Carol Meyers, General Partner at Glasswing Ventures, is a career marketing executive and advisor specializing in AI and frontier technologies. With her exceptional sales and marketing expertise spanning cybersecurity, SaaS applications, and consumer technology, Meyers has been instrumental in driving significant revenue growth and successful acquisitions in multiple IPOs. Known for her strategic foresight and ability to attract top-tier talent, she has proven herself as a transformative leader, crafting growth strategies that harmonize talent and business objectives, all while fostering robust corporate cultures.
Carol Meyers, General Partner at Glasswing Ventures
I sat down to chat with Carol Meyers about the future of work trends as part of my research to produce Season 1 of The Lever with Drew Fortin. This show highlights how the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and Web3 will shift the paradigm of humans at work for the better. I wrote this article based on my notes and transcripts from the interview. You can also watch a video of my interview with Carol Meyers, General Partner at Glasswing Ventures, below.
Meyers found her passion for investing in technology through her experience as a Chief Marketing Officer. After meeting Rodina Cary, founder and managing director at Glasswing, she transitioned into the world of technology investment, while also serving as an independent board member, executive coach, and consultant. With a diverse background, she brings a unique perspective to her role as a partner at Glasswing, a VC firm specializing in AI and B2B enterprise SaaS.
In her current position, Meyers has an exceptional vantage point, working closely with some of the most intelligent and technologically gifted individuals in the industry. When asked about the popular problem spaces being tackled today, she emphasizes the transformative power of AI. Glasswing's focus on AI investments in the B2B enterprise SaaS sector allows them to witness firsthand the far-reaching impact of this technology across various industries.
"There's generative AI, which I think many people have played with. I've played with it, I'm sure you've played with it, but it's only one type of AI. There's also physics informed neural networks, which is using machine learning but making, you're feeding into it the laws of physics." - Carol Meyers, General Partner at Glasswing Ventures
One of the key areas of interest is generative AI, which many people have dabbled in. However, Meyers highlighted the importance of physics-informed neural networks, which integrate machine learning with the laws of physics. This approach ensures that AI solutions adhere to the principles of physics, making them invaluable in highly regulated sectors like biopharma, oil and gas, and aerospace. Companies like Base Two are revolutionizing these industries by leveraging physics-informed neural networks to create ops platforms that optimize processes, enable experimentation, and enhance visualization.
Beyond generative AI and physics-informed neural networks, Glasswing invests in companies dedicated to accelerating AI adoption. Meyers underscores the significant effort required to build effective AI models, involving data engineers, data scientists, and other specialized professionals. Startups like Feature Bite are streamlining this process, automating certain aspects of model development, including feature identification—the critical data points that have the greatest impact on model performance.
As AI continues to reshape industries, Glasswing remains at the forefront, empowering growth and success through strategic investments. With their focus on AI and B2B enterprise SaaS, Meyers and her team embrace the potential of technology to transform businesses worldwide.
Meyers shared insights on the future of AI and its potential to revolutionize various sectors. She emphasized the importance of aligning talent and business strategies, leveraging technology, and fostering growth and success.
When discussing the different types of AI, Meyers highlighted the significance of generative AI and its profound impact on robotics. She believes that by combining analytics with robotic movement, AI can unlock new possibilities for automation and efficiency. Additionally, she introduced me to companies like Retro Causal, which leverages computer vision and AI to enhance manufacturing processes, making them more efficient and safer.
"The other thing that is sort of brewing in the background is quantum computing, which I think will also have ramifications on what we're doing. Quantum is going to make a quantum leap as in the name, and that is going to make the promise of AI even more possible." - Carol Meyers, General Partner at Glasswing Ventures
Looking beyond AI, Meyers acknowledged the growing prominence of quantum computing. She suggested that quantum computing will lead to major advancements in AI and could have significant implications in areas such as space exploration, climate analysis, and data comprehension.
Meyers addressed concerns about AI replacing human workers by drawing parallels to historical technological advancements. She pointed out that throughout history, there has always been fear and speculation about job displacement. However, Meyers believes that AI will mainly assist humans in performing their jobs better rather than completely replacing them. She emphasized the importance of retraining and continuous learning to adapt to the evolving demands of the workforce.
As an advocate for preparing the next generation for the future, Meyers shared her excitement about her son pursuing a degree in AI. She encourages individuals to embrace lifelong learning and stay updated with the latest developments to thrive in the ever-changing world.
During our discussion, Meyers talked about how AI is transforming the workforce and the skills that will be essential for future employees. She highlighted the significance of ongoing learning and adaptability, and explained the impact of AI on both augmenting and replacing human workers, especially in the sales and marketing fields.
Meyers reflectd on her personal experience using AI tools like ChatGPT to streamline content creation and editing processes. She envisions AI as a valuable resource for content managers, enabling them to focus on higher-level tasks while AI handles lower-level work. This increased efficiency allows small companies with limited resources to produce more content and allocate their talent strategically.
"I think what we'll start to see a renewed interest, and an increased value, in things that are actually created by humans versus machines." - Carol Meyers, General Partner at Glasswing Ventures
In response to concerns about job displacement, Meyers highlighted the evolving relationship between humans and machines. As machines handle transactional and objective components of work, humans are left to focus on relational and subjective aspects. She predicts that humans will be celebrated for their distinct abilities, such as creativity and decision-making.
