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The Startup Podcast

The Startup Podcast

By Yaniv Bernstein, Chris Saad

A guide through the unique mindset and approach that drives Silicon Valley style disruption at scale. Hosted by Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein.
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Edu: Technology vs. Product - The Power of Saying No

The Startup PodcastMay 05, 2022

00:00
54:32
Reacts: Reddit Restarts Tech IPOs, Microsoft Skirts Antitrust Laws & Are AI PCs The Future?

Reacts: Reddit Restarts Tech IPOs, Microsoft Skirts Antitrust Laws & Are AI PCs The Future?

The insiders are back to unpack the latest news in the tech ecosystem.

Joining them this week is Kimberly Marshall, she is an investor and advisor in early stage companies and venture capital funds. Previously she helped build Uber, built the EdTech investing strategy at Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and built the Black and Latinx investing strategy for Goldman Sachs.

Together with Emil Michael, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein they discuss:

• Reddit's IPO: The team explores the intricacies of Reddit's IPO pricing and subsequent market performance, sparking debates on its revenue potential.

• Microsoft's Acquisition: Analyze Microsoft's strategic $650M acquisition of Inflection AI, navigating antitrust concerns while bolstering its AI capabilities.

• Big Tech Dominance: Explore the challenges startups face in competing with tech giants in the AI realm, hindered by resource discrepancies.

• Limitations of LLMs: Uncover the potential and limitations of LLMs and their integration complexities for startups.

• Future of LLMs: Discuss the evolving landscape of LLMs and their potential to revolutionize app generation, posing both opportunities and challenges.

• AI in Devices: Examine the significance of client-side machine learning in shaping the future of "AI-native" devices beyond mere marketing claims.

Watch the full episode for in-depth insights and analysis of the most important tech developments this week! 🌐🔍

Episode Links

Reach out to Kimberly on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlynmarshall/

Follow Kimberly on X at: https://twitter.com/KimberlyMar12 

The Pact 

  • Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:

  • Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app

  • Subscribe 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 on YouTube

  • Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang 

Mar 27, 202442:50
Edu: Substitution Heuristic - Are You Really Answering The Right Question?

Edu: Substitution Heuristic - Are You Really Answering The Right Question?

Are you really answering the right question?

Do you find that your solutions to the problems you’re facing are not working?

Don’t fear, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein are here to steer your startup towards success. Together they discuss the essential strategies of not falling victim to the substitution heuristic.

  • Misguided Priorities: Explore how founders often prioritize fundraising and publicity over solving core customer problems, leading to convoluted results.

  • The Right Sequence: Learn the importance of solving customer problems first, scaling the solution, and then monetizing, avoiding the pitfalls of reverse engineering.

  • Strategies for Success: Uncover practical tips for founders, including accountability partnerships, documenting assumptions and metrics, and maintaining focus on core objectives.

  • The Role of Advisors: Understand how advisors can serve as critical checkpoints, helping founders realign when they veer off course and guiding them towards answering the right questions.

  • Cultivating Effective Habits: Embrace the significance of developing habits and routines to combat distraction and avoid falling prey to substitution fallacies.

Watch the full episode to equip yourself with the knowledge and insights needed to navigate startup challenges and prioritize effectively! 🚀🔍

The Pact 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang 

Mar 25, 202436:04
Reacts: Desperate Apple Turns To Google, NVIDIA's China Problem & Sam Altman Thinks GPT4 Sucks?!?

Reacts: Desperate Apple Turns To Google, NVIDIA's China Problem & Sam Altman Thinks GPT4 Sucks?!?

The insiders are back to unpack the latest news in the tech ecosystem.

Joining them this week is Amir Shevat - early stage startup investor and author.

Together they discuss:

  • OpenAI Marketplace Dynamics: The quartet explores the current state of the OpenAI marketplace for GPT models and predictions for its future growth and utility.

  • Apple's Potential Collaboration with Google: The insiders discuss rumors about Apple's discussions with Google regarding the utilization of Google's AI model, Gemini, and the strategic implications.

  • NVIDIA's Groundbreaking Tensor GPU Chips: Discover the impact of NVIDIA's new Tensor GPU chips on AI advancement, balancing progress with concerns about supplier concentration.

  • Insights from Sam Altman’s Interview On Lex Friedman: Gain valuable perspectives on OpenAI governance challenges and the evolving landscape of AI, including its potential impact on jobs and individual privacy.

Don’t miss another action-packed episode!

Stay up to date with the latest tech developments.

Episode Links

Reach out to Amir on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirshevat/ 

The Pact 

  • Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:

  • Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app

  • Subscribe 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 on YouTube

  • Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang 

Mar 20, 202448:35
Edu: [LIVE] Startup Storytelling Pt 2 - The Perfect Pitch

Edu: [LIVE] Startup Storytelling Pt 2 - The Perfect Pitch

It’s finally happened.

We held our first LIVE session.

And who else better to guest star than previous special guest of the podcast Nir Zavaro.

Nir is currently in Australia promoting his book “F*ck The Slides!” and together with Yaniv Bernstein shared more nuggets of information.

Together the duo discussed:

  • The Power of the Hook: Learn how to craft a succinct 70-word hook followed by a compelling 2-3 minute pitch that grabs attention from the start.

  • Slide Decks Done Right: Explore different types of slide decks, from the pre-meeting "toilet deck" to in-person support slides, but remember, storytelling reigns supreme over slides.

  • Pitching Framework: Discover a structured approach to pitching, including a captivating hook, emotionally charged paragraphs, and controlled repetition for maximum impact.

  • Emotion Drives Investment: Understand how evoking emotion in your audience, coupled with a fear of missing out, can sway investors in your favor.

  • Practical Tips and Exercises: Get hands-on advice, including crafting attention-grabbing stories and recording pitches for continuous improvement.

Don’t miss this episode if you’re wanting to learn more about storytelling, wanting to level up your pitch deck or currently fundraising!

The Pact 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang 

Mar 18, 202401:02:55
Reacts: Princess Kate Controversy, TikTok Banned in US & Apple's Massive EU Fine

Reacts: Princess Kate Controversy, TikTok Banned in US & Apple's Massive EU Fine

Feeling overwhelmed with tech developments happening around the globe?

Don’t worry! Tech insiders, Emil Michael, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein are here to break through the noise and provide a deep-dive on the most important topics from the last week.

Together they discuss:

  • Princess Kate Photo Controversy: The insiders react to the fallout from a manipulated photo of Princess Kate, sparking discussions about the challenges of trusting AI-altered images in today's digital landscape.

  • TikTok's Uncertain Future in the US: The trio share their thoughts surrounding the potential ban of TikTok over national security concerns, weighing the app's popularity against security risks and the need for consistent policy.

  • Apple's Massive Fine from the EU: The insiders discuss more about the EU's $2 billion fine imposed on Apple for alleged anti-competitive practices in its App Store, fueling debates over fair competition, ecosystem profits, and the role of monopolies.

Watch the full episode for in-depth insights and analysis of the most important tech developments this week! 🌐🔍

The Pact 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang 

Mar 13, 202441:25
Edu: Runway - Are You On Track For Takeoff?

Edu: Runway - Are You On Track For Takeoff?

Startups cannot survive without a runway…

Unless they’ve reached escape velocity.

Haven’t reached takeoff? Wondering how you keep your startup on track? Chris and Yaniv are here to help you through the tough times

Together they discuss:

  • Runway refers to how long a startup can operate with its current resources before shutting down. It depends on cash, burn rate, and other factors like loss of interest or personal commitments. 

  • Becoming cash flow positive is not the same as becoming sustainably viable. Startups need "escape velocity" to become viable in the long run.

  • A founder's personal runway, like their financial situation and family commitments, impacts the startup's runway. Founders with more cushion have longer personal runways, benefitting their startups.

  • Founders should continually provide value and work to extend runway. They should start fundraising well before needing money. 

  • Putting a startup into "hibernation" by eliminating costs can extend runway. But momentum is hard to regain, especially for simple SaaS startups. Hibernation often only works for startups with tech or intellectual property.

  • When considering hibernation, founders should make rational decisions, not emotional ones to save the startup. They should consider realistic success chances given the situation.

Stay on track while you reach escape velocity - tune into this episode to learn how!

