#266 | Next Gen Systems of Record, Second-Order Effects of AI, & more
Jan 11th | The latest from Slow, Lightspeed, Bessemer, Contrary, Emergence, and others
SandHill.io aggregates and shares the latest investment themes, market insights, and best practices for operating and investing from 700+ VCs, analysts, and operators.
This newsletter curates a selection of posts featured on the website each week.
Investment Themes, Theses, & Predictions for 2026
AI and the Next Generation of Systems of Record (David Talpalar, ex-VC @ Conversion)
The second-order effects of AI (Yoni Rechtman, Partner @ Slow)
Cathay Innovation US: 2026 VC Outlook (Simon Wu, Partner @ Cathay)
15 AI Bets for 2026 (Shruti Gandhi, GP @ Array Ventures)
2026 Predictions (Akash Bajwa, Principal @ Earlybird)
My 2026 Predictions (Alex McIsaac, GP @ Northside)
Industry Developments & Analyses
Platform & Leisure Multiples Entering 2026 (Thomas Reiner, Partner @ Altimeter)
Softer Rates & More Innovation (Adam Chadroff, Principal @ Equal)
Construction Safety as the Wedge (Annelies Gamble, Partner @ Zetta)
Security in the Age of AI (Clementine Gazay, Principal @ XAnge)
AI is coming for professional services. (Alex Oppenheimer, GP @ Verissimo)
Notes on AI Apps in 2026 (Anish Acharya, GP @ A16Z)
Guides, Case Studies, and Best Practices for Operating
The 30 Best Pieces of Company Building Advice We Heard in 2025 (First Round Review)
Building Vertical AI: An early stage playbook for founders (Bessemer Team)
Being Right Is Not a Strategy (Collin Wallace, GP @ Lobby Capital)
The Moat Is Knowing What to Build (Kevin Stevens, Partner @ Energize)
Vibe Coding Without System Design is a Trap (Ben Yoskovitz, Partner @ Highline Beta)
What’s Working Now in GTM AI (Mandy Cole, Partner @ Stage 2)
Becoming a Cult Leader (Kyle Harrison, GP @ Contrary)
Additional Reads
The Year of the Builder (Brian Sugar, GP @ Sugar Capital)
AI-Native Big Law, Claude Code Weekend & Fast Takeoffs (Pat McGovern, Principal @ Bowery)
The Case For Abundance (Nikunj Kothari, Partner @ FPV)
Everything Is TV and Nothing Is TV (Rex Woodbury, MP @ Daybreak)
2025 Annual Letter (Eric Flaningam, VC @ Felicis)
Everything is Computer (Ryan McEntush, Partner @ A16Z)
The Two Deals That Explain AI in 2026 (Saanya Ojha, Partner @ BCV)
My Rally Cry for 2026 (Rick Zullo, MP @ Equal)
The Invisible Game: What It Really Takes to Build in America as an Immigrant Founder (Lotti Siniscalco, Partner @ Emergence)
The Inference Land Grab Begins (Rob May, GP @ Half Court Ventures)
The Lost Signal (Will Quist, Partner @ Slow)
Getting back to first principles(Caitlin Bolnick, GP @ CRV)
Notes:
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