Alexandra Vidyuk from Beyond Earth on Investing in the Space Tech Industry

I am excited to have <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrausynina" target="_blank">Alexandra Vidyuk</a>, the space tech Venture Partner at Aloniq, founder of Space Ambition, a world-class space technology research centre that collaborates with space agencies, investors, start-ups and co-founded a space tech venture builder and an investment syndicate named <a href="https://beyondearth.tech/" target="_blank"><strong>Beyond Earth</strong></a></p>In this episode, Alexandra Vidyuk, venture partner at Aloniq and founder of Beyond Earth, shares her journey from a banking career to space tech investing. She explores the emerging trillion-dollar space tech industry, its intersections with sustainability, and the role of private versus government funding. Alex offers valuable insights into due diligence, navigating geopolitical influences, building syndicates, and advice for aspiring founders and investors entering the space sector—and much more!</p>Subscribe on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3G514tA5EuZ8Py9ofTXj8T" target="_blank">Spotify</a></p>Subscribe on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6ZqWuH5CZ5p7GUD6ugBzBw?sub_confirmation=1" target="_blank">YouTube</a></p>Subscribe on<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/in/podcast/lifeselfmasterys-podcast/id1277584354" target="_blank"> iTunes</a></p><strong>Learn</strong></p>* What are some of the unique challenges faced by startups in the space industry?</p>* What criteria do you use when selecting startups or projects to support through Beyond Earth's venture-building program?</p>* Does Alex prefer founders who are new to a problem or those who are insiders and experts?</p>* What is your favourite business book? –Psychology of money</p>* What is your favourite online tool? –ChatGpt</p>* If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Start syndicate earlier earlier</p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p><strong>[1:30]</strong> Alexandra shares her transition from banking to startups, highlighting the desire for more impact.</p><strong>[3:15]</strong> Discusses her initial startup in fintech, raising the first round and gaining early traction.</p><strong>[5:00]</strong> Realization of her interest in deep tech and space tech, shifting from fintech to venture capital in space.</p><strong>[7:00]</strong> Overview of sustainability’s role in space tech and its broader industry impact.</p><strong>[8:30]</strong> The trillion-dollar potential of the space tech industry by 2035 and its expected exponential growth.</p><strong>[10:00]</strong> Examples of satellite tech applications, like monitoring greenhouse gases and energy sources.</p><strong>[13:00]</strong> Alexandra’s admiration for Elon Musk's impact on space tech, including the Starlink network.</p><strong>[14:45]</strong> Unique challenges of space startups, including scientific feasibility, engineering, and regulation.</p><strong>[18:00]</strong> Criteria used to select startups at Beyond Earth, including market size and team capability.</p><strong>[20:30]</strong> Importance of government support and the independent approach Beyond Earth takes with investments.</p><strong>[23:00]</strong> Alexandra’s views on politics in space investments and how they influence decision-making.</p><strong>[25:00]</strong> Due diligence process for space investments, especially for startups like BioOrbit.</p><strong>[29:00]</strong> Value of outsider perspectives in space, contrasting with industry insider advantages.</p><strong>[31:30]</strong> Balancing founder quality and market opportunity when making investment decisions.</p><strong>[34:00]</strong> Alexandra's experience with Space tech's visionary but challenging market sizing.</p><strong>[37:00]</strong> Private vs. government funding in space tech, with private funding now at 80%.</p><strong>[39:00]</strong> Importance of government-funded projects like the Artemis Program for foundational infrastructure.</p><strong>[42:00]</strong> Advice for aspiring space founders on entering the space sector, even without technical backgrounds.</p><strong>[45:00]</strong> Tips on building a successful syndicate and gathering LP support, including warm introductions.</p><strong>[47:00]</strong> Marketing strategies, including LinkedIn ads, webinars, and masterclasses, for syndicate growth.</p><strong>Alexandra’s Links </strong></p>LDN– <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrausynina" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrausynina</a></p>Website - https://beyondearth.tech/</p><strong>My Links </strong></p>Podcast: <a href="https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes" target="_blank">https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes</a></p>YouTube: <a href="https://lifeselfmastery.com/y" target="_blank"> youtube.com/lifeselfmastery</a></p>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/rohitmal" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/rohitmal</a></p>5-day email course: <a href="http://www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com/" target="_blank">www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com</a></p> <br /><br />This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://partnergrow.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">partnergrow.substack.com</a>

