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The Startup Podcast
Yaniv Bernstein, Chris Saad
262 episodes
18 hours ago
A guide to the unique mindset and approach that drives Silicon Valley style disruption. Build product, raise money, and scale your startup like the best. TSP hosts Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein share practical advice based on decades of experience at Google, Uber, and their own startups.
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Entrepreneurship
Business
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All content for The Startup Podcast is the property of Yaniv Bernstein, Chris Saad and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
A guide to the unique mindset and approach that drives Silicon Valley style disruption. Build product, raise money, and scale your startup like the best. TSP hosts Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein share practical advice based on decades of experience at Google, Uber, and their own startups.
Show more...
Entrepreneurship
Business
Episodes (20/262)
The Startup Podcast
Two Simple Principles to Get Your Startup Noticed, and How to Apply Them (w/ Product Hunt CEO Rajiv Ayyangar)

Getting noticed is harder than ever, but Rajiv Ayyangar (CEO, Product Hunt) says most startups fail for a surprisingly simple reason: lack of clarity and velocity.


In this episode of The Startup Podcast, Rajiv explains what separates breakout startups from the thousands that never gain traction. Drawing on insights from hundreds of Product Hunt launches, Rajiv shares how to craft a tagline that resonates, why launching early (and often) is critical, and how velocity builds a powerful feedback flywheel that accelerates growth.


He also shares what Product Hunt’s biggest winners did differently, why clarity forces better product thinking, and how AI tools are changing the speed of iteration, giving today’s founders a unique advantage if they use them correctly.


In this episode:

  • Learn why clarity beats hype every time
  • How to craft a tagline that drives viral traction
  • Why velocity builds trust and better user feedback
  • The power of launching early (and re-launching often)
  • Lessons from Notion, Superbase & other Product Hunt standouts


Whether you’re planning your first launch or trying to reignite growth, this conversation is packed with actionable lessons for founders who want to stand out.


The Pact 

  • Honor 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 to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe 
  • Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/  
  • Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg 
  • Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following


Key links

Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A 

The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/


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/


Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/


Show more...
3 days ago
57 minutes 17 seconds

The Startup Podcast
Insiders React: AI Chaos - Meta & Google Poach Talent from Apple & OpenAI + Elon's Grok-4 Havoc, Intel Admits Defeat

Is Apple losing its edge in the AI race? And what does it mean for startups when big tech strip-mines entire companies for talent?


Many early entrepreneurs believe giant tech firms are unbeatable, but this episode reveals how even industry leaders can stumble—and what founders can learn from their missteps.


In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein discuss the AI Chaos Week that the tech industry just witnessed. From Apple’s AI leadership crisis to Intel’s shocking admission of defeat in AI chips, they share hard-earned insights on strategy, leadership, and staying competitive in a brutal talent war.


In this episode, you will:

  • Learn why Apple’s conservative AI strategy is costing it top talent, and what founders can do differently
  • Discover why Intel publicly admitting defeat might actually be brilliant strategy for survival
  • Explore the brutal Windsurf talent raid and how “acqui-raids” are changing Silicon Valley’s startup culture
  • Evaluate whether AI tools actually slow senior engineers more productive
  • See what startup founders can learn from big tech’s talent wars when building and retaining teams
  • Decide if playing it safe (Apple) or betting big (Meta) is the smarter move in fast-changing markets


The Pact

  • Honor 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 to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
  • Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
  • Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg
  • Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following



Key links

Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A

The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/Learn more about Chris and YanivWork 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/


Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Show more...
1 week ago
44 minutes 26 seconds

The Startup Podcast
Unlock Hypergrowth: How Vibe Coding Can Fast-Track Your Startup Success w/ Bolt CEO Eric Simons

Can you really build and launch a startup without writing code, or even knowing how to?

As AI tools promise lightning-fast product development, many founders still fall into old traps: over-validating, under-executing, or waiting too long for a technical cofounder.


