Zero to MVP: How to Turn an Idea into a Product

Simon Sällström
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  • Entrepreneurship

Most startup podcasts feature founders after they’ve made it. This is the practical podcast that tells the untold story before that! Zero to MVP, by Tison.io, tells the stories of early-stage founders as they ideate, build and launch their very first MVP. Each episode dives into the spark that started it all, the problem they’re solving, and the unique product they are turning into something real. Everything from finding (or becoming) a technical cofounder, building an MVP on limited resources, handling doubt, hustling away, and staying motivated.

Episodes

  1. 19 Oct

    012: Livesee - The Questions Renters Ask at 10pm Are Your Best Pricing Data

    What if the most valuable data in real estate is hiding in the questions renters ask at 10pm? Andrea Taylor reveals how a "chatbot" turns renter conversations into pricing decisions, and why that is lifting occupancy for property owners. Andrea Taylor is the founder and CEO of Livsee, an AI platform for multifamily real estate that turns renter chat data into pricing recommendations. Before building it, she spent years leading innovation at some of the largest REITs and ownership groups in the US. She raised a pre-seed round in 2025, followed by a seed round, and has grown the company 16X as a solo founder. In this episode, she explains: ■ The Real-Time Gap: Why a standard LLM can offer you an apartment that was leased yesterday, while Livsee connects to property management software where availability and pricing change every 15 minutes. ■ The Chat Data Loop: How talking to a thousand renters reveals what they can afford and what premium they will pay, turning customer service into revenue management. ■ The Forgotten Leads: Why following up with leads from a year ago, and fixing small gaps like a missing employer discount, can lift occupancy by 2 to 5 points. ■ The Unit-Level Premium: How an east-facing unit, a west-facing unit and a better view each carry a different price, and why that only shows up when you compare across many buildings. ■ The Funding Lesson: Why strategic capital beats any capital, and why founders should never sell themselves short in a funding round. (00:00:00) Intro (00:00:43) What Is Livsee? (00:02:06) Why Andrea Built It (00:04:05) How Property Owners Onboard (00:04:40) Why Not Just Use ChatGPT? (00:06:18) Following Up With Old Leads (00:07:38) How Chat Data Becomes Pricing (00:08:42) The School District Story (00:09:29) Who Owns the Data? (00:11:09) Pricing Down to the Unit (00:12:24) How the Renter Chatbot Works (00:14:00) Traction and 16X Growth (00:16:40) The Funding Lesson for Founders (00:19:21) Where to Follow Livsee Follow Andrea Taylor on LinkedIn: Website: livsee.com

  2. 28 Sept

    011: Savea - Bringing Fine Wine, Art, and Classic Cars On-Chain, With No Minimum Investment

    In this episode of Zero to MVP, Simon Sällström sits down with Sam Mudie, Founder of Savea, a fintech and Web3 company that tokenizes physical passion assets like fine wine, art, classic cars, watches, and whiskey into ETF-style investment products. After more than a decade in wine investment, including running the Southeast Asia business of what was then the world's largest wine investment company, Sam explains why the traditional model is broken: 50,000 to 100,000 pounds needed for real diversification, 3-4% annual fees, a 10% exit fee, and six to twelve months to get your cash back. Savea's on-chain index removes the minimum investment, cuts annual fees by about 50% and exit fees by about 75%, and lets holders sell for USDC in seconds. We also dig into the founder side of the story: why the mental toll of building a startup catches most people off guard, the 18-month search across Singapore, Dubai, Malta, and beyond that ended with a regulatory home in Jersey, and how Savea stacks up against Masterworks, Rally, and traditional wine merchants. Sam also makes the case that the real competitor is stablecoin yield. If you're curious about real-world asset tokenization, the economics of alternative investing, or what it's really like to build a fintech company from scratch, this episode is a great place to start! 👉Learn more at: https://www.savea.com/ 🌐

  3. 9 Mar

    010: PaperCheck.ai - Mastering the Thesis Defense Beyond Grammar with AI

    ✨In this episode, Simon Sällström sits down with Yves, Founder and CEO of PaperCheck.ai, a startup helping students and researchers navigate the high-stakes pressure of handing in and defending a thesis📚. Yves shares how PaperCheck.ai goes beyond grammar checks to catch logic flaws, reference issues and argument gaps, while also guiding users through task planning and preparing for their defense with an AI-powered voice agent. We dive into the realities of building a bootstrapped AI startup, growing through organic referrals and sourcing top global talent in unconventional ways. Yves also shares his views on the ethical use of AI in education and where AI truly adds value. If you’re curious about AI-driven academic tools, building products students love or turning personal pain points into impactful startups, this episode is a must-listen! 👉Learn more at: papercheck.ai 🌐

