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If you've ever felt drained, exhausted, or frustrated by traditional networking events, you aren't alone. In this episode, Davide Cannarozzi explains why showing up to a random event without a clear strategy is a massive waste of your time and energy. Instead of treating networking as a casual interaction, Davide reveals why the most elite networkers treat relationship-building like being a diplomat or a spy—using intense planning, research, and flashcards to connect with the right people.We break down the critical differences between "random," "utilitarian," "intentional," and "serendipity" networking, and why you must build networking as an infrastructure for your life rather than a one-off chore. We also dive into the dangers of building a business without a clear vision or a mentor, and how that exact lack of self-awareness led to a grueling half-a-million-dollar loss in my own tech startup journey. Finally, we explore how to manage Dunbar's number in a world where technology connects us to thousands, and why you must "prune" your network just like the brain prunes unused synapses. Check out the company: https://rif.ventures ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network ----------------------------------- 📈 WORK WITH ME ----------------------------------- ▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook ▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call ▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising ▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship --------------------------------------------- 👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN --------------------------------------------- ▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot ▶ Inquiries: [email protected] --------------------------- 🕒 CHAPTERS --------------------------- 00:00 - Why Networking Feels So Exhausting 04:40 - Why Sean Ignored Networking at a Recent Event 06:36 - The 4 Types of Networking Explained 09:14 - Sean’s $500,000 Startup Mistake 13:36 - The Critical Importance of Mentorship 15:08 - Using a Podcast for Intentional Networking 16:14 - Davide’s MBA Cleantech Hustle 26:50 - Technology, Dunbar’s Number, and Brain Synapses 30:46 - Why You Should Treat Networking Like a Spy Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever been to an event where the person you're talking to is just looking past you for their next "lead"?. In this episode, Charles Lee breaks down why treating human connection like a transactional sales funnel will ultimately hold you back. We explore how genuine business flows naturally from authentic relationships, why you need to stop asking boring questions like "what do you do?", and how to cultivate deep curiosity about others. Charles shares a story of how a free, rainy-day speaking gig led to a 15-year relationship with one of his biggest clients , and we discuss the psychology of eye contact, body language, and the dreaded "resting thinking face". Finally, we tackle the ultimate question every driven entrepreneur must ask themselves: when it's all said and done, how much is enough?. Check out the company: https://ideation.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network ----------------------------------- 📈 WORK WITH ME ----------------------------------- ▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook ▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call ▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising ▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship --------------------------------------------- 👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN --------------------------------------------- ▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot ▶ Inquiries: [email protected] --------------------------- 🕒 CHAPTERS --------------------------- 00:00 - Business Flows From Relationships 01:18 - How One Free Panel Led to a 15-Year Client 03:42 - The Power of Genuine Curiosity 06:48 - Why Remembering Names and Details Matters 09:23 - Eye Contact and the "Resting Thinking Face" 11:13 - Public Speaking and Facilitation 13:02 - Expressing Gratitude to Your Network 14:55 - Why Sean Stopped Going to Networking Events 17:37 - Making a Lifelong Mentor in China 19:34 - What Matters Most & "How Much is Enough?" Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are your AI inference costs starting to eat into your startup's budget? In this episode, I sit down with Rob May to discuss the impending shift in the AI industry: moving from massive, expensive frontier models to optimized, task-specific workflows. Rob explains why using a massive model for a simple task is like paying an astrophysicist to balance your checkbook, and how routing requests to smaller models can significantly cut down on your token spend. We also dive into the realities of startup hiring, including why executives must network for talent months in advance and how "experienced" corporate hires can completely derail your early-stage systems. Finally, Rob shares his ultimate advice for founders: why cozying up to massive markets is the best way to de-risk your business. Check out the company: https://neuromatic.