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151 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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S15E7: Building Legal AI Agents with GC AI Co-Founder and CEO Cecilia Ziniti
3 november 2026 · 58 min
In this episode of The Room Podcast, Madison and Claudia sit down in the studio with Cecilia Ziniti, co-founder and CEO of GC AI. Cecilia shares how growing up as an immigrant, working inside Yahoo’s early trust and safety team, and serving as counsel at technology companies shaped her path from law to entrepreneurship. Cecilia explains the moment a pre-ChatGPT language model convinced her that legal work could change, and how she and co-founder Bardia set out to build a tool for in-house legal teams. She talks about finding early customers, following unexpected signals from the market, fundraising, and why legal buyers quickly saw value in a product built around their actual work. Lees meer
The conversation turns to agents: how a legal team can delegate multistep work, why lawyers need a clear record of what an agent checked, and what AI may free them to do creatively and strategically. Cecilia also looks ahead to how legal teams could work in 2029, the questions of trust and responsibility that come with more capable agents, and the teachers in her family who shaped her approach to helping people adopt new technology.
Learn more about Cecilia Ziniti and explore GC AI.
(04:15) Where did Cecilia grow up, and how did it shape her worldview?
(05:14) Did Cecilia always think she would become a founder?
(06:34) Working at Yahoo before law school
(07:50) What trust and safety meant in the early days of consumer technology
(10:14) Helping the law keep pace with new technology at Cruise
(11:46) What Amazon Alexa and autonomous vehicles taught Cecilia about AI
(13:58) The pre-ChatGPT moment that led to GC AI
(15:57) Meeting co-founder Bardia and deciding to build together
(19:37) Finding early customers and following signals from the market
(20:46) GC AI’s first investors and fundraising lessons
(23:34) Building a legal AI product around what in-house teams need
(26:50) What an investor called violent product-market fit
(27:10) Staying focused when a new model launch shakes the m… -
S15E6: Building an AI-Native HR System with Sergi Bastardas, Co-Founder and CEO of Orbio AI
27 oktober 2026 · 49 min
In this episode of The Room Podcast, we speak with Sergi Bastardas, co-founder and CEO of Orbio AI, a platform using autonomous agents to coordinate the employee journey for frontline workforces. Sergi traces his path from a small town near Barcelona to joining Amazon Spain in its earliest days, and building a global supply-chain business. He shares how a family history of entrepreneurship, a curiosity about the wider world, and Amazon’s culture of operational excellence shaped the way he builds companies. Lees meer
He explains why HR is fundamentally a system of conversations and unstructured data and why Orbio was designed as an agent-native product rather than an AI add-on. From screening and scheduling to onboarding, retention, and exit interviews, Orbio’s agents work across voice, WhatsApp, text, and Teams while keeping people in control of employment decisions.
In this conversation, Sergi breaks down the company’s expansion across languages and markets, what incumbent HR platforms would need to rebuild to become truly agent-native, and why he believes AI will empower frontline workers rather than simply replace them. He also reflects on fundraising, building a global company from Europe, balancing marriage with constant travel, and the coach who changed how he experiences the founder journey.
Learn more about Sergi Bastardas on LinkedIn and explore Orbio AI.
(03:52) Where Sergi grew up and how it shaped his worldview
(06:48) Did Sergi always think he would become a founder?
(08:13) Joining Amazon Spain in its earliest days
(11:18) From Amazon and supply chains to the frontline workforce problem
(13:04) Choosing experienced co-founders for Orbio
(15:52) What AI-native HR means—and why agents are not a bolt-on
(19:03) A day in the life of an Orbio agent
(26:53) Launching first in Spanish and adapting voice agents across markets
(28:07) Orbio’s Series A and the first investors who said yes
(30:07) Building a global company from Europe
(33:02) AI adoption across differ… -
S15E5: Finding Product Market Fit with Fazeshift Co-Founder & CEO Caitlin Leksana
20 oktober 2026 · 53 min
In this episode of The Room Podcast, we speak with Caitlin Leksana, co-founder and CEO of Fazeshift, a company building AI agents for accounts receivable. Caitlin traces her path from growing up outside Washington, D.C., and studying mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech to water-desalination research, BCG, Harvard Business School, and entrepreneurship. She shares how a classmate became her co-founder, why their first crypto startup failed to find product-market fit, and how they found the conviction to pivot instead of walking away. Lees meer
Caitlin explains how her own messy invoicing spreadsheet led the team to hundreds of customer-discovery conversations and eventually to Fazeshift. She breaks down what changed when the founders started with a customer problem instead of a product idea, how Y Combinator helped them find momentum, and what she learned about fundraising, hiring, and building with a co-founder.
The conversation also explores vertical AI in finance: why reliable automation starts with connecting messy data across ERPs, banks, inboxes, and industry-specific systems; how Fazeshift combines AI agents, browser workflows, and hands-on deployments; and why enterprise buyers want solutions to concrete problems rather than abstract AI capabilities.
Learn more about Caitlin Leksana on LinkedIn and explore Fazeshift.
(04:12) Where did Caitlin grow up, and how did it shape her worldview?
(05:14) Did Caitlin always think she would become a founder?
(07:01) Meeting her co-founder at Harvard Business School
(09:00) Starting their first company and realizing it was time to pivot
(11:17) How founders know when to stop pushing and change direction
(12:40) Customer discovery and finding the accounts receivable problem
(16:19) Building the MVP and joining Y Combinator
(18:52) Finding Fazeshift’s first investors and navigating fundraising
(21:50) Hiring mistakes and lessons from building after the pivot
(24:10) How the Y Combinator community supported Fazeshift
(29:43) Is… -
S15E4: From Starlink to AI Marketing Agents with Doug Tallmadge, Co-Founder and CEO of Gradial
13 oktober 2026 · 54 min
In this episode of The Room Podcast, we speak with Doug Tallmadge, co-founder and CEO of Gradial, a company building AI agents to help enterprise marketing teams execute work across their tools and campaigns. Doug traces his path from growing up in Cincinnati and studying physics at Dartmouth to joining SpaceX and helping build Starlink. He shares what working through seemingly impossible engineering challenges taught him and why finding a market for a startup can be a very different problem from building a product people already want. Lees meer
After ChatGPT launched, Doug and his longtime friends left their jobs to start a company. He explains how their broad ambition to bring AI into enterprise work became a focused business in marketing, where campaign briefs, creative assets, tickets, and manual handoffs create a significant operational burden. In this conversation, Doug breaks down how Gradial’s agents have evolved alongside the models, what it takes to earn enterprise trust, and why marketers should be able to plan their budgets without worrying about tokens. He also reflects on fundraising setbacks, managing the emotional swings of building a company, and the professor who backed an unconventional student project that helped launch his career.
Learn more about Doug Tallmadge on LinkedIn and explore Gradial.
(04:13) Where did Doug grow up, and how did it shape his worldview?
(04:50) Did Doug always think he would become a founder?
(05:40) Studying physics at Dartmouth and choosing SpaceX over finance
(08:31) Building Starlink through existential engineering and business challenges
(11:39) Discovering product-market fit versus engineering a product people already want
(13:18) The moment Doug decided to start Gradial
(14:39) Why enterprise work runs on tickets—and why Gradial focused on marketing
(16:49) What goes into a marketing campaign, from brief to distribution
(20:22) Starting a company with longtime friends and roommates
(22:53) Narrowing the product after th… -
S15E3: Building the Future of Sleep with Hatch Co-Founder & CEO Ann Crady Weiss
6 oktober 2026 · 53 min
In this episode of The Room Podcast, we sit down with Ann Crady Weiss, co-founder and CEO of Hatch, to trace the path from her Silicon Valley upbringing and early career in law and technology to building one of the most recognizable names in sleep. Ann shares how her family’s connection to Intel shaped her entrepreneurial ambition, what she learned at Wilson Sonsini and Yahoo, and how the acquisition of her first startup prepared her to build again. Lees meer
Hatch began with a personal problem and evolved from a baby-focused hardware company into a broader sleep platform for children and adults. Ann explains how customer behavior led the team into the adult market, why emotional design and organic love became central to the brand, and how Hatch balances slower hardware cycles with a software-led organization and a growing library of bedtime content.
The conversation also covers Hatch’s appearance on Shark Tank, the long relationship with True Ventures, an early move into Costco, and the discipline of building with real unit economics. Ann shares what she has learned as both a founder and venture partner, why timing and luck matter more than entrepreneurs often admit, and why Hatch emphasizes better sleep habits, phone-free routines, and contactless tracking rather than scores or constant monitoring—even as AI changes how products are built.
Learn more about Ann Crady Weiss on LinkedIn and check out Hatch on their website.
(04:13) Ann’s Silicon Valley childhood and family connection to Intel
(05:05) How Ann’s uncle joined the early Intel team
(05:35) Did Ann always think she would become a founder?
(06:54) How law, Wilson Sonsini, and Yahoo shaped Ann’s early career
(08:59) The acquisition of Ann’s first startup and the path to Hatch
(10:45) The personal need and original product behind Hatch
(12:47) Why Hatch expanded from baby products into the adult sleep market
(14:53) How founders can pursue a large opportunity without losing focus
(16:22) Building emotional connect… -
S15E2: Secure AI Agents for the Future of Work with NanoCo Co-Founder & CEO, Gavriel Cohen
29 september 2026 · 50 min
In this episode of season 15 of The Room Podcast, we speak with Gavriel Cohen, co-founder and CEO of NanoCo and creator of NanoClaw, an open-source framework designed to make powerful AI agents safer and more practical for real-world use. Lees meer
NanoClaw emerged from Gavriel’s own experience using AI agents to run an AI-native marketing agency. After connecting an agent he called “Andy” to his company’s sales pipeline, Gavriel saw the potential for agents to operate less like chatbots and more like persistent digital coworkers—but also recognized the security challenges that come with giving autonomous agents access to sensitive tools, data, email, and business systems.
In this conversation, Gavriel shares the core idea behind NanoClaw: rather than weakening an AI agent, give it powerful capabilities while putting clear boundaries around what it can access—what he describes as putting the agent “in a box.” He also explains why he believes the future of work will involve humans becoming managers of increasingly capable teams of agents, rather than simply replacing people with AI.
Learn more about Gavriel Cohen on LinkedIn and explore NanoCo.
(04:08) Gavriel’s childhood and how it shaped his worldview
(05:33) Did Gavriel always think he would become a founder?
(06:40) Moving from New York to Israel and studying at Tel Aviv University
(08:08) The aha moment behind NanoClaw and Gavriel’s entry into AI agents
(12:52) Why the AI agent market was getting security wrong
(15:32) What is a “Claw” and how do AI agents fit into everyday work?
(20:03) The most surprising ways people are using NanoClaw
(23:50) Raising $12 million and finding NanoCo’s first investors
(37:34) Why Gavriel turned down acquisition interest and kept building independently
(40:18) NanoClaw’s architecture decisions and what still isn’t ready for primetime
(45:13) A woman who has had a profound impact on Gavriel’s life and careerFor The Room Podcast in your inbox every week, subscribe to our newsletter.
