The Lobster Talks Podcast by Lobster Capital

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

Revolutionizing AI Search: Ghita Alami's Vision for Zero Entropy In this episode, we chat with Ghita Alami, founder of Zero Entropy, about her company's groundbreaking approach to rebuilding search systems for AI agents. Learn about early chaos theory, tactical product insights, and the future of intelligent retrieval systems. 00:00 Introduction to AI Retrieval Systems 00:07 Meet the Founder of Zero Entropy 00:43 Building a High Accuracy Search Engine 01:17 Challenges and Solutions in AI Retrieval 02:34 Specific Use Cases and Examples 08:09 Evaluating and Improving AI Systems 12:02 YC Experience and Building Zero Entropy 20:35 Technical Deep Dive: Measuring Accuracy 22:50 Challenges of Internet Search 23:33 Evaluating Retrieval Systems 24:02 Improving Recall and Precision 25:03 Advice for Founders on Search Issues 26:11 Leveraging LLMs in Tech Stacks 27:28 Staying Relevant in a Rapidly Changing AI Landscape

🎙️ Inversion Semiconductor: The Startup Taking On ASML with a Tabletop Particle Accelerator What if the next leap in chip manufacturing didn't come from a trillion-dollar company — but from two founders building a compact particle accelerator in Berkeley? In this episode of Lobster Talks, Gabriel Jarrosson sits down with Rohan Karthik and Daniel Vega, the founders of Inversion Semiconductor, a YC-backed deeptech startup building a radically new lithography machine. Their tech promises to manufacture the world’s most powerful chips — 15x faster than anything out there — and reshore advanced chipmaking to the U.S. for the first time in decades. We get into: How they shrunk a particle accelerator 1000× Why ASML can’t (and won’t) build this Fundraising for a moonshot in deeptech The gap between U.S. and European startup ecosystems Predictions on photonics, quantum computing, and the post-Moore’s Law era Whether you’re a founder, investor, engineer, or just deeptech-curious — this episode is a wild ride through physics, ambition, and the future of chips. 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:37 Meet the Founders: Rohan and Daniel 00:57 The Technology Behind Inversion 02:19 Why ASML Isn't Doing This 05:16 Backgrounds: From ARM to Particle Accelerators 08:44 The Inception of the Idea 12:52 Exploring Other Applications 15:54 Early Struggles and the Path to Validation 21:42 Why Build in the US? 24:49 Comparing Talent in Europe and the US 25:43 Challenges in European Investment 28:45 The YC Experience for Deep Tech Startups 35:02 Building Advanced Semiconductor Tools in the US 45:11 Future Predictions for Chip Technology 47:07 Conclusion and Farewell 🔗 LINKS Inversion Semiconductor: https://inversionsemi.com Follow Gabriel: https://twitter.com/gabjarrosson #Semiconductors #DeepTech #YC #HardwareStartups #ASML #Chips #Photonics #QuantumComputing #MooresLaw #StartupPodcast

Join us for an intriguing discussion with Stef from Reditus Space as we explore the potential of zero gravity manufacturing. Learn how Reditus Space aims to revolutionize production by using reusable satellites to create unique and superior materials in space. Discover the challenges and exciting opportunities this new frontier presents, from pharmaceuticals to semiconductors, and even the possibility of organ manufacturing. Dive deep into the fascinating world of space factories, the impact of AI, reusability in space travel, and the future of space exploration. 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Meet Stef 00:34 Zero G Manufacturing 01:43 Challenges and Opportunities 05:38 Returning from Space 08:37 Future of Space Manufacturing 16:07 The Journey of Reditus Space 18:23 Upcoming Mission 20:38 Risk Mitigation 21:20 Economics 22:45 Reusability 25:43 Reentry 31:13 Future of Space Manufacturing 35:29 Human Presence in Space 37:50 Book Rec

In this episode of The Lobster Talks, we delve into the current state of the tech investment landscape, highlighting how fear and uncertainty in the market, partly driven by political factors like Trump's tariffs, influence investor behavior. Gabriel discusses the unique ecosystem of Y Combinator (YC) and its resilience during tumultuous times, noting that the best startups tend to thrive even when broader market conditions are bearish. The conversation also touches on the importance of investing during down cycles, the impact of AI on accelerating business processes, and the significance of founder passion and personal connection to their problem space. Gabriel also offers insights into the role of content creation and personal branding for founders, emphasizing how these elements can serve as powerful tools for customer acquisition and value creation. 00:00 Intro 00:51 Current Funding Landscape and Market Uncertainty 01:55 The Resilience of YC Startups 07:32 The Importance of Founder Passion and Connection 17:53 The Role of Pivots in Startup Success 22:55 Evaluating AI Investments and Technical Moats 28:56 The Power of Content and Personal Branding 33:41 Conclusion

In this episode of Lobster Talks, I sit down with Ashi and Reza, the unstoppable founders of Spaceium—a YC-backed startup building orbital gas stations. 🚀 They share the raw and incredible story of how they went from nearly homeless right before YC to raising $6.3M, signing $86.5M in commercial contracts, and securing $1B+ in LOIs—all before launching their first mission to space. We cover: How they pitched an insanely hard idea and actually built it The truth about LOIs and how they converted them into binding contracts YC’s impact on hardware companies How they managed product, sales, and investor traction simultaneously—while not sleeping 🧠💥 Whether you're a founder, investor, or just obsessed with space, this episode is a masterclass in grit, hardtech, and startup survival. 00:00 Introduction to Spaceium 00:25 Meet the Founders: Ashi and Reza 00:44 Spaceium's Revolutionary Space Stations 01:56 Challenges and Innovations in Space Refueling 04:02 The Dual Mission: Refueling and Repairing 05:13 Competing with SpaceX? 06:24 From Homeless to YC Success 08:59 The Power of LOIs and Contracts 11:42 The YC Experience and Building Hardware 20:00 Building Hardware in the US 20:45 Managing Customer Expectations 22:40 From LOIs to Binding Contracts 24:06 Setting Timelines for Startups 26:38 Pricing Strategies for Unbuilt Products 29:11 Upcoming Missions and Exciting Developments 30:58 Challenges and Rewards of Building Hard Tech 32:55 Book Recommendations and Final Thoughts 36:21 Where to Follow and Contact Us

In this episode of Lobster Talks, Gabriel dives deep into the groundbreaking Y Combinator Winter 2025 Demo Day. Discover how the latest YC batch shattered revenue records, including a startup already pulling in $50 million in profits and another hitting $2 million in revenue at demo day. They discuss why the quality bar is rising, the explosion of AI-powered startups, and whether the AI wave has peaked or is just getting started. Plus, get insights on what metrics truly matter beyond vanity revenue, navigating technical debt in the era of AI-generated code, and the strategic decisions founders face regarding fundraising and acquisitions. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the future of startup investing.

00:00 - 00:50 Intro 00:50 - 01:23 What's StarCloud? 1:23 - 02:05 Why GPUs in Space? 02:05 - 03:35 Abundant Energy 03:35 - 05:50 Why No One Did It Before 05:50 - 07:30 Starship Economics 07:30 - 08:50 Philip’s Background 08:50 - 10:00 Can Anyone Start a Space Company? 10:00 - 12:30 Building in Space 12:30 - 13:20 Does Space Solar Affect Earth? 13:20 - 17:00 Raising an $11M Seed Round 17:00 - 19:00 Spending Habits 19:00 - 20:00 Hiring at StarCloud 20:00 - 21:00 Relocating 21:00 - 24:15 Hard vs. Easy Startups 24:15 - 25:35 Skepticism & Critics 25:35 - 27:00 The Rebrand 27:00 - 29:25 Next Steps 29:25 - 30:25 Book Recommendations 30:25 - 30:56 Closing Thought In this episode of The Lobster Talks, we sit down with Philip Johnston, Founder & CEO of Starcloud (formerly Lumen Orbit). He’s on a groundbreaking mission to build massive GPU data centers in outer space—tapping into abundant solar energy, sidestepping Earth’s power constraints, and completely rethinking what’s possible for cloud computing. Listen in as we explore: • How Starcloud plans to harness orbital launch cost drops (thanks, Starship!) • Why running GPUs in space could transform data processing • The challenges and breakthroughs of launching a next-gen satellite • Raising a massive seed round—oversubscribed by top VCs If you’re curious about the frontier of hardware, AI, and space tech, don’t miss this deep dive into the future of data centers… in orbit! Enjoying the show? Give us a like, subscribe for more founder spotlights, and stay tuned for the next episode of The Lobster Talks by Lobster Capital!

Join us on the Lobster Talks Podcast as host Gabrielle sits down with Michel Tricot, co-founder and CEO of Airbyte—the open-source data integration platform that skyrocketed to a billion-dollar valuation in record time. Michel reveals Airbyte’s origin story (including scrapping their first product in the midst of COVID), how they built a thriving open-source community, and their unique approach to monetization. Get ready for insights on scaling without burning cash, harnessing AI to automate the mundane, and the power of “making something people need. ” Don’t miss this episode if you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or tech enthusiast looking to understand Airbyte’s meteoric rise and the future of data infrastructure!

In this episode of The Lobster Talks, I’m joined by entrepreneur-turned-investor Johannes Hatt. After founding and exiting multiple companies—including a SaaS startup scaled to 300 employees and 30M ARR—Johannes has invested in over 80 early-stage startups and over 10 venture funds. Now, he’s jumping back into the CEO seat! We Discuss • His journey from founding companies to investing in startups and funds • How he analyzes opportunities—both as an angel and as an LP • Why Europe’s startup ecosystem has potential (despite U.S. dominance) • The “checklist” he uses before writing any check • His return to building and operating a startup Johannes also shares practical insights on aligning incentives, navigating illiquidity, and scouting for that elusive 100x return. If you found this conversation helpful, like this video, subscribe to the channel, and let us know your biggest takeaway in the comments! Timestamps 0:00 Introduction & Johannes’s Background 2:13 From Founder to Angel Investor to LP 8:47 How He Picks Funds & Why Differentiated Deal Flow Matters 14:10 Europe vs. U.S.: The Opportunity Gap 20:56 Rules for Investing (And When to Break Them) 24:32 Why Johannes Is Returning as CEO 27:45 Key Takeaways & Wrap-Up Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll see you next time on The Lobster Talks!

