A Product Market Fit Show | Startup Podcast for Founders

Merrill Lutsky, the founder of Graphite—a cutting-edge code review platform—shares his incredible journey from near failure to hitting $1M ARR in just 10 months. He discusses the key lessons learned from product pivots and landing a massive enterprise client. Merrill reveals how daily user feedback became a game-changer for growth and the surprising pricing tweaks that doubled revenue overnight. He also emphasizes the importance of trust within a founding team, particularly amidst the chaos of startup life.

Early-stage founders often face overwhelming chaos. They discuss why true passion is essential for longevity in the startup game. It’s revealed that while fundraising might be deceptive, genuine product-market fit cannot be faked. The importance of prioritizing tasks ruthlessly is highlighted, as focus means knowing when to say no. Slow initial growth can be advantageous, and positioning yourself for luck is just as crucial as having a robust plan. Ultimately, it's about aligning with the market to ensure lasting success.

Dax Dasilva, the founder of Lightspeed, transformed his company into a $1B ARR powerhouse after bootstrapping for seven years. He shares insights on implementing a game-changing pricing strategy that propelled him to $10M ARR and how deep customer understanding shaped his journey. Dax discusses the significance of stepping outside his introverted comfort zone and the challenges of evolving from a developer to a leader. He emphasizes the importance of strategic planning, early profitability, and the right talent dynamics as key components of startup success.

Peter Walker, Head of Insights at Carta, shares his expertise on the startup funding landscape. He reveals alarming trends, such as the lowest graduation rates from Seed to Series A ever recorded. Walker discusses the rise of bridge rounds and how they can hinder progression to Series A. He emphasizes the importance of understanding data to level the playing field for founders. Additionally, he challenges the notion that moving to the Bay Area is essential for securing large investments, making it clear that adaptability is key for modern entrepreneurs.

Kazi Ahmed, Founder of Carbon6, achieved a remarkable $210M exit in just three years by leveraging existing Amazon brands rather than creating something new. He discusses the frantic pace of aggressive acquisitions that nearly drained their cash reserves and the painful pivot necessary to reach profitability. Kazi shares insights on why chasing perfect ideas can doom startups, the overrated nature of customer interviews, and the art of executing a roll-up strategy. His journey emphasizes immediate action over perfect planning in the fast-paced world of startups.

Discover how one founder turned LinkedIn posts into a powerful sales channel without going viral. Learn about a startup that rebounded from a 95% downround to reach $400M ARR. Hear how a stagnant business transformed by addressing a crucial customer pain point, skyrocketing from $3M to $25M in revenue. Plus, explore Cleerly's dramatic turnaround just days from bankruptcy. This podcast reveals that constraints can be a secret weapon for innovation and growth in the startup journey.

Jannick Malling, co-founder of Public.com and a fintech innovator, shares his journey in revolutionizing stock market access. He discusses the explosive growth from a beta to millions of users, driven by fractional shares and savvy marketing during the GameStop surge. Jannick emphasizes the importance of a relentless product focus and solving enduring problems for sustainable success. Plus, he reveals unique strategies for capturing virality and building a strong community among investors.

Jack Kuveke, an entrepreneur and startup commentator, dives into the chaotic world of recent startup headlines. He discusses Adam Neumann's shocking ability to secure $500 million for WeWork 2.0 while unpacking a corporate espionage scandal between Deel and Rippling. The conversation humorously explores how the rise of AI startups valued at $34 billion, despite zero revenue, reflects the bizarre state of venture capital. Kuveke also critiques consumer debt trends in America, emphasizing the absurdity of financing ice cream with Klarna and DoorDash.

Forrest Zeisler, Co-founder of Jobber, shares his inspiring journey from receiving six months of rejections to achieving an impressive $100M ARR. He discusses the emotional rollercoaster of landing their first customer, navigating investor skepticism, and the importance of incremental improvements over quick wins. Forrest emphasizes how the right investors can shape a startup's destiny and why chasing ‘silver bullets’ rarely works in the pursuit of product-market fit. His candid storytelling offers invaluable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Koen Droste, Founder of Polarsteps, transformed a personal travel tracker into a $10 million app with 10 million users—despite losing 90% of users overnight. He shares how ignoring conventional advice and focusing on word-of-mouth growth led to their viral success. By obsessing over Net Promoter Score (NPS), they achieved explosive organic growth. Droste emphasizes that quality over speed and avoiding distracting partnerships are crucial for early-stage founders aiming for product market fit.