In conversation with the people who make the start-up world go round. Join Aarish Shah as he talks to founders, investors, and operators across the tech and venture ecosystem exploring some of the lesser-heard stories and challenges they've faced as they try to build the future.https://nothingventured.tech/Follow Nothing Ventured on socialTwitter https://twitter.com/NVPodFacbook https://www.facebook.com/NothingVenturedPodTikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nothingventuredpodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/nothingventuredpod/
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In conversation with the people who make the start-up world go round. Join Aarish Shah as he talks to founders, investors, and operators across the tech and venture ecosystem exploring some of the lesser-heard stories and challenges they've faced as they try to build the future.https://nothingventured.tech/Follow Nothing Ventured on socialTwitter https://twitter.com/NVPodFacbook https://www.facebook.com/NothingVenturedPodTikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nothingventuredpodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/nothingventuredpod/
Alok Sama: On why Masa Son is easy to admire but impossible to emulate
Nothing Ventured
57 minutes 23 seconds
5 days ago
Alok Sama: On why Masa Son is easy to admire but impossible to emulate
What does it really mean to live in the future as an investor?
In this episode, we go inside SoftBank, the Vision Fund, and the mind of Masayoshi Son with someone who was there for the biggest bets — the wins, the losses, and the lessons.
We unpack:
- Why SoftBank’s biggest mistakes weren’t wrong — just too early
- How AI is reshaping venture capital, infrastructure, and distribution
- Why timing matters more than brilliance in tech investing
- The difference between narratives vs numbers in early-stage bets
- Why most AI value may flow to hyperscalers — not startups
- The illusion of control in careers, capital allocation, and life
This is not hype.
This is a grounded, insider conversation about AI, capital, ambition, hubris, and serendipity.
🎙️ If you care about venture capital, AI, or how massive bets actually get made — this one’s for you.
Timestamps:
00:00 Inside SoftBank
02:30 Genius or Hubris?
05:00 The Vision Fund Explained
07:30 WeWork & Too Much Capital
10:00 AI & Capital Concentration
13:30 Narrative vs Numbers
17:00 Who Really Wins AI?
21:00 Is AI Truly Transformational?
26:00 The Illusion of Control
30:00 Why Passion Is Bad Advice
34:30 Creativity vs AI
39:00 Final Lessons
Find [guest name] online at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aloksama/
Twitter: https://x.com/alok_sama
The Money Trap: https://aloksama.com/
This episode is sponsored by EmergeOne, fractional CFOs for venture backed tech startups from Seed to Series B.
Get in touch at https://emergeone.co.uk/contact-us/ or join the CFO team at https://emergeone.co.uk/join-the-cfo-team/
Sign up for EmergeOne’s weekly newsletter, Off Balance at https://off-balance.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Nothing Ventured
In conversation with the people who make the start-up world go round. Join Aarish Shah as he talks to founders, investors, and operators across the tech and venture ecosystem exploring some of the lesser-heard stories and challenges they've faced as they try to build the future.https://nothingventured.tech/Follow Nothing Ventured on socialTwitter https://twitter.com/NVPodFacbook https://www.facebook.com/NothingVenturedPodTikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nothingventuredpodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/nothingventuredpod/
