Sell First, Build Later: AI Startup Success Secrets with Martel Ventures
Release Date: 10/22/2025
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10 spots per month | Real Transformation | Apply đ
Unlock the secrets behind successful startups in todayâs AI-driven world! đ In this episode of the Super Entrepreneurs Podcast, host Shahid Durrani sits with Cooper Simson, Portfolio Manager at Martell Ventures, to share hard-hitting truths that every founder NEEDS to hear.
From the real reasons why you should "go sell it, then build it," to the mindset and strategies Cooper uses to evaluate over 3,000 startups a year, you'll discover what truly sets winning founders apart. Whether you're building your first MVP, struggling to find your first customer, or scaling up, these practical tips and hard lessons are exactly what you need right now.
Donât miss insider advice on:
Securing your first sales before building your product
Avoiding the #1 cash flow trap killing startups in 2025
How to spot (and become!) founders with exceptional âfounder-market fitâ
The ugly side of relying on nocode/automation tools
Building a product that truly stands out in a crowded AI landscape
If youâre an entrepreneur, tech builder, or dreaming of launching your own businessâthis is your roadmap. Get inspired, cut through the hype, and take your next bold step!
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Chapter Stamps:
00:00 - The Advice Every Entrepreneur Needs: "Sell First, Build Later"
01:16 - The Role of Mindset: What Investors Really Look For
02:00 - Cooperâs Journey: From AI Startup to Portfolio Manager
04:41 - Building AI Products That Last: Avoiding Obsolescence
05:57 - What Martell Ventures Looks For in Startups
08:24 - Product vs. Idea: When Do Investors Step In?
09:45 - Why Founder-Market Fit Matters Most
12:04 - How Fast Is Fast Enough? The Startup Mindset in 2025
14:38 - How You Can Connect & Pitch Your Startup
17:43 - Why ANYONE Can 10X with AI Right Now
18:09 - Biggest Surprises: Good and Bad Founder Stories
20:24 - The Truth About No-Code âProductsâ
22:40 - Cash Flow Pitfalls & The New Rules for Startups
24:47 - Inside Martellâs âCategory Firstâ Philosophy
26:33 - How to Research If Your Idea Already Exists
28:12 - Final Nuggets: Cooperâs Last Word to Entrepreneurs
Pullout Quotes:
âIs the product you are building, does it get better as AI gets better or as AI gets better, do you become obsolete?â
âWhat we really like to focus on is how are businesses able to take AI right now and apply it to their businesses so they can actually get real results.â
âStrong opinions loosely held.â
âThe one that I literally tell every single person is just the âgo sell it, then build itâ kind of scenario.â
âIf nobodyâs working on the idea that you have, thatâs probably a signal that itâs not the best idea to go after.â
Social:
Website: https://www.danmartell.com/testimonials/cooper-simson/cooper-simson/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cooper-simson-896957b1/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coop_doggydog/
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