Innovation with Mark Peter Davis

Interplay
  • 5.0 (46)
  • 创业
  • 一周一更

Welcome to Innovation with Mark Peter Davis, a podcast dedicated to innovation, truth, and education. Through fireside chats with entrepreneurs, industry leading executives, and creative minded business folk, I'll highlight the society altering transformations that are happening all around us while providing crucial entrepreneurial advice. Pickup tips from founders who sold their company for hundreds of millions of dollars. Discover how everyday materials and goods are being reinvented by science. Learn about the current state of space exploration and the space industry from the CEO of a rocket company. Join him on this expedition to learn about the innovations that are changing our world and the way we exist. Don’t forget to subscribe and follow on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Medium.

  1. 5月22日

    David vs. Goliath: Winning When You're the Underdog

    This week’s episode explores one of the most pressing challenges early-stage startups face: competing against well-funded incumbents. We cover how startups can beat giants by focusing on niche markets, iterating fast, building emotional brands, and providing world-class customer experiences. This is the ultimate guide for founders navigating a David vs. Goliath scenario. Whether you’re bootstrapping or just closed your seed round, these tactics will give you the edge. A friendly heads up - this episode is our season closer before we take a pod break for the summer. Thanks for listening and enjoy your summer - we’ll be back from a new studio, recharged and ready to roll. ⏱️ Chapter Markers 00:00 – Intro and Summer Break Announcement 01:00 – Why Competing with Big Players is Tough But Doable 02:30 – Foundational Assumptions Before Competing 04:00 – Strategy #1: Own Your Niche 06:00 – Strategy #2: Move Fast and Iterate Faster 08:30 – Strategy #3: Build a Brand People Want to Root For 10:00 – Emotional Branding Examples: Slack, Duolingo, Superhuman 12:00 – Strategy #4: Win on Customer Experience 13:30 – Recap of the Underdog Playbook 14:00 – Final Thoughts and Farewell Until After Summer Links Interplay: Website, LinkedIn, TwitterBook: The Fundraising RulesMPD: LinkedIn, Twitter

    15 分钟

  2. 5月8日

    Scaling Smart: Unlocking Startup Growth with Outsourcing

    Outsourcing isn't new — but the way startups can use it today has radically changed. On this week’s ep, I sat down with Shaun Walker, CEO of Spoke, to unpack what business process outsourcing (BPO) can look like for high-growth startups in 2025. Let me say this upfront: most early - stage founders are missing out. Outsourcing isn’t just about slashing costs - it’s about building operational leverage and unlocking global talent pools in a way that accelerates your entire business. Spoke’s model stands out because it focuses on fully embedded, dedicated teams that feel like extensions of your startup - they're engaged team members motivated to help you hit your milestones. Whether it’s customer support, finance, data operations, or even engineering, there’s a strategic opportunity here. Especially in today’s hybrid and AI-enhanced world, Shaun argues that outsourcing can be a “bionic” function — letting you scale up or down with flexibility, access talent faster, and focus your internal team on what truly matters. If you're a founder thinking about how to stretch your funding and build operational leverage, this is a must-listen. Hope it helps you navigate your own growth journey. 🕒 Chapter Markers 00:00 – Intro & Welcome 01:10 – What Spoke Does Differently in BPO 03:00 – Human-Centric Approach to Outsourcing 05:00 – Why Not Hire Offshore Directly? 07:00 – Building Embedded Global Teams 08:00 – Why Founders Miss BPO Opportunities 10:00 – When to Consider Outsourcing 12:00 – How Spoke Supports Startups 14:00 – The Cost vs. Strategic Advantage Debate 17:00 – Global Talent Quality and Motivation 19:00 – BPO as a Bionic Growth Function 21:00 – Helping Startups with U.S. Hiring Too 22:00 – High-Skill Roles & No Upper Limit 26:00 – AI’s Role in the Future of Outsourcing 28:00 – When Outsourcing Doesn’t Work 32:00 – Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up Shaun Walker: LinkedInSpoke: WebsiteInterplay: Website, LinkedIn, TwitterBook: The Fundraising Rules

