259. Big tech, AI and the future of attention: what you missed in Cannes
techfornontechies's podcast
Think advertising is just TikTok, Instagram, or TV? Think again. At Cannes Lions, a major industry summit, Big Tech set the agenda for what’s next in AI, branding, and attention. This is your insider's summary. In this episode, you will learn: How offline spaces are powering smart digital brands What AI personas are, and how to use them to test product and brand ideas faster (and cheaper) Why most agencies are missing half the audience — and what that means if you’re building a mass-market product If you’re building or marketing a tech product — whether...
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258. Why you need a brand before you need an app
techfornontechies's podcast
Most founders dive straight into building — features, user flows, no-code tools — before they’ve nailed the strategy that actually drives traction: brand. In this episode, Sophia Matveeva shares why brand must come before product, especially for non-technical founders building tech-enabled businesses. You’ll learn the four brand foundations every founder needs — whether you’re launching a new venture or scaling an existing one: Clarity — Who you serve and why you exist Story — What problem you solve and what’s at stake Trust...
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257. Why bad work wins
techfornontechies's podcast
Analysis paralysis is BORING. And it doesn't get you results. Most founders think they fail because of the market, the product, or the pitch. But the real killer is a slow mindset. In this episode, Sophia Matveeva shows you why bad work beats perfect ideas — and how shifting your mindset can be the difference between building real momentum and watching your venture die. You will learn: Why perfectionism feels smart but keeps you stuck How no-code tools tempt you to tinker instead of launch Why top founders move fast and embrace imperfection...
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256. Top mistakes non-technical founders make & how to avoid them
techfornontechies's podcast
If you’re building a tech product but don’t have a technical background, this episode will save you months of wasted time and thousands in unnecessary spend. In this re-release of one of our most popular early episodes, Tech for Non-Techies founder Sophia Matveeva shares the 5 biggest mistakes non-technical founders make — and how to avoid them. Whether you’re a founder, a corporate innovator, or leading a new digital venture, these lessons will help you lead product teams effectively and build better tech businesses. You will learn: Why hiring a developer first is a...
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255. What Most Startup Support Gets Wrong — and How to Fix It
techfornontechies's podcast
From accelerators to corporate venture capital, most startup support structures fail to deliver. Investor and entrepreneur Andrew Ackerman explains why — and what founders and corporates should do instead. With over 70 investments and hundreds of founders mentored, Andrew brings rare perspective from both sides of the table. Andrew is a serial entrepreneur who has founded two companies, led an accelerator, and now advises startups, VCs and corporates. He’s also the author of — a novel-style guide to what startup life really feels like. You will learn: Why most accelerators...
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254. How to build a tech ecosystem that lasts
techfornontechies's podcast
What does it really take to build a tech ecosystem that endures — beyond PR launches and startup grants? In this episode, Sophia Matveeva shares hard-won insights from working with governments, corporates, and investors on the frontlines of global digital transformation. Whether you’re funding innovation, designing policy, or building a product yourself, this is a must-listen. You’ll learn what most ecosystem builders overlook, why non-technical founders are a critical (and underutilised) asset, and how trusted advisors — from lawyers to auditors — can unintentionally...
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253. 4 Podcasts That Will Make You Smarter This Summer
techfornontechies's podcast
Want to become a better tech innovator while you sit on a beach? In this episode, Sophia Matveeva shares four podcast episodes you can learn from through osmosis—and enjoy every minute of it. You will learn: Why Netflix’s original CEO got fired by his co-founder—and what that says about startup leadership transitions The founder Warren Buffett said was more scary than a grisly bear How the New York Times nearly collapsed and reinvented itself in the Digital Age Why building a stellar career takes longer than you think—and why that’s okay These episodes aren’t just...
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252. Go from Local Player to Global Tech Leader
techfornontechies's podcast
Phil Knight spotted better running shoes in Japan — and turned that insight into Nike, one of the world’s biggest brands. In this episode, you'll learn how thinking internationally sparks breakthrough ideas — and how to build a global edge into your career and business. This episode is for you if you: Want to lead innovation, not just follow trends Are building products or businesses with global ambition Know you need a global perspective but aren't sure where to start Timestamps 00:00 The essence of global leadership 06:07 Learning from Global Innovations 11:50 How to get...
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251: Lessons from the Dot-Com era for today's AI Hype
techfornontechies's podcast
Is today's AI hype cycle just dot-com boom 2.0? In this episode, host Sophia Matveeva talks with David G. Ewing, who lived through the original tech bubble (literally in a closet in Palo Alto!) about the striking parallels between then and now. Listen to learn lessons from dot-com history to navigate today's AI boom. Listen to learn: Why the "more things change, the more they stay the same" when it comes to tech hype cycles The surprising success factor that determined which dot-com companies survived (and what it means for AI) A powerful career strategy that helps you...
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250. Less Tech, More Value: Why Simpler Digital Products Win
techfornontechies's podcast
The more technology you put into your product, the worse it can get. In this episode, Sophia Matveeva talks with Zahra Almahoozi, founder of DARB and recent graduate of the Tech for Non-Technical Founders program in Bahrain. Discover how Zahra's "less is more" approach helped her build a startup that addresses real user needs without overwhelming them with features. This episode is for you if you: Are building a digital product and wondering what to include Want to create something users will actually adopt (instead of ignore) Are looking to validate your concept with minimal investment ...
info_outlineDo you really need a co-founder? There's intense pressure in the startup world to find co-founders, but the data tells a surprising story.
MIT research shows that solo founders are actually more than twice as likely to succeed compared to teams, while Harvard research reveals that 65% of high-potential startups fail due to co-founder conflict.
In this episode, you'll learn how to make the right decision about co-founders for your business, based on data rather than pressure.
Listen to learn:
- Why the "you must have a co-founder" narrative persists despite evidence showing solo founders often succeed
- What successful solo founders like Jeff Bezos, Sara Blakely, and Mailchimp founder Ben Chestnut did differently
- How to evaluate if you really need a co-founder for your specific business
- A practical framework for finding and testing potential co-founders if you decide you want one
Whether you're a founder feeling pressured to find a co-founder, or an investor evaluating solo vs. co-founded companies, this episode will transform how you think about startup leadership and team building.
Learn why it's better to be a successful single parent than stuck in a toxic marriage when it comes to your business.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- MIT Sloan: 2 founders are not always better than 1
- The Founder's Dilemmas: Anticipating and Avoiding the Pitfalls That Can Sink a Startup, by Harvard Business School professor Noam Wasserman
For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/do-you-really-need-a-co-founder
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
03:06 The Co-Founder Relationship
06:00 Risks of Rushing into Co-Founding
08:52 Data-Driven Insights
12:12 Conflict and Co-Founders
15:08 When Co-Founders Make Sense
18:05 Evaluating Potential Co-Founders
20:58 Alternatives to Co-Founders
23:47 Testing Before Commitment
27:09 Focus on Success, Not Pressure
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