Founders in Arms

Being small isn't a disadvantage—it's your superpower. Just one provocative sentiment from this episode that challenges conventional startup wisdom and delves into the mindset behind entrepreneurial success.Waseem Daher brings insights from his journey across three successful startups—KSplice (acquired by Oracle), Zulip (acquired by Dropbox), and now Pilot, where he recently transitioned from CEO to executive chair. Host Raj Suri, himself a multi-time founder, creates an environment where honest founder-to-founder exchange flourishes beyond the typical success narratives.The conversation unpacks frameworks such as the "David vs. Goliath" approach to competition, why unpopular decisions often signal good leadership, and how to maintain the delicate balance of the Stockdale paradox—confronting brutal facts while maintaining unwavering faith in eventual success. This episode offers rare insights into the psychological tools that sustain founders through years of uncertainty and challenge. The mental models discussed here apply beyond startups to any leadership position where resilience, decision-making, and maintaining perspective are crucial to success.

How do you build a sustainable AI business when investors are throwing money at anything with "AI" in the pitch deck? This episode brings together Jesse Zhang (Decagon AI CEO), Immad Akhund (Mercury CEO), and Raj Suri (Lima/Tribe co-founder) for a strategic conversation that centers on the business challenges of building an enterprise AI company that can sustain beyond the current hype cycle.Jesse reveals how AI moves beyond being a mere chatbot to become a "system of intelligence" that encodes complex business logic, creating moats for companies that implement it effectively. The conversation also explores the realities of implementation, adoption, and enterprise sales strategies that actually work.Technology founders, customer experience leaders, and investors will find this episode particularly illuminating as it bridges the gap between AI hype and practical implementation. Whether you're evaluating customer service AI, selling enterprise technology, or navigating fundraising, this conversation provides the strategic context and tactical insights needed to make better decisions.

Why do even the most sophisticated tech investors often shy away from biotech? It often seems like an impenetrable maze of regulations, clinical trials, and complex science.Enter Hannu Rajaniemi, who brings a refreshingly clear perspective to the world of biotech. As both the CEO of Helix Nanotechnologies and a bestselling science fiction author, he bridges the gap between cutting-edge science and practical business insights. In conversation with Mercury CEO Immad Akhund and Lima co-founder Raj Suri, Rajaniemi reveals the real dynamics shaping the future of medicine.The discussion unpacks several game-changing trends that every tech entrepreneur should understand: how AI reasoning models are revolutionizing research and development, why global competition is making traditional biotech business models obsolete, and what really matters when evaluating biotech investments. 

Hiten Shah, a serial entrepreneur known for his successful ventures like Crazy Egg and KISSmetrics, joins the conversation with Immad Akhund and Rajat Suri. They delve into the complexities of founder identity in large companies and share hard-won lessons on navigating acquisitions. The trio discusses the evolving AI landscape, the differences between venture-backed and bootstrapped startups, and the significance of aligning personal passions with business goals. Practical insights on customer choices and competitive strategies offer valuable wisdom for aspiring founders.

Jesse Tinsley, a seasoned entrepreneur and CEO of Recruiter.com, shares his unique approach to making unprofitable startups profitable quickly. He discusses his acquisition strategy, including recent moves like buying Bench Accounting and his bid for TikTok. Tinsley illuminates the challenges of navigating startup salaries and the necessity for innovative compensation strategies in a volatile market. He also emphasizes the importance of understanding employee motivation and the dynamics of M&A for entrepreneurs, offering invaluable insights for founders.

Join Immad Akhund and Raj Suri as they dive deep into the implications of DeepSeek and the rapidly evolving AI landscape with Richard Price, founder and CEO of Academia.edu. The conversation explores the fascinating shift in AI development costs, with DeepSeek challenging assumptions about the resources needed to build frontier models. Richard shares insights about Academia.edu's work applying AI to academic research, while the trio discusses the geopolitical dynamics between China and the US in the AI race. Through candid exchanges about synthetic data generation, regulatory challenges, and the future of human-AI integration, this episode offers a unique perspective on the advancing AI frontier from three tech leaders at the intersection of startups and artificial intelligence.

Join Raj Suri as he sits down with Jeevan Kalanithi, co-founder and CEO of OpenSpace AI, to explore the revolutionary impact of computer vision technology in construction and beyond. From his early days at MIT Media Lab to founding innovative startups, Jeevan shares insights on how OpenSpace is transforming construction site management through spatial AI and 360-degree documentation. Discover why Jeevan believes we're still in the early stages of a camera revolution that will reshape how we interact with physical spaces. Whether you're interested in AI, tech for the physical world, or the future of spatial computing, this episode offers a compelling look at how computer vision is becoming an invisible but essential part of our world.

Dive into the shifting relationship between technology and politics as experts discuss the implications of a partisan tech landscape. Explore the concept of monopolies among giants like Google and Apple, and the tension this creates in democracy. The conversation highlights the evolving power dynamics in startups and the increasing influence of AI. Learn valuable lessons on fundraising, market selection, and the emotional journey of founders navigating these tumultuous waters.

In this insightful discussion, Edward Woodford, founder of ZeroHash and expert in crypto infrastructure, shares his journey as a British entrepreneur in America. He delves into the complexities of launching crypto and stablecoin products amid varying global regulations. Woodford emphasizes the emotional landscape for founders during market volatility and the critical nature of engaging with policymakers. He also sheds light on the delicate balance between autonomy and regulation, exploring the implications of recent policy changes in the stablecoin industry.

Dilan Dane, a serial founder and biohacking enthusiast, shares his fascinating journey from war-torn Sri Lanka to MIT. He discusses the intersection of longevity science and space exploration, emphasizing how technology can extend human life. Dane delves into biohacking techniques, including supplements like rapamycin, to enhance health. The conversation also highlights the role of AI in wellness coaching, merging human connection with technological advancements, and touches on the philosophical implications of our evolving relationship with AI and robotics.