Top 20 Must-Listen Podcasts for Startup Founders
Podcasts have become a popular medium for entrepreneurs to learn and gain insights from experienced founders, industry experts, and investors. For startup founders, listening to podcasts can be a great way to stay up-to-date with industry trends, gain valuable advice, and learn from the successes and failures of others.
With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose which podcasts to listen to. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top 20 must-listen podcasts for startup founders in 2023. From interviews with successful founders to deep dives into business strategy, these podcasts offer valuable insights for entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.
“How I Built This” with Guy Raz
Hosted by award-winning journalist Guy Raz, “How I Built This” takes listeners on a journey through the stories of successful entrepreneurs and their companies. Each episode features a different founder or CEO, who shares the ups and downs of their entrepreneurial journey and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
The show features a diverse range of guests, from household names like Starbucks’ Howard Schultz and Spanx’s Sara Blakely to lesser-known but equally inspiring entrepreneurs. Listeners will come away with insights on how to overcome challenges and build a successful business.
“Masters of Scale” with Reid Hoffman
Hosted by LinkedIn co-founder and venture capitalist Reid Hoffman, “Masters of Scale” explores how successful entrepreneurs have grown their businesses from startups to global behemoths. The show features interviews with industry titans like Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Netflix’s Reed Hastings, and Airbnb’s Brian Chesky, who share their insights on scaling a company. Hoffman also weaves in his own experiences as an entrepreneur and investor to provide actionable advice for listeners looking to take their business to the next level.
“The Pitch” with Gimlet Media
“The Pitch” gives listeners a front-row seat to the high-stakes world of startup fundraising. In each episode, a handful of entrepreneurs pitch their businesses to a panel of investors, who then provide feedback and decide whether or not to invest.
The show offers a behind-the-scenes look at the pitching process, as well as valuable insights into what investors look for in a successful startup. Listeners will also come away with a better understanding of how to craft a compelling pitch and make a lasting impression on potential investors.
“StartUp” with Gimlet Media
“StartUp” is a podcast that follows the journey of a single startup from idea to launch. The show’s first season documents the founding of Gimlet Media itself, while subsequent seasons focus on other startups in a range of industries.
Each episode takes listeners behind the scenes of the startup world, providing insights on everything from product development and fundraising to marketing and team building. Hosted by journalist Alex Blumberg, “StartUp” is a must-listen for anyone looking to start their own business.
“Entrepreneur on Fire” with John Lee Dumas
“Entrepreneur on Fire” is a daily podcast that features interviews with successful entrepreneurs from a variety of industries. Host John Lee Dumas has interviewed over 2,600 entrepreneurs to date, and the show has amassed a dedicated following of listeners who tune in for actionable advice and inspiration. Each episode follows a similar format, with Dumas asking his guest a series of questions about their entrepreneurial journey and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
“The Tim Ferriss Show” with Tim Ferriss
Hosted by bestselling author and entrepreneur Tim Ferriss, “The Tim Ferriss Show” features interviews with some of the world’s most successful people, from billionaire investors to Olympic athletes. Ferriss’s interviews are known for their in-depth exploration of the guest’s mindset, habits, and routines, with a focus on distilling actionable insights that listeners can apply to their own lives. The show has a diverse range of guests and topics, making it a must-listen for anyone looking to improve their personal or professional life.
“Mixergy” with Andrew Warner
“Mixergy” is a podcast that features interviews with successful entrepreneurs and industry experts. Host Andrew Warner is known for his hard-hitting interview style, asking his guest’s tough questions about their successes and failures. The show covers a wide range of topics, from product development and fundraising to marketing and leadership. Listeners will come away with insights on how to grow their businesses and overcome obstacles along the way.
“The GaryVee Audio Experience” with Gary Vaynerchuk
Gary Vaynerchuk is an entrepreneur and internet personality who hosts “The GaryVee Audio Experience,” a podcast that provides listeners with practical advice on entrepreneurship, social media, and marketing. Gary’s podcast is known for his no-nonsense approach and his willingness to share his own personal experiences with listeners.
On the podcast, Gary interviews a wide range of guests, from business leaders and successful entrepreneurs to athletes and celebrities. He also occasionally hosts solo episodes where he shares his own insights on various topics related to business and entrepreneurship. Gary’s candid and honest approach to sharing his experiences and knowledge is what sets his podcast apart from others in the field.
“The Indie Hackers Podcast” with Courtland Allen
“The Indie Hackers Podcast” is a podcast that focuses on the stories of successful independent entrepreneurs who have built profitable businesses without venture capital funding. The podcast is hosted by Courtland Allen, an entrepreneur himself who created Indie Hackers, a website and community that helps entrepreneurs build successful businesses.
On the podcast, Courtland interviews successful indie entrepreneurs, delving into their stories and the specific tactics and strategies they used to build their businesses. Listeners can learn about a variety of topics, from product development and marketing to revenue generation and community building. The podcast also features episodes where Courtland shares his own insights and advice on entrepreneurship, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to start their own business.
“Acquired” with Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal
“Acquired” is a podcast that focuses on the stories behind successful technology acquisitions and IPOs. The podcast is hosted by Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal, two successful venture capitalists who provide in-depth analysis of the deals and the companies involved.
On each episode, Ben and David take listeners through the history of a particular company, discussing the challenges and opportunities the company faced along the way. They also provide insights into the specific deal, including the motivations of the parties involved and the potential impact on the industry as a whole. Listeners can learn about a wide range of topics, from the rise of unicorns like Uber and Airbnb to the downfall of companies like Theranos.