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S15E1: Building the Infrastructure for Voice AI with Russ d'Sa, Co-Founder and CEO of LiveKit
22 september 2026 · 1 uur 1 min
In this season 15 opener of The Room Podcast, we speak with Russ d'Sa, co-founder and CEO of LiveKit, a platform for building real-time voice, video, and AI agents. LiveKit began as an open-source project for live audio and video. As developers adopted it, the team built cloud infrastructure to help them scale. A second turning point came when OpenAI used LiveKit to build a voice interface for ChatGPT, revealing how technology built to connect people could also connect people with AI. Lees meer
Russ traces his path from growing up around computers in Canada and Silicon Valley to founding a startup, working at 23andMe and Twitter, and building LiveKit. He shares the unexpected relationships and product decisions that shaped the company, including why he calls it the “accidental AI company.” In this conversation, Russ explains why speaking with an AI requires a different kind of infrastructure from typing to one. He also looks ahead to physical AI and reflects on how becoming a father has changed the way he thinks about success and his values.
Learn more about Russ on LinkedIn and explore LiveKit.
(03:54) Where did Russ grow up, and how did it shape him?
(06:42) Did Russ always expect to become a founder?
(07:30) What screen did Russ watch the documentary on?
(09:09) Has Russ read *Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow*?
(09:17) What was Russ’s first Y Combinator company?
(09:24) Was Russ's company a gaming company?
(11:13) What year did Russ start that company?
(11:40) Did Russ join Twitter after his first startup?
(11:51) How did Russ make the transition to 23andMe?
(13:22) How did 23andMe eventually lead Russ to Twitter?
(16:51) Was Russ's Twitter role in software or content?
(22:45) What was the original idea behind LiveKit?
(30:17) Did LiveKit finally arrive at the right time?
(30:37) Who was LiveKit’s first investor?
(35:35) What has gone differently than planned while scaling LiveKit?
(37:34) Where does LiveKit fit between AI models and the software built around them?… -
Building an Enterprise VC Firm with Jai Das, President and Co-Founder of Sapphire Ventures | Founding the Fund 4
4 augustus 2026 · 53 min
In this bonus episode of The Room Podcast, we speak with Jai Das, President, Partner and Co-Founder of Sapphire Ventures, one of the world's leading enterprise venture capital firms backing category-defining B2B software and AI companies. Lees meer
Sapphire Ventures has invested in companies including monday.com, Box, Square, MuleSoft, Fitbit, ExactTarget, and many others, while building one of the industry's most recognized enterprise-focused venture platforms. Before co-founding Sapphire Ventures, Jai's career spanned software engineering at Oracle, founding startups during the dot-com era, corporate venture investing, and leading the transformation of SAP Ventures into the independent firm it is today.
In this conversation, Jai reflects on the lessons learned across multiple technology cycles, from the early internet to today's AI revolution, sharing how his experiences as an engineer, founder, and investor shaped Sapphire's long-term strategy and investment philosophy.
Learn more about Jai on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaidas
Explore Sapphire Ventures on their website - https://sapphireventures.com/
(05:38) Jai's upbringing in India and journey to Silicon Valley
(08:20) Did Jai always think he would become a founder
(09:37) What was it like being an engineer at Oracle in the 1990s?
(11:51) Did Oracle miss its opportunity in cloud computing?
(13:10) Jai’s startup journey after Oracle and the path to SAP Ventures
(17:53) How did Jai’s first venture investing experience shape your career?
(18:50) What was early corporate venture capital like at Intel and SAP?
(20:57) How should founders think about taking money from corporate VCs?
(23:33) How did SAP Ventures become Sapphire Ventures?
(25:06) How did Sapphire differentiate itself in a crowded VC market?
(28:19) When did Sapphire experience its biggest growing pains?
(32:40) Who was Sapphire Ventures' first LP?
(34:18) Why did Sapphire build a fund-of-funds strategy?
(35:59) What was the first p…
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Turning Content into Competitive Advantage with Packy McCormick | Founding the Fund 3
9 juli 2026 · 44 min
In this bonus episode of The Room Podcast, we speak with Packy McCormick, founder of Not Boring and Not Boring Capital, an investment firm focused on backing ambitious technology companies tackling large, complex industries. Through his writing, investing, and storytelling, Packy has built one of the most influential platforms in venture capital, helping founders explain difficult technical businesses to customers, talent, and investors. Lees meer
Not Boring began as a newsletter during the early months of the pandemic and has since grown into a media platform reaching hundreds of thousands of readers, alongside an early-stage venture fund investing in companies across energy, aerospace, infrastructure, AI, and enterprise software. Rather than chasing trends, Packy focuses on founders building category-defining businesses that require deep conviction and long-term thinking.
In this conversation, Packy shares how storytelling became his competitive edge as an investor, why the best founders think several moves ahead of everyone else, and how developing a unique perspective can create opportunities that traditional venture firms often overlook.
Learn more about Packy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/packymccormick/
Explore Not Boring at https://www.notboring.co/
(04:11) Packy's upbringing and entrepreneurial family
(05:01) Did Packy always think he would become a founder?
(05:50) Early career in finance and startups
(09:16) Starting Not Boring during the pandemic
(12:48) The first article that proved Not Boring was working
(14:04) Growing the newsletter and launching Not Boring Capital
(15:57) The thesis behind Not Boring Capital
(17:23) The first investor to back Not Boring Capital
(17:48) What Packy looks for in exceptional founders
(21:57) Building a venture firm around a personal platform
(23:56) The future of venture capital
(26:36) How storytelling creates an investing advantage
(28:45) Investing in complex businesses
(31:08) An investment that …
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Backing Technical Founders with Amplify Partners Founder Sunil Dhaliwal | Founding the Fund 2
25 juni 2026 · 1 uur 9 min
In this episode of The Room Podcast, we speak with Sunil Dhaliwal, founder and managing partner of Amplify Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on backing technical founders building infrastructure software, developer tools, cybersecurity, AI, and other foundational technologies. Before founding Amplify, Sunil spent 14 years at Battery Ventures, where he invested through both the dot-com boom and bust before launching Amplify in 2012, which today manages more than $2.7 billion in assets. Lees meer
In this conversation, Sunil reflects on the entrepreneurial influence of his parents, lessons learned investing through multiple technology cycles, and the conviction that led him to build Amplify around technical founders long before the rest of the venture industry caught on. We also discuss why venture firms need a clear reason to exist, how long-term relationships become your greatest fundraising advantage, what separates durable investors from emerging managers, why founder "fit" matters more than pattern matching, how technological shifts create entirely new categories of entrepreneurs, and the importance of staying early to transformational markets even when the timing isn't immediately obvious.
Learn more about Sunil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunilnagaraj/
Explore Amplify Partners at https://www.amplifypartners.com/.
(05:52) Sunil's childhood and growing up in Rochester, New York
(08:09) Did Sunil always think he would become a founder?
(09:22) Transferring from Rochester to Georgetown
(11:39) The story behind Sunil's transfer from Rochester to Georgetown
(11:55) Discovering venture capital after college
(15:10) Lessons from investing through the dot-com boom and bust
(16:58) The insight behind founding Amplify Partners
(20:27) The first investor who backed Amplify
(23:13) Starting a venture fund then versus today
(27:09) Bringing Mike Dauber on as a partner
(29:43) How Amplify evaluates technical founders
(32:47) The character…
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Investing in Trillion-Dollar Outcomes with Ben Ling of Bling Capital | Founding the Fund 1
16 juni 2026 · 52 min
In this bonus episode of The Room Podcast, we speak with Ben Ling, Founder and General Partner of Bling Capital, an early-stage venture firm that has backed companies including Airtable, Lyft, Square, Palantir, and many others. Before becoming a full-time investor, Ben held leadership roles at Google, Facebook, and YouTube, where he helped build products at massive scale and gained a front-row seat to some of the most important technology platforms of the last two decades. Lees meer
In this rendition of Founding the fund, Ben shares lessons from moving between operating and investing, what he learned working alongside leaders like Vinod Khosla and Marissa Mayer, and why distribution often matters more than product. We also discuss how Ben built Bling Capital around founder experience, why seed investing has structural advantages over multi-stage funds, how venture investors should think about trillion-dollar outcomes instead of billion-dollar outcomes, and the framework he uses to evaluate both founders and aspiring fund managers.
Learn more about Ben on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminling
And Bling Capital on their website - https://blingcap.com
(06:12) Ben Ling's upbringing between Taiwan and the United States
(07:03) Did Ben always know he wanted to become a founder?
(07:51) Lessons from Google, Facebook, and YouTube on scaling products
(10:45) Why Ben started angel investing
(12:30) What is the modern equivalent of being the "platform insider"?
(13:35) Why Ben joined Khosla Ventures
(16:24) Angel investing versus institutional venture capital
(18:25) Developing conviction as an investor writing larger checks
(22:42) Lessons learned from working with Vinod Khosla
(25:21) Why Ben started Bling Capital
(28:10) Building a founder-first venture firm
(30:51) The first founder and LP who backed Bling Capital
(33:24) Maintaining investment conviction through market cycles
(34:32) Building the team at Bling Capital
(36:00) What Ben looks for when…
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S14E8: From a Shark Tank No to Billion-Dollar Exit with Ring Inventor, Jamie Siminoff
5 mei 2026 · 46 min
In our season finale episode of The Room Podcast, we speak with Jamie Siminoff, inventor of Ring, the smart home security company best known for turning the front door into a connected safety platform. Ring builds video doorbells, cameras, alarms, and neighborhood safety tools that help people monitor and protect what matters most. Lees meer
Before Ring became one of the most recognizable home security brands in the world, Jamie was an inventor building things in his basement, launching companies like PhoneTag and Unsubscribe.com, and learning firsthand that a great product does not always equal a great business. His career has spanned consumer hardware, software, home security, AI-enabled safety tools, and one of the most memorable startup journeys from Shark Tank rejection to Amazon acquisition.
In this conversation, Jamie shares the core insight behind Ring: the company was never really about doorbells; it was about making neighborhoods safer. What started as a personal frustration in his garage became a mission-driven company after his wife said the prototype made her feel safer at home.
We also discuss:
• Why timing matters when building hardware
• The brutal reality of venture dilution and capital-heavy businesses
• Going from $70 million in debt to a billion-dollar Amazon acquisition
• Why AI needs hardware “appendages” to impact the real world
• How Ring thinks about privacy, surveillance concerns, and community safety
• Why founders should look for the “infinite truth” behind what they are building
(05:30) Jamie’s childhood and early inventor mindset
(06:18) Whether Jamie always saw himself becoming a founder
(06:57) Building PhoneTag and learning from voicemail-to-text
(07:52) The idea behind Unsubscribe.com
(08:56) Realizing Ring was more than a personal annoyance
(11:30) The product unlock that made Ring innovative
(13:34) Surprising customer use cases that shaped Ring’s roadmap
(14:41) When Ring launched and how social video was emerging
(16:12…
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S14E7: Building the AI Layer for Legal Work with Scott Stevenson, Co-Founder and CEO of Spellbook
28 april 2026 · 40 min
In this episode of The Room Podcast, we speak with Scott Stevenson, CEO and Co-Founder of Spellbook. Spellbook is an AI-powered platform helping lawyers draft and review contracts faster using generative AI directly within their existing workflows. Lees meer
Spellbook enables legal teams to accelerate contract creation and negotiation by embedding AI into workflow tools allowing for real-time drafting, editing, and comparison against market data. The company sits at the intersection of legal tech and AI infrastructure, transforming how contracts are created by shifting from slow, manual workflows to intelligent, data-driven systems. This conversation explores how startups are fundamentally a pursuit of truth, how AI is reshaping legal work, and why building enduring companies requires deep conviction in a problem over many years.
