Startup Builders & Backers

Startup Builders & Backers
Podcast Description
Startup Builders & Backers is a podcast that takes you inside the minds of the people shaping the future of technology and entrepreneurship. Part of the Tech Talks Network, this series goes beyond headlines and hype to bring you real conversations with startup founders, angel investors, VCs, and seasoned operators who are building, backing, and scaling the next generation of companies.You might know me from Tech Talks Daily, where we explore a broad spectrum of business technology. But here, the focus narrows to the pulse of the startup ecosystem. From the spark of an idea to the complexities of funding, go-to-market strategies, team building, and exits, this series unpacks what it really takes to create a successful venture in today’s fast-moving environment.In each episode, we uncover what motivates founders to leave stability behind in pursuit of something bigger. We explore how investors identify promise amid uncertainty, what they’re looking for right now, and how early-stage bets evolve into long-term partnerships. Along the way, we look at the less polished moments—the pivots, the pressures, and the personal lessons that shape both people and products.Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, an investor looking for your next big bet, or a startup operator navigating growth, these conversations offer insight, connection, and an honest look at the reality behind the pitch decks.So what does it take to build something from nothing, and who are the people willing to take that risk? Let’s find out together. And if you’ve got a story to tell or a venture to share, I’d love to hear from you.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on various critical topics within the startup landscape, including international expansion strategies, legal implications of AI on intellectual property, team building, and funding dynamics. Specific episodes cover themes like avoiding risks when taking a startup international and the evolving legal frameworks surrounding AI-generated content.

Startup Builders & Backers is a podcast that takes you inside the minds of the people shaping the future of technology and entrepreneurship. Part of the Tech Talks Network, this series goes beyond headlines and hype to bring you real conversations with startup founders, angel investors, VCs, and seasoned operators who are building, backing, and scaling the next generation of companies.
You might know me from Tech Talks Daily, where we explore a broad spectrum of business technology. But here, the focus narrows to the pulse of the startup ecosystem. From the spark of an idea to the complexities of funding, go-to-market strategies, team building, and exits, this series unpacks what it really takes to create a successful venture in today’s fast-moving environment.
In each episode, we uncover what motivates founders to leave stability behind in pursuit of something bigger. We explore how investors identify promise amid uncertainty, what they’re looking for right now, and how early-stage bets evolve into long-term partnerships. Along the way, we look at the less polished moments—the pivots, the pressures, and the personal lessons that shape both people and products.
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, an investor looking for your next big bet, or a startup operator navigating growth, these conversations offer insight, connection, and an honest look at the reality behind the pitch decks.
So what does it take to build something from nothing, and who are the people willing to take that risk? Let’s find out together. And if you’ve got a story to tell or a venture to share, I’d love to hear from you.
What if you could accelerate your startup’s growth with the combined power of AI, targeted mentorship, and a connected community? In this episode of Startup Builders and Backers, I speak with serial entrepreneur, investor, and technologist Paul Pluschkell, the founder of StartupOS, to unpack how their Launchpad platform is reshaping the way early-stage companies find their footing and scale.
Paul shares lessons from his own entrepreneurial journey and explains how StartupOS helps founders refine their pitch decks, reach product-market fit, and assemble strong teams. We discuss how AI-powered tools can streamline investor readiness, surface strategic insights, and guide decision-making in ways that were previously out of reach for most startups.
The conversation also explores the importance of surrounding founders with the right ecosystem — one that blends mentorship, investor access, and collaborative networks — and how accelerators, enterprises, and even universities can plug into the StartupOS model. Paul offers his view on where the venture space is heading over the next year and what that means for early-stage founders looking to break through.
If you are building a startup and want practical, tech-driven ways to move faster, this episode is a blueprint for how AI and community can work together to drive growth.
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