Startup stories &amp; growth tactics with a healthy dose of AI. 

Product-market fit is a podcast for early-stage founders and operators who are looking to level-up their startup's growth. Join me as I explore the journeys and strategies of successful startup founders, and uncover practical takeaways to help your startup. We'll cover customer acquisition, SEO, product-led growth, funnel optimization, content strategy, branding, hiring, fundraising, sales ops, etc.; and we'll dive into fascinating industries and new technologies. 

Learn more at pmfpod.com or reach out at hello@pmfpod.com ✌️

Product Market Fit

On this episode of Product Market Fit, host Mosheh Poltorak interviews Michael Sayman, founder of Friendly Apps, who shares his journey from building mobile apps as a teenager to working at Facebook with Mark Zuckerberg. 
They discuss consumer social, the future of social media, and the impact on Gen Z and Zoomers. They also delve into the Vision Pro goggles and how AI and Augmented reality will change the social landscape. 
Tune in for insights into the evolving landscape of consumer social.

_________________ 
🕒 Timestamps:
(02:15) Building healthy social connections
(04:04) Solving monetization in social media
(08:30) TikTok and how Social Media became less social
(11:44) Apple's VisionPro and spatial computing
(15:04) Platform shift prediction
(20:21) The future of home entertainment
(24:34) Society's shift to always-on video
(26:36) The future of phone interfaces
(28:52) AI companions and human connection
(32:05) Impact of social media on kids
(41:39) Becoming a millionaire in your teens
(44:11) Persistence in software development
(48:15) Singular focus and determination
(49:52) Lightning round
(55:15) Conclusion
Guest Contact Info:
https://www.friendlyapps.co
https://twitter.com/michaelsayman
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sayman

_________________ 
Sponsor:
This podcast is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠grwth.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Grwth offers fractional CMOs, paired with best-in-class digital marketing execution to support early-stage startup success. With a focus on seed and series A companies, Grwth has helped a number of SaaS, digital health, and e-commerce startups build their go-to-market function and scale up.
To learn more and book a free consultation, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠grwth.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

Get in touch with Mosheh:
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/moshehp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitter.com/Moshehp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
hello@pmfpod.com
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pmfpod.com⁠⁠⁠

Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more valuable insights from industry leaders!

_________________ 
app development, social media, technology, startups, Gen Z, profit, monetization, incentives, business models, consumer social, ad-based models, subscription-based model, in-app purchases, TikTok, content, engagement, personal, advertisers,think, changes, content, spatial computing, consumption,spatial computing, AI, content creation, content distribution, platform shift,app store, Vision Pro, shared environment, TV, augmented reality,Apple, television, mixed reality, headset, passive consumption,TV, Meta, AR glasses, GoPro, Facebook,Facebook, Instagram, AI, recording, society,AI, communication, interface, speech, technology,AI girlfriend, ChatGPT, social media, misinformation, health insurance,social media, kids, teenagers, Capitol Hill, laws,free speech, platforms, content, laws, social media,addictive, competing, social media, parents, tech,Coca-Cola, social media, connection, interaction, lessons,PM, math, coding, software apps, time,shortcut, fitness, internet, coding, learning,computer science, education, programming, internet access, passion,transformative companies, obsessives, tech company, startup, founder's journey,wasting time, deadlines, prioritize, perspective, understanding,unique, wise, perspective, app, success

Ep63: Apple VisionPro & the Future of Consumer Social — Product Market Fit podcast (startups | AI | technology | growth)

Jake Heller, the founder and CEO of Casetext, brings his expertise in AI and law to the forefront in this episode of 'Product Market Fit'. With an eye for innovation and a deep understanding of the legal landscape, Jake has led Casetext to become a pioneering force in the industry. His insights into the intersection of technology and law offer invaluable perspectives for entrepreneurs, professionals, and anyone interested in the future of AI-driven solutions.
Join host Mosheh Poltorak in an insightful conversation with Jake Heller, the visionary behind Casetext, an AI startup that's reshaping the legal domain. From tracing Casetext's journey to its acquisition by Thomson Reuters for a staggering $650 million, this episode delves into the transformative power of AI in law and professional services. Discover the importance of customer insights, the dynamics of running a startup, and the evolving role of AI in shaping legal representation.

