Best Junior VC Podcasts (2025)

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Top 7 Mistakes Founders Make in Raising Early Stage VC w/ Amir Shevat (Edu) 53:40

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2d ago53:40

53:40

Are you sure your startup should be raising venture capital? Most founders assume VC is the goal—but for many, it's the wrong fuel entirely. In this episode, we bust that myth wide open. Join Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad as they sit down with Amir Shevat, General Partner at Darkmode Ventures (ex-Google, Slack, Twitter), to unpack the seven most d…

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Insiders React: Cloudflare Makes AI Pay + Figma Files For IPO, Grammarly Buys Superhuman 46:29

6d ago46:29

46:29

What happens when the internet starts charging AI to crawl its content? And can legacy tools like Figma or Grammarly survive the AI age, or will they be replaced by smarter, faster upstarts? In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad break down some of the most important shifts in tech and business right now. From Cloudflare’s launch of AI pay…

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Master Your AI Prompts and Unlock ChatGPT's Full Potential w/ Jonathan Mast (Edu) 59:58

9d ago59:58

59:58

Struggling to get good results from ChatGPT or other AI tools? You’re probably prompting it wrong, and you’re not alone. Many founders assume AI just knows what you mean. Without the right prompt structure, though, even the most powerful LLMs will fail to deliver. In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein is joined by Jonathan Mast—seasoned entrepreneur, AI…

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Ep 133: Deploying 100 Cr in Indian Startups ft. AJVC 32:33

11d ago32:33

32:33

On this week’s episde we have a mid-year update on the fund that is on track to invest about 40 Cr in 25 companies this year. We talk about the 8,000+ companis that have applied from all over India, the problems founders are tackling and about AI and the future of work.Brought to you by the Founders Unfiltered podcast by A Junior VC - Unscripted co…

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Insiders React: Anthropic's Huge AI Copyright Win + Speech to Text Better Than Ever, Peter Thiel's Tech Dystopia 34:37

12d ago34:37

34:37

Is training AI on copyrighted content stealing, or just learning? A major U.S. court just weighed in, and the verdict could rewrite the rules for startups using generative AI. Too many founders assume "training data" is fair game but that blind spot could cost them billions. In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad, experienced startup opera…

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Insiders React: Sam Altman’s 'Gentle Singularity' + Workplace AI at an All-Time High, Meta's $30B Scale AI Acquihire 46:39

20d ago46:39

46:39

Is AI about to transform the world… gently? Sam Altman says yes, but are we being lulled into complacency while the real risks go unchallenged? Startups everywhere are rushing to embed AI into their workflows, but few understand just how flawed that human-AI interaction can be. From broken prompting to billion-dollar power plays, the future of AI i…

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Apps Are Obsolete: How Startups Can Leverage the New Era of AI Agents (Spotlight) 46:43

23d ago46:43

46:43

What if your next startup competitor doesn’t have a single employee? AI agents aren’t just another software trend — they’re redefining the interface between humans, data, and execution, yet many founders still confuse basic chatbots with the true potential of these agents. In this episode, Chris and Yaniv are joined by Jeremiah Owyang, General Part…

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Ep 132: India's Largest Fitness Network ft. FITPASS 55:32

25d ago55:32

55:32

Brought to you by the Founders Unfiltered podcast by A Junior VC - Unscripted conversations with Indian founders about their story and the process of building a company. Hosted by Aviral and Mazin.Join us as we talk to Akshay Verma, the Co-founder of FITPASS about their story.Akshay completed his bachelor's in Mathematics from St. Stephen's College…

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Apple WWDC Breakdown + Musk & Trump's Messy Divorce, a16z's Fresh Take on AI Startups 54:12

27d ago54:12

54:12

Apple’s WWDC 2025 keynote revealed a lot – just not what you’d expect. Siri’s long-awaited AI upgrade was quietly delayed, and instead Apple rolled out a grab bag of long-overdue features, flashy design updates, and deep ChatGPT integrations. Is this a bold product reset, or proof that Apple is falling behind? Meanwhile, Elon Musk and Donald Trump …

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Insiders React: Meta's Luckey Military Deal + Google's Plan to Split Itself, Europe Revives AI & Startups 27:20

1M ago27:20

27:20

Can consumer tech like Facebook and Oculus really help win wars? As governments get serious about AI and startups, Silicon Valley is being dragged—sometimes unwillingly—into the global military and geopolitical game. In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein unpack how Meta is teaming up with Anduril—the military tech startup founded by Oculu…

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How the PRFAQ Made Amazon Great (And Can Do The Same for You) w/ Marcelo Calbucci (Edu) 1:00:14

1M ago1:00:14

1:00:14

Are you building a startup strategy—or just making it look like you have one? Too many founders mistake polished slide decks for actual strategic thinking, leading to misalignment, wasted resources, and failed products. In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad are joined by Marcelo Calbucci, former Amazon director and author of The PRFAQ Fra…

