Lifeselfmastery's podcast I Startups I Venture Capital

Life Self Mastery Podcast is an interview based show where I interview online entrepreneurs who started their businesses and scaled up their businesses to improve their lifestyles. Previous guests include Guy Kawasaki, Brad Feld, James Clear, Shu Nyatta, Ida Tin, Elizabeth Yin, Polina Pompliano, Evgenia Plotnikova, Anna Khan, Minnie Ingersoll, Sridhar Ramaswamy, Mac Conwell, Danielle Strachman, Jake Gibson, Wes Kao, Brian Requarth, Vivek Sodera, Eric Siu, Amit Garg, Nischal Shetty, Pranav Pai, Nir Eyal, Paul Shapiro, Nick Huber, Rob Walling, Andrew Dsouza, Fabrice Grinda, and 300+ incredible guests.

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Palash Soni on Building Goldcast and the Future of AI Video Marketing 04/24/2025

Palash Soni on Building Goldcast and the Future of AI Video Marketing I am thrilled to have Palash Soni, the CEO of , an AI-powered B2B Video Campaign Platform that transforms marketing by putting video and events at the heart of the customer journey. In this episode, Palash Soni, CEO and Co-founder of Goldcast, shares how dropping out of Harvard Business School during the pandemic led to building an AI-powered B2B video marketing platform. Palash walks us through his early failures, the moment he saw the COVID tailwind, and how Goldcast scaled from zero to $1M ARR with Drift as an early customer. He also explains the future of AI-powered video content, why authentic human storytelling will never be replaced, and how lean teams using AI can transform marketing, and much more! Timestamps 01:15 – Palash shares how he got started in startups and his journey to Harvard 03:10 – Early startup failures and the mindset shift at Harvard Business School 05:45 – Identifying the Goldcast opportunity during COVID and recognising tailwinds 08:30 – Convincing family to drop out of Harvard with a newborn and navigating visa challenges 11:40 – Raising the first $1.5M and the urgency of going full-time on the startup 13:10 – Launching Goldcast’s first product and targeting B2B marketers 15:00 – Getting early traction through cold outbound sales 16:45 – Drift becomes a customer and helps Goldcast scale from $50K to $1M ARR 18:30 – Expansion into multi-product strategy in 2023 20:15 – Navigating product positioning and building a second AI-powered tool 22:40 – Funnel strategy: free trials leading to sales conversations 24:00 – Advice for early-stage founders on when to hire AEs and VPs of Sales 26:10 – Will AI replace human creativity in B2B video marketing? 28:00 – Goldcast’s thesis: Authentic, human-led content will rise in value 29:40 – How AI helps repurpose expensive, time-intensive content 31:15 – The future of AI-powered video marketing and authentic communication 33:00 – AI compressing the content creation funnel for modern marketers 34:50 – Will AI displace jobs? How to stay relevant as a student or early professional 36:55 – The rise of AI agents and their impact on sales and marketing teams 39:00 – Coding AI and its effect on product building and entrepreneurship 41:10 – Pricing pressures in SaaS and AI’s effect on procurement expectations 43:30 – Klarna’s AI-powered savings: can every company build in-house tools? 45:00 – Biggest mistake: not defining company values early enough Palash’s Links LDN– Website – My Links Podcast: Newsletter: YouTube: Twitter: LinkedIn: Agency: /episode/index/show/ba15e0dc-d70b-4727-8ff5-21aa20538ae1/id/36288750

How Kishore Ravichandran from Plug and Play Backs Deep Tech and the Next $100M Startups 04/17/2025

How Kishore Ravichandran from Plug and Play Backs Deep Tech and the Next $100M Startups Kishore Ravichandran is the investor at , the ultimate innovation platform. Over the past 15 years, PnP has brought together 35,000+ startups, 500+ world-leading corporations, and hundreds of venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies across 20+ industries In this episode, Kishore Ravichandran, Investor at Plug and Play Tech Center shares how a university program in Singapore sparked his passion for startups and led to a career in venture capital. Kishore explains Plug and Play’s global model—investing in over 2,000 startups, supporting them with a 550+ strong corporate partner network, and operating across verticals from mobility to sustainability. Kishore also discusses the future of space tech, nuclear innovation, and why lean AI-first teams are poised to build $100M businesses—and much more! Timestamps [01:00] – Kishore shares how he stumbled into the world of startups and venture capital via NUS and internships. [02:30] – The impact of COVID on his original plans and how it rerouted his journey into consulting and startups. [04:00] – Differences between the APAC startup ecosystem vs. Europe and US. [05:40] – Plug and Play’s investment strategy and their emphasis on B2B startups. [07:00] – How Plug and Play leverages its corporate network for startup validation and strategic value. [08:30] – Kishore explains Plug and Play’s corporate innovation model and global network. [10:00] – Reserve investing strategy: how they double down on winners using specific funds. [11:20] – How Plug and Play aligns with startups to avoid conflict and support existing portfolio founders. [12:30] – Mindset shift VCs need to make when investing in deep tech. [14:00] – The difference between incremental B2B SaaS and revolutionary deep tech. [15:30] – Kishore’s belief that the next VC wave will focus more on deep tech and frontier tech. [16:30] – The “Three T’s” framework for evaluating early-stage startups: Team, Technology, Traction. [18:00] – Why team/founder quality often outweighs the market in early-stage investing. [19:30] – Role of traction vs. revenue in pre-seed and seed evaluations. [21:00] – The role of private companies in space exploration and Kishore's views on Elon Musk's SpaceX. [23:00] – Kishore on the cultural risk aversion in APAC and how it limits deep tech startup formation. [25:00] – Advice to scientists and researchers in APAC: “Get out of the lab and build something.” [26:30] – How founders should approach market sizing using both top-down and bottom-up methods. [28:00] – The myth of early-stage TAM/SAM/SOM and the example of Uber and Grab evolving beyond initial markets. [29:30] – Kishore on VC overexuberance in 2021 and why many VCs had to reassess their strategies. [31:00] – Rise of AI-native companies and the shift to agentic AI solutions. [32:30] – Key qualities of successful founders: conviction and “cockroach mentality.” [34:00] – Kishore’s bullish sectors: space tech, small modular nuclear reactors, sustainability. Kishore’s Links LDN– Website – My Links Podcast: Newsletter: YouTube: Twitter: LinkedIn: Agency: /episode/index/show/ba15e0dc-d70b-4727-8ff5-21aa20538ae1/id/36200095

Redefining Luxury Fintech with Hugo Gomez from Bobo 04/10/2025

Redefining Luxury Fintech with Hugo Gomez from Bobo is the co-founder and CEO of , a fintech that caters to the unique needs of (U)HNWIs. Hugo has over 15 years of experience in traditional banking, including roles at HSBC and Banistmo In this episode, Hugo Gomez, Co-founder and CEO of Bobo Fintech, shares how his background in traditional banking led him to build a luxury fintech platform tailored for high-net-worth individuals. Hugo discusses how Bobo offers customizable financial experiences—from wearable payment devices to accounts for private staff—and why legacy banks are unprepared for the $84 trillion generational wealth transfer. He delves into growth strategies, including strategic partnerships and content marketing, and explains how AI and personalization will shape the future of wealth management, and much more! Timestamps 01:00 – Hugo shares his banking background and early career in Panama. 02:55 – Discovering the gap in banking services for affluent clients. 04:20 – Why corporate banking struggles to innovate quickly. 06:00 – How Hugo’s experience led to the founding of Bobo. 07:10 – Differentiating Bobo from banks and fintechs. 08:45 – Offering financial services to private staff like nannies and chauffeurs. 10:30 – Use of wearables (rings, charms) in Bobo’s fintech offering. 12:00 – Payment facilitation and delegated approvals for high-net-worth clients. 13:30 – The $84 trillion generational wealth transfer and why banks aren’t ready. 15:00 – Customization gaps in traditional banking apps for millennials. 16:40 – Bobo’s opportunity in serving HNIs and UHNWIs during generational shift. 18:00 – Two major challenges in luxury fintech: regulation and trust. 19:45 – The importance of partnerships in luxury brand positioning. 21:00 – Hugo’s advice on wealth diversification and personal risk appetite. 23:30 – Hugo’s own portfolio: ETFs, private equity, crypto, and real estate. 25:00 – How Bobo is using their €6.5M seed funding. 26:30 – Addressing cross-border needs of global HNIs with the right partners. 28:00 – Initial growth tactics: leveraging the founders’ network. 29:30 – Key strategy: partnerships with real estate, family offices, concierge services. 31:00 – Underutilized tactic: emotional storytelling via content marketing. 32:30 – Product testing using a lean approach with trusted HNI clients. 34:00 – Trends in wealth management: personalization, ESG, and blockchain. 36:00 – Hugo’s belief in small Bitcoin allocation as a hedge against inflation. Hugo’s Links LDN– Website – My Links Podcast: Newsletter: YouTube: Twitter: LinkedIn: Agency: /episode/index/show/ba15e0dc-d70b-4727-8ff5-21aa20538ae1/id/36079400

