AI for founders Podcast

Redefining spreadsheets with AI: David Kircos of Quadratic

Key takeaways

• Quadratic brings AI directly into spreadsheets, letting users analyze, manipulate, and visualize data with natural language and Python.
• Unlike black-box chatbots, Quadratic builds transparent methods of analysis, giving users visibility into every formula and line of code.
• Quadratic integrates with databases, PDFs, CSVs, and tools like HubSpot or Google Analytics, making advanced data analysis accessible to anyone.
• AI-powered code generation will soon be the norm. Quadratic lets non-coders interact with data using a full-featured Python environment.
• With 100K users and growing, Quadratic's growth is fueled by product-led virality and influencer marketing.

Frameworks & product features

1. Method-based AI insight generation

• Instead of vague answers, Quadratic builds a methodformulas, Python, and charts you can audit and adjust.
• Update a number and watch the entire analysis dynamically adjust in real time.

2. integrated spreadsheet + code editor

• Edit Python directly alongside spreadsheet cells.
• Use AI to generate or modify code, with full visibility and control.

3. product-led virality

• Real-time multiplayer collaboration with shared links.
• Use-case-driven growth (product managers, marketers, analysts) leads to peer-to-peer adoption inside teams.

Resources & links

• Try Quadratic Free and Pro plans available
• Follow David on X
• Betaworks Early backer
• Catapult Ventures Lead pre-seed investor
• Google Ventures Institutional investor

About the guest

David Kircos is the co-founder and CEO of Quadratic, an AI-powered spreadsheet tool for data analysis. With a background in app development, neobanks, and data science, David is on a mission to help teams better understand their data through transparent, AI-assisted workflows.

pricing & use cases

• Free Plan: Robust access for solo users
• Pro Plan: $18/user/month billed annually
• Use Cases: Startup metrics, P&L review, CRM segmentation, product analytics, AI-powered spreadsheet modeling

keywords

ai spreadsheets, quadratic ai tool, david kircos interview, best spreadsheet for data science, python spreadsheets, google sheets alternative, ai financial analysis, startup data tools, ai product founders, chat with data, spreadsheet automation with ai

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Key takeaways

• AI has evolved from passive assistant to autonomous agentcomparable to a teenager ready to act independently.
• Full autonomy may lead to better outcomes in advertising, medicine, and drivingby removing human bias and delays.
• Traditional creative agencies are being replaced by scalable, AI-powered platforms that eliminate human bottlenecks.
• Omneky democratizes growth and creativity through accessible AI tools for ad generation and omnichannel distribution.
• With Omneky, campaigns can be launched using just a single paragraphno platform logins or manual dashboards.

Frameworks & ideas

1. Agentic AI model

• Now: Human-in-the-loop copilot systems
• Future: Fully autonomous agents optimizing in real time
• Impact: More efficient, less error-prone marketing execution

2. Omnichannel campaign brief

• Input: One paragraph (audience, budget, creative)
• Process: AI maps the brief to each ad platforms API
• Output: Cross-platform campaign live in minutes

3. build vs. buy vs. leverage

• Startups focus on outcomes, not control
• Use APIs and open-source tools when possible
• Build proprietary tech only where it truly adds value

resources

• Omneky Website
• Contact Hikari Senju [email protected]
• Connect on LinkedIn
• Village Global
• Richard Socher on 20VC

About the guest

Hikari Senju is the founder and CEO of Omneky, a generative AI platform that creates and launches personalized ad campaigns at scale. A Harvard-trained computer scientist, he combines machine learning expertise with a deep passion for creative technology. His mission is to empower entrepreneurs and make high-performance advertising accessible for everyone.

Keywords:

AI advertising, omneky, hikari senju, ad automation, generative ai, ai campaign tools, podcast marketing, founder-led growth, startup advertising ai, omnichannel ad software

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🎙️ AI for Founders – Vibe Coding in Real Time: Building a Podcast Follow-Up App

Host: Ryan Estes
Guest Collaborator: Fernanda (live co-build)

📌 Episode Summary

This episode of AI for Founders captures a live "vibe coding" session where Ryan and Fernanda attempt to build Follow-Up—an AI podcast companion that listens in real-time and suggests meaningful, context-aware follow-up questions.

From hallucinated transcripts to real-time transcription APIs, the session dives into the technical and creative process of building a bionic assistant for podcasters. Along the way, they explore how conversational AI could soon become a whisper-in-your-ear coach for interviews, meetings, and everyday life.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Follow-Up helps podcast hosts stay present while surfacing better questions to ask.
• Tool was built on Lovable.ai using just a few prompts.
• Main challenge: Hallucinated transcripts from mock data.
• Solution: Integration with live transcription services like AssemblyAI.
• Vision for a bionic future where AI aids in real-time conversation dynamics.

