Afleveringen
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Exploring AI's Frontier with Yohei Nakajima
In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs is joined by Yohei Nakajima, a venture capitalist, innovator, and artist. Yohei, known for his work with Untapped Capital and the creation of BabyAGI, discusses his latest endeavor, The Agent Fund, focused on AI agents. The conversation delves into Yohei's multifaceted career, from his artistic projects like PixelBeasts to his AI-centric investments and automation efforts. They explore the rapid advancements in AI, the societal impact, and the evolving landscape of venture capital. Yohei shares insights into his investment strategy, the future of AI-native applications, and his unique approach to parenting in a tech-driven world.
00:00 Introduction to Yohei Nakajima
00:26 Yohei's Multifaceted Career
01:23 The Next Next: A Learning Journey
02:07 Starting the Conversation with Yohei
03:25 Yohei's Investment Philosophy
04:44 The Role of AI in Yohei's Work
07:28 The Evolution of AI and Its Impact
10:52 Challenges and Opportunities in AI
15:18 The Future of AI and Society
25:38 The Agent Fund and AI Investments
29:19 The Future of Company Growth in the Age of AI
30:14 Challenges and Opportunities for the Next Generation
33:43 Navigating Career Choices in a World of AI
36:02 AI's Role in Youth Development and Education
36:43 Investing in AI: Strategies and Insights
47:52 Balancing Structure and Flexibility in Daily Life
49:56 Final Thoughts and Future Outlook
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Building SwingVision: An AI-Powered Revolution in Racket Sports
In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs interviews Swupnil Sahai, co-founder and CEO of SwingVision, an AI-driven app for tennis and racket sport performance tracking. Swupnil shares his journey from working on Tesla's autopilot team to founding SwingVision, blending his passion for tennis with his expertise in AI. The app leverages a single iPhone or iPad to provide amateur players with pro-level analytics, including real-time stats, automatic line calling, and video highlights. They discuss the inception of SwingVision, early challenges, data collection strategies, and the importance of user feedback in refining the technology. Swupnil also talks about the company's go-to-market strategy, funding journey, and future aspirations, including potential expansion into other sports and improving infrastructure at sports facilities. The conversation highlights the merging paths of entrepreneurship and AI in sports tech, providing valuable insights for aspiring founders.
00:00 Introduction to The Next Next
00:33 Meet Swupnil Sahai: From Tesla to SwingVision
01:37 SwingVision: Revolutionizing Tennis Analytics
04:16 The Reality of Entrepreneurship
06:49 Swupnil's Journey: From Academia to Tesla
11:15 Building SwingVision: The Early Days
14:47 Training AI Models for Tennis
19:40 Gathering Data and Scaling Up
22:07 Launching the MVP and Iterating
23:27 Advice for Aspiring AI Entrepreneurs
25:15 Customer Feedback and Data Utilization
26:56 Fundraising Journey and Initial Challenges
29:01 Go-to-Market Strategy and Organic Growth
31:23 Adapting to AI Advancements
36:03 Freemium Model and Product Experiments
41:23 Future Vision and Expansion Plans
49:01 Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Entrepreneurs
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Navigating Startups, AI, and Family Life with Andrew Lau of Jellyfish
In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs interviews Andrew Lau, co-founder and CEO of Jellyfish. Jellyfish is a Boston-based software company that provides engineering leaders with data-driven insights to align their team's work with broader business objectives. Andrew discusses the founding and growth of Jellyfish, including their successful Series C round led by Accel in early 2022. The conversation covers the challenges of balancing startup growth with family life, the transitional impact of AI on engineering productivity, and the future of AI in business operations. Andrew shares insights on navigating market changes, the importance of strategic decision-making, and the value of building a supportive team culture.