In this episode of The Lobster Talks, I chat with Varsha—co-founder of Offstream, a YC-backed startup helping big infrastructure projects (solar farms, data centers, and more) secure crucial carbon-compliance certifications. Varsha shares how her consulting background and direct experience with manual, PDF-heavy compliance processes inspired her to build a smarter, AI-driven solution—something she likens to “Vanta for Carbon Compliance.” Key Topics We Cover • Why Carbon Compliance Matters – How certifications unlock massive revenue opportunities for developers building solar facilities, renewable fuels, data centers, and more. • Building Offstream – How Varsha’s firsthand frustration with manual reporting led to the idea for Offstream and eventually landed them in Y Combinator’s Summer 24 batch. • The Power of AI in Compliance – Where AI can streamline complex data extraction and predictive recommendations, transforming what was once a major bottleneck. • Balancing Big Ambitions & Personal Growth – Varsha’s views on mentorship, coaching, and staying motivated by celebrating “the gain” while striving for big goals. • Life after YC – Why Offstream chose Denver over the Bay Area, current product milestones, and what’s next on their roadmap. If you’re a founder exploring hard-to-automate niches, or just curious about how AI is reshaping climate tech, this episode is for you. Timestamps 0:00 Introduction & How Gabriel Met Varsha 3:18 The Spark Behind Offstream (Vanta for Carbon Compliance) 6:35 Navigating YC & Key Takeaways 10:42 The Role of AI in Streamlining Carbon Credits 14:50 Personal Mentors, Coaching & Founders’ Mentality 20:11 Real-Time Data & AI Agents in Sustainability Projects 24:18 Denver Headquarters & Future of Offstream 28:40 Pricing Challenges & Industry Partnerships 32:00 Recommended Reading: The Gap and the Gain + Lean In 34:22 Where to Connect & Final Thoughts Enjoy the conversation? Like, Subscribe, and turn on Notifications so you don’t miss any future episodes of The Lobster Talks! And if you’re on a podcast platform, drop us a 5-star rating. Connect with Offstream: Website: https://useoffstream.com/ LinkedIn: Varsha’s Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/varsha-ramesh/ Thanks for watching! Feel free to leave questions or comments below.

In this episode of The Lobster Talks, we’re joined by Wayne Crosby, a true startup veteran with a remarkable full-circle journey: • 2007: Wayne became a Y Combinator founder in one of the earliest cohorts, quickly landing a Google acquisition that evolved into Google Slides. • A Decade at Google: He stayed on to help grow G Suite, diving into AI and shaping how millions of users collaborate online. • Startup #2 & Another Exit: After co-founding a second company with Google’s former CHRO, he returned to YC as a Visiting Group Partner to coach a new generation of founders. • Today: Wayne is back to building as founder/CEO of Orgorg.com, a toolset for seamless team management and productivity, integrating AI under the hood. We talk early YC days, Google’s culture of innovation, what it’s really like behind the scenes as a YC Partner, and why Wayne ultimately returned to his roots as a builder. If you’re curious about AI’s impact on future jobs, or just want insider knowledge on startup growth, this is a must-listen. Key Discussion Points • The magic (and myths) of the very first YC cohorts • Lessons from building Google Slides and leading teams inside Big Tech • Why AI is more than just a buzzword—and how Wayne is weaving it into Orgorg.com • Life as a YC Visiting Group Partner—what founders should really know • Embracing your inner builder: how Wayne found his true passion in startup creation Enjoy the episode? Subscribe, give us a 5-star rating, and share your favorite part in the comments! Timestamps 0:00 Welcome & Wayne’s Background 4:17 Early YC Days (2007) 9:32 Google Acquisition & Lessons Learned 14:45 AI at Google & Future of Work 22:10 From Founder to Visiting YC Group Partner 28:55 Building Orgorg.com & Founder Insights 38:16 Balancing Family & Startup Life 43:00 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Thanks for tuning in to The Lobster Talks!

In this episode of The Lobster Talks Podcast, Laurie joins me once again to dissect Y Combinator’s brand-new Request for Startups—released just three months after their last one! We explore what’s behind YC’s accelerated timeline, the massive surge of AI innovation, and why now might be the best (and most challenging) time to build or invest in cutting-edge tech. From hardware breakthroughs and AI-powered agents to the “DocuSign 2.0” and data centers of the future, YC’s RFS signals a shift into deeper, more technical territory. We dig into how founders can stand out, the importance of iterating fast, and what investors should consider in this fast-moving AI landscape. Topics Covered • Why YC introduced a new RFS so soon and what it means for AI startups • The rise of AI agents and how they’re transforming business operations • Hardware vs. software innovation—and the traction investors want to see • Evaluating top-tier technical founders when speed is everything • Why YC remains the go-to launchpad for AI-driven companies Enjoy the conversation, and if you find it valuable: Subscribe to the channel for more insights on AI and startup investing.Like & Share this video with fellow founders and investors.Leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform—it really helps! Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll catch you on the next episode of The Lobster Talks!

In this episode of Lobster Talks, we’re joined by Jason Fan, CEO and Co-Founder of Finic—an AI “risk ops” startup transforming how banks and fintechs tackle fraud and disputes. Jason opens up about his tough decision to shut down a revenue-generating company ($150k!) in order to chase a far bigger vision. Together, we dive into: Why making $150k didn’t guarantee long-term success—and why he walked away How opportunity cost shapes big pivots and investment decisions The realities of pivoting after 18 months—from the heartbreak to the breakthroughs What Jason learned at Robinhood’s Trust & Safety team and turned into Finic’s secret sauce The future of AI-powered fintech and how it’s set to solve financial crime once and for all Whether you’re a founder stuck in the “idea maze” or a fintech enthusiast curious about AI’s next frontier, Jason’s story is packed with real talk, razor-sharp insights, and a fresh perspective on turning roadblocks into rocket fuel. Don’t miss this masterclass on knowing when to pivot—and when to go all in. Chapters 0:00 Intro to Lobster Talks 1:15 Jason’s background: From Robinhood to Finic 5:22 Building an internal tool into a new startup idea 8:48 The $150k revenue trap and facing the pivot decision 13:00 The role of “opportunity cost” in startup success 16:35 Surviving mental hurdles and ego hits 20:59 Why pivoting can be smarter than “toughing it out” 24:14 The future of AI in financial fraud prevention 28:55 YC lessons, founder communities, and staying resilient 33:40 Final thoughts & where to connect with Jason Enjoyed the episode? Hit the like button, subscribe for more high-level startup insights, and let us know your thoughts or questions in the comments below! Stay tuned for more conversations with trailblazing founders sharing the raw truths behind their success—and failure—stories. Don’t forget to subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode! Thanks for watching! If this conversation sparked new ideas, share it with a friend who might need some startup inspiration.

In this episode of Lobster Talks, Gabriel chats with Yonatan - co-founder of Jiga (YC W21) - about how a simple WordPress MVP grew into an AI-powered platform reinventing global manufacturing. Yonatan reveals the ups and downs of hitting walls, pivoting from marketplace to SaaS (and back again), and ultimately nailing product-market fit. They also discuss staying humble when things finally take off, fundraising highs and lows, and insights from Israel’s vibrant startup community. If you want real, practical lessons on iterating fast, listening to users, and leveraging AI for operational efficiency, this one’s for you! Chapters 0:00 Introduction & How Jiga Got Started 3:20 Building a WordPress MVP & Getting Early Revenue 6:45 Pivoting from Transaction Model to SaaS (and Back) 10:02 Staying Scrappy Through Challenges & Hitting Walls 14:15 How AI Boosted Margins & Automates Ops 17:40 Surviving the Early “No Revenue” Stage 21:30 Lessons from the Israeli Startup Scene & YC Community 25:51 Why Being Humble Matters (Even During Success) 29:14 Jiga’s Vision for the Future & Final Takeaways Enjoying the conversation? Subscribe for more founder interviewsDrop a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyShare your biggest takeaway in the comments! Thanks for watching!

In this Lobster Talks episode, Gabriel returns to discuss what’s on the horizon for YC and startup investing in 2025. We dive into Y Combinator’s shift to four batches per year, why AI is fueling rapid growth (and even potential AGI!), and how that might reshape the investment landscape. We also reflect on Lobster Capital’s stellar 2024—from an oversubscribed Fund 1 to multiple fast-growing portfolio companies—and explore Europe’s evolving role in the global startup scene. If you’re curious how AI, YC, and cross-border opportunities will collide in 2025, this one’s for you! Chapters 0:00 – Introduction 1:12 – Reflecting on Lobster Capital’s Milestones in 2024 4:39 – Inside YC’s Four Batches per Year 9:55 – AI’s Acceleration & the Push Toward AGI 14:02 – Revenue Traction vs. Defensibility: Key Investing Criteria 18:47 – Shifts in Seed, Series A, and Beyond 23:15 – Potential Exit Strategies & Secondary Markets 27:44 – The Future of European Startups vs. Silicon Valley 31:58 – Closing Thoughts & What’s Next for 2025 Enjoying Lobster Talks? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more startup insightsLeave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyFollow us on social for behind-the-scenes updates

In this episode of The Lobster Talks, I sit down with Roberto Salcedo—co-founder and CEO of Baubap, a Y Combinator-backed fintech that’s reshaping consumer lending in Mexico. Discover how Roberto’s team grew Baubap from a scrappy $3M seed round to generating $100M+ in revenue by building everything in-house and leveraging AI years before it was mainstream. What You’ll Learn - The early product decisions that fueled explosive, profitable growth - How Baubap uses AI to underwrite loans and keep default rates low - Why building core systems from scratch can create a massive competitive edge - Navigating funding, profitability, and future expansion plans (including a regional banking license!) - Lessons learned from YC, plus powerful advice for fellow entrepreneurs If you’re fascinated by fintech, AI, or just want an inside look at an incredible founder journey, you don’t want to miss this! Enjoying the conversation? Hit Subscribe, drop a Like, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of The Lobster Talks!

