TLDR FOUNDERS 2023-09-18

THREE IN FOUR AMERICANS BELIEVE AI WILL REDUCE JOBS

Most Americans think artificial intelligence will negatively affect the U.S. job market, with 75% saying it will decrease the total number of jobs over the next 10 years.

BOSSES ARE BACK IN CHARGE

Between RTO, AI, and all the layoffs in tech, it feels like power in the workplace has shifted away from the employees and back to employers.

SOFTBANK MAKES A BILLION-DOLLAR BET ON AUTONOMOUS TRUCKING STARTUP

This is a big shift for SoftBank, who in recent years has been moving towards doing smaller and more selective deals.

HOW TO BE A BETTER SALES EXECUTIVE

Whether you’re a founder doing sales or a sales rep, it seems we’ve collectively gotten a little bit slower at promptly responding to customers, follow-ups, and inbound interest. The best way to keep someone engaged is to not keep them waiting.

5 INTERESTING LEARNINGS FROM SAMSARA AT ALMOST $1BN ARR

Growing 40% YoY between 2022 and 2023 and cash flow positive, Samsara is back to growth. There are several stats in this article, but perhaps the standout is how Samsara compensated its sales team on net new revenue, rather than new logos, allowing them to upsell into their existing user base or seek out new business.

HOW TO TAKE TIME OFF AND USE IT WELL

Jumping directly into a new job or a startup idea straight after another is a bit like dating immediately after a breakup. You don’t want to fall into the “rebound” idea or job. Taking time off requires planning your finances and setting self-expectations.

IS FINTECH A HOUSE OF CARDS?

The rosy macroeconomic conditions of the 2010s have certainly come to an end. The relationship between fixed interchange fees, which often form the staple of fintech revenue, and unfixed increasing interest rates is putting pressure on newly minted technology companies.

WHY VENTURE CAPITALISTS WILL OVERPAY FOR SEED ROUNDS

The startup ecosystem has experienced a tumultuous period, with the transition from a hyper-growth market to one that rewards a different style of operation. While overall valuations in the seed stage have remained relatively unchanged, the top decile of startups has been less impacted than the second decile, largely due to the involvement of better-known firms who are happy to pay more for a spot on the cap table.

HOW TO BECOME AN ANGEL INVESTOR

Most people think that angel investing is for the ultra-wealthy. As it turns out, the vast majority of angels are investing $1k-$5k into startups. This in-depth post provides tactical tips for how to get started.

SAYING THE HARD THING WHEN IT MATTERS

We often avoid having tough conversations or calling out the things in meetings we really should be. Here’s a reminder that it’s okay to feel uncomfortable or fearful doing it. Learn how to do it anyway.

JPM TO LAUNCH PAYROLL TO COMPETE WITH SQUARE

Partnering with SF-based Gusto, JPM is looking to offer digital payroll processing in order to appeal to small business customers. It’s nice to see an incumbent taking meaningful actions towards innovation.

AI is looking to take on several dying markets and news is just another avenue. This article looks at how AI might be a path forward for news. We’re already seeing this happen with smaller local TV affiliates with some success.