Building a Multi-Billion Dollar Startup

Dan Siroker CEO of rewind.ai 🧠 This is an interview with Dan Siroker.   Dan Siroker is an entrepreneur and founder of Optimizely, a company that enables businesses and organizations to make better data-driven decisions through website optimization[1]. He is also the co-founder and CEO of Rewind AI, a company that is building a "copilot for your mind" using AI technology to record and analyze your thoughts and conversations[5]. Siroker has a background in engineering and analytics, having previously worked as the director of analytics for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign[2]. He is known for his unique interview questions for potential employees, which he uses to assess their problem-solving skills and creativity[6].   Sources   [1] Optimizely's Founder Gives Optimization Techniques You Can Implement Right Now - with Dan Siroker - Business Podcast for Startups https://mixergy.com/interviews/dan-siroker-optimizely-interview/   [2] Episode 669: A or B : Planet Money - NPR https://www.npr.org/transcripts/459412925   [3] Episode 669: A or B : Planet Money - NPR https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2015/12/11/459412925/episode-669-a-or-b   [4] Secret Leaders with Dan Murray-Serter on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/secret-leaders-with-dan-murray-serter/id1229438369   [5] Jason Calacanis on LinkedIn: #startups#ai#building#founders#generativeai | 36 comments https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jasoncalacanis_startups-ai-building-activity-7065536881349824513-QpVE   [6] Optimizely CEO Dan Siroker uses three unique interview questions for potential employees - The Business Journals https://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/how-to/human-resources/2014/11/off-the-wall-interview-questions-this-ceo-asks.html   About Rewind.ai:   Rewind.ai is a MacOS app that records everything you've seen, said, or heard on your computer and makes it searchable[1][3][4]. The app uses native macOS APIs and Optical Character Recognition to analyze everything on your screen, and stores all recordings locally on your Mac for privacy reasons[1]. Rewind compresses raw recording data up to 3,750 times so even with the smallest hard drive Apple offers today, you can store years of recordings[1]. The app offers a timeline of every meeting you've been in, every website you've visited, and everything you've typed or clicked on your machine[2]. Users can search, sort, and interact with all that history using different features[2]. A new feature called ChatGPT For Me is a GPT-4 chatbot that can give a chatbot access to all your personal data[2]. The app has two UIs: the rewind UI where you can scrub back and forth, and the search UI where you can search for matching text and show where in the screenshot it was found[5]. Rewind.ai is a relatively new app that is charting its own course and is unique in its functionality[3].   Sources   [1] Rewind AI https://www.rewind.ai   [2] Rewind's new feature brings ChatGPT to your personal information - The Verge https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/23/23653127/rewind-ai-chatgpt-for-me-chatbot-mac   [3] A First Look at Rewind.ai - The Sweet Setup https://thesweetsetup.com/a-first-look-at-rewind-ai/   [4] 'Rewind AI' records everything you do on your Mac - 9to5Mac https://9to5mac.com/2022/11/02/rewind-ai-records-everything-you-do-mac/   [5] Rewind.ai Review - Ian Sinnott https://blog.iansinnott.com/rewind.ai-review   [6] AI Startup Rewind Gets 170 Offers—and $350 Million Valuation in Unusual Fundraising https://www.theinformation.com/articles/ai-startup-rewind-gets-170-offers-and-350-million-valuation-in-unusual-fundraising

