The $2B VC Who Passed on OpenAI's Sam Altman (Twice)

My guest today is Shawn Carolan, Managing Partner at Menlo Ventures, one of Silicon Valley’s oldest venture firms with more than $5B under management. Shawn led early investments in Uber, Roku, Siri, and Chime, generating over $2B in returns for Menlo’s LPs. Behind those wins is a clear philosophy, what Shawn calls his Consumer Utilitarian Framework: a model for backing companies that use breakthrough technologies to meet timeless human needs in faster, cheaper, and better ways. 16:20 His Consumer Utilitarian Framework and Menlo Ventures’ 4 investing pillars. 20:20 Core principles: timeless human needs × evolving technology. 22:20 AI as the next “ingredient technology” unlocking new markets. 38:20 How AI gives failed apps like MyFitnessPal a second life 56:20 Shawn’s key lessons from 20+ years of consumer investing. GET THE BEST OF THE INTERVIEWS IN OUR NEWSLETTER🗞️ Read it: https://rebrand.ly/tssnwsrss Shawn's LinkedIn:   / scarolan   Enzo's LinkedIn:   / enzo-cavalie   Do you want AI powered productivity? Get 3 Months Free of Notion: Business Plan + Unlimited AI 👉 http://rebrand.ly/NTN8YTR3