Podcasts about Y combinator

Haakon Brunell is the CEO and Co-founder of Carbon Crusher, a Norwegian company turning traditional road construction on its head. Carbon Crusher refurbishes existing roads using bio-based binders and on-site recycling to create carbon-negative, cost-effective, and more durable infrastructure. In this episode, Haakon shares how their "Crushing-as-a-Service" model and SkyRoads AI platform reduce emissions, increase road longevity, and drive down costs. He explains why roads are both a climate problem and a climate opportunity—and how Carbon Crusher plans to sequester a gigaton of CO₂ by 2035.MCJ is an investor in Carbon Crusher, having participated in the company's seed round back in 2022 when it emerged from Y Combinator. Guest hosting for the first time on this episode is MCJ Partner, Thai Nguyen. Enjoy the show! In this episode, we cover: [02:23] Launching Carbon Crusher out of Y Combinator[05:22] An overview of Carbon Crusher[06:15] Roads as a climate problem and carbon sink opportunity[08:21] Emissions from traditional road refurbishment[09:41] Carbon Crusher's 3 pillars: crushing, bio-binders, and AI platform[12:52] Why roads are now stronger, cheaper, and greener[14:14] Customer mindset in a conservative industry[17:49] Origin story from winter-damaged roads in Norway[21:12] Performance in both cold and hot weather climates[22:53] Customers include cities, counties, and private road owners[26:12] SkyRoads AI helps digitize and plan road maintenance[28:45] Challenges: regulation and conservative decision-making[30:53] Vision: sequestering a gigaton of CO₂ by 2035Episode recorded on May 13, 2025 (Published on June 23, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Rendez-vous le 3 Juillet à 18h30 à Paris 17 pour le GDI-Live #10: Comment faire une croissance à deux chiffres avec ses clients existants ?Inscriptions: https://live.gdiy.fr/L'une des femmes les plus impressionnantes de la tech en France. Elle a séduit Mistral, Groq.ai et Laravel… sans aucun commercial.Anh-Tho vient du monde “corporate” : Orange, Millicom, McKinsey. Mais c'est chez Qonto qu'elle bascule dans l'arène startup.Elle en devient la première employée aux côtés d'Alexandre Prot, quand personne ne pariait vraiment sur eux.En 2021, elle décide de se lancer. Son idée ? Pas la plus sexy sur le papier : la facturation complexe. Un sujet que tout le monde fuit… sauf elle.Grâce à ses premières expériences, Anh-Tho découvre un besoin universel, crucial pour toutes les entreprises, mais ignoré : comment gérer des modèles de pricing complexes quand les offres varient selon l'usage, surtout avec l'explosion de l'IA.Personne n'en veut, elle s'y attaque.Elle est convaincue : la facturation, c'est la pierre angulaire de toute entreprise, “la donnée la plus pure”.Les SaaS traditionnels ne suivent plus, Anh-Tho tient une pépite.Et les investisseurs l'ont bien compris. Lago rejoint Y Combinator puis lève 22 millions de dollars en série A avec seulement 9 collaborateurs.Anh-Tho nous dévoile sa méthode assez inhabituelle pour attirer les clients via son projet open source pour ne recourir à aucun commercial. Comment convaincre talents de rejoindre l'aventure. Savoir tirer parti de la vague de l'IA et survivre à la mort du SEO.Un épisode tranchant et sans langue de bois pour celles et ceux qui veulent se lancer là où personne n'ose aller.TIMELINE:00:00:00 : “Le secret” en langage startup, personne ne s'en occupe mais tout le monde en a besoin00:18:52 : Les secteurs clefs pour le calcul dynamique du prix00:25:38 : De Kinshasa pour Millicom aux US avec Y Combinator00:37:19 : La stratégie de Lago : pas de sales mais tout sur l'open source et la documentation00:47:41 : L'IA va enterrer le SEO01:02:45 : La facturation comme pierre angulaire d'une entreprise : rendre le billing sexy01:14:07 : Les plus gros défis de Lago et les femmes dans la tech01:23:52 : La nouvelle vague des angel investors en France01:34:47 : Les pire inconvénients des US01:45:20 : La fuite, puis “le retour des cerveaux”01:54:35 : Comment utiliser l'IA pour gagner du temps01:58:30 : Les secrets de la réussite de Qonto02:04:32 : Pourquoi investir dans un coach et dans l'infodivertissementLes anciens épisodes de GDIY mentionnés : #456 - Alexandre Prot - Qonto - Bousculer l'écosystème bancaire et s'imposer en référence européenne#106 Jean de la Rochebrochard - Kima Ventures- Human machine#429 - Nicolas Dessaigne - Y Combinator - Le berceau des futurs géants de la tech#473 - VO - Brian Chesky - Airbnb - « We're just getting started »#467 - Christel Heydemann - Orange - Garder le cap pour réussir dans un marché en rupture permanente#183 - Sacha Poignonnec - Jumia - Là où il y a une volonté, il y a un chemin#418 - Clément Delangue - Hugging Face - 4,5 milliards de valo avec un produit gratuit à 99%#420 - Stanislas Niox-Chateau - Doctolib : derrière la plus grosse marque de la French tech#380 - Paul Lê -La Belle Vie - Le Son Gokû de la FoodTech qui rachète Frichti@#117 Riadh Alimi - FinFrog - Réussir l'impossible : être recommandé par les clients que tu refuses#431 - Sean Rad - Tinder - How the swipe fever took over the world#297 - Adrien Labastire - Kessel - Faire 7 années d'études supérieures, puis percer sur YouTubeNous avons parlé de :LagoQontoMistralMillicomMailjetMCP : model context protocolLaravelFinFrogOVNI CapitalTogether AIDocumentaire USCursorAcquiredThe InformationSubstackLes recommandations de lecture :La vie heureuseVous pouvez contacter Anh-Tho sur Linkedin.Vous souhaitez sponsoriser Génération Do It Yourself ou nous proposer un partenariat ?Contactez mon label Orso Media via ce formulaire.Distribué par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

In this Company episode of The Synopsis we draw on our 108-page research report on Airbnb; the company that pioneered the sharing economy and become a Silicon Valley poster child for what a succesful start-up can become.  Having started as a means to pay rent, Airbnb quickly turned into one of the world's largest accommodations provider. In a matter of just a decade, Airbnb was able to host more guests than Hilton could in 100 years. However, despite their large impact in how tens of millions of people traveled and millions more monetized  their unused properties, they struggled for years to turn a profit. That is until founder Brian Chesky decided to do something drastic and reshape the business—in the midst of Covid no less. In the matter of just a few years he took the business from losing $4bn a year to generating $3bn annually in free cash flow. With Airbnb having a firm grasp on the Alternative Accommodations segment, they are preparing to enter into new businesses and new verticals. Tune in for all of this and more!  Learn more about our 108-page report here.  For full access to all of our in-depth research reports, become a Speedwell Member here.  If you need help getting Speedwell Research to become an approved research vendor, so you can expense your subscription, please email info@speedwellresearch.com  *~*~*~* Mentioned Speedwell Memos:  Minimum Viable Products versus Maximum Possible Products Introducing the Piton Network Concept -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) — Airbnb Intro Section 1: Business History (5:33) — From RISD to SF (19:05) — Cereal Boxes, Y Combinator (34:12) — Early Airbnb Experience, Competitors, International (43:10) — First Disaster (47:21) — Toshi Hotels, Regulation  (52:50) — Covid, Pulling the IPO (1:01:50) — IPO *~*~* Section 2: Industry and TAM (1:05:27) — Business, How do they Make Money? (1:18:13) — Experiences (1:22:31) — Margins and Cost Structure (1:25:26) — TAM Discussion (1:39:21) — Categories of Competition *~*~* Section 3: Competitors and Competitive Differentiation (1:42:16) — Booking Competition (1:52:21) — Merchant vs Agent Business Model, OTAs (2:02:17) — Booking's Alternative Accommodation Push, Booking vs Airbnb (2:12:25) — Expedia, VRBO (2:25:47) — Other Competitors (2:30:47) — Comparing all Competitors, Network Effects, Differentiation (2:45:26) — Competitive Advantages (2:54:28) — Airbnb Negatives *~*~* Section 4: Other Bets, Capital Allocation, Valuation (2:58:33) — New Services, Super App (3:13:25) — ROIC and Free Cash Flow (3:20:04) — Capital Allocation, Stock Awards (3:27:44) — Growth Drivers (3:35:42) — Valuation (3:37:11) — Risks and Conclusion -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Become a Speedwell Member here to gain access to *all* of our in-depth research reports and more!   Sign up for Speedwell's free newsletter and weekly memos here *-*-*- Follow Us: Twitter: @Speedwell_LLC Threads: @speedwell_research Email us at info@speedwellresearch.com for any questions, comments, or feedback. -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Disclaimer Nothing in this podcast is investment advice nor should be construed as such. Contributors to the podcast may own securities discussed. Furthermore, accounts contributors advise on may also have positions in companies discussed. At the time of recording contributors had a position in Airbnb. Furthermore, accounts contributors advise on also may have  a position in Airbnb. This may change without notice. Please see our full disclaimers here:  https://speedwellresearch.com/disclaimer/

For the longest time, getting accepted to Y Combinator, the Silicon Valley startup accelerator was like getting a golden ticket for your startup. It was suddenly on the map not just in India but in Silicon Valley, too. For Indian founders who made it, the story of success began with a journey west. Set up in Delaware, impress YC, and get some of that Silicon Valley shine. But what happens when that dream starts looking more like a detour than a destination?Earlier this week, the online market place Meesho, once a poster child from the YC pipeline, announced it will pay nearly 300 million $ million in taxes just to bring its business back to India. Why? Because that's where the real opportunity is now. With an IPO in the works, Meesho is doing what many Indian startups are now considering: the reverse flip. And Meesho isnt the only one. Fintech unicorn Razorpay, another Y combinator baby, wants an Indian IPO in the next two years. Its expected to pay as much as $150 million to redomicile its business to India. But if the endgame is an Indian IPO, why take the expensive U.S. route in the first place? Is the YC badge still worth it? Tune in. Want to attend The Ken's next event on health, fitness and wellness? Buy tickets here. Here's your chance to help us shape the conversation: https://theken.typeform.com/to/bZhqWl2g

This week's guest is Taranjeet Singh, Founder and CEO of Mem0, a company building the self-improving memory layer for AI agents and LLMs.The conversation covers his path to founding Mem0, from applying to YC 7x and learning to "think bigger," to identifying a core pain point after launching a viral app in India. Taranjeet breaks down why memory is essential for agents, how Mem0 works across any LLM, and why solving one core problem deeply is a competitive advantage.He also discusses how to stay lean and ship fast by hiring high-agency contributors.Episode Chapters:Building startups since 2012 - 1:56Finding PMF in India - 3:59X growth hacks - 7:25Applying to YC - 12:25Why memory? - 15:05Primary use case - 17:21Relevant verticals for memory - 21:57Partnerships - 25:41Lean team & shipping fast - 27:44Future of agent infra - 32:28Quick fire round - 34:07As always, feel free to contact us at partnerpathpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to hear ideas for content, guests, and overall feedback.This episode is brought to you by Grata, the world's leading deal sourcing platform. Our AI-powered search, investment-grade data, and intuitive workflows give you the edge needed to find and win deals in your industry. Visit grata.com to schedule a demo today.Fresh out of Y Combinator's Summer batch, Overlap is an AI-driven app that uses LLMs to curate the best moments from podcast episodes. Imagine having a smart assistant who reads through every podcast transcript, finds the best parts or parts most relevant to your search, and strings them together to form a new curated stream of content - that is what Overlap does. Podcasts are an exponentially growing source of unique information. Make use of it! Check out Overlap 2.0 on the App Store today.

