The Startup Podcast

Google caught faking?  Is the economy back? Are US colleges anti-Semitic? There’s been some major developments in the tech ecosystem this week. Don’t worry! Emil, Chris and Yaniv are here to unpack it all including: 🤖 Google's AI Deception: The team delve into Google's Gemini, an AI model that initially wowed with live commentary on videos but later revealed an unexpected twist—AI responses stitched together from still images, raising questions about transparency and progress. ⚖️ Google's Antitrust Battle: The team explores the consequences of Google's antitrust loss related to Play Store policies. They further discuss the ongoing debate about the power of tech giants, their responsibilities, and the potential need for alternative app stores. 💼 Economic Insights: Emil, Chris and Yaniv unpack the complex recovery landscape as the economy bounces back, contrasting the resurgence in the stock market and crypto with the slower recovery in venture investing, highlighting the challenges faced by startups and VC funds. 🎓 Campus Debates on Antisemitism: The trio also discuss university presidents' responses to antisemitism, exploring the delicate balance between open debate and overcorrection. They also highlight the need for truth, debate, and ethics to maintain democratic values on campuses. Don’t miss the latest developments in the tech ecosystem - listen to this episode now! 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 app Subscribe 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 on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links The 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. Go to www.vanta.com/tsp  for 20% off their incredible offer. Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg   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 Yaniv Work 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/ Credits Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by: Editor: Justin McArthur Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang

This episode is the MOST IMPORTANT podcast episode you will listen to in December. Contrary to popular opinion, saving money DOES NOT mean sacrificing progress. Planning your attack for 2024? Chris and Yaniv are here to dispel the myths and strategise for maximum output while minimizing costs in the latest episode of The Startup Podcast. Together they discuss: 🎯 Clarifying Company Strategy: Define a clear and focused strategy to guide your company's mission. Learn how to trim costs without losing strategic momentum. 🔄 Reorganizing Company Structure: Explore the importance of realigning teams and roles to match your updated strategy. An efficient structure not only cuts costs but enhances productivity. 🤝 Ensuring Employee Alignment: Discover why alignment with the company's strategy is crucial. Wasting time and money becomes inevitable without a unified workforce moving toward common goals. 💼 Hiring Efficient Employees: Uncover the value of investing in higher-cost but more productive employees. Learn how they can outperform and replace multiple less efficient staff members. 📊 Evaluating Employee Value: Navigate the process of evaluating employee contributions. Find out when and how to part ways with those who don't align with the new structure or provide sufficient value for the investment. Don't miss out on practical insights to optimize your startup's efficiency. Watch the full episode for actionable tips on doing more with less. 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 app Subscribe 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 on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links The 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. Go to www.vanta.com/tsp  for 20% off their incredible offer. Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg   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 Yaniv Work 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/ Credits Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by: Editor: Justin McArthur Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang  

What did Elon say? Leading the Silicon Valley chatter this week are comments Elon Musk made during an interview with Andrew Sorkin. Emil, Chris and Yaniv break it down and the flow-on effects on paid social networks while also exploring: 🚀 Elon Unleashed: Emil, Chris and Yaniv discuss Elon Musk's unfiltered behavior, especially on Twitter. They also explore how his lack of self-censorship and tendency to "troll" impacts his vision of an open platform and its perception. 🔋 EV Demand Dip: The trio uncover the reasons behind the recent decline in electric vehicle (EV) demand. From cost concerns to the inadequacy of charging infrastructure, understand the challenges affecting the EV market. 🌐 China's EV Ascendancy: Emil, Chris and Yaniv discuss the emergence of Chinese automaker BYD as a significant player in the EV space. Discover how lower costs and government subsidies position China as a formidable competitor. ⚡ Energy Dilemma: The trio navigate the complex landscape of energy solutions. Acknowledge the need for increased investment in nuclear and renewable energy to combat climate change, recognizing the political polarization surrounding these discussions. 🌍 Tech's Climate Role: Emil, Chris and Yaniv explore the pivotal role of technology in addressing climate change. Gain insights into the belief that a combination of technological advancements, not just policy changes, is essential for mitigating the effects of climate change. Don’t miss out on this action-packed episode. Watch the full episode today! 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 app Subscribe 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 on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links The 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. Go to www.vanta.com/tsp  for 20% off their incredible offer. Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg   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 Yaniv Work 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/ Credits Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by: Editor: Justin McArthur Associate Producer: Aidan CousinsIntro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang 

