The Next Next

Elevating Youth Sports: The Journey and Vision of CoachUp with CEO Alex Stone In this episode, the guest is Alex Stone, CEO of CoachUp, a service that connects athletes with private coaches aimed at changing kids' lives through sports. Alex discusses the origins of CoachUp, its growth, and its mission in the youth sports space. He shares insights into the evolution of youth sports, emphasizing the importance of one-on-one and small-group training, and the challenges and opportunities of running a sports-focused two-sided marketplace. Alex also dives into the strategic decision to open physical training centers, blending digital and physical spaces to enhance the athlete and coach experience. Additionally, he recounts his personal journey from being a Marine to working with Under Armour and eventually leading CoachUp. Alex reflects on the current youth sports landscape through the lens of both a business leader and a parent, highlighting the impact of sports on children's development and the crucial role of quality coaching. 00:00 Introduction to Alex Stone and CoachUp 00:31 Jason's Quest for a New Athlete Development Company 02:40 Alex Stone's Background and Journey 04:36 CoachUp's Evolution and COVID Challenges 13:29 Alex's Personal Connection to Youth Sports 14:43 The Changing Landscape of Youth Sports 17:43 Supporting Coaches and Athletes with Technology 24:43 The Challenges of Building a Marketplace 27:05 Flexible Business Structure for Long-Term Growth 28:04 The Logic Behind Opening a Physical Facility 30:22 Benefits of a Physical Location for Coaches and Clients 32:01 Balancing Coverage and Quality in Coaching 39:04 Remote Coaching vs. In-Person Training 41:17 Measuring Progress and Success in Youth Sports 45:19 Growth Strategies and Market Penetration 49:13 Future Plans and Key Priorities 50:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Jason Jacobs, a seasoned entrepreneur, shares his journey towards building a new company focused on youth sports, specifically hockey. He recounts his evolution from exploring AI and flexibility in startups to delving into sports tech due to his experience as a parent involved in his child's hockey development. Jason hosts Kevin McCoy, a long-time friend, and youth hockey coach, to discuss the differences between past and present youth hockey, the role of technology in sports, and the importance of balanced development for young athletes. They also explore the potential of a digital platform to transform player development by providing accessible and structured training at home. The conversation highlights the need for better user experience in sports tech and how AI could revolutionize talent discovery and development. 00:00 Introduction and Host's Journey 00:30 Exploring Sports Tech and Youth Hockey 01:08 Guest Introduction: Kevin McCoy 01:36 Kevin's Hockey Background 04:08 Youth Hockey Development and Coaching 16:21 Differences in Hockey Ecosystems 29:12 Balancing Development and Competition 34:20 Dad's Role in Development and Exposure 35:42 Challenges and Strategies in Youth Hockey 40:27 Importance of Off-Ice Training 43:29 Balancing Skills and Hockey IQ 46:24 The Role of Video in Coaching 48:07 Technology in Hockey Development 53:53 Future of Player Development Platforms 01:00:48 Final Thoughts and Advice for Parents

In this conversation, Jordan Fliegel, co-founder and CEO of Shareholder Ventures, shares his journey from professional basketball to entrepreneurship. He discusses his ventures, including the creation of CoachUp and Draft, acquired for $48 million. The focus shifts to acquisition entrepreneurship, exploring how aspiring business owners can buy existing companies, especially amidst the aging baby boomer population. Fliegel also touches on the evolving youth sports landscape and innovative investment strategies, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and community support in fostering entrepreneurial success.

