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 Episode 19: Product & Marketing at Startups
September 11, 2019 20:00 - 1 hour - 44.3 MBWe get deeper into startup operations, specifically how to develop and market products. How do you prioritize things in pre product launch and post product launch stages of the startup? What are the boundaries between product and marketing? Furthermore, we discuss frameworks that can be applied to product development and marketing. This episode also touches upon the current state of WeWork IPO and Apple's product announcements this week. Correction: It was mentioned in the episode that th...
Valley Nordic Episode 19: Product & Marketing at Startups
September 11, 2019 20:00 - 1 hour - 44.3 MBWe get deeper into startup operations, specifically how to develop and market products. How do you prioritize things in pre product launch and post product launch stages of the startup? What are the boundaries between product and marketing? Furthermore, we discuss frameworks that can be applied to product development and marketing. This episode also touches upon the current state of WeWork IPO and Apple's product announcements this week. Correction: It was mentioned in the episode that th...
Valley Nordic Episode 18: Streaming Videos
September 05, 2019 22:00 - 40 minutes - 27.9 MBIn our latest episode, Arne and I talk about the streaming video market. The history, the current state, and how we think the market will evolve. Streaming video is a very diverse and deep area so we could not include everything we wanted to discuss like the current value chain of cable tv channels. However, you will get a good idea about the current state of streaming. Correction: Netflix did lose customers in the US in 2Q19 but had net adds globally. See details at https://www.cnbc.com/2...
Valley Nordic Episode 18: Streaming Videos
September 05, 2019 22:00 - 40 minutes - 27.9 MBIn our latest episode, Arne and I talk about the streaming video market. The history, the current state, and how we think the market will evolve. Streaming video is a very diverse and deep area so we could not include everything we wanted to discuss like the current value chain of cable tv channels. However, you will get a good idea about the current state of streaming. Correction: Netflix did lose customers in the US in 2Q19 but had net adds globally. See details at https://www.cnbc.com/2...
Valley Nordic Episode 17: Peloton
August 29, 2019 18:00 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MBPeloton filed its S1 earlier this week. Arne and Chander discuss the complexity of the Peloton business which is a combination of technology (hardware and software), media (production and distribution), and fitness (managing instructors and retail sales). We also talk about their interesting business model and the challenges Peloton might face in continuing its growth. We could not get to the second section of the podcast due to technical difficulties. So, enjoy our shortest episode till d...
Valley Nordic Episode 17: Peloton
August 29, 2019 18:00 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MBPeloton filed its S1 earlier this week. Arne and Chander discuss the complexity of the Peloton business which is a combination of technology (hardware and software), media (production and distribution), and fitness (managing instructors and retail sales). We also talk about their interesting business model and the challenges Peloton might face in continuing its growth. We could not get to the second section of the podcast due to technical difficulties. So, enjoy our shortest episode till d...
Valley Nordic Episode 16: WeWork IPO and The Art of Pivoting
August 21, 2019 22:00 - 1 hour - 42.8 MBAlthough one of the charms of our podcast is that Arne and Chander have different perspectives on almost everything, today both of us share the view that WeWork (officially, The We Company) is overvalued and its governance practices are questionable. Last week, WeWork filed its S1 with the SEC for its Initial Public Offering (IPO). In this podcast episode, we analyze WeWork's business model, valuation, and business practices. We also discuss why companies pivot, how to do it, and what are ...
Valley Nordic Episode 16: WeWork IPO and The Art of Pivoting
August 21, 2019 22:00 - 1 hour - 42.8 MBAlthough one of the charms of our podcast is that Arne and Chander have different perspectives on almost everything, today both of us share the view that WeWork (officially, The We Company) is overvalued and its governance practices are questionable. Last week, WeWork filed its S1 with the SEC for its Initial Public Offering (IPO). In this podcast episode, we analyze WeWork's business model, valuation, and business practices. We also discuss why companies pivot, how to do it, and what are ...
Valley Nordic Episode 15: Raising Venture Capital in Silicon Valley for International Startups
August 15, 2019 22:00 - 59 minutes - 41.1 MBAs a follow up to the last episode which was about how to think about moving your startup to Silicon Valley (SV), this episode is about how to raise capital in SV if you are a Nordic or a non SV startup. Arne and I discuss: 1. Why an international startup should think about raising money in SV? 2. What rounds (Seed, Series A, Series B, and so on) are easier to raise in SV? 3. How do SV venture capitalists decide to fund international startups? 4. How to prepare for raising capital in ...
