Gokul Rajaram, a renowned product leader and investor—shares his insights on the evolving AI landscape, startup success strategies, and the future of product management. Hosted by Amit Fulay, VP of Product at Microsoft, this conversation covers how AI is shifting from model training to enterprise adoption, why founders must master hiring and fundraising, and the key ingredients to building a scalable company.

Gokul dives deep into what makes a startup’s AI moat defensible, how to articulate risk to investors, and the importance of product-led growth in today’s market. Whether you're a founder, investor, or product leader, this episode is packed with tactical advice on navigating AI disruption, hiring top talent, and leveraging storytelling for startup success.

What You Will Learn:

✅ The biggest shifts in AI and startup funding

✅ How to build a defensible moat in AI

✅ Why hiring and team credibility matter more than ever

✅ The role of narrative in securing funding

✅ How AI startups should focus on enterprise adoption over model training

✅ The evolving role of product managers in the AI era

Episode Highlights:

[04:12] – Scale vs. efficiency: How DeepSeek reshaped AI

[08:45] – AI startups don’t need massive capital, they need better tools

[12:00] – The real moat in AI: Private data & complex workflows

[19:02] – Why great founders deeply understand customer pain points

[21:53] – If you’re not aiming for 10x growth, you’re already behind

[30:06] – Founders must spend 20-30% of their time hiring

[26:54] – The evolution of product managers: Why prototyping is essential

[35:54] – "Get on the rocket ship—figure out your seat later."

💡 Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe to The Wize Ones on your favorite podcast platform for more insights from top knowledge professionals. If you would like to continue the conversation with either of our guests, you can chat with their Wizly Knowledge Twins.

Gokul Rajaram- https://askwizly.ai/gokul-rajaram

Amit Fulay-https://askwizly.ai/amit-fulay

The Wize Ones podcast features industry pioneers sharing transformative insights on AI-enabled work, future-proof business strategies, and unlocking the full potential of your knowledge. We learn from the best and understand market shifts and trends as they are happening.

What truly sets us apart? The conversation doesn't end when the episode does. Through Wizly's ecosystem, you can continue engaging with our guests via their AI Knowledge Twins and other knowledge assets—intelligent digital extensions that provide their expertise on-demand. Unlike traditional business podcasts, we don't just discuss ideas—we make expertise accessible.

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Aki Taha, a former Google, Uber, and Netflix talent expert turned founder of Talent Stories. Aki through his conversations with Samir Khadepaun, Founder of Wizly, shares his insights on how the future of work is evolving, why traditional hiring models are breaking, and how leaders can attract and retain top talent in a decentralized world.

💡 Enjoyed this episode?

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Wize Ones on your favorite podcast platform for more insights from top operators, VCs, and founders. If you found value, leave us a review—it helps us reach more listeners like you!

What You Will Learn:

Why the gap between business needs and employee expectations is growing

How talent practitioners can bridge the gap between leadership and employees

The shift from corporate careers to independent work and portfolio careers

How Silicon Valley's unique culture fosters rapid innovation

Why clarity and flexibility are the future of hiring.

Highlights:

[05:23] The personal story that led Aki into talent strategy

[08:43] The biggest tension between business leaders and employees.

[14:20] Why startups struggle with scaling culture

[19:06] The difference between founders who value talent and those who don’t

[26:31] How companies evolve and what happens when they don’t

[33:46] The biggest shifts in how people are working today

[44:50] How to embrace career uncertainty and take control of your path

The Wize Ones podcast features leading operators, subject matter experts, VCs, and founders interviewing each other to reveal insights into how they built and scaled their products, software, and ideas. We speak to the top 5% of people in the world of GTM to get first-hand insights, case studies, and real-life examples of what worked and what didn't.

This podcast is produced byWizly and powered by its global community of professionals. Wizly is an AI-powered platform that helps experts organize, scale, and monetize their knowledge.

Satjiv Chahil, a Silicon Valley icon who led transformative marketing campaigns at Apple, HP, and Palm. Satjiv shares invaluable insights on balancing innovation with stability, avoiding arrogance, and driving global impact through partnerships. Learn about the making of the iconic "I'm a PC" campaign, the future of AI in addressing the digital divide, and why partnerships always trump sponsorships in creating lasting value.

💡 Enjoyed this episode?

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Wize Ones on your favorite podcast platform for more insights from top operators, VCs, and founders. If you found value, leave us a review—it helps us reach more listeners like you!