The Pact 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang 

Mar 11, 202445:45
Reacts: Figure AI Robots Funded, Musk/OpenAI Lawsuit & AI’s Manhattan Project

Reacts: Figure AI Robots Funded, Musk/OpenAI Lawsuit & AI’s Manhattan Project

The insiders are back and just in time - tech news this week has been MASSIVE! Together they discuss: Figure AI Funding: Discover how Figure AI secured a staggering $675M investment to advance humanoid robot technology from the biggest names in AI (Google, NVIDIA and more!) , despite uncertainties about mass production. Elon Musk vs. OpenAI: The team unravel the legal battle as Elon Musk sues OpenAI, raising questions about the transition from non-profit to for-profit and ethical considerations. Open Source vs. Closed Source AI: Delve into the debate surrounding the merits of open and closed source approaches in AI development, considering collaboration, power concentration, and national security implications. Mitigating "Elon Risk": Explore concerns about the significant influence of Elon Musk across diverse fields like space, AI, and self-driving cars, and discuss strategies to diversify innovation sources and mitigate risks. Do not miss the latest tech developments - watch this episode today! The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Subscribe 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 on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links The 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. Go to www.vanta.com/tsp  for 20% off their incredible offer. Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg   Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show    Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 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/ Credits Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by: Editor: Justin McArthur Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang 
Mar 06, 202437:57
Edu: Mastering Leverage - Gain The Power To Move The World

Edu: Mastering Leverage - Gain The Power To Move The World

Leverage.

It’s a powerful ally in a startup founder’s itinerary to success.

But how can you harness it in your day-to-day life?

This week Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein are here to walk you through how you can master leverage to supercharge your startup!

Together they discuss:

  • Software & Automation: Explore how tech companies harness low-cost replication and distribution for exponential success.

  • Financial Leverage: Delve into the impact of venture capital and debt, enabling founders to amplify resources beyond their means.

  • Labor Efficiency: Learn the art of delegating tasks to optimize time for high-impact activities, maximizing productivity.

  • Content Distribution: Uncover strategies for leveraging content to reach vast audiences at minimal cost, driving growth.

  • Avoiding Pitfalls: Identify common pitfalls like custom software development and micromanagement that can undermine leverage.

  • Software Dynamics: Understand the nuanced role of software in businesses, transcending the notion of being a "software company."

  • Optimizing Workflow: Embrace assistants and automation to streamline operations, freeing up time for strategic endeavors.

Unlock the secrets to leveraging software, capital, people, and content for unparalleled growth. 

Tune in to this insightful episode and propel your business to new heights! 🌟📈

The Pact 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang 

Mar 04, 202438:19
Edu: Founder Time Management - Take Back Control w/ Henry Shapiro

Edu: Founder Time Management - Take Back Control w/ Henry Shapiro

Edu: Founder Time Management - Take Back Control w/ Henry Shapiro Time. It's a founder’s greatest resource. It’s also a founder’s scarcest. Joining Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein this week on The Startup Podcast to help you take back control of your time is Henry Shapiro. Henry is the co-founder and COO of Reclaim AI, a company specializing in creating solutions to enhance productivity. Henry's expertise lies in creating systems and strategies for effective time management, making him a crucial resource for anyone seeking to maximize their productivity in the challenging environment of startups. Together the trio discuss tips for startup founders, operators and employees on time management in high-paced environment: 1) Treat time as a finite resource and budget it like finances. Having a structured calendar helps prioritize important tasks.  2) Focus on the right priorities and meetings that matter most. AI can help optimize scheduling but humans still need to determine priorities. 3) Start with small improvements like designating times for notifications/shallow work and creating boundaries between work/personal time. This helps minimize distractions. 4) Take an incremental approach to building good habits and the right mindset. Simple tips aren't enough without psychological adjustment.   5) There are always more demands than available time, especially for founders and "hub" roles that interface with many departments. Constraints and interruptions further reduce available time. Take back control of your time. Listen to this episode to learn how! Episode Links: Checkout Reclaim.ai at https://reclaim.ai/ and use special code “TSP” for 20% off your first year Follow Henry on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nah_serious Follow Henry on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shapirohenry/  The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Subscribe 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 on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links The 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. Go to www.vanta.com/tsp  for 20% off their incredible offer. Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg   Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show    Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 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/ Credits Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by: Editor: Justin McArthur Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang  
Feb 26, 202433:09
Reacts: AI Alignment - OpenAI's Sora, Gemini 1.5 & AI Startup Trends

Reacts: AI Alignment - OpenAI's Sora, Gemini 1.5 & AI Startup Trends

Emil is out this week from the Insider trio so Yaniv and Chris welcome special guest Alireza Ali to discuss the hottest developments in the tech industry this week.

Ali is currently the co-founder and partner at Blue Dot who specializes in AI strategy and implementation consulting services. He previous founded another AI startup and has worked at Google for 11 years, some of which as a Tech Lead.

Together, this week’s trio discusses:

🌌OpenAI's Sora 

 🧠Groq's AI chip

 💥Gemini's competitive 1.5 release

📈AI Startup Trends 

Stay up with the latest developments in the AI scene.

Do not miss this episode!


Episode Links:

The Pact 

  • Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:

  • Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app

  • Subscribe 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 on YouTube

  • Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang 

Feb 21, 202455:38
Edu: Good Founder, Bad Founder - 9 Huge Differences And Why They Matter

Edu: Good Founder, Bad Founder - 9 Huge Differences And Why They Matter

Founders are the linchpin of a startup.

They are the central foci, the lifeblood.

The buck stops with them.

But how can you tell the difference between a good and a bad founder? And how can you avoid being a bad one?

Don’t worry, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein are here this week to discuss 9 differences between good and bad founders, based on a recent article Chris wrote.

The differences are:

🔍 Good founders focus on solving important problems for customers while bad founders mainly concentrate on fundraising and profits.

🧠 Good founders hire smart people who challenge them, while bad founders like to be the smartest person in the room and just give orders.

🔮 Good founders have a vision as well as pragmatism. Bad founders either have no vision or cannot execute pragmatically.

🎯 Good founders put customers first, clearly communicate their vision to investors and choose investors who believe in them. Bad founders change plans to please investors.

❤️ Good founders treat employees with empathy but make tough decisions when needed. Bad founders don't care about their people.

🏛️ Good founders build a culture where the right decisions can be made without them. Bad founders micromanage everything.

🚀 Good founders aim for growth and scale. Bad founders just focus on short-term survival.

Listen to the full episode to hear the other 2 differences!

The Pact 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang 

Feb 19, 202436:37
Takeover: Yaniv Interviewed - Leadership Journey And Why You Should Fire Faster

Takeover: Yaniv Interviewed - Leadership Journey And Why You Should Fire Faster

Today we have a special bonus interview.

The tables have turned and Yaniv finds himself being interviewed by Ben Wirtz.

Together the duo discuss: 

🚀 Early Leadership Lessons: Yaniv's Google journey began with an early leadership role, emphasizing efficiency and effective communication.

🎓 Inspiration from Mentors: Insights from Oliver Heckman instilled high standards and fostered a culture of psychological safety, nurturing Bernstein's leadership skills.

💡 Innovative Problem-Solving: Yaniv's penchant for questioning norms and proposing efficient solutions is tempered by occasional oversight of details.

🤔 Navigating Tough Decisions: Addressing employee departures, while challenging, often signifies overdue actions and can be approached objectively.

❤️ Empathetic Leadership: Yaniv advocates for empathetic leadership, setting clear expectations, and fostering accountability through inquiry.

⚖️ Balancing Priorities: Early leaders must showcase value beyond mere activity, establishing boundaries without coming across as irritable.

🧘 Managing Stress: Yaniv underscores the importance of self-care amidst professional demands, advocating for a balanced approach to work and life.

🎁 Embracing Feedback: Viewing feedback as a gift, Yaniv emphasizes its delivery with good intentions, despite potential challenges in its reception.

See a side of Yaniv that is not often highlighted in the podcast episodes.

Watch it today!

The Pact 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang 

Feb 18, 202457:01
Reacts: Sam Altman Raising $7 Trillion!? NVIDIA Valuation, Lyft Reporting Fail

Reacts: Sam Altman Raising $7 Trillion!? NVIDIA Valuation, Lyft Reporting Fail

$7 TRILLION!?!

It’s the number everyone has been talking about this week. 

Here to break down the latest tech news are the insiders: Emil Michael, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein.

This week they discuss:

💰💡🤔Sam Altman's Ambitious Bid: Rumors swirl around Altman's purported $7 trillion funding quest for a new AI chip company, sparking debates on its feasibility and strategic implications.

🚀💻🏆NVIDIA's Dominance: With NVIDIA's AI chip dominance in mind, Altman's move is seen as a potential counterforce, highlighting the competitive dynamics in the tech landscape.

🏢💼🔍Adam Neumann's WeWork Saga: Neumann's attempt to reclaim WeWork prompts reflections on the blurred lines between tech innovation and property management.

