The Startup Podcast

Is Uber’s gamble on RoboTaxis a brilliant move, or the end of its asset-light magic? And what’s really going on inside OpenAI as it races to dominate AI?Many founders assume hypergrowth companies are perfectly coordinated machines, but the reality is far messier. From billion-dollar GPU costs to chaotic product launches, there’s a lot for entrepreneurs to learn from how these giants operate.Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein break down Uber’s 20,000-car RoboTaxi deal with Lucid and Nuro, and delve into what it means for the future of ride-hailing. They also discuss OpenAI’s new ChatGPT Agent, the company’s internal culture, and why GPU costs might be the most important factor shaping the AI race.In this episode:Understand why Uber is moving away from its asset-light model to own RoboTaxisDiscover how Uber plans to compete with Waymo, Tesla, and other autonomous vehicle playersLearn the economics of hybrid fleets—and why surge pricing is still criticalUnpack OpenAI’s confusing product lineup and what it reveals about their cultureEvaluate why GPU costs dominate OpenAI’s strategic decisionsExplore the risks of AI agents acting autonomously—and why reliability is still a huge issueTake away lessons founders can apply when scaling teams and managing chaotic hypergrowthThe 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 linksGet 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/

Getting noticed is harder than ever, but Rajiv Ayyangar (CEO, Product Hunt) says most startups fail for a surprisingly simple reason: lack of clarity and velocity.In this episode of The Startup Podcast, Rajiv explains what separates breakout startups from the thousands that never gain traction. Drawing on insights from hundreds of Product Hunt launches, Rajiv shares how to craft a tagline that resonates, why launching early (and often) is critical, and how velocity builds a powerful feedback flywheel that accelerates growth.He also shares what Product Hunt’s biggest winners did differently, why clarity forces better product thinking, and how AI tools are changing the speed of iteration, giving today’s founders a unique advantage if they use them correctly.In this episode:Learn why clarity beats hype every timeHow to craft a tagline that drives viral tractionWhy velocity builds trust and better user feedbackThe power of launching early (and re-launching often)Lessons from Notion, Superbase & other Product Hunt standoutsWhether you’re planning your first launch or trying to reignite growth, this conversation is packed with actionable lessons for founders who want to stand out.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 linksGet 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/

Is Apple losing its edge in the AI race? And what does it mean for startups when big tech strip-mines entire companies for talent?Many early entrepreneurs believe giant tech firms are unbeatable, but this episode reveals how even industry leaders can stumble—and what founders can learn from their missteps.In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein discuss the AI Chaos Week that the tech industry just witnessed. From Apple’s AI leadership crisis to Intel’s shocking admission of defeat in AI chips, they share hard-earned insights on strategy, leadership, and staying competitive in a brutal talent war.In this episode, you will:Learn why Apple’s conservative AI strategy is costing it top talent, and what founders can do differentlyDiscover why Intel publicly admitting defeat might actually be brilliant strategy for survivalExplore the brutal Windsurf talent raid and how “acqui-raids” are changing Silicon Valley’s startup cultureEvaluate whether AI tools actually slow senior engineers more productiveSee what startup founders can learn from big tech’s talent wars when building and retaining teamsDecide if playing it safe (Apple) or betting big (Meta) is the smarter move in fast-changing marketsThe 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 linksGet 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 a thought-provoking discussion, Eric Simons, Founder and CEO of StackBlitz, reveals how AI tools like Bolt.new are revolutionizing startup creation. He explains the shift allowing non-technical founders to build products without extensive coding. The conversation delves into the evolving roles within teams, the importance of rapid prototyping, and avoiding common pitfalls with AI. Eric shares insights on what the skillset of a founder will look like in the near future and recounts Bolt's astonishing journey to success after seven years.

Joined by Shira Lazar, a prolific content creator and media personality, the discussion dives into Elon Musk's intriguing launch of the 'America Party' and its potential ramifications in U.S. politics. They tackle the ethics of retail investing through platforms like Robinhood, especially around tokenized shares of companies like SpaceX. The conversation also explores YouTube's crackdown on low-quality AI content, reflecting on its impact on creators. Lastly, they weigh the cultural tensions sparked by Sequoia Capital's controversial tweets and the significance of Figma's upcoming IPO.

