Latest Interviews
Showing 1–3 of 3 transcripts.
Clear all filters- a16z15 min
a16z Podcast | Truth and Humanity in Leadership
Lars Dalgaard, Bethany Coates, Michael Copeland, Heather
Lars Dahlgaard, founder of SuccessFactors and former youngest CEO at Unilever, shares his strategy for overcoming technical deficits through leadership focus and rigorous accountability at the Breakline Program. Drawing on his military background and personal history of facing seventy-three venture capital rejections, he advocates for immediate failure discussions and hiring based on an "emotional contract" rather than vague corporate metrics. His approach challenges Silicon Valley norms by prioritizing concrete data and clear action plans over technical jargon, offering a blueprint for veterans and non-technical leaders to drive organizational transformation.
- a16z13 min
a16z Podcast | Verizon Plus AOL -- Why? -- The Short Answer is Mobile
Chris Dixon, Frank Chen, Michael Copeland
Verizon completed its $4.4 billion acquisition of AOL to transition from a commodity infrastructure provider into a vertically integrated media and advertising powerhouse. By leveraging AOL's ad technology and content production capabilities alongside its network data, the company aims to solve mobile cross-device tracking, monetize independent video creators, and potentially bypass net neutrality constraints through zero-rating strategies. This strategic move signals a broader industry shift where carriers and tech giants consolidate control over devices, networks, and content to dominate the mobile video value chain.
- a16z18 min
a16z Podcast | The Micro and Macro of Mobile
Benedict Evans, Michael Copeland
Apple and Google disclosed divergent developer payout models where iOS generates four times the revenue per user despite Android's larger installed base, driving a shift toward mobile-centric enterprise solutions like the IBM partnership. This transition is fueled by a tablet market characterized by extended device lifecycles and a five-to-tenfold expansion in addressable market volume compared to stagnant personal computer sales. Consequently, mobile platforms are redefining productivity workflows by integrating advanced sensors and global connectivity to displace legacy desktop infrastructure in sectors ranging from logistics to field services.