In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein are joined by Eric Simons, founder of StackBlitz and creator of the viral AI app builder Bolt.new. Eric shares how modern tools like Bolt and Cursor are redefining what it means to be a founder, turning product managers, designers, and even marketers into full-stack startup builders.


They explore how AI coding agents are changing team composition, cycle times, and what the real founder skillset looks like in 2025.


In this episode, you will:

  • Discover why reality-based iteration—not ideas—is the true startup superpower
  • Learn how AI tools like Bolt give non-technical founders real shots on goal
  • Understand the evolving role of the technical cofounder in the AI era
  • Compare top-down and bottom-up AI workflows (e.g. Bolt vs Cursor)
  • Avoid common pitfalls when prompting AI tools to build production-grade apps
  • Explore how startup team roles are converging—and where creative tension still matters
  • Hear the origin story of Bolt’s breakout growth and what made it an overnight success (after 7 years)


The Pact

Honor 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 to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
  • Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
  • Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg
  • Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following

Key links

Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A

The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/


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/


Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Show more...
1 week ago
58 minutes 44 seconds

The Startup Podcast
Insiders React: Musk Launches “America Party” + YouTube Declares War on AI Slop, Sequoia's Mamdani Scandal

Is Silicon Valley building the future or just trying to rule it?

From Elon Musk’s new political party to retail investors buying fake OpenAI stock, the startup world is getting weirder, faster.


In this episode, Chris Saad and Shira Lazar break down a massive week in tech, politics, and startup culture. They unpack Elon Musk’s launch of the “America Party,” the legality of Robinhood and SoFi offering access to OpenAI and SpaceX shares, YouTube’s crackdown on mass AI content, Sequoia Capital’s culture war PR disaster, and the impressive metrics behind Figma’s upcoming IPO.


In this episode, you will:

  • Learn why Elon Musk is launching a political party—and how it could shake up US politics
  • Understand how Robinhood and SoFi are fractionalizing access to top private companies like SpaceX
  • Discover the legal and ethical questions behind tokenized startup shares
  • Explore YouTube’s new policy to demonetize “AI slop” and what it means for creators
  • Hear why a Sequoia partner’s tweet has triggered backlash in tech VC circles
  • Reflect on the growing disconnect between Silicon Valley values and social responsibility


Whether you're a startup founder, tech enthusiast, or just trying to make sense of where innovation is heading, this episode is your insider’s guide to the stories shaping the future of business.

The Pact Honor 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 to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
  • Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
  • Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg
  • Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following



Key links

Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A

The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/


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/


Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Show more...
2 weeks ago
51 minutes 36 seconds

The Startup Podcast
Top 7 Mistakes Founders Make in Raising Early Stage VC w/ Amir Shevat (Edu)

Are you sure your startup should be raising venture capital?


Most founders assume VC is the goal—but for many, it's the wrong fuel entirely. In this episode, we bust that myth wide open.


Join Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad as they sit down with Amir Shevat, General Partner at Darkmode Ventures (ex-Google, Slack, Twitter), to unpack the seven most damaging mistakes founders make when raising early-stage capital. With over 65 investments under his belt and a front-row seat to the inner workings of Silicon Valley, Amir offers a brutally honest, insider view into what separates fundable startups from fundraising disasters.


In this episode, you will:

  • Discover why some startups should never raise VC in the first place

  • Learn how to avoid “dumb money” and pick the right investors

  • Avoid cap table disasters that scare away future capital

  • Understand the dangers of under- or over-raising and how to size your round

  • Spot red flags in investor side letters that could poison your future

  • Master the art of time-boxing your raise and managing investor timelines

  • Build stronger investor relationships—even when they say “no”

This is a must-listen for any founder preparing to raise capital—or wondering if they should at all.


The Pact

Honor 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 to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
  • Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
  • Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg
  • Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following


Key links

Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A

The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/


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/


Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/


#VC #VentureCapital #StartupFunding #Funding #TheStartupPodcast #SiliconValley #TechStartup

Show more...
2 weeks ago
53 minutes 40 seconds

The Startup Podcast
Insiders React: Cloudflare Makes AI Pay + Figma Files For IPO, Grammarly Buys Superhuman

What happens when the internet starts charging AI to crawl its content?

