In this episode of Founder Secrets, Principal Engineer at Microsoft Jeff Harrington takes us through his career journey — from early coding experiments to building the restaurant-tech startup Cardoona, and eventually returning to the corporate world. Jeff shares candid insights on fundraising challenges, breaking into relationship-heavy industries, and how AI agents are changing the future of software development. Whether you’re a founder, developer, or tech enthusiast, this episode is packed with lessons on adaptability, industry knowledge, and leveraging technology for growth.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How early curiosity in technology can shape your entire career path.
Why deep industry knowledge and authentic relationships are critical for startup success.
The truth about investor feedback — and how to interpret “come back later.”
Ways AI agents are automating repetitive tasks and boosting productivity in software teams.
How to pivot effectively when your initial product or market isn’t working.
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