Ideas that move the mission forward

Explore our thoughts on investment, innovation, and mission.

Andrew Parker
Marc Tarpenning
Nolan Shah
Sara Eshelman
Clear Filters
Little-known Tesla Lore
Writing

Little-known Tesla Lore

by Marc Tarpenning •

Discover how the humble lithium-ion battery, created to power camcorders, evolved to disrupt the automotive industry and power the electric vehicle revolution.

Indirect Value Capture
Writing

Indirect Value Capture

by Andrew Parker •

Discover how successful companies create value for customers and capture it for themselves, from hardware sales to free software offerings, revealing a strategic approach to monetization beyond direct product sales.

Conversational AI That Turns Complex Data Into Simple Dialogue
Writing

Conversational AI That Turns Complex Data Into Simple Dialogue

by Sara Eshelman •

Discover how Hyro, an adaptive communications platform, empowers organizations to provide seamless, real-time customer service by automatically ingesting data and delivering dynamic, multilingual support across text, voice, and chat - revolutionizing the way patients, customers, and communities engage.

Anti-Luddism

Anti-Luddism

by Marc Tarpenning •

Discover how technology's rapid progress evokes deep-seated resistance, from the original Luddites to modern-day reluctance, and how embracing new tools can enhance productivity and connections.

My New Path: Spero Ventures

My New Path: Spero Ventures

by Andrew Parker •

Spero Ventures launches $123M fund, led by Shripriya Mahesh's unparalleled product expertise and artistic vision to empower the next generation of technology companies transforming wellbeing, work, and human connection.

Let’s get negative
Writing

Let’s get negative

by Marc Tarpenning •

The COVID-19 lockdowns had a negligible impact on greenhouse gas emissions, revealing the significant challenge of curbing climate change. Despite widespread restrictions, emissions only decreased 5-7%, not enough to meaningfully slow the rise in atmospheric CO2 levels, which are now at their highest in millions of years, with grave implications for sea levels and the planet's future.