Sachin and Adam

Helping people hear has always been a race against biology. Matt de Jonge, CEO of Fortell, is changing that.He watched his grandparents drift away at family dinners — present in the room but completely disconnected. He tried to solve it in 2014, got intimidated by how hard the problem was, and gave up. Then a Zoom call during COVID changed everything.We cover the full landscape: why he walked away from finance because it felt dystopian, how a chance meeting with Josh Kushner almost became a hospital company, why he pitched a better hearing aid two weeks after telling his investor they were quitting, what it actually took to squeeze a massive AI into something that fits behind your ear in milliseconds, why his biggest nightmare isn't failing but growing too fast and blowing the trust, and what it will take to bring this technology to the 1.5 billion people who need it.This conversation covers: Why Matt felt he gave up on his grandparents — and what brought him back How a COVID Zoom call changed everything Why Josh Kushner initially pitched them on a technology hospital Why Matt felt guilty working in finance How Fortell scales a $6,800 device beyond billionaires What keeps Matt up at night about going too fastThanks to our sponsor Notion for supporting our mission of telling technology stories that matter. They are a significant reason why this is possible. Sign up for 3 months free of Notion for Business.Join our community 🚀 LinkedIn 🐦 X 📸 InstagramAbout usWe are two best friends, trying to build a community around in-depth interviews and short documentaries with the best minds in technology and startups. Through bold storytelling and candid conversations, we explore how visionary thinkers are shaping a positive future. The best way to support is subscribing — truly it makes all the difference for us 💙

Curing disease has always been a race against time. Josh Meier, co-founder of Chai Discovery, is changing that. He's training AI on the language of DNA and proteins to compress drug design from years to hours.We cover the full landscape: why people initially said this was impossible, how a 30-person team built a $4B startup, why "turning GPUs into drugs" became his mission, what he'd cure right now, and what it will take to bring AI-designed medicines to the world.None of this would be possible without our sponsor Vanta. As we've scaled, security and compliance became critical. Vanta automates compliance (SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA) so companies can focus on building. They're actively supporting startups and helping founders build trust from day one. Check out vanta.com/sachinandadam.Join our community 🚀 LinkedIn 🐦 X 📸 InstagramAbout usWe are two best friends, trying to build a community around in-depth interviews and short documentaries with the best minds in technology and startups. Through bold storytelling and candid conversations, we explore how visionary thinkers are shaping a positive future. The best way to support is subscribing — truly it makes all the difference for us 💙

Quantum computing has been "almost here" for decades. PsiQuantum's co-founder Pete Shadbolt tells us exactly when that changes — and why his $7B company raised $2.3 billion before building a single useful machine. We cover the full landscape: what every quantum company is racing toward, why most won't get there, and what happens to the world when someone does.Thanks to our sponsor Notion for supporting our mission of telling technology stories that matter. They are a significant reason why this is possible. Sign up for 3 months free of Notion for Business.Join our community 🚀 LinkedIn 🐦 X 📸 InstagramAbout usWe are two best friends, trying to build a community around in-depth interviews and short documentaries with the best minds in technology and startups. Through bold storytelling and candid conversations, we explore how visionary thinkers are shaping a positive future. The best way to support is subscribing — truly it makes all the difference for us 💙

Runway started by building AI tools for filmmakers. Today, the major studios run on it — and the same models are now learning to simulate the real world, training robots and pointing toward a new kind of AI entirely.We sat down with Anastasis Germanidis, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Runway, at their New York office to trace how three self-described "failed filmmakers" built one of the most competitive video AI labs in the world on a fraction of the compute of the big players — and where world models go from here.None of this would be possible without our sponsor Vanta. As we've scaled, security and compliance became critical. Vanta automates compliance (SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA) so companies can focus on building. They're actively supporting startups and helping founders build trust from day one. Check out vanta.com/sachinandadam.Join our community 🚀 LinkedIn 🐦 X 📸 InstagramAbout usWe are two best friends, trying to build a community around in-depth interviews and short documentaries with the best minds in technology and startups. Through bold storytelling and candid conversations, we explore how visionary thinkers are shaping a positive future. The best way to support is subscribing — truly it makes all the difference for us 💙

