In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Boaz Ashkenazy welcomes back Varun Puri, founder of Yoodli, for a discussion about his journey transforming a consumer-focused public speaking tool into an enterprise powerhouse. Since his last appearance, Varun has pivoted Yoodli into what he calls "the Grammarly for speech," now serving 50 companies through AI-powered communication training and role-playing scenarios.

With candid reflections on the startup rollercoaster—from the challenges of enterprise sales to building a vibrant company culture—Varun shares his vision of "grounded optimism" for the future of AI. This conversation offers valuable insights for founders navigating the enterprise market, teams adapting to hybrid work models, and anyone interested in how AI tools can enhance human communication while maintaining our essential humanity in a rapidly changing technological landscape.

Chapters:

[01:00] Introduction and Welcome Back

[02:43] Varun's Background and Yoodli's Mission

[03:43] Evolution from Consumer to Enterprise

[04:57] The Role Play Revolution

[06:59] Enterprise Deployment and Go-to-Market Teams

[08:43] Startup Journey: Challenges and Wins

[16:44] Team Culture and The AI House

[21:01] Hiring Strategy and Growth Plans

[23:22] The Future: Grounded Optimism

[26:49] Seattle's Startup Ecosystem

Connect with Varun Puri

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/varun-puri001/

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

X: boazashkenazy

Email: shift@augmentedailabs.com