The Lobster Talks Podcast by Lobster Capital

Gabriel Jarrosson
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Feast into the Startup Hustle with The Lobster Talks Podcast by Lobster Capital! Craving the real deal on starting and scaling a business? The Lobster Talks Podcast by Lobster Capital serves up raw, unscripted conversations with experienced founders who've been there, done that (and gotten the investor backing!). Join us as we dissect the triumphs and trials of the entrepreneurial journey, peeling back the layers to reveal the nitty-gritty of building a startup from the ground up. Our guests share their unfiltered insights, hard-won lessons, and practical tips to help you navigate the exciting (and sometimes messy) world of startups. Subscribe now and get ready to hear honest, unfiltered stories from seasoned founders, uncover valuable insights and actionable tips for your startup journey, gain inspiration from those who've successfully navigated the fundraising game and join a community of passionate entrepreneurs eager to learn and grow.

  1. 2D AGO

    From Loom Rival to AI Video Powerhouse

    The most successful YC companies aren't always the loudest. They're the ones that survive the "Valley of Death" to become indispensable infrastructure. In this episode, I sit down with Grant Shaddick, founder of Tella (YC W20), the video tool that has quietly taken over the YC ecosystem. We dive into the grit required to build a category leader, why they chose to stay lean while others over-raised, and how AI is finally killing the "video editing" bottleneck. What you’ll learn: Why "boring" infrastructure often outperforms "hype" AI startups.The reality of the startup "Valley of Death" and how to survive it.Why a high valuation can actually be a founder's biggest trap.The future of agentic video editing: from tools to outcomes.The secret behind Tella’s viral adoption among YC founders. 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 The Big Vision: Make Video Creation Effortless 00:35 Sponsor Break: YC Roaster — Free YC Application Feedback 01:19 Podcast Intro: Why Tella Is a Quiet YC Power Tool 02:28 What Tella Is: The All‑in‑One Screen Recorder 04:38 From “Loom Competitor” to Polished Production Value 07:43 Why YC Founders Keep Choosing Tella 10:51 Async Video vs Meetings: The Future of Work? 15:23 Beyond Loom: One Tool for Every Company Video 18:25 AI + Video: Auto Layouts and Editing Without Editing 24:21 How Close Are We to Fully Autonomous Video Editing? 25:58 Why Video Is So Unforgiving: Trust Dies When Recordings Break 27:50 AI Can’t Save a Broken Capture (Yet): The Gap vs Text Generation 29:12 Generative AI as a “Bandage”: Fixing Mistakes After the Fact 30:21 Desktop/Web Video Creators Are Underserved (and AI Changes That) 31:24 From Whisper Dictation to “Fix My Delivery”: The Future of AI Video 32:20 YC 2020 to PMF: Staying Lean, Scrappy, and Not Getting Ahead of Yourself 36:26 How to Not Quit: Stubbornness, Small Wins, and Solving Hard Problems 39:16 The Rendering-Bug Breakthrough: Quality Fixes That Unlocked Growth 42:01 Fundraising Discipline: Valuation Pressure vs Runway and Focus 47:30 Wrap-Up: Try Tella + Where to Find the Team 🎧 Listen on the go:  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP  Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm  My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap This Lobster Talks episode is brought to you by YC Roaster, a free tool helping founders improve their YC applications.  🔗 https://ycroaster.com

