The Lobster Talks Podcast by Lobster Capital

In this episode of Lobster Talks, Gabriel dives deep into the groundbreaking Y Combinator Winter 2025 Demo Day. Discover how the latest YC batch shattered revenue records, including a startup already pulling in $50 million in profits and another hitting $2 million in revenue at demo day. They discuss why the quality bar is rising, the explosion of AI-powered startups, and whether the AI wave has peaked or is just getting started. Plus, get insights on what metrics truly matter beyond vanity revenue, navigating technical debt in the era of AI-generated code, and the strategic decisions founders face regarding fundraising and acquisitions. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the future of startup investing.

00:00 - 00:50 Intro 00:50 - 01:23 What's StarCloud? 1:23 - 02:05 Why GPUs in Space? 02:05 - 03:35 Abundant Energy 03:35 - 05:50 Why No One Did It Before 05:50 - 07:30 Starship Economics 07:30 - 08:50 Philip’s Background 08:50 - 10:00 Can Anyone Start a Space Company? 10:00 - 12:30 Building in Space 12:30 - 13:20 Does Space Solar Affect Earth? 13:20 - 17:00 Raising an $11M Seed Round 17:00 - 19:00 Spending Habits 19:00 - 20:00 Hiring at StarCloud 20:00 - 21:00 Relocating 21:00 - 24:15 Hard vs. Easy Startups 24:15 - 25:35 Skepticism & Critics 25:35 - 27:00 The Rebrand 27:00 - 29:25 Next Steps 29:25 - 30:25 Book Recommendations 30:25 - 30:56 Closing Thought In this episode of The Lobster Talks, we sit down with Philip Johnston, Founder & CEO of Starcloud (formerly Lumen Orbit). He’s on a groundbreaking mission to build massive GPU data centers in outer space—tapping into abundant solar energy, sidestepping Earth’s power constraints, and completely rethinking what’s possible for cloud computing. Listen in as we explore: • How Starcloud plans to harness orbital launch cost drops (thanks, Starship!) • Why running GPUs in space could transform data processing • The challenges and breakthroughs of launching a next-gen satellite • Raising a massive seed round—oversubscribed by top VCs If you’re curious about the frontier of hardware, AI, and space tech, don’t miss this deep dive into the future of data centers… in orbit! Enjoying the show? Give us a like, subscribe for more founder spotlights, and stay tuned for the next episode of The Lobster Talks by Lobster Capital!

Join us on the Lobster Talks Podcast as host Gabrielle sits down with Michel Tricot, co-founder and CEO of Airbyte—the open-source data integration platform that skyrocketed to a billion-dollar valuation in record time. Michel reveals Airbyte’s origin story (including scrapping their first product in the midst of COVID), how they built a thriving open-source community, and their unique approach to monetization. Get ready for insights on scaling without burning cash, harnessing AI to automate the mundane, and the power of “making something people need. ” Don’t miss this episode if you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or tech enthusiast looking to understand Airbyte’s meteoric rise and the future of data infrastructure!

In this episode of The Lobster Talks, I’m joined by entrepreneur-turned-investor Johannes Hatt. After founding and exiting multiple companies—including a SaaS startup scaled to 300 employees and 30M ARR—Johannes has invested in over 80 early-stage startups and over 10 venture funds. Now, he’s jumping back into the CEO seat! We Discuss • His journey from founding companies to investing in startups and funds • How he analyzes opportunities—both as an angel and as an LP • Why Europe’s startup ecosystem has potential (despite U.S. dominance) • The “checklist” he uses before writing any check • His return to building and operating a startup Johannes also shares practical insights on aligning incentives, navigating illiquidity, and scouting for that elusive 100x return. If you found this conversation helpful, like this video, subscribe to the channel, and let us know your biggest takeaway in the comments! Timestamps 0:00 Introduction & Johannes’s Background 2:13 From Founder to Angel Investor to LP 8:47 How He Picks Funds & Why Differentiated Deal Flow Matters 14:10 Europe vs. U.S.: The Opportunity Gap 20:56 Rules for Investing (And When to Break Them) 24:32 Why Johannes Is Returning as CEO 27:45 Key Takeaways & Wrap-Up Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll see you next time on The Lobster Talks!

