The Startup Podcast

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 wi...

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 impli...

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...

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...

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...

Are you ready for a world where AI and AR are seamlessly integrated into our daily lives? The pace of innovation in these fields is accelerating rapidly, with major announcements from tech giants like OpenAI and Meta reshaping the landscape. In this episode, Chris Saad and Amir Shevat dive deep into the latest developments in AI and AR, exploring their implications for startups, developers, and so...

Are you struggling to close deals, even when you know your product is the best fit? Do you find yourself losing to prospects who freeze up and don't make a decision at all? In this episode, Yaniv and Chris are joined by April Dunford, author of "Obviously Awesome" and "Sales Pitch," to explore the art of crafting the perfect sales pitch. They dive deep into why buying is hard, common pitching mist...

In this week’s Reacts episode, Chris Saad is joined by Yaniv Bernstein to discuss the latest tech and business trends: from the Federal Reserve’s rate cuts and what it means for startups, to the shocking mass resignation at 23andMe, and the release of Snap’s new AR glasses. Together, they break down the biggest headlines: Fed Rate Cuts: Is the Startup Funding Winter Over? How cheaper capital could...

One of the toughest challenges in early-stage startups is managing employee career development. Unlike big corporations, startups thrive on chaos, ownership, and self-driven growth, meaning traditional professional development programs often fall flat.  In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein break down the harsh realities of career development in startups and explain why founders must ret...

Is AI getting smarter, and what does that mean for the future of work? Plus, how is Zuckerberg's new public persona shaking things up at Meta?  In this week’s Reacts episode, Chris Saad is joined by Jordan Crook, former deputy editor at TechCrunch and current partner at Betaworks, along with Amir Shevat, a seasoned tech executive and investor.  Together, they break down the latest tech and bus...

In the brutal world of startups, conviction is your greatest weapon. It fuels momentum, sharpens decisions, and separates thriving startups from those that fade away. Conviction isn’t blind faith or passion. It’s clarity of purpose and commitment to a path, even when challenges arise. Without it, you risk losing focus and becoming a "technology-backed services company" or, worse, facing...

Is the AI hype crashing along with Nvidia’s stock, or are we just witnessing a temporary correction in the tech sector? And what can San Francisco, a city already living in the future, tell us about where innovation is heading? Join Chris Saad and Emil Michael former Chief Business Officer of Uber, in this week’s Reacts episode as they break down the latest movements in the tech world: Nvidia Stoc...

What if one perfect slide could get you funded?  In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein reveal the pitch deck formula that can turn investor skepticism into funding. Whether it’s the top 9 pitch secrets or the one slide that seals the deal, they break down every element to help you avoid critical mistakes and win investor trust. In this episode, you will: Discover the essential slides tha...

What can startup founders learn from bold leadership moves and the challenges of navigating regulatory landscapes? Join Chris Saad, Amir Shevat, Emil Michael , former Chief Business Officer of Uber, and Yaniv Bernstein in this week’s Reacts episode as they unpack the latest maneuvers shaping the tech world: Airbnb's Founder Mode Revolution : Chesky's shift to "Founder Mode" prompts founders to con...

Crafting a winning pitch isn't just about what you say—it's about how you say it. Founders often make stylistic mistakes that can sabotage their chances with investors, even if they have a great product or idea. What are these subtle yet critical errors, and how can you avoid them to secure the funding you need? In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad are joined by Henry Innis, Co-...

Yuhki Yamashita, one of the world's top product design disruptors and Chief Product Officer at Figma, returns in this bonus episode to continue the conversation on how AI is revolutionizing the design landscape. The impact of AI on product design is becoming increasingly profound. But what does this mean for the future of designers and interfaces? And how can startups leverage AI to build prod...

​​Can the aggressive fundraising tactics in Silicon Valley, Lynch’s mysterious yacht conspiracy, and the arrest of Telegram’s CEO help us navigate tech’s hidden dynamics of power and control? Join Chris Saad and Amir Shevat in this week’s Reacts episode as they reveal the most recent complex power plays within the tech industry: Why Silicon Valley Wins: Are VCs in Silicon Valley pushing founders t...

Product design is more than just an aesthetic choice—it's a strategic asset. But many founders unknowingly sabotage their products by overlooking key design principles. How can you avoid these common pitfalls and ensure your startup stands out? In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein are joined by Yuhki Yamashita, Chief Product Officer at Figma , the world’s leading design tool, to exp...

Raising capital in today's market is tough, but navigating these challenges with the right strategy can make all the difference. In this week's episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad tackle: How you raise money in a volatile market? Why are female founders facing even steeper hurdles in securing funding? And how can AI reshape both startups and the future of education? In this episode, th...

Can the latest Trump-Musk interview, Tesla’s RoboTaxi delay, and VC backlash against the FTC trigger a shift in tech innovation? Join Chris Saad and Emil Michael former Chief Business Officer of Uber, in this week’s Reacts episode as they explore how these political developments might reshape the industry. Elon and Trump: Over a billion views—Is this interview a media game-changer for tech billion...

Can the executive shakeup at OpenAI and a historic antitrust ruling against Google reshape the future of AI and tech innovation? Dive into this week’s Reacts episode as Chris Saad and Amir Shevat explore these shifts and their ripple effects across the industry. Exodus at OpenAI: Unpacking the departures of top executives and their implications for AI development. Tech Market Volatility: Analyzing...

Could the launch of SearchGPT by OpenAI and Meta's AI Bots for creators redefine search engines and social media engagement? Discover how these advancements will reshape the tech landscape in this week's Reacts episode, packed with the latest AI updates. Join Ben Parr and Jeremiah Owyang as they discuss with Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein: OpenAI's SearchGPT: Implications for Google, P...

Are you shipping faster than you learn, or learning faster than you ship? Learn the risks of practicing "agile" theater and iterating your product without direction. On this week's episode, product legend John Cutler joins Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein to discuss: Why so many teams get Agile wrong Pros and cons of Agile vs. Waterfall The dangers of practicing Agile by the book vs. based on experi...

Could the rise of Kamala Harris as the new Democratic candidate impact the tech industry in significant ways?  Find out how her presidency, Crowdstrike's massive outage, and Sam Altman's UBI experiment could shape the future of your tech startup in this week's insightful Reacts episode. On this week's episode, Ben Parr and Emil Michael  former Chief Business Officer of Uber, join Chris Saad and Ya...

There's only one big topic in the headlines this week – the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. What will it mean for the future of tech? On this week's episode, Elli Hanson joins Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein to discuss: Knee Jerk Reactions: Immediate thoughts in the aftermath of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Bide 'n' Seek: What (if anything) Joe Biden and the D...