The Sachin and Adam Show

In today’s episode, we sit down with Xavier Collins, co-founder of Wonder Studios — the London-based AI film studio backed by Blackbird, LocalGlobe, and angels from OpenAI and DeepMind.Xavier shares Wonder’s mission to become the Pixar of the AI age, democratizing Hollywood-grade production and sparking a global wave of creativity. From supercharging storytelling and navigating venture capital, to blending software with traditional filmmaking and building a 21st-century studio culture, Xavier offers a rare inside look at the future of film.We dive into:How Wonder Studios is bridging Hollywood tradition with AI innovationThe bet on AI as a creative explosion, not a replacementConvincing VCs a studio can be venture-scaleUnlocking Hollywood-grade production for creators worldwideThe role of culture, talent, and new creative roles in building a modern studio00:00 Introduction to the AI Gold Rush00:19 Meet Xavier Collins of Wonder Studios00:42 The Future of Storytelling with AI01:02 Challenges and Opportunities in AI Film Studios01:34 Building a Unicorn: Culture and Vision01:51 Audience Engagement and Subscription Drive02:30 Deep Dive into Wonder Studios' Vision03:41 The AI Gold Rush Analogy06:33 Democratizing Hollywood-Grade Production08:36 VC Skepticism and Conviction12:11 The Agency Model and Beyond13:44 Notion Ad18:39 Lowering Barriers to Hollywood-Grade Animation21:20 Personal Journey and Creative Collaboration26:19 The AI Video Landscape29:40 Advice for Creatives in the Age of AI32:23 Leveraging Technology in Filmmaking34:36 Challenges and Opportunities in Scriptwriting36:32 Impact of AI on the Filmmaking Economy40:00 Building a 21st Century Studio42:42 Team Structure and Culture54:24 Future Goals and Vision

In today’s episode, we’re joined by five leading voices shaping the future of artificial intelligence: Dan Palmer, co-founder of Relevance AI; Michelle Gilmore, CEO and co-founder of Juno; Xharmagne Carandang, founding software engineer at Lorikeet; and Georgie Healy, head of Google’s AI accelerator and host of *In the Blink of AI*. Recorded live at the second-ever AI Roundtable Dinner, this conversation dives deep into the most urgent, surreal, and high-stakes issues in AI today. From billion-dollar bets and VC hype cycles, to AI’s impact on jobs, education, and global competition, the guests share candid insights from their own journeys building in one of the most intense moments in tech history. Listen in for a rare behind-the-scenes look at how these founders are navigating ethical dilemmas, rapid product development, market expansion, and staying grounded amid the noise.Check out their socials:Daniel Palmer’s: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-palmer/Michelle Gilmore’s: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellejoygilmore/Xharmagne Carandang’s: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xharmagne/Georgie Healy’s: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georginahealy/We dive into:- The reality of the current AI VC bubble and capital efficiency in hyper-competitive markets- Why founder expertise, adaptability, and team quality are critical moats in AI- How AI could become as ubiquitous as electricity—and what that means for pricing, value, and innovation- The skills and mindsets that will thrive (and those that might disappear) in an AI-first world- The global race for AI talent and why Sydney, SF, and emerging markets each play a role- Displacement vs. amplification: the societal impacts of automation and possible safety nets- The hype vs. product debate—how to cut through noise and build enduring companies- Storytelling, trust, and the future of marketing in a world where agents make buying decisions- The advice these founders would give their future selves about building in AI over the next decade00:00 Introduction02:37 Round Table Dinner: AI Founders and Leaders03:19 The Future of AI and Market Dynamics04:53 Challenges and Opportunities in AI Startups07:19 The Role of Talent and Capital in AI09:54 Global Perspectives on AI Development13:50 Notion Ad14:36 The Impact of AI on Industries and Society28:11 Geographical Dispersion and Talent Density37:35 Challenging Company Culture Norms38:14 Building Relationships in San Francisco39:38 Talent Density and Research in Australia41:24 AI's Impact on Skills and Employment43:07 The Future of Education and Creativity8:43 Job Displacement and Economic Shifts01:03:57 Ethical Concerns and AI Governance01:14:19 The Importance of Attention in Business01:14:46 Investor Expectations and Startup Metrics01:15:42 Challenges of Building a Sustainable Business01:16:32 Focus on Customers and Incremental Growth01:17:23 The Role of Hype and Distribution01:21:05 The New Generation of Founders01:26:56 The Future of AI and Human Value01:37:49 Reflections and Advice for the Future01:44:01 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-UpThanks to Notion for sponsoring this episode! Organise your team, projects, and ideas all in one place. Try Notion for free and get started with our special link: https://ntn.so/sachin&adam

