Prioritizing growth over sustainable business practices can be a risky mindset in venture capital. AI is positioned as a transformative force, marking the biggest change in human history. Investing in startups that appear unconventional can lead to significant opportunities due to reduced competi…
Key Takeaways
- Prioritizing growth over sustainable business practices can be a risky mindset in venture capital.
- AI is positioned as a transformative force, marking the biggest change in human history.
- Investing in startups that appear unconventional can lead to significant opportunities due to reduced competition.
- The competition in startup investing has intensified significantly over the past decade.
- Investors must assess whether companies will benefit from or be victimized by AI to make informed decisions.
- Current market fears of AI disruption lead to undervaluation of software companies.
- Over time, some software companies will appear expensive despite discounts, while others will benefit from AI.
- AI is expected to enhance customer support and improve gross margins for companies like Navan.
- Incumbent companies may not be as vulnerable to disruption as commonly believed.
- Operational complexity and data ownership are key factors protecting businesses from disruption.
- The venture capital landscape is evolving with increased competition and the impact of emerging technologies.
- Understanding the implications of AI on business models is crucial for future investment strategies.
- The market’s inability to differentiate between companies negatively or positively impacted by AI affects valuations.
- The role of technology in business adaptation is critical for incumbents to remain competitive.
- Data ownership provides a competitive advantage, especially in the age of AI.
Guest intro
Oren Zeev is the founder and sole General Partner of Zeev Ventures, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm managing over $1 billion in assets under management. He previously served as a General Partner at Apax Partners, where he led the firm’s early investment in Audible, achieving a 10x return upon its $310 million sale to Amazon. Zeev is renowned for his radical alignment model, taking zero management fees while applying 30% carry to investments in successes like Navan, Houzz, and Chegg.
The dangers of prioritizing growth over sustainability
-
— Oren Zeev
- Emphasizing growth without sustainable practices can lead to long-term risks.
-
— Oren Zeev
- Sustainable business practices are crucial for long-term success.
- The venture capital industry often focuses excessively on growth metrics.
- A balanced approach between growth and sustainability is necessary.
-
— Oren Zeev
- Investors should evaluate the sustainability of business models alongside growth potential.
AI as a transformative force in human history
-
— Oren Zeev
- The impact of AI extends across various sectors and industries.
- AI is driving significant shifts in technology and societal structures.
-
— Oren Zeev
- The transformative potential of AI is reshaping business models.
- Understanding AI’s implications is crucial for future investment strategies.
- AI’s influence on industries will continue to grow over time.
- The rise of AI presents both opportunities and challenges for businesses.
The value of investing in unconventional startups
-
— Oren Zeev
- Reduced competition in unconventional markets offers unique opportunities.
-
— Oren Zeev
- Contrarian thinking can yield significant investment returns.
- Identifying unique opportunities in less crowded markets is strategic.
-
— Oren Zeev
- The competitive landscape in startup investing is evolving.
- Investing in unconventional startups requires a long-term vision.
The increasing competition in startup investing
-
— Oren Zeev
- More startups are vying for investor attention and funding.
-
— Oren Zeev
- The startup ecosystem is becoming more crowded and competitive.
- Investors need to differentiate between viable and non-viable startups.
- The evolving dynamics in the startup ecosystem affect investment decisions.
- Increased competition requires more strategic investment approaches.
- Understanding the competitive landscape is crucial for investors.
Evaluating the impact of AI on investment decisions
-
— Oren Zeev
- AI’s impact on business models is a critical factor in investment evaluations.
-
— Oren Zeev
- The rise of AI necessitates a shift in investment evaluation criteria.
- Understanding AI’s implications is essential for informed investment decisions.
- AI presents both opportunities and threats to different industries.
- Investors need to assess AI’s potential impact on company performance.
- The future of investment strategies will be influenced by AI’s rise.
Market undervaluation of software companies due to AI fears
-
— Oren Zeev
- Investor fears of AI impact lead to discounted valuations for software companies.
-
— Oren Zeev
- The market’s inability to differentiate between AI winners and losers affects valuations.
- Understanding market sentiment towards AI is crucial for investors.
- The current market trend presents both risks and opportunities for investors.