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Ep 131: India's Quiet CRM Giant ft. LeadSquared 57:02

1M ago57:02

57:02

Join us as we talk to Nilesh Patel, Founder & CEO, and Prashant Singh, Co-founder & COO of LeadSquared, about their story.Nilesh Patel graduated from Delhi University in 1999 and held leadership roles at IBM, Proteans, Symphony Services, and MarketXpander before founding LeadSquared, where he is the Founder and CEO.Prashant Singh completed his MS f…

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Insiders React: Sam Altman's New $6B Partnership + Klarna's AI Backtrack, Bitcoin Over $111K 44:17

1M ago44:17

44:17

What does it mean when OpenAI gives away $6 billion worth of equity just to bring one man on board? In a world where design, brand, and user experience could determine AI dominance, are startups undervaluing human-centered thinking? In this episode, Chris and Yaniv unpack OpenAI’s jaw-dropping acquisition of Jony Ive's mysterious startup “io,” and …

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Insiders React: Google Goes AI 'Beast Mode' + Airbnb's Bold Pivot, Microsoft’s Agent Strategy 55:49

2M ago55:49

55:49

Is Google staging the biggest comeback in tech history? Or are we just getting swept up in the hype? Founders often underestimate just how fast platform shifts change the rules of the game, and Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI are rewriting the rulebook in real time. In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad break down Google’s massive AI showca…

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From Floorplans to Full Renovations: How Maket's AI Owns the Architectural Stack (Spotlight) 54:35

2M ago54:35

54:35

Can AI really design your home? 800,000+ users have already ditched their architects thanks to Maket, a startup using AI to simplify renovations from floorplans to permits. In this Spotlight episode, Maket founder Patrick Murphy delivers a mock version of the real pitch that secured $2M in funding from top investors including Reid Hoffman’s Blitzsc…

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Ep. 130: One Platform 120 Currencies ft. PayGlocal Technologies 39:10

2M ago39:10

39:10

Join us as we talk to Prachi Dharani, the Co-Founder and CEO of PayGlocal Technologies about their story.Prachi is a Chartered Accountant by profession. She has held leadership roles across the financial services and payments industry — having served as Chief Manager at ICICI Bank, Head of E-Commerce Projects at First Data India, and Senior Directo…

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Insiders React: Death of Google Search? + YC's Startup Wishlist, Trump’s Saudi AI Deals 1:04:57

2M ago1:04:57

1:04:57

What happens when Apple hints that Google’s search dominance may be cracking, triggering a $155 billion wipeout in Alphabet’s value? Many still think Google search is untouchable, but a shift in user behavior and a few lines in DOJ testimony may signal otherwise. In this episode, Chris Saad, Yaniv Bernstein, and Amir Shevat explore how Apple’s reve…

3M ago55:25

55:25

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Insiders React: Trump's Tariff Meltdown + Startup Valuations Crash, Shopify Goes Full AI 38:43

3M ago38:43

38:43

Is AI just a buzzword — or the key to survival in a volatile startup landscape? In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein break down Donald Trump’s shocking “Liberation Day” tariffs and the ripple effect it could have on the global economy — and on your startup. As fears of a recession mount and market uncertainty grows, we explore what found…

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Strategic Communications – Why PR Alone Won’t Drive Business Growth w/ Jessy Wu (Edu) 45:48

3M ago45:48

45:48

Is your startup’s PR strategy just a vanity exercise? Most founders make the mistake of announcing fundraising rounds like it’s a badge of honor, hoping for instant traction and credibility. But here's the truth: if you're chasing headlines without a strategy, you're wasting money. In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Jessy Wu, founder of Encour, d…

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Ep 128: Robinhood of MSMEs ft. M1xchange 54:30

3M ago54:30

54:30

Brought to you by the Founders Unfiltered podcast by A Junior VC - Unscripted conversations with Indian founders about their story and the process of building a company. Hosted by Aviral and Mazin.Join us as we talk to Sundeep Mohindru, the Founder Director of M1xchange about their story.Sundeep Mohindru is a visionary entrepreneur and Chartered Ac…

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Insiders React: Google Just Killed SEO + OpenAI’s $40B Raise, AI’s Copyright Crisis 1:04:51

3M ago1:04:51

1:04:51

Is Google about to kill SEO forever? Why did OpenAI just raise $40 billion? And is the AI bubble about to burst? The AI arms race is heating up, and the biggest players are making moves that could change everything. But what does this mean for creators, businesses, and the future of search? In this episode, Chris and Yaniv are joined by Hooman Radf…

4M ago43:18

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Insiders React: Return of Digg + Wall Street Panic, Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, Apple Delays AI 55:54

4M ago55:54

55:54

Is the stock market's recent nosedive just the beginning of a larger economic shift? As tariffs and political uncertainty rock Wall Street, tech giants like Apple are facing unexpected hurdles in the AI race. Meanwhile, an old internet favorite is poised for a surprising comeback. In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad dive into the turbul…