In this episode of The Lobster Talks, I chat with Varsha—co-founder of Offstream, a YC-backed startup helping big infrastructure projects (solar farms, data centers, and more) secure crucial carbon-compliance certifications. Varsha shares how her consulting background and direct experience with manual, PDF-heavy compliance processes inspired her to build a smarter, AI-driven solution—something she likens to “Vanta for Carbon Compliance.” Key Topics We Cover • Why Carbon Compliance Matters – How certifications unlock massive revenue opportunities for developers building solar facilities, renewable fuels, data centers, and more. • Building Offstream – How Varsha’s firsthand frustration with manual reporting led to the idea for Offstream and eventually landed them in Y Combinator’s Summer 24 batch. • The Power of AI in Compliance – Where AI can streamline complex data extraction and predictive recommendations, transforming what was once a major bottleneck. • Balancing Big Ambitions & Personal Growth – Varsha’s views on mentorship, coaching, and staying motivated by celebrating “the gain” while striving for big goals. • Life after YC – Why Offstream chose Denver over the Bay Area, current product milestones, and what’s next on their roadmap. If you’re a founder exploring hard-to-automate niches, or just curious about how AI is reshaping climate tech, this episode is for you. Timestamps 0:00 Introduction & How Gabriel Met Varsha 3:18 The Spark Behind Offstream (Vanta for Carbon Compliance) 6:35 Navigating YC & Key Takeaways 10:42 The Role of AI in Streamlining Carbon Credits 14:50 Personal Mentors, Coaching & Founders’ Mentality 20:11 Real-Time Data & AI Agents in Sustainability Projects 24:18 Denver Headquarters & Future of Offstream 28:40 Pricing Challenges & Industry Partnerships 32:00 Recommended Reading: The Gap and the Gain + Lean In 34:22 Where to Connect & Final Thoughts Enjoy the conversation? Like, Subscribe, and turn on Notifications so you don’t miss any future episodes of The Lobster Talks! And if you’re on a podcast platform, drop us a 5-star rating. Connect with Offstream: Website: https://useoffstream.com/ LinkedIn: Varsha’s Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/varsha-ramesh/ Thanks for watching! Feel free to leave questions or comments below.

In this episode of The Lobster Talks, we’re joined by Wayne Crosby, a true startup veteran with a remarkable full-circle journey: • 2007: Wayne became a Y Combinator founder in one of the earliest cohorts, quickly landing a Google acquisition that evolved into Google Slides. • A Decade at Google: He stayed on to help grow G Suite, diving into AI and shaping how millions of users collaborate online. • Startup #2 & Another Exit: After co-founding a second company with Google’s former CHRO, he returned to YC as a Visiting Group Partner to coach a new generation of founders. • Today: Wayne is back to building as founder/CEO of Orgorg.com, a toolset for seamless team management and productivity, integrating AI under the hood. We talk early YC days, Google’s culture of innovation, what it’s really like behind the scenes as a YC Partner, and why Wayne ultimately returned to his roots as a builder. If you’re curious about AI’s impact on future jobs, or just want insider knowledge on startup growth, this is a must-listen. Key Discussion Points • The magic (and myths) of the very first YC cohorts • Lessons from building Google Slides and leading teams inside Big Tech • Why AI is more than just a buzzword—and how Wayne is weaving it into Orgorg.com • Life as a YC Visiting Group Partner—what founders should really know • Embracing your inner builder: how Wayne found his true passion in startup creation Enjoy the episode? Subscribe, give us a 5-star rating, and share your favorite part in the comments! Timestamps 0:00 Welcome & Wayne’s Background 4:17 Early YC Days (2007) 9:32 Google Acquisition & Lessons Learned 14:45 AI at Google & Future of Work 22:10 From Founder to Visiting YC Group Partner 28:55 Building Orgorg.com & Founder Insights 38:16 Balancing Family & Startup Life 43:00 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Thanks for tuning in to The Lobster Talks!

In this episode of The Lobster Talks Podcast, Laurie joins me once again to dissect Y Combinator’s brand-new Request for Startups—released just three months after their last one! We explore what’s behind YC’s accelerated timeline, the massive surge of AI innovation, and why now might be the best (and most challenging) time to build or invest in cutting-edge tech. From hardware breakthroughs and AI-powered agents to the “DocuSign 2.0” and data centers of the future, YC’s RFS signals a shift into deeper, more technical territory. We dig into how founders can stand out, the importance of iterating fast, and what investors should consider in this fast-moving AI landscape. Topics Covered • Why YC introduced a new RFS so soon and what it means for AI startups • The rise of AI agents and how they’re transforming business operations • Hardware vs. software innovation—and the traction investors want to see • Evaluating top-tier technical founders when speed is everything • Why YC remains the go-to launchpad for AI-driven companies Enjoy the conversation, and if you find it valuable: Subscribe to the channel for more insights on AI and startup investing.Like & Share this video with fellow founders and investors.Leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform—it really helps! Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll catch you on the next episode of The Lobster Talks!

