The Startup Podcast
By Yaniv Bernstein, Chris Saad
Build product, raise money, and scale your startup like the best. TSP hosts Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein share practical advice based on decades of experience at Google, Uber, and their own startups.
The Startup PodcastDec 28, 2023
What You NEED To Know: Google + OpenAI's Announcements Explained (Reacts)
Missed this week's duelling announcements from OpenAI and Google? Catch up on ChatGPT 4o, AI Search, and Project Astra, as our insiders discuss how they'll reshape the tech world.
In this week's Reacts episode, insiders Chris Saad, Yaniv Bernstein, and Elli Hanson discuss:
- Chatting ChatGPT 4o: The new features and improvements in OpenAI's latest AI model.
- Search and Rescue: How do Google's new AI Search, Project Astra and Gemini Assistant offerings stack up?
- Through the Google Glass: Pros and cons of wearable AI interfaces, from glasses to earbuds.
- Instrumental Ad Vice: The crushing controversy around Apple's latest iPad ad campaign.
- Deepfake or Real Shallow: Is Microsoft and OpenAI's $2 million fund enough to combat election deepfakes?
Tune in now to equip yourself with the insights you'll need to navigate this evolving AI landscape.
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 at https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
- Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
- Follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast
- 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.
- 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
Editor: Justin McArthur
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang
Do You Even Need A Product Manager? w/ John Cutler (Reacts)
Is your product management approach clashing with real-world demands?
Product expert John Cutler – author of the long-running newsletter The Beautiful Mess and former product evangelist at Amplitude – returns to the podcast to discuss different approaches to product management, and where they might help (or hinder) your business.
Learn about:
- Ideal or Ordeal: The challenge of applying idealistic, one-size-fits-all perspectives on product management to the harsh realities of business.
- Canny Valley: The risks of adopting Silicon Valley product management styles without the necessary resources or mindset.
- Project vs. Product: The similarities and differences between product managers and project managers.
- Role Call: How to tailor different roles and hierarchies to the actual needs of your business.
This week's discussion got spicy! Don't 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 at https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
- Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
- Follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast
- 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.
- 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
Editor: Justin McArthur
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang
OpenAI Search, Apple’s $100B Stock Buyback, US Civil Unrest (Reacts)
Is your startup prepared for the next US election? Learn about the forces driving today’s tech giants and tomorrow’s political landscape.
In this week's Reacts episode, insiders Chris Saad, Yaniv Bernstein, and Emil Michael cover:
- Buyback Backlash: Does Apple’s $100 billion stock buyback program signal a shift from innovation to incrementalism?
- RAGs to Riches: OpenAI are rumoured to be developing a new AI-powered search product to disrupt Google. But what is 'retrieval augmented generation', and how will it help startups like Perplexity AI shape the future of information access?
- Unrest Assured: Why tech leaders should prepare for potential political instability in the US following the 2024 election.
Tune in for a compelling discussion that could reshape your understanding of where technology and politics intersect.
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 at https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
- Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
- Follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast
- 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.
- 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
Editor: Justin McArthur
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang
Founders Getting Fired – Preventing the Nuclear Option (Edu)
Is firing a founder CEO ever the right move? Learn about how startup founders and their boards can work together effectively to avoid the worst.
In this week's episode of The Startup Podcast, hosts Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein explain:
- Founder Knows Best: Why removing a founder CEO is usually undesirable, given their deep vision and commitment.
- All Above Board: Why board accountability is necessary when a leadership change becomes essential.
- Evolving Ambitions: How founder CEOs must grow along with their companies, setting goals, seeking coaching and mentorship, and engaging with stakeholders through regular updates.
- Support Before Severance: Why boards should exhaust all supportive measures, like setting clear improvement plans and providing targeted coaching, before considering dismissal.
- The Empty Seat: Know the risks you might face if you leave the CEO position vacant for too long.
Tune in for the full discussion on the delicate balance of power between a startup's founder CEO and their board.
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 at https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
- Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
- Follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast
- Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following
Key links
- The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Trilligent. Trilligent is your startup's one-stop-shop for regulatory, PR, and international expansion advisory. Their unique startup-friendly offering is essential for any startup looking to go beyond their home shores or deal with complex regulatory environments. Go to https://trilligent.com and book a call with their COO Laura to learn more – tell her we sent you!
