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Startup Project: Build the future
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תוכן מסופק על ידי Nataraj. כל תוכן הפודקאסטים כולל פרקים, גרפיקה ותיאורי פודקאסטים מועלים ומסופקים ישירות על ידי Nataraj או שותף פלטפורמת הפודקאסט שלהם. אם אתה מאמין שמישהו משתמש ביצירה שלך המוגנת בזכויות יוצרים ללא רשותך, אתה יכול לעקוב אחר התהליך המתואר כאן https://he.player.fm/legal.
Conversations with founders, operators and investors who are building the future. Listen to find the stories, ideas, tactics & investments behind the products that will define the future of technology. https://startupproject.substack.com/
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101 פרקים
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תוכן מסופק על ידי Nataraj. כל תוכן הפודקאסטים כולל פרקים, גרפיקה ותיאורי פודקאסטים מועלים ומסופקים ישירות על ידי Nataraj או שותף פלטפורמת הפודקאסט שלהם. אם אתה מאמין שמישהו משתמש ביצירה שלך המוגנת בזכויות יוצרים ללא רשותך, אתה יכול לעקוב אחר התהליך המתואר כאן https://he.player.fm/legal.
Conversations with founders, operators and investors who are building the future. Listen to find the stories, ideas, tactics & investments behind the products that will define the future of technology. https://startupproject.substack.com/
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101 פרקים
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Startup Project: Build the future

1 How Chronosphere Solved Observability in Containerized Environments to Build $1.6B Company | Uber spin-out, 5x Cheap & Impact of AI in Observability | CEO Martin Mao | Startup Project #101 50:47
50:47
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Martin Mao is the co-founder and CEO of Chronosphere, an observability platform built for the modern containerized world. Prior to Chronosphere, Martin led the observability team at Uber, tackling the unique challenges of large-scale distributed systems. With a background as a technical lead at AWS, Martin brings unique experience in building scalable and reliable infrastructure. In this episode, he shares the story behind Chronosphere, its approach to cost-efficient observability, and the future of monitoring in the age of AI. What you'll learn: The specific observability challenges that arise when transitioning to containerized environments and microservices architectures, including increased data volume and new problem sources. How Chronosphere addresses the issue of wasteful data storage by providing features that identify and optimize useful data, ensuring customers only pay for valuable insights. Chronosphere's strategy for competing with observability solutions offered by major cloud providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, focusing on specialized end-to-end product. The innovative ways in which Chronosphere's products, including their observability platform and telemetry pipeline, improve the process of detecting and resolving problems. How Chronosphere is leveraging AI and knowledge graphs to normalize unstructured data, enhance its analytics engine, and provide more effective insights to customers. Why targeting early adopters and tech-forward companies is beneficial for product innovation, providing valuable feedback for further improvements and new features. How observability requirements are changing with the rise of AI and LLM-based applications, and the unique data collection and evaluation criteria needed for GPUs. Takeaways: Chronosphere originated from the observability challenges faced at Uber, where existing solutions couldn't handle the scale and complexity of a containerized environment. Cost efficiency is a major differentiator for Chronosphere, offering significantly better cost-benefit ratios compared to other solutions, making it attractive for companies operating at scale. The company's telemetry pipeline product can be used with existing observability solutions like Splunk and Elastic to reduce costs without requiring a full platform migration. Chronosphere's architecture is purposely single-tenanted to minimize coupled infrastructures, ensuring reliability and continuous monitoring even when core components go down. AI-driven insights for observability may not benefit from LLMs that are trained on private business data, which can be diverse and may cause models to overfit to a specific case. Many tech-forward companies are using the platform to monitor model training which involves GPU clusters and a new evaluation criterion that is unlike general CPU workload. The company found a huge potential by scrubbing the diverse data and building knowledge graphs to be used as a source of useful information when problems are recognized. Subscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs! → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ #StartupProject #Chronosphere #Observability #Containers #Microservices #Uber #AWS #Monitoring #CloudNative #CostOptimization #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #LLM #MLOps #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation…
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Startup Project: Build the future

