Max Child (Founder & CEO of Weekend, the #1 voice AI games company in the world, formerly Volley) breaks down why AI will turn everyone into a gamer — not just the hardcore players. We explore how AI is shifting gaming from button presses to conversation, unlocking entirely new types of interactive experiences on the biggest screen in the home: the TV. Max shares how Weekend is building AI-powered games across smart TVs, why this platform shift could expand gaming to billions of new users, and how conversational AI is becoming the core mechanic behind the next generation of entertainment. We also go deep on the founder journey — from staying alive long enough for luck to hit, to moving fast, taking more shots on goal, and understanding the only three growth strategies that actually work. This episode is about more than games — it’s about how new categories emerge, how platforms shift, and how founders position themselves to win in the age of AI.

AI is transforming gaming — not incrementally, but fundamentally. In this episode of The NFX Podcast, James Currier sits down with Nick Walton, CEO of Latitude (AI Dungeon, Voyage), to break down what it really means to build an AI-native game company — and why traditional AAA studios may be unprepared for what’s coming. Nick was experimenting with GPT-2 in 2019 before most people had heard of it. Since then, Latitude has become one of the earliest and most advanced players in AI-powered games, pioneering dynamic storytelling, infinite RPG worlds, and multiplayer AI experiences. This is a deep dive into the future of interactive entertainment. Topics We Cover: - What “AI-native” actually means in gaming - Why AI games improve overnight (and traditional games don’t) - The shift from scripted content to infinite, dynamic worlds - Building Voyage: a genre-agnostic RPG platform powered by AI - How world models (like Google Genie) fit into the future of games - Why mental models must change every 1–3 months - AI-native software development and ultra-high talent density teams - The resistance to AI inside gaming studios - UGC, long-tail IP, and unlocking infinite fandoms - The magic of multiplayer AI storytelling - Why AI games will feel more personal — and more emotional If you’re a founder, game developer, or AI builder, this episode breaks down how fast this space is moving — and what it takes to win.

Recorded at the NFX SF HQ, this episode features Madhavan Ramanujam (author of Monetizing Innovation and Scaling Innovation), alongside Pete Flint (GP at NFX, founder of Trulia) and Anna Piñol (Partner at NFX). Together, they break down how AI is changing the rules of pricing, defensibility, and growth. He covers the shift from services to venture capital, AI monetization, and how early discussions on willingness to pay shape value capture. Strategies for seed-stage startups, successful POCs, and enterprise deals are examined, highlighting simple pricing communication. The episode also addresses outcome-based pricing, AI's potential to reduce pricing bias, and tactics for profitable growth. As startups navigate AI adoption, the significance of the 20-80 axiom and overcoming resistance to price changes are emphasized.

Kamakshi Sivaramakrishnan shares her journey from AdMob to founding Drawbridge and her subsequent transition to LinkedIn. She discusses the mobile advertising revolution, the success of AdMob during the iPhone launch, and its acquisition by Google. Kamakshi highlights Drawbridge's unique value proposition and the challenges of navigating ad tech regulations. She offers insights on customer relationships, board management, and acquisition processes. Kamakshi also delves into her transition to LinkedIn, founding Samooha, and the complexities of data collaboration. The episode concludes with advice for founders, especially female entrepreneurs, and the importance of empowering product teams.

Russ Heddleston, founder of DocSend, shares how nearly going bankrupt forced them to rethink everything—turning a failing startup into a product-led rocket ship that Dropbox bought for $165M. From spreadsheets of startup ideas, to the painful lessons of chasing enterprise sales, to doubling their prices and watching conversions skyrocket, Russ breaks down the hard truths behind building a breakout SaaS company. Plus: why he wishes he hadn’t sold, and what he’s doing differently with his next startup.

Tracy Young, co-founder of PlanGrid, shares how her background in construction led to building one of the most successful startups in the space—culminating in an $875M acquisition by Autodesk. She dives into lessons learned on product-market fit, go-to-market strategy, and navigating founder relationships as the company scaled. Tracy also reflects on her time at Y Combinator, the fundraising process, and the emotional challenges of selling a company. Post-acquisition, she transitioned into coaching before founding her new startup, TigerEye. She discusses how AI, core values, and leadership growth are shaping this next chapter—and what she wishes more founders knew about resilience and reinvention.

Ken Lin founded Credit Karma in 2007, bootstrapped through the recession, survived a near-shutdown by TransUnion, and ultimately sold to Intuit for $7.1B. In this episode, Ken shares how a $500 DIY TV ad broke their growth, why he avoided an IPO, the non-negotiables that mattered most in M&A, and where AI is taking personal finance next. A must-listen for any founder navigating scale, culture, and billion-dollar decisions.

Hercules builds high-quality, enterprise-grade AI solutions based on data extraction, transformation, and verification, while integrating with enterprise systems and tools for maintenance and monitoring. Join NFX general partner James Currier and HerculesAI CEO Alex Babin talk about the latest breakthroughs in the AI space of enterprise companies.

This is an essay readout using an AI voice clone of NFX general partner, Pete Flint. AI has the potential to smooth out many links in the real estate production chain and create a cascade that will close the productivity gap. This essay reveals what’s on the way and how founders can seize this opportunity. Read the full essay here - https://www.nfx.com/post/ai-revolution-proptech

Morgan Beller calls up Raed Khawaja - CEO & Co-Founder at Open - to catch up and talk about the current movement around one's 'inner-space'. Open is a social space for meditation, movement, and practice — on and offline, who’s raised close to $15M to help friends be present together. They blend old and new to bring you to the here and now on their app, in person at their Venice Beach studio, and even in the sky on JetBlue airlines. Their hybrid method strengthens the mind-body connection. NFX operates as a pre-seed and seed stage VC that is transforming how true innovators are funded - subscribe, share, and stay tuned for more episodes of 'Phone a Friend' with General Partner Morgan Beller.