PODCAST · technology
The re:Start Pod
by The re:Start Pod
Three founders. One exit. Countless new beginnings.We sold our AI company — and now we’re back at square one, figuring out our next re:Starts. Every week, join Damon Burrow, Lakshya Bakshi, and Shashi Mudunuri as we digest the biggest stories in AI, tech, and innovation while also sharing the behind-the-scenes of building what’s next.From brainstorming new ventures to collaborating across industries and hosting candid conversations with fellow builders, The re:Start Podcast is where post-exit founders trade playbooks, predictions, and lessons learned for the sake of discovering their next
Episodes
-
Elon's 1T Bounty, the Future of Wearables, Burry's Short of NVDA - re:Start Ep2
In this episode of the re:Start Podcast, Lakshya, Shashi, and Damon unpack a whirlwind week in tech and investing.💥 Michael Burry’s Big Short 2.0 — Burry bets against NVIDIA and Palantir with nearly $1B in puts, while Shashi doubles down on his NVIDIA-to-$10T conviction. Is this an AI bubble or...
-
Are We in an AI Bubble? 3 AI Founders React - Ep1
In this episode of the new re:Start Pod, 3 AI founders take on the question everyone’s whispering: is there an AI bubble—or are we just getting started? From Nvidia’s trillion-dollar rise to OpenAI’s trillion-dollar spend, they dissect where real value lives in the AI stack—and where the hype’s...
-
YC's Latest Bets: Bullish or Bearish? - Ep 59
In this episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, the founders go head-to-head on YC’s latest Request for Startups—ranking each of the six bets as bullish or bearish. From “retraining workers for the AI economy” to “using LLMs instead of government consulting,” no idea is safe from scrutiny.Why are…
more -
Is Cluely a Meme or the Future of Startups? - Ep 58
In this episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, the founders dive into one of the most controversial collapses in recent SF startup history: the failed $3B acquisition of Windsurf by OpenAI. What went wrong? Who got left behind? And why are top engineers calling it “morally bankrupt”? They break...
-
Is the Future of Design... Just Code? - Ep. 57
In this episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, the founders explore the shifting boundary between design and development. From diffusion models that can’t quite get the details right, to tools like Vercel’s V0 and Figma’s Dev Mode, they unpack why the design-to-code handoff is breaking down, and...
-
Are Founder-Led Companies Actually More Valuable? - Ep. 56
(0:00) Intro – Moving to SF, culture shock, and founder ethos (4:35) Skipping college vs. startup school: is it worth it? (10:40) The ROI of grad school and MBA programs (14:50) Favorite AI tools this week: Lovable, Clay, and V0 (19:30) Open source acquisitions: Windsor, Neon, and what they…
more -
Will Microsoft Wipe Out Cursor? - Ep. 55
OpenAI just acquired Windsurf (formerly Codium), and developers everywhere are asking: is this the beginning of the AI IDE wars? In Episode 55, the Founders break down the future of coding tools in an AI-first world—from Cursor’s rapid growth to OpenAI’s strategy to dominate the developer...
-
Is Claude the Most Underrated AI Tool Right Now? - Ep. 54
Claude is outperforming GPT-4 for developers - and Cursor is turning engineering into a product manager’s game. In this episode, the founders unpack how they’re using Claude every day, why function calling is such a big deal, and what it means for the future of dev work. They also explore the...
-
Is Big Tech Too Powerful to Fail? - Ep. 53
(0:00) Welcome & Google’s Surprise Earnings(3:25) Why AI Overviews Aren’t Hurting Google (Yet)(8:10) Is YouTube Search Powering Google’s Growth?(12:40) AI's Role in Google’s Global Dominance(16:45) Meta’s Massive Growth & Why It's Still Winning(20:50) The Secret Behind Meta’s Ad Revenue...
-
Recession, Realignment, or Reset? - Ep. 52
Trump’s 90% tariffs. Market drops. Bitcoin stalls. Are we heading for a recession—or something bigger? In Episode 52 of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, Damon, Shashi, and Lakshya unpack the global market chaos unfolding in real time. From inflation and rate pressures to Bitcoin’s failure as a safe...
-
Is OpenAI Still the Front-Runner? - Ep. 51
Three founders. One unfiltered take on AI’s future. In this episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, Damon, Shashi, and Lakshya return for a packed discussion on: - The real implications of open-source AI vs. closed models - Whether Anthropic, OpenAI, and Mistral are over- or under-valued…
more -
Build A Startup With AI - Ep. 50
In this episode, Lakshya and Shashi dive deep into how AI has completely changed what it means to “build” as a founder. From using tools like Cursor, Claude, and GPT to ship real products without engineers — to launching Notillo, a “Duolingo for college classes". We reflect on what’s changed…
more -
AI’s Impact on Research, Business, and Software - Ep.48
(0:00) AI’s role in research and experimentation (3:15) AI tools accelerating research—where they work and fail (7:40) Can AI actually plan and run experiments? (12:10) AI as a no-code tool—can anyone build software now? (16:45) The rise of AI-powered startups—why execution matters (21:20) AI and...
