Startups Decoded – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In this episode of Startups Decoded, Kevin Jurovich (Founder & CEO of Hubble) joins me to unpack the raw, early-stage lessons no one talks about enough: compromise, confusion, burnout, and the clarity that comes after blowing it all up and starting again.

From an NFL career, to winging it and rebuilding from scratch, to embracing paid consulting and learning how to truly see people, Kevin shares the messy truth behind his pivot journey and how he finally stopped trying to be “right” and started building to get it right.

We talk about the real hustle behind Hubble, the weight of early inbound growth, and the mindset shifts it takes to survive long enough to build something meaningful.

Kevin Jurovich:

Founder & CEO of Hubble, a platform helping creators and domain experts turn their knowledge into income, and more importantly, impact.

A former NFL wide receiver turned wealth advisor turned founder, Kevin’s journey into startups began in 2013 while serving tech entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. Since then, he’s been all-in on building, scaling, and mentoring within the startup ecosystem. He’s on a mission to inspire others to do more of what inspires them—and to shape a future where expertise becomes a catalyst for opportunity.

Hubble

Empowers creators and experts to monetize their knowledge through experiences, services, and products, without needing a massive following. It’s designed for those with real expertise, not just social reach, and gives them the tools to grow, serve, and scale their audience through authenticity and value.

At its core, Hubble is about transforming expertise into impact, helping people build meaningful, sustainable income from what they know and love.

SHOW NOTES

Music Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)

Summary

In this conversation, Kevin Yurovich shares insights into the mindset and self-awareness required for founders. He discusses his journey from being an NFL player to becoming a startup founder, emphasizing the importance of community, vulnerability, and learning from failures. Kevin highlights how leveraging platforms like LinkedIn can foster growth and connections, and he elaborates on the development of Hubble, a marketplace for expert advice. The discussion underscores the significance of adaptability and the iterative nature of entrepreneurship.

Takeaways

The older we are, the more we tend to care less about what other people think.

You gotta leave the shore; have the courage to go all in.

There's no such thing as a self-made individual; it takes a village.

Confidence comes from the little things we tell ourselves.

Failure is not finite; it's a point in time where you learn something.

We are not here to be right; we are here to get it right.

The MVP you launch has to work and solve a problem.

If you're passionate about it, start getting it out there.

Community and vulnerability are key in building relationships.

You never know when your efforts will come back full circle.

Chapters

00:00 The Mindset of a Founder

04:18 Transitioning from Sports to Startups

08:26 Reflections on Career Changes

13:11 The Importance of Pivots

18:02 Leveraging LinkedIn for Growth

28:07 The Role of Community and Vulnerability

31:32 The Shift in Startup Culture

34:05 Building Hubble: A Journey of Validation

40:54 The Value of Expert Connections

In this episode, we explore why the best founders don’t wait for perfect plans—they launch, learn, and build in public. 

From early growth hacks to fast feedback loops and sales that start before the product’s finished, we unpack what it really takes to grow quickly and stay ahead. If you're stuck planning instead of building, this one will light a fire.

Cory Blumenfeld

Cory Blumenfeld is a seasoned entrepreneur and business strategist with a passion for empowering individuals to find their voice and start their own ventures. He has co-founded multiple startups, including CoHealth, a digital platform promoting healthy behavior change, and Caribou, a healthcare planning software for financial advisors that raised over $3 million in funding. 

Currently, Cory serves in Strategy Operations at LearnLux Financial Wellbeing, applying his diverse experience to enhance financial wellness solutions. A graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University and a Next 36 alumnus, Cory is dedicated to inspiring and guiding aspiring entrepreneurs through his insights and leadership.

SHOW NOTES

Music Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)

In this episode of Startups Decoded, Andy Walsh and Corey Blumenfeld discuss the concept of building in public, exploring its significance in the startup ecosystem. Corey shares his journey as a founder, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, authenticity, and the power of relationships in business. They delve into the balance between sharing ideas publicly versus keeping them private, the necessity of validation and testing in product development, and the role of trust and vulnerability in fostering a successful team culture. The conversation also touches on how effective storytelling can attract investment and the long-term benefits of building genuine connections within the entrepreneurial community.

Takeaways

Building in public allows for authentic connections.

Storytelling is crucial for engaging with audiences.

Validation through testing is essential for success.

Trust and vulnerability foster a positive team culture.

Investors are interested in the founder's story and decisions.

Sharing experiences can lead to unexpected opportunities.

Building relationships is key to long-term success.

The future of selling lies in genuine storytelling.

You can learn from every interaction, regardless of experience.

Being respectfully assertive is important in business.

Sound Bites

"You can learn from every single person."

"You need to be respectfully assertive."

"The future of selling is storytelling."

