Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be financial advice. I am not a licensed financial advisor. Any actions you take based on the information presented are at your own risk. Please consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be financial advice. I am not a licensed financial advisor. Any actions you take based on the information presented are at your own risk. Please consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.

Are you curious about where venture capital is heading and how Y Combinator is shaping the future? Lobster Capital's Gabriel Jarrosson has the inside scoop! In this episode, Gabriel Jarrosson dives into the evolving world of venture capital, focusing on emerging trends and the unique opportunities within the Y Combinator ecosystem. He shares his excitement about AI's prominence in the upcoming YC batch, emphasizing the importance of real-world problem-solving and revenue generation. Gabriel also discusses the positive implications of YC's move to four batches a year, including improved mentorship, media exposure, and deal flow for investors like Lobster Capital.  The conversation also highlights the significance of B2B software in YC's portfolio, exploring the reasons behind its dominance and the continued importance of B2C innovation. Gabriel's data-driven approach and belief in YC as a distinct asset class further illuminate Lobster Capital's investment strategy. He concludes with his optimistic predictions for the future of YC and venture capital as a whole. Don't miss this episode for valuable insights and a glimpse into the dynamic world of startups and investments. EPISODE IN A GLANCE 00:00 Y Combinator's Latest News (Demo Day, 4 batches per year, and the rise of AI) 05:21 The Y Combinator Network: Impact and De-risking Investments 11:30 The Shift Toward B2B Software and Fintech in YC's Unicorn Portfolio 13:57 The Future of Venture Capital: AI, Impact Investing, and New Models 17:53 Lobster Capital's Focus on Early Traction and Strategy 23:46 The Importance of the YC Ecosystem: An Asset Class in Itself ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights.  Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Have you ever wondered how art and AI could possibly intersect? Today's guest, Madeleine D'Angelo, co-founder of Arthena, is here to tell us how she revolutionized the art market with data and machine learning, leading to a successful acquisition by Masterworks. In this episode of The Lobster Talks Podcast, we dive into the inspiring founder journey of Madeleine D'Angelo. Starting with a background in art history, Madeleine shares how she found her way into the tech world and built Arthena, a company that brought quantitative reasoning and pricing to the art market. We'll hear about her experience at Y Combinator, the challenges she faced along the way, and ultimately, the decision to sell Arthena to Masterworks. Madeleine also gives us a glimpse into her new venture, The Barker Price, where she's applying AI to the insurance industry. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of art, technology, and entrepreneurship. EPISODE IN A GLANCE 00:00 Introduction to Madelaine D'Angelo and Arthena 02:08 The Founding Story: Bringing Math and AI to the Art Market 04:55 YC's Impact on Arthena's Growth 09:22 Madeleine's New Venture: AI Pricing for Insurance 15:25 The Exit: Arthena's Acquisition by Masterworks 24:05 What Excites Madelaine About Her New Venture 26:34 Book/Quote That Impacted Madelaine's Life ABOUT MADELAINE D'ANGELO Madeleine D'Angelo is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for blending art and technology. Co-founder of Arthena, she revolutionized the art market by introducing quantitative analysis and machine learning to art valuation. After a successful exit to Masterworks, Madeleine embarked on a new venture, The Barker Price, applying AI to the insurance industry. Driven by a love for problem-solving and a fascination with data, Madeleine is a force to be reckoned with in the tech world. CONNECT WITH MADELAINE D'ANGELO Email → [email protected] LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelaine-d-angelo-b3508816/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebarkerprice/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/arthena/ GRAB THE BOOK MADELAINE RECOMMENDS → Shackleton's Way: Leadership Lessons from the Great Antarctic Explorer https://a.co/d/3XYcKJi ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights.  Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Can AI unlock the secrets of the human brain? Join Gabriel Jarrosson, General Partner of Lobster Capital, as he talks with Dimitris Fotis Sakellariou and Kris Pahuja, the co-founders of Piramidal, a Y Combinator company building a groundbreaking AI model for brainwaves. Learn about their journey from academic research to building a business, the challenges they face in this complex space, and how Y Combinator has helped them accelerate their growth.  Key Takeaways: -Piramidal's unique approach: They are building a foundational AI model for EEG brainwaves to translate them into actionable insights for humans. -Addressing a major need: They aim to improve the analysis and interpretation of brainwaves to better diagnose neurological disorders and support well-being. -Challenges of AI in Neuroscience: Data collection and annotation are major hurdles, as brainwave data is more complex and sensitive than other types of AI data. -Y Combinator's impact: YC has played a crucial role in refining their business model, connecting with experts, and accelerating their growth. -The future of Piramidal: They plan to expand their model to incorporate other biosignals (like heart rate, sleep data) and create personalized AI solutions for individuals. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -Introduction and Piramidal's Mission -The Origin Story and Building a Brainwave AI Model -Business Model and Early Discussions -Joining Y Combinator and Early Startup Journey -Technical and Business Challenges with Brainwave Data -Data Access and Importance of Partnerships -Y Combinator's View and Advice for Piramidal -Fundraising Challenges and Success -Finding Investors for Moonshot Ideas -Key Takeaways from Fundraising Process -Future Vision: Beyond EEG -Potential Synergies with Neuralink -Piramidal's Approach vs. Neuralink's Technology -Contact Information and Concluding Remarks ABOUT DIMITRI SAKELLARIOU & KRIS PAHUJA Dimitris holds a PhD in Neuroengineering and AI, and has conducted EEG research for 12 years at St Thomas' Hospital and King's College London. Additionally, brings four years of experience in shipping to production deep learning products for pharma and healthcare clients, as a Lead at IQVIA. Kris is an expert in product and strategy, with significant roles at Google and Spotify. Led the content detection tool initiative at Spotify and drove Chrome OS's expansion into the healthcare market. CONNECT WITH DIMITRI SAKELLARIOU & KRIS PAHUJA Website → https://piramidal.ai/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/sacellarius/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-pahuja-a59a905b/ Email → [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], & [email protected].  GRAB THE BOOK KRIS RECOMMENDS Neuromancer by William Gibson → https://a.co/d/aBASwBv ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights.  Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Is a high valuation a guarantee of success, or is early traction the true indicator of a winning startup? Join Gabriel Jarrosson, General Partner of Lobster Capital, as he shares his insights on a successful investment in Baubap, a Y Combinator graduate disrupting the financial landscape in Mexico. Gabriel delves into why he invested in Baubap, highlighting their innovative approach to microloans and their impressive early traction. He also reveals the outcome of the investment, demonstrating how Baubap has become a thriving company with a valuation exceeding $1 billion. This episode explores why Y Combinator is a powerful asset class for investors and how to maximize your chances of co-investing in top YC companies. Gabriel outlines Lobster Capital's investment criteria, focusing on the importance of early traction and identifying companies with a distinct "YC premium." He explains how Lobster Capital provides investors with access to these top-performing YC companies and shares valuable insights for those looking to invest in this exciting space. Key Takeaways: -Y Combinator is a powerful asset class. YC companies have a high rate of success, with 5-6% becoming unicorns and 39% raising Series A funding. -Early traction is crucial. Investing in companies with strong early traction can mitigate execution risk and lead to higher returns. -Lobster Capital focuses on the top 10% of YC companies. Gabriel only invests in YC companies with the most impressive early traction and growth. -Co-investing is a valuable strategy for accessing top YC companies. Investors can gain access to these companies through funds like Lobster Capital, which have a proven track record. -Corporate social responsibility can drive positive returns. Baubap's commitment to financial education and customer care has translated into better results and a more sustainable business model. EPISODE IN A GLANCE 00:51 Baubap's innovative approach to microloans and their data-driven model 01:41 Baubap's Speed of Loan Approval 02:16 The High Delinquency Rate in Microfinance 03:15 The importance of early traction in startups and the "YC premium" 05:41 Lobster Capital's investment strategy, focusing on top-performing YC companies and growth potential 08:15 Baubap's Valuation and Rapid Growth 10:30 The Importance of Traction Over Valuation 11:53 Baubap's social responsibility and financial education approach 16:28 Lobster Capital's commitment to social impact and helping founders create a better future 17:53 The impact of Y Combinator's program on Baubap's rapid growth 18:40 The 'Maniacal Sense of Urgency' Instilled by Y Combinator 20:39 Why Y Combinator is a valuable asset class and how it influences Lobster Capital's investment decisions 24:12 How investors can gain access to top YC companies and the benefits of co-investing 24:14 Advice for Investors Seeking to Invest in Top YC Companies ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights.  Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

How do a psychotherapist and a psychologist with no tech background build a multi-million dollar coaching business and land a spot in Y Combinator? This episode takes you inside the story of Torch, a company revolutionizing professional development with a unique blend of coaching, software, and behavioral science. Co-founders Cameron Yarbrough and Keegan Walden, both veterans of the psychology and coaching world, share their journey from meeting at a psychotherapy training program to building a successful startup that has raised over $80 million in funding. They reveal the key ingredients behind their success: a shared passion for leadership development, a data-driven approach to coaching, and the invaluable experience of going through Y Combinator. But they also candidly discuss the challenges they faced, particularly the emotional toll of building a business and the importance of self-awareness and mindfulness for founders. This episode is filled with insightful advice for entrepreneurs and investors alike. Listen in to discover the power of effective coaching, the hidden “secrets” of the Y Combinator program, and the importance of personal development for navigating the complex world of startups. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -Introduction of Cameron and Keegan and Torch's Mission -How the Founders Met and Their Shared Background -The Catalyst for Starting Torch -The Story of How the Founders Reconnected -The Value of T-Groups and Its Impact on the Founders -The Early Days of Torch and the Decision to Apply to Y Combinator -Joining Y Combinator and the Importance of a Tech Co-Founder -Fundraising and the Impact of Rapid Growth -Keegan's Departure from Torch and the Co-Founder's Dilemma -The Importance of Addressing Burnout and Personal Growth as a Founder -The Impact of Work on Family Life -The Co-Founder's Dilemma -Transitioning Leadership Roles -The Role of Coaching in Leadership -Reflections on Y Combinator -The Importance of Self-Awareness for Founders ABOUT CAMERON YARBROUGH AND KEEGAN WALDEN Cameron is the co-founder and CEO of Torch, a company that provides professional development services to organizations through a combination of coaching, software, and behavioral science. He has a background as a psychotherapist and executive coach, working with notable tech founders like Garry Tan and Steve Huffman. Keegan is the co-founder of Torch and a psychologist who specializes in leadership development. He has a PhD and brings a deep understanding of the psychology of human behavior and its impact on success. CONNECT WITH CAMERON YARBROUGH AND KEEGAN WALDEN Website → https://torch.io/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-yarbrough-60579948/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/keegan-walden-ph-d-672ab9101/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/torch-labs ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights.  Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Is your investment portfolio missing the "Michelin Star" of YC startup investing? Gabriel Jarrosson, the solo general partner at Lobster Capital, pulls back the curtain on his unique approach to investing in the very best Y Combinator (YC) companies. In this episode of the second season of Lobster Talks, Gabriel Jarrosson, a seasoned entrepreneur turned investor, shares his incredible journey from angel investing to founding Lobster Capital, a fund dedicated to backing the most promising YC startups. He unveils the secrets behind his exclusive access to high-profile deals, often co-investing alongside giants like Google Ventures and Bessemer Venture Partners. Gabriel's deep understanding of technology, entrepreneurial experience, and vast network make him a valuable partner for founders and a sought-after resource for investors. He shares his rigorous investment criteria, emphasizing the importance of early traction, scalability, and a founder's ability to articulate a clear vision for growth. Key Takeaways: -Lobster Capital's Focus: Lobster Capital specializes in funding the very best Y Combinator startups, a highly competitive space where early traction and scalability are paramount. -The Value of Early Traction: Gabriel highlights the importance of early traction and revenue as a key indicator of a startup's potential for success, emphasizing the need to invest in companies already demonstrating a clear path to growth. -Beyond Capital: Providing Value: Lobster Capital goes beyond simply writing checks, offering practical guidance on customer acquisition, sales, SEO, and more, drawing on Gabriel's own entrepreneurial experience and extensive network within the VC community. -YC as a Mark of Quality: Gabriel compares YC to a Michelin star rating for restaurants, highlighting the rigorous vetting process and high-quality founders that emerge from the program. -The Silicon Valley Advantage: Despite the rise of European startups, Gabriel argues that Silicon Valley remains the epicenter of innovation, and Y Combinator is the gold standard for early-stage tech companies. -The AI Boom: While acknowledging the increasing presence of AI startups within YC, Gabriel emphasizes the importance of filtering and selection, ensuring that Lobster Capital's portfolio encompasses a diverse range of promising ventures. EPISODE IN A GLANCE 00:00 Intro 00:20 Founding Story of Lobster Capital 01:13 Journey to Silicon Valley and Y Combinator 01:36 Challenges and Strategies in Y Combinator Investing 02:14 Building Lobster Capital's Brand and Fund 03:02 Focus on YC Startups and Unicorns 05:19 Gaining Access to YC Demo Day 06:46 Early Successes and Building Reputation 07:33 Providing Value Beyond Capital 14:32 Evaluating Startups at YC Demo Day 20:35 Evaluating Startup Growth Strategies 21:44 The Relevance of YC in 2024 22:44 YC's Shift and New Leadership 26:12 The AI Emphasis at YC 30:06 Investing in US vs. European Startups 31:48 The Future of European Startups 38:10 The Value Proposition of YC 42:18 The Michelin Star of Startup Investing ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights. Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Are you a contractor working overseas? How do you navigate the complexities of cross-border payments? In this episode of Lobster Talks, host Gabriel Jarrosson dives into the world of cross-border payments with Eduardo de Leon, co-founder and Head of Product at Coba, a Y Combinator-backed fintech startup. Eduardo shares his journey from a software development background to launching Coba, a platform designed to empower contractors in Latin America by providing access to the US banking system and simplifying financial transactions between the US and Mexico. Eduardo reveals the origins of Coba, initially aimed at connecting talent with US companies. Through extensive user interviews, they uncovered a critical pain point: the need for financial services tailored to cross-border workers. This realization led to a pivotal shift in their business model, propelling them into the fintech industry and ultimately leading to their acceptance into Y Combinator. Eduardo talks about the challenges and opportunities of cross-border payments, the importance of understanding local markets, and how Coba is leveraging technology to bridge the gap between different economies.  He also shares insights on the decision-making process as a co-founder, the role of crypto in cross-border transactions, and the valuable lessons learned from their Y Combinator experience. EPISODE IN A GLANCE - Eduardo's Background and the Inspiration Behind Coba - Coba's Platform and Services for Contractors in Latin America - Pivoting the Business Model and Decision-Making as Co-Founders - The Cross-Border Payments Landscape and Focusing on the US-Mexico Corridor - Crypto's Role in Cross-Border Payments and Potential Integration with Coba - Coba's Experience with Y Combinator and Lessons Learned - Future Plans for Coba and Expanding Services - Book Recommendations: 'Hackers & Painters' and 'The Mythical Man-Month' ABOUT EDUARDO LOPEZ DE LEON Co-founder & Head of Product @ Coba. Previously to founding Coba.ai, Eduardo started IcaliaLabs.com operating from LatAm and working with US clients. He had the opportunity to work with fast-growing startups, corporates such as IBM, and big software factories such as Infosys. CS professor of Monterrey Tech. CONNECT WITH EDUARDO & COBA Website → https://coba.ai/ Eduardo's Website → https://edolopez.ai LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/elopezdeleon/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/cobaremote X/Twitter → https://x.com/edolopez X/Twitter → https://x.com/cobaremote YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@cobaremote Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/edolopez.io GRAB THE BOOKS EDUARDO RECOMMENDS: -Paul Graham's Hackers & Painters: Big Ideas from the Computer Age (https://a.co/d/3nccG3N)  -Fred Brooks' The Mythical Man-Month (https://a.co/d/ewA2lFy) ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights.  Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Did you know that the US spent $200 billion on new manufacturing construction in 2023 alone? The manufacturing industry is booming, but it faces challenges in productivity and cost. That's where Dime comes in. In this episode of Lobster Talks, host Gabriel Jarrosson interviews Ashish Bajaj, co-founder of Dime, a startup revolutionizing how manufacturers manage their factories. Born and raised in Detroit, Ashish's unique background in finance and deep ties to the manufacturing industry led him to create Dime, a platform designed to modernize and streamline production processes. Ashish discusses the challenges manufacturers face with outdated software and manual processes, particularly in production scheduling and tracking. He shares how Dime's central nervous system for factories is solving these problems by automating these tasks, improving efficiency, and ultimately boosting productivity. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and manufacturing, the challenges faced by American manufacturers, and how startups like Dime are leading the charge to modernize the industry. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -The Origin Story of Dime and the Manufacturing Landscape -The Growth of Manufacturing in the US and Dime's Role -What Dime Does and How It's Different from Other Solutions -The State of Manufacturing in China and the Importance of Productivity -Dime's Journey After Y Combinator and the Importance of Founder Mentality -The Psychology of Success in Startups -The Impact of Y Combinator on Founders -Dime's sales strategy and the importance of focusing on fundamentals of startup success -The challenges and opportunities of manufacturing in the US -Choosing the Right Headquarters -Staying Ahead in Manufacturing Tech -Book Recommendation: Principles by Ray Dalio -How to Connect with Dime ABOUT ASHISH BAJAJ Ashish is a co-founder @ Dime. He's a passionate Detroiter excited about building the tools that power the American Manufacturing renaissance. Before Dime, Ashish led the business operations and finance functions at a Series B Ghost Kitchen aggregator. Before that, he spent four years in finance, first as an Investment Banker at Rothschild, and then as an Investor at TPG. CONNECT WITH ASHISH BAJAJ Website → https://www.getdime.io/ LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/in/ashish-bajaj1 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/dime-manufacturing/ GRAB THE BOOK ASHISH RECOMMENDS → Principles by Ray Dalio, https://www.principles.com/ ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights.  Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Did you know that changing a Twitter notification from "Elon tweeted" to "Elon just tweeted" once led to a gain of 800,000 users? In this episode of The Lobster Talks by Lobster Capital, host Gabriel Jarrosson interviews Neha Mittal, founder and CEO of YCombinator-backed Just Words. Neha shares her journey from leading growth at Twitter and Pinterest to starting her own company focused on AI-powered personalized messaging. She reveals how a simple copy change experiment at Twitter sparked the idea for Just Words and discusses the challenges she faced, including a co-founder breakup mid-Y Combinator. Neha explains how Just Words differs from existing A/B testing tools and email service providers by focusing on user-centricity and infinite content testing. She also provides insights into the company's future vision of hyper-personalized communication and the role of AI in revolutionizing marketing.  EPISODE IN A GLANCE -Meet Neha Mittal: Founder of Just Words -The Birth of Just Words: From Twitter to Pinterest -How Just Words Stands Out in a Crowded Market -Building the Future: Products and Vision of Just Words -Collaborating with Big Names: Grammarly and BeReal -Navigating Co-Founder Breakups: Lessons Learned -Finding the Right Co-Founder: Trust and Vision -Advice for Solo Founders: Trust Your Gut -Intuition in Business -Fundraising Challenges and Resilience -The Impact of YC and Community Support -Vision for Just Words -Book Recommendation → The Tao of Pooh Paperback by Benjamin Hoff ABOUT NEHA MITTAL Neha Mittal is the CEO & Co-founder of just words. She was the head of product for Retention & Growth at Pinterest and at Twitter. She also co-founded CityStructure and was the founding engineer at Sensorflow. She has also held product & engineering roles at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and Goldman Sachs. CONNECT WITH NEHA MITTAL Website → https://justwords.ai LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/in/neha01mittal LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/justwordsai/ GRAB THE BOOK NEHA RECOMMENDS: The Tao of Pooh Paperback  by Benjamin Hoff → https://a.co/d/dNPfw8G ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights.  Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

