In Depth
First Round
Welcome to In Depth, a new podcast from First Round Review that’s dedicated to surfacing the tactical advice founders and startup leaders need to grow their teams, their companies and themselves. Hosted by Brett Berson, a partner at First Round, In Depth will cover a lot of ground and a wide range of topics, from hiring executives and becoming a better manager, to the importance of storytelling inside of your organization. But every interview will hit the level of tactical depth where the very best advice is found. We hope you’ll join us. Subscribe to “In Depth” now and learn more at firstround.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
9 snips
Feb 20, 2025 • 1h 25min
Inside Guideline's mission to modernize 401(k)s | Building from first principles, finding strategic edges, and rewiring retirement | Kevin Busque (Co-founder and CEO)
In this chat, Kevin Busque, co-founder and CEO of Guideline, shares his mission to transform 401(k) plans for small businesses. He discusses how his experiences at TaskRabbit revealed the pitfalls of traditional retirement systems and motivated him to create a user-friendly, transparent platform. The conversation dives into strategic partnerships, especially with Gusto, and the importance of customer feedback in developing their innovative services. Kevin's 'Do the hard thing first' mindset has been key to overcoming challenges and driving Guideline's impressive growth.
23 snips
Feb 6, 2025 • 1h 23min
Inside Braze’s blitz to $500M in CARR | Building broad, going global, and outfoxing the competition | Bill Magnuson (Co-founder & CEO) and Kevin Wang (CPO)
Bill Magnuson, co-founder and CEO of Braze, and Kevin Wang, CPO, share their incredible journey from a TechCrunch Hackathon to a $4.4B platform. They discuss insights on the mobile revolution and breaking traditional startup rules. The duo emphasizes the importance of first principles thinking and ethical data practices in tech development. They strategically navigate competition and adapt to market shifts, proving resilience is key in building meaningful customer relationships. Tune in for their fascinating take on growth and innovation!
159 snips
Jan 23, 2025 • 1h 3min
Inside Clay's unconventional path to $1.25B: Rethinking GTM, pricing, and enterprise sales | Varun Anand (Co-founder and Head of Operations)
Varun Anand, Co-founder and Head of Operations at Clay, shares insights from his journey in building a $1.25B startup that leverages data and AI for GTM innovations. He discusses transformative shifts to product-led growth, highlighting unconventional tactics like using WhatsApp and Reddit for outreach. Varun emphasizes the significance of hiring passionate individuals and strategic branding in a competitive tech landscape. He also advocates for unique compensation strategies to nurture talent and foster a culture that values personal contributions.
39 snips
Dec 19, 2024 • 55min
Building a 4 billion dollar data platform: Inside dbt Labs’ unconventional path | Tristan Handy (Co-founder and CEO, ex-RJMetrics, Squarespace)
Tristan Handy, the Founder and CEO of dbt Labs, shares his journey of transforming a consultancy into a $4 billion cloud-based data platform. He reveals unexpected strategies for community building and driving software adoption after open-sourcing their tools. Tristan discusses the pivotal moment for seeking venture funding and emphasizes the importance of humility in creating a user-centric startup. He also touches on the impact of cloud technology on data analytics and the personal growth challenges faced in entrepreneurship.
56 snips
Dec 5, 2024 • 1h 10min
How Figma taps into taste, simplicity, and storytelling | Yuhki Yamashita (CPO at Figma, ex-Uber, Google, Microsoft)
Yuhki Yamashita, Chief Product Officer at Figma and former product leader at Uber, Google, and Microsoft, shares his insights on product design and storytelling. He discusses Figma’s evolution as a browser-based design tool and the importance of simple yet powerful products. Yuhki emphasizes the need for adaptability when transitioning from big tech to agile environments and the significance of storytelling in product development to engage users. His reflections on the dynamics of teamwork and nurturing taste highlight the journey from good to extraordinary product management.
16 snips
Nov 14, 2024 • 34min
How to find customers in the Dept of Defense: From prototype to the Pentagon | Steve Blank (Hacking for Defense)
Steve Blank, an Adjunct Professor at Stanford and expert in defense innovation, shares his insights on navigating the complexities of selling to the Department of Defense. He emphasizes the stark differences between commercial and military market strategies, detailing how startups can find mission solution fit. Steve discusses common pitfalls startups face and the significance of building key relationships in national security. He also highlights the transformation of Silicon Valley's attitude towards defense founders, offering fresh strategies for success in this unique sector.
Oct 10, 2024 • 1h 10min
Shifting Career Altitudes: Insights from a CPO’s Journey Leading in Nearly Every Function | Anneka Gupta (Rubrik, ex-LiveRamp)
Anneka Gupta, Chief Product Officer at Rubrik and former leader at LiveRamp, shares her insights from nearly two decades in tech. She reveals how LiveRamp skyrocketed from $30M to $200M ARR in just three years. Gupta discusses the balance between specialization and broad expertise, the significance of mentorship, and the complexities of migrating Fortune 500 clients post-acquisition. She also highlights the need for product managers to enhance their commercial sensibility and the value of diverse experiences in product leadership for effective decision-making.
92 snips
Sep 26, 2024 • 1h 6min
How to find and pull startup growth levers | Matt Lerner (Founder and CEO at SYSTM, Author of Growth Levers)
Matt Lerner, Founder and CEO of SYSTM and author of "Growth Levers", shares insights on startup growth strategies that have propelled over 200 companies. He discusses identifying key growth drivers and emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs through 'locksmith moments'. Matt uses case studies like Popsa to illustrate how acknowledging bottlenecks and effective messaging can boost growth. He also highlights the transition to a growth-focused mindset and the pivotal role of leadership in shaping successful organizational strategies.
Sep 19, 2024 • 1h 19min
How to find — and keep — product-market fit | Bob Moore (Co-founder and CEO at Crossbeam, ex-RJMetrics and Stitch Data)
Bob Moore, co-founder and CEO of Crossbeam, shares his insights as a seasoned SaaS entrepreneur. He discusses unique methods for validating startup ideas and lessons learned from navigating product-market fit. Bob highlights the significance of recognizing market shifts and adapting strategies accordingly. He dives into the role of network effects in driving growth and offers specific tips for distribution and collaboration. Additionally, he reflects on the complexities of mergers, specifically the Crossbeam and Reveal integration.
Sep 5, 2024 • 1h 15min
Rebooting Intercom: Eoghan McCabe on Defying Silicon Valley Orthodoxy | Co-founder & CEO
Eoghan McCabe, Co-founder and CEO of Intercom, shares his unique insights into the tech world and company culture. He discusses his return to reshape Intercom into an AI-first platform, emphasizing the importance of intuition and first-principles thinking. Eoghan shares tactical advice on attracting top talent and transforming company culture with ruthless honesty. He critiques current software branding challenges and presents a vision for sustainable growth that diverges from typical Silicon Valley practices.