📉💼💡Lyft's Earnings Mishap: The hosts dissect Lyft's rollercoaster stock performance following a glaring earnings blunder, underscoring the importance of operational competence.

🌟💼📈Founder Ambitions vs. Reality: Balancing visionary goals with practical execution is a central theme, with examples illustrating the delicate interplay between ambition and feasibility.

Tune in to gain insights into the complexities of startup ambitions and the realities of building successful ventures. Don't miss out on this enlightening discussion! 🎙️✨

The Pact 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang  

Feb 14, 202437:37
Edu: Hybrid Work - Why It Sucks And How To Fix It!

Edu: Hybrid Work - Why It Sucks And How To Fix It!

Hybrid work.

One of the biggest points of contention in the tech startup landscape right now.

Some startups seem to thrive with the arrangement while others suffer culture implosion and perish.

Navigating the post-COVID work landscape involves grappling with the challenges and opportunities of hybrid work setups. 

Don’t worry, this week, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein are here to discuss what you need to know to allow your team to flourish no matter the circumstance:

🤝💼🚗In-person Work: Fosters teamwork but poses challenges like high costs and commuting issues.

🏠💻💰Remote Work: Offers access to talent and cost savings but may lack the vibrancy of in-person interactions.

🎯📊🏢Strategic Design: Companies must intentionally choose and design their work style to avoid the pitfalls of a disorganized approach.

🔄📅📝Hybrid Model: Requires clear policies on remote vs. in-office work, meeting schedules, and event planning to optimize productivity and collaboration.

⚖️✅🗣️Tradeoffs and Benefits: While each approach has its pros and cons, intentional decision-making and effective communication are paramount for success.

Tune in to the full episode to explore insightful discussions on the nuances of hybrid work and discover strategies for creating a productive and inclusive work environment in today's dynamic landscape.

The Pact 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang 

Feb 12, 202445:33
Reacts: Should Congress Apologize To Mark Zuckerberg?

Reacts: Should Congress Apologize To Mark Zuckerberg?

Should Congress apologize to Mark Zuckerberg?

If you haven’t been living under a rock recently, major tech company CEOs have been hauled into Congress to discuss child safety and moderation on their platforms.

What does it mean? 

Is Congress right to really drill down on these CEOs?

What else could Congress be doing to really change the current climate to protect our kids while also protecting democracy and free speech?

To debate the hottest topic in tech this week is Emil Michael, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein.

Together the insiders discuss:

⚖️The balance between regulation and platform benefits

👀Excessive oversight 

🛡️🔍Accountability of tech companies for harmful content amplified by algorithms and the role of regulation in addressing these issues

🧪🦠The Lab Leak Theory

Don’t miss this SPICY episode.

The Pact 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang

Feb 07, 202454:49
Edu: Beyond Startup Dogma - John Cutler Says Embrace The Mess

Edu: Beyond Startup Dogma - John Cutler Says Embrace The Mess

Startup founders are often preached to follow neat frameworks and one-size fits all prescriptions.

Here to say “embrace the mess” is John Cutler. John is a well-respected thought leader in the startup world. He is currently the Senior director responsible for product enablement at Toast. John has previously held the position of product evangelist at Amplitude and numerous product management roles over his fascinating career arc. Most importantly, John is the author of the long running newsletter “The Beautiful Mess” where he posts prolifically to his followers about product development.

This week, John joins Chris and Yaniv to discuss:

John’s fascinating career arc

🔄Reverse Anna Karenina Principle and how it applies to startups

🌀Dysfunctional teams and key anti-patterns associated

🕵️‍♂️Finding the right people

🧠Deriving views from first principles

🌐Non-Silicon Valley Startup operators unique perspective 

⏳💔Startups dying slowly vs dying quickly

🚀📚Putting reps in at a startup vs consuming content

This episode is jam-packed with product knowledge and will get you reconsidering your perspectives on startups.

Episode Links

Subscribe to John’s Newsletter: https://cutlefish.substack.com/

Follow John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpcutler/ 

The Pact 

  • Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:

  • Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app

  • Subscribe 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 on YouTube

  • Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang  

Feb 06, 202401:03:26
Reacts: Fundraising In 2024 & Taylor Swift Deep Fakes

Reacts: Fundraising In 2024 & Taylor Swift Deep Fakes

Taylor Swift on a startup podcast?

It’s not for her ERAS tour, nor is it for the Kansas City Chiefs upcoming Super Bowl game.

Listen to the insiders discuss the biggest developing stories this week:

🚀 Navigating the Volatile Fundraising Landscape:

  • A challenging fundraising environment in 2023 post-tech bubble burst, characterized by high rates and volatility.

  • Optimism surfaces in 2024, but with caution—expectations of smaller valuations and round sizes.

  • Founders urged to prioritize metrics like CAC, retention, and product-market fit. Revenue requirements for early startups scrutinized, except for late seed/Series A stages.

👤 Deepfake Controversies Unveiled:

  • Taylor Swift Deep Fakes spotlight the negative impacts of generative AI, posing threats to politics, culture, and celebrity realms.

  • The necessity of regulatory measures discussed; challenges arise in distinguishing between parody and harm.

  • Importance stressed on moderation and provenance tracking, as brute force solutions like blocking Taylor Swift searches prove ineffective and lack nuance.

Don’t  miss out on the latest from The Startup Podcast - join The Pact.

The Pact 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang 

Jan 31, 202444:45
Edu: B2C vs B2B2C - Driving Direct Disruption w/ Matt Holme

Edu: B2C vs B2B2C - Driving Direct Disruption w/ Matt Holme

There’s a fair bit of sentiment in the startup community at the moment purporting that B2B2C is better. Chris believes it is not.

Joining Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein on The Startup Podcast to discuss their startup as a case-study is special guest Matt Holme, CEO and Founder of YouPay.

YouPay is an ecommerce payment platform that pivoted from B2B to B2C over its lifetime.

Together they discuss:

🚀 YouPay's Evolution:

Starting as a B2B platform facilitating payment for others' shopping carts, YouPay faced scalability challenges relying on ecommerce stores.

💡 B2C Pivot and Realizations:

Adapting to challenges, YouPay pivoted to a B2C model, selling directly to creators and fans, realizing the limitations of the B2B2C approach.

🔄 Overcoming Objections:

Exploring objections to B2C, including partner focus, user acquisition hurdles, and potential loss of B2B clients.

📈 Success through Marketing and Product Focus:

YouPay thrived post-pivot by strategically using ads, fostering word-of-mouth, and building a strong brand. The shift resulted in substantial growth and increased team motivation.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

Emphasizing the significance of end users, acquiring your user base, and maintaining control over the product.

This is an interesting episode for everyone intrigued by business models and how to best position your company.

Episode Links:

Checkout the document that Chris created that sparked this discussion: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11ICK-KmnPJgzfQC1wkxz6Tf-l69pUptmk1QyKH9QB9M/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.1izb56alryed

The Pact 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang  

Jan 29, 202430:12
Reacts: ChatGPT Used For Warfare, AI Layoffs & Google Leadership Failures

Reacts: ChatGPT Used For Warfare, AI Layoffs & Google Leadership Failures

The insiders are back this week to discuss the hottest topics coming out of the tech and startup ecosystems.

This week Emil, Chris and Yaniv discuss:

🔍 Carta's Controversial Pivot:

Carta halts its secondary business sharing private company data with investors following backlash. The hosts dissect the situation, critiquing Carta's response and exploring potential alternatives.

💹 Cryptocurrency ETF Impact:

Bitcoin experiences a minor dip post-ETF announcement, aligning with predictions. Ethereum anticipates its own ETF, driving a surge in its value. The hosts analyze the evolving crypto landscape.

🌐 OpenAI's Strategic Shift:

OpenAI reverses its stance, allowing military applications, prompting a debate on the ethical implications of tech-military collaboration. The hosts explore the fragmentation of tech companies based on geopolitical stances.

🤖 Google's Layoffs & AI Blame Game:

Google attributes recent layoffs to AI, but the hosts challenge this narrative, pointing to mismanagement and company bloat. Sundar Pichai faces criticism. Waymo's progress is acknowledged, yet doubts linger on commercial viability.

Engage with critical discussions on the intersection of technology, ethics, and leadership. Don't miss the insights—watch the full episode on The Startup Podcast now! 🚀🎙️

The Pact 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang  


Jan 24, 202440:25
Edu: Personal Branding - Key To Success Or Vanity Exercise?

Edu: Personal Branding - Key To Success Or Vanity Exercise?