00:00 Introduction to The Next Next with Andrew Lau
00:17 Meet Andrew Lau: Co-Founder and CEO of Jellyfish
00:35 Jellyfish's Mission and Venture Success
01:03 Andrew's Perspective on AI and Business
01:58 Introduction to The Next Next: A Learning Journey
02:38 Reconnecting with Andrew Lau
03:38 The Early Days of Runkeeper and Jellyfish
04:22 Building Jellyfish: Challenges and Successes
06:58 Balancing Family and Startup Life
09:05 Navigating Business Phases and Trade-offs
21:58 The Impact of COVID-19 on Jellyfish
25:14 Focusing on Engineering Leaders
26:18 Shifting to Larger Companies
26:29 Mid-Market Sales Strategy
29:38 Adapting to AI in Customer Operations
36:48 Internal Use of AI Tools
37:01 Future of Teams and AI Integration
40:13 Disruption and Market Adaptation
41:06 Reflections on Startup Evolution
45:23 Jellyfish's Future Vision
47:33 Closing Remarks and Contact Information
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Exploring AI-Driven Ventures with Hadley Harris of Eniac Ventures In this episode of The Next Next, Jason Jacobs hosts Hadley Harris, co-founder and general partner at Eniac Ventures. Since its inception in 2010, Eniac Ventures has made significant investments in AI, data, developer tools, SaaS, and healthcare. The discussion delves into the evolution of Eniac Ventures, from its early days focusing solely on mobile-first companies to becoming a pioneer in AI-first investments. Harris shares insights on the AI landscape, the timing of investments, the impact of AI on various sectors, and societal implications. Additionally, the episode explores the practical aspects of venture capital, including the use of AI in internal operations and the emerging trends in secondary markets. Jacobs also pitches an idea around using AI in the sports coaching and analysis space, seeking Harris's feedback. Tune in for an engaging conversation about navigating and harnessing the potential of AI in venture capital and startups.
00:00 Introduction to Hadley Harris and Eniac Ventures
00:55 Hadley's Journey and Eniac's Evolution
01:16 The Changing Landscape of Venture Capital
01:38 Deep Dive into AI and Its Implications
04:12 Hadley's Early Career and AI Involvement
05:37 The Impact of AI on Various Industries
09:18 Investment Strategies and Timing
12:14 Challenges and Opportunities in AI
15:14 Future of AI and Venture Capital
24:25 Bootstrapping vs. Hyperscale in the AI Era
29:37 Transition from Mobile to AI
30:13 The Evolution of AI in Business
32:03 AI's Role in Modern Companies
33:38 Balancing AI and Human Expertise
38:11 Ethical Considerations in Venture Capital
42:24 The Future of Liquidity in Venture Capital
47:04 Exploring AI in Sports and Fitness
52:33 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
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Navigating AI and Creativity with Gregg Spiridellis In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs interviews Gregg Spiridellis, co-founder of JibJab and StoryBots. Gregg shares his journey from investment banking to digital entertainment, discussing the evolution of his creative process and the impact of new technologies. He highlights how he and his brother are using AI to revolutionize content creation, including their latest endeavor to build a feature-length animated film based on Parry Grip's music. Gregg also touches on the challenges and strategies in navigating Hollywood's power dynamics and the significance of balancing career ambitions with family life.