🎙️ Lobster Talks Podcast - Episode with Valentin Sulzer, Founder of Ionworks 🚀 Welcome to the latest episode of the Lobster Talks podcast by Lobster Capital! In this episode, Gabriel sits down with Valentin Sulzer, founder of Ionworks, a revolutionary startup transforming battery innovation through cutting-edge software. 🔋 Batteries are critical to powering the 21st century—from EVs to satellites, and even electric planes. Valentin explains how Ionworks accelerates battery development by simulating advanced designs in software, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming physical prototypes. Discover how their solution is changing the game for industries, from automotive to aerospace. 💡 Valentin also shares insights from his journey, including: The evolution of Ionworks from the open-source PyBAM project His experience as a YC Summer '24 founder The future of batteries and AI’s role in enabling innovation 🔥 Whether you're a founder, an investor, or someone curious about the tech shaping the future, this episode is packed with insights you can’t miss. 🔗 Links Mentioned: Learn more about Ionworks: https://www.ionworks.com/ Connect with Valentin Sulzer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valentinsulzer/ ✨ Don’t forget to subscribe to the Lobster Talks podcast for more inspiring stories from successful YC founders!

In this episode of the Lobster Talks Podcast, we join Laurie to discuss the exciting highlights from Y Combinator's Fall 2024 Demo Day — the first in-person demo day since 2019. The conversation covers the unique experience of attending the event at San Francisco's Masonic Center, the benefits of having a smaller batch size, and the impressive growth of startups leveraging AI. Gabriel Jarrosson also shares insights on investment strategies, the impact of AI on startup ecosystems, and the future of job creation in the context of advancing technology. Tune in to hear about the standout companies in this batch and what to expect in the upcoming sessions. 00:00 Welcome to the Lobster Talks Podcast 00:21 First In-Person Demo Day Since 2019 02:42 The Impact of Smaller Batches 05:33 AI's Role in Startup Growth 08:12 Developer Tools and YC's Focus 12:32 Investing in the Future of AI 23:20 YC's Request for Startups 28:40 Lobster Capital's Investment Strategy 31:50 Looking Ahead to Future Batches 35:11 Conclusion and Farewell

Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be financial advice. I am not a licensed financial advisor. Any actions you take based on the information presented are at your own risk. Please consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be financial advice. I am not a licensed financial advisor. Any actions you take based on the information presented are at your own risk. Please consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.

Are you curious about where venture capital is heading and how Y Combinator is shaping the future? Lobster Capital's Gabriel Jarrosson has the inside scoop! In this episode, Gabriel Jarrosson dives into the evolving world of venture capital, focusing on emerging trends and the unique opportunities within the Y Combinator ecosystem. He shares his excitement about AI's prominence in the upcoming YC batch, emphasizing the importance of real-world problem-solving and revenue generation. Gabriel also discusses the positive implications of YC's move to four batches a year, including improved mentorship, media exposure, and deal flow for investors like Lobster Capital. The conversation also highlights the significance of B2B software in YC's portfolio, exploring the reasons behind its dominance and the continued importance of B2C innovation. Gabriel's data-driven approach and belief in YC as a distinct asset class further illuminate Lobster Capital's investment strategy. He concludes with his optimistic predictions for the future of YC and venture capital as a whole. Don't miss this episode for valuable insights and a glimpse into the dynamic world of startups and investments. EPISODE IN A GLANCE 00:00 Y Combinator's Latest News (Demo Day, 4 batches per year, and the rise of AI) 05:21 The Y Combinator Network: Impact and De-risking Investments 11:30 The Shift Toward B2B Software and Fintech in YC's Unicorn Portfolio 13:57 The Future of Venture Capital: AI, Impact Investing, and New Models 17:53 Lobster Capital's Focus on Early Traction and Strategy 23:46 The Importance of the YC Ecosystem: An Asset Class in Itself ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Have you ever wondered how art and AI could possibly intersect? Today's guest, Madeleine D'Angelo, co-founder of Arthena, is here to tell us how she revolutionized the art market with data and machine learning, leading to a successful acquisition by Masterworks. In this episode of The Lobster Talks Podcast, we dive into the inspiring founder journey of Madeleine D'Angelo. Starting with a background in art history, Madeleine shares how she found her way into the tech world and built Arthena, a company that brought quantitative reasoning and pricing to the art market. We'll hear about her experience at Y Combinator, the challenges she faced along the way, and ultimately, the decision to sell Arthena to Masterworks. Madeleine also gives us a glimpse into her new venture, The Barker Price, where she's applying AI to the insurance industry. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of art, technology, and entrepreneurship. EPISODE IN A GLANCE 00:00 Introduction to Madelaine D'Angelo and Arthena 02:08 The Founding Story: Bringing Math and AI to the Art Market 04:55 YC's Impact on Arthena's Growth 09:22 Madeleine's New Venture: AI Pricing for Insurance 15:25 The Exit: Arthena's Acquisition by Masterworks 24:05 What Excites Madelaine About Her New Venture 26:34 Book/Quote That Impacted Madelaine's Life ABOUT MADELAINE D'ANGELO Madeleine D'Angelo is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for blending art and technology. Co-founder of Arthena, she revolutionized the art market by introducing quantitative analysis and machine learning to art valuation. After a successful exit to Masterworks, Madeleine embarked on a new venture, The Barker Price, applying AI to the insurance industry. Driven by a love for problem-solving and a fascination with data, Madeleine is a force to be reckoned with in the tech world. CONNECT WITH MADELAINE D'ANGELO Email → [email protected] LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelaine-d-angelo-b3508816/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebarkerprice/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/arthena/ GRAB THE BOOK MADELAINE RECOMMENDS → Shackleton's Way: Leadership Lessons from the Great Antarctic Explorer https://a.co/d/3XYcKJi ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Can AI unlock the secrets of the human brain? Join Gabriel Jarrosson, General Partner of Lobster Capital, as he talks with Dimitris Fotis Sakellariou and Kris Pahuja, the co-founders of Piramidal, a Y Combinator company building a groundbreaking AI model for brainwaves. Learn about their journey from academic research to building a business, the challenges they face in this complex space, and how Y Combinator has helped them accelerate their growth. Key Takeaways: -Piramidal's unique approach: They are building a foundational AI model for EEG brainwaves to translate them into actionable insights for humans. -Addressing a major need: They aim to improve the analysis and interpretation of brainwaves to better diagnose neurological disorders and support well-being. -Challenges of AI in Neuroscience: Data collection and annotation are major hurdles, as brainwave data is more complex and sensitive than other types of AI data. -Y Combinator's impact: YC has played a crucial role in refining their business model, connecting with experts, and accelerating their growth. -The future of Piramidal: They plan to expand their model to incorporate other biosignals (like heart rate, sleep data) and create personalized AI solutions for individuals. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -Introduction and Piramidal's Mission -The Origin Story and Building a Brainwave AI Model -Business Model and Early Discussions -Joining Y Combinator and Early Startup Journey -Technical and Business Challenges with Brainwave Data -Data Access and Importance of Partnerships -Y Combinator's View and Advice for Piramidal -Fundraising Challenges and Success -Finding Investors for Moonshot Ideas -Key Takeaways from Fundraising Process -Future Vision: Beyond EEG -Potential Synergies with Neuralink -Piramidal's Approach vs. Neuralink's Technology -Contact Information and Concluding Remarks ABOUT DIMITRI SAKELLARIOU & KRIS PAHUJA Dimitris holds a PhD in Neuroengineering and AI, and has conducted EEG research for 12 years at St Thomas' Hospital and King's College London. Additionally, brings four years of experience in shipping to production deep learning products for pharma and healthcare clients, as a Lead at IQVIA. Kris is an expert in product and strategy, with significant roles at Google and Spotify. Led the content detection tool initiative at Spotify and drove Chrome OS's expansion into the healthcare market. CONNECT WITH DIMITRI SAKELLARIOU & KRIS PAHUJA Website → https://piramidal.ai/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/sacellarius/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-pahuja-a59a905b/ Email → [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], & [email protected]. GRAB THE BOOK KRIS RECOMMENDS Neuromancer by William Gibson → https://a.co/d/aBASwBv ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Is a high valuation a guarantee of success, or is early traction the true indicator of a winning startup? Join Gabriel Jarrosson, General Partner of Lobster Capital, as he shares his insights on a successful investment in Baubap, a Y Combinator graduate disrupting the financial landscape in Mexico. Gabriel delves into why he invested in Baubap, highlighting their innovative approach to microloans and their impressive early traction. He also reveals the outcome of the investment, demonstrating how Baubap has become a thriving company with a valuation exceeding $1 billion. This episode explores why Y Combinator is a powerful asset class for investors and how to maximize your chances of co-investing in top YC companies. Gabriel outlines Lobster Capital's investment criteria, focusing on the importance of early traction and identifying companies with a distinct "YC premium." He explains how Lobster Capital provides investors with access to these top-performing YC companies and shares valuable insights for those looking to invest in this exciting space. Key Takeaways: -Y Combinator is a powerful asset class. YC companies have a high rate of success, with 5-6% becoming unicorns and 39% raising Series A funding. -Early traction is crucial. Investing in companies with strong early traction can mitigate execution risk and lead to higher returns. -Lobster Capital focuses on the top 10% of YC companies. Gabriel only invests in YC companies with the most impressive early traction and growth. -Co-investing is a valuable strategy for accessing top YC companies. Investors can gain access to these companies through funds like Lobster Capital, which have a proven track record. -Corporate social responsibility can drive positive returns. Baubap's commitment to financial education and customer care has translated into better results and a more sustainable business model. EPISODE IN A GLANCE 00:51 Baubap's innovative approach to microloans and their data-driven model 01:41 Baubap's Speed of Loan Approval 02:16 The High Delinquency Rate in Microfinance 03:15 The importance of early traction in startups and the "YC premium" 05:41 Lobster Capital's investment strategy, focusing on top-performing YC companies and growth potential 08:15 Baubap's Valuation and Rapid Growth 10:30 The Importance of Traction Over Valuation 11:53 Baubap's social responsibility and financial education approach 16:28 Lobster Capital's commitment to social impact and helping founders create a better future 17:53 The impact of Y Combinator's program on Baubap's rapid growth 18:40 The 'Maniacal Sense of Urgency' Instilled by Y Combinator 20:39 Why Y Combinator is a valuable asset class and how it influences Lobster Capital's investment decisions 24:12 How investors can gain access to top YC companies and the benefits of co-investing 24:14 Advice for Investors Seeking to Invest in Top YC Companies ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

