Growing Pains
Welcome to “Growing Pains,” the podcast that cuts through the tech hype and gets real about what it takes to “grow up” with Venture and PE backing. Candid conversations, practical solutions, and a lot of “tell it like it is”.
This Podcast prepares you for the changes from new, professional investors. The good the bad and the very ugly.
Guests include CEOs, GTM experts, Operators, and Investors who talk about rapid scaling, changing leadership, ripping apart the tech that got you there, while not missing a beat to keep customers happy, disciplined reporting and forecasting with stories and anecdotes that make it real.
We’ll chat with experts who’ve crossed the scaling chasm and experts in PE and VC who about what they’ve seen post-investment and what they look for based on that experience.
So, if you’re ready for some honest, no-nonsense insights and maybe a chuckle or two, join us!
This is “Growing Pains” by Outforce, subscribe today, and let’s get started.
Growing Pains
DAVID HORNIK, Lobby Capital and his 5x Billion dollar picks
Meet David Hornik, the Silicon Valley legend who turned 5 companies into billion-dollar powerhouses—including Splunk's $28B exit to Cisco
What You'll Learn: • From Courtroom to Cap Table: How a lawyer pivoted into one of tech's most successful investors (and why his legal training became his secret weapon) • The People-First Formula: Why Hornik backs entrepreneurs, not just business plans—and how this philosophy created billions in value • AI Revolution Insights: What the investor who spotted enterprise software gold early thinks about the current AI boom • Work-Life Integration: How a top-tier VC actually manages to be present for his family (spoiler: it's not what you think) • Raising Creative Kids: The unconventional parenting strategies of someone who spots innovation for a living • Diversity = Dollars: Why inclusion isn't just nice to have—it's a competitive advantage that drives returns
The Bottom Line: David doesn't just invest in companies; he invests in people solving problems that matter. After 25+ years in the game, his track record speaks for itself: Splunk ($28B to Cisco), GitLab ($15B peak), Bill.com ($5B), and counting.
Perfect for: Entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone curious about what it really takes to build game-changing companies in Silicon Valley.
Warning: Contains zero startup clichés and 100% authentic insights from someone who's actually done it.
Chapters
00:00 Intro and Beginnings with Yahoo
01:52 Missing Uber
03:48 Other Bets, Splunk, Bill.com, Faros.ai
09:28 How David assesses the Entrepreneur and the Biz
10:50 How AI changes the pitch
12:59 Data + AI = Moat
19:14 Lobby Conference
21:26 DEI today
22:25 From 2000-2025 what's old is new again
25:08 Humans and Ai
27:56 David and the Arts
31:04 Life Lessons on Balance and attention to life
For more insights from Sean, visit OUTFORCE.AI