00:00 Introduction to Gregg Spiridellis
00:05 The Journey from Investment Banking to JibJab
00:51 StoryBots and Netflix Success 01:10 New Ventures with Parry Grip
01:46 Exploring AI in Creative Processes
02:52 Introduction to The Next Next
04:48 Gregg's Current Projects
05:11 Building a Family Franchise
08:00 The Evolution of Creative Formats
11:58 Challenges and Iterations in Creativity
13:33 The Impact of Technology on Media
21:24 Failed Ventures and Lessons Learned
25:31 Collaborating with Parry Grip
27:19 Exploring Creative Origins
27:46 Building a Business Around Animation
28:44 Involving Gatekeepers and Developing Content
30:44 The Pixar Playbook and Technological Advances
34:06 Phases of Production and Financing
36:30 Embracing AI in Creative Processes
44:26 Industry Disruption and Future Implications
45:08 Philosophical Reflections on Legacy and Innovation
49:30 Final Thoughts and Future Plans
55:55 Conclusion and Parting Words
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Redefining Venture Capital for the Creator Economy with Megan Lightcap of Slow Ventures In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs interviews Megan Lightcap, a partner at Slow Ventures and the manager of their newly launched Creator Fund. The fund is a pioneering venture capital initiative aimed at backing creator entrepreneurs with a $60 million-plus seed fund. Megan talks about her journey into venture capital, Slow Ventures' distinctive approach, and the inception and growth of the Creator Fund. The discussion covers Slow Ventures' philosophy, the evolving landscape of consumer behavior, and the unique challenges and strategies involved in investing in creators versus traditional startups. Megan also shares insights into the sourcing and evaluation process, the importance of community engagement, and the future potential of creator-led brands. The episode delves into the operational and strategic differences between Slow's core seed investments and the Creator Fund, while highlighting the value of authenticity and passion in the creator economy. 00:00 Introduction to Megan Lightcap and Slow Ventures
00:41 The Rise of Creator Entrepreneurs
04:25 Overview of Slow Ventures and Its Funds
06:15 The Creator Fund: Concept and Execution
19:23 Early Experimentation and Learnings
27:25 Identifying the Right Creator Fit
27:59 Evaluating Founders and Teams
29:13 Charisma and Obsession in Founders
31:12 Team Dynamics and Screening Processes
32:49 Equity Stakes and Profit Sharing
34:34 Long-Term Partnerships and Value Creation
36:06 Expanding Beyond Creators
37:25 Networking and Learning Among Creators
40:25 Sourcing and Evaluating Future Stars
44:39 Platform Preferences and Audience Engagement
46:43 The Future of Creator Development
50:31 Final Thoughts and Parting Words
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Leveraging AI for Personalized Medicine with Sunita Mohanty of Vibrant Practice In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs interviews Sunita Mohanty, co-founder and CEO of Vibrant Practice, a healthcare startup focusing on personalized medicine. Sunita shares her journey from being a product leader at Meta to founding Vibrant Practice after facing health challenges that led her to functional medicine. The discussion covers the integration of AI into Vibrant Practice's EHR and practice management platform, addressing issues like doctor burnout and operational inefficiencies. Sunita also discusses the mindset shift required in the healthcare industry, the balance of using AI and human touch in care, and the company's journey from building manually to leveraging AI-driven automation. The conversation touches on the company's SaaS business model, the importance of providing better patient care, and future scaling plans while maintaining a lean, technology-based team.
00:00 Introduction to Today's Episode
00:01 Meet Sunita Mohanty: From Meta to Vibrant Practice
00:45 The Birth of Vibrant Practice
01:24 The Role of AI in Healthcare
01:48 Welcome to The Next Next
03:42 Sunita's Journey to Functional Medicine
06:47 Challenges and Opportunities in Personalized Medicine
08:45 Building Vibrant Practice: The Early Days
12:14 The Shift Towards Functional and Integrative Medicine
17:26 The Future of Healthcare: Technology and Mindset Shifts
20:40 Navigating the Healthcare System: Insurance and Cash-Based Models
24:10 Vibrant Practice: The All-in-One Platform
28:07 Integrating Point Solutions for Clinicians
29:32 AI in Clinical Operations
32:35 Business Model and Market Strategy
34:44 Balancing AI and Human Touch
43:06 Scaling the Team with AI
46:10 Future of AI in Startups and Venture Capital
51:17 Opportunities in Underserved Markets
55:09 Closing Thoughts and Call to Action
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Democratizing Programming: The Vision of Val Town with Steve Krouse In this episode of 'The Next Next,' host Jason Jacobs interviews Steve Krouse, founder of Val Town, a platform designed to make programming more accessible and collaborative through web-based tools. Steve talks about the challenges of traditional code collaboration, the integration of AI tools into Val Town, and their growth strategy focused on interoperability. He emphasizes the potential long-term impact of Val Town on democratizing programming for both professional developers and newcomers. The conversation also explores the evolution of AI in coding, the importance of accessible programming, and fostering better collaboration within the tech community. Additionally, Steve shares insights into the medium- to long-term vision of Val Town, the importance of creating web-native programmable interfaces, and the company's approach to leveraging AI without directly competing in AI code generation. The episode offers a deep dive into the future of collaborative programming and how Val Town aims to shape it.