And can legacy tools like Figma or Grammarly survive the AI age, or will they be replaced by smarter, faster upstarts?


In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad break down some of the most important shifts in tech and business right now. From Cloudflare’s launch of AI pay-per-crawl to Grammarly’s bold acquisitions and Figma’s high-stakes IPO, this is an unfiltered look at how the AI boom is reshaping product strategy, startup success, and even the global order. Plus, they react to legendary VC Vinod Khosla’s explosive predictions about automation, abundance, and the role of China in AI soft power.


In this episode, you will:

  • Discover why Cloudflare’s 402 status code could transform AI data scraping and web monetization
  • Understand Grammarly’s plan to stay relevant with the acquisitions of Superhuman and Coda
  • Explore how Figma’s IPO could signal the return of the public tech market—and why it’s risky
  • Evaluate the threat of vibe coding tools to traditional design workflows
  • Hear Vinod Khosla’s take on why 80% of jobs could be automated within 5 years
  • Unpack how China might use free AI tools to gain soft power and global influence
  • Learn why a high-risk, high-reward mindset defines the best founders and VCs in Silicon Valley


Whether you’re building your first startup or thinking about your AI strategy, this episode offers critical insights from people who’ve seen these cycles before and know where the puck is heading.


The Pact

Honor 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 to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
  • Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
  • Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg
  • Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following


Key links

Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A

The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/


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/


Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/


Show more...
3 weeks ago
46 minutes 29 seconds

The Startup Podcast
Master Your AI Prompts and Unlock ChatGPT's Full Potential w/ Jonathan Mast (Edu)

Struggling to get good results from ChatGPT or other AI tools? You’re probably prompting it wrong, and you’re not alone.


Many founders assume AI just knows what you mean. Without the right prompt structure, though, even the most powerful LLMs will fail to deliver.


In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein is joined by Jonathan Mast—seasoned entrepreneur, AI educator, and creator of the Perfect Prompt Framework—to break down how anyone, from startup founders to side hustlers, can start using AI more effectively today.


They explore the psychology behind prompting, how to build confidence using AI tools, and why embedding structured prompting into your startup can multiply productivity.


In this episode, you will:

  • Learn the 4-step Perfect Prompt Framework to get better responses from AI
  • Understand why AI often fails, and how it's usually your prompt (not the model)
  • Discover how to overcome "AI FOMO" and start using it without feeling overwhelmed
  • Hear why giving AI permission to ask you questions dramatically improves accuracy
  • Explore different LLMs like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, and when to use each
  • Apply AI best practices to real startup workflows, from automation to documentation
  • Avoid common mistakes when building AI-based systems that lack guardrails or versioning


Whether you’re just starting with AI or want to unlock its full power for your business, this is the valuable conversation every modern founder needs.


The Pact

Honor 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 to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
  • Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
  • Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg
  • Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following


Key links

Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A

The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/


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/


Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Show more...
3 weeks ago
59 minutes 58 seconds

The Startup Podcast
Insiders React: Anthropic's Huge AI Copyright Win + Speech to Text Better Than Ever, Peter Thiel's Tech Dystopia

Is training AI on copyrighted content stealing, or just learning? A major U.S. court just weighed in, and the verdict could rewrite the rules for startups using generative AI.


Too many founders assume "training data" is fair game but that blind spot could cost them billions. In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad, experienced startup operators and product strategists, dive into a landmark copyright ruling and what it means for anyone building with AI.


They also explore why AI voice transcription tools are finally taking off after decades of mediocrity, and react to a deeply unsettling video from tech billionaire Peter Thiel, revealing Silicon Valley’s growing influence on politics and democracy.