What if mining for valuable minerals could be done in space with a smaller environmental impact and at a lower cost?  In this episode of The Lobster Talks by Lobster Capital, Gabriel Jarrosson interviews Matt Gialich, the founder and CEO of AstroForge, a company focused on mining asteroids to extract valuable minerals in space at a lower cost and smaller carbon footprint than the current mining methods. Matt shares his journey from working at Bird Rides and the Jet Propulsion Lab to founding AstroForge, inspired by the challenges of sourcing platinum for microchips and the limitations of traditional space exploration. Matt discusses AstroForge's mission to make space resources accessible on Earth, revolutionize mining practices, and contribute to a cleaner economic impact. AstroForge's upcoming mission in November will be the first commercial deep space mission to identify a metallic asteroid, paving the way for a new era of space resource utilization. With a focus on speed, innovation, and environmental responsibility, AstroForge is poised to become a leader in the emerging field of asteroid mining. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -Introduction to Matt Gialich, CEO of AstroForge -AstroForge's Mission and Potential Uses for Mined Metals -Matt's journey from Bird Rides and JPL to founding AstroForge -The potential size and impact of AstroForge on the global mining industry and the environment -The "idiot rule" and AstroForge's innovative approach to cost reduction -The importance of speed in AstroForge's operations and how it's embedded in their team culture -The hardest part of asteroid mining and AstroForge's focus on developing refinery technology -How AstroForge selects target asteroids, prioritizing ore quality over size -Hiring challenges and the importance of passion and ownership within the AstroForge team -Details about AstroForge's upcoming November launch and the goals of the mission -Balancing fundraising and CEO responsibilities, the challenges Matt faces -Matt's key takeaway from Y Combinator and the importance of focusing on customers -Matt's unique perspective on the impact of books and quotes on his life ABOUT MATT GIALICH Matt Gialich is the CEO of AstroForge. An asteroid mining company that is the first company to have a commercial deep space mission. CONNECT WITH MATT GIALICH Website → https://www.astroforge.io/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gialich/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/astroforge/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/astroforge.io/ X/Twitter → https://x.com/astroforge Email → [email protected] ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights.  Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Is FinTech dead? With the rise of AI and recent industry shakeups, many are asking this question. But what if the most exciting days of FinTech are still ahead?  In this episode of Lobster Talks, host Gabriel Jarrosson interviews Daniel Kivatinos, a serial entrepreneur who has successfully navigated the highs and lows of the startup world. Daniel shares the story of building DrChrono, his first company, into a top 1% YC exit, and his insights on why he's now diving back into the complex and exciting world of FinTech with his new venture, JustPaid.io. The conversation dives into Daniel's experiences with Y Combinator, both in its early days and in its current, more structured form. He shares valuable advice on building a strong company culture, the importance of rapid iteration, and the crucial role of delegation in scaling a business. Daniel also discusses the evolving landscape of FinTech, the challenges and opportunities it presents, and why he believes it remains a vital industry with immense potential for disruption.  Join us as we dive into the future of FinTech, the power of Y Combinator community, and the lessons learned from building a top 1% YC exit. EPISODE IN A GLANCE - The Current State of FinTech and Opportunities for Disruption - Daniel's Perspective on Building a Company for the Long Haul - The Story of DrChrono's Journey to a Top 1% YC Exit - Why Y Combinator was Instrumental in DrChrono's Success - The Power of Hacker News and Early YC Community - The Evolution of YC and Its Modern Tools - Reconnecting with YC: A Second-Time Founder’s Perspective - The Value of Founder-to-Founder Support - Lobster Capital's Investment Thesis and Top 1% YC Exit - The Journey and Challenges of Building DrChrono - Scaling and Delegating for Success - Introducing JustPaid.io: Revolutionizing Revenue Collection - The Importance of Company Culture and Long-Term Vision - Closing Thoughts and Book Recommendations ABOUT DANIEL KIVATINOS Daniel is the cofounder and CEO of JustPaid.io (Y Combinator 2023) and cofounder and former COO of DrChrono (Y Combinator 2011, a top 1% YC exit). CONNECT WITH DANIEL Website → https://www.justpaid.io/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kivatinos/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/justpaid/ GRAB THE BOOKS OF JIM COLLINS, THE AUTHOR DANIEL RECOMMENDS → https://www.jimcollins.com/books.html ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights.  Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Have you ever considered pivoting your startup? What if you didn't even have a new idea lined up? In this episode of The Lobster Talks by Lobster Capital, we are joined by Ankur Rustagi, a serial entrepreneur with a background in trust and safety at tech giants like Facebook and Roblox. He founded Sero AI, a trust and safety platform, and then pivoted to Saatvy, a wellness platform focused on chronic conditions, after just ten months. This episode dives into Ankur's journey, exploring the challenges of building and selling a B2B SaaS solution in the trust and safety space, and the pivotal decision to change course. He shares his internal struggle, the impact on his co-founder, and the support he received from Y Combinator and investors. Ankur then reveals the unexpected path that led him to Saatvy, driven by a personal experience with chronic pain and a growing belief in the power of alternative medicine, particularly Ayurveda. Listen to this episode and gain valuable insights into the realities of startup pivoting, the importance of staying true to your convictions, and the potential for success in unexpected corners of the market. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -The Sero AI Journey: Ankur's motivation for founding Sero AI, aiming to improve trust and safety in the tech world -Challenges with Sero AI: Enterprise Sales and Internal Struggles -The Decision to Pivot: Ankur reveals the internal struggle and the decision to pivot away from Sero AI -The Emotional Journey: Dealing with Uncertainty and Maintaining Energy -Investor Conversations: How Ankur Communicated the Pivot to His Investors -The Birth of Saatvy: The Path from LLM Safety to Wellness -Saatvy's Approach: Authentic Ayurvedic Practitioners and Personalized Care -Co-Founder Dynamics: Navigating Tala's Departure and Maintaining a Positive Relationship -The Future of Saatvy: Raising Awareness and Expanding Access to Ayurvedic Care ABOUT ANKUR RUSTAGI Founder of Saatvy, whose mission is to take Ayurveda to 100M+ people with chronic conditions. Previously, Ankur empowered teams at Meta, Roblox and eBay to build AI solutions for elections and child safety. CONNECT WITH ANKUR RUSTAGI Website → https://saatvy.com LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/saatvy LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/anrustagi ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights.  Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

