In this episode of Lobster Talks, Gabriel chats with Yonatan - co-founder of Jiga (YC W21) - about how a simple WordPress MVP grew into an AI-powered platform reinventing global manufacturing. Yonatan reveals the ups and downs of hitting walls, pivoting from marketplace to SaaS (and back again), and ultimately nailing product-market fit. They also discuss staying humble when things finally take off, fundraising highs and lows, and insights from Israel’s vibrant startup community. If you want real, practical lessons on iterating fast, listening to users, and leveraging AI for operational efficiency, this one’s for you!

Chapters

0:00 Introduction & How Jiga Got Started

3:20 Building a WordPress MVP & Getting Early Revenue

6:45 Pivoting from Transaction Model to SaaS (and Back)

10:02 Staying Scrappy Through Challenges & Hitting Walls

14:15 How AI Boosted Margins & Automates Ops

17:40 Surviving the Early “No Revenue” Stage

21:30 Lessons from the Israeli Startup Scene & YC Community

25:51 Why Being Humble Matters (Even During Success)

29:14 Jiga’s Vision for the Future & Final Takeaways

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In this Lobster Talks episode, Gabriel returns to discuss what’s on the horizon for YC and startup investing in 2025. We dive into Y Combinator’s shift to four batches per year, why AI is fueling rapid growth (and even potential AGI!), and how that might reshape the investment landscape. We also reflect on Lobster Capital’s stellar 2024—from an oversubscribed Fund 1 to multiple fast-growing portfolio companies—and explore Europe’s evolving role in the global startup scene. If you’re curious how AI, YC, and cross-border opportunities will collide in 2025, this one’s for you!

Chapters

0:00 – Introduction

1:12 – Reflecting on Lobster Capital’s Milestones in 2024

4:39 – Inside YC’s Four Batches per Year

9:55 – AI’s Acceleration & the Push Toward AGI

14:02 – Revenue Traction vs. Defensibility: Key Investing Criteria

18:47 – Shifts in Seed, Series A, and Beyond

23:15 – Potential Exit Strategies & Secondary Markets

27:44 – The Future of European Startups vs. Silicon Valley

31:58 – Closing Thoughts & What’s Next for 2025

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In this episode of The Lobster Talks, I sit down with Roberto Salcedo—co-founder and CEO of Baubap, a Y Combinator-backed fintech that’s reshaping consumer lending in Mexico. Discover how Roberto’s team grew Baubap from a scrappy $3M seed round to generating $100M+ in revenue by building everything in-house and leveraging AI years before it was mainstream.

What You’ll Learn

- The early product decisions that fueled explosive, profitable growth

- How Baubap uses AI to underwrite loans and keep default rates low

- Why building core systems from scratch can create a massive competitive edge

- Navigating funding, profitability, and future expansion plans (including a regional banking license!)

- Lessons learned from YC, plus powerful advice for fellow entrepreneurs

If you’re fascinated by fintech, AI, or just want an inside look at an incredible founder journey, you don’t want to miss this!

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🎙️ Lobster Talks Podcast - Episode with Valentin Sulzer, Founder of Ionworks

🚀 Welcome to the latest episode of the Lobster Talks podcast by Lobster Capital! In this episode, Gabriel sits down with Valentin Sulzer, founder of Ionworks, a revolutionary startup transforming battery innovation through cutting-edge software.

🔋 Batteries are critical to powering the 21st century—from EVs to satellites, and even electric planes. Valentin explains how Ionworks accelerates battery development by simulating advanced designs in software, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming physical prototypes. Discover how their solution is changing the game for industries, from automotive to aerospace.

💡 Valentin also shares insights from his journey, including:

The evolution of Ionworks from the open-source PyBAM project

His experience as a YC Summer '24 founder

The future of batteries and AI’s role in enabling innovation

🔥 Whether you're a founder, an investor, or someone curious about the tech shaping the future, this episode is packed with insights you can’t miss.

🔗 Links Mentioned:

Learn more about Ionworks: https://www.ionworks.com/

Connect with Valentin Sulzer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valentinsulzer/

✨ Don’t forget to subscribe to the Lobster Talks podcast for more inspiring stories from successful YC founders!

In this episode of the Lobster Talks Podcast, we join Laurie to discuss the exciting highlights from Y Combinator's Fall 2024 Demo Day — the first in-person demo day since 2019. The conversation covers the unique experience of attending the event at San Francisco's Masonic Center, the benefits of having a smaller batch size, and the impressive growth of startups leveraging AI. Gabriel Jarrosson also shares insights on investment strategies, the impact of AI on startup ecosystems, and the future of job creation in the context of advancing technology. Tune in to hear about the standout companies in this batch and what to expect in the upcoming sessions.

00:00 Welcome to the Lobster Talks Podcast

00:21 First In-Person Demo Day Since 2019

02:42 The Impact of Smaller Batches

05:33 AI's Role in Startup Growth

08:12 Developer Tools and YC's Focus

12:32 Investing in the Future of AI

23:20 YC's Request for Startups

28:40 Lobster Capital's Investment Strategy

31:50 Looking Ahead to Future Batches

35:11 Conclusion and Farewell

Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be financial advice. I am not a licensed financial advisor. Any actions you take based on the information presented are at your own risk. Please consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be financial advice. I am not a licensed financial advisor. Any actions you take based on the information presented are at your own risk. Please consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.

Are you curious about where venture capital is heading and how Y Combinator is shaping the future? Lobster Capital's Gabriel Jarrosson has the inside scoop!

In this episode, Gabriel Jarrosson dives into the evolving world of venture capital, focusing on emerging trends and the unique opportunities within the Y Combinator ecosystem. He shares his excitement about AI's prominence in the upcoming YC batch, emphasizing the importance of real-world problem-solving and revenue generation. Gabriel also discusses the positive implications of YC's move to four batches a year, including improved mentorship, media exposure, and deal flow for investors like Lobster Capital.

The conversation also highlights the significance of B2B software in YC's portfolio, exploring the reasons behind its dominance and the continued importance of B2C innovation. Gabriel's data-driven approach and belief in YC as a distinct asset class further illuminate Lobster Capital's investment strategy. He concludes with his optimistic predictions for the future of YC and venture capital as a whole. Don't miss this episode for valuable insights and a glimpse into the dynamic world of startups and investments.

EPISODE IN A GLANCE

00:00 Y Combinator's Latest News (Demo Day, 4 batches per year, and the rise of AI)

05:21 The Y Combinator Network: Impact and De-risking Investments

11:30 The Shift Toward B2B Software and Fintech in YC's Unicorn Portfolio

13:57 The Future of Venture Capital: AI, Impact Investing, and New Models

17:53 Lobster Capital's Focus on Early Traction and Strategy

23:46 The Importance of the YC Ecosystem: An Asset Class in Itself

ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON

Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing."

CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON

YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital

Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/

Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital

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