Founders Gone AI

By Kevin & Steve

A weekly podcast where three seasoned SaaS founders - Steve, Kevin, and Jeff - navigate the exhilarating yet challenging world of building and growing online SaaS products. Each episode dives into the... more

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about Founders Gone AI:

How many episodes does Founders Gone AI have?

The podcast currently has 36 episodes available.

Founders Gone AI episodes:

August 02, 2024Founders Gone AI: Navigating the New Wave
Founders Gone AI - Episode Summary

Summary:

In this episode, the hosts discuss the evolution and impact of AI, particularly in the context of Silicon Valley and academia. They also delve into the challenges and opportunities of launching a new product, with a special focus on Steve's recent launch of Pod Magic.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction and welcome

00:00:35 - Discussion on AI and its origins

00:02:21 - The role of academia in AI development

00:05:00 - Silicon Valley's frontier spirit

00:09:11 - Historical anecdotes about the Gold Rush

00:14:08 - The potential of AI beyond chatbots

00:18:38 - Kevin's reflections on his business approach

00:24:41 - The power of the scientific method

00:30:36 - Steve's launch of Pod Magic

00:42:21 - Final thoughts and wrap-up

Important Discussions:
AI and Academia: The hosts discuss the significant contributions of academic institutions like MIT and Stanford in the development of AI technologies.

Silicon Valley's Role: The conversation highlights Silicon Valley's unique culture of innovation and risk-taking, drawing parallels to historical events like the Gold Rush.

Scientific Method: The importance of a scientific approach in business and technology development is emphasized, showcasing how it has accelerated human progress.

Pod Magic Launch: Steve shares his journey and challenges in launching Pod Magic, a tool designed to simplify podcast production using AI.

Key Takeaways:
AI has deep roots in academia, with significant contributions from institutions like MIT and Stanford.

Silicon Valley's culture of innovation is reminiscent of historical gold rushes, driving rapid technological advancements.

The scientific method has been a powerful tool in accelerating human progress, particularly in the last 500 years.

Launching a product requires a balance between zeal and scientific rigor, as demonstrated by Steve's experience with Pod Magic.

Resources Mentioned:
Pod Magic - Steve's AI-powered podcast production tool.

Scientific Method - Overview of the scientific method and its impact on human progress.

Gold Rush - Historical context and parallels to Silicon Valley's innovation culture.

Roughing It by Mark Twain - Book mentioned during the discussion about the Gold Rush.
...more
49min
July 30, 2024Founders Gone AI: The New Frontier
Founders Gone AI - Episode Summary

Summary:

In this episode, the hosts discuss their experiences and challenges in the world of Bootstrap SaaS, touching on topics like marketing strategies, the importance of feedback, and the potential of AI in business. They also contemplate renaming their podcast to better reflect their focus on AI.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction and welcome

00:00:38 - Catching up and discussing favorite entrepreneur podcasts

00:03:01 - The value of interviews and guest appearances

00:09:41 - Exploring AI tools for podcast scheduling

00:14:11 - Debating the podcast name change

00:20:11 - Officially deciding on the new podcast name

00:29:01 - Kevin's business updates and challenges

00:38:02 - Steve's progress and upcoming plans

00:49:01 - Discussing the impact of price changes on business

00:54:20 - The role of AI in personal growth and coaching

01:04:37 - Final thoughts and next steps

01:06:38 - Outro and call to action

Important Discussions:
00:03:01 - The value of interviews and guest appearances: The hosts discuss how interviewing well-known guests can increase listenership and ratings.

00:14:11 - Debating the podcast name change: The hosts consider various names to better reflect their focus on AI and its impact on their businesses.

00:29:01 - Kevin's business updates and challenges: Kevin shares his current business struggles and the steps he's taking to pivot and find new opportunities.

00:38:02 - Steve's progress and upcoming plans: Steve provides an update on his app development and his plans to join a mastermind group for better accountability.

00:54:20 - The role of AI in personal growth and coaching: The hosts discuss the potential and limitations of using AI as a personal coach or business mentor.

Key Takeaways:
Interviews with well-known guests can significantly boost podcast listenership and ratings.

Choosing a podcast name that reflects the current focus can attract a more relevant audience.

It's important to pivot and adapt business strategies based on market feedback and personal insights.

Joining a mastermind group can provide valuable accountability and diverse perspectives.

