Exploring the ideas, investments & strategies behind global Startups. Learn more and stay up to date at thestartupproject.io
Join Nataraj as he sits down with Vijaye Raji, founder and CEO of Statsig, a platform revolutionizing product development with data-driven decision-making. Formerly a VP at Facebook and head of Facebook Seattle, Vijaye shares his journey from big tech to startup founder.About the Episode:This conversation explores Vijaye's transition from leading entertainment at Facebook to building Statsig, a developer platform empowering data-driven decisions. He dives into his experience at Microsoft and Facebook, highlighting the challenges and motivations that led him to entrepreneurship. Vijaye discusses Statsig's value proposition, differentiating it from existing point solutions by consolidating feature flagging, analytics, and experimentation into one platform. The discussion extends to the future of experimentation in an AI-first world. He emphasizes the importance of product intuition alongside experimentation and shares Statsig's approach to culture, talent acquisition, and growth.About the Guest and Host:Vijaye Raji: Founder and CEO of Statsig, former VP at Facebook, and head of Facebook Seattle. Connect with Vijay:→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijaye/→ Website: https://www.statsig.com/Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor.→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam→ Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/→ Website: https://thestartupproject.ioTimestamps:00:01 - Introduction and Guest Introduction00:48 - Vijay's Background and Transition from Big Tech01:11 - Leaving Facebook and the Motivation for Startups02:05 - Early Career at Microsoft and Facebook's Startup Phase04:21 - Diverse Roles and Experiences at Facebook05:38 - Problems and Scale as Head of Entertainment at Facebook07:41 - Business Side of Entertainment: Licensing and Content Acquisition08:30 - From Facebook to Statsig: Idea Evaluation10:27 - Getting the First Customers: Avoiding Common Mistakes13:19 - Blind Spots in Transitioning from Big Tech to Startups14:38 - Go-to-Market Intuition and Building Conviction17:03 - Statsig's Value Proposition and Differentiation19:28 - Explanation of Feature Flagging20:47 - Trends in Experimentation and Product Validation23:00 - Ideal Customer Profile for Statsig24:38 - Experimentation vs. Gut Feeling: Balancing Data and Intuition28:20 - Statsig's Growth: Customers, Users, and Scale29:44 - Positioning Statsig: Developer Tool vs. Product Development Platform31:08 - Marketing Efforts and ROI32:24 - Culture: In-Person Work Environment34:41 - Attracting Talent: Statsig's Approach40:04 - Fundraising: Strategy and Benefits41:35 - AI: Integration with LLMs and Product Extensions44:26 - ML vs. LLMs: Democratization of Access46:44 - Favorite Failure and Learning from Mistakes49:31 - Current Consumption (Books, Podcasts, etc.)50:11 - Lessons Learned as a Founder51:16 - Big Company Perks Missed and Not MissedSubscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs!→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/#StartupProject #Statsig #ProductDevelopment #Experimentation #FeatureFlagging #ProductAnalytics #DataDriven #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #SaaS #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation
Martin Mao is the co-founder and CEO of Chronosphere, an observability platform built for the modern containerized world. Prior to Chronosphere, Martin led the observability team at Uber, tackling the unique challenges of large-scale distributed systems. With a background as a technical lead at AWS, Martin brings unique experience in building scalable and reliable infrastructure. In this episode, he shares the story behind Chronosphere, its approach to cost-efficient observability, and the future of monitoring in the age of AI.What you'll learn:The specific observability challenges that arise when transitioning to containerized environments and microservices architectures, including increased data volume and new problem sources.How Chronosphere addresses the issue of wasteful data storage by providing features that identify and optimize useful data, ensuring customers only pay for valuable insights.Chronosphere's strategy for competing with observability solutions offered by major cloud providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, focusing on specialized end-to-end product.The innovative ways in which Chronosphere's products, including their observability platform and telemetry pipeline, improve the process of detecting and resolving problems.How Chronosphere is leveraging AI and knowledge graphs to normalize unstructured data, enhance its analytics engine, and provide more effective insights to customers.Why targeting early adopters and tech-forward companies is beneficial for product innovation, providing valuable feedback for further improvements and new features. How observability requirements are changing with the rise of AI and LLM-based applications, and the unique data collection and evaluation criteria needed for GPUs.Takeaways:Chronosphere originated from the observability challenges faced at Uber, where existing solutions couldn't handle the scale and complexity of a containerized environment.Cost efficiency is a major differentiator for Chronosphere, offering significantly better cost-benefit ratios compared to other solutions, making it attractive for companies operating at scale.The company's telemetry pipeline product can be used with existing observability solutions like Splunk and Elastic to reduce costs without requiring a full platform migration.Chronosphere's architecture is purposely single-tenanted to minimize coupled infrastructures, ensuring reliability and continuous monitoring even when core components go down.AI-driven insights for observability may not benefit from LLMs that are trained on private business data, which can be diverse and may cause models to overfit to a specific case.Many tech-forward companies are using the platform to monitor model training which involves GPU clusters and a new evaluation criterion that is unlike general CPU workload.The company found a huge potential by scrubbing the diverse data and building knowledge graphs to be used as a source of useful information when problems are recognized.Subscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs!→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/#StartupProject #Chronosphere #Observability #Containers #Microservices #Uber #AWS #Monitoring #CloudNative #CostOptimization #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #LLM #MLOps #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation
Join host Nataraj as he speaks with Emily Gerber, founder and principal of SixEastern, a PR firm specializing in startups and tech companies. Emily shares her expertise on crafting effective PR strategies for early-stage startups and navigating the evolving media landscape.About the Episode:This episode demystifies the world of PR for tech founders. Emily differentiates PR from marketing, emphasizing the importance of earned media and credibility. She provides actionable advice on when to engage a PR firm, the types of media to target, and how to manage expectations. The conversation explores alternative strategies beyond traditional tech publications, including podcasts and new media platforms. Emily highlights the increasing importance of founders building their social profiles and telling authentic stories. She shares real-world examples of successful PR campaigns and offers valuable insights into navigating crisis communications.About the Guest and Host:Emily Gerber: Founder and Principal of SixEastern, a PR firm for startups and tech companies. Previously at Uber and Box. Connect with Emily: → Website: https://www.sixeastern.com/Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor. → LinkedIn: /natarajsindam → Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/→ Website: https://thestartupproject.ioTimestamps:00:02 - Introduction and Guest Introduction00:45 - Emily's Background and PR for Tech Startups01:17 - PR vs. Marketing: Understanding the Difference03:13 - When to Engage a PR Firm: Seed vs. Series A05:40 - The Unique Landscape of AI Startup PR06:19 - Top Tier PR Firms and Their Specializations08:39 - Setting Expectations and Measuring PR Success09:18 - Pitching Podcasts vs. Traditional Media14:21 - The Problem with Automated PR Pitches16:42 - Storytelling for Series A to Series C Startups17:44 - Crafting the Founder's Message for Podcasts21:08 - The Trend of Founders Going Direct on Social Media24:15 - Why Elon Musk's Strategies Don't Work for Everyone25:26 - Concrete Examples of Successful PR Campaigns29:21 - Why Traditional Media Still Matters for Startups31:12 - Pitching to New Media Platforms32:00 - Organic vs. Strategic PR: Behind-the-Scenes Tactics34:12 - SEO for AI Search Engines and the Future of PR37:18 - PR Plus Marketing: Integrating Services38:47 - Emily's Current Media Consumption: TBPN42:39 - Mentors and Their Influence44:38 - Lessons Learned in PR45:40 - Crisis Communications at Uber48:16 - Ignored Sectors in Startup PR: Enterprise SoftwareSubscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs!→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/#StartupProject #PR #PublicRelations #Startups #Tech #Media #Marketing #Communications #Founders #Entrepreneurship #TechCrunch #WallStreetJournal #Podcast #YouTube #AI #SixEastern
Join host Nataraj as he sits down with Todd Bracher, founder of BetterLab, an industrial design firm partnering with scientists and innovators to create game-changing products. Previously Executive Creative Director and Design Partner at Human Scale, Todd has also collaborated with iconic brands like Issey Miyake, Herman Miller, and 3M. A two-time International Designer of the Year and recognized by Wallpaper Magazine as a Top 100 Global Design Influencer, Todd shares his insights on the intersection of design, science, and technology.About the Episode:This episode explores the world of industrial design through the lens of Todd Bracher's extensive experience. The conversation delves into building a successful design firm and the critical importance of human-centered design. Todd recounts his journey from art school to becoming a leading industrial designer, emphasizing the role of manufacturing, materials, and understanding market needs. He highlights the shift towards sustainability in design, including the use of recycled materials and circularity principles. The discussion covers BetterLab's innovative projects, such as glasses designed to combat myopia using full-spectrum light and a UVC light-based hand sanitizer called Lightwash. Todd also shares his perspective on digital design, the influence of Japanese design principles, and his role as a design advisor with Antler, a pre-seed stage firm. He touches upon products he admires, including the Leica M camera, and the importance of integrating design early in the product development process.About the Guest and Host:Todd Bracher: Founder of BetterLab, an industrial design firm. Former Executive Creative Director and Design Partner at Human Scale. Connect with Todd: → Website: https://betterlab.com/Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor. → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/→ Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/→ Website: https://thestartupproject.ioTimestamps:00:01 - Introduction and Guest Introduction00:55 - Todd's Background and Entry into Design01:45 - The Definition of Industrial Design03:22 - Early Influences and Drawing04:27 - Examples of Industrial Design Projects06:06 - Admired Technology Products (Beyond Apple)09:14 - Trends in Industrial Design: Sustainability vs. Consumable Products12:02 - Todd's Take on IKEA's Design and Business Model14:37 - Admired Brands: VITSO and Dieter Rams15:54 - Sustainability and Longevity in Well-Designed Products17:05 - The Business of Running a Design Firm: BetterLab19:39 - Products from BetterLab: Myopia-Correcting Glasses24:48 - Sustainability Project: UVC Light Hand Sanitizer (Lightwash)28:44 - Working with Antler: Advising Early-Stage Startups30:08 - Day-to-Day Products Todd Uses and Admits31:53 - Modern Design Aesthetics and Globalization36:01 - Todd's Take on Digital Design37:46 - Trend Back into Hardware40:01 - What Makes Japanese Design Unique42:00 - Design Hubs in the US44:13 - Current Consumption (Books, Podcasts, etc.)45:39 - Mentors and Influences: Charles Darwin46:55 - Lessons Learned: The Importance of Business AcumenSubscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs!→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/#StartupProject #IndustrialDesign #DesignThinking #BetterLab #ToddBracher #Sustainability #ProductDesign #Innovation #HumanCenteredDesign #TechDesign #Manufacturing #Materials #DesignTrends #Myopia #UVCLight #Antler #VentureCapital #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation
