The Peel with Turner Novak

Isaac Medeiros, Founder of Mini Katana and Kanpai Foods, shares his expertise in building content-driven brands that rack up over 1 billion views monthly. He discusses the stark differences between TikTok and YouTube algorithms and emphasizes the importance of emotional engagement over mere follower counts. Isaac also reveals challenges he faced, like moving his supply chain to Mexico due to tariffs, and offers insights on launching freeze-dried candy products in retail. His strategies for viral content creation and audience loyalty are practical jewels for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Michael Dempsey, Managing Partner at Compound, shares his insights on the evolving landscape of technology and investment. He discusses the intersection of AI and robotics, the importance of value capture for deep tech startups, and the challenges in navigating venture capital. Dempsey reflects on the investment journey with Runway and contrasts traditional investment strategies with those needed for AI startups. He emphasizes the need for adaptability in venture firms and critiques the authenticity crisis emerging in venture content.

Ryan Hoover, the visionary founder of Product Hunt and Weekend Fund, shares his invaluable insights from helping countless entrepreneurs navigate product launches. He reveals how Product Hunt evolved from a simple email list into a tech powerhouse through a unique growth flywheel. The conversation dives into the changing nature of online communities and the impact of AI on human behavior in tech. Hoover also discusses his venture investing journey, highlighting a remarkable 400x investment in consumer health and the significance of authenticity in Silicon Valley startups.

Sahill Poddar, Co-founder and CEO of Parafin, transitioned from a career in particle physics at CERN to revolutionizing SMB lending with AI. He shares insights on overcoming the challenges of traditional banking for small businesses, particularly in the gig economy. Poddar discusses how data-driven solutions helped secure big names like DoorDash as clients. He also draws parallels between machine learning in physics and Fintech, emphasizing the importance of innovation and customer understanding in modern lending.

Garrett Lord, Co-founder and CEO of Handshake, shares his journey from sleeping in parking lots to leading a revolutionary career platform for Gen Z. He discusses Handshake's explosive growth, surpassing LinkedIn in young user engagement. The conversation dives into the future of AI in hiring, the importance of building a three-sided marketplace, and how to scale effectively while prioritizing skills. Garrett also reveals the challenges he faced early on, including creative customer outreach and the significant role of university partnerships in connecting young professionals.

Jake Cooper, Founder of Railway, dives into the toughest challenges in developer tools and the critical role of robust backend infrastructure, especially as AI demands escalate. He discusses strategic choices like build vs buy in AI software and Railway's bold forays into creating their own data centers. With unique onboarding and a focus on problem-solving, Jake emphasizes the importance of balancing work culture and efficiency, all while enabling creators to monetize their backend templates. Insightful and inspiring, it's a roadmap for innovation in tech.

In this engaging discussion, Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress and Automattic, reflects on building a platform that now powers 43% of the internet. He dives into the philosophy of open source, emphasizing its long-term benefits and discussing how Automattic was among the first SaaS companies. Mullenweg shares insights on community building, lessons from Disney on optimism, and the evolution of coding in the age of AI. He also touches on the importance of philanthropy within the tech industry and innovative employee equity models.

Grant Lee, Co-founder and CEO of Gamma, an innovative AI-powered presentation platform, discusses how they transformed presentations by focusing on narratives over designs. He shares their incredible growth story, reaching $50M ARR and 50M users with just 30 employees. Grant emphasizes the importance of hiring full-stack generalists and maintaining a creative company culture without the pressures of Silicon Valley norms. The podcast also dives into Gamma's unique approach to AI, which enhances product development while keeping a strong connection with their user community.

Ryan Sachtjen, Co-founder and CEO of Threeflow, dives into the colossal $2 trillion employee benefits market, uncovering how smaller companies can leverage their position against giants. He shares insights on the importance of brokers, the evolving role of AI in insurance, and his personal story of resilience while launching his startup amidst his wife's health crisis. The discussion also touches on innovative fundraising strategies, the impact of data normalization, and key qualities needed for success in the rapidly evolving insurance landscape.

Samir Kaji, Co-founder and CEO of Allocate, dives into the evolving landscape of private markets. He highlights the surge in private investment firms and the hurdles new venture funds face in raising capital. The conversation touches on the critical role of secondaries in enhancing liquidity and how AI is transforming the evaluation of fund managers. Kaji also discusses effective strategies for emerging managers to differentiate themselves and the complexities of navigating triple-layered SPVs. It's a rich exploration of innovation and adaptation in today's venture capital world.