Now We Build

Dhiraj Mukherjee, co-founder of Shazam, shares the founding story of the music identification app and discusses the challenges and successes of building a tech startup. He emphasizes the importance of having a strong and defensible technology, as well as the perseverance and belief in the product during the early years. Dhiraj also talks about his role as an investor and the traits he looks for in...

Simon Duffy, co-founder of Bulldog Skincare, shares his insights on scaling a consumer brand and the challenges faced by founders. He discusses the importance of hiring experts and recognizing the value they bring to the business. Simon also talks about the process of getting Bulldog listed in major retailers and building relationships with buyers. He emphasizes the need for persistence and storyt...

Erin Anderson shares her journey of joining the launch team at Lyft and the strategies they used to successfully enter new markets. She emphasizes the importance of building trust and community with both drivers and riders, and how Lyft differentiated itself from Uber through its brand and mission. Erin also discusses different models for product and operations teams, including a co-founder model...

Heikki Haldre, a serial entrepreneur with four exits, shares his insights on building successful startups and achieving product-market fit. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the problem and market before building a product. He also discusses the challenges of creating MVPs for visionary products and the need to involve customers early on. Haldre highlights the significance of aligning...

Matt discusses his experience with building start-ups, focusing on his first start-up, Pariti, and his role as Chief Product Officer at Tandem. He emphasizes the importance of being product-focused and close to customers in order to deliver value. Matt also talks about the challenges of prioritizing product features and the need for alignment between product and marketing teams. He shares his pers...

Tommy Mermelshtayn, the former Chief of Strategy at Zip, discusses his career journey and the expansion of Zip into new markets. He shares insights into the decision-making process behind entering new markets and the factors considered, such as market size, competitive landscape, and regulatory environment. Tommy also explains the approach of Zip in engaging local talent and the importance of havi...

Ann Hiatt, former chief of staff to Google and Amazon, discusses the role of a chief of staff and the different approaches to innovation taken by Jeff Bezos, Marissa Mayer, and Eric Schmidt. She emphasizes the importance of hiring the right talent, documenting decision-making processes, and setting long-term goals. Hiatt also highlights the value of open debate and challenging ideas within a leade...

Summary Anthony Thomson, the founder of Metro Bank and Atom Bank, discusses his journey in the fintech industry. He shares insights on the founding of Metro Bank, the importance of customer service and convenience, and the recruitment of the right team. He also talks about the marketing strategies and the role of word of mouth in building a customer base. Thomson then delves into the launch of Ato...