Ideas that move the mission forward

Explore our thoughts on investment, innovation, and mission.

Marc Tarpenning
Sara Eshelman
Stephen Wemple
Andrew Parker
Shripriya Mahesh
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.

What Goes On a Pedestal Must Come Off
Writing

What Goes On a Pedestal Must Come Off

by Shripriya Mahesh •

Explore the nuanced reality behind revered figures, from renowned artists to influential leaders, and question the tendency to idolize individuals based solely on their achievements, rather than examining their full character and impact.

Will People Pay for Just One Flower?

Will People Pay for Just One Flower?

by Shripriya Mahesh •

Acclaimed Indian classical vocalist Sanjay Subrahmanyan embraces direct-to-consumer model with a YouTube channel membership, offering subscribers tiered access to his extensive archive and exclusive new concerts, as he adapts to the challenges of the pandemic and evolving industry dynamics.

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.

Apollo’s Arrow

Apollo’s Arrow

by Shripriya Mahesh •

Discover how the COVID-19 pandemic has permanently reshaped society, from government and community self-reliance to the future of work, learning, and human connection.