A guide to the unique mindset and approach that drives Silicon Valley style disruption.
Build product, raise money, and scale your startup like the best. TSP hosts Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein share practical advice based on decades of experience at Google, Uber, and their own startups.
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Are you struggling to understand how marketing fits into a product-led company? You're not alone. Many marketers wonder if their role becomes less important when product takes the lead. But what if the opposite were true? In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein explore the evolving role of marketing in product-led organizations. They discuss how marketing can become even more critical by aligning closely with product development and strategy. In this episode, you will: Understand the...
Are you ready for AI that sounds indistinguishable from a human? The future is arriving faster than you might think. In this episode, Chris and Yaniv dive into the latest developments in AI, from NVIDIA's blockbuster earnings to Amazon's new AI-powered Alexa to eerily realistic voice models that left Chris feeling emotional. They explore the economic impacts rippling through the tech industry and beyond. In this episode, you will: Analyze NVIDIA's latest earnings and what they reveal...
In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein decode cryptic VC feedback, drawing insights from a YC alum's post. They break down phrases such as "not aligned with our strategy," "need to see more traction," and "keep us in the loop," explaining the underlying motivations and implications for founders. The hosts emphasize the importance of understanding investor psychology, demonstrating clear progress, and balancing grand visions with practical execution plans to effectively navigate the fundraising journey.
Are you prepared for a world where robots collaborate seamlessly, AI agents communicate in their own language, and quantum computers solve complex problems in minutes? The future is arriving faster than you might think. In this episode, Chris and Yaniv explore the latest breakthroughs in AI, robotics, and quantum computing that are pushing the boundaries of what's possible. From Microsoft's groundbreaking quantum chip to humanoid robots working together, the pace of innovation is staggering. In ...
Is your startup struggling to ship new features? Are you constantly putting out fires instead of innovating? You might be drowning in technical debt without even realizing it. In this eye-opening episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad demystify the often misunderstood concept of technical debt and its crucial role in startup success. In this episode, you will: Discover what technical debt really is and why it's inevitable for startups Learn to distinguish between good debt that fuels growth...
Are you prepared for a world where humanoid robots work alongside us? It's not science fiction anymore – it's happening now, and faster than you might think. In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein dive into the latest developments in robotics, AI, and the changing landscape of work and entrepreneurship. They explore how major tech companies are investing heavily in humanoid robots and what it means for the future of various industries. In this episode, you will: Discover why com...
Are your meetings a productivity black hole? You're not alone. In the world of product management, meetings can make or break your team's success. But what if you could transform these time-sinks into powerful tools for alignment, decision-making, and innovation? In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein dive deep into the art and science of effective meetings. They explore common pitfalls, share battle-tested strategies, and provide a practical framework for running meetings that actually...
What if AI could outthink, outresearch, and outperform even the most brilliant human minds? OpenAI's latest innovation might be bringing us closer to that reality than ever before. In this episode, tech visionaries Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein dive deep into OpenAI's game-changing "deep research mode." This groundbreaking feature allows AI to conduct extensive research, analyze complex topics, and generate comprehensive reports in mere minutes. This task would take human researchers days or ev...
Have you ever wished for an intelligent assistant that could seamlessly integrate into your workflow, anticipating your needs and enhancing your productivity? What if AI could transform not just how we write, but how we work across all applications? In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein is joined by Shishir Mehrotra, CEO of the newly merged Coda and Grammarly, to explore the exciting world of AI-native productivity and its potential to revolutionize the way we work. In this episode, you will: Discove...
Is the AI landscape about to be turned on its head? Are we witnessing the birth of a new social media giant? In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein, Shira Lazar, and Amir Shevat dive into the latest tech developments that are reshaping industries and sparking heated debates. In this episode, you will: Analyze the impact of DeepSeek on the AI industry and OpenAI's surprising response Explore how Trump's tariff policies could affect tech companies and startups Examine concerns about Doge's a...