Valley Nordic Episode 15: Raising Venture Capital in Silicon Valley for International Startups
August 15, 2019 22:00 - 59 minutes - 41.1 MBAs a follow up to the last episode which was about how to think about moving your startup to Silicon Valley (SV), this episode is about how to raise capital in SV if you are a Nordic or a non SV startup. Arne and I discuss: 1. Why an international startup should think about raising money in SV? 2. What rounds (Seed, Series A, Series B, and so on) are easier to raise in SV? 3. How do SV venture capitalists decide to fund international startups? 4. How to prepare for raising capital in ...
Valley Nordic Episode 14: How To Think About Moving Your Startup To Silicon Valley
August 06, 2019 17:00 - 47 minutes - 32.6 MBThis episode was recorded in response to audience feedback from Norway. Many startups outside the San Francisco Bay Area are attracted by Silicon Valley and wonder if they should move (or open an office) here. Arne and I discuss the following: 1. Why a startup should move to Silicon Valley? When it makes sense and when it does not. 2. Who from the startup should move? 3. When is the right time to move? 4. How to move i.e. what resources are available to help and the process? 5. What a...
Valley Nordic Episode 13: The RealReal & Edge Computing
August 01, 2019 23:00 - 54 minutes - 37.7 MBIn this episode, Arne and I discuss The RealReal [Nasdaq: REAL], its business model, IPO, and challenges. How the valuation of an eCommerce startup differs from a subscription-based B2B SaaS (Software as a Service) company. In our hot or not section, we discuss Edge Computing. We had a debate on what it is. Why is it important and how it works with AI, 5G, and IoT. Useful links: The Real Real S1 Edge Computing
Valley Nordic Episode 12: Medallia IPO and 5G
July 25, 2019 19:00 - 52 minutes - 36.2 MBIn this episode, Arne and I discuss Medallia [NYSE: MDLA] IPO which went public last week. Their business model and how it compares with other SaaS IPOs. We discuss 5G and in our hot or not section. Useful links 1. Medallia S1 2. Direct Listing IPO 3. Applications and Bandwidth
Valley Nordic Episode 11: IoT and startup hiring
July 19, 2019 01:00 - 59 minutes - 41.1 MBIn this episode, Arne and I discuss Internet of Things (IoT) market. What is the current state of the market, barriers to adoption, product development in, new opportunities for entrepreneurs in this market, and interconnectedness with Cloud, AI, Semiconductors. We briefly discuss common hiring mistakes at Startups.
Valley Nordic Episode 10: Technology Led vs. Business Led Startups And Drones
July 11, 2019 16:00 - 48 minutes - 33.4 MBIn this episode, Arne and I discuss how technology-led and business-led startups evolve differently. Business-led startups target one market and develop technologies to solve problems in that market. And, technology-led startups can target many markets with the technology under development. In general, how to think about technology commercialization. In our hot or not section we cover drones. Useful links: 1. Innovation and its challenges 2. DJI (Consumer Robotics company) 3. The fou...
Valley Nordic Episode 10: Technology Led vs. Business Led Startups And Drones
July 11, 2019 16:00 - 48 minutes - 33.4 MBIn this episode, Arne and I discuss how technology-led and business-led startups evolve differently. Business-led startups target one market and develop technologies to solve problems in that market. And, technology-led startups can target many markets with the technology under development. In general, how to think about technology commercialization. In our hot or not section we cover drones. Useful links: 1. Innovation and its challenges 2. DJI (Consumer Robotics company) 3. The fou...
Valley Nordic Episode 9: The Business Of Venture Capital
June 27, 2019 23:00 - 1 hour - 44.6 MBIn this episode, Arne and Chander go deeper into the business of venture investing. How do venture firms raise money, how do the venture capitalists make money, how do they make investment decisions? We also talk about how the venture investing business has changed over the last three decades and what are the differences between Nordic and Silicon Valley approach to venture investing. Useful links: Norwegian VC in Silicon Valley How does Silicon Valley work? Subscribe to the podcast here....