Join host Nataraj as he sits down with Zach Lloyd, the founder and CEO of Warp, a company developing an intelligent terminal aimed at modernizing the command line experience for developers. Zach, a former principal engineer at Google, having worked on Google Sheets and Docs, and co-founder and CTO of Selfmade, shares his insights on the future of software development, the evolution of the terminal, and AI's role in building new products.In this episode, they discuss:How Warp leverages AI to improve developer productivityThe challenges of building an AI-powered developer toolThe future of coding and the evolution of the terminalBridging the gap between traditional terminals and modern IDEsThe current AI hype cycle and its impact on the developer communityGuest:Zach LloydFounder and CEO of WarpFormer Principal Engineer at GoogleCo-founder & CTO of SelfmadeWebsite: https://www.warp.dev/Host:NatarajHost of the Startup Project podcastSenior PM at Azure & InvestorLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindamEmail Updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/Website: https://thestartupproject.ioTimestamps:00:01 - Introduction and Guest Introduction00:55 - What is Warp?02:59 - How Developers Use Warp04:56 - Warp's Compatibility with Existing Developer Tools05:21 - Warp's Intelligence and Features06:31 - Integrating Existing Developer Nuances into Warp07:24 - Warp's AI-Powered Enhancements10:06 - The Future of IDEs and Terminals13:50 - The Evolution of Abstraction in Software Development16:37 - The AI Hype Cycle and Developer Productivity18:07 - Developer Feedback and Adoption of Warp20:30 - Go-to-Market Strategy and Customer Acquisition21:33 - Leveraging LLMs in Warp23:28 - The Role of AI Agents in Software Development25:49 - Cost and Sustainability of AI-Powered Tools27:17 - Warp's Pricing Model and Margins30:04 - Open-Source Models and Profitability32:43 - Key Metrics for Warp's Success34:45 - Go-to-Market Motion and Acquiring Customers37:40 - Using AI in Building Warp39:15 - The Impact of AI on Developer Demand41:00 - The Current State of AI and Developer Productivity43:31 - The Importance of Context and Knowledge in AI44:31 - What Zach is Consuming45:40 - Zach's Mentors46:25 - Lessons Learned as a FounderSubscribe:Subscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs!https://startupproject.substack.com/Tags:#StartupProject #Warp #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Terminal #DeveloperTools #Coding #Productivity #SoftwareDevelopment #DevOps #VentureCapital #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation
Join Nataraj on Startup Project as he interviews Jennifer Jeronimo, CEO of Gaingels, a venture capital syndicate that has deployed over $900 million into 2,500 startups.About the Episode:Jennifer shares Gaingels' unique journey from an investment club focused on LGBTQ+ founders to one of the largest venture capital syndicates globally, with a diverse community of over 4,000 accredited investors. Learn about their investment strategy, focusing on co-investing alongside top-tier VC firms like Sequoia and Greycroft, and their mission to democratize venture capital by providing access to high-potential deals.Discover how Gaingels sources deals, conducts due diligence, and supports its portfolio companies. Jennifer also discusses the current venture landscape, offering insights into market trends, diversification strategies, and the importance of building a balanced portfolio over time. She also discusses her mentors and books that inspired her journey.About the Guest and Host:Jennifer Jeronimo: CEO of Gaingels, former banking executive, and advocate for diversity in venture capital.→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-jeronimo1/Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor.→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam → Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/→ Website: https://thestartupproject.ioTimestamps:00:01 - Introduction and Guest Introduction00:59 - J-Engels: A Venture Capital Syndicate01:28 - How J-Engels Works & Its Mission02:58 - Evolution from AngelList Syndicate04:41 - Deal Flow Sources07:17 - Securing Allocation in Competitive Deals08:39 - J-Engels' Organizational Structure10:38 - Deal Evaluation Process13:47 - The Strength of Community in Venture18:44 - Role of Venture Partners20:09 - Navigating Market Corrections and Trends23:35 - Portfolio Diversification Strategies28:15 - J-Engels' Vision for the Future30:20 - What Jennifer is Consuming Now31:59 - Jennifer's Mentors34:15 - Investing Advice for BeginnersSubscribe to Startup Project for more insightful conversations with leading investors and entrepreneurs!→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/#StartupProject #VentureCapital #Investing #Syndicate #Diversity #Startups #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation #PortfolioDiversification #MarketTrends #AngelInvesting
Join host Nataraj on Startup Project as he sits down with Vanessa Larco, Partner at NEA, to discuss the transformative impact of AI on startups and venture capital.About the Episode: This episode delves into the evolving landscape of tech investing, exploring how AI is reshaping business models, pricing strategies, and the future of work. Vanessa, a former Director of Product at Box and co-founder of Funloop, shares her insights on:* The shift towards AI in venture capital* The commoditization debate surrounding LLMs* The evolving pricing models in the age of AI* Common mistakes startups make when fundraising* How to identify and secure promising deals* Vanessa's personal journey and mentorship experiencesAbout the Guest and Host:Vanessa Larco: Partner at NEA, investing in Series A and Series B technology companies. Former Director of Product at Box and co-founder of Funloop. Connect with Vanessa:→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessalarcoNataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor.→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/→ Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/→ Website: https://thestartupproject.ioTimestamps:00:01 - Introduction and Guest Introduction01:01 - AI's Impact on Venture Capital04:12 - The Commoditization of LLMs08:57 - The SaaS Subscription Model and AI16:04 - AI-Enabled Investment Ideas18:50 - Life as a Partner at NEA23:42 - Working with Series A & B Companies25:40 - Traction Metrics for Series A27:59 - Case Studies: Majoree & Rewind33:04 - Common Startup Mistakes36:37 - Sourcing Deals in Venture Capital38:57 - What Vanessa is Consuming Now40:20 - Mentors in Vanessa's Career41:38 - Lessons Learned in Venture InvestingSubscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs!→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/#StartupProject #NEA #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #VentureCapital #Startups #SaaS #PricingModels #Fundraising #ProductMarketFit #Investing #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation
Join host Nataraj as he sits down with Karthee Madasamy, the Managing Director of MFA Partners, to discuss his journey from chip designer to venture capitalist in the world of deep tech.About the Episode:This episode explores Karthee's transition from a technical background in semiconductors and wireless communication to a successful career in venture capital. He shares his experiences at Qualcomm Ventures, where he led investments in companies like Waze and MapMyIndia, and discusses his current focus on deep tech companies at MFA Partners. Karthee provides valuable insights into the evolution of venture capital, the challenges of raising a fund, and the exciting potential of technologies like AI, robotics, and quantum computing.Karti dives into the nuances of investing in deep tech, sharing his investment thesis for MapMyIndia and highlighting the importance of understanding technology commoditization. He also discusses the incentive structures within corporate venture capital versus traditional VC firms, and offers advice for those considering a career in the field.About the Guest and Host:Karthee Madasamy: Managing Director of MFA Partners, previously Managing Director and Vice President at Qualcomm Ventures. → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kartheemfv/Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor. → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/→ Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/→ Website: https://thestartupproject.ioTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:51 - Karthee's Journey into Venture Investing02:46 - First Job in Venture Capital04:52 - Early Deals and Learnings07:34 - Identifying Technology Commoditization09:56 - Investment Thesis for MapMyIndia13:32 - Incentives in Corporate vs. Traditional VC18:09 - Starting MFA Partners and Fundraising Challenges23:37 - Lessons Learned from Fundraising25:01 - The State of Deep Tech32:42 - Investing in PsiQuantum and the Future of Quantum Computing43:34 - Staying Updated and Influential Content45:54 - Key Learnings about InvestingSubscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs!→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/#startupproject #deeptech #venturecapital #investing #qualcommventures #mfapartners #ai #robotics #quantumcomputing #technology #innovation #entrepreneurship #podcast #youtube #tech #mapmyindia #waze #psiquantum #semiconductors
Join Nataraj on Startup Project as he talks to Aatish, CEO and founder of EquityZen, a secondary market for private equities. They discuss the evolution of secondary markets, EquityZen's business model, the value proposition of secondary equity platforms, investor strategies, and the nuances of investing in secondary shares. They'll also delve into various IPO types and their pros and cons for investors, providing a glimpse into the future of secondary markets and IPOs by 2025.About the Episode:This episode explores how EquityZen created a market for secondary shares, connecting founders, employees, and early investors with individuals seeking pre-IPO investment opportunities. Aatish shares his personal journey from quant hedge fund employee to entrepreneur, highlighting how EquityZen helps late-stage private companies provide liquidity to shareholders. The conversation also covers:- Evolution of secondary markets- EquityZen's business model and platform- Investing in secondary shares- Different investor strategies- IPO types and their impact on investors- The future of secondary markets and IPOs in 2025About the Guest and Host:Aatish: CEO and founder of EquityZen, former co-founder and CTO of Nullsoft, and VP of product at Ampush. Connect with Aatish:→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atishdavda/→ Website: https://equityzen.com/Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor. → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam → Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam→ Email: https://startupproject.substack.com/→ Website: https://thestartupproject.ioTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:10 - What is EquityZen and How Did It Start?04:19 - The Evolution of Secondary Markets09:00 - Standardization in Secondary Transactions14:44 - Portfolio vs. Individual Company Investments20:10 - EquityZen's Business Model: Fees & Carry22:21 - EquityZen's Stats and User Base24:34 - EquityZen's Relationship with Companies and Issuers27:17 - Rights of First Refusal and Blocking Rights30:36 - Navigating the Secondary Market: Legitimacy and Risk33:33 - How EquityZen Uses Data37:14 - Marketing EquityZen in a Regulated Industry40:19 - IPOs vs. Direct Listings: What's the Difference?44:04 - Outlook for IPOs and Secondary Markets in 2025Subscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs!→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/#StartupProject #EquityZen #PrivateEquity #SecondaryMarket #PreIPO #Investing #IPO #VentureCapital #Stocks #Finance #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation #Entrepreneur"