00:00 Introduction to Steve Krouse and Val Town
01:02 Host Introduction and Show's Purpose
01:52 Steve's Journey and Initial Interaction with Val Town
03:35 Steve's Background and Climate Interest
07:06 Genesis of Val Town
15:13 Challenges in Code Collaboration
21:34 Val Town's Vision and Future
36:46 Google Docs for Production Code
37:42 Enhancing GitHub Collaboration
39:38 AI's Role in Val Town
41:18 Shifting AI Strategy
44:43 Integration and Openness
49:09 Growth and User Engagement
58:17 The Future of Programming and AI
01:04:57 Community and Collaboration
01:09:01 Val Town's Vision and Goals
01:10:08 Conclusion and Contact Information
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Balancing Innovation and Community: Reagan Bonlie on Nudge Money In this episode of The Next Next, Jason Jacobs speaks with Reagan Bonlie, co-founder and CEO of Nudge Money. They discuss how Nudge Money, a financial wellness platform, uses AI to help credit unions better understand and serve their members, particularly focusing on community development and personalized financial advice. Reagan shares insights from his extensive background at JPMorgan Chase and the journey of pivoting Nudge Money's business model. They also delve into the challenges and opportunities in integrating AI in the conservative and highly regulated credit union sector, emphasizing that the technology must add real value without disrupting the human-centric mission of credit unions.
00:00 Introduction to Reagan Bonlie and Nudge Money
00:26 The Role of AI in Nudge Money
00:52 Challenges and Opportunities with Credit Unions
01:46 Reagan's Passion for Community Development
02:54 Introduction to The Next Next Show
03:34 Reagan's Journey from JPMorgan to Nudge Money
04:17 Nudge Money's Mission and Approach
04:58 Reagan's Entrepreneurial Background
05:47 The Genesis of Nudge Money
08:23 Challenges in the Financial Wellness Space
09:44 Pivoting to Work with Credit Unions
13:07 Understanding Credit Union Needs
17:43 Building and Iterating the Product
25:03 Leveraging AI in Product Development
27:12 Navigating Industry Challenges and Opportunities
28:56 Balancing Compliance and Innovation
30:25 Leveraging AI for Efficiency
32:20 Market Perceptions and Realities
36:42 Strategic Growth and Community Impact
42:11 Funding and Capitalization Strategies
45:28 Long-Term Vision and Success Metrics
49:31 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
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Exploring the Intersection of AI and Creation with Jay Singh of Casper Studios In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs sits down with Jay Singh, co-founder and CEO of Casper Studios, a New York-based AI product studio. Jay shares his journey from working at LinkedIn to founding Casper Studios, which focuses on designing and developing custom AI solutions for startups and creators. They discuss the compelling need for AI tools in product development, the creative processes behind building AI solutions, and the importance of understanding one's target audience. Jay elaborates on his strategic focus on creators with large followings, his excitement about new AI functionalities like multimodal models, and how he plans to balance product development with running an agency. This conversation dives deep into how AI is redefining the agency world and the creative economy.