VC fundraising.  A crucial way to rapidly expand your startup. The best VC relationships will elevate your startup to another level while poor ones can make your startup lame. This week on The Startup Podcast, Chris and Yaniv venture into the shadows of fundraising as founders expose harrowing tales of dealing with unscrupulous venture capitalists. 🕵️‍♂️ 🤝 False Promises: Some VCs masquerade as venture studios, luring founders with promises of substantial support in exchange for hefty equity. In reality, founders are left to navigate the entrepreneurial journey alone. 🤐 Confidential Betrayal: Unethical practices emerge as certain VCs breach trust by sharing founders' confidential information with competitors, exploiting sensitive details for a competitive edge. 💸 Lowball Offers: Founders face the peril of VCs making undervalued offers, jeopardizing the startup's equity structure and hindering its path to success during critical funding rounds. 👻 Investor Ghosting: Post-investment, some VCs vanish, leaving founders in the lurch. While investor support is crucial, the absence of ongoing assistance can hinder a startup's growth. ⏳ Funding Delays: Founders experience intentional delays in funding after agreeing to term sheets, introducing pressure tactics or blocking potential competitors. 💰 Fee Excess: Unscrupulous VCs exploit founders by charging fees and claiming cuts from subsequent funding rounds, compromising equity in exchange for essential capital. There’s a lot of horror stories out there. Don’t fret! Yaniv and Chris are here to help you through the process so you don’t have your own horror story. They explore how to get the best out of VC including: 🕵️‍♀️ Vetting Investors: Founders are reminded to meticulously vet potential investors, discern their priorities, and avoid falling prey to "innovation theater" or compromising their vision too quickly. 🚀 Clean Relationships: The essence of successful fundraising lies in forging transparent, straightforward relationships with investors who genuinely empower founders rather than exploiting them. Explore the dark side of fundraising and glean insights on navigating the complex VC landscape. Watch the full episode for cautionary tales and strategic wisdom. 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 app Subscribe 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 on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links The 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. Go to www.vanta.com/tsp  for 20% off their incredible offer. Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg   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 Yaniv Work 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/ Credits Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by: Editor: Justin McArthur Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang 

Data is radioactive. Handle it appropriately and you can harness its extreme power for your startup. Don’t and the promised invaluable insights will decay and destroy it! Thankfully Chris and Yaniv explore the art of data-driven decision-making in this week’s episode of The Startup Podcast. Listen as they investigate: 📊 Choosing Wisely: Use product telemetry data for insightful product decisions, steering away from the common trap of relying solely on business metrics like revenue and user numbers. 🚀 Being Guided, Not Dictated: Embrace a data-informed approach without losing sight of your startup's vision and intuition; data complements, but doesn't dictate. 🚨 Avoiding Pitfalls: Navigate the pitfalls of false precision and data fallacies. Understand that data, without proper context, can lead to misguided decisions. 🧹 Trimming the Excess: Don't drown in data! Collect only the essential information to avoid distraction and distortion of priorities. ❤️ User-Centric Approach: Prioritize user love over customer and investor data. A product that users genuinely love will naturally attract success. This episode serves as a compelling reminder that while data is a powerful tool, it must be wielded judiciously. Tune in for an enlightening discussion on steering your startup with the right balance of insight, vision, and data 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 app Subscribe 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 on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links The 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. Go to www.vanta.com/tsp  for 20% off their incredible offer. Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg   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 Yaniv Work 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/ Credits Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by: Editor: Justin McArthur Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang  

He’s back! Sam Altman returns as CEO of OpenAI, less than a week after being fired by the board.  Today on The Startup Podcast, Emil Michael former Chief Business Officer of Uber, also returns to the pod with Chris and Yaniv to discuss the latest OpenAI drama. Together they explore: 🤝 Leadership Dynamics at OpenAI: Uncover the compelling narrative of Sam Altman's departure and return as OpenAI's CEO, exploring the nuances of board decisions and the impact of employee protests. 🌐 Managing AI Partnership Risks: Delve into the Microsoft-OpenAI deal, dissecting how Satya Nadella adeptly structured the partnership to mitigate risks, offering valuable lessons in strategic collaboration. ⚖️ Balancing Safety and Progress: Navigate the fine line between rapid AI advancement and ensuring safety, as the episode scrutinizes the potential risks of swift progress in the competitive landscape of AI development. 🤔 The Role of Effective Boards: Gain insights into the pivotal role of boards in companies, particularly OpenAI, and how board dynamics can influence strategic decisions, especially during challenging periods. 🚀 Lessons for Fast-Growth Companies: Extract valuable lessons for fast-growing companies, learning from OpenAI's experiences in navigating risk, embracing innovation, and fostering collaboration with a constructive board. Don't miss this thought-provoking episode that unravels the complex tapestry of leadership, risk, and innovation in OpenAI. Watch the full episode for a deep dive into the lessons shaping the future of technology and company dynamics. 🎬🔍 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 app Subscribe 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      Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links The 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. Go to www.vanta.com/tsp  for 20% off their incredible offer. Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg   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 Yaniv Work 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/ Credits Lovingly handcrafted for the global startup community by: Editor: Justin McArthur Associate Producer: Aidan Cousins Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang

Gabor Cselle, the founder of T2/Pebble, discusses the challenges of shutting down a startup. He talks about the opportunity cost of persisting and the emotional toll it takes. He also examines competitor analysis, highlighting Facebook's advantages. Cselle imparts wisdom for founders, navigating financial realities and emotional resilience.