00:47:10

Unlocking Telegram’s Gaming Potential with Daniil Shcherbakov from TonTon Games

I am thrilled to have <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shcherbakovds/" target="_blank">Daniil Shcherbakov</a>, CEO of <a href="https://tonton.games/" target="_blank">TonTon Games</a>, a Telegram gaming publisher welcomed into Binance Labs' incubation program. Daniil holds a MBA from Cambridge Business School</p>In this episode, Daniil Shcherbakov, co-founder and CEO of TonTon Games, shares his journey from studying computer science to launching TonTon Games within Telegram's ecosystem. He delves into TonTon Games' unique strategy for long-term growth, the blue ocean opportunities within Telegram, and the company's commitment to genuine gaming experiences. Daniil offers valuable insights into user acquisition, sustainable monetization, and balancing creativity with data-driven decisions in gaming, and much more!</p>Subscribe on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3G514tA5EuZ8Py9ofTXj8T" target="_blank">Spotify</a></p>Subscribe on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6ZqWuH5CZ5p7GUD6ugBzBw?sub_confirmation=1" target="_blank">YouTube</a></p>Subscribe on<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/in/podcast/lifeselfmasterys-podcast/id1277584354" target="_blank"> iTunes</a></p><strong>Learn</strong></p>* How does Daniil approach monetization in your games while maintaining a positive user experience?</p>* What are the single biggest mistakes companies make with content today?</p>* What trends does Daniil see emerging in the casual mobile gaming market?</p>* What is your favourite business book? –Atomic Habits</p>* What is your favourite online tool? –Use Bubbles</p>* If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Start company earlier</p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p><strong>0:00</strong> - Introduction to Daniil, CEO of TonTon Games.</p><strong>1:30</strong> - Daniil shares his background, his shift from a family of doctors to pursuing computer science, and discovering his passion for tech.</p><strong>5:45</strong> - His experience of joining Fibrum, an early startup where he created the company’s name.</p><strong>10:45</strong> - Daniil describes the camaraderie he built with classmates and the benefits of Cambridge's smaller, diverse class.</p><strong>13:00</strong> - Founding of TonTon Games and the blend of his passion for gaming and startups.</p><strong>14:45</strong> - TonTon Games’ focus on Telegram as a gaming platform and the “blue ocean” opportunity in this space.</p><strong>16:30</strong> - Overview of how Telegram's ecosystem for games is similar to WeChat's in China.</p><strong>18:15</strong> - Daniil explains TonTon Games’ strategy of avoiding “pump and dump” schemes and instead focusing on long-term incentives.</p><strong>20:45</strong> - Discussion on acquiring users, including their approach to organic growth through influencers.</p><strong>23:00</strong> - Success of their flagship game, DFT, which reached top 10 grossing apps on Telegram.</p><strong>24:30</strong> - Daniil explains why they are not creating their own token and instead focus on sustainable mechanics.</p><strong>27:00</strong> - How they evaluate and collaborate with development teams before entering formal agreements.</p><strong>28:30</strong> - Explanation of the iterative approach to user acquisition and maintaining platform stability.</p><strong>31:00</strong> - Strategy for monetizing games while respecting user experience.</p><strong>33:00</strong> - Importance of data analysis in game development and Daniil’s insights on balancing gut feeling and metrics.</p><strong>35:00</strong> - Daniil’s thoughts on the future of mobile gaming, especially in emerging markets.</p><strong>39:00</strong> - Advice for budding game developers about the future of gaming demographics.</p><strong>45:00</strong> - Daniil’s perspective on AI, highlighting that it’s a helpful tool rather than a replacement.</p><strong>Daniil’s Links </strong></p>LDN– <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shcherbakovds/" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/shcherbakovds/</a></p>Website - https://tonton.games/</p><strong>My Links </strong></p>Podcast: <a href="https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes" target="_blank">https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes</a></p>YouTube: <a href="https://lifeselfmastery.com/y" target="_blank"> youtube.com/lifeselfmastery</a></p>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/rohitmal" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/rohitmal</a></p>5-day email course: <a href="http://www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com/" target="_blank">www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com</a></p> <br /><br />This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://partnergrow.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">partnergrow.substack.com</a>

00:47:34

Arjun Pillai from Docket on Building Startups, Navigating Acquisitions, and the Future of AI in Sales

