"Fundraising is a full-time job—especially when you're building something this complex." - Karan Talati, Co-founder and CEO of First Resonance

In this episode of Tech Scenes Los Angeles, Jeff James Martin sits down with Karan Talati, Co-founder and CEO of First Resonance, to explore what it takes to lead a hardware startup at the edge of advanced manufacturing and AI. From his early days at Motorola to enabling rocket reusability at SpaceX, Karan shares how his obsession with data led to building ION, the Factory OS that’s powering the next generation of complex manufacturing—from lunar landers to robotic farms.

The conversation dives deep into the realities of being a first-time founder: the relentless demands of fundraising, the make-or-break importance of early hires, and how board composition and operational visibility evolve with scale. They also explore how AI is being thoughtfully integrated to optimize productivity in mission-critical environments like aerospace and defense.

Whether you're leading a startup, building physical products, or navigating your first raise, this episode offers hard-won insights into what it takes to scale teams, products, and vision in a space where complexity is the norm and adaptability is key.

Key Takeaways:

• Building a successful startup is all about getting the right people early—everything else flows from that.

• Fundraising isn’t just about pitch decks—it’s a seasonal, full-time job that requires timing and tenacity.

• Board composition should reflect where the company is headed, not just where it is today.

• Organizational visibility and clarity (through OKRs or otherwise) often erode as companies grow—and need continuous reinforcement.

• AI in manufacturing is not a silver bullet but a strategic lever when implemented thoughtfully.

• Change is constant in startups—founders must evolve with their companies to stay effective.

Chapters:
00:00 – Navigating the Funding Landscape
04:37 – Building Complex Solutions at First Resonance
09:00 – Lessons from First-Time Founding
12:12 – Organizational Growth and Structure
19:20 – The Importance of Board Composition
22:24 – The Challenges of Fundraising
31:58 – Leveraging AI in Manufacturing

Resources:

Learn more about the book Peak Teams – Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies https://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu

Visit Collective Genius™ to Build Your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System™ https://www.collective-genius.com/

Music by Andrew Applepie https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

#TechScenes #FirstResonance #ManufacturingTech #AIinManufacturing #StartupLife #KaranTalati #JeffJamesMartin #FundraisingTips #ComplexProducts #FactoryOS #HardwareStartups #CollectiveGenius™ #PeakOperatingSystem

"Logistics is the secret to Amazon’s success—but it doesn’t have to be their monopoly." - Tyler ScrivenIn

In this episode of Tech Scenes, Jeff James Martin sits down with Tyler Scriven, Co-founder and CEO of Saltbox, to explore how AI, logistics, and co-warehousing are shaping the future of e-commerce. Tyler shares the founding story of Saltbox, a revolutionary platform designed to empower small e-commerce businesses with access to flexible logistics infrastructure, fulfillment tools, and community support.The conversation covers the inflection points in Tyler’s entrepreneurial journey—from scaling operations at Palantir to solving the real-world challenges faced by growing e-commerce brands. Together, they examine how AI is rapidly transforming marketing and fulfillment, why community is a critical differentiator for small businesses, and how a growing divide in access to AI knowledge could reshape the economic playing field.Tyler also reflects on broader societal shifts, drawing powerful parallels between the current AI revolution and past technological leaps. He underscores the urgency of teaching critical thinking, preparing for disruption, and leaning into humanity as a strength—not a liability—in an increasingly automated world.Key Takeaways:AI is redefining e-commerce, especially in marketing, fulfillment, and customer experience.Saltbox provides small businesses with the tools and space to compete with logistics giants.Entrepreneurial “bribe-the-mailman” moments often lead to big solutions.Community and support are fundamental to small business resilience.Human connection and storytelling offer a lasting competitive edge over automation.The AI revolution will move faster than previous technological shifts, creating both massive opportunity and deep inequality.Critical thinking and awareness are vital to ensure society benefits from AI—not just a select few.Small businesses must act now to capitalize on the unfair advantage early adopters enjoy.Music without lyrics, like jazz or instrumental tracks, can become an emotional anchor in moments of isolation or deep focus.Chapters00:00 – The Future of E-Commerce and AI02:05 – Building Saltbox: A Solution for Small Businesses06:14 – The Entrepreneurial Journey: Moments of Realization09:47 – Community and Fairness in Entrepreneurship14:14 – Challenges for Small E-Commerce Businesses18:48 – Competing with Giants: The Small Business Advantage23:50 – The Role of Humanity in a Tech-Driven World26:53 – Equity and Access in the Age of AI28:04 – Revolutionary Inflection Points32:37 – Awareness and Engagement in the AI Era35:34 – The Future of E-Commerce42:58 – Navigating the Unknown FutureResourcesLearn more about the book Peak Teams – Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies https://a.co/d/hp5JtnuVisit Collective Genius™ to Build Your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System™ https://www.collective-genius.com/Music by Andrew Applepie https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie#TechScenes #Saltbox #EcommerceLogistics #AIinEcommerce #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessGrowth #StartupLogistics #TylerScriven #JeffJamesMartin #VentureCapital #TechInnovation #CommunityDriven #AIRevolution #CriticalThinking #WarehouseTech #PlatformEconomy #CollectiveGenius #PeakOperatingSystem