- The Startup Podcast is also 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.
- 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
Editor: Justin McArthur
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang
Useless AI Hardware, TikTok Banned, Google Fires Activist Employees (Reacts)
Why didn't Rabbit R1 and Humane AI live up to the hype? Learn how even the biggest names in tech – from TikTok to Tesla – can falter.
In this week's Reacts episode, insiders Yaniv Bernstein, Emil Michael, and Leah Mahtani discuss:
- Bad Bunny: Why Silicon Valley funding explains the disappointing launches of AI hardware Rabbit R1 and Humane AI.
- Bumpy Road Ahead: How Uber's success can inform the debate around autonomous vehicles like Waymo, Cruise, and Tesla's Robotaxi.
- Tick, Tock: What the TikTok ban means for the US-China relationship, TikTok creators, and other industry players like YouTube, Instagram, and Spotify.
- Non-Compete Defeat: The Federal Trade Commission cuts non-compete clauses loose.
- Soul Search: Google fires 50 employees after protests over a $1.2bn Israeli government contract.
Don't miss this timely and controversial discussion!
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 at https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
- Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
- Follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast
- 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.
- 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
Editor: Justin McArthur
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang
Graceful Degradation – Safeguarding Your Vision (Edu)
Do your plans stand strong when things go wrong?
Hosts Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein discuss the concept of 'graceful degradation' and its critical role in planning for a robust business. They share tips on:
- Understanding Graceful Degradation: Why it's important to fail-safe your business plan to avoid collapse in a crisis.
- Visionary Planning: How a clear, unconstrained vision can guide decision-making as challenges arise.
- Making Smart Compromises: Ensuring each step aligns closely with your core vision, even when the ideal path is impossible.
This episode is packed with great advice for anyone looking to enhance their decision-making framework and ensure their business remains agile and resilient.
Tune in to learn how to protect your vision and make pragmatic choices in the face of adversity.
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 at https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
- Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
- Follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast
- 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.
- 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
Editor: Justin McArthur
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang
The Canva Mafia, SAFE Notes in Australia — Aussie Q&A (Bonus)
Australia’s startup ecosystem is about to be hit by an asteroid of awesomeness, and hardly anybody is talking about it.
Learn why the recent Canva secondary round means Australia finally has its own “mafia” to rival the PayPal, Google, and Facebook mafias—and what it means for tech in Australia.
Also in this bonus Aussie Q&A episode: how to think about SAFE notes as a local founder or investor.
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 at https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
- Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
- Follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast
- 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.
- 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
Editor: Justin McArthur
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang
Boston Dynamics' Creepy Robot, Big Siri Update Revealed, OpenCRISPR AI Will Rewrite Your DNA (Reacts)
The insiders return this week to discuss the latest in AI startups:
💡 Investments and Optimism: A16z's huge raise suggests an optimistic outlook for tech IPOs.
🤖 Electric Atlas: Boston Dynamics' latest robot raises questions about the future of robotics, but does it have real world utility?
🍏 Siri's Major Update: Siri has the potential for transformative updates, including multi-modal interactions and integration across Apple devices like AR glasses, enhancing Apple's AI strategy.
🔍 Meta's Open-Source Strategy: Uncover Meta's strategy behind open-sourcing their powerful LLAMA3 language model, aiming to challenge mobile giants and fuel innovation.
🧬 OpenCRISPR AI: Explore the groundbreaking developments in DNA editing by OpenCRISPR, examining the promising and risky potential of AI in medicine and material sciences.
Make sure to join Chris Saad, Emil Michael, and Amir Shevat for an in-depth discussion on how these innovations are shaping our world.
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/@startup-podcast
- 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
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang
Listener Q&A - Protecting Your Superpower, Bad Startup CFOs (Edu)
Are you protecting your superpower? 🦸
In this Listener Q&A, Chris and Yaniv discuss:
🧠 Expanding Your Engineering Mindset: How to gain empathy and strengthen your team with diverse skill sets.
🎯 Building Valuable Products: Focus on solving real customer problems with strategic feature prioritization.
🚀 Crafting Ambitious Yet Grounded Pitches: Find the balance between a startup vision that's aspirational and grounded in practical plans.
