The Startup Podcast

Founders are the linchpin of a startup. They are the central foci, the lifeblood. The buck stops with them. But how can you tell the difference between a good and a bad founder? And how can you avoid being a bad one? Don’t worry, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein are here this week to discuss 9 differences between good and bad founders, based on a recent article Chris wrote. The differences are: 🔍 Good founders focus on solving important problems for customers while bad founders mainly concentrate on fundraising and profits. 🧠 Good founders hire smart people who challenge them, while bad founders like to be the smartest person in the room and just give orders. 🔮 Good founders have a vision as well as pragmatism. Bad founders either have no vision or cannot execute pragmatically. 🎯 Good founders put customers first, clearly communicate their vision to investors and choose investors who believe in them. Bad founders change plans to please investors. ❤️ Good founders treat employees with empathy but make tough decisions when needed. Bad founders don't care about their people. 🏛️ Good founders build a culture where the right decisions can be made without them. Bad founders micromanage everything. 🚀 Good founders aim for growth and scale. Bad founders just focus on short-term survival. Listen to the full episode to hear the other 2 differences! 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 

Today we have a special bonus interview. The tables have turned and Yaniv finds himself being interviewed by Ben Wirtz. Together the duo discuss:  🚀 Early Leadership Lessons: Yaniv's Google journey began with an early leadership role, emphasizing efficiency and effective communication. 🎓 Inspiration from Mentors: Insights from Oliver Heckman instilled high standards and fostered a culture of psychological safety, nurturing Bernstein's leadership skills. 💡 Innovative Problem-Solving: Yaniv's penchant for questioning norms and proposing efficient solutions is tempered by occasional oversight of details. 🤔 Navigating Tough Decisions: Addressing employee departures, while challenging, often signifies overdue actions and can be approached objectively. ❤️ Empathetic Leadership: Yaniv advocates for empathetic leadership, setting clear expectations, and fostering accountability through inquiry. ⚖️ Balancing Priorities: Early leaders must showcase value beyond mere activity, establishing boundaries without coming across as irritable. 🧘 Managing Stress: Yaniv underscores the importance of self-care amidst professional demands, advocating for a balanced approach to work and life. 🎁 Embracing Feedback: Viewing feedback as a gift, Yaniv emphasizes its delivery with good intentions, despite potential challenges in its reception. See a side of Yaniv that is not often highlighted in the podcast episodes. Watch it 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 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 

$7 TRILLION!?! It’s the number everyone has been talking about this week.  Here to break down the latest tech news are the insiders: Emil Michael, former Chief Business Officer of Uber, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein. This week they discuss: 💰💡🤔Sam Altman's Ambitious Bid: Rumors swirl around Altman's purported $7 trillion funding quest for a new AI chip company, sparking debates on its feasibility and strategic implications. 🚀💻🏆NVIDIA's Dominance: With NVIDIA's AI chip dominance in mind, Altman's move is seen as a potential counterforce, highlighting the competitive dynamics in the tech landscape. 🏢💼🔍Adam Neumann's WeWork Saga: Neumann's attempt to reclaim WeWork prompts reflections on the blurred lines between tech innovation and property management. 📉💼💡Lyft's Earnings Mishap: The hosts dissect Lyft's rollercoaster stock performance following a glaring earnings blunder, underscoring the importance of operational competence. 🌟💼📈Founder Ambitions vs. Reality: Balancing visionary goals with practical execution is a central theme, with examples illustrating the delicate interplay between ambition and feasibility. Tune in to gain insights into the complexities of startup ambitions and the realities of building successful ventures. Don't miss out on this enlightening discussion! 🎙️✨ 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  

Hybrid work. One of the biggest points of contention in the tech startup landscape right now. Some startups seem to thrive with the arrangement while others suffer culture implosion and perish. Navigating the post-COVID work landscape involves grappling with the challenges and opportunities of hybrid work setups.  Don’t worry, this week, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein are here to discuss what you need to know to allow your team to flourish no matter the circumstance: 🤝💼🚗In-person Work: Fosters teamwork but poses challenges like high costs and commuting issues. 🏠💻💰Remote Work: Offers access to talent and cost savings but may lack the vibrancy of in-person interactions. 🎯📊🏢Strategic Design: Companies must intentionally choose and design their work style to avoid the pitfalls of a disorganized approach. 🔄📅📝Hybrid Model: Requires clear policies on remote vs. in-office work, meeting schedules, and event planning to optimize productivity and collaboration. ⚖️✅🗣️Tradeoffs and Benefits: While each approach has its pros and cons, intentional decision-making and effective communication are paramount for success. Tune in to the full episode to explore insightful discussions on the nuances of hybrid work and discover strategies for creating a productive and inclusive work environment in today's dynamic landscape. 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 

