The Startup Podcast

"The Startup Podcast" Presented by hosts Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein.

Basic Member

Latest Episodes

Stop Hacking and Start Growing w/ Casey Winters (Replay)

Stop Hacking and Start Growing w/ Casey Winters (Replay)

Are you struggling to drive sustainable growth for your startup? Wondering how to build a high-impact growth team?


In this episode, Chris and Yaniv are joined by Casey Winters, Chief Product Officer at Eventbrite and one of Silicon Valley's top growth experts. They explore the core principles of growth, common misconceptions, and practical strategies for implementing effective growth practices in your organization.


Casey shares invaluable insights from his experience leading growth at Pinterest, GrubHub, and Eventbrite, as well as advising numerous high-growth startups.


In this episode, you will:

  • Discover the true definition of growth and how it differs from traditional marketing
  • Learn how to structure and empower cross-functional growth teams for maximum impact
  • Understand the critical balance between experimentation and scalable product development
  • Gain strategies for building organizational alignment around growth initiatives
  • Explore common pitfalls in implementing growth practices and how to avoid them
  • Uncover the unique "network effect" that drives innovation in Silicon Valley
  • Learn how to adapt Silicon Valley growth principles for startups outside major tech hubs


Originally published as Edu: Growth - Stop Hacking and Start Growing w/ Casey Winters, August 2022.


The Pact

Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:


Key links


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

VC Pitch: PayPal for Agents – Skyfire Powers AI-to-AI Commerce at Scale

VC Pitch: PayPal for Agents – Skyfire Powers AI-to-AI Commerce at Scale

Are you ready for a world where AI agents can autonomously make purchases and monetize their services? How will commerce and payments evolve as intelligent software agents become ubiquitous?


In this episode, Chris Saad is joined by Amir Sarhangi and Craig DeWitt, co-founders of Skyfire, to explore the cutting-edge intersection of AI, payments, and open protocols.


They discuss Skyfire's mission to become the "Visa for AI" by enabling seamless financial transactions between autonomous agents.


In this episode, you will:

  • Discover how Skyfire is building an open protocol for AI agent payments
  • Learn about the challenges of creating a new payments network for machine-to-machine transactions
  • Understand Skyfire's strategy for solving the "chicken and egg" problem of supply and demand
  • Explore potential use cases for agent-to-agent payments in areas like data access, marketing, and recruiting
  • Gain insights into Skyfire's business model and approach to monetization
  • Hear the founders' vision for how AI agents will transform internet commerce


Special Thanks to Llama Lounge - the #1 AI event - for introducing us to to these founders.


Learn more about the startup

Skyfire Website: https://skyfire.xyz/ 

Follow Amir Sarhangi on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asarhangi/ 

Follow Craig DeWitt on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdewitt/ 


The Pact

Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:


Key links


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

VC Failure- 6 Toxic Investor Types That Will Destroy Your Startup

VC Failure- 6 Toxic Investor Types That Will Destroy Your Startup

Are you ready to navigate the treacherous waters of startup investing?


Buckle up, because in this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad are diving deep into the world of bad investors. From predatory tactics to buzzword obsession, they're exposing the archetypes you need to watch out for.


In this eye-opening conversation, our hosts explore the dark side of venture capital, sharing real-world examples and practical advice for founders looking to secure funding without falling prey to these common pitfalls.


In this episode, you will:

  • Identify the "Midwit" investor who focuses on the wrong metrics
  • Recognize the predatory tactics used by some investors to gain unfair advantages
  • Understand the dangers of the "Term Sheet Tease" and how it can impact your startup
  • Learn to spot the "Ghost" investor who disappears without explanation
  • Discover why some investors are all talk and no action (the "Big Hat" archetype)
  • Uncover the risks of working with "Buzzword Butterfly" investors who chase trends


The Pact

Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:


Key links


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

Product Polish - 15 Tactics to Reduce Churn & Drive Network Effects (Edu)

Product Polish - 15 Tactics to Reduce Churn & Drive Network Effects (Edu)

Do you wonder why some products feel magical while others fall flat?


In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein explore the art of product polish—the hidden details that separate mediocre products from brilliant ones. They explore how to refine a product to delight users, drive retention, and fuel rapid growth.


In this episode, you will:

  • Discover why telemetry is the foundation for effective product polish
  • Learn strategies for creating seamless onboarding experiences
  • Understand the importance of responsive design and error handling
  • Explore how to leverage notifications and configuration options
  • Uncover ways to build network effects into your product features
  • Master the art of marketing automation to guide users to value
  • Gain insights on elevating your customer support experience
  • Learn retention tactics to reduce churn when users try to leave


The Pact

Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:


Key links


Credits

Editor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Justin McArthur⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/

Intro Voice: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jeremiah Owyang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Insiders React: SpaceX’s Big Win + Kamala Backs Crypto, Dubai’s Tech Rise, Replit AI Changes Coding

Insiders React: SpaceX’s Big Win + Kamala Backs Crypto, Dubai’s Tech Rise, Replit AI Changes Coding

What if you could build and deploy a full app in minutes, without writing a single line of code?


In this episode, Chris Saad and Ray Dargham, Co-Founder and CEO at Step, discuss the latest tech news shaping the future for founders and investors. 


From crypto policy shifts to groundbreaking space tech and AI-powered coding, we explore the innovations transforming industries.


