From Startup to Exit
Welcome to the Startup to Exit podcast where we bring you world-class entrepreneurs and VCs to share their hard-earned success stories and secrets. This podcast has been brought to you by TiE Seattle. TiE is a global non-profit that focuses on fostering entrepreneurship. TiE Seattle offers a range of programs including the GoVertical Startup Creation Weekend, TiE Entrepreneur Institute, and the TiE Seattle Angel Network. We encourage you to become a TiE member so you can gain access to these great programs. To become a member, please visit www.Seattle.tie.org.
From Startup to Exit
Using Gen AI in a startup environment, A conversation with Jay Bartot of Madrona Venture Labs
On our one year anniversary, we are releasing this terrific episode with Jay Bartot, partner at Madrona Venture Labs (MVL). Jay talks about the model that MVL uses to work with startup founders and vet startup ideas.
Like many technology entrepreneurs, over the last 18 months, Jay has been deeply immersed in Generative AI technology, building experimental products, and testing the capabilities as well as limitations of the new AI frontier. Having seen and worked with slowly evolving AI and machine learning technologies over 25 years, his early experimentation with LLMs (large language models) quickly led to the realization and excitement that difficult problems he grappled with for many years (e.g., robust natural language understanding) are now virtually solved. The essence of his enthusiasm for the advances in capabilities Generative AI technology brings to entrepreneurs and startups was captured when he was recently overheard saying, “I mean, holy shit - these things are fucking awesome!”
Jay Bartot joined MVL in 2016. At MVL, Jay leverages his extensive experience in software engineering and machine learning to develop innovative, AI-driven software solutions. His expertise extends beyond technical execution, encompassing a spectrum of strategic elements of company creation and building.
Journey to MVL
Jay's immersion into computing began in the late '80s when he was swept up in the personal computer revolution, learning to compose and play music on his Apple Macintosh in college. This ultimately sparked his interest in software development, signal processing, and computer graphics. He quickly discovered the joy and power of building and distributing his own software to his friends and family, not to mention being paid to do what he loved. During the internet boom of the mid-90s, Jay joined his first startup, where he was introduced to the value of data, machine learning, and venture capital. Over the next 15 years, Jay co-founded several data-centric machine-learning startups in various verticals, such as e-commerce, online advertising, travel, medical informatics, and consumer video applications. These startups were later acquired by major companies such as Nielsen/NetRatings, Microsoft, Alliance Health Networks, and Hulu.
Brought to you by TiE Seattle
Hosts: Shirish Nadkarni and Gowri Shankar
Producers: Minee Verma and Eesha Jain
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