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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 metrics, and keeping customers at the center of the story. For any founder navigating fundraising or rethinking their growth playbook, this conversation offers a candid blueprint for balancing capital, conviction, and clarity.

Joseph Lee

Joseph Lee is the Co-Founder and CEO of Supademo, an AI-powered platform revolutionizing how teams create and share interactive product demos. Since its inception in April 2023, Supademo has empowered over 50,000 professionals in marketing, sales, and customer success to enhance product adoption and close more deals.

A serial entrepreneur with a passion for building zero-to-one products, Joseph has been creating since the age of 15. His approach emphasizes organic growth, community engagement, and delivering tangible value. Under his leadership, Supademo has achieved significant milestones, including being recognized as G2’s #5 fastest-growing software product in 2025.

Joseph is also a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and a Techstars alum. He actively shares insights on startup growth, product development, and founder experiences through his personal LinkedIn and Twitter profiles.

Supademo

Supademo is an AI-powered platform that helps teams create high-converting interactive product demos in minutes, without code or design work. Used by over 60,000 professionals across sales, marketing, and customer success, Supademo enables faster onboarding, higher product adoption, and more effective storytelling through intuitive, step-by-step walkthroughs. With features like dynamic personalization, AI-generated voiceovers, multi-language support, and advanced analytics, it’s become a go-to tool for modern teams looking to scale product education and conversion without relying on traditional video or live demos.

Music Credit:

"Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)

Takeaways

• Fundraising comes with expectations and pressure to deliver results.
• Choosing the right VC partner is crucial for long-term success.
• Money is readily available, but value beyond capital is essential.
• Understanding cash flow and growth metrics is vital for startups.
• Customer empathy and support can build strong relationships.
• Regular updates to customers can enhance engagement and trust.
• AI tools can significantly improve workflow and efficiency.
• The core problems startups solve remain relevant over time.
• Salespeople have limitations; automation can scale outreach.
• Building a relationship with investors is akin to a marriage.

Chapters

00:00 The Founde

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