EPISODE 5
In this episode of Founder Mode, Jason and Kevin sit down with Andreas Homer—startup founder, former BD leader at Microsoft, and now Head of Product Partnerships at Shopify—to explore the underrated superpower of asking. They unpack how a single well-phrased request can unlock jobs, capital, and high-leverage relationships. Andreas shares how he’s built a career by asking with clarity, fairness, and authenticity—whether it's securing investor intros, landing competitive roles, or hiring top-tier talent. The episode also dives into how to ask differently depending on your audience—investors, users, or team members—and why being yourself beats mimicking someone else’s style. The key lesson: Asking isn’t about pressure or persuasion—it’s about being clear, human, and real.
CHAPTERS
0:00 — Why Asking Is a Founder Superpower
5:18 — How Andreas Landed Jobs by Asking the Right Way
11:02 — Fundraising: Clarity, Conviction & Handling Rejection
18:05 — Hiring: Framing Startups as Growth Opportunities
26:11 — Final Takeaway: Ask Authentically
LINKS
Connect with Andreas
Stay Connected with Founder Mode
Subscribe to our newsletter: foundermode.kit.com
Connect with Kevin
Connect with Jason
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.