Flying Fish Partners Co-Founder on Seattle's VC Market

The transcript discusses the challenges startups face in securing funding outside Silicon Valley, particularly in Seattle. It highlights the potential for new tech giants to emerge in Seattle due to decreasing startup costs and increasing venture capital interest. Concerns are raised about Amazon's decision to open a second headquarters elsewhere, emphasizing the need for Seattle to remain attractive for businesses. The role of tech companies in social responsibility and philanthropy is explored, with examples from Microsoft and Amazon. The discussion also covers AI and machine learning trends, noting the transformative impact on industries. Finally, the transcript addresses the need for greater diversity in venture capital, highlighting the challenges faced by women and minorities in the industry.

What is a common reason startups leave Seattle for Silicon Valley?

• Better weather

• More available funding and resources

• Higher salaries

• Proximity to the ocean

How has cloud technology impacted the startup ecosystem?

• Decreased the number of startups

• Reduced startup costs by eliminating the need for physical servers

• Made it more expensive to start a company

• Increased the need for physical servers

What is a concern regarding Amazon's decision to open a second headquarters?

• It will lead to higher taxes in Seattle

• It will reduce Amazon's global presence

• It will increase Seattle's population

• It indicates a lack of confidence in Seattle's business environment

What is a significant step Amazon has taken towards social responsibility?

• Expanding globally

• Increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour

• Opening more stores

• Reducing product prices

What is a key challenge for small companies in AI development?

• Difficulty in contributing to the base AI/ML infrastructure

• Lack of interest in AI

• Excessive funding opportunities

• Too many data scientists available

What is a major barrier to diversity in venture capital?

• Excessive government regulations

• Too many venture capital firms

• Conservative financial institutions hesitant to fund new ventures

• Lack of interest from women

What is necessary to improve diversity in venture capital firms?

• Adding one woman to each firm

• Creating more firms founded by women and minorities

• Reducing the number of firms

• Focusing only on proven ventures