"Trust your instinct—we're a startup." - Alex Lee

In this episode of Tech Scenes, Jeff James Martin sits down with Alex Lee, CEO and Co-founder of Truewind, to talk about the evolution of AI in accounting, the lessons learned through Y Combinator, and how trusting your gut can be a superpower in startup leadership. A former aerospace engineer turned entrepreneur, Alex shares how Truewind is streamlining bookkeeping and financial modeling for accounting firms by building a digital staff accountant powered by AI and supported by concierge service.

The conversation covers everything from the messy realities of fundraising and team dynamics to the powerful role of community in the startup journey. Alex breaks down how open communication, structured thinking, and constant experimentation are critical in navigating early-stage growth. The episode also dives into the balancing act of following instincts while remaining flexible and data-informed—and how Truewind is just scratching the surface of AI’s potential to transform accounting.

Key Takeaways:

• Instincts matter—especially when data is incomplete or the path forward isn’t clear.

• Truewind is building an AI-powered digital staff accountant to support accounting firms.

• The founder’s transition from aerospace to accounting tech shows how transferable deep problem-solving skills can be.

• Y Combinator offers immense value through its resources, mentorship, and founder community.

• Fundraising is unpredictable; transparency and vulnerability with investors can foster better outcomes.

• Team alignment requires clear roles, open communication, and regular OKR reviews.

• A support system for founders—whether mentors or peers—is essential for staying grounded.

• Experimentation is key to finding product-market fit, and focus helps avoid distractions.

• The future of AI in accounting is still unfolding, but Truewind is leading the charge.

YouTube Chapters:
00:00 – Trusting Instincts in Startups
01:17 – Introduction to Truewind
02:15 – The Vision Behind Truewind
04:17 – The Journey from Aerospace to Accounting
08:11 – Experiences in Y Combinator
10:20 – Benefits of the YC Program
12:17 – Fundraising Experiences and Lessons Learned
16:31 – The Reality of Startup Challenges
19:03 – The Importance of Open Communication
24:03 – Navigating Team Dynamics and Responsibilities
30:13 – Experimentation and Focus in Growth
36:02 – Instinct vs. Data in Decision Making
38:14 – The Future of AI in Accounting

Resources:
Learn more about the book Peak Teams – Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies https://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu

Visit Collective Genius™ to Build Your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System™ https://www.collective-genius.com/

Music by Andrew Applepie https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

#TechScenes #Truewind #AIAccounting #Bookkeeping #StartupLeadership #YCombinator #VentureCapital #Entrepreneurship #JeffJamesMartin #AlexLee #FinancialModeling #AccountingTech #Startups #FounderJourney #OKRs #TeamAlignment #CollectiveGenius™ #PeakOperatingSystem