1 The Unfiltered Playbook to Make Early‑Stage Startups Get Media Traction & Demystifying Public Relations for Tech Founders | Emily Gerber Founder of Six Eastern PR | Startup Project #100 49:36
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Join host Nataraj as he speaks with Emily Gerber, founder and principal of SixEastern, a PR firm specializing in startups and tech companies. Emily shares her expertise on crafting effective PR strategies for early-stage startups and navigating the evolving media landscape. About the Episode: This episode demystifies the world of PR for tech founders. Emily differentiates PR from marketing, emphasizing the importance of earned media and credibility. She provides actionable advice on when to engage a PR firm, the types of media to target, and how to manage expectations. The conversation explores alternative strategies beyond traditional tech publications, including podcasts and new media platforms. Emily highlights the increasing importance of founders building their social profiles and telling authentic stories. She shares real-world examples of successful PR campaigns and offers valuable insights into navigating crisis communications. About the Guest and Host: Emily Gerber: Founder and Principal of SixEastern, a PR firm for startups and tech companies. Previously at Uber and Box. Connect with Emily: → Website: https://www.sixeastern.com/ Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor. → LinkedIn: /natarajsindam → Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ → Website: https://thestartupproject.io Timestamps: 00:02 - Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:45 - Emily's Background and PR for Tech Startups 01:17 - PR vs. Marketing: Understanding the Difference 03:13 - When to Engage a PR Firm: Seed vs. Series A 05:40 - The Unique Landscape of AI Startup PR 06:19 - Top Tier PR Firms and Their Specializations 08:39 - Setting Expectations and Measuring PR Success 09:18 - Pitching Podcasts vs. Traditional Media 14:21 - The Problem with Automated PR Pitches 16:42 - Storytelling for Series A to Series C Startups 17:44 - Crafting the Founder's Message for Podcasts 21:08 - The Trend of Founders Going Direct on Social Media 24:15 - Why Elon Musk's Strategies Don't Work for Everyone 25:26 - Concrete Examples of Successful PR Campaigns 29:21 - Why Traditional Media Still Matters for Startups 31:12 - Pitching to New Media Platforms 32:00 - Organic vs. Strategic PR: Behind-the-Scenes Tactics 34:12 - SEO for AI Search Engines and the Future of PR 37:18 - PR Plus Marketing: Integrating Services 38:47 - Emily's Current Media Consumption: TBPN 42:39 - Mentors and Their Influence 44:38 - Lessons Learned in PR 45:40 - Crisis Communications at Uber 48:16 - Ignored Sectors in Startup PR: Enterprise Software Subscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs! → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ #StartupProject #PR #PublicRelations #Startups #Tech #Media #Marketing #Communications #Founders #Entrepreneurship #TechCrunch #WallStreetJournal #Podcast #YouTube #AI #SixEastern…
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Startup Project: Build the future

1 Award-Winning Industrial Designer on How to Design Great Hardware Products at Scale? | Todd Bracher Founder of Betterlab | Startup Project #99 47:12
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Join host Nataraj as he sits down with Todd Bracher, founder of BetterLab, an industrial design firm partnering with scientists and innovators to create game-changing products. Previously Executive Creative Director and Design Partner at Human Scale, Todd has also collaborated with iconic brands like Issey Miyake, Herman Miller, and 3M. A two-time International Designer of the Year and recognized by Wallpaper Magazine as a Top 100 Global Design Influencer, Todd shares his insights on the intersection of design, science, and technology. About the Episode: This episode explores the world of industrial design through the lens of Todd Bracher's extensive experience. The conversation delves into building a successful design firm and the critical importance of human-centered design. Todd recounts his journey from art school to becoming a leading industrial designer, emphasizing the role of manufacturing, materials, and understanding market needs. He highlights the shift towards sustainability in design, including the use of recycled materials and circularity principles. The discussion covers BetterLab's innovative projects, such as glasses designed to combat myopia using full-spectrum light and a UVC light-based hand sanitizer called Lightwash. Todd also shares his perspective on digital design, the influence of Japanese design principles, and his role as a design advisor with Antler, a pre-seed stage firm. He touches upon products he admires, including the Leica M camera, and the importance of integrating design early in the product development process. About the Guest and Host: Todd Bracher: Founder of BetterLab, an industrial design firm. Former Executive Creative Director and Design Partner at Human Scale. Connect with Todd: → Website: https://betterlab.com/ Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor. → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/ → Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ → Website: https://thestartupproject.io Timestamps: 00:01 - Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:55 - Todd's Background and Entry into Design 01:45 - The Definition of Industrial Design 03:22 - Early Influences and Drawing 04:27 - Examples of Industrial Design Projects 06:06 - Admired Technology Products (Beyond Apple) 09:14 - Trends in Industrial Design: Sustainability vs. Consumable Products 12:02 - Todd's Take on IKEA's Design and Business Model 14:37 - Admired Brands: VITSO and Dieter Rams 15:54 - Sustainability and Longevity in Well-Designed Products 17:05 - The Business of Running a Design Firm: BetterLab 19:39 - Products from BetterLab: Myopia-Correcting Glasses 24:48 - Sustainability Project: UVC Light Hand Sanitizer (Lightwash) 28:44 - Working with Antler: Advising Early-Stage Startups 30:08 - Day-to-Day Products Todd Uses and Admits 31:53 - Modern Design Aesthetics and Globalization 36:01 - Todd's Take on Digital Design 37:46 - Trend Back into Hardware 40:01 - What Makes Japanese Design Unique 42:00 - Design Hubs in the US 44:13 - Current Consumption (Books, Podcasts, etc.) 45:39 - Mentors and Influences: Charles Darwin 46:55 - Lessons Learned: The Importance of Business Acumen Subscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs! → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ #StartupProject #IndustrialDesign #DesignThinking #BetterLab #ToddBracher #Sustainability #ProductDesign #Innovation #HumanCenteredDesign #TechDesign #Manufacturing #Materials #DesignTrends #Myopia #UVCLight #Antler #VentureCapital #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation…
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Startup Project: Build the future

