Venture studios are quietly becoming one of the most effective models for company creation, but most people still don't understand what happens inside one. For this podcast episode I sat down with @AndyBilinsky, Partner at Interplay leading our Studio, to break down exactly how we build companies from the ground up. During our conversation, we covered: - What a venture studio actually is and how it differs from traditional VC - Why we research industries deeply before ever writing a business plan - The role of operating partners as true co-founders - Why second- and third-time founders are choosing to build with a studio instead of going solo - How Interplay went from 3 new companies in Q4 2025 to targeting 10+ in 2026 Big thanks to Andy for pulling back the curtain on how we build. Grateful to have him here at Interplay.

Our 2026 predictions are in. From IPOs to AI to robots - check out what we think is actually coming in 2026. To wrap up 2025, I regroup with @Mikeyjrog and @PhuongIreland for our annual end-of-year episode, where we look back at last year's predictions (they passed with flying colors) and set our sights on what’s ahead. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the topics covered: ✅ AI’s real impact on blue and white collar jobs. 📈 The slow thaw of the IPO market. 💸 The maturing of venture capital into a robust capital market ecosystem. 🤖 Why humanoid robots might finally enter the chat. 🚀 How seed-stage startups have fundamentally changed - and what will make or break them next year. If you're a founder, investor, or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, this one’s packed with insight. 🎧 Listen & let us know what YOU think is coming in 2026? Drop your predictions in the comments. 👇

What does it take to build a supply chain that’s truly ethical, not just greenwashed? In this week’s episode, I sit down with Ryan Ansin to explore how intentionality can be woven into every link of the product lifecycle: - Think beyond profit to purpose - Question where your materials really come from - Demand transparency in labor practices - Balance innovation with impact We also zoom out to talk about how to raise conscious leaders and resilient kids. Ryan’s take? Teach failure early, reward curiosity, and build grit through experience. Special thanks to Ryan for joining me on the pod.

TeachMe.To is building not just a marketplace, but a new standard for in-person learning — integrated, engaging, and high-retention. We’re honored and excited to partner with Tyler Maloney, Nick O'Brien, and the entire team on the journey ahead as we lead TeachMe.To's $3 million Seed+ round alongside @blingcapital and @1984Ventures. Learn more about why we're excited about what TeachMe.To is building in this blog post by our Interpaly team members Caroline Elliott and Marina Perez-Llorca: interplay.vc/blog/our-invest…

Voice AI is having a moment - where do we go from here? We’re seeing a surge of AI startups building voice-first products—and for good reason. Voice agents are now reaching (and in some cases, surpassing) call center-level performance, with faster, more natural, and more human-like interactions. But with the market getting crowded, the big questions for investors and founders are: - Which wedge products will win? - Which teams can build lasting, venture-scale businesses? - Where is the real long-term opportunity? We dove into 45+ venture-backed companies in the voice AI space to unpack the trends, team profiles, and product strategies that are shaping the future of this category. If you're building a voice AI startup, we’d love to connect and hear what you’re working on. Dive into the full piece from Caroline Elliott, Senior Associate on our Venture Capital team, here: interplay.vc/blog/investing-…