Shows
Startup Istanbul PodcastLessons from a16z Speedrun’s Josh LuLast month, I was in San Francisco for the a16z Speedrun Demo Day — surrounded by brilliant Substack writers, top founders, and sharp investors.I had the chance to meet so many great friends:* Great opportunity to meet Andrew Chen and Kevin Kelly* Hung out with writer friends Guillermo and Ruben* Met Devansh, founder of Artificial Intelligence Made Simple* Spoke with Alex Xu, founder of @bytebytego* Caught up with my longtime friend Marvin Liao from The Hard Fork* Took Waymo for the first time (yes, I...2025-04-3032 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastStop Racing to Raise MoneyI had an eye-opening chat with Jason Fried on my podcast about startup funding. His perspective challenges everything most founders believe.Controversial truth that needs to be said:”Not all external money is worth taking.”Here's the uncomfortable truth about funding:The less money you take early, the stronger you'll be.Why? Let's break it down:1. The Independence Tax * You're now on someone else's timeline* External pressures drive decisions* Long-term vision gets compromised* = Lost autonomy you can't buy back2. The...2025-01-2202 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastYour Company Is Already DeadBig companies don't fail from lack of innovation.They fail from successful resistance to it.Episode with Tendayi Viki about startups and corporate innovation.The Warning Signs:* "We're too busy running the business"* "Let's not mess with what works"* "Innovation is a distraction"* "Our customers love us as we are"The Real Cost:* Market share: Slow decline* Revenue: Looks fine until it doesn't* Competition: Invisible then invincible* Innovation: Too little, too lateWhat Actually Works:2025-01-1903 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastGet Investors to Notice You (In 2025)In this week's post, we're diving into the crucial topic of attracting investors, with insights from a true expert. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Ed Kang, a seasoned startup advisor and investor, who brings a wealth of experience to the table. Ed's worked with hundreds of startups, and he's seen firsthand what works and what doesn't when it comes to fundraising.This episode focused on practical, actionable strategies to help founders navigate the complexities of investor outreach, especially as we look towards 2025. We covered everything from crafting effective cold emails to building long-term relationships.2025-01-1058 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastInstant Pitch Deck KillersJust had an incredible chat with Ed Kang from Startups.com about what really happens when investors look at your deck.Here's the shocking truth:You don't have 10 minutes.You have:* 1 seconds for the cover* 3 seconds for first 3 slides* 30 seconds if you're lucky* 3 minutes if you're exceptionalIt's your pitch before the pitch.The 3-Second Reality Check:* Cover slide* Problem* SolutionThat's it. Make it count.Here's what makes...2024-11-051h 07
Startup Istanbul PodcastThe Venture MindsetI had a great chat with Ilya Strebulaev recently. Ilya is a professor at Stanford GSB, author of 'The Venture Mindset' book, and knows a ton about venture capital and innovation. We talked about what makes a good VC versus a great one, and I think you'll find some of these takeaways super interesting.Key TakeawaysConsistency Over Luck* Great venture capitalists aren’t just lucky—they’re consistent.* They have solid processes that help them navigate the unpredictable world of startups.* It’s not about getting one decision right; i...2024-10-2252 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastProgress Metrics: The Secret WeaponIn my latest podcast episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jeremiah Gardner, a seasoned innovator and author of "The Lean Brand." Jeremiah's journey from the startup world to implementing lean innovation practices in healthcare offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs and corporate innovators alike.Key Takeaways* Lean Startup in Healthcare: Contrary to initial skepticism, lean startup methodologies can be successfully applied in healthcare. However, the application requires careful adaptation to the unique challenges of the industry.* Progress Metrics: Jeremiah introduced the concept of progress metrics as a way to objectively measure pre-market...2024-09-0633 min
Startup Istanbul Podcast𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗽Fundraising is a critical stage for any startup, but it's not without its pitfalls. In a recent conversation with seasoned venture capitalist Andrew Romans, we delved into the often-overlooked dangers of overfunding and how it can jeopardize a startup's long-term success.The Illusion of SuccessMany founders equate a high valuation with success, believing that raising a large round is a validation of their business. However, as Andrew points out, this can be a dangerous illusion. Overvaluation sets unrealistic expectations for future rounds and puts immense pressure on the team to deliver exceptional results. If...2024-08-1239 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastFrom $0 to $9 Million per Week: The Up & Go Startup StoryI recently had Touradj Barman on my podcast to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and founding Up’n Go, a contactless payment solution for restaurants. Here are some of the key lessons I took away from our conversation:* Start with solving a specific, narrow problem - Up & Go began by simply focusing on easing check splitting* Get a customer before building the product - Partnered with a restaurant first to customize the product to their needs* Constraints force focus - Bootstrapping kept costs low so they could focus on the essentials rather th...2024-07-2722 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastCara HealthI recently had the pleasure of speaking with Anna Strubel, co-founder of Cara Health, an innovative startup aiming to improve the maternity experience for women and families. Cara Health began by offering in-person services like yoga, midwife appointments, and family education classes. But after seeing a need for more comprehensive support throughout pregnancy and postpartum, Anna and her co-founders Carina Vantsi, Keiro Vantsi developed a hybrid model combining online and offline resources. Key Takeaways:* After training as a pediatric nurse in Germany, Anna became passionate about supporting women throughout the entire maternity journey...2024-07-1519 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastYour Startup Is Boring butI had the pleasure of speaking with Adeo Ressi, a well-known figure in the world of entrepreneurship and venture capital. Adeo is the founder of Founder Institute. He has inspired many entrepreneurs. He also started VC Lab, a leading accelerator program for fund managers, where I am an early alumnus of the program.Last year, I read a book about Elon Musk. I learned that Adeo is a close friend of Elon Musk from their university days. They shared a home at university. Adeo even traveled with Elon to Russia to negotiate buying rocket engines...2024-07-0846 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastUncertaintyI'm excited to share some highlights from my recent conversation with Jerry Neumann, a seasoned venture capitalist and co-author of "Founder vs. Investor." This episode was packed with valuable insights on the dynamics between founders and investors, making investment decisions, and the crucial role of uncertainty in the startup world. Here's a summary of our discussion for those who couldn't tune in.The Importance of Embracing UncertaintyOne of the key themes of our conversation was the role of uncertainty in the success of startups. Jerry emphasized that every startup faces a degree of uncertainty...2024-07-0155 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastWhy Your Startup's Community is Worth More Than MoneyI recently had an insightful conversation with Derek Andersen, the visionary founder of Bevy and Startup Grind, on my podcast. Derek's journey is a testament to the power of community building and the transformative impact it can have on businesses and individuals alike. I wanted to share some key takeaways from our chat in this blog post.From Startup Grind to Bevy: A Founder's JourneyDerek's passion for community building led him to create Startup Grind in 2010, a global platform that connects and supports entrepreneurs. Startup Grind's success is a testament to its core values...2024-06-2440 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastSilo TeamI recently had the pleasure of interviewing Ida Stjernström, co-founder of Silo Team, on my podcast. Silo Team is a startup working to revolutionize technical onboarding and reduce developer turnover.Ida shared the backstory of how her brother Rasmus’ frustration with chaotic onboarding at tech companies sparked the idea for their solution. After researching over 400 tech teams globally, they realized the problem of losing developers went way beyond just onboarding.Key insights Ida discussed:* Silo Team centralizes knowledge and streamlines onboarding to integrate developers faster. Their approach is a competitive advantage....2024-05-1924 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastHow I Invested in CoinbaseIn my recent Substak podcast episode, I spoke with Adam Draper, founder of Boost VC and third-generation VC investor, about his unconventional path in venture capital.Coming from a long lineage of successful investors, Adam has made his own mark in the VC world. He is the founder and managing director of Boost VC, a fund focused on sci-fi technology and founders pursuing “impossible” ideas. Adam has led early investments in startups like Coinbase, Vints, and Amplitude.Adam shared the story behind his prescient early investment in Coinbase and founder Brian Armstrong. In the early Bitc...2024-05-1351 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastThe Mom Test🎧 Listen on Spotify + watch on YouTubeRob Fitzpatrick, author of The Mom Test, recently joined me for an insightful conversation on my podcast. We discussed customer development, validating product ideas, his books, and more. Here are some of the key takeaways from our discussion:* When doing customer development, reveal your product vision to provide context but focus questions on their lives and experiences. Don't pitch or talk about your idea.* The Mom Test is a tool best suited for early, casual conversations where you need to uncover if customers care about the problem you...2024-05-0455 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastWhy My Startup Failed & What I Learned🎧 Listen on Spotify + watch on YouTube Former Pannacotta founder Fernando Taliberti joins me to give a raw, honest postmortem on his failed calendar productivity startup. He shares the story of Panacota's journey, the emotional toll of shutting down, and his biggest lessons learned as an entrepreneur.Fernando Taliberti poured his heart and soul into building Panacotta, a startup focused on productivity. He had a passionate team, innovative tech, and even secured funding. But despite his efforts, Fernando ultimately had to shut down Panacotta.In this episode of my podcast, Fernando opens up about the...2024-04-2933 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastUnlocking Financial Access in Egypt🎧 Listen on Spotify + watch on YouTube I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Karl Marco, co-founder of Octo, an Egyptian fintech startup providing digital financial services, on my podcast. Karl shared invaluable lessons on building a fintech company from the ground up in Egypt. Here are some of the key takeaways from our conversation:* Octo aims to provide financial services to the unbanked and underbanked population in Egypt, offering a digital payment solution and a credit line combined in one.