Summation with Auren Hoffman

Auren Hoffman

Non-obvious ideas that move the world. Auren Hoffman hosts leaders across tech, business, markets, and government.

Summation is the permanent home for the relentlessly curious.

Auren is CEO of NQB8, GP at Flex Capital, Chairman of Dialog; former CEO of SafeGraph and LiveRamp (NYSE: RAMP).

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279 episodes
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Episodes279

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Nov 7, 2023 · 43 min
Spencer Kimball, CEO of Cockroach Labs: Future of Open Source
Spencer Kimball is the founder and CEO of Cockroach Labs, a $5 billion company that makes the CockroachDB database used by Netflix, Nubank, Shipt, and many other leading tech companies. Spencer was building and contributing to major open source projects before he graduated from college. In this episode of World of DaaS, Spencer and Auren do a deep dive on open source companies: How they make money, what the ecosystem looks like in 2023, and competing with the giants like AWS and Oracle. Auren and Spencer open with an in-depth history lesson on the software industry and open source’s role in it. Spencer explains how open source and open core companies evolved and how the rise of cloud giants like AWS has changed the industry. They also discuss how belief and optimism affects founders, Spencer’s “hierarchy of success,” and essential advice for first time founders. World of DaaS is brought to you by SafeGraph & Flex Capital. For more episodes, visit safegraph.com/podcasts. You can find Auren Hoffman on Twitter at @auren and Spencer on LinkedIn.
Oct 31, 2023 · 50 min
Michael Seibel, Y Combinator Group Partner
Michael Seibel is a group partner at Y Combinator and the managing director of YC's startup accelerator. He evaluates 1000s of startups a year and sees hundreds go through YC, which means he has better data on startup success than just about anyone in tech. He’s also the cofounder of Twitch. In this episode, Michael and Auren dive into the startup landscape and the inner workings of Y Combinator. As a partner at YC, Michael sheds light on the top qualities he seeks in applicants, drawing from his experience of sifting through a staggering 20,000 yearly applications to their accelerator program. They also discuss Michael’s journey as co-founder of Twitch (formerly known as Justin.tv), which now boasts an impressive 140 million monthly active users and was acquired by Amazon for roughly $1B. Michael delves into the mistakes Twitch made along the way and the surprising advice that saved the company from collapse. World of DaaS is brought to you by SafeGraph & Flex Capital. For more episodes, visit safegraph.com/podcasts. You can find Auren Hoffman on Twitter at @auren and Michael on Twitter at @mwseibel.
Oct 24, 2023 · 52 min
Ben Horowitz, co-founder of a16z: Venture Capital
Ben Horowitz is the cofounder and CEO of Andreessen Horowitz, the most influential venture capital firm of the last 20 years. Ben and Andreessen Horowitz (also known as a16z) have invested in some of the biggest companies out there, including AirBnb, Coinbase, Facebook, Instacart, GitHub and Oculus. Prior to his VC career, Ben founded Opsware/Loudcloud, which was acquired by Hewlett-Packard for $1.6 billion. He’s also the author of the bestselling books 'The Hard Thing About Hard Things' and ‘What You Do Is Who You Are.’ In this episode of World of DaaS, Auren and Ben discuss the data moats, AI vs software, and the nuances of the modern VC. Ben starts by exploring whether AI will eat the world like software has, and who the winners and losers of the AI revolution might be. They also explore one of Ben’s best-known management concepts: wartime to peacetime CEOs, and how every CEO should be thinking about strategy and adaptability during broader tech headwinds. Ben's offers a candid perspective on how to build the right culture and what sets Andreessen Horowitz apart in the venture capital world. World of DaaS is brought to you by SafeGraph & Flex Capital. For more episodes, visit safegraph.com/podcasts. ‍ You can find Auren Hoffman on Twitter at @auren and Ben on Twitter at @bhorowitz.