- Software companies may be undervalued despite their potential to benefit from AI.
- Investors need to discern between companies negatively and positively impacted by AI.
The long-term impact of AI on software company valuations
-
— Oren Zeev
- AI will lead to a divergence in company performance and valuations.
-
— Oren Zeev
- The long-term impact of AI on software companies will vary.
- Investors need to anticipate AI’s effects on company performance.
- Understanding AI’s long-term implications is crucial for investment strategies.
- Companies benefiting from AI will see improved valuations over time.
- The market will eventually recognize AI’s impact on different software companies.
The role of AI in improving business operations
-
— Oren Zeev
- AI implementation can lead to operational efficiencies and cost savings.
-
— Oren Zeev
- AI’s impact on financial metrics is significant for business operations.
- Companies like Navan can benefit from AI-driven improvements.
- Understanding AI’s operational benefits is crucial for business strategy.
- AI’s role in enhancing customer support is a key advantage.
- The practical benefits of AI implementation are evident in business contexts.
The resilience of incumbent companies to disruption
-
— Oren Zeev
- Many incumbents can adapt and benefit from AI advancements.
-
— Oren Zeev
- Operational complexity and adaptability protect incumbents from disruption.
- The competitive landscape is not as straightforward as often portrayed.
- Incumbents with strategic adaptation can thrive in the age of AI.
- The narrative of inevitable disruption is challenged by business realities.
- Understanding the role of technology in business adaptation is crucial.
The importance of operational complexity and data ownership
-
— Oren Zeev
- Businesses with complex operations and data ownership have a competitive edge.
-
— Oren Zeev
- Data ownership provides a significant advantage in technology-driven markets.
- Incumbents with data ownership are well-positioned in the age of AI.
- Understanding the role of operational complexity is crucial for business strategy.
- The competitive advantage of data ownership is evident in AI-driven markets.
- Businesses that leverage operational complexity and data ownership can thrive.
Prioritizing growth over sustainable business practices can be a risky mindset in venture capital. AI is positioned as a transformative force, marking the biggest change in human history. Investing in startups that appear unconventional can lead to significant opportunities due to reduced competi…
Key Takeaways
- Prioritizing growth over sustainable business practices can be a risky mindset in venture capital.
- AI is positioned as a transformative force, marking the biggest change in human history.
- Investing in startups that appear unconventional can lead to significant opportunities due to reduced competition.
- The competition in startup investing has intensified significantly over the past decade.
- Investors must assess whether companies will benefit from or be victimized by AI to make informed decisions.
- Current market fears of AI disruption lead to undervaluation of software companies.
- Over time, some software companies will appear expensive despite discounts, while others will benefit from AI.
- AI is expected to enhance customer support and improve gross margins for companies like Navan.
- Incumbent companies may not be as vulnerable to disruption as commonly believed.
- Operational complexity and data ownership are key factors protecting businesses from disruption.
- The venture capital landscape is evolving with increased competition and the impact of emerging technologies.
- Understanding the implications of AI on business models is crucial for future investment strategies.
- The market’s inability to differentiate between companies negatively or positively impacted by AI affects valuations.
- The role of technology in business adaptation is critical for incumbents to remain competitive.
- Data ownership provides a competitive advantage, especially in the age of AI.
Guest intro
Oren Zeev is the founder and sole General Partner of Zeev Ventures, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm managing over $1 billion in assets under management. He previously served as a General Partner at Apax Partners, where he led the firm’s early investment in Audible, achieving a 10x return upon its $310 million sale to Amazon. Zeev is renowned for his radical alignment model, taking zero management fees while applying 30% carry to investments in successes like Navan, Houzz, and Chegg.
The dangers of prioritizing growth over sustainability
-
— Oren Zeev
- Emphasizing growth without sustainable practices can lead to long-term risks.
-
— Oren Zeev
- Sustainable business practices are crucial for long-term success.
- The venture capital industry often focuses excessively on growth metrics.
- A balanced approach between growth and sustainability is necessary.
-
— Oren Zeev
- Investors should evaluate the sustainability of business models alongside growth potential.
AI as a transformative force in human history
-
— Oren Zeev
- The impact of AI extends across various sectors and industries.