Navigating the Intersection of Customer Success and AI with Mike Redbord In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs interviews Mike Redbord, a veteran in customer success and former VP at HubSpot. Mike shares his journey from being an inbound marketing consultant to holding various leadership roles in customer success. The conversation delves into how AI is transforming the customer success function and the broader SaaS landscape. They discuss the challenges and opportunities for CS teams in adopting AI tools and how these technologies can improve efficiency. Mike also highlights his work with Agent AI, a platform aimed at democratizing access to AI tools for professionals. The discussion provides valuable insights for leaders and practitioners in the CS space on how to navigate the evolving technological landscape and leverage AI for growth and efficiency. 00:00 Introduction to Today's Guest: Mike Redbord 01:19 Exploring the Customer Success Function 04:16 The Evolution of Customer Success Roles 06:37 Operational Dynamics in Customer Success 11:31 Challenges and Best Practices in Customer Success 21:45 The Future of SaaS and AI's Impact 26:04 Navigating AI Disruptions in Customer Success 27:22 The Push for AI Adoption in CS Teams 30:36 Leveraging AI for Operational Efficiency 33:09 The Role of Rev Ops in AI Integration 36:52 Personal Insights and Future Directions 39:49 Introduction to Agent AI 44:47 The Future of AI and Professional Growth 47:53 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

Building an Efficient Remote Talent Network with Telescope Co-Founders Max and Adam In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs welcomes Max and Adam, co-founders and co-CEOs of Telescoped, a company connecting top remote software engineers in Latin America with U.S. tech startups. They discuss their journey, the problems they identified in the global talent market, and how their unique business model and trust network address these issues. The conversation also covers the impact of AI on recruiting, how they leverage AI agents, and their approach to work-life balance and building a sustainable business. The episode concludes with insights into their company culture, future goals, and the broader implications of their model for the tech industry. 00:00 Introduction to The Next Next 03:33 Meet Max and Adam: The Minds Behind Telescoped 04:59 The Genesis of Telescoped 09:00 Challenges in Remote Hiring 12:29 Telescoped's Unique Business Model 20:25 The Role of AI in Recruitment 27:59 Collaborative AI Agents for Better Outcomes 28:47 Building the AI-Powered System 30:25 Challenges in AI Implementation 32:04 AI in Go-to-Market Strategies 36:30 Future of Work with AI 42:33 Global Network and Impact 45:34 Work-Life Balance and Company Culture52:06 Conclusion and Call to Action

From Baseball to Business: Exploring Youth Sports Tech with Ted Sullivan In this episode of 'The Next Next,' host Jason Jacobs speaks with Ted Sullivan, co-founder and former CEO of Game Changer, a youth sports scorekeeping app. Sullivan shares his journey from playing minor league baseball to entering the sports tech industry. The conversation covers the development and growth of Game Changer, its acquisition by Dick's Sporting Goods, and Sullivan's subsequent role as Chief Growth Officer at IMG Academy. The discussion also delves into philosophical topics such as parenting, work-life balance, and the future of youth sports. Jacobs updates listeners on his current venture into youth sports technology, inspired by the intersection of sports and digital tools to build a business that serves kids and families while maintaining personal well-being. 00:00 Introduction to Today's Guest: Ted Sullivan 00:31 Ted Sullivan's Career Journey 01:17 Philosophical Insights on Parenting and Youth Sports 03:26 Ted's Entrepreneurial Ventures 07:04 The Role of Sports in Entrepreneurship 10:08 Challenges in Modern Youth Sports 15:36 Balancing Fun and Competition in Youth Sports 24:29 IMG Academy: Inside Look 31:06 Digital Expansion of IMG Academy 35:07 IMG Academy Plus: Expanding Access to Student Athletes 35:25 NCSA: The World's Largest Recruiting Platform 36:55 The Growth and Impact of IMG Academy Plus 38:03 Exploring Game Changer and Personal Reflections 39:13 Building a Youth Sports Technology Endeavor 45:05 Challenges and Opportunities in Youth Sports 52:49 Game Changer: Origin and Evolution 59:40 Reflections and Future Plans 01:02:20 Conclusion and Podcast Information