Should Congress apologize to Mark Zuckerberg? If you haven’t been living under a rock recently, major tech company CEOs have been hauled into Congress to discuss child safety and moderation on their platforms. What does it mean?  Is Congress right to really drill down on these CEOs? What else could Congress be doing to really change the current climate to protect our kids while also protecting democracy and free speech? To debate the hottest topic in tech this week is Emil Michael, former Chief Business Officer of Uber, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein. Together the insiders discuss: ⚖️The balance between regulation and platform benefits 👀Excessive oversight  🛡️🔍Accountability of tech companies for harmful content amplified by algorithms and the role of regulation in addressing these issues 🧪🦠The Lab Leak Theory Don’t miss this SPICY episode. 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

Startup founders are often preached to follow neat frameworks and one-size fits all prescriptions. Here to say “embrace the mess” is John Cutler. John is a well-respected thought leader in the startup world. He is currently the Senior director responsible for product enablement at Toast. John has previously held the position of product evangelist at Amplitude and numerous product management roles over his fascinating career arc. Most importantly, John is the author of the long running newsletter “The Beautiful Mess” where he posts prolifically to his followers about product development. This week, John joins Chris and Yaniv to discuss: John’s fascinating career arc 🔄Reverse Anna Karenina Principle and how it applies to startups 🌀Dysfunctional teams and key anti-patterns associated 🕵️‍♂️Finding the right people 🧠Deriving views from first principles 🌐Non-Silicon Valley Startup operators unique perspective  ⏳💔Startups dying slowly vs dying quickly 🚀📚Putting reps in at a startup vs consuming content This episode is jam-packed with product knowledge and will get you reconsidering your perspectives on startups. Episode Links Subscribe to John’s Newsletter: https://cutlefish.substack.com/ Follow John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpcutler/  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  

Taylor Swift on a startup podcast? It’s not for her ERAS tour, nor is it for the Kansas City Chiefs upcoming Super Bowl game. Listen to the insiders discuss the biggest developing stories this week: 🚀 Navigating the Volatile Fundraising Landscape: A challenging fundraising environment in 2023 post-tech bubble burst, characterized by high rates and volatility. Optimism surfaces in 2024, but with caution—expectations of smaller valuations and round sizes. Founders urged to prioritize metrics like CAC, retention, and product-market fit. Revenue requirements for early startups scrutinized, except for late seed/Series A stages. 👤 Deepfake Controversies Unveiled: Taylor Swift Deep Fakes spotlight the negative impacts of generative AI, posing threats to politics, culture, and celebrity realms. The necessity of regulatory measures discussed; challenges arise in distinguishing between parody and harm. Importance stressed on moderation and provenance tracking, as brute force solutions like blocking Taylor Swift searches prove ineffective and lack nuance. Don’t  miss out on the latest from The Startup Podcast - join The Pact. 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 

There’s a fair bit of sentiment in the startup community at the moment purporting that B2B2C is better. Chris believes it is not. Joining Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein on The Startup Podcast to discuss their startup as a case-study is special guest Matt Holme, CEO and Founder of YouPay. YouPay is an ecommerce payment platform that pivoted from B2B to B2C over its lifetime. Together they discuss: 🚀 YouPay's Evolution: Starting as a B2B platform facilitating payment for others' shopping carts, YouPay faced scalability challenges relying on ecommerce stores. 💡 B2C Pivot and Realizations: Adapting to challenges, YouPay pivoted to a B2C model, selling directly to creators and fans, realizing the limitations of the B2B2C approach. 🔄 Overcoming Objections: Exploring objections to B2C, including partner focus, user acquisition hurdles, and potential loss of B2B clients. 📈 Success through Marketing and Product Focus: YouPay thrived post-pivot by strategically using ads, fostering word-of-mouth, and building a strong brand. The shift resulted in substantial growth and increased team motivation. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Emphasizing the significance of end users, acquiring your user base, and maintaining control over the product. This is an interesting episode for everyone intrigued by business models and how to best position your company. Episode Links: Checkout the document that Chris created that sparked this discussion: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11ICK-KmnPJgzfQC1wkxz6Tf-l69pUptmk1QyKH9QB9M/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.1izb56alryed 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  

The hosts discuss Carta's controversial pivot and the backlash it received, analyze the impact of cryptocurrency ETFs on Bitcoin and Ethereum, explore OpenAI's decision to allow military applications and the ethical implications, challenge Google's attribution of layoffs to AI, and delve into the leadership failures at Google and the potential of autonomous vehicles.

Michael Houck, founder and investor, discusses the benefits of building a personal brand for founders, tactics for growing engagement, the difference between personal and company brand, and overcoming posting anxiety. The podcast also explores the power of warm introductions, leveraging personal branding, and the dangers of the social media algorithm.