Knowing When To Quit

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Welcome back to The Startup Podcast’s community newsletter - we’re excited that you’ve joined us as we provide a guide through the unique mindset and approach that drives Silicon Valley style disruption at scale.

This week we explore the toughest part of being a founder - knowing when to shut down your startup. We also share a bonus episode as Sam Altman is REMOVED from OpenAI a week after DevDay 2023. Elsewhere, Chris explores the most important meta-trends occurring right now and Yaniv discusses overworking.

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New Episode: Knowing When To Quit

When is it the right time to shut down your startup?

Join Chris and Yaniv in this insightful episode featuring Gabor Cselle, the founder of the once-promising T2/Pebble, as he candidly shares the story behind the decision to shut down his startup.

Facing the uphill battle of funding challenges and operational struggles, T2/Pebble, a Twitter alternative, ultimately reached a crossroads. Cselle walks us through the tough realization that the opportunity cost of persisting outweighed the benefits.

While Cselle believes in the viability of a Twitter alternative, the intricate execution posed insurmountable challenges for T2/Pebble. Despite this setback, he remains optimistic, suggesting that future endeavors might successfully tread this path.

The emotional toll of shutting down a startup is not lost on Cselle, drawing on his experience from Google to approach the decision rationally. He emphasizes that "failure is a skill" developed over time, shedding light on the nuanced journey of founders.

Delving into competitor analysis, Cselle dissects platforms like Facebook's Threads, highlighting engagement and algorithmic effectiveness. Despite shortcomings, Facebook's colossal size and persistence grant them a formidable advantage.

In a comprehensive summary, Cselle imparts invaluable wisdom for fellow founders, navigating the delicate balance between financial realities, emotional resilience, and the ever-present consideration of opportunity costs. Tune in to glean insights for your entrepreneurial journey! 🚀🔍

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🌟 Tell Your Founder Money Story On The Startup Podcast ✨

Every founder weaves a unique narrative of financial determination and courage. Your story matters:

🏠 Transforming homes into startup launchpads.

💰 Investing savings into a vision.

🏡 Seeking refuge with parents on the journey.

🚗 Embracing solitude, driven by aspirations.

💼 Channeling past successes into new beginnings.

👩‍❤️‍👨 Finding unwavering support from partners.

🍜 Becoming best pals with instant noodles.

These tales of resilience shape the true narrative of entrepreneurship.

🌟 What's YOUR Founder Money Journey? Unleash your voice: Record a 2-3 minute audio file or pen it down. Your choice. Connect with Yaniv on LinkedIn and amplify your story. Your journey inspires! 🚀🎤

BONUS EPISODE: How Firing Sam Altman Might Lead To The End Of The World - Seriously

On the 17th of November OpenAI announced on their blog that Sam Altman was fired.

This sent shockwaves throughout the startup ecosystem worldwide. What happened next was even more fireworks. Greg Brockman, the other co-founder was removed as president of the board then Mira Murati was appointed interim CEO. Greg quit as well as four other senior people. Investors including Microsoft has been in the dark and Mira Murati and has since tried to bring Sam and Greg back to OpenAI. 

So what the hell is going on?

Wading through the speculation craziness of the last week are Chris and Yaniv joined by special guest and friend of the pod Emil Michael, former Chief Business Officer at Uber.

Was this because of AI safety from people with no skin in the game? An internal battle?

What is to become of OpenAI?

You DO NOT want to miss this episode!

Chris’ Explores The Most Important Meta-Trends