🎉 SAYWISE CLOSED BETA FOR iOS IS LIVE!

• The beta is exclusive for the Saywise community as we build the ultimate AMA platform.

• You can download it for iOS here and use code FISTBUMP.

• On there, you can find fellow founders, investors, and other startup leaders. You can ask and answer questions using text and voice.

• Would love to hear your thoughts as you test out the app. Feel free to reply directly to this email with your feedback!

⭐ Highlights from Shane's AMA
(edited for clarity)

Has being a Founder helped you in your investing career?

As an investor, the more experience you gain, the more you learn from mistakes. Founders are emotionally driven, willing to run through walls, but investing requires emotional detachment. Being a former founder helps in due diligence and understanding complex tech, from crypto to quantum. It also helps in assessing a founder’s resilience—their ability to get knocked down, yet keep pushing forward. That insight has guided me well so far.

How should Founders approach investors for feedback?

When founders reach out, they often send a deck asking for feedback, but without a clear, specific ask. I’m not here to redo your deck or try your product from scratch. A better approach is to pinpoint two or three specific concerns—like TAM or customer targeting—and make a personalized, concise ask. Tailor each message and be as impactful as possible to stand out from the hundreds of requests I get, maximizing your chances of a response.

What trends are you excited about?

Humanoid robots are a game changer, set to transform physical labor and take over unwanted jobs. Micro robotics in medicine is also thrilling—like PillBot, a pill I backed that performs an upper endoscopy after you swallow it, swims around your stomach, and then exits naturally.

How should Founders go about building a network?

Surround yourself with people who are doing significantly better than you, as their inspiration is invaluable. While it’s challenging to figure out how to add value to them, investing in these relationships is essential. Seek out and nurture connections with those who inspire you; this has always been a guiding principle for me.

What advice do you have for Founders going through ups and downs?

Never make assumptions or take things personally. Founders often conflate themselves with their startups. Remember, you’re not your startup; it’s something you create. Detaching from this can lead to a better experience for you, your investors, and your employees. Everyone seeks quick results, but I didn’t have an exit until 10 years in and failed after 2. Build tools to support yourself so you can keep moving forward without breaking.

What advice do you have for Founders about to go fundraise?

Look at where funds are flowing. While you shouldn’t abandon your passion, choosing an industry where VCs are investing—like AI—can ease your journey. Be genuine; authenticity is crucial. If you can align your interests with where investment is heading, it will be easier. Also, consider relocating to a major city like SF, LA, or New York. The best founders are returning to these hubs, realizing that remote teams often lack the magic needed for startups.

For the full AMA, click here.

📅 Upcoming AMAs

• Nov 14 at 2pm PT: Mike Chen and Lena Zhang, Founders at Cohere

  • Cohere is a retail intelligence platform for B2B buyers to source vendors with verified insights, aiming to set a new credibility standard in B2B commerce.

  • Mike is the CEO of Cohere; former Michelin 2-star chef, self-taught data scientist, and retail buyer with grocery experience.

  • Lena is the COO of Cohere; architect with expertise in commercial retail design, has worked on branding projects for luxury brands like IWC and Louis Vuitton.

📺 Past AMAs

Missed any of our previous AMAs? No worries! You can catch up on all the guests here.

• Will Drewery, Founder and CEO at Diagon (AI-powered procurement platform)

• Gaurav Seth, Founder and CEO at PierSight Space (maritime surveillance using satellites)

• Tejes Srivalsan, Founder and CEO at Poppin (event-based social media)

• Christie Marchese, Founder and CEO at Kinema (film distribution platform)

• Michael Kapps, Founder and CEO at Sanii (longevity and lifestyle for the elderly)

• Ahmed Mirza, Investor at Techstars Los Angeles (leading startup accelerator)

• Clara Hong, Founder and CEO at Smore (B2B form building platform)

• Luiza Justus, Founder and CCO at Supersocial (gaming for the metaverse)

• Mark Linao, General Partner at Progression Fund (early stage consumer VC)

• David Yi, General Partner at Ethos Fund (early stage VC in Vietnam and the US)

• Fay Wells, Angel Investor and VC in Residence at Techstars

• Christian Dorffer, General Partner at Defiance Capital (early stage VC fund in AI)

• Brent Murri, Partner at M13 (leading consumer VC fund)

• Jorge Garcia, Founder and CEO at Linker Finance (financial platform for community banks)

• Bodin Scepanovic, Partner at SparkLabs Saudi Arabia (startup accelerator in the Middle East)

• Adam Lebovitz, Consumer Investor at BAM Ventures (early stage fund in LA)

• Lucas James, Founder at MenloIQ (Gamified AI Sales Trainer)

👋 Want to be an AMA guest?

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