PODCAST · technology
The Founder Initiative
by Adam ODonnell
Helping founders hit PMF, get funded & drive durable growth through podcasting & buyer events(Formerly TheTop.VC)
Episodes
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How AI Agents Are Changing Engineering | Cursor, Temporal, Tailscale, Legora & Namespace.so
This episode is presented by Namespace.so, building high-performance cloud infrastructure for modern software development and AI-powered engineering. Engineering leaders from Cursor, Temporal, Tailscale, Legora, and Namespace discuss how AI agents are rapidly reshaping software development. From...
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($38M raised; a16z) Convey Founder, Rohan Chopra: What Happens When AI Stops Helping Employees and Starts Becoming the Employee? (A16z, Khosla Ventures, Pear VC invested)
- Convey, founded by Rohan Chopra, builds AI "teammates" that automate repetitive and inhuman business tasks, allowing employees to focus on higher-value, strategic work. - The company has enabled over 1.1 million hours of enterprise work to be handled by AI, serving a range of customers from...
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($23M raised) Namespace Founder, Hugo Santos: #1 Startup Insight – Why Trust and Network Are the Real Infrastructure for Product-Market Fit and Fundraising Success (Backed by NEA & Susa Ventures)
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. FOUNDER PROFILE: Hugo...
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$100M Security Problems: 4 AI Cybersecurity Startups Pitch Tonic AI CSO Robert Lowry (
In this special Founder Initiative pitch episode, four cybersecurity founders pitch their startups live to Robert Lowry, CSO of Tonic AI and former security leader at organizations including NASDAQ and the Federal Reserve Bank. Robert Lowry- https://www.linkedin.com/in/lowryrobert/ The…
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($70M+ raised) DOSS Founder, Wiley Jones: How to actually build an AI native company (don't miss this one)
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. FOUNDER PROFILE…
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($22M Raised) Sequoia India & Naval Ravikant-Backed TrueFoundry Founder Nikunj Bajaj: Balancing Short-Term Execution with Long-Term Vision
- TrueFoundry, founded by Nikunj Bajaj, is an AI infrastructure company building an "AI Gateway" that helps enterprises build, ship, and govern agentic AI applications, focusing on observability and governance for AI agents. - The company has raised over $22 million, with pre-seed investment from...
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($22.5M raised) Koah Labs Founder, Mike Choi: Internal Squad Operating System, Why End User Experience is the North Star for AI Ad Networks
Sponsored by Chargebee, subscription and revenue management → check out their startup offer: https://www.chargebee.com/startups Mike Choi, Founder of Koah Labs https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikejschoi/ - Koah Labs, founded by Mike Choi, is an AI-native ad network that helps AI applications monetize...
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($650M+ raised) Temporal Founder, Samar Abbas: #1 Startup Insight – Give the Problem a Name Before You Solve It (Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia, Index Ventures, Sequoia invested).
Sponsored by Chargebee, subscription and revenue management → check out their startup offer: https://www.chargebee.com/startups - Samar Abbas, Founder of temporal.io https://www.linkedin.com/in/samar-abbas-381997/ - Samar Abbas, co-founder of Temporal.io, shares the journey of building an...
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($30M raised) Kintsugi Founder, Jeff Gibson: Building “Boring” Fintech for Global Tax Compliance—Why Trust and Customer Support Win in Massive, Overlooked Markets
Sponsored by Chargebee, subscription and revenue management → check out their startup offer: https://www.chargebee.com/startups Jeff Gibson, Founder of Kintsugi https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffgibsonsf/?utm_source=chatgpt.com - Kintsugi, founded by Jeff Gibson, provides an AI-driven platform that...
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($5M+ raised) Lava's Founder, Mitchell Jones: #1 Startup Insight – The Power of Iteration, Tracking Micro Signals, and Staying True to Your ICP
- Lava, founded by Mitchell Jones, makes it easy for businesses to adopt AI-driven, measurement-based pricing, helping companies track usage and convert it into flexible pricing plans. - Mitchell emphasizes constant iteration on the elevator pitch and product, using customer feedback and…
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(YC W25) FuseAI's Founder, Saurav Bubber: How to deliver a 10x improvement in of the most crowded markets
Thank you Auth0 for Startups, a sponsor of TFI Checkout their → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a...
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($105M+ raised) Rocketlane Founder, Srikrishnan Ganesan: #1 Startup Insight – How Relentless Prospect Interviews and a Unique Go-to-Market Unlocked PMF
- Rocketlane, founded by Srikrishnan Ganesan, spent its first year deeply researching the professional services automation (PSA) space, interviewing over 170 prospects and building conviction around unmet needs for customer-facing project management. - The team identified a key pain point:...
