Startups Decoded

Send us a text In this episode of Startups Decoded , Michael Landers shares why culture isn’t just an HR function; it’s a startup’s competitive edge.  We’ll explore how founders can intentionally shape company culture from day one, avoid common leadership pitfalls, and navigate cross-cultural challenges as they scale globally. Key discussion points: Why culture is the foundation of startup su...

Send us a text Many founders are chasing scale, but at what cost?  In this episode, Leila Lahbabi shares how purpose-driven leaders can grow thriving companies without burning out or losing themselves in the process. We explore the real tension between being a present parent and an ambitious entrepreneur, and how to build high-performing teams that unlock freedom rather than dependence. Leila...

Send us a text Matthew Burris joins Startups Decoded to unpack how venture studios are evolving from a misunderstood startup model into a formal, fundable asset class. We explore what’s missing from today’s narrative, the standards being built behind the scenes, and what it will take to legitimize venture studios in the eyes of institutional capital. This is a conversation about quality, vision, a...

Send us a text In this episode of Startups Decoded, Kevin Jurovich (Founder & CEO of Hubble) joins me to unpack the raw, early-stage lessons no one talks about enough: compromise, confusion, burnout, and the clarity that comes after blowing it all up and starting again. From an NFL career, to winging it and rebuilding from scratch, to embracing paid consulting and learning how to truly see peo...

Send us a text In this episode, we explore why the best founders don’t wait for perfect plans—they launch, learn, and build in public.  From early growth hacks to fast feedback loops and sales that start before the product’s finished, we unpack what it really takes to grow quickly and stay ahead. If you're stuck planning instead of building, this one will light a fire. Cory Blumenfeld Cory Bl...

Send us a text Angel investors are no longer just writing checks – they’re becoming strategic advisors, board members, and even fractional executives.  But how do founders attract the right angel investors who bring more than money to the table? Tony Kula Tony Kula is a seasoned entrepreneur with over three decades of experience in the communications sector. He has successfully founded and ex...

Send us a text Chris Tottman, Founding General Partner at Notion Capital, shares how collaboration between radically different thinkers — founders, investors, and operators — creates force-multiplying outcomes.  This episode explores why the best startups aren't built solo, how pattern recognition meets founder intuition, and why energy alignment matters more than experience at early stages....

Send us a text Venture Studios are evolving, and Nobody Studios is at the forefront of building AI-native startups.  In this episode, we explore how AI is redefining startup-building strategies, workflows, and execution. Mark S. McNally shares insights on what it takes to run an AI-driven venture studio and why founders must rethink their approach to leadership, decision-making, and company g...

Send us a text The best VCs aren’t just writing checks, they’re building products . In this episode, I sit down with Jason Shuman , General Partner at Primary Ventures , to explore how modern venture firms are evolving, from thesis-driven investors to full-stack operators. Jason shares an inside look at fundraising in today’s market, what their next fund aims to do differently, and how Primary’s t...

Send us a text Bringing people together is an art, and a strategy. In this episode, I sit down with Madelaine Czufin , founder of EOLO , to break down what it takes to build events and communities that truly drive impact. We cover: How to build a network that activates around your brand Creating real ROI from events, not just a buzz The power of mindful networking (why it isn’t as intimidating as...

Send us a text In this episode, we talk to Majd Alaily, founder of Ruya Advisory, a consultancy that helps startups turn visionary ideas into thriving businesses. With 15+ years of experience in digital innovation, strategy, and product development, Majd shares valuable insights on navigating the startup journey. We talk about building the right tech stack, choosing the right platform, and standin...

Send us a text In this episode of Startups Decoded, I’m joined by Mike MacCombie, partner at Generous Ventures, a NYC-based VC fund known for investing in founders who build with behavioral design in mind. We explore how human behavior shapes startup success and dive deep into the subtle forces that guide (and misguide) founder decisions, from social anchoring to pattern recognition, from framewor...

Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Ben Yoskovitz, founding partner at Highline Beta, to explore the intersection of product, analytics, and venture studios. We dive into: How data-driven decision-making fuels startup growth The role of venture studios in corporate innovation Lessons from Go-Instant’s journey to acquisition by Salesforce Why startups and enterprises must bridge the gap...

Send us a text The startup funding game is changing fast, and so is the early-stage VC model. So… is it time for a reset? In this episode of Startups Decoded , I sit down with Jeff Becker — investor, entrepreneur, and partner at Antler , the fastest-growing global VC firm, to unpack what’s really going on in early-stage venture capital. We explore everything from the decline of the traditional fun...

Send us a text Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have.  As businesses face growing pressure to align with climate targets, the demand for green skills is skyrocketing. In this episode of Startups Decoded , I sit down with Neil Yeoh, CEO of OnePointFive, to discuss how companies can bridge the gap between climate science, finance, and strategy.  We’ll explore the ris...

Send us a text Redefining normal: how brands can challenge culture and win. In this episode, we sit down with Andy Miller, co-founder and CEO of Heaps Normal, to explore how brands can go beyond selling products to reshape cultural norms. Andy shares how Heaps Normal is redefining Australia’s drinking culture, the power of purpose-driven branding, and what it takes to build a movement that resonat...

Send us a text In this episode I sit down with Nick Sgobba to discuss the evolution of product management in the age of AI.  We explore how AI tools are transforming product design, development, and validation processes, emphasizing the need for critical thinking and human creativity in a landscape increasingly dominated by technology. The conversation also touches on the democratization of p...

Send us a text In this episode, sales and go-to-market expert Carol Malakasis breaks down the essential components of a winning go-to-market strategy.  We explore how startups can align sales with the customer journey, prioritize pain points, and repurpose old GTM strategies for new products. Carol also shares best practices for setting realistic launch goals based on sales forecasts.  W...

Send us a text In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape, brand strategy is more crucial than ever. As consumer expectations shift and competition intensifies, modern brands must redefine their approach to stand out and drive sustainable growth. Danish Chan, co-founder of Untangld and founding partner of ‘by The Network,’ brings a wealth of experience in reshaping how brands conne...

Send us a text Venture Studios are not all built the same, some focus on rapid ideation, others on deep operational support, and their structures can vary dramatically. Yet, the industry still struggles with legitimacy in the eyes of investors and founders alike. Are they incubators? Are they funds? How do they truly add value? In this episode, I sit down with Neal Ghosh , an economist-turned-vent...

Send us a text Venture capital isn’t just about writing checks, it’s about creating value. In this episode, we dive into the crucial role of VC platform teams in driving returns. From connecting portfolio companies with key hires and strategic partners to support their growth with tailored resources, platform teams are transforming how VCs deliver value beyond capital.  It is important to exp...

Send us a text Scaling a startup is tough, but what if you are the bottleneck? In this episode, Rachel Hamlin shares how founders can break free from burnout, sharpen focus, and lead with clarity. She dives into why success doesn’t always bring fulfillment, how stress and self-doubt sabotage leadership, and practical ways to scale without sacrificing yourself. If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelme...

Send us a text In this episode, we dive into the art of communicating complex science and technology concepts. Cindy Skalicky, an expert in executive communications and storytelling, shares her strategies for transforming intricate ideas into compelling narratives that resonate with both external audiences and internal teams. Cindy has helped leaders at Google, Microsoft, and JP Morgan Chase eleva...

Send us a text In this episode of Startups Decoded , we’re joined by Crystelle Desnoyer , an accomplished Executive Operator with extensive experience in scaling tech organizations across industries. From growing 26 global companies to her work as Chief of Staff at Techstars, Crystelle shares invaluable insights on how founders navigated 2024 and how they can prepare for sustainable growth in 2025...

Send us a text In this episode of Method: Startups Decoded, Lucy Woolfenden, a founder and dynamic marketing leader with extensive experience in scaling early-stage startups and building high-performing marketing teams, joins us to explore how to transform valuable insights into actionable strategies that fuel growth.  From hiring your first marketer to leveraging customer feedback, Lucy shar...