In this episode of Lobster Talks, we’re joined by Jason Fan, CEO and Co-Founder of Finic—an AI “risk ops” startup transforming how banks and fintechs tackle fraud and disputes. Jason opens up about his tough decision to shut down a revenue-generating company ($150k!) in order to chase a far bigger vision. Together, we dive into: Why making $150k didn’t guarantee long-term success—and why he walked away How opportunity cost shapes big pivots and investment decisions The realities of pivoting after 18 months—from the heartbreak to the breakthroughs What Jason learned at Robinhood’s Trust & Safety team and turned into Finic’s secret sauce The future of AI-powered fintech and how it’s set to solve financial crime once and for all Whether you’re a founder stuck in the “idea maze” or a fintech enthusiast curious about AI’s next frontier, Jason’s story is packed with real talk, razor-sharp insights, and a fresh perspective on turning roadblocks into rocket fuel. Don’t miss this masterclass on knowing when to pivot—and when to go all in. Chapters 0:00 Intro to Lobster Talks 1:15 Jason’s background: From Robinhood to Finic 5:22 Building an internal tool into a new startup idea 8:48 The $150k revenue trap and facing the pivot decision 13:00 The role of “opportunity cost” in startup success 16:35 Surviving mental hurdles and ego hits 20:59 Why pivoting can be smarter than “toughing it out” 24:14 The future of AI in financial fraud prevention 28:55 YC lessons, founder communities, and staying resilient 33:40 Final thoughts & where to connect with Jason Enjoyed the episode? Hit the like button, subscribe for more high-level startup insights, and let us know your thoughts or questions in the comments below! Stay tuned for more conversations with trailblazing founders sharing the raw truths behind their success—and failure—stories. Don’t forget to subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode! Thanks for watching! If this conversation sparked new ideas, share it with a friend who might need some startup inspiration.

In this episode of Lobster Talks, Gabriel chats with Yonatan - co-founder of Jiga (YC W21) - about how a simple WordPress MVP grew into an AI-powered platform reinventing global manufacturing. Yonatan reveals the ups and downs of hitting walls, pivoting from marketplace to SaaS (and back again), and ultimately nailing product-market fit. They also discuss staying humble when things finally take off, fundraising highs and lows, and insights from Israel’s vibrant startup community. If you want real, practical lessons on iterating fast, listening to users, and leveraging AI for operational efficiency, this one’s for you! Chapters 0:00 Introduction & How Jiga Got Started 3:20 Building a WordPress MVP & Getting Early Revenue 6:45 Pivoting from Transaction Model to SaaS (and Back) 10:02 Staying Scrappy Through Challenges & Hitting Walls 14:15 How AI Boosted Margins & Automates Ops 17:40 Surviving the Early “No Revenue” Stage 21:30 Lessons from the Israeli Startup Scene & YC Community 25:51 Why Being Humble Matters (Even During Success) 29:14 Jiga’s Vision for the Future & Final Takeaways Enjoying the conversation? Subscribe for more founder interviewsDrop a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyShare your biggest takeaway in the comments! Thanks for watching!

In this Lobster Talks episode, Gabriel returns to discuss what’s on the horizon for YC and startup investing in 2025. We dive into Y Combinator’s shift to four batches per year, why AI is fueling rapid growth (and even potential AGI!), and how that might reshape the investment landscape. We also reflect on Lobster Capital’s stellar 2024—from an oversubscribed Fund 1 to multiple fast-growing portfolio companies—and explore Europe’s evolving role in the global startup scene. If you’re curious how AI, YC, and cross-border opportunities will collide in 2025, this one’s for you! Chapters 0:00 – Introduction 1:12 – Reflecting on Lobster Capital’s Milestones in 2024 4:39 – Inside YC’s Four Batches per Year 9:55 – AI’s Acceleration & the Push Toward AGI 14:02 – Revenue Traction vs. Defensibility: Key Investing Criteria 18:47 – Shifts in Seed, Series A, and Beyond 23:15 – Potential Exit Strategies & Secondary Markets 27:44 – The Future of European Startups vs. Silicon Valley 31:58 – Closing Thoughts & What’s Next for 2025 Enjoying Lobster Talks? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more startup insightsLeave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyFollow us on social for behind-the-scenes updates