The Lobster Talks Podcast by Lobster Capital

Bain Capital just bet $5.6 billion on legacy EdTech. Noah and the Scout team are betting on its extinction. Most founders are told to avoid the Student Information System (SIS) market because it's "too sticky" and dominated by giants like PowerSchool. In this episode, Noah (Founder of Scout, YC W25) explains how they are using AI-native compliance to wedge into the "School OS" market and why the future of education looks nothing like the traditional classroom. What you’ll learn: - Why Private Equity buying your competitor is a massive "Buy" signal for your startup. - The "Wedge" Strategy: Why Scout chose online hybrid schools in California. - How to overcome intense Imposter Syndrome during the first week of Y Combinator. - The Sneaker Bot Origin: Why YC loves founders who "hacked" systems as kids. - Managing the "Post-YC Slump" and building a 20-year sustainable business. 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 YC Investor Boost 00:49 Free YC Roaster Plug 01:34 EdTech Market Shakeup 02:16 What Scout Builds 03:05 PowerSchool Deal Timing 03:48 From Wedge to SIS 06:56 Beating Switching Costs 09:52 Niche Beachhead Strategy 11:00 First Real Customer Signal 13:41 Future of Schooling Bet 16:31 Why Based in New York 19:50 NYC Talent Network Edge 22:11 Sneaker Bot Origins 24:33 Building the Supreme Bot 25:38 Hacking Systems Mindset 26:30 Spotting System Hacks 27:24 Waffles and Tooth Bonds 28:59 Getting Into YC 30:31 Imposter Syndrome Reset 34:23 YC Lessons That Stick 34:50 Going Big in EdTech 39:37 The Post YC Slump 42:54 From Demo Day to Customers 45:42 YC Stamp for Investors 47:21 Rapid Fire and Wrap 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap This Lobster Talks episode is brought to you by YC Roaster, a free tool helping founders improve their YC applications. 🔗 https://ycroaster.com

The YC Winter 2026 batch just broke every record in the book. We’re seeing valuations hit $100M before founders even finish their slide decks. Is this a peak or just the new baseline? In this episode of The Lobster Talks, we debrief the W26 Demo Day. We go behind the scenes on the "Agentic" boom, why hardware is suddenly the hottest play in the valley, and the real math behind why YC startups are worth 4x more than their peers. What you’ll learn: Why 10+ companies in this batch raised at $100M+ valuations.The truth about the "1% acceptance rate" (and how to skip the line).How a consumer hardware startup hit $27M ARR during the batch.Why "Open Claw" changed the game for AI agent startups.The blurring lines between Seed and Series A rounds. 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 Faster Exits Thesis 00:30 YC Roaster Plug 01:14 Winter 2026 Debrief 01:59 Record Growth Metrics 03:17 Revenue And Acceptance 06:44 Why YC Still Pays 07:42 100M Valuation Surge 11:23 Seed Series A Blur 14:49 Skipping Series A 19:47 AI Agents Narrative 22:35 Why YC Still Wins 23:22 Post Claude Demo Day Shift 24:43 Seed FOMO And Valuation Surge 25:40 Why Exits Keep Getting Bigger 27:33 Big Tech Acquisition Logic 34:10 Talent Scarcity Drives M&A 36:37 Breaking Down 27M ARR 38:50 Consumer AI Notetaker Bet 43:00 Wrap Up And Where To Follow 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap This Lobster Talks episode is brought to you by YC Roaster, a free tool helping founders improve their YC applications. 🔗 https://ycroaster.com

He did YC in 2016 from France with a Slack bot nobody had heard of. 9 years later, he came back… second company, second batch, $10M seed closed in 3 days. Dalton told him: "Don't overlearn." Quang is the founder of Vybe, a YC W25 company building the internal app layer for the AI era. Before that: Plato, a mentorship platform for engineers he grew to 70 people, raised $22M for, and sold to Coda, where he worked as a GM before quitting to start over. In this conversation, we go deep on what it actually means to be a second-time YC founder: the overcorrections, the traps, and what's genuinely different about YC today vs. 2016. In this episode, you'll learn: → Why hiring zero people after raising $10M was the wrong overcorrection, and when Quang finally figured that out → How selling before the product was ready backfired, and what First Round's Liz told him to do instead → YC's self-fulfilling prophecy: how the program became a distribution machine, and why seed rounds that took 3 weeks in 2016 now close in 3 days → Why Vybe is quietly pivoting from "build internal apps" to "agents that use those apps", and what inspired it → The three-component PMF framework First Round runs with every portfolio company (and where most founders skip straight to step 3) Chapters: 00:00 Raising First 150K 00:30 YC Roaster Sponsor 01:14 Meet Quang Twice YC 02:03 Discovering YC In France 05:37 Slack Bot Breakthrough 06:34 Product Hunt To YC Interview 07:49 Silicon Valley Network Effect 13:47 Why Expense Reports Question 15:59 Getting The Acceptance Call 17:02 Moving To Mountain View 18:46 Building Bots In YC 20:31 Pivot To Plato Mentorship 22:02 Acquired By Coda 22:49 Coda Vs Retool Pain 26:37 Replit Agent Sparks Vibe 27:33 Internal Apps Are Still Hard 28:52 Quitting Coda For Vibe 29:00 Co Founder Wealthfront Pain 30:07 Back To Y Combinator 30:26 Avoiding Overcorrection Traps 31:48 Hiring Lessons And Rebound 34:33 Selling Too Early Too Hard 37:39 Five Customers Before Scale 39:17 Product Market Fit Framework 42:08 Claude Code Threat Or Tailwind 44:52 Open Claude And Apps Disappear 46:46 Vibe Agents And Integrations 49:10 YC Then Vs Now 55:49 Wrap Up And Subscribe — 🦞 Lobster Talks is the YC insider podcast for investors. New episodes weekly. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss the next one. Listen on the go: 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP 🎧 Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm More from Lobster Capital: 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap 🌐 Website: https://lobstercap.com This Lobster Talks episode is brought to you by YC Roaster, a free tool helping founders improve their YC applications. 🔗 https://ycroaster.com

The recovery market is broken, and most VCs are too scared to touch it. Koby Conrad (CEO of Sunflower) joins the show to discuss why he’s betting his career on solving addiction using AI. After a successful exit at Rupa Health, Koby moved to Buenos Aires with nothing but a backpack to "vibe code" the future of sobriety. In this episode, we dive into the "no-meeting" SAFE phenomenon, why SaaS moats are dying, and how Sunflower reached $1M ARR in record time. What you will learn: Why the "Wellness" category is a trap for serious founders.How to raise capital in "emotionally difficult" or stigmatized markets.The strategy behind giving away software for free to monetize physical "atoms."Inside the YC Fall 25 batch: What has changed since 2019.Why AI sponsors are actually more effective for lonely users than human ones. 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 Choosing Mission Over Money 00:30 YC Roaster Sponsor Break 01:14 Why Addiction Is Underserved 02:08 What Sunflower Builds 03:24 Fundraising In A Stigmatized Market 05:14 Why Not A Wellness App 08:00 Stigma Parallels And Founder Backstory 10:37 YC Twice And The Compounding Effect 13:59 No Meeting SAFEs And Investor Alpha 18:31 Limits Of AI In Recovery 22:06 From Subscriptions To Clinics 28:14 Distribution Moats And Community 30:27 Community Network Moats 31:21 Software Is Not The Moat 31:57 B2B Pilots And Revenue Paths 33:18 Finding Product Model Fit 34:56 Why Start Over For Addiction 37:01 Backpack Minimalism Reset 39:24 Garry Tan As Group Partner 43:04 Rapid Fire AI Predictions 43:45 Gambling Addiction Rabbit Hole 46:34 AI Across Healthcare And Ash 50:59 Smarter Than The Robot 51:53 Where To Find Sunflower 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap This Lobster Talks episode is brought to you by YC Roaster, a free tool helping founders improve their YC applications. 🔗 https://ycroaster.com

The US government spends $2.7 trillion a year on everything from water bottles to fighter jets, yet the entire process is held together by Microsoft Word and tribal knowledge. In this episode, we sit down with August Chen, founder of Hazel (YC W24), to discuss why he left Palantir to tackle the antiquated world of government procurement. We dive into the "missionary vs. mercenary" mindset, the reality of the 1% acceptance rate at YC, and why the "death of the paper-pusher" is the greatest opportunity in VC today. What you’ll learn: Why 50% of small businesses have abandoned government contracts.The Palantir playbook: How to "deploy yourself" into a customer's workflow.Why selling to the Government requires a "hierarchy of needs" approach.The pivot from B2B2G to direct B2G: When the mission stays, but the product moves.How AI is turning months of RFP paperwork into seconds of work.Predictions for the "DOGE" era and the future of civil servant tech stacks. 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 Million Dollar Toilet Problem 00:39 YC Roaster Ad Break 01:22 Why Gov Procurement Lags 02:50 Broken Systems Examples 04:05 Inside Procurement Tech Stack 05:30 Palantir Lessons On Procurement 07:29 YC Pivot To B2G 11:36 Selling To Government Reality 17:22 Scaling A Small Sales Team 21:29 AI For Deterministic Compliance 25:15 Workflow First AI Second 26:00 Vendor Search Enrichment 26:18 Drafting Requirements Fast 26:36 Evaluation Notes Assistant 27:04 Safety and Tesla Analogy 28:35 Scope Review Guardrails 30:29 Palantir Patience Lessons 32:36 Hair on Fire Problems 33:57 Fast Pilots and Features 36:07 Overcoming Trust Deficit 39:04 Why the Name Hazel 41:50 Predictions Rapid Fire 43:58 Procurement Jobs Future 45:32 Investor Takeaway and Wra “🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap This Lobster Talks episode is brought to you by YC Roaster, a free tool helping founders improve their YC applications. 🔗 https://ycroaster.com

