Valley Nordic
175 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 10 ratingsChander Chawla, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and Arne Tonning, a Norwegian Venture Capitalist, discuss global perspectives on startup business, technology, and culture. The views on the podcast are solely personal and not of our employers or of the organizations we belong to.
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Episodes
Valley Nordic S2 E15: Incubators and Startup Mistakes with Kjell Håkan Närfelt
April 30, 2020 21:00 - 1 hour - 50 MBWe are very excited to have Kjell Håkan Närfelt, Chief Strategy Officer, at Vinnova, a Swedish government agency focused on building and funding nationwide innovation ecosystems. Chander and Kjell Häkan talk about incubators, science parks, exit focused venture capital vs dividend based capital. We also discuss the common mistakes early stage startups make. Arne will be back next week. Useful links: 1. Kjell Häkan on LinkedIn 2. Vinnova 3. United Nations 2030 agenda for sustainable...
Valley Nordic S2 E14: COVIDtech
April 23, 2020 23:00 - 56 minutes - 39.1 MBWe discuss how technology is being used to end the coronavirus pandemic. We look at the tech in two categories 1) Cure - respirators, ventilators, and treatment 2) Prevention - vaccines, testing, and tracking. Furthemore, we explain how the new Apple/Google initiative works for contact tracing. Useful Links 1. Open Source ventilator projects 2. Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) 3. Norwegian contact tracing app 4. Coronavirus growth rate tracking in the US by sta...
Valley Nordic S2 E14: COVIDtech
April 23, 2020 23:00 - 56 minutes - 39.1 MBWe discuss how technology is being used to end the coronavirus pandemic. We look at the tech in two categories 1) Cure - respirators, ventilators, and treatment 2) Prevention - vaccines, testing, and tracking. Furthemore, we explain how the new Apple/Google initiative works for contact tracing. Useful Links 1. Open Source ventilator projects 2. Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) 3. Norwegian contact tracing app 4. Coronavirus growth rate tracking in the US by sta...
Valley Nordic S2 E13: Systems Thinking and Complex Systems
April 16, 2020 21:00 - 51 minutes - 35.2 MBArne is back on the podcast. We discuss analysis vs. synthesis, linear thinking vs. systems thinking, parts vs. systems and what are the types of complex systems. We explore a new way of looking at the world and how systems thinking can be applied to startups and investing. Chander tried to make it a box-free episode but Arne found a way to sneak in his boxes. Useful links: 1. Systems Thinking 2. Complex Systems 3. New England Complex Systems Institute
Valley Nordic S2 E13: Systems Thinking and Complex Systems
April 16, 2020 21:00 - 51 minutes - 35.2 MBArne is back on the podcast. We discuss analysis vs. synthesis, linear thinking vs. systems thinking, parts vs. systems and what are the types of complex systems. We explore a new way of looking at the world and how systems thinking can be applied to startups and investing. Chander tried to make it a box-free episode but Arne found a way to sneak in his boxes. Useful links: 1. Systems Thinking 2. Complex Systems 3. New England Complex Systems Institute
Valley Nordic S2 E12: Marketing with Andrew Sherrard
April 07, 2020 23:00 - 55 minutes - 38.3 MBWe have a very special guest, Andrew Sherrard, on this episode. Andrew is a former Chief Marketing Officer at T-Mobile US where he managed $1B+ in marketing budget and drove $16B in annual revenue. His un-carrier marketing strategy changed how wireless services are sold in the US. Andrew shares his insights on concept testing, positioning, naming, branding, pricing, advertising agencies, and other marketing topics that are useful for startups. Arne will be back next week. Correction: Edge...
Valley Nordic S2 E12: Marketing with Andrew Sherrard
April 07, 2020 23:00 - 55 minutes - 38.3 MBWe have a very special guest, Andrew Sherrard, on this episode. Andrew is a former Chief Marketing Officer at T-Mobile US where he managed $1B+ in marketing budget and drove $16B in annual revenue. His un-carrier marketing strategy changed how wireless services are sold in the US. Andrew shares his insights on concept testing, positioning, naming, branding, pricing, advertising agencies, and other marketing topics that are useful for startups. Arne will be back next week. Correction: Edge...
