Startup Success: A Podcast for Founders & Investors

We’re kicking off 2026 with a returning favorite: Steve Lord, Burkland's COO and Head of Knowledge Share. He joins us to unpack what really happened in 2025—and what founders should be paying attention to now for 2026.In this wide-ranging conversation, we dive into the economy, interest rates, inflation, tariffs, market volatility, and venture capital, and what it all means for startups navigating fundraising, hiring, and growth. This episode gives founders must-have guidance on what to expect in 2026 and how to tackle the challenges ahead.We discuss:Why Steve predicts a rebound in early-stage fundingInterest rate outlook for 2026 and what could trigger cutsEconomic outlook for 2026 and what founders should be watchingM&A trends and consolidation moves founders can’t afford to ignoreWhy clean books, taxes, and cap tables matter more than everFor startup founders trying to make sense of the macro noise and wondering what to expect in 2026, this episode delivers grounded perspective, practical advice, and a cautiously optimistic outlook for the year ahead.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!

From power washing in Kansas to translating 30 languages in real time—Kevin Turpin’s entrepreneurial journey is anything but ordinary.In this episode of Startup Success, we welcome Kevin Turpin, CEO and founder of Weavix, for an inspiring conversation on the power of solving a problem close to your heart and leading with integrity.Hear how Kevin and his brothers built Walt, a groundbreaking smart radio that’s saved their clients billions of dollars by empowering workers to communicate and solve problems faster. We discuss:Kevin’s philosophy on scaling with trust and why culture is just as critical as product-market fitHow they are uniquely positioned to be one of the leading worker products for AIThe remarkable way Weavix is transforming industrial workplaces and elevating the value of workersWhether you’re an early-stage founder or a seasoned business leader, Kevin’s passion for solving real problems and lifting people up will leave you rethinking how you approach growth, leadership, and innovation.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! Learn more about Weavix here: https://weavix.com/

Where innovation meets purpose—HOPE Hydration is proving that sustainability can be both smart and scalable. In this episode of Startup Success, host Kate sits down with HOPE Hydration co-founders Jorge Richardson and Cristina Gnecco, the visionary team behind smart water refill stations designed to make clean drinking water universally accessible—and free. HOPE Hydration is pioneering a model where advertising funds sustainability, turning water stations into connected platforms that benefit both cities and brands. The company recently raised a $20M Series A, marking a major step in their mission to bring smart hydration to urban centers worldwide.We discuss:How AI has helped to fuel HOPE Hydration’s successTheir creative strategies for driving consumer adoptionWhat it means to operate as a certified B CorpHow they stay true to their mission while delivering value to investorsTune in to hear how Jorge and Cristina are blending technology, trust, and purpose to make every refill count—and build a movement toward a more sustainable, hydrated future. And if you’d like a HydroStation in your area, they’d love to hear from you!----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! 🔗 Learn more about HOPE Hydration at https://www.hopehydration.com/

(00:00:00) How to Build High-Performing Teams at Every Stage of Your Startup (00:00:17) Introduction (00:01:00) Lidiya’s Background (00:01:44) Focus of Build It Labs (00:02:54) Three Components of Operations (00:04:12) The Importance of Getting “People” Right (00:05:10) Hiring Across Startup Stages (00:08:00) Early-Stage Hiring Challenges (00:10:13) Hiring Pitfalls and Structured Interviewing (00:14:42) Combining Data and Intuition (00:16:05) Defining Success Up Front (00:19:18) Tactical Interview Tips (00:22:29) The Roundtable Decision Process (00:25:55) Final Words of Wisdom for Founders In this episode of Startup Success, we sit down with Lidiya Becker, a seasoned operator and founder of Build It Labs, who’s helped countless startups navigate the challenges of rapid growth. She’s been in the trenches and knows what it really takes to build operational processes and teams that can scale effectively.Our conversation focuses on teams, and Lidiya walks through her Purpose, People, and Process framework—a simple but powerful way for startups to grow sustainably and build high-performing teams. She also shares must-hear advice on avoiding the hiring mistakes so many founders make, like failing to define the ideal candidate before interviews begin or skipping a rigorous interview process.We discuss:Who to hire at each growth stage of your startupHow to approach interviews as an investigation, not a vibe checkLidiya’s “Hell Yes” rule for hiringIf you’re a founder gearing up to scale or preparing for your next mission-critical hire, you won’t want to miss this conversation.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! 🔗 Learn more about Build It Labs: builditlabs.comChapters:00:17 – Introduction01:00 – Lidiya’s Background01:44 – Focus of Build It Labs02:54 – Three Components of Operations04:12 – The Importance of Getting “People” Right05:10 – Hiring Across Startup Stages08:00 – Early-Stage Hiring Challenges10:13 – Hiring Pitfalls and Structured Interviewing14:42 – Combining Data and Intuition16:05 – Defining Success Up Front19:18 – Tactical Interview Tips22:29 – The Roundtable Decision Process25:55 – Conclusion & How to Connect

