60 acast.com Founders + AI https://shows.acast.com/founders-plus-ai en 2025 All Rights Reserved. Centaur Lab AI. Founders Plus AI,How To Build With AI,Centaur Lab AI,Founder Podcasts,Startup Podcasts,AI Without Code,NYC Tech,AI Product Strategy,Tech Founders,Product Building,AI Startup Tips,Startup AI,Building With AI,Non Technical Founders,AI For Founders Centaur Lab AI The blueprint for building AI-First startups – real talk for founders building big with AI. Building with AI but not sure where to start? You're in the right feed.


Founders + AI is the podcast for founders building ambitious things with artificial intelligence.


We’re Centaur Lab, a NY-based AI Venture Studio and your virtual tech-cofounder. We’ve helped launch and scale startups worth billions—and now, we’re sharing the playbook.


Whether you’re pre-MVP or deep in product-market chaos, Founders + AI helps you go from “I’ve got an idea…” to “We’re shipping next week.”


This is the AI podcast that talks with founders.


Let’s build smarter.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Building with AI but not sure where to start? You're in the right feed.


Founders + AI is the podcast for founders building ambitious things with artificial intelligence.


We’re Centaur Lab, a NY-based AI Venture Studio and your virtual tech-cofounder. We’ve helped launch and scale startups worth billions—and now, we’re sharing the playbook.


Whether you’re pre-MVP or deep in product-market chaos, Founders + AI helps you go from “I’ve got an idea…” to “We’re shipping next week.”


This is the AI podcast that talks with founders.


Let’s build smarter.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> false Centaur Lab AI signal@centaurlab.ai 6846dfa4f47b55b37a2f4761 founders-plus-ai serial https://assets.pippa.io/shows/6846dfa4f47b55b37a2f4761/1749561218732-c4291171-afab-4891-9566-9ba18ed166d8.jpeg https://shows.acast.com/founders-plus-ai Founders + AI How to Fundraise When You’re Still Figuring It Out How to Fundraise When You’re Still Figuring It Out Mon, 11 Aug 2025 11:00:00 GMT 33:23 688439532a38d6f5cbd07129 false https://shows.acast.com/founders-plus-ai/episodes/how-to-fundraise-when-youre-still-figuring-it-out 688439532a38d6f5cbd07129 6846dfa4f47b55b37a2f4761 how-to-fundraise-when-youre-still-figuring-it-out full 1 6 Still refining your product? Deck not perfect? You can still raise money.

In the final episode of the season, Michelle Akhidenor and Boon Chew get real about one of the most daunting parts of startup life: fundraising when everything still feels messy.


They unpack how early-stage founders can confidently approach investors before they’ve figured everything out. They get into the real talk—how to build trust, pitch without posturing, and turn rejections into redirections.


🔥 What you’ll learn:

  • How to fundraise without a perfect pitch deck
  • The “giving mindset” that gets investors to lean in
  • Why AI tools can help sharpen your story
  • How to build real investor relationships before you need cash
  • What not to do in early-stage fundraising


Whether you're pre-seed, pivoting, or pitching with questions still unanswered, this episode gives you the mindset and tools to fundraise like a founder who gets it.


Follow along: 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Still refining your product? Deck not perfect? You can still raise money.

In the final episode of the season, Michelle Akhidenor and Boon Chew get real about one of the most daunting parts of startup life: fundraising when everything still feels messy.


They unpack how early-stage founders can confidently approach investors before they’ve figured everything out. They get into the real talk—how to build trust, pitch without posturing, and turn rejections into redirections.


🔥 What you’ll learn:

  • How to fundraise without a perfect pitch deck
  • The “giving mindset” that gets investors to lean in
  • Why AI tools can help sharpen your story
  • How to build real investor relationships before you need cash
  • What not to do in early-stage fundraising


Whether you're pre-seed, pivoting, or pitching with questions still unanswered, this episode gives you the mindset and tools to fundraise like a founder who gets it.


Follow along: 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Pre-Launch Strategy: Create Hype Before You Ship Pre-Launch Strategy: Create Hype Before You Ship Mon, 04 Aug 2025 11:00:00 GMT 37:03 68839d273781311f913cf8c8 false https://shows.acast.com/founders-plus-ai/episodes/pre-launch-strategy-create-hype-before-you-ship 68839d273781311f913cf8c8 6846dfa4f47b55b37a2f4761 pre-launch-strategy-create-hype-before-you-ship full 1 5 In this episode of Founders + AI, Michelle Akhidenor and Boon Chew break down why launching quietly is a recipe for crickets. They dismantle the myth of “build it and they will come” and show how top founders build momentum before a single line of code ships.


From generating hype with zero budget to collecting validation signals that actually matter, you’ll get tactical strategies to shape perception, attract early users, and create demand on Day 0. Plus, how to avoid burnout and use AI to fast-track your go-to-market motion.