  4. 3 Mar

    009: AIRaze - Redesigning the Global Capital Map with AI

    ✨ In this episode, Simon Sällström sits down with Lawin Chandra, Co-Founder & CEO of AIRaze, a platform rethinking how capital moves by replacing manual networking with AI precision. 🚀📈 We discuss how AIRaze uses data from 67,000+ institutional investors to bridge the gap for the 99% of startups that never get funded. Lawin pulls back the curtain on the "VC Reality Check" why the people you’re pitching are often just as stressed about fundraising as you are. Beyond the tech, Lawin shares the unglamorous truth about building a global startup, from studying AI at Oxford to the "Adoption Mantra": why the best software in the world is useless if people won't use it. If you’re curious about the future of investment, how AI is disrupting the "who-you-know" model, or the raw realities of scaling a high-growth company, this conversation is for you! 👉 Learn more at https://airaiz.com/ and follow Lawin’s journey on LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/company/airaiz/posts/?feedView=all]

  5. 2 Feb

    008: BlueKKIT - Solving the Skincare Problem No One Realizes Is Water

    ✨ In this episode, Simon Sällström sits down with Sojeong Kim, Founder of BlueKKIT, a high-performance vegan skincare brand designed for people living in hard water areas. 💧🌿 We explore how minerals like calcium and magnesium in hard water can cause dryness, irritation, breakouts, and faster skin aging and why standard skincare often isn’t enough. Sojeong breaks down BlueKKIT’s functional water approach, replacing plain water with sea kelp extract and highly stabilized Vitamin C to help remove mineral residue and support healthier skin. Beyond the product, she shares the unglamorous reality of being a founder transitioning from a government role into startups, learning from her mother’s decade in cosmetics and building a brand that recognizes the unseen work behind every bottle. If you’ve ever noticed your skin reacting after moving cities, or you’re curious about what it really takes to launch a physical product, this episode is for you. 🚀 👉 Learn more at Bluekkit.com and follow Sojeong's journey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bluekkit-ltd/posts/?feedView=all

  6. 22/12/2025

    007: Porter Labs - Smart Home Tech for Smarter, Happier Dogs

    In this episode, Simon Sällström sits down with Scarlett from Porter Labs, a startup building intelligent, autonomous enrichment systems for dogs.  We talk about how Porter Labs is creating a cloud-based platform that adds intelligence to pet devices to help dogs stay mentally stimulated when humans are busy, while strengthening the human–animal bond through data-driven training and engagement. Scarlett shares the origin story behind the company, the inspiration from real-life dog ownership, and how PupStation combines wearables, feeders, and software to deliver autonomous skill-building for dogs. She also opens up about the realities of building a pet tech startup from navigating misconceptions around hardware businesses to focusing on scalable software platforms, fundraising challenges, and integrating AI into a fragmented industry. It’s a thoughtful look at what it takes to build meaningful technology for a completely different kind of user.If you’re interested in pet tech, applied AI, or the honest journey of building a startup at the intersection of hardware, software, and behavior science, this episode is a must-listen. Learn more at ⁠porterlabs.ai⁠ and reach out to Scarlett at ⁠info@porterlabs.ai⁠.

  7. 01/12/2025

    006: Rapid Res - Same Restaurants, Just Quicker

    ✨ In this episode, Simon Sällström sits down with Mark Roberts, founder of RapidRes, a startup rethinking how restaurants manage online reservations and no-shows. 🍽️ We talk about how RapidRes helps restaurants take back control from third-party platforms by automating bookings, reducing empty tables, and improving the guest experience through smarter, data-driven insights. Mark shares how his background in hospitality inspired the idea, the pain points he saw firsthand, and how RapidRes uses AI to help restaurants run leaner, more profitable operations. He also opens up about the realities of startup life — from validating the idea with restaurant owners to balancing tech development with customer feedback — offering a refreshingly honest look into building a SaaS product in a traditional industry. If you’re interested in food tech, hospitality innovation, or the behind-the-scenes of building a B2B startup from scratch, this episode’s a must-listen. 👉 Learn more at rapid-res.com and follow Mark’s journey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-roberts-00445a6b/

  8. 24/11/2025

    005: L3NS.ai⁠ - The AI Product Marketer

    ✨ In this episode, I sit down with Tom Capone, Founder and CEO of L3NS.ai | The AI Product Marketer, the world’s first AI built to Vibe Grow products from 0 to 1M+ users.  By simply spending tokens on AI Ads, Influencer, Content & more, founders can save 100+ hours weekly on growth, replacing the need for a marketing agency or team. 🚀 Tom shares how his journey running an AI growth agency for top brands like L’Oréal, Uber Eats, and TripAdvisor inspired him to build an AI app that democratises access to AI systems leveraged by multinationals to automatically generate online sales and users on their products.  We explore how L3NS.ai's AI Strategy Agent generates AI Marketing Strategies by simply talking with users for 5 minutes and AI Execution Agent autonomously executes AI Ads, Content, Influencer, SEO, Email & Community Tasks by simply spending tokens, all while keeping the human in the loop. Tom also opens up about the realities of pivoting from a service business to a product startup, what he’s learned about building through uncertainty, and why he believes AI will completely transform AI Job Displacement into the single biggest opportunity in history by giving any human on the planet the tools to build and grow users on their product with only one click. Whether you're a student or a 9 to 5 worker, if you’re uncertain about AI's impact on your current or future job and looking for a path to become AI bullet-proof by launching your own product with just a few clicks, this episode is for you. 👉 Learn more and join the pre-order launch at https://www.l3ns.ai/ Connect with us! Tom Capone LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomcapone/ Simon Sällström LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-s%C3%A4llstr%C3%B6m-3659b616b/

  9. 17/11/2025

    004: Clever Guide - Find The Best Schools and Programs For Your Child

    In this episode, Simon Sällström sits down with Kristina Lebedeva, Founder & CEO of Clever Guide — the first impartial education guidance companion transforming how families navigate schools, universities and future careers. Unlike generic AI tools, Clever Guide is built from 15 years of real-world admissions expertise and translates thousands of expert decisions and family journeys into clear, personalized pathways that help students not only get accepted, but truly thrive. Kristina has advised families across 40+ countries, from international schools to globally mobile households, and she’s seen how access to quality guidance often depends on wealth. Clever Guide is her mission to change that. We dive into why rankings fail, why Google searches overwhelm parents, and how Clever Guide blends human insight with an adaptive matching engine to deliver transparent, explainable recommendations — from school choice to long-term education strategy. Kristina also shares about the emotional reality of building a mission-driven tech company: resilience, uncertainty, and the importance of falling in love with the problem, not the first solution. If you're curious about the future of education, the evolution of guidance, or the founder mindset behind a globally needed solution, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Website: https://cleverguide.ai/ Kristina' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-lebedeva-switzerland/

  10. 10/11/2025

    003: SunWise - Turning Containers Into Solar Mini-Grids in Africa

    ✨ In this episode, I chat with Guillaume, Founder of SunWise, a startup bringing clean, mobile solar energy to off-grid communities across Africa. ☀️ We explore how SunWise turns shipping containers into fully equipped solar mini-grids that replace costly diesel generators — and what it really takes to build such a company from scratch. Guillaume also opens up about resilience, hitting rock bottom, and the power of personal branding and networking in the founder journey. If you’re interested in renewable energy, off-grid innovation, or the realities of startup life, this one’s for you. 👉 Learn more at mysunwise.com and follow Guillaume — “the container guy” — on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillaume-burstert/

  11. 27/10/2025

    002: TouchBase - Be There For Those Who Matter

    ✨ In this episode, Simon Sällström sits down with Yohay Elam, Founder of Touchbase, a mobile app designed to strengthen relationships by helping people stay in touch with those who matter most. 💬We dive into how Touchbase acts like a personal trainer for social health — sending reminders, suggesting conversation topics, and helping users overcome the inertia of disconnection in an age of digital noise. Yohay shares how his own experience of living abroad inspired the idea, what it’s like to build a consumer product from scratch, and why loneliness is one of the biggest challenges of our time. We also discuss the startup grind: fundraising frustrations, finding early adopters, and learning to put yourself out there as a founder. If you’ve ever struggled to keep in touch, wondered how to validate your startup idea, or simply want an honest look into the life of a second-time founder building for impact, this episode is for you. 👉 Try Touchbase at  gettouchbase.com 👉

  12. 20/10/2025

    001: MineTrade - The Trusted Marketplace For Mining Assets

    ✨ In this episode, I sit down with Ugo Isiadinso, Founder & CEO of MineTrade , a groundbreaking B2B startup transforming how mining companies showcase their projects to investors. 🚀 We discuss how MineTrade helps companies present opportunities at any stage while providing independent validation services that build investor trust. Beyond the platform itself, Ugo opens up about what it’s really like to build a startup — the parts you won’t find in textbooks or polished videos. If you’re curious about innovation in the mining sector, the future of investment platforms, or the raw realities of startup life, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss!

  • 12 Episodes

About

Most startup podcasts feature founders after they’ve made it. This is the practical podcast that tells the untold story before that! Zero to MVP, by Tison.io, tells the stories of early-stage founders as they ideate, build and launch their very first MVP. Each episode dives into the spark that started it all, the problem they’re solving, and the unique product they are turning into something real. Everything from finding (or becoming) a technical cofounder, building an MVP on limited resources, handling doubt, hustling away, and staying motivated.

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