Startups Decoded

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In this episode, I sit down with Ben Yoskovitz, founding partner at Highline Beta, to explore the intersection of product, analytics, and venture studios.

We dive into:

• How data-driven decision-making fuels startup growth
• The role of venture studios in corporate innovation
• Lessons from Go-Instant’s journey to acquisition by Salesforce
• Why startups and enterprises must bridge the gap for success

With deep expertise in Lean Analytics, venture building, and product strategy, Ben shares insights on what it takes to build and scale impactful businesses.

Ben Yoskovitz

Ben Yoskovitz is a founding partner at Highline Beta, a hybrid venture studio and VC firm that helps corporations innovate beyond their core while investing in early-stage startups. A seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and product expert, Ben has built and scaled multiple startups, including GoInstant (acquired by Salesforce). He co-authored Lean Analytics, a go-to resource for data-driven growth, and has advised companies worldwide on Lean Startup methodologies. With expertise spanning innovation, product management, and venture investing, Ben bridges the gap between startups and enterprises.

Highline Beta

Highline Beta is a hybrid corporate venture studio and VC firm that helps large companies and family offices identify new growth opportunities, build ventures, and scale beyond their core business. Unlike traditional consulting firms, they focus on execution—designing, launching, and running corporate venture studios to create repeatable innovation. Working with global brands like RBC, AB InBev, and Colgate-Palmolive, they bring a startup mindset to corporate innovation, helping executives turn ideas into high-impact businesses.

Music Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)

SHOW NOTES

Summary

In this episode of Startups Decoded, host Andy Walsh speaks with Ben Yoskovitz from Highline Beta about the evolution of startups, the role of venture studios, and the importance of product experience. They discuss the changing landscape of entrepreneurship, the significance of validation and early revenue, and how venture studios can provide a structured approach to building successful businesses. 

Ben shares insights from his extensive experience in the startup world, emphasizing the need for rigorous methodologies and the balance between creativity and science in the startup process. In this conversation, Ben and Andy explore the dynamics of venture studios, emphasizing the balance between structured processes and creative flexibility in startup development. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Highline Beta and Ben's Journey

02:20 The Evolution of Startups and Venture Studios

05:58 Advice for Founders: Then and Now

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The startup funding game is changing fast, and so is the early-stage VC model. So… is it time for a reset?

In this episode of Startups Decoded, I sit down with Jeff Becker — investor, entrepreneur, and partner at Antler, the fastest-growing global VC firm, to unpack what’s really going on in early-stage venture capital.

We explore everything from the decline of the traditional fund model to the rise of rolling capital agreements, counter-cyclical strategies, and new ways of backing durable founders. Jeff shares lessons from his journey at LinkedIn through hyper-growth, his hands-on experience building startups, and Antler’s bold mission to launch 10,000 companies in the next decade.

We also dig into the “hidden years of inception”, how AI is reshaping go-to-market, why resilience is the ultimate founder trait, and how Antler is rewriting the global venture playbook — with community, culture, and capital all under one roof.

If you’re a founder or investor trying to make sense of today’s VC market, this one’s unmissable.

Jeff Becker

Jeffrey Becker is a venture investor, entrepreneur, and builder of businesses that scale. Starting his career valet parking and interning at startups, he honed his sales skills at Xerox before joining LinkedIn, where he played a role in its explosive growth—from 100M to 770M members, IPO to Microsoft acquisition, and $600M to $10B in revenue. Alongside, he co-founded a DTC brand that served 250,000 customers and partnered with Best Buy and Daymond John.

Since 2016, Jeffrey has focused on angel investing in companies driving health, wealth, and happiness. By 2018, he was mentoring at emerging funds, setting the stage for his career in VC. Now at Antler, he’s on a mission to help launch 10,000 companies in a decade, fueling the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Early Stage Venture Capital
• 03:05 The Hidden Years of Inception
• 05:58 The Role of Founders in Early Stage Investing
• 08:50 Culture and Community in Startups
• 11:57 Resilience and Solution Orientation in Founders
• 15:07 The Dichotomy of Building: Fast vs. Durable
• 18:02 Navigating the AI Landscape in Venture Capital
• 25:19 Outsourcing and AI in Business Growth
• 29:01 Trends in Venture Capital and Founders' Perceptions
• 30:36 Counter-Cyclical Investment Strategies
• 34:12 Identifying Durable Founders and Their Vision
• 39:03 Follow-On Strategies and Rolling Capital in Early Stage Investing
• 48:13 Navigating the Antler Application Process

Music Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)

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Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have. 

