In this episode, Mat Sherman sits down with John Busch, founder of Iliad, an AI-powered book discovery platform designed to help readers uncover life-changing books. They dive into the challenges of current book recommendation systems, how Iliad addresses the limitations of platforms like Goodreads, and the role of AI in enhancing the reading experience while building trust in recommendations. John also shares his journey as a founder, offering actionable advice on fundraising, the importance of storytelling, and how networking and warm intros can open doors for AI startups. They explore why business model innovation is as critical as product innovation, the art of building momentum with investors, and how favorite books can shape a founder’s perspective.