AI has potential in personal growth and coaching, but it may lack the depth and intuition of human experience.

Resources Mentioned:
MicroConf

Startups for the Rest of Us

This Week in Startups

The Knowledge Project

Capitalism.com

a16z Podcast

Zen Founder

Dropping Bombs

Quick List
...more
1h 8min
June 24, 2024Epic SaaS Journeys: From Zero to Hero
Midlife CriSaaS: Episode Summary

Summary:

In this episode of Midlife CriSaaS, the hosts discuss the challenges and triumphs of building a bootstrap SaaS business. They delve into personal experiences, the importance of focus, and the balance between passion and practicality.

Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction and welcome
00:00:38 - Kevin's health update and recent business progress
00:03:08 - Discussion on remote work and productivity
00:06:28 - The impact of meeting culture on productivity
00:10:08 - AI's role in improving meeting efficiency
00:13:24 - Jeff's research on AI and document processing
00:24:00 - Steve's progress on his SaaS project
00:33:58 - The importance of understanding personal goals
00:43:10 - The value of consistency and focus
00:52:12 - Kevin's reflections on balancing passion and practicality
01:02:34 - Closing remarks and next steps

Important Discussions:
Remote Work and Productivity: The hosts discuss how remote work has changed productivity dynamics and the balance between distractions and deep work.

AI in Meetings: The potential of AI to improve meeting efficiency by keeping discussions on track and summarizing notes.

Personal Goals and SaaS Projects: The importance of understanding personal motivations and goals when working on side projects, and the balance between passion and practicality.

Key Takeaways:
Consistency and focus are crucial for the success of any project.

Understanding personal goals and motivations can help in making better decisions about where to invest time and effort.

AI has the potential to significantly improve productivity and efficiency in various aspects of work, including meetings.

Resources Mentioned:
Stripe - Payment processing platform

Hugging Face - Repository for AI models

LangChain - AI document processing tools

MicroConf - Community for SaaS founders
...more
1h 4min
June 10, 2024AI's Emotional Evolution: Friend or Foe?
Midlife CriSaaS: Adventures in SaaS Entrepreneurship

Summary:

In this episode of Midlife CriSaaS, the hosts discuss the latest advancements in AI, the implications for various industries, and their personal experiences with building and pivoting SaaS products. They also touch on the importance of security and the potential of no-code solutions.

Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction and welcome
00:01:13 - Discussion on OpenAI's GPT-4 and its capabilities
00:03:32 - AI's impact on customer service and personal experiences
00:06:41 - Ethical concerns and the need for regulations in AI
00:11:42 - The balance between efficiency and protection
00:20:44 - The future of SaaS and AI integration
00:27:07 - The importance of human touch in customer service
00:34:45 - Updates on the new pivot and challenges faced
00:46:57 - Opportunities in niche markets with AI
00:51:19 - Progress on personal projects and launches
01:02:59 - Closing remarks and future plans

Important Discussions:
OpenAI's GPT-4 and its emotional capabilities

AI's role in customer service and potential ethical concerns

The balance between efficiency and protection in technological advancements

The future of SaaS with AI integration and the importance of niche markets

Personal experiences with building and pivoting SaaS products

Key Takeaways:
AI is rapidly advancing and has the potential to disrupt many industries.

There is a need for regulations to ensure ethical use of AI.

Human touch in customer service is still valuable and can differentiate businesses.

Niche markets offer significant opportunities for SaaS products with AI integration.

Security and compliance are crucial when handling sensitive data in SaaS applications.

Resources Mentioned:
OpenAI GPT-4

Lex Fridman Podcast

20VC Podcast

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

AppSumo
...more
1h 7min
May 21, 2024AI-Powered SaaS Journeys
Midlife CriSaaS: Adventures in SaaS Entrepreneurship

Midlife CriSaaS: Adventures in SaaS Entrepreneurship

Summary:

In this episode, the hosts discuss the latest developments in AI, particularly focusing on private GPT and its applications. They also delve into the challenges and opportunities of building a SaaS product, and consider a potential rebranding of the podcast to better reflect their focus on AI.

Timestamps:
00:00:35 - Discussion on private GPT and its applications
00:10:00 - Steve's SaaS product and the distraction of new technologies
00:15:15 - Jeff's pivot to a new AI-driven SaaS product
00:22:27 - Kevin's reflections on following industry leaders
00:31:01 - Consideration of renaming the podcast
00:45:01 - Brainstorming new podcast names
00:57:05 - Goals for the next week
01:01:01 - Closing remarks

Important Discussions:
Private GPT and its potential applications in creating custom chatbots.