Ilya Drozdov from Dwelly on AI in Lettings and Building High-Margin Businesses 04/03/2025

Ilya Drozdov from Dwelly on AI in Lettings and Building High-Margin Businesses the CEO at , an AI-enabled Lettings & Property Management Marketplace, that boosts 3x margins of the letting agency in 2 months only. He previously co-founded the largest tech-enabled letting company in Eastern Europe that managed 10,000+ properties and reached $50M GMV in three years. In this episode, Ilya Drozdov, former Uber GM and CEO of Dwelly shares his journey from scaling Uber Russia to building tech-enabled property management platforms. He dives into lessons from managing fierce competition with Yandex, what made Uber’s playbook effective, and how Dwelly uses AI to transform traditional letting agencies. Ilya also discusses why culture mirrors founders, the balance between innovation and tradition in real estate, and the critical role of timing in startup success. He explains Dwelly’s acquisition and partnership strategy, the importance of product-market fit before scaling, and how founders can detach personal identity from company outcomes—and much more! Timestamps [02:15] – The general manager role at Uber and how it trained him for entrepreneurship. [03:40] – Uber’s entrepreneurial culture under Travis Kalanick and the motto: “Make big, bold bets.” 04:50] – Growing Uber Russia from 5 to 1,000 people and focusing on market share over team size. 06:05] – Uber’s expansion across 17+ Russian cities and the dominance of Moscow and St. Petersburg. 08:00] – Yandex’s advantages: local product teams and integration with existing services (maps, navigation). 09:30] – Uber’s city expansion playbook: choosing based on market size, competition, and local partnerships. 12:00] – How Yandex was equally aggressive in pricing and competition. 12:30] – Why Ilya transitioned into property lettings and how marketplaces shaped his lens. 13:30] – Challenges of building a marketplace in lettings due to lower transaction frequency. 14:50] – Dwelly’s unique edge: leveraging AI, especially LLMs, to automate communication-heavy property management. 16:00] – Dwelly's two-pronged growth: acquiring agencies and partnering with existing ones. 17:10] – Why traditional agents won’t disappear: AI + human hybrid model is the future. 18:30] – Targeting small-to-mid-sized agencies (500–3,000 properties) for scale and partnership. 19:45] – Dwelly aims for 35–40% EBITDA margins, significantly higher than traditional agents. 23:15] – Real estate innovation: evolution vs. revolution; building on top of existing industry norms. 24:30] – Why timing plays a critical role in startup success—compared to catching waves while surfing. 25:50] – On simplicity in product: it depends on the market’s cultural context (e.g. China vs. US). Ilya’s Links LDN– Website - My Links Podcast: Newsletter: YouTube: Twitter: LinkedIn: Agency: /episode/index/show/ba15e0dc-d70b-4727-8ff5-21aa20538ae1/id/35990865

The Super Upside Factor with Daniel Kang 03/27/2025

The Super Upside Factor with Daniel Kang is the CEO & co-founder of Y-Combinator-backed startup , a marketplace that provides financing to influencers and allows fans to share in their success. He is the author of his new book - In this episode, Daniel Kang, author of The Super Upside Factor, shares his journey from consulting at BCG to venture capital at SoftBank and ultimately founding Flowbo, a Y Combinator-backed marketplace that helps creators access capital. He discusses the challenges of building Flowbo during COVID-19, securing early customers, and the importance of asymmetric bets in life and business. Daniel also explains why writing led to his book The Super Upside Factor, how to think about quitting strategically, and why risk capital dynamics differ between the US and Europe, and much more! Timestamps 00:02:30 – Daniel’s background 00:04:15 – Moving from consulting to venture capital 00:06:30 – Importance of building your own reputation rather than borrowing from prestigious companies. 00:10:20 – How Daniel identified the gap in financial access for freelancers and creators 00:12:10 – Challenges of raising funds during COVID-19. 00:14:50 – Early customer acquisition strategy and learning from Paul Graham’s "Do Things That Don’t Scale." 00:17:25 – Daniel's approach to connecting with creators by organizing exclusive events. 00:19:05 – Why writing became a powerful tool for Daniel to reflect on strategy and personal growth. 00:23:45 – Explanation of "asymmetric principles" and why VCs can afford to be wrong most of the time. 00:26:15 – Three key principles for asymmetric bets: Budget for failure, target high upsides, and use feedback loops. 00:28:40 – How these principles apply beyond investing to life and career decisions. 00:31:00 – Differences between US and European VC markets: Risk capital and founder dynamics. 00:34:45 – How AI is reshaping the startup ecosystem and reducing costs of launching companies. 00:37:15 – Why niche and distribution will matter more for future AI companies. 00:40:30 – Building a "life portfolio" and how Daniel manages risk in his personal and professional life. 00:43:20 – The correlation between household income and likelihood of pursuing creative careers. 00:45:55 – How asymmetric bets can help level the playing field for creatives from middle-class backgrounds. 00:49:00 – The art of quitting: Different types of quitting and when to walk away from a failing business. 00:52:10 – Why quitting isn’t necessarily a failure but a strategic decision. 00:54:45 – Advice for founders raising funds: Focus on creating value before raising money. 00:57:00 – Why founders should avoid private negotiations and aim for auction-like funding dynamics. Daniel’s Links LDN– Book - My Links Podcast: Newsletter: YouTube: Twitter: LinkedIn: Agency: /episode/index/show/ba15e0dc-d70b-4727-8ff5-21aa20538ae1/id/35884325

Kartik Dabiru on Building Complystream, AI in Financial Crime, and Startup Success 03/20/2025

