AI for Founders with Ryan Estes

AI for Founders — Owen from Meld on Somatic Leadership, Founder Resilience, and CommunityGuest: Owen Marcus, co-founder of Meld (Men’s Emotional Leadership Development)Topic: Building embodied leadership for founders through somatics, nervous system training, and high-trust men’s groups.Why listen: A field guide for high performers who’ve maxed out intellect and want scalable tools to reduce stress, improve relationships, and lead with presence.Key TakeawaysBottom-up leadership beats top-down willpower: Somatic awareness unlocks intuition, safety, and executive presence when thinking harder no longer works.Retrain your baseline: Repeated body-based practices shift the nervous system from chronic stress (allostasis) to a calmer default, improving decision quality.Community is the multiplier: Safe, consistent men’s groups accelerate growth, model vulnerability, and create durable accountability founders rarely have.Virtual works (~80%): Online groups deliver most of the value when live isn’t feasible; depth still thrives in well-held containers.Accountability with consent: Hold people to outcomes they choose; vulnerability and challenge rise together when agreements are explicit.Mind your language: Therapy-speak can become an excuse or a weapon. Favor direct experience over labels.AI as coach, not crutch: Meld’s early “solo coach” prototype uses AI to guide somatic reflection between sessions and reinforce behavioral change.Outline & FrameworksSomatic Leadership Loop: Notice sensations → Name them → Normalize safety → Downregulate physiology → Choose aligned action.Communal Container Design: Clear agreements (confidentiality, optional participation) → Modeled check-ins → Competitive vulnerability → Integration to life and work.Founder Stress → Resilience Path: Over-indexed on intellect → Somatic awareness → Nervous system regulation → Secure attachment behaviors → Better leadership and relationships.80/20 Delivery Model: Live work for depth; virtual for consistency and reach. Expect ~80% transfer when the container is tight.Accountability-with-Consent: Challenge in service of chosen goals, paired with vulnerability for sustainable behavior change.Ritual → Spontaneity Ladder: Build stabilizing rituals (meditation, training, check-ins) that open the door to authentic spontaneity.Who This Is ForFounders, CEOs, and execs who feel overloaded, want sharper presence, better relationships, and a community that tells the truth.Episode ResourcesMeld: https://meld.communityKitcaster (podcast guesting for founders): https://kitcaster.comStephen Porges / Polyvagal Theory: https://www.stephenporges.comSomatic Experiencing (Peter Levine): https://traumahealing.orgLinks: aiforfounders.co | ryanestes.info

Royan Nidea on Scaling to $100K Months with Setters PhilippinesIn this episode of AI for Founders, Ryan Estes sits down with Royan Nidea, founder of Setters Philippines, a consulting and lead generation firm that has scaled to millions in revenue by helping coaches, consultants, and B2B founders consistently land qualified calls and build thought leadership.Royan shares how he generated $16 million from just 4,000 emails, the five-step process he uses to scale clients to $100K months, and why balancing automation with personalization is the key to sustainable growth. He opens up about the early challenges of building his company, the mistakes that shaped his playbook, and the systems he relies on today.Whether you’re a founder, consultant, or B2B leader looking to create a predictable pipeline, this episode is packed with frameworks and insights you can apply immediately.Key Takeaways How Setters Philippines scaled to ~$2 million in revenue and serves global B2B clients. The exact outreach process Royan uses to generate millions with cold email and LinkedIn. Why “30 calls + 30 days of content” is the engine for growth and credibility. The balance between personalization and automation in modern lead generation. Lessons learned from early mistakes and the importance of building lean but effective teams. The role of systems, technology, and virtual assistants in freeing founders to focus on growth. How Royan thinks about ethics, long-term relationships, and sustainable scaling.Frameworks Discussed 5-Step Scaling Process: Cold Email → LinkedIn Outreach → Appointment Setting → Content Systems → Sales Conversion 30/30 Rule: Book 30 calls and publish 30 days of content per month to build both pipeline and credibility. Personalization at Scale: Mixing automation tools with human touch to maximize ROI. Lean Operations Model: A small but specialized team driving $2M+ revenue.Resources & Links Setters Philippines Royan Nidea on LinkedIn Indian Business Times: How Virtual Assistants Can Help BusinessesFor more founder-focused conversations, visit: AI for Founders | Ryan Estes