    49 min

  2. FEB 17

    Vibe Coding: YC's New Founder Test

    YC just added one question that quietly changes what it means to be a founder. And it’s not about your TAM. It’s not about your pitch. It’s about how you use AI to build. In this episode of Lobster Talks, we break down YC’s newest application change, the rise of coding agents like Claude Code, and what this signals about where startup building, and venture capital is heading next. We also go deep on YC Roaster, Lobster Capital’s new initiative helping founders improve their YC applications using AI + YC alumni review. Here’s what you’ll learn: - Why YC’s new “coding agent session” question is a founder filter - How vibe coding is becoming table stakes in 2026 - What 20,000 YC applications really signal about global founders - Why traction keeps rising as the YC acceptance bar - How smart VCs are building internal tools and why most aren’t - Why the best founders and funds pivot fast This is a behind-the-scenes look at how YC evaluates builders today. 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 Claude Code Is Addictive: Why Everyone’s Vibe Coding Now 00:44 Sponsor Break: YC Roaster - Free, Brutally Honest YC Application Feedback 01:27 Welcome to Lobster Talks: What’s New in the YC World 02:00 How YC Roaster Was Built (Fast) + How the AI→Alumni Review Flow Works 03:37 Launch Results: Hundreds of Apps, MVP Bugs, and the V2 Relaunch Plan 06:23 What Applicants Look Like: Quality Spread, Global Submissions, and Reviewer Time Sinks 11:29 Why Build YC Roaster: Lobster’s “Helpful Fund” Flywheel + VCs Who Ship 14:20 YC’s New Application Question: Submit a Coding Agent Session You’re Proud Of 15:06 What YC Is Really Testing: Technical Bar, AI Fluency, and Advanced Agent Workflows 22:42 Founder vs Idea: Pivot Culture, Proof-of-Work, and How AI Changes Evaluation 27:06 VCs Need Tools Too: Internal Engineering, Interactive Marketing, and Fund Differentiation 29:28 YC Request for Startups: 2026 Themes - Agents, Stablecoins, GovTech, Spatial/Robotics 31:33 Wrap-Up: Subscribe, Reviews, and Next Week’s YC Founder 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap

    32 min

  3. FEB 10

    YC Founder Cracks Europe's Preventive Health Goldmine

    Most people treat their bodies like a car they only fix after it crashes. Max Berthelot and Lucis are rewriting that script by turning longitudinal blood data into a high-margin, preventive software play. In this episode, we sit down with Max Berthelot, founder of Lucis (YC S25), to discuss why "Function Health for Europe" is one of the most compelling arbitrage opportunities in the venture world. We dive into the cultural shift of paying for health in Europe, the technical challenge of scaling doctor-supervised AI, and the relentless execution required to expand across five countries in record time. What you’ll learn: - Why blood data is the "Gold Rush" of the next decade. - The YC strategy for conquering fragmented European markets. - How to maintain "San Francisco Velocity" while based in Paris. - Why AI + Wearables are currently overhyped (and what's missing). - The 5-day fundraising sprint: How Lucis closed their round during YC. 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Preventive Health and Function Health 00:45 Welcome to Lobster Talks Podcast 01:32 Meet Max Berthelot and Lucis 02:23 The Importance of Longitudinal Health Tracking 05:02 Challenges and Opportunities in European Healthcare 09:14 The YC Experience and Decision to Stay in Europe 12:54 Maintaining YC Culture in Europe 18:13 The Role of AI in Healthcare 22:14 Expansion Across Europe 23:00 International Expansion Playbook 23:53 Challenges in European Market 25:35 Relentless Execution and Metrics 28:35 Trends in YC Healthcare Startups 32:22 Fundraising Journey and AI Impact 36:11 Overhyped Trends in Health Tech 39:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap

    41 min

  4. FEB 3

    The AI Gold Rush Isn’t SaaS. It’s Factories

    Factories don’t buy hype. They buy uptime. In this episode, YC-backed Cerrion CEO Karim Saleh explains why industrial computer vision is one of YC’s most underrated AI wedges, and why it can beat flashier “copilot” markets on sheer dollar-weight and defensibility. Karim breaks down how Cerrion deploys camera-based AI agents to detect production issues in real time, why manufacturing is a $20T opportunity, and what most investors get wrong about selling into factories. If you’re building “real-world AI,” this is the playbook… from five paid pilots before code to scaling via workflows, not dashboards. What you’ll learn: Why YC keeps funding industrial computer vision (even across hype cycles)The technical truth: every factory is different… and why VLMs change the gameThe go-to-market wedge that wins: small scope → fast ROI → expansion (NRR)How Cerrion embeds into daily factory workflows (shift meetings, handovers, owners)The biggest investor myth about manufacturing sales cycles, and the real unlockWhy competition-heavy AI markets are a trap (and what to build instead) 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Manufacturing Market Opportunity 00:38 Welcome to Lobster Talks 01:11 Introducing Karim Saleh and Cerrion 02:16 The Evolution of AI in Manufacturing 03:47 Challenges and Solutions in Industrial AI 05:40 The Impact of US Reindustrialization 08:44 Customer Success and Expansion Strategies 15:44 Fundraising and Market Trends 26:07 Future of Industrial AI and YC Insights 36:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap

    37 min

  5. JAN 27

    The #1 Pain in Law Firms, Solved with AI.

