The Founder Initiative

By Adam ODonnellBusiness Entrepreneurship Technology Investing

The Founder Initiative episodes

December 02, 2025 (2000+ investments) Dave Lambert, Managing Director at RSCM, Shares Traits of Successful Founders
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. VC PROFILE: Dave Lambert, Founder of Right Side Capital Management https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidlambert55/
36 min
November 19, 2025 ($100M raised) RetailNext Founder, Alexei Agratchev: Earned Insights From 18-Years (funding, growth, & scaling)
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX. VC PROFILE: Alexei Agratchev, Founder of RetailNext https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexeiagratchev/
31 min
November 12, 2025 (YC S21) $10M ARR, Storylane Founder, Nalin Senthamil: PMF Unlock - Are Prospects Interrupting You?
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX.

FOUNDER PROFILE:
Nalin Senthamil, Founder of Storylane
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nalinpradeep
25 min
November 06, 2025 (YC S23) Gleam Founder, Oliver Keh: Investigative Journalist Approach To PMF
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX.

FOUNDER PROFILE:
Oliver Keh, Founder of Gleam
https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-keh

COMPANY: https://joingleam.com/
Gleam automatically extracts data from any source, intelligently validates it against protocol, eliminates queries before they occur, and instantly populates your EDC—accelerating database lock and shortening trial timelines.

25 min
November 04, 2025 (YC W21) Sold to Dropbox, Promoted.ai's Founder, Andrew Yates: GTM Lessons Learned & Deciding What To Build
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX.

FOUNDER PROFILE:
Andrew Yates, Founder of Dropbox, Promoted.ai
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-yates-0217a985
29 min
October 30, 2025 Roo Capital's Founder, Nate DaPore: Most VCs Are Like Seagulls, Is This The Future of Platform?
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX.

VC PROFILE:
Nate DaPore, Founder of Roo Capital
https://www.linkedin.com/in/natedapore/
30 min
October 28, 2025 (YC F25) Denied 6x By YC: Hyperspell's Founder, Conor Brennan-Burke: Your Startup Is Not About You
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX.
FOUNDER PROFILE: Conor Brennan-Burke, Founder of Hyperspell (YC F25) https://www.linkedin.com/in/conorbrennanburke
33 min
October 23, 2025 a16z Partner Interview, Seema Amble: 3 things she looks for in early-stage startups, how to get a meeting with her, & more
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX.

VC PROFILE:
Seema Amble, Partner at Andreessen Horowitz
https://www.linkedin.com/in/seema-amble-b404126/
33 min
October 16, 2025 ($70M+ Raised) Future Family Founder, Claire Tomkins: Surprising Key To Fundraising, Journey To PMF
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX.

FOUNDER PROFILE:
Claire Tomkins, Founder of Future Family
https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-tomkins-b122422/
34 min
October 14, 2025 ($55M Raised) Benchmark & Mayfield Invested; Sema4.ai's Founder, Ram Venkatesh: Getting Early Conviction, Hitting PMF & Raising $55M
Sponsored by Auth0 for Startups → 1-year free https://auth0.com/startups/vip
Auth0 is an adaptable authentication and authorization platform that helps you secure your apps and AI agents. It delivers convenience, privacy, and security so you can focus on building a great UX.
VC PROFILE:
Ram Venkatesh, Founder of Sema4.ai
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ram-venkatesh-34166/
36 min