“The Full Ratchet” with Nick Moran
“The Full Ratchet” is a podcast that focuses on early-stage investing and startup advice. The podcast is hosted by Nick Moran, a successful angel investor who provides listeners with practical insights and advice on everything from fundraising and deal structuring to hiring and growth.
On each episode, Nick interviews successful founders and investors, delving into their experiences and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Listeners can learn about a wide range of topics, from the basics of fundraising to the nuances of specific industries like biotech and fintech. The podcast is a valuable resource for anyone looking to start or invest in a new business.
“The Twenty Minute VC” with Harry Stebbings
“The Twenty Minute VC” is a podcast that provides listeners with insights into the world of venture capital and startup investing. The podcast is hosted by Harry Stebbings, a successful venture capitalist who has invested in a number of successful startups.
On the podcast, Harry interviews successful investors and founders, discussing topics like fundraising, deal structuring, and the future of the industry. Listeners can learn about a wide range of topics, from the basics of angel investing to the complexities of late-stage venture capital. The podcast is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the world of startup investing.
“The SaaS Podcast” with Omer Khan
If you’re a software as a service (SaaS) entrepreneur, then “The SaaS Podcast” with Omer Khan is a must-listen. This podcast provides insights and advice on how to build and grow a successful SaaS business.
Hosted by Khan, a seasoned SaaS founder and investor, the show features interviews with other SaaS entrepreneurs and industry experts. Each episode offers practical tips and actionable insights that can help founders navigate the challenges of building and scaling a SaaS company.
“Rocketship.fm” with Michael Sacca
“Rocketship.fm” is a podcast for startup founders and entrepreneurs who are looking to grow and scale their businesses. Hosted by Michael Sacca, the show features interviews with successful founders and industry experts who share their experiences and insights on how to build a successful startup.
The podcast covers a wide range of topics, from fundraising and marketing to product development and team building. If you’re looking for inspiration and practical advice on how to build and grow your startup, then “Rocketship.fm” is definitely worth a listen.
“Startup Grind” with Derek Andersen
“Startup Grind” is a global community of entrepreneurs that aims to educate, inspire, and connect startup founders. The “Startup Grind” podcast, hosted by founder Derek Andersen, features interviews with successful entrepreneurs and investors. The show covers a wide range of topics, from raising capital and building a team to product development and marketing.
What sets “Startup Grind” apart is its focus on the personal stories of the founders behind some of the world’s most successful startups. The show offers insights into the challenges and triumphs of building a startup, making it an essential listen for any founder or aspiring entrepreneur.
“This Week in Startups” with Jason Calacanis
“This Week in Startups” is one of the longest-running and most popular podcasts for startup founders. Hosted by Jason Calacanis, a serial entrepreneur and angel investor, the show features interviews with successful founders and investors, as well as news and analysis of the latest trends in the startup world.
The podcast covers a wide range of topics, from fundraising and marketing to product development and team building. Each episode offers practical advice and insights that can help founders navigate the challenges of building and scaling a startup.
“The Growth Show” with Hubspot
“The Growth Show” is a podcast from the marketing and sales software company, Hubspot. The show features interviews with successful entrepreneurs and industry experts who share their experiences and insights on how to grow a business.
Hosted by Kipp Bodnar, the podcast covers a wide range of topics, from marketing and sales to product development and customer service. Each episode offers practical tips and actionable insights that can help founders and marketers drive growth for their businesses.
“The Pitch Deck” with Gavin McCulley
If you’re an entrepreneur or startup founder looking to pitch your ideas to investors or secure funding for your business, then “The Pitch Deck” podcast is an excellent resource for you. Hosted by Gavin McCulley, a successful entrepreneur, and investor, the podcast features interviews with some of the most experienced and knowledgeable investors, entrepreneurs, and startup founders in the business.
The show offers invaluable insights and advice on how to create a winning pitch deck, how to pitch your ideas effectively, and how to secure funding for your business. Each episode of “The Pitch Deck” is packed with practical tips and strategies that you can apply to your own business, making it an essential listen for any startup founder or entrepreneur looking to succeed in the competitive world of startup funding.
One of the standout features of “The Pitch Deck” is its focus on real-world case studies and examples. Each episode features an in-depth discussion with a startup founder or investor, exploring their experiences in creating and presenting pitch decks, as well as their successes and failures in securing funding.
This makes the podcast a valuable resource for anyone looking to learn from the experiences of successful entrepreneurs and investors, and apply those lessons to their own startup journey. Overall, “The Pitch Deck” is an informative, engaging, and practical podcast that is a must-listen for anyone looking to succeed in the world of startup funding.
“The Productivityist Podcast” with Mike Vardy
In the world of entrepreneurship and startups, productivity is a critical factor in achieving success. However, many entrepreneurs struggle with productivity, finding it difficult to manage their time effectively and stay focused on their goals.
“The Productivityist Podcast” with Mike Vardy is a podcast that is specifically designed to help entrepreneurs and startup founders improve their productivity and achieve their goals. Hosted by Mike Vardy, a productivity expert, and coach, the podcast features interviews with some of the most successful entrepreneurs and industry experts, as well as practical tips, strategies, and insights on how to improve productivity, manage time effectively, and achieve success in business and life.
One of the standout features of “The Productivityist Podcast” is its focus on actionable advice and practical tips. Each episode features an in-depth discussion with a successful entrepreneur or productivity expert, exploring their experiences and insights on how to improve productivity and achieve success.
These top 20 podcasts offer a wealth of knowledge and insight for startup founders. From learning how successful entrepreneurs built their companies to understand the latest trends in business strategy and management, these podcasts provide valuable information to help founders navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business. By regularly listening to these podcasts, startup founders can stay informed and inspired as they build their own companies.