As a startup founder, are you constantly putting out fires and feeling overwhelmed? You may be falling into some common pitfalls without even realizing it. In this episode, Yaniv and Chris are joined by Alexis D’Amecour, Head of Coaching at Mochary Method, to discuss the top founder failure modes that executive coaches see - and how to avoid them. In this episode, you will: Discover why many founders fail to recognize their own power and influence Learn how to delegate effectively as your compan...
Are we witnessing the dawn of a new era in AI, or the potential erosion of democracy through unchecked technological power? In this hard-hitting episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein tackle the latest seismic shifts in the AI landscape. From Project Stargate's staggering $500 billion investment to DeepSeek's game-changing cost-effective model, they explore how these developments are reshaping the industry and raising critical ethical questions about the future of technology and society...
Are you dreaming of launching the next unicorn startup? Before you quit your day job and pour your life savings into that brilliant idea, you might want to listen to this episode. In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein is joined by Scotty Allen, startup advisor and founder of The Product Bus, to dive deep into the realities of startup funding, the risks of bootstrapping, and the importance of knowing which "game" you're playing as a founder. In this episode, you will: Understand the risks and challeng...
Is TikTok banned or not? The saga continues as Trump swoops in to "unban" the app, leaving creators and users whiplashed. But what's really going on behind the scenes in this high-stakes game of political chess? In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein are joined by special guests Shira Lazar and Elli Hanson to unpack the latest tech and political drama. From TikTok's uncertain fate to Trump's meme coin launch, the team explores how these developments impact founders...
Are you a founder struggling to figure out how to fund your startup? With so many options available - from bootstrapping to VC funding - how do you know which path is right for you? In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein break down the full spectrum of startup funding sources, exploring the pros, cons, and hidden pitfalls of each approach. Whether you're considering self-funding, equity financing, or debt, you'll gain crucial insights to make an informed decision. In this episod...
Are we on the brink of Artificial General Intelligence? Has OpenAI quietly announced a breakthrough that could change everything? And how are tech giants like Google responding? In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein dive into the latest developments in AI, robotics, and the shifting political landscape as a new U.S. administration takes office. They explore the implications for startups, innovation, and the future of technology. In this episode, you will: Analyze OpenAI's latest O3 mod...
Are you making costly mistakes that could derail your startup's success? Even experienced founders fall into common traps at every stage of their journey. In this episode, Yaniv and Chris are joined by Mona Sabet, veteran Silicon Valley executive and author of "Sale to Scale," to explore founders' critical errors from launch to exit. In this episode, you will: Identify the waves of startup growth: launch, pivot, scale, and exit Discover why falling in love with solutions (not problems) can doom ...
As we head into 2025, we're looking back on our most popular episodes of 2024. This episode was originally published on July 29, 2024. Are you shipping faster than you learn, or learning faster than you ship? Learn the risks of practicing "agile" theater and iterating your product without direction. On this week's episode, product legend John Cutler joins Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein to discuss: Why so many teams get Agile wrong Pros and cons of Agile vs. Waterfall The dangers of practicing Ag...
As we head into 2025, we're looking back on our most popular episodes of 2024. This episode was originally published on October 30, 2024. Are you ready for a world where AI agents can autonomously make purchases and monetize their services? How will commerce and payments evolve as intelligent software agents become ubiquitous? In this episode, Chris Saad is joined by Amir Sarhangi and Craig DeWitt, co-founders of Skyfire, to explore the cutting-edge intersection of AI, payments, and open protoco...
As we head into 2025, we're looking back on our most popular episodes of 2024. This episode was originally published on August 12, 2024. In today's fast-paced digital world, capturing and retaining attention is the most valuable currency for startups. But how can you thrive in a hypercompetitive landscape where rejection is the default response? In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad are joined by Ben Parr, acclaimed author of Captivology: The Science of Capturing People’s Attention , t...