Anthony Danon on Building Rerail and Scaling Startups 03/13/2025

Anthony Danon on Building Rerail and Scaling Startups Anthony Danon is the GP of - Pre-seed / seed angel fund investing in founders that look to utilize fintech. He was earlier a partner at Speedinvest and an investor at Anthemis In this episode, Anthony Danon, General Partner at Rerail, shares his journey from an unpaid internship at Anthemis to building Rerail, a $24M solo GP fund focused on fintech-powered businesses. Anthony discusses his early days of investing in fintech at Anthemis and Speedinvest, the decision to co-found Coco Fund with Carmen, and why he eventually launched Rerail. He explains his “Everything is Fintech” thesis, the value of founder obsession, and how he leverages his global network for deal flow, due diligence, and much more! Timestamps [00:01:45] – How Anthony started in VC through an unpaid internship at Anthemis in 2014. [00:04:30] – Early experience at Anthemis and how it shaped his understanding of fintech investing. [00:06:12] – Transition to Speedinvest and the shift to leading fintech seed investments in the UK. [00:09:10] – Building Coco Fund with Carmen and the decision to leave Speedinvest. [00:11:20] – Launching Rerail as a solo GP fund and focusing on fintech-powered companies. [00:14:00] – Explanation of the “Everything is Fintech” thesis. [00:16:30] – Three categories of fintech opportunities: Core fintech, fintech-powered, and fintech in regulated markets. [00:19:00] – Raising a $24M fund and targeting 25–30 investments. [00:21:10] – How Anthony analyzes deals and founder traits he looks for. [00:23:15] – Focus on founder obsession, unique insights, and clarity of vision. [00:25:30] – How he leverages his network of founders and operators for deal flow. [00:28:45] – Role of distribution and partnerships in helping portfolio companies grow. [00:31:20] – Co-investment strategy and working with other funds. [00:33:45] – Challenges and benefits of investing globally. [00:35:55] – Exciting fintech markets – mentions of India, LatAm, and Africa. [00:38:10] – Why Revolut succeeded in Europe but no equivalent exists in the US. [00:40:25] – How AI is shaping the future of fintech. [00:42:30] – Role of AI in digitizing intermediated markets like insurance and lending. [00:44:50] – How Anthony approaches early-stage investments in new markets. [00:47:10] – Importance of having a structured framework for exits and riding winners. [00:49:30] – Advice to first-time fintech founders on raising capital. [00:51:45] – Lessons from building Coco Fund and Rerail. Anthony’s Links LDN– Website – https://www.rerail.vc/ My Links Podcast: Newsletter: YouTube: Twitter: LinkedIn: Agency: /episode/index/show/ba15e0dc-d70b-4727-8ff5-21aa20538ae1/id/35670045

Venture Everywhere with Jenny Fielding 03/06/2025

Venture Everywhere with Jenny Fielding is the co-founder and Managing Partner of . She is the author of the book, In this episode, Jenny Fielding, co-founder and managing partner of Everywhere Ventures, shares her journey from corporate law and startup founder to becoming a top pre-seed investor. She discusses the transition from running startups to venture capital, the challenges of building a micro-fund, and the power of community-driven investing. She also talks about her book Venture Everywhere, highlighting inspiring founders worldwide, and much more! Timestamps 00:30 - 01:00 - Jenny’s background as a pre-seed investor and co-founder of Everywhere Ventures. 01:00 - 02:30 - How Jenny transitioned from a corporate job at J.P. Morgan to founding a startup. 02:30 - 03:30 - Jenny’s first startup success and the role of timing in her exit. 03:30 - 04:30 - Lessons learned from her second startup failure and missing market timing. 04:30 - 05:30 - Why Jenny decided to transition from being a founder to a venture capitalist. 05:30 - 06:30 - Early days at Techstars and its impact on Jenny’s career. 06:30 - 07:30 - Differences between Techstars, Y Combinator, and other accelerators. 07:30 - 08:30 - The decision to launch Everywhere Ventures and how it operates. 08:30 - 09:30 - Building a micro-fund and how it’s similar to launching a startup. 09:30 - 10:30 - The concept of "community-powered venture capital." 11:30 - 12:30 - The importance of pre-seed and seed-stage investments. 12:30 - 13:30 - How Jenny evaluates first-time founders versus experienced ones. 13:30 - 14:30 - The challenges and advantages of following on in investments. 14:30 - 15:30 - Market shifts affecting valuation trends for pre-seed rounds. 15:30 - 16:30 - The state of M&A and liquidity events in the VC world. 16:30 - 17:30 - How to identify product-market fit as a pre-seed investor. 17:30 - 18:30 - Common fundraising misconceptions among founders. 18:30 - 19:30 - How founders can maximize value from their existing investors. 19:30 - 20:30 - The importance of relationship-building for fundraising. 20:30 - 21:30 - Jenny’s insights on the startup ecosystem in New York vs. London. 21:30 - 22:30 - The future of pre-seed investing and the role of AI. 22:30 - 23:30 - Jenny’s thoughts on launching her book, Venture Everywhere. Jenny’s Links LDN– Website – Book - My Links Podcast: Newsletter: YouTube: Twitter: LinkedIn: Agency: /episode/index/show/ba15e0dc-d70b-4727-8ff5-21aa20538ae1/id/35558235

From Morning Brew to Smooth Media: Jenny Rothenberg’s Blueprint for Scaling the Creator Economy 02/27/2025

From Morning Brew to Smooth Media: Jenny Rothenberg’s Blueprint for Scaling the Creator Economy , the COO of , an NYC-based agency representing knowledge creators. She is the ex-director of growth at Morning Brew. In this episode, the CEO of Smooth Media, Jenny Rothenberg shares her journey from Industry Dive and Morning Brew to founding her own media and agency powerhouse. Jenny reveals how she leveraged data-driven paid ads, referral programs, and strategic content repurposing to scale audiences and build thriving relationships with knowledge creators. She discusses pivotal lessons learned from growth experiments, from subway ad missteps to optimizing subscriber engagement and much more! Timestamps 01:00 – 01:30 Jenny discusses her early career at Industry Dive 01:30 – 02:00 Overview of Industry Dive’s B2B media publications 05:00 – 05:30 Transition to Jenny’s move to Morning Brew 07:30 – 08:00 Morning Brew’s growth strategy is outlined 09:00 – 09:30 Deep dive into using Facebook ads as a “golden ticket” for subscriber acquisition. 11:00 – 11:30 Exploration of Morning Brew’s referral program 12:30 – 13:00 Advice for new newsletter creators in 2025 on why a heavy paid acquisition model might not be ideal. 15:00 – 15:30 Recommendation to leverage free content platforms (LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram Reels) as top‐of‐funnel strategies. 16:00 – 16:30 Story of collaborating with creators (like Colin & Samir) to launch Publish Press for the creator economy. 17:30 – 18:00 Introduction of Smooth Media’s acquisition strategy 18:30 – 19:00 Defining “knowledge creators” and why Smooth Media focuses on creators who deliver educational, insightful content. 19:00 – 19:30 Best growth decision recap 20:00 – 10:30 Insights on repurposing content across channels and how to build an effective content marketing flywheel. 30:30 – 31:00 Discussion on hiring for growth roles Jenny’s Links LDN– Website – My Links Podcast: Newsletter: YouTube: Twitter: LinkedIn: Agency: /episode/index/show/ba15e0dc-d70b-4727-8ff5-21aa20538ae1/id/35457345

Roshan Gupta from AmplifyPM on Storytelling & the Future of PM 02/20/2025

Roshan Gupta from AmplifyPM on Storytelling & the Future of PM Roshan Gupta is the founder of AmplifyPM Roshan founded AmplifyPM to bridge this gap and transform Product Managers into Product Leaders.. He is the ex-product head at Google and Meta In this episode, Roshan Gupta, founder of Amplify PM and former product leader at Google and Meta, shares his journey from software engineering to product management and leadership. Roshan discusses breaking into PM roles, scaling from team management to leading 300+ people, and key mindset shifts for product leaders. He dives into the importance of storytelling, strategic thinking, and networking for career growth. Roshan also explores the evolving AI landscape, its impact on product management, and how PMs can future-proof their skills, and much more! Timestamps 00:00:30 - Introduction of guest Roshan Gupta, founder of Amplify PM, ex-Google and Meta. 00:01:15 - Roshan shares how he transitioned from software engineering to product management. 00:03:10 - Roshan's journey from Oracle to Yahoo and how he finally broke into product management. 00:05:30 - Moving from the U.S. to Portugal and the state of the product management ecosystem there. 00:08:15 - Roshan discusses his experience managing a 300+ person team at Google. 00:10:40 - Key mindset shifts when transitioning from product manager to product leader. 00:12:30 - The importance of shifting focus from team success to company success as a leader. 00:14:50 - Scaling leadership: From managing teams to managing team leaders. 00:17:00 - Why great leaders prioritize predictability over speed in decision-making. 00:19:10 - Insights on storytelling as a core leadership skill. 00:21:30 - Essential soft skills that differentiate good PMs from great PMs. 00:23:20 - Communication strategies for PMs and PM leaders. 00:26:15 - The importance of focus, clarity, and trust in storytelling. 00:29:10 - The biggest mistake new PMs make in their first 30 days. 00:31:40 - How to showcase achievements effectively as a PM. 00:34:15 - Leadership skills that PMs often lack and need to develop. 00:36:50 - The importance of scaling as a leadership skill. 00:39:30 - How strategic thinking sets apart top PMs. 00:42:15 - Why networking and building relationships are crucial for PM career growth. 00:44:00 - How Roshan’s coaching program helps PMs transition into leadership. 00:46:30 - The future of AI and its impact on product management. 00:49:20 - The evolving AI landscape: Google, OpenAI, Apple, and their AI strategies. Roshan’s Links LDN– Website – Fast track to product leader course - My Links Podcast: Newsletter: YouTube: Twitter: LinkedIn: Agency: /episode/index/show/ba15e0dc-d70b-4727-8ff5-21aa20538ae1/id/35362860

