The Peel with Turner Novak

Mike Murchison, Co-founder and CEO of Ada, an AI-powered customer service platform, shares insights from his journey in transforming customer service. He discusses the evolution of AI and its role in shifting perceptions of customer service from a cost center to a revenue generator. Murchison also highlights the challenges of integrating AI into existing teams and emphasizes the importance of management in AI-native companies. He shares lessons from his experience working multiple customer service jobs and offers advice on building effective AI agents.

Cam Doody, Co-founder of Brickyard and founder of Bellhops, discusses the rising trend of founders relocating to Chattanooga. He shares insights on how Brickyard creates a distraction-free environment crucial for achieving product market fit. Cam highlights the challenges of building a moving company amid fierce competition, revealing the struggles faced against U-Haul. He emphasizes the importance of a supportive startup ecosystem in Chattanooga and critiques traditional review systems for businesses, advocating for innovative marketing approaches that connect with millennial customers.

Eric Simons, Co-founder and CEO of StackBlitz, shares his insights on the meteoric rise of Bolt, a full-stack app builder, which skyrocketed to $20 million ARR in just two months. He recounts the seven-year journey, including the initial failure and lessons on capital efficiency. Simons discusses the importance of open-sourcing code and building a community, as well as the viral impact of a single tweet. He also dives into how AI will revolutionize software development, shaping the future of coding for non-developers.

Rick Zullo, founder of Equal Ventures, shares insights on a novel, thesis-driven approach to venture capital that prioritizes long-term viability over immediate traction. He discusses the challenges of seed investing today, emphasizing why traction can be misleading. Zullo explores the potential of AI, particularly how it can benefit private equity. He also delves into the Emerging Manager Circle he leads, shedding light on the struggles of new fund managers and the talent exodus from mega funds, offering a fresh perspective on fundraising and investment strategies.

Villi Iltchev, founder of Category Ventures and a seasoned investor in enterprise software, shares his inspiring journey from being an illegal immigrant to raising a $160m fund. He discusses the evolution of Silicon Valley and the mistakes that shaped his career, including the crucial importance of unit economics. Villi reflects on his experiences at Salesforce, his early bets on successful startups, and the challenges of selling tech companies. Packed with valuable insights, this conversation highlights the transformative power of perseverance and innovation in the tech industry.

Rahul Sidhu, Co-founder of SPIDRTech and Aerodome, shares his journey of selling two public safety startups. He offers insights on what he learned from scaling businesses, including successful strategies for selling to police and government agencies. Rahul paints a vivid picture of his time testifying before Congress and discusses the impactful role of drones in community safety. He also reflects on the early days of entrepreneurship, from gaming to innovative hardware startups, emphasizing the importance of relationships in business.

Paul Klein, Founder and CEO of Browserbase, shares insights from his journey to transform software through AI. He discusses the critical need for better authentication in AI, revealing how large language models could revolutionize online automation. Klein reflects on his playbook that secured $27 million in funding while being relatively unknown. He emphasizes the importance of an in-person culture and effective hiring strategies, plus the unexpected ways gaming influenced his entrepreneurial journey. Get ready for a deep dive into the future of AI browsers!

Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of Robinhood and founder of Aetherflux, shares his journey from finance to space with infectious enthusiasm. He reveals ambitious plans for harnessing solar power via satellites and laser technology. Baiju candidly discusses the ups and downs of launching Robinhood, from facing hundreds of investor rejections to accidental product launches. With insights on blending creativity in engineering and user research, he illustrates the balance of innovation and determination in building groundbreaking ventures.

Sheel Mohnot, Co-founder of Better Tomorrow Ventures and fintech expert, shares insights from his two decades in the industry. He discusses the innovative landscape of fintech, highlighting opportunities in vertical SaaS and embedded finance. Sheel reflects on lessons learned while competing with Stripe and the emotional complexities of acquisition decisions. He emphasizes common pitfalls for early-stage startups and the strategic importance of ownership in venture capital. Plus, he delves into the origins of The Mint accelerator, designed to nurture fintech startups.

Chris Hulls, co-founder and CEO of Life360, sheds light on his journey in creating a family-oriented social network valued over $3 billion. He discusses launching the app post-Hurricane Katrina with support from his mother and a Google grant. Hulls shares stories of fierce competition against tech giants, navigating viral TikTok challenges, and twice going public. He offers insights on innovation in family safety tech and the hurdles of venture funding, emphasizing resilience and authentic leadership in the tech world.