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get my brand new eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network ----------------------------------- 📈 WORK WITH ME ----------------------------------- ▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook ▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call ▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising ▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship --------------------------------------------- 👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN --------------------------------------------- ▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot ▶ Inquiries: [email protected] --------------------------- 🕒 CHAPTERS --------------------------- 00:00 - Why Founders Must Network Before Hiring 03:45 - The $30,000 Corporate Hiring Mistake 06:20 - Selling to IT Professionals vs. Sales Teams 08:15 - The Alex Hormozi Free Content Strategy 10:50 - How to Reduce High AI Inference Costs 13:30 - Tasks vs. Models: The Future of AI 16:45 - Moving AI Workflows to Microservices 21:10 - The "Big Market" Secret to Entrepreneurship Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does having ADHD make you a better entrepreneur? Transformation artist and former actress Helen Millar believes her neurodivergence is actually her greatest superpower. In this episode, Helen reveals why the ADHD brain's high risk tolerance and elite pattern recognition give founders a massive edge in business. We explore how to trust your deepest intuition, why playing small is the most dangerous thing you can do, and why having the wrong support system is worse than having none at all. Helen also shares her wildly unorthodox approach to networking , and why she walked away from a successful acting career to maintain her integrity. Plus, we finally uncover the psychological truth behind "Resting Bitch Face" and why it’s actually a sign of intense, ADHD-driven deep listening. Check out the company: https://hearthealer.co.uk ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get my brand new eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network ----------------------------------- 📈 WORK WITH ME ----------------------------------- ▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook ▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call ▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising ▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship --------------------------------------------- 👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN --------------------------------------------- ▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot ▶ Inquiries: [email protected] --------------------------- 🕒 CHAPTERS --------------------------- 00:00 - The Secret ADHD Advantage 01:47 - Trusting Your Intuition & Playing Big 03:40 - Spotting Fake Support Systems 06:14 - The "Piss Up in a Brewery" Networking Guide 08:40 - How to Get Noticed When You're a "Nobody" 10:38 - The Art of Being Interested (Not Just Interesting) 14:06 - Don't Be a Slave to Your Business 16:56 - Why I Walked Away From Acting 18:12 - The Dark Side of Media Manipulation 21:50 - How to Become a Transformation Artist 26:54 - The Truth About "Resting Bitch Face" and ADHD 30:00 - Becoming a Master of Meaning Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our 300th episode, the podcast is officially rebranding to focus on business networking! To celebrate, I brought on my very first mentor, Meir Simhi. Years ago in China, Meir helped me realize my true value in networking, which eventually led to me generating $15 million in crypto fundraising sales.In this episode, Meir breaks down his new "Product Theory" and why asking "what to sell" is the wrong question. We deconstruct my new business idea (feeding your frustrations to your dog) and explore the true definition of a market. Check out the company: https://brandmasters.io ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network ----------------------------------- 📈 WORK WITH ME ----------------------------------- ▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook ▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call ▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising ▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship --------------------------------------------- 👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN --------------------------------------------- ▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot ▶ Inquiries: [email protected] --------------------------- 🕒 CHAPTERS --------------------------- 00:00 - Episode 300 & The Business Networking Rebrand 02:37 - The Loneliest Part of Entrepreneurship 05:08 - Why Chasing Respect Repels People 09:02 - How Meir Mentored Sean in China 15:47 - The WeChat Course Failure 19:10 - How Networking Made Sean $15 Million in Crypto 23:51 - Why E-Commerce is Just "Commerce" Now 26:24 - "The Product Theory": How to Decide What to Sell 36:21 - Deconstructing Sean's "Dog Treat" Business Idea 46:55 - The 4 Axes of Defining a Market 54:26 - Why Shenzhen, China is the Future Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you obsessed with self-improvement? Mental performance coach and former Wall Street hedge fund manager Evan Marks argues that constantly trying to "fix" yourself actually takes you further away from who you really are. In this episode, Evan explains why he completely rejects "positive psychology" in favor of "opportunistic reality". He trains high-achievers to treat their negative emotions as data and be ready for chaos like a "jaguar in the brush". Check out the company: https://m1performancegroup.