EPISODE 5

In this episode of Founder Mode, Jason and Kevin sit down with Andreas Homer—startup founder, former BD leader at Microsoft, and now Head of Product Partnerships at Shopify—to explore the underrated superpower of asking. They unpack how a single well-phrased request can unlock jobs, capital, and high-leverage relationships. Andreas shares how he’s built a career by asking with clarity, fairness, and authenticity—whether it's securing investor intros, landing competitive roles, or hiring top-tier talent. The episode also dives into how to ask differently depending on your audience—investors, users, or team members—and why being yourself beats mimicking someone else’s style. The key lesson: Asking isn’t about pressure or persuasion—it’s about being clear, human, and real.

CHAPTERS

• 0:00 — Why Asking Is a Founder Superpower
• 5:18 — How Andreas Landed Jobs by Asking the Right Way
• 11:02 — Fundraising: Clarity, Conviction & Handling Rejection
• 18:05 — Hiring: Framing Startups as Growth Opportunities
• 26:11 — Final Takeaway: Ask Authentically

LINKS

Connect with Andreas
Personal Site • LinkedIn

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Connect with Kevin
LinkedIn • X/Twitter

Connect with Jason
LinkedIn • X/Twitter