Webinar
Startups, Capital, and the Future of Venture: A Conversation with Eric Ries and Mike Collins
Join Mike Collins, CEO of Alumni Ventures, alongside The Lean Startup author Eric Ries and KingsCrowd CEO Chris Lustrino, as they explore what it takes to build and back companies that last — and where the biggest opportunities and risks in venture lie ahead.
What does it take to build a company that endures? And what does it take to back one? In this wide-ranging conversation, Mike Collins, CEO of Alumni Ventures, sits down with Eric Ries — author of The Lean Startup and the forthcoming Incorruptible — for a candid dialogue on the state of entrepreneurship, the evolution of venture capital, and where the most compelling opportunities are emerging right now. Moderated by KingsCrowd CEO Chris Lustrino, this is not a panel and not a pitch — it’s a genuine exchange between two of the most influential minds in the startup and venture world.
The conversation will span the decade-plus since The Lean Startup changed how founders build companies, the ideas behind Eric’s new book debuting May 26th, and how the venture capital model itself is being reinvented to give a new generation of accredited investors access to the asset class. Expect unfiltered perspectives on what separates lasting companies from short-lived ones, where AI and emerging technology are creating real venture opportunity, and what smart investors should be thinking about right now.
Whether you’re a seasoned venture investor or exploring how to build a smarter portfolio, this session offers front-row access to a conversation that’s rarely this open and this honest. Space is limited — reserve your spot before it fills.
Incorruptible: Why Good Companies Go Bad and How Great Companies Stay Great
Expected on: May 26, 2026
Author: Eric Ries
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Why Attend?
- HomeDiscover the core ideas behind Eric Ries' highly anticipated new book Incorruptible — and what they mean for how founders build and investors evaluate companies today
- HomeGain perspective from Alumni Ventures CEO Mike Collins on how the venture capital model is evolving and where the most compelling startup opportunities are emerging right now
- HomeExplore how accredited investors can think more strategically about building a venture portfolio in today's market — straight from two of the most active and outspoken voices in the industry
Top-Decile DPI Performance according to Carta ’25. Ranked a Top 3 Most Active US VC Firm by PitchBook from 2018–2024.
Alumni Ventures is America’s largest venture capital firm for individual investors.
About your presenters
Creator of the Lean Startup Methodology & Bestselling Author
Eric is the creator of the Lean Startup methodology, practiced by individuals and companies around the world. He is the author of New York Times bestseller The Lean Startup, The Startup Way, and The Leaders Guide (funded by one of the top Kickstarter book campaigns of all time). He has founded a number of startups, including LTSE, where he is currently Executive Chair and Chairman of the Board, and IMVU, where he served as CTO. He has also advised on business and product strategy for startups, venture capital firms, and large companies across many industries.
Mike has been involved in almost every facet of venturing, from angel investing to venture capital, new business and product launches, and innovation consulting. He is the CEO of Alumni Ventures and launched AV’s first alumni fund, Green D Ventures, where he oversaw the portfolio as Managing Partner and is now Managing Partner Emeritus. Mike is a serial entrepreneur who has started multiple companies, including Kid Galaxy, Big Idea Group (partially owned by WPP), and RDM. He began his career at VC firm TA Associates. He holds an undergraduate degree in Engineering Science from Dartmouth and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Founder & CEO, Kingscrowd
Prior to founding Kingscrowd, Chris served as an Consultant at L.E.K. Consulting, where he focused on private equity due diligence. Before his time at L.E.K., he ran finance ops at Freebird, a travel tech startup. He also founded Simple.Innovative.Change, a Fintech publication focused on alternative investments and lending and was a finalist for the 2018 LendIt Fintech Journalist of the Year. Chris graduated from Boston College with a Business degree in Operations, Info Systems, and Marketing.