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network ----------------------------------- 📈 WORK WITH ME ----------------------------------- ▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook ▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call ▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising ▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship --------------------------------------------- 👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN --------------------------------------------- ▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot ▶ Inquiries: [email protected] --------------------------- 🕒 CHAPTERS --------------------------- 00:00 - The Fear of Regret 00:26 - The Hardest Part of Being an Entrepreneur 01:21 - Reinventing Yourself at 46 03:06 - The Fear of Failure vs. Regret 04:39 - Wall Street Stress & Uncertainty 05:46 - Why Positive Psychology is Fluff 10:50 - Why Self-Improvement is Ruining You 12:10 - How to Build Trust and Be Vulnerable 13:35 - Gen Z, Masculinity, & Coaching the Elite 15:20 - Does Trauma Create High Achievers? 20:18 - The Pain of Denial & Ignorance 22:30 - The "Leaf vs. Root" Metaphor 23:51 - Losing Purpose After a Big Exit Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it actually mean when a venture capitalist says they "don't have conviction" in your startup? Vaughn Crowe, an investor at MVP Capital , explains why VCs struggle to give founders honest feedback and what that dreaded rejection phrase really translates to. In this interview, Vaughn reveals how he sniffs out scammers versus real entrepreneurs by evaluating their true desire to build a big business. We discuss why having a massive advisory board at the pre-seed stage can be a major red flag , and whether founders should take a salary from their funding or bootstrap completely. Plus, he explains why leading your first VC meeting with a pitch deck is a fatal flaw and what you should do instead. Check out the company: https://nvpcapital.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network ----------------------------------- 📈 WORK WITH ME ----------------------------------- ▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook ▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call ▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising ▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship --------------------------------------------- 👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN --------------------------------------------- ▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot ▶ Inquiries: [email protected] --------------------------- 🕒 CHAPTERS --------------------------- 00:00 - How VCs Spot Fake Founders & Scammers 03:37 - Should You Hide Competing Term Sheets from VCs? 09:30 - Why Advisory Boards are a Red Flag for Early Startups 17:54 - Should Founders Take a Salary? 21:50 - Do Founders Still Need VCs in the Age of AI? 24:26 - Why VCs Won't Give You Honest Feedback 30:00 - The Real Meaning of "I Don't Have Conviction" 34:30 - Never Open a VC Meeting With a Pitch Deck Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you getting thousands of views on your YouTube Shorts but struggling to turn them into loyal subscribers or paying clients? Ben Pines, who helped scale Elementor from $0 to $100M ARR, explains exactly why your social media strategy is falling flat and how to fix it. In this live "workshop" style episode, Ben and Sean deconstruct Sean’s own content strategy. They discuss why AI has completely killed generic SEO content, why short-form video often leads to "empty views," and the secret to transitioning from a generic content creator to a highly paid trusted advisor. Ben reveals how to use the "Ezra Klein Method" to turn your content into a deep, problem-solving engine that naturally attracts your ideal audience. Check out the company: https://benpines.