Scott shares the core insight behind Spellbook: lawyers don’t need entirely new tools. Rather, they need dramatically better versions of what they already use, seamlessly integrated into their workflow.
We also discuss:
• Growing up in Newfoundland and developing an outsider’s perspective on innovation
• The philosophical lens of “competitive truth-seeking” in startups and investing
• Why early product iterations failed despite traction and how the team stayed disciplined on product-market fit
• The generative AI breakthrough moment inspired by GitHub Copilot
• Why most vertical AI companies overcomplicate their tech stack and how leveraging foundation models creates leverage
Learn more about Scott on LinkedIn and explore Spellbook at https://www.spellbook.legal/
(03:13) Scott’s background growing up in Newfoundland
(05:13) Did Scott always see himself becoming a founder?
(05:58) Scott’s philosophy background and metaphysical idealism
(12:13) How music and creativity led to Scott’s first company
(14:33) Why Scott chose to build in legal tech
(16:13) How Scott navigated early product-market fit struggles
(18:23) The pivot moment into …
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S14E6: The End of Waiting for Payday with EarnIn Founder, Ram Palaniappan
21 april 2026 · 30 min
In this episode of The Room Podcast, we speak with Ram Palaniappan, founder and CEO of Earnin, a fintech company reimagining how people get paid by giving employees access to their earnings in real time rather than waiting for traditional payroll cycles. Lees meer
Earnin is building a new kind of payroll system—one that shifts power from employers to employees by enabling on-demand and continuous pay. Instead of the outdated two-week batch system, Earnin is pioneering a streaming model for income, where workers can access wages as they earn them, improving financial stability and reducing reliance on overdrafts and late fees.
Ram’s journey into founding Earnin didn’t begin with the intention to start a company—it began by manually helping employees avoid overdraft fees by advancing their earned wages. That scrappy, human-first solution evolved into a scaled fintech platform now used by millions, reshaping how payroll is experienced across the U.S.
In this conversation, Ram shares the core insight behind Earnin: payroll is fundamentally a broken digital product, and like all digital systems, it should evolve from batch processing to real-time streaming.
We also discuss:
• Why payroll has remained one of the last “batch-based” systems in a real-time world
• The infrastructure behind streaming wages second-by-second
• Lessons from navigating COVID when usage dropped 60% almost overnight
• How Earnin used capital to forgive millions in consumer debt
• Why giving employees control over pay improves income, attendance, and financial outcomes
Learn more about Ram on LinkedIn and explore Earnin at https://www.earnin.com/
(04:55) Ram’s childhood and early experiences growing up in India
(06:40) Whether Ram always saw himself becoming a founder
(08:12) The fintech landscape when Earnin was first being built
(09:58) Why payroll has remained a batch-based system
(11:12) The transition from RushCard to launching Earnin
(12:42) The infrastructure behind real-time and strea…
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S14E5: Building the Red Bull for Relaxation with Ben Witte, Founder and CEO of Recess
14 april 2026 · 41 min
In this episode of The Room Podcast, we sit down with Ben Witte, Founder and CEO of Recess, a consumer wellness brand pioneering a new category of functional beverages designed to help people relax, unwind, and feel better in an increasingly high-stress world. Recess blends ingredients like magnesium, adaptogens, and other functional compounds into beautifully branded drinks that position themselves as the “Red Bull for relaxation.” Lees meer
Before launching Recess, Ben built his career in early-stage startups and hypergrowth companies like AdRoll, where he developed a deep understanding of digital marketing, brand building, and emerging consumer trends.
In this conversation, Ben shares the core insight behind Recess: that relaxation would define the next major consumer category, driven by rising anxiety, changing alcohol consumption habits, and a cultural shift toward mental wellness. We dive into lessons on identifying non-obvious trends early, building a lifestyle brand in a crowded CPG market, and navigating major challenges like regulatory uncertainty and COVID-driven disruption. Ben also unpacks his philosophy on category creation, why great brands market outcomes instead of ingredients, and how founders should think about fundraising, timing, and long-term vision when building enduring companies.
We also discuss:
• How Recess validated product-market fit through user behavior
• Building a brand-first flywheel using digital and DTC channels
• Navigating the CBD regulatory crisis and COVID simultaneously
• Fundraising strategy in capital-intensive categories like beverages
• The long-term evolution of alcohol moderation and non-alcoholic drinks
Learn more about Ben on LinkedIn and explore Recess at https://takearecess.com/
(04:59) Ben Witte’s childhood and early influences
(05:24) Whether Ben always saw himself becoming a founder
(06:15) Early career and entry into startups through AdRoll
(08:36) The aha moment behind starting Recess
(11:16) Choosing adap…
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S14E4: Why Usage-Based Billing Is Inevitable with Metronome Co-Founder Scott Woody
7 april 2026 · 50 min
In this episode of The Room Podcast, we speak with Scott Woody, Co-Founder of Metronome, a platform helping companies implement usage-based billing and modernize how they monetize software. Lees meer
Metronome enables businesses to move beyond rigid subscription pricing and instead charge customers based on actual product usage. The platform sits at the core of a new shift in SaaS: pricing that aligns directly with value delivered, rather than seats or static tiers, giving companies more flexibility and better feedback loops on how their products are used.
This episode explores how billing and pricing infrastructure are becoming critical levers for modern software companies and why aligning pricing with value will define the next generation of SaaS businesses.
Before founding Metronome, Scott founded Foundry (later acquired by Dropbox) and went on to spend six years at Dropbox leading engineering teams, where he helped scale monetization systems from $200M to over $1B in revenue. His experience operating at scale deeply informed how he approached building billing infrastructure from the ground up.
In this conversation, Scott shares the core insight behind Metronome: pricing is one of the most important yet underbuilt parts of software, and usage-based billing unlocks a more accurate reflection of customer value. He also reflects on early founder lessons, recognizing product-market fit, and why solving “unsexy” problems can lead to the biggest opportunities.
We also discuss:
• Lessons from building and shutting down his first startup, Foundry
• Scaling monetization systems inside Dropbox during hypergrowth
• Why usage-based pricing is more aligned with long-term customer value
• Early signals of product-market fit and how to recognize them
• Building trust and reliability in core infrastructure products
• Navigating the acquisition of Metronome by Stripe
Learn more about Scott on LinkedIn and explore Metronome at https://metronome.com/
(04:50) Scott’s childhood a…
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S14E3: Ryan Daniels, Founder & CEO of Crosby, on Legal Services in the Age of AI
31 maart 2026 · 45 min
In this episode of The Room Podcast, we speak with Ryan Daniels, Founder and CEO of Crosby, an AI-first law firm rethinking how legal work gets delivered. Crosby combines AI systems with human legal expertise to provide faster, more transparent, and more scalable legal services, moving away from traditional billable hours toward outcome-driven work. Lees meer
Crosby is part of a broader shift in professional services, where AI is not just augmenting workflows but fundamentally reshaping how services are delivered. Instead of selling tools to lawyers, Crosby operates as a full-stack legal provider, meeting customers where trust already exists while embedding AI into the core of legal execution.
In this conversation, Ryan shares the core insight behind Crosby: legal work is only partially about legal expertise, and largely about understanding business context, speed, and responsiveness. AI enables a shift where repetitive work is automated, allowing lawyers to focus on high-judgment decisions that actually impact outcomes.
We also discuss:
• Why selling tools to lawyers wasn’t enough and the importance of building a full-stack service
• The broken incentives behind billable hours and how Crosby rethinks pricing
• How trust plays a central role in legal services and in adopting new technology
• The concept of “taste” in AI and maintaining high-quality outputs in critical workflows
• The future role of lawyers as AI handles more of the repetitive work
• Lessons from early customer behavior and product iteration
• The mindset required to build in a rapidly evolving AI landscape
This episode explores how AI is transforming professional services and why the next generation of legal companies will be built around integrated systems, speed, and aligned incentives rather than legacy workflows.
Learn more about Ryan on LinkedIn and Crosby at their company website.
(04:14) Crosby’s exciting news!
(06:31) Ryan’s childhood and how it shaped his worldview
(07:22) Growing up …
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S14E2: Alex Halliday, Founder of AirOps, on Content Engineering and the AI Marketing Stack
24 maart 2026 · 51 min
In this episode of The Room Podcast, we speak with Alex Halliday, founder and CEO of AirOps, a platform helping companies build AI-powered content workflows and automate complex marketing operations. Lees meer
AirOps enables marketing and growth teams to orchestrate large-scale content generation using structured workflows, AI models, data integrations, and human-in-the-loop systems. The platform is part of a new category emerging in the AI ecosystem: the AI marketing stack, where companies move beyond simple prompt-based tools and instead build repeatable systems for producing high-quality content.
Before founding AirOps, Alex built viral fan websites as a teenager and later founded SocialGo, eventually becoming the youngest CEO of a publicly traded company in the UK. His career has spanned early internet startups, hypergrowth technology companies, and now the modern AI platform landscape.
In this conversation, Alex shares the core insight behind AirOps: great AI-generated content requires content engineering, meaning multi-step workflows that combine models, structured data, and human review rather than relying on a single prompt.
We also discuss:
• Alex’s early experience building viral websites and the origin of SocialGo
• Lessons from becoming one of the youngest public-company CEOs in the UK
• The importance of learning velocity as a competitive advantage for startups
• Why the gap between AI-generated text and publishable content is larger than most teams realize
• The concept of content engineering and why structured AI workflows matter
• How AirOps discovered its initial product-market fit with marketing teams
• Advice for founders raising venture capital in the AI startup environment
• Why early-stage startups should focus obsessively on a narrow user segment
• The emotional discipline required to navigate the founder journey
This episode explores how AI is reshaping marketing infrastructure and why the next generation of software companies will be bu…
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S14E1: Nirav Tolia, Nextdoor CEO, on Building Community Platforms, Product-Market Fit, and the Future of AI in Local Networks
17 maart 2026 · 1 uur 10 min
In this season opener of The Room Podcast, we speak with Nirav Tolia, the co-founder and CEO of Nextdoor, the neighborhood network designed to connect verified neighbors and strengthen local communities. Lees meer
Nirav shares and refelcts the story behind building Nextdoor, one of the world’s largest hyperlocal social platforms, and reflects on the lessons he has learned scaling a product designed around real-world communities.
Before founding Nextdoor, Nirav was one of the first 100 employees at Yahoo, where he witnessed the rise of the early consumer internet and the power of network effects. He later co-founded Round Zero, an early startup studio that helped shape his thinking about entrepreneurship and product development.