How do a psychotherapist and a psychologist with no tech background build a multi-million dollar coaching business and land a spot in Y Combinator? This episode takes you inside the story of Torch, a company revolutionizing professional development with a unique blend of coaching, software, and behavioral science. Co-founders Cameron Yarbrough and Keegan Walden, both veterans of the psychology and coaching world, share their journey from meeting at a psychotherapy training program to building a successful startup that has raised over $80 million in funding. They reveal the key ingredients behind their success: a shared passion for leadership development, a data-driven approach to coaching, and the invaluable experience of going through Y Combinator. But they also candidly discuss the challenges they faced, particularly the emotional toll of building a business and the importance of self-awareness and mindfulness for founders. This episode is filled with insightful advice for entrepreneurs and investors alike. Listen in to discover the power of effective coaching, the hidden “secrets” of the Y Combinator program, and the importance of personal development for navigating the complex world of startups. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -Introduction of Cameron and Keegan and Torch's Mission -How the Founders Met and Their Shared Background -The Catalyst for Starting Torch -The Story of How the Founders Reconnected -The Value of T-Groups and Its Impact on the Founders -The Early Days of Torch and the Decision to Apply to Y Combinator -Joining Y Combinator and the Importance of a Tech Co-Founder -Fundraising and the Impact of Rapid Growth -Keegan's Departure from Torch and the Co-Founder's Dilemma -The Importance of Addressing Burnout and Personal Growth as a Founder -The Impact of Work on Family Life -The Co-Founder's Dilemma -Transitioning Leadership Roles -The Role of Coaching in Leadership -Reflections on Y Combinator -The Importance of Self-Awareness for Founders ABOUT CAMERON YARBROUGH AND KEEGAN WALDEN Cameron is the co-founder and CEO of Torch, a company that provides professional development services to organizations through a combination of coaching, software, and behavioral science. He has a background as a psychotherapist and executive coach, working with notable tech founders like Garry Tan and Steve Huffman. Keegan is the co-founder of Torch and a psychologist who specializes in leadership development. He has a PhD and brings a deep understanding of the psychology of human behavior and its impact on success. CONNECT WITH CAMERON YARBROUGH AND KEEGAN WALDEN Website → https://torch.io/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-yarbrough-60579948/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/keegan-walden-ph-d-672ab9101/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/torch-labs ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Is your investment portfolio missing the "Michelin Star" of YC startup investing? Gabriel Jarrosson, the solo general partner at Lobster Capital, pulls back the curtain on his unique approach to investing in the very best Y Combinator (YC) companies. In this episode of the second season of Lobster Talks, Gabriel Jarrosson, a seasoned entrepreneur turned investor, shares his incredible journey from angel investing to founding Lobster Capital, a fund dedicated to backing the most promising YC startups. He unveils the secrets behind his exclusive access to high-profile deals, often co-investing alongside giants like Google Ventures and Bessemer Venture Partners. Gabriel's deep understanding of technology, entrepreneurial experience, and vast network make him a valuable partner for founders and a sought-after resource for investors. He shares his rigorous investment criteria, emphasizing the importance of early traction, scalability, and a founder's ability to articulate a clear vision for growth. Key Takeaways: -Lobster Capital's Focus: Lobster Capital specializes in funding the very best Y Combinator startups, a highly competitive space where early traction and scalability are paramount. -The Value of Early Traction: Gabriel highlights the importance of early traction and revenue as a key indicator of a startup's potential for success, emphasizing the need to invest in companies already demonstrating a clear path to growth. -Beyond Capital: Providing Value: Lobster Capital goes beyond simply writing checks, offering practical guidance on customer acquisition, sales, SEO, and more, drawing on Gabriel's own entrepreneurial experience and extensive network within the VC community. -YC as a Mark of Quality: Gabriel compares YC to a Michelin star rating for restaurants, highlighting the rigorous vetting process and high-quality founders that emerge from the program. -The Silicon Valley Advantage: Despite the rise of European startups, Gabriel argues that Silicon Valley remains the epicenter of innovation, and Y Combinator is the gold standard for early-stage tech companies. -The AI Boom: While acknowledging the increasing presence of AI startups within YC, Gabriel emphasizes the importance of filtering and selection, ensuring that Lobster Capital's portfolio encompasses a diverse range of promising ventures. EPISODE IN A GLANCE 00:00 Intro 00:20 Founding Story of Lobster Capital 01:13 Journey to Silicon Valley and Y Combinator 01:36 Challenges and Strategies in Y Combinator Investing 02:14 Building Lobster Capital's Brand and Fund 03:02 Focus on YC Startups and Unicorns 05:19 Gaining Access to YC Demo Day 06:46 Early Successes and Building Reputation 07:33 Providing Value Beyond Capital 14:32 Evaluating Startups at YC Demo Day 20:35 Evaluating Startup Growth Strategies 21:44 The Relevance of YC in 2024 22:44 YC's Shift and New Leadership 26:12 The AI Emphasis at YC 30:06 Investing in US vs. European Startups 31:48 The Future of European Startups 38:10 The Value Proposition of YC 42:18 The Michelin Star of Startup Investing ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Are you a contractor working overseas? How do you navigate the complexities of cross-border payments? In this episode of Lobster Talks, host Gabriel Jarrosson dives into the world of cross-border payments with Eduardo de Leon, co-founder and Head of Product at Coba, a Y Combinator-backed fintech startup. Eduardo shares his journey from a software development background to launching Coba, a platform designed to empower contractors in Latin America by providing access to the US banking system and simplifying financial transactions between the US and Mexico. Eduardo reveals the origins of Coba, initially aimed at connecting talent with US companies. Through extensive user interviews, they uncovered a critical pain point: the need for financial services tailored to cross-border workers. This realization led to a pivotal shift in their business model, propelling them into the fintech industry and ultimately leading to their acceptance into Y Combinator. Eduardo talks about the challenges and opportunities of cross-border payments, the importance of understanding local markets, and how Coba is leveraging technology to bridge the gap between different economies. He also shares insights on the decision-making process as a co-founder, the role of crypto in cross-border transactions, and the valuable lessons learned from their Y Combinator experience. EPISODE IN A GLANCE - Eduardo's Background and the Inspiration Behind Coba - Coba's Platform and Services for Contractors in Latin America - Pivoting the Business Model and Decision-Making as Co-Founders - The Cross-Border Payments Landscape and Focusing on the US-Mexico Corridor - Crypto's Role in Cross-Border Payments and Potential Integration with Coba - Coba's Experience with Y Combinator and Lessons Learned - Future Plans for Coba and Expanding Services - Book Recommendations: 'Hackers & Painters' and 'The Mythical Man-Month' ABOUT EDUARDO LOPEZ DE LEON Co-founder & Head of Product @ Coba. Previously to founding Coba.ai, Eduardo started IcaliaLabs.com operating from LatAm and working with US clients. He had the opportunity to work with fast-growing startups, corporates such as IBM, and big software factories such as Infosys. CS professor of Monterrey Tech. CONNECT WITH EDUARDO & COBA Website → https://coba.ai/ Eduardo's Website → https://edolopez.ai LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/elopezdeleon/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/cobaremote X/Twitter → https://x.com/edolopez X/Twitter → https://x.com/cobaremote YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@cobaremote Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/edolopez.io GRAB THE BOOKS EDUARDO RECOMMENDS: -Paul Graham's Hackers & Painters: Big Ideas from the Computer Age (https://a.co/d/3nccG3N) -Fred Brooks' The Mythical Man-Month (https://a.co/d/ewA2lFy) ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Did you know that the US spent $200 billion on new manufacturing construction in 2023 alone? The manufacturing industry is booming, but it faces challenges in productivity and cost. That's where Dime comes in. In this episode of Lobster Talks, host Gabriel Jarrosson interviews Ashish Bajaj, co-founder of Dime, a startup revolutionizing how manufacturers manage their factories. Born and raised in Detroit, Ashish's unique background in finance and deep ties to the manufacturing industry led him to create Dime, a platform designed to modernize and streamline production processes. Ashish discusses the challenges manufacturers face with outdated software and manual processes, particularly in production scheduling and tracking. He shares how Dime's central nervous system for factories is solving these problems by automating these tasks, improving efficiency, and ultimately boosting productivity. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and manufacturing, the challenges faced by American manufacturers, and how startups like Dime are leading the charge to modernize the industry. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -The Origin Story of Dime and the Manufacturing Landscape -The Growth of Manufacturing in the US and Dime's Role -What Dime Does and How It's Different from Other Solutions -The State of Manufacturing in China and the Importance of Productivity -Dime's Journey After Y Combinator and the Importance of Founder Mentality -The Psychology of Success in Startups -The Impact of Y Combinator on Founders -Dime's sales strategy and the importance of focusing on fundamentals of startup success -The challenges and opportunities of manufacturing in the US -Choosing the Right Headquarters -Staying Ahead in Manufacturing Tech -Book Recommendation: Principles by Ray Dalio -How to Connect with Dime ABOUT ASHISH BAJAJ Ashish is a co-founder @ Dime. He's a passionate Detroiter excited about building the tools that power the American Manufacturing renaissance. Before Dime, Ashish led the business operations and finance functions at a Series B Ghost Kitchen aggregator. Before that, he spent four years in finance, first as an Investment Banker at Rothschild, and then as an Investor at TPG. CONNECT WITH ASHISH BAJAJ Website → https://www.getdime.io/ LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/in/ashish-bajaj1 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/dime-manufacturing/ GRAB THE BOOK ASHISH RECOMMENDS → Principles by Ray Dalio, https://www.principles.com/ ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Did you know that changing a Twitter notification from "Elon tweeted" to "Elon just tweeted" once led to a gain of 800,000 users? In this episode of The Lobster Talks by Lobster Capital, host Gabriel Jarrosson interviews Neha Mittal, founder and CEO of YCombinator-backed Just Words. Neha shares her journey from leading growth at Twitter and Pinterest to starting her own company focused on AI-powered personalized messaging. She reveals how a simple copy change experiment at Twitter sparked the idea for Just Words and discusses the challenges she faced, including a co-founder breakup mid-Y Combinator. Neha explains how Just Words differs from existing A/B testing tools and email service providers by focusing on user-centricity and infinite content testing. She also provides insights into the company's future vision of hyper-personalized communication and the role of AI in revolutionizing marketing. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -Meet Neha Mittal: Founder of Just Words -The Birth of Just Words: From Twitter to Pinterest -How Just Words Stands Out in a Crowded Market -Building the Future: Products and Vision of Just Words -Collaborating with Big Names: Grammarly and BeReal -Navigating Co-Founder Breakups: Lessons Learned -Finding the Right Co-Founder: Trust and Vision -Advice for Solo Founders: Trust Your Gut -Intuition in Business -Fundraising Challenges and Resilience -The Impact of YC and Community Support -Vision for Just Words -Book Recommendation → The Tao of Pooh Paperback by Benjamin Hoff ABOUT NEHA MITTAL Neha Mittal is the CEO & Co-founder of just words. She was the head of product for Retention & Growth at Pinterest and at Twitter. She also co-founded CityStructure and was the founding engineer at Sensorflow. She has also held product & engineering roles at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and Goldman Sachs. CONNECT WITH NEHA MITTAL Website → https://justwords.ai LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/in/neha01mittal LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/justwordsai/ GRAB THE BOOK NEHA RECOMMENDS: The Tao of Pooh Paperback by Benjamin Hoff → https://a.co/d/dNPfw8G ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

