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Subvolts take VC insights on AI funding and scaling from a former Cisco strategist. May 14, 2024
For you
Developers
Learn about the funding landscape for infrastructure and open-source projects.
Business
Understand venture capital strategies for AI and technology investments.
Hype note
3/5Notable

This is a solid interview with a venture capitalist who invests in key AI sectors, offering practical insights.

Behind The Tech with Kevin Scott
Behind The Tech with Kevin Scott · S6 · Ep 64 Episode Official · Microsoft

Mike Volpi, Partner at Index Ventures

1 h 12 Interview Hosts: Kevin Scott
0:001:11:44

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From Subvolts

Summary and analysis by Subvolts editorial, AI-assisted.

Summary

Kevin Scott interviews Mike Volpi, a partner at Index Ventures, on the podcast Behind The Tech. Volpi, formerly Cisco's Chief Strategy Officer, discusses his career in venture capital, focusing on investments in AI, infrastructure, and open-source companies. The conversation covers his early interest in engineering, his time at Cisco, and his current board roles with various tech firms.

Explained simply

This episode features a chat with Mike Volpi, a venture capitalist who invests in AI and technology companies. He shares his journey from studying engineering to helping fund startups. You'll learn how money flows into new tech and what makes a company a good investment.

Why listen

This episode offers insights into venture capital strategy, particularly in AI and infrastructure. Listeners learn about investment trends and the career path of a seasoned VC. It's for founders, investors, and tech professionals interested in how AI companies are funded and scaled. Volpi's board experience with companies like Cohere and Scale provides a window into the practical challenges and opportunities facing AI startups, connecting to the broader ecosystem surrounding frontier labs.

On the mic
  • HostKevin Scott
  • GuestMike VolpiPartner, Index Ventures
About
MicrosoftFundingOpen WeightsEnterprise
Key facts
  • Guest: Mike Volpi
  • Show: Behind The Tech with Kevin Scott
  • Length: 72 minutes
  • Volpi's VC focus: AI, infrastructure, and open-source companies
  • Volpi's previous role: Chief Strategy Officer at Cisco
Show notes from Microsoft
Mike Volpi is a longtime venture capitalist who joined Index Ventures in 2009 to establish the firm's San Francisco office and North American operations. Prior, he was Chief Strategy Officer at Cisco, overseeing a run of acquisitions still studied today as a model for technology merger strategy. Mike invests primarily in artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and open-source companies, and currently serves on the boards of multiple companies including Aurora, ClickHouse, Cockroach Labs, Cohere, Confluent, Covariant.ai, Kong, Scale, Sonos, and Wealthfront. In this episode, Kevin and Mike discuss Mike's early childhood, how he got interested in the study of engineering, and his career experiences—including what led to Mike's long career at Cisco and his current Partner position at Index—including his board experiences with multiple companies. Mike Volpi | Index Ventures Kevin Scott Behind the Tech with Kevin Scott Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts.
Jargon decoded
venture capitalist
Mike Volpi
someone who invests money in new companies hoping they will grow and make a profit
open-source
Mike Volpi
software whose original code is made freely available for others to use and change
Published
Show
Behind The Tech with Kevin Scott · Microsoft
Length
1 h 12
Companies
Microsoft
Summary by
Subvolts, using an AI model (how we work). Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
#Funding#Open Weights#Enterprise

Best of Behind The Tech with Kevin Scott

Questions people ask

What is Mike Volpi's background?
Mike Volpi is a partner at Index Ventures and previously served as Chief Strategy Officer at Cisco. He invests in AI, infrastructure, and open-source companies.
What companies does Mike Volpi invest in?
Volpi invests in AI, infrastructure, and open-source companies and serves on the boards of Aurora, ClickHouse, Cockroach Labs, Cohere, Confluent, Covariant.ai, Kong, Scale, Sonos, and Wealthfront.

Page generated Oct 19, 2026. Summaries are Subvolts' own; the audio, artwork and notes belong to Microsoft.