Oct 17, 2023 · 49 min
Guillermo Rauch, CEO of Vercel: AI
Guillermo Rauch is the founder and CEO of Vercel, a cloud platform that powers some of the biggest names on the internet, like Patreon, Ebay, Netflix and Adobe. Guillermo has an incredible founder story– he began coding at age 10, dropped out of high school and moved from his native Argentina to San Francisco as a teenager. He’s also the creator of several major open source projects and a dual threat CEO who runs his own solo VC firm, Rauch Capital. In this episode of World of DaaS, Guillermo and Auren discuss the future of web development, the significance of user experience, and the rise of developer-first companies. They also explore the world of open-source business models and AI's impact on data interactions. Guillermo also shares his unique personal journey and some thought-provoking insights on health, the immigrant experience and conspiracy theories. World of DaaS is brought to you by SafeGraph & Flex Capital. For more episodes, visit safegraph.com/podcasts. You can find Auren Hoffman on Twitter at @auren and Guillermo on Twitter at @rauchg.
Oct 12, 2023 · 45 min
Andrew Ross Sorkin: SVB, Lessons from 2008 Financial Crisis & VC
Andrew Ross Sorkin is a financial columnist for the New York Times, a co-anchor of CNBC’s Squawk Box and the founder and editor of DealBook. He’s also the co-creator of the hit-show Billions and the author of the bestselling book Too Big To Fail, on the 2008 financial crisis. On this episode of World of DaaS, Auren and Andrew dive into the intersecting realms of technology, finance, and data. Andrew offers non-obvious insights into the 2008 financial crisis, highlighting the nuances of a pivotal moment in history. He also discusses the evolution of the banking system since 2008, and how that crisis compares to the SVB collapse earlier this year. As the conversation unfolds, Andrew delves into topics such as venture capital in the media industry, AI's role in copyright, changes in M&A driven by private equity, and even touches on intriguing subjects like independent media and conspiracy theories. World of DaaS is brought to you by SafeGraph & Flex Capital. For more episodes, visit safegraph.com/podcasts. You can find Auren Hoffman on Twitter at @auren and Andrew on Twitter @andrewrsorkin or at NYT DealBook.
Oct 3, 2023 · 45 min
Peter Thiel: Science, Society, Stagnation
Peter Thiel is one of the greatest entrepreneurs and investors of his generation. He was the co-founder and CEO of PayPal, the first investor in Facebook, and co-founder of Palantir Technologies. He’s the founder and managing partner of the venture capital firm Founders Fund, and the author of Zero to One, one of the best business books of all time. In this episode, Auren and Peter dive deep on venture capital, scientific stagnation, AI, tech start-ups, and more. Peter shares his compelling theory for why scientific progress has slowed down dramatically in the last decades, and explains how that’s affected start-ups and investing. Auren and Peter also survey the global economic landscape and discuss why the US and China have outperformed the rest of the world's economies by such a wide margin. Peter breaks down the conclusions from his book The Diversity Myth and explains why “competition is for losers.” World of DaaS is brought to you by SafeGraph & Flex Capital. For more episodes, visit safegraph.com/podcasts. You can find Auren Hoffman on Twitter at @auren and Peter Thiel on Twitter at @peterthiel.
Sep 26, 2023 · 45 min
Amjad Masad: CEO of Replit: Future of Coding
Amjad Masad is the founder and CEO of Replit, an online coding environment. Amjad and Auren discuss what the rise of AI means for coding, developers, and tech companies. Amjad shares his thoughts on consumer vs creator computer culture, why development hasn’t moved to the cloud faster, and why everyone should be able to call themselves a programmer. They also discuss Amjad’s experience coming from Jordan to start a company in the US. Amjad shares whether he still thinks Silicon Valley is the best place for startups. They also discuss unique considerations for CEOs that aren’t talked about often: free speech as an executive, assessing expert opinion, and how investing makes you a better CEO. World of DaaS is brought to you by SafeGraph & Flex Capital. For more episodes, visit safegraph.com/podcasts. You can find Auren Hoffman on Twitter at @auren and Amjad Masad on Twitter at @amasad.
Sep 19, 2023 · 46 min
Martin Sorrell: S4 & WPP: AdTech, Advertising & AI
Sir Martin Sorrell is the founder of WPP, one of the largest advertising agencies in the world, which he ran for over 30 years. He’s currently the executive chairman of S4 Capital, which is a pure play digital advertising company he founded in 2018. In this episode, Auren and Martin dive into the fascinating intersection of AI in advertising, the economic impact of Brexit, and the ever-evolving landscape of ad revenue at big tech companies. Martin shares his global outlook for advertising, including the regions he’s most bullish about, and he also outlines how the UK mishandled its economic opportunities with Brexit. Auren and Martin also dive deep into some technical concerns in the advertising space, including cookie deprecation, ad targeting, and brand building in the social media era. World of DaaS is brought to you by SafeGraph & Flex Capital. For more episodes, visit safegraph.com/podcasts. You can find Auren Hoffman on Twitter at @auren and Martin Sorrell on Twitter at @martinsorrell.