Disrupting Home-Sharing with Bo Abrams from Kommu 02/13/2025

Disrupting Home-Sharing with Bo Abrams from Kommu is the founder of kommu ("koh-mu"), a connected home-sharing and travel platform that links users with their network and lets them host trusted friends, interest groups, and communities in their homes on their terms. In this episode, Bo Abrams, founder of , shares his journey from hedge funds and VC to launching a connected home-sharing and travel platform. Bob discusses the inspiration behind , differentiating from Airbnb, and building trust in a competitive marketplace. He explores strategies for scaling, maintaining affordability, and expanding into key cities. Bob also talks about social-driven travel trends among millennials and Gen Z, leveraging marketing hacks, achieving product-market fit, and much more! Timestamps [00:02:15] Bob's journey from hedge funds and VC to startups and joining Steelhouse. [00:04:00] The impact of experience at Canyon Partners on Bob's startup journey. [00:07:45] Inspiration behind starting and differentiating it from Airbnb. [00:10:30] Explanation of 's pricing strategy for affordable stays. [00:13:00] Expansion strategy of from Los Angeles to other cities. [00:15:00] Addressing the chicken-and-egg problem of supply vs. demand in marketplaces. [00:18:15] Trust and safety mechanisms for both hosts and guests on Como. [00:21:45] Impact of 's business model on traditional hotel industries in high-cost areas. [00:24:00] Exploring millennials and Gen Z attitudes toward travel and homeownership. [00:26:30] Marketing strategies, including social proof and growth hacks, used by . [00:29:00] Lessons on branding and messaging to resonate with target customers. [00:32:00] Metrics uses to measure user retention and engagement. [00:35:00] Discussion of product mistakes and the importance of focusing on design. [00:38:00] Challenges founders face in achieving product-market fit. [00:40:45] Advice for founders to differentiate themselves in a competitive travel industry. [00:44:00] The role of AI in scaling personalized experiences in travel. Bo’s Links LDN– Website – My Links Podcast: YouTube: Twitter: LinkedIn: Agency: /episode/index/show/ba15e0dc-d70b-4727-8ff5-21aa20538ae1/id/35268765

Saravana Kumar from Kovai on Bootstrapping Success and the Future of AI 02/06/2025

Saravana Kumar from Kovai on Bootstrapping Success and the Future of AI is the founder of Kovai - to $10 million ARR. Kovai currently employs 160 people, with offices in India and the UK. In this episode, Saravana Kumar, founder of Kovai, shares his journey from IT consulting to building a bootstrapped SaaS business with over 200 employees. Saravana discusses identifying business gaps that led to products like BizTalk 360 and Document 360, scaling multiple SaaS products, and managing culture across global teams. He dives into the decision to bootstrap instead of seeking VC funding, the impact of AI on business operations, opportunities in India's growing tech ecosystem, and much more! Timestamps [00:04:00] Origin story of BizTalk 360 and how Saravana discovered a business gap. [00:08:45] Transition to creating multiple products under the umbrella brand, Kovai. [00:12:00] Saravana explains strategies for deciding when to build a second or third product. [00:16:30] Discussion on identity challenges of running a multi-product business. [00:19:00] Saravana explains why he chose to bootstrap his business instead of taking VC funding. [00:22:45] Saravana shares early customer success stories and revenue generation. [00:26:00] Saravana’s perspective on VC funding and managing business expenses efficiently. [00:30:15] Insights on the future of AI-driven billion-dollar companies with small teams. [00:33:30] Saravana discusses how AI tools are reshaping business operations. [00:36:45] Advice for graduates on staying relevant in the AI-driven job market. [00:40:00] The role of AI agents in decision-making processes for CEOs. [00:43:00] Saravana explains Document 360's roadmap adaptation due to AI advancements. [00:46:30] Benefits of integrating AI for enhancing customer support and technical writing. [00:50:00] Managing culture and accountability with remote and distributed teams. [00:53:30] Saravana shares experiences of maintaining company culture in different offices. [00:57:00] Saravana reflects on lifestyle differences between living in India and abroad. [01:00:45] Discussion on opportunities and technological advancements in Indian cities. [01:04:00] Saravana talks about his venture investments and supporting startup ecosystems. [01:07:30] Importance of founders maintaining focus on their primary business before investing. Saravana’s Links LDN– Website – My Links Podcast: YouTube: Twitter: LinkedIn: Agency: /episode/index/show/ba15e0dc-d70b-4727-8ff5-21aa20538ae1/id/35173555

Yuri Zaremba from AISDR on Transforming Sales Automation 01/31/2025

Stephan De Moraes from Indigo Capital Partners on investing in startups in Southern Europe 01/23/2025

Stephan De Moraes from Indigo Capital Partners on investing in startups in Southern Europe (aka Stephan Morais) is the founder and Managing General Partner of Indico Capital Partners (www.indicocapital.com), a leading venture capital tech and sustainability-focused firm based in Portugal. In this episode, Stephan De Moraes, Managing General Partner at Indigo Capital Partners, shares his journey from consulting and banking to founding a leading venture capital firm in Southern Europe. Stephan discusses the challenges of raising funds in emerging ecosystems, the traits of successful unicorn startups, and why Portuguese startups aim global from day one. He explores the intersection of sustainability and tech with Indigo’s ocean-focused fund, balancing emerging technologies like AI with impactful investments. Stephan also shares lessons on hiring top talent, navigating IPO and M&A markets, practical advice for emerging VC managers, and much more! Timestamps 00:01:15 - Stephan’s journey: from consulting to investment banking and starting his own startup. 00:02:45 - Transition into venture capital during the dot-com boom and bust. 00:04:30 - Founding Indigo Capital Partners and challenges in raising the first fund. 00:06:15 - Expansion into South European markets: Portugal, Spain, and Italy. 00:07:45 - Differences between Northern and Southern European startup ecosystems. 00:09:30 - The importance of going global early for startups in Portugal. 00:11:00 - Capital availability disparities between Europe and the US. 00:13:15 - Common traits of successful unicorn startups. 00:14:50 - Advice on hiring senior talent to accelerate startup growth. 00:16:15 - Challenges of finding the right investors and board members. 00:17:40 - Launching an ocean-focused sustainability fund. 00:19:10 - Balancing emerging technologies like AI and sustainability investments. 00:21:30 - The importance of focusing on geographic and sectoral mandates in VC. 00:23:45 - Decision-making processes in selecting deals for investment. 00:25:10 - Exciting sectors in Southern European startups: SaaS, marketplaces, and industrial innovations. 00:27:15 - Outlook on the IPO and M&A markets. 00:29:45 - Lessons from fundraising challenges when starting Indigo Capital. 00:31:30 - Mistakes and learnings from early fund investments. Stephan’s Links LDN– Website – My Links Podcast: YouTube: Twitter: LinkedIn: Agency: /episode/index/show/ba15e0dc-d70b-4727-8ff5-21aa20538ae1/id/34971970

