podcast

Mar 26, 2025

52:16

The Hidden Opportunities VCs Are Betting On

with

Aaron Schwartz

Caitlin Bolnick Rellas

TJ Mahoney

Shopify is crowded. AI is everywhere. So where’s the real opportunity in commerce tech? Venture capitalists Caitlin Bolnick Rellas (CRV) and TJ Mahoney (Vinyl) have seen it all—e-commerce, B2B, logistics, AI, and beyond. In this episode, they break down:

💰 What they actually look for in a founder (Hint: It’s not just the idea.)

📦 Why the biggest untapped opportunities are in “boring” industries (logistics, reverse logistics, gov procurement)

⚡ Why point solutions are dead—and platform thinking is the future

🚀 How early-stage founders should be thinking about funding & scaling

🤖 The AI impact: Where it’s driving real value vs. where it’s overhyped

📊 Why traditional e-commerce is maturing—and where commerce tech is headed next And yes, we also cover why nobody should pitch a three-phase master plan, how investors think about market timing, and why some of the most successful founders are a little bit crazy. If you’re building, fundraising, or just want to understand where commerce tech is actually going, this episode is for you.

AI Customer Segmentation that delivers profitable growth

©2025 Orita Inc. All Rights Reserved.

AI Customer Segmentation that delivers profitable growth

©2025 Orita Inc. All Rights Reserved.

AI Customer Segmentation that delivers profitable growth

©2025 Orita Inc. All Rights Reserved.