Valley Nordic S2 E11: Education & EdTech
April 02, 2020 20:00 - 48 minutes - 33.4 MBWe discuss the education and EdTech segments. Why things have not changed in decades after multiple attempts in bringing technology to education? We also share some examples of successes and failures in education and EdTech. Useful Links 1. Global learning landscape 2. Microverse
Valley Nordic S2 E11: Education & EdTech
April 02, 2020 20:00 - 48 minutes - 33.4 MBWe discuss the education and EdTech segments. Why things have not changed in decades after multiple attempts in bringing technology to education? We also share some examples of successes and failures in education and EdTech. Useful Links 1. Global learning landscape 2. Microverse
Valley Nordic S2 E10: Corona World & Post Corona World
March 26, 2020 20:00 - 52 minutes - 35.9 MBWe discuss some of the temporary changes in businesses caused by the coronavirus and what permanent changes in society might occur due to the pandemic. We also talk about the current funding situation for startups and possible scenarios on when we will get to the post corona world. Our thanks to healthcare, delivery, and retail/grocery/pharmacy workers who are are going to work every day and making our work from home lives possible during a pandemic! Useful links: 1. Hotel Corona - Shel...
Valley Nordic S2 E10: Corona World & Post Corona World
March 26, 2020 20:00 - 52 minutes - 35.9 MBWe discuss some of the temporary changes in businesses caused by the coronavirus and what permanent changes in society might occur due to the pandemic. We also talk about the current funding situation for startups and possible scenarios on when we will get to the post corona world. Our thanks to healthcare, delivery, and retail/grocery/pharmacy workers who are are going to work every day and making our work from home lives possible during a pandemic! Useful links: 1. Hotel Corona - Shel...
Valley Nordic S2 E9: Healthcare
March 19, 2020 22:00 - 39 minutes - 27 MBWe discuss segmentation of the healthcare market from a startup/investment perspective, why the US healthcare system is highly inefficient, and how product development is different in healthcare. Furthermore, we talk about opportunities for startups in the healthcare market. Useful links: 1. Chander's keynote speech on digital health 2. Genesis of a wearable device 3. Region Skåne (Sweden) pivot to mobile health (mHealth) 4. Apple Research app 5. Apple Health Records
Valley Nordic Episode S2 E8: The Game Industry and Investment w/Per-Arne Lundberg
March 12, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 47.2 MBIn this episode, guest Per-Arne Lundberg, a Swedish game investor and CEO at Amplifier Game Invest AB, is discussing the game industry with Arne. Topics covered include: The game industry What's going on in the Nordics Investing games Thanks for visiting, Per-Arne. Check out: https://www.amplifiergameinvest.com/
Valley Nordic S2 E7: Dynamics Of The Technology Ecosystem
March 05, 2020 21:00 - 58 minutes - 40.1 MBArne and Chander discuss how the technology ecosystem works and how it might evolve. The discussion is based on Chander's blogpost on the subject. You can see the blogpost at https://cdoq.blogspot.com/2020/03/dynamics-of-technology-ecosystem.html
Valley Nordic S2 E7: Dynamics Of The Technology Ecosystem
March 05, 2020 21:00 - 58 minutes - 40.1 MBArne and Chander discuss how the technology ecosystem works and how it might evolve. The discussion is based on Chander's blogpost on the subject. You can see the blogpost at https://cdoq.blogspot.com/2020/03/dynamics-of-technology-ecosystem.html
Valley Nordic S2 E6: GTM for B2B SaaS Startups
February 27, 2020 20:00 - 39 minutes - 27.2 MBWe discuss the complexity of Go To Market (GTM) strategies and focus on how Business to Business (B2B) startups with Software as a Service (SaaS) products reach their customers. Common mistakes that founders make and the multiple channels that are used for getting customers to use new products.
