In this episode, we talk with Alex (Ex-Operational VC, Interim Head of Product Design) about what really breaks startups — especially now that AI makes building feel effortless. Alex’s take: don’t get comfortable shipping fast; talk to users, listen properly, and build from real problems — because scaling only works when you have a strong connection to customers.

We also unpack what an operational VC actually evaluates in product/design due diligence (and why founder openness to feedback matters), plus how Alex approaches interim leadership to quickly integrate and create impact inside scale-ups.   

🎧 What you will hear:

• Why AI can make teams ship more but learn less 

• The difference between “usability feedback” and real product-market understanding 

• Why you still need a “human in the loop” for the why — and how bad questions mislead you 

• What VCs look for beyond “nice design” in due diligence and founder collaboration