    Lawyers hate tracking time. PointOne turned that universal pain into an AI wedge, and used the YC playbook to move fast in one of the most conservative, high-ARPU markets on earth. In this episode of Lobster Talks, Katon Luaces (YC ’24) breaks down how PointOne built an “AI time platform” for law firms, why “hard thing first” compounds, and what investors routinely misread about early traction vs. real product validation. You’ll learn: - Why “why now” is the only filter that matters for AI startups - How PointOne got early users fast with aggressive cold outbound - The “hard thing first” strategy—and why it creates real moats - The truth: early traction validates the problem, retention validates the solution - How to sell AI into skeptical industries with “stepping-stone” adoption - Why AI law firms are real… but “one law firm in the future” is unlikely Chapters 00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Long-Term Customer Retention 00:33 Welcome to Lobster Talks: Featuring Katon Luaces 01:09 Introducing PointOne: Revolutionizing Time Tracking for Law Firms 01:54 The Magic of Technology: Making the Impossible Possible 02:46 The YC Journey: From Idea to Execution 03:59 Balancing Technology and Market Demand 05:52 Navigating YC: Maximizing Traction and Growth 07:29 Building a Complex Product: Challenges and Strategies 11:51 Post-YC Growth: From Zero to Exponential 13:18 The Philosophy of Tackling the Hardest Problems First 16:35 The Reality of Startup Life: Persistence and Iteration 21:22 Selling AI to a Traditional Industry: Overcoming Resistance 26:31 Innovative Business Models in Law Firms 27:06 Impact of AI on Legal Practice 28:07 AI Tools and Job Transformation 30:31 Competing with AI in Legal Services 31:59 Challenges and Opportunities for AI Law Firms 35:17 Future of AI in Legal and Other Sectors 37:41 YC's Role in AI Legal Startups 41:52 Overhyped and Underpriced AI Investments 47:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap

    48 min

  6. JAN 20

    $50K Focus Groups Are About to Be Replaced by AI

    Focus groups used to take 6–8 weeks and cost around $30–50k. Motives is a YC Summer ’25 company that does it in a day, and is doing it the hard way: with real humans, not synthetic personas. In this episode of Lobster Talks, we sit down with Sean (Motives, YC S25) to unpack how AI-native companies are replacing legacy services, why YC is doubling down on agents, and the real tradeoffs of building outside San Francisco. You’ll learn: Why Motives can run focus-group-grade research in 1–2 days vs 6–8 weeksThe truth about synthetic users vs real humans (and where each wins)YC’s real “secret” (spoiler: it’s not a secret) and why it maps perfectly to agentsThe underrated founder problem: sales vs customer success once you have tractionWhy “unlimited research” pricing can create addiction-level usageLondon vs SF: customer density, talent economics, and survivability as a founder 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Motives: Revolutionizing Consumer Research with AI 00:31 Welcome to Lobster Talks: Meet Sean from Motives 01:01 Deep Dive into Motives: How It Works and Its Advantages 01:49 The Evolution of Market Research: From Traditional to AI-Powered 03:52 Comparing Human and AI-Driven Consumer Research 09:58 The YC Experience: Building AI-Native Businesses 14:57 Challenges and Strategies for AI Startups 24:07 Sales and Customer Success in AI Agent Businesses 28:10 Reflecting on Client Payments and Capital 28:35 Testing the Unlimited Plan 28:57 Challenges and Learnings from AI Research 32:14 Quality Control and Automation 34:36 The Importance of Customer Feedback 36:20 Choosing London Over San Francisco 38:16 Advantages of Being in London 44:02 Balancing Work and Personal Life 47:38 Cultural Differences in Tech 52:40 Final Thoughts and Reflections 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap

    55 min

  7. JAN 13

    Will 2026 Be Venture Capital’s Best Ever Year?

