Gokul Rajaram, a renowned product leader and investor—shares his insights on the evolving AI landscape, startup success strategies, and the future of product management. Hosted by Amit Fulay, VP of Product at Microsoft, this conversation covers how AI is shifting from model training to enterprise adoption, why founders must master hiring and fundraising, and the key ingredients to building a scalable company.

Gokul dives deep into what makes a startup’s AI moat defensible, how to articulate risk to investors, and the importance of product-led growth in today’s market. Whether you're a founder, investor, or product leader, this episode is packed with tactical advice on navigating AI disruption, hiring top talent, and leveraging storytelling for startup success.

What You Will Learn:

✅ The biggest shifts in AI and startup funding

✅ How to build a defensible moat in AI

✅ Why hiring and team credibility matter more than ever

✅ The role of narrative in securing funding

✅ How AI startups should focus on enterprise adoption over model training

✅ The evolving role of product managers in the AI era

Episode Highlights:

[04:12] – Scale vs. efficiency: How DeepSeek reshaped AI

[08:45] – AI startups don’t need massive capital, they need better tools

[12:00] – The real moat in AI: Private data & complex workflows

[19:02] – Why great founders deeply understand customer pain points

[21:53] – If you’re not aiming for 10x growth, you’re already behind

[30:06] – Founders must spend 20-30% of their time hiring

[26:54] – The evolution of product managers: Why prototyping is essential

[35:54] – "Get on the rocket ship—figure out your seat later."

💡 Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe to The Wize Ones on your favorite podcast platform for more insights from top knowledge professionals. If you would like to continue the conversation with either of our guests, you can chat with their Wizly Knowledge Twins.

Gokul Rajaram- https://askwizly.ai/gokul-rajaram

Amit Fulay-https://askwizly.ai/amit-fulay

The Wize Ones podcast features industry pioneers sharing transformative insights on AI-enabled work, future-proof business strategies, and unlocking the full potential of your knowledge. We learn from the best and understand market shifts and trends as they are happening.

What truly sets us apart? The conversation doesn't end when the episode does. Through Wizly's ecosystem, you can continue engaging with our guests via their AI Knowledge Twins and other knowledge assets—intelligent digital extensions that provide their expertise on-demand. Unlike traditional business podcasts, we don't just discuss ideas—we make expertise accessible.

Imagine having 24/7 access to the minds that are reshaping industries. That's The Wize Ones experience—where knowledge transcends time constraints and becomes truly limitless.

Powered by Wizly (⁠askwizly.ai⁠) : Become Limitless

https://askwizly.ai/

Aki Taha, a former Google, Uber, and Netflix talent expert turned founder of Talent Stories. Aki through his conversations with Samir Khadepaun, Founder of Wizly, shares his insights on how the future of work is evolving, why traditional hiring models are breaking, and how leaders can attract and retain top talent in a decentralized world.

💡 Enjoyed this episode?

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Wize Ones on your favorite podcast platform for more insights from top operators, VCs, and founders. If you found value, leave us a review—it helps us reach more listeners like you!

What You Will Learn:

Why the gap between business needs and employee expectations is growing

How talent practitioners can bridge the gap between leadership and employees

The shift from corporate careers to independent work and portfolio careers

How Silicon Valley's unique culture fosters rapid innovation

Why clarity and flexibility are the future of hiring.

Highlights:

[05:23] The personal story that led Aki into talent strategy

[08:43] The biggest tension between business leaders and employees.

[14:20] Why startups struggle with scaling culture

[19:06] The difference between founders who value talent and those who don’t

[26:31] How companies evolve and what happens when they don’t

[33:46] The biggest shifts in how people are working today

[44:50] How to embrace career uncertainty and take control of your path

The Wize Ones podcast features leading operators, subject matter experts, VCs, and founders interviewing each other to reveal insights into how they built and scaled their products, software, and ideas. We speak to the top 5% of people in the world of GTM to get first-hand insights, case studies, and real-life examples of what worked and what didn't.

This podcast is produced byWizly and powered by its global community of professionals. Wizly is an AI-powered platform that helps experts organize, scale, and monetize their knowledge.

