Startup Success: A Podcast for Founders & Investors

Ahmed Rashad started his career on an oil rig, taught himself to code, and went on to build and sell a company. After stops at Oracle, MIT, McKinsey, Amazon, and Scale AI, he founded Perle to solve a problem he kept running into: the AI data gap.Perle builds specialized training data for AI models in fields like medicine and linguistics — the niche areas where general AI struggles.Despite the anxiety around AI, Ahmed believes the upside far outweighs today’s disruption. Faster development doesn't shrink markets; it expands what's possible. In his view, AI isn't replacing human potential. It's amplifying it.Tune in to hear:Why the right VC partner matters more than the biggest checkThe 4 things founders should never delegateHow to keep investors engaged and informedWhat Arabic’s 22+ dialects reveal about the depth of the AI data gapWith experience at some of the world’s leading companies and now as the founder of an exciting AI startup, Ahmed has valuable insights on today’s startup ecosystem.Don’t miss this episode for practical, hard-earned advice from a founder who has been in the thick of it since day one.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! Learn more about Perle: https://www.perle.ai/This episode is produced by:Brenda Hernández Jaimes: Podcast Producer & Talent Coordinator, Ellas MediaAngela R. Chong: Audio Editor & Post-Production Producer, Amplify Podcasts

(00:00:00) How to Build High-Performing Teams at Every Stage of Your Startup (00:00:17) Introduction (00:01:00) Lidiya’s Background (00:01:44) Focus of Build It Labs (00:02:54) Three Components of Operations (00:04:12) The Importance of Getting “People” Right (00:05:10) Hiring Across Startup Stages (00:08:00) Early-Stage Hiring Challenges (00:10:13) Hiring Pitfalls and Structured Interviewing (00:14:42) Combining Data and Intuition (00:16:05) Defining Success Up Front (00:19:18) Tactical Interview Tips (00:22:29) The Roundtable Decision Process (00:25:55) Final Words of Wisdom for Founders In this episode of Startup Success, we sit down with Lidiya Becker, a seasoned operator and founder of Build It Labs, who’s helped countless startups navigate the challenges of rapid growth. She’s been in the trenches and knows what it really takes to build operational processes and teams that can scale effectively.Our conversation focuses on teams, and Lidiya walks through her Purpose, People, and Process framework—a simple but powerful way for startups to grow sustainably and build high-performing teams. She also shares must-hear advice on avoiding the hiring mistakes so many founders make, like failing to define the ideal candidate before interviews begin or skipping a rigorous interview process.We discuss:Who to hire at each growth stage of your startupHow to approach interviews as an investigation, not a vibe checkLidiya’s “Hell Yes” rule for hiringIf you’re a founder gearing up to scale or preparing for your next mission-critical hire, you won’t want to miss this conversation.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! 🔗 Learn more about Build It Labs: builditlabs.comChapters:00:17 – Introduction01:00 – Lidiya’s Background01:44 – Focus of Build It Labs02:54 – Three Components of Operations04:12 – The Importance of Getting “People” Right05:10 – Hiring Across Startup Stages08:00 – Early-Stage Hiring Challenges10:13 – Hiring Pitfalls and Structured Interviewing14:42 – Combining Data and Intuition16:05 – Defining Success Up Front19:18 – Tactical Interview Tips22:29 – The Roundtable Decision Process25:55 – Conclusion & How to Connect

On this episode of Startup Success, Kate sits down with Itamar Novick, Founder and General Partner of Recursive Ventures, who has been named one of Business Insider’s Top 100 Global Seed Investors for five years running. Unlike many VCs, Itamar brings a unique operator’s perspective, having helped scale Life360 from pre-seed to IPO and been part of multiple major exits. He reflects on what he’s learned from 25 years in the startup ecosystem, from the failures of his first company to his early bet on AI way back in 2012. And while Recursive Ventures is “all in” on AI, Itamar candidly shares his concerns about its potential risks to society.We discuss:What he looks for when investing in a startupHis use of “anti-patterns” to teach founders how to avoid failureWhat it takes to build an AI company that will survive the long haulItamar’s top advice for founders: jump on the wave first, embrace disruption, pivot quickly, and keep adapting. Founders who last aren’t the ones who play it safe. ----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! Learn more about Recursive Ventures here, Itamar’s Blog here, and Itamar’s LinkedIn here.