Sep 12, 2023 · 48 min
Neil Strauss, Author of "The Game": Growth in the AI Era
Neil Strauss is a 10x New York Times bestselling author and a renowned journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Times, Rolling Stone, and Esquire. Neil and host Auren Hoffman delve into the intriguing world of charisma, self-improvement, and relationships. Neil explains how anyone can learn to be more charismatic, and what charisma has to do with group dynamics. The conversation then shifts to personal transformation and the challenges of breaking recurring patterns. Neil challenges societal notions of relationships and discusses the evolving role of emotional intelligence in today's world. As the discussion unfolds, Neil delves into the impact of AI on creative work and social media credulity, providing a unique perspective on technology's influence. The podcast touches on various thought-provoking topics, from NFTs and Neil’s book on the Bored Ape Yacht Club to relationships with AI and modern parenting. Throughout, Neil Strauss offers a candid take on common advice and shares his intriguing thoughts on conspiracy theories. World of DaaS is brought to you by SafeGraph & Flex Capital. For more episodes, visit safegraph.com/podcasts. You can find Auren Hoffman on Twitter at @auren and Neil Strauss on Twitter at @neilstrauss.
Sep 5, 2023 · 52 min
Bram Cohen, Founder of BitTorrent and Chia: Decentralization, Data Science & Blockchain
Bram Cohen is the creator of BitTorrent, which revolutionized digital entertainment and has been downloaded over two billion times. Today, Bram is the founder and CTO of Chia network, which manages the Chia cryptocurrency. Chia uses a unique proof of space model, in contrast to proof or work or proof of stake models like Bitcoin and Ethereum. In this episode of World of DaaS, Bram and host Auren Hoffman discuss a wide range of topics related to technology, data science, and cryptocurrencies. Bram begins by sharing insights into Chia, Crypto, and BitTorrent, touching upon the importance of breakthroughs in data science and the limitations of recommendation algorithms when dealing with poor-quality data and misaligned incentives. Bram also highlights the dominance of BitTorrent in internet traffic and discusses the role of decentralized compute work, proof of space, and the revolutionary potential of decentralization. Additionally, the podcast delves into subjects like the hype around cryptocurrencies, the possibility of a banking collapse, and even Bram's personal beliefs regarding conspiracy theories. World of DaaS is brought to you by SafeGraph & Flex Capital. For more episodes, visit safegraph.com/podcasts. To learn more about SafeGraph, visit https://www.safegraph.com To learn more about Flex Capital, visit https://www.flexcapital.com You can find Auren Hoffman on Twitter at @auren and Bram on Twitter @bramcohen and on Substack.
Aug 29, 2023 · 58 min
Bryan Johnson: How to Age in Reverse
Bryan Johnson is the founder of the payments processing company Braintree, which sold to Paypal for $800 million in 2012. He’s also the founder of OS Fund, which invests in advancing genomic and biological technology, and Kernel, which is focused on developing brain-machine interfaces. In 2021, he launched Project Blueprint, which aims to slow and reverse the aging process in the human body. He's spent millions of dollars optimizing and tracking his health, becoming the "most measured man in history." Auren and Bryan delve into a comprehensive discussion about optimizing health, longevity, and well-being. Bryan Johnson starts by sharing insights into his biological age and training regimen, including strategies for enhancing V02 Max. He elaborates on motivating oneself for rigorous training and emphasizes Blueprint as a positive pathway for health transformation. They also explore fasting windows and their effects on sleep, along with the scientific formulation of Bryan's diet and the importance of aesthetics to the overall anti-aging project. Bryan explains what he recommends as a starting point for anyone interested in implementing the Blueprint, along with the supplements and medications that are part of his daily regimen. Finally, Auren and Bryan explore ideas of addiction and self control, the future of humanity, and the role of data in decision-making. World of DaaS is brought to you by SafeGraph & Flex Capital. For more episodes, visit safegraph.com/podcasts. You can find Auren Hoffman on Twitter at @auren and Bryan Johnson on Twitter at @byan_johnson.