In today’s episode, we’re joined by John and Jax, partners at AirTree, to talk about their massive new $650 million fund — a milestone backed by some of the world’s top institutional investors. They break down why global capital is finally paying attention to Australia, how this changes the game for local founders, and what traits they now look for in world-class startups. From the rise of AI-native companies to the evolving VC landscape, this is a must-listen for anyone building in tech.Check out their socials:Jonh Henderson:https://www.airtree.vc/team/john-hendersonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhenderson/Jackie Vullinghs:https://www.airtree.vc/team/jackie-vullinghshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jvullinghs/We dive into:Why AirTree raised a $650M fund — and what it unlocks for foundersHow global LPs are finally backing Australian venture capitalThe rise of AI-native startups and why they matter nowWhat AirTree looks for in early-stage founders todayThe shift toward faster, conviction-led investingWhy “speed and intensity” beat “balance” in the startup gameHow growth-stage VC is evolving in AustraliaWhy AirTree is investing in companies they once missedThe internal culture driving AirTree’s successPredictions for the future of VC and AI-driven business models00:00 Exciting Announcement: New $650 Million Fund00:17 The Importance of International Investors00:52 Meet the Partners: John and Jax01:13 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Venture Capital01:23 The Fast-Paced World of VC: Diligence and Conviction01:49 A Special Message to Our Viewers02:31 Deep Dive: The New Fund and Its Impact05:21 Why Australia? Convincing Global Investors06:28 The Growth of the Australian Tech Ecosystem09:28 Vanta Ad12:40 Fund Structure: Seed, Growth, and Co-Investment18:48 The Role of Growth Funds in the VC Landscape20:44 Global Trends in Venture Capital29:47 The Emotional Journey of Building a VC Firm31:21 Core Ingredients for Venture Scale Business32:11 Navigating the Nebulous World of AI33:10 Backing AI Native Entrepreneurs34:30 Valuation Challenges in the AI Era35:53 Importance of Founders in AI Startups43:22 Australian Founders on the Global Stage46:19 Air Tree's Growth Fund Strategy49:00 Building a World-Class Team at Air Tree50:49 Future Vision for Air Tree55:21 Adapting Investment Strategies58:36 Continuous Learning and Healthy Debate01:01:07 Conclusion and Future Outlook

Today we’re joined by John Kim, co-founder and CEO of Paraform—a startup reshaping how companies hire through a fast-growing recruiter marketplace. He shares Paraform’s journey from early struggles to raising a $20M Series A, and reflects on his growth as a leader, along with the company’s vision to expand across industries and deepen AI integration.This conversation matters because it reveals what it really takes to scale a marketplace, build trust with users, and win in one of tech’s most competitive battlegrounds: hiring.We dive into:Early startup experienceCustomer referrals drove investor interestRecruiter marketplace for top-tier hiringMatches companies with external headhuntersAI-powered recruiter performance and matching7-figure earnings possible for recruitersAI assists recruiters, not replaces themFounder goal: master the hiring craft“Scaling is hiring people who hire”Building tools for recruiter entrepreneurshipMarketplace designed for global scalability00:00 Welcome and Introduction00:26 Startup Growth and Office Expansion01:27 Series A Funding Announcement01:48 The Journey to Series A03:13 Customer Success Stories07:22 Elevator Pitch and Recruiting Edge09:55 Vanta Ad11:34 Building the Marketplace12:34 Personal Background and Experiences15:05 Rapid Company Growth15:41 Overcoming Early Challenges20:17 Go-to-Market Strategies24:02 Navigating a Hot Market24:29 The Talent War: Changes in Recruiting25:34 AI's Impact on Work and Salaries26:52 The Future Role of Recruiters28:25 Cultural Fit in Talent Acquisition30:44 In-House vs. External Recruiters33:34 Different Approaches to Recruiting36:37 Sustainability of Current Hiring Practices39:21 Personal Growth and Leadership44:29 Future Goals and VisionThe future of hiring with AI and trust-driven workflows is here. #AI #Startups #Paraform #TechFoundersAbout usWe are two best friends, trying to build a community around in-depth interviews and short documentaries with the best minds in technology and startups. Through bold storytelling and candid conversations, we explore how visionary thinkers are shaping the future. The best way to support is subscribing, truly it makes all the difference for us 💙

Today we’re joined by Pasha and Pennie - second-time founders and the minds behind @a1base, a breakout @ycombinator startup giving AI agents real-world identities like phone numbers, emails, and Slack handles.This conversation matters because it tackles one of the most important missing pieces in AI: identity and trust. We’re moving beyond flashy demos - into a world where agents don’t just generate, they participate.We dive into:- Why agents need a phone number- Building Twilio for AI- Startup mistakes they’ll never repeat- Why “looking legit” slows you down- Speed, soul, and real execution- Trust, safety & agent messaging- What YC still gets right- SF ambition vs. cynicism- Winning in the agent era- Infra for agents, not apps00:00 Introduction to YC and Founders' Ambitions00:24 The Birth of A1 Base: From Idea to YC02:21 Personal Histories: Clues to Becoming Founders08:42 Lessons from Forage: Mistakes and Learnings10:46 Vanta Ad13:40 Building with Intentionality in the Age of AI24:41 AI Agents and Human Communication25:41 The Role of Y Combinator26:09 Cultural and Strategic Benefits of YC27:43 Silicon Valley's Unique Culture29:07 AI Agents in Real-World Applications35:03 Building Trust in AI Agents40:54 Challenges and Optimism in AI Development47:08 Future of AI Agents and Company Goals48:44 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-UpThis isn’t just about bots in group chats - it’s about reshaping how software works with people. The agent era has begun.#AI #Startups #YCombinator #a1base #AIagents #SachinandAdamShow #MessagingInfra #AIInfrastructure #TechFoundersAbout usWe are two best friends, trying to build a community around in-depth interviews and short documentaries with the best minds in technology and startups. Through bold storytelling and candid conversations, we explore how visionary thinkers are shaping the future. The best way to support is subscribing, truly it makes all the difference for us 💙