Jess Mah has packed more into 35 years than most do in a lifetime:9-figure serial founder & Y Combinator alumna personally mentored by Paul GrahamLaunched fintech rocket ship inDinero while still a CS student at UC Berkeley (after skipping two grades in high school)Commercial pilot who captains her own jetCurator of Outcove Valley, an invite-only summit for world-class leadersDJ & relentless community builderIn this raw Permission to Shine conversation, Jess pulls back the curtain on success and shares:The hidden costs of big money, big fame, and an inbox that never sleepsWhy you probably wouldn't trade lives with most ultra-wealthy people if you knew the whole storyLosing her partner, a decorated vet, to PTSD-related suicide, and how grief reframed her definition of “winning”Rituals that keep her groundedFounder tactics: hiring A-players, raising cash when markets freeze, and the underrated superpower of genuine relationshipsBig takeaway: Gratitude for the life you already have can be more liberating than any net-worth milestone.

What if you could get into Y Combinator without a full product? In this episode, Varsha Ramesh Walsh, Founder of Offstream (useoffstream.com), shares exactly how she did just that — with a little traction, screenshots, and relentless customer focus. She breaks down the precise steps she took to validate her idea, iterate fast, and win early customers, even before building a functional platform. Whether you're applying to YC or searching for product-market fit, this conversation is packed with tactical advice — from how to pitch without a product to embedding customer feedback into your culture. Perfect for early-stage founders navigating the messy zero-to-one phase.

"Si tu veux réussir en entrepreneuriat, c'est l'obsession client, c'est le service client."Je reçois Florian Boret - serial entrepreneur et fondateur d'Achille, sa troisième startup.On parle de son premier échec avec WeHome à la création de Wedoogift où il a appliqué religieusement les principes de Paul Graham et Y Combinator, et comment il en est venu à monter Achille.Achille c'est une startup qui mêle humain et IA pour gérer votre support client. Parce que selon Florian, si t'as un bon support client, t'es au max !Florian c'était mon boss chez Wedoogift (sa 2e startup, mon 2e stage lol) - et là-bas on était obligé de faire un peu de SAV justement.Il m'explique justement d'où lui vient ce customer obsession" à la française, et comment il a fait passer le NPS de Wedoogift de négatif à +40 en 3 ans.On parle aussi de sa stratégie "Do things that don't scale", de l'approche tech-enabled vs full IA, de ses "super agents" humains qui augmentent l'IA plutôt que d'être remplacés par elle - et évidemment, d'entrepreneuriat.Bonne écoute !

DEMAIN je reçois Florian Boret - serial entrepreneur et fondateur d'Achille, sa troisième startup.On parle de son premier échec avec WeHome à la création de Wedoogift où il a appliqué religieusement les principes de Paul Graham et Y Combinator, et comment il en est venu à monter Achille.Achille c'est une startup qui mêle humain et IA pour gérer votre support client. Parce que selon Florian, si t'as un bon support client, t'es au max !Florian c'était mon boss chez Wedoogift (sa 2e startup, mon 2e stage lol) - et là-bas on était obligé de faire un peu de SAV justement.Il m'explique justement d'où lui vient ce customer obsession" à la française, et comment il a fait passer le NPS de Wedoogift de négatif à +40 en 3 ans.On parle aussi de sa stratégie "Do things that don't scale", de l'approche tech-enabled vs full IA, de ses "super agents" humains qui augmentent l'IA plutôt que d'être remplacés par elle - et évidemment, d'entrepreneuriat.Bonne écoute !

Wes Spencer, co-founder of Empath, a training and education platform for managed service providers (MSPs), discusses a unique funding model that diverges from traditional venture capital. Instead of seeking investment from typical VCs, Empath successfully raised $2 million from industry insiders, primarily MSPs themselves. This approach fosters alignment and advocacy among investors, who are also customers, but it raises important questions about scalability and governance. The conversation delves into the implications of having investors who are directly involved in the product's development and direction.The investment structure utilized by Empath is based on Y Combinator's SAFE notes, which allow for a straightforward and fair investment process without changing control of the company. Spencer explains the importance of ensuring that investors are qualified, adhering to SEC regulations to protect non-professional investors. This structure not only simplifies the investment process but also limits the amount each investor can contribute, ensuring a diverse group of stakeholders who are genuinely invested in the company's mission.Spencer highlights the demographics of their investors, primarily consisting of CEOs from established MSPs with significant revenue. These investors are motivated by a desire to influence the vendor ecosystem positively and to have a say in the direction of the platform they use. The governance model established by Empath ensures that while these investors have a voice, they do not have control over the company's day-to-day operations, allowing for a balance between investor input and the leadership team's vision.As Empath continues to grow, Spencer acknowledges the potential need for future funding rounds, including the possibility of engaging with venture capitalists. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining transparency with investors and being responsible stewards of their contributions. The conversation concludes with Spencer expressing confidence in the company's trajectory, aiming for sustainable growth while remaining committed to the community-driven approach that defines Empath. All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.tech

pWotD Episode 2964: Sam Altman Welcome to Popular Wiki of the Day, spotlighting Wikipedia's most visited pages, giving you a peek into what the world is curious about today.With 594,884 views on Friday, 13 June 2025 our article of the day is Sam Altman.Samuel Harris Altman (born April 22, 1985) is an American technology entrepreneur, investor, and the chief executive officer of OpenAI since 2019 (he was briefly dismissed and reinstated in November 2023). He is considered one of the leading figures of the AI boom. Altman dropped out of Stanford University after two years and founded Loopt, a mobile social networking service, raising more than $30 million in venture capital. In 2011, Altman joined Y Combinator, a startup accelerator, and was its president from 2014 to 2019. He has served as chairman of clean energy companies Helion Energy and Oklo (until April 2025). Altman's net worth was estimated at $1.5 billion as of May 2025.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 03:05 UTC on Saturday, 14 June 2025.For the full current version of the article, see Sam Altman on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm standard Nicole.

A Y Combinator alum that's rethinking recycling, a couple of late breaking funding rounds, and some big Oregon startup events happening the next two Fridays. Let's get into it…PORTLAND STARTUP LINKS- Portland startup community fireside chats https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL-PkVS-40o- Portland startup community gathering https://www.meetup.com/pie-portland-startup-community/events/307183761/- Oregon Startup Conference https://oregonstartupconference.com/- Invent Oregon 2025 https://www.inventoregon.org/- Watch party: 2025 halfway https://lu.ma/j3zim4syPORTLAND STARTUP NEWS00:00 Portland startup news intro00:17 Rapta and Conveyer raise capital01:51 Birch Biosciences rethinking recycling05:00 Portland startup community chats - Pride edition08:05 Oregon Startup Conference10:20 Invent Oregon 202511:50 Watch party https://www.youtube.com/live/Df6K0Csx6TsFIND RICK TUROCZY ON THE INTERNET AT…- https://patreon.com/turoczy- https://linkedin.com/in/turoczy- Portland startup news on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/portland-oregon-startup-news-silicon-florist/id1711294699- Portland startup news Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2cmLDH8wrPdNMS2qtTnhcy?si=H627wrGOTvStxxKWRlRGLQ- The Long Con on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-long-con/id1810923457- The Long Con on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/48oglyT5JNKxVH5lnWTYKA- https://bsky.app/profile/turoczy.bsky.social- https://siliconflorist.substack.com/- https://pdxslack.comABOUT SILICON FLORIST ----------For nearly two decades, Rick Turoczy has published Silicon Florist, a blog, newsletter, and podcast that covers entrepreneurs, founders, startups, entrepreneurship, tech, news, and events in the Portland, Oregon, startup community. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a startup or tech enthusiast, or simply intrigued by Portland's startup culture, Silicon Florist is your go-to source for the latest news, events, jobs, and opportunities in Portland Oregon's flourishing tech and startup scene. Join us in exploring the innovative world of startups in Portland, where creativity and collaboration meet.ABOUT RICK TUROCZY ----------Rick Turoczy has been working in, on, and around the Portland, Oregon, startup community for nearly 30 years. He has been recognized as one of the “OG”s of startup ecosystem building by the Kauffman Foundation. And he has been humbled by any number of opportunities to speak on stages from SXSW to INBOUND and from Kobe, Japan, to Muscat, Oman, including an opportunity to share his views on community building on the TEDxPortland stage (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj98mr_wUA0). All because of a blog. Weird.https://siliconflorist.com#pdx #portland #oregon #startup #entrepreneur

The US and China trade deal looks more like a trade dud… because of China's Infinity Stones.When Heinz ketchup changes its bottle, sales pop… so it launched maple syrup ketchup jugs.Summer House star Paige DeSorbo launched a startup… because BravoTV is the new Y-Combinator.Plus, the new weekend trend for techies is Darkness Retreats… 3 days, zero light.$KHC $SPY $CMCSAWant more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… Subscribe to The Best Idea Yet: Wondery.fm/TheBestIdeaYetLinks to listen.TBOY Live Show Tickets to Chicago on sale NOW: https://www.axs.com/events/949346/the-best-one-yet-podcast-ticketsAbout Us: The daily pop-biz news show making today's top stories your business. Formerly known as Robinhood Snacks, TBOY Lite is hosted by Jack Crivici-Kramer & Nick Martell.GET ON THE POD: Submit a shoutout or fact: https://tboypod.com/shoutouts NEWSLETTER:https://tboypod.com/newsletter SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tboypod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tboypodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tboypod Anything else: https://tboypod.com/ Our 2nd show… The Best Idea Yet: Wondery.fm/TheBestIdeaYetLinksEpisodes drop weekly.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today's show: Jason and Alex dive into why Y Combinator startups are raising at sky-high valuations with relatively low ARR—what does that mean for investors and founders? VC funds are slowing down and returning to pre-ZIRP pacing, signaling a reset in the market. Plus, in this week's Office Hours, Sean Steigerwald, founder of CustomerIQ, demos his AI sales agent that lives in your inbox, drafting follow-ups using CRM context. It's a deep look at early-stage investing, startup efficiency, and where AI is headed in enterprise.Timestamps:(0:00) Episode Teaser(2:09) Jason's Singapore trip recap and SoCal update(9:51) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST(11:40) New rumblings from Mistral; is the French AI startup catching a tail wind?(19:40) Fidelity Private Shares℠ - Visit ⁠https://fidelityprivateshares.com⁠! Mention our podcast and receive 20% off your first-year paid subscription.(26:23) VC investing pace is slowing... what does this mean for founders(29:42) INBOUND - Use code TWIST10 for 10% o your General Admission ticket at https://www.inbound.com/register (Valid thru 7/31)(33:33) Founders' guide to raising capital(36:31) Gen AI companies are growing FAST but are there concerns about churn?(42:46) Is YC still worth it? Debating paper gains vs. DPI as metrics.(52:18) Office Hours with Sean Steigerald from Customer IQ: managing active users and more.Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.comCheck out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.comSubscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcpLinks from episode:Customer IQ: https://www.getcustomeriq.com/Follow Alex:X: https://x.com/alexLinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelmFollow Jason:X: https://twitter.com/JasonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanisThank you to our partners:(9:51) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST(19:40) Fidelity Private Shares℠ - Visit ⁠https://fidelityprivateshares.com⁠! Mention our podcast and receive 20% off your first-year paid subscription.(29:42) INBOUND - Use code TWIST10 for 10% o your General Admission ticket at https://www.inbound.com/register (Valid thru 7/31)Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarlandCheck out Jason's suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanisFollow TWiST:Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartupsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartupsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartupsSubstack: https://twistartups.substack.comSubscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

