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Startups Decoded is a podcast that provides real-world insights into startup strategy and growth, featuring expert-led content, insider stories, and actionable takeaways for founders and investors.
We bridge the gap between theory and practice, offering practical lessons to help entrepreneurs thrive in today’s fast-paced ecosystem. More than just a podcast, it's a resource for innovators who dive deep into the strategies behind building and scaling successful startups.
33 Episodes
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Send us a text In this episode of Startups Decoded, I sit down with Joseph Lee, founder and CEO of Supademo, to talk about the real founder’s journey behind raising capital and the tradeoffs that come with it. Joseph shares how past experiences with over-capitalization shaped the way he thinks about growth today, and why staying true to vision matters more than chasing VC expectations. We dig into what it means to build on your own terms: scaling with AI, defining success beyond vanity metric...
Send us a text In this episode of Startups Decoded, host Andy Walsh sits down with Malcolm Buick, Partner & Chief Creative Officer at Athletics and a seasoned creative director, to unpack how design drives startup growth. From his journey through music and branding to building global identities for brands like IBM, Nike, Google Chrome, Major League Soccer, and MoMA, Malcolm explores how storytelling, community, and culture shape lasting companies. Great startups don’t just build pro...
Send us a text In this episode of Startups Decoded, Andy Walsh sits down with Jay Erickson, Chief Innovation Officer and co-founder of Modus, to explore why most digital strategies are already outdated, and how to fix them. They dive into emergent strategy: a flexible, human-centered approach to navigating today’s breakneck pace of change. Drawing on systems thinking, design, and culture, Jay shares how resilient teams can adapt in real time, address bias, and build strategies that evolve as ...
Send us a text Summary In this episode of Startups Decoded, host Andy Walsh speaks with Zoya Lehrer, founder of Orgo, about the challenges and opportunities in the startup landscape, particularly in the realm of product development and parenting logistics. Zoya shares her personal journey from immigrating to the U.S. to launching her business, which aims to streamline the logistics of youth sports for parents. The conversation delves into the importance of community feedback, the need f...
Send us a text In this episode of Startups Decoded, Andy Walsh sits down with Adrian Fagerlund, Co-Founder and CRO of Linkby, a performance PR platform connecting advertisers with premium publishers. They explore Adrian’s unconventional path, the evolution of content commerce, and the systems Linkby used to scale globally without breaking. From team building and capital efficiency to culture and market expansion, this is a practical playbook for the messy middle—what happens after product-mar...
Send us a text Most startup advice focuses on product, pitch, and traction. But there’s one skill that fuels them all: trusted relationships. In this episode of Startups Decoded, Andy Walsh sits down with David R. Homan, master connector, strategic advisor, and author of Orchestrating Connection, to explore how founders build the kind of trust that drives real outcomes. We cover: How to network with intent (not desperation)Why AI might make human connection stronger, not weakerHow to build a ...
Send us a text Discover how effective storytelling captivates investors and builds a compelling personal brand. Join us as we unpack the strategies founders and leaders use to craft narratives that drive investment and inspire action. Whether you're looking to secure funding, attract customers, or refine your startup’s story, this episode is packed with actionable insights to elevate your brand and make a real impact. Dr. Ankur Pathak Founding Principal at London Real Ventures, the firs...
Send us a text In this episode of Startups Decoded, Michael Landers shares why culture isn’t just an HR function; it’s a startup’s competitive edge. We’ll explore how founders can intentionally shape company culture from day one, avoid common leadership pitfalls, and navigate cross-cultural challenges as they scale globally. Key discussion points: Why culture is the foundation of startup success, not an afterthoughtHow to build and scale a company culture that aligns with business goals...
Send us a text Many founders are chasing scale, but at what cost? In this episode, Leila Lahbabi shares how purpose-driven leaders can grow thriving companies without burning out or losing themselves in the process. We explore the real tension between being a present parent and an ambitious entrepreneur, and how to build high-performing teams that unlock freedom rather than dependence. Leila Lahbabi Leila Lahbabi is a trusted advisor to purpose-driven founders and CEOs, helping them sca...