In this conversation, Nirav discusses:
• Growing up in Odessa, Texas, as the child of Indian immigrant physicians, and how those experiences shaped his understanding of belonging and community
• Why he never planned to become a founder and how failure at Stanford University helped him find his strengths
• The early days of Yahoo and how the dot-com era influenced his entrepreneurial path
• The founding story behind Nextdoor and the challenge of building a platform designed for neighborhoods rather than global networks
• How founders can identify product-market fit, including his framework of building a “painkiller vs. vitamin” product
• The responsibility technology companies have when platforms surface bias, trust, and safety challenges
• Why Nextdoor prioritizes quality of interactions over pure scale and engagement metrics
• How Nirav thinks about the role of artificial intelligence in local communities, and why he believes AI should act as an advisor rather than a driver
Learn more about Nirav Tolia on LinkedIn and explore Nextdoor at nextdoor.com.
(03:51) Growing up in Odessa, Texas, and how early experiences shaped Nirav’s worldview
(07:31) Why Nirav never planned to become a startup founder
(09:51) Transitioning from pre-med to a…
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From Stitch Fix to AI Search with Daydream Founder Julie Bornstein | Inside Summit 2025 [LIVE]
23 december 2025 · 36 min
Welcome back to another episode of The Room Podcast! This week, Claudia and Madison sit down with Julie Bornstein, founder and CEO of Daydream, a new AI-powered shopping platform reimagining how people discover fashion online. Julie is a two-time founder with deep roots in digital commerce, having previously helped build Stitch Fix and later founded The Yes, which was acquired by Pinterest. With decades of experience at the intersection of retail, technology, and consumer behavior, Julie has been at the forefront of how people shop as the internet — and now AI — evolves. Lees meer
In this episode, Julie shares why search has always been the hardest and most important problem in e-commerce, and how generative AI finally unlocks a more human way to shop. She walks through the lessons she learned building algorithmic fashion at Stitch Fix, why inventory ownership limits personalization, and how The Yes shaped her thesis around intent-driven discovery. We also dive into founding Daydream after an acquisition unwind, the challenges of hiring the right early team, navigating retailer relationships without becoming an ads business, and what the future of shopping looks like when your stylist lives in your pocket. Tune in for a masterclass on consumer AI, founder resilience, and why being early — twice — doesn’t make it easier the third time around.
(00:00) Introduction
(05:20) Where did Julie grow up and how did it shape her view of the world?
(06:31) Did Julie always think she would become a founder?
(07:42) How did Julie’s early career in retail and e-commerce shape what she’s building today?
(09:59) How did Julie’s philosophy evolve from Stitch Fix to The Yes to Daydream?
(11:54) Why did Julie decide to become a founder again after selling The Yes to Pinterest?
(14:54) How does Daydream avoid getting squeezed between retailers and consumers?
(17:58) Who is Daydream’s core customer and why did Julie choose them first?
(18:45) Who was the first investor to say yes to Daydream?
(… -
Ethical AI, Iteration Velocity, and the Future of Software with Grant Lee (Gamma), Noah MacCallum (Open AI), Malte Ubl (Vercel), Chris Messina (Product Leader), Ash Kumrah (The AI Collective) | Inside Summit 2025 [LIVE]
16 december 2025 · 36 min
In this special live panel episode of The Room Podcast from Inside Summit 2025, host Ash Kumra sits down with an all-star group of AI and product leaders: Noah MacCallum of OpenAI, Grant Lee of Gamma, Malte Ubl of Vercel, and Chris Messina, inventor of the hashtag and longtime product strategist. Together, they represent the cutting edge of applied AI, developer platforms, design tooling, and the social technologies that shaped how we communicate today. Lees meer
Throughout the conversation, the panel digs into what ethical AI actually means in practice, how founders should think about scaling from early demos to real-world robustness, and why “iteration velocity” may matter more than perfection. From Noah’s breakdown of vibes-based iteration versus formal evals, to Chris’s framing of AI as a new expressive medium rather than just a technology, this episode is packed with perspective for builders navigating the next era of software. The discussion ultimately challenges founders to focus less on hype and more on clarity of vision, taste, and long-term impact.
(00:00) Introduction
(04:28) Who are the panelists and what is each of them building or focused on today?
(06:39) How does Noah define ethical AI, and where do the real risks show up in practice?
(08:02) How should early-stage AI companies think about trust, safety, and responsibility?
(11:26) What advice would the panel give founders trying to scale AI products from one to one hundred?
(12:21) How do founders balance intuition, taste, and formal evals when improving AI products?
(13:32) Why is long-term founder conviction more important than early AI traction?
(14:33) How should founders think about AI as a medium rather than just a technology?
(17:42) Which industries remain underexplored for AI, despite the current hype cycle?
(20:25) Which customer segments surprised Gamma as adoption scaled beyond early users?
(23:30) What unexpected user behaviors emerged during the early days of social media and AI?
(27:00) What… -
Navigating the New M&A Landscape with Indy Guha (VMG), Jared Roesch (OctoAI), Dan Kang (Mercury), Michelle Edwards (Perkins Coi) | Inside Summit 2025 [LIVE]
9 december 2025 · 35 min
In this special Inside Summit episode of The Room Podcast, Claudia moderates a powerhouse panel featuring Michelle Edwards, Partner at Perkins Coie, Indy Guha, GP of VMG, Dan Kang, CFO of Mercury, and Jared Roesch, a founder who recently exited to NVIDIA. Lees meer
When startups challenge incumbents, winning deals requires more than just a great product. This episode shares how to master founder sales by building strong relationships and leveraging insider knowledge. Learn about crafting a compelling sales strategy and how to sell effectively, even when facing executive changes. With perspectives spanning legal, investor, financial, and operator experience, the panel breaks down how deals get sourced, what drives acquirer motivation, and how macro conditions—from AI acceleration to shifting public markets—are reshaping the paths available to startups.
In this conversation, the group shares tactical lessons on preparing your company years before an exit, cultivating strategic relationships, and understanding the human and emotional realities of selling a business. They explore why deals fall apart, how founders can signal readiness to buyers, and why the best outcomes often begin long before a term sheet is drafted. Whether you're raising, scaling, or fielding interest from potential acquirers, this episode offers clear, actionable insights for building toward a successful transaction.
(00:00) Introduction
(06:05) What has each panelist’s experience been with M&A?
(08:51) How is M&A shifting in 2025 from the investor side?
(10:56) What is driving more companies towards M&A?
(12:25) What are some of the most common structural shifts in deals today versus the past?
(14:49) When does a founder know acquisition is the right path?
(17:41) What is something that most founders don’t think of when it comes to being acquired?
(21:28) How does a founding team build relationships with investors?
(23:28) What red flags should a buyer or seller be looking for during negotiations?
(28:2… -
Solving Data Fragmentation at Scale with Michel Tricot, Co-Founder & CEO of Airbyte | Inside Summit 2025 [LIVE]
2 december 2025 · 26 min
Welcome back to another LIVE rendition of The Room Podcast! This week, we are back at our live conference, Inside Summit. Listen in as we sit down with Michel Tricot, Co-Founder and CEO of Airbyte — the open-source platform that’s transforming how companies move data across their modern stacks. Airbyte gives teams the ability to extract and load data from virtually any source, empowering both AI-native companies and legacy enterprises to sync their information seamlessly and securely across hundreds of tools. Lees meer
In this conversation, Michel shares the lessons behind scaling Airbyte from its first connector to 600+, building open source community momentum, and navigating shocks like COVID and a disrupted engineering team during the war in Ukraine. We dive into why ELT architecture matters, what separates AI-native companies from incumbents trying to adopt AI, and why founders should optimize for survival before anything else. Tune in for tactical guidance on fundraising, building at “internet scale”, breaking data silos, and how to stay grounded when the journey becomes nonlinear — because it always does.
(00:00) Introduction
(04:23) Where did Michel grow up and how did that shape his view of the world?
(05:09) Did Michel always think he was going to become a founder?
(05:35) What early career milestones led Michel to move to San Francisco?
(07:56) What insights brought Michel to want to develop a better data stack?
(09:25) How did Michel transition from full-time work to launching an open-source solution and building Airbyte?
(11:05) Why did Michel choose to name Airbyte’s architecture as “ELT”?
(12:01) How did the “ELT” architecture choice influence decisions around scaling the company?
(13:15) What was Airbyte’s first connector?
(13:33) What was harder — going from 1 to 50 connectors or from 50 to 600?
(14:20) Who was the first person to ever say yes to investing in Michel?
(14:47) What metrics convinced investors that Airbyte was a billion-dollar-plus market?
(15… -
S13E8: Designing Payroll for Small Businesses with Gusto’s Co-Founder, Tomer London
18 november 2025 · 48 min
Welcome back to The Room Podcast! This week, Claudia and Madison sit down with Tomer London, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Gusto, the all-in-one people platform that simplifies payroll, benefits, and HR for over 400,000 small businesses across the U.S. From humble beginnings as ZenPayroll, Gusto has become one of the most beloved products in the SMB ecosystem—known for turning one of the most stressful business tasks into a delightful experience. Lees meer
In this episode, Tomer shares the personal roots behind Gusto’s mission—growing up around his family’s small clothing store in Israel—and how those early lessons shaped his empathy for small business owners. He walks us through finding the right customer base, building emotional resonance into product design, and why “customer love” is the most powerful growth channel. Listeners will gain valuable insights into startup decision-making, measuring true product–market fit, and the mindset needed to scale from a scrappy YC-backed idea into a category-defining company.
(00:00) Introduction
(05:25) Where did Tomer grow up and how did that shape his view of the world?
(05:50) Did Tomer always think he would become a founder?
(10:13) What early challenges inspired Tomer to build something of his own?
(11:23) What were Tomer’s first experiences like coming to the U.S. as an immigrant?
(13:33) What was the “aha” moment that led to starting Gusto?
(16:38) What were some early moments when things didn’t go as planned?
(20:11) How did Gusto find product–market fit with small businesses?
(23:51) What advice does Tomer have for founders navigating their beachhead market?
(26:26) How did Gusto create emotional connection and delight through product design?
(29:11) What has leading Gusto taught Tomer about building teams and company culture?
(33:11) How does Gusto approach innovation while staying true to its mission?
(36:04) How does Gusto assist businesses and customers during crisis moments?
(38:04) How is Gusto adapting to … -
S13E7: Reimagining Content, Provenance, and AI with Cloudflare’s VP of Product, William Allen
11 november 2025 · 41 min
Welcome back to another episode of The Room Podcast! This week, Claudia and Madison sit down with William Allen, Head of Emerging Tech and AI at Cloudflare, and previously a key leader at Adobe and Behance. Will has spent his career at the intersection of creativity, technology, and infrastructure—from helping launch TED Talks and building Behance into a global hub for creatives, to leading initiatives like the Content Authenticity Initiative that aim to make the internet more trustworthy. Lees meer
In this episode, Will shares insights on the evolution of digital content, the challenges of building authenticity in an AI-driven world, and what it takes to create infrastructure that both empowers creators and protects their work. He discusses lessons learned from scaling startups, navigating acquisitions, and fostering innovation within large companies. Listeners will walk away with actionable takeaways on balancing speed with integrity, building products for real users, and creating a “better internet” rooted in trust and transparency.