Geoff Ralston, founder of SAIF (Safe Artificial Intelligence Fund), and former President of Y Combinator, shares his vision for building a safer AI future. Geoff discusses the risks and promise of AI as a force beyond traditional tools, posing AI as a set of entities that will reshape the way we work, live, and relate to each other. He talks about biosafety, interpretability, and misinformation as key focus areas for innovation. Geoff also shares advice for founders navigating this fast-evolving landscape and reflects on how thoughtful investment today can shape the future of humanity.In this episode, you'll learn:[02:05] Why Geoff believes AI is not ‘just' a tool but a cognitive force reshaping humanity[06:29] The subtle but profound difference between tools and intelligent agents[13:56] Who wins and who loses in an AI-driven future, and what roles must investors play?[20:36] Can we still design a utopian future with AI?[24:06] The types of founders Geoff wants to back through SAIF[26:30] Why mission-aligned safety startups still need product-market fit[28:46] What happens when AI does everything—and what humans will still choose to doThe nonprofit organization Geoff is passionate about: AI Venture LabAbout Geoff RalstonGeoff Ralston is the founder of SAIF (Safe Artificial Intelligence Fund) and former President of Y Combinator. A longtime startup investor, entrepreneur, and thought leader, Geoff previously founded Imagine K12, an edtech accelerator later merged with YC. With decades of experience launching and scaling category-defining startups, Geoff now focuses on funding companies that ensure AI becomes a force for good, addressing challenges around safety, security, and the future of human work.About SAIFSAIF (Safe Artificial Intelligence Fund) is a venture capital firm dedicated to building a safer future with AI. Founded by Geoff Ralston, SAIF invests in startups focused on AI safety, biosafety, interpretability, and information integrity. The firm supports mission-driven founders creating scalable solutions to counteract risks and ensure that AI technologies empower rather than endanger society.Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.

Imagine saving as much as 75 days of work within a six-month period, all through intelligent automation.Building on last week's discussion about the critical shift from passive metrics to active productivity, host Ben Lloyd Pearson and LinearB co-founder Dan Lines now look forward to realities like this: 19% cycle time reduction and reclaiming significant engineering time. They move beyond common narratives surrounding AI to present actionable success stories and strategic approaches for engineering leaders seeking tangible results from their AI initiatives. This concluding episode tackles how to safely and effectively adopt AI across your software development lifecycle. Dan explains the necessity of programmatic rules and control, detailing how LinearB's gitStream technology empowers teams to define precisely when, where, and for whom AI operates. This ranges from AI-assisted code reviews with human oversight for critical services, to enabling senior developers to make judgment calls, and even automating merges for low-risk changes. Ben and Dan also explore the exciting future of agentic AI workflows, where AI agents could manage tasks from design and Jira story creation to coding and deployment, making developer control even more critical. Check out:The DevEx guide to AI-driven software developmentSurvey: Discover Your AI Collaboration StyleFollow the hosts:Follow BenFollow AndrewReferenced in today's show:The Pentagon launched a military-grade Y Combinator, signaling that defense tech is officially cool on college campusesJapan Post launches 'digital address' systemReddit sues Anthropic for scrapingMy AI Skeptic Friends Are All NutsSupport the show: Subscribe to our Substack Leave us a review Subscribe on YouTube Follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn Offers: Learn about Continuous Merge with gitStream Get your DORA Metrics free forever

In this episode of Path to Market, Seedcamp's Natasha Lytton and Pipeline Ventures' Micah Smurthwaite are joined by Gia Scinto, Partner at The Cole Group and one of the most seasoned go-to-market talent experts in tech. Gia has helped build out executive teams at category-defining startups like Stripe, Airbnb, Datadog, Canva, and Confluent — and previously led talent at Y Combinator and Andreessen Horowitz.Gia shares hard-earned lessons from years of recruiting top-tier GTM leaders and partnering directly with founders at every stage, from pre-seed to IPO. In this conversation, she breaks down how to hire your first sales leader, how to evaluate candidates for stage fit and values alignment, and how to avoid common hiring pitfalls that can cost startups months of momentum.From sales methodology and hiring frameworks to founder mindset and onboarding tactics, this episode is packed with tactical insights for founders, operators, and investors alike.Here's what's covered:02:34 Building the First GTM Talent Function in VC06:25 From a16z to YC: Supporting Founders Across Stages09:42 First Sales Hire vs. Later-Stage Leadership13:38 The Anatomy of a Great Recruiting Process22:26 Best Interview Questions for Sales Roles29:45 How to Pitch Senior Candidates at Early Stage33:39 What GTM Leaders Want to Hear44:35 Why Sales Hires Fail — and How to Avoid It47:36 Systems, Team Design & Ops from 0 to $10M51:42 Advice for GTM Candidates: How to Pick Your Next Role

The future of AI needs a new internet. Coinbase is laying the foundation. In this episode of The Index, host Alex Kehaya talks with Nemil Dalal, Head of Coinbase's Developer Program, about how Coinbase is building crypto-native infrastructure to power the next generation of applications, starting with autonomous AI agents.Nemil shares his background in crypto, from meeting Brian Armstrong at Y Combinator to helping scale USDC from $10 million to $1 billion in market cap. Today, he's focused on making blockchain development more accessible by reducing friction around payments, APIs, and onboarding.A key part of that effort is X402—Coinbase's implementation of the long-dormant HTTP 402 "Payment Required" status code. X402 allows AI agents and applications to autonomously pay for API access using cryptocurrency, without the need for API keys, credit cards, or manual account setup.We break down how X402 works under the hood:API requests return a 402 response when payment is requiredAgents can immediately respond with a signed crypto transaction to unlock accessJust one line of JavaScript is needed to enable itThis simple standard opens the door to a wide range of use cases—from AI agents accessing paid services to developers integrating crypto-powered paywalls with minimal overhead.If you're building in Web3, working with AI, or developing APIs, this episode offers a practical look at how Coinbase is creating tools that make decentralized development more seamless and scalable.

This week, we're chatting with Jonathan Baer, Co-Founder and CEO of Overlap. Overlap is building an AI-native video editing platform that helps podcasters and media teams turn long-form content into clips for social media. The product is designed to scale distribution with minimal manual input, making agents feel more like collaborators than tools.Jonathan shares how Overlap is harnessing video understanding models and advanced reasoning to drive autonomy in editing. We explore what makes video such a challenging medium for AI, why the best outbound strategies still rely on human nuance, and how Overlap is positioning itself as the creative assistant for the next generation of content teams.Episode Chapters:Post YC updates - 2:18What podcasters want - 6:14Where to post clips - 8:50GTM strategy - 11:03Switching between LLMs - 13:19Customer requests - 16:37Pricing - 19:40How does Overlap land customers - 23:15YC impact - 26:25Future of Overlap - 29:10Quick fire round - 31:57As always, feel free to contact us at partnerpathpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to hear ideas for content, guests, and overall feedback.This episode is brought to you by Grata, the world's leading deal sourcing platform. Our AI-powered search, investment-grade data, and intuitive workflows give you the edge needed to find and win deals in your industry. Visit grata.com to schedule a demo today.Fresh out of Y Combinator's Summer batch, Overlap is an AI-driven app that uses LLMs to curate the best moments from podcast episodes. Imagine having a smart assistant who reads through every podcast transcript, finds the best parts or parts most relevant to your search, and strings them together to form a new curated stream of content - that is what Overlap does. Podcasts are an exponentially growing source of unique information. Make use of it! Check out Overlap 2.0 on the App Store today.

As AI rapidly transforms industries across the board, game advertising — with its unique blend of creativity, large-scale data, and constantly shifting user behavior — is also evolving. Yet despite its potential, AI remains underutilized in this space. Why hasn't this intersection of technology and marketing been fully explored? Could it be the overlooked goldmine of the digital age?In this week's episode 52 of the Vietnam Innovators (English) podcast, let's sit down with Robert Huynh, Co-Founder and CEO of Reforged Labs — a startup backed by Y Combinator. Robert previously held key roles at X (Google's Moonshot Factory) and Microsoft, where he spent nearly a decade developing advanced AI technologies for autonomous vehicles, cybersecurity, and next-generation wearables. After leaving Harvard Business School to launch his own venture, he's now pioneering the world's first AI-driven platform for ad performance analysis.---Listen to this episode on YoutubeAnd explore many amazing articles about the pioneers at: https://vietcetera.com/vn/bo-suu-tap/vietnam-innovator---Feel free to leave any questions or invitations for business cooperation at hello@vietnaminnovators.com

Nathan Barry (founder of Kit, formerly ConvertKit) joins Tim Soulo to break down one of the boldest rebrands in SaaS, and why it wasn't just a logo change, but a complete overhaul of identity, voice, and vision.We talk:• Why they spent $260K with a top agency (and what they actually got)• How to design word-of-mouth marketing that actually works• Using AI to scale brand consistency• The Minimum Viable Personal Brand for founders• Building creator flywheels instead of chasing funnels• What Kit learned from celebrity newsletters (Tom Brady, Dua Lipa, McConaughey…)If you care about brand, growth, or building in public, this is the episode to watch.00:00 - Intro00:54 - Why spend $360K for a rebrand? 06:14 - Using AI to stay on brand10:28 - Acquiring a three-letter domain16:05 - Business decisions beyond immediate profit 21:26 - Turning a rebrand into a marketing flywheel26:06 - You can't script word of mouth. But you can feed it32:56 - Customers as marketing assets42:30 - Funnels vs flywheels and landing celebrity clients53:45 - Delegating like a CEO (but still showing up)1:00:32 - OutroWe hope you enjoyed this episode of Ahrefs Podcast! As always, be sure to like and subscribe (and tell a friend). Where to find Nathan:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry/X: @nathanbarryWebsite: https://kit.com/Where to find Tim:LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/timsoulo/)X: @timsouloWebsite: https://www.timsoulo.com/_______________Referenced in this episode:

"Tout le monde peut être fondateur"Vidéo disponibleJe reçois Marc Laurent, cofondateur de Kerala Ventures, et actuel cofondateur et CEO de Carbonfact : une startup qui permet d'évaluer l'empreinte carbone des produits de l'industrie textile.Ancien investisseur en startup et aujourd'hui (serial) entrepreneurial, Marc me raconte son quotidien d'entrepreneur : naviguer entre ambition, incertitude et quête de sens en transformant l'industrie de la mode.On parle du métier de CEO et le rôle de fondateur, ses débuts à 25 ans en capital-risque chez Kerala Ventures (fonds cofondé avec son ancien boss Antoine Freysz, alors qu'il n'avait que 25 ans), cette frontière floue entre fondateur et dirigeant, son passage au célèbre incubateur Y Combinator, et surtout le saut dans le vide émotionnel qui accompagne l'entrepreneuriat.On parle de confiance, d'itération, d'entourage, et de ce fameux équilibre vie pro/perso si souvent idéalisé.Il nous montre aussi comment Carbonfact va bien au-delà du greenwashing pour aider concrètement les entreprises à mesurer et réduire leur impact environnemental.Bonne écoute !

