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Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship

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Technology

Technology

Updated weekly

19 Feb

Compensation, culture, and cap tables with Yuri Sagalov, General Catalyst

Build Mode is back. This season we’re breaking down what it really takes to build a world-class founding team starting with your cap table, equity structures, and startup compensation strategy. We kick off with Yuri Sagalov, managing director at General Catalyst and former founder, YC partner, and seed investor at Wayfinder Ventures. Yuri has worked with hundreds of pre-seed and seed-stage startups, and he shares practical advice on how early-stage founders should think about startup equity, cap table design, investor selection, and compensation structures from day one. He breaks down: The 3 types of investors (and which one to avoid) Why your cap table is part of your team The 20–25% seed dilution rule How to split equity with a co-founder How to talk to early employees about risk and compensation No matter where you are in your startup journey, this episode will help you get the incentive structure right from the beginning. Chapters: 00:00 - Why your first hires deserve more equity 00:31 - Meet Yuri Sagalov (YC → General Catalyst) 02:12 - Your cap table is part of your team 02:50 - The 3 types of investors (avoid this one) 05:02 - How to split equity with a co-founder 07:55 - How much equity to give early employees 09:37 - How to talk compensation and risk 12:31 - Red flags in formation docs and vesting 18:27 - Advisors for equity? Usually a mistake 20:05 - The 20–25% seed dilution rule 26:03 - The shift to 10-year stock options 34:11 - Don’t scale before product-market fit 39:23 - Final advice: Just start and choose your co-founder carefully New episodes of Build Mode drop every Thursday. Hosted by Isabelle Johannessen. Produced and edited by Maggie Nye. Audience development led by Morgan Little. Special thanks to the Foundry and Cheddar video teams.
30 Apr

Maintaining Momentum and Morale During the Long Road to FDA Approval with Robhy Bustami, BioticsAI

Surviving the long road to FDA approval isn’t just about building great technology, it’s about keeping your team motivated, finding the right investors, and learning how to operate when timelines are uncertain. This week on Build Mode, Isabelle Johannesen sits down with Robbie Bustami, co-founder and CEO of BioticsAI, a Startup Battlefield-winning company building an AI copilot for ultrasound to help detect fetal abnormalities. From a $100K prototype to FDA clearance, Robhy shares what it actually takes to build in one of the most regulated industries in the world. In this episode, they break down what it really looks like to build a medtech startup, where you can’t “move fast and break things,” and every milestone takes time, coordination, and trust. This conversation covers: How to stay motivated and keep your team aligned when FDA approval isn’t guaranteed What founders need to know about navigating the FDA process from day one How to find investors who understand the slower, high-risk nature of medtech Why cross-functional collaboration (engineers, clinicians, researchers) is critical to success The role of advisors and why active industry experts matter more than big names How to build momentum and celebrate wins during long, uncertain timelines Subscribe to Build Mode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen. And watch the full videos on YouTube. Apply to Startup Battlefield: We are looking for early-stage companies that have an MVP. So nominate a founder (or yourself): techcrunch.com/apply. Be sure to say you heard about Startup Battlefield from the Build Mode podcast. TechCrunch Disrupt: If you're thinking about applying to Startup Battlefield, then October 13 to 15 in San Francisco, we're back for TechCrunch Disrupt, where the Startup Battlefield 200 takes the stage. So if you want to cheer them on, or just network with 1000s of founders, VCs, and tech enthusiasts, then grab your tickets. Use code buildmode15 for 15% off any ticket type. Chapters: 00:00 Building a $100K MedTech Startup 00:32 Intro: Biotics AI & the Problem with Ultrasound Misdiagnosis 02:16 What Biotics AI Actually Does (AI Copilot for Ultrasound) 02:54 Early Days: Startup Battlefield & First Product 07:10 Navigating FDA Approval (Without Guesswork) 09:22 What FDA Clearance Unlocks (Going to Market) 10:59 Selling into Hospitals & Early Customers 12:11 Keeping a Team Motivated During Long Timelines 18:54 The Hardest Parts of Building in MedTech 22:22 Fundraising, Advisors, and Building the Right Team 28:33 The Future of AI in Reproductive Healthcare New episodes of Build Mode drop every Thursday. Hosted by Isabelle Johannessen. Produced and edited by Maggie Nye. Audience development led by Morgan Little. Special thanks to the Foundry and Cheddar video teams.
31/12/2024

