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Build Mode

Build Mode

By: TechCrunch
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 On Build Mode, TechCrunch's Startup Battlefield Editor Isabelle Johannessen cuts through the startup mythology to uncover how founders survive the brutal early days, navigate impossible funding landscapes, and somehow keep their companies — and sanity— intact. Each season, Isabelle is joined by founders, investors, and operators to dig into specific aspects of the startup journey, from creative go to market strategies to founder mental health. The interviews are full of candid startup wisdom—think cap table drama, co-founder breakups, and pivot panic. So, if you’re starting a company or or even just thinking about it, this is your survival guide.TechCrunch Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Making life (and death) better despite regulatory barriers

    Making life (and death) better despite regulatory barriers
    Dec 18 2025
    Founders Gabriel Sanchez (Enspectra Health) and Tom Harries (Earth Funeral) share what it takes to build in heavily regulated industries where "move fast and break things" simply won't work. In this episode of Build Mode, they reveal the realities of navigating FDA approval processes, state-by-state regulations, and cultural taboos while building products that are literally matters of life and death. Gabriel walks through Enspectra's nearly decade-long journey to FDA clearance for their skin imaging device, while Tom discusses building a human composting service as an alternative to cremation and burial. They offer tactical advice on iterating while waiting for regulatory approval, planning your runway when success is largely out of your hands, and raising venture capital in spaces that many investors consider too taboo to touch. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:30 Meet Gabriel Sanchez - Enspectra Health 02:34 The First FDA-Approved Skin Imaging Physics in 28 Years 04:24 From Stanford Lab to Clinical Device 06:43 Navigating FDA Clearance and Reimbursement Strategy 43:33 Scaling While Managing Regulatory Barriers 46:55 Where Earth is Today and Future Growth 48:00 Outro New episodes of Build Mode drop every Thursday. Isabelle Johannessen is our host. Build Mode is produced and edited by Maggie Nye. Audience Development is led by Morgan Little. And a special thanks to the Foundry and Cheddar video teams.
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    50 mins
  • Capital is a commodity (but your investor relationships aren’t)

    Capital is a commodity (but your investor relationships aren’t)
    Dec 11 2025
    Venture capitalists Ross Fubini (XYZ Ventures) and Leslie Feinzaig (Graham & Walker Ventures) pull back the curtain on how VCs build their own go-to-market strategies— not just how they evaluate startups, but how they win over LPs and founders alike. In this episode of Build Mode, they share hard-won lessons from raising their first funds and how that experience allows them to empathize with founders. They discuss why "founder-market fit" applies to VCs too, how authentic thought leadership beats manufactured content, and why the best investor relationships start years before you need the money. Plus, the importance of building trust over transactions and why your network truly is your competitive advantage in venture. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:01 Meet the VCs: From Netscape to Costa Rica 03:06 The Horror Show of Raising a First Fund 05:29 Building a Fund as Proof of Concept 08:52 The Schtick: Why VCs Need a Unique Thesis 11:44 Thought Leadership That Actually Works 15:34 The Qualification Process: Knowing in Two Minutes 19:06 Authentic vs. Manufactured Content 27:59 Building Relationships Before You Need Money 30:00 Founder-Market Fit for VCs 32:52 Key Takeaways: Person, Firm, Terms—In That Order 36:45 Field Notes: Creative Ways VCs Court Founders New episodes of Build Mode drop every Thursday. Isabelle Johannessen is our host. Build Mode is produced and edited by Maggie Nye. Audience Development is led by Morgan Little. And a special thanks to the Foundry and Cheddar video teams.
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    45 mins
  • Your network is your first go-to-market strategy

    Your network is your first go-to-market strategy
    Dec 4 2025
    Alltroo co-founders Kyle Rudolph and Jon Walburg share how they transformed their pro-athlete star power into a fundraising platform that allows their community the ability to donate to a variety of organization and win high-value prizes. In this episode of Build Mode, they reveal how they leveraged their networks to disrupt the charitable giving industry, from raising half a million dollars for the NFL in their first year to learning hard lessons about scaling too fast. They discuss the pivot from $10,000 golf tournaments to $10 raffle entries, building trust with both celebrities and fans, and why your network is your greatest competitive advantage. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:58 Meet the Founders: From NFL to Tech Startup 03:53 The $10,000 Golf Tournament That Sparked Everything 06:14 Navigating the Nonprofit-Tech Startup Hybrid Model 11:44 Leveraging Star Power: The NFL Partnership Win 15:34 Getting Athletes to Say Yes: The Trust Factor 19:06 When Identity Crisis Hits: Scaling Too Fast 27:59 The Mistake of Outsourcing Your Vision 30:00 Founder Market Fit: Your Network Is Your Net Worth 32:52 Key Takeaways: Building Thought Leadership Without Celebrity Status New episodes of Build Mode drop every Thursday. Isabelle Johannessen is our host. Build Mode is produced and edited by Maggie Nye. Audience Development is led by Morgan Little. And a special thanks to the Foundry and Cheddar video teams.
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    36 mins
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