1 Warp Dev The AI Terminal Changing Software Development | Zach Lloyd CEO & Co-Founder of Warp Dev | Startup Project #98 50:51
50:51
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Join host Nataraj as he sits down with Zach Lloyd, the founder and CEO of Warp, a company developing an intelligent terminal aimed at modernizing the command line experience for developers. Zach, a former principal engineer at Google, having worked on Google Sheets and Docs, and co-founder and CTO of Selfmade, shares his insights on the future of software development, the evolution of the terminal, and AI's role in building new products. In this episode, they discuss: How Warp leverages AI to improve developer productivity The challenges of building an AI-powered developer tool The future of coding and the evolution of the terminal Bridging the gap between traditional terminals and modern IDEs The current AI hype cycle and its impact on the developer community Guest: Zach Lloyd Founder and CEO of Warp Former Principal Engineer at Google Co-founder & CTO of Selfmade Website: https://www.warp.dev/ Host: Nataraj Host of the Startup Project podcast Senior PM at Azure & Investor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/ Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam Email Updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ Website: https://thestartupproject.io Timestamps: 00:01 - Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:55 - What is Warp? 02:59 - How Developers Use Warp 04:56 - Warp's Compatibility with Existing Developer Tools 05:21 - Warp's Intelligence and Features 06:31 - Integrating Existing Developer Nuances into Warp 07:24 - Warp's AI-Powered Enhancements 10:06 - The Future of IDEs and Terminals 13:50 - The Evolution of Abstraction in Software Development 16:37 - The AI Hype Cycle and Developer Productivity 18:07 - Developer Feedback and Adoption of Warp 20:30 - Go-to-Market Strategy and Customer Acquisition 21:33 - Leveraging LLMs in Warp 23:28 - The Role of AI Agents in Software Development 25:49 - Cost and Sustainability of AI-Powered Tools 27:17 - Warp's Pricing Model and Margins 30:04 - Open-Source Models and Profitability 32:43 - Key Metrics for Warp's Success 34:45 - Go-to-Market Motion and Acquiring Customers 37:40 - Using AI in Building Warp 39:15 - The Impact of AI on Developer Demand 41:00 - The Current State of AI and Developer Productivity 43:31 - The Importance of Context and Knowledge in AI 44:31 - What Zach is Consuming 45:40 - Zach's Mentors 46:25 - Lessons Learned as a Founder Subscribe: Subscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs! https://startupproject.substack.com/ Tags: #StartupProject #Warp #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Terminal #DeveloperTools #Coding #Productivity #SoftwareDevelopment #DevOps #VentureCapital #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation…
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Startup Project: Build the future

1 How to Build a Scalable Venture Community | Jennifer Jeronimo CEO of Gaingels Inc| Startup Project #97 32:03
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אהבתי32:03
Join Nataraj on Startup Project as he interviews Jennifer Jeronimo, CEO of Gaingels, a venture capital syndicate that has deployed over $900 million into 2,500 startups. About the Episode: Jennifer shares Gaingels' unique journey from an investment club focused on LGBTQ+ founders to one of the largest venture capital syndicates globally, with a diverse community of over 4,000 accredited investors. Learn about their investment strategy, focusing on co-investing alongside top-tier VC firms like Sequoia and Greycroft, and their mission to democratize venture capital by providing access to high-potential deals. Discover how Gaingels sources deals, conducts due diligence, and supports its portfolio companies. Jennifer also discusses the current venture landscape, offering insights into market trends, diversification strategies, and the importance of building a balanced portfolio over time. She also discusses her mentors and books that inspired her journey. About the Guest and Host: Jennifer Jeronimo: CEO of Gaingels, former banking executive, and advocate for diversity in venture capital. → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-jeronimo1/ Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor. → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam → Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ → Website: https://thestartupproject.io Timestamps: 00:01 - Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:59 - J-Engels: A Venture Capital Syndicate 01:28 - How J-Engels Works & Its Mission 02:58 - Evolution from AngelList Syndicate 04:41 - Deal Flow Sources 07:17 - Securing Allocation in Competitive Deals 08:39 - J-Engels' Organizational Structure 10:38 - Deal Evaluation Process 13:47 - The Strength of Community in Venture 18:44 - Role of Venture Partners 20:09 - Navigating Market Corrections and Trends 23:35 - Portfolio Diversification Strategies 28:15 - J-Engels' Vision for the Future 30:20 - What Jennifer is Consuming Now 31:59 - Jennifer's Mentors 34:15 - Investing Advice for Beginners Subscribe to Startup Project for more insightful conversations with leading investors and entrepreneurs! → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ #StartupProject #VentureCapital #Investing #Syndicate #Diversity #Startups #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation #PortfolioDiversification #MarketTrends #AngelInvesting…
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Startup Project: Build the future