Ed Batista's Journey as an Executive Coach Ed Batista is an executive coach and was an instructor at the Stanford Graduate School of Business[3]. He has spent years coaching senior leaders who are facing a series of challenges or seeking greater fulfillment in their role[1]. Coaching is a way of being with others that's accessible to everyone and is not exclusive to professional coaches[2]. Ed Batista is a prominent executive coach in Silicon Valley who counts technology company CEOs and leaders in various fields as his clients[4]. He writes regularly on issues related to leadership and management[3]. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling in leadership[5]. In a podcast interview, he discussed the "Impulse to Hurry" hack, which is about slowing down and taking time to reflect[4].   Sources   [1] Coaching yourself into a better career with Ed Batista https://reconsidering.org/episodes/21   [2] Ed Batista: Coaching https://www.edbatista.com/coaching/   [3] Don't Inflict Help, Provide It https://hbr.org/2013/09/dont-inflict-help-provide-it   [4] Ed Batista on the "Impulse to Hurry" Hack: Slow Down and ... https://www.theleadingedgelab.com/eq-hacks-podcast/ed-batista-impulse-to-hurry-hack   [5] Lauren Weinstein's Post https://www.linkedin.com/posts/weinsteinlauren_the-importance-of-shared-narrative-activity-6962901949776089088-tlqC   [6] 3 Resilience & Courage - Think Visuals Newsletter https://thinkvisuals.substack.com/p/3-resilience-and-courage   What is an Exec Coach?:   An executive coach is a trained professional who works with leaders and teams to help them improve their performance, develop leadership skills, and overcome obstacles to success[2][3]. They provide one-on-one or group sessions where they use thought-provoking discussions to guide and support clients through professional challenges and opportunities[2]. The goal of executive coaching is to enhance leadership skills, improve critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, expose blind spots, and change limiting behaviors and beliefs[2]. Executive coaches often come from diverse backgrounds and may have certifications from certifying bodies in the executive coaching industry[2]. They provide a safe and structured environment for clients to receive support and guidance[5]. Executive coaching is a client-driven process that is distinct from other service professions such as counseling, mentoring, consulting, and training[5]. The focus of executive coaching is on optimizing leadership performance and effectively managing overwhelm and stress[3].   Sources   [1] Definition of Executive Coaching https://chicagoexecutivecoaching.com/resources/definition-executive-coaching/   [2] What is Executive Coaching? Benefits & Examples | Bravanti https://bravanti.com/what-is-executive-coaching-benefits-and-examples/   [3] What is an Executive Coach? https://www.jodymichael.com/blog/what-is-an-executive-coach/   [4] What is Executive Coaching? https://www.talentlyft.com/en/resources/what-is-executive-coaching   [5] What is Executive Coaching? | ATD https://www.td.org/talent-development-glossary-terms/what-is-executive-coaching   [6] Executive Coaching: What Is It And How It Can Help You https://www.betterup.com/blog/executive-coaching

In a podcast episode of OnGrowth.co, we talk with Yin Wu, the CEO and Founder of Pulley, shared her journey as a three-time Y Combinator (YC) founder and discussed the founding story of Pulley[1]. Pulley is a company that aims to reimagine the future of cap table management, providing tools and insights to founders and employees to make more informed decisions about their equity ownership[3]. Yin Wu grew up in Kentucky and was introduced to the tech and startup ecosystem when she attended Stanford University in the Bay Area[1]. Before founding Pulley, she took time off from college to work at an NGO in Kenya that aimed to plant trees to help farmers have another revenue stream[1]. Pulley has raised around $50 million in total funding to date[3].   Sources [1] In the Room with Yin Wu, CEO and Founder Pulley | by The Room Podcast - Medium https://theroompodcast.medium.com/in-the-room-with-yin-wu-ceo-and-founder-pulley-f393449672f9 [2] Yin Wu, Founder, Pulley - Ramp https://ramp.com/authors/yin-wu [3] Founders Fund backs Pulley as it helps companies make better decisions about equity https://techcrunch.com/2022/07/13/founders-fund-pulley-series-b-equity/ [4] Yin Wu (@yinyinwu) / X - Twitter https://twitter.com/yinyinwu?lang=en [5] Episode 110: Founding a Startup That Helps Startups with Yin Wu of Pulley - Leaders of B2B https://www.leadersofb2b.com/episodes/episode110 [6] How to Build a Culture that Ruthlessly Prioritizes w/ Yin Wu, Founder of Pulley - Cup of Zhou https://cupofzhou.com/how-to-build-a-culture-that-ruthlessly-prioritizes-w-yin-wu-founder-of-pulley/ [7] Yin Wu - LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ywu01 [8] How to Model Your Seed Round with Yin Wu of Pulley - YouTube https://youtube.com/watch?v=rxqRc1y7lZk   Pulley is a cap table platform that provides tools and insights to founders and employees to make smarter decisions about their equity ownership[1]. The company helps founders manage their cap table and equity management, while staying compliant with aspects like taxes and accounting[4]. Pulley is backed by some of the best investors out there, including Stripe, General Catalyst, YC, and Elad Gil[6]. The company has raised around $50 million in total funding to date[4]. Pulley is reimagining the future of cap table management and is helping companies weather the economic downturn[4]. The company is growing rapidly, and its customer base is expanding[6]. Pulley is a mission-driven company that is building a movement, not just a company[6].   Sources [1] Pulley Reviews, Prices & Ratings | GetApp Canada 2023 https://www.getapp.ca/software/2045047/pulley [2] Pulley Cap Table Management Demo - YouTube https://youtube.com/watch?v=i9VzXMhx9k8 [3] How to Model Your Seed Round with Yin Wu of Pulley - YouTube https://youtube.com/watch?v=rxqRc1y7lZk [4] Founders Fund backs Pulley as it helps companies make better decisions about equity https://techcrunch.com/2022/07/13/founders-fund-pulley-series-b-equity/ [5] In the Room with Yin Wu, CEO and Founder Pulley | by The Room Podcast - Medium https://theroompodcast.medium.com/in-the-room-with-yin-wu-ceo-and-founder-pulley-f393449672f9 [6] How to Build a Culture that Ruthlessly Prioritizes w/ Yin Wu, Founder of Pulley - Cup of Zhou https://cupofzhou.com/how-to-build-a-culture-that-ruthlessly-prioritizes-w-yin-wu-founder-of-pulley/

