First Principles Thinking - Don’t Doom Yourself to Mediocrity (Replay)
Disrupt or Digitize? The Art of Breaking the Status Quo Why do some startups revolutionize entire industries while others just digitize legacy processes? Disruption isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a mindset and one that too many founders shy away from. Are you pre-compromising your vision before you even start? In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein break down the essence of first-principles thinking and how startups can challenge legacy constraints to create truly disruptive solutions. Drawing on examples from Uber, Netflix, and DocuSign, they discuss how to identify and creatively navigate constraints without sacrificing vision. In this episode, you will: Understand the difference between incrementalism and true disruption. Learn how to apply first-principles thinking to reimagine industries from scratch. Explore real-world examples of companies like Uber and Netflix that rewrote the rules. Identify which constraints are real, imagined, or worth challenging. Master the art of balancing bold vision with practical constraints. Uncover strategies to creatively layer in constraints while staying true to your goals. Apply an iterative approach to move incrementally toward your ideal outcome without compromising vision. The Pact Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List at https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/ Follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following. Key links The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to www.vanta.com/tsp. Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/ Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/ Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/ Credits Editor: Justin McArthur Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/ Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang
9 Des 202437min
Investing & Fundraising - The Truth About VC w/ Nick Crocker (Replay)
How much value do VCs truly bring beyond their capital? And what makes the difference between a supportive partnership and a dysfunctional founder-investor relationship? In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein welcome Nick Crocker, General Partner at Blackbird Ventures, to explore these critical questions. Blackbird has been at the forefront of Australian venture capital, backing iconic startups like Canva, SafetyCulture, and Culture Amp. Drawing from Nick’s deep experience, this conversation unpacks what founders need to know about choosing investors, avoiding pitfalls, and building lasting partnerships. Nick also dives into what separates successful startups from the rest clear storytelling, well-balanced cap tables, and hiring the right early team members. If you're a founder, this episode is a must-listen for navigating the complex venture capital landscape. In this episode, you will: Understand the common misconceptions about venture capital and why VCs may overstate their value. Learn why it’s critical to reference-check your investors and how to tactically approach it. Discover the key to early-stage success: clearly defining and passionately telling your story. Gain insights into the importance of hiring a strong operations/finance leader in your first 10 hires. Explore how founders can safeguard their health and attention to stay effective in the long term. Uncover the challenges Australian startups face in scaling and how the ecosystem can mature. Evaluate the impact of governance and board structures on a startup’s success. The Pact Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List at https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/ Follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following. Key links The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to www.vanta.com/tsp. Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/ Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/ Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/ Credits Editor: Justin McArthur Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/ Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang
4 Des 202454min
Product-Market Fit – 5 Proven Steps to Exponential Growth w/ Pablo Srugo
What does it really take to achieve product-market fit? For many founders, this critical milestone feels elusive, shrouded in myths and misconceptions that derail even the most promising startups. In this episode, Chris Saad and Pablo Srugo, seasoned startup advisors and founders, unravel the mysteries of product-market fit. Pablo, host of The Product-Market Fit Show and a partner at Mistral VC, shares five proven steps founders can take to avoid costly mistakes, navigate pivots, and find true market pull. In this episode, you will: Learn why starting in "research mode" is the secret to uncovering real customer problems. Discover the difference between "push" and "pull" in market demand—and why it matters. Master the art of doing "things that don’t scale" to kickstart momentum. Understand how to prioritize customer value over premature growth metrics. Explore the critical role of pivots—and why most founders regret not pivoting sooner. Unpack actionable insights from over 100 interviews with successful founders. Get practical advice to align your product with your customers’ most urgent needs. The Pact Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List at https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/ Follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following. Key links The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to www.vanta.com/tsp. Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/ Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/ Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/ Credits Editor: Justin McArthur Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/ Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang
2 Des 202452min
Finding a Co-Founder - Avoid Choosing the Wrong Partner (Replay)
Do You Really Need a Co-Founder? Here’s What You Must Know. Starting a startup can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re searching for that perfect co-founder to complement your skills. But is having a co-founder truly essential? And if it is, how do you find someone who’s more partner than problem? This episode dives deep into these questions and more. In this remastered episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein explore the intricacies of co-founder dynamics. Drawing from their combined decades of experience in startups, they share actionable advice, real-world examples, and common pitfalls to avoid. In this episode, you will: Discover the critical skill sets every founding team needs. Learn why co-founders are essential for startup momentum and fundraising. Uncover the differences between business, technical, and product-oriented co-founders. Explore why investor perception of co-founder teams matters. Understand the emotional and professional traits of successful co-founder relationships. Get tips on “earning” a co-founder by de-risking your startup. Avoid pitfalls with red flags to watch for in potential co-founders. Originally published as Finding a Co-founder - Avoid Choosing the Wrong Partner, May 2022. The Pact Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List at https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/ Follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following. Key links The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to www.vanta.com/tsp. Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/ Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/ Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/ Credits Editor: Justin McArthur Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/ Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang
27 Nov 202442min
Can this AI Chip Startup Beat NVIDIA? (Spotlight)
Is it possible for a startup to compete with NVIDIA, the $1 trillion behemoth dominating AI hardware? Thomas Sohmers and his team at Positron are betting they can and they're moving at lightning speed to prove it. In this episode, Chris Saad sits down with Thomas Sohmers, founder and CEO of Positron, to explore how this ambitious startup is aiming to disrupt the AI chip market currently dominated by NVIDIA. In this episode, you will: Discover how Positron achieved working hardware in just 18 months, defying typical timelines for chip startups Learn about Positron's strategy for compatibility with existing AI frameworks like HuggingFace Understand the performance and efficiency advantages Positron claims over NVIDIA's offerings Explore how the team's deep industry experience from companies like Grok and F5 Networks gives them an edge Gain insights into Positron's innovative use of FPGAs for rapid iteration before moving to custom chips Hear about the company's funding journey and current Series A raise Uncover valuable lessons for founders on competing against industry giants Learn more about the startup Skyfire Website: https://www.positron.ai/ Follow Thomas Sohmers on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trsohmers/ The Pact Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List at https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/ Follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following. Key links The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to www.vanta.com/tsp. Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/ Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/ Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/ Credits Editor: Justin McArthur Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/ Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang
25 Nov 202444min
Insiders React: Trump's Return - What Founders Need to Know + Bitcoin Hits $93K
Are we entering a new era of deregulation and market exuberance? Or is political instability on the horizon? In this episode, Chris and Yaniv break down Donald Trump's surprising 2024 election win and explore the potential impacts on the tech industry, startup ecosystem, and broader economy. They examine how Silicon Valley power players helped shape the election outcome and what a second Trump term could mean for everything from crypto regulations to AI development. In this episode, you will: Analyze how tech elites and alternative media influenced the 2024 election Explore why markets and crypto prices surged following Trump's victory Understand the potential regulatory changes that could benefit startups and Big Tech Consider the risks of increased political and economic volatility under Trump Learn how founders should adapt their strategies in this new environment Examine the parallels between current events and historical authoritarian movements Gain perspective on balancing optimism with preparedness in uncertain times The Pact Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List at https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/ Follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following. Key links The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to www.vanta.com/tsp. Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/ Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/ Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/ Credits Editor: Justin McArthur Content Strategist: Carolina Franco Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang
20 Nov 202444min
Fundraising Basics Part 2 - Avoid Selling Yourself Short (Replay)
Are you ready to disrupt an industry and change the world? In this episode, Chris and Yaniv dive deep into the art of fundraising for startups, exploring how to signal value, run an effective process, and craft the perfect ask to fuel your ambitious vision. They're joined by their own experiences raising capital to discuss the delicate dance between founders and investors in pursuit of explosive growth. In this episode, you will: Discover powerful signaling techniques to attract top investors Learn how to structure an effective fundraising roadshow and process Understand the key components of crafting your fundraising ask Explore the delicate balance between ambition and realism in valuations Gain insights on avoiding common pitfalls like over-capitalization Unpack the differences between traditional business thinking and Silicon Valley startup mentality Examine how cultural and personal factors can impact fundraising confidence Originally published as Edu: Fundraising Basics Part 2 - Avoid Selling Yourself Short, April 2022. The Pact Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List at https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/ Follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following. Key links The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to www.vanta.com/tsp. Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/ Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/ Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/ Credits Editor: Justin McArthur Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/ Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang
18 Nov 202450min
Early Ideation - Your Idea Is Worthless (Replay)
Ever had someone tell you "I have this great idea for an app"? While everyone seems to have the next billion-dollar idea, the reality of startup success is far more complex than just having a clever concept. In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein explore the real value of ideas in startups and why execution matters more than ideation. In this episode, you will: Discover why "ideas are like assholes - everyone's got one" Learn how to identify truly valuable problems worth solving Understand the critical difference between problems and solutions Master the art of validating ideas in the real market Explore how technology enables new solutions to old problems Recognize why protecting ideas with NDAs is counterproductive Gain insights into building consensus around your vision Learn how to pitch ideas effectively to early collaborators Originally published as 'Edu: Early ideation - Your Idea Is Worthless', March 2022. The Pact Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List at https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/ Follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following. Key links The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to www.vanta.com/tsp. Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/ Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/ Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/ Credits Editor: Justin McArthur Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/ Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang
13 Nov 202433min