Pre-launch isn’t a phase—it’s your first growth strategy. If you're gearing up to launch—or just want people to care—this episode’s your playbook. Let’s make noise before you launch.


Follow along: 


AI Tools: ChatGPT, Claude AI, and Gemini were mentioned as useful AI tools for marketing and product development.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Founders + AI, Michelle Akhidenor and Boon Chew break down why launching quietly is a recipe for crickets. They dismantle the myth of “build it and they will come” and show how top founders build momentum before a single line of code ships.


From generating hype with zero budget to collecting validation signals that actually matter, you’ll get tactical strategies to shape perception, attract early users, and create demand on Day 0. Plus, how to avoid burnout and use AI to fast-track your go-to-market motion.


Pre-launch isn’t a phase—it’s your first growth strategy. If you're gearing up to launch—or just want people to care—this episode’s your playbook. Let’s make noise before you launch.


Follow along: 


AI Tools: ChatGPT, Claude AI, and Gemini were mentioned as useful AI tools for marketing and product development.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Strategy + Building: How to MVP Like a Boss Strategy + Building: How to MVP Like a Boss Mon, 28 Jul 2025 11:00:00 GMT 36:50 6883999ff6d4262b077fd583 false https://shows.acast.com/founders-plus-ai/episodes/strategy-building-how-to-mvp-like-a-boss 6883999ff6d4262b077fd583 6846dfa4f47b55b37a2f4761 strategy-building-how-to-mvp-like-a-boss full 1 4 In this episode of Founders + AI, Michelle Akhidenor and Boon Chew get real about what it actually takes to build a solid MVP as an AI founder. Is it a functional product? A pitch-ready prototype? A tool for learning fast? They unpack the true purpose of a Minimum Viable Product — or as some call it, a Minimum Investable Product — and how to build one that helps you test ideas, attract investment, and avoid the trap of overbuilding too soon.


From using AI tools to move faster without losing focus, to navigating the messiness of feedback loops, they break down what to prioritize, what to ignore, and how to balance speed with quality. Michelle shares why investors are betting on your potential, not just your product, and Boon offers clear strategies for interpreting feedback and spotting blind spots early.


Whether you're pre-seed, pre-launch, or mid-pivot — this one’s your crash course in MVP strategy that actually works.


Follow along: 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Founders + AI, Michelle Akhidenor and Boon Chew get real about what it actually takes to build a solid MVP as an AI founder. Is it a functional product? A pitch-ready prototype? A tool for learning fast? They unpack the true purpose of a Minimum Viable Product — or as some call it, a Minimum Investable Product — and how to build one that helps you test ideas, attract investment, and avoid the trap of overbuilding too soon.


From using AI tools to move faster without losing focus, to navigating the messiness of feedback loops, they break down what to prioritize, what to ignore, and how to balance speed with quality. Michelle shares why investors are betting on your potential, not just your product, and Boon offers clear strategies for interpreting feedback and spotting blind spots early.


Whether you're pre-seed, pre-launch, or mid-pivot — this one’s your crash course in MVP strategy that actually works.


Follow along: 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> How to Hire a Team—And No, It’s Not Always About Hiring an Engineer How to Hire a Team—And No, It’s Not Always About Hiring an Engineer Mon, 14 Jul 2025 11:00:00 GMT 37:45 6874b906132b0fdbd9aa159e false https://shows.acast.com/founders-plus-ai/episodes/how-to-hire-a-team-not-always-about-hiring-an-engineer 6874b906132b0fdbd9aa159e 6846dfa4f47b55b37a2f4761 how-to-hire-a-team-not-always-about-hiring-an-engineer full 1 3 In this episode of Founders + AI, Boon and Michelle break down one of the biggest myths in tech: that every startup needs a CTO from day one. Spoiler alert—it’s more complicated than that.


They dive into what early-stage founders actually need when building a team, especially in the age of AI. Do you need a co-founder, a contractor, a venture studio… or just ChatGPT and a clear vision? Boon shares hard-won insights on when (and when not) to bring in technical partners, why alignment matters more than titles, and how to think strategically about your first hires.


From using AI to build your MVP faster to navigating partnerships with studios and engineers, this episode.


Follow along: 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Founders + AI, Boon and Michelle break down one of the biggest myths in tech: that every startup needs a CTO from day one. Spoiler alert—it’s more complicated than that.


They dive into what early-stage founders actually need when building a team, especially in the age of AI. Do you need a co-founder, a contractor, a venture studio… or just ChatGPT and a clear vision? Boon shares hard-won insights on when (and when not) to bring in technical partners, why alignment matters more than titles, and how to think strategically about your first hires.


From using AI to build your MVP faster to navigating partnerships with studios and engineers, this episode.


