Thrilled to be partnering with @MoOueida and the team at @StitchHQ to build modern AI native infrastructure for financial institutions across the GCC and beyond. Also proud that this is @a16z’s first investment in KSA.

Thrilled to have @lloydblankfein join me on the @a16z podcast. Lloyd is arguably one of the most effective and resilient leaders Wall Street has ever produced. Having joined @GoldmanSachs in 1981 and rising to Chairman & CEO from 2006–2018, he skillfully guided the firm through the 2008 financial crisis—transforming it into a bank holding company and positioning it as a dominant global powerhouse while many competitors faltered. This was a particularly fun and wide ranging conversation as Lloyd shares his story of growing up in the projects in Brooklyn, getting into Harvard, joining Goldman via acquisition of J.Aron and rising through the organization as a creative trader and risk manager. We touch on the opportunities and risks he sees in AI and what young people should do to build a successful career. Hope you enjoy this conversation with Lloyd!

Tony James is arguably the best investment firm builder on the planet. Having scaled DLJ to the largest alts platform in the world when it sold to Credit Suisse, and again with Blackstone from $14B to nearly $1T in AUM. Along the way he just happened to lead the Series A into Costco (and Starbucks!) in the 1980s (and has been on the board ever since). What is equally striking to Tony's success is the incredible impact and legacy he's had on the people he's worked with over the years. Some of the most successful people in finance credit their careers to Tony's mentorship / guidance. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.