Startup AMA Live

Athena Ventures

Live Workshops With Millionaire Startup Mentors

Episodes

  1. 09/30/2024

    When Should I Interview Users For My Startup And What Questions To Ask Them (Workshop With 8-Figure CEO)

    Athena VC: Celebrating Winners and Overcoming Startup Challenges In this episode, we announce the 100 prize winners and recognize excellent research efforts in various domains. We discuss essential startup tactics, including market validation, targeting the right user demographics, and creating 10x better solutions. Key highlights feature a Q&A session where questions about user interviews, pricing strategies, and building in the fintech and ed-tech sectors are addressed. Join us to learn and get inspired from real startup experiences and expert advice. 00:00 Introduction and Prize Winners 01:37 Q&A Session: Overcoming Challenges 02:30 User Research and Hypothesis Development 05:45 Exploring EdTech Solutions 09:40 Healthcare Sector Innovations 17:49 Finding a Co-Founder vs. Going Solo 20:12 Building a Fintech Lending Solution 21:28 Addressing QR Payment Scams in Indonesia 22:10 Thinking Globally for Bigger Opportunities 23:58 Effective User Interview Strategies 25:23 Pricing Strategies for Competitive Markets 28:15 Validating AI-Powered Ad Solutions 32:34 Building a Cost-Effective Design Product 40:29 Fashion Tech Startup Challenges 42:21 Community Announcements and Closing Remarks — Connect with Rob on: → LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/robliu/ → Instagram https://www.instagram.com/robliuliu/ → TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@rob.liu → X/Twitter https://twitter.com/RobLiuLiu

  2. 09/23/2024

    How To Growth Hack, Master Sales and Personal Branding For Founders (Workshop With 8-Figure CEO)

    Innovative Growth and Sales Strategies for Startups - Athena VC Workshop In this insightful workshop hosted by Athena VC, we dive into growth and sales strategies critical for startup success. The session kicks off with a brief talk on growth marketing, featuring unique growth hacks by Jared Codling, followed by a deep dive into SEO, personal branding, and practical sales methodologies. The importance of creative and traditional marketing approaches is emphasized, along with practical advice for founders on engaging with their initial user base and refining their product based on feedback. The workshop concludes with a valuable Q&A session where participants discuss their biggest business challenges, ranging from onboarding difficulties to market penetration strategies. Tune in to hear actionable insights and real-world examples that can take your business to the next level. 00:00 Introduction and Agenda Overview 00:42 Growth Marketing Strategies 01:14 Creative Growth Hacks by Jared Codling 02:46 SEO and Backlink Strategies 04:33 Personal Branding and Social Media Growth 05:44 Sales Strategies and Resources 06:55 Workshop Session: Business Challenges 07:22 Onboarding Doctors to a Platform 09:29 Getting Initial Customers and User Interviews 16:18 Organizing Data for Investors 20:30 Pricing Strategies for B2B Platforms 22:15 Finding a Technical Co-Founder 26:23 Launching a Student Transportation Service 35:04 The Rise of TikTok 35:33 Addressing Doom Scrolling 35:57 Building a Better Platform 37:25 Evaluating Market Competition 38:36 Pivoting to Education 39:32 User Feedback and Iteration 42:16 Focus Group Discussions 47:16 Mentorship and Networking 56:26 Closing Remarks and Next Steps — Connect with Rob on: → LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/robliu/ → Instagram https://www.instagram.com/robliuliu/ → TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@rob.liu → X/Twitter https://twitter.com/RobLiuLiu

  3. 09/19/2024

    Do You Need A Co-Founder As A Solo Founder? (8-Figure CEO Answers Startup Biggest Challenges)

