Ben Gilbert
Ben Gilbert is the co-founder and co-host of Acquired.FM and the Acquired podcast, and serves as a Venture Partner at Pioneer Square Labs. He has founded Acquired and Acquired.FM, both media companies that are still running, and PSL Ventures, a fund that is also still running. His expertise includes podcasting, venture capital, and software engineering.
Author Departs Pioneer Square Labs After 7+ Years and 40+ Companies, Reflects on Career Highlights and Team Bonds
The author marks their last day at Pioneer Square Labs after over seven years and involvement with more than 40 companies, reflecting on memorable experiences and expressing gratitude for colleagues and mentors. They highlighted unique moments like pitching their AI-powered dating app 'Jail Date' and emphasized the lasting relationships formed during their tenure.
Seattle Startup Tin Can Raises $3.5M, Gains Viral Success with Kid-Friendly WiFi Landline Phones
Chet Kittleson’s Seattle startup Tin Can has gained viral success with its WiFi-enabled landline phones designed to help kids avoid screens and foster real connections, raising $3.5 million and distributing products nationwide. The device's simplicity and analog nature have resonated with parents seeking alternatives to social media and texting for their children.
Seattle Startup Summit Highlights City's AI Strengths and Need for More Entrepreneurial Energy
At the inaugural Seattle Startup Summit, leaders like Statsig CEO Vijaye Raji and Acquired podcast co-host Ben Gilbert highlighted Seattle's strong AI ecosystem, anchored by tech giants Amazon and Microsoft, and specialization in biotech and disease research. Despite this, they noted the city could benefit from cultivating a more vibrant entrepreneurial culture to maximize its potential in AI innovation.
By Ben
The Infrastructure of Intelligence: Inside Crusoe's Massive AI Factory in Texas
In this episode of Founded & Funded, Ben Gilbert, co-host of the Acquired podcast, sits down with Chase Lochmiller, co-founder and CEO of Crusoe-AI, the company building what it calls AI factories, including its massive campus in Abilene, Texas, which are designed to power this new era of intelligence. In this conversation, Ben and Chase explore the physical reality behind today's AI revolution. Why modern AI workloads demand entirely new infrastructure. How energy has become the primary bottleneck to scaling intelligence. What it takes to compress multi-year building timelines into months. And how Crusoe's energy-first philosophy, from capturing flared methane…
Microsoft’s Early Dominance from 1975-95 Driven by PC Timing, DOS Platform, and Profitable Software Model
Microsoft became dominant from 1975-95 by timing the PC revolution, pioneering a high-margin software business model, and strategically owning the platform through DOS. The company, led by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, successfully leveraged early profitability and bold bets like focusing on Windows, all without relying on external capital.
Organizations
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Pioneer Square Labs Venture Partner 2024–present, General Partner + Managing Director, PSL Ventures 2021–2023, Co-Founder 2015–2021 · current
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Acquired Co-Founder / Co-Host 2015–present · current
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Acquired podcast Podcast Host · current
Education
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The Ohio State University BSCSE, Computer Science and Engineering, Entrepreneurship