    A seed-stage fund gets 10 markups… and a YC company hits a 4.5x in 9 months. That’s the vibe heading into 2026. Speed is up, liquidity is thawing, and AI is compressing timelines across YC and the broader venture market. In this episode of The Lobster Talks, we recap Lobster Capital’s breakout 2025, unpack why seed → Series A is getting cut in half, and lay out the sharpest 2026 prediction: the liquidity cycle is coming back… via IPOs, M&A, secondaries, and “creative” acquihires. We also dig into the counter-trend: as AI floods everything, founders are building real-world, tangible products that pull people off screens… Powered by AI, Not anti-AI. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why seed → Series A is moving from 18–24 months to ~9 months in top YC companiesHow a YC-backed company can go 0 → $10M ARR in ~14 months and keep growing 40% MoMWhy DPI + liquidity is the only KPI LPs ultimately care aboutThe new playbook: VC + PE strategies converging as AI makes roll-ups and efficiency leaps inevitableThe “opposite reaction” to AI: hardware + real-life communities powered by AI agentsWhat’s showing up in Winter 2026: robotics, hardware, and a surprising wave of space tech 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Cold Open 00:46 Welcome to The Lobster Talks 01:16 Recap of 2025 Achievements 02:19 Series A Success and Future Predictions 07:50 The Importance of Liquidity in VC 09:35 AI's Transformational Impact 18:58 The Role of YC and Future Outlook 21:45 AI Note Taker: A Physical Product in 2026 22:36 Digital Detox: Reconnecting with the Real World 23:59 Lobster Capital's Portfolio: RealRoots and Sunflower 28:15 The Rise of Robotics and Space Tech in 2026 31:39 YC's Moonshot Investments and Future Prospects 34:27 Reflections on YC's Evolution and Success 37:40 Upcoming YC Demo Day and New Group Partners 39:21 Conclusion and Future Episodes 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap

    40 min

  8. JAN 6

    This YC Company Made AI Mandatory by Law

    Everyone’s chasing shiny AI agents. Tanner Jones is quietly using AI to tear out 25% of a state’s rule book, and got Virginia to require his product by law. This episode goes inside Vulcan Technology, a YC startup using AI to map every law and regulation in America, undercut Deloitte and McKinsey, and turn a $4T regulatory burden into a trillion-dollar software market. We talk about Virginia’s $24K cheaper homes, destroying the Big Four with code, how to actually sell into government, and why most “AI for gov” plays are doomed from day one. You’ll learn: How Vulcan uses AI to analyze entire regulatory codes and show what can’t change, what can change, and what must change.The Virginia case study: how building code streamlining translated into ~$24,000 less per new home without touching safety.Why both red and blue states are leaning into AI for regulation, and how YC founders are navigating the politics.What investors get wrong about govtech, ARR, and how to value AI consultancies selling into the state.How Tanner sold to a state government 10 days after incorporation and then raised one of the biggest seeds of his YC batch.What’s overhyped in AI infra, what’s inevitable, and how to avoid building a “solution in search of a problem” in govtech. 📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: The Challenges of Government Contracts 00:51 Sponsorship Message from Stable 01:51 Introducing Tanner Jones and Vulcan Technology 02:33 The Vision: AI in Government Consulting 06:20 Case Study: Virginia's Regulatory Overhaul 12:26 Bipartisan Appeal of AI Solutions 17:34 Behind the Scenes at Y Combinator 22:28 Navigating Government Sales and Investor Relations 24:51 Scientific Innovation and Emergence of New Companies 25:15 Palantir and Anduril's Impact on Intelligence Agencies 25:37 Targeting Regulatory Agencies and Market Size 26:10 Challenges and Opportunities in Government Contracts 27:37 Passion for Government Reform 28:25 Investor Interest in Govtech and AI 29:30 Challenges for Govtech Startups 32:26 Understanding Government Incentives 34:06 Metrics for Success in Govtech 42:31 Future of AI in Government 46:09 Final Thoughts and Contact Information 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercap This podcast episode is sponsored by Stable. Click here to sign up for a virtual address:  https://dashboard.usestable.com/onboard/begin?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=influencer_lobster&promoCode=lobster50

    48 min
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Feast into the Startup Hustle with The Lobster Talks Podcast by Lobster Capital! Craving the real deal on starting and scaling a business? The Lobster Talks Podcast by Lobster Capital serves up raw, unscripted conversations with experienced founders who've been there, done that (and gotten the investor backing!). Join us as we dissect the triumphs and trials of the entrepreneurial journey, peeling back the layers to reveal the nitty-gritty of building a startup from the ground up. Our guests share their unfiltered insights, hard-won lessons, and practical tips to help you navigate the exciting (and sometimes messy) world of startups. Subscribe now and get ready to hear honest, unfiltered stories from seasoned founders, uncover valuable insights and actionable tips for your startup journey, gain inspiration from those who've successfully navigated the fundraising game and join a community of passionate entrepreneurs eager to learn and grow.

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