The most successful YC companies aren't always the loudest. They're the ones that survive the "Valley of Death" to become indispensable infrastructure. In this episode, I sit down with Grant Shaddick, founder of Tella (YC W20), the video tool that has quietly taken over the YC ecosystem. We dive into the grit required to build a category leader, why they chose to stay lean while others over-raised, and how AI is finally killing the "video editing" bottleneck. What you’ll learn: Why "boring" infrastructure often outperforms "hype" AI startups.The reality of the startup "Valley of Death" and how to survive it.Why a high valuation can actually be a founder's biggest trap.The future of agentic video editing: from tools to outcomes.The secret behind Tella’s viral adoption among YC founders. 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 The Big Vision: Make Video Creation Effortless 00:35 Sponsor Break: YC Roaster — Free YC Application Feedback 01:19 Podcast Intro: Why Tella Is a Quiet YC Power Tool 02:28 What Tella Is: The All‑in‑One Screen Recorder 04:38 From “Loom Competitor” to Polished Production Value 07:43 Why YC Founders Keep Choosing Tella 10:51 Async Video vs Meetings: The Future of Work? 15:23 Beyond Loom: One Tool for Every Company Video 18:25 AI + Video: Auto Layouts and Editing Without Editing 24:21 How Close Are We to Fully Autonomous Video Editing? 25:58 Why Video Is So Unforgiving: Trust Dies When Recordings Break 27:50 AI Can’t Save a Broken Capture (Yet): The Gap vs Text Generation 29:12 Generative AI as a “Bandage”: Fixing Mistakes After the Fact 30:21 Desktop/Web Video Creators Are Underserved (and AI Changes That) 31:24 From Whisper Dictation to “Fix My Delivery”: The Future of AI Video 32:20 YC 2020 to PMF: Staying Lean, Scrappy, and Not Getting Ahead of Yourself 36:26 How to Not Quit: Stubbornness, Small Wins, and Solving Hard Problems 39:16 The Rendering-Bug Breakthrough: Quality Fixes That Unlocked Growth 42:01 Fundraising Discipline: Valuation Pressure vs Runway and Focus 47:30 Wrap-Up: Try Tella + Where to Find the Team 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap This Lobster Talks episode is brought to you by YC Roaster, a free tool helping founders improve their YC applications. 🔗 https://ycroaster.com

YC just added one question that quietly changes what it means to be a founder. And it’s not about your TAM. It’s not about your pitch. It’s about how you use AI to build. In this episode of Lobster Talks, we break down YC’s newest application change, the rise of coding agents like Claude Code, and what this signals about where startup building, and venture capital is heading next. We also go deep on YC Roaster, Lobster Capital’s new initiative helping founders improve their YC applications using AI + YC alumni review. Here’s what you’ll learn: - Why YC’s new “coding agent session” question is a founder filter - How vibe coding is becoming table stakes in 2026 - What 20,000 YC applications really signal about global founders - Why traction keeps rising as the YC acceptance bar - How smart VCs are building internal tools and why most aren’t - Why the best founders and funds pivot fast This is a behind-the-scenes look at how YC evaluates builders today. 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 Claude Code Is Addictive: Why Everyone’s Vibe Coding Now 00:44 Sponsor Break: YC Roaster - Free, Brutally Honest YC Application Feedback 01:27 Welcome to Lobster Talks: What’s New in the YC World 02:00 How YC Roaster Was Built (Fast) + How the AI→Alumni Review Flow Works 03:37 Launch Results: Hundreds of Apps, MVP Bugs, and the V2 Relaunch Plan 06:23 What Applicants Look Like: Quality Spread, Global Submissions, and Reviewer Time Sinks 11:29 Why Build YC Roaster: Lobster’s “Helpful Fund” Flywheel + VCs Who Ship 14:20 YC’s New Application Question: Submit a Coding Agent Session You’re Proud Of 15:06 What YC Is Really Testing: Technical Bar, AI Fluency, and Advanced Agent Workflows 22:42 Founder vs Idea: Pivot Culture, Proof-of-Work, and How AI Changes Evaluation 27:06 VCs Need Tools Too: Internal Engineering, Interactive Marketing, and Fund Differentiation 29:28 YC Request for Startups: 2026 Themes - Agents, Stablecoins, GovTech, Spatial/Robotics 31:33 Wrap-Up: Subscribe, Reviews, and Next Week’s YC Founder 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap

Most people treat their bodies like a car they only fix after it crashes. Max Berthelot and Lucis are rewriting that script by turning longitudinal blood data into a high-margin, preventive software play. In this episode, we sit down with Max Berthelot, founder of Lucis (YC S25), to discuss why "Function Health for Europe" is one of the most compelling arbitrage opportunities in the venture world. We dive into the cultural shift of paying for health in Europe, the technical challenge of scaling doctor-supervised AI, and the relentless execution required to expand across five countries in record time. What you’ll learn: - Why blood data is the "Gold Rush" of the next decade. - The YC strategy for conquering fragmented European markets. - How to maintain "San Francisco Velocity" while based in Paris. - Why AI + Wearables are currently overhyped (and what's missing). - The 5-day fundraising sprint: How Lucis closed their round during YC. 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Preventive Health and Function Health 00:45 Welcome to Lobster Talks Podcast 01:32 Meet Max Berthelot and Lucis 02:23 The Importance of Longitudinal Health Tracking 05:02 Challenges and Opportunities in European Healthcare 09:14 The YC Experience and Decision to Stay in Europe 12:54 Maintaining YC Culture in Europe 18:13 The Role of AI in Healthcare 22:14 Expansion Across Europe 23:00 International Expansion Playbook 23:53 Challenges in European Market 25:35 Relentless Execution and Metrics 28:35 Trends in YC Healthcare Startups 32:22 Fundraising Journey and AI Impact 36:11 Overhyped Trends in Health Tech 39:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap

Factories don’t buy hype. They buy uptime. In this episode, YC-backed Cerrion CEO Karim Saleh explains why industrial computer vision is one of YC’s most underrated AI wedges, and why it can beat flashier “copilot” markets on sheer dollar-weight and defensibility. Karim breaks down how Cerrion deploys camera-based AI agents to detect production issues in real time, why manufacturing is a $20T opportunity, and what most investors get wrong about selling into factories. If you’re building “real-world AI,” this is the playbook… from five paid pilots before code to scaling via workflows, not dashboards. What you’ll learn: Why YC keeps funding industrial computer vision (even across hype cycles)The technical truth: every factory is different… and why VLMs change the gameThe go-to-market wedge that wins: small scope → fast ROI → expansion (NRR)How Cerrion embeds into daily factory workflows (shift meetings, handovers, owners)The biggest investor myth about manufacturing sales cycles, and the real unlockWhy competition-heavy AI markets are a trap (and what to build instead) 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Manufacturing Market Opportunity 00:38 Welcome to Lobster Talks 01:11 Introducing Karim Saleh and Cerrion 02:16 The Evolution of AI in Manufacturing 03:47 Challenges and Solutions in Industrial AI 05:40 The Impact of US Reindustrialization 08:44 Customer Success and Expansion Strategies 15:44 Fundraising and Market Trends 26:07 Future of Industrial AI and YC Insights 36:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap

Lawyers hate tracking time. PointOne turned that universal pain into an AI wedge, and used the YC playbook to move fast in one of the most conservative, high-ARPU markets on earth. In this episode of Lobster Talks, Katon Luaces (YC ’24) breaks down how PointOne built an “AI time platform” for law firms, why “hard thing first” compounds, and what investors routinely misread about early traction vs. real product validation. You’ll learn: - Why “why now” is the only filter that matters for AI startups - How PointOne got early users fast with aggressive cold outbound - The “hard thing first” strategy—and why it creates real moats - The truth: early traction validates the problem, retention validates the solution - How to sell AI into skeptical industries with “stepping-stone” adoption - Why AI law firms are real… but “one law firm in the future” is unlikely Chapters 00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Long-Term Customer Retention 00:33 Welcome to Lobster Talks: Featuring Katon Luaces 01:09 Introducing PointOne: Revolutionizing Time Tracking for Law Firms 01:54 The Magic of Technology: Making the Impossible Possible 02:46 The YC Journey: From Idea to Execution 03:59 Balancing Technology and Market Demand 05:52 Navigating YC: Maximizing Traction and Growth 07:29 Building a Complex Product: Challenges and Strategies 11:51 Post-YC Growth: From Zero to Exponential 13:18 The Philosophy of Tackling the Hardest Problems First 16:35 The Reality of Startup Life: Persistence and Iteration 21:22 Selling AI to a Traditional Industry: Overcoming Resistance 26:31 Innovative Business Models in Law Firms 27:06 Impact of AI on Legal Practice 28:07 AI Tools and Job Transformation 30:31 Competing with AI in Legal Services 31:59 Challenges and Opportunities for AI Law Firms 35:17 Future of AI in Legal and Other Sectors 37:41 YC's Role in AI Legal Startups 41:52 Overhyped and Underpriced AI Investments 47:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap

Focus groups used to take 6–8 weeks and cost around $30–50k. Motives is a YC Summer ’25 company that does it in a day, and is doing it the hard way: with real humans, not synthetic personas. In this episode of Lobster Talks, we sit down with Sean (Motives, YC S25) to unpack how AI-native companies are replacing legacy services, why YC is doubling down on agents, and the real tradeoffs of building outside San Francisco. You’ll learn: Why Motives can run focus-group-grade research in 1–2 days vs 6–8 weeksThe truth about synthetic users vs real humans (and where each wins)YC’s real “secret” (spoiler: it’s not a secret) and why it maps perfectly to agentsThe underrated founder problem: sales vs customer success once you have tractionWhy “unlimited research” pricing can create addiction-level usageLondon vs SF: customer density, talent economics, and survivability as a founder 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Motives: Revolutionizing Consumer Research with AI 00:31 Welcome to Lobster Talks: Meet Sean from Motives 01:01 Deep Dive into Motives: How It Works and Its Advantages 01:49 The Evolution of Market Research: From Traditional to AI-Powered 03:52 Comparing Human and AI-Driven Consumer Research 09:58 The YC Experience: Building AI-Native Businesses 14:57 Challenges and Strategies for AI Startups 24:07 Sales and Customer Success in AI Agent Businesses 28:10 Reflecting on Client Payments and Capital 28:35 Testing the Unlimited Plan 28:57 Challenges and Learnings from AI Research 32:14 Quality Control and Automation 34:36 The Importance of Customer Feedback 36:20 Choosing London Over San Francisco 38:16 Advantages of Being in London 44:02 Balancing Work and Personal Life 47:38 Cultural Differences in Tech 52:40 Final Thoughts and Reflections 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap

A seed-stage fund gets 10 markups… and a YC company hits a 4.5x in 9 months. That’s the vibe heading into 2026. Speed is up, liquidity is thawing, and AI is compressing timelines across YC and the broader venture market. In this episode of The Lobster Talks, we recap Lobster Capital’s breakout 2025, unpack why seed → Series A is getting cut in half, and lay out the sharpest 2026 prediction: the liquidity cycle is coming back… via IPOs, M&A, secondaries, and “creative” acquihires. We also dig into the counter-trend: as AI floods everything, founders are building real-world, tangible products that pull people off screens… Powered by AI, Not anti-AI. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why seed → Series A is moving from 18–24 months to ~9 months in top YC companiesHow a YC-backed company can go 0 → $10M ARR in ~14 months and keep growing 40% MoMWhy DPI + liquidity is the only KPI LPs ultimately care aboutThe new playbook: VC + PE strategies converging as AI makes roll-ups and efficiency leaps inevitableThe “opposite reaction” to AI: hardware + real-life communities powered by AI agentsWhat’s showing up in Winter 2026: robotics, hardware, and a surprising wave of space tech 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Cold Open 00:46 Welcome to The Lobster Talks 01:16 Recap of 2025 Achievements 02:19 Series A Success and Future Predictions 07:50 The Importance of Liquidity in VC 09:35 AI's Transformational Impact 18:58 The Role of YC and Future Outlook 21:45 AI Note Taker: A Physical Product in 2026 22:36 Digital Detox: Reconnecting with the Real World 23:59 Lobster Capital's Portfolio: RealRoots and Sunflower 28:15 The Rise of Robotics and Space Tech in 2026 31:39 YC's Moonshot Investments and Future Prospects 34:27 Reflections on YC's Evolution and Success 37:40 Upcoming YC Demo Day and New Group Partners 39:21 Conclusion and Future Episodes 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap

Everyone’s chasing shiny AI agents. Tanner Jones is quietly using AI to tear out 25% of a state’s rule book, and got Virginia to require his product by law. This episode goes inside Vulcan Technology, a YC startup using AI to map every law and regulation in America, undercut Deloitte and McKinsey, and turn a $4T regulatory burden into a trillion-dollar software market. We talk about Virginia’s $24K cheaper homes, destroying the Big Four with code, how to actually sell into government, and why most “AI for gov” plays are doomed from day one. You’ll learn: How Vulcan uses AI to analyze entire regulatory codes and show what can’t change, what can change, and what must change.The Virginia case study: how building code streamlining translated into ~$24,000 less per new home without touching safety.Why both red and blue states are leaning into AI for regulation, and how YC founders are navigating the politics.What investors get wrong about govtech, ARR, and how to value AI consultancies selling into the state.How Tanner sold to a state government 10 days after incorporation and then raised one of the biggest seeds of his YC batch.What’s overhyped in AI infra, what’s inevitable, and how to avoid building a “solution in search of a problem” in govtech. 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: The Challenges of Government Contracts 00:51 Sponsorship Message from Stable 01:51 Introducing Tanner Jones and Vulcan Technology 02:33 The Vision: AI in Government Consulting 06:20 Case Study: Virginia's Regulatory Overhaul 12:26 Bipartisan Appeal of AI Solutions 17:34 Behind the Scenes at Y Combinator 22:28 Navigating Government Sales and Investor Relations 24:51 Scientific Innovation and Emergence of New Companies 25:15 Palantir and Anduril's Impact on Intelligence Agencies 25:37 Targeting Regulatory Agencies and Market Size 26:10 Challenges and Opportunities in Government Contracts 27:37 Passion for Government Reform 28:25 Investor Interest in Govtech and AI 29:30 Challenges for Govtech Startups 32:26 Understanding Government Incentives 34:06 Metrics for Success in Govtech 42:31 Future of AI in Government 46:09 Final Thoughts and Contact Information 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap This podcast episode is sponsored by Stable. Click here to sign up for a virtual address: https://dashboard.usestable.com/onboard/begin?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=influencer_lobster&promoCode=lobster50

Most people think GPS is “good enough”, until you realize 90% of human and object movement happens where GPS doesn’t work at all. Warehouses, hospitals, tunnels, battlefields… completely blind spots. In this episode of Lobster Talks, Raymond Lee (Twill, YC) sits down with John Ferrara, solo founder of Juxta (YC S25), who’s building a Universal Positioning System... a no-hardware GPS alternative that works indoors, underground, and anywhere humans or machines move. We break down the tech, the wedge into logistics and defense, and how he raised $5M at a $40M cap in ~48 hours as a 21-year-old solo founder straight out of YC. You’ll learn: - Why 90% of location data on Earth is currently invisible — and why that’s such a big deal. - How Juxta uses IMUs, 3D simulations, and “synthetic fingerprinting” to localize devices without satellites or beacons. - Real use cases across logistics, warehouses, defense, and hospitals — and why these buyers are leaning in. - How deeptech founders should think about tech risk vs market risk when pitching VCs. - What it’s like to go through YC S25 as a solo founder, and why so many deeptech founders end up solo. - The inside story on raising a fast, oversubscribed round from CRV, PG, SV Angel, Liquid 2, and more. 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to GPS-Denied Spaces 00:44 Sponsor Message: Stable 01:45 Welcome to Lobster Talks Podcast 02:10 Meet Jonathan Ferrara from Juxta 03:39 Understanding Juxta's Technology 08:50 Applications and Use Cases of Juxta 10:34 Onboarding Process for Juxta 15:37 Competitors and Market Landscape 25:27 Deep Tech and Solo Founders in YC 34:47 Solo Founders and the Victim Complex 35:15 The YC Experience and Going Solo 37:18 Support Systems and Coping Mechanisms 40:23 Raising Funds as a Solo Founder 44:25 Choosing the Right Investors 56:17 Vision for the Future 59:05 Conclusion and Contact Information 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap This podcast episode is sponsored by Stable. Click here to sign up for a virtual address: https://dashboard.usestable.com/onboard/begin?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=influencer_lobster&promoCode=lobster50

YC pivot. Creator taxes. Real savings. Fernando from Beluga Labs explains how AI moves tax planning from “black box” to one-click, year-round optimization, starting with the messiest edge case: content creators. In today’s episode, Nikki hosts Fernando (Beluga Labs, YC S24) on building AI-first tax planning for creators, why they pivoted in-batch, and how YC’s “light cone” advice shaped a focused GTM. We cover messy creator income, quarterly taxes, line-by-line deductions, and fundraising with discipline…not vibes. You’ll learn: - Why creators are the hardest (and best) wedge for tax software - How YC’s niche-first “light cone” shaped Beluga’s roadmap - The two biggest ways creators lose money on taxes (and how to stop it) - What a 3-star → 10-star tax UX looks like (from “not going to jail” to one-click refunds) - Fundraising discipline: setting milestone-based use of proceeds - The creator economy reality: followers ≠ revenue; niche and brand matter more Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to AI-Powered Tax Planning 00:21 Stable: A Solution for Business Addresses 01:21 Welcome to Lobster Talk Podcast 01:40 Meet Fernando from Beluga Labs 02:03 Fernando's Journey to Entrepreneurship 05:14 Beluga Labs: Revolutionizing Tax Planning 06:32 The Pivot to Tax Solutions 11:56 The YC Experience and Support 16:32 Exploring Other Opportunities 19:20 The Future of Content Creation 21:50 Key Industry Insights and Data 24:14 The Financial Reality of Content Creators 24:43 Maximizing Income Through Investments 25:19 The Value Proposition of Tax Solutions 25:53 Streamlining Tax Filing for Creators 27:42 Aggressive Tax Savings Strategies 31:45 Future Plans and Expansion 36:59 Fundraising and Business Growth 43:19 Final Thoughts and Advice 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap This podcast episode is sponsored by Stable. Click here to sign up for a virtual address: https://dashboard.usestable.com/onboard/begin?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=influencer_lobster&promoCode=lobster50