🤔Should founders care about building a personal brand?

Isn’t there enough “real work” to be done that posting on LinkedIn is a total waste of time?

We don’t think so and neither does Michael Houck, a founder and investor who has built his personal brand to create Houck’s Newsletter, which is read by 75,000+ founders every week.

Prior to focusing on his newsletter, Houck founded a startup that raised $15M from a16z, co-founded an early stage venture firm, and was part of the early team at Airbnb. When it came to personal brand, Houck was mentored by the best—including Sahil Bloom and Lenny Rachitsky. Here’s what we discussed:

✅ The benefits of having a strong personal brand for as a founder

✅ Being intentional about building a brand for maximum impact

✅ Tactics for growing engagement

✅ Why personal brand is even more important for non-traditional founders

✅ Personal brand vs. company brand.

✅ Overcoming posting anxiety and finding your voice.

✅ How to get the most value from your personal brand.

✅ The FIVE MINUTE PER DAY habit that you can use to grow your personal brand.

✅ Does AI change the game for personal brand building?

Whatever your opinion on personal branding, this episode will get you thinking.

Episode Links:

Do yourself a favour and subscribe to Houck’s free Newsletter: https://houck.news/ 

Megaphone: https://megaphone.network/

Follow Houck:

The Pact 

  • Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:

  • Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app

  • Subscribe 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 on YouTube

  • Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang  

Jan 22, 202443:09
Edu: Traditional Business vs Startups - The Essential Differences That Drive Disruption

Edu: Traditional Business vs Startups - The Essential Differences That Drive Disruption

It’s one of the first questions people ask when they hear of startups.

What makes startups different from usual businesses?

Recently Chris found himself in a debate about the differences between traditional businesses and startups. 

As a result he created a document and shared it with his followers about the similarities and differences.

Fortunately, this week on The Startup Podcast he and Yaniv debate the commonalities, differences and how startups drive disruption.

Together they discuss:

📈 Objectives Clash:

  • Traditional businesses gravitate towards steady growth, while startups chase the adrenaline of rapid expansion and scale.

🔄 Activities Diverge:

  • Traditional businesses fine-tune existing products, contrasting with startups that embrace experimentation to discover elusive product-market fit.

🌐 Leadership Philosophies:

  • While traditional businesses thrive on consensus, startups dance to the beat of a founder's visionary rhythm.

🎲 Risk Tolerance Dynamics:

  • Traditional enterprises tread carefully in risk aversion, whereas startups boldly waltz through the uncertainty, seeing it as a playground for innovation.

⚙️ Execution Styles:

  • Traditional businesses methodically execute incremental strategies, in stark contrast to startups prioritizing agility, speed, and continuous learning.

🤝 Engaging Industries:

  • Traditional businesses seek partnerships within the familiar, while startups set sail to disrupt the status quo and redefine industries.

🔍 Focused vs Diversified:

  • Traditional businesses diversify their portfolio, whereas startups concentrate on a niche with unwavering focus.

💰 Compensation Philosophies:

  • Traditional businesses stick to market wages, whereas startups entice talent with the allure of equity and moderate pay.

Don’t miss this special episode!

Episode Links:

Checkout the document that Chris created that sparked this discussion: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EiFWYJpSbDoxdiKWeD_EBk26Q82Ki8NvjASQ2m_-JvY/edit

The Pact 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang  

Jan 15, 202447:07
Reacts: Carta Controversy, NYT Sues OpenAI & Bitcoin ETF Predictions

Reacts: Carta Controversy, NYT Sues OpenAI & Bitcoin ETF Predictions

The Insiders are back for 2024 and hasn’t it been a big week of controversy in the tech world! Here to break it all down is Emil, Chris and Yaniv. This week they discuss: 🔍 Carta's Privacy Clash: Carta, a software company, faces allegations of privacy breaches, using customer data for a secondary business. The CEO's response sparks criticism, highlighting the conflict between Carta's ventures and customer interests. 🧠 AI and Copyright Dilemma: The trio explores the tension between AI creativity and copyright protection. Using public data for AI training raises fairness concerns. Balancing creativity and protecting creators' styles necessitates novel solutions like attribution, citations, and royalties. AI's rise prompts a reevaluation of intellectual property laws. ₿ Bitcoin's Evolution: Predicting Bitcoin's trajectory, the discussion suggests it will persist as "digital gold" due to its limited supply. Anticipating a Bitcoin ETF, the potential increase in liquidity and accessibility might affect prices. The broader impact on the crypto sphere remains uncertain, requiring blockchain to demonstrate value beyond Bitcoin. 🌐 The Battle Between Technology and Ethics: The insightful conversation underscores the intricacies of emerging tech, ethics, and law. A nuanced perspective is essential to comprehend the profound social impacts of AI. This week’s breaking tech news has wide reaching consequences on the tech landscape, you don’t want to miss out! The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Subscribe 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 on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links The 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. Go to www.vanta.com/tsp  for 20% off their incredible offer. Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg   Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show    Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 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/ Credits Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by: Editor: Justin McArthur Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang  
Jan 10, 202442:32
Edu: Scaling Up - Insights From A Unicorn Founder w/ Immad Akhund

Edu: Scaling Up - Insights From A Unicorn Founder w/ Immad Akhund

Welcome to our first episode of 2024. We’re excited to be back and be sharing such a riveting episode to kick off the year!

Today we have the pleasure of welcoming special guest, unicorn founder and CEO of Mercury, Immad Akhund. Mercury offers banking and credit cards for ambitious companies and was founded in 2017.

With Chris and Yaniv, Immad shares his insights from scaling after finding product-market fit and how the journey has brought diverse challenges. In particular they discuss:

🚀 Mercury’s Strategic Launch Success:

How Mercury’s triumph was fueled by a simple, loveable product and a focus on seamless customer onboarding

💡 CEO's Adaptive Role:

Immad discusses navigating his evolving responsibilities as CEO during scaling and adapting to solving the highest-priority issues for effective leadership

🌐 Culture and Quality Hiring:

Why developing culture and hiring top-tier talent from the beginning proved pivotal to Mercury’s successful scaling

🔄 Organizational Scalability:

How to think about scaling and hiring leaders to manage teams effectively

📈 Deliberate Marketing & Investments:

How Mercury deliberately grew through word of mouth, brand campaigns, partnerships and Google ads

🌱 Scaling Success Factors, Growth Mindset and Empowerment

Finding the right strategic advisors, hiring and empowering exceptional individuals with clear priorities, swift decision-making and focus on key growth drivers

Whether you’re working at a startup or scale up, Immad’s actionable insights will be valuable to employ as your team hits the ground running for 2024.

Episode Links:

Follow Immad:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/immad

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iakhund/

Check out Mercury:

Website: https://mercury.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Mercury

IG: https://www.instagram.com/mercuryfi/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mercuryhq

The Pact 

Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:

Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app

Subscribe 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 on YouTube

Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following 

Key links

The 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. Go to www.vanta.com/tsp  for 20% off their incredible offer.

Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg  

Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A

The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show   

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Work 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/

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by: Editor: Justin McArthur Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang   Disclaimer: Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group and Evolve Bank & Trust, Members FDIC.


Jan 09, 202448:59
Replay: Edu - Startup Storytelling - F*ck The Slides w/ Nir Zavaro

Replay: Edu - Startup Storytelling - F*ck The Slides w/ Nir Zavaro

This week we are sharing another one of our most popular episode of 2023 featuring Nir Zavaro. The lessons contained in this episode are so important to refresh with in 2024.  

We’re all storytellers. It’s the way we first begin to learn and it's the way we have communicated important information for thousands of years. However, it is the skill we practice the least. As startup operators, if you were a better storyteller imagine what you could accomplish. You would be able to engross and inspire potential investors and employees in any situation and be able to explain features better to your teams and get more work done.  How, you ask?

Today we say “F*ck the Slides” with special guest, author of the upcoming book, storytelling expert and passionate salesperson - Nir Zavaro. In this episode Nir and Yaniv explore the importance of storytelling for founders. In doing so they delve into the “trailer” and “toilet” pitches, when to use them and how crucial they are for a founder to get right. Nir’s knowledge and experience is on show in this one, don’t miss it!

Episode Links

  • Watchout for Nir’s new book “F*ck the Slides” releasing in September

  • Nir’s website: https://nirzavaro.com/

  • Follow Nir on Instagram: @nzavaro

The Pact 

Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:

Key links

  • The Startup Podcast is sponsored by UntilNow, a next-generation agency and venture studio https://www.untilnow.com.au/

  • Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg

  • Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A

  • The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang

Jan 05, 202440:15
Replay: Edu - Product Positioning - Make Yourself Obviously Awesome

Replay: Edu - Product Positioning - Make Yourself Obviously Awesome

We’re back this week with one of our most popular episodes of 2023, featuring April Dunford.