-
Can AI Replace Scientists and Researchers? - Ep. 47
The PhD Funding Crisis & AI’s Role in Research(0:00) PhD programs are cutting funding and reducing student intake (4:30) Universities like Cornell, UPenn, and Pitt scaling back PhD admissions (9:10) Postdocs are disappearing as research budgets shrink AI Upgrades & Industry Shifts(14:40) Sonnet…
more -
AI Tools Are Getting Smarter—Are We Ready? - Ep. 46
🚀 AI Disruption & Job Market(4:00) "Deep Research just changed the game—AI can now write full reports."(10:10) "These jobs are at risk first—analysts, paralegals, and data entry."(15:20) "Most people have no idea how powerful AI is right now."📉 The Market Shakeup(20:10) "AI models like this…
more -
The AI Model That Changed Everything Overnight - Ep. 45
(0:00) The AI Model That’s Shifting Everything(4:20) Tesla’s FSD: Game-Changer or Overhyped?(10:30) The Cybertruck Debate: Too Much Attention?(16:40) A New AI Model Just Disrupted the Entire Industry(22:00) The Market Reaction: Billions Lost in One Day(27:30) Do We Still Need More GPUs, or Is AI...
-
OpenAI vs. Google: The Billion-Dollar AI War You Need to Know About - Ep. 44
(0:00) Intro – What is Project Stargate? (1:30) AI Compute Wars & Why OpenAI is Running Out of Resources (4:20) Microsoft, NVIDIA, and SoftBank’s Role in AI Infrastructure (10:00) Is OpenAI a Financial Bubble? (16:40) Who’s Actually Funding This $500B AI Project? (22:20) Do We Really Need More…
more -
Self-Driving Cars, AI Personas, and the Rise of the Dead Internet - Ep. 43
(0:00) NVIDIA at CES (2:20) NVIDIA and self-driving cars (14:37) Legacy car manufacturers: Can they keep up? (18:06) What is the dead internet? (21:50) Meta’s AI personas and their implications (29:30) The positives of the dead internet (31:27) Ethics of AI-generated content (38:39) Opportunities...
-
2024 Reflections: Big Tech, AI Wearables, and the Future of Crypto - Ep. 42
(4:45) Personal goals for 2025 (7:40) AI products in 2024 and 2025 (12:30) Wearables in 2024 and 2025 (18:30) Providers in 2025: Anthropic, NVIDIA (29:50) Apple Intelligence and On-Prem (35:30) Are agents going to work? (41:00) Blockchain in 2025 (45:38) What are we most excited about in...
-
The Drone Debate and the Rise of AI Robotics - Ep. 41
(0:00) intros (2:45) The drone debate (8:30) Tesla and Figure’s humanoid robots (15:10) The physics problem in robotics (22:20) Google’s AI strategy (28:45) Predictions for AI and robotics in 2025 Follow the Founders: https://x.com/DamonBurrow https://x.com/Lakshya__Bakshi https://x.com/reShashi...
-
Are AI Employees the Future of Work? - Ep. 40
In this episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, we explore the rise of AI tools in the workplace, with a spotlight on Devon AI—a new platform promising to replace junior developers but raising questions with its steep $500/month price tag. Is it worth the cost, or is it overhyped? Beyond Devon, we...
-
Bitcoin Hits 100K. What’s Next for Crypto? - Ep. 39
In this episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, we explore the explosive growth of Bitcoin as it crosses $100,000 for the first time, setting an all-time high. From the implications of pro-crypto regulations under the new administration to discussions around Bitcoin’s role as a speculative asset…
more -
Llama, OpenAI, and the Shift in Enterprise AI - Ep. 38
In this episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, we explore the evolving AI landscape, focusing on trust, enterprise adoption, and competition among major players like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta. Key Topics Covered: - The growing importance of trust in enterprise AI tools - How Anthropic is…
more -
Why Nvidia Dominates AI and Crypto - Ep. 37
In this episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, we dive into the biggest tech and business stories shaping the future this week - Including Nvidia’s record-breaking earnings have made it the most valuable company in the world, but what does this mean for its stock and the broader tech landscape?…
more -
The Blockchain Boom Powered by AI Innovation - Ep. 36
In this episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, we explore the fascinating intersection of AI and blockchain technology. As cryptocurrency hits new highs and blockchain evolves, we discuss its growing role in ensuring transparency, authenticity, and security in AI-generated content. We also dive...