Join host Nataraj as he sits down with Aviel Ginsberg, the founder of Simply Measured (acquired by Sprout Social), managing director at Amazon's Alexa Accelerator, general partner at Founders Co-op, and now co-founder of Foundations, a shared workspace and accelerator designed to bolster Seattle's VC ecosystem.About the Episode:This episode explores Aviel's journey through the Seattle tech scene, from his arrival during the 2007 recession to his current venture. He discusses the evolution of Founders Co-op, their investment strategies, and the challenges faced by startups in the Pacific Northwest. Aviel shares insights into his investment philosophy, emphasizing the importance of founders' motivations and the long-term vision for their companies.Aviel also delves into the creation of Foundations, a community-driven space aimed at connecting founders, investors, and mentors. He discusses the need for such an anchor in Seattle's ecosystem and how it addresses the unique challenges faced by startups in the region. The conversation touches upon the changing landscape of venture capital, the impact of large language models, and the future of Seattle's tech community.About the Guest and Host:Aviel Ginsberg: Co-founder of Foundations, founder of Simply Measured, managing director at Amazon's Alexa Accelerator, and general partner at Founders Co-op. → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avielginzburg/→ Website: https://seattlefoundations.org/Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor. → LinkedIn: / natarajsindam→ Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/→ Website: https://thestartupproject.ioTimestamps:[00:00] Introduction[00:30] What is Foundations?[00:51] Aviel's journey with Founders Co-op[01:21] Navigating the 2007 Recession[03:22] Early days in the Seattle tech scene[03:36] Transitioning from employee to founder[06:46] Founders Co-op's current focus[08:16] Evolving investment thesis[08:45] The art of investing in founders[10:47] The importance of people over product[11:07] Investing strategies and FOMO[14:23] Deal makers and breakers[14:36] The motivation of founders[16:47] De-risking entrepreneurship and motivation[18:56] The rise and fall of first-time funds[20:18] Exaggerated opportunity sizes[21:16] The realities of early-stage investing[22:20] The distortion of valuations[22:57] Winners bias and trillion-dollar companies[23:13] The illusion of constant growth[26:37] The Ally acquisition and Microsoft Viva Goals[27:50] Was the acquisition a fund returner?[28:32] The Clubhouse story[29:23] The importance of knowing when to sell[30:20] The trend of secondaries[30:50] Incentivizing founders[31:25] The future of secondaries[32:50] The vision behind Foundations[38:33] What else does Seattle need?[39:05] The need for pre-accelerators[40:38] Lack of pre-seed funds[41:02] Accessing Bay Area capital[42:41] What are you consuming?[43:14] Podcasts, books, and movies[44:31] What do you wish you knew about investing?[44:39] The long feedback loops of investingSubscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs!→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/#startupproject #seattle #startupecosystem #venturecapital #founders #foundations #simplymeasured #founderscoop #amazon #alexaaccelerator #techstars #innovation #entrepreneurship #podcast #youtube #technology #investing #davidishim #readai #ai #artificialintelligence #meetings #productivity #hybridwork #remotework
Join host Nataraj as he sits down with Jacob Bank, founder and CEO of Relay.app, a platform building AI agents to revolutionize how we work. **About the Episode:**This conversation explores the evolution of AI agents and how Relay is solving customer problems by automating cross-tool workflows. Jacob, a former product lead at Google (Gmail, G Suite), shares his entrepreneurial journey from academic AI research to building productivity tools. He discusses the challenges of product development in the fast-paced AI landscape and the importance of integrations for a successful product.Jacob explains how Relay transitioned from a workflow tool to an AI-powered automation platform. He delves into their customer acquisition strategy, focusing on product-led growth and community building, with a strong emphasis on content and partnerships.**Key Discussion Points:*** Evolution of Relay from workflow tool to AI agent platform* Building AI agents that integrate with various tools* Prioritizing integrations and the importance of robust APIs* Balancing AI automation with human-in-the-loop capabilities* Customer acquisition and the power of community building * Usage-based pricing models for AI agents* Jacob's entrepreneurial lessons learned* Scaling strategies and fundraising considerations* The future of work with AI agents**About the Guest and Host:****Jacob Bank:** Founder and CEO of Relay.app. Former product lead at Google (Gmail, G Suite), founder of Timeful (acquired by Google).→ LinkedIn: Search for Jacob Bank (currently waiting for LinkedIn Integration)→ Website: https://www.relay.app/**Nataraj:** Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor.→ LinkedIn: / natarajsindam→ Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/→ Website: https://thestartupproject.io**Timestamps:*** 00:00 - Introduction and Guest Introduction* 00:58 - What is Relay and how did it get started? * 07:18 - Transitioning to an AI agent platform * 08:06 - Prioritizing tool integrations* 12:14 - Traction and company scale* 13:30 - Driving adoption and product-led growth* 19:57 - Upcoming integrations* 24:19 - Open-source integrations discussion* 26:38 - Competition and differentiation* 28:15 - Pricing models* 30:19 - Lessons from previous company* 32:35 - The future of AI agents* 38:06 - Scaling and fundraising* 41:43 - Working at Google vs. StartupSubscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs!→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/#StartupProject #Relay #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Agents #AIWorkflows #NoCode #Automation #Productivity #SaaS #Integrations #CommunityBuilding #ProductLedGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation
Join host Nataraj on the Startup Project podcast as he sits down with David Blumberg, a seasoned investor with over three decades of experience in early-stage tech companies. From his early days at T. Rowe Price to founding Bloomberg Capital, David shares his unique journey and insights into the world of venture capital. About the Episode: This episode explores David's evolution as an investor, from his initial interest in government to his realization that business and entrepreneurship were the true drivers of positive change. He discusses his early investments in Israeli tech companies, his time at Claridge, a prominent family office, and the lessons he learned along the way. David shares his investment philosophy, emphasizing the importance of strong teams, large market potential, and minimal competition. He highlights his experience with successful companies like Double Verify and Nutanix, emphasizing the value of repeat founders and the power of building strong relationships. The conversation also delves into David's personal investment strategy, his passion for energy humanitarianism, and his belief in the potential of AI to revolutionize various industries. He shares his insights on the evolving landscape of venture capital, the importance of continuous learning, and the impact of regulatory changes on the business world. About the Guest and Host: David Blumberg: Founder and Managing Partner of Blumberg Capital, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage and growth investments. → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjblumberg → Website: https://blumbergcapital.com/ Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor. → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/ → Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ → Website: https://thestartupproject.io Timestamps: 00:01 - Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:42 - David's Location and Work Model 00:54 - David's Career Journey and Interest in Tech Investing 01:22 - Early Influences and the Importance of Entrepreneurship 05:10 - First Tech Investment and Israeli Tech Ecosystem 09:22 - Israel's Tech Growth and the Yozma Program 13:45 - Government's Role in Fostering Innovation 17:53 - The Israeli Military's Influence on Entrepreneurship 19:54 - Experience at Claridge and Transition to Bloomberg Capital 24:34 - The Evolution of Venture Capital and Bloomberg Capital's Strategies 27:15 - Working with Repeat Founders 30:40 - Decision-Making in Pre-Seed Investing 34:19 - Defining Talent in Early-Stage Founders 39:32 - Importance of Domain Expertise 41:11 - Lawyers in Leadership Roles 43:15 - Bloomberg Capital's CIO Innovation Council 48:29 - Personal Investment Strategy and Energy Humanitarianism 51:39 - Admired Investors and the Venture Capital Landscape 56:06 - Current Consumption (Books, Podcasts, etc.) 01:00 - Mentors and Their Influence 01:01 - Advice for Young Investors Subscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs! → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ #StartupProject #VentureCapital #Investing #TechInvesting #Israel #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation #Energy #Humanitarianism #AI #CIO #BloombergCapital
This episode of Startup Project tackles that very problem! Join host Nataraj as he sits down with David Shim, CEO of Read.ai, a company that just raised $50 million in Series B funding to revolutionize how we handle meetings and work in general. About the Episode: This insightful conversation dives deep into Read.ai's innovative AI-powered meeting summarizer. David, a repeat founder, trader, investor, and former CEO of Foursquare, shares his journey, from the initial spark of an idea during a particularly unproductive Zoom call to Read.ai's current position as a top meeting note-taker. He reveals the secrets behind their rapid growth, achieving a remarkable climb from #20 to #2 in the world in less than 18 months – all with zero dollars spent on media marketing! David discusses his unique approach, combining video analysis with text, to create meeting summaries that go beyond simple transcriptions. Learn how Read.ai analyzes sentiment, engagement, and even subtle cues like speaking pace to deliver truly insightful summaries. The conversation also touches upon the future of work, with David advocating for hybrid work models and sharing his perspective on the current AI hype cycle. He provides a compelling vision for Read.ai's evolution into a true "co-pilot" for everyone, everywhere, seamlessly integrating with various platforms to streamline workflows and boost productivity. The discussion extends to David's own investment strategies, offering valuable insights into his approach to venture capital and angel investing. About the Guest and Host: David Shim: CEO of Read.ai, repeat founder, trader, investor, and former CEO of Foursquare. Connect with David: → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidshim/. → Website: https://www.read.ai/ Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor. → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/ → Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ → Website: https://thestartupproject.io Timestamps: 00:02 - Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:54 - David's Location and Work Model 01:17 - Remote vs. Hybrid Work Models 03:37 - The Origin Story of Read.ai 05:50 - Read.ai's Initial Idea and Technological Challenges 08:42 - Analyzing Video and Text Data 11:33 - The Evolution of Read.ai's Product and Value Proposition 12:41 - Overcoming Challenges in Product Adoption and User Experience 14:50 - Customer Acquisition Strategy and Product-Led Growth 16:58 - Word-of-Mouth Marketing and Inherent Virality 19:43 - Read.ai's Expansion Beyond Meeting Notes: "Copilot Everywhere" 20:16 - Vision for Read.ai as a Universal Work Copilot 22:57 - Targeting Specific Verticals While Maintaining a Horizontal Approach 24:55 - Foundation Models and Pricing Strategies 29:15 - David's Perspective on the Current LLM Landscape 30:37 - Using AI to Optimize Internal Operations at Read.ai 34:09 - Thoughts on AI Agents and Their Current State 36:44 - Read.ai's Vision for the Next Few Years 41:11 - David's Investment Thesis and Strategies 46:21 - David's Early Career in Trading 50:59 - Current Consumption (Books, Podcasts, etc.) 52:38 - Mentors and Their Influence 54:13 - Lessons Learned as a Founder and Investor Subscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs! → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ #StartupProject #ReadAI #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Meetings #Productivity #HybridWork #RemoteWork #VentureCapital #AngelInvesting #SeriesB #Funding #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation #AIEverywhere #Copilot