- AI is driving significant shifts in technology and societal structures.
-
— Oren Zeev
- The transformative potential of AI is reshaping business models.
- Understanding AI’s implications is crucial for future investment strategies.
- AI’s influence on industries will continue to grow over time.
- The rise of AI presents both opportunities and challenges for businesses.
The value of investing in unconventional startups
-
— Oren Zeev
- Reduced competition in unconventional markets offers unique opportunities.
-
— Oren Zeev
- Contrarian thinking can yield significant investment returns.
- Identifying unique opportunities in less crowded markets is strategic.
-
— Oren Zeev
- The competitive landscape in startup investing is evolving.
- Investing in unconventional startups requires a long-term vision.
The increasing competition in startup investing
-
— Oren Zeev
- More startups are vying for investor attention and funding.
-
— Oren Zeev
- The startup ecosystem is becoming more crowded and competitive.
- Investors need to differentiate between viable and non-viable startups.
- The evolving dynamics in the startup ecosystem affect investment decisions.
- Increased competition requires more strategic investment approaches.
- Understanding the competitive landscape is crucial for investors.
Evaluating the impact of AI on investment decisions
-
— Oren Zeev
- AI’s impact on business models is a critical factor in investment evaluations.
-
— Oren Zeev
- The rise of AI necessitates a shift in investment evaluation criteria.
- Understanding AI’s implications is essential for informed investment decisions.
- AI presents both opportunities and threats to different industries.
- Investors need to assess AI’s potential impact on company performance.
- The future of investment strategies will be influenced by AI’s rise.
Market undervaluation of software companies due to AI fears
-
— Oren Zeev
- Investor fears of AI impact lead to discounted valuations for software companies.
-
— Oren Zeev
- The market’s inability to differentiate between AI winners and losers affects valuations.
- Understanding market sentiment towards AI is crucial for investors.
- The current market trend presents both risks and opportunities for investors.
- Software companies may be undervalued despite their potential to benefit from AI.
- Investors need to discern between companies negatively and positively impacted by AI.
The long-term impact of AI on software company valuations
-
— Oren Zeev
- AI will lead to a divergence in company performance and valuations.
-
— Oren Zeev
- The long-term impact of AI on software companies will vary.
- Investors need to anticipate AI’s effects on company performance.
- Understanding AI’s long-term implications is crucial for investment strategies.
- Companies benefiting from AI will see improved valuations over time.
- The market will eventually recognize AI’s impact on different software companies.
The role of AI in improving business operations
-
— Oren Zeev
- AI implementation can lead to operational efficiencies and cost savings.
-
— Oren Zeev
- AI’s impact on financial metrics is significant for business operations.
- Companies like Navan can benefit from AI-driven improvements.
- Understanding AI’s operational benefits is crucial for business strategy.
- AI’s role in enhancing customer support is a key advantage.
- The practical benefits of AI implementation are evident in business contexts.
The resilience of incumbent companies to disruption
-
— Oren Zeev
- Many incumbents can adapt and benefit from AI advancements.
-
— Oren Zeev
- Operational complexity and adaptability protect incumbents from disruption.
- The competitive landscape is not as straightforward as often portrayed.
- Incumbents with strategic adaptation can thrive in the age of AI.
- The narrative of inevitable disruption is challenged by business realities.
- Understanding the role of technology in business adaptation is crucial.
The importance of operational complexity and data ownership
-
— Oren Zeev
- Businesses with complex operations and data ownership have a competitive edge.
-
— Oren Zeev
- Data ownership provides a significant advantage in technology-driven markets.
- Incumbents with data ownership are well-positioned in the age of AI.
- Understanding the role of operational complexity is crucial for business strategy.
- The competitive advantage of data ownership is evident in AI-driven markets.
- Businesses that leverage operational complexity and data ownership can thrive.
