How 2 Students raised $100k in 1 Week with crapy MVP

How 2 Students raised $100k in 1 Week with crapy MVP

Author: Ash Lonare December 30, 2025 Duration: 1:03:35

In this episode of the Founders Podcast, hosts Ash, Cosimo, and Omer discuss the journey of building MindStash, a tool designed to help users manage information overload. They share their inspirations, the challenges of execution, and the importance of curiosity in entrepreneurship. The conversation delves into the problem of information overload, the research process behind validating their idea, and the strategies for pricing and community engagement. Cosimo and Omer also reflect on their backgrounds, the fundraising journey, and the significance of building a movement around their product.


Takeaways


Curiosity drives innovation and entrepreneurship.

Execution is crucial; ideas need to be acted upon.

Identifying a real problem is key to building a successful product.

Research and validation are essential before launching a product.

Pricing strategies should be flexible and based on user feedback.

Building a community around your product fosters engagement and loyalty.

Founders should be prepared for the challenges of fundraising.

Authenticity in communication resonates with investors and customers alike.

The journey of entrepreneurship is filled with ups and downs, requiring resilience.

Curiosity and grit are essential traits for successful founders.


Chapters


00:00 Inspiration and Motivation

02:33 The Journey Begins: From Idea to Execution

06:29 Identifying the Problem: Information Overload

11:51 Researching the Market: Validating the Problem

14:23 Pricing Strategies: Finding the Right Model

18:29 Founders' Background: The Roots of Entrepreneurship

34:09 Fundraising Journey: Pitching and Learning

34:38 The Reality of Entrepreneurship

36:20 Business Size and Team Dynamics

37:47 Community Engagement and Technology Relationships

40:32 The Art of Pitching and Fundraising

42:55 Strategies for Growth and Traction

50:31 Curiosity and Grit in Founding

56:00 Productivity Tools and Habits

57:10 Innovative Business Ideas and Future Visions

59:29 Fun Facts and Personal Insights



Ash Lonare hosts Founders Podcast, a series of conversations that go straight to the source. Each episode features a different founder or seasoned expert, but the format feels less like a formal interview and more like a candid exchange you might overhear between colleagues after a long day. The focus is on the tangible details often glossed over in success stories-the specific decisions, the unforeseen obstacles, and the practical strategies that actually worked when theory met reality. You’ll hear about the early doubts, the pivotal moments that changed a company’s direction, and the personal philosophies that guide these leaders through constant uncertainty. This podcast is built on the premise that the most valuable lessons come from those who have navigated the complex journey of building something from nothing. Listening feels like gaining access to a private roundtable, offering perspectives that are both inspirational and immediately useful for anyone involved in their own venture. The discussions are grounded in real experience, providing a resource that feels substantive and directly applicable to the daily challenges of launching and growing a business.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Founders Podcast
Podcast Episodes
How to Influence Investors Full Proof Blueprint [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:08
In this episode of Founders Podcast, Andrew shares his insights on the journey of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of mindset, connection, and influence in leadership. He discusses the struggles founders face…
How Not to Ruin Your Startup Valuation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:43
SummaryIn this episode of the Founders Podcast, Ash (Herschelle) interviews Shayne Adler, who shares his journey from an unexpected founder to an expert in data privacy and compliance. The conversation delves into the im…
Transforming Frustrations into Opportunities in Healthcare [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:49
In this episode of Founders Podcast, Donovan Pyle shares his journey from a professional musician to a successful entrepreneur in the healthcare industry. He discusses how frustrations in the healthcare system can be tra…
Your Business is a Human, who Breaths, Eats and Drinks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:18
In this episode of the Founders Podcast, Jeff Luther shares his journey as a founder, discussing the emotional and practical challenges of running a business. He emphasizes the importance of treating businesses as living…
How to create a million dollar Voice Chat Business with no money [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:03
In this conversation, Albert Howard shares his journey as a founder in the fintech space, focusing on his company MiniBranch, which provides communication solutions for credit unions. He discusses the importance of learn…
Building Community The Heart of Entrepreneurship [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:46
In this episode of the Founders Podcast, Greg Lind shares his journey as a founder, discussing the importance of community, learning from failures, and the role of AI in software development. He emphasizes the need for e…
3‑Step Blueprint That Made Me a Super‑Founder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:19
In this conversation, David Kiwimagi discusses the three businesses of life: your business, other people's business, and God's business. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on what you can control and creating a pos…
How this Founder Lost Everything and Rebuilt it Back [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:51
In this conversation, David Feinman shares his journey as an entrepreneur, discussing the challenges he faced, including nearly losing everything in his business. He emphasizes the importance of resilience, the transitio…
How to 10x Your Founders Journey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:44
In this conversation, Gwen Bortner shares her insights on accountability, untapped potential, and the importance of reflection for founders. She emphasizes the need for focus, the distinction between discipline and genui…