Founder Mode - 15 Oct 2025

Your 5-min weekly read on what caught my attention, opportunities and a little bit more.

In partnership with

How to pick the right global payroll mode

Find your fit: Deel’s free guide breaks down 3 global payroll models with key benefits and tradeoffs for HR and finance teams.

Hi there,

Welcome back to Founder Mode, every week I’ll keep you updated on the top finds and opportunities, so that you save time and stay in the know.

Together with WAIC (World AI Conference), we’re hosting an exclusive online event that brings together China’s promising AI startups and Southeast Asia’s leading innovation ecosystem. You’ll get to hear from five cutting-edge Chinese startups and explore how both regions are shaping the next wave of AI-driven growth. See you there!

🔥 Top Finds

Vibe Coding for Beginners
A fantastic find on how to build small web apps or prototypes quickly using AI and no-code tools for total beginners. Even with AI’s help, you’ll hit bugs and limitations, so it’s crucial to stay hands-on and own the process. This guide lays out everything you need to know to get started with vibe coding.

We’re in the Red Ocean Era of Software Development
AI has flattened the barriers to building software, turning product creation into a red ocean. Differentiation no longer comes from design or speed—it comes from what’s slow, expensive, or hard to copy. True defensibility now lies in distribution, niche expertise, complex integrations, and network effects.

How to Find $100K/mo B2C App Ideas
A collection of smart prompts and frameworks to help you brainstorm and validate B2C app ideas that could realistically scale to $100K/month. Useful resource if you’re looking to build something consumer-facing products with traction.

The Future of Software Creation with Replit CEO Amjad Masad
In this talk, Replit CEO Amjad Masad explores how AI will reshape software creation, from idea to deployment. He shares his vision of a future where coding is collaborative, conversational, and increasingly automated.

Everyone Should Be Using Claude Code More
Lenny’s Newsletter breaks down 50 creative ways non-technical people are already using Claude Code for work and life. Whether you’re building, automating, or just experimenting, this is the go-to guide for unlocking its potential.

🎯 Startup Opportunities

YC Winter 2026


Y Combinator is accepting applications for the Winter 2026 Batch funding cycle. The batch will take place from January to March in San Francisco.

Application Deadline:
10 Nov 2025

LowCarbon.earth Accelerator 2025

A climate-tech accelerator program, empowering early-stage founders developing innovative solutions to tackle climate change and environmental challenges.

Application Deadline:
30 Nov 2025

BLOCK71 AI Accelerate


AI Accelerate is a 10-week programme by BLOCK71 Singapore and Microsoft, supported by Digital Industry Singapore (DISG).



Application Deadline: 
7 Nov 2025

🛠 Tool of the Week

Airwallex
Airwallex is fast becoming the go-to financial infrastructure for global startups and scaleups. It combines multi-currency accounts, virtual cards(so you can manage spend and stop pesky subscriptions), global payments, FX, into a single platform. Businesses are turning to Airwallex to simplify cross-border operations, manage cash flow across markets, and escape the patchwork of traditional banks and fintech add-ons. It’s especially powerful for teams scaling internationally.

This week’s newsletter is also supported by Maven AGI:

AI Agents That Cut Support Costs By Up To 80%

AI Agents Designed For Complex Customer Support

Maven AGI delivers enterprise-grade AI agents that autonomously resolve up to 93% of support inquiries, integrate with 100+ systems, and go live in days. Faster support. Lower costs. Happier customers. All without adding headcount.

💬 Founder Mode Quotes

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.”

Henry Ford

🙂 Fun Mode

👋  Want to share something or want to be featured here?

Got a tip, cool tool, or collab idea? Hit reply and drop it in my inbox. Your note can be as quick as a meme or as deep as a pitch deck. Either way, I read every email.

If this newsletter sparked joy, please pass it along to a friend who should be in Founder Mode. Sharing is free and motivates me to help bring you the best finds every week.

- Ray

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