By Fred Wilson—Apr 21, 2019

I would like to start this post with a disclosure. USV portfolio company Clarifai has one of the best facial recognition models on the market and is very active in the facial recognition market. Now that I have disclosed that, we can move on. Facial recognition has come of age. Machines can figure […] Read more (opens AVC in a new tab)

By Fred Wilson—Apr 20, 2019

As many of you know, I have spent a fair bit of my time over the last ten years on increasing the amount of CS Education in our K12 system in NYC and around the US. My friend Rob sent me this short (2 1/2 min) clip of John von Neumann in the early 50s […] Read more (opens AVC in a new tab)

By Albert Wenger—Apr 19, 2019

One thing I have learned in over 2 decades of working with startups is that you can learn the most about a leader from the organization that they build. Over time, especially if not checked by a capable board, the organization will come to reflect the strengths and weaknesses of the leader(s). […] Read more (opens Continuations in a new tab)

By Fred Wilson—Apr 18, 2019

I like going to hackathons. A number of USV portfolio companies have emerged out of hackathons, like our portfolio company Dapper which created its hit crypto-collectible game CryptoKitties at a Hackathon in late 2017. So yesterday I headed down to NYC’s City Hall which was hosting the finals of a […] Read more (opens AVC in a new tab)

By Fred Wilson—Apr 17, 2019

Over the last five years, we have stepped up our investing in and around healthcare. About 15-20% of the early stage companies we have invested in over our last two fund cycles are working in this sector. If you look at our current investment thesis at USV, you will see that wellness is one of […] Read more (opens AVC in a new tab)

By Albert Wenger—Apr 17, 2019

It was upsetting to see Notre Dame burn on Monday, as the building is a beloved landmark to the many millions who have visited Paris and enjoyed a stroll near its majestic presence. In addition it is also a major symbol for many French and an ongoing place of religious worship. It now appears that […] Read more (opens Continuations in a new tab)