A YC insider walked away from the best seat in the Valley… to build “prank call” voice AI that now powers serious enterprise sales. Simple AI started as a consumer assistant that people used to troll their friends—and turned into a phone agent platform that’s replacing entire call centers. In this episode of The Lobster Talks, I sit down with Cat, founder of Simple AI and former YC product lead behind Startup School and YC’s co-founder matching tools. We go deep on the real difference between a business and a startup, why YC went all-in on AI before the rest of the market, and how voice agents are quietly becoming the most valuable “employee” in the building. You’ll hear how a side-project consumer app turned into inbound from enterprises like Omaha Steaks, why B2B isn’t boring when the hair is really on fire, and what the future looks like when calling a business means talking to an AI that actually solves your problem. In this episode, we cover: How Cat went from building Startup School at YC to founding Simple AIWhy “making money” isn’t enough to call something a startup—and why tech-enabled scale still mattersThe origin story of Simple AI: consumer assistant, prank calls, and the first “holy sh*t” user feedbackHow large enterprises are using voice agents today for inbound sales, support, and real revenue liftWhy high-quality, high-conversion calls beat “cheap” AI—and how Simple AI thinks about upsell and A/B testingB2C vs B2B in voice AI, YC’s early bet on LLMs, and whether this is a winner-take-most market 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 The Power of Voice AI: Pranks and Beyond 00:34 Sponsor Message: Stable - Your Virtual Business Address 01:34 Introduction to Lobster Talks and Today's Guest 01:41 Meet Cat from Simple AI 01:55 Cat's Journey at YC and the Birth of Simple AI 02:46 Building Tools for Founders at YC 04:25 The Distinction Between Business and Startup 05:49 The Role of Technology in Startup Scalability 09:03 The Visionary Leap into Voice AI 10:58 The Early Days of AI and YC's Influence 15:58 The Consumer Focus of Simple AI 17:49 Real-World Applications of Simple AI 21:00 How Simple AI Works: Practical Examples 22:44 The Power of Simple AI: No Marketing Needed 22:58 Celebrity Endorsement: Reese Witherspoon's Favorite AI 23:41 How Simple AI Benefits Businesses 24:03 AI in Call Centers: A Game Changer 24:39 The Omaha Steaks Case Study 25:45 AI vs. Human: The Upsell Advantage 26:15 Seasonal Workforce Challenges Solved by AI 27:47 The Future of AI in Sales and Support 31:57 The Synergy Between B2C and B2B Products 34:10 The Potential of Voice AI in B2C 44:08 The Competitive Landscape of Voice AI 45:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap This podcast episode is sponsored by Stable. Click here to sign up for a virtual address: https://dashboard.usestable.com/onboard/begin?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=influencer_lobster&promoCode=lobster50

YC F25 just produced one of the wildest Demo Days we’ve seen: AI everywhere, hardware roaring back, and a drone startup raising at ~$200M straight out of the batch. If you care about where early-stage markets are really going, this is your field report. In this episode of The Lobster Talks Podcast, we break down YC F25 Demo Day just hours after it wrapped. We walk through the real themes behind the noise: AI as default, healthcare and finance getting rebuilt, deeptech and defense going mainstream, and why some YC valuations are starting to look… ambitious. We also dig into Absurd (AI launch videos as a service), whether AI-powered services can be truly venture-backable, and what a $200M YC seed round means for fund math and future returns. You’ll learn: Why “every startup is an AI startup” is no longer a hot take, it’s table stakes.The under-discussed YC F25 trends: healthcare, financial services, “AI for the real world,” and deeptech/hardware.How AI-enabled service providers like Absurd are rewriting the rules on what’s considered “venture-backable.”The inside view on a YC F25 drone company raising at ~$200M and what that implies for fund-return math.How YC valuations have quietly crept back up post-2023, and what that means if you’re raising or investing.Why narrative, defense, space, and truly hard tech (Starcloud, Astroforge, Array Labs, Harper, etc.) are shifting what “normal” outcomes look like. 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Surprising Valuations and Market Dynamics 00:54 Sponsor Message: Stable's Business Address Solution 01:54 Welcome to Lobster Talks Podcast 02:45 Recap of YC F25 Demo Day 03:56 Diverse Categories in YC F25 Batch 05:31 AI's Impact on Various Industries 06:26 Deep Tech and Hardware Innovations 07:23 Consumer Startups in YC F25 09:53 The Rise of AI-Enabled Service Providers 16:11 Debate: Service Providers and Venture Backed Outcomes 22:44 Scaling Ad Production Challenges 23:11 The Future of Video Content 23:58 Absurd Valuations in YC Companies 24:21 Drone Company with a $200M Valuation 25:59 Investment Returns and Valuation Math 28:47 High Valuations and Market Trends 36:43 Ambitious YC Startups and Their Potential 39:17 The Cycle of YC Valuations 42:50 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap This podcast episode is sponsored by Stable. Click here to sign up for a virtual address: https://dashboard.usestable.com/onboard/begin?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=influencer_lobster&promoCode=lobster50

YC to 200K users without a marketing budget? HeRA is trying to become the Figma of motion design and put After Effects on notice. This is a builder’s story: fast pivots, AI-native product, and a bold bet to scale from Berlin, not SF. In this episode, Chia, co-founder & CTO of HeRA breaks down how they pivoted into AI motion design, grew to hundreds of thousands of users, and why they’re betting on an onsite Berlin team post-YC. We cover PMF vs. virality, the UI/UX of AI video, the Figma vs. Adobe playbook, and how HeRA wants to power every SaaS launch video. You’ll learn: - Why the motion graphics wedge beat “all-in-one” AI video editors - The YC pivot moment: prototype in two days → interview in a week - Berlin vs. SF: talent, costs, and staying plugged into the Valley - PMF litmus test for AI video: “1 min product video in less than 30 minutes” - How HeRA generates code to animate motion (and why time makes it hard) - The Figma analogy: AI-native UX vs. legacy add-ons—and why Adobe should worry 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters 00:00 The Origin of Hera: From Video Editor to Motion Graphics 00:29 Sponsorship Message: Stable's Virtual Address Service 01:28 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 02:07 Chia's Journey with YC and Hera's Evolution 02:51 The Birth of Hera's Core Idea 05:25 Decision to Move Back to Berlin 14:53 Technical Insights: How Hera Works 19:46 Marketing Success and Product Market Fit 25:00 Creating Continuous Motion Graphics 25:22 Challenges in Long Video Generation 27:55 Competing with Adobe After Effects 30:28 The Future of Motion Graphics with AI 31:20 Collaborative Features and Market Vision 36:38 Trends in AI and Video Creation 43:23 Hera's Impact on the Industry 48:32 Closing Remarks and Future Outlook 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap This podcast episode is sponsored by Stable. Click here to sign up for a virtual address: https://dashboard.usestable.com/onboard/begin?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=influencer_lobster&promoCode=lobster50

YC Fall ’25 Demo Day isn’t here yet, but the signal is already loud. We went through 150+ companies and picked the ones we’d fight to get allocation in. From AI-native banks and eBay killers to fusion reactors in space and crowdsourced drug discovery, this episode is a pre–Demo Day breakdown of YC’s Fall ’25 batch. We go category by category (B2B, Consumer, Fintech, Healthcare, Industrial/Real Estate) and call our shots before founders hit the stage. No hindsight bias, just real-time conviction. In this episode, we cover: - Why AI video tool Waffer might become the Canva of motion, not just another Sora clone. - How Sorce hit 500k+ users and got Drew Houston to Venmo them a $200K angel check. - The AI-native consumer plays: SellRaze (the “AI eBay”) and Sunflower (sobriety companion that actually prevents relapse). - Fintech 2.0 with Selfin (AI bank aggregator) and Fernstone (AI-powered insurance brokerage in a Berkshire-sized market). - Wild upside in healthcare and deeptech: Exonic’s crowdsourced drug discovery and LunaBill’s AI phone agents for U.S. healthcare billing. - The industrial moonshots: Axial Composites’ next-gen carbon fiber and Zephyr Fusion’s bid to do fusion… in orbit. 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 The Crazy Story of Sorce's Founding 00:56 Introducing Stable: The Business Address Solution 01:56 Welcome to Lobster Talks: Fall 25 Demo Day Preview 03:28 Diving into B2B Startups: Laurie's Top Pick 08:43 Exploring B2B Startups:Gabriel's Top Pick 16:31 Consumer Startups: Laurie's Favorite Pick 21:09 Consumer Startups: Gabriel's Top Pick 25:10 FinTech Startups: Laurie's Top Pick 28:43 AI Native Banking Revolution 29:45 AI in Insurance: Fernstone's Disruption 32:01 Healthcare Innovations: Exonic and LunaBill 38:21 Industrial and Real Estate Picks 42:21 Fusion Energy in Space: Zephyr Fusion 47:17 YC's Hardware and Deep Tech Push 50:36 Demo Day and Final Thoughts 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap This podcast episode is sponsored by Stable. Click here to sign up for a virtual address: https://dashboard.usestable.com/onboard/begin?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=influencer_lobster&promoCode=lobster50

Hospitals are bleeding $260 billion a year to denied insurance claims — and AI is making it worse. One YC founder decided to fight back, using AI to beat insurers at their own game. In this episode, we dive deep into how Aegis, a Y Combinator startup, is using AI agents to help healthcare providers recover billions lost to claim denials. Founder Ong shares his journey from Calcutta to Carnegie Mellon to YC, the inside story of getting into YC at the last minute, and how his team is tackling one of healthcare’s most entrenched problems. What you’ll learn: - How YC companies are attacking trillion-dollar industries with AI - Why healthcare loses $260B a year to denied insurance claims - The hidden incentives driving insurers to deny payments - How Aegis built real traction in just 10 weeks - What YC really teaches founders beyond the playbook - The power of the YC network and why it still compounds after demo day 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 The YC Application Journey 00:48 Introducing Krishang from Aegis 01:21 Krishang's Entrepreneurial Background 02:30 The Birth of Aegis 04:53 The Power of YC Content 07:03 Getting into YC: The Application Process 10:00 The YC Batch Experience 14:25 Maintaining Momentum Post-YC 17:59 Advice for Aspiring YC Applicants 19:09 Tackling the Healthcare Industry 21:41 Targeting Medical Billing Companies 22:07 AI in Insurance: A Growing Challenge 22:21 The Impact on Hospitals 24:31 Investor Perspectives on AI in Healthcare 26:48 Strategies for Success in Healthcare Startups 33:12 The YC Advantage 33:49 The Power of the YC Network 38:14 Silicon Valley's Collaborative Ecosystem 39:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GJarrosson