Satjiv Chahil, a Silicon Valley icon who led transformative marketing campaigns at Apple, HP, and Palm. Satjiv shares invaluable insights on balancing innovation with stability, avoiding arrogance, and driving global impact through partnerships. Learn about the making of the iconic "I'm a PC" campaign, the future of AI in addressing the digital divide, and why partnerships always trump sponsorships in creating lasting value.

💡 Enjoyed this episode?

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Wize Ones on your favorite podcast platform for more insights from top operators, VCs, and founders. If you found value, leave us a review—it helps us reach more listeners like you!

What You Will Learn:

Highlights:

The Wize Ones podcast features leading operators, subject matter experts, VCs, and founders interviewing each other to reveal insights into how they built and scaled their products, software, and ideas. We speak to the top 5% of people in the world of GTM to get first-hand insights, case studies, and real-life examples of what worked and what didn't.

This podcast is produced by Wizly and powered by its global community of professionals. Wizly is an AI-powered platform that helps experts organize, scale, and monetize their knowledge.

Rob Karel, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Precisely, shares over two decades of B2B tech marketing expertise. Rob delves into the evolution of marketing, the art of storytelling, and how startups can effectively balance brand awareness with performance marketing. He explains why understanding your ideal customer profile (ICP) is critical for success and highlights the importance of validating your messaging through customer feedback. Rob also discusses structuring marketing teams, the pitfalls of category creation, and the ultimate metric for marketing success—conversion quality.

💡 Enjoyed this episode?

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Wize Ones on your favorite podcast platform for more insights from top operators, VCs, and founders. If you found value, leave us a review—it helps us reach more listeners like you!

What You Will Learn:

Highlights:

The Wize Ones PodcastThe Wize Ones podcast features leading operators, subject matter experts, VCs, and founders interviewing each other to reveal insights into how they built and scaled their products, software, and ideas. We speak to the top 5% of people in the world of GTM to get first-hand insights, case studies, and real-life examples of what worked and what didn't.

This podcast is produced by Wizly and powered by its global community of professionals. Wizly is an AI-powered platform that helps experts organize, scale, and monetize their knowledge.

Andreas Welsch, a globally recognized AI leader and advisor, shares his insights on how businesses can turn AI hype into real outcomes. As the Founder of Intelligence Briefing and a former global leader at SAP, Andreas has guided Fortune 500 companies in leveraging AI to drive measurable results. Learn how to align AI with business goals, start small to scale effectively, and empower teams to achieve more through technology.

💡 Enjoyed this episode?

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Wize Ones on your favorite podcast platform for more insights from top operators, VCs, and founders. If you found value, leave us a review—it helps us reach more listeners like you!

What You Will Learn:

Highlights:

The Wize Ones PodcastThe Wize Ones podcast features leading operators, subject matter experts, VCs, and founders interviewing each other to reveal insights into how they built and scaled their products, software, and ideas. We speak to the top 5% of people in the world of GTM to get first-hand insights, case studies, and real-life examples of what worked and what didn't.

This podcast is produced by Wizly and powered by its global community of professionals. Wizly is an AI-powered platform that helps experts organize, scale, and monetize their knowledge.

Jeremy Glassenberg, an API product management expert with over 16 years of experience, shares his insights on building and scaling developer ecosystems. Jeremy’s experience includes leading the developer platform team at Box, establishing API governance at DocuSign, and consulting with numerous unicorn startups. In this episode, we dive into why APIs are crucial for modern business growth, how to validate your API strategy, and what it takes to build a developer platform that retains customers.

💡 Enjoyed this episode?

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Wize Ones on your favorite podcast platform for more insights from top operators, VCs, and founders. If you found value, leave us a review—it helps us reach more listeners like you!

What You Will Learn:

Why customer validation is key to a successful API strategy

How APIs bridge the gap between product and sales teams

The importance of developer experience in building a lasting platform

How AI and APIs are shaping the future of tech

Highlights:

[00:45] The importance of APIs in modern platforms

[03:10] The role of customer validation in API success

[06:00] How APIs helped Box close major sales deals

[17:33] Why APIs are essential for both growth and retention

[36:00] The future of APIs in AI development

The Wize Ones PodcastThe Wize Ones podcast features leading operators, subject matter experts, VCs, and founders interviewing each other to reveal insights into how they built and scaled their products, software, and ideas. We speak to the top 5% of people in the world of GTM to get first-hand insights, case studies, and real-life examples of what worked and what didn't.