🔗 Aligning Product and Company Strategy: Develop a clear, agreed-upon company strategy with a strong leadership stance.
💼 Fostering Cross-Departmental Empathy: Bridge understanding between finance and product teams to enhance collaboration.
🛠️ Practical Founding Advice: Aim high but stay realistic, focusing on iterative strategy and empathetic communication.
Don't miss out on these invaluable insights!
Tune in now and hear the answers you need to navigate the complexities of the startup world.
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 Trilligent. Trilligent is your startup's one-stop-shop for regulatory, PR, and international expansion advisory. Their unique startup-friendly offering is essential for any startup looking to go beyond their home shores or deal with complex regulatory environments. Go to https://trilligent.com and book a call with their COO Laura to learn more – tell her we sent you!
- The Startup Podcast is also 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/@startup-podcast
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
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang
AI Takes Over YC, VCs Apologize to Founders, Elon Crashes Tesla (Reacts)
The insiders return this week to explore the rapidly evolving world of AI startups:
🤖 AI Company Trends at Y Combinator: More startups are branding themselves as AI-focused during Demo Day, regardless of their true engagement with the technology.
🧠 Competing AI Models: New AI models are challenging GPT-4, like Claude 3 Opus and Mistral. Will one player come to dominate the market?
🍏 Tech Giants and AI: How Google and Apple's rich consumer data and device integration give them an edge in AI innovation.
🔄 VCs Make Amends: The insiders reflect on venture capitalists apologizing to previously criticized founders and the shifting perspectives in societal outrage.
🚗 Tesla's Troubles: A look at Tesla's workforce cuts, sales declines, and how Elon Musk's actions have impacted the company.
Tune in to form your own opinions on the future of technology and entrepreneurship.
Don't miss out—watch the full 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/@startup-podcast
- 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
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang
Bootstrapping - Why Most Startups Shouldn’t Raise w/ Rob Walling (Edu)
Could bootstrapping be your golden ticket to success?💡
This week, Chris and Yaniv are joined by Rob Walling, a seasoned entrepreneur with a wealth of startup wisdom to share.
Rob Walling is an entrepreneur, author, and podcaster known for his contributions to the startup ecosystem. He is the co-founder of TinySeed, the first startup accelerator designed for bootstrappers, and he also co-founded Drip, an email marketing automation platform for ecommerce businesses, which was later acquired by Leadpages.
Alongside his entrepreneurial ventures, Rob is the host of the popular podcast "Startups for the Rest of Us," where he shares insights and advice for founders building and growing startups outside the traditional Silicon Valley model.
Together, they dive deep into the critical aspects of startups like:
The importance of ambition and risk-taking in startup ventures 🚀
Understanding the different paths to success: bootstrapping vs. venture capital 💼
Factors to consider when deciding the trajectory of your startup, including market size and scalability 📈
Exploring the dichotomy between problem-focused founders and outcome-focused entrepreneurs 🎯
The influence of personal background and psychology on entrepreneurial decision-making 💭
Ready to gain valuable insights into building successful startups?
Don't miss out on the full episode - tune in 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/@startup-podcast
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
Google Strikes Back in AI & A Lone Hero Saves the Internet (Reacts)
The insiders return this week to discuss the latest strides in Google's AI innovations:
Google unveiled groundbreaking AI advancements at Cloud Next, showcasing Gemini 1.5's impressive capabilities.
Their focus on enterprise AI customers signals a strategic shift for Google.
Updates to Vertex and Google Workspace introduce new AI features, enhancing productivity and model-building.
The revelation of the "XZ backdoor" vulnerability underscores the risks inherent in open-source software.
Despite initial lag, Google's methodical AI approach reflects their commitment to leveraging strengths responsibly.
Google's poised to dominate enterprise AI, but vigilance is crucial amid AI and open-source pitfalls.
This conversation illuminates both the promise and perils of AI, emphasizing responsible innovation.
Don't miss this episode! Tune in now to explore the world of AI and enterprise technology. 🎙️🔍
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 Trilligent, global advisory power tailored for startups. Go to www.trilligent.com and book a meeting with their COO Laura to learn more.