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network ----------------------------------- 📈 WORK WITH ME ----------------------------------- ▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook ▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call ▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising ▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship --------------------------------------------- 👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN --------------------------------------------- ▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot ▶ Inquiries: [email protected] --------------------------- 🕒 CHAPTERS --------------------------- 00:00 - Why You're Getting Views but No Subscribers 01:45 - Deconstructing a Failing Content Strategy 03:40 - The Golden Rule of Content: What Pays the Rent? 08:35 - Why "Curiosity" is Killing Your Podcast 12:40 - How to Tie Your Content Directly to Your Business 18:00 - Why AI Has Ruined Generic SEO Content 19:25 - The "Ezra Klein" Method for Building True Authority 22:50 - Stop Pretending You Know Everything 26:30 - Flip the Script: Solve Client Problems Live 38:30 - The Truth About YouTube Shorts & Distribution 43:30 - Elementor’s $100M Lesson: You Need a Bigger Story Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What will human civilization look like in 150 years? Abdo John Hajj, partner at Type One Ventures, believes we are at the beginning of a deep tech supercycle that will transition humanity into a "Type 1 Civilization"—one that harnesses the full energy of its host star and becomes truly interplanetary. In this interview, Abdo explains why space is not just about rockets, but about building the infrastructure for abundance. We discuss why Tesla's Optimus robots will likely colonize Mars before humans do , the critical need for a "circular economy" in space (mining water for fuel) , and the geopolitical reality of who will enforce the law on the lunar surface. Check out the company: https://type1ventures.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network ----------------------------------- 📈 WORK WITH ME ----------------------------------- ▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook ▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call ▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising ▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship --------------------------------------------- 👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN --------------------------------------------- ▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot ▶ Inquiries: [email protected] --------------------------- 🕒 CHAPTERS --------------------------- 00:00 - Why Space is the Next Deep Tech Supercycle 02:20 - The "Space HoldCo" Strategy: Investing in Infrastructure 06:30 - Elon Musk: The Ultimate "Venture Operator" 08:35 - The Reality: Why Space Startups Need Government Contracts 12:35 - Star Trek vs. Star Wars: The Future of Civilization 14:15 - Geopolitics: Who Enforces Law on the Moon? 16:45 - Sending Tesla Bots to Build Martian Colonies 21:00 - The Next-Gen Space Station: Axiom Space 22:20 - Mining the Moon for Water & Fuel 27:00 - The Power of Vision & Systems Thinking Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do most startups waste thousands of dollars on advisors who deliver zero results? Ron Levin, a partner at Alumni Ventures, explains why you should never pay a retainer to an advisor and how to structure equity-based deals that actually align incentives. In this interview, Ron shares his transition from co-founding TravelPerk (a unicorn startup) to becoming a venture capitalist. He reveals why he prefers investing over operating, the "Cold Outreach" myth that stops founders from reaching VCs, and the new trend of startups hitting $1M ARR before even raising a seed round. He also breaks down his "Super Angel" scout program and why the best founders are often the ones who failed their first time. Check out the company: https://alumniventures.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network ----------------------------------- 📈 WORK WITH ME ----------------------------------- ▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook ▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call ▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising ▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship --------------------------------------------- 👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN --------------------------------------------- ▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot ▶ Inquiries: [email protected] --------------------------- 🕒 CHAPTERS --------------------------- 00:00 - Founder vs. Investor: Which is Better? 02:20 - How to Find the "One in a Million" Startup 05:08 - Why Venture Capital Still Works (Despite the Failures) 07:54 - The "First Check" Myth: Who Really Invests First? 08:35 - Why VCs Brag About Seeing thousands of Decks 10:04 - The "Cold Outreach" Truth: How to Get a Meeting 14:40 - Stop Hiring Advisors on Retainer (Do This Instead) 17:00 - How to Use Advisors to Open Doors (The TravelPerk Story) 19:50 - My Worst Investment Mistake ($50k to Zero) 21:28 - The New Standard: $1M ARR for Seed Rounds? 25:40 - Alumni Ventures Investment Strategy (Co-Investing) 27:28 - The #1 Career Lesson: Do What You Actually Like Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is AI about to replace your stock broker? Christine Healey, a pre-IPO investment expert, explains why Claude AI missed a critical detail in a deal that could have cost her client millions—and why human brokers are still essential in the private market. In this interview, Christine and Sean discuss the "wild west" of pre-IPO investing, how to avoid scams when buying shares of companies like SpaceX and Stripe, and the secret tax strategies (like the Peter Thiel Roth IRA hack) that can save you millions. They also debate whether employees selling shares before an IPO is a red flag or just smart financial planning. Check out the company: https://healeypreipo.