Startups Decoded
Startups Decoded is a podcast that provides real-world insights into startup strategy and growth, featuring expert-led content, insider stories, and actionable takeaways for founders and investors.
We bridge the gap between theory and practice, offering practical lessons to help entrepreneurs thrive in today’s fast-paced ecosystem. More than just a podcast, it's a resource for innovators who dive deep into the strategies behind building and scaling successful startups.
Episodes
28 episodes
Ep#28: How Great Founders Build Trust: The Startup Advantage You Can’t Fake - David Homan
Most startup advice focuses on product, pitch, and traction. But there’s one skill that fuels them all: trusted relationships.In this episode of Startups Decoded, Andy Walsh sits down with David R. Homan, master connector, strat...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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47:25
Ep#27: The Secret to Raising Capital? Tell Your Story, Don’t Sell - Dr. Ankur Pathak.
Discover how effective storytelling captivates investors and builds a compelling personal brand. Join us as we unpack the strategies founders and leaders use to craft narratives that drive investment and inspire action. Wheth...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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45:58
Ep#26: Why Your Startup’s Culture Sucks (and How to Fix It) - Michael Landers
In this episode of Startups Decoded, Michael Landers shares why culture isn’t just an HR function; it’s a startup’s competitive edge. We’ll explore how founders can intentionally shape company culture f...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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58:07
Ep#25: Scale or Shatter? Why Founders Break - Leila Lahbabi
Many founders are chasing scale, but at what cost? In this episode, Leila Lahbabi shares how purpose-driven leaders can grow thriving companies without burning out or losing themselves in the process. We explore the real tens...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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53:14
Ep#24: Why Venture Studios Are the Future of Startups - Matthew Burris
Matthew Burris joins Startups Decoded to unpack how venture studios are evolving from a misunderstood startup model into a formal, fundable asset class.We explore what’s missing from today’s narrative, the standards being built ...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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49:12
Ep#23: From The NFL To The Ultimate Pivot with Kevin Jurovich
In this episode of Startups Decoded, Kevin Jurovich (Founder & CEO of Hubble) joins me to unpack the raw, early-stage lessons no one talks about enough: compromise, confusion, burnout, and the clarity that comes after blowing it all ...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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46:54
Ep#22: Founders, Build Your Startup in Public with Cory Blumenfeld
In this episode, we explore why the best founders don’t wait for perfect plans—they launch, learn, and build in public. From early growth hacks to fast feedback loops and sales that start before the product’s finished, we unpack wha...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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45:10
Ep#21: How To Secure An Angel Investor with Tony Kula
Angel investors are no longer just writing checks – they’re becoming strategic advisors, board members, and even fractional executives. But how do founders attract the right angel investors who bring more than money to the table?
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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35:49
Ep#20: Founder-Investor Fit with Chris Tottman - Notion Capital
Chris Tottman, Founding General Partner at Notion Capital, shares how collaboration between radically different thinkers — founders, investors, and operators — creates force-multiplying outcomes. This episode explores why the best s...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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47:45
Ep#19: The AI Playbook: How Founders Must Adapt - Mark S. McNally
Venture Studios are evolving, and Nobody Studios is at the forefront of building AI-native startups. In this episode, we explore how AI is redefining startup-building strategies, workflows, and execution. Mark S. McNally shares insi...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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46:30
Ep#18: Building the VC Firm Founders Choose First with Jason Shuman
The best VCs aren’t just writing checks, they’re building products. In this episode, I sit down with Jason Shuman, General Partner at Primary Ventures, to explore how modern venture firms are evolving,...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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44:44
Ep#17: The Art of Networking for Founders with Madelaine Czufin
Bringing people together is an art, and a strategy. In this episode, I sit down with Madelaine Czufin, founder of EOLO, to break down what it takes to build events and communities that truly drive impact.
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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59:31
Ep#16: The Founder’s Blueprint: Building Startups in 2025 with Majd Alaily
In this episode, we talk to Majd Alaily, founder of Ruya Advisory, a consultancy that helps startups turn visionary ideas into thriving businesses. With 15+ years of experience in digital innovation, strategy, and product development, Majd shar...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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45:28
Ep#15: Why Founders Follow the Crowd — What VCs Look For Instead with Mike MacCombie
In this episode of Startups Decoded, I’m joined by Mike MacCombie, partner at Generous Ventures, a NYC-based VC fund known for investing in founders who build with behavioral design in mind.We explore how human behavior shapes startup s...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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43:47
Ep#14: Venture Studios vs. Traditional Startups with Ben Yoskovitz
In this episode, I sit down with Ben Yoskovitz, founding partner at Highline Beta, to explore the intersection of product, analytics, and venture studios.We dive into:How data-driven decision-making fuels startup growth<...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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46:22
Ep13: Is Early-Stage VC Broken? The Future with Jeff Becker - Antler
The startup funding game is changing fast, and so is the early-stage VC model. So… is it time for a reset?In this episode of Startups Decoded, I sit down with Jeff Becker — investor, entrepreneur, and partner at...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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49:15
Ep#12: The Green Skills Revolution - Neil Yeoh
Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have. As businesses face growing pressure to align with climate targets, the demand for green skills is skyrocketing. In this episode of Startups Decoded, I sit down w...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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35:48
Ep#11: Launching a Non-Alcoholic Beer with Andy Miller - Heaps Normal
Redefining normal: how brands can challenge culture and win.In this episode, we sit down with Andy Miller, co-founder and CEO of Heaps Normal, to explore how brands can go beyond selling products to reshape cultural norm...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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42:14
Ep#10: What’s Next For Product Design in 2025? With Nick Sgobba
In this episode I sit down with Nick Sgobba to discuss the evolution of product management in the age of AI. We explore how AI tools are transforming product design, development, and validation processes, emphasizing the need for cr...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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48:47
Ep#9: Mastering Go-To-Market Strategy with Carol Malakasis
In this episode, sales and go-to-market expert Carol Malakasis breaks down the essential components of a winning go-to-market strategy. We explore how startups can align sales with the customer journey, prioritize pain points, and repurp...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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36:34
Ep#8: The Power of Brand for Startups with Danish Chan
In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape, brand strategy is more crucial than ever. As consumer expectations shift and competition intensifies, modern brands must redefine their approach to stand out and drive sustainable grow...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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35:06
Ep#7: Legitimizing Venture Studios with Neal Ghosh
Venture Studios are not all built the same, some focus on rapid ideation, others on deep operational support, and their structures can vary dramatically. Yet, the industry still struggles with legitimacy in the eyes of investors and founders al...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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55:40
Ep#6: The Evolving Role of VCs: Why Platform Teams Matter with Joel Connolly
Venture capital isn’t just about writing checks, it’s about creating value. In this episode, we dive into the crucial role of VC platform teams in driving returns. From connecting portfolio companies with key hires and strategic partners to sup...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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54:00
Ep#5: Founders: Are You Investing in Yourself? With Rachel Hamlin.
Scaling a startup is tough, but what if you are the bottleneck? In this episode, Rachel Hamlin shares how founders can break free from burnout, sharpen focus, and lead with clarity. She dives into why success doesn’t always bring fulfi...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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49:32
Ep #4: Demystifying Tech Storytelling: Bridging Complexity to Clarity - Cindy Skalicky
In this episode, we dive into the art of communicating complex science and technology concepts. Cindy Skalicky, an expert in executive communications and storytelling, shares her strategies for transforming intricate ideas into compelling narra...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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48:21
