Y Combinator Startup Podcast

Tim Urban cofounded the blog Wait But Why with Andrew Finn in 2013.His posts about Artificial Intelligence, Elon Musk, and the Fermi Paradox have been read millions of times.We discussed Tim's research strategy, the purpose of Wait But Why, and his thoughts on technologies including cryptocurrencies, A.I., and AR/VR.

Anu Hariharan, a Y Combinator partner known for her expertise in growth and user acquisition, teams up with Gustaf Alström, a former founder with a rich background in growth product roles at Airbnb. They discuss pivotal moments for building a growth team and the importance of tracking retention benchmarks across different verticals. The duo emphasizes hiring traits like curiosity and data savviness over pedigree, while also addressing the pros and cons of paid marketing. Insights into international growth strategies and product-channel fit round out their engaging conversation.

Des Traynor, Cofounder of Intercom, shares insights on product strategy, growth strategies, marketing in startups, challenges of hiring and scaling, brand recognition, specialization in startups, and reflections on public speaking opportunities.

Ali Kriegsman and Alana Branston are the founders of Bulletin.Bulletin is a platform that allows brands to share the cost of a physical store.They currently have two locations, one in SoHo and one in Williamsburg and there are more to come.Ali and Alana went through YC Fellowship and then the winter 2017 batch.The YC podcast is hosted by Craig Cannon.

Kevin Slavin is the Chief Science and Technology Officer of The Shed, which is an art center in New York that’s opening in 2019.Before The Shed, Kevin founded the Playful Systems group at MIT's Media Lab.He also gave a TED talk in 2011 called How Algorithms Shape Our World.The YC podcast is hosted by Craig Cannon.

Anu Hariharan and Gustaf Alstromer are Partners at YC.This episode is a follow-up to Anu's Growth Guide.The YC podcast is hosted by Craig Cannon.

Robin Sloan is a writer and media inventor based in Oakland.He just released his second novel, Sourdough.Kat Manalac is a Partner at YC.The YC podcast is hosted by Craig Cannon.

Yanqi Zhang is a cofounder and COO of Ofo.Anu Hariharan is a Partner at YC.

Qi Lu, the COO of Baidu and former executive at Microsoft, shares his insights on AI strategy and tech culture. He discusses the stark differences in management practices between East and West, emphasizing how cultural nuances shape innovation. Qi highlights China’s advantageous data environment for AI development and contrasts it with Silicon Valley's ecosystem. He also provides valuable advice for first-time engineering managers, stressing the importance of continuous learning and team empowerment.

David Wallerstein is Tencent's Chief eXploration Officer.Anu Hariharan is a Partner at YC.