(00:00) Where did Will grow up and how did that shape his view of the world?
(01:09) Did Will always think he would become a founder like he did with Chamber?
(03:17) Was that first startup what led him to Adobe?
(04:38) What was it like launching TED Talks for the first time?
(06:35) What did Will learn from his decade at Adobe and leading Behance?
(09:06) How did those experiences shape what Will wanted to do next in his career?
(10:25) How did Will transition from Chamber to joining Cloudflare?
(11:12) What was it like selling his startup and choosing not to join the acquiring company?
(12:21) What was the idea that finally convinced him to join Cloudflare?
(14:00) How is Cloudflare balancing protection and innovation in the AI era?
(16:05) What advice does Will have for founders building resilient infrastructure in the age of AI?
(18:18) What’s something that didn’t go as planned while building or launching a product?
(21:04) How does Cl… -
S13E6: How Almost Friday Media is Shaping the Next Era of Entertainment with Jack Barrett
4 november 2025 · 32 min
We are back with another live rendition of The Room Podcast! This week, Madison sits down with Jack Barrett, Co-Founder and CEO of Almost Friday Media, the creative force behind the viral comedy brand Friday Beers. After starting and leaving his career in investment banking, Jack followed his storytelling instincts into media, co-founding a creator-first company that now spans comedy, live events, digital media, and even its own beer brand. Almost Friday Media has quickly become a cultural touchpoint for millennial and Gen Z audiences craving authenticity, humor, and community online. Lees meer
In this episode, Jack shares how moments of failure shaped his path, how comedy can connect people across generations, and what it takes to build a modern media business in the era of TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram Reels. Listeners will hear insights on evolving with algorithms, scaling creator ecosystems, and staying true to a mission that celebrates friendship, optimism, and laughter. Listen in as we take a look at how Almost Friday Media became a blueprint for the future of entertainment—where community meets creativity.
(00:00) Introduction
(02:00) Jack’s upbringing in Greenwich and how family and sports shaped his creative drive.
(04:20) Madison on her childhood and early curiosity about tech and creativity online.
(06:10) The role of siblings, humor, and community in shaping perspective.
(06:50) Jack’s Dartmouth years, finding identity, rejection from Yale, and lessons on belonging.
(08:45) Discovering campus culture & humor, how fraternity life and writing led toward comedy.
(09:50) What Jack learned (and hated) about his first career path.
(10:45) Meeting Radical Media’s John Kamen and discovering the power of storytelling.
(11:10) Launching a podcast during COVID and finding purpose in connection.
(13:40) Why storytelling became essential for investors and founders alike.
(15:00) Birth of Friday Beers, from Instagram memes to a viral cultural brand.
(16:45) Defining “Friday… -
S13E5: From Palantir to Hex — How Barry McCardel and Caitlin Colgrove Built the Modern Data Workspace
28 oktober 2025 · 47 min
We are back with another live installment of The Room Podcast! This week, we sit down with Barry McCardel and Caitlin Colgrove, Co-Founders of Hex, the collaborative data workspace trusted by teams around the world. Hex empowers data scientists, analysts, and business operators to explore, visualize, and share insights in one connected platform—bringing together code, no-code tools, and now AI-powered features that make data storytelling seamless and accessible to everyone. Lees meer
In this episode, Barry and Caitlin unpack Hex’s origin story, from their early days at Palantir to building one of the most beloved modern data tools. They share how deep empathy for early users shaped their product decisions, why great co-founding relationships require shared values and “stress testing,” and what it means to truly be “AI-first” in 2025. You’ll also hear lessons on problem-driven entrepreneurship, managing investor relationships, and how Hex is redefining what it means for everyone to be a data person.
(00:00) Introduction
(06:47) Where did Barry and Caitlin grow up and how has that shaped their view of the world?
(09:12) Did Barry and Caitlin always think they would become founders?
(10:02) How did time at Palantir shape Barry and Caitlin’s conviction to start Hex?
(12:45) What was the “aha” moment that made Barry and Caitlin decide to actually start Hex full-time?
(15:02) What advice would Barry and Caitlin give to founders looking to find or choose the right co-founders?
(16:48) What is Hex’s core product and who is it built for?
(18:18) Is Hex an AI-native company, and how does AI integrate into the product and strategy?
(22:16) What is “Hex Magic,” and what has building AI features taught you about product development?
(25:13) Who was the first person to believe in Hex and invest?
(27:29) How do Barry and Caitlin work with their board, and what’s that dynamic like as founders?
(30:07) How do Barry and Caitlin think about scaling culture as the company grows?
(32:21) What … -
S13E4: From Sleeping at AOL to Building Bolt with Eric Simons, Founder and CEO of Bolt.new
21 oktober 2025 · 42 min
Welcome back to The Room Podcast! This week, Claudia and Madison sit down with Eric Simons, Co-Founder and CEO of StackBlitz and creator of Bolt.new, the AI-powered development platform redefining how people build web and mobile apps. From humble beginnings coding in Naperville, Illinois, to literally living inside AOL’s Palo Alto offices at age 19, Eric’s journey is a Silicon Valley legend. StackBlitz emerged from a desire to eliminate setup friction for developers, enabling instant browser-based coding environments that reimagined how software gets built. Lees meer
In this episode, Eric shares the highs and lows of the founder journey — from near-shutdown to a $20M ARR turnaround powered by Bolt’s viral AI tools. He offers candid advice on knowing when to pivot, how to approach investors during uncertain times, and why obsession and experimentation are critical to surviving the startup grind. Tune in for insights on product-market fit, storytelling as a leadership superpower, and what the “vibe coder” movement means for the next generation of builders.
(00:00) Introduction
(04:40) Where did Eric grow up and how has that shaped his view of the world?
(06:08) Did Eric always think he would become a founder?
(08:06) How did Eric’s early interests, like acting, shape his storytelling and leadership today?
(08:08) How did Eric gain attention as the “AOL Squatter” and what did that experience teach him?
(12:04) What was the original idea behind StackBlitz and the aha moment that started it?
(14:52) How did Eric convince early investors and engineers that StackBlitz was even possible?
(16:48) How did StackBlitz navigate finding product-market fit and monetization challenges?
(19:55) What advice does Eric have for founders at a crossroads between pivoting or shutting down?
(21:51) In Eric’s words, what is Bolt and who is it built for?
(22:59) How did Eric shift his storytelling as Bolt expanded beyond developers?
(24:37) Who was the first person to believe in Eric and say yes to… -
S13E3: Creating Longevity Drugs for Dogs with Celine Halioua, Founder of Loyal
14 oktober 2025 · 45 min
Welcome back to another episode of The Room Podcast! This week, we sit down with Celine Halioua, Founder and CEO of Loyal, a biotech company pioneering FDA-approved longevity drugs for dogs. From a childhood surrounded by rescue animals to an academic journey through neuroscience, health economics, and venture capital, Celine’s path to entrepreneurship is as winding as it is inspiring. Today, Loyal is leading the charge in redefining what’s possible in veterinary medicine—aiming not just to treat disease, but to extend healthy lifespan itself. Lees meer
In this episode, Celine shares how her scientific curiosity about aging and her love for animals converged into a singular mission. She takes us behind the scenes on the founding story of Loyal—from a chance conversation around a campfire, to navigating the capital-intensive world of biotech, to winning over regulators and pet parents alike. Listeners will walk away with hard-earned insights about fundraising in uncertain markets, balancing ambition with operational discipline, and the importance of being both scientifically rigorous and soulfully driven when building something truly generational.
(00:00) Introduction
(05:00) How did Celine’s early upbringing in Austin shape her worldview?
(06:31) Did Celine always think she’d become a founder?
(06:49) What early research made Celine believe in longevity as a real field?
(08:51) How did Celine’s love for dogs intersect with her scientific passion?
(10:48) What was the aha moment behind starting Loyal?
(16:14) What was it like convincing early investors and team members to believe in Loyal?
(19:41) Who was the first person to invest in Celine and Loyal?
(21:29) How did Celine build trust with both regulators and pet owners?
(24:24) What’s a moment that didn’t go as planned, and how did Celine turn it around?
(30:47) Is it challenging to build a brand while the product isn’t ready to go to market?
(34:17) Is getting a drug for animals approved by the FDA different than a drug… -
S13E2: Scaling Warp and Supercharging Developers with AI with Founder Zach Lloyd
7 oktober 2025 · 46 min
This week on The Room Podcast, Claudia and Madison sit down with Zach Lloyd, Founder and CEO of Warp. Before founding Warp, Zach spent nearly a decade at Google, where he led engineering on Google Sheets and Docs, and later co-founded the startup Self-Made before launching Warp in 2020. Warp is a modern re-imagining of the command line, transforming one of the most widely used developer tools into an AI-powered, productivity-boosting experience. Lees meer
In this episode, Zach shares lessons from his challenge of finding the right founder–market fit, we explore how Warp integrates AI into developer workflows, why timing mattered during the ChatGPT wave, and the importance of retention before growth. Tune in for insights on building developer-first products, rethinking foundational tools, and how to adapt a startup in a fast-moving AI landscape.
(0:00) Introduction
(04:54) Where did Zach grow up and how did that shape his view of the world?
(06:04) Did Zach always see himself becoming a founder or CEO?
(07:07) How did Zach’s early years shape his career path, and why did he leave law school after one year?
(09:37) How did Zach’s time at Google shape some of the insights behind Warp?
(11:47) What did Zach’s first startup Self-Made do, and how did that experience influence Warp?
(15:08) Why was the developer tools space so exciting and important for Zach to tackle with Warp?
(18:41) In Zach’s words, what is Warp and how does AI supercharge the new terminal experience?
(21:52) What was Zach’s “oh shit” moment in November 2022 when AI changed Warp’s trajectory?
(24:58) How did Zach explain this AI-driven shift in product direction to investors?
(26:53) What were Warp’s first growth inflection points and what drove that traction?
(29:34) How did Warp differentiate itself from the explosion of AI coding tools after ChatGPT’s launch?
(31:27) Who was the first person to invest in Warp?
(33:29) What were some of the toughest user-experience or branding challenges Warp faced early on… -
S13E1: Reinventing Work Through AI-Native Communication with Craig Walker, Founder & CEO of Dialpad
30 september 2025 · 53 min
In this episode of The Room Podcast, hosts Claudia Laurie and Madison McIlwain sit down with serial entrepreneur Craig Walker, founder and CEO of Dialpad. Lees meer
Craig’s story begins in Cupertino, back when apricot orchards defined the neighborhood and a young Steve Jobs lived just a few houses down. From those early days in Silicon Valley, Craig went on to earn degrees from Berkeley and Georgetown before starting his career as an M&A lawyer advising Cisco, Kleiner Perkins, and Sequoia. That legal lens shaped his entrepreneurial instincts and prepared him for the rollercoaster ride of building companies through both downturns and booms.
Craig shares the pivotal moments behind:
Rescuing Dialpad Communications in the wake of the dot-com crash, cutting $3M in monthly burn down to $100K.
Founding GrandCentral, which became Google Voice after its acquisition by Google in 2007.
Launching UberConference, later rebranded as Dialpad Meetings, and returning to his passion for modern communications.