    Startup Success: Insights, AMA, and Strategies | Athena Program Weekly Recap Welcome to another week of the Athena program! This video covers a quick introduction to the program, reviews the progress of our participants, and awards 100 prizes for outstanding research work. We dive into the different research tasks, discuss building a 10x better startup product, and explore the importance of studying top investors and industry expertise. Additionally, we highlight the efforts of standout participants in various sectors like FinTech, HR, health, and wellness. The session wraps up with an Ask Me Anything (AMA) segment, where Rob addresses critical startup challenges, marketing strategies, finding co-founders, and attracting investors. Tune in for insightful discussions and actionable advice! 00:00 Introduction to the Athena Program 00:24 Research Tasks and Startup Curriculum 01:40 Awarding 100 Prizes for Research 02:13 Research Highlights: Visa Industry and AI 03:51 Challenges in Scientific Research 07:13 User Interviews and Key Learnings 10:11 Ask Me Anything: Business Challenges 27:28 Challenges in the Indian Auto Industry 28:53 Proposed Solutions and Industry Insights 30:27 Financial Services Startup Challenges 35:39 Scaling a Checkout Service for E-commerce 43:28 Marketing and Growth Strategies 49:32 Program Details and Final Q&A — Connect with Rob on: → LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/robliu/ → Instagram https://www.instagram.com/robliuliu/ → TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@rob.liu → X/Twitter https://twitter.com/RobLiuLiu

  4. 09/16/2024

    How To Find A Co-Founder and Get Your First Funding (Live Workshop With Chinmay Chauhan, BukuWarung)

    Startup AMA: Fundraising Strategies, Co-Founder Challenges, and Business Growth Insights In this episode, startup founders get the opportunity to consult with Chinmay, co-founder of Buku Warung, about their pressing business challenges. Topics covered include effective fundraising strategies, finding the right co-founder, and overcoming operational hurdles. Each participant highlights their unique problems, ranging from securing initial capital, expanding product reach, achieving operational efficiency, and understanding market dynamics. Chinmay offers valuable advice based on his extensive experience in the startup ecosystem, particularly regarding the critical stages of business growth and sustainability. The session also includes breakout discussions among the founders to share experiences and learn from each other's journeys. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:50 First Participant: FitHead's Challenges 04:27 Second Participant: Sports Aggregator's Financial Struggles 08:12 Third Participant: Meme Community Platform 04:27 Fourth Participant: Queue Management Solution 17:50 Fifth Participant: Healthcare Platform Development 27:52 Sixth Participant: Long-Term Hotel Concept 33:02 Q&A Session Guidelines 33:09 Local Business E-commerce Query 34:11 AI Blog Creation and E-commerce Platform 36:05 Mentorship and Networking Advice 38:44 Co-founder and Equity Questions 41:52 EV Charging Station App 45:16 Breakout Room Instructions 53:19 Closing Remarks and Feedback — Connect with Rob on: → LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/robliu/ → Instagram https://www.instagram.com/robliuliu/ → TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@rob.liu → X/Twitter https://twitter.com/RobLiuLiu

    How To Find A Co-Founder and Get Your First Funding (Live Workshop With Chinmay Chauhan, BukuWarung)
  5. 09/12/2024

    How To Hire & Delegate, When To Get Funding And More (Live Workshop With 8-Figure CEO)

    Startups 101: From Ideation to Growth | Weekly AMA and Focus Groups Join us for a detailed session about building and growing your startup, including a 10-minute introduction explaining the structure of the program, followed by a one-hour AMA (Ask Me Anything) session. We discuss key concepts such as creating a product that is 10x better, validating your business idea, and effective growth strategies. Hear real-life examples from participants and get answers to your pressing business challenges. Stay for the focus groups to network, share your experiences, and brainstorm solutions to your biggest hurdles. Perfect for founders at all stages, from idea to growth phase. 00:00 Introduction and Session Overview 00:33 Onboarding Guide for New Participants 01:04 Building a 10x Better Product 01:51 Case Study: Visa and Tourism Industry 03:23 Weekly Updates and Building in Public 04:31 Validating Your Business Idea 06:01 Growth Strategies and Competitor Analysis 06:38 Ask Me Anything: Business Challenges 09:14 Delegating and Hiring for Growth 17:41 Funding and Differentiation 24:01 Identifying Painful Problems 24:19 Exploring Deeper Connections 25:30 Innovative Solutions for Connection 26:10 Evaluating Problem Severity 27:12 Addressing Grocery Delivery Challenges 29:17 AI-Based Content Creation 37:40 AI Trading Platform Insights 39:09 Fundraising and Investment Strategies 44:28 AMA Conclusion and Focus Groups — Connect with Rob on: → LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/robliu/ → Instagram https://www.instagram.com/robliuliu/ → TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@rob.liu → X/Twitter https://twitter.com/RobLiuLiu