Follow along: 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Find Product-Market Fit Before You Write a Line of Code Find Product-Market Fit Before You Write a Line of Code Mon, 30 Jun 2025 11:00:00 GMT 28:57 686228ac653df36e7bd63da3 false https://shows.acast.com/founders-plus-ai/episodes/find-product-market-fit-before-you-write-a-line-of-code 686228ac653df36e7bd63da3 6846dfa4f47b55b37a2f4761 find-product-market-fit-before-you-write-a-line-of-code full 1 2 In this episode of Founders + AI, Michelle Akhidenor and Boon Chew explore one of the most overlooked questions in AI product building: Does anyone actually want what you're creating?


Before writing a single line of code, you need proof that your idea solves a real problem. This episode breaks down how to test your concept, validate demand, and use AI as a powerful tool to fast-track insights, feedback, and iteration.


From pitch decks to product loops, you'll hear candid advice on avoiding founder blind spots, pressure-testing your idea, and knowing when it’s time to scale. Real talk on finding product-market fit—before you build anything.


Follow along: 

  • Follow Centaur Lab AI on LinkedIn: Boon Chew
  • Follow Centaur Lab AI on YouTube
  • Subscribe to our Newsletter: xxx
  • Sign up for Yeego to get a 5-minute summary of this episode
  • Follow your Host, Michelle Akhidenor, on LinkedIn
  • Follow our Producers The Peers Project

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Founders + AI, Michelle Akhidenor and Boon Chew explore one of the most overlooked questions in AI product building: Does anyone actually want what you're creating?


Before writing a single line of code, you need proof that your idea solves a real problem. This episode breaks down how to test your concept, validate demand, and use AI as a powerful tool to fast-track insights, feedback, and iteration.


From pitch decks to product loops, you'll hear candid advice on avoiding founder blind spots, pressure-testing your idea, and knowing when it’s time to scale. Real talk on finding product-market fit—before you build anything.


Follow along: 

  • Follow Centaur Lab AI on LinkedIn: Boon Chew
  • Follow Centaur Lab AI on YouTube
  • Subscribe to our Newsletter: xxx
  • Sign up for Yeego to get a 5-minute summary of this episode
  • Follow your Host, Michelle Akhidenor, on LinkedIn
  • Follow our Producers The Peers Project

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> What Million Dollar AI Idea Should I Build? What Million Dollar AI Idea Should I Build? Mon, 16 Jun 2025 11:00:00 GMT 41:24 684aea141c97ce2ed1002ab5 false https://shows.acast.com/founders-plus-ai/episodes/what-million-dollar-ai-idea-should-i-build 684aea141c97ce2ed1002ab5 6846dfa4f47b55b37a2f4761 what-million-dollar-ai-idea-should-i-build full 1 1 In the premiere episode of Founders + AI, Michelle Akhidenor and Boon Chew dive into the one question every founder should be asking: What should I build—and why should it be AI?


This episode unpacks how AI can act like an army of workers—helping you move faster, scale smarter, and build with fewer barriers. You’ll get honest insights into what AI can (and can’t) do, how to think practically about using it in your product, and why early movers are best positioned to shape what’s next.


No fluff. No jargon. Just sharp thinking to help you build what matters—with AI. Real talk for founders building big with AI starts here.


Follow along: 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In the premiere episode of Founders + AI, Michelle Akhidenor and Boon Chew dive into the one question every founder should be asking: What should I build—and why should it be AI?


This episode unpacks how AI can act like an army of workers—helping you move faster, scale smarter, and build with fewer barriers. You’ll get honest insights into what AI can (and can’t) do, how to think practically about using it in your product, and why early movers are best positioned to shape what’s next.


No fluff. No jargon. Just sharp thinking to help you build what matters—with AI. Real talk for founders building big with AI starts here.


Follow along: 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Trailer Trailer Thu, 12 Jun 2025 12:00:00 GMT 0:49 6849917544a17fa6a1715e3e false https://shows.acast.com/founders-plus-ai/episodes/founders-plus-ai-trailer 6849917544a17fa6a1715e3e 6846dfa4f47b55b37a2f4761 founders-plus-ai-trailer trailer 1 Building with AI but not sure where to start? You're in the right feed.


Founders + AI is the podcast for founders building ambitious things with artificial intelligence.


We’re Centaur Lab, a NY-based AI Venture Studio and your virtual tech-cofounder. We’ve helped launch and scale startups worth billions—and now, we’re sharing the playbook.


Whether you’re pre-MVP or deep in product-market chaos, Founders + AI helps you go from “I’ve got an idea…” to “We’re shipping next week.”


This is the AI podcast that talks with founders.


Let’s build smarter.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Building with AI but not sure where to start? You're in the right feed.


Founders + AI is the podcast for founders building ambitious things with artificial intelligence.


We’re Centaur Lab, a NY-based AI Venture Studio and your virtual tech-cofounder. We’ve helped launch and scale startups worth billions—and now, we’re sharing the playbook.


Whether you’re pre-MVP or deep in product-market chaos, Founders + AI helps you go from “I’ve got an idea…” to “We’re shipping next week.”


This is the AI podcast that talks with founders.


Let’s build smarter.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]>