"How Inboxbooster Fixed Y Combinator's Email Spam Problem,"   Nicolas Toper, the co-founder and CEO of Inboxbooster, shares his expertise in email deliverability and how his platform helps businesses optimize their emails for delivery on Google and Microsoft email platforms such as Gmail, Office365, and GSuite[1].   Nicolas Toper has over 15 years of experience in ensuring emails get delivered. He previously co-founded CritSend, an email-delivery company that delivered more than 50 billion emails, and Pilo, a cleantech company that launched the first AA battery that recharges when you shake it[1]. Currently, he is the CEO and Co-Founder of Inboxbooster, a platform that uses AI to ensure emails don't end up in Spam/Promotions on Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo[1]. The platform serves over 2,000 clients, including YCombinator, Zengo, and Wisbee, and has recently been featured in several articles, including Forbes, FinSMEs, and Business Mole[1].   Inboxbooster's mission is to help email senders achieve better deliverability and avoid spam filters[2]. The platform monitors where emails are going, alerts users when their emails are going to spam, and assists in fixing the issue[3]. The monitoring service is offered for free[3]. Inboxbooster recently launched with $1 million in funding after fixing YCombinator's email spam problems[4].   Sources   [1] #154 . How Inboxbooster Fixed Y Combinator's Email Spam Problem | Flowium https://flowium.com/podcasts/email-spam-problem/   [2] Nicolas Toper - LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas   [3] Inboxbooster: We Fix Email in Spam - Y Combinator https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/inboxbooster   [4] News Hub https://newsdirect.com/news?Advertising=0&Communications=0&Internet=0&Marketing=0&Media=0&Publishing=0&category=Communications&filter=dad&page=5   [5] News Hub | News Direct https://www.n6a.newsdirect.com/news/?Advertising=0&Communications=0&Graphic+Design=0&Internet=0&Marketing=0&Media=0&category=Communications&page=5&show_search=1   [6] Nicolas Toper - Co-founder and CEO @ Manycore.io - Crunchbase Person Profile https://www.crunchbase.com/person/nicolas-toper   [7] Nicolas Toper - Co-founder of Inboxbooster (United States) - BEAMSTART https://beamstart.com/@nicolas-toper-16909073191642   Inboxbooster is a platform that uses AI technology to help businesses improve their email deliverability and avoid having their emails end up in spam or promotions folders. The co-founder and CEO of Inboxbooster, Nicolas Toper, has over 15 years of experience in email deliverability and has previously co-founded CritSend, an email delivery company, and Pilo, a cleantech company[1][4].   The platform offers monitoring services to track where emails are going and alerts users when their emails are being marked as spam. It also provides assistance in fixing the issue to ensure better deliverability[3]. The monitoring service is offered for free[3]. Inboxbooster has served over 2,000 clients, including Y Combinator, Zengo, and Wisbee[1]. It recently launched with $1 million in funding after successfully fixing YCombinator's email spam problems[6].   Inboxbooster's mission is to help email senders optimize their emails for delivery on popular email platforms such as Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo. By leveraging AI technology, Inboxbooster aims to improve the chances of emails reaching the intended recipients' inboxes and avoiding spam filters[1].   Sources   [1] How Inboxbooster Plans To Keep Your Emails Out Of The Spam Folder - Forbes https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidprosser/2023/04/18/how-inboxbooster-plans-to-keep-your-emails-out-of-the-spam-folder/?sh=24a7a45e2ffb   [2] Inboxbooster: We Fix Email in Spam - Y Combinator https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/inboxbooster   [3] News Hub | News Direct https://www.n6a.newsdirect.com/news/?Advertising=0&Communications=0&Graphic+Design=0&Internet=0&Marketing=0&Media=0&category=Communications&page=5&show_search=1   [4] Nicolas Toper | PodMatch https://podmatch.com/guestdetailpreview/1689741354932x191099088627664220   [5] Nicolas Toper - Co-founder of Inboxbooster (United States) - BEAMSTART https://beamstart.com/@nicolas-toper-16909073191642   [6] News Hub https://newsdirect.com/news?Advertising=0&Communications=0&Internet=0&Marketing=0&Media=0&Publishing=0&category=Communications&filter=dad&page=5

