The Peel with Turner Novak

Niels Hoven, the founder of Mentava, is on a mission to transform early childhood education. He discusses why traditional public schooling fails ambitious kids and explores the surprising marketing power of criticism. Listeners will learn innovative techniques for teaching young children to read, the importance of engaging methods, and how current educational policies can hinder diverse learners. Niels also shares his unique take on screen time, effective parenting hacks, and the future of credentials in a changing educational landscape.

Nirav Tolia, co-founder and two-time CEO of Nextdoor, shares his unique journey from stepping down in 2018 to returning in 2024. He discusses the delicate balance of maintaining a startup culture within a public company and reflects on the challenges of leadership transitions. Tolia reveals insights on cultivating community, privacy, and growth—key elements that contributed to Nextdoor's rise to over 100 million neighbors. Plus, he shares experiences from his time on Shark Tank and lessons learned from navigating the tech landscape.

In a lively discussion, Nakul Mandan, Co-founder of Audacious Ventures, shares his journey from India to Silicon Valley during the financial crisis. He dives into why most VCs struggle with recruiting at the zero to one stage and reveals his innovative approach to building A+ teams. Nakul discusses the significance of resilience in the startup world, particularly in the face of COVID-19. He emphasizes the importance of intentional tech recruitment and how understanding customer urgency can shape effective product development.

Jenny Fleiss, co-founder of Rent the Runway and Roll Rider, shares her journey creating a fashion rental revolution without a tech background. She dives into how social media fueled her startup and the importance of sustainability in fashion. Jenny discusses innovative fundraising methods using customer testimonials, the challenges of logistics, and her latest venture creating a scooter suitcase for families, demonstrating entrepreneurship alongside her kids. Plus, she shares her thoughts on AI's impact on e-commerce.

Daryna Kulya, Co-founder of OpenPhone and a startup marketing expert, shares her journey from Ukraine to building a successful business phone solution. She discusses innovative customer acquisition strategies using platforms like Facebook Groups and Reddit. Daryna emphasizes the importance of founder-led content and effective design in scaling to over 100k users. She also navigates the transition from free trials to paid models and the impactful role of customer feedback in developing their service.

Lisa Rapuano, a retired professional investor famous for beating the market for 15 consecutive years, shares insights from her remarkable journey. She discusses her early bets on companies like AOL, Dell, and Amazon, revealing key lessons from Jeff Bezos. Lisa emphasizes the importance of independent thinking in investing and contrasts practical and theoretical approaches to finance. She also highlights the significance of sound capital allocation while transitioning from investor to startup CFO, stressing the need for effective financial strategies and inclusivity in the finance industry.

Gokul Rajaram, an early-stage technology investor and product leader, shares invaluable insights from his time at iconic companies like Meta and Coinbase. He discusses lessons learned from titans like Zuck and Sergey Brin, emphasizing quick decision-making and defining your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP). Gokul also reveals why a bottoms-up approach to market sizing is essential and shares his hot takes on startup titles. Dive into the evolution of seed investing and the importance of responsiveness in shaping successful tech ventures.

Guy Podjarny, founder of Blaze, Snyk, and Tessl, discusses his journey in developer security and AI-native development. He shares his four quadrants framework for building AI startups and reveals why these ventures tend to be riskier. Guy dives into the challenges of hiring in tough markets, effective early marketing strategies, and the nuances of selling vs. building a company. He also reflects on lessons learned from Snyk's beginnings and highlights the importance of understanding customer needs for successful tech adoption.

Chris Hladczuk, Co-founder and CEO of Hanover, shares insights from his transformative journey in fund administration. He candidly discusses his shift from Goldman Sachs to tech, revealing strategies to build an impressive online presence. The conversation dives into the decline of traditional B2B SaaS, the underrated importance of sales and copywriting, and how to navigate the startup landscape effectively. Chris also emphasizes the role of a strong company culture, utilizing AI for productivity, and his unique approach to networking and client engagement.

Charley Ma and Mahdi Raza, co-founders of Pathlight Ventures and early employees at unicorns like Plaid and Robinhood, share invaluable insights from their journeys. They discuss the challenges of gaining initial customers, the significance of networking, and the importance of choosing between early and late-stage startups. The duo emphasizes the need for adaptability, discusses equity compensation intricacies, and reflects on their experiences conquering fears and uncertainties to build a successful venture fund in a tough economic landscape.