As we head into 2025, we're looking back on our most popular episodes of 2024. This episode was originally published on June 17, 2024. How do the best founders build exceptional teams? Learn how a practical approach to HR can transform the culture at your startup. In this episode, Patty McCord, former Chief Talent Officer at Netflix and author of 'Powerful: Building a Culture of Freedom and Responsibility,' shares her wisdom on fostering a high-performance culture. Patty, Yaniv and Chris discuss...
How will OpenAI’s boldest moves reshape the startup world? OpenAI’s 12 Days of Ship-mas is rewriting the playbook on AI innovation and monetization. But what does it mean for startups and founders? From ChatGPT Pro’s $200 tier to Sora’s stunning video capabilities, OpenAI is setting the pace for AI’s future. Meanwhile, David Sacks’s new role as AI and Crypto Czar raises questions about regulation in a fast-accelerating tech world. In this episode, Chris and Hooman dive into the biggest news in A...
Disrupt or Digitize? The Art of Breaking the Status Quo Why do some startups revolutionize entire industries while others just digitize legacy processes? Disruption isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a mindset and one that too many founders shy away from. Are you pre-compromising your vision before you even start? In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein break down the essence of first-principles thinking and how startups can challenge legacy constraints to create truly disruptive solutions. Dra...
How much value do VCs truly bring beyond their capital? And what makes the difference between a supportive partnership and a dysfunctional founder-investor relationship? In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein welcome Nick Crocker, General Partner at Blackbird Ventures, to explore these critical questions. Blackbird has been at the forefront of Australian venture capital, backing iconic startups like Canva, SafetyCulture, and Culture Amp. Drawing from Nick’s deep experience, this convers...
What does it really take to achieve product-market fit? For many founders, this critical milestone feels elusive, shrouded in myths and misconceptions that derail even the most promising startups. In this episode, Chris Saad and Pablo Srugo, seasoned startup advisors and founders, unravel the mysteries of product-market fit. Pablo, host of The Product-Market Fit Show and a partner at Mistral VC, shares five proven steps founders can take to avoid costly mistakes, navigate pivots, and find true m...
Do You Really Need a Co-Founder? Here’s What You Must Know. Starting a startup can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re searching for that perfect co-founder to complement your skills. But is having a co-founder truly essential? And if it is, how do you find someone who’s more partner than problem? This episode dives deep into these questions and more. In this remastered episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein explore the intricacies of co-founder dynamics. Drawing from their combined decad...
Is it possible for a startup to compete with NVIDIA, the $1 trillion behemoth dominating AI hardware? Thomas Sohmers and his team at Positron are betting they can and they're moving at lightning speed to prove it. In this episode, Chris Saad sits down with Thomas Sohmers, founder and CEO of Positron, to explore how this ambitious startup is aiming to disrupt the AI chip market currently dominated by NVIDIA. In this episode, you will: Discover how Positron achieved working hardware in just 18 mon...
Are we entering a new era of deregulation and market exuberance? Or is political instability on the horizon? In this episode, Chris and Yaniv break down Donald Trump's surprising 2024 election win and explore the potential impacts on the tech industry, startup ecosystem, and broader economy. They examine how Silicon Valley power players helped shape the election outcome and what a second Trump term could mean for everything from crypto regulations to AI development. In this episode, you will: An...
Are you ready to disrupt an industry and change the world? In this episode, Chris and Yaniv dive deep into the art of fundraising for startups, exploring how to signal value, run an effective process, and craft the perfect ask to fuel your ambitious vision. They're joined by their own experiences raising capital to discuss the delicate dance between founders and investors in pursuit of explosive growth. In this episode, you will: Discover powerful signaling techniques to attract top investors Le...
Ever had someone tell you "I have this great idea for an app"? While everyone seems to have the next billion-dollar idea, the reality of startup success is far more complex than just having a clever concept. In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein explore the real value of ideas in startups and why execution matters more than ideation. In this episode, you will: Discover why "ideas are like assholes - everyone's got one" Learn how to identify truly valuable problems worth solving Underst...