This podcast is produced by Wizly and powered by its global community of professionals. Wizly is an AI-powered platform that helps experts organize, scale, and monetize their knowledge.

Arvi is a seasoned technology executive with over 25 years of experience spanning telecom, social media, and SaaS industries. He has worked across the US, India, and Singapore, and is currently an advisor and investor for numerous startups. Arvi's unique approach to career growth and go-to-market strategies stems from his love for chaos and his ability to create value in challenging situations.

💡 Enjoyed this episode?

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Wize Ones on your favorite podcast platform for more insights from top operators, VCs, and founders. If you found value, leave us a review—it helps us reach more listeners like you!

What You Will Learn:

Highlights:

The Wize Ones PodcastThe Wize Ones podcast features leading operators, subject matter experts, VCs, and founders interviewing each other to reveal insights into how they built and scaled their products, software, and ideas. We speak to the top 5% of people in the world of GTM to get first-hand insights, case studies, and real-life examples of what worked and what didn't.

This podcast is produced by Wizly and powered by its global community of professionals. Wizly is an AI-powered platform that helps experts organize, scale, and monetize their knowledge.

Diana Stepner is a seasoned product management expert with over 20 years of experience leading product teams across the globe. She has worked with companies like Monster, Razorfish, and Simple Practice, and is now focused on leadership coaching. Diana's passion lies in unlocking people's potential and helping them navigate the challenges of the tech industry.

💡 Enjoyed this episode?

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Wize Ones on your favorite podcast platform for more insights from top operators, VCs, and founders. If you found value, leave us a review—it helps us reach more listeners like you!

What You Will Learn:

Highlights:

The Wize Ones podcast features leading operators, subject matter experts, VCs, and founders interviewing each other to reveal insights into how they built and scaled their products, software, and ideas. We speak to the top 5% of people in the world of GTM to get first-hand insights, case-studies and real-life examples of what worked, and what blew up.

This podcast is produced by Wizly and powered by its global community of professionals. Wizly is an AI-powered platform that helps experts organize, scale, and monetize their knowledge.

Samir Khadepaun and Puja Bharwani explore the future of work, AI, and knowledge sharing. Samir, a serial entrepreneur, shares how his previous startup transformed the F&B industry by engaging over 27 million diners and how his current venture, Wizly, aims to decentralize knowledge using AI. Puja, a communications and content expert with years of experience leading storytelling in tech, offers her insights on how organizations and individuals can leverage AI to enhance productivity and make knowledge more accessible. Together, Samir and Puja discuss how traditional roles are evolving and how "knowledge owners" are becoming the new key players in scaling businesses efficiently.

💡 Enjoyed this episode?

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Wize Ones on your favorite podcast platform for more insights from top operators, VCs, and founders. If you found value, leave us a review—it helps us reach more listeners like you!

What You’ll Learn:

Highlights:

The Wize Ones podcast features leading operators, subject matter experts, VCs, and founders interviewing each other to reveal insights into how they built and scaled their products, software, and ideas. We speak to the top 5% of people in the world of GTM to get first-hand insights, case-studies and real-life examples of what worked, and what blew up.

This podcast is produced by Wizly and powered by its global community of professionals. Wizly is an AI-powered platform that helps experts organize, scale, and monetize their knowledge.

In this teaser of The Wize Ones podcast, we explore how AI is transforming the way experts share and monetize their knowledge. Discover how Wizly goes beyond traditional online learning platforms by helping professionals with years of experience turn their expertise into a thriving business. From creating structured knowledge assets to leveraging an AI twin that acts as a digital assistant, Wizly is revolutionizing the future of work. Tune in to learn how this innovative platform democratizes knowledge and makes it more accessible to everyone.

💡 Enjoyed this episode?

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Wize Ones on your favorite podcast platform for more insights from top operators, VCs, and founders. If you found value, leave us a review—it helps us reach more listeners like you!

What You Will Learn:

Highlights:

The Wize Ones podcast features leading operators, subject matter experts, VCs, and founders interviewing each other to reveal insights into how they built and scaled their products, software, and ideas. We speak to the top 5% of people in the world of GTM to get first-hand insights, case-studies and real-life examples of what worked, and what blew up.

This podcast is produced by Wizly and powered by its global community of professionals. Wizly is an AI-powered platform that helps experts organize, scale, and monetize their knowledge.