What does it take to build a biotech startup tackling one of the toughest challenges in women’s health? In this episode of Startup Success, we sit down with Oriana Papin-Zoghbi, Founder and CEO of AOA, whose company is pioneering a novel approach to detecting early-stage ovarian cancer.Oriana shares her journey to founding AOA, the mission-critical lessons she learned from scaling her team too fast, and why she believes “doing the hard things the right way” is the key to long-term success.She offers candid insights on:Her incremental approach to fundraising as a first-time founderThe realities of hiring and why not everyone is a good fit for startup lifeHow scaling consciously can save your startup from chaosWhat it took to recover when rapid growth nearly broke the companyIf you’ve ever questioned what it really takes to turn an idea into a thriving company, this conversation will challenge you to think differently about growth, grit, and what it means to build something that lasts.Chapters:00:18 – Welcome and Introduction00:51 – Oriana’s Career Background03:00 – Inspiration for AOA Dx and Ovarian Cancer Diagnostics05:00 – From Concept to Funding07:54 – Current Stage of AOA Dx08:12 – Challenges Along the Way09:41 – People-First Philosophy12:44 – Building a Robust Hiring Process14:07 – Balancing Learners and Guides in a Startup15:56 – Scaling Consciously18:16 – Organizational Systems and Operational Infrastructure21:02 – Final Words of Wisdom for Founders23:02 – Where to Find AOA Dx----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! Learn more about AOA, visit: https://aoadx.com/

On this episode of Startup Success, Kate sits down with Itamar Novick, Founder and General Partner of Recursive Ventures, who has been named one of Business Insider’s Top 100 Global Seed Investors for five years running. Unlike many VCs, Itamar brings a unique operator’s perspective, having helped scale Life360 from pre-seed to IPO and been part of multiple major exits. He reflects on what he’s learned from 25 years in the startup ecosystem, from the failures of his first company to his early bet on AI way back in 2012. And while Recursive Ventures is “all in” on AI, Itamar candidly shares his concerns about its potential risks to society.We discuss:What he looks for when investing in a startupHis use of “anti-patterns” to teach founders how to avoid failureWhat it takes to build an AI company that will survive the long haulItamar’s top advice for founders: jump on the wave first, embrace disruption, pivot quickly, and keep adapting. Founders who last aren’t the ones who play it safe. ----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! Learn more about Recursive Ventures here, Itamar’s Blog here, and Itamar’s LinkedIn here.

Most founders know they need marketing to build their business—but few know where to start.In this episode of Startup Success, host Kate sits down with Jacqueline Basulto, Founder & CEO of SeedX, a full-service digital marketing agency helping startups scale with clarity and strategy.Jacqueline shares her path to launching SeedX, and how she’s grown the company to a 65-person team supporting clients across industries. Together, they dive into the fundamentals every founder needs to know about building a strong digital presence.We cover a lot in a short time, including: How AI and “no-click marketing” are reshaping customer acquisitionWhy your website is your #1 asset—even in the age of AIThe smart way to use email marketing to stand out from your competitorsModern marketing tactics that leverage AIIt’s the kind of conversation you’ll want to bookmark and come back to whenever you need a quick marketing refresher. ----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! Learn more about SeedX at seedx.us and at LinkedIn 

