Why Founders Need “Scalers” on Their Early Teams

Why Founders Need “Scalers” on Their Early Teams

Author: Burkland April 21, 2026 Duration: 28:05
Casey Woo, CEO & Founder of Operators Guild and GP & Founder of FOG Ventures, joins us on Startup Success to discuss how scaling a startup has changed and why founders need “horizontal generalists,” or scalers, on their early teams.

After helping scale several high-profile startups, Casey built Operators Guild, a global community for the operators who thrive in early-stage chaos, and later FOG Ventures, its venture capital arm. He’s seen firsthand why this new breed of operator is essential in today’s AI-driven world.Casey breaks down how these operators fuel hypergrowth and why early-stage founders should prioritize hiring them. He explains this mindset isn’t learned—it’s in your DNA. Curious, impatient, and energized by ambiguity, scalers are wired differently.

We discuss:
  • How AI is reshaping how startups hire and scale, and why adaptable, strategic thinkers matter more than ever.
  • The new operational model that is essential to high-growth startups.
  • How to spot a scaler on a resume and what signals to look for in the interview process.
  • How the office of the CFO and COO has changed and what that means for today's startups.
This episode blends insight and practicality—a must-listen for founders building teams in an increasingly complex landscape.

----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn

Learn more about Fog Ventures at: https://www.fog.ventures/
Learn more about Operators Guild at: https://www.operators-guild.com/

Tuning into Startup Success: A Podcast for Founders & Investors feels less like attending a formal lecture and more like pulling up a chair in a room full of people who have actually built and funded companies. Hosted by the team at Burkland, the conversations here move beyond theory to focus on the tangible, often messy, realities of scaling a business. You’ll find episodes that feel timely, addressing the specific challenges and opportunities that founders and investors are navigating right now. The dialogue is driven by guests who have lived it-founders recounting pivotal moments from their journey and investors explaining the nuances behind their decisions. This isn't about generic advice; it's about the operational details that make or break growth. Each discussion naturally narrows in on a single, critical pressure point, whether that's untangling a complex financing round, refining a go-to-market strategy, or building a culture that can withstand rapid hiring. The value of this podcast lies in its specificity and the credibility of the voices featured. It serves as a practical resource for anyone actively involved in the lifecycle of a startup, offering perspectives that are immediately applicable to your own work. By focusing on real stories and current trends, the series provides a grounded, actionable look at what genuine progress requires from both sides of the founder-investor relationship.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Startup Success: A Podcast for Founders & Investors
Podcast Episodes
Insights from a VC on Fundraising and the Power of Diversity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:38
We explore some weighty questions on this episode of Startup Success, including:What would the world look like if half the venture capital dollars were in women-led funds? Is VC funding the golden ticket or just another…
Scaling AI: How Fireworks AI is Transforming the Industry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:23
In the rapidly evolving world of AI, standing out requires more than just innovation; it demands leadership and a clear vision. Enter Lin Qiao, the driving force behind Fireworks AI, who is redefining the limitations of…
The State of the Startup Ecosystem [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:04
Amid high interest rates and election uncertainty, navigating the startup landscape has never been more challenging. Fortunately, our special guest, Steve Lord, is here to offer a broader perspective that may help ease y…
From Idea to Series B: The Making of a Successful Startup [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:17
In this episode of Startup Success, we welcome Jaclyn Chen, Co-Founder and CEO at Benepass, a platform that solves real-world pain points for both employees and employers in the benefits space.Jacyln dives into her exper…
Behind the Scenes at an Impact-First VC Fund [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:33
Our guest today is Stasia Obremskey, Co-Founder and Managing Director at RH Capital, an impact-first venture capital fund that invests in the future of women's health.Stasia provides an in-depth look at the types of inno…
An Inside Look at How a Venture Capital Firm Operates [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:02
In this episode of Startup Success, we sit down with Josh Gilbert, CFO of the VC firm Freestyle, who unravels the intricacies of venture capital investing. Josh offers an insider's perspective on the role of VC firms in…
Unveiling the Future of Digital Health with Vivante Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:06
Join us in this enlightening episode as we sit down with Bill Snyder, the CEO and Founder of Vivante Health. Propelled by a recent $31M Series B round, his company is on a mission to revolutionize digital health, startin…