On the 17th of November OpenAI announced on their blog that Sam Altman was fired. This sent shockwaves throughout the startup ecosystem worldwide. What happened next was even more fireworks. Greg Brockman, the other co-founder was removed as president of the board then Mira Murati was appointed interim CEO. Greg quit as well as four other senior people. Investors including Microsoft has been in the dark and Mira Murati and has since tried to bring Sam and Greg back to OpenAI.  So what the hell is going on? Wading through the speculation craziness of the last week are Chris and Yaniv joined by special guest and friend of the pod Emil Michael, former Chief Business Officer at Uber. Was this because of AI safety from people with no skin in the game? An internal battle? What is to become of OpenAI? You DO NOT want to miss this episode! Episode Links: Checkout our recent episode on OpenAI DevDay 2023: https://www.tsp.show/reacts-ai-insiders-discuss-openai-devday-2023-everything-you-need-to-know/  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 app Subscribe 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      Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links The 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. Go to www.vanta.com/tsp  for 20% off their incredible offer. Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg   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 Yaniv Work 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/

How do you improve your mental health?  Today continues the important discussion we started with Mike Filbey, founder of Pepper and former co-founder of ButcherBox surrounding mental health. To help guide us on the ins and outs of founder mental health is expert coach Georgia Dienst. Georgia has spent her career working with high performance people at Google, Google X and Kernel. In this eye-opening conversation, Georgia sheds light on the formidable challenges founders face in maintaining their mental well-being within the demanding startup landscape. Drawing from her own experiences with burnout and her coaching insights, she unravels the complexities that often go unnoticed. 🌪️ Explore the key revelations: 🧠 Unmasking the Mental Health Epidemic: Founders, grappling with intense work demands, lack the crucial support needed for their mental health. 🤝 Untangling Founder Identity: Dive deep into the intricacies of how founder identities become inseparable from their companies, resulting in self-neglect and fragility. 🚨 Warning Signs: Recognize the early indicators of trouble, such as broken self-care promises and the dangerous link between self-care and company goals. 🧩 Mindset Matters: Uncover the prevalent mindset issues like imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and low self-worth haunting founders. 💼 Invest in Yourself: Georgia advocates for founders to treat themselves as equally vital resources, emphasizing the need for self-investment. 🌿 Holistic Well-being: Learn how basic self-care, coupled with guidance from a coach or therapist, can be a game-changer. Reach out for help early, not just when things are dire. 🤝 Coach's Corner: Understand the role of coaches in implementing support systems while addressing emotional challenges. Embark on this illuminating episode to empower yourself as a founder, discovering the tools and insights crucial for building resilience in the face of mental health challenges. Episode Links: Check out Georgia’s website: https://www.georgiadienst.com/  Explore the Mochary Method: https://mocharymethod.com/ 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 app Subscribe 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    Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links The 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. Go to www.vanta.com/tsp for 20% off their incredible offer. Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg  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 Yaniv Work 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/

OpenAI DevDay 2023. A conference that sent reverberations throughout the startup ecosystem worldwide. Welcomed back on The Startup Podcast to discuss and debate it all are Jeremiah Owyang, general partner at Blitzscaling Ventures and founder of Lama Lounge, and Ben Parr, founder of Octane AI, AI Insiders deeply embedded in the Silicon Valley startup ecosystem. With Chris and Yaniv they explore the top takeaways from the OpenAI DevDay. From why GPT-4 Turbo is light-years better than GPT3.5, how to make your own super customized ChatGPT, to quality of life improvements for developers and tinkerers at home, interoperability, multi-modality, switching costs and more, this episode has it all! The quartet also share hot takes on the future of AI startups and what startups in the AI field should be thinking about doing right now! Stay on the pulse of AI, don't miss this episode. Episode Links: Check out Ben’s startup Octane AI: https://www.octaneai.com/ Reach out to Jeremiah at Blitzscaling Ventures on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jowyang/ Check out Chris’ GPT he created: https://www.chrissaad.com/startupai And his AI standalone app he’s currently building: https://www.getwingman.ai/   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 app Subscribe 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 Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following Key links Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg 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 Yaniv Work 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/