Zack Hemsey is an American composer, songwriter, and filmmaker best known for the use of his music in movies and trailers. Creating music for movies and shows like Game of Thrones and Inception. More at https://www.zackhemsey.com/ Buy directly from the artist: https://tinyurl.com/Nomad-Bandcamp Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/Nomad-Spotify Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/Nomad-Apple Deezer: https://tinyurl.com/Nomad-Deezer TIDAL: https://tidal.com/browse/album/251553445 Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/Nomad-Amazon Follow Zack on Facebook: https://fb.me/zackhemseymusic Twitter: https://twitter.com/zack_hemsey        

This is a conversation with Prasanna Sankar, the story of how he and his cofounder built a multibillion-dollar startup Rippling.

Meet Raymond Lei, a multi-time founder and expert in ecommerce and physical products. With over 11 years of experience, Raymond is the founder and chairman of Scalable Labs, a company that builds products to help online entrepreneurs scale. He is also the co-founder and CEO of Lumina, a consumer electronics company that's revolutionizing the home office. With over $5 million in revenue, join the Lumina team and be a part of their global growth. In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, Raymond is a proud alum of the University of California, Berkeley. Get to know more about his journey and interests in remote work,  and ecommerce innovation.   He talks about camera's, smart desks, he calls it the "digital desk", lighting and the future of work.   Find Raymond Lei here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raymond-lei-sp   Learn more about Lumina: https://getlumina.com

Kathryn Cross is the 23-year-old founder of Anja Health, a cord blood startup that supports an easy modern way to freeze stem cells for future disease treatment. As a solo founder, she got accepted to Y Combinator, a startup accelerator in Silicon Valley, in January 2022. After the three-month program, she raised over $4 million from investors, including Alexis Ohanian and others.   Anja Health: https://www.anjahealth.com/

Tracy Young talks about her past, her last startup PlanGrid, strategy for building companies, her experience at Y Combinator, and her new startup TigerEye. Some history on Tracy: Tracy, who previously worked in the construction space, noticed that the construction industry was not utilizing technology effectively. In response, she and four friends founded PlanGrid, a startup that was launched in 2011 and offers a digital platform for paper blueprints and documents in the construction industry. PlanGrid has gained a large number of customers in over 85 countries, and in 2018, Autodesk, a major software company, purchased the company for $875 million. Now Tracy is at it again, building a new startup called TigerEye. More about TigerEye: https://www.tigereye.com/

Startup Tips by Daniel Kivatinos Interviewer: Ryan Kelly