With Q3 behind us, the headlines continue to be pessimistic—but Steve Lord,  Burkland's COO and Head of Knowledge Share, says the story is more complicated and less alarming.Steve joins us at the close of each quarter for an update on the startup ecosystem. This quarterly episode is another must-listen, providing a much-needed reality check, insights into the current state of the economy, and guidance on what founders need to know about the venture capital landscape as we approach the end of 2025.We cover:The real story behind the Fed’s recent rate cut—and what’s nextWhy the U.S. economy is stronger than headlines suggestThe lagging impact of interest rates and tariffsWhat founders should NOT do in this fundraising environmentSmart bets for raising capital right nowHow to adapt your pitch deck to today’s market realitiesDon’t buy into the hype that venture is broken. Steve reminds us that this industry is inherently cyclical. What feels like a slowdown today is part of a larger pattern. Founders who recognize macro trends, prepare early for their next raise, and aren’t afraid to communicate with their investors will be best positioned for the upswing ahead.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!Learn more about Burkland at burklandassociates.com.

Ivan Montoya is a venture capitalist with a fresh perspective on the typical VC–founder relationship. He and his firm, NuMundo Ventures, take an unusually hands-on approach with pre-seed and seed-stage founders—providing a level of support typically reserved for Series A and B stage startups.They often form close bonds with founders even before investing, actively helping with fundraising, pitch decks, go-to-market strategy, and everything in between.On this episode of Startup Success, we explore how Ivan’s trajectory from startup operator to angel investor to VC shaped his approach to backing founders, and how he’s helping the next generation of LatAm entrepreneurs achieve remarkable growth and gain traction in the US.We discuss:How to make your startup stand out at an early stageThe power of working with the right VC partnerLatAm’s startup boom and why their ecosystem is ripe for disruptionWhether you’re a founder, investor, or part of the global startup community, this episode takes you inside an emerging tech scene and reveals a new blueprint for the VC-founder relationship.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!Learn more about NuMundo Ventures here: https://numundoventures.com/

Materials development touches all startups—driving technological progress and innovation across every industry.  In this episode of Startup Success, host Kate Adams sits down with Joseph Krause, Co-Founder & CEO of Radical AI, a groundbreaking startup that's accelerating the discovery of new materials by using AI to transform the traditionally slow and costly R&D process.Fresh off a $55M seed raise, Joseph shares his inspiring startup journey and reveals the secret to building a fast-moving, mission-driven team. Joseph’s top advice for founders: build a ridiculous bias to action into everything you do!Tune in to hear:Radical AI’s plan to remove barriers to innovationHow they deliberately designed a culture that drives them forwardThe payoff of their relentless focus on iterationThis episode is a fascinating listen for any founder as Joseph lays out Radical AI's approach to building a truly revolutionary startup. Plus, if you’re curious about how AI could dramatically change materials development, this interview won't disappoint!----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!

In this episode, host Kate Adams sits down with Julia Austin—Executive Fellow at Harvard Business School, startup advisor, executive coach, and author of After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup. With decades of experience leading teams at Akamai, VMware, and DigitalOcean, Julia brings tactical wisdom and deep empathy to the messy, high-stakes realities of startup life.Together, they unpack what really happens after the check clears: from managing investor relationships and board dynamics to building operationally sound companies that can scale. Drawing on frameworks from her book and real-world examples, Julia gives founders clear guidance on how to stay in the driver’s seat—even in the face of strong investor opinions.Highlights includeHow and when to communicate with your investors after the "check clears"Productive ways to disagree with your investors and still build trustStrategies to get the most value out of your board member’s network & expertiseThe gap most startup books miss—and how After the Idea fills itJulia also lays out a strong case for why figuring out the “culture and people stuff” is essential to a startup’s survival. Whether you’re working towards product market fit, building a team, or navigating early-stage chaos, this is your crash course in leading with intention, not reaction.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! Purchase your copy of After the Idea here!