What if mining for valuable minerals could be done in space with a smaller environmental impact and at a lower cost? In this episode of The Lobster Talks by Lobster Capital, Gabriel Jarrosson interviews Matt Gialich, the founder and CEO of AstroForge, a company focused on mining asteroids to extract valuable minerals in space at a lower cost and smaller carbon footprint than the current mining methods. Matt shares his journey from working at Bird Rides and the Jet Propulsion Lab to founding AstroForge, inspired by the challenges of sourcing platinum for microchips and the limitations of traditional space exploration. Matt discusses AstroForge's mission to make space resources accessible on Earth, revolutionize mining practices, and contribute to a cleaner economic impact. AstroForge's upcoming mission in November will be the first commercial deep space mission to identify a metallic asteroid, paving the way for a new era of space resource utilization. With a focus on speed, innovation, and environmental responsibility, AstroForge is poised to become a leader in the emerging field of asteroid mining. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -Introduction to Matt Gialich, CEO of AstroForge -AstroForge's Mission and Potential Uses for Mined Metals -Matt's journey from Bird Rides and JPL to founding AstroForge -The potential size and impact of AstroForge on the global mining industry and the environment -The "idiot rule" and AstroForge's innovative approach to cost reduction -The importance of speed in AstroForge's operations and how it's embedded in their team culture -The hardest part of asteroid mining and AstroForge's focus on developing refinery technology -How AstroForge selects target asteroids, prioritizing ore quality over size -Hiring challenges and the importance of passion and ownership within the AstroForge team -Details about AstroForge's upcoming November launch and the goals of the mission -Balancing fundraising and CEO responsibilities, the challenges Matt faces -Matt's key takeaway from Y Combinator and the importance of focusing on customers -Matt's unique perspective on the impact of books and quotes on his life ABOUT MATT GIALICH Matt Gialich is the CEO of AstroForge. An asteroid mining company that is the first company to have a commercial deep space mission. CONNECT WITH MATT GIALICH Website → https://www.astroforge.io/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gialich/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/astroforge/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/astroforge.io/ X/Twitter → https://x.com/astroforge Email → [email protected] ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Is FinTech dead? With the rise of AI and recent industry shakeups, many are asking this question. But what if the most exciting days of FinTech are still ahead? In this episode of Lobster Talks, host Gabriel Jarrosson interviews Daniel Kivatinos, a serial entrepreneur who has successfully navigated the highs and lows of the startup world. Daniel shares the story of building DrChrono, his first company, into a top 1% YC exit, and his insights on why he's now diving back into the complex and exciting world of FinTech with his new venture, JustPaid.io. The conversation dives into Daniel's experiences with Y Combinator, both in its early days and in its current, more structured form. He shares valuable advice on building a strong company culture, the importance of rapid iteration, and the crucial role of delegation in scaling a business. Daniel also discusses the evolving landscape of FinTech, the challenges and opportunities it presents, and why he believes it remains a vital industry with immense potential for disruption. Join us as we dive into the future of FinTech, the power of Y Combinator community, and the lessons learned from building a top 1% YC exit. EPISODE IN A GLANCE - The Current State of FinTech and Opportunities for Disruption - Daniel's Perspective on Building a Company for the Long Haul - The Story of DrChrono's Journey to a Top 1% YC Exit - Why Y Combinator was Instrumental in DrChrono's Success - The Power of Hacker News and Early YC Community - The Evolution of YC and Its Modern Tools - Reconnecting with YC: A Second-Time Founder’s Perspective - The Value of Founder-to-Founder Support - Lobster Capital's Investment Thesis and Top 1% YC Exit - The Journey and Challenges of Building DrChrono - Scaling and Delegating for Success - Introducing JustPaid.io: Revolutionizing Revenue Collection - The Importance of Company Culture and Long-Term Vision - Closing Thoughts and Book Recommendations ABOUT DANIEL KIVATINOS Daniel is the cofounder and CEO of JustPaid.io (Y Combinator 2023) and cofounder and former COO of DrChrono (Y Combinator 2011, a top 1% YC exit). CONNECT WITH DANIEL Website → https://www.justpaid.io/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kivatinos/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/justpaid/ GRAB THE BOOKS OF JIM COLLINS, THE AUTHOR DANIEL RECOMMENDS → https://www.jimcollins.com/books.html ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Have you ever considered pivoting your startup? What if you didn't even have a new idea lined up? In this episode of The Lobster Talks by Lobster Capital, we are joined by Ankur Rustagi, a serial entrepreneur with a background in trust and safety at tech giants like Facebook and Roblox. He founded Sero AI, a trust and safety platform, and then pivoted to Saatvy, a wellness platform focused on chronic conditions, after just ten months. This episode dives into Ankur's journey, exploring the challenges of building and selling a B2B SaaS solution in the trust and safety space, and the pivotal decision to change course. He shares his internal struggle, the impact on his co-founder, and the support he received from Y Combinator and investors. Ankur then reveals the unexpected path that led him to Saatvy, driven by a personal experience with chronic pain and a growing belief in the power of alternative medicine, particularly Ayurveda. Listen to this episode and gain valuable insights into the realities of startup pivoting, the importance of staying true to your convictions, and the potential for success in unexpected corners of the market. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -The Sero AI Journey: Ankur's motivation for founding Sero AI, aiming to improve trust and safety in the tech world -Challenges with Sero AI: Enterprise Sales and Internal Struggles -The Decision to Pivot: Ankur reveals the internal struggle and the decision to pivot away from Sero AI -The Emotional Journey: Dealing with Uncertainty and Maintaining Energy -Investor Conversations: How Ankur Communicated the Pivot to His Investors -The Birth of Saatvy: The Path from LLM Safety to Wellness -Saatvy's Approach: Authentic Ayurvedic Practitioners and Personalized Care -Co-Founder Dynamics: Navigating Tala's Departure and Maintaining a Positive Relationship -The Future of Saatvy: Raising Awareness and Expanding Access to Ayurvedic Care ABOUT ANKUR RUSTAGI Founder of Saatvy, whose mission is to take Ayurveda to 100M+ people with chronic conditions. Previously, Ankur empowered teams at Meta, Roblox and eBay to build AI solutions for elections and child safety. CONNECT WITH ANKUR RUSTAGI Website → https://saatvy.com LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/saatvy LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/anrustagi ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

