Small Teams, Giant Swings: Intentional Company-Building in the AI Era

Recorded live at the 2026 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, this session featured Anada Lakra, CEO at BoldVoice; Julie Walbaum, Co-founder & Co-CEO at Wilgo.ai; Hilah Barbot, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Playlab; Benjamin Somers, CEO at Recess.GG; and Amanda Nolen, NED, Advisor, and Investor at Amanda Nolen & Partners.The speakers explored how the assumptions that shaped the last generation of startups have shifted dramatically in the AI era, where capital efficiency now matters more than headcount and AI has redefined what small teams can build. They discussed how founders are rethinking company-building around leaner structures, AI-native talent stacks, and strategic hiring in an environment where talent is scarce, expensive, and increasingly selective. The session examined how startups can win exceptional talent without overextending resources, what roles matter most in modern company architecture, and which milestones signal true durability to investors beyond short-term momentum. The conversation reframed company-building for 2026, emphasizing that success is no longer about scaling fastest, but about building intentionally and building right.