Ever wondered what it takes to build a thriving small business and secure funding in today's competitive landscape? This episode of Startup Project dives deep into the world of Hello Alice, a platform revolutionizing how small businesses access resources and capital. Join host Nataraj as he sits down with Elizabeth Gore, co-founder and president of Hello Alice, a company recently valued at $130 million! In this insightful conversation, Elizabeth shares her incredible journey, from her background in agriculture and humanitarian work to co-founding Hello Alice. Learn how she transitioned from supporting the UN to empowering 1.5 million small business owners across the US. We explore Hello Alice's innovative approach to financial technology, providing access to grants, loans, and crucial business planning services. Discover how Hello Alice itself generates revenue, beyond its mission-driven approach. Plus, we uncover the fascinating story behind their recent legal battle and how they navigated this challenge. Nataraj: Host of the popular Startup Project podcast, Nataraj brings his expertise and engaging interview style to this episode. → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam → Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ → Website: https://thestartupproject.io Elizabeth Gore: Co-founder and President of Hello Alice, Elizabeth is a powerhouse in the small business ecosystem. Her experience and insights make this conversation invaluable for aspiring and established entrepreneurs. **Timestamps:** 00:01 - Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:07 - Elizabeth's Early Career and Background 03:13 - Hello Alice's Products and Services 04:47 - Hello Alice's Business Model and Revenue Streams 05:42 - Acquiring Early Customers and Growth Strategies 07:55 - The Main Needs of Hello Alice's SMB Customers 08:27 - Grants vs. Loans: Hello Alice's Funding Approach 09:24 - The Value of Grant Applications for Startups 10:02 - Post-COVID Trends in Small Business 12:36 - Popular Software Used by Small Businesses 14:01 - Customer Acquisition Strategies for Small Businesses 15:03 - Hello Alice's Future Plans and Growth Targets 16:26 - The Hello Alice Lawsuit and Its Impact 17:42 - AI's Role in Hello Alice and Small Businesses 19:15 - The Regulatory Environment for Small Businesses 22:14 - DEI Initiatives and Their Impact on Small Businesses 23:49 - Unique and Thriving Small Businesses 25:07 - Elizabeth's Information Consumption Habits 25:49 - Elizabeth's Mentors and Influences 26:17 - Lessons Learned as a Founder 26:51 - Advice for Aspiring Small Business Owners #StartupProject #HelloAlice #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Funding #Grants #Loans #BusinessGrowth #Fintech #AI #DEI #SmallBusinessFunding #BusinessTips #Podcast #Entrepreneurs #Innovation #ElizabethGore #Nataraj
Madhukar Kumar is the Chief Marketing Officer at SingleStore (formerly MSQL), a cloud-native database company that has raised over $300M in funding. In this conversation, we explore the intersection of technical marketing, product-led growth, and the future of AI in marketing: In this episode, we cover: (00:02) Introduction and SingleStore overview (01:56) CMO role and marketing strategy (04:12) Marketing technical products to developers (08:21) Product-led growth initiatives (14:12) Product-led sales and enterprise marketing (17:49) Career transitions and journey (21:14) Skills needed for product marketing (26:12) Marketing spend and channel effectiveness (28:24) Admirable brands and marketing approaches (31:41) Evolution of communication in marketing (35:23) Perspectives on AGI (44:05) Career challenges and overcoming them (47:47) Current influences and recommendations (48:52) Mentors and career guidance (49:53) Key marketing lessons learned Where to find Madhukar Kumar: → Madhukar's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madhukarkumar/ Nataraj is the host & creator of Startup Project podcast, he is a full time product manager at Microsoft, early stage investor & advisor. → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam → Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ → Website: https://thestartupproject.io Referenced: - SingleStore: https://www.singlestore.com/ - Apple Marketing - Webflow - dbrand Marketing - Pegasus Documentary - "The Beginning of Infinity" by David Deutsch #ProductMarketing #TechMarketing #SingleStore #DatabaseTechnology #DeveloperMarketing #ProductLedGrowth #MarketingStrategy #CMOInsights #B2BTech #EnterpriseMarketing #CareerTransitions #MarketingLeadership #StartupMarketing #CloudComputing #TechIndustry #BrandBuilding #AIinMarketing #MarTech #TechnicalMarketing #EnterpriseSales
Guest: Court Lorenzini | Founder of DocuSign & FounderNexus Host: Nataraj | Senior PM at Azure, Creator of Startup Project & Angel Investor Subscribe to Startup Project Newsletter for valuable founder insights: https://startupproject.substack.com/ Join Nataraj in conversation with Court Lorenzini, co-founder of DocuSign and serial entrepreneur, as they delve into the world of startups. Court shares his incredible journey, from early engineering roles to leading DocuSign to its multi-billion dollar company. **Timestamps & Topics:** * **00:01:246 - 00:35:234:** Introduction and welcome to Court Lorenzini. * **00:40:246 - 01:16:782:** Court's background – Engineering career and early entrepreneurial ventures. * **01:50:102 - 02:05:838:** Discussion about Cisco's impact on fostering successful entrepreneurs. * **02:05:838 - 03:30:4:** Court's entrepreneurial journey: Early days of building companies and his approach to exiting around year five. * **03:34:004 - 05:06.042:** The genesis of DocuSign: Original idea, acquisition of IP, and the name's origin. * **05:06.042 - 06:35.318:** DocuSign's journey to product-market fit – a slow grind and long-term vision. * **06:35.318 - 09:46.848:** Key early customers: Microsoft and the National Association of Realtors – how these partnerships propelled DocuSign's growth and the importance of inbound vs outbound sales. * **09:46.848 - 11:22.828:** DocuSign's continued market dominance – exploring the reasons behind its success and the competitive landscape. * **11:22.828 - 14:07.594:** The core reasons for DocuSign's success: human preference for consistency and robust APIs for data integration. * **14:51.042 - 16:02.894:** Court's exit strategy from DocuSign and the incredible return on investment. * **16:10.026 - 17:12.088:** Court's ambition and his subsequent ventures, including a successful renewable energy company and a spectacular failure (Metabright). * **17:12.088 - 20:46.198:** Detailed analysis of Metabright's failure and the lessons learned. * **20:46.198 - 23:48.586:** Court's methodology for evaluating new opportunities – validating the idea and actively trying to kill it. * **23:48.586 - 25:01.294:** Introduction to Founder Nexus – a unique approach to supporting the next generation of founders. * **25:01.294 - 27:25.304:** The vision and purpose of Founder Nexus: increasing the odds of success for venture-scale founders. * **27:25.304 - 28:15.446:** The mathematical model of startup success and how Founder Nexus aims to improve each variable. * **28:15.446 - 29:27.704:** Comparison with similar communities like Hampton and Offline, and the importance of community curation. * **29:27.704 - 31:18.678:** Founder Nexus's unique approach to community building – focusing on lived experience and ongoing learning. * **31:18.678 - 33:26.323:** The structure and format of Founder Nexus events – short forums and rotating groups. * **33:26.323 - 35:07.126:** Traction and future plans for Founder Nexus – expansion beyond Seattle and the goal of global reach. * **35:07.126 - 37:08.072:** Court's approach to investing in venture funds – focusing on early-stage, and often non-traditional funds. * **37:08.072 - 37:45.686:** Observations on the outperformance of women-run funds. * **37:45.686 - 40:36.635:** Thoughts on valuations and the current investment climate – focusing on early-stage deals and late-stage pre-IPO opportunities. * **40:41.27 - 42:06.304:** Court's personal investment strategies – both early-stage and late-stage pre-IPO investments. * **42:17.11 - 43:56.438:** Discussion about the surge in bio and energy companies in Seattle during the Obama administration. * **44:07.934 - 46:20.299:** Court's decision to pursue three master's degrees and their impact on his career. * **46:36.566 - 48:25.076:** Current reading and listening – books and podcasts influencing Court's thinking.
My guest today is Moham Aref, CEO of Relational AI, a company that recently closed a $75 million Series B funding round. Moham shares his incredible journey spanning over 30 years in the AI and machine learning space, offering invaluable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts alike. Moham Aref, CEO of Relational AI, Moham brings a wealth of experience, having previously led LogicBlox and Predictix, and now spearheading Relational AI's mission to simplify intelligent application development. → Website: https://relational.ai/ → Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molham/ Nataraj is the host & creator of Startup Project podcast, he is a full time product manager at Microsoft, early stage investor & advisor. → Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/ → Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ → Website: https://thestartupproject.io Podcast Highlights: This episode covers a wide range of fascinating topics, from Moham's extensive career journey to the intricacies of the modern data stack and the transformative potential of Relational AI's technology. We unravel the complexities of descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics, demystifying these crucial concepts for a broader audience. We also discuss the challenges of finding those first five customers in the B2B world, the strategic decision to build on Snowflake, and the potential for future competition and cannibalization by larger platforms. Moham thoughtfully shares his perspective on the current hype surrounding Generative AI and its practical applications in the enterprise space. We finish with advice on leadership, mentorship, and the overall challenges and rewards of a career in tech. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:55 - Moham Aref's Career Journey and Transition to Relational AI 08:30 - Understanding Descriptive, Predictive, and Prescriptive Analytics 12:00 - Early Use Cases and Target Customers for Relational AI 17:30 - The Decision to Build on Snowflake: Strategy and Competition 22:15 - Securing the First Five Customers in the B2B World 27:40 - The Modern Data Stack and Relational AI's Place Within It 34:30 - Generative AI: Hype, Reality, and Enterprise Applications 40:00 - Leveraging Generative AI Internally and for Customer Value 45:00 - B2B Sales Strategies: Content, Relationships, and Customer Focus 51:30 - Relational AI's Future Plans and Growth Strategy 54:00 - Moham's Consumption Habits: Historical Insights and Mentorship 58:30 - Lessons Learned as a Founder and CEO Don't forget to like and subscribe for more insightful conversations about the world of AI! → YouTube: https://youtu.be/9-J4eV8qvZg → Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Og8mbra1cokQ5cRJdjZn1?si=iqEOqKLLSqSbk8ehkniFqg → Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/85-ai-should-not-be-regulated-author-ml-researcher/id1551300319?i=1000673806783 → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ → Others: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/qYaG6vhTRNb#ModernDataStack #RelationalAI #AI #MachineLearning #DataAnalytics #PredictiveAnalytics #PrescriptiveAnalytics #GenerativeAI #Snowflake #B2B #Entrepreneurship #TechPodcast #DataManagement #BusinessIntelligence #CloudComputing #TechLeadership #CareerAdvice #Innovation #DataStrategy
For video version watch the episode on: → YouTube link: https://youtu.be/9-J4eV8qvZg Join us as we dive deep into the world of AI with Pedro Domingos, a machine learning pioneer and author of the acclaimed book "The Master Algorithm." Pedro shares his insights on the current AI hype cycle, the real impact of AI on society, and how he sees the future of this transformative technology. Guest on the episode: Pedro Domingos (Author and Machine Learning Professor) → Website: pedrodomingos.org → Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedro-domingos-77b183/ → Twitter: https://x.com/pmddomingos → Read Pedro's new book 2040: https://2040novel.com/ Host: Nataraj (Investor at Incisive VC, angel investor, and Senior Product Manager) → Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/ → Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam → Email updates: https://startupproject.beehiiv.com/ → Website: https://thestartupproject.io In this episode, we discuss: 00:00 - Introduction:** Meet Pedro Domingos, a legend in the field of machine learning. 03:28 - Early Career:** Learn how Pedro got into machine learning in the 80s, a time when it wasn't considered "cool". 08:17 - AI vs. Machine Learning:** Pedro clarifies the difference between these two terms and explains why machine learning is the driving force behind all other AI applications. 13:26 - The AI Hype Cycle:** Pedro discusses the rapid progress of AI, but also warns of the potential for a stock market bubble if the hype exceeds the reality. 21:45 - LLMs and the Future of AI:** Pedro analyzes whether the current hype around LLMs will lead to AGI and speculates on what breakthroughs might be needed to get there. 31:44 - The Master Algorithm:** Pedro talks about the purpose and scope of his book, "The Master Algorithm," and how it offers a broader understanding of AI beyond just LLMs. 42:29 - Open AI and the Comedy of Errors:** Pedro dives into the hype surrounding Open AI and its perceived dominance in the AI space, sharing his perspective on their overestimation. 54:25 - AI Safety and the Call for a Moratorium:** Pedro dismisses the fear-mongering around AI's supposed threat to humanity and provides a rational perspective on the current AI safety concerns. 1:03:19 - AI in 2040:** Pedro discusses his satirical book, "2040," which paints a humorous, yet thought-provoking, picture of how AI might impact society. 1:14:18 - Recommendation Systems and Human Psychology:** Pedro examines the limitations of current recommendation systems and argues for a shift towards systems that give users more control over their information consumption. 1:24:38 - The Importance of Critical Information Consumption:** Pedro shares his strategies for staying informed in the age of information overload, emphasizing the need for a balanced and diverse intake of information. 1:38:59 - The Importance of Choosing the Right Problem:** Pedro stresses the importance of finding research problems that align with your passion and potential impact, rather than chasing the latest trends. Don't forget to like and subscribe for more insightful conversations about the world of AI! → YouTube: https://youtu.be/9-J4eV8qvZg→ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Og8mbra1cokQ5cRJdjZn1?si=iqEOqKLLSqSbk8ehkniFqg→ Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/85-ai-should-not-be-regulated-author-ml-researcher/id1551300319?i=1000673806783→ Email updates: https://startupproject.beehiiv.com/ → Others: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/qYaG6vhTRNb #AI #machinelearning #themasteralgorithm #llm #agi #futureofai #tech #society #2040 #openai #google #facebook #recommendation #information #research #podcasts #startups #sharp ratio