Key Takeaways:
The Evolution of Casetext: Explore how Casetext grew from inception to acquisition, driven by its innovative AI solutions and a deep understanding of the legal industry's needs.
Navigating the Startup Journey: Gain insights into the challenges and triumphs of running a startup, including the significance of enjoying the entrepreneurial process and fostering meaningful relationships.
AI's Impact on Legal Services: Delve into the transformative role of AI in legal representation, from enhancing research capabilities to redefining how law firms operate in the digital age.
The Importance of Product Market Fit: Understand the critical role of product-market alignment in achieving success, as Heller shares his experiences with experiencing and maintaining product-market fit.
Learn how Casetext's journey illustrates the transformative potential of AI in revolutionizing traditional industries like law. Explore the nuanced dynamics of navigating the startup landscape and gain invaluable insights into achieving and sustaining product-market fit in the ever-evolving tech ecosystem. Join us as we explore the future of AI-driven solutions and their profound impact on professional services.
_________________ 
🕒 Timestamps:
Guest Contact Info:
https://casetext.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeheller/
https://twitter.com/Jacob_Heller

Sponsor:
This podcast is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠grwth.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Grwth offers fractional CMOs, paired with best-in-class digital marketing execution to support early-stage startup success. With a focus on seed and series A companies, Grwth has helped a number of SaaS, digital health, and e-commerce startups build their go-to-market function and scale up.
To learn more and book a free consultation, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠grwth.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

Get in touch with Mosheh:
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/moshehp⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠twitter.com/Moshehp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
hello@pmfpod.com
⁠⁠⁠⁠pmfpod.com⁠⁠

Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more valuable insights from industry leaders!

Ep62: AI for Lawyers; Acquired for $650M — Product Market Fit podcast (startups | AI | technology | growth)

Join host Mosheh Poltorak in a conversation with Laurel Taylor, the visionary CEO behind Candidly, a fintech platform revolutionizing student debt solutions. 
In this episode, Taylor shares Candidly's journey from its inception to serving thousands of employers, offering invaluable insights into startup growth, technology integration, and the importance of company culture.
Key Takeaways:
Innovative Solutions: Candidly's fintech platform offers practical solutions to the student debt crisis, saving borrowers substantial loan repayments.
Importance of Company Culture: Taylor emphasizes the crucial role of creating an effective company culture in fostering growth and success.
AI Integration: Learn how AI has greatly improved Candidly's operations, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.
Empathy in Business: Understand the importance of empathy and collaboration in building meaningful relationships, both internally and externally.
Join Moshe Poltorak and Laurel Taylor as they delve into the world of startups, technology, and growth, offering valuable insights for entrepreneurs and business leaders.
_________________ 
🕒 Timestamps:
(00:00) - Introduction 
(01:00) - What is Candidly? 
(03:45) - Laurel's backstory that led to starting Candidly (fka FutureFuel) 
(08:28) - Choosing B2B2C instead of going direct to consumer (deflationary vs. inflationary CAC) 
(11:20) - Fundraising for a "triple bottom line" business 
(13:52) - Early hurdles for a fintech startup
(18:19) - Reacting to a changing regulatory landscape 
(23:18) - How to do partner enablement correctly 
(33:27) - AI and how "the margin drives the mission"
(37:46) - Scaring away potential employees 
(40:00) - Lightning round 

Guest Contact Info:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ltmit/
https://www.getcandidly.com/ 

Sponsor:
This podcast is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠grwth.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Grwth offers fractional CMOs, paired with best-in-class digital marketing execution to support early-stage startup success. With a focus on seed and series A companies, Grwth has helped a number of SaaS, digital health, and e-commerce startups build their go-to-market function and scale up.
To learn more and book a free consultation, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠grwth.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

Get in touch with Mosheh:
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/moshehp⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠twitter.com/Moshehp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
hello@pmfpod.com
⁠⁠⁠pmfpod.com⁠

Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more valuable insights from industry leaders!

Ep61: FinTech, B2B2C, and leading through turbulent times — Market Fit podcast (startups | technology | growth)

In this insightful episode of "Product Market Fit," we step into the dynamic world of e-commerce and scaling businesses with our esteemed guest, Yoni Kozminski. 