What if you rapidly iterate and test flight software for rockets, drones, or satellites just like game developers do?  In this episode of The Lobster Talks Podcast by Lobster Capital, we sit down with Daniel Driscoll, a former military officer turned software engineer, who is the CEO and co-founder of Elodin. Elodin is on a mission to revolutionize the aerospace industry by providing a flight software development platform that streamlines and accelerates the process of building, testing, and deploying software for everything that flies – from drones and missiles to satellites. Dan's journey is nothing short of fascinating. From his time at West Point and serving in Iraq to working at Electronic Arts (on the Sims 4!) and Salesforce, his diverse experiences have shaped his leadership style and fueled his passion for innovation. Drawing inspiration from the Unreal Engine used in game development, Elodin aims to be the go-to platform for aerospace engineers. It enables rapid iteration, collaboration, and high-fidelity simulation, making it easier and faster for companies of all sizes to develop cutting-edge flight software. With Elodin, the dream of space exploration is becoming more accessible than ever before. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -Dan's Background: Military, Gaming (Sims 4!), and Salesforce -Elodin's Mission: The 'Unreal Engine' for Aerospace -The Origin Story: From a Ukrainian Team Building Rockets to Partnering with AstroForge -Disrupting the Incumbents: How Elodin is Changing the Aerospace Development Culture -The Space Renaissance: Elodin's Role in the New Wave of Space Exploration -Exciting Upcoming Projects: Elodin's Software in Space by the End of the Year! -Advice for Founders: How to Identify and Solve Problems in Established Industries -Fundraising: The Pros and Cons of a 'Party Round' (and Why Elodin Chose It) -The Future of Elodin: Partnerships, Ambitious Goals, and a Focus on Making Space Accessible -Dan's Book Recommendation: 'Leaders Eat Last' by Simon Sinek ABOUT DANIEL DRISCOLL Daniel Driscoll is an accomplished leader with a robust software engineering and military leadership background. As the CEO and Co-founder of Elodin, he spearheads the development of innovative flight software platforms. Previously, he owned Tigris Digital, a veteran-owned tech business, and held key roles at M10, BitGo, RealtyShares, Salesforce, and Electronic Arts. Daniel holds a Master of Entertainment Technology from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He is skilled in people leadership & ambitious thinking. CONNECT WITH DANIEL DRISCOLL Website → https://elodin.systems LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/elodin-systems-inc LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/in/x46085 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/elodin.systems/ YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@elodin-sys X/Twitter → https://twitter.com/Elodinsystems GRAB THE BOOK DANIEL RECOMMENDS → Leaders Eat Last, by Simon Sinek, https://simonsinek.com/books/leaders-eat-last/ ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights.  Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Overwhelmed by the back-and-forth negotiations and complexities of managing contracts when closing deals?  In this episode of Lobster Talks, host Gabriel Jarrosson dives deep into the world of startup contracts with Jake Stein, co-founder and CEO of Common Paper. Jake, a seasoned entrepreneur with two successful exits under his belt, candidly shares the challenges he faced with contract management in his previous ventures, which ultimately led him to create Common Paper. Jake unveils his company's unique approach: standardized contracts, available for free through an open-source model, coupled with powerful software that automates the entire process, from negotiation to payment. Gabriel, an investor himself, and Jake discuss the importance of building optionality into your business, both in terms of fundraising and selling. The conversation highlights the value of cultivating relationships with potential acquirers and understanding investor priorities. Jake also shares his perspective on the benefits of Y Combinator, particularly for fundraising and accessing a network of experienced entrepreneurs.  Get an insider's look at the benefits of Y Combinator and learn how Jake's journey can help you navigate your own startup path. Whether you're battling contract chaos or seeking wisdom from a successful founder, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Tune in now to transform your approach to startup legalities and gain a competitive edge. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -Meet Jake Stein and Discover the Story Behind Common Paper – Simplifying Startup Contracts -How Common Paper is Revolutionizing Startup Legal Agreements with Standardization & Automation -The Power of APIs in Modern Contract Management – A Revolution in Legal Tech -Niche Focus – Why Common Paper Specializes in B2B Software Agreements -Early Lessons from a Startup Founder – Why Immediate Value is Key to Success -The Unique Value of Common Paper – Open Source, Automated Contracts & Powerful Integrations -Building a Sustainable Open Source Business – The Common Paper Revenue Model -Beyond Fundraising – How Y Combinator Accelerates Startup Growth -Exit Strategies for Startups – Leveraging Relationships & Creating Optionality When Selling Your Business -Charlie Munger's Wisdom for Entrepreneurs – The Power of Deserving What You Want -The Future of Common Paper: AI and Contract Optimization ABOUT JAKE STEIN Jake Stein is co-founder and CEO of Common Paper. Previously, he was co-founder of RJMetrics (acquired by Magento, then Adobe) and Stitch (acquired by Talend). Before RJMetrics, Jake worked in venture capital, started a landscaping business in high school, and was the 44th-ranked table tennis player under 21 in New Jersey; achievements of which he is equally proud. CONNECT WITH JAKE STEIN Website → https://commonpaper.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakestein/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/common-paper/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jakestein X/Twitter → https://x.com/jakestein X/Twitter → https://x.com/UseCommonPaper ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights.  Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