We dive deep into how Dialpad became an AI-native platform, from the bold $50M acquisition of TalkIQ in 2018 to pioneering real-time transcription, sentiment analysis, and call coaching. Craig explains why “work isn’t a place, it’s what you do” has been his guiding philosophy—and how that mindset shaped Dialpad’s remote-friendly, AI-first culture long before the pandemic.
The conversation also covers:
What it means to build an AI-native company vs. bolting on AI features.
Lessons for founders raising capital in today’s market.
How to balance automation with maintaining authentic human connection.
Craig’s vision for the future of Dialpad and AI-powered work.
The woman in Craig’s professional journey who has had a profound impact.
This is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and leading at the edge of technological change
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New York Tech Week Special: Live Recording with Partiful Co-Founder and CEO, Shreya Murthy
1 juli 2025 · 55 min
Welcome to a special bonus episode of The Room Podcast, recorded live at New York Tech Week! This week, we're thrilled to chat with Shreya Murthy, Co-Founder and CEO of Partiful, the modern social events platform that is revolutionizing how we make plans and build real-world relationships. Since launching in 2021, Partiful has scaled to millions of users and earned major accolades, including Google's Best App of 2024, Apple's Editor Choice, and recognition as one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for 2025. With its SMS-based approach and frictionless event creation, Partiful has become the go-to platform for gathering people together—so much so that "to partiful" has become a verb! Lees meer
In this episode, Shreya takes us through her unconventional journey from studying political theory at Princeton to building enterprise software, before ultimately founding Partiful to combat social isolation. We dive deep into fascinating topics like launching a party platform during a global pandemic, the strategic decision to start with SMS instead of an app, and how Partiful has maintained remarkable growth with an intentionally lean team. Shreya also shares invaluable insights on co-founder dynamics, navigating venture fundraising as a consumer company, and her vision for building community at every stage of life. Tune in for lessons on product development, authentic relationship building, and what it takes to create a platform that brings people together in an increasingly digital world.
(00:00) Introduction
(07:02) Where did Shreya grow up and how has that shaped her view of the world?
(08:13) Did Shreya always think she was gonna become a founder?
(08:47) How did going from Princeton to the real world spark curiosity about entrepreneurship?
(11:30) How has Shreya seen the New York tech ecosystem evolve over the past decade?
(13:14) What was the initial idea behind Partiful and what was the aha moment?
(17:33) How did Shreya meet her co-founder Joy and cultivate trust?
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S12E8: Direct-to-Consumer Pioneer to AI Psychology with Neil Parikh, Co-Founder of Casper and Slingshot
27 mei 2025 · 49 min
In this season’s finale of The Room Podcast, we're thrilled to chat with Neil Parikh, Co-Founder of Casper and current Co-Founder of Slingshot. Neil first disrupted the mattress industry by building Casper into a household name, pioneering the direct-to-consumer sleep revolution before taking the company public. Now, he's tackling an even bigger challenge with Slingshot, building a foundational AI model specifically designed for psychology and mental health therapy. Lees meer
In this episode, Neil takes us through his unconventional journey from medical school dropout to D2C pioneer, sharing the serendipitous moments that led to Casper's creation and the harsh realities of going public during a pandemic. We delve into the mental health crisis facing society, the limitations of current AI therapy approaches, and how Slingshot is training models on real-world human therapy data to create more effective interventions. Neil also opens up about his therapy journey, the power of taking nudges when they appear, and why he believes we're entering an era of unprecedented change that will reshape how we think about mental health access and self-actualization.
(04:06) Where did Neil grow up and how has that shaped his view of the world?
(04:54) Did Neil always think he was gonna become a founder?
(06:06) Was entrepreneurship in the water at Brown like it is today at Stanford or Harvard?
(07:38) What led to Neil's decision to drop out of medical school?
(10:52) What did Neil do after dropping out of medical school?
(14:20) What made Neil believe that VC was the right route for a mattress company in 2014?
(16:44) What was the name before Casper?
(18:46) What advice would Neil have for DTC founders during this current climate?
(22:17) What did Neil learn from the later stages of fundraising and preparing for the IPO?
(27:14) How did Slingshot become the idea for Neil's next exciting phase?
(31:40) How did Neil get the confidence to take "the nudge"?
(32:48) How is Neil thinking about da… -
S12E7: From Tech Reporter to Media Founder with Alex Konrad, Founder of Upstarts Media
20 mei 2025 · 43 min
Welcome back to another episode of The Room Podcast! This week, Madison and Claudia sit down with Alex Konrad, former Senior Editor at Forbes and now Founder of Upstarts Media. After a decade covering technology and venture capital at Forbes, where he pioneered coverage from the Midas List to the Cloud 100, Alex has launched his own media company focused on telling the stories of early-stage founders and companies challenging the status quo. Lees meer
Throughout this conversation, Alex shares insights from his front-row seat to some of tech's most defining moments, including interviews with industry leaders like Sam Altman and Mark Benioff. He discusses the evolution of media in the age of AI, his decision to bootstrap rather than raise venture funding, and his vision for building a community-first media company. Alex also reveals how his upbringing in New York City shaped his no-nonsense approach to tech reporting and why he believes the future of media lies in creating direct, authentic connections with audiences. Tune in for a fascinating look at the changing media landscape and what it takes to build a modern media company from the ground up.
(03:52) Where did Alex grow up and how did that shape his view of the world?
(04:49) Did Alex always think he would become a founder?
(05:35) What was the story as an intern that Alex got printed?
(07:57) When Alex reflects on his Forbes interviews with tech leaders like Satya Nadella and Sam Altman, which ones stand out most?
(10:04) What has Alex learned about power, vision, or vulnerability from being in the room with industry giants?
(12:10) Why has Legacy Media been struggling to build an authentic connection with the startup community?
(13:27) How is Alex thinking about building a foundation with Upstarts that's going to build into a legacy as lasting as Forbes?
(16:03) How is Alex going to be thinking about events as a complement to media?
(17:30) Is Alex seeking venture dollars to get Upstarts off the ground?
(19:52) If Bl… -
S12E6: Data Ownership in the AI Era with Anna Kazlauskas, Founder of Vana
13 mei 2025 · 43 min
Welcome back to another episode of The Room Podcast! This week, we're excited to chat with Anna Kazlauskas, Co-Founder of Vana, a pioneering company creating an alternative to centralized AI monopolies. Vana uses crypto principles like ownership, incentives, and decentralization to build AI models that users collectively own and benefit from, empowering individuals to control their data while earning from its use. Lees meer
In this enlightening conversation, Anna takes us through her journey from growing up in cold places around the world to her time at MIT's AI lab, and how that led to her vision for data ownership. We explore fascinating concepts like Data DAOs (which Anna compares to labor unions for your data), the emergent "DataFi" category, and how Vana enables users to pool their data to create more powerful AI models than any company could build. Anna shares invaluable insights on fundraising across both crypto and AI spaces, emphasizing the importance of aligning with investors on long-term vision. Tune in for a glimpse into how the future of data ownership could revolutionize our relationship with technology.
(00:00) Introduction
(03:57) Where did Anna grow up, and how has that shaped her view of the world?
(05:25) Did Anna always think she was going to become a founder?
(06:58) How did Anna go from just building in general to building in a tech-forward way at MIT?
(08:44) What research did Anna ultimately do during her time at MIT's CSAIL?
(11:02) How did Anna's insight around the power of data lead to iAmbic, her YC batch 2018 startup?
(14:21) How did Anna's experience at Celo shape her understanding of decentralization and data ownership?
(16:52) How did Anna decide to start something again and commit to a five-to-ten-year journey?
(18:14) Why should users care about Vana creating an alternative to centralized AI monopolies?
(21:56) What kind of compensation models is Anna exploring for users who contribute their data?
(24:30) To what extent does Anna feel big… -
S12E5: Bootstrapping to Billions in Corporate Travel with Elia Wallen, Founder and CEO of Engine
6 mei 2025 · 35 min
In this episode, we are joined by Elia Wallen, Founder and CEO of Engine (formerly Hotel Engine), the B2B travel booking platform that's streamlining how businesses manage their travel needs. From its origins as an internal tool for Elia's previous company, Travelers Haven, to becoming a $2.1 billion company, Engine has carved out a significant niche by focusing on serving SMBs with a frictionless approach to corporate travel management. Lees meer
In this conversation, Elia shares his unconventional path from dropping out of college to founding multiple businesses, including the fascinating story of how Engine began as a side project that he almost shut down several times. We explore his philosophy of maintaining "strong conviction loosely held," his approach to fundraising (including a nail-biting near-miss with payroll), and why staying focused on doing one thing extremely well before expanding was crucial to Engine's success. Elia also offers valuable insights on bootstrapping versus raising capital, building in a non-tech hub, and why eliminating friction for customers has been central to Engine's competitive advantage in the crowded travel tech space.
(00:00) Introduction
(04:20) Where did Elia grow up and how did that shape his view of the world?
(04:42) Why did growing up in Naples push Elia to succeed?
(05:32) Did Elia always think he was going to become a founder?
(06:28) How did earlier founding experiences shape his view of leadership?
(07:28) What is Engine's core product?
(08:51) How does someone break into the corporate travel space?
(10:05) How did Elia think about scaling the go-to-market motion?
(11:59) How did Elia position Engine as it scaled?
(13:55) How did Elia and his leadership team discern which was the right scaling direction to go?
(15:57) How does a founder balance extreme focus while managing two businesses?
(18:29) How was building a company in Denver, and what prompted the decision to move to the Bay Area?
(20:42) How did fundraising begin fo… -
S12E4: The New Developer Experience with Factory Co-Founders, Matan Grinberg & Eno Reyes
29 april 2025 · 54 min
Welcome back to The Room Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Matan Grinberg and Eno Reyes, co-founders of Factory, a company building the command center for software development. With backgrounds in physics and computer science, this dynamic duo is unifying all engineering contexts from GitHub to Notion, empowering product and engineering teams to collaborate with autonomous AI systems. Their impressive journey has already attracted $20 million in funding from Sequoia, Lux Capital, and Mantis Ventures, positioning them at the forefront of the AI-native movement. Lees meer
During our conversation, Matan and Eno share their unexpected journey from Princeton classmates who barely interacted to co-founders who launched their company just eight days after reconnecting at an AI hackathon. They dive deep into how AI is shifting the center of gravity in software development from coding to understanding and planning, the challenges of enterprise adoption, and why they believe we're currently at "the lowest number of developers that will ever be for the rest of human history." Their insightful perspectives on building an AI-native company and transforming developer workflows offer valuable lessons for founders navigating the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
(00:00) Introduction
(03:56) Where did Matan and Eno grow up, and how did it shape their worldview?
(06:29) Did Eno always think he'd become a founder?
(07:01) Was it inevitable that Matan and Eno would start something together?
(07:36) How did Matan and Eno end up in this room today?
(09:15) Was it inevitable for them to start a company together after meeting at Princeton?
(11:26) Did Matan always see himself becoming a founder?
(11:33) How did Factory come to life after they reconnected?
(16:05) Did the Factory demo work for their Sequoia pitch?
(16:32) What was in Factory's original deck and demo?
