How James Evans Turned A College Project Into a Y Combinator-backed Startup

This is how James raised $24 million and reached 20 million users for his startup, Command AI, with contrarian ideas.

📚 1,800 Pitch Decks (Free) → deck-database.carrd.co

Follow James's journey:
🐦 X → x.com/dazzeloid
💼 LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/james-evans-7086b3126
🚀 Startup → command.ai

Follow us:
🎥 YouTube → youtube.com/@foundingjourney
📝 Newsletter → join.foundingjourney.com
📈 Founder Membership → upgrade.foundingjourney.com
💼 LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/michael-houck

Founder Journey

• (01:00) — James’s founder origin story
• (04:04) — Command AI origin story
• (25:15) — Gaining conviction to build Command AI

Founder Mindset

• (06:39) — Recognizing pivot opportunities
• (08:23) — The overrated nature of creating new categories
• (11:06) — The myth of necessitating truly new creations

Growth Strategies

• (15:17) — Engaging in activities that probably don’t scale
• (22:37) — Can anyone become a founder?
• (41:53) — Prioritization strategies for founders

Networking & Resources

• (29:18) — Effectively using the YC experience
• (33:07) — Using Loom as a fundraising cheat code
• (35:53) — Well-designed decks vs. substance
• (39:10) — James’ angel investing learnings
• (44:03) — Securing big logos early

Rapid Fire

• (47:25) — Recommended investors?
• (48:33) — Advice for first-time founders?
• (49:08) — Favorite SaaS tools?
• (50:03) — One change you’d make in startups?