How Lightspeed Found Its Newest Hire — Via Instagram DM

Earlier this year, Lightspeed made headlines when it announced that Claire Zau, an investor and popular tech content creator, would join the venture firm. With over 100,000 followers on TikTok and more than 250,000 on Instagram, Zau has built a reputation for breaking down the day’s biggest tech trends in an accessible way. Lightspeed partners Josh Machiz and Zau stopped by the Equity studio to discuss the strategy behind their growing social media presence, their podcast, Lightwork, and how it all began with a direct message on Instagram. “A lot of people want to participate in the future and are excited about technology,” Zau told Equity. “They just don’t have the facts presented to them in an accessible way. So that’s hopefully the role I feel very lucky and privileged to play.” Zau represents a new class of venture operators who leverage social media to connect with diverse audiences — from tech-curious individuals to future founders who might one day seek funding from Lightspeed. In 2026, as traditional media continues to shrink, this direct-to-audience approach is becoming increasingly vital for firms looking to build brand loyalty and discover emerging talent early. The podcast she co-hosts with Machiz, Lightspeed’s CMO, is part of a broader trend of venture firms embracing media production to help portfolio companies tell their stories. Machiz noted, “There’s less and less traditional journalism out there because of layoffs and the consolidation in media. If you’re a startup, it’s harder to get your story out there. There are fewer places to go. There’s now a pretty high bar to get your funding story out. So we hope to provide another opportunity in the new media world to tell your story.” The duo — and the firm — see tangible benefits from expanding Lightspeed’s media footprint. Connecting with early-stage founders is the primary goal, but being online also provides real-time feedback on investments and new technologies. For example, Zau shared how, within the Silicon Valley bubble, enthusiasm for AI startups was rampant, but her online discussions revealed that Gen Z was actually quite anti-AI. “It was, I would even say, humbling,” she said of the direct feedback. “It’s so helpful to have basically real-time visibility into how people are using these technologies and what kinds of narratives are hitting.” Looking ahead, Machiz and Zau hinted at future plans: another podcast? A TV show? “Our goal is to be the place where hopefully future founders learn about venture and understand the ecosystem,” Machiz said. “We’re still early days.” Listen to hear more of the conversation — and what Machiz and Zau have planned next.

via TechCrunch Startups