00:00 Introduction to Jay Singh and Casper Studios
00:50 Founding Story and Early Days of Casper Studios
03:58 Jay's Background and Journey to AI
05:47 First AI Product and Transition to Full-Time
06:26 Casper Studios' Business Model and Client Focus
14:35 Building AI Products for Creators
21:51 AI Tools and Team Dynamics
26:36 Common Pitfalls for Creators
26:53 Understanding Your Audience
28:19 AI's Impact on Creativity and Critical Thinking
32:24 The Future of Agencies in the AI Era
34:05 Balancing Product Development and Agency Work
39:22 Leveraging AI for Business Growth
44:03 Exploring Funding and Business Models
48:14 Final Thoughts and Farewell
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From Startup Struggles to AI-Driven Success: Uday Chandra & Singular's Adaptive Business Engine In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs interviews Uday Chandra, co-founder of Singular, an innovative startup focused on building an adaptive business operating engine using AI. Introduced by Mady Mantha from Happypillar, Chandra shares his journey from a failed fintech startup to successfully bootstrapping Singular with his co-founder. Singular aims to consolidate various SaaS tools into a single unified system, leveraging open-source technologies and AI-driven agents for coding and business rule integration. Despite being only three months old, Singular has achieved $45,000 in monthly recurring revenue (MRR) from five customers, with a vision of scaling further without outside funding. The episode delves into the challenges of integrating AI, customer acquisition strategies, and future ambitions for the company.
00:00 Introduction to Uday Chandra and Singular
00:31 Uday's Journey: From Traditional Startup to AI-Driven Success
01:13 Singular's Innovative Approach and Early Success
02:09 The Vision Behind Singular: Consolidating SaaS Tools
02:41 Meet the Host: Jason Jacobs and The Next Next
03:28 Uday's Background and the Birth of Singular
04:02 Challenges and Learnings from UKey
08:38 Identifying the Problem: SaaS Fatigue
10:10 Building Singular: Customer Development and Market Research
15:01 Targeting the Right Market Segments
16:42 Developing Singular's Features and Functionality
19:53 Leveraging AI for Software Development
24:24 Pricing Model and Customization
27:38 The Future of SaaS and AI Integration
36:53 Opinionated Approach to Software Development
38:49 Initial Customer Acquisition Strategies
39:54 Pitching to Mid Enterprises
40:24 Overcoming Customer Skepticism
41:41 Navigating Tool Integration Challenges
45:25 Leveraging AI for Business Optimization
50:19 Scaling with a Small Team
01:00:31 Open Source and AI Innovations
01:08:07 Building a Collaborative Community
01:11:46 Final Thoughts and Future Outlook
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Harnessing AI to Revolutionize Lending: A Conversation with Scott Weller of EnFi In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs sits down with Scott Weller, co-founder and CTO of EnFi, an AI-powered platform aimed at enhancing the lending process. Scott shares insights into how EnFi emerged amid the financial crises of Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic Bank, revealing the fragility of the financial system. The discussion delves into Scott's journey as a serial entrepreneur, the role of AI in building EnFi, and the innovative way EnFi collaborates with design partners instead of traditional customers. Scott highlights the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI in lending, the process of prototyping, and the importance of staying on the cutting edge of technology. They also explore the future of AI in various sectors, the implications for venture funding, and the potential for community-driven knowledge sharing to accelerate AI development. This episode is packed with insights on how emerging AI tools can aid in building ambitious companies while maintaining a balance with personal life.
00:00 Introduction to Scott Weller and EnFi
00:13 The Genesis of EnFi
00:56 Scott Weller's Entrepreneurial Journey
01:13 AI's Role in EnFi's Development
01:30 Challenges and Innovations in Lending
02:18 The Next Next: A Learning Journey
02:58 Catching Up with Scott Weller
04:38 Scott's Background and Early Influences
06:35 The Birth of EnFi
10:04 Prototyping and AI Integration
16:53 Design Partners and Market Fit
29:51 Building the Team and Scaling
40:02 Fundraising and Future Prospects
44:39 The Impact of Raising Capital on Business Trajectory
44:59 Navigating Capital Light vs. Capital Heavy Strategies
46:09 Understanding Market Demand and User Access
47:03 Challenges in Different AI Application Markets
48:01 Balancing R&D and Market Entry
49:57 Personal Reflections on Entrepreneurship
56:39 The Role of Agents in Software Development
59:31 Implications of AI on Hiring and Industry
01:01:48 The Future of Venture Capital in a Changing Market
01:07:11 Building a Collaborative Community for AI Development
01:22:20 Final Thoughts and Reflections
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Building AI-Powered 3D Creativity Tools with Bharat Vasan In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs welcomes Bharat Vasan, co-founder of Intangible, to discuss their development of a no-code 3D creation tool targeting filmmakers, game designers, and creative professionals. Intangible recently raised a $4 million seed round to simplify 3D content creation using AI. Bharat talks about his journey, including co-founding Basis Technologies and working with notable names like Charles Migos from Apple and Unity. They explore the challenges and opportunities in the film and games industries, the potential of AI, building a startup team, and maintaining work-life balance as an entrepreneur. Bharat and Jason also reminisce about their long history and shared experiences in the startup world.