  6. 09/09/2024

    How To Craft Pitch Deck That Get Investors & Fundings (Live Workshop With Kushal Patel, Una Brands)

    Mastering Entrepreneurship: Insights and Guidance from Industry Experts Join us in this episode as Kushal shares his inspiring journey from investment banking to becoming a key leader in the e-commerce sector, providing insights into M&A, fundraising, and startup scaling. Learn practical tips on creating impactful pitch decks, overcoming challenges, and effective networking strategies. Additionally, Rishu offers important guidance on the application process, community engagement, and how to connect with the team through various platforms. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals and navigate your own entrepreneurial journey with confidence! 00:00 Introduction and Early Career 00:15 Transition to the Middle East and Entrepreneurial Journey 00:50 Joining NinjaVan and Scaling Up 01:33 Founding Unibrands 02:07 Fundraising and Business Model 03:19 Mentorship Session Begins 03:47 Crafting an Effective Pitch Deck 05:25 Journey Through Seed Funding 10:35 Approaching Investors with Multiple Ideas 14:17 Addressing Cold Start Problems 16:46 Building a Game Development House 24:23 Challenges in Customer Acquisition for D2C Brands 29:50 Solving Cold Start Problems for a News App 35:59 Networking and Finding VCs 42:46 Exploring Adjacent Industries 43:27 The AI Gold Rush 44:05 Stage's Marketplace Vision 46:01 Insights on Customization and Manufacturing 49:00 Challenges and Opportunities in E-commerce 53:50 Program Overview and Next Steps — Connect with Rob on: → LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/robliu/ → Instagram https://www.instagram.com/robliuliu/ → TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@rob.liu → X/Twitter https://twitter.com/RobLiuLiu

    How To Craft Pitch Deck That Get Investors & Fundings (Live Workshop With Kushal Patel, Una Brands)
  7. 09/05/2024

    How To Build In Public, Launch And Sell Your Products (Live Workshop With 8-Figure CEO)

    Athena VC Group Coaching: Overcoming Startup Challenges & Building in Public In this episode of Athena VC, participants are introduced to the core values and structure of the Athena program. The session begins with an overview of Athena's offerings, including weekly coaching sessions, focus groups, communication channels, and a founder's curriculum boasting over 300 resources. Participants engage in interactive coaching and discussions, addressing their startup challenges. Topics range from product differentiation, leveraging influencer marketing, to building strong public profiles. The session emphasizes the importance of a product being 10 times better than competitors, studying industry leaders, and gathering user and expert insights. Finally, attendees are guided on the next steps including onboarding procedures and community engagement. 00:00 Welcome and Overview of Athena 00:40 Athena's Resources and Curriculum 00:54 Building a 10x Better Product 02:39 Weekly Updates and Building in Public 03:47 Group Coaching and Focus Group Discussions 04:06 Addressing Business Challenges 04:41 Q&A Session: Marketing and Growth Strategies 08:24 Q&A Session: Product Launch Strategies 15:09 Q&A Session: Sales and Onboarding Challenges 21:47 Q&A Session: Marketplace and Subscription Models 29:19 Q&A Session: Resume Building and Analytics 35:00 Q&A Session: AI Solutions for Unstructured Data 36:33 Computing Arbitrage and MLOps Integration 36:55 Validating the Business Idea 38:48 Challenges in Scaling a D2C Jewelry Brand 43:46 Building a Competitive Design Tool 49:25 Breakout Room Discussions and Feedback 55:59 Closing Remarks and Next Steps — Connect with Rob on: → LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/robliu/ → Instagram https://www.instagram.com/robliuliu/ → TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@rob.liu → X/Twitter https://twitter.com/RobLiuLiu

