Notion Podcast

For a video, transcripts, and a custom Notion x Harvey template, please visit: ⁠https://ntn.so/bgpz1oTo learn more about how Notion is supporting startups, please visit: https://ntn.so/td602rWelcome to First Block, a Notion series where founders from the world’s leading companies tell us what it was like to navigate the many firsts of their startup journey—and what they learned from that experience.In this episode, we spoke with Gabe Pereyra, Co-founder and President of Harvey. Harvey is an AI platform built for large law firms and their clients, helping thousands of lawyers collaborate on complex matters with the power of generative AI. From a seed check from OpenAI to a valuation that has grown to $8 billion, Harvey's trajectory is one of the defining applied AI stories of the last few years.Chapters00:00 — Intro01:42 — Origins of Harvey03:41 — Why Legal Made Sense06:02 — Building a General Tool08:50 — Accuracy in Enterprise10:03 — Infrastructure Over Models12:49 — Founder Lessons in AI16:04 — Scaling the Company17:50 — Building with Models21:48 — The Tool Stack23:01 — Advice Block

For a video, transcripts, and a custom Notion x Clara template, please visit: https://ntn.so/nz57mo To learn more about how Notion is supporting startups, please visit: https://ntn.so/otm3he Welcome to First Block, a Notion series where founders from the world’s leading companies tell us what it was like to navigate the many firsts of their startup journey—and what they learned from that experience.In this episode, recorded live at Mexico Tech Week, we spoke with Gerry Giacomán Colyer, Co-founder and CEO of Clara. In just a few years, Clara has become one of the fastest-growing companies in the Americas, reaching over 20,000 customers across three countries and raising $80 million along the way. Gerry shares the founding insight that came from watching a previous company struggle without proper financial tools, the near-end experience of their bank partner shutting down months after launch, and how they’re now deploying AI agents to transform finance operations across Latin America.Chapters00:00 Intro01:42 The Starting Point05:11 Early Milestones08:47 Scaling Decisions12:30 Staying Lean15:56 Roadmap Across Markets19:52 The Tool Stack20:59 Advice Block

In this insightful discussion, Garrett Lord, co-founder and CEO of Handshake, shares his journey from humble beginnings in Michigan to leading a career platform connecting 17 million users with employers. He reflects on overcoming challenges like living out of his car and emphasizes the importance of talent density for startups. Garrett also unveils the origins of Handshake AI, explaining its role in enhancing employability and preparing young professionals for the future. He encourages founders to embrace ambitious AI opportunities and prioritize a strong company culture.

Jesse Zhang, Co-founder and CEO of Decagon, shares insights on transforming customer service with AI agents. He discusses critical lessons from his previous startup experience, emphasizing the importance of intentional customer conversations. Jesse elaborates on Agent Operating Procedures for transparent and maintainable AI systems. He reveals how Decagon quickly built enterprise trust and achieved impressive customer impact metrics. Plus, he offers valuable advice for founders to trust their instincts and hire strategically for growth.

In this insightful discussion, Ant Wilson, Co-Founder and CTO of Supabase, shares his journey from struggling entrepreneur to leading a booming open-source platform. He dives into the importance of building a community-driven roadmap and how solving personal problems inspired Supabase's creation. Ant emphasizes the entrepreneurial power of authentic relationships, highlights the role of memes in developer marketing, and reveals how a fully remote culture fosters productivity and communication. His candid advice on prioritizing customer needs and embracing feedback is invaluable for aspiring founders.

Fabian Hedin, co-founder and CTO of Lovable, shares his journey from running Minecraft servers to launching a platform that enables app and website creation through AI. He discusses their astounding growth from $1M to $100M ARR in just eight months. Fabian elaborates on the importance of timing in AI product launches, maintaining a hands-on approach as a CTO, and leveraging AI to streamline development processes. He also argues that it's a perfect time for startups to thrive in the AI space by focusing on current capabilities.

Brendan Foody, Co-founder and CEO of Mercor, transformed an AI-powered recruiting platform from $1 million to $100 million in just 11 months. He discusses his unusual start selling donuts and how that sparked his entrepreneurial drive. Brendan dives into the challenges of scaling teams and the innovative ways to modernize hiring. He also shares insights on navigating the wild emotional journey of startups and the critical need for a long-term vision while leveraging AI for efficiency and growth.

Varun Anand, co-founder of Clay, discusses his journey in the world of go-to-market strategies and AI integration. He emphasizes the significance of finding product-market fit through creativity rather than just hard work. Anand shares insights on transitioning from a sales-led to a self-serve model, focusing on customer feedback and innovation. He highlights the role of diverse hiring practices and stresses the importance of maintaining authenticity in entrepreneurship amid the rise of AI. Tune in for valuable tips for startup growth!

Michael Truell, Co-founder and CEO of Cursor, shares his journey in creating an AI code editor that’s become a lightning-fast success. He delves into the decision to pursue a solution before identifying a problem and breaks down the unconventional path his team took, focusing on product over process. Truell discusses the explosive growth of Cursor, the challenges of early hiring, and the philosophy of maintaining focus in a rapidly evolving landscape. He concludes with valuable advice for aspiring founders in the AI era.

Ivan Zhao and Simon Last, co-founders of Notion, share their intriguing journey of building a productivity tool from scratch. They discuss the delicate balance between product readiness and marketing strategies during the early days. The duo highlights the nurturing of a passionate company culture and the importance of user feedback. They also dive into the transformative impact of AI on tech, emphasizing curiosity and adaptability. Expect personal anecdotes that uncover entrepreneurial challenges and their vision for the future.