-
Election Aftermath: Polling Failures, Visa Concerns & Trump’s Trade Plans - Ep 35
In this episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, we discuss the aftermath of the U.S. presidential election, Trump’s decisive victory, and what this could mean for the country. We start by examining the major polling discrepancies, exploring why betting markets like PolyMarket were surprisingly...
-
Are We Giving AI Too Much Personality?
In this episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, we tackle a thought-provoking topic—how people are increasingly treating AI like humans, complete with personalities, names, and even emotional connections. From chatbots and digital assistants to virtual companions, what are the implications of…
more -
2024 Elections: Trump, Harris, and the Key Issues Shaping America
In this episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, we dive into the upcoming U.S. presidential election, unpacking the key issues shaping voter sentiment—from the economy and border security to the role of national debt and foreign wars. We explore the public's response to recent events, including…
more -
Ratan Tata, Elon Musk, and the Global Impact of Visionary Entrepreneurs
In this episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, we dive into a range of exciting topics shaping the future of technology and entrepreneurship. We start by honoring the incredible legacy of Ratan Tata, one of India’s most iconic entrepreneurs, and discuss the lasting impact he’s had on innovation....
-
AI's Next Leap: OpenAI’s O1 Model, Productivity Gains, and the Future of Work
In this episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, Damon, Shashi, and Lakshya break down the game-changing release of OpenAI’s O1 model. They explore its impact on coding, productivity gains, and how large language models (LLMs) are reshaping the future of work. With discussions on companies building...
-
From AI Bubbles to Startup Struggles (Lessons from Tech’s Biggest Minds)
In this episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, the founders discuss key insights from the All-In Summit held in LA with highlights from speakers like Sergey Brin, Peter Thiel, and Marc Benioff. The team reflects on Peter Thiel's skepticism of the AI market, Elon Musk's views on the evolution of X...
-
Tech's Role in Politics, AI in Robotics, and Open-Source Models
In this episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, we welcome Kavin, a founding scientist at ScholarAI and a PhD graduate from Duke University. Kavin shares his journey from studying AI and robotics at Princeton and Duke to joining ScholarAI. We dive into the current landscape of AI, the future of...
-
Behind the Code: Cybersecurity Challenges and Naji's Tech Journey
In this episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, we're joined by Naji, a versatile software engineer at ScholarAI with a unique background in Division 1 soccer. Naji shares his unconventional path from studying quantitative economics to breaking into tech and discusses the resilience and…
more -
AI's Role in Creativity and Beyond with ScholarAI's Scott
In this episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, we're joined by Scott, a recent Duke grad and founding engineer at ScholarAI. Scott shares his journey from Duke to ScholarAI, his passion for technology, and his work on extraction and organization of AI materials. We discuss the evolving role of AI...
-
Rivian's Resurgence - Volkswagen’s Investment and the Future of EVs
In this episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, we dive into the latest news in the electric vehicle market, including Volkswagen’s substantial investment in Rivian and its impact on the EV landscape. We discuss the broader implications for legacy automakers and emerging players, along with…
more -
Breaking Ground - ScholarAI’s Patent Search Capabilities
In this episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, we dive into the exciting new patent search features recently launched by our team at ScholarAI. Discover how these tools are set to revolutionize the way innovators and researchers navigate the complex world of intellectual property. We also discuss...
-
Apple’s AI Revolution: Integrating ChatGPT with Privacy in Mind
In this episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, we dive into Apple's latest AI advancements unveiled at WWDC. Discover how Apple is integrating ChatGPT while prioritizing user privacy, and what this means for the future of AI on your devices. We also discuss NVIDIA's strategic stock split and its...
-
AI Integration: Google's Search Struggles and Startup Opportunities
In this episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, we explore Google's challenges in integrating AI into its core search product and the competitive landscape for AI startups. We dig into the technical hurdles, strategic planning, and the future of AI-driven search. Join us for an engaging discussion...
-
Navigating the AI Winter: Insights on Survival, Innovation, and ScholarAI’s New API
In this episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, we explore the concept of the coming AI winter and its potential effects on startups. We discuss strategic planning during economic downturns, analyze Humane’s journey in the AI market, and introduce ScholarAI’s new API launch. Dive into how AI is...
