KIMBERLY SHENK & BRIAN ROTHENBERG
What does real founder–investor trust look like—and can it survive the disruption of AI-powered commerce? In this episode, hosts Peter Harris and Jon Bradshaw talk with Kimberly Shenk (Founder & CEO of Novi) and Brian Rothenberg (Partner at DeFi VC) about how long-term relationships shape better deals, better decisions, and better companies. The conversation unpacks how to say “no” without damaging trust, why emerging brands can now outrank industry giants in AI-driven shopping, and what the “death and rebirth” of SEO means in an LLM-first world. They also dig into practical frameworks for finding product-market fit—especially as AI reshapes how consumers discover and buy products.
Marketing to Machines: Truth, Trust & AI Shopping
How do you build long-term trust between founders and investors—and what happens when that trust meets the chaos of AI-driven commerce?
In this episode, Peter Harris and Jon Bradshaw sit down with Kimberly Shenk, founder & CEO of Novi, and Brian Rothenberg, partner at DeFi VC, to explore:
- How past working relationships shape investor–founder dynamics
- The art of saying “no” without burning bridges
- Why small brands can outrank giants in AI-powered shopping
- The death (and rebirth) of SEO in the LLM era
- Real frameworks for finding product-market fit
“Machines care more about truth; humans are easily persuaded.”
A high-signal, no-fluff conversation on the future of trust, data, and growth in the age of AI.