In this episode, you will:

  • Analyze Kamala Harris's new crypto framework and its implications for the industry
  • Explore SpaceX's historic Starship landing and how it's reshaping space economics
  • Uncover Starlink’s strategic role in funding and supporting SpaceX’s deep-space ambitions.
  • Discover how Replit's AI agent is democratizing software development
  • Gain insights on Dubai's rise as a global tech and startup hub
  • Examine the potential impacts of AI coding tools on software careers and business models
  • Consider the broader implications of democratizing technology access
  • Learn about upcoming tech conferences and networking opportunities


Step Conference: https://stepconference.com/  hosted by guest Ray Dargham


The Pact

Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:


Key links


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

Insiders React: Elon’s Robotaxi FAIL (Bonus)

Insiders React: Elon’s Robotaxi FAIL (Bonus)

Is Tesla's latest announcement a game-changer for autonomous vehicles, or just another empty promise? As the tech world buzzes with excitement, many are left wondering if Elon Musk can deliver on his bold claims.


In this special bonus mini reacts episode of the Startup Podcast, hosts Yaniv and Chris dive deep into Tesla's recent unveiling of their new RoboTaxi, the CyberCab.


They explore the implications of this announcement and provide a critical analysis of Tesla's ambitious plans.


In this episode, you will:

  • Discover the key features of Tesla's newly announced CyberCab
  • Analyze the potential challenges facing Tesla's RoboTaxi implementation
  • Compare Tesla's approach to existing autonomous vehicle solutions like Waymo
  • Examine the logistics and operational hurdles of running a self-driving taxi fleet
  • Evaluate Elon Musk's presentation style and the event's overall impact
  • Understand the current state of Tesla's autonomous driving technology
  • Explore the hosts' perspectives on Tesla's future in the autonomous vehicle market


The Pact

Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:


Key links


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

Escalation Culture – Driving Alignment in Cross-Functional Teams (Edu)

Escalation Culture – Driving Alignment in Cross-Functional Teams (Edu)

Are you struggling with decision-making bottlenecks in your fast-paced startup? Do you find your teams hesitant to bring problems to leadership? It's time to embrace the power of escalation.


In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein dive deep into the critical role of escalation in modern, autonomous organizations. They explore why it's essential, why it's often avoided, and how to create a culture that encourages and rewards effective escalation.


In this episode, you will:

  • Discover the four main types of escalation and when to use them
  • Learn why escalation is crucial for maintaining alignment in autonomous teams
  • Understand the cultural and psychological barriers that prevent effective escalation
  • Gain practical tips for escalating issues well and receiving escalations as a leader
  • Explore strategies for creating a company-wide culture that values and rewards escalation
  • Learn how to build a consensus-driven culture that still enables fast decision-making.
  • Recognize the importance of clear organizational structures in facilitating escalation
  • Hear real-world examples of how effective escalation can positively impact your career and company


The Pact

Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:


Key links


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

Insiders React: WP Engine Feud Explodes + Harvard Hacks Meta Glasses, Zuckerberg’s Porsche Flex, Microsoft’s Nuclear Power Bet

Insiders React: WP Engine Feud Explodes + Harvard Hacks Meta Glasses, Zuckerberg’s Porsche Flex, Microsoft’s Nuclear Power Bet


Are we on the brink of a privacy apocalypse, or is this just the next step in our technological evolution? As smart glasses become more advanced, the line between helpful augmentation and invasive surveillance grows increasingly blurry.


In this episode, Chris and Yaniv dive into the recent hack of Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses by Harvard students, exploring the implications for privacy, AI, and the future of augmented reality.


They also discuss the unexpected connection between nuclear power and AI, Mark Zuckerberg's changing public persona, and the ongoing drama in the WordPress community.


In this episode, you will:

  • Discover how Harvard students turned Meta's smart glasses into powerful surveillance tools
  • Explore the ethical implications of AI-powered facial recognition in everyday life
  • Learn about the growing link between nuclear power and AI data centers
  • Find out why Zuckerberg is flaunting his wealth and what it means for tech culture.
  • Understand the ongoing conflict between WordPress and WP Engine
  • Examine the challenges of maintaining mental health as a successful founder
  • Gain insights into the evolving relationship between open-source projects and commercial entities
  • Consider the impact of COVID-19 and social changes on tech leadership styles


The Pact

Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:


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

Early Execution Overview - Your MVP Sucks (Replay)

Early Execution Overview - Your MVP Sucks (Replay)

In this remastered episode of The Startup Podcast, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad dive deep into the most critical concept for early-stage startups: execution. 

The harsh truth? Your MVP (Minimum Viable Product) probably sucks, but that's okay. 

Chris and Yaniv break down the myths, missteps, and the right approach to iterating and refining your MVP until it becomes a product that users can’t live without.


In this episode, you will:

  • Discover why execution, not ideas, is where the real magic happens in startups
  • Learn how to create a true MVP that validates your riskiest assumptions
  • Understand the crucial difference between pivoting and simply starting over
  • Explore the counterintuitive approach to risk that successful startups embrace
  • Recognize the signs that it's time to pivot or shut down your startup
  • Gain insights into common execution mistakes made by early-stage founders
  • Develop strategies for overcoming emotional barriers to making tough decisions


If you're stuck in the early stages of your startup or need help to take your MVP to the next level, this episode is for you!


The Pact

Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:


Key links


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

Bio of The Startup Podcast

"The Startup Podcast" is a compelling exploration of the distinctive mindset and strategies that underlie the widespread disruption characteristic of Silicon Valley. 

Presented by hosts Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein, this podcast provides listeners with valuable insights into the world of startups and the innovative thinking that fuels their success.

Through engaging discussions and interviews, Saad and Bernstein offer a behind-the-scenes look at the entrepreneurial journey, shedding light on the principles and approaches that drive Silicon Valley's transformative impact on industries.

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