Founders Weekly

In this episode of Founders Weekly, Heini and Courtney dive into the latest founder drama at OpenAI, discussing the resignation of key members and potential disagreements over AI development. They explore the resurgence of hustle culture in startups, examining the impact on work-life balance and the rise of hacker houses. The hosts also touch on Scarlett Johansson’s voice being used without consent. Next, they talk Platform Risk with guest Mathias Hermansen CEO and Co-Founder at GamerPay. Mathias shares insights on how platform risk with Steam and Valve impacts operations. Finally, they offer tips to avoid founder drama and brainstorm future podcast ideas. Host: Heini Zachariassen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heini/ Co-Host: Courtney Quatrini LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyquattrini/ Guest: Mathias Hermansen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathias-hermansen/ Gamerpay: https://gamerpay.gg/ Raw StartUp Social Media https://youtube.com/rawstartup https://twitter.com/rawstartupshow https://www.linkedin.com/company/rawstartup/ https://www.facebook.com/rawstartup/ https://www.tiktok.com/@rawstartup https://www.instagram.com/rawstartup/

In this episode, Heini and Hassan explore the fierce rivalry between Google and OpenAI, sparked by OpenAI's new search engine to challenge Google's dominance. They cover Google’s journey from Startup to the incumbent that is hit by an Innovator’s Dilemma. The challenges Google faces with AI advancements, and the potential for AI to revolutionize search engines. The hosts emphasize the importance of trust, credibility, and strategic defenses (moats) in the tech industry and for startups. They also test and discuss the impressive capabilities of OpenAI's new ChatGPT 4o. The episode concludes with reflections on the future of Google's business model and the ongoing need for innovation and adaptation in the tech world. Host: Heini Zachariassen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heini/ Co-Host: Hassan Bazzi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/habazzi/ Raw StartUp Social Media https://youtube.com/rawstartup https://twitter.com/rawstartupshow https://www.linkedin.com/company/rawstartup/ https://www.facebook.com/rawstartup/ https://www.tiktok.com/@rawstartup https://www.instagram.com/rawstartup/

In this episode of Founders Weekly, Heini and Hassan explore two groundbreaking startups. They delve into Wayve, a British AI startup that recently raised an astounding $1 billion in funding. They analyze investors, including Nvidia and Microsoft, and Wayve's focus on embodied AI for self-driving vehicles. They also discuss challenges in data collection and partnerships with car manufacturers. Shifting gears, they are talking about an airline for dogs, Henrik Werdelin, co-founder of Bark is on to tell the full story of the first-ever airline for dogs, Bark Air. Bark Air offers amenities like in-flight entertainment featuring squirrels and non-alcoholic champagne made of chicken broth.  Host: Heini Zachariassen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heini/ Co-Host: Hassan Bazzi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/habazzi/ Guest: Henrik Werdelin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/werdelin/ Barkbox: https://www.barkbox.com/ BARK Air: https://air.bark.co/ Raw StartUp Social Media https://youtube.com/rawstartup https://twitter.com/rawstartupshow https://www.linkedin.com/company/rawstartup/ https://www.facebook.com/rawstartup/ https://www.tiktok.com/@rawstartup https://www.instagram.com/rawstartup/

In this episode, the hosts dive deep into the intense rivalry between DeepMind's co-founders, now leaders of Google and Microsoft's AI divisions, and the cautionary tale of the Rabbit R1 AI hardware device's failure. Unveil the challenges faced by Europe in AI innovation and the hurdles of MVP development in the hardware space. We also tell the inspiring tale of Valentin Schütz, Gronda's Co-Founder and CEO, who shares how the company pivoted during the Covid pandemic after initially aiming to create a LinkedIn-like platform for chefs. Gronda's founders shifted focus from a recruitment tool to leveraging chefs' shared recipes. Introducing premium memberships and a recipe paywall drove substantial revenue growth. Today, Gronda boasts one million chef users and another million foodie users worldwide, prioritizing brand and product development over fundraising. Host: Heini Zachariassen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heini/ Co-Host: Theis Søndergaard LinkedIn: https://dk.linkedin.com/in/theissondergaard Guest: Valentin Schütz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valentin-schuetz/ Gronda: https://gronda.com/  Raw Startup Social Media https://youtube.com/rawstartup https://twitter.com/rawstartupshow https://www.linkedin.com/company/rawstartup/ https://www.facebook.com/rawstartup/ https://www.tiktok.com/@rawstartup https://www.instagram.com/rawstartup/

In this episode, hosts Courtney and Heini delve into how founders navigate sensitive political situations and discuss a notable case involving a founder sentenced to prison for defrauding investors. They explore the pivotal role of effective communication by founders and the importance of authenticity, responsibility, and due diligence in the startup landscape. Sharon Gillenwater, co-founder and former CEO of Boardroom Insiders, joins the conversation to share her journey of building a bootstrapped startup and selling it for $25 million.  Sharon sheds light on talent acquisition strategies, bootstrapping intricacies, and the challenges of sustaining viability while operating under bootstrap constraints. Tune in as Heini, Courtney, and Sharon unravel the complexities of founder accountability, authentic leadership, and scaling a tech company in today's market. Host: Heini Zachariassen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heini/ Co-Host: Courtney Quatrinni LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyquattrini/ Guest: Sharon Gillenwater LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonkgillenwater/ Web: https://www.sharonkgillenwater.com/ Raw StartUp Social Media https://youtube.com/rawstartup https://twitter.com/rawstartupshow https://www.linkedin.com/company/rawstartup/ https://www.facebook.com/rawstartup/ https://www.tiktok.com/@rawstartup https://www.instagram.com/rawstartup/