As AI models become more powerful and complex, how can startups accurately measure and monetize their usage? In this episode, Gabriel Jarrosson sits down with Peter Marton, co-founder and CEO of OpenMeter, to discuss how his company is revolutionizing the way AI startups bill their customers. OpenMeter provides an observability platform that enables usage-based billing for AI models, allowing companies to charge based on actual resource consumption rather than flat rates or estimates. Peter shares his journey from working at Uber to founding OpenMeter, the challenges they faced in building a scalable and accurate metering solution, and the impact their technology is having on the AI industry. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -Meet Peter Marton, OpenMeter Co-founder & CEO -Peter Marton's Journey: From Netflix to Stripe to OpenMeter -What is OpenMeter? Solving the Challenges of Usage-Based Billing -The Pain Points of Usage-Based Billing: A Developer's Perspective -OpenMeter's Evolution: From End-to-End Solutions to Core Metering -OpenMeter: Open Source for Transparency & Monetization -AI Integration: OpenMeter's Role in Cost Management for AI Companies -Understanding Metering: Real-Time, Auditable, and Persistent -From Idea to Funding: OpenMeter's Journey Through Y Combinator -Launching OpenMeter: Building Traction and Fundraising -From Hungary to Silicon Valley: Peter Marton's Personal Story -Building a Global Team: Managing Teams Across Time Zones -Fundraising Beyond Y Combinator: Securing Funding with Traction -The Power of Y Combinator: Beyond Demo Day Fundraising -OpenMeter's Future: Standardizing Metering and Future Goals ABOUT PETER MARTON Peter is the CEO and Co-founder of OpenMeter. With a background in observability and monetization, he previously worked on Netflix’s serverless infrastructure and Stripe’s usage and cost platform and co-founded an APM startup. CONNECT WITH PETER Website → https://openmeter.io/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/petermarton/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/openmeter YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbZ3O0-siPWXxiyfik7xJ_w X/Twitter → https://twitter.com/openmeter GRAB THE BOOK PETER RECOMMENDS → https://a.co/d/bbn82Ab The Developer Facing Startup: Alchemist Accelerator’s go-to-market playbook for early-stage developer-facing startups by Adam Frankl  ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights.  Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

How would you feel if a co-pilot could automatically optimize pricing for your retail business, maximizing profits while keeping customers happy? In this episode of The Lobster Talks by Lobster Capital, Gabriel Jarrosson sits down with Tanvi Surti, the co-founder and CEO of Luca, a pricing AI engine transforming how retailers approach pricing and promotions. Tanvi shares her journey from working on AI at Microsoft and leading Uber's unprofitable UberPool team to founding Luca. She explains how Luca uses machine learning to help retailers of all sizes make data-driven pricing decisions, taking into account factors like costs, competition, customer demand, and business objectives. Tanvi also discusses the lessons she learned at Y Combinator, the power of the YC community, and her perspective on fundraising. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -Introducing Tanvi Surti: Co-founder and CEO of Luca -Tanvi's Tech Background: From Microsoft to Uber Pool -The Problem Luca Solves: Revolutionizing Retail Pricing -Challenges and Opportunities in Retail Pricing -Luca's Solution to Online and Offline Retail Pricing -Machine Learning and Custom Models at Luca - The Power of AI -AI in the Back Office - Transforming Enterprise Solutions through Machine Learning -Y Combinator Experience and Fundraising Insights -Future of Luca and Personal Reflections ABOUT TANVI SURTI Tanvi is the co-founder and CEO of Luca, a pricing engine for retailers. Prior to Luca, Tanvi worked as a Product Exec at Uber where she co-led the pricing team. CONNECT WITH TANVI SURTI Website → https://www.askluca.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/lucasoftware/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanvisurti/ GRAB THE BOOK TANVI RECOMMENDS → Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl - https://a.co/d/84BSBgK ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights.  Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

What if fans could directly influence which players join their favorite college teams? Sounds crazy, right? Well, Luke Bogus, co-founder of FanCave, is making this a reality. Luke Bogus, co-founder and CEO of FanCave, is revolutionizing the world of college sports recruiting. FanCave turns superfans into recruiters for their favorite teams, bringing fans closer to the action while allowing them to compliantly support athletes via name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. In this episode, Luke shares his journey from passionate Nebraska Cornhuskers fan to founder of a startup that enables fans to directly chat, react, and entice top recruits with NIL money to join their school. We explore how FanCave is capitalizing on recent regulatory changes, the power of founder conviction, and how Fancave is harnessing superfan energy to help athletes grow their fanbase and NIL value. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -Luke's Background: Learn about Luke's journey from Nebraska football fanatic to a tech product leader -From Huskers to FanCave: Discover how Luke's passion for sports and his experience in the tech world led to the creation of FanCave -The NIL Revolution and FanCave's Mission: Understand the regulatory changes driving the NIL movement  -FanCave's Impact on Recruiting: Learn how FanCave helps fans directly engage with top recruits, influencing their decisions with financial incentives and community support -FanCave's Early Success: FanCave's initial traction and the challenges of building a marketplace connecting fans and athletes -Uber Inspiration: Get insights into how FanCave is using Uber's early strategy to build a strong supply side to fuel fan engagement -Navigating a Regulatory Landscape: Learn how FanCave is navigating the complex and constantly evolving regulatory environment surrounding NIL -Web3 Potential: Explore the future possibilities of FanCave -Reaching Fans: Discover FanCave's strategy for engaging with college sports fans  -Internal Motivation: Gain insights into Luke's passion for college sports. -Finding Your Passion: Luke offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs who are struggling to find a business idea that excites them -Fundraising Journey: Hear Luke's experiences and lessons learned from his oversubscribed fundraising round -Recommended Book: "Designing Your Life"  ABOUT LUKE BOGUS Luke Bogus is the Co-Founder of Fancave. Fancave is the startup that turns superfans into recruiters for their favorite teams. Before FanCave, Luke was Head of Product for Vial, a Series B life science tech startup, helping zero-to-one new clinical trial infrastructure that now generates millions in ARR. Prior, Luke was a Product Manager at Microsoft, and studied computer science and marketing at Nebraska's Raikes School. CONNECT WITH LUKE BOGUS Website → https://www.fancave.me/ X/Twitter → https://x.com/lukebogus X/Twitter → https://x.com/FanCaveTeam LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukebogus/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/fancave Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/luke.bogus/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/FanCaveTeam GRAB THE BOOK LUKE RECOMMENDS: Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life → https://a.co/d/iTmLI2R ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/

