Passion Play Profit

#46 - Howard Morgan: Founder of First Round Capital, Chairman of B Capital, Co-Founder of Renaissance Technologies

In this insightful conversation, Howard Morgan, a pioneer in early-stage investing and technology, shares his journey from a mathematics enthusiast to a leading figure in venture capital. He discusses his early influences, the founding of Renaissance Technologies, and the establishment of Idealab, emphasizing the importance of timing and execution in entrepreneurship. Morgan also reflects on his experiences with First Round Capital and B Capital Group, exploring emerging technologies like AI and brain-computer interfaces, while offering a global perspective on investment opportunities. He concludes with thoughts on legacy, partnerships, and the impact of his work on future generations. Chapters: 00:00 The Journey Begins: Early Influences and Education 03:00 Pioneering the Tech Frontier: Early Career and Innovations 06:04 Founding Renaissance Technologies: A New Era in Investing 08:50 The Birth of Idealab: Nurturing Young Entrepreneurs 11:53 Lessons from the Venture Capital Landscape 14:55 First Round Capital: Building a Network of Success 17:49 Exploring New Frontiers: B Capital Group and Future Investments 20:49 The Future of AI: Opportunities and Ethical Considerations 23:57 Global Perspectives: Investing in Emerging Markets 26:51 Legacy and Impact: The Seeds We Plant for Future Generations

#45 - Amber Shen: Global Product Strategy and Operations Lead at Trae AI, Next Generation AI Code Editing, Dominating Product Management for AI Tools

In this episode of Passion Play Profit, host Peter Lu interviews Amber Shen, the global growth lead at Trae, an AI co-editor designed for building AI agents. Amber shares her journey from a passion for fashion and design to a career in technology and AI. She discusses her experiences at Meta, transitioning from software engineering to product management, and the challenges of building AI tools for developers. The conversation also explores the future of programming, the importance of understanding user needs, and advice for young entrepreneurs navigating their careers. Chapters 00:00 From Passion to AI: Amber Shen's Journey 05:15 Transitioning from Engineering to Product Management 10:54 Building AI Tools for Developers 15:15 Competing in the Global Coding Market 19:29 Designing Human-Like AI Agents 21:42 The Future of Programming and AI Collaboration 28:10 Trends in AI and User Interaction 32:16 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs

#44 - Will Goto: Founder and CEO of Rize, Former Founder of Humble Dot, Senior Engineer at Twitter

In this episode, we sit down with Will Goto — a trailblazing entrepreneur who made the leap from materials engineering to founding multiple startups, including Rize, a next‑gen productivity tracking platform reshaping how we work. Will opens up about his early career pivots, the growing pains of startup life, and why building with empathy beats building fast. We dive into the role of co‑founder chemistry, how to handle internal conflict, and the underrated art of staying user‑obsessed. Plus, Will shares his personal growth journey and his vision for the future — both for Rize and for life beyond the hustle. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Passion and Entrepreneurship 01:50 Finding Passion in Unexpected Places 05:19 Navigating Early Career Challenges 10:21 The Journey from Engineering to Entrepreneurship 16:05 The Importance of Teamwork in Startups 19:09 Conflict Resolution in Development Teams 21:21 Experiences with Company Acquisitions 23:56 The Birth of HumbleDot 29:55 Lessons Learned from HumbleDot 31:47 Introducing Rise: A New Venture 36:22 User-Centric Development Strategies 38:57 Building a Lean Team 42:25 Marketing Strategies for B2C Products 47:09 Future Goals for Rise and Personal Aspirations 52:27 Legacy and Life Philosophy To sign up for Rize, use this link for 20% off: https://rize.io?via=peter-yuan [https://rize.io/?via=peter-yuan]

#43 - Athena Shea: Senior Investment Associate at B Capital Group, Former Investment Associate at Partners Capital, Strategy Consultant at Accenture

In this episode, we sit down with Athena Shea, a rising star in healthcare investing, to explore his journey from Accenture Strategy to Partners Capital and now B Capital. We unpack how his Cornell education and early interest in policy shaped his path into healthcare consulting, and how those consulting insights laid the groundwork for managing multi-asset portfolios for institutions and high-net-worth clients. He shares behind-the-scenes lessons from expanding the West Coast presence at Partners Capital, his approach to balancing client needs with long-term investment strategy, and how he evaluates early-stage healthcare IT startups today. We dive into his perspective on innovation vs. regulation, key traits of winning founders, and emerging trends in digital health. Plus, a personal side — how boxing and rock climbing keep him grounded and what he hopes to build over the next five years.

#42 - David Lopez-Henriquez: Senior Associate at Greycroft, Product Strategy and GTM, and Breaking into Consulting

David is a Senior Associate at Greycroft where he helps high growth companies scale and make follow-on investments in them. Prior, he worked in strategy and analytics at Grow Therapy, Faire, and Better. He also worked in PWC as a management consultant.