Check out the episode in its original version here : https://www.gdiy.fr/podcast/brian-chesky-vo/Airbnb est plus gros que n'importe quel groupe hôtelier dans le monde.80 milliards de dollars de transactions l'année dernière — plus de 2,5 milliards de séjours depuis sa création.Les chiffres sont époustouflants. C'est probablement la plateforme tech qui connaît la croissance la plus rapide dans le tourisme. Elle a changé des vies partout dans le monde, notamment en France.Ce qui a commencé comme une petite activité bonus est devenu bien plus qu'une simple entreprise : c'est une toute nouvelle façon d'explorer le monde.Pourtant en 2007, quand Brian Chesky imagine le concept c'est avant tout parce qu'il peine à payer le loyer de son appartement de San Francisco.L'histoire est aujourd'hui bien connue : une conférence remplissant la ville, des participants venus du monde entier, et le matelas gonflable d'un ami ont donné l'idée du siècle, proposer une nuit moins chère que dans n'importe quel hôtel.La rencontre entre l'offre et la demande est parfaite : AirBed & Breakfast naît.Au fur et à mesure ces “Air Bed” sont remplacés par des chambres puis des maisons entières et en 15 ans la petite start-up passée par Y-Combinator devient un succès mondial.La plateforme qui a changé pour toujours le monde de l'hébergement annonce un pivot vers des services et expériences, pour faire d'Airbnb une “super app” aux possibilités infinies.Dans cet épisode exceptionnel Brian nous raconte tous ses secrets pour créer un géant tout en restant fidèle au “founder mode”, son essence.Ses meilleurs conseils pour gagner de l'argent sur AirbnbLe virement stratégique d'Airbnb et les nouvelles fonctionnalités qui arrivent (des chefs cuisiniers aux coiffeurs)Construire une plateforme que les gens utiliseront de manière inattendueComment l'IA va changer le monde des appsLes deux paris de Brian qui ont fait d'Airbnb un succès planétaireLe passé, le présent et le futur du monde de l'hébergement, du marché du tourisme et des applications : un épisode must de GDIY pour comprendre le monde vu par un des mastodontes de la Silicon Valley.TIMELINE:00:00:00 : Du premier matelas gonflable à la licorne00:11:31 : Les meilleures astuces pour faire fortune en tant qu'hôte sur Airbnb00:19:38 : Le plus grand spectre d'hébergement : du canapé au château00:28:26 : Comment créer une plateforme qui favorise la créativité et la nouvelle fonction « expérience » ?00:43:04 : 80 milliards de dollars de transactions... juste en 202400:49:49 : La bonne façon d'utiliser Airbnb en tant qu'hôte et en tant qu'invité01:09:11 : Le secret pour maintenir des valeurs fortes dans une entreprise01:21:08 : Comment rester proche des cofondateurs et des employés ?01:28:41 : L'impact de l'IA sur les apps01:37:38 : Les deux paris/vérités qui ont fait le succès d'AirbnbLes anciens épisodes de GDIY mentionnés : #429 - Nicolas Dessaigne - Y Combinator - Le berceau des futurs géants de la tech#461 - Sébastien Bazin - PDG du groupe Accor - Diriger un groupe coté en bourse sans ordinateur#420 - Stanislas Niox-Chateau - Doctolib : derrière la plus grosse marque de la French tech#452 - Reid Hoffman - LinkedIn, Paypal - “We are more Homo technicus than Homo sapiens”Nous avons parlé de :AirbnbLa MartingaleLa Martingale #209 - Le guide ultime pour louer sur Airbnb : les 15 meilleurs conseils d'un insiderBelinda Johnson (avocate américaine, directrice des opérations d'Airbnb)OCUSMark Cavendish (cycliste)Founder Mode (Paul Graham)Les recommandations de lecture :Walt Disney (Neal Gabler)Magellan (Stefan Zweig)Vous pouvez contacter Brian sur Linkedin et sur Instagram.Nous tenons à remercier tout particulièrement Stan, Alex et l'ensemble des équipes d'ElevenLabs , qui ont assuré le doublage de cet épisode dans un temps record. Vous souhaitez sponsoriser Génération Do It Yourself ou nous proposer un partenariat ? Contactez mon label Orso Media via ce formulaire.Distribué par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Retrouvez l'épisode en version française ici : https://www.gdiy.fr/podcast/brian-chesky-vf/Airbnb is bigger than any hotel chains around the world.80+ billion turnover in 2024—more than 2.5 billion stays since the beginning.The figures are mindblowing, it's probably the fastest growing tech platform in the tourism industry, it has changed lives all around the world, especially in France.What began as a scrappy side gig has become so much more than a company: it's a whole new way to explore the world.And yet, back in 2007, Brian Chesky's “grand vision” was born simply because he couldn't cover his San Francisco rent.The story is now legendary: a sold-out design conference, travelers crammed into town, and a friend's inflatable mattress sparking a lightbulb moment—to offer a cheaper night than any hotel. AirBed & Breakfast was born.Over the next decade and a half, those humble airbeds turned into spare bedrooms, then entire homes—until the small startup backed by Y Combinator became a global phenomenon.Today, the company that flipped lodging on its head isn't stopping at homes: with “from couch to castle” as its rallying cry, Airbnb is pivoting into services and experiences, on its way to becoming the ultimate all-in-one travel “super app.”In this unmissable episode, Brian Chesky pulls back the curtain on two decades of explosive growth—while never losing sight of his “founder mode.”You'll hear:Brian's top hacks for turning a profit on AirbnbHow Airbnb's strategic pivot layers in everything from private chefs to hair stylistsBuilding a platform people will use in unexpected waysWhy AI will upend the way we interact with every appThe two bold bets that catapulted Airbnb to global dominationWhether you're curious about the past, excited for the future of travel tech, or just want to pick the brain of a true Silicon Valley OG, this episode of GDIY is a can't-miss.TIMELINE:00:00:00 : From the original “airbeds” to the billion dollar company00:11:31 : The best tips to earn a fortune as a host on Airbnb00:19:38 : The largest demographic spectrum : from couch to castles00:28:26 : How to create a platform that enables creativity and the new “experience” feature00:43:04 : $80 billions transactions... in 2024 only00:49:49 : The right way to use Airbnb as a guest and as a host01:09:11 : The secret to maintain core values in your company01:21:08 : How to stay close to co-founders and employees01:28:41 : What will be the impact of AI on our professional and personal lives01:37:38 : The two bets/truths that made Airbnb so successfulWe referred to previous GDIY episodes : #429 - Nicolas Dessaigne - Y Combinator - Le berceau des futurs géants de la tech#461 - Sébastien Bazin - PDG du groupe Accor - Diriger un groupe coté en bourse sans ordinateur#420 - Stanislas Niox-Chateau - Doctolib : derrière la plus grosse marque de la French tech#452 - Reid Hoffman - LinkedIn, Paypal - “We are more Homo technicus than Homo sapiens”A few recent episodes in English : #452 - Reid Hoffman - LinkedIn, Paypal - “We are more Homo technicus than Homo sapiens”#437 - James Dyson - Dyson - “Failure is more exciting than success”#431 - Sean Rad - Tinder - How the swipe fever took over the worldWe spoke about :AirbnbLa MartingaleLa Martingale #209 - Le guide ultime pour louer sur Airbnb : les 15 meilleurs conseils d'un insiderBelinda Johnson (American lawyer, Chief Operating Officer at Airbnb)OCUSMark Cavendish (cyclist)Founder Mode (Paul Graham)Reading Recommendations :Walt Disney (Neal Gabler)Magellan (Stefan Zweig)You can contact Brian on Linkedin and Instagram.Interested in sponsoring Generation Do It Yourself or proposing a partnership ? Contact my label Orso Media through this form.Distribué par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Alexander Harmsen is a serial tech entrepreneur with a passion for AI, finance, and autonomy. He is the founder of PortfolioPilot.com, an AI-powered financial adviser platform managing over $30 billion in assets. Previously, Alexander founded and sold Iris Automation, contributed to NASA's Mars helicopter project, and completed the prestigious Y Combinator accelerator. With over $30 million raised in venture capital and a Forbes 30 Under 30 recognition, Alexander's journey is a masterclass in innovation, resilience, and adapting to new opportunities. On this episode we talk about: – Alexander's first entrepreneurial hustle as a newspaper delivery boy and the lessons learned about persistence and customer service – The journey from working at cutting-edge startups and NASA to founding Iris Automation – The regulatory and technical challenges of launching a deep-tech company in the drone industry – The importance of flexibility and pivoting in entrepreneurship, with real-world examples from Iris Automation and Portfolio Pilot – How AI is transforming personal finance and why Alexander believes everyone will soon have a network of AI “coaches” Top 3 Takeaways 1. Persistence and relentless follow-up open doors—whether it's landing your first job or closing your first contract. 2. Success in entrepreneurship often comes from being willing to pivot, adapt, and even start from scratch when the market demands it. 3. The future of expert advice is personalized AI “coaches” that optimize every aspect of your life, from fitness to finance. Notable Quotes – "The only way to be successful is to just not die... your startup only stops once you give up on the idea." – "Sometimes the packaging is all the difference—what people really want solved might not be what you set out to solve." – "You need to be willing to pivot and react and change... that's the main key to success." Connect with Alexander Harmsen: – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderharmsen – Website: PortfolioPilot.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textIn this episode of the Life Science Success Podcast my guest is Elizabeth Chabe, the founder of High Touch Group (HTG) and an expert in science marketing with a distinguished background spanning research universities, national labs, and technology transfer offices. Elizabeth brings a wealth of experience in guiding researchers through technology commercialization and providing data-driven marketing strategies for life sciences and diagnostics companies, and is also the author of "The Giant's Ladder: The Science Professional's Blueprint for Marketing Success."00:00 Introduction to Life Science Success Podcast00:29 Meet Elizabeth Chabe: Entrepreneurial Journey01:12 Early Business Ventures and Education03:59 Transition to Life Sciences and Marketing06:41 Challenges and Insights from Academia11:39 Founding High Touch Group14:55 High Touch Group Services and Success Metrics19:34 The Giants Ladder: A Book for Founders23:10 Commercializing Innovations: Strategies and Pitfalls23:56 Challenges in Creating Market Demand25:26 Common Pitfalls in Product Development25:56 Importance of Audience Research27:05 Y Combinator's Critique on Entrepreneurial Approaches27:47 The Role of Multi-Skilled Teams in Marketing29:55 Successful Marketing Campaigns34:32 Innovative Trends in Life Sciences Marketing38:00 Leadership Advice and Team Collaboration42:54 Concerns About Federal Funding Cuts46:33 Excitement for Future Diagnostic Products

In this episode of Medsider Radio, we sat down with Shreya Mehta, co-founder and CEO of Zenflow.Zenflow is a medical device company focused on treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A biomedical engineer, Shreya brings over 15 years of experience in medtech, including serving as a lead reviewer at the FDA, where she specialized in cardiovascular devices. Shreya co-founded Zenflow in 2014 out of the Stanford Biodesign Innovation Fellowship. The company was one of the first medical device startups backed by Y Combinator and also received early support from StartX and the UCSF Rosenman Institute at QB3.Shreya's experience at Zenflow reveals strategies for grounding innovation in patient needs, building productive FDA relationships, and leveraging accelerator programs to transform academic concepts into viable businesses.Before we dive into the discussion, I wanted to mention a few things:First, if you're into learning from medical device and health technology founders and CEOs, and want to know when new interviews are live, head over to Medsider.com and sign up for our free newsletter.Second, if you want to peek behind the curtain of the world's most successful startups, you should consider a Medsider premium membership. You'll learn the strategies and tactics that founders and CEOs use to build and grow companies like Silk Road Medical, AliveCor, Shockwave Medical, and hundreds more!We recently introduced some fantastic additions exclusively for Medsider premium members, including playbooks, which are curated collections of our top Medsider interviews on key topics like capital fundraising and risk mitigation, and 3 packages that will help you make use of our database of 750+ life science investors more efficiently for your fundraise and help you discover your next medical device or health technology investor!In addition to the entire back catalog of Medsider interviews over the past decade, premium members also get a copy of every volume of Medsider Mentors at no additional cost, including the latest Medsider Mentors Volume VII. If you're interested, go to medsider.com/subscribe to learn more.Lastly, if you'd rather read than listen, here's a link to the full interview with Shreya Mehta.