I am excited to have <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rarjunpillai" target="_blank">Arjun Pillai</a> Cofounder & CEO of Docket, an AI Platform that serves as a Virtual Sales Engineer for AEs to close complex B2B deals. He is a serial entrepreneur with two successful exits and is currently on his 3rd venture. Arjun was most recently the Chief Data Officer at ZoomInfo Technologies Inc.</p>In this episode, Arjun Pillai, Docket's co-founder and CEO, shares his journey from Kerala, India, to Silicon Valley, highlighting early startup experiences, failures, and successes with companies like Profoundis and Incent. He discusses the acquisition of his previous ventures, the evolution of Kerala's startup ecosystem, and his passion for AI, which inspired him to build Docket, an AI-powered virtual sales engineer. Arjun offers valuable insights on topics like building resilient teams, fundraising strategies, and the future impact of AI on SaaS, sales roles, and startup playbooks, and much more!</p>Subscribe on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3G514tA5EuZ8Py9ofTXj8T" target="_blank">Spotify</a></p>Subscribe on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6ZqWuH5CZ5p7GUD6ugBzBw?sub_confirmation=1" target="_blank">YouTube</a></p>Subscribe on<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/in/podcast/lifeselfmasterys-podcast/id1277584354" target="_blank"> iTunes</a></p><strong>Learn</strong></p>* How did Arjun approach fundraising for Docket</p>* How does Arjun see AI transforming the sales and marketing landscape?</p>* What are the single biggest mistakes people make when hiring sales reps and teams?</p>* What is your favourite business book? –Hard things about hard things</p>* What is your favourite online tool? –Zoom, chatgpt, loom, screen studio</p>* If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Nothing</p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p><strong>03:30</strong> - Arjun's first startup experience with Profounders and early challenges.</p><strong>05:15</strong> - Importance of frugality and team cohesion in Arjun's early days.</p><strong>07:10</strong> - Building Profoundis, a successful sales intelligence product.</p><strong>09:20</strong> - Profoundis’s acquisition by Full Contact, marking Kerala’s first significant startup exit.</p><strong>12:05</strong> - Kerala’s evolving startup ecosystem following Arjun's exit.</p><strong>13:40</strong> - Arjun's transition from Full Contact to founding Insent</p><strong>16:10</strong> - Pivoting Insent’s business model to a buyer-centric platform.</p><strong>18:00</strong> - Acquisition of Insent by Zoom Info and Arjun's new role there.</p><strong>21:15</strong> - Arjun's experiences and learnings from working with Zoom Info.</p><strong>23:05</strong> - Inspiration for Docket, his AI platform for sales engineering.</p><strong>27:40</strong> - Evolution of SDR roles and potential shifts due to AI.</p><strong>30:20</strong> - Future of SaaS companies in the era of AI.</p><strong>32:15</strong> - Cost and efficiency changes in software development using AI.</p><strong>35:30</strong> - Founders' role in creating playbooks for revenue teams.</p><strong>37:45</strong> - Timing for hiring a VP of Sales in a startup’s growth phase.</p><strong>40:10</strong> - Sales team ramp-up expectations and performance indicators.</p><strong>42:30</strong> - Structuring effective sales compensation plans.</p><strong>45:00</strong> - Fundraising strategies for founders, including the importance of building investor relationships.</p><strong>47:30</strong> - Key metrics for choosing the right investors for your startup.</p><strong>Arjun’s Links </strong></p>LDN– <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rarjunpillai" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/rarjunpillai</a></p>Website - https://www.docketai.com/</p><strong>My Links </strong></p>Podcast: <a href="https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes" target="_blank">https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes</a></p>YouTube: <a href="https://lifeselfmastery.com/y" target="_blank"> youtube.com/lifeselfmastery</a></p>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/rohitmal" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/rohitmal</a></p>5-day email course: <a href="http://www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com/" target="_blank">www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com</a></p>Newsletter: </p> <br /><br />This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://partnergrow.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">partnergrow.substack.com</a>

00:44:43

Guy Rubin from Ebsta on AI, Benchmarking, and Building Relationships in B2B Sales

