
The Startup Podcast
A guide to the unique mindset and approach that drives Silicon Valley style disruption.
Build product, raise money, and scale your startup like the best. TSP hosts Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein share practical advice based on decades of experience at Google, Uber, and their own startups.
Latest episodes

Nov 18, 2024 • 51min
Fundraising Basics Part 2 - Avoid Selling Yourself Short (Replay)
Are you ready to disrupt an industry and change the world? In this episode, Chris and Yaniv dive deep into the art of fundraising for startups, exploring how to signal value, run an effective process, and craft the perfect ask to fuel your ambitious vision.
They're joined by their own experiences raising capital to discuss the delicate dance between founders and investors in pursuit of explosive growth.
In this episode, you will:
Discover powerful signaling techniques to attract top investors
Learn how to structure an effective fundraising roadshow and process
Understand the key components of crafting your fundraising ask
Explore the delicate balance between ambition and realism in valuations
Gain insights on avoiding common pitfalls like over-capitalization
Unpack the differences between traditional business thinking and Silicon Valley startup mentality
Examine how cultural and personal factors can impact fundraising confidence
Originally published as Edu: Fundraising Basics Part 2 - Avoid Selling Yourself Short, April 2022.
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 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-podcast
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. 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 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
Editor: Justin McArthur
Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang

Nov 13, 2024 • 34min
Early Ideation - Your Idea Is Worthless (Replay)
Ever had someone tell you "I have this great idea for an app"? While everyone seems to have the next billion-dollar idea, the reality of startup success is far more complex than just having a clever concept.
In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein explore the real value of ideas in startups and why execution matters more than ideation.
In this episode, you will:
Discover why "ideas are like assholes - everyone's got one"
Learn how to identify truly valuable problems worth solving
Understand the critical difference between problems and solutions
Master the art of validating ideas in the real market
Explore how technology enables new solutions to old problems
Recognize why protecting ideas with NDAs is counterproductive
Gain insights into building consensus around your vision
Learn how to pitch ideas effectively to early collaborators
Originally published as 'Edu: Early ideation - Your Idea Is Worthless', March 2022.
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 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-podcast
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. 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 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
Editor: Justin McArthur
Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang

Nov 11, 2024 • 1h 2min
Insiders React: Apple Reveals ChatGPT Is Really Dumb + The Battle for Self-Driving, Can You Prove You’re Human?
Are autonomous vehicles about to revolutionize how we get around?
Waymo’s massive $5.6 billion funding round suggests big changes are coming to transportation and possibly to Uber’s dominance in ridesharing.
But that’s not the only tech shakeup in this episode. Chris Saad is joined by Hooman Radfar, founder of Collective, to explore how these developments, along with new moves in AI, could reshape our lives and the future of work.
Analyze Waymo's funding and its potential impact on Uber and the rideshare industry
Explore the challenges and opportunities of integrating autonomous vehicles into existing transportation networks
Examine Sam Altman's WorldCoin project and its implications for verifying human identity in an AI-driven world
Debate whether large language models like ChatGPT can truly reason or are simply regurgitating information
Consider the long-term impacts of AI on human society, work, and our relationship with technology
Discuss strategies for coexisting and aligning with increasingly advanced AI systems
Reflect on how AI and autonomous systems may reshape human identity and our role in the world
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 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-podcast
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. 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 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
Editor: Justin McArthur
Content Strategist: Carolina Franco
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang

Nov 4, 2024 • 1h 17min
Stop Hacking and Start Growing w/ Casey Winters (Replay)
Are you struggling to drive sustainable growth for your startup? Wondering how to build a high-impact growth team?
In this episode, Chris and Yaniv are joined by Casey Winters, Chief Product Officer at Eventbrite and one of Silicon Valley's top growth experts. They explore the core principles of growth, common misconceptions, and practical strategies for implementing effective growth practices in your organization.
Casey shares invaluable insights from his experience leading growth at Pinterest, GrubHub, and Eventbrite, as well as advising numerous high-growth startups.
In this episode, you will:
Discover the true definition of growth and how it differs from traditional marketing
Learn how to structure and empower cross-functional growth teams for maximum impact
Understand the critical balance between experimentation and scalable product development
Gain strategies for building organizational alignment around growth initiatives
Explore common pitfalls in implementing growth practices and how to avoid them
Uncover the unique "network effect" that drives innovation in Silicon Valley
Learn how to adapt Silicon Valley growth principles for startups outside major tech hubs
Originally published as Edu: Growth - Stop Hacking and Start Growing w/ Casey Winters, August 2022.
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 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-podcast
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. 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 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
Editor: Justin McArthur
Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang

Oct 30, 2024 • 1h 3min
VC Pitch: PayPal for Agents – Skyfire Powers AI-to-AI Commerce at Scale
Are you ready for a world where AI agents can autonomously make purchases and monetize their services? How will commerce and payments evolve as intelligent software agents become ubiquitous?
In this episode, Chris Saad is joined by Amir Sarhangi and Craig DeWitt, co-founders of Skyfire, to explore the cutting-edge intersection of AI, payments, and open protocols.
They discuss Skyfire's mission to become the "Visa for AI" by enabling seamless financial transactions between autonomous agents.
In this episode, you will:
Discover how Skyfire is building an open protocol for AI agent payments
Learn about the challenges of creating a new payments network for machine-to-machine transactions
Understand Skyfire's strategy for solving the "chicken and egg" problem of supply and demand
Explore potential use cases for agent-to-agent payments in areas like data access, marketing, and recruiting
Gain insights into Skyfire's business model and approach to monetization
Hear the founders' vision for how AI agents will transform internet commerce
Special Thanks to Llama Lounge - the #1 AI event - for introducing us to to these founders.
Learn more about the startup
Skyfire Website: https://skyfire.xyz/
Follow Amir Sarhangi on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asarhangi/
Follow Craig DeWitt on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdewitt/
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 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-podcast
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. 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 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
Editor: Justin McArthur
Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang

Oct 28, 2024 • 35min
VC Failure- 6 Toxic Investor Types That Will Destroy Your Startup
Are you ready to navigate the treacherous waters of startup investing?
Buckle up, because in this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad are diving deep into the world of bad investors. From predatory tactics to buzzword obsession, they're exposing the archetypes you need to watch out for.
In this eye-opening conversation, our hosts explore the dark side of venture capital, sharing real-world examples and practical advice for founders looking to secure funding without falling prey to these common pitfalls.
In this episode, you will:
Identify the "Midwit" investor who focuses on the wrong metrics
Recognize the predatory tactics used by some investors to gain unfair advantages
Understand the dangers of the "Term Sheet Tease" and how it can impact your startup
Learn to spot the "Ghost" investor who disappears without explanation
Discover why some investors are all talk and no action (the "Big Hat" archetype)
Uncover the risks of working with "Buzzword Butterfly" investors who chase trends
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 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-podcast
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. 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 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
Editor: Justin McArthur
Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang

Oct 21, 2024 • 51min
Product Polish - 15 Tactics to Reduce Churn & Drive Network Effects (Edu)
Do you wonder why some products feel magical while others fall flat?
In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein explore the art of product polish—the hidden details that separate mediocre products from brilliant ones. They explore how to refine a product to delight users, drive retention, and fuel rapid growth.
In this episode, you will:
Discover why telemetry is the foundation for effective product polish
Learn strategies for creating seamless onboarding experiences
Understand the importance of responsive design and error handling
Explore how to leverage notifications and configuration options
Uncover ways to build network effects into your product features
Master the art of marketing automation to guide users to value
Gain insights on elevating your customer support experience
Learn retention tactics to reduce churn when users try to leave
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 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-podcast
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. 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 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
Editor: Justin McArthur
Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang

Oct 16, 2024 • 52min
Insiders React: SpaceX’s Big Win + Kamala Backs Crypto, Dubai’s Tech Rise, Replit AI Changes Coding
What if you could build and deploy a full app in minutes, without writing a single line of code?
In this episode, Chris Saad and Ray Dargham, Co-Founder and CEO at Step, discuss the latest tech news shaping the future for founders and investors.
From crypto policy shifts to groundbreaking space tech and AI-powered coding, we explore the innovations transforming industries.
In this episode, you will:
Analyze Kamala Harris's new crypto framework and its implications for the industry
Explore SpaceX's historic Starship landing and how it's reshaping space economics
Uncover Starlink’s strategic role in funding and supporting SpaceX’s deep-space ambitions.
Discover how Replit's AI agent is democratizing software development
Gain insights on Dubai's rise as a global tech and startup hub
Examine the potential impacts of AI coding tools on software careers and business models
Consider the broader implications of democratizing technology access
Learn about upcoming tech conferences and networking opportunities
Step Conference: https://stepconference.com/ hosted by guest Ray Dargham
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 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-podcast
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. 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 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
Editor: Justin McArthur
Content Strategist: Carolina Franco Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang

Oct 15, 2024 • 14min
Insiders React: Elon’s Robotaxi FAIL (Bonus)
Is Tesla's latest announcement a game-changer for autonomous vehicles, or just another empty promise? As the tech world buzzes with excitement, many are left wondering if Elon Musk can deliver on his bold claims.
In this special bonus mini reacts episode of the Startup Podcast, hosts Yaniv and Chris dive deep into Tesla's recent unveiling of their new RoboTaxi, the CyberCab.
They explore the implications of this announcement and provide a critical analysis of Tesla's ambitious plans.
In this episode, you will:
Discover the key features of Tesla's newly announced CyberCab
Analyze the potential challenges facing Tesla's RoboTaxi implementation
Compare Tesla's approach to existing autonomous vehicle solutions like Waymo
Examine the logistics and operational hurdles of running a self-driving taxi fleet
Evaluate Elon Musk's presentation style and the event's overall impact
Understand the current state of Tesla's autonomous driving technology
Explore the hosts' perspectives on Tesla's future in the autonomous vehicle market
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 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-podcast
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. 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 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
Editor: Justin McArthur
Content Strategist: Carolina Franco
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang

Oct 14, 2024 • 54min
Escalation Culture – Driving Alignment in Cross-Functional Teams (Edu)
Are you struggling with decision-making bottlenecks in your fast-paced startup? Do you find your teams hesitant to bring problems to leadership? It's time to embrace the power of escalation.
In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein dive deep into the critical role of escalation in modern, autonomous organizations. They explore why it's essential, why it's often avoided, and how to create a culture that encourages and rewards effective escalation.
In this episode, you will:
Discover the four main types of escalation and when to use them
Learn why escalation is crucial for maintaining alignment in autonomous teams
Understand the cultural and psychological barriers that prevent effective escalation
Gain practical tips for escalating issues well and receiving escalations as a leader
Explore strategies for creating a company-wide culture that values and rewards escalation
Learn how to build a consensus-driven culture that still enables fast decision-making.
Recognize the importance of clear organizational structures in facilitating escalation
Hear real-world examples of how effective escalation can positively impact your career and company
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 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-podcast
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. 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 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
Editor: Justin McArthur
Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang
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