Aug 22, 2023 · 38 min
Sue Gordon, fmr ODNI/NGA/CIA: OSINT, Cybersecurity, War
Sue Gordon is the former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence. She had a 30+ year career with the CIA, as well as serving as Deputy Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Auren and Sue discuss shifting global power dynamics and the nature of modern intelligence in an ever-evolving world. They delve into the realm of cyber defense and Sue gives an overview of the expanding threat landscape that stretches far beyond government borders. They also discuss open source intelligence (OSINT) and the cutting-edge world of satellite technology and geospatial intelligence. Sue and Auren also explore the dynamics of coalitions and how they’ve challenged established perceptions about military invasions and global power dynamics in the wake of the Ukraine invasion. They also discuss the inner workings of INQTEL, the CIA's technology investment arm, and get a firsthand account of Sue Gordon's extensive experience at the helm of various CIA departments. World of DaaS is brought to you by SafeGraph & Flex Capital. For more episodes, visit safegraph.com/podcasts. You can find Auren Hoffman on Twitter at @auren and Sue Gordon on LinkedIn.
Aug 15, 2023 · 49 min
Ajit Pai: Innovation, Regulation, GDPR
Ajit Pai is the former Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, where he served from 2017 to 2021. He’s currently a partner at Searchlight Capital. Auren and Ajit delve into the intricacies of technology regulation, including the nuances of regulating AI and crypto. Ajit outlines the essential triggers for preemptive intervention, and the many unintended consequences of Section 230 and Europe’s GDPR privacy regulation. They also discuss the anticompetitive nature of big tech, censorship concerns, and the aftermath of net neutrality debates. Shifting to communication infrastructure, Ajit and Auren break down the amazing explosion of the commercial satellite industry. Ajit shares how the FCC is modernizing the broadcast spectrum for faster WIFI and better mobile connectivity. They finish with a discussion of the overall health of private equity– which firms will fare well coming out of the pandemic bubble, and which could face collapse as interest rates and valuations change. World of DaaS is brought to you by SafeGraph & Flex Capital. For more episodes, visit safegraph.com/podcasts. You can find Auren Hoffman on Twitter at @auren and Ajit on Twitter @AjitPai.
Aug 8, 2023 · 50 min
Steven Pinker: Human Cognition vs. AI
Steven Pinker is a linguist, cognitive scientist, and a professor in the Department of Psychology at Harvard. He’s the author of twelve books, including the bestsellers How the Mind Works, Enlightenment Now, and most recently Rationality. Auren and Steven delve into the world of artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and intellectual freedom. Steven brings his perspective from cognitive psychology to explain how AI does (and does not) mirror the human brain. They also explore the complexities of disasters, rationality, and academic freedom, with Steven emphasizing the necessity of open debates in universities. The episode concludes with a thought-provoking discussion on honesty, common knowledge, and communication, pondering on the idea that humans sometimes need to forget the truth to remain human. World of DaaS is brought to you by SafeGraph & Flex Capital. For more episodes, visit safegraph.com/podcasts. You can find Auren Hoffman on Twitter at @auren and Steven on Twitter at @sapinker.
Aug 1, 2023 · 51 min
Erik Torenberg: Optionality, AI & Elites
Erik Torenberg was the first employee at Product Hunt, and the founder and chairman of On Deck. He’s currently a partner at Village Global and the founder of Turpentine podcast network. Erik and Auren discuss the startup founder mindset and what it takes to be successful in tech. Erik shares the career strategies and frameworks that have allowed him to found multiple companies and a venture capital firm. They also discuss unconventional financial arrangements that could allow more people to found companies, like income share agreements and equity pooling. Erik also shares some of his insights on podcasting and why it’s one of the best ways to learn. To learn more about SafeGraph, visit https://www.safegraph.com To learn more about Flex Capital, visit https://www.flexcapital.com You can find Auren Hoffman on Twitter at @auren and Erik on Twitter at @eriktorenberg
Jul 25, 2023 · 53 min
Jesse Pujji: Digital Marketing, D2C & Venture Studios
Jesse is the founder and CEO of Gateway X, a venture studio focused on DTC brands. Previously, he was the co-founder and CEO of Ampush, a digital marketing firm which he bootstrapped to an eight figure exit. Jesse and Auren break down some of the nuances of digital marketing and discuss the state of marketing on the major tech platforms today. They also discuss Red Ventures, “the most impressive company you’ve never heard of.” Jesse is an expert on DTC companies and shares his insights on the space overall, including where he thinks the next major companies will be built. Auren and Jesse also do a deep dive into the venture studio model and explore how Jesse structures the business and hires CEOs. World of DaaS is brought to you by SafeGraph & Flex Capital. For more episodes, visit safegraph.com/podcasts. You can find Auren Hoffman on Twitter at @auren and Jesse on Twitter @jspujji.