Product positioning will make or break your startup. Go toe-to-toe with multinational trillion-dollar behemoths and the likelihood of success is minute. Restructure your approach to target a different group and you can one-day “dab [your] tears with the money”.

Researched ways on how to develop your product position and still feel stuck? Don’t fret! Yaniv and Chris are back this week with a super special guest - April Dunford, author of “Obviously Awesome: How to Nail Product Positioning so Customers Get it, Buy it, Love it” and podcast host “Positioning with April Dunford”.

Sit back and get ready to take some notes as April, Chris and Yaniv break down product positioning for startup. Along the way she shares the concept of positioning baggage, the three styles of product positioning from her book, why product market fit is not a useful thing for startups - just a vibe created by VC, discuss examples of Salesforce and Snowflake and share snippets from Jack Trout’s Positioning the Battle for Your Mind and Peter Thiel’s Zero to One.

There is so much to learn from this episode we highly recommend listening to it twice!

Episode Links

The Pact 

Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:

  • Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app

  • Follow us on YouTube

  • Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang  

Dec 28, 202359:53
Edu: Decision Paralysis - Eradicate Endless Debate & Accelerate Action

Edu: Decision Paralysis - Eradicate Endless Debate & Accelerate Action

2023 is winding down.

You’re no doubt preparing and strategizing for 2024.

You’ve listened to our recent episode on being more efficient in 2024 but now you’re at the pointy end - making the tough decisions on what to focus on.

Feeling stuck? Not sure which way to turn?

Don’t worry, Chris and Yaniv are here to end your decision paralysis! 

In this episode they cover: 

 🔍 Decoding Decision Challenges:

Chris and Yaniv explore the complexities of decision making in the startup world, where poor choices can lead to sluggish progress, compromised solutions, or execution roadblocks. They also cover why startups often grapple with this challenge and how to avoid the pitfalls!

🎯 Guiding Principles for Leadership:

The team identifies the root cause of decision-making hurdles – a lack of clear objectives, principles, or data. In this episode, learn how effective leadership provides the necessary guidance and a robust decision-making framework to navigate these challenges.

🌐 Strategic Clarity & Communication:

Yaniv and Chris explore the imperative need of clear strategy and communication from leadership. Discover how a well-defined strategy simplifies decision-making, making most choices straightforward for the team.

⬆️ Escalation Challenges:

What obstacles hinder effective decision escalation within teams? From unquestioning obedience to a lack of cultural encouragement, learn the critical factors influencing decision escalations - Chris and Yaniv cover it all.

💡 Leadership's Tough Choices:

Embrace the key to effective decision-making – leadership's ability to make difficult choices in defining a clear, well-structured strategy. Grasp how avoiding these challenges can lead to persistent problems.

This episode is a MUST to level-up your strategy game in 2024. Now’s the perfect time to work on improving your decision-making skills for your startup venture.

The Pact 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang  

Dec 18, 202340:27
Reacts: Google's Fake AI Demo, Economic Update & College Anti-Semitism

Reacts: Google's Fake AI Demo, Economic Update & College Anti-Semitism

Google caught faking?  Is the economy back? Are US colleges anti-Semitic? There’s been some major developments in the tech ecosystem this week. Don’t worry! Emil, Chris and Yaniv are here to unpack it all including: 🤖 Google's AI Deception: The team delve into Google's Gemini, an AI model that initially wowed with live commentary on videos but later revealed an unexpected twist—AI responses stitched together from still images, raising questions about transparency and progress. ⚖️ Google's Antitrust Battle: The team explores the consequences of Google's antitrust loss related to Play Store policies. They further discuss the ongoing debate about the power of tech giants, their responsibilities, and the potential need for alternative app stores. 💼 Economic Insights: Emil, Chris and Yaniv unpack the complex recovery landscape as the economy bounces back, contrasting the resurgence in the stock market and crypto with the slower recovery in venture investing, highlighting the challenges faced by startups and VC funds. 🎓 Campus Debates on Antisemitism: The trio also discuss university presidents' responses to antisemitism, exploring the delicate balance between open debate and overcorrection. They also highlight the need for truth, debate, and ethics to maintain democratic values on campuses. Don’t miss the latest developments in the tech ecosystem - listen to this episode now! The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Subscribe 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 on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links The 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. Go to www.vanta.com/tsp  for 20% off their incredible offer. Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg   Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show    Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 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/ Credits Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by: Editor: Justin McArthur Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang  
Dec 13, 202343:16
Edu: Doing More With Less - Critical Tactics For Capital Efficiency

Edu: Doing More With Less - Critical Tactics For Capital Efficiency

This episode is the MOST IMPORTANT podcast episode you will listen to in December.

Contrary to popular opinion, saving money DOES NOT mean sacrificing progress.

Planning your attack for 2024? Chris and Yaniv are here to dispel the myths and strategise for maximum output while minimizing costs in the latest episode of The Startup Podcast.

Together they discuss:

🎯 Clarifying Company Strategy:

Define a clear and focused strategy to guide your company's mission. Learn how to trim costs without losing strategic momentum.

🔄 Reorganizing Company Structure:

Explore the importance of realigning teams and roles to match your updated strategy. An efficient structure not only cuts costs but enhances productivity.

🤝 Ensuring Employee Alignment:

Discover why alignment with the company's strategy is crucial. Wasting time and money becomes inevitable without a unified workforce moving toward common goals.

💼 Hiring Efficient Employees:

Uncover the value of investing in higher-cost but more productive employees. Learn how they can outperform and replace multiple less efficient staff members.

📊 Evaluating Employee Value:

Navigate the process of evaluating employee contributions. Find out when and how to part ways with those who don't align with the new structure or provide sufficient value for the investment.

Don't miss out on practical insights to optimize your startup's efficiency. Watch the full episode for actionable tips on doing more with less.

The Pact 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang  

Dec 12, 202336:35
Reacts: Elon Said WHAT!?! - Paid Social Networks, EVs and Climate Crisis

Reacts: Elon Said WHAT!?! - Paid Social Networks, EVs and Climate Crisis

What did Elon say?

Leading the Silicon Valley chatter this week are comments Elon Musk made during an interview with Andrew Sorkin. Emil, Chris and Yaniv break it down and the flow-on effects on paid social networks while also exploring:

🚀 Elon Unleashed: Emil, Chris and Yaniv discuss Elon Musk's unfiltered behavior, especially on Twitter. They also explore how his lack of self-censorship and tendency to "troll" impacts his vision of an open platform and its perception.

🔋 EV Demand Dip: The trio uncover the reasons behind the recent decline in electric vehicle (EV) demand. From cost concerns to the inadequacy of charging infrastructure, understand the challenges affecting the EV market.

🌐 China's EV Ascendancy: Emil, Chris and Yaniv discuss the emergence of Chinese automaker BYD as a significant player in the EV space. Discover how lower costs and government subsidies position China as a formidable competitor.

⚡ Energy Dilemma: The trio navigate the complex landscape of energy solutions. Acknowledge the need for increased investment in nuclear and renewable energy to combat climate change, recognizing the political polarization surrounding these discussions.

🌍 Tech's Climate Role: Emil, Chris and Yaniv explore the pivotal role of technology in addressing climate change. Gain insights into the belief that a combination of technological advancements, not just policy changes, is essential for mitigating the effects of climate change.

Don’t miss out on this action-packed episode. Watch the full episode today!

The Pact 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang 

Dec 06, 202341:50
Edu: VC Horror Stories - Critical Capital Catastrophes

Edu: VC Horror Stories - Critical Capital Catastrophes

VC fundraising. 

A crucial way to rapidly expand your startup. The best VC relationships will elevate your startup to another level while poor ones can make your startup lame. This week on The Startup Podcast, Chris and Yaniv venture into the shadows of fundraising as founders expose harrowing tales of dealing with unscrupulous venture capitalists. 🕵️‍♂️

🤝 False Promises: Some VCs masquerade as venture studios, luring founders with promises of substantial support in exchange for hefty equity. In reality, founders are left to navigate the entrepreneurial journey alone.

🤐 Confidential Betrayal: Unethical practices emerge as certain VCs breach trust by sharing founders' confidential information with competitors, exploiting sensitive details for a competitive edge.

💸 Lowball Offers: Founders face the peril of VCs making undervalued offers, jeopardizing the startup's equity structure and hindering its path to success during critical funding rounds.