They applied to YC with 90 minutes on the clock—and got in. Then they pivoted into the most operationally gnarly corner of fintech: global payroll. Avi Konduru (Shor) breaks down how AI agents + stablecoins can vertically rebuild EOR, cut costs by an order of magnitude, and expand the market beyond today’s incumbents. In this episode, we go deep on YC as an ambition amplifier, pivot mechanics under real pressure, price vs. TAM strategy, and why launch videos (done right) are still YC’s most underrated distribution hack. You’ll learn: How a 90-minute YC application (and one-take demo) still cleared the barThe precise wedge: vertically owning entities + automating back office with AIWhy “someone else’s margin is your opportunity” actually maps to EORPricing strategy: undercut to expand TAM vs. match to maximize marginHow YC Launch video distribution compresses customer discovery into daysThe pitfalls: agent reliability, compliance debt, and scaling beyond the batch Chapters 00:00 The Last-Minute Application Rush 00:42 Welcome to Lobster Talks 01:07 Introducing Shor: Reinventing Global Payroll 02:38 The YC Experience: A Rollercoaster Journey 05:02 The Pivot: From Stablecoin Infra to EOR 10:29 Bootstrapping Challenges and Lessons Learned 18:00 The Unexpected Turn: Applying to YC Again 23:27 Competing with Deel and Rippling 27:07 Understanding Reseller Margins and Fees 27:27 Deel's Automation and Disruption in Entity Management 27:46 Setting Up Entities in High-Traffic Countries 28:49 Challenges and Regulatory Issues in Global Payroll 30:06 AI Agents Revolutionizing EOR Operations 32:33 Pricing Strategy and Market Expansion 40:11 The Power of Launch Videos in YC 44:07 The Role of Influencers in Marketing 48:07 Future Challenges and Customer Acquisition 51:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GJarrosson

We finally found a voice assistant that actually ships work. Not a demo, not a hype reel—April closes the loop on email and calendar while you’re driving, lifting, or walking to your next meeting. In this YC-insider conversation, Neha (co-founder of April) breaks down how a narrow, vertical agent can outperform “do-everything” assistants, why dogfooding—not retention dashboards—built their product moat, and what a screen-lite future means for founders and operators. We also cover YC batch dynamics in a crowded voice category, Demo Day strategy, and the roadmap to a true “voice OS.” What you’ll learn: - Why narrowing scope (email + calendar first) beats generalist agents for real outcomes - The dogfood standard: building to a founder’s own bar, then scaling - How YC treats multiple “competing” companies—and why that can help you ship faster - Demo Day tactics: being live, iterating weekly, and selling the founder, not the fantasy - Voice vs. screens: trust, closed-loop execution, and the path to screenless workflows - April’s roadmap: LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Slack, Notion—and verticalizing for sales & investors 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to April: The AI Voice Assistant 00:24 Welcome to Lobster Talks: Meet Neha from April 01:12 Diving into April's Features and Use Cases 02:46 The Journey of Building April 03:58 Challenges and Successes in the Voice AI Space 05:36 The Future of Voice AI and Investor Insights 07:37 YC Experience and Investor Reactions 08:47 The Competitive Landscape and Collaboration 12:25 The Role of YC and the Voice AI Market 20:08 The Vision for a Screenless Future 23:06 Preparing for YC Demo Day 25:38 The Importance of Execution in Business 26:16 Advice for Startups: Ship Quickly and Get Feedback 26:50 Future Integrations and Features 28:37 Challenges and Strategies During YC Journey 32:31 Maintaining Momentum Post-YC 33:20 Mental Resilience and Personal Well-being 38:10 Exciting Future Plans for April 40:17 Predictions and Insights on AI Assistants 41:09 Lessons from Zoho and Book Recommendations 43:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap

A Netflix storage engineer walks into YC and ships an “infinite, shareable disk” on top of S3—30× faster and up to 90% cheaper—then dials GTM for the AI era. This is the file system’s comeback story. Today I sit down with Hunter Leath (ARL) to unpack how a decade inside AWS + Netflix revealed a gap the hyperscalers won’t close: developers want storage that feels local, scales like S3, and doesn’t nuke the budget. We get into: YC as confidence engine, moving a family to SF, rebuilding for speed, why AWS won’t copy this, and why the file system—not object storage—becomes AI’s universal interface. You’ll learn -Why the clouds won’t ship a product that cannibalizes billions in revenue -The architecture that makes ARL 30× faster and up to 90% cheaper -How to catch customers exactly when new AI workloads start (the real ICP) -Post-batch velocity: how SF energy kills the YC slump -Why “serverless everything” needs a serverless disk to persist state -The contrarian bet: the file system is the future data interface for AI 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters 00:00 The Risk of Leaving Big Tech 00:33 Introducing Hunter Leh and Aril 01:32 Hunter's Journey from AWS to Netflix 02:47 The Birth of Aril 06:55 Challenges and Insights from YC 07:26 The Solo Founder Experience 19:39 Building and Launching Aril 21:01 Go-to-Market Strategy and Customer Acquisition 24:04 The AI Industry's Growing Demand 24:49 Fundraising Journey and Investor Insights 26:35 AWS and Market Dynamics 29:17 Innovations in Data Storage 36:23 Maintaining Momentum Post-YC 38:27 Future Predictions in Data Infrastructure 42:22 Contrarian Views on AI and Data Storage 44:20 Conclusion and Contact Information 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GJarrosson

YC just changed the rules—and the market is catching up. We break down why seed is the power position, how CVCs are reshaping Series A, and what YC’s new Early Decision really means for founders and investors. In this episode, we cover Lobster Capital updates (first Series A, first DPI), how we decide follow-ons from an insider vantage point, the rise of “seed-strapping,” Coinbase Ventures x YC’s RFS on Fintech 3.0, and why stablecoins + AI agents may be the next real on-chain wedge. We also unpack YC’s Early Decision—who it actually benefits—and what to expect heading into the next Demo Day. You’ll learn: Why seed has asymmetric leverage (and why top YC teams don’t optimize for dollars) How we evaluate follow-ons: revenue quality, NRR, churn, hiring, and real signal vs noise CVCs at Series A: when specialization beats the “Tier-1” logo “Seed-strapping”: profitability at seed, and why some teams skip A entirely Coinbase Ventures x YC’s Fintech 3.0 RFS and the stablecoin/AI-agent stack YC Early Decision: who it helps (hardware/bio) and how YC captures talent earlier 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Investing Insights 00:23 Welcome to Lobster Talks 00:45 Lobster Capital Updates 03:16 Series A Graduation Rates 04:08 Fund Strategy and Follow-Ons 05:38 YC Companies and Profitability 10:33 Fundraising and Strategic Alliances 17:28 Crypto and FinTech 3.0 25:23 Global Currency Dynamics 26:20 The Rise of Stablecoins 27:27 AI and Crypto Synergy 32:03 Speculative Trading and Meme Coins 38:42 YC's Early Decision Program 44:01 The Future of YC and Startup Ecosystem 51:04 Conclusion and Upcoming Content 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GJarrosson

A robotaxi playbook… for dirt. Flywheel AI is turning excavators into remotely operated, camera-first machines — collecting the data to make them autonomous next. In this YC-insider episode, we unpack Flywheel AI’s “Waymo for excavators” strategy: retrofit any machine in hours, deliver value with tele-op now, and use that profitably collected data to train autonomy later. We get into labor shortages, safety economics (OSHA penalties), competitor traps (drive-by-wire only), and how to actually do hardware at YC in 90 days without getting stuck in pilot hell. You’ll learn Why construction’s bottleneck is skilled operators — and how tele-op removes it The dangerous blind-spot reality on sites and the true cost of safety incidents Flywheel’s retrofit + single-screen UX that works on any excavator brand/size The autonomy roadmap: camera-only stack, data flywheel, edge-case capture How to win data rights on site (be the only retrofit, own the dataset) The YC hardware playbook: sell first, build last; parallelize to kill lead-time 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 From Sandbox to Real Excavator: The Journey Begins 00:20 Introducing Flywheel AI: Revolutionizing Excavators 01:49 The Labor Shortage Crisis in Construction 03:51 The Dangers of Operating Excavators 05:58 Teleoperation: Enhancing Safety and Efficiency 11:28 The Path to Autonomous Excavators 16:34 Competing in the Autonomous Excavator Market 22:26 Demo Day: Bringing an Excavator to YC 24:37 Returning the Excavator 24:47 Demo Day Setup and Reactions 26:04 Autonomy and Data Training 26:38 Joining YC and Initial Thoughts 28:03 YC's Impact on Hardware Startups 29:18 Building and Iterating Hardware 33:13 Advice for Hardware Startups 34:49 Final Thoughts and Reflections 45:03 Accelerating Iteration Cycles 48:38 Conclusion and Contact Information

A “cute idea” until it wasn’t: RealRoots walked into YC as an overlooked consumer play and walked out with $9.4M ARR and an oversubscribed round. Summary: In this YC-insider episode, Dorothy Li (RealRoots) breaks down how AI-powered friendship matchmaking turned into real traction across 80+ cities. We unpack the demo day shock, the stigma shift (friendship ≈ dating 10 years ago), and the manual-to-AI playbook that de-risks consumer. We also cover investor blind spots, GTM math (cold DMs → paid), and why cofounder fit is a “you’ll know in 10 seconds” decision. You’ll learn: -Why “consumer is back” at YC—and how RealRoots rode a stigma shift -The manual-first, AI-next method that actually finds PMF -How 2–3k cold DMs converted to 11% paid ($20) and seeded the funnel -The marketplace + AI stack behind curated IRL events at scale -Investor pattern errors: scar tissue vs. behavior/tech inflections -Co-founder tactics, hiring posture, and sustainable pace vs. 9-9-6 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to RealRoots and Demo Day Success 00:48 Meet Dorothy Li: Founder of RealRoots 01:32 The Problem of Loneliness and Finding Community 02:43 How RealRoots Uses AI to Build Friendships 04:02 Expansion and Success of RealRoots 08:07 The YC Experience and Its Impact 17:39 Overcoming Stigma and Building for the Future 29:27 Investor Hesitations and Scar Tissue 30:12 Challenges in the Friendship App Space 30:59 The Concept of 'Targets' in Startups 32:04 The Importance of Consumer Behavior and Technology Changes 33:04 Co-Founder Story: Meeting Through RealRoots 36:16 Manual Efforts in Early Startup Stages 38:49 The Impact of a Co-Founder 39:45 Work-Life Balance in Startups 44:18 YC's Focus on Younger Founders 48:21 Validating Your Startup Idea 55:09 Customer Acquisition Strategies 56:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GJarrosson

