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This is some of the best Founder advice

A brand new Elevator Pitch just dropped, learn what the host of this well-known podcast series says about Founders today, and more opportunities to shine

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Alex at TechTO
March 13, 2025

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ELEVATOR PITCH 🎤

It’s time for another episode of the TechTO ‘Elevator Pitch Series’. We get pitched by up-and-coming startups as we ride the elevator 18 floors. A literal Elevator Pitch.

In today's episode of the Elevator Pitch Series, we hear a pitch from Sarit Tamir, Founder and CEO at Seeteria.

Ever been curious about the industrial space, and how to make it safer? Seeteria is looking to solve this very problem.

Listen to the full pitch now!  

Want to learn more? Connect with the team at https://www.seeteria.com 

Stay tuned for new episodes of our Elevator pitch series all year long. We will be dropping them across social and in every Thursday newsletter!

STARTUP OPPORTUNITIES TO SHINE ✨

  • The #CIXSummit by Elevate Tech, is Canada’s largest startup awards and investment summit, uniting tech founders, investors, and industry advisors to power new deals. Join in real life on March 26 at Design Exchange in Toronto Get your tickets here: https://cixsummit.com/ — Use code TECHTOFRIENDSCIX2025 for a 20% discount 

  • The 10th annual TECHSPO Toronto, two-day technology expo returns April 16th and 17th, 2025 to the luxurious Marriott Downtown at CF Toronto Eaton Centre Hotel in Toronto, Ontario. TECHSPO Toronto brings together some of the best developers, brands, marketers, technology providers, designers, innovators and evangelists looking to set the pace in our advanced world of technology. Register and learn more here

  • The Network Box invites you to a one-of-a-kind evening where meaningful connections and inspiration take center stage. Join them on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the beautiful rooftop of 627 King Street West, Toronto, for an event that combines the energy of Toronto's skyline with the power of networking. Learn more here

BUILDERS PERSPECTIVE 🛠️

In this section, we focus on the unique perspectives of the founders and innovators who are sharing their insights on success and growth and their opinions on the major headlines in tech today.

Knockout Renovate GIF by TLC Europe

Gif by tlceurope on Giphy

Today’s builders persepctive focuses the lens on what we think are some great takeaways to consider as a Founder.

The former host of TechCrunch’s popular Found series, shared the five best pieces of Founder advice learned during the show’s run.

Here's a few highlights of these takeaways and why they matter:

Embrace Your Weaknesses

Parker Conrad, co-founder and CEO of Rippling, advises founders to confront tasks they dislike or aren't proficient in, rather than delegating them immediately. He believes that these challenging areas often pose the most significant threats to a startup's success. By tackling them head-on, founders can mitigate potential risks and foster personal growth.

Why It Matters: Avoiding uncomfortable tasks can lead to overlooked problems that may hinder a startup's progress. Addressing these areas directly ensures a more resilient and well-rounded business foundation.

Question Venture Capitalist (VC) Advice

Ashley Tyrner, founder and CEO of FarmboxRx, shares her experience of VCs suggesting she pivot to a meal kit model, which she felt wasn't aligned with her vision. Choosing to bootstrap instead, her company later thrived by partnering with insurance companies to deliver produce boxes as part of patient prescriptions.

Why It Matters: While VCs can offer valuable insights, their advice may not always align with a founder's vision or market realities. Founders should critically assess external suggestions and trust their understanding of their business and customers.

Being First Isn't Always Best

Jordan Nathan, founder and CEO of Caraway, observed that launching later in a crowded market allowed his company to identify gaps left by competitors. This strategic timing enabled Caraway to tailor its products effectively and cater to unmet consumer needs.

Why It Matters: Entering a market after competitors provides the advantage of learning from their successes and mistakes, allowing for more informed product development and positioning.

Accelerate Market Entry

Joe Wolfel, co-founder and CEO of Terradepth, emphasizes the importance of generating revenue early, even if the core product isn't fully developed. By offering interim services, his company gained practical insights and established a revenue stream while working towards its long-term goals.

Why It Matters: Early market entry facilitates real-world learning, customer feedback, and financial sustainability, all of which are crucial for refining the core product and achieving long-term success.

Build the Company, Not Just the Product

Gavin Uberti, co-founder and CEO of Etched, recounts the oversight of delaying employee benefits setup, which led to challenges when an employee needed health insurance. This highlights the necessity of establishing organizational structures alongside product development.

Why It Matters: A successful startup requires more than a great product; it needs a robust organizational framework to support and retain talent, ensure compliance, and foster a positive work environment.

Incorporating these lessons can help today's founders navigate common pitfalls and build more resilient, adaptable, and successful startups.

Take a look for yourself and see how these takeaways can help you on your journey.

Here are the five best pieces of founder advice I learned as a host of Found

After more than two years — and nearly 100 episodes — as a host of TechCrunch’s recently ended Found podcast, I have learned a lot about how founders approach building their startups.

Have a great perspective we should consider? Share it with us at [email protected]

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