Shows
Billion Dollar Products21: Shopify Shop Pay: Driving Billions with One TapIn this episode, Shiv Kodak and Charles Zhang explore Shopify’s Shop Pay, a one-tap checkout and digital wallet driving 61% of Shopify’s $300 billion GMV in 2024. They discuss its key features, including 4x faster checkouts, a 1.72x higher conversion rate, and integrations with Meta, Google, and beyond. The conversation covers Shop Pay’s revenue model, competitive positioning against PayPal and Apple Pay, and critical metrics like monthly active completed transactions. They highlight strategic advantages, such as network economies and seamless merchant onboarding. On the execution side, Shop Pay’s simplicity in user experience and ability to cross shop helps them sta...2025-07-0119 minBillion Dollar Products20: Salesforce Tableau: Visualizing the Next BillionJoin Charles Zhang and Shiv Kodak as they deepdive into Tableau, the $15.7B data visualization titan that redefined business intelligence. Discover how a drag-and-drop interface evolved into a Salesforce-powered analytics empire, empowering 126,000+ customers to see and understand data. We dive into Tableau’s North Star Metric—Weekly Active Users Engaging with Dashboards—and its Counter-Positioning, Network Effects, and Switching Costs, revealing how it outshines Power BI and Looker. On the execution side, Tableau does amazing product execution through great design and incorporating Gen AI. Lastly, they explore ideas to grow Tableau through a marketplace, benchmarking products, and context aware tutori...2025-06-0119 minBillion Dollar Products19: Cash App: From Peer Transactions to Billions with a Super App StrategyJoin Charles Zhang and Shiv Kodak as they unpack Cash App, the $16.2B revenue juggernaut that transformed peer-to-peer payments into a fintech empire. Discover how a simple $Cashtag evolved into a super app with Bitcoin trading, a customizable Cash Card, and direct deposits, capturing 57 million monthly active users. The hosts dive into Cash App’s metrics, network effects, and cultural mastery, revealing how it outmaneuvered Venmo and Zelle through bold product bets and Gen Z appeal. Explore untapped opportunities like international remittances and a micro-gigs marketplace that could redefine Cash App’s future. Learn why this mobile-first marvel became a bi...2025-05-0120 minBillion Dollar Products18: Moveworks AI: ServiceNow’s Next Billion Enterprise AutomationWe explore Moveworks, the AI powered enterprise platform that ServiceNow is in the process of acquiring. We explore the business model, revenue growth, and the strategic importance of the deal to Service Now. We break down the NorthStar metric of subscription revenue growth, analyze the product strategies of network economies, cornered resource, processing power, and the execution strategies of operational excellence, enterprise focus, and effective go to market that have led to its rapid growth. Lastly, we explore opportunities for Moveworks to build Security Agents, personalized AI, and additional products to unlock even more value for ServiceNow’s enterprise st...2025-04-0120 minBillion Dollar Products17: Facebook Marketplace: Turning Local Listings into Billions in RevenueJoin our hosts as they dive into Facebook Marketplace, the $7B revenue engine hidden in your Facebook app. Learn how turning free local listings into ad inventory created a commerce powerhouse, leveraging Facebook's social graph for trust and scale. The hosts break down Marketplace's metrics, network effects, and untapped opportunities like luxury authentication or listing optimization. Discover how a simple buy/sell tab became one of Meta's most valuable features through smart product choices and strategic advantagesTimestamps:(00:53) Overview(02:25) Why Facebook Marketplace is a billion dollar product2025-03-0122 minBillion Dollar Products16: Robinhood Gold: The Key to a Billion-Dollar FutureIn this conversation, Shiv Kodak and Charles Zhang dive into Robinhood Gold, the premium subscription service that's transforming retail investing. They explore how Robinhood pivoted from transaction-based revenue to a sustainable subscription model, analyzing the product's path toward becoming a billion-dollar business. The discussion examines Robinhood Gold's north star metric of monthly active members and crucial guardrail metrics that ensure responsible growth. They break down the product's successful execution, particularly its seamless integration and innovative interest-earning accounts that differentiate it from traditional brokers. Lastly, the speakers highlight key growth strategies while discussing potential future innovations.2025-02-0121 minBillion Dollar Products15: Azure AI: Microsoft’s $10B Bet on Enterprise AIIn this conversation, Shiv Kodak and Charles Zhang dissect Microsoft Azure AI, examining how Microsoft transformed its cloud infrastructure into a multi-billion dollar AI powerhouse. They analyze Azure AI's comprehensive product strategy, from its infrastructure investments to its enterprise integration capabilities. Through detailed financial analysis and examination of Microsoft’s strategies, they explore how Microsoft leveraged scale economies, switching costs, network effects, counter positioning, and strategic partnerships to create sustainable competitive advantages. The discussion also covers crucial execution decisions across product experience and go-to-market strategies, while examining opportunities for improvement in developer experience and vertical solutions. Shiv and Charles co...2025-01-0122 minBillion Dollar Products14: Google TV: How a TV Platform Becomes a Billion-Dollar EcosystemIn this conversation, Charles Zhang and Shiv Kodak discuss Google TV, its features, metrics, product strategies, and revenue potential. They explore how Google TV differentiates itself in the smart TV market through personalized content recommendations, ecosystem integration, and innovative product ideas. The discussion also covers the importance of user engagement metrics and Google TV's potential to become a multi-billion dollar product by leveraging ad revenue, counter positioning, and network economies.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Virtuous Cycle Clip
(01:01) Overview of Google TV
(03:08) Why is Google TV a billion dollar product?