(18:29) What was the biggest challenge in getting developers to use Factory?
(20:22) How does the Factory team see AI shaping … -
S12E3: The Road to Driverless Vehicles with Tiancheng Lou, Co-Founder of Pony AI
22 april 2025 · 48 min
This week, we're excited to speak with Tiancheng Lou, Co-Founder and CTO of Pony AI, a leading autonomous vehicle technology company that went public in November 2024. As a two-time Google Code Jam champion and former engineer at both Google X and Baidu's Autonomous Driving Division, Tiancheng brings exceptional technical expertise to his pioneering work in developing driverless technology with over 40 million kilometers of autonomous driving testing. Lees meer
In this episode, Tiancheng shares fascinating insights into the evolution of autonomous vehicle technology, explaining the difference between level two and level four autonomy and why highway driving is more challenging than city driving for AI. We explore Pony AI's virtual driver technology, their approach to commercialization, and how they're training AI through imitation learning and reinforcement learning in virtual environments. Tiancheng also offers valuable advice for founders on balancing technical ambition with market realities, the importance of finding the right co-founder with aligned visions, and why success can't be copied but failures can be avoided. Tune in for a deep dive into the future of transportation and the journey of building a billion-dollar autonomous technology company.
(00:00) Introduction
(04:09) Where did Tiancheng grow up, and how did that shape his view of the world?
(04:43) Did Tiancheng always think he would become a founder?
(05:11) How did Tiancheng's competitive programming background influence his approach to tech?
(06:08) How did Tiancheng find out about these competitive programming competitions?
(08:46) How did Tiancheng get into the autonomous vehicle space?
(11:22) What advice would Tiancheng give listeners on how to break into the autonomous tech space?
(13:16) What was the "aha moment' when Tiancheng realized he wanted to start Pony.ai?
(14:54) What were the differences between the American and Chinese autonomous vehicle industries?
(16:25) What is setting the new virtual… -
S12E2: Supercharging Sales Teams Using AI with Alexa Grabell, Co-Founder of Pocus
15 april 2025 · 44 min
In this episode, we're joined by Alexa Grabell, Co-Founder and CEO of Pocus, a company revolutionizing how sales teams work by creating AI agents that supercharge sales representatives. Pocus has developed a suite of tools that combine internal and external data to help sales teams identify opportunities, prepare for calls, and close deals more effectively, generating over half a billion dollars in pipeline for their customers in a single quarter. Lees meer
During our conversation, Alexa shares her journey from consulting at KPMG to Stanford Business School and eventually founding Pocus with her co-founder, Isaac, through the Lean Launchpad program. She offers valuable insights on building a sales team, navigating design partnerships, fundraising strategies for B2B startups, and the evolving landscape of AI-powered sales tools. Alexa also candidly discusses the challenges of being a female founder, the importance of finding community among peer founders, and how her mother's entrepreneurial spirit influenced her own path. Whether you're building a sales team, raising capital, or are interested in how AI is transforming business workflows, this episode delivers practical wisdom from someone who's successfully navigated these waters.
(00:00) Introduction
(03:52) Where did Alexa grow up and how did that shape her view of the world?
(05:12) Did Alexa always think she was going to become a founder?
(06:26) How were Alexa's experiences at Vanderbilt and KPMG?
(08:07) Why did Alexa choose to go to business school after college?
(09:07) How did Alexa's time at GSB encourage her to try becoming a founder?
(12:41) What was the moment that made Alexa want to start Pocus?
(14:06) How did Alexa navigate conversations with peers to find the right fit for a business partner?
(15:56) What is the core product of Pocus?
(17:27) How did Pocus successfully sell its product in the beginning?
(18:45) What advice does Alexa have for founders in the design partnership phase?
(21:16) How is Pocus … -
S12E1: Building Global Trade Infrastructure with Ryan Petersen, Founder and CEO of Flexport
8 april 2025 · 1 uur 1 min
Welcome back to another season of The Room Podcast! To kick off season 12, we are joined by Ryan Petersen, Founder and CEO of Flexport, the revolutionary digital freight forwarder transforming how goods move around the world. Launched in 2013, Flexport combines technology and logistics expertise to bring transparency and efficiency to the complex world of global trade, having grown to become the third-largest American company in the ocean freight industry. Lees meer
In this episode, Ryan takes us through his entrepreneurial journey, from his early days running an e-commerce business importing Chinese motorcycles to identifying the massive inefficiencies in international shipping that led to Flexport's creation. We dive into fascinating topics like building a company that combines tech talent with logistics veterans, navigating highly regulated international markets, and leveraging AI to transform an industry that still largely runs on email attachments. Ryan also shares valuable insights on fundraising strategies, responding to tariff changes, and maintaining resilience through unprecedented global disruptions like the pandemic and shipping crises. Tune in for a master class in spotting industry-wide inefficiencies and building a venture-scale business that's reshaping global trade.
(00:00) Introduction
(04:17) Where did Ryan grow up and how did that shape his view of the world?
(06:08) Did Ryan always think he would become a founder?
(07:30) What was Ryan's experience prior to Flexport, after Berkeley and Columbia?
(13:05) What was it like doing business in China in the early 2000s?
(16:447) How did Ryan go from observing inefficiencies to creating Flexport's first product?
(20:11) What's Ryan's advice on when founders should say no to customers?
(25:05) When did Ryan know to hire supply chain experts versus engineers?
(27:20) Who was the first person to invest in the Flexport vision?
(35:10) How did Flexport navigate the highly regulated logistics market early on?
(37:19… -
S11E9: A Law Firm for Founders with Agatha Kluk and Sonia Farber, Co-Founders of Kluk Farber Law, Now Part of Perkins Coie (Bonus Holiday Episode)
20 december 2024 · 51 min
In this special holiday episode of The Room Podcast, we sit down with Agatha Kluk and Sonia Farber, the co-founders of Kluk Farber Law (now part of Perkins Coie), a specialized law firm dedicated to supporting innovative founders and startups. Their firm provides strategic legal guidance to entrepreneurs navigating the complex landscape of building and scaling companies. Lees meer
This candid conversation takes us through the evolution of their practice, from its founding in 2017 to its strategic partnership with Perkins Coie. Throughout our discussion, we explore the intersection of law and entrepreneurship, highlighting how the right legal partnership can empower founders to achieve their vision. At its core, Kluk Farber Law provides comprehensive legal services tailored specifically for startups and emerging companies.
Key topics in this episode include strategic guidance for company sales and earn-out negotiations, balancing tech automation with historically successful advisory services, and AI regulation and compliance considerations.
(00:00) Introduction
(05:07) Where did Agatha and Sonia grow up and how did that shape their view of the world?
(07:10) Did Agatha and Sonia grow up thinking they would be founders and lawyers?
(08:44) How did Agatha and Sonia find themselves at the intersection of law and tech?
(12:24) How did Agatha and Sonia meet?
(13:02) What made Agatha and Sonia want to work together?
(19:29) What was the original goal of the firm that Agatha and Sonia started?
(21:22) What is the most common pitfall founders face when fundraising from VCs and, what are some of the mistakes to look out for when selling your company?
(23:48) Who or what is a memorable client or case that stands out from the first few years of working together?
(29:17) What encouraged Agatha and Sonia to say yes when being acquired in 2022?
(32:17) What is something that is not discussed enough when it comes to acquisition?
(34:19) How is tech affecting the legal sector, …
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S11E8: From Bootstrapping to SaaS Industry Leader with Wade Foster, Co-Founder of Zapier
19 november 2024 · 47 min
Welcome back to another episode of The Room Podcast! This week, we’re thrilled to chat with Wade Foster, CEO and Co-Founder of Zapier, the tool that’s revolutionized workflows by making automation accessible to anyone. Zapier helps businesses and individuals connect the apps they rely on, creating seamless integrations that save time and boost productivity. Lees meer
In this episode, Wade takes us through Zapier’s origins, its flagship no-code-needed automation platform, and how the company has carved out a niche as the go-to solution for streamlining business processes. We also dive into fascinating topics like growing a fully remote team before it was trendy, navigating the unique challenges of bootstrapping in a venture-driven world, and the surprising lessons Wade learned while literally counting telephone poles during a college internship. Tune in for insights on building impactful products, a behind-the-scenes look at Zapier's innovative culture, and a glimpse into what it takes to lead one of today’s most versatile SaaS companies.
(00:00) Introduction
(04:53) Where did Wade grow up and how did that shape his view of the world?
(06:08) Did Wade always think he was going to become a founder?
(07:01) How did Wade develop an interest in entrepreneurship?
(09:58) Why was Wade's first internship so impactful?
(12:31) How did Wade meet his cofounders and come up with the idea for Zapier?
(14:24) How was Wade's experience at YC?
(15:38) What lessons has Wade learned about marketing and sales tactics?
(16:53) What advice does Wade have for founders entering YC to maximize their experience?
(22:09) What were some moments when Wade realized they were onto something with Zapier?
(22:42) What advice would Wade give to founders looking to grow in today's market conditions?
(25:36) What's a memorable moment from the founding journey of Zapier?
(27:08) How did Zapier scale while maintaining authenticity to its core values?
(30:37) What is Zapier's core product?
(32:07…
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S11E7: The Future of Fintech for Founders with Mercury Co-Founder and CEO, Immad Akhund [LIVE]
12 november 2024 · 38 min
In this LIVE version of The Room Podcast, we’re thrilled to chat with Immad Akhund, Co-Founder and CEO of Mercury, a fintech company built specifically for startups and tech companies. Immad walks us through his journey from founder to industry leader, and how Mercury is reimagining banking with streamlined financial tools for growing businesses. Mercury’s core product offers an intuitive digital banking experience, designed to handle startups' unique cash flow and management needs. Lees meer
Join us as we explore Immad’s early entrepreneurial journey, his strategic shift from gaming with Hayzap to founding Mercury, and the insights he gained along the way. This episode highlights Mercury’s goal to simplify banking for tech founders, Immad’s take on the importance of resilience and adaptability, and how Mercury’s modern approach is transforming financial services for the startup ecosystem.
(00:00) Introduction
(08:40) Where did Immad grow up and how did that shape his view of the world?
(09:17) Did Immad always think he would become a founder?
(10:22) At what point did Immad move to the States?
(11:06) What lessons did Immad learn when running HayZap?
(12:55) How did Immad know who he wanted as cofounders when starting Mercury?
(14:07) What advice does Immad have for finding a co-founder and resolving conflict with a co-founder?
(15:31) Why did Immad want to tackle a problem in banking specifically?
(16:30) How was Immad's experience breaking into the fintech space?
(19:28) What advice does Immad have for founders in complex regulatory spaces?
(21:20) Who was the first person to say yes to investing in Mercury?
(22:46) What's a fundraising "hot take" that Immad has?
(24:39) How did Mercury's go-to-market strategy change as they scaled?
(26:39) How does Mercury scale their feature set and their product to meet the scaling needs of their clients?
(28:14) How did the liquidity crisis at Silicon Valley Bank impact Mercury and the fintech space?