With Q3 behind us, the headlines continue to be pessimistic—but Steve Lord, Burkland's COO and Head of Knowledge Share, says the story is more complicated and less alarming.Steve joins us at the close of each quarter for an update on the startup ecosystem. This quarterly episode is another must-listen, providing a much-needed reality check, insights into the current state of the economy, and guidance on what founders need to know about the venture capital landscape as we approach the end of 2025.We cover:The real story behind the Fed’s recent rate cut—and what’s nextWhy the U.S. economy is stronger than headlines suggestThe lagging impact of interest rates and tariffsWhat founders should NOT do in this fundraising environmentSmart bets for raising capital right nowHow to adapt your pitch deck to today’s market realitiesDon’t buy into the hype that venture is broken. Steve reminds us that this industry is inherently cyclical. What feels like a slowdown today is part of a larger pattern. Founders who recognize macro trends, prepare early for their next raise, and aren’t afraid to communicate with their investors will be best positioned for the upswing ahead.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!Learn more about Burkland at burklandassociates.com.

Materials development touches all startups—driving technological progress and innovation across every industry. In this episode of Startup Success, host Kate Adams sits down with Joseph Krause, Co-Founder & CEO of Radical AI, a groundbreaking startup that's accelerating the discovery of new materials by using AI to transform the traditionally slow and costly R&D process.Fresh off a $55M seed raise, Joseph shares his inspiring startup journey and reveals the secret to building a fast-moving, mission-driven team. Joseph’s top advice for founders: build a ridiculous bias to action into everything you do!Tune in to hear:Radical AI’s plan to remove barriers to innovationHow they deliberately designed a culture that drives them forwardThe payoff of their relentless focus on iterationThis episode is a fascinating listen for any founder as Joseph lays out Radical AI's approach to building a truly revolutionary startup. Plus, if you’re curious about how AI could dramatically change materials development, this interview won't disappoint!----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!

In this episode of Startup Success, we sit down with Ian Bateman, co-founder and CEO of Highscore, a startup on a mission to bring more games to more people—especially long-neglected Mac users—by enabling PC games to work on any device.Ian shares his startup journey—from building a tech startup in college that led to a successful acquisition, to turning his lifelong frustration as a Mac gamer into the inspiration for his current startup, Highscore. With a lean five-person team, a thriving Discord community of users, and a deeply personal connection to the problem they’re solving, Ian offers an honest and energizing look into early-stage startup life.We explore:Highscore’s early pivot that resulted in a win for users and investors The inner workings of their Alpha launch powered by an active user feedback loopHow complementary co-founders can supercharge a startupIan’s take on the gaming industryWhether you're a founder, a gamer, or just love a good startup story, this episode will leave you inspired by what’s possible when passion meets product-market fit.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! 🔗 Learn more at highscore.com or join the conversation on Discord: discord.gg/highscore📱 Follow High Score on Twitter/X: @highscore

With Q2 in the rearview mirror, we welcome back one of our most popular guests, Steve Lord, COO & Head of Service Delivery at Burkland. Steve joins us for a macro view of the startup and VC ecosystem—and the message is clear: uncertainty still reigns.From geopolitical instability to unpredictable trade policies and inflation, Steve breaks down what founders and investors need to know right now and provides expert tips on how to raise and extend capital in today’s market. We discuss:Why the Fed has not cut interest rates yet and when that will changeHow global uncertainty is chilling startup investmentSmart ways to fundraise (hint: SAFE notes)The episode also includes actionable advice for founders on how to defend your valuation and present a “buttoned-up investment opportunity” that makes it easier for VCs to say yes!----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn.🔗 Plus, don’t miss Steve’s blog posts and tools for extending cash runway and strategic planning at burklandassociates.com.