1 Startup Mistakes to Avoid: Overvaluation, Fundraising, AI & SaaS Pricing | Vanessa Larco Partner at NEA | Startup Project #96 44:48
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אהבתי44:48
Join host Nataraj on Startup Project as he sits down with Vanessa Larco, Partner at NEA, to discuss the transformative impact of AI on startups and venture capital. About the Episode: This episode delves into the evolving landscape of tech investing, exploring how AI is reshaping business models, pricing strategies, and the future of work. Vanessa, a former Director of Product at Box and co-founder of Funloop, shares her insights on: * The shift towards AI in venture capital * The commoditization debate surrounding LLMs * The evolving pricing models in the age of AI * Common mistakes startups make when fundraising * How to identify and secure promising deals * Vanessa's personal journey and mentorship experiences About the Guest and Host: Vanessa Larco: Partner at NEA, investing in Series A and Series B technology companies. Former Director of Product at Box and co-founder of Funloop. Connect with Vanessa: → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessalarco Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor. → LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/ → Twitter : https://x.com/natarajsindam → Email updates : https://startupproject.substack.com/ → Website : https://thestartupproject.io Timestamps: 00:01 - Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:01 - AI's Impact on Venture Capital 04:12 - The Commoditization of LLMs 08:57 - The SaaS Subscription Model and AI 16:04 - AI-Enabled Investment Ideas 18:50 - Life as a Partner at NEA 23:42 - Working with Series A & B Companies 25:40 - Traction Metrics for Series A 27:59 - Case Studies: Majoree & Rewind 33:04 - Common Startup Mistakes 36:37 - Sourcing Deals in Venture Capital 38:57 - What Vanessa is Consuming Now 40:20 - Mentors in Vanessa's Career 41:38 - Lessons Learned in Venture Investing Subscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs! → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ #StartupProject #NEA #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #VentureCapital #Startups #SaaS #PricingModels #Fundraising #ProductMarketFit #Investing #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation…
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Startup Project: Build the future

1 Deep Tech's Golden Age: Investing in Robotics, AI, and Quantum Computing | Startup Project #95 49:23
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Join host Nataraj as he sits down with Karthee Madasamy, the Managing Director of MFA Partners, to discuss his journey from chip designer to venture capitalist in the world of deep tech. About the Episode: This episode explores Karthee's transition from a technical background in semiconductors and wireless communication to a successful career in venture capital. He shares his experiences at Qualcomm Ventures, where he led investments in companies like Waze and MapMyIndia, and discusses his current focus on deep tech companies at MFA Partners. Karthee provides valuable insights into the evolution of venture capital, the challenges of raising a fund, and the exciting potential of technologies like AI, robotics, and quantum computing. Karti dives into the nuances of investing in deep tech, sharing his investment thesis for MapMyIndia and highlighting the importance of understanding technology commoditization. He also discusses the incentive structures within corporate venture capital versus traditional VC firms, and offers advice for those considering a career in the field. About the Guest and Host: Karthee Madasamy: Managing Director of MFA Partners, previously Managing Director and Vice President at Qualcomm Ventures. → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kartheemfv/ Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor. → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/ → Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ → Website: https://thestartupproject.io Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:51 - Karthee's Journey into Venture Investing 02:46 - First Job in Venture Capital 04:52 - Early Deals and Learnings 07:34 - Identifying Technology Commoditization 09:56 - Investment Thesis for MapMyIndia 13:32 - Incentives in Corporate vs. Traditional VC 18:09 - Starting MFA Partners and Fundraising Challenges 23:37 - Lessons Learned from Fundraising 25:01 - The State of Deep Tech 32:42 - Investing in PsiQuantum and the Future of Quantum Computing 43:34 - Staying Updated and Influential Content 45:54 - Key Learnings about Investing Subscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs! → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ #startupproject #deeptech #venturecapital #investing #qualcommventures #mfapartners #ai #robotics #quantumcomputing #technology #innovation #entrepreneurship #podcast #youtube #tech #mapmyindia #waze #psiquantum #semiconductors…
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Startup Project: Build the future

1 Secondary Markets Explained: How EquityZen Provides Liquidity for Pre-IPO Shares | Startup Project Podcast #94 50:32
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Join Nataraj on Startup Project as he talks to Aatish, CEO and founder of EquityZen, a secondary market for private equities. They discuss the evolution of secondary markets, EquityZen's business model, the value proposition of secondary equity platforms, investor strategies, and the nuances of investing in secondary shares. They'll also delve into various IPO types and their pros and cons for investors, providing a glimpse into the future of secondary markets and IPOs by 2025. About the Episode: This episode explores how EquityZen created a market for secondary shares, connecting founders, employees, and early investors with individuals seeking pre-IPO investment opportunities. Aatish shares his personal journey from quant hedge fund employee to entrepreneur, highlighting how EquityZen helps late-stage private companies provide liquidity to shareholders. The conversation also covers: - Evolution of secondary markets - EquityZen's business model and platform - Investing in secondary shares - Different investor strategies - IPO types and their impact on investors - The future of secondary markets and IPOs in 2025 About the Guest and Host: Aatish: CEO and founder of EquityZen, former co-founder and CTO of Nullsoft, and VP of product at Ampush. Connect with Aatish: → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atishdavda/ → Website: https://equityzen.com/ Nataraj : Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor. → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam → Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam → Email: https://startupproject.substack.com/ → Website: https://thestartupproject.io Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 01:10 - What is EquityZen and How Did It Start? 04:19 - The Evolution of Secondary Markets 09:00 - Standardization in Secondary Transactions 14:44 - Portfolio vs. Individual Company Investments 20:10 - EquityZen's Business Model: Fees & Carry 22:21 - EquityZen's Stats and User Base 24:34 - EquityZen's Relationship with Companies and Issuers 27:17 - Rights of First Refusal and Blocking Rights 30:36 - Navigating the Secondary Market: Legitimacy and Risk 33:33 - How EquityZen Uses Data 37:14 - Marketing EquityZen in a Regulated Industry 40:19 - IPOs vs. Direct Listings: What's the Difference? 44:04 - Outlook for IPOs and Secondary Markets in 2025 Subscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs! → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ #StartupProject #EquityZen #PrivateEquity #SecondaryMarket #PreIPO #Investing #IPO #VentureCapital #Stocks #Finance #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation #Entrepreneur"…
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Startup Project: Build the future