✈️ ¿Cómo pasó Edrizio De La Cruz de ser mecánico de aviones a emprendedor exitoso en EE.UU.?En este episodio exploramos la historia de Edrizio, su paso por *Y Combinator*, la adquisición por *Mastercard*, y cómo hoy lidera un proyecto en criptomonedas. Hablamos sobre migración, motivación, cultura financiera, y el impacto del emprendimiento latino.

Timestamps:8:35 - Why enter a crowded market?15:24 - Language learning in AI28:02 - When Univerbal got into YC37:30 - How to get into YC41:00 - Getting 50K+ people to test your prototypeDISCLAIMER: This episode was recorded several months ago, and since then Philipp has left his role at Univerbal. We nonetheless thought the episode was still worth sharing, as it is a great startup story about building an AI language tutor and making it to YC. We hope you enjoy the content!Get started with Bitcoin by downloading the Relai app today. Click here to profit from 10% less fees by entering code SWISSPRENEUR at checkout.(Relai services are exclusively recommended for Swiss and Italian residents.)This episode was sponsored by infinity.swiss, Switzerland's most advanced AI accounting tool. Save 25% by entering code SWISSPRENEUR at checkout.About Philipp Hadjimina:Philipp Hadjimina is the co-founder and former CEO of Univerbal, an AI tutor for language learning and conversation. He holds a MSc in Management, Technology, and Economics from ETH, which he completed in 2022, after which he co-founded Univerbal (then named Quazel).Univerbal empowers language learners to practice new languages by talking with an AI Agent about anything they want in a completely unscripted way. Their product allows specific analysis of the individual learning stage, and can thereby offer tailored feedback and customized suggestions for improvement. Univerbal aims to position itself between traditional language learning apps like Duolingo and Babbel and online tutoring services like Preply and iTalki — retaining the personalized experience of tutoring, but making it as affordable and accessible as a traditional language learning app.Univerbal has raised a total of $2M in funding over 2 rounds, and got into Y Combinator in 2022 (their launch year).The cover portrait was edited by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.smartportrait.io⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.‍Don't forget to give us a follow on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, so you can always stay up to date with our latest initiatives. That way, there's no excuse for missing out on live shows, weekly giveaways or founders' dinners.

Nathan Tanner is an executive coach who helps CEOs, founders, and high-impact leaders scale themselves and their companies. He's coached leaders from companies including Electronic Arts, EA, LinkedIn, Lyft, and Google. Prior to becoming a full-time coach, he held several HR executive roles, including leading the HR team at DoorDash.Nathan has served as an advisor at Y Combinator and has written for Forbes, Inc., and Fast Company. He's an IRONMAN triathlete, holds an MBA from BYU, and lives with his wife and their four children in southern Utah.In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to navigate career transitions and build meaningful relationships that enhance your leadership journey.Nathan and I discuss:The unexpected path of Nathan's career journey [01:48]Insights on pursuing a career in finance and HR [03:27]The importance of finding your passion [05:24]How to identify the right business model for your skills [08:00]The distinction between the external and internal aspects of leadership [10:14]Why trust is essential in coaching relationships [12:46]Techniques for building connections with decision-makers [15:07]The role of community in personal and professional growth [18:48]Learn more about Nathan at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVJWJR3H?ref_=pe_93986420_775043100 and https://nathantanner.substack.com/Thank you to our sponsor:The Smashing the Plateau CommunityJoin us now for exclusive entry to carefully selected, brief strategy tips from our podcast– mastering your journey to success is only one click away!

Excited is overused This week, we recap Microsoft Build, Google I/O, and Java turning 30. Plus, more Vegemite talk and a discussion on whether tech presenters really need to tell us they're “excited.” Watch the YouTube Live Recording of Episode (https://www.youtube.com/live/4ar2nzlx3gw?si=pee9R6HbHN06etA2) 520 (https://www.youtube.com/live/4ar2nzlx3gw?si=pee9R6HbHN06etA2) Runner-up Titles We all need choices Vegans are against everything The problem is you shouldn't be watching keynotes You're giving the black box too much responsibility What are you going to do? Some more stuff they announced that I don't want They're excited about that Hopefully people are excited about that I'm happy for you I want to like it Nerd famous Can you just fix calendaring? It's too much I'm not going back to Java Rundown Will Matt try marmalade with his Vegemite for the full PBJ analogue. (https://bsky.app/profile/thescarletmanuka.bsky.social/post/3lpdioobdek27) MSFT Build Microsoft Build 2025: news and announcements from the developer conference (https://www.theverge.com/news/669382/microsoft-build-2025-news-ai-agents) Microsoft announces over 50 AI tools to build the ‘agentic web' at Build 2025 (https://venturebeat.com/ai/microsoft-announces-over-50-ai-tools-to-build-the-agentic-web-at-build-2025/) Findings from Microsoft's 3-week study on Copilot use (https://newsletter.getdx.com/p/microsoft-3-week-study-on-copilot-impact) Microsoft open sources Windows Subsystem for Linux (https://www.theregister.com/2025/05/19/microsoft_wsl_open_source/) Google I/O Everything announced at the Google I/O 2025 keynote (https://www.engadget.com/ai/everything-announced-at-the-google-io-2025-keynote-171514495.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLmdvb2dsZS5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAIewjPeuiVydyPgPtFxJyD7lYSE7rAY-BFM7JxN5AHvJvH_NrHmCURfrSuBK4HmB700OTDoGERdfPyB77mCb8_225GPcoppCXG4dl_bgGOA9j4E5Fprl_nUD__-69yEG5-W7vmXISAdJC2kBU3MSZErnX1TuyR1_gKfb5Hx_OdRs) Android XR is getting stylish partners in Warby Parker and Gentle Monster (https://www.theverge.com/google-io/670013/android-xr-warby-parker-gentle-monster-smart-glassesi-io-2025) Jules - An Asynchronous Coding Agent (https://jules.google/) Google Embraces MCP (https://thenewstack.io/google-embraces-mcp/?link_source=ta_bluesky_link&taid=682cf46509703200019ca4f3&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky) iOS 19 Will Let Developers Use Apple's AI Models in Their Apps (https://www.macrumors.com/2025/05/20/ios-19-apple-ai-models-developers/) NEW Claude MCP AI Super Agents (https://x.com/juliangoldieseo/status/1924148362653348232?s=46&t=zgzybiDdIcGuQ_7WuoOX0A) AWS Launches Its Take on an Open Source AI Agents SDK (https://thenewstack.io/aws-launches-its-take-on-an-open-source-ai-agents-sdk/) Java at 30: The Genius Behind the Code That Changed Tech (https://thenewstack.io/java-at-30-the-genius-behind-the-code-that-changed-tech/) Relevant to your Interests If AI is so good at coding … where are the open source contributions? (https://pivot-to-ai.com/2025/05/13/if-ai-is-so-good-at-coding-where-are-the-open-source-contributions/) Y Combinator says Google is a ‘monopolist' that has ‘stunted' the startup ecosystem (https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/13/y-combinator-says-google-is-a-monopolist-that-has-stunted-the-startup-ecosystem) Coinbase says customers' personal information stolen in data breach (https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/15/coinbase-says-customers-personal-information-stolen-in-data-breach/) DataBricks interview about Neon (https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-pro-rata-a6f0b4f0-fe7f-412f-bf4b-5978de02d604.html?chunk=1&utm_term=emshare#story1) OpenAI launches Codex, an AI coding agent, in ChatGPT (https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/16/openai-launches-codex-an-ai-coding-agent-in-chatgpt/) CarPlay Ultra, the next generation of CarPlay, begins rolling out today (https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/05/carplay-ultra-the-next-generation-of-carplay-begins-rolling-out-today/) Meta argues enshittification isn't real in bid to toss FTC monopoly case (https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/05/meta-says-no-proof-of-monopoly-power-wants-ftc-case-dismissed-mid-trial/) When Open Source Isn't: How OpenRewrite Lost Its Way (https://medium.com/@jonathan.leitschuh/when-open-source-isnt-how-openrewrite-lost-its-way-642053be287d) Wiz 2.0? Cyera's meteoric $6B valuation is turning heads across the cyber world | CTech (https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/shavjm2g2) Steve Langasek, One of Ubuntu Linux's Leading Lights, Has Died (https://thenewstack.io/steve-langasek-one-of-ubuntu-linuxs-leading-lights-has-died/) Python: The Documentary [OFFICIAL TRAILER] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqBqdNIPrbo) Spain Orders Airbnb to Take Down 66,000 Rental Listings (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/19/business/airbnb-listings-spain.html) Detecting malicious Unicode (https://daniel.haxx.se/blog/2025/05/16/detecting-malicious-unicode/) Former Apple Design Guru Jony Ive to Take Expansive Role at OpenAI (https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/former-apple-design-guru-jony-ive-to-take-expansive-role-at-openai-5787f7da) Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off June 9 (https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/05/apples-worldwide-developers-conference-kicks-off-june-9/) Valkey Turns One: How the Community Fork Left Redis in the Dust - Momento (https://www.gomomento.com/blog/valkey-turns-one-how-the-community-fork-left-redis-in-the-dust/?ck_subscriber_id=512834888&utm_source=convertkit&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=[Last%20Week%20in%20AWS]:%20Transform%20Away,%20as%20AWS%20Reverses%20Course%20-%2017665354) Nonsense Max (@StreamOnMax) on X (https://x.com/StreamOnMax/status/1922781490473034153) Uber to introduce fixed-route shuttles in major US cities designed for commuters (https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/14/uber-to-introduce-fixed-route-shuttles-in-major-us-cities-other-ways-to-save/) Conferences POST/CON 25 (https://postcon.postman.com/2025/), June 3-4, Los Angeles, CA, Brandon representing SDT. Register here for free pass (https://fnf.dev/43irTu1) using code BRANDON (https://fnf.dev/43irTu1) (limited to first 20 People) Contract-Driven Development: Unite Your Teams and Accelerate Delivery (https://postcon.postman.com/2025/session/3022520/contract-driven-development-unite-your-teams-and-accelerate-delivery%20%20%20%20%20%208:33) by Chris Chandler SREDay Cologne, June 12th, 2025 (https://sreday.com/2025-cologne-q2/#tickets) - Coté speaking, discount: CLG10, 10% off. SDT News & Community Join our Slack community (https://softwaredefinedtalk.slack.com/join/shared_invite/zt-1hn55iv5d-UTfN7mVX1D9D5ExRt3ZJYQ#/shared-invite/email) Email the show: questions@softwaredefinedtalk.com (mailto:questions@softwaredefinedtalk.com) Free stickers: Email your address to stickers@softwaredefinedtalk.com (mailto:stickers@softwaredefinedtalk.com) Follow us on social media: Twitter (https://twitter.com/softwaredeftalk), Threads (https://www.threads.net/@softwaredefinedtalk), Mastodon (https://hachyderm.io/@softwaredefinedtalk), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/software-defined-talk/), BlueSky (https://bsky.app/profile/softwaredefinedtalk.com) Watch us on: Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/sdtpodcast), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi3OJPV6h9tp-hbsGBLGsDQ/featured), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/softwaredefinedtalk/), TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@softwaredefinedtalk) Book offer: Use code SDT for $20 off "Digital WTF" by Coté (https://leanpub.com/digitalwtf/c/sdt) Sponsor the show (https://www.softwaredefinedtalk.com/ads): ads@softwaredefinedtalk.com (mailto:ads@softwaredefinedtalk.com) Recommendations Brandon: MurderBot (https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwi286yM0KiNAxUELNQBHStVDhgYABABGgJvYQ&co=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxJvBBhDuARIsAGUgNfjytNAoEF2oBZYZixtUoB15h1o0UU1SJRQp-A-GFE_i0FGLHOE5wY8aAoFzEALw_wcB&cce=1&sig=AOD64_3mm-tO-giOK7S1lj45fNCC7pw-6w&q&adurl&ved=2ahUKEwiFq6eM0KiNAxXI4ckDHc0cBAMQ0Qx6BAg9EAE)

