How Paraform Raised $20M to Reinvent Recruiting

Inside Wonder Studios: The Startup Merging AI With Hollywood (with founder Xavier Collins)

In today’s episode, we sit down with Xavier Collins, co-founder of Wonder Studios — the London-based AI film studio backed by Blackbird, LocalGlobe, and angels from OpenAI and DeepMind.Xavier shares Wonder’s mission to become the Pixar of the AI age, democratizing Hollywood-grade production and sparking a global wave of creativity. From supercharging storytelling and navigating venture capital, to blending software with traditional filmmaking and building a 21st-century studio culture, Xavier offers a rare inside look at the future of film. We dive into: * How Wonder Studios is bridging Hollywood tradition with AI innovation * The bet on AI as a creative explosion, not a replacement * Convincing VCs a studio can be venture-scale * Unlocking Hollywood-grade production for creators worldwide * The role of culture, talent, and new creative roles in building a modern studio 00:00 Introduction to the AI Gold Rush 00:19 Meet Xavier Collins of Wonder Studios 00:42 The Future of Storytelling with AI 01:02 Challenges and Opportunities in AI Film Studios 01:34 Building a Unicorn: Culture and Vision 01:51 Audience Engagement and Subscription Drive 02:30 Deep Dive into Wonder Studios' Vision 03:41 The AI Gold Rush Analogy 06:33 Democratizing Hollywood-Grade Production 08:36 VC Skepticism and Conviction 12:11 The Agency Model and Beyond 13:44 Notion Ad 18:39 Lowering Barriers to Hollywood-Grade Animation 21:20 Personal Journey and Creative Collaboration 26:19 The AI Video Landscape 29:40 Advice for Creatives in the Age of AI 32:23 Leveraging Technology in Filmmaking 34:36 Challenges and Opportunities in Scriptwriting 36:32 Impact of AI on the Filmmaking Economy 40:00 Building a 21st Century Studio 42:42 Team Structure and Culture 54:24 Future Goals and Vision

AI Roundtable Unfiltered: The Truth About Hype, Talent Wars & Global AI

In today’s episode, we’re joined by five leading voices shaping the future of artificial intelligence: Dan Palmer, co-founder of Relevance AI; Michelle Gilmore, CEO and co-founder of Juno; Xharmagne Carandang, founding software engineer at Lorikeet; and Georgie Healy, head of Google’s AI accelerator and host of *In the Blink of AI*. Recorded live at the second-ever AI Roundtable Dinner, this conversation dives deep into the most urgent, surreal, and high-stakes issues in AI today. From billion-dollar bets and VC hype cycles, to AI’s impact on jobs, education, and global competition, the guests share candid insights from their own journeys building in one of the most intense moments in tech history. Listen in for a rare behind-the-scenes look at how these founders are navigating ethical dilemmas, rapid product development, market expansion, and staying grounded amid the noise. Check out their socials: Daniel Palmer’s: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-palmer/ Michelle Gilmore’s: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellejoygilmore/ Xharmagne Carandang’s: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xharmagne/ Georgie Healy’s: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georginahealy/ We dive into: - The reality of the current AI VC bubble and capital efficiency in hyper-competitive markets - Why founder expertise, adaptability, and team quality are critical moats in AI - How AI could become as ubiquitous as electricity—and what that means for pricing, value, and innovation - The skills and mindsets that will thrive (and those that might disappear) in an AI-first world - The global race for AI talent and why Sydney, SF, and emerging markets each play a role - Displacement vs. amplification: the societal impacts of automation and possible safety nets - The hype vs. product debate—how to cut through noise and build enduring companies - Storytelling, trust, and the future of marketing in a world where agents make buying decisions - The advice these founders would give their future selves about building in AI over the next decade 00:00 Introduction 02:37 Round Table Dinner: AI Founders and Leaders 03:19 The Future of AI and Market Dynamics 04:53 Challenges and Opportunities in AI Startups 07:19 The Role of Talent and Capital in AI 09:54 Global Perspectives on AI Development 13:50 Notion Ad 14:36 The Impact of AI on Industries and Society 28:11 Geographical Dispersion and Talent Density 37:35 Challenging Company Culture Norms 38:14 Building Relationships in San Francisco 39:38 Talent Density and Research in Australia 41:24 AI's Impact on Skills and Employment 43:07 The Future of Education and Creativity 8:43 Job Displacement and Economic Shifts 01:03:57 Ethical Concerns and AI Governance 01:14:19 The Importance of Attention in Business 01:14:46 Investor Expectations and Startup Metrics 01:15:42 Challenges of Building a Sustainable Business 01:16:32 Focus on Customers and Incremental Growth 01:17:23 The Role of Hype and Distribution 01:21:05 The New Generation of Founders 01:26:56 The Future of AI and Human Value 01:37:49 Reflections and Advice for the Future 01:44:01 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-Up Thanks to Notion for sponsoring this episode! Organise your team, projects, and ideas all in one place. Try Notion for free and get started with our special link: https://ntn.so/sachin&adam