Kate McAndrew from Baukunst on Pre-Seed Investing and Empowering Founders 01/17/2025

Kate McAndrew from Baukunst on Pre-Seed Investing and Empowering Founders I am excited to have , the GP of Baukunst is a collective of creative technologists advancing the art of building companies at the frontiers of technology and design. They lead pre-seed rounds, typically investing $500k-$1.5M in pre-product, pre-revenue startups. Kate is the author of the book - , In this episode, Kate McAndrew, General Partner at Baukunst, shares her inspiring journey from art history graduate to venture capitalist. Kate discusses the unique challenges and opportunities of pre-seed investing, identifying exceptional founders, and her approach to scaling hardware startups. She delves into Baukunst’s focus on deep tech, the intersection of CAD and AI, and the importance of building diverse, high-performing teams. Kate also talks about co-authoring The Goddess Guide to Branding, empowering female founders, and her thoughts on trends shaping venture capital, and much more! Timestamps Kate's journey into venture capital - [2:20] Kate's early entrepreneurial ventures (vegan cupcakes and blogging) - [4:30] Transition from operator to VC - [6:50] Building an accelerator program in the Southeast - [8:10] Experience at Bolt and pre-seed investing strategy - [11:00] Different archetypes of founders in Baukunst’s portfolio - [13:40] Key attributes sought in pre-seed founders - [15:20] Trends in CAD and AI at the intersection of deep tech - [18:10] Investment in Amber (former Autodesk co-CEO’s startup) - [20:15] Approach to leading and following on pre-seed rounds - [23:00] Scaling challenges for hardware companies - [25:30] Advice on minimizing founder dilution - [28:00] Misconceptions founders have about fundraising - [30:20] Maximizing value from VC board members - [33:10] The impact of being a board member on investment strategy - [35:00] Challenges faced by female founders in venture capital - [37:20] Opportunities for private equity in SaaS exits - [40:30] Future trends in venture capital - [42:50] Importance of building strong founding teams in deep tech - [45:00] Emerging consumer applications of AI - [47:10] The story behind writing "The Goddess Guide to Branding" - [49:00] Advice for emerging fund managers - [52:40] Choosing the name Baukunst and its significance - [54:50] Kate’s Links LDN– Website – My Links Podcast: YouTube: Twitter: LinkedIn: 5-day email course: /episode/index/show/ba15e0dc-d70b-4727-8ff5-21aa20538ae1/id/34891530

Anand Chandra on Transforming Rural Finance and Scaling Arya to Success 01/10/2025

Nick Moran on Investing in Outsiders and Lessons from The Full Ratchet 01/02/2025

Mustafa Khanwala on Building Mishipay and the Future of Retail 12/26/2024

Deepak Anchala on Building SaaS Success, AI Disruption, and Founder Insights 12/19/2024

Wes Bush on Scaling SaaS and Mastering Content Marketing 12/15/2024

Wes Bush on Scaling SaaS and Mastering Content Marketing I am excited to have , the Founder of ProductLed and author of the bestseller Product-Led Growth: How to Build a Product That Sells Itself. He is the author of the new book, The ProductLed Playbook In this episode, Wes Bush, founder of ProductLed and author of Product-Led Growth, shares his journey into startups and the transformative power of product-led growth (PLG). Wes explores the shift from sales-led to PLG models, insights from Vidyard, and the keys to scaling SaaS businesses. He discusses freemium challenges, leveraging AI for better conversion, and mastering content marketing with books as lead magnets. Wes also dives into hiring for growth, metrics for PLG success, and creating standout content with a contrarian viewpoint, and much more! Subscribe on Subscribe on Subscribe on Learn What do you see as the biggest benefits for companies adopting a product-led approach? What does a successful product-led team look like How can sales teams integrate with a PLG strategy? What is your favourite business book/ podcast? –Traction What is your favourite online tool? –Canva If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Stopped creating after the first book Timestamps Wes’s Journey into Product Management (00:02:45) The Transition from Sales-Led to Product-Led Growth (00:04:30) Insights from Vidyard and Growth Challenges (00:07:15) Focus on One Growth Channel or Multiple Channels? (00:12:30) Recommended Ad Budgets and Key Considerations (00:15:00) Defining Product-Led Growth vs. Sales-Led Models (00:18:00) Examples of Successful PLG Companies (00:20:30) Freemium Model Challenges and AI Opportunities (00:23:00) PLG for B2B vs. B2C Companies (00:25:45) Content Marketing and the Role of Books (00:28:00) Using Books as Lead Magnets for SaaS Companies (00:31:30) Why Wes Turned Down Traditional Publishers (00:34:00) Content Team Integration with Consulting Practices (00:37:00) Best Channels for Growth and Future Trends (00:40:15) The Role of Contrarian Opinions in Content Strategy (00:42:45) Impact of AI on SEO and Search Trends (00:45:30) Reaching Younger Audiences Through TikTok and Social Media (00:48:00) Key Metrics for Measuring PLG Success (00:50:30) When to Hire a Head of Growth (00:53:00) Motivation Behind Writing the Product-Led Playbook (00:56:00) Differences Between Product-Led Growth and Product-Led Playbook (00:58:30) Wes’s Links LDN– Product Led Playbook - My Links Podcast: YouTube: Twitter: 5-day email course: /episode/index/show/ba15e0dc-d70b-4727-8ff5-21aa20538ae1/id/34455430

Ross Fubini from XYZ Ventures on Scaling Startups, AI, and Building Winning Networks 12/06/2024

Ross Fubini from XYZ Ventures on Scaling Startups, AI, and Building Winning Networks I am thrilled to have , the Managing Partner at XYZ VC, an early-stage venture fund with a fintech and enterprise-focused portfolio that includes investments in companies like Anduril, Hex, Bravado, Switchboard, Stir, and Sardine In this episode, Ross Fubini, Managing Partner at XYZ Ventures, shares his journey from engineering to venture capital. Ross discusses lessons from building and selling companies and identifying market-transformative opportunities. He explores the rise of AI in SaaS, investing in startups like Anduril, and balancing execution with market timing. Ross dives into providing value beyond capital, scaling through founder networks, navigating challenges in VC, including fundraising and liquidity, and much more! Subscribe on Subscribe on Subscribe on Learn * What were some of the lessons investing in Palantir and Android * How does Ross assess the state of the IPO market today? * What advice would you give to emerging managers looking to raise a VC fund today? * What is your favourite business book/ podcast? –Acquired podcast * What is your favourite online tool? –Notion * If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Tap into my network Timestamps Selling a Company and Lessons Learned (3:01 - 5:00) The Role of AI in SaaS Evolution (7:01 - 9:00) The Anduril Seed Deal (9:01 - 11:00) Running Two Venture Funds (11:01 - 13:00) Building Networks in Venture Capital (13:01 - 15:00) Challenges in Venture Capital (15:01 - 17:00) Advice for Emerging Managers (17:01 - 19:00) The Critical Role of Execution (19:01 - 21:00) Market Sizing and Timing (21:01 - 23:00) The State of the IPO Market (23:01 - 25:00) Mistakes VCs Make with AI Investments (25:01 - 27:00) Balancing Venture and Private Equity (27:01 - 29:00) Providing Value Beyond Capital (29:01 - 31:00) Lessons from Past Investments (31:01 - 33:00) Importance of Founder Referrals (33:01 - 35:00) Long-Term VC Success Factors (35:01 - 37:00) Execution vs. Market in Early Stages (37:01 - 39:00) Leveraging Founder Networks (39:01 - 41:00) Raising Funds for XYZ (41:01 - 43:00) Ross’s Links LDN– Website – https://www.xyz.vc/ My Links Podcast: YouTube: Twitter: 5-day email course: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit /episode/index/show/ba15e0dc-d70b-4727-8ff5-21aa20538ae1/id/34656410