1 Seattle's Ambition to Become the Next Silicon Valley | Aviel Ginsberg | Startup Project #93 47:15
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Join host Nataraj as he sits down with Aviel Ginsberg, the founder of Simply Measured (acquired by Sprout Social), managing director at Amazon's Alexa Accelerator, general partner at Founders Co-op, and now co-founder of Foundations, a shared workspace and accelerator designed to bolster Seattle's VC ecosystem. About the Episode: This episode explores Aviel's journey through the Seattle tech scene, from his arrival during the 2007 recession to his current venture. He discusses the evolution of Founders Co-op, their investment strategies, and the challenges faced by startups in the Pacific Northwest. Aviel shares insights into his investment philosophy, emphasizing the importance of founders' motivations and the long-term vision for their companies. Aviel also delves into the creation of Foundations, a community-driven space aimed at connecting founders, investors, and mentors. He discusses the need for such an anchor in Seattle's ecosystem and how it addresses the unique challenges faced by startups in the region. The conversation touches upon the changing landscape of venture capital, the impact of large language models, and the future of Seattle's tech community. About the Guest and Host: Aviel Ginsberg: Co-founder of Foundations, founder of Simply Measured, managing director at Amazon's Alexa Accelerator, and general partner at Founders Co-op. → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avielginzburg/ → Website: https://seattlefoundations.org/ Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor. → LinkedIn: / natarajsindam → Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ → Website: https://thestartupproject.io Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [00:30] What is Foundations? [00:51] Aviel’s journey with Founders Co-op [01:21] Navigating the 2007 Recession [03:22] Early days in the Seattle tech scene [03:36] Transitioning from employee to founder [06:46] Founders Co-op’s current focus [08:16] Evolving investment thesis [08:45] The art of investing in founders [10:47] The importance of people over product [11:07] Investing strategies and FOMO [14:23] Deal makers and breakers [14:36] The motivation of founders [16:47] De-risking entrepreneurship and motivation [18:56] The rise and fall of first-time funds [20:18] Exaggerated opportunity sizes [21:16] The realities of early-stage investing [22:20] The distortion of valuations [22:57] Winners bias and trillion-dollar companies [23:13] The illusion of constant growth [26:37] The Ally acquisition and Microsoft Viva Goals [27:50] Was the acquisition a fund returner? [28:32] The Clubhouse story [29:23] The importance of knowing when to sell [30:20] The trend of secondaries [30:50] Incentivizing founders [31:25] The future of secondaries [32:50] The vision behind Foundations [38:33] What else does Seattle need? [39:05] The need for pre-accelerators [40:38] Lack of pre-seed funds [41:02] Accessing Bay Area capital [42:41] What are you consuming? [43:14] Podcasts, books, and movies [44:31] What do you wish you knew about investing? [44:39] The long feedback loops of investing Subscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs! → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ #startupproject #seattle #startupecosystem #venturecapital #founders #foundations #simplymeasured #founderscoop #amazon #alexaaccelerator #techstars #innovation #entrepreneurship #podcast #youtube #technology #investing #davidishim #readai #ai #artificialintelligence #meetings #productivity #hybridwork #remotework…
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Startup Project: Build the future

1 Revolutionizing Workflows with AI Agents | Jacob Bank | relay app | Startup Project 44:54
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Join host Nataraj as he sits down with Jacob Bank, founder and CEO of Relay.app, a platform building AI agents to revolutionize how we work. **About the Episode:**This conversation explores the evolution of AI agents and how Relay is solving customer problems by automating cross-tool workflows. Jacob, a former product lead at Google (Gmail, G Suite), shares his entrepreneurial journey from academic AI research to building productivity tools. He discusses the challenges of product development in the fast-paced AI landscape and the importance of integrations for a successful product.Jacob explains how Relay transitioned from a workflow tool to an AI-powered automation platform. He delves into their customer acquisition strategy, focusing on product-led growth and community building, with a strong emphasis on content and partnerships.**Key Discussion Points:*** Evolution of Relay from workflow tool to AI agent platform* Building AI agents that integrate with various tools* Prioritizing integrations and the importance of robust APIs* Balancing AI automation with human-in-the-loop capabilities* Customer acquisition and the power of community building * Usage-based pricing models for AI agents* Jacob's entrepreneurial lessons learned* Scaling strategies and fundraising considerations* The future of work with AI agents**About the Guest and Host:****Jacob Bank:** Founder and CEO of Relay.app. Former product lead at Google (Gmail, G Suite), founder of Timeful (acquired by Google).→ LinkedIn: Search for Jacob Bank (currently waiting for LinkedIn Integration)→ Website: https://www.relay.app/**Nataraj:** Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor.→ LinkedIn: / natarajsindam→ Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/→ Website: https://thestartupproject.io**Timestamps:*** 00:00 - Introduction and Guest Introduction* 00:58 - What is Relay and how did it get started? * 07:18 - Transitioning to an AI agent platform * 08:06 - Prioritizing tool integrations* 12:14 - Traction and company scale* 13:30 - Driving adoption and product-led growth* 19:57 - Upcoming integrations* 24:19 - Open-source integrations discussion* 26:38 - Competition and differentiation* 28:15 - Pricing models* 30:19 - Lessons from previous company* 32:35 - The future of AI agents* 38:06 - Scaling and fundraising* 41:43 - Working at Google vs. StartupSubscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs!→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/#StartupProject #Relay #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Agents #AIWorkflows #NoCode #Automation #Productivity #SaaS #Integrations #CommunityBuilding #ProductLedGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation…
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Startup Project: Build the future

