The Startup Podcast

What happens when Apple hints that Google’s search dominance may be cracking, triggering a $155 billion wipeout in Alphabet’s value?Many still think Google search is untouchable, but a shift in user behavior and a few lines in DOJ testimony may signal otherwise.In this episode, Chris Saad, Yaniv Bernstein, and Amir Shevat explore how Apple’s revelation about declining Safari search traffic could mark a turning point for Google, what’s really behind Trump’s Middle East ‘AI investment tour,’ and how YC’s latest startup wishlist shows where the next wave of disruption will come from.In this episode, you will:Understand why Apple’s testimony may be a warning shot for Google SearchLearn how AI is reshaping the definition—and monetization—of ‘search’Analyze Trump’s Saudi tech tour and its real impact on US innovationEvaluate the shift from ad-driven to subscription-based AI business modelsExplore why Y Combinator wants startups to go ‘full stack’ instead of selling to incumbentsUnpack the risks of shiny-object AI ideas vs. defensible startup modelsDiscover which overlooked AI sectors still have white space for new foundersFrom Google’s search slowdown to Trump’s headline-grabbing AI deals and YC’s startup roadmap, this episode gives you the strategic insight founders need to navigate tech’s shifting landscape.The Pact Honor the Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:Follow, rate, and review us in your listening appSubscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/ Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media followingKey linksThe Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in-demand compliance frameworks.With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to www.vanta.com/tsp .Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/Learn more about Chris and YanivWork 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/ Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/ Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthurIntro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

A strong co-founder relationship is crucial for any startup. Learn how to determine the ideal number of founders and understand the distinctions between roles and titles.Also, Chris and Yaniv explain what you must know about:The pros and cons of going solo vs. multiple founders.CEOs and Founders and the distinction between roles and responsibilities.Considerations on equity splits and vesting schedules.Co-CEO conflicts and what to do about them.How to manage breakups between founders gracefully when the relationship doesn’t work anymore.If you’re looking to have an effective founding team, this episode is packed with strong advice from personal experiences from Chris and Yaniv. The PactHonour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:Follow, rate, and review us in your listening appSubscribe to the TSP Mailing List at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Secure your official TSP merchandise at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.tsp.show/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on YouTube at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following. Key linksThe Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.vanta.com/tsp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Rippling. Rippling is a single all-in-one platform for your global workforce, covering HR, IT, payroll, expenses, and more. For a TSP listener offer of 3 months free, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.rippling.com/tsp⁠⁠⁠⁠.Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Startup Podcast website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tsp.show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Chris and YanivWork 1:1 with Chris: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://chrissaad.com/advisory/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Chris on Linkedin: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CreditsProducer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Justin McArthur⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Intro Voice: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jeremiah Owyang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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/chA3rYD75uIIn 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 popWhether 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.The Pact Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:Follow, rate, and review us in your listening appSubscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early-access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/ Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following Key linksThe Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.vanta.com/tsp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/Learn more about Chris and YanivWork 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/ Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/ Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthurIntro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Think staying profitable means you’re on the right track? Think again.Too many founders obsess over budgets and burn—but the real risk isn’t running out of cash. It’s growing too slowly to matter.In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein is joined by Michiel Boere, CFO of Remote and former CFO of Uber Eats, to demystify startup finance for non-financial founders. Drawing from his experience scaling Uber and managing 50+ audits at Remote, Michiel shares the strategic financial mindset every founder must adopt to succeed.In this episode, you will:Learn why “failing profitably” is often worse than burning cash fastUnderstand unit economics the way a CFO at Uber wouldDiscover the difference between forecasting, planning, and budgeting—and when each mattersAvoid the trap of letting budgets drive bad spending decisionsGet a practical framework for building simple, high-impact financial modelsSee why many founders misuse runway and how to forecast it properlyHear why CFOs should embrace risk at the right stage of growthIf you’re a founder who wants to build a high-growth, venture-backable business—and avoid the financial blind spots that kill startups—this episode is essential listening.The Pact Honor the Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:Follow, rate, and review us in your listening appSubscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/ Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following Key linksThe Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in-demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.vanta.com/tsp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/Learn more about Chris and YanivWork 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/ Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/ Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthurIntro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/#StartupFinance #FounderAdvice #RemoteWork #TheStartupPodcast #AIStartup #StartupGrowth #VentureCapital #StartupTips

Instagram’s co-founder, Kevin Systrom, helped define the modern social web—now he’s calling out Zuckerberg in court.And are Apple’s smart glasses finally catching up to Meta’s AI-powered wearables?In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein react to some of the biggest headlines in tech and startup land. From explosive testimony by Instagram’s co-founder to Apple’s delayed (but intriguing) entry into foldables and wearables, the hosts unpack what these developments really mean for startup founders and operators.They also dissect Avatar director James Cameron’s surprising stance on AI and copyright, challenging how creators should think about inspiration vs. infringement in the age of LLMs.In this episode, you will:Unpack the Instagram founder’s claims that Zuckerberg sabotaged his company post-acquisitionExplore what Apple’s rumored smart glasses mean for the future of ambient computingEvaluate the practicality of a foldable iPhone and why the form factor still feels nicheHear why founders often regret selling too early—and what you should learn from itLearn how Meta may have outmaneuvered Apple in AI wearablesUnderstand James Cameron’s bold perspective on how AI “scraping” compares to human creativityRethink how copyright law might evolve in an era of generative modelsThe Pact Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:Follow, rate, and review us in your listening appSubscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early-access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/ Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following Key linksThe Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.vanta.com/tsp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/Learn more about Chris and YanivWork 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/ Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/ Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthurIntro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

