Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour on Raising $1BN, CNN and CNBC Deals & the Polymarket Feud

ℹ️ EPISODE INFO

Released

December 8, 2025

Duration

47m

Channel

The Twenty Minute VC

Watch on YouTube

▶ Open ↗

📝 EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Tarek Mansour is the Co-Founder and CEO @ Kalshi, the leader in the world of prediction markets. Just last week, they announced their $1BN raise at an $11BN valuation. In total, they have raised $1.59BN from some of the best, including Sequoia, a16z, General Catalyst, IVP, Meritech, and more. They also last week announced exclusive partnerships with CNN and CNBC, marking their move into mainstream media and news. ----------------------------------------------- Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:56 Why Did Kalshi Need to Raise $1BN 08:35 Why is Kalshi vs Polymarket Such a Fierce Rivalry? 20:48 The Future of Prediction Markets 24:04 Why Does Kalshi Partner with CNN When They Could Replace Them? 27:31 Why Did Tarek Fight For the Rights of his Early Investors So Much? 28:34 What Makes Alfred Lin The Best? 30:56 Does Having Sequoia as an Investor Change the Game? 39:22 Are Teenage Founders Today Emotionally Ready to Lead Companies 41:11 Quick-Fire Round: Celebrity Investors, Relationships with Parents ----------------------------------------------- Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3j2KMcZTtgTNBKwtZBMHvl?si=85bc9196860e4466 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-twenty-minute-vc-20vc-venture-capital-startup/id958230465 Follow Harry Stebbings on X: https://twitter.com/HarryStebbings Follow Tarek Mansour on X: https://twitter.com/mansourtarek_ Follow 20VC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/20vchq Follow 20VC on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@20vc_tok Visit our Website: https://www.20vc.com Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.thetwentyminutevc.com/contact ----------------------------------------------- #20vc #harrystebbings #tarekmansour #kalshi #predictionmarkets #polymarket #sequoia #alfredlin

🎤 SPEAKERS

• Tarek Mansour

  guest

• Harry Stebbings

  host

🧾 EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of The Twenty Minute VC, featuring Tarek Mansour and Harry Stebbings, Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour on Raising $1BN, CNN and CNBC Deals & the Polymarket Feud explores kalshi CEO on $1B Raise, Polymarket Rivalry, and Regulated Bets Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour explains why the company raised $1B at an $11B valuation despite already being profitable, framing it as fuel to build a global, regulated prediction-market brand and to meet capital requirements as volume scales.

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