1 Building a Billion-Dollar Portfolio: David Blumberg's Investment Strategies | Startup Project #91 56:55
56:55
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אהבתי56:55
Join host Nataraj on the Startup Project podcast as he sits down with David Blumberg, a seasoned investor with over three decades of experience in early-stage tech companies. From his early days at T. Rowe Price to founding Bloomberg Capital, David shares his unique journey and insights into the world of venture capital. About the Episode: This episode explores David's evolution as an investor, from his initial interest in government to his realization that business and entrepreneurship were the true drivers of positive change. He discusses his early investments in Israeli tech companies, his time at Claridge, a prominent family office, and the lessons he learned along the way. David shares his investment philosophy, emphasizing the importance of strong teams, large market potential, and minimal competition. He highlights his experience with successful companies like Double Verify and Nutanix, emphasizing the value of repeat founders and the power of building strong relationships. The conversation also delves into David's personal investment strategy, his passion for energy humanitarianism, and his belief in the potential of AI to revolutionize various industries. He shares his insights on the evolving landscape of venture capital, the importance of continuous learning, and the impact of regulatory changes on the business world. About the Guest and Host: David Blumberg: Founder and Managing Partner of Blumberg Capital, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage and growth investments. → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjblumberg → Website: https://blumbergcapital.com/ Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor. → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/ → Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ → Website: https://thestartupproject.io Timestamps: 00:01 - Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:42 - David's Location and Work Model 00:54 - David's Career Journey and Interest in Tech Investing 01:22 - Early Influences and the Importance of Entrepreneurship 05:10 - First Tech Investment and Israeli Tech Ecosystem 09:22 - Israel's Tech Growth and the Yozma Program 13:45 - Government's Role in Fostering Innovation 17:53 - The Israeli Military's Influence on Entrepreneurship 19:54 - Experience at Claridge and Transition to Bloomberg Capital 24:34 - The Evolution of Venture Capital and Bloomberg Capital's Strategies 27:15 - Working with Repeat Founders 30:40 - Decision-Making in Pre-Seed Investing 34:19 - Defining Talent in Early-Stage Founders 39:32 - Importance of Domain Expertise 41:11 - Lawyers in Leadership Roles 43:15 - Bloomberg Capital's CIO Innovation Council 48:29 - Personal Investment Strategy and Energy Humanitarianism 51:39 - Admired Investors and the Venture Capital Landscape 56:06 - Current Consumption (Books, Podcasts, etc.) 01:00 - Mentors and Their Influence 01:01 - Advice for Young Investors Subscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs! → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ #StartupProject #VentureCapital #Investing #TechInvesting #Israel #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation #Energy #Humanitarianism #AI #CIO #BloombergCapital…
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Startup Project: Build the future

