This is how Dara sold his first startup to build an AI that can clone anyone online, and raised funding from Keith Rabois for it.
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Follow Dara's journey:
🐦 X → x.com/daraladje
💼 LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/dara-ladjevardian
🚀 Startup → delphi.ai
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💼 LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/michael-houck
Founder Journey
- (00:56) — Dara's grandfather
- (03:45) — Dara's first encounter with LLMs
- (06:04) — Launching Friday: Dara's first company
- (08:10) — The Friday acquisition journey
- (08:54) — Working at OpenStore post-acquisition
- (48:03) — Lessons from building Friday
Co-founder Dynamics
- (09:38) — Choosing the right co-founder
- (12:01) — Transitioning from solo to co-founder
- (13:58) — Co-founders: bootstrapped vs. VC-backed companies
Marketing & Positioning
- (14:49) — Positioning Delphi
- (21:01) — Delphi's product roadmap
- (23:38) — PLG growth strategy
- (26:30) — Testing paid marketing channels
- (27:30) — Differentiating in the age of AI
- (33:35) — Dara's vision for building Delphi
- (37:27) — Attracting talent to your company
Mentorship & Investment
- (18:38) — Pitching Delphi to Founders Fund
- (38:16) — The importance of mentorship
- (40:21) — Lessons from Keith Rabois
- (41:51) — Effects of high-profile investors
- (42:57) — Why Keith Rabois invested in Dara
- (43:55) — Securing well-respected angels
- (44:44) — Dara’s fundraising tips
- (47:00) — Recognizing the need for VC backing
Additional Insights
- (29:18) — Future role of creators
- (31:02) — Future role of founders
- (35:26) — Passion as a priority in startups
- (49:35) — Niche focus vs. broad targeting
Rapid Fire
- (51:54) — Who's an investor you'd recommend?
- (52:32) — One thing you'd change about startups?
- (53:14) — Advice for first-time founders?
- (53:53) — Something you believe that most disagree with?
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