VC POV

Why tool use is getting commoditized—and what still counts as a moat in the age of MCP.

Pivots are part of many successful startup stories, but there’s no clear playbook on how to make them work. There should be no shame in pivoting, despite what many founders think, but they need to be well thought out before burning the boats.

AI is going to change everything. At least, that’s what everyone in Startup-land believes.

If you work in tech or have attended a conference over the last ten years, you’ve likely come across S’well water bottles. Sarah Kauss, an accountant turned entrepreneur, invented the iconic, insulated vacuum flask as a sustainable and stylish alternative to single-use plastic water bottles. Sarah launched the product in 2010 with $30,000 in savings and grew the company to over $100 million in revenue annually while turning hydration into a form of sustainable haute couture. And she did it without a drop of venture capital.