00:00 Introduction to Bharat Vasan and Intangible
00:52 Bharat's Entrepreneurial Journey
00:58 Discussion on Founding Companies
01:26 State of the Film and Games Industries
01:57 Introduction to The Next Next
02:37 Reconnecting with Bharat
03:34 Bharat's Background and Journey to the US
05:11 Cultural Shocks and Career Beginnings
05:38 Bharat's Experience in Silicon Valley
08:54 The Importance of Co-founders
12:40 Key Factors in Starting a Company
17:15 Meeting Co-founder Charles Migos
19:48 Challenges in the Film and Games Industries
23:14 The Vision for Intangible
28:47 AI Transforms Creative Processes
29:35 The Role of Agents in AI
31:17 Simplifying 3D Creative Tools
33:48 AI's Impact on Production and Creativity
37:40 The Future of AI in Creative Industries
43:52 Building Intangible AI
53:22 The Startup Grind and Co-Founder Dynamics
57:37 Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook
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Building HYBRD: Leveraging AI in Fitness App Development In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs chats with Matthew Ruiters and Ben Katz, co-founders of HYBRD, an innovative fitness tracking app for hybrid athletes. They discuss the unique approach of using AI for coding and development, their journey through Y Combinator, and the challenges and successes faced along the way. Topics include utilizing AI tools to empower non-technical founders, transitioning from a side project to a full-fledged company, and the future of fitness app development and marketing with AI. The conversation also touches on the implications of evolving AI tools for startup efficiency, competition, and employment.
00:00 Introduction to The Next Next
02:11 Meet the Guests: Ruiters and Ben
03:03 What is HYBRD?
04:10 The Origin Story of HYBRD
09:37 Building the Prototype and Joining YC
15:36 Leveraging AI for Development
19:33 The Role of AI in Team Efficiency
23:11 AI-Driven Workflow Enhancements
24:04 The Role of Technical Founders
25:13 Balancing Hustler and Hacker Dynamics
25:46 Drawbacks and Challenges of AI Tools
27:02 AI's Impact on Hiring and Competition
29:29 Diving into AI Tools: Tips and Experiences
35:47 Application-Only Launch Strategy
37:24 Future Plans and Funding
40:13 Marketing and Distribution Strategies
43:28 Final Thoughts and Parting Words
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Fostering AI Adoption: A Deep Dive with Melodi's Sara Remsen In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs talks with Sara Remsen, CEO and co-founder of Melodi, a startup helping AI companies improve their models with human feedback. They discuss Melodi's journey, AI's current transformative state, and its potential opportunities and hype. The conversation covers the rise of AI agents, the tools available for building them, the pros and cons of those tools, and the challenges companies face in developing in-house agents. Sara explains Melodi's role in measuring digital resolution rates for AI-powered chatbots, detailing their approach to improving customer interaction insights. The discussion also touches on Melodi's origin story and developmental journey, the impact of generative AI on traditional product feedback methods, and the future of AI integration in businesses. Towards the end, Sara shares practical advice for founders and established companies on incorporating AI thoughtfully and strategically.