In this episode of Startup Project, we chat with Khawaja Shams, Co-founder and CEO of Momento, a serverless caching and messaging service built for interactive applications at scale. Host: Nataraj (Investor at Incisive VC, angel investor, and Senior Product Manager) Guest: Khawaja Shams (Co-founder and CEO of Momento) Website: Momento Website LinkedIn: Nataraj's LinkedIn | Khawaja's LinkedIn [0:00 - 2:00] Khawaja shares his incredible journey—from working on image processing for Mars rovers and communications for interplanetary missions at NASA to building crucial infrastructure at Amazon Web Services (AWS) and ultimately starting Momento. [2:00 - 6:00] Khawaja provides an in-depth look at his early days at NASA, where he was inspired by the company's mission and the potential of cloud computing. He discusses how he prototyped using public datasets on his personal credit card and the challenges of onboarding Amazon as a vendor in the early days of AWS. [6:00 - 10:00] We discuss Khawaja's experience at Amazon, where he witnessed the company's rapid growth and customer obsession firsthand. He details his roles in AWS product engineering and leading key teams, including DynamoDB and Elemental Technologies. [10:00 - 16:00] Khawaja talks about the inspiration behind Momento and how the need for a better caching solution for interactive applications became clear. He explains how Momento addresses the pain points of traditional caching solutions and simplifies development for users. [16:00 - 20:00] We dive deeper into Momento's target customer base and the importance of focusing on verticals like media, gaming, and fintech. Khawaja shares valuable insights on identifying the right customers and building strong design partnerships. [20:00 - 25:00] Khawaja discusses product-market fit and how Momento validated its solution through numerous successful customers. He emphasizes the need for coherence in customer asks and how that provides confidence in the product's direction. [25:00 - 30:00] We talk about B2B growth and marketing strategies, specifically how Momento leverages its existing customer base and focuses on finding similar companies. Khawaja stresses the importance of operational excellence and customer obsession in building trust and advocacy. [30:00 - 35:00] Khawaja shares his thoughts on Amazon's leadership principles and how Momento has cultivated its own unique culture focused on customer centricity and psychological safety. [35:00 - 40:00] We explore the challenges of attracting top talent in a startup environment. Khawaja emphasizes the importance of finding a team you enjoy working with and tackling a problem you believe in. [40:00 - 45:00] Khawaja shares his current consumption habits, including his favorite books and podcasts. He also highlights the importance of mentorship and staying connected with people you admire. [45:00 - 50:00] Khawaja discusses the importance of focus in a startup environment and how prioritizing a few key goals can lead to greater success. [50:00 - 55:00] We finish with a discussion about AI and how Momento plays a crucial role in enabling interactive applications powered by real-time data. #Startup #TechPodcast #Serverless #CloudComputing #AWS #InteractiveApps #B2BMarketing #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #AI #Fintech #MediaTech #GamingTech #ProductMarketFit #Caching #CustomerObsession #FoundersJourney
This is a special episode. We are airing an episode where Nataraj was the guest on Learn It All podcast where he talked about trends in AI, how to leverage gen AI to build new products and how to upskill your career and find the right things to work on. Links: Startup Project Podcast: https://thestartupproject.io/ Website: https://thestartupproject.io LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/ Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam
Host: Nataraj - Investor at Incisive VC, Angel Investor, and Product Manager. Connect with us: * Website: https://thestartupproject.io * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/ * Twitter: https://twitter.com/natarajsindam Guest: Ameesh Divatia - Founder and CEO of Baffle. Connect with our guest: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ameeshd/ Check out Baffle: https://baffle.io/ ----- Startup Project Podcast Episode 82: Building Data-Centric Security with Baffle's Mish In this episode of Startup Project, we dive into the world of data security with Ameesh Divatia, the Founder and CEO of Baffle. Ameesh brings a wealth of experience from four successful startups, including stints at Cisco during the dot-com boom. We discuss the evolution of data security from protecting the network to securing the data itself. Ameesh explains how Baffle is creating a new category of “data-centric protection” to address the growing threat of data breaches in the cloud. This episode covers: - Ameesh's entrepreneurial journey from his early days in networking silicon to building multiple successful startups. - The importance of humility and building relationships in the tech world. - Why data protection is the next frontier in security. - How Baffle is solving data security challenges in the cloud. - The impact of GDPR and other regulations on data security. - The potential of Generative AI to disrupt data discovery and security. - Key considerations for starting a new company in today's tech landscape. **Don't miss this insightful conversation with a seasoned entrepreneur who is shaping the future of data security.** ---
Startup Project Podcast: Building AI Agents for Knowledge Workers with Lutra AI Jiquan Ngiam joins Nataraj to discuss the future of AI, from the rise of deep learning to the potential of AI agents for knowledge workers. They delve into [Guest Name]'s experiences working with Andrew Ng at Coursera and Google Brain, where he witnessed the power of scaling up compute and data in pushing the boundaries of AI. Timestamps: * **0:00 - Introduction:** Nataraj welcomes [Guest Name] to the show and introduces his impressive background. * **2:28 - Working with Andrew Ng:** [Guest Name] shares his experience working with Andrew Ng, emphasizing Ng's foresight and focus on scaling up neural networks. * **6:15 - The Importance of Data and Compute:** [Guest Name] highlights how data and compute became key drivers in the success of AI, using the example of AlexNet's breakthrough in 2012. * **12:25 - Democratizing Education with Coursera:** [Guest Name] discusses the early days of Coursera and the team's vision for democratizing access to education, especially in fields like machine learning. * **17:55 - Google Brain and the Rise of Transformers:** [Guest Name] reflects on his time at Google Brain, where he witnessed the emergence of transformers and their potential for generalizing across modalities. * **21:24 - The Limits of Scaling:** [Guest Name] questions the future of AI scaling, suggesting that we may be approaching a point of diminishing returns due to data limitations and the difficulty of creating truly effective synthetic data. * **28:13 - The Need for Data on Physical Tasks:** [Guest Name] proposes a bold idea: collecting real-world data on mundane tasks to train AI agents for robotics and other applications that require replicating human behavior. * **34:23 - Lutrei.ai: AI Agents for Knowledge Work:** [Guest Name] introduces Lutrei.ai, an AI agent designed to assist knowledge workers with tasks like research, data manipulation, and automation. * **42:49 - Different Approaches to AI Agents:** [Guest Name] compares Lutrei's approach to building AI agents with other common methods, highlighting the importance of separating data and logic for reliable and scalable solutions. * **45:38 - Choosing the Right Models:** [Guest Name] discusses the diverse landscape of AI models and how Lutrei leverages different models for different tasks, from small models for summarization to larger models for reasoning and planning. * **52:04 - AI Code Generation: Cursor vs. GitHub Copilot:** [Guest Name] shares his experience using Cursor, a code generation tool, and compares it to GitHub Copilot, highlighting the potential for AI to empower average developers. * **1:00:16 - The Future of AI Code Generation:** [Guest Name] predicts that AI code generation capabilities will become ubiquitous, and the key innovations will be in user experience and interaction design. * **1:05:43 - Consuming Information:** [Guest Name] shares his favorite sources of information, including podcasts, books, and news outlets. * **1:08:44 - Mentorship and Learning:** [Guest Name] reflects on the key mentors in his career, including Andrew Ng, Daphne Koller, and John Chen. * **1:12:34 - Advice for Early Career Professionals:** [Guest Name] advises young professionals to be voracious learners and prioritize gaining diverse experiences early in their careers. * **1:16:21 - The Motivation Behind Lutrei:** [Guest Name] explains his passion for pushing the boundaries of AI while simultaneously making it accessible and impactful for a wider audience. * **1:18:33 - Closing Thoughts:** Nataraj thanks [Guest Name] for sharing his insights and expresses his excitement for the future of Lutrei.ai. **Don't miss this episode to learn more about the exciting things happening in gen AI and how it's poised to revolutionize the way we work!**
Startup Project Podcast: Building a Scalable No-Code Backend with Zeno Join Natraj as he sits down with Prakash, the founder of Zeno, a revolutionary no-code backend platform that's shaking up the software development landscape. This episode dives deep into:
Damon Lemby, CEO of Learn It, a company that has trained over 1.9 million individuals, shares his journey from professional baseball to the world of education, offering insights on leadership, learning, and the future of work. The Power of the "Learn It All" Mindset Lemby argues that the key to success in today's dynamic world is not being a "know-it-all," but embracing a "learn it all" mindset. This means being humble, curious, and constantly seeking new knowledge. He emphasizes that this approach is crucial for navigating the rapid changes in the business world, especially with the rise of AI. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: A Practical Framework Recognizing that imposter syndrome is a common struggle, Lemby outlines a three-step framework for overcoming it: Identify the Source: Clearly define what you're worried about. Purposeful Awfulizing: Imagine the worst-case scenario and determine if you can handle it. Work Hard, Focus, & Let Go: Put in the effort, practice, and release the need for perfection. Navigating AI and the Future of Work Lemby believes that while AI will significantly impact the workforce, those who adapt and learn to leverage it will thrive. He advises companies to empower their employees with access to AI tools and encourage them to explore these technologies. Building Trust and Elite Teams Lemby emphasizes that a company is not a family, but a team that needs to be constantly evolving. He encourages leaders to build high-performing teams, recognizing that sometimes this may involve letting go of individuals who have reached their capacity within the organization. He also underscores the importance of giving people the benefit of the doubt, acknowledging that building trust is essential for long-term success. Invest in Your Growth: Lemby encourages listeners to invest in their own development, read biographies of successful individuals, and constantly seek new knowledge. He also shares his own investment philosophy, focusing on seed-stage companies and traditional businesses with a strong leadership team and a solid market fit. Key Takeaways: Embrace a "learn it all" mindset for success in a dynamic world. Conquer imposter syndrome with a practical framework. Leverage AI for growth and prepare for the future of work. Build elite teams and trust your employees. Invest in your own development and seek out new knowledge. This conversation with Damon Lemby offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone seeking to navigate the evolving business landscape. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startupproject/message
