This week on Build Mode, we’re diving back into the archives for a special best-of episode all about effective partnerships, from cofounder relationships and team trust to investor dynamics and leadership communication.
Host Isabelle Johannesen and producer Maggie Nye revisit some of the most insightful conversations from past seasons to explore what makes startup partnerships actually work. Guests share candid stories about finding cofounders online, navigating founder breakups, building trust inside fast-growing teams, balancing marriage and business, choosing the right investors, and learning when compatibility matters more than credentials.
In this episode, you’ll hear from:
Jasper Carmichael-Jack, cofounder & CEO of Artisan
Ian Schmidt, partner & consultant at Trimergence
Hala Jawani and Alessio Trestani, cofounders of Rieo
Leah Solivann, founder of TaskRabbit
Ross Fubini, managing partner at XYZ Venture Capital and Leslie Feinzaig, founder & CEO of Graham & Walker
Sarah Lucena, founder & CEO of Mappa
Whether you’re searching for the right cofounder, managing conflict on your team, scaling as a solo founder, or building relationships with investors, this episode is packed with practical advice and honest founder lessons from people who’ve lived it.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro:
01:00 Jasper Carmichael-Jack (Artisan): Meeting a cofounder online and navigating a founder breakup
04:20 Ian Schmidt (Trimergence): Frameworks for conflict resolution, communication, and team trust
08:15 Hala Jawani & Alessio Cristante (Riveo): Building a startup as married cofounders
10:20 Leah Solivan (TaskRabbit): Transitioning leadership and building executive trust
12:30 Ross Fubini (XYZ Ventures) & Leslie Feinzaig (Graham & Walker): Choosing the right investors and building your cap table
16:05 Sarah Lucena (Mapa): Compatibility, investor alignment, and finding the right people
Subscribe to Build Mode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen. And watch the full videos on YouTube. New episodes of Build Mode drop every Thursday. Hosted by Isabelle Johannessen. Produced and edited by Maggie Nye. Audience development led by Morgan Little. Special thanks to the Foundry and Cheddar video teams.
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