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network ----------------------------------- 📈 WORK WITH ME ----------------------------------- ▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook ▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call ▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising ▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship --------------------------------------------- 👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN --------------------------------------------- ▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot ▶ Inquiries: [email protected] --------------------------- 🕒 CHAPTERS --------------------------- 00:00 - Why AI Can't Replace Investment Brokers (Yet) 01:30 - The Human Touch in Private Equity Deals 02:20 - Direct Shares vs. SPVs: Which is Better? 04:40 - Pre-IPO Scams: How to Not Get Ripped Off 08:15 - Why Employees Sell Shares Before an IPO 10:45 - How to Invest in SpaceX & OpenAI 13:20 - What Does "Pre-IPO" Actually Mean? 16:00 - Early Stage vs. Late Stage Venture Risk 18:00 - Taking Fees as Equity (The "Carry" Strategy) 19:25 - The Taboo of Secondary Sales 21:00 - The "WeWork" Lesson: Why Cash Flow Matters 24:00 - The Peter Thiel Tax Hack (Roth IRA Investing) 26:50 - The #1 Lesson: Details Make the Deal Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is AI about to replace lawyers, or is it a "disaster" waiting to happen? Omeed Tabiei, a startup lawyer, breaks down the viral story of Fred Wilson replacing a $50k legal bill with AI and why it has the legal industry panicking. However, he also shares cautionary tales of founders who used AI templates (like Rocket Lawyer) and ended up with messy, expensive legal battles. In this interview, Omeed and Sean discuss the critical legal mistakes that destroy startups: from choosing an LLC instead of a Delaware C-Corp, to 50/50 co-founder equity splits without vesting. He also reveals a unique strategy one client used to raise $600k in 30 days directly from their customers on social media. Check out the company: https://optimistlegal.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network ----------------------------------- 📈 WORK WITH ME ----------------------------------- ▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook ▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call ▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising ▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship --------------------------------------------- 👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN --------------------------------------------- ▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot ▶ Inquiries: [email protected] --------------------------- 🕒 CHAPTERS --------------------------- 00:00 - Fred Wilson vs. The $50k Legal Bill (AI Replacement?) 02:18 - Why AI Legal Advice is Often Wrong (And Dangerous) 05:07 - When Do You Actually Need a Lawyer? (Pre-Seed vs. Series A) 09:30 - The Founder Who Ruined His Exit with a Rocket Lawyer Template 11:35 - The Y Combinator Founders Who Stole Code & Got "Flamed" 13:20 - The #1 Co-Founder Mistake: 50/50 Splits & No Vesting 16:25 - Why VCs Will NEVER Invest in an LLC (Delaware C-Corp Only) 20:50 - How One Founder Raised $600k in 30 Days on Social Media 25:40 - Debt vs. Equity: When to Stop Selling Your Company 27:10 - The #1 Career Lesson: Be a Voracious Learner Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the new open-source AI agent "OpenClaw" a revolutionary tool for startups, or a dangerous liability that could destroy your computer and spend thousands of your dollars? Sze Wong returns to the podcast to debate Sean on the massive risks and rewards of giving autonomous AI agents full control over your machine. In this heated discussion, Sze explains why the future of startups isn't building SaaS products, but rather selling "AI Agent Teams" as a service—like a digital staffing firm. Meanwhile, Sean shares terrifying stories of AI models trying to blackmail engineers and why he refuses to give agents access to his personal data. They also cover why Sze prefers Anthropic's Claude over OpenAI , the psychology of naming your AI "Felix" , and how Sze used AI to build a Calendly clone over a single weekend. Check out the company: https://zenithstudio.io ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network ----------------------------------- 📈 WORK WITH ME ----------------------------------- ▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook ▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call ▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising ▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship --------------------------------------------- 👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN --------------------------------------------- ▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot ▶ Inquiries: [email protected] --------------------------- 🕒 CHAPTERS --------------------------- 00:00 - The Controversial Thesis: Why OpenClaw Will Win 00:25 - The Dangers of Autonomous AI Agents 03:25 - How to Safely Test AI Agents (Use a VPS) 04:40 - The AI That Tried to Blackmail an Engineer 08:40 - Claude Code vs. OpenAI: Which is Better? 