Forward Thinking Founders - podcast cover

Forward Thinking Founders

Mat Sherman•ftf.transistor.fm
Business
Careers
Entrepreneurship
Forward Thinking Founders is a founder podcast where we interview high potential founders from networks like Y Combinator, The Thiel Fellowship, Product Hunt, Twitter, etc. and brings to light what they're building for the world. Think of it like the opposite of How I Built This, where we interview founders before they are successful, then if they are, we have a moment in time we can look back on in the early days. Does the model work? Look at our early interviews and you'll have your answer.
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Episodes

962 - Building An Autonomous Golf Cart Network W/ Danny Minutillo (Nav Robotics)

In this conversation, Mat Sherman interviews Danny, the founder and CEO of Nav Robotics , about the innovative solutions his company is developing in the realm of autonomous transportation. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in creating self-driving e-bikes and golf carts, the vision for urban mobility, and the implications of moving operations to Arizona. Danny shares insights into the technology behind autonomous vehicles, the importance of compute power, and the future of learning ...

Feb 11, 2025•44 min•Ep. 962

961 - Gamifying Social Status by Combining Game Design and AI w/ Harvey Pratt (Simcluster)

In this conversation, Mat Sherman interviews Harvey Pratt, the founder and CEO of Simcluster , an AI video game that combines social networking with innovative gameplay mechanics. Harvey discusses the unique aspects of Simcluster, including its fragment system that allows users to create content without typing, and the challenges he faced in the gaming industry, particularly in fundraising. He shares insights on the evolution of AI content, the importance of user engagement, and his vision for t...

Feb 07, 2025•43 min•Ep. 961

960 - The Power Of One Visit To Silicon Valley w/ Audrey Chen (Nosu)

In this conversation, Mat Sherman interviews Audrey Chen, co-founder of Nosu , about her journey from gaining a following on social media to launching a startup focused on streamlining hackathon ops. Audrey shares her experiences of going viral on Twitter, raising capital in Silicon Valley, and the features of Nosu that cater to both hackathon organizers and participants. The discussion highlights the importance of networking, the impact of environment on startup success, and the future plans fo...

Feb 04, 2025•24 min•Ep. 960

959 - One Man's Journey Of Breaking Into Silicon Valley From Ohio w/ Andrew Rea (Taxwire)

In this episode, Mat Sherman sits down with Andrew Rea, co-founder and CEO of Taxwire , to explore the transformative journey of entrepreneurship during the pandemic. Starting with the pivotal role of reinvention in challenging times, the conversation shifts to the intricacies of sales tax compliance and how Taxwire simplifies this daunting task for businesses. Andrew shares his entry into the tech world, shedding light on the hurdles of building a startup outside traditional tech hubs. As he na...

Jan 29, 2025•47 min•Ep. 959

958 - Creating A Masterful UX In A Crowded Field w/ Aleksandar Besarovic (Aimfox)

In this conversation, Mat Sherman interviews Aleksandar Besarovic, co-founder of Aimfox , a LinkedIn outreach tool. They discuss the journey of Aimfox, including its initial launch challenges, the importance of user feedback, and the strategies implemented for a successful second launch. Aleksandar shares insights on building a user-friendly product, the role of AI in enhancing outreach, and the long-term vision for Aimfox. The conversation emphasizes the significance of listening to users and m...

Jan 21, 2025•33 min•Ep. 958

957 - How AI Can Revolutionize Book Recommendations W/ John Busch (Iliad)

In this episode, Mat Sherman sits down with John Busch, founder of Iliad , an AI-powered book discovery platform designed to help readers uncover life-changing books. They dive into the challenges of current book recommendation systems, how Iliad addresses the limitations of platforms like Goodreads, and the role of AI in enhancing the reading experience while building trust in recommendations. John also shares his journey as a founder, offering actionable advice on fundraising, the importance o...

