The Startup Ideas Podcast

Greg Isenberg
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The Startup Ideas Podcast

Get your creative juices flowing with The Startup Ideas Podcast. Published twice a week, we bring you free startup ideas to inspire your next venture. Hosted by Greg Isenberg, CEO of Late Checkout and former advisor to Reddit and TikTok. Subscribe so you don't miss out. For more startup ideas, we created a database of 30+ startup ideas you can take at https://gregisenberg.com/30startupideas

  1. 14 HRS AGO

    The $1,000/Day boring business anyone can start tomorrow (Sweaty Startup Playbook)

    Join me as I chat with Nick Huber to discusses how "boring" businesses like storage, lawn care, and service companies often create more reliable paths to wealth than tech startups. He shares his personal journey from a college storage business that sold for $1.75 million to purchasing and improving self-storage facilities worth millions. The conversation explores various low-tech business opportunities with high profit potential and minimal competition. 00:00 - Intro02:08 - Nick's Sweaty Startup journey05:20 - Self-storage facility investments and returns07:31 - Examples of profitable service businesses13:13 - Sweaty Startup Idea: Night Nurse Marketplace18:49 - Value of a Good Domain Names22:25 - The AI + Sweaty Startups Opportunity Key Points • Nick Huber shares his journey building "boring" but profitable businesses, including Storage Squad and self-storage facilities• Sweaty startups (service-based local businesses) often have less competition and higher success rates than tech startups• Simple marketing tactics like sidewalk chalk, bandit signs, and local networking can be highly effective for service businesses• Domain names are valuable digital real estate worth investing in for business credibility and growth 1) The WEALTHY people in your town aren't tech founders They own boring businesses:• Underground utilities• Surveying companies• HVAC businesses• Real estate development While everyone's dreaming of being the next Elon, these folks are quietly building wealth. 2) Nick's first million came from... college student storage!  He built Storage Squad with:• $1500 Craigslist cargo van• $2200 box truck• SIDEWALK CHALK as his only marketing Grew to $2.2M in revenue, sold for $1.75M in 2020. No tech, no VC money, just hustle. 3) Self-storage facilities = GOLD MINES  Nick bought a neglected facility for $625K with:• 40,000+ square feet• 180+ units• Only making $4K/month Another facility they bought for $1.5M now generates $40K/month and is worth $4.5M! 4) "Sweaty startups" are EVERYWHERE making serious money: • Lawn care: $100K+ working 9 months/year• Mobile detailing: $17K revenue/$10K profit PER MONTH• High-end transportation: Consistent 6-figure income• Tree removal: $3K for 4 hours of work (2 people) All with minimal startup costs! 5) The DOMAIN NAME lesson that most miss: Nick paid $450K for [Somewhere.com](http://somewhere.com/) and says it's already delivered MORE value than that. "People will spend millions on physical real estate but balk at a few thousand for digital real estate - the home of your business." 6) The COMPETITION ADVANTAGE of sweaty startups: Would you rather compete against:• Stanford CS grad with $20M in VC fundingOR• Local business owner who doesn't answer phones on Monday afternoons? Choose your competition wisely! 7) BEST BUSINESS IDEA from the pod: Night Nurse Marketplace • Domain available for $13K (or $1,100/month lease-to-own)• Target new parents needing overnight baby care• Build directory + blog with AI• Charge $1K finder's fee to match families with nurses $20K+ monthly potential! 8) The AI + SWEATY STARTUP opportunity: The best AI companies might start as sweaty startups first. Build the customer base and trust with a service business, THEN layer in tech and AI solutions. This is how you build something valuable without competing with 1000 other AI startups. Notable Quotes: "The wealthy people that I know, the ones with giant beach houses in the outer banks and private jets at the local airport, almost all of them did something boring." - Nick Huber "Do you want to compete against LeBron James or a fifth grade girl in basketball? I play against the fifth grade girl every time because my odds of having a win and making money are higher." - Nick Huber LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/ BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/ BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/ Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND NICK ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://x.com/sweatystartupNick’s New book: https://www.sweatystartupbook.comSweaty Startup Ideas: http://Sweatystartup.com/ideasBolt Storage: http://boltstorage.comSomewhere: http://somewhere.com

    31 min

  2. 2D AGO

    I built a team of AI Agents that grow my business 24/7 (full demo)

    Use agents https://www.lindy.ai/greg (thanks to Flo for hooking us up with 50% off and you can get started for free) Join me as I chat with Flo Crivello, founder of Lindy AI, where he demonstrates how to build AI agents that can automate various business processes without coding. The conversation showcases practical applications including meeting recording, scheduling, recruitment, competitive analysis, and customer support. Crivello emphasizes that there's currently a significant gap between what's technically possible with AI agents and what most businesses are implementing. Built your first AI Agent with Lindy: https://www.gregisenberg.com/ai-agents Timestamps:00:00 - Intro02:08 - Demo 1: Meeting Notes04:41 - Demo 2: YouTube comment scraping06:49 - Meeting Notes Continued08:27 - Demo 3: Outbound Phone Calling10:16 - Demo 4: Meeting Prep10:25 - Agent Swarms Explained11:25 - Meeting Prep Continued13:31 - Demo 5: Meeting Scheduler15:04 - How to start using Lindy15:52 - Live Building of a Recruitment Agent17:57 - When should you loop in a human18:37 - Building of a Recruitment Agent continued 20:34 - Demo 6: Sales Prospecting 22:44 - Why start using AI Agents26:00 - Overview of template categories and use cases28:52 - Demo 7: Elon Lindy30:12 - Demo 8: Competitive Analysis32:58 - Demo 9: CRM and Networking Manager34:50 - Final Thoughts Key Points: • Lindy is a no-code platform for building AI agents that can automate business processes• Users can create their first agent in 10 minutes and automate significant portions of their business• The platform features "Agent Swarms" that can handle multiple tasks in parallel with greater reliability• Lindy offers thousands of integrations with various platforms and services 1) Meeting Assistant Agents The most universal use case for AI agents? Meeting management! Lindy can:• Record and transcribe your meetings• Create searchable notes in Google Docs• Organize notes by person (incredible for context) Flo: "I just had to dig up Google Docs and send him everything we've ever talked about with this person." 2) The Agent vs Workflow Difference Unlike Zapier which connects isolated steps, Lindy creates TRUE AGENTS that: • Understand context between steps• Can recover from mistakes• Let you speak to them in natural language• Don't need every step configured The magic? You're basically telling an AI to execute a sequence of connected actions. 3)  Agent Swarms = GAME CHANGER This new feature lets you deploy multiple agents simultaneously! • Send personalized outreach to hundreds of leads• Research multiple people in parallel• Execute tasks reliably without losing coherence Think Agent Smith in The Matrix - your agent duplicates itself to handle massive workloads FAST. 4)  Real-World Examples That Blew My Mind Flo's Lindy made a restaurant reservation BY PHONE  The hilarious part? The restaurant was using an AI receptionist! "It's already happening - AI agents are working together in the wild" His AI also schedules meetings, preps him for calls, and manages his network. 5) Building a Recruiter Agent LIVE In just 2 minutes, Flo built a recruiting agent that:• Takes job criteria• Searches for matching candidates• Researches them on Perplexity• Sends personalized outreach emails All with human approval built in when needed! "There's a huge gap between what's possible and what people are actually doing." 6) The "Elon Lindy" = Middle Management Killer This agent:• Calls every team member weekly• Asks what they accomplished• Compiles everything into a report for the CEO One customer deployed this to 1000+ employees, essentially "replacing the middle management layer"! 7) Competitive Intelligence on Autopilot Flo's competitive tracker:• Wakes up monthly• Monitors competitors from a spreadsheet• Tracks employee count, traffic, funding, etc.• Sends reports on who's pulling ahead 8) The MASSIVE Opportunity Right Now "There is a HUGE arbitrage between what's possible and what people are actually doing." Companies exploiting this gap are EXPLODING:• One AI ad generator hit $5M ARR in months with just 8 people• Small teams can now operate like they have 30-50 people LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/ BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/ BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/ Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND FLO ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://x.com/AltimorLindy: https://www.lindy.ai

    36 min

  3. APR 9

    The AI Gold Rush Has Officially Started

    Join me as I chat with Riley Brown to explore various opportunities in AI, from image generation to rebuilding essential software tools, while debating the future of content creation, customer support automation, and the concept of "vibe coding/marketing."  Timestamps:00:00 - Intro02:05 - ChatGPT 4.0 image generation capabilities07:30 - Rebuilding calendars, inboxes and CRMs11:02 - Component Animation Library12:59 - The "spaghetti video" and AI video progression19:41 - Customer support automation22:01 - The biggest trap for founders24:43 - Sketching is the future of AI building26:15 - Build Consumer AI Mobile Apps 27:42 - AI Market Dynamics29:01 - Rebuilding traditional products with AI advantages30:51 - AI tools and AI Agents will be cheaper than humans31:56 - Vibe Marketing is a huge opportunity35:41 - AI will replace the homepage36:56 - AI's impact on education and entrepreneurship Key Points: • ChatGPT 4.0's image generation capabilities will birth thousands of vertical software businesses• Calendars, inboxes, and CRMs will be completely rebuilt with AI within three years• AI-generated video has progressed dramatically and will transform content creation• Most customer support will be fully automated within 36 months, including complex issues• Mobile-first AI apps represent the next wave of $100M+ consumer applications 1) ChatGPT 4.0 ImageGen is as REVOLUTIONARY as the original ChatGPT launch It will birth 1000+ vertical software businesses worth $1-100M each. Riley: "It's incredible for generating gradients, components, character sprite sheets..." The window to build these businesses is NOW. 2) Every calendar, inbox, and CRM will be COMPLETELY REBUILT in the next 3 years Not just AI-enhanced — fully rethought from scratch. We're talking about a $700B+ industry transformation. Look at Micro HQ approach: turning email into a smart dashboard with intelligence baked in. 3) The "Will Smith eating spaghetti" video evolution shows how FAST AI video is advancing 739 days ago: Hilariously bad AI videoToday: Nearly perfect realism In another 739 days? Full movies created with prompts, perfect dialogue, and integrated music. The content creation landscape is about to be UNRECOGNIZABLE. 4) Most customer support will be fully automated within 36 months Not just basic tier-one tickets — we're talking complex, multi-step resolutions that currently require senior staff. The days of frustrating support calls may finally be ending as AI gets better at solving our problems instantly. 5) "The worst thing that can happen to your startup is mediocre success" Enough to keep you going, but not enough to change your life. Many founders get trapped in routines with projects they aren't passionate about. The key? Pivot to something that excites you to wake up every day. 6) The SKETCHING economy is the real AI revolution When anyone can turn rough sketches into production-ready designs, taste and ideation become the only scarce resources. Greg's insight: "I've been sketching more myself... if I sketch a thumbnail and throw it into GPT-4.0, I might get twice the engagement.” 7) Consumer mobile is BACK in full swing We went from:• Desktop-first apps (Facebook)• Mobile-first apps (Instagram)• Now AI-first mobile apps (Cal AI) The next wave of $100M+ apps will start mobile-first with AI baked in from day one. 8) AI is creating winner-take-most markets OVERNIGHT The window to establish yourself as the go-to solution in a specific vertical? 9) AI will kill the homepage as we know it Interfaces will be replaced by entry points that change based on who you are, what you need, and when you show up. Just as ads became hyper-personalized, websites and apps will adapt to each visitor in real-time. 10) Schools won't be disrupted by AI — they'll be DISINTERMEDIATED Smart teens will skip formal education to build audiences and run experiments. Kids say they want to be creators, but creators are becoming entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship is becoming the safest "job" in an AI-powered world. LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/ BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/ BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/ Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND RILEY ON SOCIAL Vibe Code App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vibecode/id6742912146X/Twitter: https://x.com/rileybrown_aiInstagram: https://x.com/rileybrown_ai

    42 min

  4. APR 7

    How he validated Kettle and Fire with just $50 (Now a $100M Company)

    Join me as I chat with Justin Mares, Founder of Kettle and Fire, as he explains his methodical approach to validating Kettle and Fire before fully launching it in 2014-2015. He created a basic landing page with a PayPal checkout to test if people would pay $29.99 for bone broth, achieving a 30% conversion rate despite having no actual product. The conversation highlights how modern AI tools have dramatically lowered barriers to entry for entrepreneurs testing new business ideas Timestamps:• 00:00 - Intro• 01:05 - The Scale of Kettle and Fire• 01:20 - The Initial Idea and Inspiration• 02:16 - Validating Market Demand• 04:03 - Addressing Skepticism on Market Research• 06:00 - Testing Pricing and Demand• 08:48 - Bing Ads and Early Revenue• 12:22 - Leveraging AI for Business Today• 13:42 - Finding Passion-Driven Problems• 15:28 - Identifying Trends and Tools• 20:15 - ChatGPT 4o for Initial Product Design Key Points • Justin shares how he validated and launched Kettle and Fire, now a nine-figure bone broth business• He used a minimal landing page, Fiverr logo, and Bing ads to test market demand before creating the product• The validation process focused on identifying if enough people wanted the product and if they would pay enough 1) The "Day Zero" validation strategy that worked: Justin wanted bone broth for his own health but couldn't find it online. Before creating anything, he asked two critical questions: • How many people actually want this?• Will they pay enough to make it a viable business? Smart validation = less risk. 2) Finding your TRUE market size: Justin didn't rely on gut feeling. He went where his potential customers hung out: • Paleo forums• CrossFit communities• Reddit threads• Mark's Daily Apple He found FANATIC engagement around bone broth recipes, sourcing, and benefits 3) The Google Trends hack  Justin checked macro trends to confirm his micro observations. He wasn't looking to build a 9-figure business at 24 - just wanted to make $10K/month with his brother. Simple math: A few thousand customers spending a few hundred dollars a year = viable business. 4) The $15 MVP that ACTUALLY validated demand: • $9.99 domain ([bonebroths.com](http://bonebroths.com/))• $5 logo from Fiverr• Basic landing page on Unbounce No product. No fancy design. Just a simple page highlighting benefits that his target audience cared about: - Healing leaky gut- Convenience- Organic ingredients 5) The GENIUS pricing strategy: Justin priced at $29.99 for 16oz - 6X MORE than grocery store broth! His thinking: "If people will pay this much for a product they've never tasted from a sketchy landing page, they REALLY want it." High price = strong signal of demand. 6) The checkout flow was HILARIOUSLY janky: "Order Now" button → Justin's personal PayPal That's it. That was the entire checkout. And guess what? PEOPLE STILL BOUGHT IT!  After spending just $100 on Bing ads (yes, Bing!), he made nearly $500 in revenue. 7) The honest follow-up that built trust: After validating demand, Justin emailed every customer: "We don't have the product yet. I can either refund you in full or give you 50% off when we ship in a few weeks." Most chose the discount, giving him runway to actually create the product. 8) From validation to execution: It took 8 months to figure out production and scaling. But because he KNEW people wanted it and would pay for it, he had the confidence to push through the hard parts. 9) How would he do it TODAY with AI tools? • Better landing pages using tools like Bolt.new• Sentiment analysis across Reddit/Twitter• AI-generated product designs (as shown in the podcast) 10) The bigger lesson for aspiring founders: Focus on problems YOU care deeply about. The best ideas come from the frontier where you're already spending your time. 11) AI is LEVELING the playing field: One person with strong conviction + AI tools can now build products that previously required entire teams. 12) Want to find YOUR startup idea? Justin's advice:• Find a problem that lights you up• Circle that problem until you find interesting solutions• Validate with real customers willing to pay• Use AI to accelerate everything LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/ BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/ BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/ Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND JUSTIN ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://x.com/jwmaresHis Blog: https://justinmares.com/

    26 min

  5. APR 2

    ChatGPT 4o Image Generation replaces your $10,000 Ad Agency (Expert Demo)

    Join me as I chat with Jacob Posel where he explains his viral method for creating professional ads using ChatGPT 4o and reference images. Jacob demonstrates that effective ad creation with AI relies more on providing quality inspiration images than complex prompting. The episode includes four example ads and two live demonstrations, showcasing how marketers can experiment with different audiences and styles at scale to improve conversion rates. Timestamps:• 00:00 - Intro• 02:01 - Best practices and the importance of inspiration images• 05:52 - Using Reference Images vs. No Reference • 09:07 - Exploring Sora for Prompt Inspiration• 13:33 - Another example of reference image + product image• 16:20 - More Ad Examples (Ridge Wallet)• 18:14 - More Ad Examples (Replit)• 19:12 - Where to find Ad inspiration• 20:00 - Live Ad Creation for LCA• 33:37 - Ad Concept Development for LCA• 37:37 - Finalizing the Ad and Next Steps Key Points: • Jacob Posel demonstrates how to create high-quality ads in minutes using ChatGPT, focusing on using reference images rather than complex prompts• The process involves providing inspiration ads and product images to ChatGPT, which can then generate customized, conversion-ready advertisements• Using well-known brands requires less specific prompting as the AI already understands them, while lesser-known products need more reference images• The speakers demonstrate live ad creation for Late Checkout Agency (LCA), showing the iterative process and prompt refinement techniques 1) The Secret to Great AI-Generated Ads Forget complex prompting - the REAL magic is in your reference images! Jacob revealed: "The important thing in creating good ads are the inspiration images and product images that you provide." ChatGPT understands intent better than other AI image tools. 2) The Simple Framework Here's the basic formula Jacob uses:• Find an inspiration ad you like• Add your product image• Give simple instructions• Let ChatGPT work its magic The model is SMART enough to understand what you want without elaborate prompts. 3) When to Use Reference Images vs. When Not To KEY INSIGHT: ChatGPT already knows popular brands! "It knows Nike, Adidas, Ridge wallets really well," Jacob explains. For well-known brands: Simple prompts work fineFor newer/smaller brands: ALWAYS provide reference images This saves you tons of time! 4) Pro Tip: Where to Find Ad Inspiration Jacob's go-to sources for ad inspiration:• Creative OS• Foreplay• Icon These tools pull from Meta's ad library and make it searchable. Finding the right reference ad is HALF the battle! 5) The Hidden Goldmine Nobody's Talking About ALPHA ALERT: Check out Sora's explore page! "This is a piece of alpha that people do not know about right now," Jacob revealed. It shows you the EXACT prompts people used for successful images. Perfect for learning how to prompt effectively! 6) Crucial Prompting Tips If your first attempt isn't perfect:• DON'T continue in the same chat• Start a fresh conversation• Make adjustments to your prompt there "You generally get through a cycle of worse and worse rather than improving" if you keep going in the same chat. 7) Real-World Example: The LCA Ad We created a luxury-style ad for Greg’s innovation agency in real-time! Process: 1. Screenshot website elements2. Find vintage Rolex ad as inspiration3. Simple prompt explaining the brand vibe4. Iterate in a NEW chat for improvements Took less than 10 minutes!  8) The Future of Advertising This technology enables:• Personalized ads at scale• Rapid response to trending moments• Testing different audiences/demographics• Experimenting with creative directions As Jacob puts it: "The ad is the targeting" - and now you can do it at SCALE. Notable Quotes: "Marketers have this saying nowadays that the ad is the targeting and this is just a way that you can actually do it at scale." - Jacob Posel "The important thing I found in creating good ads are actually the inspiration images and the product images that you provide." - Jacob Posel LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/ BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/ BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/ Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND JACOB ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://x.com/jacob_posel

    42 min

  6. MAR 31

    Build $1000/day cash-flowing startup on beehiiv (here's how)

    Build your business with beehiiv: https://www.beehiiv.com/greg-isenberg?utm_campaign=Q22025-greg-isenberg-partnership&utm_medium=influencer&utm_source=podcast&utm_source_platform=podcast&via=greg-isenberg-Q22025&utm_marketing_tactic=awareness&utm_creative_format=podcast&utm_content=greg-isenberg&utm_term=greg-isenberg Join me as I chat with Tyler Denk, co-founder of Beehiiv, to discuss how to grow a newsletter to 100,000 subscribers. He demonstrates Beehiiv’s platform features including customizable websites, subscriber data collection, automated welcome sequences, and multiple monetization options. Tyler emphasizes there's no "silver bullet" for growth—success comes from combining multiple strategies that each contribute incrementally to building a valuable audience asset. Get the 5-step guide to 100K subscribers: www.gregisenberg.com/beehiiv-business Timestamps• 00:00 - Intro• 02:58 - Overview of newsletter growth potential• 04:03 - Website building and email capture features• 15:00 - Subscriber data collection and welcome automations• 25:00 - Cross-promotion and "Boost" network for growth• 38:06 - Lead magnets and referral programs• 55:00 - Customized email collection based on content  • 1:08:35 - Monetization strategies (sponsorships, paid subscriptions)• 1:10:55 - Final thoughts on consistency and getting started Key Points• Beehiiv’s all-in-one platform includes website building, email capture, subscriber data collection, referral programs, and monetization tools• Multiple growth channels work together: lead magnets, email gating, referral programs, and cross-promotion with other newsletters• Monetization comes through direct sponsorships, Beehiiv’s ad network, and the "Boost" feature where newsletters pay each other for subscriber referrals 1) Website & Email Capture Strategy Beehiiv gives you a full website builder where you can create:• Custom landing pages• Email capture forms• Pop-ups targeted by traffic source• Different signup flows The key? Create MULTIPLE entry points that convert 15-20% of visitors to subscribers. Tyler's Windows 98-themed site stands out because it's INTENTIONALLY different! 2) The Subscribe Flow Magic This is GENIUS: After someone subscribes, Tyler shows:• Sponsored newsletter recommendations• A quick survey collecting demographic data• A welcome page with popular content This data helps him:• Sell premium sponsorships• Create targeted content• Understand his audience (60% founders!) 3) Network Effects & Passive Growth Tyler gets 200-300 FREE subscribers weekly through Beehiiv’s recommendation network! How it works:• Other newsletters recommend his in their subscribe flow• He recommends others in his flow "It's like getting $400-600 of value weekly just for existing on the platform"  4) The Boost Network (Paid Acquisition) Tyler spends $2-3K monthly buying subscribers through Beehiiv’s Boost marketplace. • He pays $2.50 per subscriber• Only pays for subscribers who ACTUALLY ENGAGE• Has autopause features to cut off low-quality sources• Manages 155+ acquisition sources in one dashboard It's like a vending machine: put in $2.50, get $4 back! 5) Lead Magnets That Convert Tyler shared his seed deck on Twitter (100K views) with a simple signup form. The magic:• Created a custom landing page in Beehiiv• Set up a different signup flow (no recommendations)• Built an automation to deliver the deck instantly• Added new subscribers to his newsletter Pro tip: Get sponsors for your lead magnets to fund MORE promotion! 6) The Referral Program (1% of growth) Tyler built Morning Brew's referral program (led to 1M+ subscribers) and implemented a simpler version: - 1 referral = Access to Series B deck (digital, zero cost)• 3 referrals = $10 off merch (dropshipped, zero cost) 7) Monetization (The Engine) Tyler makes $20-30K monthly through: - Direct sponsorships ($7K per placement)• Boost network referrals ($2-4 per subscriber)• No paid subscription (though many make $100K+/year this way) Beehiiv’s sponsorship storefront lets advertisers book directly with just a $10 transaction fee! Notable Quotes: "Writing weekly and sharing my thoughts online has probably been the highest leverage thing that I've done in my entire career. It's opened so many doors to angel investing, meeting other founders, meeting people who are doing really cool shit." - Tyler LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/ BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/ BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/ Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND TYLER ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://x.com/denk_tweetsBig Desk Energy: https://www.bigdeskenergy.com

    1h 17m

  7. MAR 26

    I challenged Manus AI to find $1M+ AI Startup Ideas - It Actually Delivered

    In this episode, host I test Manus AI's ability to function as an AI co-founder by asking it to develop a million-dollar business idea focused on AI. The system analyzes Y Combinator startups and Reddit trends to identify opportunities, ultimately recommending an AI-powered micro-consulting platform for small businesses. Manus delivers a comprehensive business proposal including market validation, pricing strategy, and even designs a functional landing page. Timestamps:00:00 - Intro01:41 - Initial Prompt: Ideas for $1M Startup in 18 Months03:24 - Manus AI Processing Prompt06:25 - Alternative Use Cases of Manus AI13:14 - Results from First Prompt15:19 - Prompt 2: Focus on Niche Startup Opportunities 17:46 -  Results from Second Prompt23:15 - Prompt 3: Validate Ideas with data and trend analysis27:00 - Prompt 4: Refining data and trend analysis29:0` - Prompt 5: Creating a Landing Page with Manus34:23 - Reviewing results from Business Proposal37:35 - Results from Fifth Prompt39:25 - Final Thoughts on Manus AI and Startup Ideas Key Points: • I explore Manus AI's multi-agent capabilities to generate a viable startup idea that could make $1 million in 18 months• Manus AI analyzes YC's latest batch, Reddit trends, and market opportunities to identify niche AI business concepts• The AI recommends "AI-powered micro-consulting for SMBs" as the most promising opportunity• Manus creates a complete business proposal including landing page design, pricing strategy, and go-to-market plan 1) I challenged Manus AI (a multi-agent AI system) to develop a complete business plan for an AI startup that could make $1M in 18 months. The goal: See if AI can identify REAL market trends and opportunities better than humans can. 2) What makes Manus different from ChatGPT? • Multi-agent capabilities (can browse while chatting)• Can analyze multiple sources simultaneously• Performs complex research tasks independently• Creates actual code/designs, not just concepts 3) The COOLEST use cases Greg discovered while testing Manus: • Converting unstructured data into organized tables• Analyzing financial reports like a JP Morgan analyst• Contract review (saving $1500+ lawyer fees)• Creating highlight reels from podcast audio• Building websites from scratch 4) The AI identified these KEY TRENDS in the AI startup landscape: • Vertical-specific AI solutions for regulated industries• AI agents for specialized workflows• Infrastructure tools helping others deploy AI• No-code/low-code AI accessibility solutions 5) The WINNING IDEA Manus proposed: "Spark Console AI" - an AI-powered micro-consulting platform for small businesses. The problem it solves? SMBs need expert consulting but can't afford $150-500/hour traditional services. The solution? $49-500/month AI consulting agents. 6) What impressed me most: Manus VALIDATED the idea with ACTUAL DATA: • 47% growth in r/smallbusiness subscribers• Direct quotes from Reddit showing pain points:"I'd love expert advice but can't justify $200 consultants""Generic AI tools don't understand my industry challenges" 7) Manus even built a COMPLETE landing page with:• Eye-catching design• Lead generation forms• Interactive business assessment• Pricing tiers All without Greg needing to write a single line of code!  8) The LIMITATIONS Greg found: • You still need to ask the right questions• It's more like a "junior employee" than a true co-founder• Takes 10-15 minutes for complex tasks• You need to push back on some recommendations 9) My takeaway: We're entering an era where the COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE isn't coding ability - it's knowing which QUESTIONS to ask AI. The winners will be those who can identify trends and direct AI to build solutions that ride those tailwinds. Notable Quotes: "In a world where anyone could create software... figuring out what is the brand, what is the landing page, what is the product, and what is the trend... is gonna help you actually build a business, not just build a product." - Greg LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/ BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/ BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/ Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/

    43 min

  8. MAR 24

    If I wanted to build $1M+ AI startup in 2025, I'd do this

    Join me as I chat with Andrew Wilkinson, Co-Founder of Tiny, as we discuss investment and startup ideas in the current AI landscape. We explore how AI is simultaneously lowering barriers to entry while increasing competition, making it easier to build "million-dollar businesses" but harder to create sustainable long-term ventures. We share specific startup ideas leveraging AI, including secure data integration platforms, automated web design services, and AI-powered lending. Timestamps:00:00 - Intro01:25 - Business building in AI08:13 - Media Business Opportunities and AI 18:18 - The future of GPT wrappers21:20 - Automation and AI tools we use29:14 - Startup Idea 1: MCP and Financial Analysis34:49 - Startup Idea 2: AI Web Design Agency 37:06 - Startup Idea 3: Message Maxing43:43 - Startup Idea 4:  AI-Based Lending Solutions49:43 - Andrew's Stealth Startup  Key Points • AI is making it easier to build businesses but harder to maintain competitive advantages as tools become widely accessible• Distribution, data advantages, and network effects are becoming the primary moats in the AI era• Media businesses with high-value niches present opportunities for entrepreneurs to build audiences before layering AI tools• Secure AI applications (particularly around financial data and personal communications) represent potential sustainable business models 1) The AI Paradox: It's never been EASIER to build a $1M business, but never HARDER to build sustainable value. Why? Because anyone can "vibe code" your product in a weekend. Distribution and network effects are the new moats. Tools alone won't cut it anymore. 2) Where are the ACTUAL opportunities? Andrew & Greg agree: Buy or build MEDIA businesses first, then layer AI on top. • Focus on High-value niches not mass audiences• Build community BEFORE tools• Example: Buy TechCrunch or event series like South by Southwest 3) AI tools they're actually using RIGHT NOW: • Gumloop - For sales lead intelligence• Lindy - Email processing & calendar management• Manus AI - For candidate screening (saved Andrew hours!)• Vercel V0 - Rebuilt Andrew's pressure washing website in 30 SECONDS 4) Startup Idea 1: "Secure MCP" Model Context Protocol (MCP) lets LLMs access your data securely. Andrew built a custom system to analyze his company finances across multiple businesses. Opportunity: Build the "1Password of MCP" - where security is the selling point. 5) Startup Idea 2: "Message Maxing" An app that analyzes your text messages to identify:• Which friends exhibit toxic traits• How YOU come across in messages• Who you're neglecting Perfect for viral TikTok marketing. Could be the next CalAI! 6) Startup Idea 3: AI-powered web design agency • Use V0 to auto-redesign ugly local business websites• Reach out with "I already built you a better site"• Charge $500 + $20/mo hosting• Scale with automation Low-hanging fruit for your first million! 7) Startup Idea 4: "Bank of Vibe Coding" AI-powered lending platform for vibe coders:• Quick approval for developers with traction• Take % of profits instead of interest• Criteria: X followers, Stripe integration, etc. Sahil Lavingia's $100K offer proves demand! 8) The BIG question: Are these Cal AI businesses (make $1M then die) or sustainable? Andrew's take: "Almost all these businesses will be zeros in 5 years." Greg's counter: "It's so hard to predict even 5 months from now!" What do YOU think? Are you building for the short or long term? The MOST VALUABLE insight: The businesses that are easiest to start are often the worst businesses to be in long-term. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't start one! Making your first million with a "Cal AI business" is still a win. Notable Quotes: "It's never been easier to build a million dollar business and it's never been easier to lose all your equity value." - Andrew "Distribution is the new moat, anyone could create anything." - Greg LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/ BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/ BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/ Startup Empire — a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND ANDREW ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://x.com/awilkinsonNever Enough: https://www.neverenough.comTiny: https://www.tiny.com

    53 min
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    Hosts & Guests

    4.6
    out of 5
    26 Ratings

    About

    Get your creative juices flowing with The Startup Ideas Podcast. Published twice a week, we bring you free startup ideas to inspire your next venture. Hosted by Greg Isenberg, CEO of Late Checkout and former advisor to Reddit and TikTok. Subscribe so you don't miss out. For more startup ideas, we created a database of 30+ startup ideas you can take at https://gregisenberg.com/30startupideas

    Information

    • Creator
      Greg Isenberg
    • Years Active
      2021 - 2025
    • Episodes
      217
    • Rating
      Explicit
    • Copyright
      © The Startup Ideas Podcast
    • Show Website
      The Startup Ideas Podcast

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