Amir Shevat, General Partner at Darkmode Ventures and former executive at tech giants like Google and Twitter, joins the conversation. He reveals critical insights about the seven common mistakes founders make when raising early-stage VC. Discover why VC isn't the right choice for every startup and learn how to avoid capturing ‘dumb money.’ Amir uncovers pitfalls in cap tables, the importance of targeting the right investors, and strategies for managing investor timelines. He emphasizes nurturing relationships, even amidst rejection, to foster a thriving startup ecosystem.

The podcast dives into Cloudflare's innovative AI pay-per-crawl feature, raising questions about web monetization. Grammarly's strategic acquisition of Superhuman aims to elevate its AI offerings. Figma's upcoming IPO could signal a resurgence in public tech, yet carries its own risks. The potential for automation to disrupt jobs is discussed, with founder Vinod Khosla predicting significant changes in the workforce. Plus, the conversation turns to how China may leverage free AI tools for global influence, illustrating the interplay of technology and geopolitics.

Struggling to get good results from ChatGPT or other AI tools? You’re probably prompting it wrong, and you’re not alone.Many founders assume AI just knows what you mean. Without the right prompt structure, though, even the most powerful LLMs will fail to deliver.In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein is joined by Jonathan Mast—seasoned entrepreneur, AI educator, and creator of the Perfect Prompt Framework—to break down how anyone, from startup founders to side hustlers, can start using AI more effectively today.They explore the psychology behind prompting, how to build confidence using AI tools, and why embedding structured prompting into your startup can multiply productivity.In this episode, you will:Learn the 4-step Perfect Prompt Framework to get better responses from AIUnderstand why AI often fails, and how it's usually your prompt (not the model)Discover how to overcome "AI FOMO" and start using it without feeling overwhelmedHear why giving AI permission to ask you questions dramatically improves accuracyExplore different LLMs like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, and when to use eachApply AI best practices to real startup workflows, from automation to documentationAvoid common mistakes when building AI-based systems that lack guardrails or versioningWhether you’re just starting with AI or want to unlock its full power for your business, this is the valuable conversation every modern founder needs.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/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGgGive us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media followingKey linksGet 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 recent court ruling has sparked intense debate over whether training AI on copyrighted content is ethical or justifiable. Experts dive into the complexities of copyright law and how it could reshape the landscape for startups. Additionally, advancements in AI dictation technology are finally gaining traction, transforming voice interaction into a daily necessity. The conversation also tackles the unsettling influence of tech moguls like Peter Thiel on politics and democracy, raising questions about the future of autonomy in an AI-driven world.

Is AI about to transform the world… gently? Sam Altman says yes, but are we being lulled into complacency while the real risks go unchallenged?Startups everywhere are rushing to embed AI into their workflows, but few understand just how flawed that human-AI interaction can be. From broken prompting to billion-dollar power plays, the future of AI in business is murkier than it looks.In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein break down the most urgent developments in AI and what they mean for founders and operators. They unpack Sam Altman’s “Gentle Singularity” vision, dive into Meta’s stealthy acquisition of Scale AI, and discuss a shocking study revealing that human-AI collaboration may be doing more harm than good, especially in healthcare and the workplace.In this episode, you will:Understand why Sam Altman thinks AI’s future will be “gentle”—and what he might be downplaying Learn how Meta quietly bought 49% of Scale AI to outflank OpenAI and Google Explore the real-world risks of bad prompting and how it derails AI’s accuracy Uncover why AI literacy is now a critical skill for startups and employees alike Examine why Slack is locking down chat data—and what that means for workplace AI tools Hear how OpenAI talent is resisting $100M offers from Meta, and what that says about culture vs. cash Discover the hidden trade-offs in AI alignment and whether “good enough” is actually enoughThe 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 linksGet 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/