</p>I am thrilled to have <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubinguy" target="_blank">Guy Rubin</a>, the founder and CEO of Ebsta, the Revenue Intelligence Platform for Salesforce and Hubspot customers.  Ebsta delivers real-time forecasting tools and uses engagement trends to benchmark live pipeline against previously closed won deals.</p>In this episode Guy Rubin, founder and CEO of Ebsta, a revenue intelligence platform for Salesforce and HubSpot customers shares insights into the role of AI in automating sales admin tasks, freeing up reps to focus on building relationships. He also discusses the importance of benchmarking sales data to improve performance, the challenges of scaling from SMB to enterprise, and advice on hiring for early-stage startups. Guy emphasizes the need to focus on human connections in sales, even in a world increasingly driven by AI tools and automation, and much more!</p>Subscribe on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3G514tA5EuZ8Py9ofTXj8T" target="_blank">Spotify</a></p>Subscribe on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6ZqWuH5CZ5p7GUD6ugBzBw?sub_confirmation=1" target="_blank">YouTube</a></p>Subscribe on<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/in/podcast/lifeselfmasterys-podcast/id1277584354" target="_blank"> iTunes</a></p><strong>Learn</strong></p>* When is the right time to hire your first sales rep?</p>* Should the founder be the one to create the sales playbook?</p>* How important are logos? Does social validity really work in the enterprise?</p>* How should sales teams use discounting in enterprise sales most effectively?</p>* What is your favourite business book? –Crossing the chasm</p>* What is your favourite online tool? –Slack</p>* If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Thinking and planning in advance</p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p><strong>2:45</strong>: The role of AI in reducing the administrative burden for sales teams.</p><strong>3:30</strong>: The importance of relationships in B2B sales and how AI enhances, but doesn’t replace, human connection.</p><strong>4:45</strong>: Analyzing sales data to identify key differences between top performers and average performers.</p><strong>6:00</strong>: The role of AI in benchmarking and recreating unrecorded sales activities.</p><strong>8:15</strong>: The impact of time on win rates and the importance of closing lost opportunities early.</p><strong>10:45</strong>: Differences between selling to small, medium, and enterprise customers.</p><strong>12:00</strong>: The importance of choosing the right customer profile for a successful sales process.</p><strong>13:15</strong>: The value of company logos and social proof when selling to enterprises.</p><strong>16:00</strong>: Budgeting for enterprise sales and managing slow-burn deals.</p><strong>18:45</strong>: Guy’s advice on outbound sales and building human connections during sales calls.</p><strong>20:00</strong>: The importance of relationships in B2B sales and becoming an expert advisor.</p><strong>23:45</strong>: Guy’s advice on hiring the first sales representative versus a VP of Sales.</p><strong>26:15</strong>: The difference between people who can turn zero into one versus those who follow existing processes.</p><strong>27:30</strong>: Domain expertise in new hires and the importance of a startup mentality.</p><strong>30:00</strong>: Pros and cons of hiring from your own network versus using recruiters for early hires.</p><strong>32:00</strong>: How Ebsta analyzes sales data to understand revenue signals.</p><strong>Guy’s Links </strong></p>LDN– <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubinguy" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubinguy</a></p>Sales report - <a href="https://www.ebsta.com/2024-b2b-sales-benchmarks/" target="_blank">https://www.ebsta.com/2024-b2b-sales-benchmarks/</a></p><strong>My Links </strong></p>Podcast: <a href="https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes" target="_blank">https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes</a></p>YouTube: <a href="https://lifeselfmastery.com/y" target="_blank"> youtube.com/lifeselfmastery</a></p>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/rohitmal" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/rohitmal</a></p>5-day email course: <a href="http://www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com/" target="_blank">www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com</a></p>Newsletter: </p> <br /><br />This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://partnergrow.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">partnergrow.substack.com</a>