Valley Nordic Episode 8: Facebook Libra, Barriers To Entry, Slack
June 21, 2019 05:00 - 54 minutes - 37.7 MBIn this episode, Arne and Chander talk about the new Facebook cryptocurrency, Libra. Answer an audience question on what are the barriers to entry for WeWork, Zoom, Airbnb, Uber, and Lyft. We end with discussing SLACK- direct IPO, business model, valuation, future prospects. Useful links: Facebook Libra Slack S1
Valley Nordic Episode 7: Decision Making For Startups
June 13, 2019 20:00 - 1 hour - 53.5 MBIn this episode, Arne and Chander talk about decision making under uncertainty and ambiguity. How it requires a different way of thinking which is different than the linear thinking we grow up with. Startups and innovation are prime examples of working with uncertainty. Our conversation discusses an entrepreneur and a venture capitalist perspectives on seven heuristics that I have learned on decision making. The talk is based on a Forbes article Chander wrote. Useful links: 1. Forbes artic...
Valley Nordic Episode 6: StitchFix, Marketing, Blockchain, and Autonomous Systems
June 07, 2019 06:00 - 1 hour - 30.9 MBIn this episode, Arne and Chander talk about StitchFix - business model, valuation, and challenges. Then we move on to marketing - basics, common mistakes startups make, and a debate on branding. We end with hot or not i.e. tech trends in silicon valley. Today, we discuss Blockchain and Autonomous Systems. Useful links: 1. Advertising 2. Why do we buy things? Subscribe to the podcast here. And, see the notes from the previous episode here.
Valley Nordic Episode 5: Zoom; Product Market Fit; AI & VR/AR
May 30, 2019 19:00 - 58 minutes - 26.8 MBIn this episode, Arne & Chander talk about Zoom Video Communications, Inc. [Nasdaq: ZM], one the latest tech unicorn IPOs. What is Zoom's competitive advantage? Is it sustainable? Is the stock fairly priced? Then, we discuss two very different perspectives on Product Market Fit. How the Europeans might see it differently than the Americans. Finally, we discuss two mega trends in Silicon Valley - Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR)/Virtual Reality (VR). Arne explains a ne...
Valley Nordic Episode 4: B2B vs B2C, SW vs HW & US vs Nordic VC
May 23, 2019 20:00 - 1 hour - 29.4 MBIn this episode, Arne and I, talk about how to think about Business to Business (B2B) vs. Business to Consumer (B2C) startups. Why Arne's venture capital firm, Alliance Venture, prefers to invest in B2B startups. Then, we move to talk about hardware and software startups. Why hardware startups are hard. Nordic advantage in creating hardware startups. Finally, we discuss the capital markets for startups in silicon valley and Nordic countries. How the Nordic capital markets are different.
Valley Nordic Episode 3: Facebook Blockchain and Startup Operations
May 17, 2019 01:00 - 58 minutes - 26.8 MBIn this episode, Arne and I talk about Facebook's plan for a cryptocurrency, how do startups start, how to scale a startup, the skills needed at different stages for startups. We also discussed a method to find a product-market fit and growth vs profit mindsets. A few useful links that we discussed in the podcast: 1. Blockchain fundamentals 2. Net Promoter Score (NPS) WSJ Article 3. Decision Making at Startups Subscribe to the podcast here. Enjoy!
Valley Nordic Episode 2: UBER, LYFT and Berkshire Hathaway
May 10, 2019 00:00 - 49 minutes - 22.9 MBIn this episode, Arne and I talk about UBER (valuation, how will they make money) which is going public tomorrow, LYFT (valuation, operations) which announced 1Q 2019 earnings earlier this week. How Uber and LYFT are different, how capital markets have changed and have led to going IPO with losses and unpredictability about their business, And, we touch on my favorite shareholder meeting which was held last week i.e. Berkshire Hathaway. See the previous episode notes at https://cdoq.blogs...
Valley Nordic: A New Podcast
May 03, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 27.9 MBArne Tonning, a Norwegian Venture Capitalist and I, Chander Chawla, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, started a podcast today called Valley Nordic. The podcast is a free-flowing conversation about culture, technology, and startup life. You will get four different perspectives from the podcast i.e. entrepreneur and venture capitalist; Silicon Valley and Nordic Countries. Today we touched on various topics ranging from Unicorn valuations, how silicon valley works, founder friendliness in Silico...