A YC founder turns a manual, low-IQ grind into an AI agent that finds creators, negotiates terms, and scales UGC—sometimes a little too far. What starts as a viral local-model demo becomes Stormy AI’s end-to-end engine for influencer marketing. Fresh off YC Demo Day, Robert Lukoszko (Stormy AI) breaks down the pivot, the fundraising blitz, and how agencies are replacing hours of scrolling with autonomous outreach. We get into model-proof moats, why micro-creators beat celebrity accounts, and the coming wave of AI-generated influencers. You’ll learn: How a YC pivot formed around a founder’s own pain (and real demand) The playbook: sourcing, outreach, negotiation, and QA with AI agents Why “every better model makes us stronger” is the right moat test Micro vs. macro creators: what actually converts in 2025 The next act: AI-native UGC, personalization, and brand-owned AI faces Tactical Demo Day lessons: energy + social proof = signed checks Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Cold Open 00:13 Welcome to Lobster Talks 00:37 Demo Day Insights 03:05 The Journey of Stormy AI 04:39 From Viral Demos to YC Acceptance 07:35 Pivoting to Stormy AI 09:41 Automating Influencer Marketing 18:39 The Future of Influencer Marketing 19:50 AI and UGC: The Future of Influencer Marketing 20:11 The Rise of AI Influencers 20:41 AI-Generated Content vs. Human Content 21:05 The Makeup Industry and AI Influencers 22:26 The Shift to Micro-Influencers 23:23 Emerging Platforms and the Decline of Meta 25:22 The Future of AI in Content Creation 28:58 Preparing for an AI-Driven Future 31:46 Building a Moat in the AI Industry 34:54 The Importance of Vision and Customer Interaction 38:16 Stormy AI: Current and Future Plans 39:20 Conclusion and Call to Action 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GJarrosson

AI won’t live in chat. The future is headless agents doing real work — and calling humans only when it matters. Dexter Horthy, cofounder of HumanLayer, explains how agent-driven software actually ships. In this fast, tactical deep-dive, we unpack HumanLayer’s origin story (from failed data tools to paid customers in a week), why frameworks lag real production apps, and the workflow that lets AI agents ship in complex codebases. We cover research-plan-implement loops, context engineering, team process, and how “specs become the new code.” You’ll learn - How HumanLayer emerged from a SQL “janitor” agent that needed human approvals - The YC grind as a solo founder and closing first revenue in a week - Why horizontal AI dev tools are hard — and how top 1% teams actually build - Context engineering 101: research → plan → implement, and why it beats vibe coding - How to review plans, not code, to scale quality across a team Where headless agents win first — and why culture, not models, is the bottleneck. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Cold Open 00:21 Welcome to Lobster Talks 00:47 Guest Introduction and Background 01:12 Early Startup Journey 01:35 Building the AI Agent 02:18 Challenges and Pivots 03:52 Solo Founder Experience 05:28 The Importance of Data Tools 11:20 YC Experience and Revenue 13:59 Building for the 1% vs. 99% 23:50 Exploring New Ideas 25:18 Exploring Cloud Code SDK 25:34 Building Experiments with Claude 26:05 Challenges and Learnings 26:49 Insights from AI Engineering Talks 28:22 The Future of Coding with AI 30:22 Context Engineering and Workflow 32:19 Product Development and Customization 38:22 Scaling AI in Teams 48:10 Exciting Future Prospects 50:42 Conclusion and Farewell 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Show Notes & Resources: • 14min Youtube video on wielding coding agents: https://hlyr.dev/ace • Blog post version - https://github.com/humanlayer/advanced-context-engineering-for-coding-agents/blob/main/ace-fca.md • Sign up for codelayer beta: https://humanlayer.dev/code 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GJarrosson

Founders closing rounds before lunch. Investors making handshake commitments in the hallway. A startup with $9M+ ARR and another with $15M ARR lighting up the room. YC Demo Day isn’t a show; it’s a marketplace where speed and execution decide everything. In this fast, founder-first debrief, we break down what actually happened at the latest YC Demo Day: the subtle format changes (that matter), why the one-minute pitch is only the opener, and how deals really get done. We cover the batch’s AI/devtools tilt, the contrarian bets in defense and hardware, and why early traction remains the single best predictor at seed. We also unpack portfolio construction, conversion-rate dynamics inside YC, and what support looks like after the cameras stop. You’ll learn: - The real Demo Day mechanics: tranches, chat apps, long breaks for dealmaking - Why some hot rounds are already full and what to do about it - How to win YC deals: first-meeting decisions, 24–48h timelines, and prep work - The $9M+ ARR investment we made—and why traction beats narrative - Why we’re now backing deeptech/hardware (missiles vs drones, autonomous excavators) - Portfolio strategy: aiming for the fund returner, not spray-and-pray Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Demo Day Overview 00:15 Behind the Scenes of Demo Day 01:03 Changes and Improvements at YC Demo Day 03:11 Investor Insights and Strategies 04:23 Engaging with YC Startups 06:35 The Importance of Early Traction 09:49 Demo Day Pitch Dynamics 13:42 Fundraising Conversations and Strategies 18:07 Lobster Capital's Investment Approach 21:54 Portfolio Construction and Future Prospects 27:02 AI and Dev Tools: A Crowded Space 27:39 Challenges in Identifying Winners 28:48 Customer Acquisition: The Key to Success 29:57 The Importance of Traction 33:32 Investing in Deep Tech and Hardware 39:24 Evaluating Flywheel's Potential 45:46 Supporting Startups Post-Demo Day 50:09 Looking Ahead: The Never-Ending Cycle 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GJarrosson

A surfer duct-tapes a phone to his board… and ends up saving enterprise couriers 32 seconds per stop. The last meter of delivery — not the last mile — is where the money is. In this Lobster Talks episode, Ingo Boegemann, co-founder/CEO of truemetrics, breaks down how sensor fusion + mission intelligence turn messy building entrances, courtyards, and wrong pins into precise, repeatable delivery actions. We go deep on Europe vs. US GTM, GDPR constraints (and why the US may unlock even more value), landing whales like GLS, and the unscalable POC that unlocked scale. You’ll learn Why “a generic geocode is just the starting point” — and how to map entrances that actually workThe POC → pilot → rollout playbook (and why Truemetrics charges for POCs)How to integrate via SDK without slowing ops — and show value before engineering lifts a fingerEurope vs. US: privacy ceilings, data linking, and why boots-on-the-ground still wins enterprise salesThe real driver bottleneck: pressure, compliance, and turning best drivers’ tacit knowledge into softwareThe long game: building a data moat for autonomous last-meter delivery Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Last Meter Delivery 01:07 Meet Ingo Boegemann: The Journey to Truemetrics 02:15 From Surfboards to Sensor Fusion 05:04 Challenges and Realizations in Delivery Solutions 06:47 European vs. US Market Dynamics 11:42 The Path to Scaling in North America 19:02 Innovative Solutions for Delivery Logistics 21:37 How Truemetrics Technology Works 26:36 Magnetic Field Intensity and Machine Learning Models 27:29 Challenges in Courier Data Integration 29:52 Sales Process and Proof of Concept 32:08 Logistics Industry Vulnerabilities 35:42 Future of Autonomous Deliveries 38:30 Data-Driven Delivery Solutions 48:31 Closing Remarks and Contact Information 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GJarrosson

What if you could simulate human reactions — and know exactly how your customers, investors, or audience will respond before you act? James He is building precisely that with Artificial Societies. In this episode, we dive deep with James, YC W25 founder of Artificial Societies — a wildly ambitious startup that simulates entire groups of humans using AI personas to predict how messages spread, markets react, and products succeed (or fail). From simulating 1,000 VCs to get into YC… to replacing $20,000 market research surveys, this conversation is a masterclass in founder execution, behavioral science, and AI-first GTM strategy. What you’ll learn: • How Artificial Societies works (and how founders are really using it today) • Why traditional A/B testing and market research are broken • Product-led growth lessons from 15,000+ activated users • The surprising YC tricks James used to get into the batch • Practical ways AI can upgrade your messaging, GTM, and PMF search • The future of simulating entire economies (and why we’re not there yet) 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 Simulating Investors: The Early Days 00:27 Introducing Artificial Societies 00:48 Journey to YC and Beyond 01:06 How Artificial Societies Works 03:02 The Science Behind Social Influence 05:27 Technical Insights and Applications 17:28 James' Personal Journey 22:29 Building and Growing the Startup 24:50 Using Internal Tools for Optimization 27:38 The Evolution of A/B Testing with AI 29:41 Challenges in Market Research 33:14 AI's Role in Market Research 34:40 Balancing Customer Feedback and Product Vision 42:55 Future Predictions and AI Capabilities 47:48 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCahCIZ9KfmeK4rLosGNYpdg My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GJarrosson