15:00 - The Psychology of Naming Your AI (Meet "Felix") 20:15 - Why SaaS is Dead (The "AI Staffing Firm" Future) 24:00 - Building a Calendly Clone in One Weekend with AI 28:30 - The Reality of "Vibe Coding" to Production Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you unknowingly breaking the law by paying a commission to someone helping you raise capital? Wendy Culbertson, a securities lawyer, warns that many startup founders are violating SEC rules by paying "finders" who are not registered broker-dealers. In this interview, she explains the severe consequences of these illegal payouts, including civil and criminal liability. Wendy breaks down the complex world of SEC regulations, explaining the critical differences between Regulation D (506b vs 506c), Regulation A (Mini-IPO), and Crowdfunding (Reg CF). She also reveals the "safe harbor" strategies for hiring internal investor relations staff without triggering regulatory action and why founders should think twice before handling filings themselves. Check out the company: https:// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network ----------------------------------- 📈 WORK WITH ME ----------------------------------- ▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook ▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call ▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising ▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship --------------------------------------------- 👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN --------------------------------------------- ▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot ▶ Inquiries: [email protected] --------------------------- 🕒 CHAPTERS --------------------------- 00:00 - Why Many Founders Are Breaking Securities Law 01:50 - The Danger of Paying "Finder's Fees" 04:12 - What is a Broker-Dealer? (SEC Definition) 07:05 - Safe Harbor: Hiring Employees to Raise Capital 09:20 - Can You Pay Fundraisers with Equity? 10:20 - Reg D vs. Reg A vs. Crowdfunding Explained 15:00 - Why Reg D and Reg CF Are Named That Way 18:50 - When Do You Need to File with the SEC? 20:00 - "Blue Sky Laws": State-Level Compliance Nightmares 23:30 - Should Founders File Their Own SEC Forms? 24:35 - The Risks of Unregistered Broker-Dealers (Criminal Action) Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do most climate startups fail to scale? Tom Chi, a founding member of Google X and inventor with 77 patents, argues that relying on "Green Premiums" or even price parity is a death sentence. In this interview, he reveals the "CapEx Inertia" trap that prevents factories from adopting new tech and why your solution needs to be 3x cheaper than the incumbent to survive. Tom shares the heartbreaking story of watching a coral reef die in just two months—a tragedy that pushed him from inventing to investing. He breaks down his unique physics-based diligence process (analyzing Matter, Energy, Time, and Space) and explains why he focuses on the four industries responsible for 90% of water pollution. Finally, he shares his life philosophy on why you should focus on "verbs" (your metabolism of learning) rather than "nouns" (status and titles).Check out the company: https://www.atoneventures.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ▶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network ----------------------------------- 📈 WORK WITH ME ----------------------------------- ▶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook ▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call ▶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising ▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship --------------------------------------------- 👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN --------------------------------------------- ▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot ▶ Inquiries: [email protected] --------------------------- 🕒 CHAPTERS --------------------------- 00:00 - From Google X Inventor to Climate Investor 02:55 - The Coral Reef Tragedy: Extinction by 2055? 08:38 - Why Hardware is Easier to Pick than SaaS 11:53 - The 4 Industries Causing 90% of Damage 13:28 - The "Triad" Investment Thesis 14:40 - Why "Green Premiums" & Price Parity Fail 15:40 - The "CapEx Inertia" Problem 18:00 - How to Due Diligence with Physics (Matter, Energy, Time, Space) 22:50 - Why Software Metrics Don't Work for Deep Tech 25:35 - Investment Readiness Levels (Avoiding Science Risk) 27:50 - The Cold Fusion & Superconductor Hype Cycles 30:10 - The #1 Life Lesson: Nouns vs. Verbs Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.