  8. 09/02/2024

    How To Create a 10X Better Product (Live Workshop With 8-Figure CEO)

    Creating 10X Better Products and Overcoming Business Challenges | Athena Founders Join the Athena Founders as they explore the importance of creating products that are ten times better than the competition. In this session, Rob Liu leads an insightful discussion on how new entrepreneurs can become industry experts, gather crucial user and competitor insights, and improve products significantly. The episode transitions into an 'Ask Me Anything' segment where founders workshop their business challenges, from product research and building in public, to marketing strategies and funding. Rob also provides guidance on active participation in the Athena community, sharing progress and engaging with peers. Whether you're building a product from scratch or enhancing an existing one, this episode provides practical advice and motivating insights to help entrepreneurs succeed. 00:00 Introduction and Agenda 00:28 Creating a 10X Better Product 01:43 Becoming an Industry Expert 02:07 Leveraging User and Competitor Insights 04:29 Building in Public and Weekly Updates 06:14 Q&A: Business Challenges and Growth Strategies 07:28 Q&A: R&D and Funding for 3D Concrete Printing 14:15 Q&A: Decentralized Super App Development 23:00 Q&A: AI Employees and Workflow Automation 27:39 Team Meeting and Feedback 28:03 Time Management Challenges 28:21 User Interviews and LinkedIn Outreach 28:49 Co-Founder Dilemma 29:17 Marketing Advice 29:46 Solo Founder Benefits 30:49 Product Development and Funding 35:25 Team Expansion Challenges 40:18 Building a Community for Solo Travelers 44:03 Athena Residency Program 45:28 Encouraging Interaction and Tasks 48:39 Final Q&A and Wrap-Up — Connect with Rob on: → LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/robliu/ → Instagram https://www.instagram.com/robliuliu/ → TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@rob.liu → X/Twitter https://twitter.com/RobLiuLiu

  9. 08/28/2024

    How To Find Product-Market Fit (Live Workshop With Serial Entrepreneur, Zenos Schmickrath)

    Mastering the Startup Journey: From Product-Market Fit to Deep Tech Innovation Join us in this enlightening episode as we explore the entrepreneurial journeys of successful startup founders and deep tech innovators. Learn from Zenos about achieving product-market fit through understanding customer needs, validating ideas, and overcoming practical challenges. Discover how non-academic founders excel in deep tech ventures, the significance of having a PhD co-founder, and the role of DIY lab setups in fostering innovation. Get actionable insights on effective communication, managing growth, balancing R&D budgets, and navigating venture capital. This interactive session is filled with personal anecdotes, valuable advice, and a dynamic Q&A workshop, making it a must-watch for budding entrepreneurs. 00:00 Introduction and Initial Questions 00:43 Early Startup Experiences and Lessons Learned 01:29 Finding Product-Market Fit 04:33 Challenges and Success Stories 06:03 Current Struggles and Strategies 07:22 Interactive Workshop and Q&A 25:07 Hiring and Team Building 27:34 Funding and Growth Strategies 35:53 Final Thoughts and Advice 52:26 Discussing Build Space and Entrepreneurial Feedback 53:27 Connecting and Supporting Entrepreneurs 56:46 Challenges in Communication and Outreach 58:35 Strategies for Finding Early Users 01:01:25 Email Providers and Cost Concerns 01:05:50 Success Stories and Social Media Strategies 01:14:22 Deep Tech Founders and Self-Study 01:27:21 Funding and Investment Discussions — Connect with Rob on: → LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/robliu/ → Instagram https://www.instagram.com/robliuliu/ → TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@rob.liu → X/Twitter https://twitter.com/RobLiuLiu

    How To Find Product-Market Fit (Live Workshop With Serial Entrepreneur, Zenos Schmickrath)
  10. 08/26/2024

    Sam Altman’s Advice For Startup Founders (Live Workshop With 8-Figure CEO)