* The market in Egypt is largely untapped, with only 24 million out of 110 mil...2024-04-2227 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastRadar: Fintech Lessons from Latin AmericaIn a recent Startup Istanbul podcast, Amanda Jacobson, co-founder of Radar, shared invaluable insights on building a fintech startup in Latin America.Radar provides payment reconciliation and payout automation for enterprises in Latin America. The problem they aim to solve is that as companies scale, their finance processes become extremely messy. Radar's products help clients understand the data behind their money flows to enable things like forecasting and automated money movement.Takeaways* Building a startup in Latin America requires a focus on product-market fit and profitability.* Listening to clients and iterating...2024-04-1931 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastDave McClure on Investing EvolutionI recently had the pleasure of speaking with Dave McClure, founding partner of Practical VC and former founding partner of 500 Startups, on my podcast. Dave has been an active angel investor since the early 2000s and has invested in over 2000 startups during his venture career. Given his contrarian approaches and evolution from early to later stage investing, I was excited to pick Dave's brain on everything from the state of Silicon Valley to his lessons learned over the past two decades.1. The State of Silicon Valley* Seeing positive momentum in AI startups and...2024-04-0356 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastPirates In The NavyI recently had an insightful chat with Tendayi Viki, author of "The Corporate Startup" “Pirates In The Navy” and expert on innovation. We discussed the differences between startups and large companies when it comes to innovation, and key strategies for enabling innovation inside organizations. Here are some top takeaways:Opening Up Space for Ideation* Companies don't lack ideas, they lack processes that allow those ideas to surface and be tested.* Innovation theaters with lots of ideation don't create value. Focus on building and validating value propositions.* Open up space for...2024-04-0134 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastFrom Lab to VC FundI recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jens Lapinski, an experienced investor, entrepreneur, and mentor, on my podcast. Jens shared valuable insights from his journey across academia, entrepreneurship, and investing. Here are some key takeaways:From Academia to Entrepreneurship * Jens did his PhD in biotechnology at the University of Cambridge, which had a very entrepreneurial culture. He built technology with commercial applications that got licensed to a public company. * This exposure to bringing research into business and society sparked Jens' interest in entrepreneurship.Lessons as a Founder and CEO2024-03-2934 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastSteve Blank - Apollo ClashIn a recent podcast episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with Steve Blank, the legendary entrepreneur and father of the Lean Startup methodology. Our wide-ranging conversation delved into the secrets of successful entrepreneurship, the evolution of startup practices, and Steve's tireless mission to empower founders around the world.* He believes humor and optimism are critical for entrepreneurs to handle the ups and downs* Blank looks to entrepreneurship itself for funny stories and observations, ingesting varied experiences helps recognize patterns and opportunities* Steve Blank had a 5 minute interview with Steve Jobs at...2024-03-2554 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastTim Draper: Rules for Radical Returns !I recently had the honor of speaking with legendary venture capitalist Tim Draper on my podcast. Tim has an incredible track record, having backed companies like Hotmail, Skype, Tesla, Coinbase, Robinhood, and many other household names. Our wide-ranging discussion touched on everything from Tim's investment philosophy, to the future of cryptocurrencies, to advice for entrepreneurs.Here are 7 key takeaways from my conversation with Tim Draper:* Make investment decisions based on instinct and entrepreneur's passion, not just data.* Think globally about startups from the very beginning to have a competitive advantage.* Continuously...2024-03-1856 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastAngel Investing: MasterclassI recently had the pleasure of interviewing David S. Rose, a pioneer angel investor and author of the book "Angel Investing: The Gust Guide to Making Money and Having Fun Investing in Startups" for my podcast. David shared fascinating insights from his decades of experience as an angel investor and entrepreneur. Here are some of the key takeaways from our discussion:The Best Way to Get Started in Angel InvestingDavid believes joining an established angel group is by far the optimal way to begin angel investing. The benefits include:* Learning...2024-03-131h 04