In this episode of Startup Success, we sit down with Ian Bateman, co-founder and CEO of Highscore, a startup on a mission to bring more games to more people—especially long-neglected Mac users—by enabling PC games to work on any device.Ian shares his startup journey—from building a tech startup in college that led to a successful acquisition, to turning his lifelong frustration as a Mac gamer into the inspiration for his current startup, Highscore. With a lean five-person team, a thriving Discord community of users, and a deeply personal connection to the problem they’re solving, Ian offers an honest and energizing look into early-stage startup life.We explore:Highscore’s early pivot that resulted in a win for users and investors The inner workings of their Alpha launch powered by an active user feedback loopHow complementary co-founders can supercharge a startupIan’s take on the gaming industryWhether you're a founder, a gamer, or just love a good startup story, this episode will leave you inspired by what’s possible when passion meets product-market fit.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! 🔗 Learn more at highscore.com or join the conversation on Discord: discord.gg/highscore📱 Follow High Score on Twitter/X: @highscore

Most founders say they value customer feedback—but few know how to truly hear it, let alone act on it. On today’s episode, we are excited to welcome serial founder and CEO Eli Portnoy of Backengine.ai, a platform revolutionizing how businesses capture and act on customer feedback. With over $66M in successful exits behind him, Eli shares the lessons only repeated startup journeys can teach—most critically, why leaning into customer feedback isn't optional, it's foundational to a startup's success.Eli walks us through:Why your startup’s success hinges on aggregating customer feedback across all channelsHow to drive revenue and prevent churn by staying close to customers’ needsWhy many startups fail by ignoring negative customer signalsCritical advice on why CEOs need to meet with customers regularly and assign an owner of customer feedbackEli doesn't just share important learnings around customer feedback, but also what he has learned founding multiple successful startups.  If you're a founder trying to scale, or find product market fit, without losing sight of your customer, this conversation is your blueprint.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! 🔗 Learn more at backengine.ai📫 Contact Eli: eli@backengine.ai

With Q2 in the rearview mirror, we welcome back one of our most popular guests, Steve Lord, COO & Head of Service Delivery at Burkland. Steve joins us for a macro view of the startup and VC ecosystem—and the message is clear: uncertainty still reigns.From geopolitical instability to unpredictable trade policies and inflation, Steve breaks down what founders and investors need to know right now and provides expert tips on how to raise and extend capital in today’s market. We discuss:Why the Fed has not cut interest rates yet and when that will changeHow global uncertainty is chilling startup investmentSmart ways to fundraise (hint: SAFE notes)The episode also includes actionable advice for founders on how to defend your valuation and present a “buttoned-up investment opportunity” that makes it easier for VCs to say yes!----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn.🔗 Plus, don’t miss Steve’s blog posts and tools for extending cash runway and strategic planning at burklandassociates.com.

We’re thrilled to welcome back Feras Alhlou—seasoned entrepreneur, startup coach, and co-founder of Start Up With Feras—for another insightful episode of Startup Success.In this candid conversation, Feras dives into what it really takes to build and scale a successful startup. He shares hard-earned lessons from his own journey, including how to focus on what matters most during each phase of the startup lifecycle and why founders must learn to delegate! And he offers his take on giving back to your team and your community.We discuss:The importance of “outsourcing the headache” Common mistakes founders make when trying to scaleWhy only great things come from networkingAdvice for founders out there who are strugglingWhether you're just starting out or gearing up for a major growth spurt, this episode is packed with wisdom you won’t want to miss.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! 🔗 Resources & Tools:Get the Founder Focus Organizer, Feras’s free newsletter, and info on 1:1 coaching at startupwithferas.comConnect with Feras on LinkedIn or subscribe to his YouTube channel @StartUpWithFeras💬 Bonus: Feras offers free 20-minute “Ask Feras” sessions for founders who need clarity. No pitches—just help.

In this episode, we sit down with Merrill Lutsky, Co-Founder and CEO of Graphite, a breakout startup redefining code review for the AI era. Originally built solely as an internal code review tool, Graphite unexpectedly attracted a huge amount of interest from the developer community, prompting the team to pivot their startup to focus entirely on that tool.Today, Graphite’s AI developer productivity platform is helping engineering teams at companies like Ramp, Figma, and Shopify ship code up to 40% faster.We discuss:Graphite’s remarkable user-driven pivotHow they achieved product-market fitThe highly responsive and scalable user feedback loop that propels their successPros & cons of using AI in software development Startup founders – don’t miss this episode packed with lessons on product-market fit, building for a passionate user base, and driving rapid growth in a competitive space.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! Explore Graphite at graphite.dev and their AI-powered code review agent at diamond.graphite.dev.