Yoni, an entrepreneurial powerhouse, shares his expertise in building and growing successful e-commerce brands in today's competitive landscape. His journey from digital marketing to e-commerce has led him to focus on offshoring, process improvement, and venture capital investment in the e-commerce sector. 

With his unique approach to business growth and scaling, Yoni offers invaluable insights for anyone looking to thrive in the digital marketplace.

_________________ 
🕒 Timestamps:
(01:32) - Introduction to Yoni Kozminski
(2:52) - Are D2C companies venture backable?
(05:10) - Alternative funding options for D2C
(07:30) - Exit opportunities for D2C brands
(11:42) - E-commerce roll-ups
(14:55) - AI tools for digital marketers and brands
(18:26) - TikTok & Instagram shopping 
(21:33) - Omnichannel ecommerce
(25:15) - AI tools and offshoring (or nearshoring) 
(32:01) - How to delegate effectively
(37:47) - Maintaining company culture with a distributed team
(43:08) - Lightning round
_________________

Guest Contact Info:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yonkoz/
https://www.weareescala.com/ 
https://www.multiplymii.com/
https://www.southcol.co/

Sponsor:
This podcast is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠grwth.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Grwth offers fractional CMOs, paired with best-in-class digital marketing execution to support early-stage startup success. With a focus on seed and series A companies, Grwth has helped a number of SaaS, digital health, and e-commerce startups build their go-to-market function and scale up.
To learn more and book a free consultation, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠grwth.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

Get in touch with Mosheh:
⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/moshehp⁠⁠
⁠⁠twitter.com/Moshehp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
hello@pmfpod.com
⁠⁠pmfpod.com

Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more valuable insights from industry leaders!

Ep60: Is D2C dead? Plus offshoring, leadership, and more — Market Fit podcast (startups | technology | growth)

I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed by Roland Sibelink on the Midstage Startup Momentum podcast. 
I was glad to turn the mic around and answer questions such as: 
What does product-market fit actually look like for startups?
Why product-market-fit is an ongoing journey rather than a destination.
How product-market fit is different for B2B and B2C.
Why product marketing is a critical part of early startup success.
The importance of founders understanding their organic growth.
The ideal timeline and situation for startups to work with a fractional CMO.
Checkout the Midstage Startup Momentum podcast here: 
Spotify  |  Apple

Connect with Roland at: 
www.midstage.org

Preview: Midstage Startup Momentum podcast — w/ Mosheh Poltorak: Product Market Fit As a Journey, Not a Destination

Welcome to another exciting episode of Product Market Fit, where we delve into the fascinating world of AI and workflow automation with our esteemed guests, Pascal, Jakob, and Raphael. In this episode, we explore the cutting-edge advancements in AI technology and how it's transforming the way we work and interact with digital tools.

Chapters: 
(01:36) Highs/lows (and buffalos) for 2023
(07:20) Is the AI hype cycle slowing down? 
(11:23) Will OpenAI live up to its valuation? 
(12:50) e/acc vs. deceleration debate and the risks of regulation
(18:55) What does the death of the Adobe-Figma deal mean for startups? 
(25:34) Euro-zone tech trends and funding environment 
(33:27) Lessons on PLG and reverse trials 
(45:01) Advice for founders just starting out 
(49:17) Predictions for 2024
(53:44) Raising VC funding in today's environment 
(56:00) Is PLG dead? 
Guest Contact Info:
Raphael Allstadt, founder and CEO of tl;dv
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pascalweinberger/
www.bardeen.ai
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakobknutzen/
https://www.butter.us
  
Sponsor:
This podcast is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠grwth.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Grwth offers fractional CMOs, paired with best-in-class digital marketing execution to support early-stage startup success. With a focus on seed and series A companies, Grwth has helped a number of SaaS, digital health, and e-commerce startups build their go-to-market function and scale up.
To learn more and book a free consultation, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠grwth.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 
 
Get in touch with Mosheh:
⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/moshehp⁠
⁠twitter.com/Moshehp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
hello@pmfpod.com
⁠pmfpod.com

EP59: AI Regulation, European Tech, and PLG — Product Market Fit podcast (startups | tech | growth)

Happy New Year! 
We're kicking off 2024 with a bang! Augustus Doricko is the youngest founder I've interviewed and perhaps the most ambitious. His company, Rainmaker, is looking to use cloud-seeding technology to revitalize the American West and, in his words, extend the Great Plains into Nevada and Arizona. 
We talked about e/acc and why hard tech is the answer to the growing sense of doomism. And what's happening in "the Gundo" (El Segundo, CA). 
I love his optimism and ambition and enjoyed our wide-ranging conversation. 