Episode SummaryIn this episode of AI for Founders, Ryan Estes sits down with Alfonso Gómez-Jordana Mañas, co-founder of Crossmint and former Google/WhatsApp product manager. Alfonso shares how he went from building “I am not a robot” CAPTCHA to building the rails for a programmable economy. They explore AI agents as financial actors, how micropayments could reshape the internet, and why stablecoins are doubling every few months.This conversation is a roadmap for founders, builders, and investors who want to understand the intersection of AI, blockchain, and the future of online trust.Key TakeawaysIdentity and Trust: From CAPTCHA to Crossmint, Alfonso’s career has focused on distinguishing humans from machines and securing digital interactions.Programmable Economy: Stablecoins, wallets, and NFTs are the building blocks for embedded finance and AI agent commerce.AI Agents as Financial Actors: Agents will soon research, negotiate, and transact on behalf of humans, creating both opportunities and new risk models.Micropayments as Defense: Instead of fighting bots with detection, shift to economic incentives—introducing costs for interactions reduces abuse.Democratizing Creativity: AI tools replace mediums like watercolor or code-writing, but taste and curation remain uniquely human.Regulatory Landscape: New clarity around stablecoins and blockchain is accelerating adoption, but frameworks for equity and tokenized investment are still needed.Habit Formation Idea: Alfonso suggests programmable contracts that automatically deduct money if commitments (like gym workouts) aren’t met—an example of blockchain-enabled accountability.Vision for 2030: A synergistic world where humans set intent and agents execute, reshaping commerce, communication, and creativity.Frameworks DiscussedIntent + Verification Model: Humans express intent, AI agents execute, humans verify results.Economic Incentive Framework for Spam/Abuse: Reduce abuse not by detection but by shifting ROI and adding micropayment costs.Programmable Economy Stack: Stablecoins = moneyWallets = storageNFTs = ownershipAPIs = infrastructureProgrammable Habits: Smart contracts enforcing behavior through economic penalties or rewards.Resources and LinksCrossmintAlfonso on Twitter/XCloudflare & Coinbase micropayments (X402)AI for Founders newsletterRyan Estes

Elle George on Founder Alignment, Partnerships, and Hard-Won LessonsEpisode SummaryFounder and author Elle George breaks down her new book “Before You Shake Hands”, a practical system for assessing alignment before partnerships, co-founder agreements, or investor deals. She shares hard lessons from a two-decade legal saga, the exact questions she now asks, and how to structure conflict protocols before momentum blinds everyone.Who this episode is forFounders, CEOs, operators, first-time investors, and anyone considering a co-founder or strategic partner who wants fewer surprises and fewer trips to court.What you will learnHow to run an alignment check before you sign anythingThe five domains to vet in every partnershipHow to document conflict protocols up frontInvestor questions that expose goals and timelines earlyWhy spiritual discipline and daily routines support better decisionsKey TakeawaysAlignment beats traction. Momentum masks risk. Stop and align goals, values, roles, legal, money, and exit plans before papering anything.Ask first-principle questions. Why invest. What is the five-year end state. How will conflicts resolve. Who decides at ties.Document the downside. Agree on “what if we hate each other,” capital calls, buy-sell terms, and