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($300M raised) Nile Founder, Pankaj Patel: #1 Startup Insight – Simplicity is Innovation: How Disrupting Enterprise Networking Might Mean Unlearning Decades of Complexity
Sponsored by Chargebee, subscription and revenue management → check out their startup offer: https://www.chargebee.com/startups Pankaj Patel, Founder of Nile https://www.linkedin.com/in/pankajpspatel/
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Forum Ventures Managing Partner, Jonah Midanik: #1 Startup Insight – Why Fundraising Is a Game, Valuations Are Made Up, and Seeing Past the Pitch to Find Venture-Scale Outcomes
Sponsored by Chargebee, subscription and revenue management → check out their startup offer: https://www.chargebee.com/startups Jonah Midanik, Managing Partner of Forum Ventures https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonahmidanik/
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($150M raised) Sendoso Founder, Kris Rudeegraap: #1 Startup Insight – Don’t Let Early Pricing Give You False Product-Market Fit
Sponsored by Chargebee, subscription and revenue management → check out their startup offer: https://www.chargebee.com/startups Kris Rudeegraap, Founder of Sendoso https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudeegraap
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($20M raised) Quanta Founder, Helen Hastings: #1 Startup Insight – Your Scariest Customers Are Actually the Best Ones
Sponsored by Chargebee, subscription and revenue management → Founders, check out their upcoming $100k buyer pitch at Fort Mason in San Francisco: https://luma.com/beelieve Helen Hastings, Founder of Quanta https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenbhastings/
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($110M raised) Augment Founder, Harish Abbott: #1 Startup Advice - Are You A Better Seeker of Truth Than Your Competitors?
Sponsored by Chargebee, subscription and revenue management → check out their startup offer: https://www.chargebee.com/startups Harish Abbott, Founder of Augment https://www.linkedin.com/in/habbott/
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($70M raised) Craft Founder, Ilya Levtov: Pivot Decision, Top Funding Insights, and Journey to PMF
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. FOUNDER PROFILE: Ilya...
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(YC S21) Baubap Founder, Roberto Salcedo: Gratitude As A Growth Strategy, Insights Raising $100M+
Sponsored by Chargebee, subscription and revenue management → check out their startup offer: https://www.chargebee.com/startups Roberto Salcedo, Founder of Baubap https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberto-salcedo-nieto/?originalSubdomain=mx
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($20M+ Raised) UneeQ Digital Humans Founder, Danny Tomsett: Enjoying The Journey, Two Phases of Fundraising & Making A Massive Pivot
Danny Tomsett, Founder of UneeQ Digital Humans https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-tomsett/"
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($2.4B AUM) Amplify Partners Founder, Sunil Dhaliwal: Difference Between Investments & Passing, Startup Investing In 10 Years
Sponsored by Chargebee, subscription and revenue management → check out their startup offer: https://www.chargebee.com/startups Sunil Dhaliwal, General Partner of Amplify Partners https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunildhaliwal/
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Sequoia Led $75M Series B, Serval's Founder, Jake Stauch, Shares His Journey to PMF & Raising $127M
Sponsored by Chargebee, subscription and revenue management → check out their startup offer: https://www.chargebee.com/startups Jake Stauch, Founder of Serval https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakestauch/
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(YC S25) Phases’s Founder, James Wall: IRL, Donuts & A Rental Car To Hit PMF?
Sponsored by Chargebee, subscription and revenue management → check out their startup offer: https://www.chargebee.com/startups James Wall, Founder of Phases.ai https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-m-wall/
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($80M raised) Spellbook Founder, Scott Stevenson: 30k Waitlist Signups in 3 Months & The True Discipline of PMF
Sponsored by Chargebee, subscription and revenue management → check out their startup offer: https://www.chargebee.com/startups FOUNDER PROFILE: Scott Stevenson, Founder of Spellbook https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottas
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($70M+ Raised) Merge Founder, Gil Feig: Nailing Customer Discovery Interview To Hit PMF Faster
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. FOUNDER PROFILE: Gil...
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($25M raised) Indomo Founder, Rick Bente: Estimating Value Milestones, Raising $25M, and more
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. FOUNDER PROFILE: Rick...
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(Silicon Valley Investor) Platform Venture Studio's Founder, Jeremy Burton: Why Now Is The Time To Build A Marketplace Startup
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. VC PROFILE: Jeremy...
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(YC W22) Cotera Founder, Tom Firth: Getting Into YC & Hitting PMF
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. FOUNDER PROFILE: Tom...
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Building A Unicorn: Chargebee's Co-Founder, Krish Subramanian & CMO, Guy Marion (formerly Brightback Founder, sold to Chargebee): hitting PMF, idea to 1st dollar & decision to exit
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. FOUNDER PROFILE…
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Amazon Invested In Glacier; This Is Their Founder's Story, Rebecca Hu-Thrams
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. FOUNDER PROFILE:...
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(2000+ investments) Dave Lambert, Managing Director at RSCM, Shares Traits of Successful Founders
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. VC PROFILE: Dave...
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($100M raised) RetailNext Founder, Alexei Agratchev: Earned Insights From 18-Years (funding, growth, & scaling)
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. VC PROFILE: Alexei...
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(YC S21) $10M ARR, Storylane Founder, Nalin Senthamil: PMF Unlock - Are Prospects Interrupting You?