🧠 Frameworks & Ideas

1. Vibe Coding

• Rapid prototyping using AI prompt chaining
• UI/UX selection based on functionality and feel

2. Bionic Tools for Founders

• Real-time suggestions via wearables and earbud integrations
• Applications in podcasting, networking, investor meetings

3. Prompt Refinement Strategy

• Test real-time vs. batch audio processing
• Clarify hallucination issues upfront
• Iterate sequence of prompts for better outputs

🛠️ Tools & Resources Mentioned

• Lovable.ai – AI app builder
• AssemblyAI – Real-time transcription API
• OpenAI Whisper – Open-source transcription engine
• Deepgram – Alternative transcription API with high accuracy
• Roost Stand – Laptop stand by James Olander (mentioned)

🔍 SEO Keywords

AI podcast tools, real-time transcription, AssemblyAI, OpenAI Whisper, follow-up question AI, podcast app builder, vibe coding demo, podcast automation, AI interviewer, bionic tools for podcasters

👀 Watch This Episode If You Want To:

• Learn how to build apps live using AI
• Understand how to fix hallucinations in AI transcription
• Explore how podcast tools are evolving with AI
• Get a sneak peek at bionic communication assistance

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🎙️ AI for Founders – Featuring Liz Giorgi of soona.co

Episode Title: Scaling Content Creation for E-Commerce: Liz Giorgi on Building soona and Embracing AI

Host: Ryan Estes
Guest: Liz Giorgi, Co-Founder & CEO of soona.co

📌 Episode Summary

In this episode, Ryan speaks with Liz Giorgi, founder of soona.co, a visual content creation platform for e-commerce brands. Liz shares how she bootstrapped the MVP, raised $56M over four rounds, and built a platform serving over 25,000 brands.

They explore how AI tools are helping marketers save time, how sacred creative rituals like writing fuel her leadership, and what it takes to build a scalable product that feels personal and approachable.

🧠 Key Takeaways

• soona helps e-commerce brands create scalable photo and video content—fast, high-quality, and affordable.
• Liz raised $56M and bootstrapped the first year using funds from a prior business sale.
• GPT Workspace is her go-to AI companion for writing and email workflows.
• Bulk Crop, a soona AI feature, allows users to crop thousands of images with content-aware automation.
• Pricing: $13/month + pay-per-content. You only pay for what you want to keep.
• Modern marketers are overwhelmed. soona aims to simplify workflows and align incentives.
• Liz writes weekly memos and protects sacred creative time—no AI involved.
• Being vulnerable and telling your founder story in public builds trust, community, and momentum.

🧩 Frameworks Discussed

• Iterative vs Generative Creativity: Humans are generative; AI is best at iteration.
• Sacred Work Time: Identify what parts of your work are worth protecting from automation.
• Content for Scale: Leverage tools like soona to offload production without losing quality or control.

🔗 Resources & Tools

• soona.co – Visual content creation platform for e-commerce brands
• GPT Workspace – Google Workspace AI companion
• Kitcaster – Podcast guest booking for founders
• Liz Giorgi on LinkedIn
• @ceolady on TikTok – Liz’s daily thoughts on e-commerce, small business, and leadership

🔍 SEO Keywords

ecommerce content creation, AI marketing tools, Liz Giorgi soona, AI photo editing, scalable content for ecommerce, gpt workspace for Gmail, ecommerce AI tools, founder podcast 2024, startup growth stories, affordable brand content

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In this episode of AI for Founders, host Ryan Estes explores how founders can build an audience they truly own—beyond the limitations of social platforms. This session, recorded live, introduces five frameworks for creating consistently and converting your audience into community and product.

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• Own the audience: Email, website, podcast feed
• Email list: Direct and permission-based connection
• Website: Full control, testing ground, and content hub
• Podcast: High-trust deep engagement
• Personal branding matters: Drives conversions, valuations, and investor interest

• Start by identifying an underserved audience
• Engage consistently to build trust and feedback loops
• Co-create and validate a product after you've earned trust

• Pick a medium you enjoy (writing, podcasting, video, etc.)
• Test for 90 days before judging success
• Stay aligned with trending formats (e.g., short-form video)

• Trigger inspiration through activities (walks, podcasts)
• Capture ideas using Apple Notes or TwoApps
• Build rituals and block time for creation

• Set clear, measurable goals
• Track engagement and adjust formats
• Don’t judge your work until you’ve published 100 times

• Pick one primary objective (e.g., email subs or revenue)
• Review every 30–90 days to track progress

• Spiral – AI writing platform with voice training
• TwoApps – Idea capture for creatives
• Milled – Newsletter discovery engine

• Spotify for Podcasters – Free podcast hosting with video support
• Descript – AI podcast and video editor
• ryanestes.info

  The pod on ⁠TikTok⁠

  The pod on ⁠YouTube⁠

  The pod on ⁠Spotify⁠

  The pod on Apple

  Subscribe to the newsletter ⁠here⁠, for AI news, tools, and exclusive promos for founders.