Alex Ortiz

How much will AI impact software engineers? Hear Hg Partner and Head of Value Creation Christopher Kindt share perspectives on how much leverage companies can generate from AI. Watch the entire conversation on Alt Goes Mainstream here: https://lnkd.in/euy4qqHH

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We've nearly reached the midpoint of 2025, and it feels like a great time to take stock of some of the key trends in VC investment. Perhaps what is most notable is the continued, albeit more focused, interest in AI. In the commerce enablement space this likely looks like continued emphasis on AIs aptitude for powering both efficiency and personalization. Startups that can harness AI to deliver in these areas for retailers will have a strong platform for growth. https://lnkd.in/eqdxE4WE #AI #Startup #Entrepreneur #CommerceEnablement

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The credentials PE firms screen for hardest — prior CEO title, elite MBA, consulting pedigree — explain less than 1% of the difference in exit outcomes. New research from Verata, analyzing 12,174 CEO appointments over 18 years, finds résumé traits barely outperform a coin flip. The strongest predictor of CEO success isn't background — it's timing and context. The takeaway isn't that search is broken. It's that the spec is. I partnered with Richard Stein, CEO of HSiQ Talent Intelligence, to analyze the implications of our latest research for the PE and search community. Full report >> https://lnkd.in/ePA9M7_J #privateequity #CEO #leadership #talentintelligence #executivesearch

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Seth Levine nailed it! The concentration problem isn't just a GP pain point... it's choking innovation. When capital pools around the same 20 funds, emerging managers and founders get shut out. Love that he's using his platform to call this out. Foundry has backed 50+ emerging managers. That's the diversification the ecosystem needs. This is exactly why Carta exists — making capital allocation visible and accessible. Capital Evolution hits at exactly the right moment. Thanks for having us Daniel Dart. Team Carta loves the community of FUTURE TITANS you have built 🚀

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EdTech Impact Measurement (SDG 4) Logins aren't impact. Outcomes are. Promising to democratize Quality Education (SDG 4) is a noble mission, but sophisticated angel investors need more than "user numbers". They want to see efficacy, retention, and genuine learning outcomes. If you can’t translate your mission into measurable data, your pitch will lack the conviction needed to close the round. Bridge the gap between your mission and your financial model. Stop tracking outputs and start tracking outcomes. DM "guide" in the comments and I'll send you my free guide: 'Translating SDG Impact into Investor-Ready KPIs.'.

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Excited to host Steve Isom. When he shares what PE firms actually expect from CFOs, he's not guessing. Steve's seen it from every seat at the table. 2009 → Banker, TD Securities & Jefferies 2013 → PE Investor, @North Bridge Growth Equity 2016 → Finance Leader, Cybereason, Flywheel, WP Engine 2021 → CFO, Bloomerang (Warburg Pincus LLC & JMI Equity) 2026 → COO & CFO, Bloomerang On March 5th, he's joining me to break down his playbook and perspective on working at PE-backed businesses. 📍 Inside the PE Boardroom: How CFOs Win (or Lose) 🗓️ March 5 | 12:00 pm ET / 9:00 am PT Link in the comments 👇

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Leading product teams in regulated environments requires a different kind of discipline. In this episode of the HTD Agile Leaders Podcast, I sat down with Melissa Douros, CPO at Green Dot Corporation, to talk about how product leaders can move faster without sacrificing trust, governance, or customer safety. I enjoyed this conversation on product delivery, AI done responsibly, and what it really takes to lead transformation at scale.

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One of the most misunderstood frameworks as it relates to the A-player, B-player, etc. framework - here's some ready to re-familiarize yourself https://lnkd.in/gMTT2p3T Only more experience people are A-players, right? Here is a summary - A Players (10-20%): High performers who exceed expectations and solve problems proactively - found at any level, including driven juniors who learn rapidly - B Players (70-80%): Reliable performers meeting expectations, forming organizational backbone - includes experienced staff, some with A-player potential - C Players (10%): Persistent underperformers requiring excessive oversight - not about inexperience but ongoing performance issues despite feedback Key differentiators: A players seek feedback (constantly), take risks, mentor others, and achieve goals resourcefully - traits that transcend seniority Talent implications: Invest in A players, develop B players, address C players decisively - junior A players often outperform senior B/C players. Whats critical to understand is how this relates to hiring - since the frameworks lends itself better to evaluating existing teams Here are some things to think about - A player does NOT mean senior- someone straight out college can be an A player - A track record of past performance and going above and beyond is a good indicator of future behavior and results - Time spent on C players is time poorly spent - over and over again this is the biggest mistake that managers and leaders make. The data tells you that it's not a good use of your time - spend time with the A and B players and get acceleration. Spend time with C players and get lower productivity How do you think about hiring and talent?

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I’ve been talking with founders about how painful enterprise customization still is — even in 2025. David Dworsky and Gordon Ritter just put words to what we’ve been seeing: the age of point-and-click configuration is ending, and the next category winners will make customization conversational. For early-stage founders, this is the wedge: - Own one painful workflow - Capture the data - Build toward becoming a system of record If you’re building in this space, I’d love to hear how you’re approaching it. Link to the full article on this in the comments. 

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Great conversation with Karan Chaudhry, CEO of Sprouts.ai on key enablers to drive intelligent growth from #GTM cross-functional alignment. For example: Effective listening and learning, clean and reliable data, brand reputation driving financial outcomes, and disruptive and breakthrough thinking which must come from humans, and of-course AI..... Sangram Vajre Bryan Brown Matt Heinz Erica Seidel Margaret Molloy 🙋‍♀️ Drew Neisser

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