In this episode, you will:

  • Understand why a U.S. court ruled Anthropic’s AI training methods as partially legal—and partially not
  • Learn the difference between fair use and piracy when it comes to LLM training
  • Discover why AI voice dictation is suddenly scaling and attracting huge VC funding
  • Explore the product strategy lesson behind voice tech’s decades-long false start
  • Unpack how timing, quality, and market readiness affect product-market fit
  • Hear the dark side of Silicon Valley power through a rare Peter Thiel clip



ChatGPT’s takeover plan: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/16S97eepGe/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Peter Thiel's philosophy: https://youtu.be/45o8tQMGtvU?si=QrJ48xsAdQS-MxAC&t=264


The Pact

Honor 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 to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
  • Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
  • Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg
  • Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following



Key links

Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A

The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/


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/


Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Show more...
3 weeks ago
34 minutes 37 seconds

The Startup Podcast
Insiders React: Sam Altman’s 'Gentle Singularity' + Workplace AI at an All-Time High, Meta's $30B Scale AI Acquihire

Is AI about to transform the world… gently? Sam Altman says yes, but are we being lulled into complacency while the real risks go unchallenged?


Startups everywhere are rushing to embed AI into their workflows, but few understand just how flawed that human-AI interaction can be. From broken prompting to billion-dollar power plays, the future of AI in business is murkier than it looks.


In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein break down the most urgent developments in AI and what they mean for founders and operators. They unpack Sam Altman’s “Gentle Singularity” vision, dive into Meta’s stealthy acquisition of Scale AI, and discuss a shocking study revealing that human-AI collaboration may be doing more harm than good, especially in healthcare and the workplace.


In this episode, you will:

  • Understand why Sam Altman thinks AI’s future will be “gentle”—and what he might be downplaying
  • Learn how Meta quietly bought 49% of Scale AI to outflank OpenAI and Google
  • Explore the real-world risks of bad prompting and how it derails AI’s accuracy
  • Uncover why AI literacy is now a critical skill for startups and employees alike
  • Examine why Slack is locking down chat data—and what that means for workplace AI tools
  • Hear how OpenAI talent is resisting $100M offers from Meta, and what that says about culture vs. cash
  • Discover the hidden trade-offs in AI alignment and whether “good enough” is actually enough


The Pact

Honor 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 to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
  • Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
  • Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg
  • Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following


Key links

Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A

The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/


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/


Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Show more...
1 month ago
46 minutes 39 seconds

The Startup Podcast
Apps Are Obsolete: How Startups Can Leverage the New Era of AI Agents (Spotlight)

What if your next startup competitor doesn’t have a single employee?


AI agents aren’t just another software trend — they’re redefining the interface between humans, data, and execution, yet many founders still confuse basic chatbots with the true potential of these agents.


In this episode, Chris and Yaniv are joined by Jeremiah Owyang, General Partner at Blitzscaling Ventures and host of Silicon Valley’s top AI startup event, Llama Lounge. Together, they unpack Jeremiah’s insider thesis on the AI Agent era — and what it means for the future of software, user experience, and startups.


They explore why AI agents are replacing SaaS apps, what defines a “true agent,” and how startups should position themselves in the face of big tech platform risk.


In this episode, you will:

  • Understand the difference between LLM tools and autonomous AI agents
  • Discover how Crew AI scaled to 60% of the Fortune 500 using 150 agents and minimal staff
  • Learn why traditional apps and websites may become obsolete in the agentic future
  • Explore new go-to-market strategies and startup models for agent-driven businesses
  • Evaluate how agents will access private and public data — and what that means for APIs
  • Hear how to pitch agent startups to VCs looking for viral and network-effect plays


Whether you’re building in the agent ecosystem or preparing for it, this conversation will reshape how you think about the future of digital interfaces and startup opportunities.


The Pact

  • Honor 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 to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
  • Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
  • Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg
  • Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following


Key links

This episode is brought to you by Warp Development.  Are you ready to build something that matters? Visit https://warpdevelopment.com and mention The Startup Podcast for a free consultation.


Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A

The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/


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/


Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Show more...
1 month ago
46 minutes 43 seconds

The Startup Podcast
Apple WWDC Breakdown + Musk & Trump's Messy Divorce, a16z's Fresh Take on AI Startups

Apple’s WWDC 2025 keynote revealed a lot – just not what you’d expect.


Siri’s long-awaited AI upgrade was quietly delayed, and instead Apple rolled out a grab bag of long-overdue features, flashy design updates, and deep ChatGPT integrations. Is this a bold product reset, or proof that Apple is falling behind?


Meanwhile, Elon Musk and Donald Trump butt heads, Ukraine rewrites warfare with AI-powered drones, and a16z explains how consumer AI startups can finally scale, if they get a few key things right.


In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein sift through this huge week of tech news, breaking down the topics that really matter for founders and early-stage operators.


In this episode, you will:

  • Understand the real implications of Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s public fallout
  • Explore how the Musk/Trump feud could fracture the MAGA-tech alliance and reshape Silicon Valley politics
  • Learn why Apple is releasing papers criticizing AI reasoning—and what that means for AGI hype
  • Assess whether Apple’s WWDC 2025 was a quiet revolution or just a catch-up act
  • Discover how Ukraine’s AI-powered drone strike changes the future of war and global defense tech
  • Unpack why AI consumer startups now have better monetization paths than ever before


🔗 Full a16z post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/justine-moore_a16z-ai-consumer-apps


From Silicon Valley’s shifting loyalties to the limits of Apple’s AI ambitions, this episode is a masterclass in how tech power is evolving and how to position yourself for it.


The Pact

Honor 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 to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
  • Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
  • Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg
  • Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following


Key links

Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A

The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/


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/


Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Show more...
1 month ago
54 minutes 12 seconds

The Startup Podcast
Insiders React: Meta's Luckey Military Deal + Google's Plan to Split Itself, Europe Revives AI & Startups

Can consumer tech like Facebook and Oculus really help win wars?


As governments get serious about AI and startups, Silicon Valley is being dragged—sometimes unwillingly—into the global military and geopolitical game.


In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein unpack how Meta is teaming up with Anduril—the military tech startup founded by Oculus’ Palmer Luckey—to bring XR (Extended Reality) to the battlefield. They also break down how Google might preemptively split itself, how UK civil servants gained 5% productivity with AI tools, and why Europe’s startup scene may finally be waking up.


In this episode, you will:

  • Learn how Meta’s AR & VR technology is being integrated into U.S. military operations

  • Understand the strategic irony behind Palmer Luckey and Meta partnering again

  • Explore the concept of “reverse technology transfer” from consumer tech to defense

  • Discover why Google may break itself up before regulators force it

  • See how the UK’s use of Microsoft Copilot gave government workers a 5% productivity boost

  • Unpack the EU’s new law that lets startups register and begin trading in under 48 hours

  • Assess how New York is quietly becoming Silicon Valley’s biggest challenger


Whether you're a founder, operator, or just a curious mind in the startup world, this episode gives you sharp insights into how tech, defense, and regulation are reshaping the startup landscape.


The Pact

Honor 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 to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
  • Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
  • Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg
  • Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following


Key links

Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A

The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/


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/


Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Show more...
1 month ago
27 minutes 20 seconds

The Startup Podcast
How the PRFAQ Made Amazon Great (And Can Do The Same for You) w/ Marcelo Calbucci (Edu)

Are you building a startup strategy—or just making it look like you have one?

Too many founders mistake polished slide decks for actual strategic thinking, leading to misalignment, wasted resources, and failed products.


In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad are joined by Marcelo Calbucci, former Amazon director and author of The PRFAQ Framework. They dive into how Amazon’s famously effective six-page PRFAQ process forces deep thinking, aligns teams, and drives billion-dollar bets—without a single slide.

They explore why most startups get strategy wrong, how to apply PRFAQs to your own company, and the real difference between outputs and outcomes.


