Validating with manual deliverables and Discord bot

Young Zhao is the CEO of OpusClip, one of the fastest-growing AI tools with 50M users and a $215M valuation.

In this episode of Silicon Valley Girl, Marina Mogilko talks with Young about how he built a profitable AI startup after multiple failed attempts. They break down a realistic 2026 playbook for founders — how to find a problem worth solving, when to pivot, how to get your first users, and how to think about pricing and unit economics early.

A practical conversation for founders, solopreneurs, and anyone serious about building an AI startup that actually makes money.