00:37:19

Scaling Startups and Cybersecurity with Reinout Vander, Partner at TIN Capital

</p>I am happy to have <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/reinoutvandermeulen" target="_blank">Reinout Vander Meulen</a>, a partner at TIN Capital. He was a co-founder at Type22, an airport baggage handling innovator MSc in Aerospace Engineering.</p>In this episode, Reinout Vander, Partner at TIN Capital shares his journey from co-founding Type 22, a baggage handling innovator, to transitioning into venture capital. He discusses his experiences scaling international startups, the importance of product localization in Europe, and the challenges in cybersecurity investments. Reinout also highlights key lessons from working with cybersecurity founders and navigating the complexities of market timing, scaling, company exits, and much more!</p>Subscribe on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3G514tA5EuZ8Py9ofTXj8T" target="_blank">Spotify</a></p>Subscribe on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6ZqWuH5CZ5p7GUD6ugBzBw?sub_confirmation=1" target="_blank">YouTube</a></p>Subscribe on<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/in/podcast/lifeselfmasterys-podcast/id1277584354" target="_blank"> iTunes</a></p><strong>Learn</strong></p>* What are the most pressing cybersecurity challenges facing European businesses today?</p>* How does Reinout approach when to sell vs when to hold a position?</p>* What does Reinout know now that he wishes he had known when he got into VC?</p>* What is your favourite business book? –Spin Selling</p>* What is your favourite online tool? –iharvest</p>* If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – NA</p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p><strong>4:10</strong> - How Type 22 pivoted to focus on product innovation in self-service baggage systems.</p><strong>7:00</strong> - Reinout’s involvement with the Delft University incubator</p><strong>8:10</strong> - Reinout discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the aviation industry.</p><strong>10:00</strong> - TIN Capital’s focus on cybersecurity investments.</p><strong>12:45</strong> - Differences in scaling startups between Europe and the U.S.</p><strong>14:05</strong> - Importance of localizing products for different European markets.</p><strong>18:00</strong> - Key cybersecurity challenges for European businesses.</p><strong>20:00</strong> - How cybersecurity regulations in Europe impact startups and investments.</p><strong>22:30</strong> - The competitive advantage of being a European cybersecurity startup.</p><strong>28:00</strong> - Deciding when to sell portfolio companies and the importance of timing.</p><strong>30:00</strong> - The importance of maintaining ownership and how to manage dilution.</p><strong>34:00</strong> - Reinout’s biggest lessons in market timing for cybersecurity investments.</p><strong>36:00</strong> - Mistakes made in investing in too niche markets.</p><strong>40:00</strong> - Importance of relationships and trust in cybersecurity VC investments.</p><strong>42:30</strong> - Reinout’s advice for emerging managers in the VC ecosystem.</p><strong>Natalia’s Links </strong></p>LDN– <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/reinoutvandermeulen" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/reinoutvandermeulen</a></p>Website – https://www.tiincapital.nl/</p><strong>My Links </strong></p>Podcast: <a href="https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes" target="_blank">https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes</a></p>YouTube: <a href="https://lifeselfmastery.com/y" target="_blank"> youtube.com/lifeselfmastery</a></p>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/rohitmal" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/rohitmal</a></p>5-day email course: <a href="http://www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com/" target="_blank">www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com</a></p>Newsletter: <a href="http://partnergrow.substack.com/" target="_blank">partnergrow.substack.com/</a></p> <br /><br />This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://partnergrow.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">partnergrow.substack.com</a>

00:40:16

Building real relationships with peers with Natalia Cebotari from Osmos

I am thrilled to have <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliechebotar" target="_blank">Natalia Cebotari</a>, the co-founder of Osmos building the first networking platform for entrepreneurs and professionals that saves time and finds relevant people in less than a minute. </p>In this episode, Natalia Cebotari, founder of Osmos, talks about the networking platform designed to save time and connect professionals quickly. Natalia shares her journey, from working alongside her husband on their first startup to becoming Chief Strategy Officer at Yandex, where she built new ventures within the corporation. She discusses the challenges of building a social platform, the growth of Osmos, the importance of conversations in expanding one’s network, and much more!</p>Subscribe on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3G514tA5EuZ8Py9ofTXj8T" target="_blank">Spotify</a></p>Subscribe on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6ZqWuH5CZ5p7GUD6ugBzBw?sub_confirmation=1" target="_blank">YouTube</a></p>Subscribe on<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/in/podcast/lifeselfmasterys-podcast/id1277584354" target="_blank"> iTunes</a></p><strong>Learn</strong></p>* What are the key metrics Natalia focuses on to measure the success of Osmos?</p>* What strategies have been most effective in growing the user base of Osmos?</p>* Will companies actually make more revenue from having AI in products</p>* What is your favorite business book? –Lean Analytics</p>* What is your favorite online tool? –iPhone notes</p>* If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Talk to customers</p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p>* <strong>03:30</strong> – Learning to navigate challenges and becoming resilient in entrepreneurship.</p>* <strong>05:00</strong> – Natalia’s transition to working at Yandex as Chief Strategy Officer.</p>* <strong>06:30</strong> – Building new ventures inside Yandex and the differences from a small startup.</p>* <strong>08:15</strong> – The importance of collaboration and communication in large companies like Yandex.</p>* <strong>11:00</strong> – The vision behind Osmos and Natalia's motivation to create an alternative to LinkedIn.</p>* <strong>13:00</strong> – Challenges entrepreneurs face with loneliness and isolation.</p>* <strong>14:30</strong> – How conversations with new people can bring fresh energy and ideas.</p>* <strong>16:00</strong> – Natalia discusses how Osmos grew its initial user base through networking.</p>* <strong>17:30</strong> – The effectiveness of attending online conferences for user acquisition.</p>* <strong>19:00</strong> – The role of email integration in Osmos' growth strategy.</p>* <strong>23:00</strong> – The importance of tracking the number of conversations and user satisfaction.</p>* <strong>26:00</strong> – How paid users behave differently and take conversations more seriously.</p>* <strong>28:00</strong> – Insights on product development from feedback received from paid users.</p>* <strong>30:00</strong> – Balancing user growth with maintaining a high-quality user experience.</p>* <strong>32:00</strong> – Natalia’s perspective on growth as an art, not just a science.</p>* <strong>33:30</strong> – The right time to hire a growth team</p><strong>Natalia’s Links </strong></p>LDN– <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliechebotar" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliechebotar</a></p>Website – https://osmos.social</p><strong>My Links </strong></p>Podcast: <a href="https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes" target="_blank">https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes</a></p>YouTube: <a href="https://lifeselfmastery.com/y" target="_blank"> youtube.com/lifeselfmastery</a></p>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/rohitmal" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/rohitmal</a></p>5-day email course: <a href="http://www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com/" target="_blank">www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com</a></p>Newsletter: </p> <br /><br />This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://partnergrow.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">partnergrow.substack.com</a>