As businesses face growing pressure to align with climate targets, the demand for green skills is skyrocketing. In this episode of Startups Decoded, I sit down with Neil Yeoh, CEO of OnePointFive, to discuss how companies can bridge the gap between climate science, finance, and strategy. 

We’ll explore the rise of the "Climate Expert-in-Residence," why upskilling in sustainability is a competitive advantage, and how startups and corporations alike can embed climate action into their core operations.

Music Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)

Neil Yeoh

Neil Yeoh is the CEO of One Point Five, dedicated to helping individuals and businesses unlock their full potential for the greatest good. Once feeling stuck in the oil & gas sector, Neil found his purpose in the climate movement, leveraging the right skills and mindset to drive meaningful change. From overcoming personal and academic hurdles to becoming a Forbes and WEF contributor, Ironman finisher, and founder, his journey is a testament to the power of transformation. Now, he empowers others to break through barriers and achieve their good growth.

One Point Five

OnePointFive is a Climate Expert-in-Residence, helping organizations and individuals future-proof through sustainability. With its Advisory & Academy, it bridges the gap between science, finance, and green skills, providing actionable solutions to embed sustainability into strategy, operations, and careers. Whether aligning with the 1.5°C climate target or upskilling teams, OnePointFive drives sustainable growth.

https://themethod.substack.com/

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Redefining normal: how brands can challenge culture and win.

In this episode, we sit down with Andy Miller, co-founder and CEO of Heaps Normal, to explore how brands can go beyond selling products to reshape cultural norms. Andy shares how Heaps Normal is redefining Australia’s drinking culture, the power of purpose-driven branding, and what it takes to build a movement that resonates. 

We discuss his launch into California through a major partnership with Whole Foods. Whether you're a founder, marketer, or brand strategist, this conversation will challenge you to think bigger about your brand’s impact.

Music Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)

Andy Miller

Andy is the co-founder and CEO of Heaps Normal. With a background in strategy, communications and marketing, Andy came to Heaps Normal armed with 15 years of experience working in industries including FMCG, health, liquor, automotive, marketplaces and arts & music. After a five-year stint heading up marketing for some of the country’s best known craft beer brands, where he oversaw Y-o-Y growth, Andy co-founded Heaps Normal — a non-alcoholic beer brand on a mission to change Aussie drinking culture.

Heaps Normal

We reckon some things in life are too good to be wasted, like having a good time, a good chat and a good drink. We believe in play as a powerful form of wellness but forget the preaching. We’re the weirdos redefining normal for the better and celebrating people who do the same. We also make drinks, but we don’t care how much or how little you’re drinking unless it’s water (yuck).

SHOW NOTES

In this episode of Startups Decoded, Andy Miller, co-founder and CEO of Heaps Normal, shares his journey from a diverse career to launching a successful non-alcoholic beer brand. He discusses the purpose behind Heaps Normal, the shift in drinking culture, and the importance of community engagement. The conversation explores the brand's unique position in the market, the changing perceptions of non-alcoholic beverages, and the company's expansion into the US market. Andy emphasizes the significance of authenticity, joy, and genuine connections in both business and personal life.

Chapters

00:00: Introduction to Heaps Normal and Andy Miller

01:16: Andy Miller's Diverse Career Path

05:34: The Purpose Behind Heaps Normal

07:49: Changing Drinking Culture

11:37: The Shift in Non-Alcoholic Beverage Perception

16:36: The Role of Purpose in Brand Strategy

18:34: Community Engagement and Support for Artists

23:23: Building Brand Relevance Through Music

30:25: Expansion into the US Market

37:21: Future Plans and Exciting Developments

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In this episode I sit down with Nick Sgobba to discuss the evolution of product management in the age of AI. 

We explore how AI tools are transforming product design, development, and validation processes, emphasizing the need for critical thinking and human creativity in a landscape increasingly dominated by technology.