    Unlocking Startup Success: Product Development & Building Billion-Dollar Ideas - Live Workshop Join us in this interactive and insightful session as we explore techniques to elevate your startup ideas and outperform competitors. We focus on creating products that are 10 times better than existing solutions and dive into the foundational principles for building billion-dollar businesses. Learn from individual startup presentations and receive tailored advice on solving significant problems, the importance of passion, and leveraging AI and IoT technology. Our expert, Rob, discusses market research, grand visions, and strategies to reshape education systems, and solve the world's biggest challenges in AI, biotech, energy, and governance. This essential video offers practical advice and engaging discussions for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to refine their product concepts and maximize their impact. 00:00 Introduction and Workshop Overview 00:29 The Importance of Solving Big Problems 01:12 Passion and Persistence in Startups 02:10 Becoming an Industry Expert 03:11 Workshop Begins: Hannah's Startup 12:32 Mark's Waste Management Solution 24:13 Trini's Assistive Technology Idea 37:16 The Power of Self-Learning in Biology 38:13 Exploring Non-Invasive Tech Opportunities 40:01 The Reality of Time Tracking Tools 48:24 The Future of AI in Productivity 54:09 Revolutionizing Healthcare with Technology 01:03:42 Challenges in Building a Startup 01:10:20 Jumping into Big Challenges 01:10:59 Starting Small with Athena 01:11:17 Building a Network of Entrepreneurs 01:12:04 Feedback and Improvement 01:12:17 Identifying Key Problems to Solve 01:14:14 Exploring High-Impact Areas 01:16:45 The Power of Education and Money 01:18:10 Group Discussion and Reflections 01:33:48 Preparing for the Next Session — Connect with Rob on: → LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/robliu/ → Instagram https://www.instagram.com/robliuliu/ → TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@rob.liu → X/Twitter https://twitter.com/RobLiuLiu

  11. 08/15/2024

    How To Come Up With Startup Ideas (Live Workshop With 8-Figure CEO)

    Becoming an Expert and Launching Successful Startups Join Rob, founder of Contact Out, for a 10-minute kickoff talk, followed by a Q&A session, group introductions, and a free-form discussion of challenges faced by new entrepreneurs. In this session, Rob shares insights on becoming an industry expert by studying hundreds of companies, leveraging resources like Y Combinator, Crunchbase, and TechCrunch, and exploring public company reports. He emphasizes the importance of passion, large market potential, and building a product that people truly love. Participants share their own startup journeys and challenges, including finding team members, managing educational commitments, and balancing multiple projects. Rob provides guidance on finding mentors, learning to build products, and differentiating from competitors. This comprehensive session aims to equip budding entrepreneurs with practical tools and a supportive community to navigate the early stages of startup development. 00:00 Introduction and Agenda Overview 00:24 Becoming an Industry Expert 00:59 Incorporating Competitor Insights 02:43 The Importance of Passion in Business 04:29 Building a Product People Love 04:58 Q&A Session Begins 05:30 Personal Growth and Living Situations 08:05 Program Structure and Expectations 09:16 Time Management and Productivity Tools 09:45 Mentorship and Weekly Goals 10:51 Equity and Incorporation Details 15:51 Key Performance Indicators and Metrics 18:51 Deep Tech vs. Consumer-Based Startups 24:59 Challenges of Student Startups 30:04 Nisha's Journey and Challenges 31:30 Tarini's Path to Entrepreneurship 35:40 Vishal's Hackathon Experience 39:20 Mark's Waste Management Startup 43:20 Saurang's Healthcare Innovation 47:51 Sohana and Team's ERP Development 52:30 Mentorship and Competitor Analysis — Connect with Rob on: → LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/robliu/ → Instagram https://www.instagram.com/robliuliu/ → TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@rob.liu → X/Twitter https://twitter.com/RobLiuLiu — Work sucks, start a company, it’ll be fun. We’ll match your salary, you keep ~90% equity. Interested? Check out: https://www.athena.vc/

    How To Come Up With Startup Ideas (Live Workshop With 8-Figure CEO)

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Live Workshops With Millionaire Startup Mentors