In this episode, you will:

  • Discover why PowerPoint-based strategies often lead to shallow thinking and misalignment
  • Learn how Amazon's six-page PRFAQ framework drives innovation and clarity
  • Understand the structure of a PRFAQ—and why it starts with a future-facing press release
  • Explore the critical cultural shifts needed to make frameworks like PRFAQs work
  • Compare PRFAQs with OKRs and PRDs—and learn when to use each
  • Unpack the process Amazon uses to critique and improve strategy docs in real time
  • Hear practical advice on adapting the PRFAQ process to your startup, even as a solo founder


Whether you're pre-launch or scaling fast, this episode gives you a blueprint for thinking deeper and aligning your team.


The Pact

Honor 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 to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
  • Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
  • Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg
  • Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following


Key links

Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A

The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/


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/


Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Show more...
1 month ago
1 hour 14 seconds

The Startup Podcast
Insiders React: Sam Altman's New $6B Partnership + Klarna's AI Backtrack, Bitcoin Over $111K

What does it mean when OpenAI gives away $6 billion worth of equity just to bring one man on board?

In a world where design, brand, and user experience could determine AI dominance, are startups undervaluing human-centered thinking?


In this episode, Chris and Yaniv unpack OpenAI’s jaw-dropping acquisition of Jony Ive's mysterious startup “io,” and what it means for the future of AI hardware. They also break down Claude 4’s strategic shift toward coding, Klarna’s AI misfire in customer service, and Bitcoin’s stunning return to all-time highs.


In this episode, you will:

  • Understand why OpenAI paid $6B for Jony Ive with no product in sight
  • Explore how Claude 4 is positioning itself to dominate AI coding workflows
  • Learn what Klarna’s AI rollback says about the real limits of LLMs in customer service
  • Discover why prompting isn’t just for AIs—and how it applies to human leadership
  • Compare deterministic vs probabilistic software—and what that means for your startup stack
  • Examine how students using AI tools are reshaping education (and why it’s not all good news)
  • Evaluate Bitcoin’s recent surge and whether it’s becoming a lasting store of value


Whether you're building in AI, riding the crypto waves, or figuring out where human judgment still beats automation—this episode is packed with insight from real founders navigating the edge.


The Pact

Honor 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 to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
  • Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
  • Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg
  • Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following


Key links

Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A

The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/


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/


Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Show more...
1 month ago
44 minutes 17 seconds

The Startup Podcast
Insiders React: Google Goes AI 'Beast Mode' + Airbnb's Bold Pivot, Microsoft’s Agent Strategy

Is Google staging the biggest comeback in tech history? Or are we just getting swept up in the hype?


Founders often underestimate just how fast platform shifts change the rules of the game, and Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI are rewriting the rulebook in real time.


In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad break down Google’s massive AI showcase at I/O 2025, spotlighting the rollout of Gemini Live, Gmail Smart Replies, and even AI-powered glasses. They also dive into Airbnb’s bold strategy to become the “Amazon for services”—and why it could either revolutionize local work or crash hard. Plus, Microsoft, Nvidia, and OpenAI are all shaping the future of how software will be built in the AI era.


In this episode, you will:

  • Understand how Google is integrating AI into its entire product ecosystem—from Search to Android to Gmail
  • Learn why Gemini Live and Google’s “AI Mode” could change how consumers interact with the internet
  • Explore how Google is personalizing AI by tapping into your email, calendar, and Drive
  • Evaluate Airbnb’s ambition to become a services marketplace—and the operational challenges ahead
  • See how OpenAI’s Codex, Microsoft’s coding agents, and Windsurf’s SWE1 model are reshaping software engineering
  • Discover Nvidia’s clever strategy to absorb chip competition with NVLink Fusion
  • Debate whether vibe coding tools or engineer-facing AI agents will define the future of software development


Google’s making a comeback. Airbnb’s making a bold move. And AI tools are now building AI tools.It’s a lot. But we break it down so you know what matters—and what doesn’t.

