A look back at my favorite episodes from TechCrunch’s Found podcast
TechCrunch’s Found podcast, which has been bringing listeners the stories behind startups since April 2022, released its final episode today.
I’ve been one of the hosts of Found since November 2022 and during that time I’ve spoken to over 75 founders about the startups they’re building. These founders come from different backgrounds and work in sectors ranging from artificial intelligence to climate to e-commerce to higher education and everything in between.
Now that the show has stopped offering new episodes, I decided to take a look at some of my favorite episodes.
You may notice a theme in many of these. The best founders we spoke to didn’t pitch us their products all the time or make big claims about their company or industry. Instead, many of these founders gave clear descriptions of both building their companies and dealing with the trials and tribulations of startup life.
The following 15 episodes are my favorites that I’ve been a part of. These episodes are listed in reverse chronological order of their release time, as opposed to my actual ranking, you won’t get that from me.
a guest: Hui Liu, Co-Founder and CEO of Airtable
What the company does: No-code application platform
Episode publication date: October 22, 2024
Why is it preferred: Leo was a joy to talk to. Airtable has a great story and Leo tells it well. The fact that the app’s design is inspired by one of Liu’s favorite animated movie characters tells you everything you need to know about the style of this conversation.
a guest: Nick Frost, co-founder of Coher
What the company does: Artificial Intelligence Enterprise
Episode publication date: August 8, 2024
Why is it preferred: There is a lot of hype and hyperbole when it comes to the AI startup market today. Frost is not so inclined. It was refreshing to talk to an AI founder who knows his stuff and can acknowledge what the AI industry is overselling and how his company is fitting into that inflation.
a guest: Tade Oyirinde, Campus Counsellor
What the company does: Accredited online community college
Episode publication date: July 18, 2024
Why is it preferred: Much of the startup ecosystem is looking to replicate old ideas. Although this approach is often valid and profitable, it is not always interesting. Campus is one of the few (non-climate focused) companies I’ve talked to this year that is doing something truly unique.
a guest: Nicholas Green, Co-Founder and CEO of Thrive Market
What the company does: A healthy, membership-based online grocery platform
Episode publication date: April 2, 2024
Why is it preferred: Thrive Market could have targeted its online marketplace for healthy snacks and groceries to the type of customer who already has access to them. But that didn’t happen and the reasons why make for a fascinating foundational story. Plus, learning about the logistics of an online grocery store that launched pre-Covid was fascinating — even for those who aren’t as obsessed with grocery logistics as me.
a guest: Rebecca Ho, co-founder of Glacier
What the company does: Robots that sort recycling
Episode publication date: March 12, 2024
Why is it preferred: Glaser’s approach to using computer vision to train robots to sort recycling seems like a glimpse into the future of reduce, reuse and recycle. He also has some interesting anecdotes about how to build an AI company in the age of AIwashing. In addition, robots have names.
a guest: Beatrice Dixon, co-founder and CEO of The Honey Pot (acquired by Compass Diversified)
What the company does: Menstrual hygiene products
Episode publication date: February 6, 2024
Why is it preferred: The founding story of The Honey Pot is a wonderful one and Dixon is quite the storyteller. This episode also shows you the effort it takes to start a startup, but also delves into the amazing reward at the end of all that work.
a guest: Ben Goodwin, co-founder and CEO of Olipop
What the company does: Prebiotic soda
Episode publication date: January 24, 2024
Why is it preferred: Olipop is a wild company to follow, as the gut-healthy soda market has exploded in recent years. Goodwin was also fun to talk to. Despite being the CEO, he still formulates all of the brand’s flavors himself. He took our call while drinking coffee from a wine glass. This gives you an idea of how this happens.
a guest: Neil Batlivala
What the company does: Connects underserved communities to high-quality care
Episode publication date: November 28, 2023
Why is it preferred: Batlivala has broken the rules on leveraging government resources to help startups boost their impact. Batlivala, and his work with Pair Team, is a bright spot among the startup ecosystem as his company works to improve the lives of the most vulnerable populations in the United States, who are often overlooked by the tech industry at large.
a guest: Abhi Ramesh, Founder and CEO, Misfits Market
What the company does: Online grocery store for ugly produce and mispackaged goods
Episode publication date: October 31, 2023
Why is it preferred: Ramesh was very candid about the founding story of Misfits Market and all the hurdles he faced in starting the company. This episode was also recorded shortly after Misfits acquired competitor Imperfect Foods, so there’s plenty of useful information on how the companies merged together as well.
a guest: Graham Hine, co-founder and director of ePlant (former CEO)
What does: It uses artificial intelligence sensors to monitor tree health
Episode publication date: September 5, 2023
Why is it preferred: This startup uses artificial intelligence to talk to trees! Hein wasn’t your typical Silicon Valley founder, in a good way, and it was fun to chat with a company that’s solving a big problem — tree health — but in a very interesting way. Listen in to find out your favorite Heinz tree, too.
a guest: Rebecca Rosenberg, Founder and CEO of ReBokeh
What the company does: Assistive technology for visually impaired people
Episode publication date: August 1, 2023
Why is it preferred: People with disabilities are often completely overlooked by technological innovation, so it was really great to hear from a founder who is building transformative technology for visually impaired people and doing so in a way rooted in her personal experience. Rosenberg is also wise beyond her years.
a guest: Kamakshi Sivaramakrishnan, Founder and CEO, Samooha (now part of Snowflake)
What does: Secure data collaboration
Episode publication date: May 16, 2023
Why is it preferred: Sivaramakrishnan is a force to be reckoned with in the world of technology. She signed documents to sell her first startup while in the hospital preparing to give birth, and has since launched and sold another startup. There are a lot of lessons to be learned from this.
a guest: Ben Lamm, Founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences
What does: Conservation by bringing extinct species back to life
Episode publication date: March 21, 2023
Why is it preferred: Although you may go into this episode confused as to why a tech startup would seek to bring woolly mammoths back to life, you’ll end this episode thinking the idea makes perfect sense. Lam is an engaging speaker and the science behind the company is absolutely fascinating.
a guest: Matt Rogers, founder and CEO of Mel
What the company does: Food maker at home and recycling
Episode publication date: March 7, 2023
Why is it preferred: Rogers has an impressive background before founding Mill, which includes working on the original iPhone and founding the Nest Smart Thermostat. Rogers is funny – his quips and anecdotes alone make this worth your time.
a guest: Mir Huang, Founder and CEO of GigFinesse
What the company does: Party booking software
Episode publication date: January 17, 2023
Why is it preferred: Hwang is an amazing founder. From pretending to be his own booking agent to creating this startup out of someone else’s bedroom, there are a lot of fun stories in here. Plus, GigFinesse’s party booking tool is pretty cool in its own right.
