RRE POV

A company is only as good as the people on its team. In this episode, Raju and Will talk about what it takes to retain top talent within companies. Employee retention can be an intricate problem, and they’re breaking down the important factors founders need to keep in mind if they want to be successful. 

From the hidden costs that come with turnover to the significance of setting the right company culture, Raju and Will...

What really makes a great startup founder? In this episode, Raju and Will rank the top characteristics they believe best define successful startup founders—from grit to customer obsession—all backed by real-life stories. 

They break down essentials like adaptability, salesmanship, and technical skills, while also spotlighting often-overlooked qualities like delegation and decisiveness. Whether you're a seasoned founder or j...

In this episode of RRE POV, General Partners Raju Rishi, and Will Porteous dive into why augmented reality is poised to outpace virtual reality as the next mainstream tech platform.  Raju and Will explore the near-term AR investment landscape and the kinds of apps they’d bet on today. If you're a founder thinking about what to build—or an investor scanning the horizon—this episode is your blueprint for where AR is headed a...

In this episode, Raju and Will break down the high-stakes world of annual budgeting for startups—because let’s face it, a bad plan (or no plan) can sink your business before it even takes off. They dive into what founders must include in their early-stage plans, how established companies can refine their strategy, and what to do when your budget completely hits the fan.

Show Highlights 

(0:00) Introduction

(1:28) The value of...

In this episode, Raju welcomes Vic Singh as the newest partner at RRE. Vic's journey comes full circle, having started his career at RRE after college. The conversation begins with their shared experiences growing up as immigrants in New York City before diving into key lessons from Vic’s entrepreneurial ventures, including NearVerse, Tracks, and Kanvas. Vic also shares insights into his latest project, Originalis, which l...

How can technology help you take control of your health? In this episode of RRE POV, Raju and Will dive into the evolving world of health and wellness technology. As passionate advocates for personal fitness—reflected in some of the companies they’ve invested in—they explore how tech is reshaping the way we stay active. From performance-tracking devices to cutting-edge exercise equipment, they break down the innovations th...

CES 2025 is officially in the books, and Raju was on the show floor to explore the breakthroughs and innovations from across various sectors. He chats with Will about some of the standouts from Las Vegas over this past weekend. Highlights include NVIDIA's latest AI hardware, AI-empowered TVs, sleep-enhancing smart mattresses, advanced coffee machines (Raju’s personal favorites), and futuristic automotive entertainment syst...

With President Donald Trump’s inauguration just a week away, Raju and Will delve into how his presidency could shape the landscape for startups and VC firms. They examine the potential impacts of the Trump administration on various industries, including anticipated regulatory changes and the ripple effects that may unfold over the next four years. There will be huge growth opportunities for investors and startups across th...

This week, Will and Raju are joined by Gaurav Sharma, CEO and co-founder of Capitalize, an RRE portfolio company. Gaurav takes listeners through his journey from the shores of Australia to Wall Street, and ultimately to founding Capitalize. Capitalize strives to simplify the complexities of saving within America’s retirement system. Gaurav shares how he developed his entrepreneurial drive, the invaluable lessons he gained ...

In this week's episode, Will and Raju delve into emerging breakthrough technologies and their potential to reshape our world. They explore the future of geothermal energy and its promise to revolutionize energy markets and transform residential power consumption. The conversation shifts to advancements in space technology, focusing on SpaceX's Starship and its far-reaching implications for space exploration and commercial ...

Anushka Salinas joins Will and Raju to share her experience as a first-time CEO, having led RRE portfolio company Nanit for the past six months.  Anushka describes her journey to the top as the textbook definition of the American Dream.  The child of Indian immigrants, she cut her teeth in the fashion industry and now calls the shots on the future of parenting technology.  In this week's episode, Anushka discusses Nanit’s ...

Join hosts Will and Raju on this week’s episode of RRE POV as they delve into the transformative world of applied AI. Discover how AI is reshaping industries, sparking innovation, and challenging startups and established giants. With an eye on the future, Will and Raju reveal the real-world opportunities—and the obstacles—facing companies eager to harness AI’s power.

Show Highlights

(00:00) Introduction

(01:15) Raju’s tho...

In this episode of RRE POV, hosts Will and Raju sit down with Ron Fisher, Co-Founder and CEO of Avina, one of RRE’s latest portfolio companies. Avina positions itself as offering “X-Ray Vision for Your Sales Team,” bringing together insights from Ron's diverse and innovative background. From pioneering social media advancements with the Israeli Defense Force to applying lessons from his previous startup, Ron explains why A...

In this episode of RRE POV, hosts Will and Raju delve into the crucial strategies for effectively managing organizational burn. While securing substantial funding may seem like a major win, it’s important to remember that resources are finite. This discussion focuses on optimizing the use of capital during the early "tinkering" and product development phases. Additionally, they share insights on recognizing when burn rates...

In this episode of RRE POV, Will and Raju are joined by one of Raju’s old pals, Vishal Gupta. With a background in finance, Vishal has leveraged his experience to find great success in the ever-growing world of crypto. You’ll hear about his journey from Goldman Sachs to becoming the Head of Exchange at Coinbase. Incredibly, the story doesn’t even end there, as he’s writing his current chapter at TrueX. If you want to learn...

In this episode of RRE POV, Will and Raju break down the basics of enterprise marketing. From figuring out where to start, to nailing a memorable marketing campaign, this is an essential listen. Will and Raju bring decades of experience to the table, and this 30-minute crash course is what you need to know if you’re hoping to grow your organization.

Show Highlights

(00:00) Introduction

(00:47) What is “enterprise marketin...

In this episode of RRE POV, Will, Jason, and Raju explore the fascinating and rapidly expanding world of robotics. They delve into the technological advancements since the 1970s, highlighting the critical role of computer vision, AI, and processing power. The conversation also touches on the labor shortages driving the need for robotics, the innovative core technologies, and the safety considerations essential for deployin...

This episode of RRE POV focuses on the challenges and strategies of hiring, building, and managing a team in the early stages of a company. Key themes in this episode include the importance of trust and performance in team members, the significance of early hires, and the nuanced process of scaling a sales organization. Our hosts, Raju, Jason, and Will, share personal anecdotes, frameworks, and tips for evaluating potentia...

Raju, Jason, and Will host Tricia Han, an accomplished executive and CEO with a rich background in leading consumer tech companies such as MyFitnessPal, WebMD, and Care.com. This episode covers Tricia's extensive career and a look into the growth and development of consumer apps. They discuss the importance of understanding customer needs, achieving product-market fit, and navigating the challenges of scaling and monetizin...