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July 15, 2025 48 mins

In this episode of the Smart in Public podcast, the Katies welcome friend of the pod and everyone's favorite startup journalist Alex Konrad, Founder & Editor of Upstarts Media. 

The big topic on the table was getting a better sense of the direction startup news reporting is heading -- from industry predictions all the way down to some real tactical stuff like how to pitch Substack journalists. 

The conversation also covers the challenges of navigating the media landscape, the role of AI in journalism, best practices for pitching stories, and what makes a compelling startup narrative. Alex shares insights on emerging trends in venture capital and his vision for the future of Upstarts Media, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and resilience in both journalism and entrepreneurship.

Thank you so much Alex for coming on the pod!! 

  • Subscribe to Upstarts Media here: https://www.upstartsmedia.com/
  • Follow Alex on Twitter: @alexrkonrad

Chapters

  • 00:00 - Introduction to Upstarts Media and Alex Konrad
  • 03:56 - The Vision Behind Upstarts Media
  • 07:56 - Navigating the Media Landscape: Choosing Stories Wisely
  • 12:01 - The Role of AI in Journalism
  • 14:59 - Advice for Comms Professionals in a Changing Media Environment
  • 19:59 - What Makes a Compelling Founder Story?
  • 25:46 - Global Relevance in Startup Stories
  • 28:14 - Spotlight on Underrated Startups
  • 29:35 - AI's Impact on Healthcare and Beyond
  • 32:23 - The VC Landscape: Trends and Insights
  • 33:53 - Emerging Managers in Venture Capital
  • 36:13 - The Evolution of Investment Strategies
  • 38:07 - Substack Recommendations and Insights
  • 40:59 - Future Directions for Upstarts Media


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Have a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

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