Founders in Arms

Sahil Lavingia, the founder and CEO of Gumroad, shares his journey transitioning the platform from venture-backed growth to profitability. He reveals the story of how Kleiner Perkins sold their stake for just $1 and discusses how he automated contract reviews at the VA, identifying $1.6 billion in cuts. Lavingia also highlights the rise of AI coding tools and their impact on the hiring landscape, and he advocates for radical transparency as a competitive advantage in business.

Steve Huffman, co-founder and CEO of Reddit, shares insights from over two decades of guiding this vital platform. He discusses Reddit's rapid initial growth and the $10 million sale after 18 months, revealing crucial lessons learned during his nine-year hiatus. The conversation dives into Reddit's transformation through different eras, addressing content moderation and the rise of AI-generated content. Huffman also envisions expanding Reddit’s community from 100 million to billions, emphasizing the balance between user authenticity and evolving business models.

Rahul Sidhu, Co-founder and CEO of Aerodome, combines his experience as a former police officer and paramedic to revolutionize emergency response with drones. He shares how COVID-19 staffing shortages inspired his innovative platform. The discussion highlights the renewed investment interest in public safety tech and the challenges of selling to numerous small police departments. Sidhu also discusses regulatory breakthroughs for drone operations and the potential of AI and robotics to transform law enforcement and community safety.

In this engaging discussion, Matt Loszak, co-founder and CEO of Aalo Atomics, shares his journey from software entrepreneur to nuclear innovator. He reveals how factory-manufactured small modular reactors can revolutionize clean energy, especially for AI data centers. Loszak dives into the safety benefits of liquid metal cooling and the challenges of navigating regulatory landscapes. Furthermore, he discusses the critical funding dynamics in nuclear energy and envisions a future where abundant nuclear power supports innovative solutions like vertical farming.

Severin Hacker, co-founder and CTO of Duolingo, shares insights into building a leading language-learning platform. He discusses how AI personalizes education and enhances user engagement. The conversation delves into the relentless experimentation that drives Duolingo's innovation and retention strategies. Severin highlights the immigrant founder advantage and its impact on startup culture. Additionally, he reveals the importance of design in app development, emphasizing how a mission-driven approach can shape user experiences.

The hosts delve into Meta's aggressive acquisition tactics, painting a stark picture for founders who sell their companies. They analyze the recent legal victory against Apple's App Store monopoly, highlighting broader antitrust concerns in the tech world. The conversation shifts to the rapid commoditization of AI, questioning the future of startups outside this space. Lastly, a chilling economic forecast predicts that tariffs will precipitate a recession, creating a challenging funding landscape for non-AI ventures.

In this discussion, Dan Hobbs, co-founder and CEO of Protex AI, reveals his inspiring journey from bootstrapping a startup to leading a 70-person team focused on industrial safety through computer vision technology. He dives into how his team utilizes existing CCTV systems to prevent workplace accidents. Dan also shares insights on navigating enterprise sales and building trust with clients, the unique challenges of managing an international team, and the evolving landscape of AI fundraising. His candid experiences offer valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Jay Shah, founder of Poppy—a revolutionary screenless, AI-native phone for kids—shares his journey from creating BufferBox, acquired by Google, to crafting meaningful tech for children. He discusses the need for intentional design to enhance kids' interactions with technology and the challenges of hardware manufacturing. Jay also reflects on lessons learned as a second-time founder and the vibrant tech community in Waterloo. The role of Y Combinator and the future of AI in transforming startups are also key highlights of their engaging conversation.

Ryan Petersen, Co-founder and CEO of Flexport, dives into the complexities of the 104% tariffs imposed on Chinese imports. He discusses how companies are adapting to trade turmoil and the urgent need for innovative supply chain strategies. The conversation touches on the economic implications of protectionist policies and the evolving landscape of U.S.-China commerce. Petersen also sheds light on the role of creativity and flexibility in navigating economic challenges, making for a compelling exploration of global trade dynamics.

Sam Chaudhary, CEO of ClassDojo, discusses building a thriving educational platform used by over 50 million students. He reveals the unconventional strategy of focusing on consumer networks before monetization. Sam emphasizes the importance of viewing parents as primary customers and the profound impact of creating ‘cozy bubbles’ for children. The conversation dives into fostering independence, minimizing comparison, and leveraging the unique dynamics of small teams to enhance performance. His insights offer a fresh perspective on navigating and innovating in the education market.