In this episode, we look at the launch of Humane AI’s AI Pin. What can we learn from the launch that failed after 5 years of work? We dissect the launch gone awry, stressing the significance of prioritizing functionality over aesthetics. As we explore the challenges of entering competitive markets The conversation between Theis and Heini also delves deep into operating in legal gray zones, drawing parallels with Uber's market struggles and a chat about the recent $7.2 billion raise by Andreessen Horowitz.  Tune in for a candid discussion on the nuances of startup dynamics, including the role of multiple CEOs and the trajectory of the AI industry. Tony Fadell's Build https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/59696349 Cherub App https://www.investwithcherub.com/ Host: Heini Zachariassen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heini/ Co-Host: Theis Søndergaard LinkedIn: https://dk.linkedin.com/in/theissondergaard Raw Startup Social Media https://youtube.com/rawstartup https://twitter.com/rawstartupshow https://www.linkedin.com/company/rawstartup/ https://www.facebook.com/rawstartup/ https://www.tiktok.com/@rawstartup https://www.instagram.com/rawstartup/

In this episode, we talk tech giants bypassing copyright laws to train AI models, the challenges of innovation in large companies, and a new publicly traded fund that invests in high-profile private companies.  This week’s guest is Morten Primdahl, co-founder of Zendesk, who shares his experience of the IPO day and the journey leading up to it. In this part of the conversation, Morten describes his experience of the Zendesk IPO and the emotions he felt during the process. He talks about the excitement of being at the New York Stock Exchange, ringing the bell, and seeing the stock start trading. He also discusses the validation and sense of accomplishment that comes with going public. The conversation then shifts to the challenges and downsides of doing an IPO, including the pressure to meet market expectations and the potential impact on product development and customer focus. The hosts also discuss the current state of the IPO market and the importance of focusing on profitability and building a strong company Host: Heini Zachariassen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heini/ Co-Host: Hassan Bazzi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/habazzi/ Guest: Morten Primdahl LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/mortenprimdahl/ Raw StartUp Social Media https://youtube.com/rawstartup https://twitter.com/rawstartupshow https://www.linkedin.com/company/rawstartup/ https://www.facebook.com/rawstartup/ https://www.tiktok.com/@rawstartup https://www.instagram.com/rawstartup/

In this episode of Founders Weekly, the hosts delve into Yahoo's acquisition of AI startup Artifact, examining its impact on founders. They discuss the varying struggles founders face and how financial security can affect their drive. The conversation extends to news stories covering team reactions to acquisitions, competitor shutdowns, fund misuse, and legal disputes. We are talking Canoo, Truth Social, Drizly and other startups. Emphasizing corporate governance and ethical behavior, Heini and Theis also touch upon meme stocks, Reddit's IPO, and the podcast's ongoing improvement efforts. Tune in for a concise exploration of startup acquisitions, ethical dilemmas, and the evolving founder journey. Host: Heini Zachariassen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heini/ Co-Host: Theis Søndergaard LinkedIn: https://dk.linkedin.com/in/theissondergaard Raw StartUp Social Media https://youtube.com/rawstartup https://twitter.com/rawstartupshow https://www.linkedin.com/company/rawstartup/ https://www.facebook.com/rawstartup/ https://www.tiktok.com/@rawstartup https://www.instagram.com/rawstartup/

In this episode, the hosts explore big tech's legal woes, including Apple's antitrust issues and its control over iPhone hardware. They also discuss how big tech impacts startups, highlighting their agility and courage. The positive influence of AI on startups is examined, along with investment trends in Ukrainian startups and Adam Neumann's WeWork buyback offer. Heini and Hassan analyze the challenges facing WeWork, discussing its long-term commitments and potential for a successful reboot. They also cover Trump's SPAC and Truth Social, debunking misconceptions about financial gains.  Challenges with the podcast are also discussed - scheduling hurdles and the importance of planning are discussed, along with the concept of the Messy Middle phase in projects.  Host: Heini Zachariassen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heini/ Co-Host: Hassan Bazzi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/habazzi/ Book: The Messy Middle: Finding Your Way Through the Hardest and Most Crucial Part of Any Bold Venture by Scott Belsky https://www.amazon.com/Messy-Middle-Finding-Through-Hardest/dp/0735218072 Raw StartUp Social Media https://youtube.com/rawstartup https://twitter.com/rawstartupshow https://www.linkedin.com/company/rawstartup/ https://www.facebook.com/rawstartup/ https://www.tiktok.com/@rawstartup https://www.instagram.com/rawstartup/

In this episode of Founders Weekly, Neuralink's brain implant technology, Apple's talks with Google about AI offering, Blue Origin's race to the moon, Apple's App Store problems, and short news on IPOs, Fisker, and Saudi Arabia's AI investment.  The hosts are joined by Aaron McDaniel, who shares his experience pitching on Shark Tank. Aaron McDaniel shares his experience on Shark Tank and the lessons he learned from the show. He discusses his decision to stay professional despite facing criticism and offers from the sharks. Aaron also talks about the editing process and the importance of understanding the power of narrative. He reflects on the impact of the show on his business and personal life.  Host Name: Heini Zachariassen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heini/ Co-Host Name: Hassan Bazzi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/habazzi/ Guest  Name: Aaron McDaniel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrbiz/ Raw Startup Social Media https://youtube.com/rawstartup https://twitter.com/rawstartupshow https://www.linkedin.com/company/rawstartup/ https://www.facebook.com/rawstartup/ https://www.tiktok.com/@rawstartup https://www.instagram.com/rawstartup/