What Happens When You Believe In AI Before Everyone Else? with Yan-David “Yanda” Erlich

What if building great AI isn’t just about data and models—but about the mindset of the people behind it?In this episode of Neural Compass, host Mark Jacobstein (co-founder and president of Jimini Health) sits down with Yanda Erlich, a four-time founder, longtime AI investor, and general partner at B Capital. They explore what it means to bet on AI before it’s obvious—and how inner work can shape better leaders, companies, and decisions along the way.Yanda shares the story of investing early in Weights & Biases, lessons from launching one of the first agentic AI startups, and the mental frameworks he uses daily to navigate uncertainty. It’s a rare blend of venture insight and emotional intelligence—rooted in meditation, inquiry, and a belief that the future of AI starts with the people building it.They cover:- Why timing and conviction matter more than being first in AI- The connection between inner work and good decision-making- How to run inquiry-based mental health practices (yes, even 200 times a day)- What early AI founders got right—and wrong—before the LLM era- Reframing emotional struggles as opportunities for learning and insightLearn more: jiminihealth.com