Episode 148
Q2 2026 Snapshot: The Startup Ecosystem
Burkland’s Steve Lord unpacks Q2 and looks ahead to the second half of 2026; where capital is moving, which startups VCs are backing, and how to prepare for the next investor call.
On the Startup Success podcast, we discuss what’s working and offer the best advice to scale along with the most important trends in the entire startup ecosystem.
You’ll hear interviews with founders and investors who have compelling stories to share, new insights and trends, and conversations from thought leaders and experts who are passionate about sharing the best ideas out there for success.
Episodes feature topics such as finance, fundraising, hiring, marketing, sales, along with tools and technologies you can use to help your startup or portfolio company scale.
Episode 147
Selling a Startup, Buying It Back, and Changing How Founders Raise: A Founder’s Story
Jaclyn Johnson shares how she built a multi-million-dollar bootstrapped company, why she chose to sell, and what led her to buy it back years later.
Episode 146
Lessons From the Front Lines of Building an AI Startup
Ahmed Rashad, founder of Perle, shares hard-earned startup lessons, insights on the AI data gap, and why AI will amplify human potential.
Episode 145
Beyond the AI Bubble: What Founders Need to Know Now
AI is changing how startups build, compete, and earn trust. Jonathan Aberman explains what founders should understand now.
Episode 144
What Investors Look for in the AI Era
AI has changed how investors evaluate startups. For founders, credibility, defensibility, and AI fluency now matter more than ever.
Episode 143
When It’s Time for Founders to Step Down as CEO
Sometimes a founder’s smartest move is stepping aside. Here’s how to know when it’s time, and how to make the transition with strength.
Episode 142
Why Founders Need “Scalers” on Their Early Teams
From Wall Street to Operators Guild, Casey Woo explains why adaptable operators are becoming essential to how startups hire, scale, and win.
Episode 141
Q1 2026 Snapshot: The Startup Ecosystem
Burkland COO Steve Lord shares why fundraising remains tough, how macro shocks may ripple through markets, and where founders should stay focused.
Episode 140
The New Startup Go-To-Market Playbook
Why old GTM tactics are breaking down, and what startup founders need to change now to win with sharper positioning, clearer messaging, and stronger alignment.
Episode 139
Venture Debt: The Essential Guide for Founders
Marshall Hawks breaks down venture debt—how it works, when it fits, how lenders think, and what’s changed since the SVB crisis.