1 From Zero to $50 Million Read.AI's Explosive Growth | David Shim Founder of Read AI | Startup Project #90 54:02
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אהבתי54:02
This episode of Startup Project tackles that very problem! Join host Nataraj as he sits down with David Shim, CEO of Read.ai, a company that just raised $50 million in Series B funding to revolutionize how we handle meetings and work in general.About the Episode:This insightful conversation dives deep into Read.ai's innovative AI-powered meeting summarizer. David, a repeat founder, trader, investor, and former CEO of Foursquare, shares his journey, from the initial spark of an idea during a particularly unproductive Zoom call to Read.ai's current position as a top meeting note-taker. He reveals the secrets behind their rapid growth, achieving a remarkable climb from #20 to #2 in the world in less than 18 months – all with zero dollars spent on media marketing!David discusses his unique approach, combining video analysis with text, to create meeting summaries that go beyond simple transcriptions. Learn how Read.ai analyzes sentiment, engagement, and even subtle cues like speaking pace to deliver truly insightful summaries. The conversation also touches upon the future of work, with David advocating for hybrid work models and sharing his perspective on the current AI hype cycle. He provides a compelling vision for Read.ai's evolution into a true "co-pilot" for everyone, everywhere, seamlessly integrating with various platforms to streamline workflows and boost productivity. The discussion extends to David’s own investment strategies, offering valuable insights into his approach to venture capital and angel investing.About the Guest and Host:David Shim: CEO of Read.ai, repeat founder, trader, investor, and former CEO of Foursquare. Connect with David: → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidshim/.→ Website: https://www.read.ai/Nataraj: Host of the Startup Project podcast, Senior PM at Azure & Investor. → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam/→ Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/→ Website: https://thestartupproject.ioTimestamps:00:02 - Introduction and Guest Introduction00:54 - David's Location and Work Model01:17 - Remote vs. Hybrid Work Models03:37 - The Origin Story of Read.ai05:50 - Read.ai's Initial Idea and Technological Challenges08:42 - Analyzing Video and Text Data11:33 - The Evolution of Read.ai's Product and Value Proposition12:41 - Overcoming Challenges in Product Adoption and User Experience14:50 - Customer Acquisition Strategy and Product-Led Growth16:58 - Word-of-Mouth Marketing and Inherent Virality19:43 - Read.ai's Expansion Beyond Meeting Notes: "Copilot Everywhere"20:16 - Vision for Read.ai as a Universal Work Copilot22:57 - Targeting Specific Verticals While Maintaining a Horizontal Approach24:55 - Foundation Models and Pricing Strategies29:15 - David's Perspective on the Current LLM Landscape30:37 - Using AI to Optimize Internal Operations at Read.ai34:09 - Thoughts on AI Agents and Their Current State36:44 - Read.ai's Vision for the Next Few Years41:11 - David's Investment Thesis and Strategies46:21 - David's Early Career in Trading50:59 - Current Consumption (Books, Podcasts, etc.)52:38 - Mentors and Their Influence54:13 - Lessons Learned as a Founder and InvestorSubscribe to Startup Project for more engaging conversations with leading entrepreneurs!→ Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/#StartupProject #ReadAI #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Meetings #Productivity #HybridWork #RemoteWork #VentureCapital #AngelInvesting #SeriesB #Funding #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #YouTube #Tech #Innovation #AIEverywhere #Copilot…
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Startup Project: Build the future

1 #89 Secret Weapon Behind Small Businesses Success | Hello Alice Co-founder Elizabeth Gore 26:19
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אהבתי26:19
Ever wondered what it takes to build a thriving small business and secure funding in today's competitive landscape? This episode of Startup Project dives deep into the world of Hello Alice, a platform revolutionizing how small businesses access resources and capital. Join host Nataraj as he sits down with Elizabeth Gore, co-founder and president of Hello Alice, a company recently valued at $130 million! In this insightful conversation, Elizabeth shares her incredible journey, from her background in agriculture and humanitarian work to co-founding Hello Alice. Learn how she transitioned from supporting the UN to empowering 1.5 million small business owners across the US. We explore Hello Alice's innovative approach to financial technology, providing access to grants, loans, and crucial business planning services. Discover how Hello Alice itself generates revenue, beyond its mission-driven approach. Plus, we uncover the fascinating story behind their recent legal battle and how they navigated this challenge. Nataraj: Host of the popular Startup Project podcast, Nataraj brings his expertise and engaging interview style to this episode. → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam → Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ → Website: https://thestartupproject.io Elizabeth Gore: Co-founder and President of Hello Alice, Elizabeth is a powerhouse in the small business ecosystem. Her experience and insights make this conversation invaluable for aspiring and established entrepreneurs. **Timestamps:** 00:01 - Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:07 - Elizabeth's Early Career and Background 03:13 - Hello Alice's Products and Services 04:47 - Hello Alice's Business Model and Revenue Streams 05:42 - Acquiring Early Customers and Growth Strategies 07:55 - The Main Needs of Hello Alice's SMB Customers 08:27 - Grants vs. Loans: Hello Alice's Funding Approach 09:24 - The Value of Grant Applications for Startups 10:02 - Post-COVID Trends in Small Business 12:36 - Popular Software Used by Small Businesses 14:01 - Customer Acquisition Strategies for Small Businesses 15:03 - Hello Alice's Future Plans and Growth Targets 16:26 - The Hello Alice Lawsuit and Its Impact 17:42 - AI's Role in Hello Alice and Small Businesses 19:15 - The Regulatory Environment for Small Businesses 22:14 - DEI Initiatives and Their Impact on Small Businesses 23:49 - Unique and Thriving Small Businesses 25:07 - Elizabeth's Information Consumption Habits 25:49 - Elizabeth's Mentors and Influences 26:17 - Lessons Learned as a Founder 26:51 - Advice for Aspiring Small Business Owners #StartupProject #HelloAlice #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Funding #Grants #Loans #BusinessGrowth #Fintech #AI #DEI #SmallBusinessFunding #BusinessTips #Podcast #Entrepreneurs #Innovation #ElizabethGore #Nataraj…
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Startup Project: Build the future