Startup Istanbul PodcastThink RemarkableI'm thrilled to have the chance to have an in-depth conversation with Silicon Valley legend Guy Kawasaki on the podcast. As one of the original Apple employees in the early days of the tech revolution, Guy has a wealth of wisdom to share from his decades of experience as an entrepreneur, author, and innovator.Guy Kawasaki has lived a remarkable life. As an early Apple employee, bestselling author, and evangelist, he has accumulated a wealth of wisdom about how to make a positive impact on the world. His latest book, Think Remarkable, distills lessons learned...2024-03-0747 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastUnpopular VCPeter Livingston, founder of Unpopular VC, shared his insights on angel investing and working with startups globally in my recent podcast interview. My next podcast guest will be Guy Kawasaki on March 7th. I had the opportunity to speak with him about his new book Think Remarkable and am excited to share this episode.With over a decade of experience and 400+ investments under his belt, Peter emphasized the importance of diversification and long time horizons for new angel investors. He recommends starting small with check sizes around $1-5k to build a portfolio...2024-03-0545 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastHard TruthsI recently had the pleasure of sitting down with veteran entrepreneur and investor Kent Lindstrom, partner at 8 Bit Capital, for an enlightening conversation on my podcast.My next podcast guest will be Guy Kawasaki on March 7th. I had the opportunity to speak with him about his new book Think Remarkable and am excited to share this episode.With firsthand experience as the former COO of Nuzzel (sold to Scroll) and Neo Innovation (sold to Pivotal Labs), as well as serving as the CFO and CEO of pioneering social network Friendster, Kent offered...2024-03-0247 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastTake Risks EarlyI recently spoke with Shiyan Koh, Managing Partner at Hustle Fund, a VC fund investing in early-stage software startups. In our wide-ranging talk, Shiyan shared her fascinating journey into VC. This included changing her career from investment banking to becoming an early employee at NerdWallet.She also gave insightful views on startup fundraising, founder psychology, her investment checklist, and key differences between Southeast Asian and U.S. startup ecosystems. Shiyan offered thoughtful advice to founders on persevering after rejections and not focusing too much on fundraising.With experience both growing a startup and now investing...2024-02-2833 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastNo Investors NeededI recently had the honor of interviewing Jason Fried, founder of 37 Signals, Basecamp, on my podcast. Jason provided so many fascinating insights about building a successful business by staying small and sticking to your values. In this post, I want to recap some of his key lessons that really resonated with me."Just go and make something - don't overthink it or ask too many people for opinions. Keep it as small as possible and see bootstrap constraints as an advantage, not a disadvantage. And above all, practice your writing as much as you can early...2024-02-2451 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastInnovation AlchemyIn my recent conversation with Dan Toma, author of The Corporate Startup and Innovation Accounting, he shared invaluable perspectives on helping large companies succeed with new ventures.Dan advises testing diverse ideas over predicting winners early on. He explains innovation accounting uses custom metrics to assess concepts before traditional financials apply. This data-driven approach tracks key signals, allowing effective portfolio management. Dan reflects progress requires empathy alongside expertise, guiding innovation leaders.(Note: Innovation is focused on the successful implementation and value creation from new ideas, whereas invention is focused on the creation of the idea...2024-02-2136 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastHindu spiritualityIn my recent episode of Startup Istanbul Podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Manu Jain, co-founder and CEO of Vama App. Vama is an intriguing startup aiming to transform spirituality in India through a virtual temple and astrology platform. Some of the key things that stood out to me:* Vama has done significant pivoting of their product and business model based on user feedback before finding product-market fit. Adapting in this way is critical for any startup.* Users want human connection and conversation, not just text reports, when it comes to sensitive...2024-02-1728 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastBeyond Silicon ValleyIn this episode, I'm talking with Allen Taylor from Endeavor Catalyst about the tough world of entrepreneurs in emerging markets. Allen brings 20+ years of experience and shares how these founders stand out with their resilience, especially in places like Latin America and Southeast Asia. It opens our eyes to the hard work happening outside well-known tech areas.We cover topics like the toughness needed by entrepreneurs in different parts of the world, what Endeavor Catalyst does, what makes a founder attractive for investment, and how to navigate investment meetings. Allen gives us insight from around the globe...2024-02-1348 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastThe View from DubaiI recently had the pleasure of speaking with Daniel Dos Reis, Investment Director at Wamda Capital, about startups and venture capital in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey.With over 15 years of experience spanning startups, corporates, government, and top VC firms, Daniel provided invaluable insights from an investor's perspective.In this post, I'll summarize key takeaways from our wide-ranging conversation on regional startup ecosystems, common founder mistakes, evaluating