Chapters

00:00 Building in Public: A New Era for Startups

05:02 The Journey of Entrepreneurship: Lessons Learned

08:55 The Power of Sharing Your Story

11:41 Learning from Every Interaction

14:19 Building Relationships in a Digital Age

16:45 Transparency vs. Stealth: The New Norm

18:57 Testing Fast: Validating Ideas Quickly

23:51 The Importance of Hypothesis Testing in Business

25:33 The Power of Storytelling and Sharing in Public

28:05 Building Trust Through Vulnerability and Authenticity

33:29 The Role of Trust and Delegation in Business Growth

38:48 Storytelling as a Tool for Investment and Revenue Generation

The startup funding game is changing fast, and so is the early-stage VC model. So… is it time for a reset?

In this episode of Startups Decoded, I sit down with Jeff Becker — investor, entrepreneur, and partner at Antler, the fastest-growing global VC firm, to unpack what’s really going on in early-stage venture capital.

We explore everything from the decline of the traditional fund model to the rise of rolling capital agreements, counter-cyclical strategies, and new ways of backing durable founders. Jeff shares lessons from his journey at LinkedIn through hyper-growth, his hands-on experience building startups, and Antler’s bold mission to launch 10,000 companies in the next decade.

We also dig into the “hidden years of inception”, how AI is reshaping go-to-market, why resilience is the ultimate founder trait, and how Antler is rewriting the global venture playbook — with community, culture, and capital all under one roof.

If you’re a founder or investor trying to make sense of today’s VC market, this one’s unmissable.

Jeff Becker

Jeffrey Becker is a venture investor, entrepreneur, and builder of businesses that scale. Starting his career valet parking and interning at startups, he honed his sales skills at Xerox before joining LinkedIn, where he played a role in its explosive growth—from 100M to 770M members, IPO to Microsoft acquisition, and $600M to $10B in revenue. Alongside, he co-founded a DTC brand that served 250,000 customers and partnered with Best Buy and Daymond John.

Since 2016, Jeffrey has focused on angel investing in companies driving health, wealth, and happiness. By 2018, he was mentoring at emerging funds, setting the stage for his career in VC. Now at Antler, he’s on a mission to help launch 10,000 companies in a decade, fueling the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Early Stage Venture Capital
• 03:05 The Hidden Years of Inception
• 05:58 The Role of Founders in Early Stage Investing
• 08:50 Culture and Community in Startups
• 11:57 Resilience and Solution Orientation in Founders
• 15:07 The Dichotomy of Building: Fast vs. Durable
• 18:02 Navigating the AI Landscape in Venture Capital
• 25:19 Outsourcing and AI in Business Growth
• 29:01 Trends in Venture Capital and Founders' Perceptions
• 30:36 Counter-Cyclical Investment Strategies
• 34:12 Identifying Durable Founders and Their Vision
• 39:03 Follow-On Strategies and Rolling Capital in Early Stage Investing
• 48:13 Navigating the Antler Application Process

Music Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)

Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have.

As businesses face growing pressure to align with climate targets, the demand for green skills is skyrocketing. In this episode of Startups Decoded, I sit down with Neil Yeoh, CEO of OnePointFive, to discuss how companies can bridge the gap between climate science, finance, and strategy.

We’ll explore the rise of the "Climate Expert-in-Residence," why upskilling in sustainability is a competitive advantage, and how startups and corporations alike can embed climate action into their core operations.

Music Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)

Neil Yeoh

Neil Yeoh is the CEO of One Point Five, dedicated to helping individuals and businesses unlock their full potential for the greatest good. Once feeling stuck in the oil & gas sector, Neil found his purpose in the climate movement, leveraging the right skills and mindset to drive meaningful change. From overcoming personal and academic hurdles to becoming a Forbes and WEF contributor, Ironman finisher, and founder, his journey is a testament to the power of transformation. Now, he empowers others to break through barriers and achieve their good growth.

One Point Five

OnePointFive is a Climate Expert-in-Residence, helping organizations and individuals future-proof through sustainability. With its Advisory & Academy, it bridges the gap between science, finance, and green skills, providing actionable solutions to embed sustainability into strategy, operations, and careers. Whether aligning with the 1.5°C climate target or upskilling teams, OnePointFive drives sustainable growth.

https://themethod.substack.com/

Redefining normal: how brands can challenge culture and win.

In this episode, we sit down with Andy Miller, co-founder and CEO of Heaps Normal, to explore how brands can go beyond selling products to reshape cultural norms. Andy shares how Heaps Normal is redefining Australia’s drinking culture, the power of purpose-driven branding, and what it takes to build a movement that resonates.

We discuss his launch into California through a major partnership with Whole Foods. Whether you're a founder, marketer, or brand strategist, this conversation will challenge you to think bigger about your brand’s impact.