-
GPT-4o: OpenAI's Leap to Consumer AI
In this week's episode, we explore OpenAI's new GPT-4 Omni (GPT-4o) model, highlighting its superior capabilities and consumer-oriented design. This move marking OpenAI's push to dominate the consumer AI market, directly competing with Google. We contrast Google's recent AI announcements and…
more -
Tech Startups vs. Smartphones: The Battle for Consumer Attention
In this week's episode, the ScholarAI Founders dive into the world of tech startups and the ever-evolving smartphone market. We explore the latest innovations, like the Humane AI Pin, and the unique challenges hardware startups face in grabbing consumer attention. We discuss the hurdles and...
-
GPT-5 Outlook, RAG's Role, and AI Infrastructure Opportunities
In this week's episode, the ScholarAI Founders explore the future of AI, focusing on the anticipated GPT-5 and its impact. We discuss current limitations of GPT-3 and GPT-4, addressing the gap between these models' capabilities and user expectations. We begin to explore various aspects of AI...
-
Unpacking AI's Future, Personalized Experiences, and Celebrity Business Dynamics
In this new episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, our founders dive into a wide range of topics - from personal skiing adventures and health scares to in-depth discussions on the future of AI, including GPT-5 speculations, the balance between fine-tuning and RAG, and the evolving business models...
-
AI in Everyday Life - How We Utilize Technology from Personal Growth to Space
In this episode, we dive into the fascinating potential of space travel - weighing the excitement against practical safety concerns and our own willingness to venture beyond Earth. We discuss how AI tools have become integral to our daily routines, from streamlining research to enhancing fitness...
-
AI Uncharted - Diving Adventures and the Quest for Innovation
Dive into the future with the ScholarAI founders as we explore the depths of AI innovation and its groundbreaking impact on technology. From the strategic alliances shaping the industry to the evolution of AI as the new digital frontier, this episode is your gateway to understanding the pulse of...
-
From Gemini's Impact to Google's Moves: A Deep Dive into AI's Future
Join us in this enlightening episode of the ScholarAI Founder's Pod this week as we unravel the recent developments around Google's Gemini models, dive into the intricate balance of ethics in AI, and explore the controversial tactics of data usage in the tech giant's strategy. Our founders…
more -
Unpacking Ad Strategies + Updates from AI's Biggest Players
In this week's episode of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, our team dives into the evolving landscape of AI technology, with a special focus on the recent backlash against Amazon Prime Video and the groundbreaking release of OpenAI's Sora model. We also touch on NVIDIA's soaring market valuation and…
more -
Touchdowns to Tech Breakthroughs: ScholarAI's Take on Super Bowl and AI Trends
In episode 12 of the ScholarAI Founders Pod, join us as we tackle a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from Super Bowl highlights and the intriguing history of its halftime shows to cutting-edge discussions on AI advancements and the future of chip technology. Our founders of ScholarAI share...
-
Vision Pro & Beyond: Apple's AR Ambitions, AI Disruptions, and Economic Insights
In this episode, we explore the intricacies of Apple's Vision Pro AR platform, discussing its innovative aspects and the skepticism regarding its practical applications. The conversation extends to the potential of AI technology in shaping future business models, particularly in the context of...
-
The Evolving VC Landscape and Shifts in News Consumption
Listen in on Episode 10 of the ScholarAI Founders Pod where we discuss the shift towards personalized news consumption, the decline in venture capital funding, and the impact this all has on startups. We explore the trend of tech employees managing multiple full-time jobs amidst changing work...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Three founders. One exit. Countless new beginnings.We sold our AI company — and now we’re back at square one, figuring out our next re:Starts. Every week, join Damon Burrow, Lakshya Bakshi, and Shashi Mudunuri as we digest the biggest stories in AI, tech, and innovation while also sharing the behind-the-scenes of building what’s next.From brainstorming new ventures to collaborating across industries and hosting candid conversations with fellow builders, The re:Start Podcast is where post-exit founders trade playbooks, predictions, and lessons learned for the sake of discovering their next
HOSTED BY
The re:Start Pod
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The re:Start Pod have?
The re:Start Pod currently has 58 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The re:Start Pod about?
Three founders. One exit. Countless new beginnings.We sold our AI company — and now we’re back at square one, figuring out our next re:Starts. Every week, join Damon Burrow, Lakshya Bakshi, and Shashi Mudunuri as we digest the biggest stories in AI, tech, and innovation while also sharing the...
How often does The re:Start Pod release new episodes?
The re:Start Pod has 58 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The re:Start Pod?
You can listen to The re:Start Pod 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 re:Start Pod?
The re:Start Pod is created and hosted by The re:Start Pod.
URL copied to clipboard!