"Request for Startups" with Erik Torenberg

Today’s episode of Request for Startups features* Sean Linehan: CEO at Exec and Squad. @seanlinehan on X* Erik Torenberg: Investor, Founder of Turpentine.co. @eriktorenberg on XIn this Request for Startups throwback, Sean Linehan, CEO at Exec and Squad, then-founder of Placement, joined Erik Torenberg to share insights from working at Flexport. They discuss the future of automation, the rise of corporations, leveraging technology in traditional industries, and the importance of a zero-sum approach to business and economic growth.SPONSOR: BRAVEGet first-party targeting with Brave’s private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “Turpentine” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(01:01) Sean’s journey at Flexport(04:46) Lessons from Flexport(06:20) Software eating the physical world(19:30) Sponsor: Brave(20:34) Trends on managed marketplaces(24:55) Historical insights and modern applications(36:38) The rise of corporations(38:23) Legal compliance and market manipulation(41:47) Monopolies: Past and present(47:59) Potential impact of software and sophisticated technology(54:44) Automation and labor market dynamics(58:25) Personal values and professional growth(01:03:09) Significance of age in career progression(01:06:11) Zero-Sum thinking and wealth generation(01:08:50) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit requestforstartups.substack.com

Today’s episode of Request for Startups features* Jonathan Swanson: Founder and Chairman of Thumbtack and Athena. @swaaanson on X* John Kobs: Founder and CEO of Giant and Apartment List. @JohnKobs on X* Erik Torenberg: Investor, Founder of Turpentine. @eriktorenberg on XIn this Request for Startups throwback, Jonathan Swanson, founder of Thumbtack and Athena, with John Kobs, founder and CEO of Giant and Apartment List, joined Erik Torenberg to talk about their lessons from running their respective companies about what makes a good marketplace, and how prospective founders can find opportunities in the space. They also explore new opportunities for creating marketplaces from untapped market potential and integrating technology like VR and decentralized systems.SPONSOR: BRAVEGet first-party targeting with Brave’s private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “Turpentine” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(01:05) Thumbtack's origin(03:52) John’s vision on ApartmentList(05:49) Evolution of marketplaces(09:38) Challenges and opportunities in marketplaces(15:01) Sponsor: Brave(16:47) Difficulties in developing marketplaces for other industries(17:40) Building liquidity and overcoming challenges(25:30) Future of marketplaces and new opportunities(32:32) Concept of marketplaces for new behaviors(34:29) Jonathan’s request for startups(38:47) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit requestforstartups.substack.com

Today’s episode of Request for Startups features* Sean Linehan: CEO at Exec and Squad. @seanlinehan on X* Erik Torenberg: Investor, Founder of Turpentine.co. @eriktorenberg on XA Request for Startups throwback! In this week’s episode, Sean Linehan, CEO at Exec and Squad, then-founder of Placement, joined Erik Torenberg for a live On Deck talk back in 2021 to discuss his journey from Flexport to navigating the idea maze and founding Placement. Sean shares valuable insights about burnout, taking strategic breaks, the critical importance of finding the right co-founder, and advice on hiring at the earliest stages.TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:49) Navigating the Idea Maze: From Flexport to Placement(07:18) Evaluating startup ideas and early-stage hiring(11:40) Building Placement(14:52) Co-founder compatibility and skills(18:11) Sponsor: Brave(21:03) Early-stage startup hiring strategies(26:29) Compensation philosophy in startups(30:47) Decoding product-market fit(34:03) Challenges and opportunities amid COVID-19(37:38) Acquiring customers in competitive markets(39:33) Entrepreneurial strategies for uncertain times(43:33) Framework on business defensibility(47:08) Labor market trends and predictions(50:42) Future of remote work(53:21) Local politics and the impact on San Francisco's future(56:33) TLDR: Healthcare, education, and housing(58:36) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit requestforstartups.substack.com

Today’s episode of Request for Startups features* Will Summerlin: Managing Partner at Autopilot, Former Co-Lead at ARK Investment Management LLC, @WSummerlinAI on X* Erik Torenberg: Investor, Founder of Turpentine.co. @eriktorenberg on XIn this conversation, Will Summerlin, managing partner at Autopilot, joins Erik Torenberg to discuss the transformative potential of AI and FinTech. They also share various topics related to venture capital, including non-consensus investing, LP challenges, choosing investments, ideal fund size, opportunities in AI and FinTech sectors, concentrated investment portfolios, and automation in financial services.SPONSOR: BRAVEGet first-party targeting with Brave’s private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “Turpentine” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:22) Diving deep into the AI super cycle(02:45) Startups vs. Incumbents in the AI arena(06:00) Opportunities and challenges various AI markets(11:23) Will’s request for startups(13:53) Sponsor: Brave(14:55) From commoditization to AI agents(21:21) Future of job markets with AI and automation(24:15) Fund strategy and focus in the venture capital landscape(28:06) Evaluating the venture capital ecosystem and AI's role(31:31)  Debate around venture capitalists(38:01) Identifying monopolistic markets for investment(40:00) Fund size strategy for series A and B investment(43:25) FinTech opportunities and AI automation(45:05) Introducing the Autopilot podcast(46:30) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit requestforstartups.substack.com

Today’s episode of Request for Startups features* Nick DeWilde: Co-founder and Chief Customer Officer at Exec. @nick_dewilde on X* Sean Linehan: CEO at  Exec and Squad. @seanlinehan on X* Justin Mares: Founder at Truemed, Kettle & Fire, and Surely. A venture Partner at Long Journey Ventures. @jwmares on X* Erik Torenberg: Investor, Founder of Turpentine.co. @eriktorenberg on XIn this week’s episode, Erik sits down with friends Nick DeWilde, Sean Linehan, and Justin Mares to explore various unique and humorous startup and product ideas, ranging from dating apps, unconventional business concepts and other creative ideas that blend technology with societal and personal needs. They also highlight the launch of the AI spiritual guide app for Catholics called Grace, proposed by Sean and co-developed with Kevin Hartz. SPONSOR: BRAVEGet first-party targeting with Brave’s private ad platform: cookieless and future proof ad formats for all your business needs. Performance meets privacy. Head to https://brave.com/brave-ads/ and mention “Turpentine” when signing up for a 25% discount on your first campaign.TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:40) Grace: The AI spiritual guide(03:56) Innovative startup ideas(14:01) Revolutionizing couples therapy with AI(15:42) Sponsor: Brave Ad(16:46) Ashley Madison for Career(22:37) Silicon Valley's talent wars(30:32) Rethinking art and decor in the digital age(34:58) Thousand dollar startup ideas(40:37) Future of internet authenticity(44:00) Business potential of reputation aggregation(48:29) Redefining social media engagement(53:19) Revolutionizing reality tv with bold concepts(57:17) Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit requestforstartups.substack.com