The conversation also touches on the democratization of product design, the challenges of competition, and the changing dynamics of investment in startups, forecasting a future where early exits become more common as founders leverage new tools to bring products to market faster.

Nick Sgobba is a seasoned product leader with over a decade of experience shaping digital products across startups, venture capital, and global enterprises. Specializing in AI, patents, and emerging technologies, he has a proven track record of aligning product strategy with market needs to drive growth. As a startup advisor and international speaker, Nick brings deep insights into scaling products, navigating evolving trends, and building customer-centric solutions.

Don't miss this deep dive into the future of startup product strategy! Tune in to hear Nick Sgobba's expert insights and get actionable takeaways for 2025.

Music Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)

Nick Sgobba

Product leader with 10+ years of experience from multinationals to startups and venture capital across Europe, the Middle East, and North America. Proven ability to deliver user-centric digital products, with a specialization in AI and patents, and a passion for emerging technologies. Adept at strategic thinking, and relationship building, and deeply committed to aligning product development, customer needs, and market opportunities. Strong track record of envisioning, developing, managing, and scaling products. Speaker at international conferences. Startup and VC advisor.

Evalify

Evalify is an AI-powered platform that analyzes almost 200M patent documents from over 170 jurisdictions to uncover legal risks from startup pitch decks or product briefs in minutes.

Takeaways

• Product management as we know it is over due to AI.
• AI tools are revolutionizing product development processes.
• The democratization of product design has both benefits and risks.
• Critical thinking remains essential in the age of AI.
• Founders must navigate increased competition in product markets.
• Investment trends are shifting towards faster exits.
• Building products is easier now, but scaling them is challenging.
• Human creativity is irreplaceable in product design.
• AI can assist in prototyping but should not replace human input.
• The future of product management will be shaped by AI and human collaboration.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Product Evolution

05:30 - The Shift in Product Management

10:01 - AI and Prototyping Workflows

15:30 - Democratization of Product Design

19:52 - Navigating Competition in 

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In this episode, sales and go-to-market expert Carol Malakasis breaks down the essential components of a winning go-to-market strategy. 

We explore how startups can align sales with the customer journey, prioritize pain points, and repurpose old GTM strategies for new products. Carol also shares best practices for setting realistic launch goals based on sales forecasts. 

Whether you're a founder or an early sales leader, this conversation will give you actionable insights to refine your GTM approach and scale predictably.

Tune in as I sit down with Carol Malakasis to break down the GTM strategies startups need to scale—covering market definition, sales strategy, and how to align with the customer journey. 

Music Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)

Carol Malakasis - De-risking sales | GTM coach to 100+ YC founders and founding sales teams 

Carol Malakasis is a startup sales expert specializing in scaling revenue for Seed to Series A companies. With 15 years in startup sales, she has built and led GTM teams, trained hundreds of reps, and helped over 100 YC companies reach their first $1M ARR. As a GTM consultant, she de-risks early-stage growth by refining sales strategies, optimizing processes, and enabling founders to sell effectively.

(LINKEDIN)

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In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape, brand strategy is more crucial than ever. As consumer expectations shift and competition intensifies, modern brands must redefine their approach to stand out and drive sustainable growth. Danish Chan, co-founder of Untangld and founding partner of ‘by The Network,’ brings a wealth of experience in reshaping how brands connect with their audiences. In this podcast, we’ll explore the importance of developing a robust, adaptable brand strategy that not only speaks to today’s consumer but also sets a foundation for long-term success. From building authentic connections to navigating the digital age, we’ll dive into the key principles that enable brands to not just survive, but thrive in a competitive market.

Music Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)

Danish Chan (LinkedIn)

Co-founder of strategy shop Untangld, and Founding Partner of the international creative network, 'by The Network'. I'm also a regular judge at the Effies and Warc Awards and a sometimes contributor for global and local marketing publications.

Untangld (Website)

Untangld is a brand and customer strategy studio, working with businesses around the world to redefine how they win.