What if you rapidly iterate and test flight software for rockets, drones, or satellites just like game developers do? In this episode of The Lobster Talks Podcast by Lobster Capital, we sit down with Daniel Driscoll, a former military officer turned software engineer, who is the CEO and co-founder of Elodin. Elodin is on a mission to revolutionize the aerospace industry by providing a flight software development platform that streamlines and accelerates the process of building, testing, and deploying software for everything that flies – from drones and missiles to satellites. Dan's journey is nothing short of fascinating. From his time at West Point and serving in Iraq to working at Electronic Arts (on the Sims 4!) and Salesforce, his diverse experiences have shaped his leadership style and fueled his passion for innovation. Drawing inspiration from the Unreal Engine used in game development, Elodin aims to be the go-to platform for aerospace engineers. It enables rapid iteration, collaboration, and high-fidelity simulation, making it easier and faster for companies of all sizes to develop cutting-edge flight software. With Elodin, the dream of space exploration is becoming more accessible than ever before. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -Dan's Background: Military, Gaming (Sims 4!), and Salesforce -Elodin's Mission: The 'Unreal Engine' for Aerospace -The Origin Story: From a Ukrainian Team Building Rockets to Partnering with AstroForge -Disrupting the Incumbents: How Elodin is Changing the Aerospace Development Culture -The Space Renaissance: Elodin's Role in the New Wave of Space Exploration -Exciting Upcoming Projects: Elodin's Software in Space by the End of the Year! -Advice for Founders: How to Identify and Solve Problems in Established Industries -Fundraising: The Pros and Cons of a 'Party Round' (and Why Elodin Chose It) -The Future of Elodin: Partnerships, Ambitious Goals, and a Focus on Making Space Accessible -Dan's Book Recommendation: 'Leaders Eat Last' by Simon Sinek ABOUT DANIEL DRISCOLL Daniel Driscoll is an accomplished leader with a robust software engineering and military leadership background. As the CEO and Co-founder of Elodin, he spearheads the development of innovative flight software platforms. Previously, he owned Tigris Digital, a veteran-owned tech business, and held key roles at M10, BitGo, RealtyShares, Salesforce, and Electronic Arts. Daniel holds a Master of Entertainment Technology from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He is skilled in people leadership & ambitious thinking. CONNECT WITH DANIEL DRISCOLL Website → https://elodin.systems LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/elodin-systems-inc LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/in/x46085 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/elodin.systems/ YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@elodin-sys X/Twitter → https://twitter.com/Elodinsystems GRAB THE BOOK DANIEL RECOMMENDS → Leaders Eat Last, by Simon Sinek, https://simonsinek.com/books/leaders-eat-last/ ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Overwhelmed by the back-and-forth negotiations and complexities of managing contracts when closing deals? In this episode of Lobster Talks, host Gabriel Jarrosson dives deep into the world of startup contracts with Jake Stein, co-founder and CEO of Common Paper. Jake, a seasoned entrepreneur with two successful exits under his belt, candidly shares the challenges he faced with contract management in his previous ventures, which ultimately led him to create Common Paper. Jake unveils his company's unique approach: standardized contracts, available for free through an open-source model, coupled with powerful software that automates the entire process, from negotiation to payment. Gabriel, an investor himself, and Jake discuss the importance of building optionality into your business, both in terms of fundraising and selling. The conversation highlights the value of cultivating relationships with potential acquirers and understanding investor priorities. Jake also shares his perspective on the benefits of Y Combinator, particularly for fundraising and accessing a network of experienced entrepreneurs. Get an insider's look at the benefits of Y Combinator and learn how Jake's journey can help you navigate your own startup path. Whether you're battling contract chaos or seeking wisdom from a successful founder, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Tune in now to transform your approach to startup legalities and gain a competitive edge. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -Meet Jake Stein and Discover the Story Behind Common Paper – Simplifying Startup Contracts -How Common Paper is Revolutionizing Startup Legal Agreements with Standardization & Automation -The Power of APIs in Modern Contract Management – A Revolution in Legal Tech -Niche Focus – Why Common Paper Specializes in B2B Software Agreements -Early Lessons from a Startup Founder – Why Immediate Value is Key to Success -The Unique Value of Common Paper – Open Source, Automated Contracts & Powerful Integrations -Building a Sustainable Open Source Business – The Common Paper Revenue Model -Beyond Fundraising – How Y Combinator Accelerates Startup Growth -Exit Strategies for Startups – Leveraging Relationships & Creating Optionality When Selling Your Business -Charlie Munger's Wisdom for Entrepreneurs – The Power of Deserving What You Want -The Future of Common Paper: AI and Contract Optimization ABOUT JAKE STEIN Jake Stein is co-founder and CEO of Common Paper. Previously, he was co-founder of RJMetrics (acquired by Magento, then Adobe) and Stitch (acquired by Talend). Before RJMetrics, Jake worked in venture capital, started a landscaping business in high school, and was the 44th-ranked table tennis player under 21 in New Jersey; achievements of which he is equally proud. CONNECT WITH JAKE STEIN Website → https://commonpaper.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakestein/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/common-paper/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jakestein X/Twitter → https://x.com/jakestein X/Twitter → https://x.com/UseCommonPaper ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

As AI models become more powerful and complex, how can startups accurately measure and monetize their usage? In this episode, Gabriel Jarrosson sits down with Peter Marton, co-founder and CEO of OpenMeter, to discuss how his company is revolutionizing the way AI startups bill their customers. OpenMeter provides an observability platform that enables usage-based billing for AI models, allowing companies to charge based on actual resource consumption rather than flat rates or estimates. Peter shares his journey from working at Uber to founding OpenMeter, the challenges they faced in building a scalable and accurate metering solution, and the impact their technology is having on the AI industry. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -Meet Peter Marton, OpenMeter Co-founder & CEO -Peter Marton's Journey: From Netflix to Stripe to OpenMeter -What is OpenMeter? Solving the Challenges of Usage-Based Billing -The Pain Points of Usage-Based Billing: A Developer's Perspective -OpenMeter's Evolution: From End-to-End Solutions to Core Metering -OpenMeter: Open Source for Transparency & Monetization -AI Integration: OpenMeter's Role in Cost Management for AI Companies -Understanding Metering: Real-Time, Auditable, and Persistent -From Idea to Funding: OpenMeter's Journey Through Y Combinator -Launching OpenMeter: Building Traction and Fundraising -From Hungary to Silicon Valley: Peter Marton's Personal Story -Building a Global Team: Managing Teams Across Time Zones -Fundraising Beyond Y Combinator: Securing Funding with Traction -The Power of Y Combinator: Beyond Demo Day Fundraising -OpenMeter's Future: Standardizing Metering and Future Goals ABOUT PETER MARTON Peter is the CEO and Co-founder of OpenMeter. With a background in observability and monetization, he previously worked on Netflix’s serverless infrastructure and Stripe’s usage and cost platform and co-founded an APM startup. CONNECT WITH PETER Website → https://openmeter.io/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/petermarton/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/openmeter YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbZ3O0-siPWXxiyfik7xJ_w X/Twitter → https://twitter.com/openmeter GRAB THE BOOK PETER RECOMMENDS → https://a.co/d/bbn82Ab The Developer Facing Startup: Alchemist Accelerator’s go-to-market playbook for early-stage developer-facing startups by Adam Frankl ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

How would you feel if a co-pilot could automatically optimize pricing for your retail business, maximizing profits while keeping customers happy? In this episode of The Lobster Talks by Lobster Capital, Gabriel Jarrosson sits down with Tanvi Surti, the co-founder and CEO of Luca, a pricing AI engine transforming how retailers approach pricing and promotions. Tanvi shares her journey from working on AI at Microsoft and leading Uber's unprofitable UberPool team to founding Luca. She explains how Luca uses machine learning to help retailers of all sizes make data-driven pricing decisions, taking into account factors like costs, competition, customer demand, and business objectives. Tanvi also discusses the lessons she learned at Y Combinator, the power of the YC community, and her perspective on fundraising. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -Introducing Tanvi Surti: Co-founder and CEO of Luca -Tanvi's Tech Background: From Microsoft to Uber Pool -The Problem Luca Solves: Revolutionizing Retail Pricing -Challenges and Opportunities in Retail Pricing -Luca's Solution to Online and Offline Retail Pricing -Machine Learning and Custom Models at Luca - The Power of AI -AI in the Back Office - Transforming Enterprise Solutions through Machine Learning -Y Combinator Experience and Fundraising Insights -Future of Luca and Personal Reflections ABOUT TANVI SURTI Tanvi is the co-founder and CEO of Luca, a pricing engine for retailers. Prior to Luca, Tanvi worked as a Product Exec at Uber where she co-led the pricing team. CONNECT WITH TANVI SURTI Website → https://www.askluca.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/lucasoftware/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanvisurti/ GRAB THE BOOK TANVI RECOMMENDS → Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl - https://a.co/d/84BSBgK ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