If you’re a founder gearing up to raise capital, this episode of Startup Success is your ultimate fundraising playbook. We’re joined by Nathan Beckord, CEO of Foundersuite and Fundingstack, and host of the How I Raised It podcast. Nathan has helped hundreds of startups navigate every stage of the fundraising process—and he’s sharing his top strategies to help you maximize your next raise.We explore the full fundraising journey—from building a strong investor pipeline to closing the round—and zoom in on how to make your pitch deck truly stand out.Nathan breaks down:How to craft a compelling narrative that sticks with investorsStrategies to target the right investors (not “spray and pray”)Your pitch deck - the essential slides you must includeAnd the #1 mistake most founders make when pitchingWhether you’re pitching VCs or prepping for a demo day, this episode is packed with actionable insights and straight talk from a true fundraising expert.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! Learn more about Foundersuite at https://www.foundersuite.com and Fundingstack at https://fundingstack.com.

What makes a co-founder relationship thrive—or fall apart? In this episode of Startup Success, we’re joined by Tim He, Founder of Cherrytree, a company helping startup co-founders navigate the tricky terrain of working together. Tim draws on his personal experience co-founding a startup with four friends and explains how that journey led him to launch a newsletter and private coaching practice for startup founders.We dive deep into the questions most founders overlook: Should you go into business with a close friendDo you really need a co-founder agreementWhy being “too trusting” is often a bigger issue than distrustHow dividing co-founders into technical and non-technical roles can lead to a power imbalanceTim challenges common assumptions about trust, communication, and compatibility, offering a fresh take on how to actually work on your co-founder relationship—just like you would a marriage or friendship.If you’re ready to work on your co-founder relationship, not just your startup, this one’s for you!----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! Learn more about Cherrytree visit their website at https://cherrytree.beehiiv.com/

What makes a startup board really effective? How do you build one that will truly benefit your startup? How do you conduct board meetings that are helpful and not just a quarterly scramble to put together a deck? In this episode of Startup Success, we dive deep into a topic we’ve never explored before: the real role and power of a startup board. Your board can be a game-changer for your startup—if done the right way.Joining us are Matt Blumberg, CEO of Acrolinx, and Mahendra Ramsinghani, the Managing Director of Secure Octane Investments —two of the co-authors of Startup Boards: A Field Guide to Building and Leading an Effective Board of Directors. Together, sharing the operator and investor perspectives, they give practical advice for startup boards and board meetings that you can use today. In this episode, we discuss:The purpose of a startup board and its role in your startup’s successHow to put together your board - selecting and recruiting the right directors, and how to change that mix as you scaleEffective board meetings - practical advice - ranging from the agenda to slides to seating arrangements -  that will improve your meetings Whether you’re building your first board, wanting to optimize the one you have, or are looking to greatly improve your board meetings, this episode is a masterclass in getting it right.🛠️Grab your copy of Startup Boards for even more insights.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! 

In this episode of Startup Success, we welcome Arielle Lechner, Executive Coach and Founder of NewPo, to discuss the crucial role of decision-making and leadership in early-stage startups. Arielle, a mentor for TechStars and former startup operator, shares insights on how founders can move faster, avoid burnout, and create a thriving company culture.We dive into how founders can distinguish between upstream and downstream problems, the power of thinking like a scientist when iterating, and Arielle’s Lift and Thrust model for balancing team motivation and momentum.Tune in to learn how to:Stop wasting time on the wrong issues and focus on the upstream problemsCreate a culture that propels your team forward even in difficult timesMove away from the mindset and assumptions that limit your startup’s potential to scaleDon’t miss this episode packed with actionable takeaways on how to successfully navigate the hard decisions and complex challenges that come with leading a startup.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! To learn more about NewPo visit https://www.newpo.io/