In this episode, we sit down with Zach Dell, co-founder and CEO of Base Power — the Austin-based energy company backed by Addition, a16z, Lightspeed, and Thrive Capital, and last valued at $13 billion.Zach shares Base's mission to build America's next great energy company: replacing stale incumbents not through government entrenchment, but through a cult of speed, self-funded R&D, and a better product. From quitting a job in venture capital and meeting his co-founder on a factory tour at Anduril, to raising $1B and turning every home into a piece of grid infrastructure, Zach offers a rare look at what it actually takes to rebuild American energy.None of this would be possible without our sponsor Vanta. They support our mission of telling technology stories that matter. As startups scale, security and compliance becomes critical. Vanta automates compliance (SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA) so companies can focus on building. They're actively supporting startups and helping founders build trust from day one. Check out vanta.com/sachinandadam.Join our community 🚀 LinkedIn 🐦 X 📸 InstagramAbout usWe are two best friends, trying to build a community around in-depth interviews and short documentaries with the best minds in technology and startups. Through bold storytelling and candid conversations, we explore how visionary thinkers are shaping a positive future. The best way to support is subscribing — truly it makes all the difference for us 💙

In today’s episode, we sit down with Xavier Collins, co-founder of Wonder Studios — the London-based AI film studio backed by Blackbird, LocalGlobe, and angels from OpenAI and DeepMind.Xavier shares Wonder’s mission to become the Pixar of the AI age, democratizing Hollywood-grade production and sparking a global wave of creativity. From supercharging storytelling and navigating venture capital, to blending software with traditional filmmaking and building a 21st-century studio culture, Xavier offers a rare inside look at the future of film.We dive into:How Wonder Studios is bridging Hollywood tradition with AI innovationThe bet on AI as a creative explosion, not a replacementConvincing VCs a studio can be venture-scaleUnlocking Hollywood-grade production for creators worldwideThe role of culture, talent, and new creative roles in building a modern studio00:00 Introduction to the AI Gold Rush00:19 Meet Xavier Collins of Wonder Studios00:42 The Future of Storytelling with AI01:02 Challenges and Opportunities in AI Film Studios01:34 Building a Unicorn: Culture and Vision01:51 Audience Engagement and Subscription Drive02:30 Deep Dive into Wonder Studios' Vision03:41 The AI Gold Rush Analogy06:33 Democratizing Hollywood-Grade Production08:36 VC Skepticism and Conviction12:11 The Agency Model and Beyond13:44 Notion Ad18:39 Lowering Barriers to Hollywood-Grade Animation21:20 Personal Journey and Creative Collaboration26:19 The AI Video Landscape29:40 Advice for Creatives in the Age of AI32:23 Leveraging Technology in Filmmaking34:36 Challenges and Opportunities in Scriptwriting36:32 Impact of AI on the Filmmaking Economy40:00 Building a 21st Century Studio42:42 Team Structure and Culture54:24 Future Goals and Vision

Join four trailblazers in AI: Michelle Gilmore, CEO of Juno, who straddles user research; Dan Palmer of Relevance AI, mastering automation; Xharmagne Carandang from Lorikeet, revolutionizing customer support; and Georgie Healy of Google’s AI accelerator. They tackle the AI VC bubble and the critical role of talent and adaptability in this fast-paced field. Expect insights on AI's potential to reshape industries, the need for a creative education framework, and the balance of innovation with ethical responsibility.

Join John Henderson and Jackie Vullinghs from AirTree as they unveil their groundbreaking $650 million fund aimed at propelling Australian and Kiwi startups into the global arena. They discuss the surge of international interest in Oz’s tech scene, highlighting the emergence of AI-native companies and what founders need to succeed today. The duo shares insights on the shift to faster, conviction-led investing, the critical traits they seek in startups, and the evolving venture capital landscape, making it essential listening for aspiring entrepreneurs.

John Kim, co-founder and CEO of Paraform, is reshaping recruitment with a marketplace that connects companies to top external headhunters. He shares insights into raising a $20M Series A, emphasizing the importance of customer relationships. The conversation dives into using AI to enhance recruiter performance, predictions of 7-figure earnings for recruiters, and the necessity of trusted matches. Kim also reflects on his journey, the challenges of scaling a startup, and the future of hiring as the industry evolves.

Dive into the fascinating world of AI agents as the founders of A1base discuss giving these agents real identities like phone numbers and emails. They emphasize the importance of trust and communication in AI technology. Discover the lessons learned from previous startup experiences, the unique culture of Silicon Valley, and how Y Combinator shapes ambitious founders. The conversation furthers into the crucial need for agility in building AI infrastructures while pondering the balance between innovation and accountability in the rapidly evolving landscape.