The Pact Honor 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 to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
  • Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
  • Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg
  • 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://www.tsp.show/episodes/


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/



Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Show more...
2 months ago
55 minutes 49 seconds

The Startup Podcast
From Floorplans to Full Renovations: How Maket's AI Owns the Architectural Stack (Spotlight)

Can AI really design your home? 800,000+ users have already ditched their architects thanks to Maket, a startup using AI to simplify renovations from floorplans to permits.


In this Spotlight episode, Maket founder Patrick Murphy delivers a mock version of the real pitch that secured $2M in funding from top investors including Reid Hoffman’s Blitzscaling Ventures. Maket’s platform uses generative AI to help homeowners and builders create zoning-compliant floorplans, visualize renovations, and streamline the entire design process—all without needing an architect.


We break down what made Maket's pitch so compelling, challenge some of Patrick’s assumptions, and unpack the real-world lessons for other founders pitching complex AI products. Along the way, we discuss the difference between simplifying a process and truly disrupting an industry—and why most tools built 'for professionals' fail to scale.


In this episode, you will:

  • Learn how Maket is automating architecture using generative AI
  • Hear how Patrick convinced VCs with a story-first pitch
  • Understand the strategic value of building a proprietary model
  • Explore the pitfalls of targeting industry incumbents too early
  • Discover how agent-based UIs are replacing SaaS 2.0
  • See why traction and team matter more than early monetization
  • Get tactical advice on presenting complex ideas to investors


If you’re building in AI, pitching a vertical SaaS product, or just want a front-row seat to a startup reinventing home design—this one’s for you.


The Pact Honor 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 to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/

Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg

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://www.tsp.show/episodes/


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/


Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Show more...
2 months ago
54 minutes 35 seconds

The Startup Podcast
Insiders React: Death of Google Search? + YC's Startup Wishlist, Trump’s Saudi AI Deals

What happens when Apple hints that Google’s search dominance may be cracking, triggering a $155 billion wipeout in Alphabet’s value?


Many still think Google search is untouchable, but a shift in user behavior and a few lines in DOJ testimony may signal otherwise.


In this episode, Chris Saad, Yaniv Bernstein, and Amir Shevat explore how Apple’s revelation about declining Safari search traffic could mark a turning point for Google, what’s really behind Trump’s Middle East ‘AI investment tour,’ and how YC’s latest startup wishlist shows where the next wave of disruption will come from.


In this episode, you will:

  • Understand why Apple’s testimony may be a warning shot for Google Search
  • Learn how AI is reshaping the definition—and monetization—of ‘search’
  • Analyze Trump’s Saudi tech tour and its real impact on US innovation
  • Evaluate the shift from ad-driven to subscription-based AI business models
  • Explore why Y Combinator wants startups to go ‘full stack’ instead of selling to incumbents
  • Unpack the risks of shiny-object AI ideas vs. defensible startup models
  • Discover which overlooked AI sectors still have white space for new founders


From Google’s search slowdown to Trump’s headline-grabbing AI deals and YC’s startup roadmap, this episode gives you the strategic insight founders need to navigate tech’s shifting landscape.



The Pact

Honor 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 to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
  • Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
  • Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg
  • 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://www.tsp.show/episodes/



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/



Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthurIntro

Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Show more...
2 months ago
1 hour 4 minutes 57 seconds

The Startup Podcast
Replay: Co-Founder Relationships - Avoiding the Big Breakup (Edu)

A strong co-founder relationship is crucial for any startup. Learn how to determine the ideal number of founders and understand the distinctions between roles and titles.

Also, Chris and Yaniv explain what you must know about:

  • The pros and cons of going solo vs. multiple founders.

  • CEOs and Founders and the distinction between roles and responsibilities.

  • Considerations on equity splits and vesting schedules.

  • Co-CEO conflicts and what to do about them.

  • How to manage breakups between founders gracefully when the relationship doesn’t work anymore.