deals, managing portfolios, major exits, and more.As an entrepreneur and investor myself, I found Daniel's thoughts and experiences incredibly insightful. I hope this...2024-01-3045 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastFrom Coffee Company to Supply Chain SolutionI recently had the pleasure of speaking with Bobby Katoli, co-founder and CEO of Ceres Technology, an AI-powered supply chain analytics platform. We discussed the origins of Ceres, the unique value proposition of their technology, and lessons learned from Bobby's journey as an entrepreneur.Decoding the Supply Chain with AICeres started out as a specialty coffee company, bringing high-quality beans from Central America to roast and sell in the US. But Bobby noticed a consistent degradation in coffee quality during shipping. No one in the supply chain took responsibility. With tech backgrounds, Bobby and...2024-01-2335 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastThe Final Foundry FundI had the pleasure of speaking with Seth Levine, co-founder of Foundry Group, on my podcast this week. Foundry made headlines recently when they announced their 2022 fund would be their last - closing up shop after 16 very successful years in VC.After Foundry Group's noteworthy announcement, I prioritized releasing this timely interview with Seth Levine to discuss the context behind their decision.In our conversation, he sheds light on Foundry's intentional approach to build a limited life partnership, avoiding the "treadmill" of endless fundraising. Seth reflects on the unique culture and key lessons from Foundry's...2024-01-1956 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastRise of the Airship DronesI'm excited to announce that Seth Levine, partner and co-founder at Foundry Group, will be a guest on my podcast next week. If you have any questions you'd like me to ask him, please share them here. I'll make sure to include your questions in our conversation! Additionally, listeners with questions will be invited to join me live in future episodes.Growing up, I was fascinated by airships. The idea of taking to the skies in one of those stately, floating giants captivated my imagination. But as I got older, I learned that airships disappeared...2024-01-1739 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastHumans and RobotsI'm excited to have Seth Levine on my podcast next week. If you have any questions you'd like me to ask him, please share them here. I'll be sure to ask your questions during our conversation!Industrial automation is often viewed as complex, expensive, and only feasible for large corporations. But Rishabh Agarwal, founder of startup Peer Robotics, is on a mission to change that perception.I recently spoke with Rishabh on the Startup Istanbul Podcast about his journey to make robotics and automation more accessible for organizations of all sizes. Rishabh offered...2024-01-1536 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastOnly Paranoids SurviveI recently had the pleasure of speaking with Silicon Valley investor Marvin Liao on my podcast. Marvin has a wealth of experience spanning over 20 years in the tech industry. He was an early team member at Yahoo, helped expand the company to over 45 countries, and has invested in over 400 startups.In our far-reaching conversation, we covered everything from the key moments that shaped Marvin's career path, to his thoughts on the "dark side" of Silicon Valley, common founder mistakes, and the evolving role of startup accelerators. Marvin offered candid reflections on his biggest failures and regrets, as...2024-01-1338 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastDon't Let Fear Hold You BackI recently had the pleasure of speaking with Alec Sorensen, co-founder and CEO of Tradespace, on my podcast. Alec has a fascinating background and shared insightful lessons from his experience building Tradespace. Here are some key takeaways:1. Persistence is key in entrepreneurship - whether fundraising, pitching customers, or building a product. As Alec said, "it's really an exercise in resilience."2. Truly understanding your customers' needs and pain points is critical before building any product. Alec advised spending as much time as possible talking to potential customers early on.3. Founders should listen carefully to...2024-01-1133 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastDon't ThinkI talked this week with Peter Vesterbacka, entrepreneur and founder from Finland known for building major brands like Angry Birds, Rovio and Slush.Taking action is critical for entrepreneurs according to him, as learning happens by doing rather than just thinking. Entrepreneurs should execute on ideas through constant action, without fear of failure, to create opportunities and accelerate growth.Here are three key takeaways on why taking action is critical for entrepreneurs based on Peter’s comments:* Learn by doing rather than over-analyzing. Taking action provides practical learning opportunities that thinking alone cannot....2024-01-0639 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastThe Craziest Startup Pivot that Became a UnicornI have had the pleasure of knowing Eamonn Carey for many years. We first connected when we hosted him as a speaker at various events in Istanbul and Antalya. I always enjoy our conversations and learn so much from his experiences.Eamonn began his career as a journalist before transitioning into the world of venture capital. His background in journalism provided great preparation for his work in VC. As a journalist, Eamonn honed critical skills like conducting thorough research, asking thoughtful questions, and listening closely to responses.When Eamonn became an investor, he was able...2023-12-2332 