tie-breaker rules before you commit.Battle scars matter. Do not avoid hard histories. Ask how a partner handled legal, credit, or operational failures and what changed.Culture shows in small signals. Hiring prompt she loves, “What work bores you.” It is a precision question for role fit.Discipline scales intuition. Routine, reflection, and written agreements turn gut feel into repeatable decisions.Frameworks from the Episode1) The Alignment Framework — Five DomainsValues and trustRoles and responsibilitiesLegal and documentationFinancials and capital callsExit strategies and scenarios2) Partnership Diligence ChecklistWhy do you want to work with me or invest in this businessWhat are your goals for the company and the timeline to reach themWhat is your exit preference and under what conditionsDescribe your biggest business challenge and how you handled itAny prior legal or financial issues, what you learned, what changedConflict plan, decision rights, tie-breaker mechanismBuy-sell mechanics, valuation method, funding obligations3) Conflict Protocol Up FrontDefine disagreement thresholds that trigger a decision processName who has final call on specific domainsEstablish a written tie-breaker and escalation ladderPre-agree on mediation or arbitration path and venue4) Investor Fit QuestionsEnd-state in five years and expected liquidity pathCapital intensity expectations after initial checkGovernance, reporting, and operating cadence preferencesSupport offered beyond money and how success is measured5) Founder Operating RitualsMorning affirmations and meditation for clear decision-makingWeekly reflection on assumptions and alignment drift“No gossip” rule to protect culture and focusResources and LinksFounder Challenge by Kitcaster: https://media.kitcaster.com/founder-challengeAI for Founders: https://aiforfounders.coRyan Estes: https://ryanestes.info

Solmag.ai and the Future of Peer-to-Peer Energy | AI for Founders Solmag.ai and the Future of Peer-to-Peer Energy In this episode of AI for Founders, Ryan Estes interviews Alex, founder of Solmag.ai, a company building virtual power plants that enable peer-to-peer solar energy trading. From his journey after a first startup exit to a mission of helping humanity reach Type I civilization on the Kardashev scale, Alex shares how Solmag is tackling energy distribution, grid optimization, and decentralized networks. Listeners will learn how communities can share surplus solar power, what regulatory shifts are coming in Europe, how AI is used to price and route electricity, and why Solmag could redefine the economics of clean energy. This is a must-listen for founders, climate-tech investors, real estate developers, EV infrastructure operators, and anyone passionate about the future of decentralized energy. Key Takeaways From Exit to Energy: Alex’s search for meaning after a startup exit led to a mission to transform global energy. Solmag.ai’s Vision: Virtual power plants connecting solar households. Peer-to-Peer Trading: Local energy sharing cuts costs and boosts prosumer revenue. Hardware + Cloud: Gateway device and cloud aggregation enable real-time trading. Regulatory Landscape: Europe’s 2026 legislation will open new opportunities. AI in Energy: Routing algorithms optimize distribution like Waze for electricity. Scalability Challenge: Expanding from 100 homes to entire cities. Investment Path: Pre-seed round in motion, aiming for Series B growth. Future Outlook: 25M solar rooftops today, projected 100M by 2030. Big Picture: Humanity must grow energy harnessing 8,700x to reach Type I civilization. Frameworks Outlined Kardashev Energy Framework Current: Type 0.73 Type I: Harness all Earth’s energy Future: Compact, space-based, or nuclear solutions Virtual Power Plant Model Gateway devices installed in homes Cloud aggregation of energy data Peer-to-peer transactions within communities Scaling network effects for efficiency Energy Pricing Logic Utilities: 30–40% margins Solmag: 10% transaction fee Users retain ~85% of market value Local energy should cost less than long-distance grid supply Resources Solmag.ai Solmag Whitepaper Kardashev Scale Background AI for Founders Ryan Estes

