{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Building Startups in the AI Era Lessons from 30 Years of Venture Capital with Scott Kelly","description":"Welcome back to Open Tech Talks, and thank you, genuinely, for the continued support, messages, and thoughtful feedback. This show has been running for years now, and what keeps it meaningful is the shared curiosity of this community. We\u2019re in a very different phase of the AI journey. The conversation has clearly moved past \u201cCan we build this?\u201d Now it\u2019s about \u201cShould we build this?\u201d, \u201cIs this sustainable?\u201d, and \u201cDoes this actually create value?\u201d Over the last year, I\u2019ve personally noticed something interesting while working with enterprises, founders, and investors: AI has lowered the cost of building but raised the cost of judgment. It\u2019s easier than ever to create products, prototypes, and even companies. But deciding what\u2019s worth building, when to raise capital, and how to scale responsibly has become harder, not easier. That\u2019s why today\u2019s conversation matters. This episode is not about chasing trends or predicting the next AI unicorn. It\u2019s about long-term thinking, founder discipline, and understanding capital, timing, and execution in an AI-driven world. Today\u2019s guest has spent decades working across venture capital, startup growth, and exits through multiple technology cycles and brings a grounded perspective that\u2019s especially valuable right now. Let\u2019s welcome Scott Kelly to Open Tech Talks. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Scott Kelly and His Ventures 02:00 The Transformative Impact of AI 04:03 Successful Investments and Entrepreneurial Journeys 05:53 Lessons for Entrepreneurs and Pitching Tips 10:06 Navigating the AI Landscape in Startups 11:52 Industry Applications of AI 14:54 Pitch Events and Investor Engagement 17:03 Investor Perspectives on New Technologies 19:52 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Episode # 179 Today\u2019s Guest: Scott Kelly, Founder & CEO, Black Dog Venture Partners He has been working on both sides, with entrepreneurs and investors alike, for more than three decades. Harnessing his innovative skills, vast experience training thousands of salespeople, and tapping into his vast network of investors.  Website: Black Dog Venture Partners Youtube: VC FastPitch What Listeners Will Learn: How AI is changing the economics of building and scaling startups Why many founders may not need venture capital as early as they think Lessons from past technology cycles that still apply in the GenAI era How investors evaluate AI-driven businesses beyond surface-level hype Why timing, discipline, and execution matter more than tools What founders often misunderstand about pitching, capital, and exits How AI lowers build costs but raises the importance of strategic judgment Resources: Website: Black Dog Venture Partners YouTube: VC FastPitch ","author_name":"OPEN Tech Talks: AI worth Talking| Artificial Intelligence |Tools & Tips","author_url":"http:\/\/www.otechtalks.tv","html":"