Valley Nordic S2 E6: GTM for B2B SaaS Startups
February 27, 2020 20:00 - 39 minutes - 27.2 MBWe discuss the complexity of Go To Market (GTM) strategies and focus on how Business to Business (B2B) startups with Software as a Service (SaaS) products reach their customers. Common mistakes that founders make and the multiple channels that are used for getting customers to use new products.
Valley Nordic S2 E5: Sustainability
February 20, 2020 21:00 - 38 minutes - 26.6 MBWe discuss a topic that is in the news and is on everybody's mind - Sustainability. What does it mean? How should startups think about it? Why now is the right time to do a startup focused on sustainability? Useful Links: 1. United Nations sustainability goals (2030) 2. Larry Fink (BlackRock Chairman and CEO) letter to investors on sustainability
Valley Nordic S2 E5: Sustainability
February 20, 2020 21:00 - 38 minutes - 26.6 MBWe discuss a topic that is in the news and is on everybody's mind - Sustainability. What does it mean? How should startups think about it? Why now is the right time to do a startup focused on sustainability? Useful Links: 1. United Nations sustainability goals (2030) 2. Larry Fink (BlackRock Chairman and CEO) letter to investors on sustainability
Valley Nordic S2 E4: Marketplaces
February 14, 2020 00:00 - 55 minutes - 38.2 MBArne and I discuss what marketplaces businesses are. What are the attributes of a good marketplace. And, what not to do when starting a marketplace business. Useful Links 1. Friend in Cloud marketplace product requirements (2013) 2. GMV
Valley Nordic S2 E4: Marketplaces
February 14, 2020 00:00 - 55 minutes - 38.2 MBArne and I discuss what marketplaces businesses are. What are the attributes of a good marketplace. And, what not to do when starting a marketplace business. Useful Links 1. Friend in Cloud marketplace product requirements (2013) 2. GMV
Valley Nordic S2 E3: Hollywood Behind The Scenes With Howie Mandel
February 07, 2020 00:00 - 51 minutes - 35.6 MBWe are lucky to have Howie Mandel as our guest of honor on this episode. Currently, Howie stars is America's Got Talent Champions which airs on NBC (in the US). He is an author, producer, comedian and many other things. Chander and Howie talk about business, compare Hollywood and Silicon Valley, and the role of technology. What it takes to make a movie or a TV Show. And, Howie's philosophy on life. Useful Links: 1. Pitching Your Tech Startup To Hollywood 2. Howie on Facebook 3. Howie...
Valley Nordic S2 E3: Hollywood Behind The Scenes With Howie Mandel
February 07, 2020 00:00 - 51 minutes - 35.6 MBWe are lucky to have Howie Mandel as our guest of honor on this episode. Currently, Howie stars is America's Got Talent Champions which airs on NBC (in the US). He is an author, producer, comedian and many other things. Chander and Howie talk about business, compare Hollywood and Silicon Valley, and the role of technology. What it takes to make a movie or a TV Show. And, Howie's philosophy on life. Useful Links: 1. Pitching Your Tech Startup To Hollywood 2. Howie on Facebook 3. Howie...
Valley Nordic S2 E2: Why Do We Buy Things?
January 30, 2020 23:00 - 47 minutes - 32.5 MBWe discuss a universal framework of why people people buy things. Chander came up with the framework after founding his first startup. Useful Links: Why do we buy things?
Valley Nordic S2 E2: Why Do We Buy Things?
January 30, 2020 23:00 - 47 minutes - 32.5 MBWe discuss a universal framework of why people people buy things. Chander came up with the framework after founding his first startup. Useful Links: Why do we buy things?