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastMaking Side Hustles MainstreamI recently had the pleasure of speaking with Arthur Wang, founder of Fud, about his entrepreneurial journey. Arthur Wang's family origins as Chinese American immigrants who ran restaurants influenced his entrepreneurial ambitions. He also inherited a passion for educating and helping others from his teacher relatives. This unique blend shaped his vision for empowering everyday entrepreneurs with Fud.Fud is an online platform empowering everyday entrepreneurs through community support and expert guidance. By connecting side hustlers to share knowledge and monetize their skills, Fud helps regular people build fulfilling careers outside the traditional 9-5 job...2023-12-2030 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastInsights from a Canadian VC | Casey Van MaanenI have a great talk with Casey Van Maanen is a Senior Analyst at LOI Venture, an early stage venture capital fund focused on young entrepreneurs in British Columbia. He has experience in venture capital, finance, and business management through roles at different funds. "It's never easy, but having grit and resilience is key." — Casey Van MaanenHere are my 3 key takeaways from the conversation with Casey:* Be transparent and provide actionable feedback in rejection emails to founders * Clearly explain reasons for declining a deal and provide constructive feedback en...2023-12-1648 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastDoing it For the Next Generation - Twice CommerceI had a great conversation with Tuomo Laine, founder and CEO of Twice Commerce, formerly known as Rentle. Additionally we met during our side event at Slush in Maria 01 last week.The Twice Commerce platform simplifies the process for businesses to manage rental, resale, and refurbishing operations. It facilitates the circular economy by helping companies extend the lifecycles of their products.Here are some key takeaways from our insightful discussion:* Passion is a great servant, but a poor master. It should fuel you, not drive you. And remember - no number gets better...2023-12-0928 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastHow Everfund Helps Nonprofits Fundraise More EasilyI had an insightful chat with Christopher Burns, Co-Founder of fundraising platform for nonprofits, Everfund. Christopher has been working on startups for over 5 years. Everfund emerged from their previous work building QR code donation tools for nonprofits.Our conversation covered Chris' lessons on customer validation, hiring failures, co-founder relationships, startup motivation, and more.Here are my top 5 takeaways from our discussion:* Key lessons when pivoting go-to-market* Focus on customers with the real "pain killer" problem, not just who likes your solution.* Learning from early hiring missteps 2023-11-2525 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastMosmos: Save Now, Buy LaterI had a wonderful conversation with Mosmos co-founders recently and asked them the question,"If you go back in time 2 years, when you were just starting Mosmos, what advice would you give to yourself?"Chengo Masha's answer:- Focus ruthlessly on understanding the customer's problem first.- Don't get caught up in perfecting the solution too soon.- Let customer feedback drive building the right solution.Juliet Shiro Njoroge's answer:- Have patience and persist in business conversations.- It takes time to turn a lead into a partner.- Keep sight of the opportunity...2023-11-2336 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastFunding Startups: An Investor's PlaybookLast week I had the pleasure of speaking with Yrjö Ojasaar, Partner at Change Ventures, about the startup ecosystems in Estonia, the Baltics, and the Nordics.Yrjö has a fascinating background, having worked as a lawyer in the US defending major tech companies before returning to Europe to work with startups. He has been the CEO of a Finnish clean-tech startup, a UK digital publishing company, and advised many Estonian founders. Currently at Change Ventures, an early-stage VC fund focused on ambitious founders from the Nordics and Baltics, Yrjö draws on his diverse experience to hel...2023-11-181h 00
Startup Istanbul PodcastGrowth Hacking Tips from Sean Ellis, Bestselling AuthorWhen Sean's wife signed him up to coach his daughter's soccer team, he knew little about the sport. However, as with any challenge, he wanted to take a data-driven approach. Since scoring itself didn't occur often enough to analyze, Sean tracked shots on goal instead. He then used each game as an experiment, constantly shifting player positions between quarters to gather data on different lineups. By recording shots for both teams each period, Sean looked for trends that could help optimize performance. His testing revealed one lineup dominated possession and shots. This allowed Sean to...2023-11-0951 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastFiguro: InsurTech in LATAMTop notes from my conversation with Juan Camilo co-founder of FiguroFiguro: InsurTech startupFocus: Latin America* Platform:* Simplifies insurance buying* Streamlines quotes, buying, managing* More transparency, ease for users* Approach:* Uses tech to digitize old processes* Data-driven insights* Goal: Make insurance access equal for all1. Outdated Insurance Distribution Is the Real LATAM ProblemIn LATAM, it's extremely difficult to get insurance in a streamlined, easy way. Figuro saw this as a huge opportunity.2023-11-0438 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastInvesting is more "psychology than finance" early onLast week, we chatted with Scott about entrepreneurship, early stage investments, the Fuzzy and Techie book, and