In this episode of Startup Project, Nataraj sits down with SC Moatti, a serial entrepreneur, product manager, investor, and author. SC Moatti shares insights into his diverse career path, from building successful products to launching his own venture capital firm, Mighty Capital. In this episode, you'll learn: SC Moatti's journey from engineer to VC: Discover how he built a career spanning product management, entrepreneurship, and venture capital. The secret to picking winning startups: SC Moatti reveals how Mighty Capital identifies and invests in companies with a strong product vision. Essential product management skills: Get expert advice on building a great product and becoming a successful product manager. The future of AI: SC Moatti shares his thoughts on the biggest challenges and opportunities in the world of artificial intelligence. Don't miss this insightful interview! Subscribe to Startup Project for more valuable content on building successful startups. Connect with SC Moatti: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scmoatti/ Connect with Nataraj: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/ #startup #venturecapital #productmanagement #ai #investing #siliconvalley #mightycapital #entrepreneurship #innovation --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startupproject/message
Satya, co-founder of Scispot, joins Startup Project's Nataraj to share his journey from leading a platform team at Expedia to starting a biotech company that solves data challenges for life science labs. In this episode, we discuss: Satya's unique career path, from fashion startup owner to data expert. The founding story of Scispot, tackling the problem of unanalyzed data in biotech. The YC experience and its valuable lessons, including the importance of market signals. Scispot's growth and traction, serving a diverse range of lab-based businesses. The exciting future of AI in biotech and Scispot's role in empowering innovation. Challenges and strategies for prioritizing features and building a sustainable platform. Building a company in Seattle and the evolving startup ecosystem. Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs interested in biotech and the power of fresh perspectives. Tune in to learn about Scispot's vision for the future and Satya's insightful perspectives on entrepreneurship, data, and the evolving landscape of biotech. Connect with Satya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/satyaravisingh/ Connect with Nataraj: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/ About the host: Nataraj is a Senior Product Manager and the host of the ‘Startup Project' podcast. He also invests in startups with Incisive.vc and writes ‘100 Days of AI', an educational series on AI. #biotech #startups #YC #entrepreneurship #data #AI #Seattle #SizePort #lifesciences #podcast #StartupProject --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startupproject/message
Startup Project Podcast: Episode Notes - Navigating the Shifting Investment Landscape with Sajid Rahman Guest: Sajid Rahman - Top Angel InvestorHost: Nataraj - Senior Product Manager, Investor at Incisive.vc & Startup Advisor Episode Overview: Join us as we delve into the evolving world of startups and venture capital with Sajid Rahman, a prolific angel investor with over 1000 investments. Key topics explored in this episode: Market Shift: Analyzing the transition from the funding boom to a more cautious investment environment. Exploring the prevalence of down rounds, the rise of secondary deals, and strategies for investors in the current climate. Dry Powder Explained: Demystifying the concept of dry powder – uninvested capital committed to VC funds. Understanding how and when VCs deploy capital and the implications for startups seeking funding. Web3 Deep Dive: Exploring the latest trends in the Web3 space, including the intersection of AI and blockchain, real-world asset tokenization, and the development of decentralized infrastructure. Discussing strategies for identifying promising projects and avoiding scams in this evolving landscape. AI Investment Landscape: Examining the current AI boom and the potential for both foundational models and application-layer companies. Addressing concerns about overvaluation and identifying key factors for successful AI investments. Sajid's Investment Strategies: Gaining insights into Sajid Rahman's approach to angel investing, syndicate management, and running multiple funds focused on Web3, YC companies, early-stage startups, and AI. Additional Resources: Connect with Sajid Rahman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahmansajid/ Connect with Nataraj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/ Follow Startup Project for more episodes and updates: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Cx7Q5r9Ow9eikxQjsJjjq?si=5d154bcf6b0541f7 #startup #investing #venturecapital #web3 #AI #angelinvesting #podcast #startupproject #secondarydeals #drypowder #blockchain #artificialintelligence #fundmanagement #YC #startupecosystem --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startupproject/message
Brian Bell is the Managing Partner at Team Ignite. Bell has experience in product development in AI at Microsoft, AWS, and startups. Full conversation includes:
New episode with Todd Bishop, GeekWire's co-founder. Todd is a longtime business and technology journalist who reports on subjects including AI, the cloud, startups, and health technology, plus Amazon and Microsoft, in addition to hosting GeekWire's weekly podcast. This is Todd's second appearance on the Startup Project podcast. In our conversation, we discuss:
In this episode Nataraj talked to Peter Mueller who is the founding partner of Breakwater ventures investing in early stage tech startups in Pacific Northwest and Wester Canadian Startups. The conversation includes: - how to think about angel investing & pre-seed investing? - Seattle pre-seed ecosystem - learnings from Seachange fund - thesis for breakwater - Whats making Western Canada an interesting place to invest? - investing in AI - long tail opportunity in AI & more. Follow peter on twitter here - https://twitter.com/pjsmueller Follow Nataraj on twitter here - https://twitter.com/natarajsindam Follow 100 Days of AI here - https://thestartupproject.io/100-days-of-ai/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startupproject/message
In this episode Nataraj spoke to Brendan Rogers Ex Cofounder of Wag, a NASDAQ listed public company. Full conversation includes: - Origin story of WAG - His journey into investing in India - Why he is bullish on Indian startups? - Opinion on different sectors & more To stay in loop for future conversations check out thestartupproject.io For above average opinions on big technology sign up to https://above-average.beehiiv.com/ Follow 100 Days of AI by Nataraj at https://thestartupproject.io/100-days-of-ai/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startupproject/message
Welcome to 50th edition of the Above Average Newsletter. Your bi-weekly source of Above Average takes on the business of big technology written by Nataraj Sindam. Topic 1: What's with Direct-to-Consumer Companies?What's common among all these companies?All birdsBrilliant earth groupPelotonRent the runwayThey are all public direct to consumer companies whose stock is down ranging from 80 to 95% in last couple of years.If you are direct to consumer company the best time to go public was in 2021 when the pandemic has fueled an ecommerce spending spree. Once this is over, the markets realized a lot of these direct to consumer companies have no path to profitability and have unsustainable business models.So what can we learn from what is happening with direct to consumer companies -When you are willing to spend on high customer acquisition cost (CAC), you can create a short term non profitable direct to consumer company, even when industry dynamics don't support it. If you spend enough amount of money on Facebook and Google ads you can sell any decent product.VC money was used to subsidize CAC, that is clear. But that stopped and these companies are not close to profitability and a lot of them are on the verge of bankruptcy. But if I am an investor in such brands the one thing I would look for is that the product innovation should reflect in my customer acquisition cost being low. If you are not able to get very low customer acquisition cost on your product or brand, then technically you are not creating value with your product. Your customer acquisition cost reflects whether the product/brand is actually desired by the customer & if the industry dynamics support it or not. Topic 2: Where is the AI opportunity?It's easy to see big funding rounds in AI for foundation model companies and think AI is all about Fearsome Foursome funding Geoffrey Hinton's ex-students or ex-open ai employees.But I think the real opportunity in AI for next couple of years is in the long tail of building specific narrow application that solve small problems that were not possible before. There is treasure trove to be exploited by teams of 1-3 developers to build SaaS applications which can generate millions in revenue.LLMs are a super power for full stack application developers. If you want to build something and are looking for such ideas feel free to reach out to me. Topic 3: 100 Days of AI experimentsAI is going to impact us all, so as part of 2024's first 100 days I am going to spend 1-2 hrs a day learning, experimenting, reading & tinkering with the latest AI models, products & content. You can follow along by following me on Twitter or here on my blog . My goal in this 100 days will be focused on what new things we can build using AI and what to expect from AI in future. The series is also published here on hackernoon . If you are listening to this and have not subscribed to the newsletter, please go subscribe. Till next time, stay above average. Nataraj --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startupproject/message
This episode is the audio version of Nataraj's newsletter Above Average. Welcome to 49th edition of the Above Average Newsletter. Your bi-weekly source of Above Average takes on the businss of big technology written by Nataraj Sindam. 1. Why the new AI Button on Your Keyboard is inevitable?Microsoft is adding a new AI button to your PC keyboard. This is the first time Microsoft changed the PC keyboard in last 30 years. If you are a regular user of ChatGPT or its competitors you will notice your own behavior, that you use it repeatedly and it might get lost in the 10s of chrome tabs you have opened.You also realize that its a constant companion on your daily work. Microsoft already realized this and jumped head on into creating Copilots for all its products.The next step in this strategy is to have a dedicated button that will launch bing copilot which uses gpt-4 and is currently free.The move highlights couple of things:Copilots are going to an enduring form factorWe will use copilots so often that it requires its own buttonIts a great use of Microsoft's distribution power to create a new user behaviorIf this new behavior works its acts as counter to Google search. Your first step for any answer would be to tap that button and start asking the question. A better interface potentially to transition from a search dominant world to answer dominant world.2. Who is the biggest AI VC in town?As some one who closely works with a venture fund and interacted with lots of investors and invested in 20+ startups its important to note that the unseriousness of ZIRP era was prevalent in VC industry as much as it was in any other industry.This meant higher valuations that defy the gravity of the business became common. Chasing each others and asking the question “who else is investing” became the most important criteria. Deals closed faster than ever. Crypto as a sector suck more oxygen in the room that it should. Mostly because too much capital was chasing too few deals and in the process new & some old investors lost track of what is important. Its important for a VC to invest in important things in tech.Now with AI era on us, the biggest investors in AI are not the VC firms but its the fearsome foursome - Microsoft, Google, Amazon & Nvidia.The amount of investment commitments from these 4 companies has already exceeded $20B with a conservative estimate.Big tech companies never really invested in crypto like they are investing in AI.So what's the take away here - if you think AI hype cycle is similar to crypto hype cycle, you are wrong. AI is an enduring cycle worthy of hype, unlike crypto which was propped up by VCs with out enough depth.Topic 3 - My Experiments with AI:One of the reason this newsletter is less frequent than usual (from now on it will be twice a month) is because I am working on writing more on AI as part of a series I am calling 100 days of AI. If you are interested in gen AI experiments, ideas & trends follow along here. Here are some posts I have written about AI. - Design Thinking using Semantic Kernel - Get Insights from YouTube Podcast Video using Open AI's GPT 4 - Build Your Own Chat with Data App Till next time, stay above average.Nataraj --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startupproject/message