In this conversation with Ben Parr, an acclaimed author and entrepreneur, the focus is on the crucial role of attention in the startup landscape. They discuss how to transform intention into action and view attention-seeking positively. Ben shares insights on the seven attention triggers, emphasizing their importance for branding and investor attraction. He also explores common pitfalls founders face when vying for visibility and the psychological aspects of capturing interest. Ultimately, attention emerges as a vital currency for startup success.

Huawei has just announced a new AI chip—does this mean tariffs accelerating Chinese innovation? This week, Chris Saad, Yaniv Bernstein, and guest Amir Shevat dig into how the AI trade war and tech monopolies are reshaping the global startup landscape. Plus, on a lighter note: why Sam Altman says politeness in AI prompts is surprisingly expensive.In this episode, you will:Break down how China’s Huawei is pushing out a homegrown AI chip — and why US tariffs might be backfiringHear why US arrogance may be accelerating China’s rise in AI innovation, not slowing itLearn how tariffs are hurting startups — from hardware costs to startups skipping Delaware altogetherDebate Google’s antitrust showdown: are they abusing market power or just defending their turf?Explore why Perplexity AI is fighting for “choice” — and why it's really about distributionConsider whether saying “please” to ChatGPT actually improves responses — and keeps you off the robot hit listLaugh (or cry) as the team wrestles with whether our political system is just “dumb,” or already boiling overThe Pact Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:Follow, rate, and review us in your listening appSubscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early-access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/ Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following Key linksThe Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.vanta.com/tsp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show Learn more about Chris and YanivWork 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/ Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/ Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthurContent Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Is AI making startups easier—or just changing the rules of the game?In a world where execution is cheap and accessible, building a successful startup is more competitive than ever. In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein unpack the reality of every business having access to the same AI-driven tools, what makes a startup successful in this landscape, and how to quickly adapt in the breakneck pace of business evolution.In this episode, you will:Understand why execution is no longer your moat—and what replaces itLearn how to sharpen your strategic vision and apply “wisdom at speed”Discover why leadership, sales, and hiring matter more than everExplore what it takes to master the human-AI interface—and gain an edgeDesign processes that eliminate bottlenecks and boost iteration speedBuild a defensible moat using data, niche AI models, and brandRealize how team quality becomes your true multiplier in the AI ageThe Pact Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:Follow, rate, and review us in your listening appSubscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early-access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/ Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following Key linksThe Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.vanta.com/tsp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show Learn more about Chris and YanivWork 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/ Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/ Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthurContent Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

In this episode of The Startup Podcast, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein react to former Meta executive Sarah Wynn-Williams’ jaw-dropping testimony in front of the US Senate Judiciary Committee. She alleges Facebook put profits above all else—including the mental health of young users and even national security.Plus, we discuss the political theater of NVIDIA's $500B commitment to US AI infrastructure, the All-In Podcast's unexpected showdown between billionaires and policy heavyweights, and briefly touching on OpenAI’s latest drop: the GPT-4.1 model.In this episode, you will;•⁠ ⁠Discover what the whistleblower claims Meta did to manipulate teen users•⁠ ⁠Understand the China connection and how censorship tools allegedly fit in•⁠ ⁠Hear why the hosts compare Meta’s behavior to the tobacco industry•⁠ ⁠Learn how this trial could reshape public and legal perception of Big Tech•⁠ ⁠Analyze whether NVIDIA’s $500B “AI in America” move is genuine or political theater•⁠ ⁠Break down Ezra Klein and Larry Summers’ takedown of the All-In bros•⁠ ⁠Explore OpenAI’s GPT-4.1 model and what it means for the future of software engineering•⁠ ⁠Reflect on whether personal AI agents like ChatGPT are becoming too indispensable to switch away from•⁠ ⁠Learn if AI just a buzzword — or the key to survival in a volatile startup landscapeThe Pact Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:Follow, rate, and review us in your listening appSubscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early-access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/ Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following Key linksThe Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.vanta.com/tsp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show Learn more about Chris and YanivWork 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/ Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/ Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthurContent Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Unlock the secrets of raising a seed round with expert strategies! Discover the true meaning of a seed round and the five critical areas to de-risk your funding efforts. Unearth common misconceptions around traction versus revenue. Learn how to ensure your valuation truly reflects your startup's potential. Get insider tips on pitching to investors and the importance of building relationships with those who share your vision. This is a must-listen for any entrepreneur looking to secure funding successfully!