Inside AirTree’s $650M Fund: The Future of Aussie Startups & AI

In today’s episode, we’re joined by John and Jax, partners at AirTree, to talk about their massive new $650 million fund — a milestone backed by some of the world’s top institutional investors. They break down why global capital is finally paying attention to Australia, how this changes the game for local founders, and what traits they now look for in world-class startups. From the rise of AI-native companies to the evolving VC landscape, this is a must-listen for anyone building in tech. Check out their socials: Jonh Henderson: https://www.airtree.vc/team/john-henderson [https://www.airtree.vc/team/john-henderson] https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhenderson/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhenderson/] Jackie Vullinghs: https://www.airtree.vc/team/jackie-vullinghs [https://www.airtree.vc/team/jackie-vullinghs] https://www.linkedin.com/in/jvullinghs/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jvullinghs/] We dive into: * Why AirTree raised a $650M fund — and what it unlocks for founders * How global LPs are finally backing Australian venture capital * The rise of AI-native startups and why they matter now * What AirTree looks for in early-stage founders today * The shift toward faster, conviction-led investing * Why “speed and intensity” beat “balance” in the startup game * How growth-stage VC is evolving in Australia * Why AirTree is investing in companies they once missed * The internal culture driving AirTree’s success * Predictions for the future of VC and AI-driven business models 00:00 Exciting Announcement: New $650 Million Fund 00:17 The Importance of International Investors 00:52 Meet the Partners: John and Jax 01:13 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Venture Capital 01:23 The Fast-Paced World of VC: Diligence and Conviction 01:49 A Special Message to Our Viewers 02:31 Deep Dive: The New Fund and Its Impact 05:21 Why Australia? Convincing Global Investors 06:28 The Growth of the Australian Tech Ecosystem 09:28 Vanta Ad 12:40 Fund Structure: Seed, Growth, and Co-Investment 18:48 The Role of Growth Funds in the VC Landscape 20:44 Global Trends in Venture Capital 29:47 The Emotional Journey of Building a VC Firm 31:21 Core Ingredients for Venture Scale Business 32:11 Navigating the Nebulous World of AI 33:10 Backing AI Native Entrepreneurs 34:30 Valuation Challenges in the AI Era 35:53 Importance of Founders in AI Startups 43:22 Australian Founders on the Global Stage 46:19 Air Tree's Growth Fund Strategy 49:00 Building a World-Class Team at Air Tree 50:49 Future Vision for Air Tree 55:21 Adapting Investment Strategies 58:36 Continuous Learning and Healthy Debate 01:01:07 Conclusion and Future Outlook