Music Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)

Andy Miller

Andy is the co-founder and CEO of Heaps Normal. With a background in strategy, communications and marketing, Andy came to Heaps Normal armed with 15 years of experience working in industries including FMCG, health, liquor, automotive, marketplaces and arts & music. After a five-year stint heading up marketing for some of the country’s best known craft beer brands, where he oversaw Y-o-Y growth, Andy co-founded Heaps Normal — a non-alcoholic beer brand on a mission to change Aussie drinking culture.

Heaps Normal

We reckon some things in life are too good to be wasted, like having a good time, a good chat and a good drink. We believe in play as a powerful form of wellness but forget the preaching. We’re the weirdos redefining normal for the better and celebrating people who do the same. We also make drinks, but we don’t care how much or how little you’re drinking unless it’s water (yuck).

SHOW NOTES

In this episode of Startups Decoded, Andy Miller, co-founder and CEO of Heaps Normal, shares his journey from a diverse career to launching a successful non-alcoholic beer brand. He discusses the purpose behind Heaps Normal, the shift in drinking culture, and the importance of community engagement. The conversation explores the brand's unique position in the market, the changing perceptions of non-alcoholic beverages, and the company's expansion into the US market. Andy emphasizes the significance of authenticity, joy, and genuine connections in both business and personal life.

Chapters

00:00: Introduction to Heaps Normal and Andy Miller

01:16: Andy Miller's Diverse Career Path

05:34: The Purpose Behind Heaps Normal

07:49: Changing Drinking Culture

11:37: The Shift in Non-Alcoholic Beverage Perception

16:36: The Role of Purpose in Brand Strategy

18:34: Community Engagement and Support for Artists

23:23: Building Brand Relevance Through Music

30:25: Expansion into the US Market

37:21: Future Plans and Exciting Developments

In this episode I sit down with Nick Sgobba to discuss the evolution of product management in the age of AI.

We explore how AI tools are transforming product design, development, and validation processes, emphasizing the need for critical thinking and human creativity in a landscape increasingly dominated by technology.

The conversation also touches on the democratization of product design, the challenges of competition, and the changing dynamics of investment in startups, forecasting a future where early exits become more common as founders leverage new tools to bring products to market faster.

Nick Sgobba is a seasoned product leader with over a decade of experience shaping digital products across startups, venture capital, and global enterprises. Specializing in AI, patents, and emerging technologies, he has a proven track record of aligning product strategy with market needs to drive growth. As a startup advisor and international speaker, Nick brings deep insights into scaling products, navigating evolving trends, and building customer-centric solutions.

Don't miss this deep dive into the future of startup product strategy! Tune in to hear Nick Sgobba's expert insights and get actionable takeaways for 2025.

Music Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)

Nick Sgobba

Product leader with 10+ years of experience from multinationals to startups and venture capital across Europe, the Middle East, and North America. Proven ability to deliver user-centric digital products, with a specialization in AI and patents, and a passion for emerging technologies. Adept at strategic thinking, and relationship building, and deeply committed to aligning product development, customer needs, and market opportunities. Strong track record of envisioning, developing, managing, and scaling products. Speaker at international conferences. Startup and VC advisor.

Evalify

Evalify is an AI-powered platform that analyzes almost 200M patent documents from over 170 jurisdictions to uncover legal risks from startup pitch decks or product briefs in minutes.

Takeaways

• Product management as we know it is over due to AI.
• AI tools are revolutionizing product development processes.
• The democratization of product design has both benefits and risks.
• Critical thinking remains essential in the age of AI.
• Founders must navigate increased competition in product markets.
• Investment trends are shifting towards faster exits.
• Building products is easier now, but scaling them is challenging.
• Human creativity is irreplaceable in product design.
• AI can assist in prototyping but should not replace human input.
• The future of product management will be shaped by AI and human collaboration.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Product Evolution

05:30 - The Shift in Product Management

10:01 - AI and Prototyping Workflows

15:30 - Democratization of Product Design

19:52 - Navigating Competition in Product Development

24:10 - The Role of Critical Thinking in AI

28:29 - The Future of Product Management

33:28 - Investment Trends and Market Dynamics

In this episode, sales and go-to-market expert Carol Malakasis breaks down the essential components of a winning go-to-market strategy.

We explore how startups can align sales with the customer journey, prioritize pain points, and repurpose old GTM strategies for new products. Carol also shares best practices for setting realistic launch goals based on sales forecasts.

Whether you're a founder or an early sales leader, this conversation will give you actionable insights to refine your GTM approach and scale predictably.

Tune in as I sit down with Carol Malakasis to break down the GTM strategies startups need to scale—covering market definition, sales strategy, and how to align with the customer journey.

Music Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)

Carol Malakasis - De-risking sales | GTM coach to 100+ YC founders and founding sales teams

Carol Malakasis is a startup sales expert specializing in scaling revenue for Seed to Series A companies. With 15 years in startup sales, she has built and led GTM teams, trained hundreds of reps, and helped over 100 YC companies reach their first $1M ARR. As a GTM consultant, she de-risks early-stage growth by refining sales strategies, optimizing processes, and enabling founders to sell effectively.

