Forward Thinking Founders

In this episode of Forward Thinking Founders, Mat Sherman chats with Mahdi Nouri, co-founder and CEO of CatDoes, a no-code AI mobile app builder empowering anyone to create apps without writing code. Mahdi shares the story behind CatDoes, the product decisions that shaped its growth, and how he’s navigating the fast-changing AI landscape. They discuss what it takes to build a startup from Germany, how it compares to Silicon Valley, and why accessibility and user experience are central to CatDoes’ mission. Mahdi also offers a glimpse into the future of AI-powered app creation and how CatDoes is making software building radically easier for everyone.

In this episode of Forward Thinking Founders, Mat Sherman interviews Adam Cohen Hillel, co-founder of Dafdef, the company behind AI Key—a groundbreaking device that plugs into your phone and allows AI to directly control it. Adam discusses the development journey of AI Key, the importance of privacy and security, and the potential future applications of their technology. The conversation highlights the intersection of personal AI and user experience, emphasizing the need for a consumer-friendly approach in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

00:00 Introduction to DafDef and AI Key

04:44The Technology Behind AI Key

10:06 Development Journey and Background

16:52 Use Cases and Future Applications

26:28 Vision for the Future of Personal AI

In this episode of Forward Thinking Founders, Mat Sherman talks with Nikhil Yadala, cofounder and CEO of Helome, a company building AI copilots to help people slow their aging. Nikhil shares how Helome uses advanced “aging clocks”, AI models trained on blood biomarkers, to measure biological age and guide people toward healthier, longer lives.

We explore his decade-long journey from mathematician to longevity founder, why he believes measuring aging is harder than curing it, and how he built an open-source AI assistant called Longevity GPT to make personalized health insights accessible to anyone, anywhere.

Nikhil also opens up about moving from India to San Francisco, what the Bay Area’s startup culture taught him, and his candid take on Brian Johnson’s Blueprint experiment.

Topics covered:

• What biological age really means
• The science behind AI-powered aging clocks
• How Helome helps people test and track longevity markers
• Lessons from building in the longevity space
• Why SF accelerates founders faster than anywhere else

Learn more about Helome at helome.one and try Longevity GPT at asklongevitygpt.com.

In this episode, we dive into one of the most pressing conversations in technology today: the balance between innovation and security in artificial intelligence. The discussion with Will Preble of Covenant Labs unpacks why maintaining control over AI models is critical, the looming risks tied to data security, and the potential fallout of compromised systems. From the threat of economic instability to the need for transparency and collaboration, this episode explores the stakes of AI’s rapid rise.

Key Takeaways:

• Control over AI models is essential for long-term stability.
• Data security remains one of the biggest vulnerabilities in AI.
• Hacking risks could have devastating economic consequences.
• OpenAI and similar technologies must be protected with robust safeguards.
• Compromised AI has the power to destabilize global markets.
• Society must better understand AI’s influence on our lives and economies.
• A delicate balance is needed between advancing innovation and ensuring security.
• Collaboration and transparency are crucial to building trust.
• Proactive strategies are necessary to reduce risks before they spiral.

In this episode of Forward Thinking Founders, Mat Sherman interviews Cathleen Turner, founder of Autaly, a software company focused on improving logistics businesses by automating invoicing and cash flow management. Cathleen shares her unique journey into the logistics industry, the challenges faced by third-party logistics providers, and how Autaly addresses these issues. The conversation also touches on the importance of networking on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), the balance between work and personal life, and valuable lessons learned as a founder.

In this episode of Forward Thinking Founders, host Mat Sherman interviews Jonathan Liu, founder of Cupidly. They discuss Jonathan's journey from a young coder to a startup founder, his experiences with venture capital and bootstrapping, and the innovative AI dating assistant he created. Jonathan shares insights on building a personal brand on X (Twitter), strategies for going viral, and his vision for the future of dating technology.

00:00: Introduction to Jonathan Liu and Cupidly

02:09: The Journey of a Tech Founder

04:39: From Coding to Startups

09:08: The Evolution of Jonathan's Projects

10:28: The Shift from VC to Bootstrapping

11:37: Building a Personal Brand on X

13:23: The Viral Phenomenon of Eunice

16:23: Tips for Going Viral

18:38: Future Aspirations and the Dating Tech Landscape

In this conversation, Mat Sherman interviews Danny, the founder and CEO of Nav Robotics, about the innovative solutions his company is developing in the realm of autonomous transportation. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in creating self-driving e-bikes and golf carts, the vision for urban mobility, and the implications of moving operations to Arizona. Danny shares insights into the technology behind autonomous vehicles, the importance of compute power, and the future of learning in the tech space. In this conversation, Danny discusses the development of autonomous golf carts and the future of self-driving technology. He shares insights on the challenges of creating a viable product, the importance of safety and reliability, and the strategies for entering the market. The discussion also touches on the implications of autonomous vehicles on insurance and driving regulations, as well as the user experience in booking rides. Danny emphasizes the need for a regulatory-first approach and the potential for innovation in transportation.

In this conversation, Mat Sherman interviews Harvey Pratt, the founder and CEO of Simcluster, an AI video game that combines social networking with innovative gameplay mechanics. Harvey discusses the unique aspects of Simcluster, including its fragment system that allows users to create content without typing, and the challenges he faced in the gaming industry, particularly in fundraising. He shares insights on the evolution of AI content, the importance of user engagement, and his vision for the future of gaming, where SimCluster could redefine how games and social networks interact.

In this conversation, Mat Sherman interviews Audrey Chen, co-founder of Nosu, about her journey from gaining a following on social media to launching a startup focused on streamlining hackathon ops. Audrey shares her experiences of going viral on Twitter, raising capital in Silicon Valley, and the features of Nosu that cater to both hackathon organizers and participants. The discussion highlights the importance of networking, the impact of environment on startup success, and the future plans for Nosu.

In this episode, Mat Sherman sits down with Andrew Rea, co-founder and CEO of Taxwire, to explore the transformative journey of entrepreneurship during the pandemic. Starting with the pivotal role of reinvention in challenging times, the conversation shifts to the intricacies of sales tax compliance and how Taxwire simplifies this daunting task for businesses. Andrew shares his entry into the tech world, shedding light on the hurdles of building a startup outside traditional tech hubs. As he narrates his transition from an employee to a founder, listeners gain insight into the birth of Taxwire and the complex ‘idea maze’ entrepreneurs often navigate.

The episode delves into the fundraising journey, where Andrew underscores the importance of social capital and networking in attracting investors and growing a venture. He offers a candid reflection on the unpredictable nature of early-stage startups, highlighting the value of cultivating meaningful relationships within the venture capital ecosystem. In closing, Andrew provides valuable resources and final thoughts, leaving listeners with actionable insights into building a resilient startup in today’s ever-evolving landscape.