Saying goodbye to Found where we started

This is our last episode of Found so we wanted to share where it all started. Please enjoy our very first episodewith Jordan Crook and Darrell Etherington interviewing Iman Abuzeid from Incredible Health. Please be sure to check out the other TechCrunch podcast: Equity And if you find yourself missing Found, you can always go back into the archives at techcrunch.com/found.
05/09/2023

Using AI to talk to trees with Graham Hine from ePlant

This episode is centered on Graham Hine, the co-founder and CEO of ePlant, a startup that creates sensors that monitor the health of trees. Hine talked about what got him interested in the tree space to begin with and what it was like transitioning to being a founder after working for years at a startup founded by his brother. Hine also talked about why the company decided to launch both B2B and consumer strategies and the wide breadth of potential use cases for the tech. Found posts every Tuesday. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts to be alerted when new episodes drop. Check out the other TechCrunch podcast: Equity . Subscribe to Found to hear more stories from founders each Connect with us: On Twitter On Instagram Via email: found@techcrunch.com
14/02/2022

Sunil Paul, Spring Free EV

RSVP for Found Live. Don’t miss your chance to listen to episodes found early and interact with Darrell, Jordan, and their guests. On February 17th at 10am PT/ 1pm ET, Thor Fridriksson will be talking about his experience launching two viral games and founding his new company Rocky Road. When serial founder turned venture capitalist Sunil Paul decided to step back into startups, it was only after trying to give the idea behind his fintech company Spring Free EV away for over a decade. The idea is simple, bring down the initial cost of electric vehicles by charging owners a fee per mile. And after the wildfires in California lead to what he called the "orange sky day" he knew he had to figure out a way to do more to address the climate crisis by making EVs more accessible to the people who drive the most in the US. He joins Darrell and Jordan to talk about the end of the world, recruiting as a climate-focused fintech, fundraising, and of course Canada came up a few times too. Take our listener survey and let us know a bit about yourself and what you think of FOUND. Links from the episode: Spring Free EV Connect with us: On Twitter On Instagram Via email: found@techcrunch.com Call us and leave a voicemail at (510) 936-1618 Found posts every Tuesday. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts to be alerted when new episodes drop. Check out the other TechCrunch podcast: Equity . Subscribe to Found to hear more stories from founders each Connect with us: On Twitter On Instagram Via email: found@techcrunch.com
18/10/2021

Jacqueline Schafer, Clearbrief

After a legal career that included litigation experience at a big NYC law firm, as well as stops in both the Washington and Alaska Attorney General offices, Jackie Schafer realized that one of the major challenges in litigation is accurate and thorough review and citation of the mass of documents and prior judgements involved in a case. That's why she founded Clearbrief, which could help level the playing field for small legal firms and unlock major efficiencies in the public justice system. Also, she's an amazing singer! Links for this episode: Clearbrief Harnessing AI innovation for struggling families Swing 49's album The Devil's Club Blues Connect with us: On Twitter On Instagram Via email: found@techcrunch.com Call us and leave a voicemail at (510) 936-1618 Found posts every Tuesday. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts to be alerted when new episodes drop. Check out the other TechCrunch podcast: Equity . Subscribe to Found to hear more stories from founders each Connect with us: On Twitter On Instagram Via email: found@techcrunch.com
19/12/2023

Making justice more accessible with Charlie Hernandez from My Pocket Lawyer

This week’s episode is focused on Charlie Hernandez and his journey of building My Pocket Lawyer, an online platform that is meant to democratize access to legal advice and guidance for those that might not be able to afford a lawyer. Hernandez talked about why he decided to put his law degree to use to tackle this problem. He also talked about: How My Pocket Lawyer uses AI to curate publicly available legal documents for its users Why a startup is a better approach to tackle this problem compared to a nonprofit or pro bono legal work The feedback he’s gotten from potential customers and the legal industry Found posts every Tuesday. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts to be alerted when new episodes drop. Check out the other TechCrunch podcast: Equity . Subscribe to Found to hear more stories from founders each Connect with us: On Twitter On Instagram Via email: found@techcrunch.com
06/09/2022