For more unique insights on technology follow Nataraj on Twitter - https://twitter.com/natarajsindam & Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/1nataraj/ What late stage investors got wrong about investing in Startups? Confusion in the venture scene, especially with late-stage investments. Some firms raising funds for secondaries in startups, but a twist for LP investors: a cautious approach is needed. Skepticism about firms claiming expertise in both early and late-stage investments. Discussion on the industry mix-up and the need to reconsider how we negotiate prices. Emphasizing the importance of aligning return expectations with industry dynamics. Concerns about the pricing game not adding up in the long run, even with solid companies. Exploration of the industry's potential need for a rethink to optimize returns. Join the conversation at thestartupproject.io/nataraj/ #angelinvesting #youtubeshorts #venturecapital #investing #limitedpartners #vc #startups #tigerglobal --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startupproject/message
For more unique insights on technology follow Nataraj on Twitter - https://twitter.com/natarajsindam & Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/1nataraj/ Why Rivian will become 2nd Largest EV Player in the U.S? Exploring the EV market in the US and the competition between Rivian and Tesla. Rivian stands out with a superior product, a more profitable segment, and a less controversial brand than Tesla. I predict the future paths of Rivian and Tesla, highlighting the crucial significance of the next three years for their survival and Rivian's growth. #EV #electric #predictions #technology #tesla #rivian #elonmusk #elon #electricvehicles --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startupproject/message
Over long term YouTube will win over TikTok, Instagram & other video apps. Check out the video to see why. Follow Nataraj on Twitter - https://twitter.com/natarajsindam & Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/1nataraj/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startupproject/message
Nataraj interviewed veteran VC Matt McIlwain of Madrona Venture Group on Startup Project podcast. Matt shared his insights into the state of venture capital and the impacts of AI, drawn from his 20+ years of experience. Some key takeaways: 1. Venture is a "tale of two cities" now - later stage startups are struggling, earlier stage companies embracing AI are thriving 2. Seattle has unmatched talent but lacks local capital - still over-reliant on Silicon Valley VCs 3. Incumbents have the edge currently in leveraging AI due to data, customers, ability to integrate via APIs - but long term, AI-native startups will win out 4. Partnerships forming between big tech and AI startups provide startups with computing resources while allowing tech giants to take an open, marketplace approach to AI I highly recommend tuning in to hear Matt's take on venture capital, AI, and building an enduring company. Available on all major podcast platforms - link in comments! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startupproject/message
In this episode, Nataraj spoke with John Staenberg, a veteran of the tech and venture capital world. John took Nataraj through his early days growing up in Omaha and attending Stanford University, where he was inspired by the culture of creativity and trying new things. After graduating, John worked in real estate and then got his MBA, also at Stanford. He became fascinated by the nascent world of venture capital and startups in Silicon Valley. John landed a job at Microsoft in the late 1980s, when the company was still small and growing fast. He described the exciting “change the world” energy there, where people worked tirelessly to spread personal computers. After Microsoft, John started his own venture funds focused on bridging Seattle and Silicon Valley. He's been involved with around 200 startups over his venture career. John reflected on missing out early on companies like Google and Amazon that became huge wins. But he's also had some big successes, like Seagate. He emphasized that surprise and timing are always at play in VC investing. Nataraj and John also discussed how venture capital has matured and become overcrowded, making it hard to generate outsized returns. So John has pulled back on direct startup investing. Pivoting gears, they talked about John's passion project - starting a wine business in Argentina 17 years ago. He saw it as a way to pursue his interests and bring people together. John then explained his latest venture to Nataraj - launching a search fund to invest in other funds that acquire small businesses for entrepreneurs. He believes this model can provide great returns and opportunities. Throughout his wide-ranging career, John has stayed focused on connecting people and giving back, including through the many events he has hosted. Follow Jon at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonstaenberg/ Follow Nataraj at https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startupproject/message
In this episode of the podcast, we feature Ashmeet Sidana, the founder and Chief Engineer of Engineering Capital. Ashmeet has an extensive background in engineering and venture capital, with experience as the Director of Product Management at VMWare and as a venture capitalist. During the conversation, Ashmeet discusses various topics, including his experience developing the ESx Server at VMWare and leading seed rounds of companies like Azure Power and Tubi. He also shares insights into why venture capitalists prefer startups to stay private and the importance of investing in technical insights. Ashmeet also talks about his approach to getting in front of future founders and explains why he chooses not to invest in blockchain. He discusses the significance of large funding rounds in the AI seed stage and the value of investing in open-source companies. To learn more about Ashmeet Sidana and his perspectives on investing in startups with technical risks, you can listen to the full episode on platforms like YouTube, Spotify & Apple. Full conversation includes: - Being Director of PM at VMware & Venture Capitalist - Developing ESx Server at VMWare - Leading seed rounds of azure power (public & valued at $2B) - Leading seed investment at Tubi - Starting Engineering capital - Why vcs want startups to stay private - What it means to invest in technical insights - Getting infront of future founders - Not investing in blockchain? - Large funding rounds in AI seed stage - Investing in opensource companies --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startupproject/message
To stay up to date checkout thestartupproject.io & follow Nataraj on twitter: @natarajsindam and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam Join us in this captivating episode as we sit down with Joe Heitzeberg, a multifaceted entrepreneur who has navigated the world of technology and business with remarkable success. From his early days in the tech industry to founding his acclaimed venture Crowd Cow, Joe shares his incredible journey and valuable insights on various topics. 1. Joe's Entry to Technology 2. Working for Paul Allen 3. Import Furniture Business 4. Opportunity Cost of MBA 5. Building Viral VoIP App for MySpace 6. Selling Media Piston to Upwork 7. Starting Crowd Cow 8. Problems with Chicken in the U.S 9. Fundamental Shifts from AI 10. AI Tinkerers Follow Joe on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeheitzeberg To stay up to date checkout thestartupproject.io & follow Nataraj on twitter @natarajsindam and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startupproject/message
Tim Chen is the Managing Partner at Essence VC, an early-stage fund focused on data infrastructure and developer tool companies. He has over a decade of experience leading engineering in enterprise infrastructure and open source communities and companies. Prior to Essence, Tim was the SVP of Engineering at Cosmos, a popular open source blockchain SDK. Prior to Cosmos, Tim co-founded Hyperpilot with Stanford Professor Christos Kozyrakis, leveraging decades of research to disrupt the enterprise infrastructure space, which later exited to Cloudera. Prior to Hyperpilot, Tim was an early employee at Mesosphere and CloudFoundry. He is also active in the open source space as an Apache Software Foundation core member, maintainer of Apache Drill and Apache Mesos, and CNCF TOC contributor. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startupproject/message
Aseem joined Madrona in 2021 after spending almost twenty years as an operating executive. He works alongside founders building the future of next-generation infrastructure (core, security, DevOps), intelligent applications, robotics, and automation. Full conversation includes: From Intern at Windows to GM at Microsoft Azure GM at Azure to Investing at Madrona Investing at Madrona Startups vs Big Tech in AI Commoditization of LLMs Difference between LLMs & Human Brains Follow Aseem on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/aseemdatar/ To stay up to date checkout thestartupproject.io & follow Nataraj on twitter: @natarajsindam --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startupproject/message
To stay up to date checkout thestartupproject.io & follow Nataraj on twitter: @natarajsindam T.A. McCann is a serial entrepreneur with an impressive track record. He has founded and served as CEO of several successful companies. Some notable ventures include Senosis (acquired by Google), Gist (acquired by Blackberry), and Rival IQ, a leading company in marketing analytics. McCann's expertise extends beyond founding companies. He has also held senior roles at Microsoft, where he led divisions such as Exchange and the Mobile Services divisions. Additionally, he has worked as an EIR (Entrepreneur in Residence) at Polaris Venture Partners and Vulcan Capital. Full conversation includes: Becoming a professional sailor Working at microsoft exchange Starting 5+ companies (3 exits) Working for Paul Allen & building Startup Studio Vulcan Labs Selling Gist to Blackberry Rival IQ Synosis (acq by Google) Pioneer Square Labs Systematic customer discovery & customer development process Advice to entrepreneurs raising capital Is AI a step change? Who will capture value in AI? Big tech or startups? Follow TA on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamccann/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startupproject/message