Valley Nordic S2 E1: January Business Highlights, CES, and 2020 Tech Trends
January 23, 2020 21:00 - 47 minutes - 32.6 MBHappy New Year! Welcome to Season 2 of Valley Nordic. We start off the year with discussing the business highlights from the last six weeks, cover Consumer Electronics Show (CES) highlights, and discuss upcoming tech IPOs (Casper and One Medical) and 2020 tech trends. Useful links: 1. 20 Trends to observe in 2020 2. Tink (Nordic equivalent of Plaid) 3. Visa's justification for buying Plaid 4. Kry (Nordic equivalent of one Medical) 5. Ztractor (autonomous electric tractor)
Valley Nordic S2 E1: January Business Highlights, CES, and 2020 Tech Trends
January 23, 2020 21:00 - 47 minutes - 32.6 MBHappy New Year! Welcome to Season 2 of Valley Nordic. We start off the year with discussing the business highlights from the last six weeks, cover Consumer Electronics Show (CES) highlights, and discuss upcoming tech IPOs (Casper and One Medical) and 2020 tech trends. Useful links: 1. 20 Trends to observe in 2020 2. Tink (Nordic equivalent of Plaid) 3. Visa's justification for buying Plaid 4. Kry (Nordic equivalent of one Medical) 5. Ztractor (autonomous electric tractor)
Valley Nordic Episode 31: Season Finale - 2019 In Review
December 05, 2019 19:00 - 53 minutes - 37 MBWe discuss five tech business themes from 2019: IPO market Crypto market Facebook - regulatory issues and Libra plan Big tech (mainly Google and Apple) going fintech Trade war roller coaster affecting tech (semiconductor, big tech, etc.) In addition, we share 19 observations and trends from 2019 on how technology is affecting society. Happy Holidays! See you next year!
Valley Nordic Episode 31: Season Finale - 2019 In Review
December 05, 2019 19:00 - 53 minutes - 37 MBWe discuss five tech business themes from 2019: IPO market Crypto market Facebook - regulatory issues and Libra plan Big tech (mainly Google and Apple) going fintech Trade war roller coaster affecting tech (semiconductor, big tech, etc.) In addition, we share 19 observations and trends from 2019 on how technology is affecting society. Happy Holidays! See you next year!
Valley Nordic Episode 30: Growth at a Big Company & The Magnet Strategy
November 26, 2019 22:00 - 46 minutes - 31.9 MBHow does a company keep growing when it is big? There is a growth framework used by big corporations. The framework has seven growth strategies and most of them are pursued in parallel. We discuss pros and cons of each. Furthermore, we talk about he Magnet Strategy which is used by tech companies to get into non-tech businesses. Useful links: 1. The Magnet Strategy
Valley Nordic Episode 30: Growth at a Big Company & The Magnet Strategy
November 26, 2019 22:00 - 46 minutes - 31.9 MBHow does a company keep growing when it is big? There is a growth framework used by big corporations. The framework has seven growth strategies and most of them are pursued in parallel. We discuss pros and cons of each. Furthermore, we talk about he Magnet Strategy which is used by tech companies to get into non-tech businesses. Useful links: 1. The Magnet Strategy
Valley Nordic Episode 29: Startup Valuations & Term Sheets
November 21, 2019 18:00 - 47 minutes - 32.6 MBHow do you put a dollar value on an idea? Venture Capitalists have to do that regularly. The startup valuation becomes relatively easier starting with Series A funding round when the idea has become a product and it is in the market. How do founders negotiate valuation and other terms with Venture Capitalists? Useful links: 1. Startup Tools (for Nordic Startups) 2. Startup document templates (for US startups)
Valley Nordic Episode 29: Startup Valuations & Term Sheets
November 21, 2019 18:00 - 47 minutes - 32.6 MBHow do you put a dollar value on an idea? Venture Capitalists have to do that regularly. The startup valuation becomes relatively easier starting with Series A funding round when the idea has become a product and it is in the market. How do founders negotiate valuation and other terms with Venture Capitalists? Useful links: 1. Startup Tools (for Nordic Startups) 2. Startup document templates (for US startups)
Valley Nordic Episode 28: Google
November 16, 2019 20:00 - 58 minutes - 40.4 MBGoogle [Nasdaq: GOOGL] announced its third quarter 2019 earnings a few days ago. We review the quarterly earnings. And, we discuss Google's R&D (Research and Development), its culture, and Google Cloud business. We debate the difference between a platform and a product. How Google is good at building platforms and not so good at building products. Useful Links: 1. The Magnet Strategy 2. Google 3Q2019 earnings release
Valley Nordic Episode 28: Google
November 16, 2019 20:00 - 58 minutes - 40.4 MBGoogle [Nasdaq: GOOGL] announced its third quarter 2019 earnings a few days ago. We review the quarterly earnings. And, we discuss Google's R&D (Research and Development), its culture, and Google Cloud business. We debate the difference between a platform and a product. How Google is good at building platforms and not so good at building products. Useful Links: 1. The Magnet Strategy 2. Google 3Q2019 earnings release
Valley Nordic Episode 27: Apple
November 05, 2019 22:00 - 53 minutes - 36.6 MBApple [Nasdaq: AAPL] announced its fourth quarter 2019 earnings last week. We review the FY 2019 earnings. And, we discuss what is Apple doing well to scale so fast. In FY 2019, Apple generated revenues of over $260B. Twenty years ago, Apple FY1999 revenue was $6.1B. And, iPhone, which generates more than half of Apple's revenue today and is mainly responsible for ~47B in services revenue, did not exist until 2007. Useful Links 1. Apple Watch: A giant leap for Apple and a small step for ...