many different topics. When I started writing this post, I couldn't remember when we first met and looked back at our emails. We corresponded for the first time in 2012 when he was at Mohr Davidow Ventures. Even though we did not meet physically over the years, we kept in touch regularly about entrepreneurship. In 2017, Scott was one of our keynote speakers at Startup Istanbul but could not come at the last minute due to the visa crisis. During the pandemic...2023-10-2844 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastInsights from an Emerging Market VC: A Chat with Vir KashyapI recently had the pleasure of interviewing Vir Kashyap, veteran investor and entrepreneur, on the Startup Istanbul podcast. Vir has a unique background, having been born in India, educated in the US, worked at startups in Silicon Valley, and eventually returned to India in 2007 to tap into the early stage startup ecosystem there.In our conversation, Vir traces his journey from writing his college thesis on e-commerce in the late 1990s to co-founding recruiting platform Babajob in India in 2007. He reflects on the dramatic evolution of India's startup ecosystem over the last 15 years, highlighting three key inflection...2023-10-2122 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastFailing to Win - Lessons from a Purpose-Driven African StartupI had the pleasure of talking with Mike Quinn, founder of Boost, a B2B commerce platform for retailers and distributors in Africa. We discussed his entrepreneurial journey, lessons learned from building and scaling his past startup Zoona, and advice for startup founders based on his experience leading a purpose-driven fintech in Africa for over 10 years.Persevering Through the Emotional RollercoasterMike Quinn's journey from Canada to leading a startup in Africa has been defined by constantly learning from failures. In this interview, he shares the hard lessons he learned while building and scaling his...2023-10-1645 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastStep-by-Step Guide: How to Start a Startup in 15 MinutesThis video is the most popular one on our Startup Istanbul YouTube channel. We have also converted it into a podcast format. Michael Seibel's (Managing Director and Group Partner at Y Combinator) 15 minute guide provides extremely valuable advice for entrepreneurs on how to start a successful startup. He covers the key elements like building a strong team, identifying a good idea, launching quickly, achieving growth and fundraising. This concise and practical guide is a great starting point for any founder, so be sure to watch or listen to the full video.1. Build a Strong Technical Founding Team2023-10-1115 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastKhyaal - An Engagement Platform for Senior Citizens in IndiaI had the pleasure of talking last week with Hemanshu Jain, founder of Khyaal, an engagement platform for senior citizens in India. We discussed his entrepreneurial journey, lessons learned from past failures, and advice for startup founders based on his experience building both Diabeto and now Khyaal.Lessons from Serial Entrepreneur Hemanshu JainHemanshu Jain is an experienced entrepreneur in India, having successfully built and exited his previous startup Diabeto before founding his current venture Khyaal. Early Beginnings Hemanshu started Diabeto in 2012 to build a hardware glucometer along with his co-founder...2023-10-0934 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastInside Superface AI: How This Startup Uses AI to Automate IntegrationsI recently had the pleasure of interviewing Radek Novotny, founder of Superface AI, for the Startup Istanbul podcast. Superface is an exciting startup using AI to automate integrations between software applications.Radek shared the origin story of Superface - how painful manual integrations created a "red carpet" problem to solve. He discussed pivoting to an AI-powered "agent" to connect apps and systems, requiring no code.It was fascinating to learn about his entrepreneurial journey, lessons in culture building, go-to-market strategies, and insights into the future AI landscape. Radek is a passionate, serial entrepreneur driven by...2023-10-0623 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastFrom Campus to Success: Empowering Middle Eastern Students in the Startup WorldIn a recent podcast, I had the pleasure of engaging in a conversation with Yousef Hamidaddin, a well-respected figure in the Middle Eastern startup ecosystem. Our discussion delved into various aspects of the startup scene, including recent developments, challenges, and opportunities. In this post, I will explore key highlights from our conversation, shedding light on the current state of the Middle Eastern startup ecosystem.The Middle Eastern Startup LandscapeYousef emphasized the importance of ideation and the need for more university students to launch startups while still on campus. He highlighted the immense potential of...2023-10-0236 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastInterview with Artemis Cofounder Josh GrayHello everyone! I'm excited to share my latest podcast interview on Startup Istanbul with Josh Gray, founder of ArtemisArtemis is an early-stage startup operating in the data infrastructure space. They have developed a platform that helps teams, especially data analysts, clean and prepare messy datasets for downstream analytics and AI applications.In this interview, Josh provides an overview of Artemis's target customers, product, market validation, competitive landscape, and more. We discuss some interesting insights he has gained through starting this company as well as challenges around moving to a usage-based pricing model....2023-09-2920 