Guest Contact Info:
www.makerain.com
twitter.com/ADoricko
augustus@makerain.com

Further reading/ watching: 
https://www.thefp.com/p/move-fast-and-make-things-e-acc-ai-altman
https://x.com/johncoogan/status/1741512539979325733?s=20 

Sponsor:
This podcast is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠grwth.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Grwth offers fractional CMOs, paired with best-in-class digital marketing execution to support early-stage startup success. With a focus on seed and series A companies, Grwth has helped a number of SaaS, digital health, and e-commerce startups build their go-to-market function and scale up.
To learn more and book a free consultation, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠grwth.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

Get in touch with Mosheh:
⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/moshehp⁠
⁠twitter.com/Moshehp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
hello@pmfpod.com
⁠pmfpod.com

Ep58: e/acc, the Gundo, and turning deserts into forests — Product Market Fit podcast (startups | technology | growth)

I have a very topical episode for you today all about annual review and planning. My guest today is Jason Shen, three-time founder, turned executive coach and resilience expert. 
Jason has a wonderful video on YouTube that walks you through a reflection and planning exercise perfect for this time of year. Jason and I discuss the framework and provide relevant context for founders and entrepreneurs. 
Jason and I also talk about resilience, pivots, and zombie startups, topics from his recently published book, The Path to Pivot. 
I couldn’t think of a more fitting and practical way to close out the year and I hope you find it useful. 
I highly recommend you complete that exercise once you’re done listening to this episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gumFl3nYF4U 

Chapters: 
(02:05) Setting the Guinness World Record (twice) 
(03:34) Annual review and planning framework
(04:59) "Looking back" — moments; achievements; lessons
(10:47) "The check-in" — life audit; start, stop, and continue; write a letter to future you
(14:43) "Charting ahead" — the long list; shortlist; systems
(17:28) Common mistakes when doing an annual review
(19:03) Discussion about resilience
(22:59) When to pivot your startup
(28:54) Zombie startups and ZIRP
(34:26) Lightning round
(38:03) Conclusion

Guest Contact Info:
Jason's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jasonshen
Company & newsletter: jasonshen.com
Get the book: jasonshen.gumroad.com/l/path-to-pivot-beta

Sponsor:
This podcast is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠grwth.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Grwth offers fractional CMOs, paired with best-in-class digital marketing execution to support early-stage startup success. With a focus on seed and series A companies, Grwth has helped a number of SaaS, digital health, and e-commerce startups build their go-to-market function and scale up.
To learn more and book a free consultation, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠grwth.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Get in touch with Mosheh:
⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/moshehp⁠
⁠twitter.com/Moshehp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
hello@pmfpod.com
⁠pmfpod.com

Ep 57: Annual Review and Planning for 2024 — Product Market Fit podcast (startups | tech | leadership)

Join me as I speak with April Dunford, the world's foremost expert in positioning for technology companies and the author of Obviously Awesome.
Together, we explore the fascinating world of positioning and answer key questions like: What's the relationship between positioning, messaging, and go-to-market strategies? How does it tie into product market fit? And why should you prioritize it before lead generation? We also discuss signals of weak positioning, successful repositioning stories, and tips for early-stage founders. 
Tune in to learn about the three styles of positioning and way more. 