YC just dropped its latest Requests for Startups — and they’re not just ideas, they’re roadmaps to the future. From AI-native enterprise software to 10-person $100B companies, these signals reveal where the smartest founders (and investors) should be looking. In this episode of Lobster Talks, Laurie and I break down Y Combinator’s newest RFS — from retraining workers for the AI economy to video generation as a computing primitive. We debate the real opportunities, the traps, and how these trends could reshape the startup ecosystem. What you’ll learn: - Why YC’s RFS is one of the best ways to predict upcoming demo day winners - The massive opportunity in retraining workers for the AI economy - Why video generation is shifting from an output to a primitive - How AI-native startups could disrupt giants like Salesforce - Whether 10-person $100B companies are actually possible - The risks, politics, and second-order effects of LLMs in government Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: The Value of Customer Money 00:26 Y Combinator's Request for Startups 01:14 AI and Worker Retraining 02:30 The Future of Semiconductors and Deep Tech 04:34 AR, VR, and AI in Training 09:02 Video Generation: The Next Frontier 16:12 The First 10-Person $100 Billion Company 22:31 The Future of Small Teams and Fundraising 24:03 Challenges and Opportunities in Multi-Agent Systems 28:12 AI Native Enterprise Software 34:39 Using AI to Revolutionize Government Consulting 41:24 Conclusion and Upcoming Events 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GJarrosson

Video editing hasn’t changed in decades — until now. Mosaic is killing the timeline and replacing it with agent-powered automation that can take you from raw footage to polished video in record time. In this episode of Lobster Talks, I sit down with Adish Jain, co-founder of Mosaic, the YC startup rethinking how creators edit video. We talk about Mosaic’s agentic canvas approach, why timelines are becoming optional, and how AI will bring millions of new creators into the fold. You’ll learn: - Why timelines are a relic — and what replaces them - How agent-powered editing can cut 12-hour renders to seconds - The human-in-the-loop design challenge for AI video tools - How Mosaic balances speed, control, and creativity - Why fully autonomous editing is closer than you think - The contrarian bet that could reshape the editing industry 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 Reimagining Video Editing in the AI Era 00:37 Introduction to Mosaic and Its Vision 01:21 Challenges and Innovations in AI Video Editing 03:22 The Future of Autonomous Video Editing 08:18 The Inspiration Behind Mosaic 12:36 Building and Marketing Mosaic 17:43 Navigating User Expectations and Product Development 23:40 Debating the Perfection of AI 23:54 Utility of AI in Video Editing 24:48 Future of AI Agents in Video Editing 26:35 The Rise of Content Creators 27:43 Competing in a Saturated Market 30:04 Generative AI and Video Editing 33:14 Revolutionizing Video Editing with Mosaic 37:33 The Future of Video Editing 44:18 Exciting Developments at Mosaic 45:46 Conclusion and Farewell 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GJarrosson

What if you built a tool so powerful, it became the #1 repo on GitHub—twice? That’s exactly what Daniel Farrell did with Onlook, an open-source AI-powered visual editor for code. From crashing Chrome extensions to crashing Hacker News, Daniel takes us through how he and his co-founder built momentum, community, and virality from nothing. In this fast, founder-first conversation, we cover: • How Onlook went from prototype to #1 GitHub repo • Why Hacker News beat Product Hunt for traction • The real benefits and tradeoffs of going open source • How open source GTM can win enterprise customers • What most people misunderstand about AI and design• Why taste, story, and community still matter more than code 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. 00:00 The Most Trending Repo in the World 00:16 Meet Daniel Farrell: Co-Founder of Onlook 00:59 The Vision Behind Onlook 01:57 Building the Prototype and Early Challenges 04:55 Finding the Perfect Co-Founder 11:57 The Open Source Journey 14:49 The Hacker News Effect 16:47 Global Impact and Community Building 19:40 The Importance of Open Source 24:31 Challenges of Maintaining a Community 25:00 Open Source Success Stories 25:21 The Super Base Playbook 26:33 Advantages of Open Source for Enterprises 33:42 Impact of AI on Design and Marketing Teams 42:25 Future Bets and Bold Predictions 48:00 Where to Find Onlook and Final Thoughts Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GJarrosson

What if launching a tech startup was as easy as filling out a form? Ben Collins, co-founder of Woz, joins Gabriel to unpack how his AI platform helps anyone — even non-technical founders — build full-stack software businesses. From betting against vertical SaaS to designing an AI cofounder you can trust, this conversation is a tactical deep dive into where startup creation is headed. 🔍 In this episode: Why Woz pivoted away from a holding company model What most AI-first code tools get totally wrong How mobile-first enables higher quality standards A unique approach to betting on future AI capability curves The real reason most AI startups are failing users 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. ⏱ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Scaling and Bottlenecks 00:18 Introducing Ben Collins and Woz 01:04 The Vision Behind Woz 03:43 The Founding Story 06:06 The Shift to a Platform Approach 08:53 Navigating the Competitive Landscape 12:39 Philosophical and Strategic Insights 17:02 The Mobile-First Strategy 25:34 The Journey to Product-Market Fit 27:15 Navigating Rapid Technological Changes 32:21 The Impact of Y Combinator 35:00 AI's Role in Scaling Service Businesses 36:42 Challenges for Non-Technical Founders 39:13 Bold Predictions and Future Bets 45:02 Exciting Announcements and Closing Thoughts 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GJarrosson

YC isn't just about AI anymore — it's quietly becoming America’s new industrial engine. In this episode, Gabriel and Laurie break down how Y Combinator is doubling down on hardtech, defense, and energy — and why this matters more than ever. From geopolitical risk to deep tech traction, we unpack how YC startups are shaping the future — and why top seed investors are scrambling to keep up. We also reveal how internal partner dynamics at YC shape which billion-dollar startups get funded. 🎙 This is your tactical, insider breakdown of what’s next for the world’s most important startup accelerator. What you’ll learn: * Why YC is going all-in on defense, energy, and hardware * How LOIs and demo day results work for hardtech startups * The “too late” moment for most seed investors trying to access YC deals * Why YC group partners matter — and how to track them * What the NextView “existential crisis” blog means for the seed market * Which partners are shaping the S25 batch behind the scenes 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters00:00 First Impressions and Initial Skepticism 00:36 Welcome to the Podcast 00:52 YC's New Request for Startups 01:57 YC's Hardware and Industrial Focus 07:08 The Importance of Energy and Defense 08:26 Political and Regulatory Considerations 14:27 Investing in Deep Tech and Hardware 20:15 Challenges in Seed Investing 21:25 The Impact of YC on Seed Investing 22:24 The YC Network and Its Influence 23:35 Challenges and Opportunities for Non-YC Investors 24:25 The Journey of Investing in YC 25:42 The Importance of Timing in YC Investments 29:39 Changes in YC Leadership 33:42 The Role of Group Partners in YC 37:35 Personal Experiences with YC Group Partners 39:30 Conclusion and Next Steps 🎧 Listen on the go:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAPApple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMmMy other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GJarrosson

What happens when a college student builds an AI tool that goes viral overnight — and changes how thousands of students study? Summary: In this episode of Lobster Talks, Gabriel sits down with David Yu, co-founder of YouLearn — the YC-backed AI tutor that transforms PDFs, class recordings, and YouTube videos into quizzes, notes, and a personal tutor. From a dorm-room side project to a viral social growth engine, this episode is packed with tactics, conviction, and bold bets on the future of learning. You’ll learn: How YouLearn hit 10,000 users in 24 hours from a single post The exact tactics they used to blow up on Instagram and TikTok Why most AI tools in education fail — and how YouLearn avoids it The truth about retention, virality, and real product usage How David thinks about AI hallucinations and data safety What learning could look like in 2030 with Neuralink, glasses, and beyond 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 Viral Launch on Social Media 00:20 Introduction to YouLearn 00:47 Meet the Founder: David Yu 01:09 The Birth of YouLearn 02:37 Early Challenges and Successes 05:09 Going Viral Again 05:45 Handling Rapid Growth 08:14 Maintaining Motivation 10:53 The Importance of Co-Founders 12:00 Transition to Full-Time 15:30 Iterating on the Product 18:36 Joining Y Combinator 21:04 Investor Skepticism Towards YC 21:49 Misconceptions About Joining YC 22:33 Right and Wrong Reasons to Join YC 23:28 Maximizing YC Experience 25:08 Navigating YC with Existing Revenue 30:26 AI's Role in Education 31:48 Future of Learning with AI 34:05 Misconceptions About AI in Learning 35:10 The Evolution of Learning Tools 40:26 Final Thoughts and Future Prospects 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4m2K7ah Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GJarrosson

What if your inbox didn’t just organize itself — it acted on your behalf? Nizar Abi Zaher, founder of Zero, is building the AI-native email client that reads, replies, filters, and organizes without you lifting a finger. In this tactical, fast-paced conversation, we explore his path from Cal.com engineer to YC founder — and how he's going head-to-head with Superhuman. From open-source strategies to voice-powered inboxes, Nizar breaks down how Zero is redefining email — and what it takes to ship fast, build in public, and stay top of mind. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why Zero was built around what people hate • How YC pushed them to launch before they were ready • How being open-source accelerates product velocity • What Superhuman got wrong — and what Zero does better • How social presence became their biggest moat • What email looks like in 5 years (hint: voice + AI agents) 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Zero: The AI-Powered Email Client 00:42 Meet the Founder: Nazar's Journey 01:24 The Problem with Email and Zero's Solution 02:56 Differentiating from Competitors 05:21 Rapid Development and Open Source Benefits 11:08 The Importance of Social Media Presence 14:57 Strategies for Effective Social Media Use 21:26 The Value of Authenticity on Social Media 24:07 The Importance of Onboarding 27:02 Launching and Iterating Quickly 29:31 Voice and Email Innovations 32:42 The Future of Email 40:57 The YC Experience and Final Thoughts 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4m2K7ah Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GJarrosson

