Columbia VC

Voice AI is having a moment - where do we go from here? We’re seeing a surge of AI startups building voice-first products—and for good reason. Voice agents are now reaching (and in some cases, surpassing) call center-level performance, with faster, more natural, and more human-like interactions. But with the market getting crowded, the big questions for investors and founders are: - Which wedge products will win? - Which teams can build lasting, venture-scale businesses? - Where is the real long-term opportunity? We dove into 45+ venture-backed companies in the voice AI space to unpack the trends, team profiles, and product strategies that are shaping the future of this category. If you're building a voice AI startup, we’d love to connect and hear what you’re working on. Dive into the full piece from Caroline Elliott, Senior Associate on our Venture Capital team, here: interplay.vc/blog/investing…

Y Combinator has long been - and continues to be - the tip of the innovation spear. That's why I was especially excited to sit down with @garrytan, President & CEO of @ycombinator, for a conversation that gets right to the core of what’s changing across the startup landscape. At @interplay, I've spent years working alongside entrepreneurs who are laser-focused on building, scaling, and making a lasting impact. Over that time, I've seen countless trends come and go - but when a true seismic shift hits, like the one we’re seeing with AI today, it’s critical to step back and understand the bigger picture. Garry and I dove deep into why vertical SaaS and AI-native startups are poised to drive the next wave of innovation, how lean, AI-augmented teams are rewriting the rules of company building, and why real traction still comes down to solving tangible user problems. We also explored the geographic shifts reshaping where startups thrive, the current realities of AI adoption, and what it truly takes to build a product the world actually wants. It’s a great, timely conversation. A special thanks to Garry for joining us and sharing his insights.

Today is a special day. Wendy - the story-building toolbox where kids create, collaborate, and expand their own story worlds - is officially available on iPad. Wendy was born out our @Interplay Foundry and is now live as a result of the tireless work by Lance Neuhauser and the rest of the Wendy team. What they've created is nothing short of amazing. Congrats on this incredible milestone. The best part? Wendy doesn’t just entertain - it inspires a love for reading via a healthy, creative screen time alternative that can compete with the likes of videos and video games. Why Wendy? ✅ Healthy screen-time alternative parents can feel good about ✅ Certified kidSAFE, with a 5-Star rating from Education App Store ✅ Create, share and reuse characters with friends again and again ✅ Build, read and listen to unlimited stories If you know a young storyteller (or a parent looking for a creative and engaging, screen-time alternative), check out Wendy. Download it here: apps.apple.com/us/app/the-wen… #WendyApp #StorytellingForKids #CreativeScreenTime #NowLive #StoryBuilding #StoryToolbox

What if I told you there’s a way to make reading as entertaining and interactive as video games and social media? Wendy - an innovative new app that’s transforming how kids engage with stories - is doing just that. They’re creating a platform to compete in today’s captivating, fast-paced media landscape, and on this week’s ep I chat with Lance Neuhauser - Wendy’s Founder & CEO - all about their mission. If you’re a parent wanting a fresh approach to getting your child excited about reading, this episode is a must-listen and Wendy is a must-try. During our conversation, Lance shares how Wendy empowers kids to create their own worlds, select characters, and shape unique adventures—encouraging a love for reading by making it fun, immersive, and personalized. In an age when screen time often feels like the enemy of education, Wendy brings the best of both worlds, helping kids rediscover reading in a way that’s safe, engaging, and socially connected. Parents will appreciate how Wendy is built with children’s development in mind, thanks to insights from educators, authors, and psychologists. As you might suspect, building a platform like that is no easy feat. We chat all about the significant challenges and strategies in building an app that safeguards kids’ online experiences, respects intellectual property, and offers educational benefits. By bridging the gap between entertainment and literacy, Wendy isn’t just an app; it’s a tool that turns screen time into story time, fueling imagination and learning. Coming out of our Interplay Foundry, I’ve been fortunate to get a front row seat to see Wendy’s amazing growth over the past year so it was quite exciting to record and share this episode. I hope you enjoy. interplay.vc/podcasts/reima…

