The Power of Benevolent Dictatorships in Startups with Nikunj Kothari of FPV Ventures

In this episode of Tank Talks, host Matt Cohen sits down with Nikunj Kothari, Partner at FPV Ventures, to explore his journey from product leader at LinkedIn, Opendoor, and Meter to early-stage investor. Nikunj shares candid insights on why the best companies thrive under benevolent dictatorships, how AI is reshaping SaaS pricing models, and what makes founders truly exceptional.

From his early years growing up in India to becoming one of the most thoughtful voices in venture, Nikunj opens up about his decision to leave operating roles, his angel investing beginnings, and his transition to VC at storied firm Khosla Ventures before joining FPV. He also dives deep into evaluating founders, navigating hypergrowth, and why outcome-based pricing may define the next decade of SaaS.

Whether you’re a founder looking to scale, an investor trying to spot the next breakout company, or simply curious about how AI is rewriting business models, this episode is packed with hard-earned lessons and bold ideas.

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From India to Silicon Valley: Nikunj’s Early Journey (00:08:21)

How his blend of engineering, design, and business led him to product management at LinkedIn and startups.

Learning From Hypergrowth at LinkedIn and Opendoor (00:011:23)

Why talent density and ambitious missions drive scaling organizations.

The Investor’s Lens: Spotting Latitude in Founders (00:013:32)

Nikunj’s framework for evaluating founder vision and depth at the earliest stages.

Why the Best Companies Are Benevolent Dictatorships (00:015:39)

How companies like Shopify and Coinbase thrive under strong, opinionated leaders.

The Tension for Non-Founders in Dictatorship Environments (00:21:09)

Nikunj’s personal lessons as a PM executing a founder’s vision.

The Pivot to Investing: From Angel Checks to Khosla Ventures (00:23:26)

Why he left operating roles, and what he had to unlearn as he became a VC.

Joining FPV Ventures and Betting on Founder POVs (00:27:18)

How FPV approaches concentrated early-stage investing with diligence and conviction.

Gross Margins, Kingmaking, and the VC Trap (00:32:09)

Why focusing on revenue quality matters more than chasing top-line growth.

AI and the Future of SaaS Pricing Models (00:39:31)

How outcome-based and usage-based pricing will disrupt per-seat SaaS models.

Navigating Enterprise AI Adoption (00:44:22)

The role of champions in enterprise sales and lessons from scar tissue in early adoption.

Competing in Crowded Markets: The Series A Challenge (00:47:31)

Why exceptional founders and market depth matter more than being first.

Hot Takes: Solo Founders in the AI Era and the Future of IPOs (00:54:24)

Nikunj’s contrarian views on solo founders and whether Canva will go public.

About Nikunj Kothari

Nikunj Kothari is a Partner at FPV Ventures, where he focuses on early-stage investments with a founder-first approach. Previously, he was a product leader at LinkedIn, Opendoor, and Meter, where he helped scale hypergrowth startups and navigate tough product challenges. Nikunj began angel investing while at Opendoor and later joined Khosla Ventures, before moving to FPV to pursue concentrated, high-conviction seed and Series A investments. Known for his sharp writing on venture and product strategy, Nikunj has become a leading voice on topics ranging from benevolent dictatorships to the future of SaaS pricing.

Connect with Nikunj Kothari on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikunjk

Visit the FPV Ventures website: https://fpvventures.com/

Connect with Matt Cohen on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/matt-cohen1

Visit the Ripple Ventures website: https://www.rippleventures.com/