Insiders React: OpenAI Bets Big on Vibe Coding + Epic Games' Victory Over Apple, Silicon Valley's Talent Crisis

May 8, 2025

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OpenAI just dropped $3B on vibe coding—should software engineers be worried?

And what happens now that Apple’s 30% App Store tax just took a major legal hit?

In this episode of The Startup Podcast, hosts Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein are joined by seasoned founder and investor Hooman Radfar (CEO at Collective, ex-VC at Expa) to unpack three seismic shifts shaping the future of tech startups today.

They dive deep into OpenAI’s $3B move into vibe coding, the ripple effects of Apple’s court-ordered App Store concession, and a sobering update on Silicon Valley's AI talent trends.

Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/chA3rYD75uI

In this episode, you will:

•⁠ ⁠Learn why OpenAI is acquiring AI coding startups—and what that means for developers everywhere

•⁠ ⁠Understand how tools like Windsurf and Cursor are changing expectations for startup speed and headcount

•⁠ ⁠Discover why SaaS margins and investor sentiment are shifting under the weight of AI-native startups

•⁠ ⁠Explore how Apple’s legal defeat is reshaping the app ecosystem for founders and product builders

•⁠ ⁠Hear first-hand stories about the limits of current LLM coding assistants—and why user trust may be short-lived

•⁠ ⁠Unpack the growing platform risk as hyperscalers begin to own entire labor categories, not just infrastructure

•⁠ ⁠Debate whether the “two-speed” startup economy (AI-native vs everyone else) is sustainable—or a bubble waiting to pop

Whether you’re an early-stage founder, startup operator, or just trying to make sense of the shifting AI landscape, this episode is packed with hard-earned insights and startup war stories from the frontlines.

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