The Venture Variety Show
The Venture Variety Show
Podcast Description
The Venture Variety Show explores the intersection of storytelling, venture capital and startups. Join founders, investors, platform specialists and media professionals as we look at impactful stories, emerging trends and the ways in which the venture community interacts with the media. We discuss how stories shape the industry, influence decision-making and drive the activity of startups and investors alike. agoldfisher.substack.com
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on themes such as the role of technology in the built world, psychedelics in leadership and creativity, and the evolving landscape of venture capital. Episodes include discussions on AI in construction, guided nature-immersive retreats for high achievers, and innovative coaching strategies for leaders at all levels, providing insights into emerging trends and impactful stories in the industry.
Stories drive the venture and startup communities. I talk to founders, investors, platform specialists and others to find out how it all works. It’s about the trends, the storytelling, and how they all collide. Real impact and real talk define the show. Join the fun!
The Venture Variety Show, Episode 32: Scott Sage, Crane Venture Partners
Platform is no longer a perk. It is the work. Scott explains why early GTM help and sharp positioning matter more than ever, how founders should approach the “machete phase,” and why AI will compress firm operations while raising the bar for investors and teams.
Chapters
00:00 Meet Scott Sage
02:42 Why platform is a “have to have.”
04:21 Platform as GTM: position problems, not features
05:24 Where they’re the go-to-market partner
07:57 Founders using AI
08:52 The “machete phase” to first customers
12:31 AI & VC: efficiency gains, leaner teams, back office
15:35 We are human first
17:00 Founder advice
19:36 Final takeaways
Five takeaways
Platform starts at positioning and early sales, not events.
Founder-led selling comes first; AI tools amplify a proven playbook.
Position problems, not features. Earn permission to advance the sale.
Qualify investors like customers, and use the associate as your inside champion.
AI will push startups and firms to operate leaner without losing the human core.
About the guest
Scott Sage is co-founder of Crane Venture Partners, an early-stage firm focused on data, AI, infrastructure, and developer-focused software across Europe and the U.S.
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