Founders’ Series: Investment Landscape and Opportunities in Generative AI

Investment Landscape and Opportunities in Generative AI:
Just the Tip of the Iceberg?

As companies continue to seek innovative ways to differentiate themselves, Generative AI has emerged as a game-changing technology with tremendous potential for disruption across a wide range of fields and industries. From creating unique content and designs to optimizing complex processes, Generative AI is opening a new world of untapped opportunities for startups to explore.

This VLAB Founders Series event will provide an opportunity for founders to hear firsthand from a leading VC in this space and gain new perspectives about the rise of generative AI and its profound impact on the startup ecosystem. Whether you are a startup founder looking to explore the potential of generative AI, an executive considering a pivot to building AI-capable products, or simply an aspiring entrepreneur seeking inspiration, this event is tailored to provide you with the insights you need to stay ahead in this game.

In this event, Arjun Chopra (partner at Floodgate Fund) and André Thiollier (partner at Foley & Lardner LLP) will discuss the latest trends in generative AI, share their insights on its potential, and examine how these technologies are being used by startups to create new products and services:

• How will startups be able to leverage Generative AI to scale their business?
• What are the potential risks associated with Generative AI for startups?
• How can startups position themselves strategically to attract investment?

In addition to the “fireside chat” discussion, a few select founders will have the opportunity to get in the “hot seat” and receive some individual counseling about their unique situations.

Join us on August 24 for this exciting and thought-provoking discussion.

Speaker

Arjun Chopra, partner, Floodgate Fund

As a partner at Floodgate, Arjun leads the firm’s investments in opportunities that transform the “IT stack” in ways that help companies change the way they do business and compete. Before Floodgate, Arjun was the CTO at Cambridge Technology Enterprises (CTE), a publicly traded cloud services company, where he launched and led their cloud business. He was a member of the board and executive team that raised multiple rounds of financing. He led 350+ people, managed 200M hours of uptime in the public cloud and was recognized as one of Amazon Web Service’s top 22 partners world-wide. Arjun joined CTE when they acquired Vox Holdings, the open-source startup he founded. Arjun holds multiple technology patents that have been cited as prior art by firms like Apple, AT&T, and iRobot. He has also held several technology development and management positions in consumer and enterprise software companies, including Microsoft, Motive, and IBCC.
 

Moderator

André Thiollier, partner and business attorney, Foley & Lardner LLP

As a partner in the Silicon Valley office of Foley & Lardner LLP, André is a member of the firm’s Transactions Practice, where he focuses on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, emerging growth and venture financings, and general corporate and business counseling. He represents a variety of clients ranging from late-stage private companies and strategic buyers to venture capital and private equity funds across various industries, including life sciences, technology, financial services, healthcare, and outsourcing. André’s extensive experience in multiple jurisdictions, combined with fluency in different languages, allows André to better advise clients in cross-border transactions, particularly in Latin America, including Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Mexico. Prior to joining Foley, André worked as an associate at the Silicon Valley office of a global law firm. With over 15 years of experience in transnational transactions, André has practiced law in top law firms in São Paulo, New York, and Madrid.

About the VLAB Founders’ Series
 

Founders’ Series events provide a unique opportunity for startups and technologists to take part in an interactive session. Come prepared with your burning questions!

If you would like to have the rare opportunity to take the “Hot Seat” on stage to receive feedback from the speakers, please be sure to enter your question in the field on the assessment form. Startup founders selected for the “Hot Seat” will be notified in advance.

For all other questions, please contact founders.series@vlab.org.