👻 Investor Ghosting: Post-investment, some VCs vanish, leaving founders in the lurch. While investor support is crucial, the absence of ongoing assistance can hinder a startup's growth.

⏳ Funding Delays: Founders experience intentional delays in funding after agreeing to term sheets, introducing pressure tactics or blocking potential competitors.

💰 Fee Excess: Unscrupulous VCs exploit founders by charging fees and claiming cuts from subsequent funding rounds, compromising equity in exchange for essential capital.

There’s a lot of horror stories out there. Don’t fret! Yaniv and Chris are here to help you through the process so you don’t have your own horror story. They explore how to get the best out of VC including:

🕵️‍♀️ Vetting Investors: Founders are reminded to meticulously vet potential investors, discern their priorities, and avoid falling prey to "innovation theater" or compromising their vision too quickly.

🚀 Clean Relationships: The essence of successful fundraising lies in forging transparent, straightforward relationships with investors who genuinely empower founders rather than exploiting them.

Explore the dark side of fundraising and glean insights on navigating the complex VC landscape. Watch the full episode for cautionary tales and strategic wisdom.

The Pact 

Key links

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Dec 05, 202340:16
Edu: Data-Driven Decision-Making - Radioactive, Handle With Care

Edu: Data-Driven Decision-Making - Radioactive, Handle With Care

Data is radioactive.

Handle it appropriately and you can harness its extreme power for your startup.

Don’t and the promised invaluable insights will decay and destroy it!

Thankfully Chris and Yaniv explore the art of data-driven decision-making in this week’s episode of The Startup Podcast. Listen as they investigate:

📊 Choosing Wisely: Use product telemetry data for insightful product decisions, steering away from the common trap of relying solely on business metrics like revenue and user numbers.

🚀 Being Guided, Not Dictated: Embrace a data-informed approach without losing sight of your startup's vision and intuition; data complements, but doesn't dictate.

🚨 Avoiding Pitfalls: Navigate the pitfalls of false precision and data fallacies. Understand that data, without proper context, can lead to misguided decisions.

🧹 Trimming the Excess: Don't drown in data! Collect only the essential information to avoid distraction and distortion of priorities.

❤️ User-Centric Approach: Prioritize user love over customer and investor data. A product that users genuinely love will naturally attract success.

This episode serves as a compelling reminder that while data is a powerful tool, it must be wielded judiciously. Tune in for an enlightening discussion on steering your startup with the right balance of insight, vision, and data

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Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang  

Nov 29, 202346:41
Reacts: Sam Altman Is Back! Move Fast & Break Things

Reacts: Sam Altman Is Back! Move Fast & Break Things

He’s back!

Sam Altman returns as CEO of OpenAI, less than a week after being fired by the board. 

Today on The Startup Podcast, Emil Michael also returns to the pod with Chris and Yaniv to discuss the latest OpenAI drama. Together they explore:

🤝 Leadership Dynamics at OpenAI: Uncover the compelling narrative of Sam Altman's departure and return as OpenAI's CEO, exploring the nuances of board decisions and the impact of employee protests.

🌐 Managing AI Partnership Risks: Delve into the Microsoft-OpenAI deal, dissecting how Satya Nadella adeptly structured the partnership to mitigate risks, offering valuable lessons in strategic collaboration.

⚖️ Balancing Safety and Progress: Navigate the fine line between rapid AI advancement and ensuring safety, as the episode scrutinizes the potential risks of swift progress in the competitive landscape of AI development.

🤔 The Role of Effective Boards: Gain insights into the pivotal role of boards in companies, particularly OpenAI, and how board dynamics can influence strategic decisions, especially during challenging periods.

🚀 Lessons for Fast-Growth Companies: Extract valuable lessons for fast-growing companies, learning from OpenAI's experiences in navigating risk, embracing innovation, and fostering collaboration with a constructive board.

Don't miss this thought-provoking episode that unravels the complex tapestry of leadership, risk, and innovation in OpenAI. Watch the full episode for a deep dive into the lessons shaping the future of technology and company dynamics. 🎬🔍

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Credits

Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang

Nov 27, 202341:17
Edu: Knowing When To Quit - Is It The Right Time To Shut Down Your Startup?

Edu: Knowing When To Quit - Is It The Right Time To Shut Down Your Startup?

When is it the right time to shut down your startup?

Join Chris and Yaniv in this insightful episode featuring Gabor Cselle, the founder of the once-promising T2/Pebble, as he candidly shares the story behind the decision to shut down his startup.

Facing the uphill battle of funding challenges and operational struggles, T2/Pebble, a Twitter alternative, ultimately reached a crossroads. Cselle walks us through the tough realization that the opportunity cost of persisting outweighed the benefits.

While Cselle believes in the viability of a Twitter alternative, the intricate execution posed insurmountable challenges for T2/Pebble. Despite this setback, he remains optimistic, suggesting that future endeavors might successfully tread this path.

The emotional toll of shutting down a startup is not lost on Cselle, drawing on his experience from Google to approach the decision rationally. He emphasizes that "failure is a skill" developed over time, shedding light on the nuanced journey of founders.

Delving into competitor analysis, Cselle dissects platforms like Facebook's Threads, highlighting engagement and algorithmic effectiveness. Despite shortcomings, Facebook's colossal size and persistence grant them a formidable advantage.

In a comprehensive summary, Cselle imparts invaluable wisdom for fellow founders, navigating the delicate balance between financial realities, emotional resilience, and the ever-present consideration of opportunity costs. Tune in to glean insights for your entrepreneurial journey! 🚀🔍

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Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by:

Editor: Justin McArthur

Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang

Nov 22, 202349:01
Reacts: How Firing Sam Altman Might Lead To The End Of The World - Seriously

Reacts: How Firing Sam Altman Might Lead To The End Of The World - Seriously

On the 17th of November OpenAI announced on their blog that Sam Altman was fired.

This sent shockwaves throughout the startup ecosystem worldwide. What happened next was even more fireworks. Greg Brockman, the other co-founder was removed as president of the board then Mira Murati was appointed interim CEO. Greg quit as well as four other senior people. Investors including Microsoft has been in the dark and Mira Murati and has since tried to bring Sam and Greg back to OpenAI. 

So what the hell is going on?

Wading through the speculation craziness of the last week are Chris and Yaniv joined by special guest and friend of the pod Emil Michael, former Chief Business Officer at Uber.

Was this because of AI safety from people with no skin in the game? An internal battle?

What is to become of OpenAI?

You DO NOT want to miss this episode!

Episode Links:

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Nov 20, 202359:57
Edu: Founder Mental Health Pt. 2 - Expert Coach Explains Causes & Cures

Edu: Founder Mental Health Pt. 2 - Expert Coach Explains Causes & Cures

How do you improve your mental health? 

Today continues the important discussion we started with Mike Filbey, founder of Pepper and former co-founder of ButcherBox surrounding mental health.

To help guide us on the ins and outs of founder mental health is expert coach Georgia Dienst. Georgia has spent her career working with high performance people at Google, Google X and Kernel.

In this eye-opening conversation, Georgia sheds light on the formidable challenges founders face in maintaining their mental well-being within the demanding startup landscape. Drawing from her own experiences with burnout and her coaching insights, she unravels the complexities that often go unnoticed.

🌪️ Explore the key revelations:

🧠 Unmasking the Mental Health Epidemic: Founders, grappling with intense work demands, lack the crucial support needed for their mental health.

🤝 Untangling Founder Identity: Dive deep into the intricacies of how founder identities become inseparable from their companies, resulting in self-neglect and fragility.

🚨 Warning Signs: Recognize the early indicators of trouble, such as broken self-care promises and the dangerous link between self-care and company goals.

🧩 Mindset Matters: Uncover the prevalent mindset issues like imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and low self-worth haunting founders.

💼 Invest in Yourself: Georgia advocates for founders to treat themselves as equally vital resources, emphasizing the need for self-investment.

🌿 Holistic Well-being: Learn how basic self-care, coupled with guidance from a coach or therapist, can be a game-changer. Reach out for help early, not just when things are dire.

🤝 Coach's Corner: Understand the role of coaches in implementing support systems while addressing emotional challenges.

Embark on this illuminating episode to empower yourself as a founder, discovering the tools and insights crucial for building resilience in the face of mental health challenges.

Episode Links:

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Nov 17, 202349:48
Reacts: AI Insiders Discuss OpenAI DevDay 2023 - Everything You Need To Know!

Reacts: AI Insiders Discuss OpenAI DevDay 2023 - Everything You Need To Know!

OpenAI DevDay 2023.

A conference that sent reverberations throughout the startup ecosystem worldwide.

