Profile 7 min read

Lessons from Michael Seibel

Michael Seibel co-founded Justin.tv, which became Twitch, and Socialcam before leading Y Combinator. His blunt counsel urges founders to stop overthinking, launch quickly, speak with users, and endure the unglamorous early work of building a company.
Profile 8 min read

Lessons from Paul Buchheit

Paul Buchheit built Gmail’s first version in a day, coined Google’s original “Don’t be evil” motto, and later became a Y Combinator partner. His ideas probe product design, founder psychology, and why innovation eventually stalls inside large companies.
Profile 8 min read

Lessons from Kevin Systrom

Kevin Systrom, co-founder of Instagram and Artifact, showed how a failing app can be rescued by isolating the feature users truly want. His experience frames a practical study of product design, decisive pivots, and machine learning.
Profile 10 min read

Lessons from Zvi Mowshowitz

Zvi Mowshowitz, writer and former competitive Magic: The Gathering player, analyzes AI safety, bureaucracy, and other complex systems. His observations offer a lens for reading institutional behavior and making decisions when information and incentives remain uncertain.
Profile 9 min read

Lessons from Richard Socher

Richard Socher brought neural networks into mainstream natural language processing, founded MetaMind, served as Salesforce’s chief scientist, and launched You.com. His work connects deep learning with startup execution and questions about search and interaction with AI.
Profile 9 min read

Lessons from Connor Leahy

Connor Leahy, co-founder of EleutherAI and CEO of Conjecture, argues that unchecked AI scaling risks uncontrollable systems. His case for bounded models and tight regulation examines neural-network mechanics, coordination failures, and measures to prevent catastrophe.
Profile 9 min read

Lessons from Balaji Srinivasan

Balaji Srinivasan, a former Coinbase CTO, proposed the Network State: a plan for groups to fund territory and seek diplomatic recognition. His ideas ask how cryptography, pseudonymity, decentralized tech, and startup culture could reshape society and institutions.
Profile 7 min read

Lessons from Evan Spiegel

Evan Spiegel co-founded Snapchat and shaped its approach to ephemeral communication. His lessons explore product decisions, visual expression, and the evolution of Snap's camera platform.

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