They didn’t sell to insurance brokers — they replaced them. Dakotah Rice didn’t build AI tools for the industry. He built an AI-first insurance company — and now Harper is scaling faster than they can handle. In this episode, Dakotah shares how Harper went from kitchen-table experiments to a high-growth, fully autonomous insurance brokerage. He breaks down the real bottlenecks, the AI architecture behind their workflows, and the bold bets that could reshape an entire industry. What you’ll learn: Why Harper ditched SaaS and chose vertical integration How to embed engineers directly in operational workflows The underrated bottlenecks to AI-first company scaling Why relationships are overrated in insurtech How to build trust with real-world customers — without mentioning AI The real limits (and future) of fully autonomous firms 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Harper and Dakota Rice 00:38 Dakota's Background and Harper's Mission 02:13 Challenges and Pivots in Building Harper 04:29 Entering Y Combinator and Scaling Up 06:19 The Importance of Workflow Understanding 13:17 Lessons from Past Failures 18:34 Vision for AI in the Future 21:51 Building Complex AI Systems 22:49 Human Element in AI Services 23:53 Customer Perception of AI 27:37 Scaling Challenges and Solutions 35:14 AI's Role in Future Business Models 37:58 Future Predictions and Industry Insights 42:46 Conclusion and Contact Information 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4m2K7ah Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GJarrosson

What if a single AI voice agent could handle 100,000 calls a day and free up your entire support team? Episode Summary: In this episode of Lobster Talks, Gabriel sits down with Kevin Wu, founder of Leaping AI, to unpack how voice-powered AI is automating 50–70% of repetitive support calls, self-optimizing over time, and achieving 90% customer satisfaction. We dive into the origin story, technical stack, ROI metrics, human-in-the-loop safeguards, and bold predictions for 2030. You’ll learn: How Leaping AI began: from BCG ideation to the first major enterprise customer The differentiator: combining voice AI with evaluation and self-optimization modules Managing edge cases and human fallback to maintain 90% satisfaction Tech stack overview: orchestration layer, Twilio, multiple TTS/ASR providers, LLMs Calculating ROI and setting realistic metrics with weekly check-ins Future bets: AI vs. human empathy, integration challenges, market structure by 2030 Practical advice for CX leaders overwhelmed by AI hype Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Leaping AI with Kevin Wu 00:59 Kevin Wu's Journey and Inspiration 02:10 Winning the First Customer 02:41 Leaping AI's Unique Selling Points 03:59 Self-Improving AI Agents 05:17 Handling Edge Cases and Human Involvement 06:32 Early Days and First AI Call 07:33 Challenges and Continuous Improvement 09:00 Market Position and Competitor Insights 13:47 Customer Metrics and ROI 17:18 Technical Stack and Partnerships 19:09 Sponsor Message and Text-to-Speech Choices 19:32 The Best AI Voice Provider: Does It Exist? 21:10 Challenges in Voice AI for Sales 23:31 Implementing AI in Customer Support 25:37 Customer Reactions to AI 29:32 Future Predictions for AI in Customer Service 37:45 Getting Started with AI in Customer Service 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4m2K7ah Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GJarrosson

What if you could edit your face and voice like a Google Doc? That’s exactly what Prady Modukuru is building at Sync—an AI company making video editing fully editable in post-production. No more re-recording. Just fix it like text. In this high-velocity episode of Lobster Talks, we go deep on Sync’s origin story, how Prady and his team ship insanely fast, and why their AI-powered content tools are poised to redefine modern storytelling. It's a masterclass in product, research, and distribution. 🔑 You’ll learn: Why the future of video is editable—not generative How Sync’s AI makes lip-sync edits invisible The secret to shipping faster than anyone else in YC What most AI startups get wrong about growth How content became Sync’s unfair advantage The risks—and responsibilities—of powerful AI models 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Lobster Talks 00:05 Meet Prade Moku and Sync 00:48 How Sync Revolutionizes Video Editing 02:49 The Journey and Growth of Sync 06:44 The Importance of Speed and Culture 12:44 Content Strategy and Its Impact 23:23 AI Modified vs. AI Generated Videos 25:43 Future of Video Editing 25:57 Challenges in Human Editing 27:55 AI in Video Production 28:18 Common Mistakes in AI Video Companies 30:58 Organic vs Paid Content 32:00 Content Creation and Distribution 38:10 Future of Small Content Teams 41:56 Risks and Ethical Concerns 49:21 Exciting Developments at Sync 50:34 Conclusion and Farewell 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4m2K7ah Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GJarrosson

The YC Demo Day almost turned investors away at the door — and that might’ve been the point. In this behind-the-scenes breakdown, Gabriel Jarrosson (Lobster Capital) and Laurie dissect the most exclusive Demo Day yet, revealing why this Spring 25 batch could be the best in years. We explore YC's most AI-heavy cohort, debate sky-high valuations, and uncover what separates a good startup from a breakout unicorn. You’ll learn: Why YC Spring 25 had a record 0.8% acceptance rate What caused Demo Day chaos at the YC office How to evaluate traction vs hype in early AI startups Why some investors are restructuring funds just to get into YC How to get allocation in oversubscribed rounds Gabriel’s method for revenue due diligence during Demo Day 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to Lobster Talks: Behind the Scenes of YC Spring 25 Demo Day 00:21 The Unique Challenges of This Year's Demo Day 02:50 Impressive Stats and Trends from the Spring Batch 04:30 The Growing Influence of AI in YC Startups 09:03 Investor Insights and Revenue Due Diligence 15:33 Evaluating Founders and Early Traction 18:07 The Darwinian Approach to Startup Evolution 18:41 Revenue as the Ultimate Proof of Success 21:13 Navigating Competition and Investor Strategies 21:48 The European Angle and Hot Deals 23:12 Valuation Challenges and Investor Decisions 25:27 The Role of Media and Networking in Investment 26:40 High Valuations and Future Growth 32:16 Follow-On Strategies and Growth Metrics 35:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4m2K7ah Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCahCIZ9KfmeK4rLosGNYpdg

He was getting sued. Now his startup helps millions fight back — and win. In this founder-first, no-fluff conversation, George Simons breaks down how SoloSuit is dismantling a $3.5B legal industry — one lawsuit at a time. From bootstrapped beginnings and courtroom chaos to SEO-powered growth and AI-driven debt settlement, this episode is a crash course in building a business with compounding advantages and real-world impact. What you’ll learn: Why 90% of debt lawsuits are lost by default — and how SoloSuit flips the script How George bootstrapped his first product in law school using free court data The tactical role of SEO, YouTube, and content marketing in scaling user acquisition How AI is being used to mediate settlements and unlock trust in the legal system The business model shift that brought both debtors and collectors onto the same platform Why growing “slow and steady” might be the best path to building a unicorn 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to The Lobster Talks 00:29 Introducing George Simons and Solo Suit 00:54 How Solo Suit Helps Consumers 02:52 The Evolution of Solo Suit's Services 04:08 The Legal Landscape and Solo Suit's Impact 07:20 Solo Suit's $4,700 Giveaway 09:55 Navigating Legal Challenges and Building Relationships 16:58 Customer Acquisition Strategies 25:02 Early Success and First Customers 25:29 Implementing Payment Systems 26:49 Growth and Customer Base Expansion 28:42 Business Strategy and Philosophy 30:06 Sustaining and Scaling the Business 36:52 Future Vision and AI Integration 42:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4m2K7ah Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm

What if your non-technical team could ship code overnight? In this fast-paced Lobster Talks roundtable, Gabriel Jarrosson sits down with Samraaj Bath (Ion Design) and Agree Ahmed (Flowglad) to unpack “Vibe Coding”—the AI-powered workflow that lets designers, PMs, and marketers iterate on real code. They clash over misconceptions, debate the future of frontend engineers, spin our Hot Take Wheel, and stake bold predictions on where AI will reshape product teams. In this episode you’ll learn: Why “non-technical” teams touching code isn’t what you think The real risks and rewards of design-first velocity How AI is the “combine-tractor” moment for software engineers Whether VCs should demand a design audit before writing checks The one debate you need to have about skipping design thinking Bold “Future Bets” on the next must-have AI design workflow 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. 00:00 Introduction to No-Code Revolution 00:29 Meet the Experts: Samra and Agree 03:02 Debating Vibe Coding and Non-Technical Teams 04:47 Engineering Principles and AI's Impact 09:15 The Future of Vibe Coding in Organizations 11:19 AI-Driven Changes in Team Dynamics 14:33 Challenges and Opportunities in AI Tooling 19:44 The Role of Designers in an AI-First World 28:23 The Future of Design Roles in Startups 31:33 Hot Take Wheel: No-Code Tools and Front-End Engineers 33:38 VCs and Design Audits: A Necessary Step? 36:36 Vibe Coding and Startup Defensibility 44:45 Future Bets: AI-Driven Design Workflows 52:01 Closing Thoughts and Where to Find Us 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4m2K7ah Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm

You think you know where YC is headed? Think again—agents are rewriting the playbook. In this episode of Lobster Talks, Gabriel debriefs Laurie on YC’s quarterly Request for Startups focused on AI agents. From “full-stack” AI challengers to personal assistants that go from to-do lists to done lists, we unpack the highs, the lows, and the hidden opportunities for founders and investors alike. What you’ll learn: How “full-stack” AI companies can out-muscle incumbent software tools Why AI agents like DeepResearch are already saving you a day’s work in an hour The vision for a true AI personal assistant that manages your calendar, emails, and travel Why voice interfaces (Super Whisper, Willow) are the dark horse for mainstream AI adoption How big players (OpenAI, Apple, Google) threaten—and sometimes stimulate—new startups The one metric (hint: $1M ARR) that de-risks AI investments in 2025 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:20 Diving into the Latest YC Request for Startups 00:48 The Year of AI Agents 01:10 Full Stack AI Companies 02:11 Historical RFS and AI Personal Assistants 05:21 Voice Interfaces and AI Tools 07:16 Challenges and Opportunities in AI Startups 14:14 Verticalization and Specialized AI Models 30:30 Investor Perspectives and Metrics 36:23 Conclusion and Next Steps