Creating content that converts with Steven Schneider from TrioSEO 11/29/2024

Creating content that converts with Steven Schneider from TrioSEO I am happy to have , the CEO of TrioSEO. TrioSEO helps six, and eight-figure businesses scale organic traffic and profits by turning boring blogs into organic traffic titans. In this episode, Steven Schneider, CEO of TriSEO, shares his journey from finance to building a successful SEO career. Steven discusses scaling organic traffic, creating high-intent content, and leveraging SEO for SaaS businesses. He explores the impact of AI on search, balancing quality and quantity in content, and strategies like buying undervalued blogs. Steven delves into keyword research, bottom-of-funnel content, and optimizing for user experience, and much more! Subscribe on Subscribe on Subscribe on Learn * Is AI going to kill SEO? * What are some common misconceptions about SEO? * How can one integrate CRO and UX suggestions into their SEO strategy? * What is your favourite business book? –Value of SEO * What is your favourite online tool? –Airtable * If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – get on more podcasts Timestamps Steven's Journey into SEO (01:00–02:30) First Steps in SEO (02:30–03:30) Scaling SEO Operations (03:30–04:30) Pre-AI Content Production (04:30–05:30) Buying and Selling Blogs (05:30–06:30) Inception of Trisu SEO (07:00–08:30) Impact of AI on SEO (08:30–10:30) AI vs. Google Search (10:30–12:00) Detecting AI-Generated Content (13:30–14:30) Quality vs. Quantity in SEO (14:30–16:00) Common SEO Misconceptions (16:00–17:30) SEO for SaaS Companies (17:30–19:00) Bottom-of-Funnel Content (19:00–20:30) Keyword Research Strategy (20:30–22:00) Tools for Competitor Analysis (22:00–23:00) CRO and User Experience Integration (23:00–24:30) Fractional SEO Partnerships (24:30–26:00) Metrics for 90-Day SEO Sprints (26:00–27:30) Building Sustainable SEO (27:30–29:00) Outsourcing SEO (29:00–30:30) Art vs. Science in SEO (30:30–31:30) Steven’s Links LDN– Website – https://trioseo.com/ My Links Podcast: YouTube: Twitter: 5-day email course: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit /episode/index/show/ba15e0dc-d70b-4727-8ff5-21aa20538ae1/id/34454705

Trends in Gaming and Social Platforms with Elias Can of Grishin Robotics 11/22/2024

Trends in Gaming and Social Platforms with Elias Can of Grishin Robotics I am thrilled to have , a principal at Grishin Robotics. Grishin Robotics is a Silicon Valley-based VC fund focused on investing in early-stage companies in broader consumer categories. In this episode, Elias Can, Principal at Grishin Robotics, shares his journey from public equity to venture capital and his role in investing in early-stage consumer-focused startups. Elias discusses the differences between Silicon Valley and New York startup cultures, the shift from in-person to virtual deal-making post-COVID, and his investment thesis in gaming and social platforms. He provides insights into valuations, leveraging board members, navigating challenging fundraising environments, and aligning with founders' visions, and much more! Subscribe on Subscribe on Subscribe on Learn * How does doing deals in 2024 compare to doing them in 2020-21? * What are the core areas where VCs and founders are typically misaligned? * What are the biggest tips for founders on how to get the most out of the board? * What is your favourite business book? –Hooked, how to win friends * What is your favourite online tool? –LinkedIn * If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – In-person networking Timestamps Elias’ Entry into Venture Capital - Transition from public equity to venture capital (00:01:01 - 00:05:30) New York vs. Silicon Valley Startup Cultures - Differences in ecosystems and lifestyles (00:05:31 - 00:09:30) Impact of COVID on Deal-Making - Shift from in-person to virtual processes (00:09:31 - 00:12:45) Future of Remote Work - Thoughts on in-person, remote, and hybrid work setups (00:12:46 - 00:15:20) Trends in Gaming Investments - Elias’ investments in Midwest Games and Super Jump (00:15:21 - 00:21:00) Gaming Industry Insights - Trends in indie and triple-A studios (00:19:31 - 00:21:30) IPO Market Outlook - Predictions for liquidity in the next year (00:26:01 - 00:28:40) SPAC Market Challenges - Rise and fall of SPACs as an IPO alternative (00:27:01 - 00:28:30) Valuation Pitfalls for Founders - Risks of overvaluation and liquidation preferences (00:28:41 - 00:31:50) Leveraging Board Members - Tips for founders to maximize value from their board (00:31:51 - 00:33:40) Lessons from Elias’ Career - Importance of networking and starting broad in VC (00:35:31 - 00:39:30) Engaging Founders on LinkedIn - Elias’ approach to outreach (00:41:01 - 00:42:20) Elias’ Networking Tips - Attending more meetups and events pre-pandemic (00:36:31 - 00:37:50) Grishin Robotics’ Focus Areas - Broad consumer categories including fintech and edtech (00:37:51 - 00:38:50) Elias’s Links LDN– Website – https://www.grishinrobotics.com/ My Links Podcast: YouTube: Twitter: 5-day email course: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit /episode/index/show/ba15e0dc-d70b-4727-8ff5-21aa20538ae1/id/34656415

Alexandra Vidyuk from Beyond Earth on Investing in the Space Tech Industry 11/15/2024

Alexandra Vidyuk from Beyond Earth on Investing in the Space Tech Industry I am excited to have , the space tech Venture Partner at Aloniq, founder of Space Ambition, a world-class space technology research centre that collaborates with space agencies, investors, start-ups and co-founded a space tech venture builder and an investment syndicate named In this episode, Alexandra Vidyuk, venture partner at Aloniq and founder of Beyond Earth, shares her journey from a banking career to space tech investing. She explores the emerging trillion-dollar space tech industry, its intersections with sustainability, and the role of private versus government funding. Alex offers valuable insights into due diligence, navigating geopolitical influences, building syndicates, and advice for aspiring founders and investors entering the space sector—and much more! Subscribe on Subscribe on Subscribe on Learn * What are some of the unique challenges faced by startups in the space industry? * What criteria do you use when selecting startups or projects to support through Beyond Earth's venture-building program? * Does Alex prefer founders who are new to a problem or those who are insiders and experts? * What is your favourite business book? –Psychology of money * What is your favourite online tool? –ChatGpt * If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Start syndicate earlier earlier Timestamps [1:30] Alexandra shares her transition from banking to startups, highlighting the desire for more impact. [3:15] Discusses her initial startup in fintech, raising the first round and gaining early traction. [5:00] Realization of her interest in deep tech and space tech, shifting from fintech to venture capital in space. [7:00] Overview of sustainability’s role in space tech and its broader industry impact. [8:30] The trillion-dollar potential of the space tech industry by 2035 and its expected exponential growth. [10:00] Examples of satellite tech applications, like monitoring greenhouse gases and energy sources. [13:00] Alexandra’s admiration for Elon Musk's impact on space tech, including the Starlink network. [14:45] Unique challenges of space startups, including scientific feasibility, engineering, and regulation. [18:00] Criteria used to select startups at Beyond Earth, including market size and team capability. [20:30] Importance of government support and the independent approach Beyond Earth takes with investments. [23:00] Alexandra’s views on politics in space investments and how they influence decision-making. [25:00] Due diligence process for space investments, especially for startups like BioOrbit. [29:00] Value of outsider perspectives in space, contrasting with industry insider advantages. [31:30] Balancing founder quality and market opportunity when making investment decisions. [34:00] Alexandra's experience with Space tech's visionary but challenging market sizing. [37:00] Private vs. government funding in space tech, with private funding now at 80%. [39:00] Importance of government-funded projects like the Artemis Program for foundational infrastructure. [42:00] Advice for aspiring space founders on entering the space sector, even without technical backgrounds. [45:00] Tips on building a successful syndicate and gathering LP support, including warm introductions. [47:00] Marketing strategies, including LinkedIn ads, webinars, and masterclasses, for syndicate growth. Alexandra’s Links LDN– Website - https://beyondearth.tech/ My Links Podcast: YouTube: Twitter: 5-day email course: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit /episode/index/show/ba15e0dc-d70b-4727-8ff5-21aa20538ae1/id/34454715