Jul 18, 2023 · 48 min
Immad Akhund, CEO of Mercury: SVB, Neobanks, and UI
Immad Akhund is the CEO of Mercury, a bank for startups. He’s also a multi-time founder and a Dual Threat CEO with over 300+ angel investments. Auren and Immad discuss the collapse of SVB and how Mercury handled an influx of over $2 billion in deposits. Immad explains some lesser-known structural aspects of the banking system that affect the product and customer experience. Auren and Immad also talk about crowdfunding a startup, how much focus founders need to succeed, and why Dual Threat CEOs can outperform conventional VCs. World of DaaS is brought to you by SafeGraph & Flex Capital. For more episodes, visit safegraph.com/podcasts. You can find Auren Hoffman on Twitter at @auren and Immad on Twitter @immad.
Jul 11, 2023 · 45 min
Prince Turki Al Faisal: Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia & Energy
HRH Prince Turki Al Faisal Al Saud was the head of Saudi Arabia’s General Intelligence Directorate for 24 years. He also served as the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the UK, Ireland, and the United States, and he’s the author of The Afghanistan File. Auren and Prince Turki discuss the complex history of Afghanistan and Middle East geopolitics. Prince Turki shares his thoughts on the mistakes made by the U.S. in Afghanistan, the consequences of negotiating with the Taliban, and how the U.S. could have made a better strategic exit from the country. They also delve into the failure of Israeli peace talks, the rise of Chinese diplomacy, and the nature of Iran’s nuclear program. Finally, Prince Turki provides insights into the changing landscape of the oil market, the impact of fracking on OPEC+, and the plateau that frackers have reached in the industry. World of DaaS is brought to you by SafeGraph & Flex Capital. For more episodes, visit safegraph.com/podcasts. You can find Auren Hoffman on Twitter at @auren.
Jul 5, 2023 · 58 min
Dmitri Alperovitch: Ukraine, Russia, Starlink & Cyber Warfare
Dmitri Alperovitch is the co-founder and former CTO of CrowdStrike and the founder of Silverado Policy Accelerator. Dmitri and Auren delve into the complexities of cyber warfare, geopolitics, and their intersections. Dmitri explains the intricacies of the 'vulnerabilities equities process' and the challenges in making software safer. The conversation also explores the realm of cyber weapons and Ukraine's resilience in combating cyber attacks. Shifting to geopolitics, they discuss the implications of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, China's strategic objectives, and the changing communication dynamics due to Starlink satellites. World of DaaS is brought to you by SafeGraph & Flex Capital. For more episodes, visit safegraph.com/podcasts. You can find Auren Hoffman on Twitter at @auren and Dmitri on Twitter at @DAlperovitch
Jun 27, 2023 · 58 min
Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic: AI and Media
Nick Thompson is the CEO of The Atlantic. Prior to that, he was editor-in-chief of Wired and a senior editor at The New Yorker. Nick and Auren discuss the evolving relationship between tech and media and the impact of social media platforms like Twitter on these industries. Nick shares insights into the tech industry's self-narratives and its influence on politics. They also delve into the world of AI and its implications for journalism, from generating news stories to creating children's books. Nick discusses advertising challenges in the journalism industry, the dynamics of tech billionaires owning media companies, and the potential of conversation platforms like Speak Easy AI to foster positive conversations and political diversity. World of DaaS is brought to you by SafeGraph & Flex Capital. For more episodes, visit safegraph.com/podcasts. You can find Auren Hoffman on Twitter at @auren and Nick on Twitter at @nxthompson