AI for Founders — Ben Wilcox (ProArch)Episode SummaryCTO/CISO Ben Wilcox breaks down how to build a secure foundation before layering on AI and data. We cover compliance early vs. late, agentic AI realities, Microsoft Copilot in the enterprise, change management for AI adoption, and leadership lessons from Ben’s background as a racing instructor.Who This Is ForFounders, CTOs, CISOs, product leaders, and operators at startups to mid-market enterprises who want fast AI adoption without compliance blowups.Topics & KeywordsAI security, compliance, data privacy, PII, PCI, SOC 2, Microsoft Copilot, agentic AI, change management, enterprise AI adoption, Microsoft ecosystem, security foundation, data governance, quality engineering, automation, remote work.Key TakeawaysSecurity first, then AI: Bake in privacy, identity, and compliance controls early. Retrofitting compliance later is expensive and slow.Know your customer’s rules: Map target markets to regulatory obligations (PII, PCI, HIPAA/PHI, SEC/FIN). Expect security questionnaires even as an early startup.Use third-party rails for risk: Offload card data (PCI) to providers like Stripe to reduce scope and audit burden.Agentic AI is early but useful: Frameworks shift quickly; move now with pragmatic pilots rather than waiting for “perfect.”Quality doesn’t stop at ship: LLM versions drift. Add continuous quality loops to ensure outputs remain accurate as models change.Adoption is a change-management problem: Treat rollout as an org-wide initiative with training, policy, and measurement.Personal AI stack that works: Microsoft Copilot (Office/Teams), ChatGPT, Claude.Leadership lesson from racing: “Eyes up.” In business: keep eyes on AI, security, and data.Microsoft alignment matters: Pairing security + data + AI in one ecosystem compresses cost and time-to-value.Frameworks from the Episode1) Secure-Data-AI LadderSecure Foundation: Identity, least-privilege, logging, audit, encryption, segmentation.Data Layer: Catalogs, lineage, quality SLAs, access controls, privacy by design.AI Layer: Use cases with measurable accuracy targets, human-in-the-loop, monitoring.2) Compliance-Early Checklist (Startup Edition)Identify regulated data: PII/PHI/PCI/Financial.Map jurisdictions: state privacy laws + breach notification obligations.Offload payments (PCI) to third-party.Centralize logs and audits from day one.Prep for security questionnaires: architecture, data flows, vendor list, DPA, incident process.3) Agent Lifecycle & Quality LoopDefine business outcome + acceptable accuracy.Ship a constrained pilot with guardrails.Instrument telemetry, prompt/response logs, feedback.Regression tests on model or framework updates.Retrain/tune or adjust prompts; repeat.4) AI Change-Management PlaybookExecutive mandate and narrative.Everyone uses AI as a personal assistant first.Role-specific enablement, office hours, champions.Policies for sensitive data, identity, and auditing agent actions.Adoption KPIs: usage, time saved, outcome quality.OutlineBen’s dual role (CTO/CISO) and ProArch focusWhy security before AICompliance landmines: PII, PCI, state privacy lawsOff-the-shelf rails to reduce riskAgentic AI today: reality vs. hypeContinuous quality for shifting LLM baselinesCopilot + ChatGPT + Claude in practiceMicrosoft ecosystem advantagesLeadership via racing: “eyes up”Change management for enterprise AIRemote culture and durable growthResources & LinksProArchMicrosoft Copilot for Microsoft 365OpenAI ChatGPTAnthropic Clauden8nZapierStripeWaymoaiforfounders.co | ryanestes.info

In this episode of AI for Founders, Ryan Estes sits down with Galvin Widjaja, Founder and CEO of Lauretta.io, the privacy-first AI company transforming how organizations understand human behavior in physical spaces. Galvin shares how he built an AI startup trusted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, TSA, and U.S. Air Force, and how his early experiences in the restaurant industry shaped his empathy-first approach to AI leadership.Key TakeawaysHow Galvin went from managing quick-service restaurants to leading an AI company working with government and defense agenciesWhy Lauretta.io focuses on privacy-first computer vision instead of identity-based surveillanceThe frameworks Galvin uses for scaling AI