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. FOUNDER PROFILE…
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(YC S23) Gleam Founder, Oliver Keh: Investigative Journalist Approach To PMF
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. FOUNDER PROFILE…
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(YC W21) Sold to Dropbox, Promoted.ai's Founder, Andrew Yates: GTM Lessons Learned & Deciding What To Build
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. FOUNDER PROFILE…
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Roo Capital's Founder, Nate DaPore: Most VCs Are Like Seagulls, Is This The Future of Platform?
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. VC PROFILE: Nate...
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(YC F25) Denied 6x By YC: Hyperspell's Founder, Conor Brennan-Burke: Your Startup Is Not About You
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. FOUNDER PROFILE…
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a16z Partner Interview, Seema Amble: 3 things she looks for in early-stage startups, how to get a meeting with her, & more
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. VC PROFILE: Seema...
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($70M+ Raised) Future Family Founder, Claire Tomkins: Surprising Key To Fundraising, Journey To PMF
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. FOUNDER PROFILE…
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($55M Raised) Benchmark & Mayfield Invested; Sema4.ai's Founder, Ram Venkatesh: Getting Early Conviction, Hitting PMF & Raising $55M
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. VC PROFILE: Ram...
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a16z Invested; $55M Raised, CYGNVS' Founder, Arvind Parthasarathi, why you must first define PMF & how to raise from top VC
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups --> 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. FOUNDER PROFILE:...
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YC Founder & Thiel Fellow; Arist's Founder, Michael loffe: selling to enterprises, PMF, & articulating $100M to VCs
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups --> 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. VC PROFILE: Micahel...
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$13B VC; Promod Haque, Former Managing Partner at Norwest; Learning From 35 Years of Investing
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups --> 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. VC PROFILE: Promod...
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VCs Don't Know The Future; $55M Raised, Radical.ai's Founder, Joseph Krause Shares His Story
Get 1-year free of Auth0 (authentication and authorization platform)--> https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great...
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[Pitch] ex Lightspeed VC & Founder of Meshly.ai: Mercedes Bent & Sandra Bustos Real VC Pitch
EPISODE DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE What does a real pitch in Silicon Valley look like? This might be as close as you can get without being here yourself! VC PROFILE Mercedes Bent, ex Lightspeed Ventures, Partner https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedesbent/ FOUNDER PROFILE: Sandra Bustos, Founder of…
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$30M Seed; Largest Seed In YC History? (YC S24) Wordware's, Founder, Robert Chandler, Journey To PMF & Getting Funded
In this episode, Robert, co-founder of Wordware, shares the story of turning a sauna brainstorm into one of the largest seed rounds in YC history. He walks us through the early pivots, the highs and lows of YC interviews, and how a viral Twitter Roast fueled their momentum. This is a raw look at...
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(YC W25) How To Nail Your YC (or any VC) Interview; Nitrode's Founder, Ben Kim
FOUNDER PROFILE: Ben Kim, Nitrode's Co-Founder https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-yoonsung-kim/ 🎙️ 7 Most Interesting Moments Michael Seibel’s brutally honest feedback in interviews—pushing them to scrap lines and “cut the crap.” Pivoting right before their YC interview and getting challenged on...
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Nailing PG's 10% WoW Goal, Getting Accepted to YC; David Head, Founder of Endorsed.ai
🔑 7 Most Interesting Moments David shares how his first YC application was rejected despite 10% week-over-week growth. The surprising reason they later got accepted: adding two technical co-founders even while growth was flat. Insights into what YC actually values (team, determination, big…
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Real Pitch of a $2B VC, Cybersecurity Founder, Ajay Gulati & Sierra Ventures's Partner Vignesh Ravikumar
What's it like to pitch an actual VC in Silicon Valley? We recorded a real one to show you :) This was not scripted and it was the first time the pitched this VC! Vignesh Ravikumar Partner at Sierra Ventures https://www.linkedin.com/in/vravikumar1/ Ajay Gulati Founder of Kitecyber...
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a16z Invested; $231M Raised Sub 2-years; Decagon's Founder, Jesse Zhang & Amex Ventures's Managing Director, Kevin Weber; Building & Funding Unicorns
How to build a unicorn in under 2-years? Not exactly a step-by-step playbook, but you will learn something from a founder who actually did it! You will also hear a VC's perspective from Kevin Weber, Managing Director at Amex Ventures! Boom. Jesse Zhang Founder & CEO of Decagon...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Helping founders hit PMF, get funded & drive durable growth through podcasting & buyer events(Formerly TheTop.VC)
HOSTED BY
Adam ODonnell
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Founder Initiative have?
The Founder Initiative currently has 221 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Founder Initiative about?
Helping founders hit PMF, get funded & drive durable growth through podcasting & buyer events(Formerly TheTop.VC)
How often does The Founder Initiative release new episodes?
The Founder Initiative publishes regularly with 221 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Founder Initiative?
You can listen to The Founder Initiative on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Founder Initiative?
The Founder Initiative is created and hosted by Adam ODonnell.
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