Welcomed back on The Startup Podcast to discuss and debate it all are Jeremiah Owyang, general partner at Blitzscaling Ventures and founder of Lama Lounge, and Ben Parr, founder of Octane AI, AI Insiders deeply embedded in the Silicon Valley startup ecosystem. With Chris and Yaniv they explore the top takeaways from the OpenAI DevDay.

From why GPT-4 Turbo is light-years better than GPT3.5, how to make your own super customized ChatGPT, to quality of life improvements for developers and tinkerers at home, interoperability, multi-modality, switching costs and more, this episode has it all!

The quartet also share hot takes on the future of AI startups and what startups in the AI field should be thinking about doing right now!

Stay on the pulse of AI, don't miss this episode.

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Nov 14, 202352:30
Edu: Product Experiments - Revealing The Science Behind Successful Apps

Edu: Product Experiments - Revealing The Science Behind Successful Apps

Brace yourself for a masterclass in app evolution as Andres Glusman, founder of DoWhatWorks shares 15 years of wisdom gained at Meetup, where experimentation was the key to their monumental growth. 

Discover the hidden truth that most experiments fail, but when they succeed, the impact is colossal.

The secret? Thoughtful experimentation. It's about testing specific hypotheses, not just throwing everything at the wall and hoping something sticks.

Experiments go beyond correlation, establishing causation – the only way to truly gauge if your product changes are working. 📊

Statistical significance is crucial, but startups can dance on the edge of uncertainty to move faster and break new ground.

And remember, every experiment carries downstream and upstream effects. Improvements in one metric might ripple through others, for better or worse.

Interested in revolutionising your experiments? Andres suggests exploring tools like Optimizely and Adobe Target. He also explores how DoWhatWorks is changing the industry by allowing companies to learn from each other's experiments, turbocharging the learning curve and skyrocketing success rates. 🔧 

🎙️ Don't miss this episode, where we decode the art of product experiments and learn the science behind app success.

Episode Links:

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Nov 08, 202351:26
Edu: Incredible Product Managers - 17 Traits Of Next Level PMs

Edu: Incredible Product Managers - 17 Traits Of Next Level PMs

Are you a product manager, wanting to become or know more about product management or hire one?

Embark on a riveting expedition into the dynamic world of product management as Chris and Yaniv unveil the 17 extraordinary traits that catapult Product Managers to the pinnacle of success.

🎨 Picture this: Product Managers as the User Whisperers, tapping into the deepest needs and desires of their audience.

💡 They're not just guided by buzzwords but wield the power of common sense, keeping it simple and effective.

🖌️ The aesthetic gurus who can tell a visual story and understand the marriage of design and function.

💻 Tech-savvy visionaries, bridging the gap between code and creative vision.

📊 Number crunchers who navigate the sea of data and transform it into insights that shape the future.

🌟 And that's just the beginning! From diplomatic peacemakers to trend-spotters and marathon runners, these Product Managers are the unsung heroes behind your favorite products.

🎙️ Join us for this enlightening episode as we uncover the traits that set apart the best in the industry. Whether you're an aspiring Product Manager or simply curious about the magic behind your favorite products, this episode is a must-listen!

Episode Links:

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Nov 04, 202354:46
Edu: Employee Equity - The Essential Value Of Ownership Culture

Edu: Employee Equity - The Essential Value Of Ownership Culture

🌟 Imagine sharing in the triumph and value of a startup's success! It's the magic potion that aligns every employee's heartbeat with the company's vision. Discover why options, with their tantalizing tax benefits, are the darlings of the startup universe but why they can also screw employees.

In this week's electrifying episode of The Startup Podcast, we dive headfirst into the world of employee equity and ESOP with Jason Atkins, co-founder of Cake Equity - a startup that simplifies how startups and scaleups manage equity and stock options globally.

🔑 Startups play the long game, gifting options with a four-year vesting period and a tantalizingly extended expiration date. But, there's a catch - employees need to make their move to claim their stake.

📈 Early birds can score big with 1% equity, but the real treasure is in the communication and tracking tools to unlock its full potential.

🤝 Learn how equity acts as a powerful talent magnet and the secrets to keeping them hooked with timely updates.

❌ Watch out for warning signs of an equity scheme in peril: lack of transparency, communication, or support. A thriving startup culture thrives on shared ownership!

💻 Pro tip: Ditch the manual labor - unleash the true potential of equity with savvy software.

🚀🎙️ Tune in to this eye-opening episode, and master the art of employee equity, the driving force behind every startup's success story!

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Oct 26, 202344:52
Replay: Edu: Product & Product Management - Empowering Your Team to Scale w/ Marty Cagan

Replay: Edu: Product & Product Management - Empowering Your Team to Scale w/ Marty Cagan

How do you hire a PM? 💭


How do you empower product designers? 🙌


What is the Domain Dogma trap? 🤔


We’ve gone into the vault and polished another one of our most popular episodes.


Marty Cagan joins Chris and Yaniv to discuss what he sees as the biggest risk to building a successful product. It’s not choosing the wrong problem, it’s building the wrong solution!


Marty is as close as the world of product has to a public intellectual: after decades spent building impactful products at Hewlett-Packard, Netscape Communications, and eBay, Marty founded Silicon Valley Product Group to spread the best practices of product development in tech. His two books Inspired and Empowered have taught countless Product Managers and leaders how to build better products.



In this episode, we discuss:


Solution Risk and why it’s the biggest risk for most startups;


Prototyping and the PM solution discovery toolkit;


The Product Manager as CEO of the team;


The power of including Engineers in product discovery;


Empowered Product Designers;


How to hire a PM;


What to do if you find yourself in a feature team;


The importance of coaching in developing Product Managers;


Subject matter expertise and the Domain Dogma trap;


Episode Links:

This discussions in this episode were inspired by Marty’s blog post on solution risk: https://www.svpg.com/the-biggest-risk/

Learn more about Marty here: https://www.svpg.com/team/marty-cagan/

Read Marty’s book Inspired: https://www.svpg.com/books/inspired-how-to-create-tech-products-customers-love-2nd-edition/

Read Marty’s book Empowered:: https://www.svpg.com/books/empowered-ordinary-people-extraordinary-products/

Watch the original episode: https://www.tsp.show/guest-marty-cagan-the-biggest-risk-to-building-a-great-product/


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Oct 19, 202301:01:51
Reacts: Palestinian & Israeli Debate War In Gaza

Reacts: Palestinian & Israeli Debate War In Gaza

Gaza Strip. Events are evolving rapidly. The Startup Podcast is fortunate to be hosted by Chris and Yaniv who’s personal backgrounds provide a unique opportunity to share both sides of the Gaza War. This is a raw and unfiltered conversation. We hope this provides a balanced discussion in the midst of the current conversation. Our thoughts go out to all who have been touched by this tragedy. The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Subscribe 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    Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg  Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show  Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 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/
Oct 13, 202342:36
Q&A: When To Quit Your Job, Truth About Patents, Going Global

Q&A: When To Quit Your Job, Truth About Patents, Going Global

We’ve received a lot of questions from the last few episodes. It’s time Chris and Yaniv answer them!

This Q&A episode they explore:

  • When should you quit your day job to go all in on your startup?

  • When should we raise? We have got advice from VCs to raise early before it gets complicated to show interest in our platform. I’m sitting on the fence whether we should raise it as it takes a bit of agility and liberty away from us but I understand the benefits that the network accelerators/ VCs could bring.

  • What do you mean by “going global day one”?

  • Can you identify a specific moment or experience that made you question your purpose in your professional career? How did it influence your path forward?

  • Is it worth registering patents as a startup when you know you don’t have the financial capacity or the time to chase up potential infringements?

  • Engineering and highly technical cultures are often hard to orientate towards customer impact and outcomes. How do you build a strong obsession with customers amongst highly technical organizations?

  • I am slowly getting stagnant from the lens of learning and growth. There isn’t enough manpower due to cost management, and I am spending a lot of my time working on low value work. There is no clear progression and I have not gotten an increment though it’s been over a year. How do I initiate a conversation with my direct report on this topic again? We have chatted about this but there is still no clear direction. How do I bring this up again without appearing like all I care about is growth and increment

  • Why do investors require an ESOP pool to be created that they are protected from being diluted by? Why is the dilution not shared for future hires, whose objective is to increase the value of all shareholders? Shouldn’t everyone be treated evenly from this dilution?

  • How do you know when it’s time to pivot? And what’s a pivot? A complete change of direction or just a change in the business model that would slightly change the product and the way you approach sales? What are the real implications of a pivot for a startup and the founders?