What if fans could directly influence which players join their favorite college teams? Sounds crazy, right? Well, Luke Bogus, co-founder of FanCave, is making this a reality. Luke Bogus, co-founder and CEO of FanCave, is revolutionizing the world of college sports recruiting. FanCave turns superfans into recruiters for their favorite teams, bringing fans closer to the action while allowing them to compliantly support athletes via name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. In this episode, Luke shares his journey from passionate Nebraska Cornhuskers fan to founder of a startup that enables fans to directly chat, react, and entice top recruits with NIL money to join their school. We explore how FanCave is capitalizing on recent regulatory changes, the power of founder conviction, and how Fancave is harnessing superfan energy to help athletes grow their fanbase and NIL value. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -Luke's Background: Learn about Luke's journey from Nebraska football fanatic to a tech product leader -From Huskers to FanCave: Discover how Luke's passion for sports and his experience in the tech world led to the creation of FanCave -The NIL Revolution and FanCave's Mission: Understand the regulatory changes driving the NIL movement -FanCave's Impact on Recruiting: Learn how FanCave helps fans directly engage with top recruits, influencing their decisions with financial incentives and community support -FanCave's Early Success: FanCave's initial traction and the challenges of building a marketplace connecting fans and athletes -Uber Inspiration: Get insights into how FanCave is using Uber's early strategy to build a strong supply side to fuel fan engagement -Navigating a Regulatory Landscape: Learn how FanCave is navigating the complex and constantly evolving regulatory environment surrounding NIL -Web3 Potential: Explore the future possibilities of FanCave -Reaching Fans: Discover FanCave's strategy for engaging with college sports fans -Internal Motivation: Gain insights into Luke's passion for college sports. -Finding Your Passion: Luke offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs who are struggling to find a business idea that excites them -Fundraising Journey: Hear Luke's experiences and lessons learned from his oversubscribed fundraising round -Recommended Book: "Designing Your Life" ABOUT LUKE BOGUS Luke Bogus is the Co-Founder of Fancave. Fancave is the startup that turns superfans into recruiters for their favorite teams. Before FanCave, Luke was Head of Product for Vial, a Series B life science tech startup, helping zero-to-one new clinical trial infrastructure that now generates millions in ARR. Prior, Luke was a Product Manager at Microsoft, and studied computer science and marketing at Nebraska's Raikes School. CONNECT WITH LUKE BOGUS Website → https://www.fancave.me/ X/Twitter → https://x.com/lukebogus X/Twitter → https://x.com/FanCaveTeam LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukebogus/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/fancave Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/luke.bogus/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/FanCaveTeam GRAB THE BOOK LUKE RECOMMENDS: Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life → https://a.co/d/iTmLI2R ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/

What if you could build applications using a single programming language that runs seamlessly across all devices, from smartphones and desktops to cars and wearables? This is the vision that Dillon Nys, founder of Celest, is pursuing with Dart and Flutter. In this episode of The Lobster Talks Podcast by Lobster Capital, we sit down with Dillon Nys, the founder of Celest, a startup that aims to make Dart the go-to language for full-stack development. Dillon shares his journey from studying environmental engineering to becoming a Flutter expert at AWS, where he played a key role in developing the Amplify Flutter framework. Driven by his passion for Dart and Flutter, Dillon left AWS to create Celest, a platform that empowers developers to build applications using Dart across multiple platforms, including the cloud. Throughout the conversation, Dillon provides insights into the future of cross-platform development, the challenges of being a solo founder, and the invaluable lessons he learned during his time at Y Combinator. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -Introduction & Dillon's Background: From environmental engineering to discovering Flutter and Dart, Dillon's unconventional path into software development. -The Birth of Celest: The inspiration and vision behind Celest: empowering Flutter developers to build for any screen. -The Multi-Screen Future: Discussing the rise of multi-device experiences and how Flutter and Celest are positioned to play a key role in this evolving landscape. -Y Combinator Experience: Dillon shares his experience as a solo founder in the YC program, highlighting the challenges and rewards. -Solo Founder Dynamics: Challenges and Strategies -Staying Motivated & Building a Strong Foundation: The importance of perseverance, finding your purpose, and building a support network for long-term success. -Personal Inspiration & Book Recommendation: Dillon shares the book that has significantly impacted his life and approach to work: "Ishmael" by Daniel Quinn ABOUT DILLON NYS Dillon previously worked at AWS where he led development of the Amplify Flutter framework, bridging the gap for Flutter developers to build for the cloud. He saw how Flutter developers wanted to use Dart for their entire application stack, including their backend and infrastructure. So he left AWS and created Celest to fill the gap in this growing community and solve a personal pain point he'd had for many years. CONNECT WITH DILLON NYS Website → https://celest.dev/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dillon-nys LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/celest-dev/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/dillonnys YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfz6AkB46TqsInqA8PcJvTA Twitter → https://twitter.com/celest_dev Twitter → https://twitter.com/dillonthedev GRAB THE BOOK DILLON NYS RECOMMENDS → https://a.co/d/a6CNDp9 ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

How do you find startup ideas that solve REAL problems? This founder knows the secret and built a startup to help lawyers. In this episode of The Lobster Talks podcast by Lobster Capital, Adrian Parlow, co-founder and CEO of PointOne, shares his unconventional journey from pursuing a career in corporate law to becoming a startup founder in the legal tech space. Adrian's story highlights the importance of customer discovery and truly understanding the pain points of your target audience. He reveals how interviewing 100 lawyers led to the creation of PointOne, a platform that automates the tedious task of timekeeping for legal professionals. Adrian also provides a thought-provoking perspective on the transformative impact of AI on the legal industry and offers valuable advice on effective fundraising strategies. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -From Law to Startups: Adrian's unconventional journey from aspiring corporate lawyer to passionate entrepreneur. -The Birth of PointOne: Discovering the power of AI to revolutionize legal timekeeping and billing practices -Customer Discovery Masterclass: How interviewing 100 lawyers helped identify pain points and shape PointOne's solution. -AI Transforming the Legal Sector: Exploring the impact of AI on lawyers' roles and the potential for industry-wide disruption -Automating Timekeeping: PointOne's solution for eliminating the tedious task of manual timekeeping for lawyers. -Y Combinator Experience: How YC accelerated PointOne's growth and provided invaluable support. -Fundraising Strategies: Adrian shares his insights and tactics for effective fundraising and capturing investor interest ABOUT ADRIAN PARLOW Adrian Parlow is the Co-founder & CEO of PointOne. Previously a corporate lawyer at Fenwick & West, doing financings and acquisitions for companies like Robinhood, Stripe and SentinelOne. Founded PointOne to automate manual admin processes for lawyers. CONNECT WITH ADRIAN PARLOW Website → https://pointone.ai/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianparlow/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/pointoneai/ X → https://twitter.com/aparlow GRAB THE BOOK ADRIAN RECOMMENDS → https://www.momtestbook.com/ ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Are you a Hispanic living in the U.S. and feeling underserved by traditional banks? Join us on this episode of The Lobster Talks podcast as we go behind the scenes with Piero Nunez del Risco, founder of Pana – the YC-backed fintech revolutionizing banking for underserved immigrants and those with cross-border financial needs. Discover how Pana is building trust within the Hispanic community by understanding their unique cultural nuances. Piero reveals the challenges they've tackled to achieve impressive growth, from enabling banking access for the unbanked to facilitating seamless cross-border transactions. He also shares his entrepreneurial journey through Y Combinator, detailing how the program propelled Pana's fundraising and ambitious expansion plans to transform banking across the Americas. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -What is Pana? Introducing Pana, a digital bank on a mission to revolutionize US Hispanic banking and provide accessible financial services for the underbanked community. -Piero's Journey as a Founder: From media to FinTech startup founder, Piero shares his background and the pivotal moment that led him to launch Pana, a solution addressing the challenges of cross-border banking. -Taking the Leap: Piero delves into the courage and mindset required to transition from a stable career to the world of entrepreneurship. -Pana's Mission: Discover how Pana is tackling financial inclusion for immigrants and providing essential tools like remittances and accessible bank accounts. -Expanding Horizons: Explore Pana's vision for a seamless banking experience across borders, connecting Latin America and the US. -Customer Primacy: Learn how Pana achieved customer primacy by focusing on user needs and building trust within the US Hispanic community. -Pana & Y Combinator: Piero shares his experience with Y Combinator, navigating fundraising challenges and the importance of building a resilient startup. -The Value of the YC Community -Pana's Growth & Future: Get insights into Pana's current growth trajectory, its product roadmap, and the vision for the future of cross-border financial solutions. -Book Recommendation: Piero recommends "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield ABOUT PIERO NUNEZ DEL RISCO Piero is the Co-Founder and CEO of Pana, a Y Combinator-backed challenger bank for the cross-border economy, Piero leads Pana’s team on a mission to provide accessible, affordable, and convenient financial services to millions of people who move money across borders. With expertise in new business development, process improvement, and analytical skills, he leads a talented and diverse team of product, design, engineering, and analytics professionals to deliver innovative and user-centric digital solutions that meet the needs and expectations of their customers. CONNECT WITH PIERO Website → https://www.joinpana.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanpieronunez/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/panaapp/ GRAB THE BOOK PIERO RECOMMENDS → The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield - https://a.co/d/dCAWDDx ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Did you know some companies face shockingly high cloud bills (think millions)? Laduram Vishnoi, CEO of Middleware, experienced this firsthand. Skyrocketing cloud costs are a major pain point for many companies, with some facing bills in the millions. Frustrated by the limitations and expense of existing observability tools, he decided to build a better solution. Middleware is an observability platform designed with the complexities of modern cloud environments in mind. In this episode, Laduram shares his startup journey, including how he bootstrapped Middleware, leveraging his own capital and a talented team in India, the unique challenges and solutions for managing a distributed workforce, his experience navigating Y Combinator and tips for aspiring founders and how he impressively raised $6.5M in seed funding, even during a turbulent market If you're grappling with cloud monitoring costs, or are simply fascinated by the startup world, this episode is a must-listen! EPISODE IN A GLANCE -What is Middleware? -Laduram's background and founding story -Managing a distributed team across time zones -Laduram's experience with Y Combinator -How to get into Y Combinator -Secrets to successful fundraising for startups -Middleware's progress and future plans with AI -"Show me your friends and I will show you your future": Books and quotes that inspire Laduram ABOUT LADURAM VISHNOI Laduram Vishnoi is the founder and CEO of Middleware, an observability platform for cloud-native and microservices applications. Originally from India, he moved to San Francisco in 2016 to run his previous company, Acquire, which he grew to over 200 people and raised $57 million. Frustrated by the lack of affordable observability tools at Acquire, Laduram bootstrapped Middleware by investing his own money and building an initial team of 15-20 engineers in India. After a year of development, he went through Y Combinator's Winter 2023 batch, raising an impressive $6.5 million seed round amidst the Silicon Valley Bank crisis. Laduram's unique approach to distributed teams, fundraising strategies, and vision for AI-driven observability position Middleware as an innovative player transforming cloud monitoring. CONNECT WITH LADURAM Website → https://middleware.io/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/laduramvishnoi/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/middleware-labs/ GRAB THE BOOK LADURAM RECOMMENDS The Courage to Be Disliked → https://a.co/d/bP19SBS The Power of Your Subconscious Mind → https://a.co/d/8we0Ki2 ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