What if you could build applications using a single programming language that runs seamlessly across all devices, from smartphones and desktops to cars and wearables?  This is the vision that Dillon Nys, founder of Celest, is pursuing with Dart and Flutter. In this episode of The Lobster Talks Podcast by Lobster Capital, we sit down with Dillon Nys, the founder of Celest, a startup that aims to make Dart the go-to language for full-stack development. Dillon shares his journey from studying environmental engineering to becoming a Flutter expert at AWS, where he played a key role in developing the Amplify Flutter framework. Driven by his passion for Dart and Flutter, Dillon left AWS to create Celest, a platform that empowers developers to build applications using Dart across multiple platforms, including the cloud. Throughout the conversation, Dillon provides insights into the future of cross-platform development, the challenges of being a solo founder, and the invaluable lessons he learned during his time at Y Combinator. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -Introduction & Dillon's Background: From environmental engineering to discovering Flutter and Dart, Dillon's unconventional path into software development. -The Birth of Celest: The inspiration and vision behind Celest: empowering Flutter developers to build for any screen. -The Multi-Screen Future: Discussing the rise of multi-device experiences and how Flutter and Celest are positioned to play a key role in this evolving landscape. -Y Combinator Experience: Dillon shares his experience as a solo founder in the YC program, highlighting the challenges and rewards. -Solo Founder Dynamics: Challenges and Strategies -Staying Motivated & Building a Strong Foundation: The importance of perseverance, finding your purpose, and building a support network for long-term success. -Personal Inspiration & Book Recommendation: Dillon shares the book that has significantly impacted his life and approach to work: "Ishmael" by Daniel Quinn ABOUT DILLON NYS Dillon previously worked at AWS where he led development of the Amplify Flutter framework, bridging the gap for Flutter developers to build for the cloud. He saw how Flutter developers wanted to use Dart for their entire application stack, including their backend and infrastructure. So he left AWS and created Celest to fill the gap in this growing community and solve a personal pain point he'd had for many years. CONNECT WITH DILLON NYS Website → https://celest.dev/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dillon-nys LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/celest-dev/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/dillonnys YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfz6AkB46TqsInqA8PcJvTA Twitter → https://twitter.com/celest_dev Twitter → https://twitter.com/dillonthedev GRAB THE BOOK DILLON NYS RECOMMENDS → https://a.co/d/a6CNDp9 ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights.  Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

How do you find startup ideas that solve REAL problems? This founder knows the secret and built a startup to help lawyers. In this episode of The Lobster Talks podcast by Lobster Capital, Adrian Parlow, co-founder and CEO of PointOne, shares his unconventional journey from pursuing a career in corporate law to becoming a startup founder in the legal tech space. Adrian's story highlights the importance of customer discovery and truly understanding the pain points of your target audience. He reveals how interviewing 100 lawyers led to the creation of PointOne, a platform that automates the tedious task of timekeeping for legal professionals. Adrian also provides a thought-provoking perspective on the transformative impact of AI on the legal industry and offers valuable advice on effective fundraising strategies. EPISODE IN A GLANCE -From Law to Startups: Adrian's unconventional journey from aspiring corporate lawyer to passionate entrepreneur. -The Birth of PointOne: Discovering the power of AI to revolutionize legal timekeeping and billing practices -Customer Discovery Masterclass: How interviewing 100 lawyers helped identify pain points and shape PointOne's solution. -AI Transforming the Legal Sector: Exploring the impact of AI on lawyers' roles and the potential for industry-wide disruption -Automating Timekeeping: PointOne's solution for eliminating the tedious task of manual timekeeping for lawyers. -Y Combinator Experience: How YC accelerated PointOne's growth and provided invaluable support. -Fundraising Strategies: Adrian shares his insights and tactics for effective fundraising and capturing investor interest ABOUT ADRIAN PARLOW Adrian Parlow is the Co-founder & CEO of PointOne. Previously a corporate lawyer at Fenwick & West, doing financings and acquisitions for companies like Robinhood, Stripe and SentinelOne. Founded PointOne to automate manual admin processes for lawyers. CONNECT WITH ADRIAN PARLOW Website → https://pointone.ai/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianparlow/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/pointoneai/ X → https://twitter.com/aparlow GRAB THE BOOK ADRIAN RECOMMENDS → https://www.momtestbook.com/ ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights.  Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Are you a Hispanic living in the U.S. and feeling underserved by traditional banks?  Join us on this episode of The Lobster Talks podcast as we go behind the scenes with Piero Nunez del Risco, founder of Pana – the YC-backed fintech revolutionizing banking for underserved immigrants and those with cross-border financial needs. Discover how Pana is building trust within the Hispanic community by understanding their unique cultural nuances. Piero reveals the challenges they've tackled to achieve impressive growth, from enabling banking access for the unbanked to facilitating seamless cross-border transactions. He also shares his entrepreneurial journey through Y Combinator, detailing how the program propelled Pana's fundraising and ambitious expansion plans to transform banking across the Americas.  EPISODE IN A GLANCE -What is Pana? Introducing Pana, a digital bank on a mission to revolutionize US Hispanic banking and provide accessible financial services for the underbanked community. -Piero's Journey as a Founder: From media to FinTech startup founder, Piero shares his background and the pivotal moment that led him to launch Pana, a solution addressing the challenges of cross-border banking. -Taking the Leap: Piero delves into the courage and mindset required to transition from a stable career to the world of entrepreneurship. -Pana's Mission: Discover how Pana is tackling financial inclusion for immigrants and providing essential tools like remittances and accessible bank accounts. -Expanding Horizons: Explore Pana's vision for a seamless banking experience across borders, connecting Latin America and the US. -Customer Primacy: Learn how Pana achieved customer primacy by focusing on user needs and building trust within the US Hispanic community. -Pana & Y Combinator: Piero shares his experience with Y Combinator, navigating fundraising challenges and the importance of building a resilient startup. -The Value of the YC Community -Pana's Growth & Future: Get insights into Pana's current growth trajectory, its product roadmap, and the vision for the future of cross-border financial solutions. -Book Recommendation: Piero recommends "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield ABOUT PIERO NUNEZ DEL RISCO Piero is the Co-Founder and CEO of Pana, a Y Combinator-backed challenger bank for the cross-border economy, Piero leads Pana’s team on a mission to provide accessible, affordable, and convenient financial services to millions of people who move money across borders. With expertise in new business development, process improvement, and analytical skills, he leads a talented and diverse team of product, design, engineering, and analytics professionals to deliver innovative and user-centric digital solutions that meet the needs and expectations of their customers. CONNECT WITH PIERO Website → https://www.joinpana.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanpieronunez/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/panaapp/  GRAB THE BOOK PIERO RECOMMENDS →  The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield - https://a.co/d/dCAWDDx ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights.  Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