00:39:14

Building a Marketplace for Home Chefs with Ajith Govind from Cravd

I am excited to have <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajith-govind" target="_blank">Ajith Govind</a>, the founder of <a href="https://cravd.com" target="_blank">Cravd,</a> an online marketplace to book a home chef to visit and cook right in your kitchen. He earlier co-founded Turing Labs, achieving Series A funding backed by Y Combinator and top investors, including Insight Partners, raising over $20M.</p>In this episode, Ajith Govind, co-founder of Cravd, an online marketplace for booking home chefs shares his entrepreneurial journey, including his experience with Turing Labs. He discusses the challenges of launching a startup, the importance of product-market fit, and the significance of culture in building a successful company. Ajit also talks about Cravd’s expansion strategy, focusing on empowering home chefs, providing healthy, home-cooked meals for busy families, and much more!</p>Subscribe on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3G514tA5EuZ8Py9ofTXj8T" target="_blank">Spotify</a></p>Subscribe on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6ZqWuH5CZ5p7GUD6ugBzBw?sub_confirmation=1" target="_blank">YouTube</a></p>Subscribe on<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/in/podcast/lifeselfmasterys-podcast/id1277584354" target="_blank"> iTunes</a></p><strong>Learn</strong></p>* How can marketplace founders be strategic in building moats around their business?</p>* What is the single most important metric for Cravd</p>* Does Ajith pay attention to CACs at all?</p>* What is your favourite business book? –Hard things about hard things</p>* What is your favourite online tool? –Sunsummer</p>* If you could go back to when you started working on Energy Capital Ventures, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Focus on culture</p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p><strong>3:30</strong> Ajit shares insights from his experience co-founding Turing Labs.</p><strong>6:30</strong> The significance of Y Combinator in Ajit’s entrepreneurial journey.</p><strong>10:30</strong> Ajit’s thoughts on the importance of mentorship and Y Combinator experience.</p><strong>12:30</strong> The concept behind Cravd , an online marketplace for home chefs.</p><strong>14:30</strong> Crave’s initial model and its evolution based on customer feedback.</p><strong>17:30</strong> The unique selling point of Cravd  in providing healthy, home-cooked meals.</p><strong>20:30</strong> The importance of GMV (Gross Merchandise Value) as a key metric for Cravd .</p><strong>22:30</strong> Crave’s ideal customer profile: busy, working families with disposable income.</p><strong>25:30</strong> Ajit discusses the challenges faced by home chefs in the marketplace.</p><strong>27:30</strong> The importance of building a moat around Cravd ’s business to ensure defensibility.</p><strong>29:30</strong> How Cravd ’s low take rate (10%) differentiates it from other predatory platforms.</p><strong>33:30</strong> The importance of launching products quickly and iterating based on user feedback.</p><strong>34:30</strong> Ajit’s advice for founders: Focus on culture from the beginning to drive success.</p><strong>Ajith’s Links </strong></p>LDN– <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajith-govind" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajith-govind</a></p>Website – https://cravd.com</p><strong>My Links </strong></p>Podcast: <a href="https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes" target="_blank">https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes</a></p>YouTube: <a href="https://lifeselfmastery.com/y" target="_blank"> youtube.com/lifeselfmastery</a></p>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/rohitmal" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/rohitmal</a></p>5-day email course: <a href="http://www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com/" target="_blank">www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com</a></p>Newsletter: </p> <br /><br />This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://partnergrow.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">partnergrow.substack.com</a>