(30:01) What trai…
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S11E6: Building the Unified API with Merge Co-Founder, Shensi Ding
5 november 2024 · 38 min
Welcome back to The Room Podcast! Today, we’re thrilled to explore the fast-evolving world of B2B tech innovation with Shensi Ding, co-founder of Merge. Merge has become a leader in unified APIs, creating a category that addresses the challenges many companies face with complex integrations. Shensi’s journey is a unique one—from her coding days in Boston to Columbia, then a career at Silver Lake, all of which prepared her to tackle the 'SAAS sprawl' problem head-on. Together with her co-founder, Gil Feig, Shensi has built a powerhouse team and a product that’s essential for clients like Ramp and BambooHR. Their customer-first approach has secured $75 million in funding and a growing presence across SF and NYC. Lees meer
In this episode, we delve into topics like using customer insights to drive category creation, balancing skills in co-founder dynamics, and navigating fundraising from seed stage through metrics-driven growth.
(00:00) Introduction
(05:04) Where did Shensi grow up and how did that shape her view of the world?
(06:07) Did Shensi always think she was going to become a founder?
(06:29) How were website designers making money in the early 2000's?
(07:25) How did Shensi move from making websites to computer science?
(08:19) How has finance influenced Shensi to become a founder?
(10:26) Why did Shensi leave finance to join Xpanse?
(11:35) How did Shensi meet her co-founder, Gil, and why did they decide to find Merge?
(14:20) What was the aha moment that encouraged the start of Merge?
(14:57) What is the core product of Merge?
(16:48) Who was the first company to say yes to using Merge?
(17:53) What are some of the ways that customers are using Merge?
(18:48) How does Shensi classify the space that Merge is a part of?
(19:38) How did Shensi think about building her initial team?
(21:00) Who was the first person to say yes to investing in Merge?
(21:31) How was Shensi's experience fundraising for Merge?
(22:44) What advice does Shensi have for fundra…
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S11E5: Innovating Financial Inclusion and Pay Flexibility with Jason Lee, Founder of Salt Labs and DailyPay
29 oktober 2024 · 48 min
In this episode of The Room Podcast, we sit down with Jason Lee, the founder of Salt Labs and DailyPay, to explore his journey from finance to fintech entrepreneurship. Salt Labs, Jason’s latest venture, focuses on empowering workers to maximize their earnings potential, while DailyPay revolutionized the way employees access their wages. Lees meer
We cover a range of topics such as the need for improvement in front-line workers' payment structures, how Jason’s years in investment banking shaped his approach to entrepreneurship, his pivotal "aha" moment that led him to create DailyPay and Salt Labs, and advice to founders looking to start fundraising.
(00:00) Introduction
(05:38) Where did Jason grow up and how did that shape his view of the world?
(07:23) Did Jason always think he was going to become a founder?
(09:11) What attracted Jason to stay with Goldman for 16 years?
(10:39) When did Jason eventually leave Goldman?
(14:31) How did Jason convince employers to integrate Daily Pay into current payment structures?
(18:18) How did Jason get into this nice crossover of lending and fundraising?
(20:34) How has Jason scaled Daily Pay?
(23:50) How has Salt Labs helped solve employee retention and turnover?
(27:56) How was the experience fundraising for Salt Labs?
(30:03) What advice does Jason have for early-stage founders looking to fundraise?
(33:24) What was a moment in Jason's founding journey when things didn't go as planned?
(38:18) What are the key trends in the hourly worker market that will shape the evolution of Salt Labs?
(41:18) What's next for Salt Labs?
(44:38) Who is a woman in Jason's life that had a profound impact on him and his career?
For The Room Podcast in your inbox every week, subscribe to our newsletter.
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Check out our guide to podcasting here!
Don't forget to subscribe to our channel on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music!Brought to you by Perkins Coie and Mercury.*
*Mercury is a financial tec… -
S11E4: Transforming Sweet Treats using Clean Ingredients with Kevin McCarthy, CEO of Unreal
22 oktober 2024 · 40 min
In this episode of The Room Podcast, we sit down with Kevin McCarthy, the CEO of Unreal, a company dedicated to creating healthier alternatives to classic candy. Unreal is known for creating delicious, better-for-you snacks that ditch artificial ingredients, offering cleaner, more natural options in the world of sweets. We discuss the intersection of entrepreneurship and health-conscious innovation, bringing a refreshing approach to an industry ripe for disruption. Kevin shares his journey to becoming CEO at just 24 years old, the pivotal changes Unreal made to become a leader in the health-conscious snack market, and how leadership lessons from his political campaign days shaped his approach to business. Lees meer
Key topics in this conversation include; the challenges of rebranding during and after a pandemic, what it takes to lead a company and board room through major pivots, and the value of a transparent and in-person DTC strategy.
(00:00) Introduction
(04:54) Where did Kevin grow up and how did that shape his view of the world?
(05:39) Did Kevin always believe he was going to be a CEO?
(06:46) How did Kevin's early passion for government shape his career?
(09:38) What lessons has Kevin learned that he employs on a day-to-day basis?
(10:50) How and why did Kevin join Unreal?
(13:49) When did Kevin realize he would be with Unreal for a long time?
(15:27) What is the original Unreal core product?
(18:06) What is Unreal's approach to the supply chain layer?
(20:10) How did Unreal incorporate a DTC approach to their business model?
(21:57) How has Kevin built a relationship with the Board of Unreal without being the founder?
(23:44) What advice does Kevin have for people entering a board room for the first time?
(25:34) What was a moment while CEO of Unreal when things didn't go as planned?
(27:47) How does Unreal think about "URL vs. IRL" in their go-to-market and sales strategy?
(29:35) What challenges can arise when running an omni-channel strategy for a…
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S11E3: Reversing Type 2 Diabetes using Tech and Nutrition with Sami Inkinen, Founder of Virta Health
15 oktober 2024 · 50 min
In this episode of The Room Podcast, we’re joined by Sami Inkinen, co-founder of Virta Health, a company transforming the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Virta Health’s mission is to not just manage, but reverse diabetes using personalized nutrition plans backed by clinical research. Sami also shares his journey from humble beginnings on a Finnish farm to co-founding the real estate platform Trulia, and ultimately, Virta Health. Lees meer
Key highlights include the current state and effect of GLP1 drugs in America alongside the growing prevalence of diabetes, overcoming skepticism and resistance to adopting non-traditional treatments for chronic diseases, and the intersection of technology and healthcare overall.
(00:00) Introduction
(05:07) Where did Sami grow up and how did that shape his view of the world?
(07:11) Did Sami always think he would become a founder?
(9:12) What was Sami's plan when he finished college at Stanford?
(11:16) When did Sami know it was time to start his journey as a founder?
(14:30) What was the aha moment behind Trulia?
(17:57) What were some lessons learned from Sami's first startup journey?
(22:13) How was Sami's experience with his first startup being acquired by Zillow?
(25:56) What is the core product of Virta Health?
(27:41) What is Virta Health's mission?
(31:43) How does Sami feel about GLP 1 medications becoming mainstream?
(35:34) What is Sami's approach on go-to-market strategy with Virta?
(38:04) Who was the first person to say yes to investing in Virta?
(40:07) How has Virta changed its clients' lives?
(45:09) What has been the hardest part of breaking into the healthcare space?
(47:21) Who is a woman in Sami's life that had a profound impact on him and his career?
For The Room Podcast in your inbox every week, subscribe to our newsletter.
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on TikTok
Check out our guide to podcasting here!
Don't forget to subscribe to our channel on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music!Brought to you by …
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S11E2: Branding, Bedding, and Wellness Innovation with Ariel Kaye, Founder of Parachute
8 oktober 2024 · 45 min
In this episode of The Room Podcast, we sit down with Ariel Kaye, the founder of Parachute, a brand known for elevating the home essentials industry with a focus on comfort and wellness. Ariel shares her journey from a creative upbringing to her path through advertising, where she discovered her passion for building brands, eventually leading to the founding of Parachute. Lees meer
Join us as we dive into how Parachute taps into the wellness movement by focusing on the importance of sleep and home comfort. We explore the company's core product—bedding— and why it resonated with consumers looking for better home essentials. Ariel also shares insights on creating a brand from scratch while disrupting a market, the importance of consumer insights and communication in building a business, and the ups and downs of running a business while raising a family.
(00:00) Introduction
(04:50) Where did Ariel grow up and how did that shape her view of the world?
(06:09) Did Ariel ever think she would become a founder?
(07:35) How did Ariel's experience at NYU lead her to found Parachute?
(11:27) What was the "aha moment" that encouraged the founding of Parachute?
(15:11) Why did Ariel think online sales would be best?
(18:29) What encouraged Ariel to take Parachute to brick and mortar?
(21:01) When did Ariel realize it was time to raise capital?
(23:34) What advice would Ariel give to other DTC founders?
(27:32) What was a moment in Parachute's life cycle when things didn't go as planned?
(30:37) What advice would Ariel give to founders facing uncertainties?
(32:24) How does Ariel think the role of digital vs physical sales will change in the near future?
(35:05) How does Ariel know when it's time to launch a new product?
(37:20) How does Ariel balance what she likes as a product vs what's best for the business?
(39:06) What advice does Ariel have for managing career and family balance?
(42:10) Who is a woman in Ariel's life that had a profound impact on her and her caree…
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S11E1: Empowering The Future of Generative AI Search with Johnny Ho, Co-Founder of Perplexity
1 oktober 2024 · 34 min
Welcome back to a new season of The Room Podcast! To kick off Season 11, we're joined by Johnny Ho, co-founder of Perplexity, an AI-powered platform transforming the way everyday consumers interact with search. Johnny shares his path from competitive programming to entrepreneurship and offers insights into the development of Perplexity’s core product, which aims to deliver precise, reliable answers in a simple, intuitive way. Lees meer
In this episode, we covered topics such as how Perplexity uses AI to deliver accurate and reliable search results using multiple LLMs, building a user-first product in a competitive tech space, and the importance of finding investors who want to work with you in the right ways.
Want to work with Perplexity? Apply here!
(00:00) Introduction
(05:05) Where did Johnny grow up and how did that shape his view of the world?
(05:42) Did Johnny always think he was going to be a founder?
(06:21) How did Johnny get into competitive programming?
(07:23) What brought Johnny to start working at Quora?
(08:06) What lessons did Johnny take away from his time at Quora?
(08:49) How did Johnny meet his cofounders of Perplexity?
(09:17) Why did Johnny, Arvin, and Dennis decide to start a company together?
(10:01) Why did Johnny think Arvin and Dennis would be good partners?
(10:56) What was the "aha moment" that inspired the core product of Perplexity?
(12:04) Why was user interface so important to Johnny and the team?
(13:26) What was the decision-making process behind implementing a unique feature allowing consumers to choose what LLM they use?
(16:09) Who was the first person to say yes to investing in Perplexity?
(17:06) What advice does Johnny have regarding picking the right investors to partner with?
(18:11) What's a fun story or anecdote from founding Perplexity?
(19:11) When should a founder consider trying a new idea/ altering their concept?
(20:32) How is Perplexity's go-to-market strategy changing with its success?
(21:39) How is P…
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Special Season: Inside Summit 2024 Fireside Chat with Kashish Gupta Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Hightouch
18 september 2024 · 47 min