The importance of focusing on core product features rather than getting distracted by new technologies.

Jeff's new AI-driven SaaS product aimed at improving sales efficiency.

Kevin's reflections on the influence of industry leaders and the importance of diverse income streams.

Consideration of renaming the podcast to better reflect its focus on AI and SaaS.

Key Takeaways:
Private GPT can be a powerful tool for creating custom, private chatbots.

It's crucial to balance the excitement of new technologies with the need to focus on core product development.

Understanding your target market and their needs is essential for building a successful SaaS product.

Following industry leaders can provide valuable insights, but it's important to forge your own path.

Rebranding can help better align your message with your audience's interests and expectations.

Resources Mentioned:
Private GPT

Gradio

FreeScout

MicroConf

Reid Hoffman
...more
1h 3min
May 17, 2024Midlife Mastery: Bootstrapping the SaaS Way
Summary:
In this episode, three middle-aged friends, Kevin, Steve, and Jeff, discuss their journey through the world of bootstrap SaaS entrepreneurship. They share insights on shifting focus from a large, demanding project to smaller, more manageable apps, the importance of aligning work with personal projects, and the implications of AI advancements in the tech industry.
Timestamps:
00:01:22 - Kevin discusses the challenges of managing multiple businesses and the desire to focus on essentialism.
00:02:47 - The conversation shifts to strategies for reducing workload and refocusing business efforts.
00:05:24 - Kevin considers the possibility of delegating tasks and adjusting consulting prices.
00:07:26 - Updates on the development of new products and the potential for growth.
00:08:58 - Discussion on the progress and challenges of Kevin's app, Ash.
00:14:40 - The hosts discuss the value of AI in products and the hype around it.
00:16:58 - Kevin reflects on the journey to success and the allure of big exits in the SaaS industry.
00:21:03 - The hosts talk about the transition to focusing on app development and marketing strategies.
00:24:46 - Steve shares his progress on starting his company and the alignment of his day job with his startup.
00:39:10 - Steve discusses the advancements in AI and the process of building language models.
00:48:55 - The conversation turns to the future of AI models and their impact on the industry.
01:13:25 - The episode concludes with the hosts sharing their goals for the next week.
Important Discussions:
Kevin's struggle with managing multiple businesses and the decision to pursue essentialism.
The potential of smaller niche apps to provide a more sustainable and enjoyable business model.
The impact of AI on the tech industry and the skepticism surrounding its capabilities.
The legal and ethical implications of AI models trained on publicly available data like YouTube.
Key Takeaways:
Essentialism can lead to a more focused and manageable workload, especially for entrepreneurs juggling multiple ventures.
Smaller niche apps may offer a more attainable and satisfying path to success compared to chasing large-scale SaaS exits.
AI technology is rapidly advancing, but its true capabilities and limitations are still being explored and understood.
The legal landscape around AI and data usage is complex and unresolved, posing challenges for the future of AI development.
Resources Mentioned:
Essentialism (Book)
Whisper AI (OpenAI's speech-to-text model)
Andrej Karpathy's YouTube Channel (AI and machine learning education)
The Ezra Klein Show (Podcast)
The New York Times Daily Podcast - "The Sin of AI" episode
...more
1h 15min
May 03, 2024Midlife Matchmaking: Finding Love in the Age of AI
Summary:
In this episode, three middle-aged friends, Kevin, Steve, and Jeff, discuss their journey into bootstrap SaaS entrepreneurship, sharing the highs and lows of building a business without external funding. They delve into various topics, including the evolution of language and its impact on society, the balance between improving oneself and addressing significant world issues, and the role of AI in both personal and professional spheres.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction to the bootstrap SaaS journey
00:01:10 - Discussion on taboo words and societal changes
00:02:35 - The concept of focusing on the negative in a generally positive world
00:03:57 - Comparing past and present societal safety and resources
00:05:34 - The hypocrisy of focusing on minor issues over significant global problems
00:07:42 - The importance of being effective in societal contributions
00:09:28 - The power of focus and its impact on perception
00:13:02 - The challenge of saying no to features in product development
00:15:30 - The shift in Apple's innovation post-Steve Jobs
00:21:34 - Exploring the idea of partnering with a marketing-focused co-founder
00:31:24 - The ongoing advancements and implications of AI technology
