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- Founder Mode - 9 July 2025
Founder Mode - 9 July 2025
We look for opportunities so that you don't have to.
StartupX Admin
July 09, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes
Hi there,
Welcome to Founder Mode, the newsletter that keeps you updated on the top finds and opportunities, so that to save time and stay in the know.
Let’s go 🚀
🔥 Top Finds
The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Startup
Julian Shapiro's comprehensive guide covers five essential areas for tech startup founders: market pull, ideas, growth, retention, hiring, and fundraising. This guide compiles insights on what makes successful companies thrive.
How Edwin Chen Built a $1B+ ARR AI Company without any Investors
Everyone is talking about Meta’s acquisition of Scale AI but there is another more impressive company under the radar. Edwin Chen reveals the strategy behind Surge AI’s rapid growth to $1B in annual recurring revenue—from enterprise sales mastery to building an unbeatable labeling workforce.
Why Investors Don't Care About Your Business
Ever wonder why companies without revenue or questionable technology receiving large VC investments? Steve Blank shares what motivates VCs and how the economic climate affects their investment decisions.
🎯 Startup Opportunities
Road to Battlefield 2025
| SLINGSHOT 2025
| Smart Port Challenge PIER71 is scouting startups that can slash fuel, digitise docks, or electrify shipping lanes Application Deadline: 14 July 2025 |
🛠 Tool of the Week
AI That Knows Your Work Inside and Out
Most AI tools start from scratch every time. ClickUp Brain already knows the answers.
It has full context of all your work—docs, tasks, chats, files, and more. No uploading. No explaining. No repetitive prompting.
It's not just another AI tool. It's the first AI that actually understands your workflow because it lives where your work happens.
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💬 Founder Mode Quotes
“Fearlessness is like a muscle. I know from my own life that the more I exercise it the more natural it becomes to not let my fears run me.” — Arianna Huffington
🙂 Fun Mode
Compilation of Soham Parekh memes to keep you updated
— atulit (@atulit_gaur)
6:58 AM • Jul 3, 2025
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 an “aha,” pass it along to another builder 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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