What You Will Learn:

• How to lead transformative marketing campaigns that resonate globally
• The balance between innovation and maintaining revenue streams
• The importance of partnerships over sponsorships for amplifying marketing efforts
• How AI can drive global equality and bridge the digital divide
• Key leadership lessons from decades in Silicon Valley

Highlights: [02:10] Avoiding Organizational Arrogance [06:45] Guiding Principles for Transformative Leadership [10:12] Recognizing Future Needs in Technology [14:20] Lessons from the "I'm a PC" Campaign [18:48] Leveraging Partnerships Over Sponsorships [22:35] A Global Mindset in Marketing [26:10] AI’s Role in Addressing the Digital Divide [31:50] Leadership Insights for Startups [37:20] Closing the Digital Divide in India [42:15] Driving Social and Technological Impact

The Wize Ones podcast features leading operators, subject matter experts, VCs, and founders interviewing each other to reveal insights into how they built and scaled their products, software, and ideas. We speak to the top 5% of people in the world of GTM to get first-hand insights, case studies, and real-life examples of what worked and what didn't.

This podcast is produced by Wizly and powered by its global community of professionals. Wizly is an AI-powered platform that helps experts organize, scale, and monetize their knowledge.

Rob Karel, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Precisely, shares over two decades of B2B tech marketing expertise. Rob delves into the evolution of marketing, the art of storytelling, and how startups can effectively balance brand awareness with performance marketing. He explains why understanding your ideal customer profile (ICP) is critical for success and highlights the importance of validating your messaging through customer feedback. Rob also discusses structuring marketing teams, the pitfalls of category creation, and the ultimate metric for marketing success—conversion quality.

💡 Enjoyed this episode?

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Wize Ones on your favorite podcast platform for more insights from top operators, VCs, and founders. If you found value, leave us a review—it helps us reach more listeners like you!

What You Will Learn:

• How to balance brand awareness and performance marketing for maximum ROI
• The art of storytelling in B2B marketing and its impact on long sales cycles
• Why startups should focus on their ideal customer profile early
• The importance of customer feedback in refining messaging
• Key principles for structuring marketing teams at different growth stages

Highlights:

• [08:14] Why good messaging starts with understanding your audience
• [12:35] Storytelling in B2B: Simplifying the complex
• [20:20] The synergy between brand awareness and demand generation
• [24:50] Why competition validates category creation
• [33:15] Wise advice: “If you’re not wrong 20% of the time, you’re not trying hard enough.”

The Wize Ones PodcastThe Wize Ones podcast features leading operators, subject matter experts, VCs, and founders interviewing each other to reveal insights into how they built and scaled their products, software, and ideas. We speak to the top 5% of people in the world of GTM to get first-hand insights, case studies, and real-life examples of what worked and what didn't.

This podcast is produced by Wizly and powered by its global community of professionals. Wizly is an AI-powered platform that helps experts organize, scale, and monetize their knowledge.

Andreas Welsch, a globally recognized AI leader and advisor, shares his insights on how businesses can turn AI hype into real outcomes. As the Founder of Intelligence Briefing and a former global leader at SAP, Andreas has guided Fortune 500 companies in leveraging AI to drive measurable results. Learn how to align AI with business goals, start small to scale effectively, and empower teams to achieve more through technology.

💡 Enjoyed this episode?

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Wize Ones on your favorite podcast platform for more insights from top operators, VCs, and founders. If you found value, leave us a review—it helps us reach more listeners like you!

What You Will Learn:

• Why AI is a tool for empowerment, not replacement
• How to align AI strategies with measurable business outcomes
• The importance of starting small and scaling thoughtfully
• Generative AI’s potential and how to use it effectively
• Key traits of businesses leading in AI adoption

Highlights:

• [01:12] AI as a tool to amplify human potential
• [02:45] Aligning AI with clear business goals
• [06:10] Driving collaboration between AI and human creativity
• [15:40] Generative AI’s game-changing opportunities
• [25:15] The future of AI as an enabler in business processes

The Wize Ones PodcastThe Wize Ones podcast features leading operators, subject matter experts, VCs, and founders interviewing each other to reveal insights into how they built and scaled their products, software, and ideas. We speak to the top 5% of people in the world of GTM to get first-hand insights, case studies, and real-life examples of what worked and what didn't.

This podcast is produced by Wizly and powered by its global community of professionals. Wizly is an AI-powered platform that helps experts organize, scale, and monetize their knowledge.

Jeremy Glassenberg, an API product management expert with over 16 years of experience, shares his insights on building and scaling developer ecosystems. Jeremy’s experience includes leading the developer platform team at Box, establishing API governance at DocuSign, and consulting with numerous unicorn startups. In this episode, we dive into why APIs are crucial for modern business growth, how to validate your API strategy, and what it takes to build a developer platform that retains customers.