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Product Led Marketing – Where Do Marketers Fit In? (Edu) 26:50

4M ago26:50

26:50

Are you struggling to understand how marketing fits into a product-led company? You're not alone. Many marketers wonder if their role becomes less important when product takes the lead. But what if the opposite were true? In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein explore the evolving role of marketing in product-led organizations. They discus…

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Ep 126: Engineering The Future ft. Tessolve 44:45

4M ago44:45

44:45

Join us as we talk to Srini Chinamilli, the Co-founder & CEO of Tessolve about their story.Srini earned his B.E. in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from BIT Mesra, followed by an M.S. in the same field from the University of Southern California.Later, he served as Director at Cirrus Logic and Director of Engineering at Centillium Communication…

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Insiders React: AI Voices Get TOO Real + NVIDIA’s Earnings Drama, Microsoft’s Sneaky AI Move, Alexa’s Big Update 50:03

4M ago50:03

50:03

Are you ready for AI that sounds indistinguishable from a human? The future is arriving faster than you might think. In this episode, Chris and Yaniv dive into the latest developments in AI, from NVIDIA's blockbuster earnings to Amazon's new AI-powered Alexa to eerily realistic voice models that left Chris feeling emotional. They explore the econom…

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Venture Capital - What VCs Say (And What They Really Mean) 23:14

4M ago23:14

23:14

Have you ever left a VC meeting feeling confused about the feedback you received? Are you tired of trying to decipher cryptic responses from potential investors? In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein dive into the world of venture capital communication, breaking down common phrases VCs use and what they really mean. Drawing inspiration fr…

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Insiders React: Creepy AI Agents Talk in Secret + Claude 3.7 Kills Jobs , Microsoft’s Quantum Leap , Robots Now Collaborate 27:44

4M ago27:44

27:44

Are you prepared for a world where robots collaborate seamlessly, AI agents communicate in their own language, and quantum computers solve complex problems in minutes? The future is arriving faster than you might think. In this episode, Chris and Yaniv explore the latest breakthroughs in AI, robotics, and quantum computing that are pushing the boun…

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Technical Debt: Why It’s Inevitable and How to Handle It (Edu) 46:54

4M ago46:54

46:54

Is your startup struggling to ship new features? Are you constantly putting out fires instead of innovating? You might be drowning in technical debt without even realizing it. In this eye-opening episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad demystify the often misunderstood concept of technical debt and its crucial role in startup success. In this episo…

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EP 125: From Packaging to Full-Stack Supply Chain ft. Bizongo 47:03

5M ago47:03

47:03

Join us as we talk to Sachin Agarwal, the Co-founder of Bizongo about their story. This is yet another episode with a Bizongo co-founder! Last time, in March 2022, we had Ankit Deb. Today, we have Sachin, who completed his B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from IIT Bombay in 2012. He went on to work with leading companies like PepsiCo and Biocon befor…

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Insiders React: AI Killing Junior Jobs + Apple & Meta's Robot Bet, Grok 3 Flops, Startup Chaos Ladder 42:18

5M ago42:18

42:18

Are you prepared for a world where humanoid robots work alongside us? It's not science fiction anymore – it's happening now, and faster than you might think. In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein dive into the latest developments in robotics, AI, and the changing landscape of work and entrepreneurship. They explore how major tech companie…

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5 Simple Rules for Meetings That Don’t Suck (and Actually Get Sh*t Done) 47:12

5M ago47:12

47:12

Are your meetings a productivity black hole? You're not alone. In the world of product management, meetings can make or break your team's success. But what if you could transform these time-sinks into powerful tools for alignment, decision-making, and innovation? In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein dive deep into the art and science of …

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Insiders React: Musk Trolls Altman + ChatGPT’s Deep Research, AI's Infinite ROI, JD Vance Gets It Right (...Sort Of) 44:54

5M ago44:54

44:54

What if AI could outthink, outresearch, and outperform even the most brilliant human minds? OpenAI's latest innovation might be bringing us closer to that reality than ever before. In this episode, tech visionaries Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein dive deep into OpenAI's game-changing "deep research mode." This groundbreaking feature allows AI to con…

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Scaling with AI- How AI Will Transform Your Startup w/ Grammarly CEO Shishir Mehrotra 42:09

5M ago42:09

42:09

Have you ever wished for an intelligent assistant that could seamlessly integrate into your workflow, anticipating your needs and enhancing your productivity? What if AI could transform not just how we write, but how we work across all applications? In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein is joined by Shishir Mehrotra, CEO of the newly merged Coda and Gra…

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Ep 124: The Sri Lankan Unicorn ft. WSO2 54:59

5M ago54:59

54:59

Brought to you by the Founders Unfiltered podcast by A Junior VC - Unscripted conversations with Indian founders about their story and the process of building a company. Hosted by Aviral and Mazin.Join us as we talk to Sanjiva Weerawarana, the founder of WSO2 about their story.Sanjiva earned his bachelor's and master's in Mathematics/CS from Kent S…