Unlocking Human Performance: A Deep Dive with Whoop's VP of AI, Ryan Durkin In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs sits down with Ryan Durkin, VP of AI at Whoop, to discuss his journey from founding Campus Live to his innovative role at Whoop. They delve into Whoop's mission to become an AI-forward workplace, the strategic importance of AI in organizational roles, and the future of employee engagement in AI-driven environments. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of AI in the workplace, potential educational paradigms, and Jason's exploration into building an AI-driven platform for youth sports development. 00:00 Introduction to Today's Guest: Ryan Durkin 00:27 Ryan Durkin's Career Journey 01:05 Whoop's New AI Initiative 02:03 The Next Next: Show Overview 02:48 Big Announcements from Whoop 03:35 Whoop's Mission and Product Evolution 04:18 Jason's Personal Connection to Whoop 05:22 Ryan's Role and Journey to Whoop 06:50 AI at Work Initiative at Whoop 09:50 Building an AI-Forward Workplace 18:04 Implementing AI Tools and Strategies 28:27 Future of Work and AI Integration 30:03 Unlocking Human Potential in the Workplace 31:30 Reimagining Job Roles and Descriptions 32:36 The Future of Work and Automation 37:33 Balancing Work and Personal Life 38:56 The Role of Credentials in Career Success 42:04 Building a Youth Sports Platform 49:12 Prototyping and Entrepreneurship 53:49 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Anis Bennaceur, the co-founder and CEO of Attention.com, shares insights on transforming sales operations with AI. He explains how early challenges led to innovations using GPT-3 that address CRM gaps. The conversation dives into the nuances of building AI agents, balancing rapid product launches with innovation, and the necessity of user feedback in developing minimum viable products. Anis emphasizes the future of AI in business, highlighting enhancements in customer engagement and operational efficiency, and the strategic choices in the evolving B2B landscape.

Elevating Gaming Performance: An Insight with Shaun Meredith, CTO of Omnic AI In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs talks with Shaun Meredith, CTO and co-founder of Omnic AI, a leading company in eSports player performance, data, and analytics. They explore how Omnic AI uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to help gamers improve their skills through their platform, Omnic Forge. The discussion covers the origins of Omnic AI, its technological infrastructure, the challenges and advantages of starting before the big LLMs, and the different needs of casual vs. professional gamers. Shaun shares insights into their business model, growth strategies, and the future possibilities with AI in gaming. They also discuss the potential for AI applications in other competitive sports and how emerging AI tools can aid entrepreneurs in building ambitious companies while maintaining flexibility and control. 00:00 Introduction to The Next Next 02:26 Meet Shaun Meredith and Omnic AI 03:34 The Journey of Omnic AI 06:27 AI in eSports: Challenges and Innovations 12:07 Building for Gamers: Insights and Strategies 21:01 User Engagement and Feedback 29:55 Technical Aspects and Future Directions 32:01 Mobile Gaming and AI Integration 32:35 Challenges in Computer Vision and Differentiation 34:13 Innovations in AI for Gaming 37:05 Funding and Growth Strategies 39:56 Market Dynamics and Competition 45:25 Future Prospects and Expansion 58:04 User Engagement and Awareness 59:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Harnessing AI in Design: A Journey with Ben Blumenrose from Designer Fund In this episode of 'The Next Next,' host Jason Jacobs interviews Ben Blumenrose, co-founder and managing partner at Designer Fund. They explore how AI is revolutionizing design and shortening the product development cycle. Ben shares his journey from design lead at Facebook to investing in early-stage tech companies focusing on health, sustainability, and prosperity. He discusses the evolution of design tools, the impact of AI on entry-level design jobs, and the importance of speed and quality in product development. The conversation also delves into the convergence of engineering, design, and product management roles and the importance of fostering more design founders in the AI age. Tune in for insightful discussions on building ambitious companies, leveraging AI tools, and the future of design. 00:00 Introduction to Ben Blumenrose and Designer Fund 00:42 The Evolution of Design and AI's Impact 01:16 The Next Next: A Learning Journey 01:56 Ben Blumenrose's Background and Career 03:21 AI's Role in Modern Design 06:19 The Changing Landscape of Design Education 26:10 The Rise of Design Founders 31:12 The Rise of Design in Startups 31:31 Challenges Faced by Designer Founders 31:49 The Impact of Design on Company Success 32:42 Convincing Investors About Design 34:34 The Role of Designers in AI 38:05 The Future of Product Development 41:27 The Evolution of Design and Engineering Roles 43:57 New Tools and Processes in Design 47:54 Building Software Faster Than Searching 51:23 Implications for Venture Capital 57:42 Leveraging Tools at Designer Fund 59:32 Encouragement for Designers and Tinkerers 01:02:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts