"Request for Startups" with Erik Torenberg

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"Request for Startups" with Erik Torenberg

Request for Startups is a show with tech insiders about products and companies that should exist, but haven’t yet. A rotating lineup of tech founders and investors join Erik Torenberg to share their requests for startups they want to exist in the world, and also share their stories of navigating the idea maze in different sectors so founders don’t have to reinvent the wheel anymore. Listen first, then build. Guests in season 1 include Talia Goldberg, Greg Isenberg, Romeen Sheth, Aashay Sanghvi, Imran Khan, Qiao Wang, Gagan Biyani, Nick deWilde and more Request for Startups is part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: www.turpentine.co requestforstartups.substack.com

  1. Requests For Startups: Software Meets Physical World with Sean Linehan

    7 JUN

    Requests For Startups: Software Meets Physical World with Sean Linehan

    Today’s episode of Request for Startups features * Sean Linehan: CEO at Exec and Squad. @seanlinehan on X * Erik Torenberg: Investor, Founder of Turpentine.co. @eriktorenberg on X In this Request for Startups throwback, Sean Linehan, CEO at Exec and Squad, then-founder of Placement, joined Erik Torenberg to share insights from working at Flexport. They discuss the future of automation, the rise of corporations, leveraging technology in traditional industries, and the importance of a zero-sum approach to business and economic growth. SPONSOR: BRAVE Get first-party targeting with Brave’s private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “Turpentine” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign. TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (01:01) Sean’s journey at Flexport (04:46) Lessons from Flexport (06:20) Software eating the physical world (19:30) Sponsor: Brave (20:34) Trends on managed marketplaces (24:55) Historical insights and modern applications (36:38) The rise of corporations (38:23) Legal compliance and market manipulation (41:47) Monopolies: Past and present (47:59) Potential impact of software and sophisticated technology (54:44) Automation and labor market dynamics (58:25) Personal values and professional growth (01:03:09) Significance of age in career progression (01:06:11) Zero-Sum thinking and wealth generation (01:08:50) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit requestforstartups.substack.com

    1h 9m
  2. Requests For Startups: Marketplaces with Jonathan Swanson and John Kobs

    1 JUN

    Requests For Startups: Marketplaces with Jonathan Swanson and John Kobs

    Today’s episode of Request for Startups features * Jonathan Swanson: Founder and Chairman of Thumbtack and Athena. @swaaanson on X * John Kobs: Founder and CEO of Giant and Apartment List. @JohnKobs on X * Erik Torenberg: Investor, Founder of Turpentine. @eriktorenberg on X In this Request for Startups throwback, Jonathan Swanson, founder of Thumbtack and Athena, with John Kobs, founder and CEO of Giant and Apartment List, joined Erik Torenberg to talk about their lessons from running their respective companies about what makes a good marketplace, and how prospective founders can find opportunities in the space. They also explore new opportunities for creating marketplaces from untapped market potential and integrating technology like VR and decentralized systems. SPONSOR: BRAVEGet first-party targeting with Brave’s private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “Turpentine” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign. TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (01:05) Thumbtack's origin (03:52) John’s vision on ApartmentList (05:49) Evolution of marketplaces (09:38) Challenges and opportunities in marketplaces (15:01) Sponsor: Brave (16:47) Difficulties in developing marketplaces for other industries (17:40) Building liquidity and overcoming challenges (25:30) Future of marketplaces and new opportunities (32:32) Concept of marketplaces for new behaviors (34:29) Jonathan’s request for startups (38:47) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit requestforstartups.substack.com

    40 min
  3. Finding The Right Idea, Co-Founder, and Early Employees with Sean Linehan

    25 MAY

    Finding The Right Idea, Co-Founder, and Early Employees with Sean Linehan

    Today’s episode of Request for Startups features * Sean Linehan: CEO at Exec and Squad. @seanlinehan on X * Erik Torenberg: Investor, Founder of Turpentine.co. @eriktorenberg on X A Request for Startups throwback! In this week’s episode, Sean Linehan, CEO at Exec and Squad, then-founder of Placement, joined Erik Torenberg for a live On Deck talk back in 2021 to discuss his journey from Flexport to navigating the idea maze and founding Placement. Sean shares valuable insights about burnout, taking strategic breaks, the critical importance of finding the right co-founder, and advice on hiring at the earliest stages. TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (00:49) Navigating the Idea Maze: From Flexport to Placement (07:18) Evaluating startup ideas and early-stage hiring (11:40) Building Placement (14:52) Co-founder compatibility and skills (18:11) Sponsor: Brave (21:03) Early-stage startup hiring strategies (26:29) Compensation philosophy in startups (30:47) Decoding product-market fit (34:03) Challenges and opportunities amid COVID-19 (37:38) Acquiring customers in competitive markets (39:33) Entrepreneurial strategies for uncertain times (43:33) Framework on business defensibility (47:08) Labor market trends and predictions (50:42) Future of remote work (53:21) Local politics and the impact on San Francisco's future (56:33) TLDR: Healthcare, education, and housing (58:36) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit requestforstartups.substack.com

    59 min
  4. Navigating the AI Supercycle with Will Summerlin

    17 MAY

    Navigating the AI Supercycle with Will Summerlin

    Today’s episode of Request for Startups features * Will Summerlin: Managing Partner at Autopilot, Former Co-Lead at ARK Investment Management LLC, @WSummerlinAI on X * Erik Torenberg: Investor, Founder of Turpentine.co. @eriktorenberg on X In this conversation, Will Summerlin, managing partner at Autopilot, joins Erik Torenberg to discuss the transformative potential of AI and FinTech. They also share various topics related to venture capital, including non-consensus investing, LP challenges, choosing investments, ideal fund size, opportunities in AI and FinTech sectors, concentrated investment portfolios, and automation in financial services. SPONSOR: BRAVEGet first-party targeting with Brave’s private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “Turpentine” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign. TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (00:22) Diving deep into the AI super cycle (02:45) Startups vs. Incumbents in the AI arena (06:00) Opportunities and challenges various AI markets (11:23) Will’s request for startups (13:53) Sponsor: Brave (14:55) From commoditization to AI agents (21:21) Future of job markets with AI and automation (24:15) Fund strategy and focus in the venture capital landscape (28:06) Evaluating the venture capital ecosystem and AI's role (31:31)  Debate around venture capitalists (38:01) Identifying monopolistic markets for investment (40:00) Fund size strategy for series A and B investment (43:25) FinTech opportunities and AI automation (45:05) Introducing the Autopilot podcast (46:30) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit requestforstartups.substack.com

    47 min
  5. Multi-Stage Funds for Unimpressive Rich Kids, Ashley Madison for Career, and $1000 Startup Ideas

    10 MAY

    Multi-Stage Funds for Unimpressive Rich Kids, Ashley Madison for Career, and $1000 Startup Ideas

    Today’s episode of Request for Startups features * Nick DeWilde: Co-founder and Chief Customer Officer at Exec. @nick_dewilde on X * Sean Linehan: CEO at  Exec and Squad. @seanlinehan on X * Justin Mares: Founder at Truemed, Kettle & Fire, and Surely. A venture Partner at Long Journey Ventures. @jwmares on X * Erik Torenberg: Investor, Founder of Turpentine.co. @eriktorenberg on X In this week’s episode, Erik sits down with friends Nick DeWilde, Sean Linehan, and Justin Mares to explore various unique and humorous startup and product ideas, ranging from dating apps, unconventional business concepts and other creative ideas that blend technology with societal and personal needs. They also highlight the launch of the AI spiritual guide app for Catholics called Grace, proposed by Sean and co-developed with Kevin Hartz.  SPONSOR: BRAVEGet first-party targeting with Brave’s private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “Turpentine” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign. TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (00:40) Grace: The AI spiritual guide (03:56) Innovative startup ideas (14:01) Revolutionizing couples therapy with AI (15:42) Sponsor: Brave Ad (16:46) Ashley Madison for Career (22:37) Silicon Valley's talent wars (30:32) Rethinking art and decor in the digital age (34:58) Thousand dollar startup ideas (40:37) Future of internet authenticity (44:00) Business potential of reputation aggregation (48:29) Redefining social media engagement (53:19) Revolutionizing reality tv with bold concepts (57:17) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit requestforstartups.substack.com

    58 min
  6. Multipreneurship and the Future of Startups with Greg Isenberg

    3 MAY

    Multipreneurship and the Future of Startups with Greg Isenberg

    Today’s episode of Request for Startups features * Greg Isenberg: Co-Founder and CEO of Late Checkout, Former Advisor at Reddit and TikTok, @gregisenberg on X * Sean Linehan: Co-Founder and CEO at Exec, Co-Founder at Squad, @seanlinehan on X * Erik Torenberg: Investor, Founder of Turpentine.co. @eriktorenberg on X In this week’s episode, Greg Isenberg, Co-founder and CEO of Late Checkout, joins Erik Torenberg and Sean Linehan to discuss the difference between solopreneur and multipreneur movements, leveraging community-based products, startup ideas and the future of holding companies and their impact on entrepreneurship. Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns Each episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episodes are on Reddit and Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0epyYBAxLeF0PsNagdDJAJ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/company-breakdowns/id1743119197 TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (02:05) Multipreneurship: Redefining entrepreneurship (08:46) Strategy behind Late Checkout (13:55) Power of AI community (17:55) Sponsor: Turpentine (18:43) Key to multipreneur success (21:40) Future of holding companies and entrepreneurship (29:40) Is Greg Isenberg the Bezos of the future? (36:08) Challenges and opportunities in the holding company model (40:57) Greg’s request for startups (53:53) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit requestforstartups.substack.com

    55 min
  7. Building Online Reputation, Wikipedia for People,and Lists for Everything with Joe Fernandez

    26 APR

    Building Online Reputation, Wikipedia for People,and Lists for Everything with Joe Fernandez

    Today’s episode of Request for Startups features * Joe Fernandez : Co-Founder and CEO of allUP, Former CEO and Co-Founder at Joymode and Klout, @JoeFernandez on X * Erik Torenberg: Investor, Founder of Turpentine.co. @eriktorenberg on X In this conversation, Joe Fernandez, Co-Founder and CEO of allUP, joins Erik Torenberg as he discusses building in the online reputation space. They explore the ever-increasing importance of trust in the age of AI and the unique challenges of building a startup in this space, potential data businesses that could be built on top of reputation, and more.  TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (00:27) Klout’s journey (02:00) Importance of online reputation (05:13) Navigating the idea maze (10:43) Professional networks (12:45) Sponsor: Turpentine (13:33) Exploring different modalities and data sources (17:12) Future of reputation data (22:03) Reflecting on Klout and lessons learned (23:57) Building first-party data with allUp (27:35) Wrap— Request for Startups is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co. — This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit requestforstartups.substack.com

    28 min
  8. Idea Maze Frameworks and Cameo for Experts with Gagan Biyani

    19 APR

    Idea Maze Frameworks and Cameo for Experts with Gagan Biyani

    Today’s episode of Request for Startups features * Gagan Biyani : CEO and Co-Founder at Maven, Previously Co-Founder at Udemy @gaganbiyani on X * Erik Torenberg: Investor, Founder of Turpentine.co. @eriktorenberg on X In this conversation, Erik Torenberg sits down with Gagan Biyani to explore idea formation and the five stages of the ideation process. Gagan also shares his startup ideas, such as 'Quora for people' and 'reference checks as a service,' discussing their potential for scalability and venture backing. Subscribe to our substack: Requestforstartups.substack.com TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (00:28) Deep Dive into Idea Generation (05:20) Five-Step Framework to Startup Ideas (07:13) Testing and Evaluating Startup Ideas (13:18) Sponsor: Turpentine (17:31) Potential startup ideas (20:23) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit requestforstartups.substack.com

    21 min
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About

Request for Startups is a show with tech insiders about products and companies that should exist, but haven’t yet. A rotating lineup of tech founders and investors join Erik Torenberg to share their requests for startups they want to exist in the world, and also share their stories of navigating the idea maze in different sectors so founders don’t have to reinvent the wheel anymore. Listen first, then build. Guests in season 1 include Talia Goldberg, Greg Isenberg, Romeen Sheth, Aashay Sanghvi, Imran Khan, Qiao Wang, Gagan Biyani, Nick deWilde and more Request for Startups is part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: www.turpentine.co requestforstartups.substack.com

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