startups in high-security environmentsBalancing real-time situational awareness with ethical design and employee trustHow certifications like ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and BizSafe build credibility with enterprise and government clientsThe role of empathy, equity, and resilience in building long-term company culturePredictions for the next 3–5 years of AI in security, operations, and smart buildingsFrameworks DiscussedPrivacy-by-Design – building anonymity and trust into the product architecture from the startHuman-Centered AI – systems are only as good as the people they servePredictive vs. Reactive Insight – moving from monitoring events to anticipating needsTrust Framework – combining technical certifications with transparent communication to win high-stakes clientsResourcesLauretta.ioISO/IEC 27001 OverviewBizSafe SingaporeLearn more at aiforfounders.co and ryanestes.info

AI for Founders — Show NotesGuest: Jennifer Berry (CEO, SmartLab / Creative Learning Systems)Topic: Building STEM identity, designing “aha moment” learning ecosystems, and future-ready talent in the AI eraEpisode SummarySmartLab transforms schools into hands-on, project-based STEM ecosystems that manufacture “aha moments” and build student STEM identity — the belief that you belong, can master rigorous challenges, and that your ideas have impact. Jennifer breaks down SmartLab’s five-part ecosystem, why industry pathways matter more than job titles, and how business leaders can partner to fund labs and volunteer talent to accelerate workforce readiness. Who This Episode Is ForFounders, operators, school and district leaders, edtech builders, and employers who care about future talent pipelines, authentic project-based learning, and community-powered STEM programs. Key TakeawaysSTEM identity > content mastery: Confidence, belonging, and agency drive durable outcomes in a world where AI handles tasks and humans solve problems.Aha moments are engineered: Environment, curriculum, kits, facilitation, and community engagement compound to create frequent breakthroughs.Industry pathways beat job forecasting: Teach applications tied to sectors rather than single jobs that may be automated.Facilitators are force multipliers: Ongoing coaching and national communities of practice matter more than one-and-done PD.Partnerships power sustainability: Businesses can co-fund labs, co-create curriculum, and volunteer to inspire students.Future-readiness is apolitical: Belonging, problem-solving, and resilience are common ground across school types.Fast-moving leadership: Set high standards, move at speed with ~70% info, learn in public, iterate.Frameworks & ModelsSmartLab 5-Component EcosystemCustomized Learning Environment: Turnkey rooms or flexible zones in libraries, classrooms, or community centers.Standards-Aligned Curriculum (SaaS): Scaffolded, project-based units mapped to state standards and industry pathways.Kits & Equipment: Curated robotics, electronics, and manipulatives tied directly to curriculum outcomes.Facilitator Enablement: Initial training, continuous coaching, national community, and extended learning.Partnerships & Support: Tech/customer support plus structured community and industry involvement.Aha-Moment ChainCuriosity → Hands-on attempt → Productive struggle → Iteration → Breakthrough → Identity shift (“I belong, I can, I matter”).Pathways-First PlanningChoose industry → map STEM applications → design age-appropriate projects that show purpose and real-world impact.Episode OutlineWhat is STEM identity and why it matters nowHow SmartLab engineers “aha moments”Designing environments from blank rooms to flexible cornersCurriculum that ties STEM skills to industry pathwaysEquipping labs with kits that connect to outcomesInvesting in facilitators beyond PDBuilding durable community partnerships and sponsorshipsWhy businesses should co-fund labs and volunteer talentLeadership style: speed, standards, human-centered cultureTheater, choreography, and storytelling as learning enginesResourcesSmartLab LearningJennifer Berry More from AI for Founders: aiforfounders.co  |  ryanestes.info