Chapters: 
(00:00) Intro
(02:23) Defining positioning and its relationship with messaging and go-to-market strategies
(03:29) The relationship between positioning and product market fit
(06:36) April’s unconventional path to becoming a positioning expert
(10:49) Prioritizing positioning before lead generation
(13:32) Signals to watch out for weak positioning
(19:47) Repositioning success stories
(24:49) Starting with your best customers for great positioning
(28:07) Customer discovery and interview tips
(35:42) Positioning for early-stage founders
(39:46) Positioning for multiple segments of products
(43:56) The three styles of positioning
(50:54) What comes after positioning: crafting the sales pitch
(53:43) Lightning round

Guest Contact Info:
⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprildunford/⁠⁠
⁠⁠https://www.aprildunford.com/⁠⁠

Sponsor: 
This podcast is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠grwth.co⁠⁠⁠. Grwth offers fractional CMOs, paired with best-in-class digital marketing execution to support early-stage startup success. With a focus on seed and series A companies, Grwth has helped a number of SaaS, digital health, and e-commerce startups build their go-to-market function and scale up. 
To learn more and book a free consultation, go to ⁠⁠⁠grwth.co⁠⁠⁠.

Get in touch with Mosheh:
⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/moshehp⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitter.com/MoshehP⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@pmfpod.com
⁠⁠⁠⁠www.pmfpod.com⁠

Replay: "Obviously Awesome," Product Positioning w/ April Dunford — Product Market Fit podcast

My guest today is Brian Long, Co-founder of Attentive, the mobile messaging platform that has raised almost $900M and powers the vast majority of ecommerce companies. Brian previously co-founded TapCommerce which sold to Twitter for $100M; and he recently published, Problem Hunting: The Tech Startup Textbook. 
I absolutely loved my conversation with Brian as he shared his perspective on product market fit, how they found it at Attentive, and lessons learned across both companies. We dive into trends in ecommerce and mobile commerce; and get really tactical about early-stage B2B sales and growth tactics. 
!! Also make sure to stay to the end, for my new 'Founder Notes' segment where I’ll provide the latest updates and learnings from my startup journey. 

Chapters: 
(01:55) Brian's definition of Product Market Fit
(06:53) Hiring inside-sales early
(11:16) Early-stage growth tactics
(20:18) Thinking about competition
(22:42) Leveraging generative AI
(23:37) The future of ecommerce
(30:05) Why sell TapCommerce so early? 
(33:49) Venture capital vs. bootstrapping
(38:27) Mistakes made along the way
(42:06) Lightning round
(48:20) NEW SEGMENT: 'Founder Notes' 

Guest Contact Info:
Brian: twitter.com/BrianCLong⁠
Company: attentive.com
Get the book: a.co/d/cLgGYbV

Sponsor:
This podcast is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠grwth.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Grwth offers fractional CMOs, paired with best-in-class digital marketing execution to support early-stage startup success. With a focus on seed and series A companies, Grwth has helped a number of SaaS, digital health, and e-commerce startups build their go-to-market function and scale up.
To learn more and book a free consultation, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠grwth.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Get in touch with Mosheh:
⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/moshehp
twitter.com/Moshehp⁠⁠⁠⁠
hello@pmfpod.com
pmfpod.com

Product Market Fit

Ep63: Apple VisionPro & the Future of Consumer Social — Product Market Fit podcast (startups | AI | technology | growth)

Ep62: AI for Lawyers; Acquired for $650M — Product Market Fit podcast (startups | AI | technology | growth)

Ep61: FinTech, B2B2C, and leading through turbulent times — Market Fit podcast (startups | technology | growth)

Ep60: Is D2C dead? Plus offshoring, leadership, and more — Market Fit podcast (startups | technology | growth)

Preview: Midstage Startup Momentum podcast — w/ Mosheh Poltorak: Product Market Fit As a Journey, Not a Destination

EP59: AI Regulation, European Tech, and PLG — Product Market Fit podcast (startups | tech | growth)

Ep58: e/acc, the Gundo, and turning deserts into forests — Product Market Fit podcast (startups | technology | growth)

Ep 57: Annual Review and Planning for 2024 — Product Market Fit podcast (startups | tech | leadership)

Replay: "Obviously Awesome," Product Positioning w/ April Dunford — Product Market Fit podcast

Ep 56: Raised $900M after 1st startup sold for $100M (aka Problem Hunting) — Product Market Fit podcast (startups | tech | AI | growth)

Deskripsi