How Paraform Raised $20M to Reinvent Recruiting

Today we’re joined by John Kim, co-founder and CEO of Paraform—a startup reshaping how companies hire through a fast-growing recruiter marketplace. He shares Paraform’s journey from early struggles to raising a $20M Series A, and reflects on his growth as a leader, along with the company’s vision to expand across industries and deepen AI integration. This conversation matters because it reveals what it really takes to scale a marketplace, build trust with users, and win in one of tech’s most competitive battlegrounds: hiring. We dive into: * Early startup experience * Customer referrals drove investor interest * Recruiter marketplace for top-tier hiring * Matches companies with external headhunters * AI-powered recruiter performance and matching * 7-figure earnings possible for recruiters * AI assists recruiters, not replaces them * Founder goal: master the hiring craft * “Scaling is hiring people who hire” * Building tools for recruiter entrepreneurship * Marketplace designed for global scalability 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:26 Startup Growth and Office Expansion 01:27 Series A Funding Announcement 01:48 The Journey to Series A 03:13 Customer Success Stories 07:22 Elevator Pitch and Recruiting Edge 09:55 Vanta Ad 11:34 Building the Marketplace 12:34 Personal Background and Experiences 15:05 Rapid Company Growth 15:41 Overcoming Early Challenges 20:17 Go-to-Market Strategies 24:02 Navigating a Hot Market 24:29 The Talent War: Changes in Recruiting 25:34 AI's Impact on Work and Salaries 26:52 The Future Role of Recruiters 28:25 Cultural Fit in Talent Acquisition 30:44 In-House vs. External Recruiters 33:34 Different Approaches to Recruiting 36:37 Sustainability of Current Hiring Practices 39:21 Personal Growth and Leadership 44:29 Future Goals and Vision The future of hiring with AI and trust-driven workflows is here. #AI #Startups #Paraform #TechFounders About us We are two best friends, trying to build a community around in-depth interviews and short documentaries with the best minds in technology and startups. Through bold storytelling and candid conversations, we explore how visionary thinkers are shaping the future. The best way to support is subscribing, truly it makes all the difference for us 💙

Inside YC’s Hottest Startup: Building A1base, Giving Agent’s Identity, and Lessons From YC Elite

Today we’re joined by Pasha and Pennie - second-time founders and the minds behind @a1base, a breakout @ycombinator startup giving AI agents real-world identities like phone numbers, emails, and Slack handles. This conversation matters because it tackles one of the most important missing pieces in AI: identity and trust. We’re moving beyond flashy demos - into a world where agents don’t just generate, they participate. We dive into: - Why agents need a phone number - Building Twilio for AI - Startup mistakes they’ll never repeat - Why “looking legit” slows you down - Speed, soul, and real execution - Trust, safety & agent messaging - What YC still gets right - SF ambition vs. cynicism - Winning in the agent era - Infra for agents, not apps 00:00 Introduction to YC and Founders' Ambitions 00:24 The Birth of A1 Base: From Idea to YC 02:21 Personal Histories: Clues to Becoming Founders 08:42 Lessons from Forage: Mistakes and Learnings 10:46 Vanta Ad 13:40 Building with Intentionality in the Age of AI 24:41 AI Agents and Human Communication 25:41 The Role of Y Combinator 26:09 Cultural and Strategic Benefits of YC 27:43 Silicon Valley's Unique Culture 29:07 AI Agents in Real-World Applications 35:03 Building Trust in AI Agents 40:54 Challenges and Optimism in AI Development 47:08 Future of AI Agents and Company Goals 48:44 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-Up This isn’t just about bots in group chats - it’s about reshaping how software works with people. The agent era has begun.#AI #Startups #YCombinator #a1base #AIagents #SachinandAdamShow #MessagingInfra #AIInfrastructure #TechFounders About us We are two best friends, trying to build a community around in-depth interviews and short documentaries with the best minds in technology and startups. Through bold storytelling and candid conversations, we explore how visionary thinkers are shaping the future. The best way to support is subscribing, truly it makes all the difference for us 💙