Chapters

00:00: Introduction to Brand Strategy

01:35: Understanding Untangled and Its Mission

03:10: Defining Brand Strategy

05:36: The Evolution of Brand and Founder DNA

10:44: Stages of Startup Growth and Brand Strategy

11:40: Foundational Elements for Early Stage Startups

15:10: Transitioning to a More Rigorous Brand Strategy

18:11: Differentiating Brand Messaging from Product Messaging

20:15: The Importance of Emotional Connection in Branding

26:45: Brand Fame and Its Impact

33:08: Conclusion and How to Reach Untangled

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Venture Studios are not all built the same, some focus on rapid ideation, others on deep operational support, and their structures can vary dramatically. Yet, the industry still struggles with legitimacy in the eyes of investors and founders alike. Are they incubators? Are they funds? How do they truly add value?

In this episode, I sit down with Neal Ghosh, an economist-turned-venture builder, to break down what separates high-quality venture studios from the rest. We’ll dive into the challenges of fundraising, the unique approach to creating and scaling companies, and how different models impact ownership, co-founder roles, and investment strategies. Most importantly, we’ll explore what a strong exit strategy looks like for both startups and the studios behind them.

If you’ve ever questioned how Venture Studios fit into the broader startup ecosystem, or if they even should—this is the conversation you need to hear.

Music Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)

Neal Ghosh - LinkedIn

Neal Ghosh is an economist turned venture builder specializing in AI-driven decision-making, venture studio development, and market research. Starting in economic and financial research, he later transitioned to machine learning at Amazon, earning a patent for customer engagement algorithms. 

He co-founded Amazon’s first internal venture studio and led strategy at Cogo Labs before launching 9point8, which provides tech-enabled services to venture studios. His latest product, LaunchIQ, supports early-stage investors, accelerators, and tech transfer offices. A frequent speaker in Boston’s startup ecosystem, Neal is also a self-published author, a ukulele player, and a proud PTO co-chair at his daughter’s school.

9point8 website

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Venture capital isn’t just about writing checks, it’s about creating value. In this episode, we dive into the crucial role of VC platform teams in driving returns. From connecting portfolio companies with key hires and strategic partners to support their growth with tailored resources, platform teams are transforming how VCs deliver value beyond capital. 

It is important to explore each firm's distinct approach to community and platform to truly understand the impact. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or aspiring VC professional, this episode will unpack the often-overlooked strategies that make platform teams indispensable to modern venture capital.

Are you a founder wondering how your VC can help you beyond funding? Or an investor curious about evolving trends in venture support? Tune in to discover how platform teams are shaping the future of venture capital.

Music Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)

Joel Connolly

Creative Director and Head of the Blackbird Foundation, where he shapes the brand, culture, and community-driven venture capital approach. He leads initiatives to inspire creativity in young people through the Foundation and oversees branding efforts at Blackbird. Before joining Blackbird, Joel founded a talent management business representing bands like The Rubens and Cloud Control, and created Sydney Craft Beer Week. With a background in communications and theatre, Joel believes culture and creativity are key to success.

LinkedIn

Blackbird

Blackbird is a venture capital firm based in Australia and New Zealand, backing ambitious startups across various industries, from software to space. With a portfolio valued at over $7B, it supports companies from early stages through IPO. Blackbird prioritizes founder-first relationships, long-term investments, and fostering community. Their initiatives, such as Giants and The Sunrise Festival, encourage innovation and mentorship. The firm values creativity, integrity, and impact, investing in founders' life missions to solve the world's greatest problems.

Blackbird VC.

VC Platform

Our 2,100+ members at 1,000+ funds across 43 countries fuel the entrepreneurs and teams their firms back.

Website

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Scaling a startup is tough, but what if you are the bottleneck? In this episode, Rachel Hamlin shares how founders can break free from burnout, sharpen focus, and lead with clarity. She dives into why success doesn’t always bring fulfillment, how stress and self-doubt sabotage leadership, and practical ways to scale without sacrificing yourself. If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, this is your wake-up call. 

Ready to scale without burnout? Listen to this episode with Rachel Hamlin for actionable strategies to improve your mindset, lead with clarity, and create balance. 

Music Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)

Rachel Hamlin

Helps founders and executives scale without burnout by unlocking mental and emotional resilience. With a unique approach combining somatic healing, subconscious reprogramming, and coaching, she helps leaders regulate stress, sharpen focus, and nurture their teams—without sacrificing their well-being. Her clients learn to break free from burnout cycles, lead with purpose, and achieve lasting, high-impact growth.

LinkedIn