How James Evans Turned A College Project Into a Y Combinator-backed Startup
Nov 14, 2024•54 min
Listen to this episode in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Episode description
This is how James raised $24 million and reached 20 million users for his startup, Command AI, with contrarian ideas.
📚 1,800 Pitch Decks (Free) → deck-database.carrd.co
Follow James's journey:
🐦 X → x.com/dazzeloid
💼 LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/james-evans-7086b3126
🚀 Startup → command.ai
Follow us:
🎥 YouTube → youtube.com/@foundingjourney
📝 Newsletter → join.foundingjourney.com
📈 Founder Membership → upgrade.foundingjourney.com
💼 LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/michael-houck
Founder Journey
- (01:00) — James’s founder origin story
- (04:04) — Command AI origin story
- (25:15) — Gaining conviction to build Command AI
Founder Mindset
- (06:39) — Recognizing pivot opportunities
- (08:23) — The overrated nature of creating new categories
- (11:06) — The myth of necessitating truly new creations
Growth Strategies
- (15:17) — Engaging in activities that probably don’t scale
- (22:37) — Can anyone become a founder?
- (41:53) — Prioritization strategies for founders
Networking & Resources
- (29:18) — Effectively using the YC experience
- (33:07) — Using Loom as a fundraising cheat code
- (35:53) — Well-designed decks vs. substance
- (39:10) — James’ angel investing learnings
- (44:03) — Securing big logos early
Rapid Fire
- (47:25) — Recommended investors?
- (48:33) — Advice for first-time founders?
- (49:08) — Favorite SaaS tools?
- (50:03) — One change you’d make in startups?
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android
Open in Metacast