How Real Customer Conversations Drive Smarter Decisions with Gaurav Gupta

👥 Growth Capital Podcast — Episode 48 👥

What happens when founders actually listen to their customers? In this episode of the Growth Capital Podcast, host Justin Dixon sits down with Gaurav Gupta, Founder & CEO of Squanto—a gig marketplace app for live entertainment.

What started as a simple tipping and discovery app for street performers quickly evolved into something bigger. Through countless customer conversations, Gaurav realized the real challenges performers and venues faced: landing gigs, sorting through hundreds of applicants, and building trust in a two-sided marketplace.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
🔹 Why assumptions can lead startups in the wrong direction
🔹 How customer feedback drives pivots that matter
🔹 The challenge of choosing the right ICP (Ideal Customer Profile)
🔹 How AI can bring clarity to chaotic processes (and when it doesn’t belong)
🔹 Why failure in startups still makes you a stronger professional

Gaurav’s story is a masterclass in adapting strategy to customer reality—something every founder, investor, and operator can learn from.

📩 Connect with Gaurav and learn more about Squanto: https://squanto.app/
📧 Email: gaurav@squanto.app

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