(LINKEDIN)

In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape, brand strategy is more crucial than ever. As consumer expectations shift and competition intensifies, modern brands must redefine their approach to stand out and drive sustainable growth. Danish Chan, co-founder of Untangld and founding partner of ‘by The Network,’ brings a wealth of experience in reshaping how brands connect with their audiences. In this podcast, we’ll explore the importance of developing a robust, adaptable brand strategy that not only speaks to today’s consumer but also sets a foundation for long-term success. From building authentic connections to navigating the digital age, we’ll dive into the key principles that enable brands to not just survive, but thrive in a competitive market.

Music Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)

Danish Chan (LinkedIn)

Co-founder of strategy shop Untangld, and Founding Partner of the international creative network, 'by The Network'. I'm also a regular judge at the Effies and Warc Awards and a sometimes contributor for global and local marketing publications.

Untangld (Website)

Untangld is a brand and customer strategy studio, working with businesses around the world to redefine how they win.

Chapters

00:00: Introduction to Brand Strategy

01:35: Understanding Untangled and Its Mission

03:10: Defining Brand Strategy

05:36: The Evolution of Brand and Founder DNA

10:44: Stages of Startup Growth and Brand Strategy

11:40: Foundational Elements for Early Stage Startups

15:10: Transitioning to a More Rigorous Brand Strategy

18:11: Differentiating Brand Messaging from Product Messaging

20:15: The Importance of Emotional Connection in Branding

26:45: Brand Fame and Its Impact

33:08: Conclusion and How to Reach Untangled

Venture Studios are not all built the same, some focus on rapid ideation, others on deep operational support, and their structures can vary dramatically. Yet, the industry still struggles with legitimacy in the eyes of investors and founders alike. Are they incubators? Are they funds? How do they truly add value?

In this episode, I sit down with Neal Ghosh, an economist-turned-venture builder, to break down what separates high-quality venture studios from the rest. We’ll dive into the challenges of fundraising, the unique approach to creating and scaling companies, and how different models impact ownership, co-founder roles, and investment strategies. Most importantly, we’ll explore what a strong exit strategy looks like for both startups and the studios behind them.

If you’ve ever questioned how Venture Studios fit into the broader startup ecosystem, or if they even should—this is the conversation you need to hear.

Music Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)

Neal Ghosh - LinkedIn

Neal Ghosh is an economist turned venture builder specializing in AI-driven decision-making, venture studio development, and market research. Starting in economic and financial research, he later transitioned to machine learning at Amazon, earning a patent for customer engagement algorithms.

He co-founded Amazon’s first internal venture studio and led strategy at Cogo Labs before launching 9point8, which provides tech-enabled services to venture studios. His latest product, LaunchIQ, supports early-stage investors, accelerators, and tech transfer offices. A frequent speaker in Boston’s startup ecosystem, Neal is also a self-published author, a ukulele player, and a proud PTO co-chair at his daughter’s school.

9point8 website

Venture capital isn’t just about writing checks, it’s about creating value. In this episode, we dive into the crucial role of VC platform teams in driving returns. From connecting portfolio companies with key hires and strategic partners to support their growth with tailored resources, platform teams are transforming how VCs deliver value beyond capital.

It is important to explore each firm's distinct approach to community and platform to truly understand the impact. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or aspiring VC professional, this episode will unpack the often-overlooked strategies that make platform teams indispensable to modern venture capital.

Are you a founder wondering how your VC can help you beyond funding? Or an investor curious about evolving trends in venture support? Tune in to discover how platform teams are shaping the future of venture capital.

Music Credit: "Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)

Joel Connolly

Creative Director and Head of the Blackbird Foundation, where he shapes the brand, culture, and community-driven venture capital approach. He leads initiatives to inspire creativity in young people through the Foundation and oversees branding efforts at Blackbird. Before joining Blackbird, Joel founded a talent management business representing bands like The Rubens and Cloud Control, and created Sydney Craft Beer Week. With a background in communications and theatre, Joel believes culture and creativity are key to success.

LinkedIn

Blackbird

Blackbird is a venture capital firm based in Australia and New Zealand, backing ambitious startups across various industries, from software to space. With a portfolio valued at over $7B, it supports companies from early stages through IPO. Blackbird prioritizes founder-first relationships, long-term investments, and fostering community. Their initiatives, such as Giants and The Sunrise Festival, encourage innovation and mentorship. The firm values creativity, integrity, and impact, investing in founders' life missions to solve the world's greatest problems.

Blackbird VC.

VC Platform

Our 2,100+ members at 1,000+ funds across 43 countries fuel the entrepreneurs and teams their firms back.

Website