AI for Founders — Show NotesGuest: Gaurav Bhattacharya, CEO & Co-founder, Jeeva.aiTopic: Agentic AI for sales. From zero to $6M ARR in under nine months.Episode SnapshotJeeva.ai builds agentic AI that behaves like a sales teammate. It finds lookalike accounts, enriches contacts, drafts outreach, manages calendars, and pushes structured notes to CRM after calls. We cover deliverability, pricing alignment, and the exact workflow behind rapid growth.Who This Is ForFounders, indie hackers, B2B sales leaders, SDRs, AEsTeams replacing tool sprawl with an agentic stackOperators who need deliverability and measurable outcomesWhat You’ll LearnHow agentic AI replaces six sales toolsInbox “draft then manual send” deliverability tacticLead discovery, enrichment, sequencing, booking, follow-upsOutcome-based pricing that aligns with resultsPLG plus enterprise as an AI go-to-marketKey TakeawaysManual-send drafts restore deliverability at scaleWaterfall enrichment lowers bounces and raises match ratesMulti-channel sequencing increases response ratesAgents handle 95% of the work. Humans approve and closeOutcome pricing and PLG drive efficient growthFrameworksAgentic Sales LoopDefine ICP and lookalikesWaterfall enrichmentPersonalized copy by role and triggerMulti-channel sequencingInbox triage and live calendar bookingPost-call notes and follow-ups drafted automaticallyIterate on reply and positive outcome ratesDeliverability PlaybookAged domains and inboxesLow bounce rates via verificationAvoid API-tagged bulk sendingDraft then manual send to protect reputationOutcome-Aligned PricingCredits tied to verified outcomesPercent-of-revenue where attribution allowsPLG tiers for prosumers and enterprise plans for teamsPlaybooks and TacticsWrite to role and industry changeUse agent search for context that earns repliesOffer real availability to compress cyclesAuto-draft follow-ups and push structured CRM notesNotable StatsZero to $6M ARR in under nine monthsHundreds of organic daily signupsResourcesJeeva.aiGaurav on LinkedInAbout the Showaiforfounders.co | ryanestes.info

In this episode of AI for Founders, Ryan Estes sits down with Amos Bar-Joseph, co-founder and CEO of Swan AI. With just three people on the team, Swan scaled to $1M ARR in nine weeks, built a $1.5M pipeline per month, and now serves more than 200 customers. Amos reveals how Swan is building the world’s first autonomous business, where AI agents work alongside humans to 100x their productivity.We dive into frameworks for discovering your zone of genius, using AI to eliminate bottlenecks, and designing agentic workflows that drive pipeline at the speed of thought. Amos also shares hard-won lessons on pricing in the AI era, contrarian marketing experiments, and why storytelling became his most valuable growth channel.If you’re a founder, this is a masterclass in scaling smarter, not bigger.Key TakeawaysAutonomous Business Model: Swan’s vision is a company run by AI agents and a lean team, scaling revenue without headcount.Zone of Genius Framework: Identify bottlenecks, use AI to remove friction, and double down where passion and skills intersect.From Boo to Yay: All marketing should drive transformation—move your audience from fear to hope, from friction to empowerment.Contrarian Marketing: Avoid the “King’s Road” of best practices; focus on bold, unconventional experiments.Storytelling as Growth: Personal narrative on LinkedIn became Amos’s zone of genius, fueling outsized pipeline.Pricing in AI: Move from usage-based confusion to outcome-based pricing tied to business ROI.Trust Over Hype: B2B buyers want authenticity; sharing wins and failures builds stronger trust.Frameworks DiscussedAutonomous Business OS – Build systems around people’s strengths, not rigid org charts.Zone of Genius Iteration – Identify bottlenecks → apply AI/automation → reinvest gains into passion-driven work.Challenge the Challenger Narrative – Stand out by rejecting industry-wide challenger tropes and creating a new, hopeful story.Emotional Marketing Lens – Shift from analytical personas to emotional transformations.Pricing in the AI Era – Balance predictability for customers with managing usage-based costs internally.Resources & LinksSwan AIAmos Bar-Joseph on LinkedInThe Big Shift NewsletterProject33 InterviewAI for FoundersRyan Estes