How Lightspeed Discovered Its Newest Team Member Through an Instagram DM

Earlier this year, Lightspeed made waves by revealing that Claire Zau, a well-known investor and tech content creator, would be joining their venture firm. With an impressive following of over 100,000 on TikTok and more than 250,000 on Instagram, she is acclaimed for her insightful analyses of current tech trends.

Lightspeed partners Josh Machiz and Zau recently visited the Equity studio to discuss their strategy for boosting their social media reach, their podcast, Lightwork, and how their collaboration began with a direct message on Instagram.

“Many people are eager to connect with the future and have a passion for technology,” Zau shared with Equity. “They just need access to information that is easy to understand. That’s the role I feel grateful to take on.”

In many respects, Zau represents a new generation of venture operators who leverage social media to engage a diverse audience, ranging from the tech-curious to aspiring founders looking to partner with Lightspeed in the future.

The podcast she co-hosts with Machiz, Lightspeed’s CMO, reflects a new media trend embraced by various venture firms, aimed at helping their portfolio companies tell their stories to a broader audience.

“Traditional journalism is in decline due to layoffs and media mergers,” Machiz observed. “Startups are finding it harder to share their narratives. There are fewer platforms available to highlight their funding stories. We aim to forge new routes for storytelling in this evolving media landscape.”

Overall, the duo—and the firm—has seen encouraging results from their efforts to amplify the Lightspeed media initiative. Building connections with budding founders is a key advantage, but their online presence also permits immediate feedback on investments and technological advancements. Zau pointed out that while Silicon Valley buzzes with excitement over new AI startups, her online discussions have revealed a more cautious outlook among Gen Z regarding AI.

“I would say it was humbling,” she reflected on the real-time feedback from her videos. “Understanding how people engage with these technologies and which narratives resonate is incredibly valuable.”

During their chat with Equity, Machiz and Zau also shared their aspirations for the future. Will they launch another podcast? Perhaps a TV show someday? “Our goal is to become the ultimate destination for aspiring founders to learn about venture capital and grasp the ecosystem,” Machiz elaborated. “We’re still in the early stages.”

Tune in to learn more about their discussion and what Machiz and Zau have in store for the future.