Ross Fubini from XYZ Ventures on Scaling Startups, AI, and Building Winning Networks

I am thrilled to have Ross Fubini, the Managing Partner at XYZ VC, an early-stage venture fund with a fintech and enterprise-focused portfolio that includes investments in companies like Anduril, Hex, Bravado, Switchboard, Stir, and Sardine In this episode, Ross Fubini, Managing Partner at XYZ Ventures, shares his journey from engineering to venture capital. Ross discusses lessons from building and selling companies and identifying market-transformative opportunities. He explores the rise of AI in SaaS, investing in startups like Anduril, and balancing execution with market timing. Ross dives into providing value beyond capital, scaling through founder networks, navigating challenges in VC, including fundraising and liquidity, and much more! Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on YouTube Subscribe on iTunes Learn * What were some of the lessons investing in Palantir and Android * How does Ross assess the state of the IPO market today? * What advice would you give to emerging managers looking to raise a VC fund today? * What is your favourite business book/ podcast? –Acquired podcast * What is your favourite online tool? –Notion * If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Tap into my network Timestamps Selling a Company and Lessons Learned (3:01 - 5:00) The Role of AI in SaaS Evolution (7:01 - 9:00) The Anduril Seed Deal (9:01 - 11:00) Running Two Venture Funds (11:01 - 13:00) Building Networks in Venture Capital (13:01 - 15:00) Challenges in Venture Capital (15:01 - 17:00) Advice for Emerging Managers (17:01 - 19:00) The Critical Role of Execution (19:01 - 21:00) Market Sizing and Timing (21:01 - 23:00) The State of the IPO Market (23:01 - 25:00) Mistakes VCs Make with AI Investments (25:01 - 27:00) Balancing Venture and Private Equity (27:01 - 29:00) Providing Value Beyond Capital (29:01 - 31:00) Lessons from Past Investments (31:01 - 33:00) Importance of Founder Referrals (33:01 - 35:00) Long-Term VC Success Factors (35:01 - 37:00) Execution vs. Market in Early Stages (37:01 - 39:00) Leveraging Founder Networks (39:01 - 41:00) Raising Funds for XYZ (41:01 - 43:00) Ross’s Links LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/fubini/ Website – https://www.xyz.vc/ My Links Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal 5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit partnergrow.substack.com