Determining how much capital a startup should raise during each funding round is hard. On this week's pod ep, Phuong Ireland and I break down the tools and methodologies that founders and VCs use to calculate the right number. If you’re a founder looking to navigate the fundraising landscape with confidence, this episode is a must watch. We cover key fundraising strategies, including aligning milestones with investor expectations, avoiding common pitfalls like over-dilution and the importance of creating a detailed operating model. Listen/watch here: interplay.vc/podcasts/decod…

To kick off a new season of the pod, I sat down with Patrick Butler, Founder CEO of BizDefender. Patrick, a seasoned founder with deep technical expertise, discusses his latest venture, BizDefender, a company co-founded and developed in @interplay's foundry. BizDefender addresses the growing epidemic of fraud targeting small and medium-sized businesses. The conversation delves into the various types of business fraud, including hacking, social engineering, and brand spoofing. Patrick explains how BizDefender is stepping up with a simple, accessible solution, including a free-tier product, to help businesses monitor and mitigate these fraud risks, which are often invisible yet devastating. Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to fraud, with median losses that could cripple many companies. BizDefender aims to provide a much-needed defense, offering tools to monitor dark web activity, protect against phishing attacks, and offer human support to navigate the complex landscape of fraud prevention. Check out the pod and give BizDefender a shot to see how it can help your company stay safe at bizdefender.com. interplay.vc/podcasts/fight…

For this week's podcast episode - the last one before the pod takes a summer break - my colleague @Mikeyjrog joins me to discuss Apple's latest updates + AI announcement. Additionally, we touch on the implications of growth round pay-to-play dynamics in the early-stage market. ipl.vc/p122

Chris Zhang, @interplay's Partner & CIO of the Family Office, is back on the podcast to dive into the latest market dynamics. We unpack recent shifts, revealing a stabilizing landscape amidst initial uncertainties. Take a listen and share your thoughts. interplay.vc/podcast/are-we…

For our last podcast of the year, I spoke with the Interplay Partners on their predictions for 2024... take a a listen. interplay.vc/podcast/2024-p…

Instead of our usual discussions, I'm excited to share some recent tech discoveries that have caught my attention. Has any app, book or software helped you level up this year? interplay.vc/podcast/level-…

This week I chat with Phuong about what we believe to be crucial traits for successful founders: grit, consistent execution, humility, and integrity. interplay.vc/podcast/entrep…

Today marks a significant milestone for Interplay as we proudly announce the closing of our third fund, securing $45M to focus on B2B marketplaces and vertical software. A v special thanks to @ChristineMHall at @TechCrunch for covering the announcement! ipl.vc/tcf3

On the podcast this week, I dive into the lackluster IPO market with @Mikeyjrog and what that means for the venture ecosystem. We also dig into the changing VC landscape... take a listen and share your thoughts. interplay.vc/podcast/what-l…

.@interplay's virtual pitch event is back at the end of the month on June 26. RSVP at ipl.vc/i236t.

For anyone interested in learning more about fundamental blockchain concepts, we highly recommend check out this thread/paper.

How do you feel about #crypto considering recent events and the current market downturn? Share your thoughts with our friends @interplay who are running a survey to understand current investor sentiment about crypto. Here's the link: ipl.vc/s01cvct #cryptocurrency

In this latest CVC Original Founder Profile, we meet Taly Matitetyahu (CLAW 15'), CEO and co-founder of BlinkDate and an in depth look at the mobile dating market and how BlinkDate seeks to meet modern dater's need for authentic connections. columbiaventurecommunity.com/blog/2022/3/24…

Pitch event alert.

Thanks for the shout out @nhonma! And congratulations on all the amazing work you and @numerade_edu are doing.

Happy Columbia Giving Day! Have you completed each step on the checklist yet? You still have time to get involved. Make your gift today: givingday.columbia.edu