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Startups can win horizontal AI because big tech is too conservative

Mike Vernal · Why Patience Is the Secret to Building Iconic Companies | Mike Vernal on TBPN · Apr 26, 2025 · at 15:40

Venture capitalist Mike Vernal analyzes market opportunities across the AI stack and where startups can win.

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“I actually think the horizontal, like, experiences are addressable by startups now, because I think the big tech companies are just going to be too conservative.”

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