Did you know some companies face shockingly high cloud bills (think millions)?   Laduram Vishnoi, CEO of Middleware, experienced this firsthand. Skyrocketing cloud costs are a major pain point for many companies, with some facing bills in the millions. Frustrated by the limitations and expense of existing observability tools, he decided to build a better solution. Middleware is an observability platform designed with the complexities of modern cloud environments in mind. In this episode, Laduram shares his startup journey, including how he bootstrapped Middleware, leveraging his own capital and a talented team in India, the unique challenges and solutions for managing a distributed workforce, his experience navigating Y Combinator and tips for aspiring founders and how he impressively raised $6.5M in seed funding, even during a turbulent market If you're grappling with cloud monitoring costs, or are simply fascinated by the startup world, this episode is a must-listen! EPISODE IN A GLANCE -What is Middleware? -Laduram's background and founding story -Managing a distributed team across time zones -Laduram's experience with Y Combinator -How to get into Y Combinator -Secrets to successful fundraising for startups -Middleware's progress and future plans with AI -"Show me your friends and I will show you your future": Books and quotes that inspire Laduram ABOUT LADURAM VISHNOI Laduram Vishnoi is the founder and CEO of Middleware, an observability platform for cloud-native and microservices applications. Originally from India, he moved to San Francisco in 2016 to run his previous company, Acquire, which he grew to over 200 people and raised $57 million. Frustrated by the lack of affordable observability tools at Acquire, Laduram bootstrapped Middleware by investing his own money and building an initial team of 15-20 engineers in India. After a year of development, he went through Y Combinator's Winter 2023 batch, raising an impressive $6.5 million seed round amidst the Silicon Valley Bank crisis. Laduram's unique approach to distributed teams, fundraising strategies, and vision for AI-driven observability position Middleware as an innovative player transforming cloud monitoring. CONNECT WITH LADURAM Website → https://middleware.io/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/laduramvishnoi/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/middleware-labs/ GRAB THE BOOK LADURAM RECOMMENDS  The Courage to Be Disliked → https://a.co/d/bP19SBS The Power of Your Subconscious Mind → https://a.co/d/8we0Ki2 ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights.  Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

What if construction workers could get paid as quickly like workers of Uber, Doordash and other gig workers? Trayd, the startup co-founded by Anna Berger, is making this a reality.  Trayd is on a mission to bring fast, same-day pay to the construction industry. In this episode, discover how Anna Berger's own frustrations with outdated payroll systems led her to create a revolutionary solution. Learn about her journey of convincing a skeptical co-founder, navigating Y Combinator, and securing those crucial early wins. Plus, gain insights into her fundraising strategies, the story behind her "Believe the no, don't believe the why" advice and her vision for simplifying construction payroll for everyone.  EPISODE IN A GLANCE -Introducing Anna Berger, Co-founder of Trayd:The Startup for Same-Day Construction Pay -Anna's personal connection to the construction industry and the initial spark for Trayd -The massive reliance on paper payroll in construction sites -Building a Team: How Anna convinced her best friend to join as a co-founder during an Italian adventure -The Art of Convincing: Startup Pitching, Y Combinator, and Early Wins -Startup Mindset: Resilience, Rejection, and Handling Doubters -The Struggle of Letting Go: A Founder's Journey -Pre-Funding Success: Letters of Intent (LOIs) and Early Traction -Y Combinator: The Accelerator Experience for Trayd -Overcoming Fundraising Rejection: Startup Persistence and Believing in Your Vision -Solving the Construction Labor Shortage, Gig Economy Trends, and Fast Pay -Fundraising Tips for Construction Tech Startups (Pitching to Investors) -Startup Wisdom: Embracing Risk-Taking and Potential Rewards Don't miss this episode that takes you inside the mind of a trailblazer reshaping the construction payroll landscape. Gain insights into Anna's entrepreneurial journey, her unwavering resilience, and her mission to empower the construction workforce through innovation. ABOUT ANNA BERGER Anna Berger is the co-founder and CEO of Trayd, a construction payroll platform designed for instant pay. Growing up in a family steeped in the construction industry, Anna recognized firsthand the frustrations and inefficiencies plaguing both contractors and workers. Driven by a deep understanding of her customers' needs, Anna embarked on a mission to streamline payroll operations and attract talent through faster payments. With unwavering resilience and a knack for convincing others to join her cause, Anna secured early support and letters of intent, paving the way for Trayd's acceptance into the prestigious Y Combinator program. At the heart of Anna's vision lies a commitment to empowering the construction workforce and fostering career growth within the trades, ultimately elevating the lives of hardworking individuals. CONNECT WITH ANNA BERGER AND LEARN MORE ABOUT TRAYD Website → https://www.buildtrayd.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/annajberger/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/traydinc/ Instagram → https://twitter.com/annajberger3Z Twitter → https://twitter.com/annajberger3 TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@annajber ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights.  Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155

How do you bring reliable, high-speed internet connectivity to millions of underserved households across Latin America?  Isaac and Joel Philips, the founders of Siglo, share their inspiring journey of creating a revolutionary internet service provider (ISP) that's making a real difference in people's lives. In this thought-provoking episode of The Lobster Talks podcast by Lobster Capital, the Philips brothers discuss how they identified a significant gap in internet connectivity across Latin America and their innovative approach to solving it. From their early days of going door-to-door to sell their service to overcoming numerous challenges along the way, Isaac and Joel offer a candid look into the world of entrepreneurship and the relentless pursuit of their vision. Tune in to The Lobster Talks for more episodes that bring you closer to the bold thinkers and innovators of our time. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! EPISODE IN A GLANCE 00:29 Introduction to Siglo and its Founders 03:41 The Innovative Technology Behind Siglo 05:09 The Revolutionary Approach: Pay-as-You-Go Internet Service 15:01 Challenges and Overcoming Adversity: The Journey of Siglo 25:58 Siglo's Strategic Moves, Business Model and Growth Strategy 31:23 Siglo's Y Combinator Experience 32:10 The Global Stage and Networking Power of YC 34:48 The Future Vision for Siglo  38:50 Balancing Reality and Vision 40:39 How to find Siglo ABOUT GUESTS Joel & Isaac Philips are the brothers behind Siglo the startup that provides internet access at an affordable price and pay-as-you-go in Latam. CONNECT WITH JOEL AND FIND MORE ABOUT SIGLO: [email protected] Website → https://siglo.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelwp/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaacphillips/ X/Twitter → https://twitter.com/joelwp ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing." CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/ Stay ahead of the game with the latest startup insights.  Subscribe to our newsletter for startup updates and actionable insights → https://lobstercap.ck.page/c34c61a155