I. (Zac) Choi’s Post

I know, I know—you’ve probably seen a ton of posts about AI/ML programs. But here’s the thing: I’m not just another brick in the wall. There are a lot of programs out there for startups, but let’s be honest—not all of them deliver. I’m not here to be another brick in the wall. As the cohort manager for our new 16-week #AIScaleUp accelerator, in technical collaboration with NVIDIA for Startups is focused on only one thing: helping #earlystage startups actually scale and make a real-world impact. This cohort isn’t about filling spots—it’s about finding the best startups with innovative solutions. We’re giving you: Tailored #mentorship from industry experts, #Tech support that helps you go from #MVP to #market-ready, #Investor connections to help you raise the funds you need. If you’re an AI/ML founder who’s serious about taking your startup to the next level, this is for you. Let’s build something that matters—together. Drop a comment, share your thoughts, or let’s chat directly. The next 16 weeks could be the game-changer you’ve been waiting for. #AIStartups #MLInnovation #NotAnotherBrick #TechForGood #CohortManager #ScaleYourStartup MATH AI & ML Technology Hub T-Hub Prateek Jain

Looking forward to supporting the Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First cohort! 🤖 I’ll be working with startups on Product Strategy, Value Prop Design, and GTM. It’s been nearly 8 years of mentoring and advising, 21 programmes across 14 cities and through some fascinating tech shifts along the way. 🌍 Excited to see what this next (and possibly final… 👀) technology epoch brings. For AI startups not in the program, you can register your interest here: https://lnkd.in/dFDgvMKY And if you’re an AI startup looking for help with Value Prop Design or GTM, my DMs are open! 🚀 #AcceleratedWithGoogle

Grindr CEO George Arison believes “synthetic employees” are about to unleash a talent war for tech startups. In the near future, it won’t be unheard-of for startups to scale to $100 million in revenue with just a couple of dozen employees, Arison said onstage at #BrainstormTech in Park City, Utah. The rise of generative AI will mean that “synthetic employees,” as Arison referred to them, can handle a lot of the work that humans used to be hired to do. That’s the good news for tech founders. But that will make it more important than ever for ambitious startups to hire A+ talent from the beginning alongside the AI companions. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eMnQvhKt

Startups that are not A.I Powered trying to raise in 2024 🤩 Yesterday I was at a VC’s & Founders meetup event , met someone who introduced his startup as XYZ.ai (for matching & connecting people and I couldn’t see where A.I will come in) so I asked, what is the job of the A.I in what they are building? His Responses: Do you want the real answer or the marketing answer? Me: The real answer please Him: There is no AI in it 😂 We started laughing #tech #startup #ai

The AI Conference is proudly sponsored by Microsoft for Startups! Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub helps startups radically accelerate innovation by providing access to industry-leading AI services, expert guidance, and the essential technology needed to build a future-proof startup. Join us at The AI Conference 2024! Get your passes today and connect with the top minds in AI! aiconference.com #theaiconference #starups #developers #researchers #microsoft

Voice AI trends. (Stay ahead by watching these.) I spoke with startups across verticals and regions. And discovered two trends: ↳ Startups are racing to leave Twilio ↳ And working to future-proof their systems Common traits among these startups: 1. VC backed 2. Born just before the pandemic 3. Experiencing rapid growth Startups are looking to the future.  They want systems that can 𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄. Which means: ↳ Using bi-directional streams as the foundation ↳ Keeping things LLM-independent ↳ Embracing open-source Interesting part? 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸 to migrate within months. What are some trends you are seeing? ▶ Fonoster is inviting founders to join the beta program. Please send me a DM for details!

Did you know OpenAI was founded by a whopping 11 co-founders? This is far from the typical model seen in successful startups, where the average is 2-3 founders—a norm VC firms usually prefer. ☝️Why is this interesting? Venture capitalists often believe that 2-3 founders are optimal for decision-making agility and responsibility distribution. Studies show that more than 70% of tech startups that scale rapidly have 2 or 3 co-founders, as more founders can lead to conflicts, dilution of focus, and slower decision-making. Yet, OpenAI is a part of a rare group of successful companies with 5 or more founders that defy conventional wisdom. Some notable examples include: 💥Palo Alto Networks: Founded by 4 co-founders, it grew into one of the largest cybersecurity companies in the world, with a market cap over $118.2 billion today. 💥Sun Microsystems: With 4 founders, it became a significant player in computing and software infrastructure before being acquired by Oracle for $7.4 billion. 💥Infosys: with 7 founders, a global leader in next generation digital services and consulting and initial investment of only $250, Infosys has grown to a market cap of $92.4billion today. 🔥In OpenAI’s case, their 11 co-founders—including high-profile names like Elon Musk and Sam Altman—brought together a diverse range of skills across AI research, ethics, entrepreneurship, and policy. This unique structure has allowed OpenAI to tackle complex, multi-faceted challenges like the safe development of AGI (Artificial General Intelligence), ensuring a broad perspective in their mission to shape the future of AI for humanity’s benefit. 🧐While conventional wisdom might favor smaller founding teams for agility, data shows that larger teams can bring diverse strengths that accelerate growth, especially when tackling multifaceted industries like AI, cybersecurity, or transportation. #AI #OpenAI #Startups #Entrepreneurship #Founders #Innovation #TechForGood

Read this brilliant essay by Gian Segato. It's a must-read for any builder/VC and perfectly captures the shifting tech landscape. Key takeaways: The Internet Age Startup Playbook is Reaching Its Limits 🚀 The era of easy wins with Internet-based startups is ending: - Distribution advantages are becoming commoditized - The "startup factory" model is losing its edge 🔍 Where's the new alpha? - AI infrastructure bets (high risk, high reward) - Full-stack AI companies controlling the data feedback loop - Startups applying AI to the physical world (hardest, highest potential) 💡 Key takeaway: The next generation of fund-returning startups will likely take on significantly more tech risk, have longer incubation periods, and require higher capital intensity. (essay in first comment)

🎃🎃 Just 2 DAYS LEFT to apply for your startup to pitch at the TechDay AI Founders Day on November 21 at 7 Times Square in NYC! Have an AI-enabled product/service that you want to share with a panel of investors (and get valuable feedback)? TechDay is giving a select number of founders the chance to pitch their startups to leading investors in the AI sector. Who qualifies: Founders must be building AI-enabled products and/or services. Startups in all market verticals qualify Applicants must have three years of experience in business Startups must not have raised more than $3 million in funding To apply, please submit this form: https://lnkd.in/eM6FW29u This is a FREE application opportunity until tomorrow (Friday, November 1) at 11:59 PM ET. After this date, there will be a $50 application fee. 🔁 Share to spread the word 🔁 #PitchEvent #NYC #Founder #Startup #AI #VentureCapital

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, discusses the importance of not setting limits for oneself. Before joining OpenAI, Sam Altman led Y Combinator, a top startup accelerator behind Airbnb, Dropbox, and Reddit. Known for his expertise in technology and innovation, Altman has significantly contributed to startup growth, responsible AI development, and investment in future tech. His views on entrepreneurship, leadership, and AI's societal effects are widely valued, establishing him as a key tech influencer and AI thought leader.