Loading more articles…
You’ve reached the end
Add us on Google
`;
}
function createMobileArticle(article) {
const displayDate = getDisplayDate(article);
const editorSlug = article.editor ? article.editor.toLowerCase().replace(/\s+/g, ‘-‘) : ”;
const captionHtml = article.imageCaption ? `
${article.imageCaption}
` : ”;
const authorHtml = article.isPressRelease ? ” : `
`;
return `
${captionHtml}
${article.subheadline ? `
${article.subheadline}
` : ”}
${createSocialShare()}
${authorHtml}
${displayDate}
${article.content}
`;
}
function createDesktopArticle(article, sidebarAdHtml) {
const editorSlug = article.editor ? article.editor.toLowerCase().replace(/\s+/g, ‘-‘) : ”;
const displayDate = getDisplayDate(article);
const captionHtml = article.imageCaption ? `
${article.imageCaption}
` : ”;
const categoriesHtml = article.categories.map((cat, i) => {
const separator = i < article.categories.length – 1 ? ‘|‘ : ”;
return `${cat}${separator}`;
}).join(”);
const desktopAuthorHtml = article.isPressRelease ? ” : `
`;
return `
${categoriesHtml}
${article.subheadline}
` : ”}
${desktopAuthorHtml}
${displayDate}
${createSocialShare()}
${captionHtml}
`;
}
function loadMoreArticles() {
if (isLoading || !hasMore) return;
isLoading = true;
loadingText.classList.remove(‘hidden’);
// Build form data for AJAX request
const formData = new FormData();
formData.append(‘action’, ‘cb_lovable_load_more’);
formData.append(‘current_post_id’, lastLoadedPostId);
formData.append(‘primary_cat_id’, primaryCatId);
formData.append(‘before_date’, lastLoadedDate);
formData.append(‘loaded_ids’, loadedPostIds.join(‘,’));
fetch(ajaxUrl, {
method: ‘POST’,
body: formData
})
.then(response => response.json())
.then(data => {
isLoading = false;
loadingText.classList.add(‘hidden’);
if (data.success && data.has_more && data.article) {
const article = data.article;
const sidebarAdHtml = data.sidebar_ad_html || ”;
// Check for duplicates
if (loadedPostIds.includes(article.id)) {
console.log(‘Duplicate article detected, skipping:’, article.id);
// Update pagination vars and try again
lastLoadedDate = article.publishDate;
loadMoreArticles();
return;
}
// Add to mobile container
mobileContainer.insertAdjacentHTML(‘beforeend’, createMobileArticle(article));
// Add to desktop container with fresh ad HTML
desktopContainer.insertAdjacentHTML(‘beforeend’, createDesktopArticle(article, sidebarAdHtml));
// Update tracking variables
loadedPostIds.push(article.id);
lastLoadedPostId = article.id;
lastLoadedDate = article.publishDate;
// Execute any inline scripts in the new content (for ads)
const newArticle = desktopContainer.querySelector(`article[data-article-id=”${article.id}”]`);
if (newArticle) {
const scripts = newArticle.querySelectorAll(‘script’);
scripts.forEach(script => {
const newScript = document.createElement(‘script’);
if (script.src) {
newScript.src = script.src;
} else {
newScript.textContent = script.textContent;
}
document.body.appendChild(newScript);
});
}
// Trigger Ad Inserter if available
if (typeof ai_check_and_insert_block === ‘function’) {
ai_check_and_insert_block();
}
// Trigger Google Publisher Tag refresh if available
if (typeof googletag !== ‘undefined’ && googletag.pubads) {
googletag.cmd.push(function() {
googletag.pubads().refresh();
});
}
} else if (data.success && !data.has_more) {
hasMore = false;
endText.classList.remove(‘hidden’);
} else if (!data.success) {
console.error(‘AJAX error:’, data.error);
hasMore = false;
endText.textContent=”Error loading more articles”;
endText.classList.remove(‘hidden’);
}
})
.catch(error => {
console.error(‘Fetch error:’, error);
isLoading = false;
loadingText.classList.add(‘hidden’);
hasMore = false;
endText.textContent=”Error loading more articles”;
endText.classList.remove(‘hidden’);
});
}
// Set up IntersectionObserver
const observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries) {
if (entries[0].isIntersecting) {
loadMoreArticles();
}
}, { threshold: 0.1 });
observer.observe(loadingTrigger);
})();
© Decentral Media and Crypto Briefing® 2026.
Source: https://cryptobriefing.com/oren-zeev-ai-is-the-biggest-change-in-human-history-20vc/
