The Peel with Turner Novak

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.

Joseph Nelson, Co-founder and CEO of Roboflow, dives deep into computer vision as the key to unlocking AGI. He discusses how visual AI presents a new paradigm for data collection and automation, revolutionizing industries like sports and logistics. Nelson shares live examples that illustrate the power of computer vision and insights from his experiences with companies like Stripe and Palantir. He also reveals effective developer marketing tactics that keep Roboflow on Hacker News front pages and emphasizes the need for a balance between self-serve models and enterprise solutions.

Austin Rief, Co-founder and CEO of Morning Brew, shares insights into building a massive media platform from scratch while still in college. He discusses the journey from a small newsletter to 6 million subscribers and $70 million in revenue in just six years. Austin dives into innovative acquisition strategies, including leveraging Instagram Stories for low-cost subscriber growth. He also sheds light on hiring remote talent in Sri Lanka, navigating the creator economy, and the importance of product-market fit in today's competitive landscape.

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.