00:42:44

Energy Transformation Insights with Victor Pascucci from Energy Capital Ventures

I am thrilled to have <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorpascucci" target="_blank">Victor Pascucci III, </a>the co-founder and Managing General Partner of <a href="https://www.energycapitalventures.com/" target="_blank">Energy Capital Ventures</a>.  The only early-stage venture capital fund dedicated to the resilience, sustainability and digital transformation of the natural gas industry. Vic has over 20 years of experience in venture capital and financial services encompassing over $750 million in VC and M&A transactions.</p>In this episode, Victor Pascucci III, co-founder and Managing General Partner of Energy Capital Ventures shares his unique journey from trial attorney to venture capitalist, offering insights into the natural gas industry’s digital transformation and sustainability efforts. He discusses emerging trends in green molecules, hydrogen technology, and renewable natural gas. Victor also offers advice for aspiring VCs, highlighting the importance of perseverance, non-dilutive funding, building strong teams, and much more!</p>Subscribe on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3G514tA5EuZ8Py9ofTXj8T" target="_blank">Spotify</a></p>Subscribe on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6ZqWuH5CZ5p7GUD6ugBzBw?sub_confirmation=1" target="_blank">YouTube</a></p>Subscribe on<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/in/podcast/lifeselfmasterys-podcast/id1277584354" target="_blank"> iTunes</a></p><strong>Learn</strong></p>* How do you evaluate the potential of a startup when considering an investment?</p>* What advice would you give to aspiring venture capitalists looking to enter the industry today?</p>* How does Victor approach market sizing?</p>* What is your favourite business book? –The advantage</p>* What is your favourite online tool? –Slack</p>* If you could go back to when you started working on Energy Capital Ventures, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Use a broader approach</p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p><strong>04:25</strong>: Victor’s journey into venture capital through corporate partnerships and investments.</p><strong>06:15</strong>: Victor’s advice for those wanting to enter venture capital without traditional paths.</p><strong>07:35</strong>: Discussion about the recent boom in new seed VC firms and their challenges.</p><strong>09:00</strong>: Victor shares insights into the difficulty of starting a VC fund and the path to success.</p><strong>13:30</strong>: Why natural gas and its role in future energy needs remain critical.</p><strong>14:20</strong>: Game-changing emerging trends in the energy and natural gas sector.</p><strong>15:10</strong>: The future of hydrogen and its potential in the aviation industry.</p><strong>16:40</strong>: Evaluating startups based on team, technology, market, and competitive advantage.</p><strong>21:30</strong>: The potential for Europe to become a leader in deep tech and climate tech innovations.</p><strong>22:40</strong>: The biggest missed opportunities in VC and lessons learned from early mistakes.</p><strong>25:10</strong>: Approaching market sizing and the importance of creating new markets in green molecules.</p><strong>26:30</strong>: When to sell or hold a position in venture capital.</p><strong>28:00</strong>: The role of VC in helping founders and where they can add value.</p><strong>31:20</strong>: Advice for operators transitioning from big companies like Google and Amazon to startups</p><strong>33:40</strong>: Discussion on the mental model shift required for operators moving from big companies to startups.</p><strong>Victor’s Links </strong></p>LDN– <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorpascucci" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorpascucci</a></p>Website – https://www.energycapitalventures.com/</p><strong>My Links </strong></p>Podcast: <a href="https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes" target="_blank">https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes</a></p>YouTube: <a href="https://lifeselfmastery.com/y" target="_blank"> youtube.com/lifeselfmastery</a></p>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/rohitmal" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/rohitmal</a></p>5-day email course: <a href="http://www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com/" target="_blank">www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com</a></p>Newsletter: </p> <br /><br />This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://partnergrow.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">partnergrow.substack.com</a>

