What does it take to build a startup in a space where the ground shifts every 90 days? Rahul Sonwalkar, founder and CEO of Julius AI, joins the show to share how he navigates product market fit, resource constraints, and constant model evolution while scaling an AI-first company. Instead of relying on long-term roadmaps, Rahul runs Julius with rapid feedback loops, deep user focus, and a mindset that every team member contributes to AI development. This conversation is a playbook for founders and operators facing uncertainty and speed in equal measure.

Key Takeaways

• Why Rahul believes rigid long-term roadmaps can hold founders back in AI and fast-moving markets

• How limited resources force sharper prioritization, and how to decide what makes the cut

• The two-way product market fit Julius found by serving both data teams and business stakeholders

• Why direct user conversations and dogfooding are non-negotiable for early-stage companies

• A glimpse into the future of BI as AI agents that monitor and surface key metrics automatically

Timestamped Highlights

00:43 – Julius AI’s origin story and how Rahul validated product market fit

05:08 – The surprising way both data teams and business users bring Julius into organizations

09:24 – Why Rahul avoids long-term roadmaps and favors month-to-month iteration

13:55 – The role of feedback loops and customer support in shaping product direction

17:27 – How to prioritize when you only have resources for two out of ten critical features

19:39 – Rahul’s vision for how BI and analytics will evolve with AI agents

A Standout Line

“Overnight, things you thought were impossible for the next 12 months can suddenly become possible. That’s why you can’t have a rigid roadmap when building with AI.”

Founder’s Lesson

Use your own product daily. When the entire team feels the same friction as your users, the right priorities become obvious.

Call to Action

If you’re a founder, operator, or investor looking for practical lessons on building in uncertain terrain, follow the show for more conversations like this. And if Rahul’s approach resonated, connect with him on LinkedIn or explore Julius AI.