Today we’re joined by Pasha and Pennie - second-time founders and the minds behind @a1base, a breakout @ycombinator startup giving AI agents real-world identities like phone numbers, emails, and Slack handles.
This conversation matters because it tackles one of the most important missing pieces in AI: identity and trust.
We’re moving beyond flashy demos - into a world where agents don’t just generate, they participate.
We dive into:
- Why agents need a phone number
- Building Twilio for AI
- Startup mistakes they’ll never repeat
- Why “looking legit” slows you down
- Speed, soul, and real execution
- Trust, safety & agent messaging
- What YC still gets right
- SF ambition vs. cynicism
- Winning in the agent era
- Infra for agents, not apps
00:00 Introduction to YC and Founders' Ambitions
00:24 The Birth of A1 Base: From Idea to YC
02:21 Personal Histories: Clues to Becoming Founders
08:42 Lessons from Forage: Mistakes and Learnings
10:46 Vanta Ad
13:40 Building with Intentionality in the Age of AI
24:41 AI Agents and Human Communication
25:41 The Role of Y Combinator
26:09 Cultural and Strategic Benefits of YC
27:43 Silicon Valley's Unique Culture
29:07 AI Agents in Real-World Applications
35:03 Building Trust in AI Agents
40:54 Challenges and Optimism in AI Development
47:08 Future of AI Agents and Company Goals
48:44 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-Up
This isn’t just about bots in group chats - it’s about reshaping how software works with people. The agent era has begun.#AI #Startups #YCombinator #a1base #AIagents #SachinandAdamShow #MessagingInfra #AIInfrastructure #TechFounders
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