Episode Description: In this episode, we sit down with legendary entrepreneur and scientist T.J. Rodgers, the founder of Cypress Semiconductor, investor in clean energy, and advocate of free-market principles. With a career spanning decades in Silicon Valley, Rodgers has been at the forefront of technological innovation, business strategy, and corporate governance. We dive into his experiences building and leading companies, his views on boardroom dynamics, and his insights into the future of entrepreneurship, manufacturing, and clean technology.

Guest Bio: T.J. Rodgers is a pioneering scientist, entrepreneur, and investor known for founding Cypress Semiconductor and making transformative investments in SunPower and Enphase Energy. With degrees from Dartmouth and Stanford, Rodgers has played a key role in shaping the semiconductor and renewable energy industries. He has also been active in corporate governance, leading successful proxy fights and serving on multiple boards. Beyond tech, Rodgers is a passionate winemaker and a strong advocate for laissez-faire capitalism.

Topics Discussed:

• How running a business today differs from 30 years ago
• The key questions every CEO should be able to answer
• Strategies for retaining top talent in a competitive job market
• Building a culture that fosters execution and results
• Insights from working with industry legends like John Doerr and Sequoia Ventures
• The evolving role and expectations of board members
• Critical mistakes to avoid in corporate leadership
• Lessons from turning around Enphase Energy
• Managing company debt: when to expand, clean up, or maintain it
• Balancing innovation and regulation in Silicon Valley
• The current state and future of the solar industry
• Lessons learned from a lifetime of leadership and entrepreneurship

Links & Resources:

• More about T.J. Rodgers
• Enphase Energy
• Clos de la Tech Winery

Episode Overview: In this episode, we sit down with Gil Feig, co-founder of Merge, to explore the challenges and innovations in API integrations. Gil shares his journey from software engineering to entrepreneurship, the technical hurdles faced while building Merge, and the strategic decisions that drive the company’s success. We also dive into team building, financial strategy, and the future of Merge’s platform.

Topics Covered:

• Gil’s Career Journey – From software engineer to co-founding Merge
• Overcoming Technical Challenges – Unexpected hurdles and how the team solved them
• Strategic Integrations – How Merge prioritizes new software categories
• Unlocking Business Capabilities – The power of accessing customer data through Merge
• Hiring for Success – The key qualities Merge looks for in technical roles
• The In-Person Work Model – Pros and cons of operating without remote work
• Balancing Growth & Financial Prudence – How Merge manages spending while scaling
• Future Challenges & Opportunities – What’s next for Merge and how they’re preparing
• Lessons in Leadership – Gil’s biggest takeaways since founding Merge

Bonus Questions:

• How does Merge foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement?
• What new markets or sectors is Merge considering for expansion?
• How does Merge ensure data privacy and security?
• What KPIs are most critical to Merge’s success?
• What’s the most unexpected way a customer has used Merge’s platform?

Where to Learn More: For more on Merge and their latest updates, visit Merge.dev or connect with Gil Feig on LinkedIn.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Vanessa Larco, Partner at NEA, one of the world's largest venture capital firms. In this episode, Vanessa shares her career journey from working at leading tech companies like Microsoft, to becoming a prominent VC investor. She dives into her investment philosophy, the importance of strong leadership, leveraging data-driven decisions, and fostering diversity in venture capital.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, aspiring VC, or tech enthusiast, this episode offers invaluable insights on building successful businesses and networks while taking calculated risks.

• Vanessa’s career journey: From tech product management to venture capital.
• Lessons learned from her time at Microsoft, Box, and other leading companies.
• How to spot and capitalize on transformative insights in business.
• The critical role of a strong CEO in company success and investment decisions.
• The importance of data, analytics, and metrics in decision-making.
• Balancing risk-taking with calculated strategy in your career.
• Building and maintaining a network outside the VC world.
• Lessons from failure and advice for those navigating similar challenges.

• What led you to pursue a career in venture capital after working in product management?
• How do you evaluate leadership when considering an investment?
• Can you share a time when you took a significant career risk and how it paid off?
• How do you maintain work-life balance in a high-pressure role?
• What advice would you give to those looking to build a career in VC or entrepreneurship?

Vanessa specializes in Series A and B investments in both B2B and B2C companies. She’s passionate about leveraging technology to empower people and has led investments in innovative companies like Assembled, Mejuri, and Cleo. Her background in product management at companies like Box, Twilio, and Disney provides her with a unique perspective in evaluating businesses.

This episode was recorded during a live event on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 1895 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, California.

The event featured networking opportunities, an in-depth interview with Vanessa, and an engaging audience Q&A session.

• LinkedIn: Vanessa Larco on Vanessa Larco | LinkedIn
• Learn more about NEA: http://www.nea.com