Unlocking Telegram’s Gaming Potential with Daniil Shcherbakov from TonTon Games 11/08/2024

Unlocking Telegram’s Gaming Potential with Daniil Shcherbakov from TonTon Games I am thrilled to have , CEO of , a Telegram gaming publisher welcomed into Binance Labs' incubation program. Daniil holds a MBA from Cambridge Business School In this episode, Daniil Shcherbakov, co-founder and CEO of TonTon Games, shares his journey from studying computer science to launching TonTon Games within Telegram's ecosystem. He delves into TonTon Games' unique strategy for long-term growth, the blue ocean opportunities within Telegram, and the company's commitment to genuine gaming experiences. Daniil offers valuable insights into user acquisition, sustainable monetization, and balancing creativity with data-driven decisions in gaming, and much more! Subscribe on Subscribe on Subscribe on Learn * How does Daniil approach monetization in your games while maintaining a positive user experience? * What are the single biggest mistakes companies make with content today? * What trends does Daniil see emerging in the casual mobile gaming market? * What is your favourite business book? –Atomic Habits * What is your favourite online tool? –Use Bubbles * If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Start company earlier Timestamps 0:00 - Introduction to Daniil, CEO of TonTon Games. 1:30 - Daniil shares his background, his shift from a family of doctors to pursuing computer science, and discovering his passion for tech. 5:45 - His experience of joining Fibrum, an early startup where he created the company’s name. 10:45 - Daniil describes the camaraderie he built with classmates and the benefits of Cambridge's smaller, diverse class. 13:00 - Founding of TonTon Games and the blend of his passion for gaming and startups. 14:45 - TonTon Games’ focus on Telegram as a gaming platform and the “blue ocean” opportunity in this space. 16:30 - Overview of how Telegram's ecosystem for games is similar to WeChat's in China. 18:15 - Daniil explains TonTon Games’ strategy of avoiding “pump and dump” schemes and instead focusing on long-term incentives. 20:45 - Discussion on acquiring users, including their approach to organic growth through influencers. 23:00 - Success of their flagship game, DFT, which reached top 10 grossing apps on Telegram. 24:30 - Daniil explains why they are not creating their own token and instead focus on sustainable mechanics. 27:00 - How they evaluate and collaborate with development teams before entering formal agreements. 28:30 - Explanation of the iterative approach to user acquisition and maintaining platform stability. 31:00 - Strategy for monetizing games while respecting user experience. 33:00 - Importance of data analysis in game development and Daniil’s insights on balancing gut feeling and metrics. 35:00 - Daniil’s thoughts on the future of mobile gaming, especially in emerging markets. 39:00 - Advice for budding game developers about the future of gaming demographics. 45:00 - Daniil’s perspective on AI, highlighting that it’s a helpful tool rather than a replacement. Daniil’s Links LDN– Website - https://tonton.games/ My Links Podcast: YouTube: Twitter: 5-day email course: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit /episode/index/show/ba15e0dc-d70b-4727-8ff5-21aa20538ae1/id/34656420

Arjun Pillai from Docket on Building Startups, Navigating Acquisitions, and the Future of AI in Sales 11/01/2024

Arjun Pillai from Docket on Building Startups, Navigating Acquisitions, and the Future of AI in Sales I am excited to have Cofounder & CEO of Docket, an AI Platform that serves as a Virtual Sales Engineer for AEs to close complex B2B deals. He is a serial entrepreneur with two successful exits and is currently on his 3rd venture. Arjun was most recently the Chief Data Officer at ZoomInfo Technologies Inc. In this episode, Arjun Pillai, Docket's co-founder and CEO, shares his journey from Kerala, India, to Silicon Valley, highlighting early startup experiences, failures, and successes with companies like Profoundis and Incent. He discusses the acquisition of his previous ventures, the evolution of Kerala's startup ecosystem, and his passion for AI, which inspired him to build Docket, an AI-powered virtual sales engineer. Arjun offers valuable insights on topics like building resilient teams, fundraising strategies, and the future impact of AI on SaaS, sales roles, and startup playbooks, and much more! Subscribe on Subscribe on Subscribe on Learn * How did Arjun approach fundraising for Docket * How does Arjun see AI transforming the sales and marketing landscape? * What are the single biggest mistakes people make when hiring sales reps and teams? * What is your favourite business book? –Hard things about hard things * What is your favourite online tool? –Zoom, chatgpt, loom, screen studio * If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Nothing Timestamps 03:30 - Arjun's first startup experience with Profounders and early challenges. 05:15 - Importance of frugality and team cohesion in Arjun's early days. 07:10 - Building Profoundis, a successful sales intelligence product. 09:20 - Profoundis’s acquisition by Full Contact, marking Kerala’s first significant startup exit. 12:05 - Kerala’s evolving startup ecosystem following Arjun's exit. 13:40 - Arjun's transition from Full Contact to founding Insent 16:10 - Pivoting Insent’s business model to a buyer-centric platform. 18:00 - Acquisition of Insent by Zoom Info and Arjun's new role there. 21:15 - Arjun's experiences and learnings from working with Zoom Info. 23:05 - Inspiration for Docket, his AI platform for sales engineering. 27:40 - Evolution of SDR roles and potential shifts due to AI. 30:20 - Future of SaaS companies in the era of AI. 32:15 - Cost and efficiency changes in software development using AI. 35:30 - Founders' role in creating playbooks for revenue teams. 37:45 - Timing for hiring a VP of Sales in a startup’s growth phase. 40:10 - Sales team ramp-up expectations and performance indicators. 42:30 - Structuring effective sales compensation plans. 45:00 - Fundraising strategies for founders, including the importance of building investor relationships. 47:30 - Key metrics for choosing the right investors for your startup. Arjun’s Links LDN– Website - https://www.docketai.com/ My Links Podcast: YouTube: Twitter: 5-day email course: Newsletter: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit /episode/index/show/ba15e0dc-d70b-4727-8ff5-21aa20538ae1/id/34656425

Guy Rubin from Ebsta on AI, Benchmarking, and Building Relationships in B2B Sales 10/25/2024

Guy Rubin from Ebsta on AI, Benchmarking, and Building Relationships in B2B Sales I am thrilled to have , the founder and CEO of Ebsta, the Revenue Intelligence Platform for Salesforce and Hubspot customers. Ebsta delivers real-time forecasting tools and uses engagement trends to benchmark live pipeline against previously closed won deals. In this episode Guy Rubin, founder and CEO of Ebsta, a revenue intelligence platform for Salesforce and HubSpot customers shares insights into the role of AI in automating sales admin tasks, freeing up reps to focus on building relationships. He also discusses the importance of benchmarking sales data to improve performance, the challenges of scaling from SMB to enterprise, and advice on hiring for early-stage startups. Guy emphasizes the need to focus on human connections in sales, even in a world increasingly driven by AI tools and automation, and much more! Subscribe on Subscribe on Subscribe on Learn * When is the right time to hire your first sales rep? * Should the founder be the one to create the sales playbook? * How important are logos? Does social validity really work in the enterprise? * How should sales teams use discounting in enterprise sales most effectively? * What is your favourite business book? –Crossing the chasm * What is your favourite online tool? –Slack * If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Thinking and planning in advance Timestamps 2:45: The role of AI in reducing the administrative burden for sales teams. 3:30: The importance of relationships in B2B sales and how AI enhances, but doesn’t replace, human connection. 4:45: Analyzing sales data to identify key differences between top performers and average performers. 6:00: The role of AI in benchmarking and recreating unrecorded sales activities. 8:15: The impact of time on win rates and the importance of closing lost opportunities early. 10:45: Differences between selling to small, medium, and enterprise customers. 12:00: The importance of choosing the right customer profile for a successful sales process. 13:15: The value of company logos and social proof when selling to enterprises. 16:00: Budgeting for enterprise sales and managing slow-burn deals. 18:45: Guy’s advice on outbound sales and building human connections during sales calls. 20:00: The importance of relationships in B2B sales and becoming an expert advisor. 23:45: Guy’s advice on hiring the first sales representative versus a VP of Sales. 26:15: The difference between people who can turn zero into one versus those who follow existing processes. 27:30: Domain expertise in new hires and the importance of a startup mentality. 30:00: Pros and cons of hiring from your own network versus using recruiters for early hires. 32:00: How Ebsta analyzes sales data to understand revenue signals. Guy’s Links LDN– Sales report - My Links Podcast: YouTube: Twitter: 5-day email course: Newsletter: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit /episode/index/show/ba15e0dc-d70b-4727-8ff5-21aa20538ae1/id/34656430