Send us a text Matthew Burris joins Startups Decoded to unpack how venture studios are evolving from a misunderstood startup model into a formal, fundable asset class. We explore what’s missing from today’s narrative, the standards being built behind the scenes, and what it will take to legitimize venture studios in the eyes of institutional capital. This is a conversation about quality, vision, and opportunity — and why the next wave of innovation infrastructure might look more like a studio...
Send us a text In this episode of Startups Decoded, Kevin Jurovich (Founder & CEO of Hubble) joins me to unpack the raw, early-stage lessons no one talks about enough: compromise, confusion, burnout, and the clarity that comes after blowing it all up and starting again. From an NFL career, to winging it and rebuilding from scratch, to embracing paid consulting and learning how to truly see people, Kevin shares the messy truth behind his pivot journey and how he finally stopped trying to b...
Send us a text In this episode, we explore why the best founders don’t wait for perfect plans—they launch, learn, and build in public. From early growth hacks to fast feedback loops and sales that start before the product’s finished, we unpack what it really takes to grow quickly and stay ahead. If you're stuck planning instead of building, this one will light a fire. Cory Blumenfeld Cory Blumenfeld is a seasoned entrepreneur and business strategist with a passion for empowering individ...
Send us a text Angel investors are no longer just writing checks – they’re becoming strategic advisors, board members, and even fractional executives. But how do founders attract the right angel investors who bring more than money to the table? Tony Kula Tony Kula is a seasoned entrepreneur with over three decades of experience in the communications sector. He has successfully founded and exited multiple companies, navigating both bootstrapped and venture capital-backed ventures. Now ba...
Send us a text Chris Tottman, Founding General Partner at Notion Capital, shares how collaboration between radically different thinkers — founders, investors, and operators — creates force-multiplying outcomes. This episode explores why the best startups aren't built solo, how pattern recognition meets founder intuition, and why energy alignment matters more than experience at early stages. Chris Tottman Founding General Partner at Notion Capital ($1B+ AUM), where he backs exceptional B...
Send us a text Venture Studios are evolving, and Nobody Studios is at the forefront of building AI-native startups. In this episode, we explore how AI is redefining startup-building strategies, workflows, and execution. Mark S. McNally shares insights on what it takes to run an AI-driven venture studio and why founders must rethink their approach to leadership, decision-making, and company growth in this new era. Mark S. McNally A visionary tech innovator and executive with a track reco...
Send us a text The best VCs aren’t just writing checks, they’re building products. In this episode, I sit down with Jason Shuman, General Partner at Primary Ventures, to explore how modern venture firms are evolving, from thesis-driven investors to full-stack operators. Jason shares an inside look at fundraising in today’s market, what their next fund aims to do differently, and how Primary’s team structure challenges the traditional VC mold. If you’re building a startup, raising a fund, or w...
Send us a text Bringing people together is an art, and a strategy. In this episode, I sit down with Madelaine Czufin, founder of EOLO, to break down what it takes to build events and communities that truly drive impact. We cover: How to build a network that activates around your brandCreating real ROI from events, not just a buzzThe power of mindful networking (why it isn’t as intimidating as you may think) Targeted partnerships and sponsorships that actually workMadelaine brings insights fro...
Send us a text In this episode, we talk to Majd Alaily, founder of Ruya Advisory, a consultancy that helps startups turn visionary ideas into thriving businesses. With 15+ years of experience in digital innovation, strategy, and product development, Majd shares valuable insights on navigating the startup journey. We talk about building the right tech stack, choosing the right platform, and standing out in a crowded market. Majd also offers a sneak peek into his upcoming online course, BuildOS...
Send us a text In this episode of Startups Decoded, I’m joined by Mike MacCombie, partner at Generous Ventures, a NYC-based VC fund known for investing in founders who build with behavioral design in mind. We explore how human behavior shapes startup success and dive deep into the subtle forces that guide (and misguide) founder decisions, from social anchoring to pattern recognition, from frameworks that help to those that hold you back. The big conversations centered around; What early-stag...
Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Ben Yoskovitz, founding partner at Highline Beta, to explore the intersection of product, analytics, and venture studios. We dive into: How data-driven decision-making fuels startup growthThe role of venture studios in corporate innovationLessons from Go-Instant’s journey to acquisition by SalesforceWhy startups and enterprises must bridge the gap for successWith deep expertise in Lean Analytics, venture building, and product strategy, Ben share...
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