Startups Decoded

In this episode of Startups Decoded, I’m joined by Mike MacCombie, partner at Generous Ventures, a NYC-based VC fund known for investing in founders who build with behavioral design in mind.

We explore how human behavior shapes startup success and dive deep into the subtle forces that guide (and misguide) founder decisions, from social anchoring to pattern recognition, from frameworks that help to those that hold you back.

The big c...

In this episode, I sit down with Ben Yoskovitz, founding partner at Highline Beta, to explore the intersection of product, analytics, and venture studios.

We dive into:

• How data-driven decision-making fuels startup growth
• The role of venture studios in corporate innovation
• Lessons from Go-Instant’s journey to acquisition by Salesforce
• Why startups and enterprises must bridge the gap for success

With deep expertise in Lean Analyt...

The startup funding game is changing fast, and so is the early-stage VC model. So… is it time for a reset?

In this episode of Startups Decoded, I sit down with Jeff Becker — investor, entrepreneur, and partner at Antler, the fastest-growing global VC firm, to unpack what’s really going on in early-stage venture capital.

We explore everything from the decline of the traditional fund model to the rise of rolling capital agreements, cou...

Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have.

As businesses face growing pressure to align with climate targets, the demand for green skills is skyrocketing. In this episode of Startups Decoded, I sit down with Neil Yeoh, CEO of OnePointFive, to discuss how companies can bridge the gap between climate science, finance, and strategy.

We’ll explore the rise of the "Climate Expert-in-Residence," why upskilling in susta...

Redefining normal: how brands can challenge culture and win.

In this episode, we sit down with Andy Miller, co-founder and CEO of Heaps Normal, to explore how brands can go beyond selling products to reshape cultural norms. Andy shares how Heaps Normal is redefining Australia’s drinking culture, the power of purpose-driven branding, and what it takes to build a movement that resonates.

We discuss his launch into California through a...

In this episode I sit down with Nick Sgobba to discuss the evolution of product management in the age of AI.

We explore how AI tools are transforming product design, development, and validation processes, emphasizing the need for critical thinking and human creativity in a landscape increasingly dominated by technology.

The conversation also touches on the democratization of product design, the challenges of competition, and the cha...

In this episode, sales and go-to-market expert Carol Malakasis breaks down the essential components of a winning go-to-market strategy.

We explore how startups can align sales with the customer journey, prioritize pain points, and repurpose old GTM strategies for new products. Carol also shares best practices for setting realistic launch goals based on sales forecasts.

Whether you're a founder or an early sales leader, this convers...

In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape, brand strategy is more crucial than ever. As consumer expectations shift and competition intensifies, modern brands must redefine their approach to stand out and drive sustainable growth. Danish Chan, co-founder of Untangld and founding partner of ‘by The Network,’ brings a wealth of experience in reshaping how brands connect with their audiences. In this podcast, we’ll ex...

Venture Studios are not all built the same, some focus on rapid ideation, others on deep operational support, and their structures can vary dramatically. Yet, the industry still struggles with legitimacy in the eyes of investors and founders alike. Are they incubators? Are they funds? How do they truly add value?

In this episode, I sit down with Neal Ghosh, an economist-turned-venture builder, to break down what separates high-quali...

Venture capital isn’t just about writing checks, it’s about creating value. In this episode, we dive into the crucial role of VC platform teams in driving returns. From connecting portfolio companies with key hires and strategic partners to support their growth with tailored resources, platform teams are transforming how VCs deliver value beyond capital.

It is important to explore each firm's distinct approach to community and plat...

Scaling a startup is tough, but what if you are the bottleneck? In this episode, Rachel Hamlin shares how founders can break free from burnout, sharpen focus, and lead with clarity. She dives into why success doesn’t always bring fulfillment, how stress and self-doubt sabotage leadership, and practical ways to scale without sacrificing yourself. If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, this is your wake-up call.

Ready to scale witho...

In this episode, we dive into the art of communicating complex science and technology concepts. Cindy Skalicky, an expert in executive communications and storytelling, shares her strategies for transforming intricate ideas into compelling narratives that resonate with both external audiences and internal teams. Cindy has helped leaders at Google, Microsoft, and JP Morgan Chase elevate their communication skills, ensuring their mess...

In this episode of Startups Decoded, we’re joined by Crystelle Desnoyer, an accomplished Executive Operator with extensive experience in scaling tech organizations across industries. From growing 26 global companies to her work as Chief of Staff at Techstars, Crystelle shares invaluable insights on how founders navigated 2024 and how they can prepare for sustainable growth in 2025.

We’ll dive into key topics such as supporting found...

In this episode of Method: Startups Decoded, Lucy Woolfenden, a founder and dynamic marketing leader with extensive experience in scaling early-stage startups and building high-performing marketing teams, joins us to explore how to transform valuable insights into actionable strategies that fuel growth.

From hiring your first marketer to leveraging customer feedback, Lucy shares key lessons learned from her impressive career journe...

In this debut episode, we tackle a critical question for the future of the climate tech industry: Does climate tech need a rebrand?

Featuring Helena Wasserman, co-founder of Investors for Climate, this episode dives into:

• How climate tech is perceived by investors and the public.
• The role of storytelling in overcoming funding challenges.
• The evolving identity of climate tech and its trends for the next year.
• Helena’s personal insigh...