00:41:58

Julio Avalos from Shades News on the Future of Media

I am excited to have <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julio-avalos-who/" target="_blank">Julio Avalos</a>, the founder of <a href="https://www.shadesnews.com/" target="_blank">Shades News</a> which brings you daily bites of news and culture, presented from multiple points of view so that you can see the whole picture quickly. The mission is to unlock the potential of the internet to help people stay informed in a fun and positive way.</p>In this episode, Julio Avalos, founder of Shades News and former Chief Strategy Officer at GitHub Julio shares his journey from law to tech startups, his early experience with Facebook, and his pivotal role in GitHub’s open-source and remote-first culture. He discusses the motivation behind founding Shades News, a platform aimed at providing multiple perspectives on news and culture for Gen Z. Julio also talks about the impact of generative AI in content curation, the rise of one-person media companies, and the future of legacy media, and much more!</p>Subscribe on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3G514tA5EuZ8Py9ofTXj8T" target="_blank">Spotify</a></p>Subscribe on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6ZqWuH5CZ5p7GUD6ugBzBw?sub_confirmation=1" target="_blank">YouTube</a></p>Subscribe on<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/in/podcast/lifeselfmasterys-podcast/id1277584354" target="_blank"> iTunes</a></p> <strong>Learn</strong></p>* How does Shade News aim to address the issue of biased reporting and fake news?</p>* How does Julio see the future of news consumption evolving</p>* What does Julio believe are the biggest mistakes early-stage founders make when telling stories?</p>* What is your favourite business book? – Zero to one</p>* What is your favourite online tool? –Figma slides</p>* If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – less focus on paid ads</p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p>04:15 - Impact of Early Startups</p>06:00 - Humanizing Big Tech</p>08:10 - Working with Mark Zuckerberg</p>10:00 - The Reality of Startup Founders</p>12:30 - Transition to GitHub</p>15:45 - Open Source and Remote Culture at GitHub</p>18:15 - Lessons from Remote Work</p>21:00 - Founding Shades News</p>24:00 - Challenges in Journalism</p>28:10 - Gen Z and Information Consumption</p>30:30 - Bias in News Media</p>33:00 - The Role of Generative AI in Curating Content</p>36:15 - The Rise of One-Person Media Companies</p>39:00 - Consolidation in Media</p>41:30 - Shades News Revenue Model</p>43:45 - Insights on Gen Z Search Habits</p>47:00 - AI's Impact on Content Creation</p>50:15 - Fundraising Challenges for Startups</p>52:45 - Balancing Optimism and Realism</p>55:30 - Future of AI in Product Development</p><strong>Julio’s Links </strong></p>LDN– <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julio-avalos-who/" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/julio-avalos-who/</a></p>Website – https://www.shadesnews.com/</p><strong>My Links </strong></p> Podcast: <a href="https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes" target="_blank">https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes</a></p> YouTube: <a href="https://lifeselfmastery.com/y" target="_blank"> youtube.com/lifeselfmastery</a></p> Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/rohitmal" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/rohitmal</a></p> 5-day email course: <a href="http://www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com/" target="_blank">www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com</a></p> Newsletter: </p> <br /><br />This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://partnergrow.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">partnergrow.substack.com</a>

01:01:38

Building 10x Better Products and Scaling Growth with Asya Kuznetsova

I am thrilled to have <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/asya-kuznetsova/" target="_blank">Asya Kuznetsova</a>, a product and growth expert who has led the product growth unit at <a href="https://wise.com/" target="_blank">Wise</a>, a global FinTech company that processes more than £8B worth of international transactions for over 16M people and businesses.</p>In this episode, Asya Kuznetsova, a product and growth expert with experience at Wise and Yandex discusses building products that are ten times better than competitors, optimizing growth through referrals, and the differences between B2C and B2B scaling. She also highlights data-driven decision-making long-term growth strategies, and much more!</p>Subscribe on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3G514tA5EuZ8Py9ofTXj8T" target="_blank">Spotify</a></p>Subscribe on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6ZqWuH5CZ5p7GUD6ugBzBw?sub_confirmation=1" target="_blank">YouTube</a></p>Subscribe on<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/in/podcast/lifeselfmasterys-podcast/id1277584354" target="_blank"> iTunes</a></p><strong>Learn</strong></p>* What are the most effective metrics to measure the success of organic growth initiatives?</p>* How to structure and optimize referral programs to maximize their impact on user acquisition?</p>* What are the biggest mistakes founders make when scaling into an enterprise?</p>* What is your favourite business book? – Cold start problem</p>* What is your favourite online tool? –Figma</p>* If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Build 10x better product</p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p>06:30 - Yandex Lessons</p>08:45 - 10x Approach</p>11:30 - Fail Fast, Learn Fast</p>13:45 - B2C vs B2B</p>15:00 - Customer-Centric Approach</p>17:10 - Metrics for Growth</p>19:00 - Word of Mouth Growth</p>22:30 - Referral Programs</p>25:10 - Customer Delight</p>27:00 - Product-Led Growth</p>30:00 - Localization</p>33:00 - Managing Scale and Quality</p>35:10 - Data-Driven Growth</p>39:45 - Enterprise Scaling</p>42:30 - Building for Enterprises</p><strong>Asya’s Links </strong></p>LDN– <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/asya-kuznetsova/" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/asya-kuznetsova/</a></p>Website – <a href="http://wise.com" target="_blank">wise.com</a></p><strong>My Links </strong></p>Podcast: <a href="https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes" target="_blank">https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes</a></p> YouTube: <a href="https://lifeselfmastery.com/y" target="_blank"> youtube.com/lifeselfmastery</a></p> Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/rohitmal" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/rohitmal</a></p> 5-day email course: <a href="http://www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com/" target="_blank">www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com</a></p> Newsletter: </p> <br /><br />This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://partnergrow.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">partnergrow.substack.com</a>

00:43:22