1 #88 How to Market a Database Product? | CMO of SingleStore Madhukar Kumar 50:21
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אהבתי50:21
Madhukar Kumar is the Chief Marketing Officer at SingleStore (formerly MSQL), a cloud-native database company that has raised over $300M in funding. In this conversation, we explore the intersection of technical marketing, product-led growth, and the future of AI in marketing: In this episode, we cover: (00:02) Introduction and SingleStore overview (01:56) CMO role and marketing strategy (04:12) Marketing technical products to developers (08:21) Product-led growth initiatives (14:12) Product-led sales and enterprise marketing (17:49) Career transitions and journey (21:14) Skills needed for product marketing (26:12) Marketing spend and channel effectiveness (28:24) Admirable brands and marketing approaches (31:41) Evolution of communication in marketing (35:23) Perspectives on AGI (44:05) Career challenges and overcoming them (47:47) Current influences and recommendations (48:52) Mentors and career guidance (49:53) Key marketing lessons learned Where to find Madhukar Kumar: → Madhukar's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madhukarkumar/ Nataraj is the host & creator of Startup Project podcast, he is a full time product manager at Microsoft, early stage investor & advisor. → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natarajsindam → Twitter: https://x.com/natarajsindam → Email updates: https://startupproject.substack.com/ → Website: https://thestartupproject.io Referenced: - SingleStore: https://www.singlestore.com/ - Apple Marketing - Webflow - dbrand Marketing - Pegasus Documentary - "The Beginning of Infinity" by David Deutsch #ProductMarketing #TechMarketing #SingleStore #DatabaseTechnology #DeveloperMarketing #ProductLedGrowth #MarketingStrategy #CMOInsights #B2BTech #EnterpriseMarketing #CareerTransitions #MarketingLeadership #StartupMarketing #CloudComputing #TechIndustry #BrandBuilding #AIinMarketing #MarTech #TechnicalMarketing #EnterpriseSales…
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Startup Project: Build the future

1 #87 DocuSign Founder on Building $16B Company | Court Lorenzini 52:13
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אהבתי52:13
Guest: Court Lorenzini | Founder of DocuSign & FounderNexus Host: Nataraj | Senior PM at Azure, Creator of Startup Project & Angel Investor Subscribe to Startup Project Newsletter for valuable founder insights: https://startupproject.substack.com/ Join Nataraj in conversation with Court Lorenzini, co-founder of DocuSign and serial entrepreneur, as they delve into the world of startups. Court shares his incredible journey, from early engineering roles to leading DocuSign to its multi-billion dollar company. **Timestamps & Topics:** * **00:01:246 - 00:35:234:** Introduction and welcome to Court Lorenzini. * **00:40:246 - 01:16:782:** Court's background – Engineering career and early entrepreneurial ventures. * **01:50:102 - 02:05:838:** Discussion about Cisco's impact on fostering successful entrepreneurs. * **02:05:838 - 03:30:4:** Court's entrepreneurial journey: Early days of building companies and his approach to exiting around year five. * **03:34:004 - 05:06.042:** The genesis of DocuSign: Original idea, acquisition of IP, and the name's origin. * **05:06.042 - 06:35.318:** DocuSign's journey to product-market fit – a slow grind and long-term vision. * **06:35.318 - 09:46.848:** Key early customers: Microsoft and the National Association of Realtors – how these partnerships propelled DocuSign's growth and the importance of inbound vs outbound sales. * **09:46.848 - 11:22.828:** DocuSign's continued market dominance – exploring the reasons behind its success and the competitive landscape. * **11:22.828 - 14:07.594:** The core reasons for DocuSign's success: human preference for consistency and robust APIs for data integration. * **14:51.042 - 16:02.894:** Court's exit strategy from DocuSign and the incredible return on investment. * **16:10.026 - 17:12.088:** Court's ambition and his subsequent ventures, including a successful renewable energy company and a spectacular failure (Metabright). * **17:12.088 - 20:46.198:** Detailed analysis of Metabright’s failure and the lessons learned. * **20:46.198 - 23:48.586:** Court’s methodology for evaluating new opportunities – validating the idea and actively trying to kill it. * **23:48.586 - 25:01.294:** Introduction to Founder Nexus – a unique approach to supporting the next generation of founders. * **25:01.294 - 27:25.304:** The vision and purpose of Founder Nexus: increasing the odds of success for venture-scale founders. * **27:25.304 - 28:15.446:** The mathematical model of startup success and how Founder Nexus aims to improve each variable. * **28:15.446 - 29:27.704:** Comparison with similar communities like Hampton and Offline, and the importance of community curation. * **29:27.704 - 31:18.678:** Founder Nexus's unique approach to community building – focusing on lived experience and ongoing learning. * **31:18.678 - 33:26.323:** The structure and format of Founder Nexus events – short forums and rotating groups. * **33:26.323 - 35:07.126:** Traction and future plans for Founder Nexus – expansion beyond Seattle and the goal of global reach. * **35:07.126 - 37:08.072:** Court’s approach to investing in venture funds – focusing on early-stage, and often non-traditional funds. * **37:08.072 - 37:45.686:** Observations on the outperformance of women-run funds. * **37:45.686 - 40:36.635:** Thoughts on valuations and the current investment climate – focusing on early-stage deals and late-stage pre-IPO opportunities. * **40:41.27 - 42:06.304:** Court's personal investment strategies – both early-stage and late-stage pre-IPO investments. * **42:17.11 - 43:56.438:** Discussion about the surge in bio and energy companies in Seattle during the Obama administration. * **44:07.934 - 46:20.299:** Court’s decision to pursue three master's degrees and their impact on his career. * **46:36.566 - 48:25.076:** Current reading and listening – books and podcasts influencing Court's thinking.…
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