Valley Nordic Episode 27: Apple
November 05, 2019 22:00 - 53 minutes - 36.6 MBApple [Nasdaq: AAPL] announced its fourth quarter 2019 earnings last week. We review the FY 2019 earnings. And, we discuss what is Apple doing well to scale so fast. In FY 2019, Apple generated revenues of over $260B. Twenty years ago, Apple FY1999 revenue was $6.1B. And, iPhone, which generates more than half of Apple's revenue today and is mainly responsible for ~47B in services revenue, did not exist until 2007. Useful Links 1. Apple Watch: A giant leap for Apple and a small step for ...
Valley Nordic Episode 26: Amazon
October 30, 2019 22:00 - 46 minutes - 32.1 MBAmazon [Nasdaq: AMZN] announced its third quarter 2019 earnings earlier this week. We review the earnings. And, we discuss what is Amazon doing well to scale so fast. In the trailing twelve months, Amazon generated revenues of over $265B and their revenues are still growing ~20% YoY. And, Amazon has successfully diversified from eCommerce to Cloud to advertising. Useful Links 1. Nature of business 2. Amazon CTO on IT infrastructure 3. Amazon 3Q2019 earnings press release
Valley Nordic Episode 26: Amazon
October 30, 2019 22:00 - 46 minutes - 32.1 MBAmazon [Nasdaq: AMZN] announced its third quarter 2019 earnings earlier this week. We review the earnings. And, we discuss what is Amazon doing well to scale so fast. In the trailing twelve months, Amazon generated revenues of over $265B and their revenues are still growing ~20% YoY. And, Amazon has successfully diversified from eCommerce to Cloud to advertising. Useful Links 1. Nature of business 2. Amazon CTO on IT infrastructure 3. Amazon 3Q2019 earnings press release
Valley Nordic Episode 25: Economic Downturn Preparation & Operations For Startups
October 24, 2019 22:00 - 1 hour - 44.2 MBArne and Chander discuss an important and unpopular topic i.e. how do markets behave differently in an economic downturn, how do startups prepare for a downturn, and how do startups have to operate in a downturn. How the KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) change from growth to cash. We also talk about how startup operations differ in early and late stage during downturn. Finally, we talk about downrounds (when the fundraising round values the company lower than the previous fundraising round ...
Valley Nordic Episode 25: Economic Downturn Preparation & Operations For Startups
October 24, 2019 22:00 - 1 hour - 44.2 MBArne and Chander discuss an important and unpopular topic i.e. how do markets behave differently in an economic downturn, how do startups prepare for a downturn, and how do startups have to operate in a downturn. How the KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) change from growth to cash. We also talk about how startup operations differ in early and late stage during downturn. Finally, we talk about downrounds (when the fundraising round values the company lower than the previous fundraising round ...
