Podcast Summary
Gary Vaynerchuk's Annual Super Tasting Event: Join Gary Vaynerchuk for a unique wine, food, and networking experience at his annual super tasting event in New Jersey, supporting the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation. Network with industry professionals and discover new apps, products, and tech at this unmissable event.
Gary Vaynerchuk is hosting his 17th or 18th annual super tasting event at the manor in West Orange, New Jersey on Columbus Day, October 8th. The event features top-flight wines, unlimited food, and a charity component with proceeds going to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation. Gary invites everyone, especially those in the New York and New Jersey area, to attend and mingle with him. The event is open to the public and includes a VIP ticket option for a select tasting with Gary. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy wine, food, and networking while supporting a good cause. Additionally, Gary shared some fond memories of the tech industry's "jam sessions" where industry professionals would gather to discuss trends and innovations late into the night. Two of these guests, Chris Sacca and Ryan Hoover, were early members of these sessions and have since made significant strides in their respective careers. Ryan, in particular, founded Product Hunt, a community and website for discovering the latest apps, products, and tech. He also disclosed his investment in the company. Overall, this podcast episode highlights Gary's passion for wine, networking, and giving back to the community.
Ryan's background in mobile gaming and consulting for Planet of the Apps, Aaron's experience co-founding LivingSocial and investing in tech startups: Ryan and Aaron bring unique backgrounds in tech and entrepreneurship to Planet of the Apps, having started companies, consulted for shows, and scaled global businesses
The dynamic duo of Ryan and Aaron have impressive backgrounds in tech and entrepreneurship. Ryan started his journey in mobile gaming and later joined Planet of the Apps as a consultant, connecting teams and companies to the show. He worked closely with Apple's Ling, who was instrumental in making the show a success. Aaron, on the other hand, co-founded LivingSocial and scaled it to a global company before joining Lightspeed Venture Partners. He played a significant role in educating Gary about cryptocurrency. Together, they've made valuable predictions about the tech industry and have a deep understanding of the entrepreneurial landscape. Their collaboration on Planet of the Apps showcases their expertise and ability to bring together the best in tech.
Discovering new entrepreneurs on 'Planet of the Apps': Venture capital firm Lightspeed Venture Partners uses TV show as platform to invest in app developers and collaborate with fellow judges
The App Store is now a significant part of popular culture, and Apple is telling the story of app developers through shows like "Planet of the Apps." Lightspeed Venture Partners, a venture capital firm with a consumer team focused on investing in consumer technology, saw this as an opportunity to discover new entrepreneurs and be part of the narrative. The four partners from the consumer team ended up being the judges on the show. When asked if there would have been fewer judges if only three partners were available, they expressed that they preferred the conversation and learning from each other, rather than having just one person make the decisions. The show has only aired a few episodes, but the commercial during the NBA finals has already generated buzz and excitement for the developer community.
From nerds to innovators: The shift in culture towards tech: The shift in culture towards tech skills and creativity is celebrated, making it cool to be a nerd and innovator.
Technology has become an integral part of our culture, influencing how we communicate, think, and live our lives, much like other forms of entertainment and media. The show "Planet of the Apps" highlights the new generation of kids and young makers who aspire to create apps and be tech innovators, rather than traditional musicians or artists. For some, like Aaron, who grew up during a time when being a nerd was not cool, it's surreal to see the shift in culture and how the things they loved as kids have now become mainstream. As a society, we have come a long way from the days of staying in the corner and being bullied for being a nerd. Today, tech skills and creativity are celebrated, and the possibilities are endless.
The Evolution of Tech Industry: Status, Wealth, and Entrepreneurship: The tech industry has transformed into a cultural phenomenon, attracting various players, from genuine entrepreneurs to those seeking status and wealth. Product Hunt connects the tech world to a broader audience, making it more accessible and consumer-friendly.
The tech industry, specifically app development and entrepreneurship, has evolved into a cultural phenomenon where status and wealth are intertwined. This shift has brought in various players, from nerds to club promoters, making it an exciting and lucrative space. However, it's essential to distinguish between genuine entrepreneurs building communities and those who merely claim the title. Product Hunt, as a middle ground platform, played a significant role in connecting the tech world to a broader audience, making the industry more accessible and consumer-friendly. Despite selling the company, the team at Product Hunt remains focused on showcasing innovative and cool products, keeping up with emerging trends such as cryptocurrency.
Excitement over crypto investments at economic conference: Discussion included personal experiences with Dogecoin and a new website tracking app investments on 'Planet of the Apps'
There was a significant event at a recent economic conference that caused excitement in the crypto community due to rising perceived values of cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Bitcoin. The conversation then shifted to personal experiences with cryptocurrency investments, specifically Dogecoin. The discussion also touched upon a new website, Scorecard of the Apps, which tracks the investments made by the judges on the show "Planet of the Apps." Despite only one episode having aired and one app not getting funded, the judges are currently tied in investments. The conversation ended with a reminder to check the website next week for updates.
Staying curious leads to meaningful innovations: Experimenting with new technologies, even insignificant ones, can lead to significant innovations. Stay curious and open to new ideas, even when faced with challenges or uncertainty.
Being curious and experimenting with new technologies, even if they seem insignificant at first, can lead to meaningful innovations. Gary Vaynerchuk shared stories about his experiences with companies like Lightspeed and Atari, as well as his introduction to blockchain technology by Aaron Levie. He emphasized the importance of staying curious and not being deterred by haters or skeptics. Aaron Levie, in turn, discussed his excitement about recent consumer-focused investments, although he couldn't reveal specific details yet. Overall, the conversation highlighted the importance of staying curious and open to new ideas, even when faced with challenges or uncertainty.
Founders should tell their own stories and control their narratives: Gary Vaynerchuk discusses the significance of founders controlling their narratives and introduces the concept of App coins, which could revolutionize digital currencies and monetization of attention.
Gary Vaynerchuk emphasizes the importance of founders telling their own stories and controlling their narratives, rather than relying on others to do it for them. He also expresses his excitement about the concept of App coins, which function as units of use within specific applications, and allow for the direct exchange of value between users and advertisers, without involving equity or regulatory bodies like the SEC. This innovation could potentially revolutionize the way we think about digital currencies and the monetization of attention in the digital world. Additionally, Gary invites listeners to tune in to his vlog on YouTube and engage with him on social media platforms.
