Host of Austinpreneur Podcat and Principal at Capital Factory VC, Nick Spiller amid his busy schedule for an inspiring interview (dropping soon) on the Insert^Innovation podcast at the Leatherby Center of Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics via Chapman University Argyros College of Business & Economics. Key takeaways include: 📌 Innovation is a methodology used to help solve problems and add value to society. 📌 Robotics, AI and Semiconductor Startups are a few upcoming tech trends that investors are keeping an eye on. 📌 Before diving into Entrepreneurship, find your "Why" behind pursuing that career path. 📌 People typically read about the success stories of Startups and well-known Entrepreneurs, but it isn't always an easy road. Be prepared for the entire journey. Stay tuned for the full episode! #techinvestors #technology #investing #startups #fintech #technews #vc #chapmanuniversity

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If anyone is in North County San Diego, on Thursday May 2nd, we will be hosting a tech entrepreneur and investor meet up at 5:30pm. We’ll have a couple speakers, one of which is a fin-tech start-up raising a round, followed up by a presentation on the state of the stock & crypto market. We host these events quarterly and usually get a lot of founders and investors to attend. If anyone is interested, please message me and I can send you the details. LaunchPad San Diego #startups #startupincubator #entrepreneur #investing #crypto #meetup

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I spend a lot of time discussing #VentureStudios — often these are #investors (#angels, #LP's, #VC's, and #FamilyOffices), current and aspiring studio operators, and #startup #founders curious about how being part of a studio might benefit them. This is a relatively new asset class, so many of the questions I get come down to understanding the studio model itself (e.g., what exactly is—and isn’t—a studio). For me, the simplest way to explain it is this: a venture studio is a company that builds companies. They typically serve as founding or cofounding entities. While #incubators and #accelerators can offer similar support, they tend to work with businesses that are already up and running. What sets studios apart is their involvement from the very start.

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The David vs. Golias #FundRaising battle 🤺: Despite a tough fundraising environment for newcomers, established funds are thriving. The latest PitchBook-NVCA Venture Monitor reveals that experienced firms continue to raise significant capital, showcasing their enduring confidence and proven track records. Emerging managers, capturing only 23% of fund value YTD, face a challenging landscape but show promise with innovative strategies. The funding gap between established and emerging managers is widening, favoring larger funds over $400M and $500M. Checkout below for details. #VentureCapital #mergerandacquisitions #StartupFunding #EmergingManagers #EstablishedFunds #InvestmentTrends André Thiollier

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Where should you build your startup? Last week, I attended LA Tech Week. For the first time since moving to Los Angeles three years ago, it felt like a real startup community with legitimate entrepreneurs. I met several founders who went through YC, several founders with exits, and many who came from strong LA backgrounds, including SpaceX, Riot Games, Google, Facebook, and more. For context, LA has struggled to build a startup scene until recently despite its size, proximity to Silicon Valley, presence of big tech, and access to great talent from top universities. So what changed? We all agreed that it was one thing. Access to capital. If you are an entrepreneur and you have the flexibility to choose your city, you optimize for two things. 1. Access to customers  2. Access to capital Before I moved to Silicon Valley 13 years ago, the LA venture scene was just a handful of firms and a handful of angels. Today, the tables have turned in favor of founders, and there is more capital than deals to invest in. What city will you build in?

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If you're in the Los Angeles Area this weekend, please let me know. I'll be there with investors, family offices, producers, and some pro athletes to celebrate the birthday of a business partner while also hosting a meetup. Here's the details: Sat https://lu.ma/sc6plybi Sunday https://lu.ma/jzqoa77p Hollywood Birthday Bash & Exclusive Film Investment Meetup ​I’m excited to announce a special two-day celebration in Hollywood for a dear friend who's team has produced over 100 films and TV shows, including the iconic Fast and Furious franchise. ​But this event is more than just a birthday party! We’re inviting investors and family offices for an exclusive opportunity to discuss our Film Investment Fund and the unique benefits of investing in the entertainment industry. ​Why Attend? ​Networking: Build meaningful relationships with top investors, producers, and key industry players. ​Investment Opportunities: Learn how our fund focuses on smaller budget films that maximize equity returns while minimizing risk. ​Industry Insights: Hear firsthand from those who have successfully navigated the film business and discover why film and entertainment can be a smart investment choice. ​Creative Control & Financial Gains: Understand how to leverage tax incentives, distribution channels, and the digital landscape to boost returns. ​Join us for a celebration filled with Hollywood flair, great conversations, and the potential for exciting new collaborations. ✨

