What happens when technology evolves faster than the venture capital model built to fund it?
In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend Jenny Fielding, Cofounder and General Partner of Everywhere Ventures, to explore how venture capital is adapting to a world where competitive advantages can disappear faster than ever.
We discuss what it takes to raise a pre-seed round in today’s market, why traditional assumptions around defensibility are being challenged, and how AI is reshaping the economics of software companies.
Jenny also shares lessons from her time as a Managing Director at Techstars and explains why Everywhere Ventures built a community-driven approach to investing — leveraging founder networks and real-time market insight to identify breakout companies at the earliest stages.
Whether you’re a founder raising capital, an investor navigating a changing market, or simply curious about where technology is headed, this conversation offers a practical look at how venture is evolving for the next generation of companies.
Special thanks to Jenny for joining the show and sharing her perspective on the future of venture.
⏱️ Chapter Markers:
00:00 - Introduction and studio acoustics
01:05 - Generalist investing shift
02:09 - Redefining modern pre-seed criteria
04:26 - Global Slack diligence network
06:31 - Check sizing and syndicate structures
07:20 - Conviction-led turnaround speeds
09:21 - Venture capital's existential model crisis
11:48 - Defensibility against quantum technology
13:17 - Sourcing wisdom from international founders
16:01 - Evaluating the accelerator landscape
17:26 - Clear milestones for founder success
19:39 - Moving targets in the Series A gap
21:05 - Evolution of emerging tech hubs
23:32 - Retaining global talent via immigration reform
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