    34 分钟

  3. 4月24日

    How to Know If Your Startup Idea Is Big Enough to Win

    How do you determine if your idea is truly worth pursuing? In this week’s episode, we dive into a practical framework that breaks down the evaluation process into four critical components: the pain point, the market size, the defensibility of your product, and how you plan to monetize and scale. Whether you're just brainstorming or already building, these criteria will help you gut-check your concept and avoid wasting time on ideas that aren’t big - or painful - enough. We also discuss market sizing (TAM/SAM/SOM), moats, and why competitive advantage isn’t always what it seems. This is a must-listen for any founder looking to go from “cool idea” to real business. Links: Interplay: Website, LinkedIn, TwitterBook: The Fundraising RulesMPD: LinkedIn, Twitter Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Intro: Why Idea Validation Is So Hard 02:00 – The Real Question: Do You Have a Big Idea? 03:00 – The 4-Part Framework for Validating an Idea 03:45 – Step 1: Pain Point – Is This a Must-Have? 06:00 – Step 2: Market Size – TAM, SAM, SOM Explained 09:40 – Step 3: Product – Is It Defensible? 12:10 – Step 4: Monetization – Can It Scale? 15:10 – Final Thoughts: Gut-Check Your Idea 16:30 – Outro: Still Learning After Decades in the Game

    18 分钟

  4. 4月10日

    Garry Tan of Y Combinator: How Innovation Is Changing

    Y Combinator has long been - and continues to be - the tip of the innovation spear. That's why I was especially excited to sit down with Garry Tan, President & CEO of Y Combinator, for a conversation that gets right to the core of what’s changing across the startup landscape. At Interplay, I've spent years working alongside entrepreneurs who are laser-focused on building, scaling, and making a lasting impact. Over that time, I've seen countless trends come and go - but when a true seismic shift hits, like the one we’re seeing with AI today, it’s critical to step back and understand the bigger picture. Garry and I dove deep into why vertical SaaS and AI-native startups are poised to drive the next wave of innovation, how lean, AI-augmented teams are rewriting the rules of company building, and why real traction still comes down to solving tangible user problems. We also explored the geographic shifts reshaping where startups thrive, the current realities of AI adoption, and what it truly takes to build a product the world actually wants. It’s a great, timely conversation. A special thanks to Garry for joining me and sharing his insights. 00:00 – Introduction: Why Garry Tan and Y Combinator Matter 00:48 – Garry Tan Joins the Conversation 02:00 – Trends at the Top of the Startup Funnel 02:45 – The Rise of AI and Vertical SaaS Opportunities 04:00 – Leaner Startups: Building Companies with Smaller Teams 05:00 – How AI is Reshaping Company Growth and Scaling 06:00 – Internal Use of AI: Operational Efficiency Across Startups 07:30 – Early Innings: The Long-Term Impact of AI 09:00 – Mainstream AI Adoption: How Far We Have to Go 10:00 – Geography Trends: Where Startup Hubs Are Emerging 11:00 – Why San Francisco Still Matters for Founders 12:30 – The Golden Age of Startups: What's Next 13:30 – Critical Skills for Founders in the AI Era 14:00 – The #1 Reason Startups Fail: Solving Real User Problems 14:30 – Closing Thoughts: Building the Future of Innovation Links: Garry Tan: LinkedInY Combinator: Website, LinkedInBook: The Fundraising RulesInterplay: Website, LinkedIn, TwitterMPD: LinkedIn, Twitter

    15 分钟

  5. 3月27日

    The Legal Blueprint for Startups: What Founders Must Know Before Incorporating

    At Interplay, I've spent years working with entrepreneurs who are driven to build, scale, and make an impact - but too often, legal structuring gets overlooked in the frenzy of product development and fundraising. I've seen firsthand how costly early legal missteps can be so we brought on legal expert Eric Broad of Bowery Legal on to the pod to demystify early stage startup legal questions from entity type selection to the nuanced tax advantages like QSBS that most founders only hear about once it’s too late. Our goal at Interplay is to equip founders with practical insights so they can focus on growing transformative businesses without getting tripped up by preventable legal issues. Whether you’re about to raise your first dollar or just brainstorming your MVP, this conversation will help you make smart, strategic choices. We cover the why behind Delaware's dominance, when to hit the "incorporate" button, and why trying to hack the system with clever workarounds rarely works in your favor. I hope this deep dive helps founders avoid headaches and build with confidence. Links: Eric Broad: LinkedInBowery Legal: Website, LinkedInPhuong Ireland: LinkedInBook: The Fundraising RulesInterplay: Website, LinkedIn, TwitterMPD: LinkedIn, Twitter

