What is Jennifer Neundorfer's advice for AI startups seeking funding?

Jennifer Neundorfer advises AI startups to focus on creating entirely new experiences and behaviors, rather than just incremental improvements, to stand out in a crowded market.

How can founders differentiate their AI startup in a competitive market?

Founders must clearly articulate why their AI solution is truly different from dozens of others and demonstrate why their team is best suited to succeed.

What is the key to building a successful company in the current AI climate?

Success hinges on understanding customer desires and building category-defining companies, rather than solely focusing on what is technically possible.

Home / Business and Economy / AI Funding Frenzy: Beyond Buzzwords to True Innovation

AI Funding Frenzy: Beyond Buzzwords to True Innovation

20 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Founders must create entirely new AI experiences, not just incremental improvements.
Investor fatigue is setting in, demanding clear differentiation from startups.
Success hinges on understanding customer needs over mere technological possibility.

AI Funding Frenzy: Beyond Buzzwords to True Innovation

Jennifer Neundorfer, co-founder of January Ventures, shared insights on navigating the AI-driven market during a recent TechCrunch Disrupt event. She highlighted a preference for founders building entirely new AI experiences, emphasizing a focus on transformative behaviors over incremental changes. This approach is crucial as market fatigue sets in, making it harder for startups to stand out.

Neundorfer anticipates a market correction, where only category-defining companies building at the edge of possibility and deeply understanding customer needs will thrive. She advises founders to communicate their distinctiveness and their team's capability to execute, distinguishing genuine innovation from mere technological advancement.

Reflecting on her career transition from roles at YouTube and 21 Century Fox, Neundorfer stressed the importance of founder relationships and support beyond business advice. She currently mentors and has made over 50 investments, advocating for diverse founders to focus on building strong companies rather than getting lost in market distractions.