(05:10) North star metric discussion
2024-12-0219 minBillion Dollar Products13: Apple Wallet: The Hidden Billions Behind Every TapWe delve into the functionality and strategic value of Apple Wallet as a leading digital payment solution. We discuss its core features, such as fraud reduction, user-centered design, and revenue-generating potential, while also highlighting strategic advantages like scale economies, network effects, and Apple’s trusted brand reputation. We come up with ideas of Financial Hub, Wallet AI and the potential for seamless global payments—all with an emphasis on privacy and convenience
Timestamps:
(00:00) Ecosystem got me
(01:00) Overview of Apple Wallet
(03:23) Diving into the payments ecosystem
(04:57) Why is Apple Wallet a bil...2024-11-0121 minBillion Dollar Products12: MosaicML: How Efficiency Engineered a $1.3 Billion Exit to DatabricksWe dive into Databricks' $1.3 billion acquisition of MosaicML and what it means for the future of AI infrastructure and machine learning optimization. We discuss how MosaicML's focus on simplifying AI development, open-source contributions, and market strategy enhances Databricks' mission to make AI more accessible and efficient. We also brainstorm potential new product ideas that leverage MosaicML’s technology to create industry-specific AI solutions, streamline model training, and drive AI adoption across various sectors.2024-10-1520 minBillion Dollar Products11: PayPal's Honey Pot: Turning Browser Extensions into Billions
We dive into Honey, a deal-finding browser extension & app that revolutionized online shopping by automatically applying coupon codes. With a focus on its business model, growth metrics, and innovative strategies, we discuss how Honey, now part of PayPal, drives engagement and improves the user experience by optimizing for monthly savings per user. We explore how Honey leverages network effects and cornered resource to differentiate itself with features like automatic coupon finder, price tracking, etc. We also brainstorm future product ideas, exploring how Honey could further differentiate itself in the e-commerce landscape through group savings, gift finder, limit buys, and...2024-10-0121 minBillion Dollar Products10: WhatsApp Business to Unlock Billions for MetaWe dive into WhatsApp Business, a messaging platform designed to streamline communication, customer support, and transactions for businesses of all sizes. WhatsApp Business builds on top of Whatsapp which has over 2 billion users globally. As part of Meta’s portfolio, the platform is strategically positioned for future monetization. We explore how WhatsApp Business leverages network effects and scale economies to differentiate itself with features like catalogs and quick replies. Additionally, we brainstorm new product ideas, such as a WhatsApp Business Marketplace, real-time translation, and group buying functionality, to drive further growth and engagement.2024-09-1520 minBillion Dollar Products9: LinkedIn Premium: A Billion-Dollar Platform for Career GrowthWe explore LinkedIn Premium, a premium service designed to accelerate career success through personalized features like job insights, unlimited search capabilities, and access to LinkedIn Learning courses. LinkedIn Premium generated $1.7 billion in revenue last year. The service differentiates itself through strategies like scale economies and cornered resources. We dive into tailored subscription models, a unique go-to-market approach, and brainstorm new product ideas to boost acquisition and utilization, such as LinkedIn org charts and LinkedIn Levels comparison. 2024-09-0123 minBillion Dollar Products8: YouTube TV: Google's Billion-Dollar Cable KillerWe discuss YouTube TV, a billion-dollar product launched by Google in 2017 as a subscription-based streaming service. We explore the metrics that YouTube TV should measure, such as monthly viewing time and subscriber count. We also discuss the strategies and differentiation tactics employed by YouTube TV, including leveraging Google's infrastructure, YouTube's recommendation algorithms, and offering unlimited cloud DVR storage. The conversation delves into YouTube TV's mobile-first approach, its seamless multi-device compatibility, and innovative concepts like 'YouTube TV Spinoffs'. Overall, YouTube TV's success and integration within Google's ecosystem make