    23 分钟

  6. 3月13日

    China 2025: The Big Picture & On-the-Ground Insights

    Chris Zhang, Partner and CIO of Ascend Interplay (Interplay’s multi-family office), returns to the pod to provide an in-depth analysis of China’s economic landscape in 2025, offering insights beyond mainstream media narratives. We discuss the current state of China’s economy, examining key indicators such as GDP growth, industrial production, and trade activity. At the same time, Chris highlights major concerns, including deflation, a struggling housing market, and long-term demographic challenges, while also shedding light on the country’s transition from a manufacturing-driven economy to a service-oriented one. We then dive into the geopolitical dynamics between the U.S. and China. In addition to discussing the tariffs, we compare today’s economic competition to the Cold War era, and how shifting alliances - particularly in Europe and the Middle East - are reshaping global power structures. We also cover China’s technological advancements, particularly in AI and EV manufacturing, where it continues to challenge U.S. dominance. Chris analyzes the impact of U.S. tariffs, supply chain shifts, and investment flows, emphasizing how China remains a key player in the global economy despite short-term volatility. We wrap up with Chris’s firsthand insights from his recent trip to Beijing and Zhengzhou, where he observes China’s strong consumer activity despite ongoing real estate struggles. The episode concludes with a deep dive into China’s investment landscape, shifting geopolitical dynamics, and the nation’s long-term trajectory—offering critical perspectives on how it will continue to shape global trade and economic power structures. Links: Book: The Fundraising RulesInterplay: Website, LinkedIn, TwitterMPD: LinkedIn, Twitter

    40 分钟

  7. 2月27日

    Art or Science? The Secrets & Methods Behind Seed-Stage Startup Valuations

    Seed-stage valuation can feel like a black box. Unlike later-stage companies with clear financial metrics, early-stage startups are evaluated based on qualitative factors, market conditions, and investor demand. Founders with finance backgrounds often expect rigid valuation models, only to realize that early-stage investing is more art than science. However, strategic valuation methods and investor benchmarks offer a structured approach, helping founders navigate the process with confidence. In today’s podcast, we break down the most common seed-stage valuation methods—including the Investor Target Ownership approach, the Berkus Method, and the increasingly popular SAFE note. We also highlight key founder pitfalls, such as over-inflating valuations or underpricing their startups, and explain how investor demand influences the equation. Understanding these factors can help you navigate fundraising with clarity. The goal isn't just to get the highest valuation—it's to secure the right investment partners and ensure long-term success. Links: Book: The Fundraising RulesInterplay: Website, LinkedIn, TwitterMPD: LinkedIn, Twitter

    23 分钟

  8. 2月13日

    Shoveling $h!t: Startup Cheat Codes & New Book from Serial Founders Kass & Mike Lazerow

    On this week’s episode I chat with Kass and Mike Lazerow, a powerhouse entrepreneurial duo known for building and exiting multiple companies, including Golf.com and Buddy Media (which was acquired by Salesforce for $745 million). The conversation dives into their unique dynamic as a husband-and-wife co-founding team, their entrepreneurial journey spanning decades, and their latest venture—writing "Shoveling $h!t: A Love Story" a brutally honest book about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. We discuss what makes a strong co-founder relationship, the realities of scaling a business, and Kass and Mike’s ongoing mission to mentor and support founders. With thoughts on fundraising, company culture, and life after an exit, this episode offers a candid look at the realities of entrepreneurship—perfect for founders, investors, and anyone navigating the startup journey. Links: Book: Shoveling $h!t: A Love StoryKass & Mike: Instagram, YouTube, X, Facebook, LinkedIn (Kass), LinkedIn (Mike)MPD: LinkedIn, XInterplay: Website, LinkedIn, Twitter

    26 分钟
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Welcome to Innovation with Mark Peter Davis, a podcast dedicated to innovation, truth, and education. Through fireside chats with entrepreneurs, industry leading executives, and creative minded business folk, I'll highlight the society altering transformations that are happening all around us while providing crucial entrepreneurial advice. Pickup tips from founders who sold their company for hundreds of millions of dollars. Discover how everyday materials and goods are being reinvented by science. Learn about the current state of space exploration and the space industry from the CEO of a rocket company. Join him on this expedition to learn about the innovations that are changing our world and the way we exist. Don’t forget to subscribe and follow on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Medium.

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