💡 Enjoyed this episode?

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Wize Ones on your favorite podcast platform for more insights from top operators, VCs, and founders. If you found value, leave us a review—it helps us reach more listeners like you!

What You Will Learn:

Why customer validation is key to a successful API strategy

How APIs bridge the gap between product and sales teams

The importance of developer experience in building a lasting platform

How AI and APIs are shaping the future of tech

Highlights:

[00:45] The importance of APIs in modern platforms

[03:10] The role of customer validation in API success

[06:00] How APIs helped Box close major sales deals

[17:33] Why APIs are essential for both growth and retention

[36:00] The future of APIs in AI development

The Wize Ones PodcastThe Wize Ones podcast features leading operators, subject matter experts, VCs, and founders interviewing each other to reveal insights into how they built and scaled their products, software, and ideas. We speak to the top 5% of people in the world of GTM to get first-hand insights, case studies, and real-life examples of what worked and what didn't.

This podcast is produced by Wizly and powered by its global community of professionals. Wizly is an AI-powered platform that helps experts organize, scale, and monetize their knowledge.

Arvi is a seasoned technology executive with over 25 years of experience spanning telecom, social media, and SaaS industries. He has worked across the US, India, and Singapore, and is currently an advisor and investor for numerous startups. Arvi's unique approach to career growth and go-to-market strategies stems from his love for chaos and his ability to create value in challenging situations.

💡 Enjoyed this episode?

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Wize Ones on your favorite podcast platform for more insights from top operators, VCs, and founders. If you found value, leave us a review—it helps us reach more listeners like you!

What You Will Learn:

• The importance of embracing chaos and disorder to create meaningful value
• How to approach growth and go-to-market strategies with a "jumping" mindset
• The significance of product-market fit before implementing GTM strategies
• Techniques for identifying and focusing on your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)
• The impact of AI on startup efficiency and capital requirements

Highlights:

• [01:24] Arvi's unconventional career path and his restless nature
• [03:13] The value of embracing chaos and disorder in business
• [06:37] The importance of being paranoid and prepared in the tech industry
• [17:25] Arvi's two tenets for simplifying go-to-market strategies
• [19:45] The critical difference between product-market fit and GTM strategy
• [24:18] The dangers of diluting your ICP when scaling
• [32:53] Arvi's creative approach to distribution at Twitter in Asia
• [37:09] The impact of AI on startup efficiency and job displacement
• [38:56] The importance of incremental milestones in startup growth
• [41:18] Arvi's advice on creating new life cycles to stay relevant in the market

The Wize Ones PodcastThe Wize Ones podcast features leading operators, subject matter experts, VCs, and founders interviewing each other to reveal insights into how they built and scaled their products, software, and ideas. We speak to the top 5% of people in the world of GTM to get first-hand insights, case studies, and real-life examples of what worked and what didn't.

This podcast is produced by Wizly and powered by its global community of professionals. Wizly is an AI-powered platform that helps experts organize, scale, and monetize their knowledge.

Diana Stepner is a seasoned product management expert with over 20 years of experience leading product teams across the globe. She has worked with companies like Monster, Razorfish, and Simple Practice, and is now focused on leadership coaching. Diana's passion lies in unlocking people's potential and helping them navigate the challenges of the tech industry.

💡 Enjoyed this episode?

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Wize Ones on your favorite podcast platform for more insights from top operators, VCs, and founders. If you found value, leave us a review—it helps us reach more listeners like you!

What You Will Learn:

• The evolution of product management from rigid documentation to agile collaboration
• How to identify and focus on your ideal customer profile (ICP)
• The importance of balancing founder vision with strategic product management
• Strategies for prioritizing product roadmaps in competitive environments
• The role of product management in remote and hybrid work settings

Highlights:

• [02:04] Diana's journey from communications to product management
• [14:23] The shift from functional requirement documents to agile methodologies
• [24:34] How Simple Practice evolved from a founder-driven product to strategic product management
• [30:22] Defining and focusing on your ideal customer profile (ICP)
• [34:21] Prioritization techniques like the Eisenhower matrix and RICE framework
• [36:36] The art and science of product pricing
• [38:32] Key qualities to look for when hiring a head of product

The Wize Ones podcast features leading operators, subject matter experts, VCs, and founders interviewing each other to reveal insights into how they built and scaled their products, software, and ideas. We speak to the top 5% of people in the world of GTM to get first-hand insights, case-studies and real-life examples of what worked, and what blew up.

This podcast is produced by Wizly and powered by its global community of professionals. Wizly is an AI-powered platform that helps experts organize, scale, and monetize their knowledge.