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Zeev: Predictions that AI will kill software incumbents are provocative BS

Oren Zeev · Oren Zeev: Why AI Growth Expectations Are BS & Won't Last? Why GPs Shouldn't Tell LPs Their Strategy · Feb 2, 2026 · at 9:32

Oren Zeev is a solo capitalist managing over $2.7B in AUM (Navan, Houzz, Audible). He critiques public commentators predicting that AI startups will wipe out software incumbents.

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“So the bottom line is, I think this notion that all the incumbents are going to die, you know, this notion that is being promoted by some People who I think whose main motivation is to make provocative statements, you know and get attention as thought leaders I don't buy it.”

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