00:00 Introduction to Sara Remsen and Melodi
00:20 Overview of the Episode's Topics
01:24 Introduction to The Next Next Show
02:03 Sara Remsen Joins the Conversation
02:09 Challenges in Podcast Recording
02:29 Sara's Background and Connection with Jason
03:31 Founding Melodi and Its Mission
03:40 Understanding Melodi's Functionality
04:38 The Origin Story of Melodi
08:05 Exploring RAG Systems
14:52 Challenges and Opportunities with AI Agents
24:53 The Future of AI and Digital Workforces
27:07 Prioritizing Tool Sets and Tasks
27:23 Melodi's Integration and Functionality
28:22 Task Agnosticism and Monitoring
28:46 Criteria for Melodi's Market Fit
29:12 AI Maturity and Company Size
29:31 Melodi's Ideal Customer Profile
36:31 Challenges in the AI Market
37:52 Future of Software and AI
43:56 Melodi's Sales and Customer Acquisition
45:42 Incorporating AI in Operations
49:16 Advice for Founders and Companies
52:56 Melodi's Future Plans
54:23 Creative Uses of AI in Daily Life
55:09 Conclusion and Farewell
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Shawn Harris on Revolutionizing Project Management with AI In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs interviews Shawn Harris, co-founder and CEO of Coworked. Shawn shares how Coworked is transforming project management by leveraging AI, specifically with their flagship product, Harmony. The discussion delves into Coworked's journey from initial concept to their pivot based on market needs, leading to the development of an extensive agent-driven AI system. Shawn provides insights on the challenges and decisions involved in building their own agentic framework, the role of project managers, and the future landscape of AI in project management. The episode also touches on Shawn's perspective on the evolving role of founders and invites listeners, especially PMO leaders, to engage with Coworked's innovative solutions.
00:00 Introduction to The Next Next
00:29 The Birth of Coworked and Harmony
01:47 Challenges in Project Management
03:04 Meet Shawn Harris
04:45 Understanding Harmony's Capabilities
06:11 The Founding Story of Coworked
12:38 Building the Agentic Framework
16:07 Optimizing Project Management
17:50 Technical Challenges and Solutions
19:59 DIY vs. Off-the-Shelf Solutions
23:26 Ensuring Reliability and Accuracy
28:56 Overcoming Challenges in AI Development
30:43 The Role of AI in Development and Resources
31:41 Team Structure and AI Integration
33:58 Human Involvement in AI Projects
40:25 Market Penetration and Customer Engagement
42:20 AI's Impact on Project Management
48:33 Defensibility and Competition in AI
56:16 Future of AI in Business and Entrepreneurship
57:14 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
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Exploring AI Integration in Product Management with Paul Heayn In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs welcomes Paul Heayn, a product manager at Peapod Digital Labs, who has been integrating AI into his work. The conversation covers Paul's professional background, his journey with AI, and his hands-on experience with tools like ChatGPT and N8N. They discuss the challenges and potential of automating workflows, the future impact of AI on roles within startups, and how to effectively integrate AI into existing processes. The episode serves as a practical guide for anyone looking to incorporate AI tools into their professional workflows.
00:00 Introduction to Today's Episode
02:22 Paul Heayn's Background and AI Journey
03:32 Exploring AI Tools and Applications
07:48 Challenges and Learnings in AI Implementation
08:38 Future Prospects and Personal Reflections
17:18 Navigating AI Tools and Resources
21:02 Debating the Best Approach to Learning AI
27:16 The Programming Genie Concept
27:44 Challenges in Character Development
28:22 Automation in Various Professions
28:52 Building Personal Software Solutions
30:19 Future of Vendor-Sold Software
31:24 AI's Impact on Job Roles
34:56 Choosing the Right AI Tools
42:16 Practical Coding Tools and Automation
46:11 Final Thoughts and Future Plans
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Navigating Ambition, Family, and AI with Brian Balfour of Reforge In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs speaks with Brian Balfour, founder and CEO of Reforge. The episode covers Brian’s entrepreneurial journey, including his time at Viximo and HubSpot, and the challenges and strategies he employed in building Reforge since 2016. Brian shares insights on balancing being a venture-backed founder and a dad, embracing and managing ambition healthily, and the transformative impact of AI on product teams. The conversation delves into Reforge’s pivot to incorporating AI, its acquisition of Monterey.ai, and the future implications of AI on startup building and venture capital. Jason and Brian also discuss the evolving landscape of AI tools and the importance of being on the front lines of technology adoption.
