Tech Founder: From 0 to 15 Million Users. Here's What We Learned
Beyond Coding31 Juli 2025

Tech Founder: From 0 to 15 Million Users. Here's What We Learned

Maximiliano Neustadt, CTO and co-founder of Polarsteps, shares the incredible journey of building a travel app from 5 people to over 15 million users.

From surviving as a travel company during the worst possible timing to scaling without hustle culture, Maxi reveals the key decisions, hiring practices, and leadership lessons that drove their success.

Learn how they built strong company values, made tough product choices, and why they spend a full day with every hiring candidate as part of the interview.


Connect with Maximiliano Neustadt:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximiliano-neustadt-90137b2

Full episode on YouTube ▶️

https://youtu.be/3ZLmpggjcUY

Beyond Coding Podcast with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎙Patrick Akil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Powered by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Xebia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!


OUTLINE00:00:00 - Introducing Maximiliano Neustadt, CTO of Polarsteps00:00:46 - The founding story of Polarsteps00:03:21 - The early days and first key hires00:05:48 - The unique Polarsteps hiring process00:15:15 - Transitioning from CTO to CEO during COVID-1900:19:37 - Rejecting startup hustle culture00:22:51 - Balancing employee freedom and company direction00:29:05 - Polarsteps' five core company values00:33:04 - Balancing user data and intuition in decision making00:38:24 - The approach to adopting new tech like AI00:44:13 - How Polarsteps fosters innovation

Avsnitt(239)

Inside VEED’s AI Product Strategy: Speed, Scale, and User Feedback with Samuel Beek

Inside VEED’s AI Product Strategy: Speed, Scale, and User Feedback with Samuel Beek

Samuel Beek, Chief Product Officer at VEED, joins me to share how their team ships AI-powered features in days, not months.We explore VEED’s product strategy, how they stay close to users, and what it...

9 Juli 202540min

From AI Hype to Real-World Results! Getting AI into Production with Sohrab Hosseini

From AI Hype to Real-World Results! Getting AI into Production with Sohrab Hosseini

How do you cut through the AI hype and successfully deploy AI products at scale?In this episode, Sohrab Hosseini (co-founder of Orq) shares practical insights into overcoming common challenges of AI p...

4 Juli 202541min

Why We're Excited About React Compiler (React Compiler Explained) with Lydia Hallie

Why We're Excited About React Compiler (React Compiler Explained) with Lydia Hallie

This was a special episode, recorded at React Summit in Amsterdam! Curious to hear your feedback! The next edition of the biggest React conference will be in New York, on November 18 & 21, and Early B...

25 Juni 202519min

AI in Software Engineering: Productivity, Pitfalls, and Practical Advice with Stacy Cashmore

AI in Software Engineering: Productivity, Pitfalls, and Practical Advice with Stacy Cashmore

Is AI a productivity tool or a dangerous shortcut for developers?In this episode, Stacy Cashmore, Product Lead at OmniPlan, joins us to discuss the practical realities of integrating AI into software ...

18 Juni 202555min

The Identity Crisis of Software Engineers in the Age of AI with Borislav Nikolov & Rares Mirica

The Identity Crisis of Software Engineers in the Age of AI with Borislav Nikolov & Rares Mirica

AI is reshaping software engineering—but are developers getting better or worse?In this episode, Borislav Nikolov and Rares Mirica join me to discuss the identity crisis facing software engineers due ...

11 Juni 20251h 12min

Can AI Really Replace Human Customer Support?

Can AI Really Replace Human Customer Support?

In this episode, Dennis de Reus, co-founder of Stellar and former Head of AI at ABN Amro, reveals how AI-driven voice technology is redefining customer interactions. We discuss practical experiences, ...

4 Juni 202540min

Leadership, Burnout & Building Global Teams with Ray Bogman

Leadership, Burnout & Building Global Teams with Ray Bogman

Great leaders don’t manage—they inspire, coach, and build trust.In this episode, Ray Bogman (Head of Innovation at Alumio) shares his experience leading a global team of 75 people and discusses why tr...

14 Maj 202553min

What is Vibe Coding? The New Way Developers Build Software with Zowie Langdon

What is Vibe Coding? The New Way Developers Build Software with Zowie Langdon

"Vibe coding"—it’s the buzzword you might not have heard yet, but it could change your entire workflow.In this episode, Zowie Langdon explains exactly what vibe coding is: a modern approach that pairs...

7 Maj 20251h 12min

Populärt inom Teknik

uppgang-och-fall
natets-morka-sida
elbilsveckan
bilar-med-sladd
rss-elektrikerpodden
market-makers
skogsforum-podcast
rss-veckans-ai
bosse-bildoktorn-och-hasse-p
rss-it-sakerhetspodden
bli-saker-podden
rss-laddstationen-med-elbilen-i-sverige
rss-technokratin
solcellskollens-podcast
cyber-chats-chill
rss-upplyst-entreprenordirektor
rss-racevecka
rss-en-ai-till-kaffet
rss-powerboat-sverige-podcast
rss-milpodden