The Startup Podcast

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...

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...

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 A...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Instagram’s co-founder, Kevin Systrom, helped define the modern social web—now he’s calling out Zuckerberg in court. And are Apple’s smart glasses finally catching up to Meta’s AI-powered wearables? In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein react to some of the biggest headlines in tech and startup land. From explosive testimony by Instagram’s co-founder to Apple’s delayed (but intriguing) e...

In today's fast-paced digital world, capturing and retaining attention is the most valuable currency for startups. But how can you thrive in a hypercompetitive landscape where rejection is the default response? In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad are joined by Ben Parr, acclaimed author of Captivology: The Science of Capturing People’s Attention , to dive deep into the attention econom...

Huawei has just announced a new AI chip—does this mean tariffs accelerating Chinese innovation? This week, Chris Saad, Yaniv Bernstein, and guest Amir Shevat dig into how the AI trade war and tech monopolies are reshaping the global startup landscape. Plus, on a lighter note: why Sam Altman says politeness in AI prompts is surprisingly expensive. In this episode, you will: Break down how China’s H...

Is AI making startups easier—or just changing the rules of the game? In a world where execution is cheap and accessible, building a successful startup is more competitive than ever. In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein unpack the reality of every business having access to the same AI-driven tools, what makes a startup successful in this landscape, and how to quickly adapt in the breakne...

In this episode of The Startup Podcast, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein react to former Meta executive Sarah Wynn-Williams’ jaw-dropping testimony in front of the US Senate Judiciary Committee. She alleges Facebook put profits above all else—including the mental health of young users and even national security. Plus, we discuss the political theater of NVIDIA's $500B commitment to US AI infrastruct...

Ready to raise your seed round but unsure how to de-risk for investors? Discover strategies to avoid pitfalls and secure early-stage funding confidently. In this week's episode, our experts hosts Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad explore: What a seed round truly entails 5 areas you need to de-risk your seed round Common misconceptions and mistakes founders make Why traction is not the same as revenue...

Is AI just a buzzword — or the key to survival in a volatile startup landscape? In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein break down Donald Trump’s shocking “Liberation Day” tariffs and the ripple effect it could have on the global economy — and on your startup. As fears of a recession mount and market uncertainty grows, we explore what founders need to do to weather the storm, protect their...

Is your startup’s PR strategy just a vanity exercise? Most founders make the mistake of announcing fundraising rounds like it’s a badge of honor, hoping for instant traction and credibility. But here's the truth: if you're chasing headlines without a strategy, you're wasting money. In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Jessy Wu, founder of Encour, dive deep into the art of strategic com...

Is Google about to kill SEO forever? Why did OpenAI just raise $40 billion? And is the AI bubble about to burst? The AI arms race is heating up, and the biggest players are making moves that could change everything. But what does this mean for creators, businesses, and the future of search? In this episode, Chris and Yaniv are joined by Hooman Radfar, founder and CEO at Collective, to break down t...

Do you really understand sales? Learn how great startups grow from founder led origins to dynamic regional teams while maintaining a shared company DNA. In this episode, sales team hyper-scalers Matt Loop (Rippling, Slack, LinkedIn, Salesforce) and Matt Plank (Rippling, Zenefits) explain how to build a sales team that doesn't suck. Matt, Matt, and Yaniv discuss: Culture Club: Why early stage found...

Are we on the brink of an AI revolution that will fundamentally reshape society? Or are we overestimating the impact of these new technologies? In this episode, Chris Saad and Michael Jones, General Partner at Science Startup Studio in LA, explore the latest developments in AI, biotech, and tech industry M&A, unpacking their implications for business, ethics, and the future of human-AI interac...

Are you a startup founder considering a partnership with a big player in your industry? Before you sign that deal, you might want to think twice. In this eye-opening episode we dive deep into the dangers of partnering with or selling to incumbents when you're trying to disrupt an industry. Chris and Yaniv explore the concept of "killing your customers" not literally, of course, but in the sense of...

Are tech companies resorting to corporate espionage in the cutthroat world of AI? Is the US losing its grip on global tech dominance? Yaniv, Chris, and Elli explore the shocking lawsuit between former podcast sponsors Rippling and Deel, where allegations of corporate spying have surfaced. They also examine OpenAI's controversial call to ban Chinese rival DeepSeek, and what it reveals about the...

[This episode was originally published on June 25, 2024.] Why is optimizing your ops crucial for startup success? Learn how your business can better bridge the gap between software and operations. On today's show, Chris and Yaniv discuss: Up And Atom: Understanding the difference between 'typical business' ops and 'product enablement' ops, including the Uber concept of 'bit...

Is the stock market's recent nosedive just the beginning of a larger economic shift? As tariffs and political uncertainty rock Wall Street, tech giants like Apple are facing unexpected hurdles in the AI race. Meanwhile, an old internet favorite is poised for a surprising comeback. In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad dive into the turbulent world of tech, finance, and politics. They...

Are you struggling to understand how marketing fits into a product-led company? You're not alone. Many marketers wonder if their role becomes less important when product takes the lead. But what if the opposite were true? In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein explore the evolving role of marketing in product-led organizations. They discuss how marketing can become even more critical...

Are you ready for AI that sounds indistinguishable from a human? The future is arriving faster than you might think. In this episode, Chris and Yaniv dive into the latest developments in AI, from NVIDIA's blockbuster earnings to Amazon's new AI-powered Alexa to eerily realistic voice models that left Chris feeling emotional. They explore the economic impacts rippling through the tech indus...

Have you ever left a VC meeting feeling confused about the feedback you received? Are you tired of trying to decipher cryptic responses from potential investors? In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein dive into the world of venture capital communication, breaking down common phrases VCs use and what they really mean. Drawing inspiration from a LinkedIn post by YC alum Nilay Modi, they exp...