Found Live: From Selling Sunset to crypto real estate with Christine Quinn and Christian Dumontet

This week on Found Live Darrell and special guest host, Anita Ramaswamy, talk to Christine Quinn who you probably know from Selling Sunset and her husband Christian Dumontet about their new company RealOpen. The couple talks about why buying a home using crypto is the real estate of the future, how to balance being co-founders, and parents, and maintain their relationship, and yes Christine talks a bit about her time on Selling Sunset. To hear more from Anita, listen to TechCrunch's Chain Reaction. If you love live conversations with founders, you'll love TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco from October 18-20. Use code FOUND for 15% off your ticket. Subscribe to Found to hear more stories from founders each week. Connect with us: On Twitter On Instagram Via email: found@techcrunch.com Found posts every Tuesday. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts to be alerted when new episodes drop. Check out the other TechCrunch podcast: Equity . Subscribe to Found to hear more stories from founders each Connect with us: On Twitter On Instagram Via email: found@techcrunch.com
07/11/2023

Building digital infrastructure for developing countries with Nasrat Khalid from Aseel

On today’s episode, host Becca Szkutak is joined by our old friend Darrell Etherington to talk with Nasrat Khalid of Aseel. Aseel started as an ecommerce company making it possible for local artisans in Afghanistan to sell to customers across the world and has evolved into working in humanitarian aid delivering emergency food supplies to people in need in Afghanistan and Turkey. They talk about: How Aseel built a digital infrastructure that made it possible for artisans to sell to customers all over the world How the company shifted from ecommerce to humanitarian aid when Afghanistan went into crisis The struggle to get investment when the company is considered so high-risk The ethical concerns that arise when your business focuses on the world’s most vulnerable populations Found posts every Friday. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts to be alerted when new episodes drop. Check out the other TechCrunch podcasts: Equity and Chain Reaction.Go to found.simplecast.com to find episode transcripts.Connect with us: On Twitter On Instagram Via email: found@techcrunch.com Found posts every Tuesday. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts to be alerted when new episodes drop. Check out the other TechCrunch podcast: Equity . Subscribe to Found to hear more stories from founders each Connect with us: On Twitter On Instagram Via email: found@techcrunch.com
16/07/2021

Ashley Sumner, Quilt

Ashley Sumner's original concept for Quilt was all about meeting up in person — almost an Airbnb for conversations. But shortly after launch, the universe threw a wrench in the works, as a global pandemic shut down or severely limited in-person interaction almost everywhere, particularly among strangers connecting for the first time. Quilt made a pivot into the suddenly crowded social audio space, but Ashley explains how it kept its core focus and differentiation in the process. Links for this episode: Quilt Quilt, an audio social network focused on self care, raises $3.5 million in seed funding Connect with us: On Twitter On Instagram Via email: found@techcrunch.com Call us and leave a voicemail at (510) 936-1618 Found posts every Tuesday. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts to be alerted when new episodes drop. Check out the other TechCrunch podcast: Equity . Subscribe to Found to hear more stories from founders each Connect with us: On Twitter On Instagram Via email: found@techcrunch.com

TechCrunch podcasts cover the business of technology, startups, venture capital funding, crypto, and the humans behind it all.

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TechCrunch

Top Shows

Compensation, culture, and cap tables with Yuri Sagalov, General Catalyst

Maintaining Momentum and Morale During the Long Road to FDA Approval with Robhy Bustami, BioticsAI

Saying goodbye to Found where we started

Using AI to talk to trees with Graham Hine from ePlant

Sunil Paul, Spring Free EV

Jacqueline Schafer, Clearbrief

Making justice more accessible with Charlie Hernandez from My Pocket Lawyer

Found Live: From Selling Sunset to crypto real estate with Christine Quinn and Christian Dumontet

Building digital infrastructure for developing countries with Nasrat Khalid from Aseel

Ashley Sumner, Quilt

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