This week, we are chatting with Daniel Mason, Co-Founder and CEO of Anon. Anon is an integration platform that aims to become the go-to infrastructure layer for the AI-powered internet.Daniel shares his journey from joining a startup straight out of college to building Anon, highlighting why distribution is often the biggest unlock when building a company. We dive into the evolving and often contradictory landscape of digital identity, how authentication is now split between defensive and offensive strategies, and why the user experience layer is critical for agent-native workflows.We also explore the tradeoffs between building internal tooling versus using existing systems, and why today's most successful AI use cases might be limited in number but are incredibly deep. Daniel reflects on how relevant past infrastructure is in a world increasingly shaped by agentsEpisode Chapters:Journey to entrepreneurship - 2:00Starting Spring Labs - 5:03Building in a post AI world - 7:27Auth for agents - 10:50Adding integrations - 14:51Controlling how agents work - 18:28Learning from the market - 21:35Deterministic workflows - 25:01How to price - 27:32Perplexity v. Google - 31:42Quick fire round - 32:20As always, feel free to contact us at partnerpathpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to hear ideas for content, guests, and overall feedback.This episode is brought to you by Grata, the world's leading deal sourcing platform. Our AI-powered search, investment-grade data, and intuitive workflows give you the edge needed to find and win deals in your industry. Visit grata.com to schedule a demo today.Fresh out of Y Combinator's Summer batch, Overlap is an AI-driven app that uses LLMs to curate the best moments from podcast episodes. Imagine having a smart assistant who reads through every podcast transcript, finds the best parts or parts most relevant to your search, and strings them together to form a new curated stream of content - that is what Overlap does. Podcasts are an exponentially growing source of unique information. Make use of it! Check out Overlap 2.0 on the App Store today.

Given the Big news today about the partnership between Sam and Johnny Ive we thought we would share this recent episode. In this episode of the Moonshots Podcast, hosts Mike and Mark dive deep into the world of artificial intelligence, focusing on Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI. The discussion features insights from various interviews and talks, including Bill Gates' interview with Sam Altman on the transformative power of ChatGPT and Sam's conversations with Lex Friedman and Craig Cannon. Listeners will also explore key lessons from Sam's time at Y Combinator, providing valuable guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs.Become a member to support the Moonshots Podcast and access exclusive content: Join us on Patreon.Episode Description:In this compelling episode, Mike and Mark explore the groundbreaking work of Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and his vision for artificial intelligence. The episode features highlights from Bill Gates' interview with Sam Altman on the power of ChatGPT, revealing the potential and impact of this AI application. They also delve into Sam's discussion with Lex Friedman about AGI and the importance of staying true to one's values amidst competition, particularly with tech giants like Google. Additionally, the hosts share three essential lessons from Sam's Y Combinator classes on how to start a successful startup. The episode concludes with insights from Sam's talk with Craig Cannon on the importance of focus and the pitfalls of the deferred life plan. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in AI, entrepreneurship, and the future of technology.Become a member to support the Moonshots Podcast and access exclusive content: Join us on PatreonLinks:Podcast EpisodeArticle on Sam Altman, OpenAI's Spectacular CEOYouTube: Sam Altman Talks OpenAI and AGIExpanded Key Concepts and Insights:The Power of ChatGPT: Explore how ChatGPT is revolutionizing the AI landscape, as discussed in Bill Gates' interview with Sam Altman.Navigating AGI and Competition: Understand the challenges and strategies of competing in the AI industry, especially against giants like Google, as Sam's conversation with Lex Friedman shared.Starting a Startup: Learn three critical lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs from Sam Altman's Y Combinator teachings.Focus and Ambition: Gain insights on the importance of focus and structuring ambitions effectively, avoiding the pitfalls of the deferred life plan, as discussed in Sam's talk with Craig Cannon.About Sam Altman:Sam Altman is the CEO of OpenAI, a leading artificial intelligence research lab. Before joining OpenAI, Sam was the president of Y Combinator, where he played a pivotal role in nurturing numerous successful startups. His work at OpenAI focuses on advancing artificial intelligence to benefit humanity, ensuring that AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) aligns with human values.About Moonshots Podcast:The Moonshots Podcast, hosted by Mike and Mark, delves into the minds of innovators and visionaries who are making significant strides in various fields. Each episode offers deep insights into the strategies, mindsets, and tools these trailblazers use to achieve extraordinary success. The podcast aims to inspire and equip listeners with actionable insights to pursue their moonshot ideas. Thanks to our monthly supporters Emily Rose Banks Malcolm Magee Natalie Triman Kaur Ryan N. Marco-Ken Möller Mohammad Lars Bjørge Edward Rehfeldt III 孤鸿 月影 Fabian Jasper Verkaart Andy Pilara ola Austin Hammatt Zachary Phillips Mike Leigh Cooper Gayla Schiff Laura KE Krzysztof Roar Nikolay Ytre-Eide Stef Roger von Holdt Jette Haswell venkata reddy Ingram Casey Ola rahul grover Evert van de Plassche Ravi Govender Craig Lindsay Steve Woollard Lasse Brurok Deborah Spahr Barbara Samoela Jo Hatchard Kalman Cseh Berg De Bleecker Paul Acquaah MrBonjour Sid Liza Goetz Konnor Ah kuoi Marjan Modara Dietmar Baur Bob Nolley ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Notion te regala 3 meses del plan Business + IA ilimitada

Việc điều hành một startup vô cùng khó khăn; khoảng một nửa số công ty được Y Combinator tài trợ được kỳ vọng sẽ thành công, có nghĩa là một nửa sẽ thất bại. Thành công thường đến từ việc "chỉ cần tránh chết"— sống sót cho đến khi đạt được thành công tài chính. Nguyên nhân chính dẫn đến cái chết của startup thường là hết tiền hoặc nhà sáng lập quan trọng bỏ cuộc, nhưng nguyên nhân sâu xa hơn thường là sự nản chí. Để đối phó, hãy duy trì liên lạc thường xuyên, liên tục lặp lại sản phẩm, tạo ra thứ mà ít nhất một số người thực sự yêu thích, và quan trọng nhất là tránh làm những việc khác gây xao nhãng. Hãy nhớ rằng cảm giác tồi tệ và cảm thấy những gì đang làm không hiệu quả là bình thường; những điều tồi tệ chắc chắn sẽ xảy ra, nhưng đừng nản chí và đừng bỏ cuộc. Khi tranh luận, đặc biệt là trực tuyến, hãy sử dụng Hệ thống phân cấp bất đồng quan điểm (Disagreement Hierarchy), cố gắng tránh lăng mạ (DH0) và công kích cá nhân (DH1), hướng đến các cấp độ cao hơn như phản biện (DH4) và bác bỏ (DH5, DH6) bằng lý lẽ, bằng chứng, và tập trung vào điểm chính. Điều này không chỉ làm cuộc trò chuyện tốt hơn mà còn khiến những người tham gia hạnh phúc hơn vì sự cay nghiệt tập trung ở các cấp độ thấp hơn. Quá trình học hỏi liên quan đến việc huấn luyện "mô hình thế giới" trong tâm trí bạn; ngay cả khi quên chi tiết, tác động vẫn còn lại, cho thấy việc đọc lại những cuốn sách quan trọng là rất đáng giá.Về tư duy và triết học, triết học truyền thống được xem là gặp vấn đề do sự mờ nhạt của các khái niệm hàng ngày, khiến nhiều tranh luận bị chi phối bởi sự nhầm lẫn về từ ngữ. Quan điểm cho rằng Aristotle đã sai lầm khi coi tri thức lý thuyết vô dụng là cao quý. Thay vì tìm kiếm "những sự thật chung nhất" mà không màng đến tính hữu dụng, cách tiếp cận tốt hơn là tìm kiếm "trong số những điều hữu ích mà chúng ta có thể nói, điều nào là chung nhất?", nhằm tạo ra những quan sát chung khiến người đọc hành động khác đi. Triết học được xem là một lĩnh vực rất trẻ, vẫn đang vật lộn với sự không chính xác của từ ngữ. Tư duy độc lập (vừa đúng vừa mới lạ) rất quan trọng trong một số lĩnh vực. Mặc dù có thể thiên về bẩm sinh, nó có thể được tăng cường hoặc không bị kìm hãm bằng cách giao lưu với những người có tư duy độc lập, nuôi dưỡng thái độ hoài nghi ("Điều đó có thật không?"), và quan sát các "thời trang trí tuệ" để tìm kiếm những ý tưởng chưa được khám phá. Tư duy độc lập có ba thành phần: sự kỹ lưỡng về sự thật, sự chống lại việc bị bảo phải nghĩ gì, và sự tò mò. Sự tò mò là nguồn gốc của những ý tưởng mới lạ và có thể được trau dồi bằng cách "chiều chuộng nó".Chàng-Ngốc-Già mong muốn xây dựng cùng mọi người một cộng đồng, một school:https://prime.changngocgia.com/feedTham vấn 1:1https://shorturl.at/E8lWC To hear more, visit changngocgia.substack.com

This episode is sponsored in part by Dalia—Talent teams are sitting on a powerful asset: candidate and lead data in their CRM. But knowing how—and when—to convert those leads into applicants and hires? That's the hard part. That's why Dalia is offering a free CRM Audit to help you unlock more value from the systems you've already invested in.…. Go to dalia.co/rectechcrm to get your free CRM audit today AND by jobcase, Jobcase is an online community where workers of all kinds – like hourly employees, tradespeople and healthcare technicians – access jobs, make connections, and support each other in any aspect of their work life.Visit jobcase.com/hire and tap into their 120 million strong  job seeker network SAN FRANCISCO — Findem, the only AI talent acquisition and management solution powered by unique 3D data, has launched the next generation of its Talent CRM with new features that help recruiters keep top candidates warm and move faster when hiring needs ramp up https://hrtechfeed.com/findem-introduces-next-gen-talent-crm/ AUSTIN, Texas —- Flo Recruit, an ATS  for legal talent recruitng, announced that it has closed a Series A round led by LiveOak Ventures and Moneta Ventures with participation from The LegalTech Fund, Y Combinator, and otherd. Flo Recruit intends to use the funds to expand its career services solutions for law schools and talent solutions for law firm entry-level, lateral associate, and partner hiring. https://hrtechfeed.com/flo-recruit-announces-series-a-funding-to-expand-legal-recruiting-ecosystem/ UTAH — Awardco announced today a $165 million Series B round of funding with a valuation that eclipses $1 billion, further solidifying its leadership and innovation in the employee rewards and recognition space. https://hrtechfeed.com/employee-rewards-and-recognition-platform-lands-165-million/ Los Angeles, CA – Criteria Corp, a leader in talent solutions, today announced the launch of Interview Intelligence (IIQ), a suite of AI-powered interview features that elevate Criteria's Structured Interviewing platform. This groundbreaking advancement marks a major leap forward in hiring efficiency, predictive power, and scientific rigor.  https://hrtechfeed.com/criteria-corp-launches-ai-powered-interview-scoring/ Cangrade today announced the launch of Jules interview practice tool, designed to help jobseekers refine their interview skills through personalized, on-demand mock interview sessions. Building on the success of Jules for self-discovery, this new capability simulates real interview scenarios by analyzing a user's job description and resume to generate tailored behavioral and soft skill questions dynamically. https://hrtechfeed.com/cangrade-lanuches-interview-practice-tool-for-candidates/  