Valley Nordic Episode 24: Food Tech & Beyond Meat
October 17, 2019 20:00 - 40 minutes - 28.2 MBWe try something new in this episode i.e. look into a market where we don't have expertise. And, that market is Food Tech. How we think about it? Also, we analyze Beyond Meat's business and discuss what are the parallels and differences between a tech startup and Beyond Meat (and Impossible Foods). Useful Links: 1. Environmental Impact of Meat Production 2. Beyond Meat S1
Valley Nordic Episode 24: Food Tech & Beyond Meat
October 17, 2019 20:00 - 40 minutes - 28.2 MBWe try something new in this episode i.e. look into a market where we don't have expertise. And, that market is Food Tech. How we think about it? Also, we analyze Beyond Meat's business and discuss what are the parallels and differences between a tech startup and Beyond Meat (and Impossible Foods). Useful Links: 1. Environmental Impact of Meat Production 2. Beyond Meat S1
Valley Nordic Episode 23: Direct to Consumer (D2C) Startups
October 10, 2019 20:00 - 48 minutes - 33.5 MBWe define the Direct To Consumer (D2C) category and discuss the value chain of Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) companies and how D2C startups are disrupting that value chain. Also, how D2C category includes products beyond CPG. What made it possible for D2C companies to come to life and differences between US and European D2C markets. Useful links: 1. D2C landscape (2017) 2. Analysis of 14 D2C Companies
Valley Nordic Episode 23: Direct to Consumer (D2C) Startups
October 10, 2019 20:00 - 48 minutes - 33.5 MBWe define the Direct To Consumer (D2C) category and discuss the value chain of Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) companies and how D2C startups are disrupting that value chain. Also, how D2C category includes products beyond CPG. What made it possible for D2C companies to come to life and differences between US and European D2C markets. Useful links: 1. D2C landscape (2017) 2. Analysis of 14 D2C Companies
Valley Nordic Episode 22: Market Segmentation, Business Models, and Scaling
October 03, 2019 20:00 - 48 minutes - 33.4 MBIn this episode we discuss market segmentation, business model innovation, and scaling. How and why Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) focus is the best way to build sustainable businesses. We also discuss, after a startup has achieved Product Market Fit (PMF), how you scale a business and what do you do differently in the post PMF phase. Useful links: 1. Customer Facing Devices 2. Why do we buy things? 3. Decision making for startups
Valley Nordic Episode 22: Market Segmentation, Business Models, and Scaling
October 03, 2019 20:00 - 48 minutes - 33.4 MBIn this episode we discuss market segmentation, business model innovation, and scaling. How and why Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) focus is the best way to build sustainable businesses. We also discuss, after a startup has achieved Product Market Fit (PMF), how you scale a business and what do you do differently in the post PMF phase. Useful links: 1. Customer Facing Devices 2. Why do we buy things? 3. Decision making for startups
Valley Nordic Episode 21: Software Development
September 26, 2019 00:00 - 48 minutes - 33.5 MBWe are doing something new and different in this episode. Instead of the episode being a conversation between an entrepreneur and a venture capitalist, we have a conversation between a product/business person i.e Chander, your regular host, and a software developer/technologist i.e. David Krieger, Principal Software Engineer at Pivotal. You will still get two different perspectives. We cover how software development has changed in the last two decades, relationship between product managers a...
Valley Nordic Episode 21: Software Development
September 26, 2019 00:00 - 48 minutes - 33.5 MBWe are doing something new and different in this episode. Instead of the episode being a conversation between an entrepreneur and a venture capitalist, we have a conversation between a product/business person i.e Chander, your regular host, and a software developer/technologist i.e. David Krieger, Principal Software Engineer at Pivotal. You will still get two different perspectives. We cover how software development has changed in the last two decades, relationship between product managers a...
Valley Nordic Episode 20: Softbank
September 19, 2019 06:00 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MBSoftbank has changed the late stage venture industry. After the recent delay of the WeWork IPO, Softbank's strategy of injecting a lot of capital in startups at high valuations is being questioned. In this episode, we discuss the structure of Softbank Vision Fund and how Softbank is influencing startup founders and smaller venture capitalists. Useful Links: 1. Softbank vision fund 2. Softbank 3. Masayoshi Son