What if construction workers could get paid as quickly like workers of Uber, Doordash and other gig workers? Trayd, the startup co-founded by Anna Berger, is making this a reality. Trayd is on a mission to bring fast, same-day pay to the construction industry. In this episode, discover how Anna Berger's own frustrations with outdated payroll systems led her to create a revolutionary solution. Learn about her journey of convincing a skeptical co-founder, navigating Y Combinator, and securing those crucial early wins. Plus, gain insights into her fundraising strategies, the story behind her "Believe the no, don't believe the why" advice and her vision for simplifying construction payroll for everyone. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -Introducing Anna Berger, Co-founder of Trayd:The Startup for Same-Day Construction Pay -Anna's personal connection to the construction industry and the initial spark for Trayd -The massive reliance on paper payroll in construction sites -Building a Team: How Anna convinced her best friend to join as a co-founder during an Italian adventure -The Art of Convincing: Startup Pitching, Y Combinator, and Early Wins -Startup Mindset: Resilience, Rejection, and Handling Doubters -The Struggle of Letting Go: A Founder's Journey -Pre-Funding Success: Letters of Intent (LOIs) and Early Traction -Y Combinator: The Accelerator Experience for Trayd -Overcoming Fundraising Rejection: Startup Persistence and Believing in Your Vision -Solving the Construction Labor Shortage, Gig Economy Trends, and Fast Pay -Fundraising Tips for Construction Tech Startups (Pitching to Investors) -Startup Wisdom: Embracing Risk-Taking and Potential Rewards Don't miss this episode that takes you inside the mind of a trailblazer reshaping the construction payroll landscape. Gain insights into Anna's entrepreneurial journey, her unwavering resilience, and her mission to empower the construction workforce through innovation. ABOUT ANNA BERGER Anna Berger is the co-founder and CEO of Trayd, a construction payroll platform designed for instant pay. Growing up in a family steeped in the construction industry, Anna recognized firsthand the frustrations and inefficiencies plaguing both contractors and workers. Driven by a deep understanding of her customers' needs, Anna embarked on a mission to streamline payroll operations and attract talent through faster payments. With unwavering resilience and a knack for convincing others to join her cause, Anna secured early support and letters of intent, paving the way for Trayd's acceptance into the prestigious Y Combinator program. At the heart of Anna's vision lies a commitment to empowering the construction workforce and fostering career growth within the trades, ultimately elevating the lives of hardworking individuals. CONNECT WITH ANNA BERGER AND LEARN MORE ABOUT TRAYD Website → https://www.buildtrayd.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/annajberger/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/traydinc/ Instagram → https://twitter.com/annajberger3Z Twitter → https://twitter.com/annajberger3 TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@annajber ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

How do you bring reliable, high-speed internet connectivity to millions of underserved households across Latin America? Isaac and Joel Philips, the founders of Siglo, share their inspiring journey of creating a revolutionary internet service provider (ISP) that's making a real difference in people's lives. In this thought-provoking episode of The Lobster Talks podcast by Lobster Capital, the Philips brothers discuss how they identified a significant gap in internet connectivity across Latin America and their innovative approach to solving it. From their early days of going door-to-door to sell their service to overcoming numerous challenges along the way, Isaac and Joel offer a candid look into the world of entrepreneurship and the relentless pursuit of their vision. Tune in to The Lobster Talks for more episodes that bring you closer to the bold thinkers and innovators of our time. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! EPISODE IN A GLANCE 00:29 Introduction to Siglo and its Founders 03:41 The Innovative Technology Behind Siglo 05:09 The Revolutionary Approach: Pay-as-You-Go Internet Service 15:01 Challenges and Overcoming Adversity: The Journey of Siglo 25:58 Siglo's Strategic Moves, Business Model and Growth Strategy 31:23 Siglo's Y Combinator Experience 32:10 The Global Stage and Networking Power of YC 34:48 The Future Vision for Siglo 38:50 Balancing Reality and Vision 40:39 How to find Siglo ABOUT GUESTS Joel & Isaac Philips are the brothers behind Siglo the startup that provides internet access at an affordable price and pay-as-you-go in Latam. CONNECT WITH JOEL AND FIND MORE ABOUT SIGLO: [email protected] Website → https://siglo.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelwp/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaacphillips/ X/Twitter → https://twitter.com/joelwp ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Can savvy finance solutions transform the chaotic world of event planning? Discover how one founder did just that! On this episode of The Lobster Talks by Lobster Capital, Gabriel Jarrosson dives into the story of Alexey Nikityuk, founder of Maroo, the platform simplifying event management for everyone. Alexey shares his unusual path from corporate finance to the events industry, how Maroo tackles the pain points of planning (including those sky-high costs!) and the pivots that fueled his startup's growth. Get ready to be inspired by this tale of innovation and resilience. EPISODE IN A GLANCE 00:36 The Maroo Story: Meet Alexey and learn how he swapped finance for event revolutionizing 02:37 Maroo's Birth: The idea that sparked it all, and the shift from weddings to the broader event landscape. 03:46 The Y Combinator Rollercoaster: Challenges, rejections, and the ultimate acceptance into a top accelerator. 09:44 The Power of Asking: Leveraging Connections and Negotiation 14:44 Pivots & Progress: Why Maroo moved away from BNPL, and how their payment system was born 24:41 Pivot or Persevere? Alexey's wisdom on when to change course and the role of customer feedback 31:30 The YC Experience: Insights and Impact 38:26 What's Next? AI-powered features and Maroo's vision for the event planning ecosystem 41:41 Lessons from failure, Alexey's favorite resources, and how to connect ABOUT ALEXEY NIKITYUK Alex is the Founder & CEO of Maroo, an operating system for the events industry in the United States. Alex launched the company in 2020, was accepted to YC S21 batch, and raised $4M of capital. Alex and his team scaled the company to $220M GMV and almost 10,000 businesses on the platform. Before that, Alex was at Revolut where he led the FP&A team and helped to close our $500M Series D round. Prior to his startup journey, Alex had a successful international career at Procter & Gamble and General Electric where he worked globally in various corporate finance roles. CONNECT WITH ALEXEY NIKITYUK Website → www.maroo.us LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexeynikityuk/ GRAB THE BOOKS ALEXEY RECOMMENDS → The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck → https://a.co/d/bX3yoX3 Lenny's Newsletter Book → https://lennyswag.com/products/vol-1 ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Can an App Really Improve Your English Accent? BoldVoice founder Anada Lakra knows this challenge firsthand, and she's here to share how it inspired a solution. Join host Gabriel Jarrosson for the debut episode of The Lobster Talks as he interviews Anada Lakra, co-founder and CEO of BoldVoice. Discover how this AI-powered app is revolutionizing English pronunciation training for non-native speakers. Learn about Anada's journey from immigrant to entrepreneur, the unique technology behind BoldVoice, and gain insights into building a successful startup with Y Combinator. This is a startup with the perfect origin story! EPISODE IN A GLANCE 00:38 How a Non-Native Speaker Built BoldVoice to Improve Your Accent 01:07 The Accent Challenge: How BoldVoice Helps Non-Native Speakers in the US 03:40 BoldVoice: Personal Story + AI for Better English Pronunciation 08:18 How BoldVoice transforms accent training 11:40 Transform Your Accent with BoldVoice: Your "Mouth Gym" 14:08 Startup Success Secrets: Anada's Advice on Fundraising & Hiring 18:38 Build with Customers & Get a Hollywood Accent Coach (Inside BoldVoice) 23:18 Y Combinator Success: Lessons for Startup Founders 32:46 The Do's and Don'ts for Fundta 36:55 The Future of BoldVoice + Fundraising Tips for Entrepreneurs ABOUT ANADA LAKRA Anada Lakra is the Co-founder and CEO of BoldVoice. BoldVoice is an AI-powered app that helps non-native English speakers improve their pronunciation and confidence in English, with videos from Hollywood accent coaches and instant AI feedback. Backed by Y Combinator, BoldVoice has been recognized as a top EdTech company by Forbes, and is in the top 100 Education apps on the Apple App Store with over a million global downloads. Before BoldVoice, Anada was a product leader at McKinsey, Peloton, and other high-growth companies. She graduated from Yale University and Harvard Business School, and was named a Forbes 30 Under 30 in Education. CONNECT WITH ANADA LAKRA Website → https://www.boldvoice.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/boldvoice/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/anadalakra/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/boldvoiceapp/ YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/c/BoldVoiceAmericanAccentCoaching TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@boldvoiceapp GRAB THE BOOK ANADA RECOMMENDS → https://a.co/d/5olk5L0 ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Are you a founder sick of the same old startup advice? About the Show Get the inside scoop on building a successful startup! The Lobster Talks Podcast delivers no-nonsense, battle-tested strategies and advice directly from founders who've made it happen. This is your weekly dose of real-world startup wisdom. In Each Episode You'll Discover: Fundraising strategies that go beyond the textbookSecrets to overcoming common growth obstaclesHard-earned lessons to save you time and moneyActionable startup tactics you can use today Who Should Listen: Founders ready to accelerate their startup journeyEntrepreneurs eager to learn from those who've been thereAnyone seeking the unfiltered truth about startup life Subscribe to The Lobster Talks Podcast and join us every Friday for a fresh dose of startup survival tactics. Follow Lobster Capital on your favorite social channels for bonus insights and exclusive updates! ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155