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The Neighborhood Studios team spent the last few days thinking about our new idea pipeline and its output. Tons of thoughts on this after being in a venture studio for 2 years. Here are some summary stats... - 1,750 new (raw) ideas considered per year. - 110 of those are given a second glance. - 66 of those are seriously considered. - 10 of those become experiments...real products in the hands of customers. - 2 of those are spun-out into studio companies. What the studio team has been discussing over the past few days is that 66 number. That's the number of ideas that 3 people on the team can dig into every year. Venture studios can be perceived as a "startup factory"...an engine to launch startups. The reality is that venture studios are a machine to invalidate ideas. We invalidate many more ideas than we validate. We touch 1,750 ideas per year, seriously dive into 66 of them, build experiments for 10 of them and only launch 2 of them. All that work turns into 2 studio companies per year that have a way higher success rate than the average startup in the wild. Said another way...startups are hard. Talk with Tapan Patel Gabe Hart Whit Anderson IV Jonathan Brinson if you wanna talk about this. They are world class.

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A stroll through San Diego led me to Geppetto's, where a life-sized puppet and friendly staff turned me into an unexpected customer. 🌟This IS the magic of independent retail. 🌟 With consumer spending down, small businesses need innovative strategies beyond discounting to thrive without sacrificing profitability. Curious about how #indieretailers are navigating these challenges? Check out my latest article in Total Retail. #Retail #SmallBusiness #CustomerExperience #Innovation #IndependentRetail #SMB #boutiqueowner #retailer #fashion

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The C2M model represents what I think is the single largest white space opportunity in the creator economy ShopMy.us, LTK, Shopify Collabs etc have put commerce power in creators' hands, but they're constrained by traditional inventory / wholesale models…. There’s been a 226% increase in people creating videos on #dropshipping in the last 2 months… something I think is worth paying attention to The C2M model could revolutionize the creator economy by: Allowing for hyper-personalized product lines Enabling rapid testing and iteration of product ideas Providing a more authentic connection between creators and their audience through custom products And democratizing product creation and distribution But it's got to be the right product and this is where we have the most work to do We need not only AI-driven trend analysis to inform product decisions but most importantly AI that connects it to community The real power lies in transforming communities from reactive entities into proactive, self-sustaining ecosystems that generate their own demand It shifts power from brands that buy products up to 18 months in advance of any known consumer demand to real time communities of engaged individuals, potentially leading to more diverse, responsive, and innovative products lines that don't create waste because the demand is attached directly to a network of high quality / direct response suppliers capable of all lifestyle categories How can you be consumer centric when your product takes 18 months and your content takes 6 the potential for disruption and value creation is enormous when you attach this model to real time media and entertainment and generative ai capabilities This shift doesn't just change how products are made and sold—it revolutionizes entire industries esp when you apply shared profit models The true C2M model, powered by engaged communities and real-time production capabilities will rewrite not only commerce, but creativity, and community engagement It's not just an evolution of existing models, but a revolution that could reshape our economic landscape We desperately need to do something because fashion is the second-largest CULTURE RELATED industry after film and television And its dominant business model is from last century Design products to sell a year later -> advertise to create demand -> hope for revenue it no longer works in a world of AI-assisted user-generated cinema level content and commerce #thegreatfashionreset #communitytomanufacturer #communitycommerce #contentistheproduct #creatorsarethestore

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リアルテックホールディングスはUntroDに名称変更します。 この社名変更に込めた意味は、未踏の資本主義の実現です。 従来の資本主義では投資対象とならなかった、だが価値があると我々が信じる（情緒的に価値があると皆さんが感じてはいる）領域にまで資金を呼び込む、その呼び水としての開拓者という決意の表明でもあります。 理想の実現に歩みを止めず、進み続けたいと思います。 Real Tech Holdings Co., Ltd. has relaunched as "UntroD," a company pioneering uncharted territories in capitalism. As of June 3, 2024, Real Tech Holdings Co., Ltd. has changed its name to "UntroD Capital Japan Co., Ltd.". We are also pleased to announce that we have redesigned our website to embody our company mission. UntroD, which means "未踏 untrodden," will continue to be the first to step into uncharted territories of capitalism, where there is a societal need but no established mechanism for capital flow, such as the deep tech domain. By investing and proving economic viability, UntroD will continue to create a flow of capital and human resources. https://untrod.inc/

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