Founders + AI

Still refining your product? Deck not perfect? You can still raise money. In the final episode of the season, Michelle Akhidenor and Boon Chew get real about one of the most daunting parts of startup life: fundraising when everything still feels messy. They unpack how early-stage founders can confidently approach investors before they’ve figured everything out. They get into the real talk—how to b...

In this episode of Founders + AI , Michelle Akhidenor and Boon Chew break down why launching quietly is a recipe for crickets. They dismantle the myth of “build it and they will come” and show how top founders build momentum before a single line of code ships. From generating hype with zero budget to collecting validation signals that actually matter, you’ll get tactical strategies to shape percep...

In this episode of Founders + AI , Michelle Akhidenor and Boon Chew get real about what it actually takes to build a solid MVP as an AI founder. Is it a functional product? A pitch-ready prototype? A tool for learning fast? They unpack the true purpose of a Minimum Viable Product — or as some call it, a Minimum Investable Product — and how to build one that helps you test ideas, attract investment...

In this episode of Founders + AI, Boon and Michelle break down one of the biggest myths in tech: that every startup needs a CTO from day one. Spoiler alert—it’s more complicated than that. They dive into what early-stage founders actually need when building a team, especially in the age of AI. Do you need a co-founder, a contractor, a venture studio… or just ChatGPT and a clear vision? Boon shares...

In this episode of Founders + AI, Michelle Akhidenor and Boon Chew explore one of the most overlooked questions in AI product building: Does anyone actually want what you're creating? Before writing a single line of code, you need proof that your idea solves a real problem. This episode breaks down how to test your concept, validate demand, and use AI as a powerful tool to fast-track insights, fee...

In the premiere episode of Founders + AI, Michelle Akhidenor and Boon Chew dive into the one question every founder should be asking: What should I build—and why should it be AI? This episode unpacks how AI can act like an army of workers—helping you move faster, scale smarter, and build with fewer barriers. You’ll get honest insights into what AI can (and can’t) do, how to think practically about...

Building with AI but not sure where to start? You're in the right feed. Founders + AI is the podcast for founders building ambitious things with artificial intelligence. We’re Centaur Lab, a NY-based AI Venture Studio and your virtual tech-cofounder. We’ve helped launch and scale startups worth billions—and now, we’re sharing the playbook. Whether you’re pre-MVP or deep in product-market chaos, Fo...