00:52:00 - The changing social behaviors of younger generations
Important Discussions:
The changing landscape of acceptable language and its reflection on societal values.
How humans are wired to focus on negative aspects even when surrounded by positive circumstances.
The need to prioritize significant societal issues over minor personal grievances.
Strategies for bringing on a marketing co-founder to grow a SaaS business.
The potential and risks associated with the rapid development of AI technology.
Observations on the evolving social and lifestyle preferences of the younger generation.
Key Takeaways:
Language and societal norms are constantly evolving, and it's essential to adapt while also focusing on meaningful issues.
Humans have a natural tendency to seek out negativity, but it's crucial to channel passion into effective actions for significant causes.
When building a SaaS product, it's important to learn how to say no to certain features and focus on the overall vision for the product.
AI technology is advancing rapidly, offering both incredible opportunities for efficiency and potential risks that need to be managed.
Younger generations are exhibiting different priorities, such as a decreased interest in driving and traditional social interactions.
Resources Mentioned:
Traction by Gino Wickman
Entrepreneurs Organization (EO)
MicroConf
Black Mirror (TV series)
Blade Runner (Film)
...more
1h
April 28, 2024The Analytics of Ambition: Tracking a SaaS Dream
Summary:
In this episode, Kevin and Steve discuss the progress of their SaaS ventures, the impact of weather changes on their appreciation for nature, and delve into the intricacies of podcast analytics. They also explore the implications of AI advancements on various industries and the future of work.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction and updates on weather experiences
00:05:07 - Podcast download analytics and insights
00:18:45 - The future of AI in various fields and its impact on jobs
00:20:04 - The role of AI in customer support and efficiency
00:26:09 - The societal shift towards AI and its broad impact
00:28:18 - Experimenting with AI-generated content for personal podcasts
00:30:18 - The challenge of conveying emotion and nuance in AI-generated content
00:42:00 - The importance of owning hard assets like property in an AI-dominated future
00:45:03 - The concept of prompt engineering and its fleeting nature
00:47:15 - The importance of entrepreneurship and ownership in the age of AI
00:49:29 - The potential for micro-entrepreneurship to thrive amidst AI disruption
00:52:31 - The need for individuals to adapt and find new opportunities in the AI era
00:55:48 - Setting goals for the upcoming week and discussing product launches
Important Discussions:
Steve's progress on integrating Stripe and subscription logic for his app, and the challenges of accurately tracking and analyzing podcast downloads.
Kevin's experience with podcast analytics on different platforms and the importance of reliable data for podcasters.
The potential of AI to revolutionize podcast analytics and the broader implications of AI advancements on various industries and job security.
The societal shift towards AI and the broad impact it has on jobs, prompting discussions on the importance of owning hard assets and the role of entrepreneurship in the AI-dominated future.
The concept of prompt engineering as a job and the skepticism surrounding its longevity and significance.
The potential for micro-entrepreneurship to thrive amidst AI disruption and the need for individuals to adapt and find new opportunities in the AI era.
Key Takeaways:
AI advancements are rapidly changing the landscape of various industries, including podcasting, and there is a need for accurate analytics to understand listener behavior.
There is a growing concern about the impact of AI on job security, and the importance of owning assets and exploring entrepreneurship as a way to navigate the future.
The concept of prompt engineering as a new job role is met with skepticism, highlighting the fleeting nature of certain jobs in the face of AI.
Entrepreneurship and ownership of assets, such as property, may provide a level of robustness or anti-fragility in an AI-dominated future.
Resources Mentioned:
John Stewart's piece on the False Promises of AI
Books by Nassim Taleb, including "Antifragile" and "The Black Swan"
OpenAI's ChatGPT and Claude AI
Hotjar for user behavior analytics
Stripe for payment processing
...more
1h 7min
April 22, 2024Midlife Mastery: Navigating SaaS Entrepreneurship
Summary:
In this episode, the hosts, Kevin and Steve, discuss their journey in SaaS entrepreneurship, touching on topics such as competitive spying, the impact of launching on platforms like AppSumo, and the importance of pricing strategies. They also delve into the role of AI in development and share updates on their respective projects.
Timestamps:
00:02:33 - Inviting SaaS founders to share their stories
00:04:00 - Kevin's thoughts on social media and finding interesting topics
00:05:44 - The story of a SaaS founder's product being copied by a larger company
00:11:17 - Microsoft's strategy of adopting successful products
00:14:12 - A female founder's experience with closing her company after an AppSumo deal
00:17:22 - The hosts' perspectives on AppSumo and lifetime deals
00:19:12 - Discussion on the target audience for AppSumo deals
00:23:07 - The hosts' thoughts on the importance of product pricing
00:28:23 - Steve's progress on his SaaS product and infrastructure setup
00:31:15 - Kevin's experience with AI in development and bug fixing
00:35:35 - The hosts discuss the impact of AI on the job market
00:40:22 - Kevin's plans for launching multiple mini apps
00:44:56 - Kevin's update on the price increase for his SaaS product
00:49:32 - Steve's domain name for his upcoming product
00:50:07 - Closing remarks and invitation for Bootstrap founders to join the show
Important Discussions:
The ethical implications and business impact of larger companies copying products from smaller SaaS startups.
The potential downsides of launching a product on AppSumo, including the devaluation of the product and customer perception.
Strategies for pricing SaaS products and the balance between attracting customers and maintaining a premium brand image.
The transformative role of AI in software development, enabling faster bug fixes and potentially changing the job market for developers.
The hosts' personal experiences and challenges in building and scaling their SaaS businesses, including infrastructure decisions and product launches.
Key Takeaways:
Competitive spying by larger companies can be disheartening for small SaaS founders, but it doesn't guarantee success for the imitator.
Platforms like AppSumo can provide quick revenue but may also lead to a lower perceived value of the product and attract less committed customers.
AI is becoming an essential tool for developers, enhancing their capabilities and efficiency, but it also raises concerns about job security.
Choosing the right pricing strategy is crucial for SaaS businesses, as it affects both the company's revenue and its brand positioning.
Building a SaaS product can take longer than expected, and the timeline should be adjusted based on personal circumstances and market needs.
Resources Mentioned:
AppSumo - https://appsumo.com/
...more
52min
April 15, 2024Bootstrap Chronicles: Midlife Entrepreneurs in Tech
Summary:
In this episode, three middle-aged friends, Kevin, Steve, and Jeff, discuss their journey in the world of bootstrap SaaS entrepreneurship. They share insights from their experiences, including raising prices, dealing with bugs, and the impact of customer feedback on product development.
Timestamps:
00:00:38 - Catching up with Steve and Kevin
00:01:16 - Jeff joins the conversation from Paris
00:02:14 - Kevin discusses raising his app's prices
00:03:08 - Steve inquires about changes in customer behavior
00:04:17 - Kevin finds a significant bug in his app
00:06:34 - Jeff talks about his experience at a tech conference in Paris
00:07:27 - The hosts discuss food and culture in Paris
00:11:09 - Jeff's plans for the rest of his trip
00:14:06 - The hosts talk about mimetic desire and its influence on their ventures
00:19:18 - Discussion on scaling a business and the role of investors
00:26:54 - Steve shares updates on his podcasting app and YouTube integration
00:34:17 - The hosts discuss marketing strategies and outreach for Steve's app
00:52:12 - Steve considers reaching out to podcast influencers
00:56:53 - The hosts share their goals and plans for the upcoming week
Important Discussions:
Kevin's experience with raising prices for his app and the unexpected positive outcome.
Steve's progress on his podcasting app, including YouTube integration and Zoom automation.
Jeff's insights from attending a tech conference in Paris and his thoughts on food and culture.
The concept of mimetic desire and how it influences entrepreneurial decisions.
Strategies for marketing and outreach, including cold email campaigns and affiliate programs.
Key Takeaways:
Raising prices can lead to the same number of signups if the value proposition is strong.
Technical bugs can impact user experience significantly, and it's crucial to address them promptly.
Understanding the psychology behind desires and goals can help entrepreneurs make more informed decisions.
Marketing strategies should be tailored to the audience, and leveraging influencers can amplify reach.
Resources Mentioned:
Midlife CriSaaS Podcast - midlifecrisaas.com
Book: "Blue Fishing" by Steve Sims
Book: "Go for Stupid: The Art of Achieving Ridiculous Goals"
Book: "Atomic Habits"
Arthur C. Clarke's Third Law
ChatGPT and Anthropic AI
...more
1h

FAQs about Founders Gone AI:

How many episodes does Founders Gone AI have?

The podcast currently has 36 episodes available.