Scaling Startups and Cybersecurity with Reinout Vander, Partner at TIN Capital 10/18/2024

Scaling Startups and Cybersecurity with Reinout Vander, Partner at TIN Capital I am happy to have , a partner at TIN Capital. He was a co-founder at Type22, an airport baggage handling innovator MSc in Aerospace Engineering. In this episode, Reinout Vander, Partner at TIN Capital shares his journey from co-founding Type 22, a baggage handling innovator, to transitioning into venture capital. He discusses his experiences scaling international startups, the importance of product localization in Europe, and the challenges in cybersecurity investments. Reinout also highlights key lessons from working with cybersecurity founders and navigating the complexities of market timing, scaling, company exits, and much more! Subscribe on Subscribe on Subscribe on Learn * What are the most pressing cybersecurity challenges facing European businesses today? * How does Reinout approach when to sell vs when to hold a position? * What does Reinout know now that he wishes he had known when he got into VC? * What is your favourite business book? –Spin Selling * What is your favourite online tool? –iharvest * If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – NA Timestamps 4:10 - How Type 22 pivoted to focus on product innovation in self-service baggage systems. 7:00 - Reinout’s involvement with the Delft University incubator 8:10 - Reinout discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the aviation industry. 10:00 - TIN Capital’s focus on cybersecurity investments. 12:45 - Differences in scaling startups between Europe and the U.S. 14:05 - Importance of localizing products for different European markets. 18:00 - Key cybersecurity challenges for European businesses. 20:00 - How cybersecurity regulations in Europe impact startups and investments. 22:30 - The competitive advantage of being a European cybersecurity startup. 28:00 - Deciding when to sell portfolio companies and the importance of timing. 30:00 - The importance of maintaining ownership and how to manage dilution. 34:00 - Reinout’s biggest lessons in market timing for cybersecurity investments. 36:00 - Mistakes made in investing in too niche markets. 40:00 - Importance of relationships and trust in cybersecurity VC investments. 42:30 - Reinout’s advice for emerging managers in the VC ecosystem. Natalia’s Links LDN– Website – https://www.tiincapital.nl/ My Links Podcast: YouTube: Twitter: 5-day email course: Newsletter: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit /episode/index/show/ba15e0dc-d70b-4727-8ff5-21aa20538ae1/id/34454710

Building real relationships with peers with Natalia Cebotari from Osmos 10/11/2024

Building real relationships with peers with Natalia Cebotari from Osmos I am thrilled to have , the co-founder of Osmos building the first networking platform for entrepreneurs and professionals that saves time and finds relevant people in less than a minute. In this episode, Natalia Cebotari, founder of Osmos, talks about the networking platform designed to save time and connect professionals quickly. Natalia shares her journey, from working alongside her husband on their first startup to becoming Chief Strategy Officer at Yandex, where she built new ventures within the corporation. She discusses the challenges of building a social platform, the growth of Osmos, the importance of conversations in expanding one’s network, and much more! Subscribe on Subscribe on Subscribe on Learn * What are the key metrics Natalia focuses on to measure the success of Osmos? * What strategies have been most effective in growing the user base of Osmos? * Will companies actually make more revenue from having AI in products * What is your favorite business book? –Lean Analytics * What is your favorite online tool? –iPhone notes * If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Talk to customers Timestamps * 03:30 – Learning to navigate challenges and becoming resilient in entrepreneurship. * 05:00 – Natalia’s transition to working at Yandex as Chief Strategy Officer. * 06:30 – Building new ventures inside Yandex and the differences from a small startup. * 08:15 – The importance of collaboration and communication in large companies like Yandex. * 11:00 – The vision behind Osmos and Natalia's motivation to create an alternative to LinkedIn. * 13:00 – Challenges entrepreneurs face with loneliness and isolation. * 14:30 – How conversations with new people can bring fresh energy and ideas. * 16:00 – Natalia discusses how Osmos grew its initial user base through networking. * 17:30 – The effectiveness of attending online conferences for user acquisition. * 19:00 – The role of email integration in Osmos' growth strategy. * 23:00 – The importance of tracking the number of conversations and user satisfaction. * 26:00 – How paid users behave differently and take conversations more seriously. * 28:00 – Insights on product development from feedback received from paid users. * 30:00 – Balancing user growth with maintaining a high-quality user experience. * 32:00 – Natalia’s perspective on growth as an art, not just a science. * 33:30 – The right time to hire a growth team Natalia’s Links LDN– Website – https://osmos.social My Links Podcast: YouTube: Twitter: 5-day email course: Newsletter: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit /episode/index/show/ba15e0dc-d70b-4727-8ff5-21aa20538ae1/id/34656435

Building a Marketplace for Home Chefs with Ajith Govind from Cravd 10/04/2024

Building a Marketplace for Home Chefs with Ajith Govind from Cravd I am excited to have , the founder of an online marketplace to book a home chef to visit and cook right in your kitchen. He earlier co-founded Turing Labs, achieving Series A funding backed by Y Combinator and top investors, including Insight Partners, raising over $20M. In this episode, Ajith Govind, co-founder of Cravd, an online marketplace for booking home chefs shares his entrepreneurial journey, including his experience with Turing Labs. He discusses the challenges of launching a startup, the importance of product-market fit, and the significance of culture in building a successful company. Ajit also talks about Cravd’s expansion strategy, focusing on empowering home chefs, providing healthy, home-cooked meals for busy families, and much more! Subscribe on Subscribe on Subscribe on Learn * How can marketplace founders be strategic in building moats around their business? * What is the single most important metric for Cravd * Does Ajith pay attention to CACs at all? * What is your favourite business book? –Hard things about hard things * What is your favourite online tool? –Sunsummer * If you could go back to when you started working on Energy Capital Ventures, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Focus on culture Timestamps 3:30 Ajit shares insights from his experience co-founding Turing Labs. 6:30 The significance of Y Combinator in Ajit’s entrepreneurial journey. 10:30 Ajit’s thoughts on the importance of mentorship and Y Combinator experience. 12:30 The concept behind Cravd , an online marketplace for home chefs. 14:30 Crave’s initial model and its evolution based on customer feedback. 17:30 The unique selling point of Cravd in providing healthy, home-cooked meals. 20:30 The importance of GMV (Gross Merchandise Value) as a key metric for Cravd . 22:30 Crave’s ideal customer profile: busy, working families with disposable income. 25:30 Ajit discusses the challenges faced by home chefs in the marketplace. 27:30 The importance of building a moat around Cravd ’s business to ensure defensibility. 29:30 How Cravd ’s low take rate (10%) differentiates it from other predatory platforms. 33:30 The importance of launching products quickly and iterating based on user feedback. 34:30 Ajit’s advice for founders: Focus on culture from the beginning to drive success. Ajith’s Links LDN– Website – https://cravd.com My Links Podcast: YouTube: Twitter: 5-day email course: Newsletter: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit /episode/index/show/ba15e0dc-d70b-4727-8ff5-21aa20538ae1/id/34656440

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