The Future of AI: Insights from Our Partnership with Mindstone

Hi all,

We’re thrilled to announce our collaboration with Mindstone, a vibrant global AI community with over 10,000 members.

Mindstone was founded by Joshua Wohle to help people use AI in practical, meaningful ways, not just to automate tasks, but to genuinely enhance their skills and capabilities.

After speaking with Joshua, it became clear we’re aligned on an essential perspective: there’s an enormous opportunity in AI, but most of its value lies in how it's used and by whom, rather than merely what gets built.

With this in mind, we’ve created a private channel exclusively for Founders Capital and Mindstone members interested in AI investing. This focused community will share deals, ideas, and insights directly among individuals actively engaged in the AI landscape.

During our conversation with Joshua, we explored key insights into AI investment and innovation:

Why did you set up Mindstone?

"I've always loved learning but disliked traditional education. I knew there had to be a better way to equip people with the essential skills for success. When ChatGPT emerged around two and a half years ago, it marked a turning point. I now fundamentally believe there's no skill more crucial than helping individuals understand and leverage AI effectively in their careers. AI doesn’t just replace tasks; it amplifies nearly every skill someone can develop. We're now facing two potential futures: one in which AI is primarily used for automation and another where AI enhances human capability. Mindstone was created to ensure we embrace the latter, helping people amplify their impact rather than replacing them."

How has the perception of AI among VCs changed over the last five years?

"Initially, when ChatGPT launched, many investors quickly dismissed so-called 'wrapper apps,' assuming these applications, built as thin layers on top of AI, would quickly become obsolete. However, that perspective missed a crucial insight: AI isn't just another technology; it's the foundational infrastructure for every future app. This realisation shifted investor attitudes, as they began recognising sophisticated applications continuously improving alongside advancements in underlying AI models. Many still struggle to grasp exponential growth, but we’re witnessing something truly unprecedented - a cycle where each enhancement to AI models directly improves every application built on top of them."

What do you look for when investing in AI companies today?

"My primary criterion is straightforward: If the underlying AI model powering your product improves, does your product automatically improve as well? Given the pace at which AI technology is advancing, companies should view evolving AI models not as threats, but as opportunities for continual, organic improvement. Businesses positioned this way are far more resilient and capable of thriving amid rapid technological progress."

Where do you see AI heading in the next five years?

"The next five years will be the wildest technological journey we've ever seen—quite possibly the most transformative period in modern history. Expect accelerating, compounding progress across the entire tech ecosystem, driving dramatic productivity gains and economic growth. We'll likely witness significant societal shifts toward new economic models, including early implementations of universal basic income as a response to AI-driven economic disruption."

"The current AI boom will also profoundly impact robotics. Within five years, robots in the home could become commonplace, and autonomous agents will be capable of operating independently for hours or even days without requiring human oversight."

Are there any particularly exciting developments from the Mindstone community?

"Absolutely. I've already seen multiple startups launched, scaled, and even acquired through connections made within our community. It's fascinating how people use identical technology in entirely different ways—this diversity of application is incredibly inspiring. Historically, building technology was difficult, making builders naturally obsessed with creation. But now, building has become easier, shifting the focus towards the creative application of AI tools. That shift is exactly where our community thrives: not just in developing technology, but in pioneering innovative ways to deploy and integrate it."

We’re excited to grow this focused AI investing community. If you’d like to join this conversation and become part of Founders Capital, please apply through the link below.

Best,

The Founders Capital Team