00:00 Introduction to Brian Balfour
00:31 Brian's Early Ventures and Reforge
00:46 Balancing Ambition and Family
00:56 The Role of AI in Reforge
02:03 The Next Next: A Learning Journey
02:44 Brian's Entrepreneurial Journey
05:29 The Impact of Family on Ambition
06:48 Navigating Challenges and Opportunities
22:59 AI's Disruption in Education and Product Teams
32:08 Transitioning to AI Native Product Teams
32:42 Building vs. Acquiring AI Products
33:24 Utilizing AI in Training and Content Creation
38:31 Impact of AI on Team Structure and Efficiency
41:24 Future of Startups and AI
47:53 Venture Capital and Startup Culture
50:17 Navigating AI Tools and Automation
52:03 Advice and Future Plans
01:02:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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AI and Parenting: Revolutionizing Child Behavioral Therapy with Mady Mantha In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs interviews Mady Mantha, co-founder and CTO of Happypillar, a digital therapeutic application that delivers evidence-based behavioral interventions to families using AI. Mady shares her extensive background in product and machine learning engineering and details her journey from developing conversational AI at Sirius and Walmart to building Happypillar. They discuss how Happypillar uses AI to make parenting easier by providing scaled therapeutic support, the roles of human expertise in AI development, the evolving AI landscape, and the intersection of AI with startup building, funding, and human roles. The conversation also explores the implications of AI on team structures in engineering, marketing, and competitive dynamics. Mady highlights the importance of domain expertise and distribution as moats and provides insight into future expansions for Happypillar.
00:00 Introduction to Mady Mantha and Happypillar
02:41 The Role of AI in Modern Startups
04:45 Building Happypillar: The Journey and Challenges
07:35 AI's Impact on Behavioral Interventions
12:23 Iterative Development and AI Integration
21:14 AI Native Startups vs Traditional Startups
25:39 Therapist Integration in AI
26:51 Scaling Therapy Services with AI
27:32 Personalization in Therapy
29:17 AI's Impact on Internal Processes
31:39 AI in Coding and Team Dynamics
34:23 Future of Junior Engineers
36:45 Fundraising and Bootstrapping
38:34 Marketing and AI Tools
40:01 Human vs. AI in Sensitive Areas
43:04 Competitive Landscape and Moats
45:28 Open Source and Innovation
46:20 Future Plans for Happy Pillar
47:37 Call to Action and Conclusion
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Building a Balanced Business: Mike Salguero on Scaling ButcherBox Thoughtfully
In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs interviews Mike Salguero, founder and CEO of ButcherBox. They discuss Mike's journey from the failure of his first startup, CustomMade, to the success of ButcherBox, a direct-to-consumer meat delivery service that now boasts over $500 million in revenue without raising outside capital. The conversation explores the importance of maintaining a work-life balance, the challenges of scaling a business independently, and the role of AI in enhancing customer experience. Mike shares insights on how to build a company that aligns with one's lifestyle goals while addressing broader industry challenges, such as worker welfare and sustainable meat production.
00:00 Introduction to Mike Salguero and ButcherBox
01:15 Mike's Journey from CustomMade to ButcherBox
03:01 Balancing Family and Business
03:33 The Role of AI in ButcherBox
05:35 Building ButcherBox: Philosophy and Growth
07:46 Lessons from CustomMade
11:14 Launching ButcherBox
20:33 The Growth and Challenges of ButcherBox
27:38 The Power of Saying No 28:18 Balancing Personal and Professional Life
29:43 The Importance of CEO Forums
31:34 The Plate-Spinning Analogy
33:06 Golden Plates: Health, Relationships, and Kids
34:41 Navigating Financial Independence
37:24 Reviving the Founder Mindset
40:04 Empowering Your Executive Team
45:20 Challenges in the Meat Industry
50:51 The Future Vision for ButcherBox
54:07 Final Thoughts and Reflections
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