When considering the skills and competencies needed for the next generation of workers, Meyers emphasizes the importance of learning about AI. She recommends resources like Atlas AI, which simplifies complex concepts for better understanding. She also underscored the timeless value of curiosity, adaptability, and a growth mindset. Hiring individuals who prioritize continuous learning and personal growth creates long-term investments for organizations.
Meyers delved into the topic of upskilling and retraining, examining the obligations of different stakeholders. With a balanced perspective, she acknowledged the role of individuals, organizations, and the government in fostering a skilled workforce. She believes that individuals hold the primary obligation to seek out upskilling opportunities and take responsibility for their own growth. She emphasized the importance of staying adaptable and upgrading skills to navigate an ever-changing world.
While Meyers doesn't consider organizations obligated to upskill their employees, she argued that smart companies invest in their workforce to ensure long-term success. By encouraging constant learning and skill enhancement, organizations can adapt to new challenges and remain leaders in their respective industries.
Meyers acknowledged the complexity of legislating skill development programs but believes that the government has an obligation to play some role. She emphasizes the importance of public schools and recommends that the government should create initiatives to encourage individuals and organizations to invest in education.
Addressing the comment about the broken employee-employer relationship, Meyers adopts a nuanced perspective. She acknowledges the power dynamics that fluctuate based on economic conditions but maintains that the relationship is not irreparably broken. She believes that while improvements can be made, many employees express satisfaction with their careers and job arrangements.
In her work, Meyers explores the potential of creating a company that functions only with freelance or fractional workers. With an open-minded attitude, she considers the dynamics and advantages of this emerging trend in the business world.
Meyers holds the belief that anything is possible as long as it conforms to the laws of physics. While there may not be many large companies that operate solely with freelance or fractional workers, she cites smaller agencies and platforms such as Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash that primarily rely on this model. She emphasizes the significance of learning from these businesses and adopting the favorable aspects while being aware of the potential challenges.
During our conversation, contractors and the increasing prevalence of full-time contracts on platforms such as Upwork came up. Meyers mentioned the changing perception of employment relationships and recognized the growing trend of union activity among workers. She believes that these developments reflect a shift in our understanding of traditional employment models and could have an impact on the future of work.
Meyers also pointed out that the idea of at-will employment in the United States, where there is no safety net for employees, could lead to more contractual arrangements. She noted that contractors usually seek flexibility and the ability to cancel agreements without long notice periods, which may encourage employers to adopt similar contract terms. However, she acknowledged that in other countries where safety nets are absent, implementing similar practices may pose challenges.
On the topic of performance measurement, exploring the challenges and subjective nature of evaluating performance is extremely important. Meyers, reflecting on her experiences, highlighted the need for more objective and constructive feedback.
Meyers acknowledged the love-hate relationship many organizations have with performance measurement. She shared her encounters with annual and continuous evaluation systems and recognized the subjectivity that often clouds assessments. Different managers may have varying perspectives on an individual's performance, making it challenging to establish consistent and fair evaluations.
Expressing her desire for more tangible and objective feedback, Meyers touched on the cultural aspect of feedback-giving. She noted that in certain cultures, including the United States, there is a tendency to sugarcoat feedback and avoid conflict, hindering employees' growth and improvement. She emphasized the importance of providing real feedback that enables individuals to make meaningful progress.
Delving into the broader question of the value of humans in the workplace, Meyers spoke of multiple dimensions. On one level, the value of a human is tied to the output they contribute to the company's objectives and monetary worth. However, she stressed the need also to consider the value delivered to the individual, encompassing aspects such as financial security, sense of belonging, self-esteem, and personal development. She underscored the growing realization among companies that attending to these non-monetary values is crucial for engaging and retaining talent.
Meyers explored the transformative nature of the modern work environment. Delving into the shifting dynamics between workers and companies, she discussed the subjective nature of job value, the potential for emerging performance standards, and the importance of self-investment in one's career.
Reflecting on the renaissance of job accessibility and mobility, Meyers highlighted the increasing desire among workers to align their values with their chosen companies. However, she acknowledged the challenge of measuring job value objectively, as individual perspectives heavily influence evaluations.
In discussing the potential for standardized performance standards across companies, Meyers expressed skepticism due to the sprawling and independent nature of the work environment. She notes the belief that each person possesses their own unique evaluation methods, leading to difficulty in establishing universal benchmarks.
Meyers also emphasized the importance of career development services and their alignment with personal values. Recognizing that businesses primarily benefit from such investments, she observed a potential for pigeonholing when career paths are dictated solely by a company's strategic direction. However, she believes that as individuals embrace the maker economy and freelance opportunities, there will be a shift towards subsidizing career development services for personal growth.
"I realize now there's a lot of stuff I have to pay for that used to be covered by my company. And so I think that the fact that we have the creators, the makers, the freelancers, they're already making some of these trade-offs and decisions. And the more that takes off, the more it'll become acceptable for you to make those investments in yourself." - Carol Meyers, General Partner at Glasswing Ventures
Addressing the notion of investing in oneself, Meyers acknowledged societal conditioning that often leads individuals to rely on companies for educational support. However, she predicts that shifts in employment patterns and the rise of independent workers will empower individuals to invest in their own education and professional development.