The Founders Peak Podcast

Welcome to a brand-new season of The Founders Peak Podcast, live from the heart of innovation at the GFTN Forum in Tokyo, Japan! This season, we are diving deep into a theme that every founder, investor, and builder can relate to: resilience. In a tough market, these stories come from the front lines of what it takes to not just survive, but thrive.

Across these 10 talks, you will find a thread that connects them all: the courage to redefine what is safe, what is average, and what is possible. These are not just business stories. They are windows into how the most extraordinary builders think, feel, and decide. Tune in for a masterclass in the founder’s mind.

Is being under estimated a disadvantage, or a secret weapon? Caroline Tran, founder of Hello Clever, flips the script on the challenges female founders face, arguing that these very obstacles cultivate distinct advantages—like sharper judgment and more resilient strategies. A powerful lesson in how to turn bias into a profitable edge.

Is your pitch a static document, or a living story? Evan Burkosky, a solo sailor turned AI founder, makes the powerful argument that constantly refining your narrative is the most critical survival skill in the startup world. Learn why storytelling is the key to raising capital, closing deals, and building a team that truly believes.

Do you need to be a superhuman to build a successful company? Joe Lu, an “accidental entrepreneur” who failed his YC interview three times, dismantles the myth of the perfect founder. In this refreshingly honest talk, he shares how his own feelings of being average and flawed ultimately gave him a unique and powerful edge.

What does “safety” truly mean in today’s world? Keisuke Kimura grew up with a mother who, scarred by financial instability, urged him to find a “safe job.” In this talk, he shares his journey of defying that definition to prove that true security comes not from a corporate safety net, but from the courage to build your own value.

How do you find the courage to build something that has never existed before? Aishwarya Jaishankar, co-founder of Hyperface, reveals the simple but powerful question that has guided her entire career: “Why the hell not?” Learn how this mindset helped her navigate the chaos of India’s demonetization and turn complexity into courageous progress.

How do you survive when a $20 million funding deal vanishes overnight? Ritesh and Deepak Jain, co-founders of FlexiLoans, share a powerful lesson in leadership and collective calm. Discover how their pact to “not panic at once” and the discipline to say “no” became their ultimate survival strategy in a moment of crisis.

In a fragile and rapidly changing world, is the greatest risk standing still? Yusuke Jindo, a crypto-native CPA and new father, makes the compelling case that becoming an entrepreneur was the most stable and conservative decision he could make. A fascinating perspective that challenges everything you think you know about risk.

What do you do when your most important partner tries to exploit your dependence? Himanshu Chandra of Progcap shares a cautionary tale every founder needs to hear. He recounts the moment his company had to make an impossible choice, revealing how the painful decision to walk away ultimately saved their business.

Can technology solve the global loneliness epidemic? Felix Wong, a global citizen and founder of EMOKA, asks a profound question. Inspired by a conversation with a NASA astronaut about the loneliness of space, he explores how AI can be a tool not just for efficiency, but for connection, and what it takes to build an AI that truly knows how to care.