What if you could eliminate the vast majority of your people problems, before they even start? In this episode of World's Greatest Boss, I sit down with Kristian Ranta, CEO and co-founder of Meru Health, a Y Combinator-backed mental health startup, to explore how defining company values from day one helped him build a thriving team culture that actually works.Kristian shares the hard earned lessons from his previous startup, where people problems ran rampant, and how that experience led him to start Meru Health with a deep focus on values, team traits, and mission alignment. We dig into the tangible ways his team lives those values today from hiring and firing to decision-making and leadership style.This episode is packed with real-life advice for founders and leaders who want to build a values-driven culture, reduce team drama, and focus more time on building the business.What you'll hear in this episode:[1:15] Kristian's journey from founder trauma to intentional culture[4:20] How Meru Health built a values-driven business from the start[7:15] Why Kristian cold-emails experts before hiring[9:00] Their structured hiring process (including a paid take-home assignment)[12:30] How to create a culture of accountability with low hierarchy[14:15] Nordic vs U.S. workplace dynamics[18:00] Bringing values to life in hiring, firing, and daily decisions[21:00] The founder's biggest hiring regret—and what he changed[23:00] What actually happens in a core values workshop[25:00] The surprising origin of “compassion” as a company value[27:10] How Meru Health provides virtual mental healthcare across the U.S.Resources & Links:Learn more about Meru Health or check if you're covered at: https://meru.us/podcastConnect with Jackie on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jackiemkochExplore more resources and hiring tips at: peopleprinciples.co

Y Combinator startup Firecrawl is back on the hunt for AI agent employees, after a previous attempt to hire one didn't go as planned. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

En este episodio de Indie vs Unicornio, Lucas y Cristóbal analizan la posibilidad de que surja la primera empresa valuada en mil millones de dólares gestionada por un solo founder y sin empleados. Este concepto, que hasta hace pocos años parecía imposible, ahora parece más cercano gracias al avance de las compañías basadas en inteligencia artificial. A partir de esto, exploran cómo algunos founders están escalando sus empresas de manera minimalista, usando tecnología para maximizar ganancias sin aumentar el equipo .Además, discuten el enfrentamiento entre Y Combinator y Google, donde YC acusa a Google de prácticas monopolísticas que han congelado la innovación en sectores clave como la búsqueda web y la inteligencia artificial. Lucas comparte detalles sobre cómo YC sugiere abrir el índice de búsqueda de Google para fomentar la competencia, y cómo estas acciones podrían cambiar el panorama para startups emergentes en AI ..0:00 – Introducción y contexto del episodio5:15 – Un unicornio sin empleados? La teoría detrás del próximo gran éxito12:30 – Google vs. Y Combinator: Prácticas anticompetitivas o estrategia de mercado?20:10 – AI y la nueva era de las startups minimalistas32:00 – Empresas que prosperan sin grandes equipos42:00 – Reflexiones finales y cierre del episodioLinks del episodio:Open AI: https://www.reuters.com/business/openai-remain-under-non-profit-control-change-restructuring-plans-2025-05-05/Founder Billionaire: https://palle.substack.com/p/the-1b-dollar-single-person-companyPalle Broe: https://substack.com/@palle/note/c-96583285Delivering Happiness: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6828896-delivering-happinessZappos:https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/surprise-will-of-late-zappos-ceo-adds-new-twist-for-his-fortune-66b2c5aa?st=qJfSB1&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalinkRecomendación de Lucas: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54659324-dungeon-crawler-carl__Muchas gracias a nuestro Sponsor, Analytics Town por apoyar este episodio!¿Quieres crear un producto basado en inteligencia artificial pero no sabes por dónde empezar?En Analytics Town te ayudamos a diseñar tu nuevo producto y modelo de negocio, desde la estrategia hasta la ejecución del software con módulos de IA.Descubrimos oportunidades para tu empresa y validamos tu idea.Armamos el diseño funcional y el modelo de negocio.Diseñamos y desarrollamos tu producto potenciado con Inteligencia Artificial.Te acompañamos en todo el proceso, desde la idea hasta convertirlo en negocio rentable...Si mencionas que vienes de Indie vs Unicornio, te damos un 25% de descuento en el desarrollo de tu primer MVP.

Dr. Houda Ghozzi, founder of Open Startup (OST), shares her journey from professor to pan-African ecosystem builder. Following Tunisia's revolution, she transformed uncertainty into opportunity, now helping young entrepreneurs across 19 African countries develop through "hope, skills, and exposure." Houda discusses entrepreneurship as a common language that transcends borders, the evolution of OST into the "Y-Combinator of deep tech," and why Africa's innovation story requires patience rather than just focusing on exits. Her insights on cross-border collaboration, AI opportunities, and policy frameworks reveal a compelling vision for Africa's entrepreneurial future—one in which young people build solutions to local problems with global relevance.

What happens when Apple hints that Google's search dominance may be cracking, triggering a $155 billion wipeout in Alphabet's value?Many still think Google search is untouchable, but a shift in user behavior and a few lines in DOJ testimony may signal otherwise.In this episode, Chris Saad, Yaniv Bernstein, and Amir Shevat explore how Apple's revelation about declining Safari search traffic could mark a turning point for Google, what's really behind Trump's Middle East ‘AI investment tour,' and how YC's latest startup wishlist shows where the next wave of disruption will come from.In this episode, you will:Understand why Apple's testimony may be a warning shot for Google SearchLearn how AI is reshaping the definition—and monetization—of ‘search'Analyze Trump's Saudi tech tour and its real impact on US innovationEvaluate the shift from ad-driven to subscription-based AI business modelsExplore why Y Combinator wants startups to go ‘full stack' instead of selling to incumbentsUnpack the risks of shiny-object AI ideas vs. defensible startup modelsDiscover which overlooked AI sectors still have white space for new foundersFrom Google's search slowdown to Trump's headline-grabbing AI deals and YC's startup roadmap, this episode gives you the strategic insight founders need to navigate tech's shifting landscape.The Pact Honor the Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:Follow, rate, and review us in your listening appSubscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/ Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media followingKey linksThe Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in-demand compliance frameworks.With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to www.vanta.com/tsp .Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/Learn more about Chris and YanivWork 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/ Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/ Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthurIntro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Despite courtroom chaos, Rippling is still going full steam ahead. The HR tech startup at the center of an increasingly dramatic legal battle with rival Deel just raised a fresh $450 million in funding at a $16.8 billion valuation, and launched a new “Startup Stack” to woo early-stage companies—winning over Y Combinator as both an investor and a client. The funding lands amid the company's high-profile legal fight with Deel, which Rippling accuses of movie-worthy corporate espionage, complete with secret crypto payments and decoy Slack channels. Deel has denied the claims and fired back with its own lawsuit, calling Rippling's accusations a “distraction.” Today on Equity, Mary Ann Azevedo and Charles Rollet are digging into the HR tech showdown from legal drama to IPO implications and global intrigue. Listen to the full episode to hear more about: The alleged spy, Rippling's evidence, and Deel's denials YC's involvement in Rippling's latest project, and why the move is raising eyebrows The potential impact on IPOs for both companies  Equity is TechCrunch's flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday.  Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes here. Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. We'd also like to thank TechCrunch's audience development team. Thank you so much for listening, and we'll talk to you next time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode overview: In this conversation, Verto co-founder and CEO Ola Oyetayo shares the journey of building a cross-border payments platform that tackles the unique challenges African businesses face when making international transactions. Since graduating from Y Combinator in 2019, Verto has established itself as what Oyetayo describes as a profitable and cashflow positive fintech serving multiple African markets. Incidentally, the company recently made headlines after winning the prestigious $1 million Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech. He discusses his team's pragmatic approach to addressing payment barriers in emerging markets, why traditional financial institutions have failed to serve these regions effectively, and how technology can disrupt traditional banking networks that have historically excluded certain markets. Andile Masuku engages Oyetayo on the evolution of fintech in Africa, the role of privilege and networks in business success, and the future potential of stablecoins to revolutionise cross-border payments in ways that might prove more transformative for emerging markets than developed ones. Key topics: - Verto's position in the cross-border payments landscape - The strategic decision to focus on B2B rather than consumer payments - The untapped $286 billion trade flow between Africa and China - Why 96-97% of business cross-border payments still go through traditional banks - The innovator's dilemma Verto faces with the rise of stablecoins Notable points: 1. In 2018, Oyetayo launched Verto's business model alongside his co-founder Anthony Oduu after spotting a solutions gap for African businesses making international payments outside of traditional banks 2. Verto has been profitable and cash flow positive for approximately 18 months 3. How a chance meeting with legendary VC Vinod Khosla at YC in 2019 first turned him on to the stablecoin investment opportunity—years before they became mainstream 4. The company operates in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and the Francophone region 5. Despite previous experience in institutional finance, Oyetayo admits "ignorance is bliss" helped him tackle a problem others saw as too risky 6. The potential of stablecoins to solve liquidity, volatility and capital control challenges in emerging markets Listen out for Oyetayo's take on Paystack's B2C play Zap, the fintech ecosystem implications of Moniepoint's "unicornification," and his contrarian insight that stablecoins will revolutionise emerging markets while having minimal impact in developed economies: "This is not a popular opinion... There's just no case for stablecoins in developed markets. People talk about, oh, it's going to disrupt Visa and MasterCard... I don't see that coming anytime soon." Image credit: Verto

У цьому епізоді говоримо про те, як AI трансформує сучасні бізнеси:- Як змінюються компанії, ролі та процеси?– Як інтегрувати AI у команду?– Які процеси варто автоматизувати вже зараз?– Як виглядають AI-first компанії з малими, але продуктивними командами?– Хто такі orchestration-розробники і що таке vibe coding?- Чгму тепер стартапи досягають $100+ млн ARR командами, які можна вмістити в одному мітинг-румі?Також ділюсь власним досвідом: ми запускаємо Easyflow: https://easy-flow.ai/ - продуктайз-сервіс для автоматизації бізнес-процесів через AI-агентів. Це рішення для малого та середнього бізнесу, що дозволяє масштабуватись без додаткового найму, передаючи рутинні задачі AI, а свою поточну команду фокусувати на найважливіших завданнях та напрямках.Більше тут: https://easy-flow.ai Цей епізод про тенденції ринку, роль AI в командах і те, у що зараз інвестують топ-фонди на кшталт Y Combinator.Зворотній зв'язок та реклама: flow@kindgeek.comПідписатись на email розсилку: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://eepurl.com/iQh5ag⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/ygnatyuk_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/gnatyuk.yuriy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Telegram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://t.me/yuragnatyuk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/y.gnatyuk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Підтримати на ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/flowpodcast