If you’re looking to have an effective founding team, this episode is packed with strong advice from personal experiences from Chris and Yaniv. 

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.
  • The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Rippling. Rippling is a single all-in-one platform for your global workforce, covering HR, IT, payroll, expenses, and more. For a TSP listener offer of 3 months free, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.rippling.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

Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Justin McArthur⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Intro Voice: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jeremiah Owyang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show more...
2 months ago
51 minutes 17 seconds

The Startup Podcast
Insiders React: OpenAI Bets Big on Vibe Coding + Epic Games' Victory Over Apple, Silicon Valley's Talent Crisis

OpenAI just dropped $3B on vibe coding—should software engineers be worried?

And what happens now that Apple’s 30% App Store tax just took a major legal hit?


In this episode of The Startup Podcast, hosts Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein are joined by seasoned founder and investor Hooman Radfar (CEO at Collective, ex-VC at Expa) to unpack three seismic shifts shaping the future of tech startups today.


They dive deep into OpenAI’s $3B move into vibe coding, the ripple effects of Apple’s court-ordered App Store concession, and a sobering update on Silicon Valley's AI talent trends.


Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/chA3rYD75uI


In this episode, you will:


•⁠ ⁠Learn why OpenAI is acquiring AI coding startups—and what that means for developers everywhere

•⁠ ⁠Understand how tools like Windsurf and Cursor are changing expectations for startup speed and headcount

•⁠ ⁠Discover why SaaS margins and investor sentiment are shifting under the weight of AI-native startups

•⁠ ⁠Explore how Apple’s legal defeat is reshaping the app ecosystem for founders and product builders

•⁠ ⁠Hear first-hand stories about the limits of current LLM coding assistants—and why user trust may be short-lived

•⁠ ⁠Unpack the growing platform risk as hyperscalers begin to own entire labor categories, not just infrastructure

•⁠ ⁠Debate whether the “two-speed” startup economy (AI-native vs everyone else) is sustainable—or a bubble waiting to pop


Whether you’re an early-stage founder, startup operator, or just trying to make sense of the shifting AI landscape, this episode is packed with hard-earned insights and startup war stories from the frontlines.


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 to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early-access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/

Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg

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://www.tsp.show/episodes/


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/


Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Show more...
2 months ago
1 hour 2 minutes 29 seconds

The Startup Podcast
Finance For Founders - Why 'Playing It Safe' Is Risky w/ Michiel Boere, CFO at Remote (Edu)

Think staying profitable means you’re on the right track? Think again.

Too many founders obsess over budgets and burn—but the real risk isn’t running out of cash. It’s growing too slowly to matter.


In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein is joined by Michiel Boere, CFO of Remote and former CFO of Uber Eats, to demystify startup finance for non-financial founders. Drawing from his experience scaling Uber and managing 50+ audits at Remote, Michiel shares the strategic financial mindset every founder must adopt to succeed.

In this episode, you will:

  • Learn why “failing profitably” is often worse than burning cash fast
  • Understand unit economics the way a CFO at Uber would
  • Discover the difference between forecasting, planning, and budgeting—and when each matters
  • Avoid the trap of letting budgets drive bad spending decisions
  • Get a practical framework for building simple, high-impact financial models
  • See why many founders misuse runway and how to forecast it properly
  • Hear why CFOs should embrace risk at the right stage of growth


If you’re a founder who wants to build a high-growth, venture-backable business—and avoid the financial blind spots that kill startups—this episode is essential listening.


The Pact

Honor 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 to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/

Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg

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://www.tsp.show/episodes/


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/


Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/


#StartupFinance #FounderAdvice #RemoteWork #TheStartupPodcast #AIStartup #StartupGrowth #VentureCapital #StartupTips

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2 months ago
52 minutes 14 seconds

The Startup Podcast
A guide to the unique mindset and approach that drives Silicon Valley style disruption. Build product, raise money, and scale your startup like the best. TSP hosts Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein share practical advice based on decades of experience at Google, Uber, and their own startups.