To stay up to date checkout thestartupproject.io & follow Nataraj on twitter: @natarajsindam In this episode Nataraj spoke to Taylor Black who co-founded Fizzy Inc. Post Fizzy Taylor worked at Innovation Science Fund & currently works as a Principal Product Manager at the Office of the CTO Incubator at Microsoft. Transcript: [00:00:00] Nataraj: I looked at the portfolio there then it's completely deep tech, uh, and sort of like invention based, uh, ideas. [00:00:08] Nataraj: Uh, so what was the process of like capturing and invention and taking and productizing it and, you know, making a return out of it? Like what was the thinking process there? [00:00:20] Taylor: So the, uh, and you can read Malcolm Gladwell's take on this in a, in an article where he described our invention sessions. Um, a and the invention sessions are a bit of a riff on like an innovation session or an envisioning session or things along those lines where you, you come up with wild ideas within a particular problem space, um, in a very unfettered sort of, Um, and the whole goal of this session is to generate as many ideas as possible. [00:00:52] Taylor: That's the sole ROI you're looking for in those sessions. Um, but there's certain conditions you set for success in those [00:01:00] sessions. And so the way that we ran those sessions, and I, and I, I ran, uh, a number of them, um, is that we would prepare for months ahead of time in gathering all of the materials that related to the problem. [00:01:14] Taylor: and by materials I mean the scientific research in a particular problem space, the, uh, market, uh, and startup landscapes of that particular problem space. Um, uh, things that people had written about it. Books, articles, um, you know, YouTube videos, everything, uh, along those lines. And the goal was to, um, inform. [00:01:43] Taylor: Kind of the fermentation moment of when you're thinking about a problem, all of these things w wouldn't themselves, um, not be a solution necessarily, but there are all the things that someone who wanted to be completely informed or as, as, as informed and possible as possible about a set of [00:02:00] problems. Um, Had all of the raw material there. [00:02:03] Taylor: We'd also do customer discovery, we'd do customer interviews to understand those pain points. We'd bring people in, um, uh, and run sessions with them where they would, you know, get deep into their own, um, the problems they were encountering so that everybody who is, and everybody who's part of the sessions had to. [00:02:22] Taylor: Understand those materials, uh, deeply. We'd even quiz them on occasion. Um, it also helped that, uh, bill Gates, um, uh, whenever he came to those sessions, he would have all of those materials like completely groced. And so you, you know, you needed to have them groced too so that you didn't, you know, uh, lose face in front of Bill. [00:02:44] Taylor: But, um, Uh, but the key, so we'd, we'd get everybody, all of those materials and have them go through them, uh, a good month or so before the actual sessions happened. Um, that gave everybody an, an even playing [00:03:00] field in terms of, you know, I may be a physicist, I may be a biz dev person, I may be, um, an attorney. [00:03:06] Taylor: I may be, uh, you know, a program manager, but I have all of the same raw material. Uh, and my own perspective on it that I can bring to these sessions. The sessions themselves, them, um, were set around particular problem spaces and we'd start, we'd start each, um, session and then there's a variety of different kinds of sessions that we ram. [00:03:28] Taylor: Um, Uh, with a lot of provocations, a lot of conversation, a lot of like wild thinking and post-it notes and whiteboards of just dumping ideas out, uh, that had occurred to people or occurred in conversation or happened in the, in the hallway outside. Um, and we get all those ideas down, documenting everything. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startupproject/message
#56: Why Wordpress dominates internet? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startupproject/message
To stay up to date checkout thestartupproject.io & follow Nataraj on twitter: @natarajsindam In this episode Nataraj spoke to Taylor Black who co-founded Fizzy Inc. Post Fizzy Taylor worked at Innovation Science Fund & currently works as a Principal Product Manager at the Office of the CTO Incubator at Microsoft. Transcript: [00:00:00] Nataraj: To me it always made sense for large companies to have some kind of incubator or accelerator model because one of the reasons I think we are seeing in this bear cycle, sort of like when the wave sort of, you know, falls down, you see who's naked scenario. [00:00:17] Nataraj: Um, I think any company which survives multi decades has to have multiple large businesses. Mm-hmm. . I think in a lot of ways, I mean, looking back, a lot of companies didn't, uh, look for long-term opportunities as much as they should. Like we can talk about like, uh, Amazon, you know, putting billion dollars into their phone, but I would argue the potential on the upside of suckers was so high they should have put in, you know, one more billion and tried the next version. [00:00:50] Nataraj: Mm-hmm. . Mm-hmm. , uh, and I. , like argue the same with Facebook in a sense. Like now they're doing this metaverse thing. [00:01:00] Um, and sort of again retreating that back now. But I feel like even Facebook with all its cash flow, uh, didn't really think, um, because they always self constrained themselves to be a social company. [00:01:14] Nataraj: Um, like I think that's sort of like a self-imposed mental model on themselves. Mm-hmm. , like, uh, I would not impose themselves like a social company. Yeah. You work good at Facebook and WhatsApp, but I mean, look at how many great technologies that came out from Facebook, open source community and like putting that social as a blanket on your company. [00:01:34] Nataraj: I think. Set a backstage for all these technologies, which could be, you know, productionized and, you know, capitalized. Mm-hmm. . Right. Uh, that's, I feel like a lot of companies, especially the large companies, are with very good cash flow sort of mixed out on business opportunities because of that reason. [00:01:50] Nataraj: That's my personal view on like, , a lot of companies could have it if it is well run. Mm-hmm. . Um, and should have it because of this reason. Right? Mm-hmm. , it's sort of [00:02:00] like you are the innovation dilemma that you'll encounter at some point as a large company, and you have to have a sort of a backup backstopping mechanism to that innovation dilemma, which every company will eventually face. [00:02:12] Nataraj: Mm-hmm. , um, So I feel like the innovation, uh, accelerator or the incubator would sort of act as that, uh, you know, that part of small investment, it's sort of like an insurance to the, uh, to innovation dyna that you would eventually encounter anyways, uh, [00:02:28] Taylor: , I think you're right. [00:02:28] Taylor: There's a, there's an inherent problem there too, though, is that, um, uh, innovation is inherently a yo low yield. . Um, and so within, and it's my kind of rule of thumb, that within two or three years of any program like ours existence, um, finance is gonna come and say, where's the revenue? Where's the roi? And if you don't have a data driven way of showing your, your anticipated revenue, your anticipated ROI on the basis of your activities, then uh, [00:03:00] it's entirely legitimate that you get. [00:03:02] Taylor: There's a, there's a, there's data driven ways of showing that the whole venture ecosystem depends on the fact that you're able to show future revenue on the basis of what you're doing now. Uh, that's how you raise funds, right? Um, and so every, uh, innovation program inside an enterprise has to have that same data-driven hygiene. For full conversation check out Episode 53. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startupproject/message
To stay up to date checkout thestartupproject.io & follow Nataraj on twitter: @natarajsindam In this episode Nataraj spoke to Marius Ciocirlan who co-founded ShareGrid, a marketplace for filmmakers and photographers to rent and sell their equipment. It was acquired by Backstage and is now Managing Director of Techstars Seattle. Techstars expanded to Seattle in 2010, and since then more than 130 companies have gone through the program & collectively gone on to raise more than $2.5 billion in capital. Full Transcript: [00:00:00] Nataraj: So Techstars is an, you know, traditionally what we call as an accelerator, right? Yeah. Uh, so what are the founders really getting outta, um, joining tech? [00:00:09] Marius: Yeah, for sure. So, um, the Tech Techstars program essentially, uh, falls into almost three phases. So it's a 13 week program and it's kind of, uh, set up in three phases. The first phase is customer discovery, so we worked with you to ensure that like, , you truly understand who your customer is and what are they buying from you. [00:00:31] Marius: Like, you know, you, you would be surprised how many people have an idea of who their customer is, but it's not clearly defined. They don't really understand why that customer is interested in their product. So even companies that are farther along, we find. , it's always good to like really reflect on who your customer is. [00:00:50] Marius: So the first phase is customer discovery. Second phase is go to market and execution, which is more important nowadays, especially given the market [00:01:00] situation. More important than ever to actually gain real traction in your business and prove out that your business has some product market fit. And product market fit can mean different things at different stages. [00:01:12] Marius: But at least in your initial M V P, there needs to be some product market fit. And then the third phase is we're preparing you to go out in front of investors. So we're working on your pitch deck, we're working on your delivery, we're working on all of your documents, uh, getting you ready to ensure that you're ready for, uh, investors and putting you in front of investors. Full version at thestartupproject.io --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startupproject/message
To stay up to date checkout thestartupproject.io & follow Nataraj on twitter: @natarajsindam In this episode Nataraj spoke to Taylor Black who co-founded Fizzy Inc. Post Fizzy Taylor worked at Innovation Science Fund & currently works as a Principal Product Manager at the Office of the CTO Incubator at Microsoft. Full Conversation includes: Starting a company during law school Running a WordPress server farm Why WordPress still dominates internet? Working at Innovation Science Fund Running innovation sessions attended by Entrepreneurs, Nobel laureates, Scientists & Bill Gates Fundamental technology breakthrough in Metamaterials Funding Starlink competitor Incubator inside Microsoft for the Office of the CTO Measuring Innovation inside large organizations You can connect with Taylor here on LinkedIn. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startupproject/message
To stay up to date checkout thestartupproject.io & follow Nataraj on twitter: @natarajsindam In this episode Nataraj spoke to Marius Ciocirlan who co-founded ShareGrid, a marketplace for filmmakers and photographers to rent and sell their equipment. It was acquired by Backstage and is now Managing Director of Techstars Seattle. Techstars expanded to Seattle in 2010, and since then more than 130 companies have gone through the program & collectively gone on to raise more than $2.5 billion in capital. Full Transcript: [00:00:00] So you decided you want to be in tech. Then how did, uh, your, uh, company start, uh, share grid? [00:00:06] Yeah, so she started, um, actually the idea was kind of originated while I was, was working our group on both my co-founder and I, Raj. He was, he was, he went to film, well he went to photography school. I, uh, uh, I believe it was more of like a media communication, uh, background. [00:00:24] But he ended up in tech as well. He was a designer and front end developer and um, he was a longtime photographer and we would take walks all the time and. , he, he sold his previous company to Groupon, so he's been very entrepreneurial himself and we were always kicking around ideas of potential startups that we could start. [00:00:47] And one of the ideas was, uh, it derived from him trying to sell some of his equipment. He was like, I really want this new lens, but I already have so many lenses. How do I justify kind. [00:01:00] Investing more money into more equipment when I'm not even using the equipment I already have. So that was kind of the thread that we started to talk about the idea, and essentially the idea was a lot of filmmakers, photographers invest. [00:01:15] Quite a bit of capital into, uh, equipment, into, into different, uh, cameras, lenses, audio equipment, lighting equipment, and it's very, very expensive. I mean, we're talking thousands of dollars for a camera or lens. Sometimes for film equipment, you're looking at 40, $50,000 for cinema camera, and that doesn't count all the additional accessories and, and everything else you need. [00:01:41] I knew about this from my prior film years, and I had a lot of friends who after school, their, their thinking was, if I invest a bit of money into equipment, the chances of me being hired, uh, will increase. Because the film world is actually a very much [00:02:00] a gig economy, freelance type of world. So they were thinking, if we invest in, in this equipment, uh, I will stand amongst the rest and like be hired more frequently. [00:02:10] That doesn't always happen. So you invest all this money, but your monthly payments are coming in every day, every, every month. , but you're not always getting hired. That equipment's not always being used. So Arra and I saw that opportunity of like, there's all this idle equipment. What if you were to rent that equipment out, similar to other pure tope economies, like, uh, like u you know, like Airbnb, um, So we had the idea and we essentially wanted to validate if this is something that other people would be interested in First. [00:02:43] I spoke to a lot of my friends from Phil School and everybody said, It's a great idea, but what about if somebody steals my equipment while they're renting it? They don't come back with the equipment. So that was always kind of the big challenge that we had to face. But, but that's how the [00:03:00] idea, just to answer your question, that's how the idea kind of derived is just from a personal need and also just a brainstorm of ideas. [00:03:07] So it was essentially a marketplace for renting, uh, camera and other high-end equipment for production. [00:03:14] Exactly. Exactly. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startupproject/message
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