A Product Market Fit Show | Startup Podcast for Founders

Tate Hackert, co-founder of ZayZoon, began lending money at just 16 and transformed his passion into a $50M+ ARR fintech startup. He shares his journey from commercial fishing to fintech, emphasizing the challenges and strategies of launching earned wage access solutions. Tate discusses the crucial importance of clear product value communication and how he navigated market dynamics to ensure rapid growth. He reflects on past setbacks and emphasizes commitment and adaptability in the brutal startup landscape.

Francois de Kerret, Co-founder of Zeffy, a nonprofit fundraising platform, shares his remarkable journey from raising a $3M seed round to achieving over $10M in annual recurring revenue. He discusses the company's unique tip-based revenue model that allows nonprofits to use Zeffy for free. Francois highlights the importance of building trust, effective marketing strategies like leveraging Google Ads, and the significance of reaching profitability quickly. He also recounts the pivotal moments that led to Zeffy's impressive 30x growth in just three years.

Ian MacKinnon, Co-founder of Later.com, shares his captivating journey from a hackathon project to a $40M ARR powerhouse, ultimately selling for over $100M with just $1.5M in funding. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from free to paid models and the significance of understanding user feedback. Ian emphasizes the power of content marketing and user experience as defining factors in a competitive market. He also provides insights into the emotional rollercoaster of the acquisition process and the strategic decisions that led to their extraordinary success.

David Anderson, founder of Tandym and former Capital One consumer lender, shares insights from his startup journey that raised $16M but ultimately failed. He discusses the importance of starting with low-capital models and maintaining a customer-first approach. Despite reaching $1M ARR, he highlights that success isn’t guaranteed. Quick pivots and early validation of business models are crucial lessons. His experiences emphasize the unpredictable nature of fundraising and the complexities of developing innovative financial products.

Justin Adams, founder of Aiwyn and previous creator of the successful Digitize.ai, shares his gripping journey through the high-stakes world of startups. He discusses overcoming panic attacks while growing his second venture from $250K to $3M ARR in just a year. The conversation delves into the often-ignored mental health struggles that founders face, the weight of responsibility towards employees, and the stark realities of achieving product-market fit in the innovative accounting tech space. Justin emphasizes the balance between ambition and well-being in entrepreneurship.

Rob Palumbo, Co-founder of Outpoint and a seasoned growth marketer, dives into his startup journey filled with highs and lows. He discusses raising $1.5 million and achieving $400K ARR before an economic downturn led to unexpected challenges. Rob shares insights on the importance of adaptability in marketing strategies and why a great team isn’t a guaranteed path to success. With candid lessons on managing acquisitions during tough times and the emotional journey of a startup, he highlights the need for resilience in entrepreneurship.

Steven Galanis, founder of the celebrity video platform Cameo, shares his dramatic journey from unicorn status to near-bankruptcy and back to profitability. He discusses how personal experiences sparked the billion-dollar idea and the strategic celebrity partnerships that fueled their explosive growth. Galanis emphasizes the importance of organic growth and navigating market downturns with resilience. He offers insightful advice for startups on discovering product-market fit and the significance of aligning passion with market needs.

Peter Walker, Head of Insights at Carta, dives into the current fundraising landscape affecting startups. He discusses why founders shouldn't expect a return to 2021's funding climate and the impact of increased competition. Peter also reveals fascinating insights on the professionalization of the startup ecosystem, the shift in valuation expectations, and the trend towards longer vesting for founders. Learn about the rise of emerging VC hubs and the evolving mindset among entrepreneurs toward sustainable growth in challenging conditions.

Lior Susan, CEO of Bright Machines and Managing Director of Eclipse Ventures, has an impressive track record, raising over $400M for his startup and managing a $4B venture fund. He shares insights on the unique challenges of simultaneously building a startup and a venture fund. Lior discusses the innovative automation in manufacturing, transforming traditional processes with robotics, and the necessity of achieving product-market fit. He also reflects on the impact of COVID-19 on startups and the importance of adapting to market changes.

Parker Gilbert, Co-founder of Numeric, transitioned from VP Finance to startup founder, successfully raising $28M in Series A funding. He shares insights from keeping a lean team of five and prioritizing customer value over rapid growth. Parker discusses the benefits of monthly payments for feedback and engagement, and the importance of achieving product-market fit before scaling. He emphasizes solving real customer problems and maintaining a clear ROI to drive success in a competitive accounting landscape.