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastThe Existential Founder: Finding Purpose Over ProfitsI spoke with serial social entrepreneur Alex Souza about the importance of existential founder fit. Alex has founded 5 companies across different industries and countries, focusing on empowerment and impact. He explained how after his 4th venture, he realized he lacked existential founder fit, meaning the business did not align with his values and purpose. Don't miss our event on Nov 29, 10:00-13:00, at Maria 01, Helsinki. Co-hosted with the Embassy of Finland in Ankara, it's a unique chance to connect Turkish and Finnish startup worlds. Ideal for networking and partnership opportunities. Register now and let us know if...2023-09-2435 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastPuppetry ( former Elbo AI )In a recent episode of the Startup Istanbul podcast, we got to talk with Saravana Rathinam and Ben McMahan. They're the folks behind Puppetry (Former Elbo AI), a cool startup that's working on making it easier to talk to computers.Puppetry has made a platform that lets us chat with AI almost like it's another person. They're getting a lot of people interested because this is something many of us could use in our daily lives.During our chat, Saravana talked about his past work, like helping to build parts of Apple Siri. He's really...2023-09-1723 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastFlipside XR - Lesley KlassenIn the latest episode of the Startup Istanbul podcast, we had the privilege of discussing virtual reality (VR) and spatial content creation with Lesley Klassen, the co-founder and CEO of Flipside XR, an innovative startup making waves in the XR (extended reality) industry.Flipside XR has developed a unique platform designed specifically for the emerging generation of creators, drawing significant attention in the industry.During our conversation, Lesley shared insights about Flipside's technology, his entrepreneurial journey, thoughts on Canada's vibrant startup ecosystem, and the motivation driving him and his team in this dynamic field.2023-09-1123 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastLukhu - Sustainable fashionI'm Burak Buyukdemir, and I'm thrilled to bring you an exclusive glimpse into my recent podcast interview with Reynolds Mungai, who serves as the co-founder and CEO of Lukhu. During our engaging conversation, Reynolds generously shared insights about Lukhu's incredible journey, their mission, and the hurdles they've faced while embarking on their mission to reshape Africa's fashion commerce landscape.Meet Reynolds Mungai and Lukhu: Reynolds Mungai kicks things off by introducing himself as the co-founder and CEO of Lukhu, an ambitious startup on a mission to revolutionize sustainable fashion commerce in Africa. Lukhu's vision is to create...2023-09-0831 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastLease Simple - Jeremie RomandIntroducing LeaseSimple, the first banking app tailored for renters! Renting in big cities has become increasingly expensive and complex, and we aim to simplify and make it fairer for tenants.Traditional banking overlooks rent payments in your credit history, leading to a 100-point credit score gap between renters and homeowners. LeaseSimple not only allows you to pay your rent online but also connects rent payments to the financial ecosystem, positively affecting your credit score.It’s more than just paying rent; it's about saving for your future and improving your financial well-being. Get full access to St...2023-09-0529 min
Geeks Of The Valley#86: Unveiling Compelling Investments in Emerging Markets with Etohum's Burak BüyükdemirBurak Büyükdemir is a well-known investor, startup ecosystem builder, author, and founder. He is the founder of Etohum, a leading accelerator and seed investor organization in Turkey, as well as the founder of Startup Istanbul and Startup Turkey. Through these programs, he has supported and invested in over 100 startups, providing training, mentorship, and seed investment to help them grow and develop. He is known for his work supporting the global startup ecosystem and has a strong global network of contacts in the startup world. In addition to his work with startups, Burak has also written a book about th...2023-08-2124 min
Geeks Of The Valley#86: Unveiling Compelling Investments in Emerging Markets with Etohum's Burak BüyükdemirBurak Büyükdemir is a well-known investor, startup ecosystem builder, author, and founder. He is the founder of Etohum, a leading accelerator and seed investor organization in Turkey, as well as the founder of Startup Istanbul and Startup Turkey. Through these programs, he has supported and invested in over 100 startups, providing training, mentorship, and seed investment to help them grow and develop. He is known for his work supporting the global startup ecosystem and has a strong global network of contacts in the startup world. In addition to his work with startups, Burak has also written a book ab...2023-08-2124 min
Startup Istanbul PodcastAction Fuels RealitySource of motivation"Without actions, the world would still be an idea" — General Georges Doriot Founder, INSEAD. Startup Discovery Digest* Kiwi Launch provides an all-in-one scheduling and online booking software for service-based businesses to easily manage their online presence and generate bookings with real-time availability. (Seed, UAE)* Legal Karma is an embedded legal products company that provides easy, affordable and accessible legal services to customers through a white-label service offered by banks and credit unions. Their solution offers a unique value proposition with trained customer support, automation, and white-labeling tha...2023-04-2403 min