What if the world's most connected tech investor handed you his mental playbook? Elad Gil, an investor behind Airbnb, Stripe, Coinbase and Anduril, flips conventional wisdom on its head and prioritizes market opportunities over founders. Elad decodes why innovation has clustered geographically throughout history, from Renaissance Florence to Silicon Valley, where today 25% of global tech wealth is created. We get into why he believes AI is dramatically under-hyped and still under-appreciated, why remote work hampers innovation, and the self-inflicted wounds that he's seen kill most startups.   This is a masterclass in pattern recognition from one of tech's most consistent and accurate forecasters, revealing the counterintuitive principles behind identifying world-changing ideas.  Disclaimer: This episode was recorded in January. The pace of AI development is staggering, and some of what we discussed has already evolved. But the mental models Elad shares about strategy, judgment, and high-agency thinking are timeless and will remain relevant for years to come. Approximate timestamps: Subject to variation due to dynamically inserted ads. (2:13) - Investing in Startups (3:25) - Identifying Outlier Teams (6:37) - Tech Clusters (9:55) - Remote Work and Innovation (11:19) - Role of Y Combinator (15:19) - The Waves of AI Companies (20:24) - AI's Problem Solving Capabilities (26:13) - AI's Learning Process (30:41) - Prompt Engineering and AI (32:00) - AI's Role in Future Development (34:37) - AI's Impact on Self-Driving Technology (40:16) - The Role of Open Source in AI (43:23) - The Future of AI in Big Players (44:23) - Regulation and Safety Concerns in AI (49:11) - Common Self-Inflicted Wounds (51:34) - Scaling the CEO and Avoiding Conventional Wisdom (55:21) - Workplace Culture (58:39) - Patterns Among Outlier CEOs (1:15:50) - Remote Work and its Implications (1:18:47) - The Impact of Clusters and Exceptional Individuals (1:25:41) - Investing in Defense Technology (1:27:38) - Business Model Shift in the Defense Industry (1:31:46) - Changes in Warfare SHOPIFY: Upgrade your business and get the same checkout I use. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/knowledgeproject NORDVPN: To get the best discount off your NordVPN plan go to nordvpn.com/KNOWLEDGEPROJECT. Our link will also give you 4 extra months on the 2-year plan. There's no risk with Nord's 30 day money-back guarantee! Newsletter - The Brain Food newsletter delivers actionable insights and thoughtful ideas every Sunday. It takes 5 minutes to read, and it's completely free. Learn more and sign up at ⁠fs.blog/newsletter⁠ Upgrade — If you want to hear my thoughts and reflections at the end of the episode, join our membership: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fs.blog/membership⁠⁠⁠ and get your own private feed. Watch on YouTube: ⁠@tkppodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's show: Jason, Lon & Alex are back with a spicy Monday episode of This Week in Startups. Jason goes off on unions vs capitalism, we dig into why fewer seed startups are making it to Series A, and look at OpenAI's quiet copyright land grab. Plus: YC says Google should be broken up (then kind of walks it back), Perplexity's wild $14B valuation, and Saudi Arabia wants its own national AI. We wrap with an Office Hours chat with Kevin Bondzio from Streamfog on the future of AR ads in livestreaming.*Timestamps:(2:38) Why Jason's obsessed with Reddit's anti-work community(10:30) Coda - Get started for free at https://coda.io/twist(12:21) Seed Stage Graduation rates(20:43) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/twist(26:11) What's going on with Tech M&A?(30:04) Northwest Registered Agent. Form your entire business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Get more privacy, more options, and more done—visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist(33:50) What's going on with the Copyright Office?(37:24) Licensing and competitive advantage in the AI era(48:28) AI and the future of subscription-based content(56:42) StreamFog wants to change the way creators advertise(1:14:13) Perplexity's mega-valuation gets even mega-er(1:19:13) How Saudi Arabia just became an AI startup(1:22:05) Y Combinator pokes it's nose in the Google antitrust case*Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.comCheck out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.comSubscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp*Links from episode:Check out Streamfog: https://streamfog.com/Check out Peter Walkers post on “Graduating from Seed to Series A” https://x.com/PeterJ_Walker/status/1921288778192200087Learn about the HUMAIN here: https://www.spa.gov.sa/en/N2316474*Follow Kev:X: https://x.com/kevbondzioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-bondzio/*Follow Lon:X: https://x.com/lons*Follow Alex:X: https://x.com/alexLinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm*Follow Jason:X: https://twitter.com/JasonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis*Thank you to our partners:(10:30) Coda - Get started for free at https://coda.io/twist(20:43) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/twist(30:04) Northwest Registered Agent. Form your entire business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Get more privacy, more options, and more done—visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist*Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland*Check out Jason's suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis*Follow TWiST:Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartupsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartupsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartupsSubstack: https://twistartups.substack.com*Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

Immad Akhund is the CEO of Mercury. Launched in 2019, Mercury has raised $500M in funding from Sequoia, Coatue, CRV, Andreessen Horowitz and others. He is a former part-time partner at Y Combinator and is an active angel investor, with more than 350 investments in startups including Rippling, AirTable, Rappi, Applied Intuition, and Substack. In Today's Episode We Discuss: 04:38 Exclusive News: New Fund Announcement 05:15 Lessons from 350 Angel Investments 12:27 Why Founders Should Always Push for the Highest Price 14:40 Biggest Wins and Misses in Angel Investing 22:56 How Sequoia Came to Lead the Series C for Mercury 31:32 Why Move From Angel to VC 33:41 Is It Wrong For Founders to Also Have Funds with LP Capital? 36:28 AI Investments: Overhyped or Worthwhile? 41:14 Raising a First Time Fund: Challenges & Surprises 49:47 The Future of Venture Capital 54:36 Quickfire Questions and Reflections  

This week we sat down with James Flynn, an investor at Sequoia. James focuses on growth-stage investments for Sequoia and was previously an investor at General Atlantic.  During the episode, we cover James's journey to Sequoia, highlighting intellectual curiosity and his competitive spirit as key attributes in his path to the firm. The conversation features a number of fascinating perspectives across investing in "daring" companies, including James's take on the relative importance of business model / founder / market in making an investment decision. We also cover how James thinks about absolute valuation as opposed to a multiple, and how he believes junior investors can add value.  James's energy is infectious and his eloquence and clarity of thought stand out, making the conversation one of our most fascinating yet. Episode Chapters:Key personal characteristics - 2:19James's journey post-college - 9:30Breaking in to Sequoia - 12:55Taking the shot - 13:55 Underwriting thoughts - numbers support the story - 21:33Sequoia's singular KPI - 27:45How junior investors can add value - 30:10Absolute valuation matters - 35:31 James's areas of focus - 38:32 Implications on education - 41:12Quick fire round - 43:26As always, feel free to contact us at partnerpathpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to hear ideas for content, guests, and overall feedback.This episode is brought to you by Grata, the world's leading deal sourcing platform. Our AI-powered search, investment-grade data, and intuitive workflows give you the edge needed to find and win deals in your industry. Visit grata.com to schedule a demo today.Fresh out of Y Combinator's Summer batch, Overlap is an AI-driven app that uses LLMs to curate the best moments from podcast episodes. Imagine having a smart assistant who reads through every podcast transcript, finds the best parts or parts most relevant to your search, and strings them together to form a new curated stream of content - that is what Overlap does. Podcasts are an exponentially growing source of unique information. Make use of it! Check out Overlap 2.0 on the App Store today.

Rick Song is the co-founder and CEO of Persona, the identity verification platform used by some of the world's largest companies. Before starting Persona, Rick worked on identity fraud and risk products at Square, which laid the groundwork for what would become Persona's highly technical, horizontal platform. Since founding the company, Rick has scaled Persona into a category-defining leader, recently raising a $200M Series D at a $2B valuation. In today's episode, we discuss: How Rick's skepticism shaped Persona's early strategy What it takes to scale a true platform company Successful execution in hypercompetitive markets What Rick's learned from his co-founder, Charles Yeh and much more… Referenced: Accenture: accenture.com Anthropic: anthropic.com Braze: braze.com Bridgewater Associates: bridgewater.com Charles Yeh: linkedin.com/in/charlesyeh/ Christie Kim: linkedin.com/in/christiekimck/ Clay: clay.com Kareem Amin: linkedin.com/in/kareemamin/ MIT: mit.edu Newfront: newfront.com Palantir: palantir.com/ Persona: withpersona.com Rippling: rippling.com Scale AI: scale.com Snowflake: snowflake.com Square: squareup.com Y Combinator: ycombinator.com Zachary Van Zant: linkedin.com/in/zacharyv/ Where to find Rick: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-song-25198b24/ Where to find Brett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-berson-9986094/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/brettberson Where to find First Round Capital: Website: https://firstround.com/ First Round Review: https://review.firstround.com/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/firstround YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstRoundCapital This podcast on all platforms: https://review.firstround.com/podcast Timestamps: (0:05) Life before Persona (2:11) The push from Charles (3:09) Early reluctance and low expectations (9:50) Winning the first $50 customer (13:08)“Invalidating” Persona (16:43) How Persona found their edge (19:35) Transitioning from MVP to platform (24:18) Turning down a $5K deal on principle (26:47) Generalizing bespoke solutions (28:28) Finding product-market fit (33:51) Founder-led sales and consultative approach (39:30) Building a culture of reactivity (45:47) Landing the first enterprise customers (51:34) Silicon Valley's obsession with frameworks (58:17) Developing first principles thinking (1:00:24) Stay competitor-informed

Most accelerators fund ideas. Y Combinator funds founders—and transforms them. With a 1% acceptance rate and alumni behind 60% of the past decade's unicorns, YC knows what separates the founders who break through from those who burn out. It's not the flashiest résumé or the boldest pitch but something President Garry Tan says is far rarer: earnestness. In this conversation, Garry reveals why this is the key to success, and how it can make or break a startup. We also dive into how AI is reshaping the whole landscape of venture capital and what the future might look like when everyone has intelligence on tap.  If you care about innovation, agency, or the future of work, don't miss this episode.  Approximate timestamps: Subject to variation due to dynamically inserted ads. (00:02:39) The Success of Y Combinator (00:04:25) The Y Combinator Program (00:08:25) The Application Process (00:09:58) The Interview Process (00:16:16) The Challenge of Early Stage Investment (00:22:53) The Role of San Francisco in Innovation (00:28:32) The Ideal Founder (00:36:27) The Importance of Earnestness (00:42:17) The Changing Landscape of AI Companies (00:45:26) The Impact of Cloud Computing (00:50:11) Dysfunction with Silicon Valley (00:52:24) Forecast for the Tech Market (00:54:40) The Regulation of AI (00:55:56) The Need for Agency in Education (01:01:40) AI in Biotech and Manufacturing (01:07:24) The Issue of Data Access and The Legal Aspects of AI Outputs (01:13:34) The Role of Meta in AI Development (01:28:07) The Potential of AI in Decision Making (01:40:33) Defining AGI (01:42:03) The Use of AI and Prompting (01:47:09) AI Model Reasoning (01:49:48) The Competitive Advantage in AI (01:52:42) Investing in Big Tech Companies (01:55:47) The Role of Microsoft and Meta in AI (01:57:00) Learning from MrBeast: YouTube Channel Optimization (02:05:58) The Perception of Founders (02:08:23) The Reality of Startup Success Rates (02:09:34) The Impact of OpenAI (02:11:46) The Golden Age of Building Newsletter - The Brain Food newsletter delivers actionable insights and thoughtful ideas every Sunday. It takes 5 minutes to read, and it's completely free. Learn more and sign up at fs.blog/newsletter Upgrade — If you want to hear my thoughts and reflections at the end of the episode, join our membership: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fs.blog/membership⁠⁠ and get your own private feed. Watch on YouTube: @tkppodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices