Connie Chan 🍒

♬ whistle while you work ♫ General Partner @a16z, YGL of @WEF. I like sharing cross-border trends and learnings from China.

[Connie Chan 🍒 @conniechan]

12 yrs ago, this brought me to a16z, transforming my life. Along the way:

▫️ I introduced new tech ideas from East to West
▫️ Was promoted to GP, breaking the firm’s rule of no GP promos
▫️ Invested in bold founders

It’s been a great ride, yet it’s time for a new beginning…

[Connie Chan 🍒 @conniechan]

@kirbyman01 @a16z Congratulations BK!! What a run! So many great memories. I am excited for your next chapter!

[a16z @a16z]

No lithium, no EVs. No copper, no data centers. No cobalt, no batteries.

These materials are essential to powering the future, but discovering deposits can take decades with current outdated methods.

Now, AI is changing that.

@Kobold_Metals is using AI to make mineral exploration faster and more precise—analyzing satellite imagery, geological data, and geochemical surveys to improve efficiency and zero in on the most promising locations for discovery.

Hear the full conversation with @conniechan, and KoBold's CEO Mfikeyi Makayi, VP of Technology Tom Hunt, and VP of Geosciences George Gilchrist on the a16z Podcast: https://t.co/CYkkhSJcvw

[David Wallerstein @dwallerstein]

Our film “Climate Extremes” on tipping points and non-linearity is now live on YouTube. Please do watch and share with your followers and friends! https://t.co/B5BWUAUG6P https://t.co/womvq2JQjt

[Connie Chan 🍒 @conniechan]

If you've ever used Muse, you're gonna love Daze.

Coming to you November 4th, get ready!

https://t.co/wfWF58Feo7
(None of the above should be taken as investment advice or an advertisement for investment)

[Connie Chan 🍒 @conniechan]

What an exhilarating week in Zambia with KoBold and its investors! Zambia, a pivotal hub in global copper exports, was the perfect immersive backdrop for a deep dive into the future of resource exploration.

Our adventure kicked off at the drill sites and core repository—a geologist's paradise. KoBold combines AI and human intelligence to decide where to drill for metal. Each drill, costing half a million dollars and spanning months, underscores the importance of strategic targeting. At the exploration center, I saw the discipline needed to label rocks perfectly so that the geologists and data scientists have accurate data -- usually I think of data as 0's and 1's, here, it was literally cylinders of rock in plastic bins. It reminded me of how cleanliness of data matters, how the benefits of great processes compound.

The next day, we explored the digitization of decades-old reports and maps, some stretching over 50 inches long. Data is key to exploration and this was a treasure trove of IP. We also witnessed the impact of KoBold’s philanthropic efforts – the opening of four newly built classrooms to alleviate educational space constraints. I've never seen such gratitude and eagerness to learn from students as I did that day.

A highlight of the week was our meeting with Zambia's President, where discussions centered on KoBold's groundbreaking copper discovery: 200 million tons of ore boasting 5% copper content! The President's resolute support for foreign investment heralds a transformative era for Zambia's mining sector, poised to resonate globally—keep an eye out for news of the Lobito Corridor.

Amidst the professional mtgs, we savored Zambia's natural wonders, including the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls in Livingstone—a testament to nature's grandeur and Zambia's untapped potential. It's twice the height and width as Niagara Falls, making it the largest waterfall in the world. Our trip finished with a serene boat ride down the Zambezi River, accompanied by elephants, hippos and a breathtaking red sunset.

Zambia, nestled in the heart of the copperbelt, is a key player in global copper supply chains—a mineral indispensable to modern technologies from electronics to batteries to sustainable infrastructure. KoBold's new copper discovery marks just the beginning of Zambia's resurgence on the global mining stage, with each new mining asset promising to enrich local communities, create jobs, and bolster national prosperity. And with underground mines leaving only a small footprint—no larger than a Target parking lot—and being refilled as they go, each discovery showcases how innovation meets environmental stewardship for a brighter, greener tomorrow.

An agriculture humanitarian once said, “If conservation of natural resources goes wrong, nothing else will go right.” My week with KoBold in the field assures me that things are heading in the right direction.

[Connie Chan 🍒 @conniechan]

Congrats @illscience on laying out the a16z consumer AI vision!

[Anish Acharya @illscience]

Introducing the Abundance Agenda.

We believe AI will turn luxuries into commodities - making consumers happier, healthier, and more productive than ever before.

And a new generation of AI-native companies will lead the way.

More from @a16z consumer 👇

[Bloomberg @business]

KoBold Metals, a Bill Gates-backed mining start-up that uses AI to explore for materials key to the green-energy transition, says it’s discovered a huge copper deposit in Zambia https://t.co/lKBTCZryAS

[Connie Chan 🍒 @conniechan]

Here's the blog post from Chris that I share the most -- especially with junior professionals that are thinking about their next career moves. Short, simple but full of wisdom. If you like the clarity of his blog, you'll love his book. https://t.co/jXgzBTZe6V

[Connie Chan 🍒 @conniechan]

@cdixon is the author of so many of my favorite frameworks and blog posts. His book isn't just for people in crypto, it's a must read for everyone.

[Chris Dixon @cdixon]

Excited for tomorrow’s book launch. 🙂

[Connie Chan 🍒 @conniechan]

What Pinterest was to images, TikTok is becoming for short-form video.

This post is from 2022 but the direction is still the same. https://t.co/AwGyIvSLvZ

[Connie Chan 🍒 @conniechan]

A very similar feature works very well in Tiktok's sister app Douyin. Imagine being able to tag specific items, then imagine the platform suggesting similar dupes, and then extend that to ticketing and location based offers.

[Bloomberg @business]

TikTok is testing a feature that could make all posts shoppable https://t.co/MuWk4St1vQ

[Connie Chan 🍒 @conniechan]

@tommong @Polymathochist Thanks! Linked below

No one should write off Temu as a fad. Killer team, deep pockets, supply chain advantage. Apptopia stats show Temu users spending 18 min a day on the app vs. 10 for Amazon https://t.co/jM9oNhiakC

[Connie Chan 🍒 @conniechan]

I could talk about consumer companies all day.

Every single company – consumer or not – needs distribution and a business model. In the past few years, consumer companies have been hit hard on both fronts. Distribution got harder as CAC increased – it didn’t just increase for fintech or DTC, ads have gotten more expensive for everyone due to changes in iOS and deep-pocketed consumer giants who buy up ad inventory. How do you fight that? In today’s world, you find new distribution channels or you hope your LTV is truly high enough to justify growing with ads. Or you largely rely on organic growth, which can be tough for services that aren’t social by nature. Superapps – while not popular yet in the West – would be one solve. Gamification is another.

Did business models get hit? Absolutely. The ad engine behind Meta ads is so far ahead and scalable that any other ad platform has trouble competing. And most competing ad engines were also started over 10 years ago. So when advertising isn’t enough, you have to be creative around business models, which is why I like studying business models from other parts of the world – they are more experimental with mobile monetization. I gave a speech on this a few years back: https://t.co/tDxQKFc8tZ. Crypto opens new biz models as well.

Not to mention existing consumer giants are more willing now than 5 years ago to copy features from startups.

But does that mean consumer is dead? Of course not!

People are lonelier than ever… tech can help.

People are poorer than previous generations… tech can help.

People feel judged and are desperate for acceptance… tech can help.

People want to be healthier – mentally and physically… tech can help.

In every aspect of our lives, consumer tech has a role to play in creating value and happiness. It’s up to us to experiment more with distribution and business models.

[Connie Chan 🍒 @conniechan]

@Polymathochist Two superbowl ad slots in the same game is yes, very deep pocketed.

[Connie Chan 🍒 @conniechan]

@paulsaladinomd In traditional Chinese medicine certain types of meats are warming and certain types are neutral. Lamb and beef are by far the most warming, lamb scores highest. Chicken, pork, fish are all neutral. On a cold day, lamb soup is the fastest way to warm up your hands and feet.

[Connie Chan 🍒 @conniechan]

Whoever says liveshopping doesn't work in the US hasn't been on Whatnot -- their 2023 recap:

[Whatnot @Whatnot]

Our CEO shared a letter to thank our sellers for the incredible journey over the past year, and give an update on our key priorities:

📈 Helping sellers grow their business and succeed
🔥 Continuing to expand to new categories and communities to bring more people to Whatnot
🤝 Building products and crafting policies to ensure a trustworthy buying experience for everyone

Read the full letter on our blog for a recap of 2023 and what’s to come this year.

➡️ https://t.co/q1JHhSRJL2

[benahorowitz.eth @bhorowitz]

Connie, you are the best. I am grateful for all that you contributed in building the firm and I am excited for you and what's next!

[Kristina Simmons @ksimm]

She broke the mold! Excited to see the next chapter, @conniechan!

[Jen Kha @jkhamehl]

can’t wait to see what’s next for our consumer queen @conniechan - she’s a great partner and an even better friend. 🫶

[David George @DavidGeorge83]

I learned so much about consumer investing working with @conniechan on Whatnot, Cider, Kobold and so much more...thank you!!