This week on Build Mode, we’re diving back into the archives for a special best-of episode all about effective partnerships, from cofounder relationships and team trust to investor dynamics and leadership communication.

Host Isabelle Johannesen and producer Maggie Nye revisit some of the most insightful conversations from past seasons to explore what makes startup partnerships actually work. Guests share candid stories about finding cofounders online, navigating founder breakups, building trust inside fast-growing teams, balancing marriage and business, choosing the right investors, and learning when compatibility matters more than credentials.

In this episode, you’ll hear from:

Jasper Carmichael-Jack, cofounder & CEO of Artisan

Ian Schmidt, partner & consultant at Trimergence

Hala Jawani and Alessio Trestani, cofounders of Rivio

Leah Solivan, founder of TaskRabbit

Ross Fubini, managing partner at XYZ Venture Capital and Leslie Feinzaig, founder & CEO of Graham & Walker

Sarah Lucena, founder & CEO of Mappa

Whether you’re searching for the right cofounder, managing conflict on your team, scaling as a solo founder, or building relationships with investors, this episode is packed with practical advice and honest founder lessons from people who’ve lived it.

Chapters:

00:00  Intro: 

01:00 Jasper Carmichael-Jack (Artisan): Meeting a cofounder online and navigating a founder breakup

04:20 Ian Schmidt (Trimergence): Frameworks for conflict resolution, communication, and team trust

08:15  Hala Jawani & Alessio Cristante (Riveo): Building a startup as married cofounders

10:20 Leah Solivan (TaskRabbit): Transitioning leadership and building executive trust

12:30 Ross Fubini (XYZ Ventures) & Leslie Feinzaig (Graham & Walker): Choosing the right investors and building your cap table

16:05 Sarah Lucena (Mapa): Compatibility, investor alignment, and finding the right people

 Subscribe to Build Mode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen. And watch the full videos on YouTube. New episodes of Build Mode drop every Thursday. Hosted by Isabelle Johannessen. Produced and edited by Maggie Nye. Audience development led by Morgan Little. Special thanks to the Foundry and Cheddar video teams. 

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