
The Peel with Turner Novak
Exploring the world’s greatest startup stories.
Get a behind the scenes look into the founding stories of your favorite companies. Learn how the industries they operate in actually work, and learn playbooks and tactics you can use to launch and scale your own business.
Latest episodes

Jun 5, 2025 • 1h 46min
Benchmark’s Eric Vishria on Going Zero to $100M ARR in 12 Months, Archetypes of Top AI Founders, Why Storytelling is a Superpower, How Benchmark Makes New Investments
Eric Vishria, General Partner at Benchmark Capital, dives into the world of rapid growth startups, particularly those hitting $100 million ARR in just a year, thanks to AI. He emphasizes the critical role storytelling plays in attracting investors, arguing that the best communicators often win in the competitive landscape. The discussion also covers the evolution of successful founder archetypes, parallels between tech booms, and the dynamic nature of venture capital today. Eric's insights illuminate how innovation continues to drive the future of investment.

5 snips
May 29, 2025 • 1h 32min
Samsara’s Journey to $26B Public Company | Sanjit Biswas, Co-founder and CEO
Sanjit Biswas, Co-founder and CEO of Samsara, shares insights from his journey building two unicorns in the hardware space. He discusses how Samsara uses AI to improve physical operations, preventing over 200,000 deaths annually. The conversation dives into the importance of a customer-first approach over product-first thinking. Sanjit reflects on the challenges of hardware innovation, understanding product-market fit, and the power of customer feedback loops. Plus, get a glimpse into his experiences from Meraki's billion-dollar sale to Cisco.

157 snips
May 22, 2025 • 1h 55min
Michael Kim @ Cendana | Lessons from the Top VCs, How Cendana Does Diligence, Portfolio Construction Best Practices, the 60x Rule, How Seed Funds Compete vs Multi-stage, Inside Cendana's Early Days
Michael Kim, Founder of Cendana Capital, shares his insights into the world of venture capital. He discusses the critical traits of successful investors and how Cendana conducts due diligence on fund managers. Michael introduces his '60x rule' for returns and explains the competitive dynamics between seed and multi-stage funds. He also reveals how AI is reshaping fund management and why secondaries are crucial for early-stage ventures. Plus, he shares personal stories, including his challenging early days and his surprising hobby as a top gamer in Call of Duty.

24 snips
May 15, 2025 • 1h 47min
How AI Changes Governments & Business Models, From $11 to $187M Exit | Mike Vichich, Pursuit
In this engaging discussion, Mike Vichich, Co-founder and CEO of Pursuit, shares his insights on navigating public sector revenue streams. He delves into how AI is reshaping business models and government interactions, emphasizing the strange irony of rules designed to save taxpayer money actually leading to waste. Mike recounts his incredible journey with Wisely, transforming from a near-bankrupt startup to a $187 million exit while tackling hiring challenges and the dynamics of disagreement in teams. He also touches on the unique landscape of building startups in the Midwest.

32 snips
May 8, 2025 • 2h 1min
Ultimate Startup Growth Playbook, Using AI to Automate Operations | Sam Ross, Numeral
Sam Ross, Co-founder and CEO of Numeral, shares insights from his impressive background in startup growth, including his experiences with early Facebook advertising. He discusses identifying business ideas through strong demand and the importance of establishing early social proof. Ross highlights why hiring a growth marketer first may not be ideal and shares how he raised Numeral's Series A in just four days. The conversation also delves into the complexities of sales tax and how AI is being leveraged to simplify tax compliance for businesses.

43 snips
May 1, 2025 • 1h 44min
Scaling Amplitude to $300M ARR with Co-founder and CEO Spenser Skates
Spenser Skates dives into the pivotal role of data in product design and company growth. He shares insights on navigating the challenges of AI in B2B SaaS, the journey from startup to a $300M ARR, and the nuances of scaling while maintaining a vibrant company culture. The conversation also touches on strategic acquisitions, the significance of a strong board, and lessons learned during Amplitude's IPO. Plus, discover what people often misinterpret about Founder Mode and the importance of responsive software in today’s market.

14 snips
Apr 24, 2025 • 1h 15min
Lessons Going Zero to $40M ARR in Two Years | Dan Lorenc, Chainguard
Dan Lorenc, Co-founder and CEO of Chainguard, dives deep into the world of open source software security. He shares insights on the vulnerabilities that have emerged as open source gained popularity and discusses the impending threats of major cyber attacks. Lorenc also reveals how Chainguard scaled from zero to $40 million in two years, emphasizing the critical role of sales strategies. Additionally, he explores cloud computing's evolution, the complexities of software supply chains, and the potential impact of AI on software security.

45 snips
Apr 17, 2025 • 1h 40min
Surviving Two Seed Extensions, Fixing Auth for AI Agents | Clerk Founder & CEO Colin Sidoti
Colin Sidoti, Co-founder and CEO of Clerk, discusses the challenges of building a developer tool for authentication and user management. He shares insights on navigating tough seed extensions and the pivotal demo that attracted venture capital. Colin reflects on the unique experience of starting a company with his brother, the ongoing evolution of user authentication, and the integral role of AI in improving efficiency. He emphasizes the importance of audacious goals, thoughtful design, and strategic partnerships in the startup journey.

Apr 10, 2025 • 1h 43min
Building Verkada, the $4.5B Physical Security Company | Filip Kaliszan, Founder and CEO
Filip Kaliszan, Founder and CEO of Verkada, is revolutionizing physical security with AI-enhanced solutions. He shares how Verkada grew to nearly a billion in revenue and the challenges of early funding. Filip discusses the importance of innovative workplace culture, including their unique ‘software zero’ bonus policy and commitment to in-person work. The conversation also covers technological advancements in video surveillance, customer engagement strategies, and the company’s plans for future growth in the evolving security landscape.

29 snips
Apr 3, 2025 • 1h 13min
Forage: The Trillion Dollar Opportunity in Restricted Payments | Ofek Lavian
Ofek Lavian, Co-founder and CEO of Forage, shares his journey of modernizing food stamp access for 42 million low-income Americans. He delves into the history of food stamps and the market barriers that hinder online adoption. Lavian recounts his experiences leading the EBT program at Instacart and the passion driving Forage's mission. The conversation highlights the emotional impacts of food insecurity and the vital role of innovative payment systems in ensuring dignity for users. Lavian’s insights reveal a trillion-dollar opportunity in transforming government payments.