"The AI ecosystem is expanding at a pace that's difficult for even experts to track. Foundation model companies are raising billions, open-source tooling is exploding, and new vertical applications emerge almost weekly. Yet despite this momentum, the fundamentals of building - and investing in - AI companies remain both timeless and unusually challenging. In a recent conversation with Lake Dai, founder of San Cruz Ventures and AI professor at Carnegie Mellon University, we get a rare view into both sides of the AI world:"
"Before writing a line of code or pitching a VC, founders must understand where they are uniquely positioned to win. Lake Dai describes this as knowing "which field you're playing with" - the equivalent of choosing your track as an athlete. The follow-on requirement is assembling the right team, whether that means co-founders or early hires. AI tools lower barriers to building products, but they don't lessen the importance of human alignment."
The AI ecosystem is expanding rapidly, with foundation model companies raising billions, open-source tooling proliferating, and new vertical applications emerging frequently. Building and investing in AI companies requires timeless fundamentals and faces unusual challenges. Founders should first identify where they are uniquely positioned to win and choose the domain or 'field' where they can compete. Founders must assemble teams or co-founders whose skills, communication styles, mission alignment, and decision-making complement one another. AI tools lower product barriers but do not replace the need for human alignment and complementary strengths. Solo founders can succeed by intentionally filling gaps through hires and support systems.
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