Founders in Arms

In this episode of Founders in Arms, Immad and Raj sit down with Wayne Crosby, a serial entrepreneur and former Google executive. They dive into Wayne's journey from his early startup Zenter (which became Google Slides) through his decade at Google, exploring how the tech giant's innovative culture shifted over time. The conversation spans Wayne's current venture OrgOrg, his decision to return to Y Combinator as an experienced founder, and transitions into a thoughtful discussion about the potential impacts of the upcoming Trump administration on technology, regulation, and innovation. The hosts and guest offer nuanced perspectives on everything from AI policy to defense tech startups, while sharing insights about how political changes might affect the startup ecosystem. The conversation provides startup wisdom and thoughtful analysis of the intersection between technology and politics.Want to join the conversation? Connect with us on Tribe:https://trbcht.com/invites/WmHNjar5ZN

In a thought-provoking dialogue, veteran entrepreneur Dave Balter, founder of multiple successful ventures like BuzzAgent, discusses the intricacies of co-founder relationships and the importance of company culture. He shares his candid experiences with self-doubt as a CEO and the necessity for humility. Balter also delves into the evolving landscape of crypto regulation, advocating for clearer guidelines to enhance dialogue between tech companies and government regulators. His insights on building resilience and adaptability in leadership are particularly striking.

Immad and Raj sit down with Celine Halioua, founder and CEO of Loyal, a pioneering biotech company developing drugs to increase lifespan longevity in dogs. This episode highlights the unique challenges of building a biotech company, from navigating FDA approval processes to explaining longevity science to investors. The conversation also explores alternative funding sources beyond traditional VC, with all three founders sharing war stories about their toughest fundraising experiences. Whether you're interested in biotech, startup fundraising, or the future of longevity research, this conversation offers valuable insights into building innovative companies without relying on the typical Silicon Valley playbook.Want to join the conversation? Connect with us on Tribe:https://trbcht.com/invites/WmHNjar5ZN

In this episode of Founders in Arms, Immad and Raj sit down with Roger Dickey (Mafia Wars, Gigster, and Untitled Capital) for a deep dive into startup ideation and product-led growth. Roger shares his structured process for generating hundreds of startup ideas, including his unique "matrix approach." The three founders discuss the joys and challenges of building consumer-facing products, and examine the nuances between different growth strategies, from inherent virality to word-of-mouth marketing, sharing examples from companies like Figma, Dropbox, and Wise. Tune in for an engaging discussion that blends personal anecdotes with practical wisdom from some of tech's most innovative minds.Roger Dickey’s Startup Ideas List: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XgBM6DyFjH77lyobMgJep2C6YjIyAl9hwNAe7faoOaI/edit?usp=sharing Want to join the conversation? Connect with us on Tribe:https://trbcht.com/invites/WmHNjar5ZN

Sheel Mohnot, founder of BTV Ventures and 500 FinTech, shares his insights on the rapidly evolving fintech landscape and its implications for new entrepreneurs. He discusses India's entrepreneurial spirit, highlighting the influences of Ratan Tata and the opportunities arising from a growing middle class. The conversation dives into the significance of innovation in banking and the unique advantages of India's tech talent pool. Additionally, Mohnot emphasizes the importance of building a social media audience for startups to enhance growth and investor relations.

Immad and Raj sit down with Martin Basiri, co-founder and former CEO of ApplyBoard and current CEO of Passage, for a conversation that delves deep into the world of education technology and immigration. Martin shares insights on the challenges and opportunities present in the education sector, discussing ApplyBoard's unique business model and the impact it has had on international students. They examine the current state of higher education, the importance of immigration for economic growth in countries like Canada and the US, and the potential for innovation in ed-tech and the obstacles faced by entrepreneurs in this space. The conversation offers a thought-provoking look at the future of education and the role of technology in shaping it.Want to join the conversation? Connect with us on Tribe:https://trbcht.com/invites/WmHNjar5ZN

Immad and Raj sit down with Paul English, the co-founder and former CTO of Kayak, for a deep dive into consumer tech startups. Paul shared some fascinating insights from his entrepreneurial journey, including building capital-efficient companies, leveraging AI to boost productivity, and the future of AR glasses and wearables. In addition, Paul shares why he believes founders should run both for-profit and non-profit ventures, and how he manages to balance multiple projects while maintaining low stress levels. The conversation features a bounty of practical advice and valuable lessons for young founders.Want to join the conversation? Connect with us on Tribe:https://trbcht.com/invites/WmHNjar5ZN

Dive into the world of AI as the hosts discuss OpenAI's new model with remarkable reasoning skills and its potential in vertical markets. They navigate the challenges of remote work sparked by Amazon's decision to bring employees back full-time, contrasting this with flexible approaches at other tech companies. The conversation also highlights innovative indoor recreational facilities aimed at fostering socialization and activity in urban areas, reflecting on how these changes influence local economies and consumer behaviors.

Paul Buchheit, the creator of Gmail and a Y Combinator partner, shares valuable insights on the evolution of AI and the future of large language models. He discusses the importance of data quality and the challenges facing AI training methods. Buchheit explores the potential for open-source AI to disrupt centralized power, and the implications for advertising and healthcare. He also delves into the power of narrative in shaping societal beliefs and the critical need for entrepreneurs to reflect on their own stories and seek disconfirming evidence to refine their narratives.

Immad and Raj are joined by special guest Greg Isenberg (Late Checkout) to discuss the recent buzz around "founder mode" and debate the merits of VC-backing in startup. Greg provides insights from his experiences building multiple businesses, sharing where he’s seen other ‘modes’ and highlighting the freedom and financial benefits of avoiding VC funding. Whether you're a founder weighing funding options or interested in startup strategy, this episode offers a thought-provoking look at different modes of building and scaling businesses in today's tech landscape.Want to join the conversation? Connect with us on Tribe:https://trbcht.com/invites/WmHNjar5ZNListen to the Startup Ideas Podcast with Greg Isenberg here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-startup-ideas-podcast/id1593424985 Read Raj’s essay, “How to Grow Your Startup while being Cash-Flow Positive,” here: https://rajatsuri.substack.com/p/how-to-grow-your-startup-while-beingRead "Founder Mode" here:https://paulgraham.com/foundermode.html