Jan 17, 2025•31 min•Ep. 957

956 - How To Become The World's Most Active Angel Investor w/ Edward Lando (Pareto Holdings)

In this episode, Mat Sherman sits down with Edward Lando , one of the most prolific angel investors in the world, to explore the intricacies of early-stage investing. Edward shares his journey into angel investing, detailing his philosophy of prioritizing quality over quantity and the critical role relationships play in successful investments. From understanding valuations and navigating early-stage deals to constructing a portfolio that balances risk and reward, Edward provides invaluable insig...

Jan 15, 2025•37 min•Ep. 956

955 - Building The Personal Agentic Computing Stack w/ Simp4Satoshi (Truffle)

In this conversation, Mat Sherman interviews Simp4Satoshi of Truffle. Topics covered include: Discussion of Truffle, a device for local inference tied to humanoid robotics and personal intelligence. Insights from a unique upbringing in the Middle East and its impact on a technology journey. Future of AI agents surpassing human economies and using cryptocurrency primarily. Criticism of Sam Altman and OpenAI, calling him the “Antichrist” of Silicon Valley. Critique of Y Combinator and the tech ind...

Jan 13, 2025•46 min•Ep. 955

954 - Building In The Age Of AI w/ Vidy Thatte

In this conversation, Mat Sherman and Vidy Thatte discuss the journey of building various products, the challenges faced in startups, and the impact of AI on creativity and storytelling. Vidy shares insights on his experiences with different projects, the evolution of his ideas, and the importance of learning to code in the age of AI. They also explore the future of AI in creative industries and the potential shift in how we perceive characters in storytelling. ★ Support this podcast ★...

Jan 10, 2025•37 min•Ep. 954

953 - Disrupting Docusign By Creating a Free E-Signature Platform w/ Marty Ringlein (Agree.com)

In this episode of Forward Thinking Founders, Mat Sherman interviews Marty Ringlein, cofounder of agree.com . They discuss the critical elements of growth, the importance of storytelling in sales, and the journey of launching Agree.com. Marty shares insights on the significance of trust in branding, the strategies for funding and growth, and the lessons learned from his entrepreneurial journey. In this conversation, Mat Sherman and Marty discuss the importance of recognizing when to delegate exp...

Jan 08, 2025•39 min•Ep. 953

952 - Helping Founders Raise VC The Right Way w/ Stéphane Nasser

In this episode, Mat Sherman sits down with Stéphane Nasser to explore the evolution of OpenVC , a platform bridging the gap between founders and investors. Steph shares his personal journey—from living in Portugal to China—and reflects on the challenges of fundraising and the critical role of founder education and support. Together, they dive into the startup ecosystem, discussing the importance of screening submissions, transferable skills, and the emotional and psychological dimensions of ent...

Jan 06, 2025•43 min•Ep. 952

950 - Aidan Gold, Partner at HyperGuap

From the HyperGuap website: Aidan built the HyperGuap VC syndicate and fund alongside Gali. Prior to that, Aidan was the Chief of Staff and managed investor relations at eGenesis, a biotech startup that has raised $260M+ to help solve the organ shortage. Before that, Aidan was analyzing investment opportunities for a family office and played a pivotal role in supporting emerging biotech startups through several large financings, IPOs, and drug approvals. He is a graduate of the University of Col...

Feb 02, 2024•26 min•Ep. 950

947 - Danilo Dominici (LaundryBud) On Building Uber For Laundry

In this episode of Forward Thinking Founders, host Mat Sherman sits down with Danilo Dominici, the founder of LaundryBud. They discuss how Laundry Bud is revolutionizing the laundry industry by providing on-demand laundry services to time-pressed college students. Danilo shares his vision for the company and the challenges he faces as a solo founder. If you're interested in learning more about Laundry Bud or potentially joining the team, make sure to tune in to this insightful conversation. Don'...

Jan 01, 2024•9 min•Ep. 947

941 - Zach Roseman (Draftboard) On Open Sourcing Job Referrals

Zach Roseman is the founder of Draftboard . Draftboard is where companies publicly post what referral bonus they'll pay for a new hire and Scouts (referrers) compete to earn that referral bonus by scouring their networks for the best talent available. ★ Support this podcast ★

Nov 13, 2023•14 min•Ep. 941
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