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
Growth Marketer & Associate Producer: Lautaro Diaz Mella
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang
Enterprise Sales, Part 2 - Essential Requirements For Success (Edu)
Last week we had Clementine Jacoby on the podcast to discuss enterprise sales.
Chris was unfortunately unwell. But he’s back! And he’s ready for round 2!
This week with Yaniv Bernstein they discuss:
- How enterprise customers' demands can disrupt product roadmaps.
- Why underestimating costs of custom work for enterprises can be costly.
- How partnering with champion customers fosters customization within a product-led framework.
- Educating customers on best practices ensures long-term product sustainability.
- Balancing power between sales and product teams is crucial for roadmap decisions.
- Managing enterprise relationships requires strong product leadership and discipline.
This is a must watch sequel to last week’s entertaining episode with Clementine. You do not have to have listened to the previous episode to understand the topics discussed today. Don’t miss out on another masterclass with Chris and Yaniv!
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 Trilligent. Trilligent is your startup's one-stop-shop for regulatory, PR, and international expansion advisory. Their unique startup-friendly offering is essential for any startup looking to go beyond their home shores or deal with complex regulatory environments. Go to https://trilligent.com and book a call with their COO Laura to learn more -- tell her we sent you!
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
Growth Marketer & Associate Producer: Lautaro Diaz Mella
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang
SBF Gets 25 Years, Musk Fires Don Lemon, Essential Funding Updates & The End of PMs (Reacts)
The insiders return this week to discuss some developments including:
SBF’s 25 year sentence as repercussion for FTX legal and ethical misdeeds. Is 25 years for a white collar crime too long?
The tech titans (Apple, Google, Facebook and X) are taking over as media giants concerning the insiders over journalistic ethics versus commercial interests
Latest AI tech trends – where should we be investing amid the challenge of discerning viable ideas?
The current issues facing product management - Will it survive?
Elon Musk’s recent takedown of Don Lemon
Don't miss out on this action-packed episode. Listen to the full 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
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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
Enterprise Sales - How to Sell Big Without Selling Out Your Startup (Edu)
Reddit Restarts Tech IPOs, Microsoft Skirts Antitrust Laws & Are AI PCs The Future? (Reddit)
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
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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
Substitution Heuristic - Are You Really Answering The Right Question? (Edu)
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
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
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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
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
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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
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
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
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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
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
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
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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
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
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
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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
Reacts: Figure AI Robots Funded, Musk/OpenAI Lawsuit & AI’s Manhattan Project
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
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
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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
Edu: Founder Time Management - Take Back Control w/ Henry Shapiro
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:
Checkout Ali’s work at Blue Dot: theblue.earth
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
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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
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
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
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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
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
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
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Key links
Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg
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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
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! 🎙️✨
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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.
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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
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
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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.
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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
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.
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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.
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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
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
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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.
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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
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
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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
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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
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
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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
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
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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.
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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
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:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/callmehouck
The Pact
Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:
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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
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
Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:
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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
Reacts: Carta Controversy, NYT Sues OpenAI & Bitcoin ETF Predictions
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
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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.
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
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Key links
The Startup Podcast is sponsored by UntilNow, a next-generation agency and venture studio https://www.untilnow.com.au/
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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
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
Order April’s book “Obviously Awesome: How to Nail Product Positioning so Customers Get it, Buy It, Love it”: https://www.amazon.com.au/Obviously-Awesome-Product-Positioning-Customers/dp/1999023005/
Checkout April’s website: https://www.aprildunford.com/
Listen to April’s podcast “Positioning with April Dunford”: https://www.positioning.show/
Follow April on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprildunford/
Follow April on Twitter: @aprildunford
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
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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
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
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
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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
Reacts: Google's Fake AI Demo, Economic Update & College Anti-Semitism
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
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
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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
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
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
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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
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
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
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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
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
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
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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
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. 🎬🔍
The Pact
Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:
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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
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! 🚀🔍
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
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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
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:
Checkout our recent episode on OpenAI DevDay 2023: https://www.tsp.show/reacts-ai-insiders-discuss-openai-devday-2023-everything-you-need-to-know/
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
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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/
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:
Check out Georgia’s website: https://www.georgiadienst.com/
Explore the Mochary Method: https://mocharymethod.com/
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Learn more about Chris and Yaniv
Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/
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