it a thriving billion-dollar product.2024-08-1620 minBillion Dollar Products7: Bilt Different: The Credit Card Turning Rent into BillionsWe dive into Bilt Mastercard, a groundbreaking product launched in 2021 in partnership with Wells Fargo, aimed at turning rent payments into rewards. We discuss key metrics for Bilt's growth, such as monthly spend, total rent payments processed, and churn rate. The conversation covers Bilt's unique strategies, including offering rewards on rent to differentiate itself in the market. We also explore future opportunities for Bilt, like security deposit loading, real estate investments, and roommate matching, highlighting its potential as a billion-dollar product.2024-08-0219 minBillion Dollar Products6: Atlassian's Billion Dollar Bet on LoomWe explore Loom, a video messaging tool for asynchronous communication that enhances productivity and saves time. Serving over 25 million customers, Loom focuses on user-centric design, and AI-driven content generation. We come up with ideas to improve Loom's effectiveness through real-time translation, video summaries, and creating quick video reels. 2024-07-1620 minBillion Dollar Products5: Uber Business Making Billions in Corporate TravelWe explore Uber for Business's strategy and operational execution, highlighting its potential to streamline corporate travel and optimize expense management through features like detailed reporting and dedicated business support. We delve into the strategic advantages of a centralized platform, discuss the possibilities for Uber to expand into areas such as corporate credit services and employee carpooling, and compare the costs and benefits of these expansions. Key highlights include the potential for innovative partnerships and the challenges of integrating new services. 2024-07-0221 minBillion Dollar Products4:Apple One: Unpacking the Billion-Dollar BundleIn this conversation, we discuss Apple One, a subscription product from Apple that bundles multiple premium services. We explore the strategy behind Apple One, its pricing structure, and the challenges of measuring its success. We also suggest ideas for improving Apple One, such as better personalization, expanding service categories, and offering annual subscriptions. We then discuss the importance of Apple's ecosystem and how Apple One is already a billion-dollar product. Overall, we highlight the growth opportunities and potential for Apple One to generate significant revenue for Apple.2024-06-1521 minBillion Dollar Products3: Netflix Gaming’s Bet on the next Billion Dollar ProductWe analyze Netflix Gaming’s strategy and operational execution, delving into its potential to boost subscriber retention through diverse membership tiers and comparing the costs of developing games versus traditional content. Highlights include challenges in game discovery and the need for greater awareness. We also explore the benefits of educational gaming, co-play features, and themed games with competitive leaderboards, wrapping up with strategic insights into Netflix’s broader entertainment vision.2024-06-0123 minBillion Dollar Products2: Stripe Capital’s Growth PotentialSummary
In this conversation, we discuss Stripe Capital, a financial product offered by Stripe. We provide an overview of Stripe and its valuation, as well as the features and benefits of Stripe Capital. They compare Stripe Capital with Square Capital and discuss the potential for Stripe Capital to become a billion-dollar product. They also explore the repayment structure and risk management of Stripe Capital, as well as its integration with Stripe's banking platform. The conversation concludes with a discussion of expansion opportunities, including regulatory compliance and invoice factoring.2024-05-1522 min
Billion Dollar Products1: Microsoft Copilot Creation of BillionsWe look at Microsoft Copilot’s distribution and its strategy to carve out a unique ecosystem, setting it apart from competitors. Microsoft’s vast scale enables the widespread integration of Copilot across its product suite, further distinguishing it from the likes of Apple and Google. For example, some Windows laptops now feature a dedicated “Copilot” keyboard button. Also we come up with startup ideas (bring back Clippy!) that could boost Copilot adoption and build niche tools to target high-value customers.2024-05-0222 min