Thanks to Nan, Simon, Henry and anonymous submitters for your questions.

*Get your question in for our next Q&A episode:* https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A 

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Oct 11, 202335:03
Edu: Lying To Yourself - Do You Really Dare To Be Great?

Edu: Lying To Yourself - Do You Really Dare To Be Great?

Are you lying to yourself?

Are you really aiming for greatness?

This week Chris and Yaniv dive deep into the psyche of startup founders.

Discover the harsh truth that a lack of conviction in your vision can lead to self-sabotage, compromising your business through misalignment, poor decision-making, and lost credibility. Are you settling for "good enough," or are you pursuing greatness with unwavering faith in yourself?

In this thought-provoking discussion, learn why being ruthlessly honest with yourself is the key to building a company of meaningful impact. Once your vision is lost, it's challenging to regain that magic. Now is the time to align your thinking and execution.

Join us as we explore how pragmatic decisions driven by conviction can inspire your team to follow your lead passionately. Don't deceive yourself; pursue your vision with courage and alignment to create a company that leaves a lasting mark. The magic of success is within your grasp - are you ready to seize it? Tune in now and embark on a journey of self-discovery and greatness!

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Oct 04, 202340:51
Reacts: Founder Mental Health - Silent Struggles Of Startup Leaders

Reacts: Founder Mental Health - Silent Struggles Of Startup Leaders

Today is a very special episode.

This week on The Startup Podcast, Chris and Yaniv are joined by Mike Filbey, founder of Pepper and former co-founder of ButcherBox.

Mike's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. He catapulted ButcherBox to soaring heights, amassing over $500 million in revenue. Yet, beneath the glitz and glamour of startup success, lay a harrowing truth.

Driven by relentless ambition, Mike pushed himself to the brink, working grueling hours to meet colossal growth targets. But success came at a grave cost – his health. Multiple trips to the ER, with no physical explanation, were the alarming wake-up call that his body and mind had paid the price of extreme stress and anxiety.

In a gut-wrenching twist, Mike chose to walk away from ButcherBox, relinquishing equity for the sake of his well-being. But the battle didn't end there. Depression loomed in the aftermath, and it took three arduous years to rediscover his purpose. A process he is still working on today.

Join us as we delve deep into the profound lessons from Mike's journey. Discover why money and success offer diminishing returns for happiness, and why seeking help and finding your "flow" activities are vital for your mental health. Listen closely for the warning signs of burnout – they might just save your life.

This episode is a profound exploration of the human side of entrepreneurship, that could reshape your perspective on the startup world. This episode is not to be missed. Tune in now!

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Sep 27, 202346:34
Edu: Monetization - Secret To Success Or Highway To Hell?

Edu: Monetization - Secret To Success Or Highway To Hell?

Is monetization the secret sauce for startup success, or is it a treacherous highway to failure? 

Monetization isn't just about making money; it's about proving your product's worth in the market. Chris and Yaniv unveil the perfect timing for startups to take the monetization plunge and why premature monetization can slam the brakes on growth.

Early-stage founders, take note: Discover why proving product-market fit is your North Star. Timing is everything, and monetizing too soon can slam the brakes on your growth.

It's not just about profits; it's about reinvesting wisely. Explore how to navigate the monetization maze, from charging the right customers to leveraging paywalls and mastering enterprise sales.

Dive into the priorities that propel startups from product-market fit to profitability, each stage an essential chapter in your success story.

Remember, this framework isn't one-size-fits-all; it's a compass for your unique startup journey. Don't miss this episode—use it as your roadmap to monetization success!

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Sep 20, 202342:26
Edu: Cross-Functional Squads - Critical Org Chart Mistakes To Avoid

Edu: Cross-Functional Squads - Critical Org Chart Mistakes To Avoid

Squads - they’re the “it” way to organise cross-functional teams at Silicon Valley-startups. So why do they often not work?

Unravel the blueprint for achieving organizational excellence through effective squads. With squads, teams transform from mere projects to long-term mission owners. These cross-functional squads, comprised of diverse roles and skills, skillfully navigate the balance between self-management and alignment with company objectives.

Leadership steps in as the guiding force, offering vital support for escalation and resourcing needs. Behind the scenes, functions like product and engineering ensure seamless consistency across squads, fostering collaboration and autonomy.

Discover the financial heartbeat of these squads as they are funded based on their missions, igniting innovation and progress. In this episode, we demystify the true metrics of success: outcomes and objectives. Join us this week as Chris and Yaniv explore the evolution of teams into autonomous, accountable units, all with the guidance and backing of leadership.

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Sep 13, 202335:47
Edu: Outsider Founders - Are You Part Of This Secret Club?

Edu: Outsider Founders - Are You Part Of This Secret Club?

In a world where insider founders often seem to have the upper hand, what if being an outsider founder could become your secret weapon? 

This week on The Startup Podcast, Chris and Yaniv dive deep into the intriguing journey of outsider founders – those who don't hail from traditional backgrounds. 

Join them as they unravel the strategies and insights that can transform your perceived disadvantages into strengths. Discover how understanding insider jargon and metrics can help you communicate effectively with investors and vital partners. 

This week, they emphasize the power of seeking advice and making insiders your allies in the journey to success. And don't miss the exclusive on how accelerators can supercharge or destroy your growth and credibility. 

But that's not all! They also explore the art of networking and the immense value of authenticity in forging lasting professional relationships. 

Tune in and learn how to harness your scrappiness and resourcefulness, turning outsider status into your secret weapon for startup success! 

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Sep 06, 202336:56
Edu: Founder Failure - 7 Archetypes Destined To Destroy Their Own Companies

Edu: Founder Failure - 7 Archetypes Destined To Destroy Their Own Companies

There’s no denying it.

No matter how good your product or team is, the startup will make or break because of the founder.

Most founders learn this during their startup journey and actively pursue everything they can to make sure they can be the best founders possible. But in doing so, fall into the hidden traps and paradoxically become the founders they’ve tried so hard to avoid being. What are these founder traits that you should avoid at all cost?

Chris is back and he rejoins Yaniv to explore the 7 Founder Archetypes Destined To Destroy Their Own Companies. With an analysis of their strengths and pitfalls, this exploration into the inner workings of startup visionaries is bound to captivate anyone fascinated by the clash of ego, ambition, and innovation.

The 7 Founder Archetypes:

🪄 The Showman.

🍆 The Sex Addict.

👶 The Baby Elon.

👩‍💼 The Grown-Up.

🚁 The Helicopter Parent.

🎐 The Weathervane.

❓ The Memento Guy.

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Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

Aug 30, 202348:10
Edu: Founder Sanity - 5 Rules For Keeping Your Cool When Building Your Startup

Edu: Founder Sanity - 5 Rules For Keeping Your Cool When Building Your Startup

Being a founder is incredibly difficult.

There’s no denying that. 

As a startup founder, the fate of the company rests on your shoulders. There’s little wonder you’re stressed. For the sake of the company, you must develop skills and techniques to look after yourself!

With Chris unavailable as he continues his European adventures, Yaniv explores his 5 Rules of Staying Sane As A Founder.

Curious about the art of balancing ambition and well-being? Eager to glean insights from a co-founder's perspective on steering the startup ship through uncharted waters?

Watch as Yaniv peels back the layers of startup life, his personal anecdotes, invaluable tips and tricks for preserving your sanity in the exhilarating world of innovation and disruption.

Yaniv’s 5 Rules of Staying Sane As A Founder:

Rule 1: Keep your eye on the ball

Rule 2: Observe the Stockdale Paradox

Rule 3: Care a lot, but not too much

Rule 4: Don’t try to do it alone, lean on others

Rule 5: Prioritise staying in the game over winning the game

The Pact 

Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:

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Aug 23, 202327:39
Edu: Advisory Boards - Getting Help, Credibility & Capital From Experts

Edu: Advisory Boards - Getting Help, Credibility & Capital From Experts

You're the average of the five people you spend the most time with. That’s great at a social level or when you’re climbing the corporate ladder but what happens when you’ve founded your own startup and are looking for advice. Enter advisory boards - your startup-oriented “five people”. Feeling stuck and unsure on how to build your advisory board? 

Don’t worry, Chris and Yaniv are here to help you navigate the world of advisory boards. In this week’s episode of The Startup Podcast they dive into:

  • Understanding Advisory Boards

  • The Two Types of Advisors

  • Identifying Suitable Advisory Board Members

  • Advisor Compensation Structures

Whether you’re a startup founder, operator, enthusiast or someone interested in getting into the advisory game, this episode is a must listen!

The Pact 

Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:

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Aug 16, 202329:02