The Founders Peak Podcast

Welcome to a brand-new season of The Founders Peak Podcast, live from the heart of innovation at the GFTN Forum in Tokyo, Japan! This season, we are diving deep into a theme that every founder, investor, and builder can relate to: resilience. In a tough market, these stories come from the front lines of what it takes to not just survive, but thrive. Across these 10 talks, you will find a thread that connects them all: the courage to redefine what is safe, what is average, and what is possible. These are not just business stories. They are windows into how the most extraordinary builders think, feel, and decide. Tune in for a masterclass in the founder’s mind.

What happens when you reach the peak of your corporate career and realize you are on the wrong mountain? Sanjay Tripathy, co-founder of BRISKPE, shares his incredibly honest story of walking away from comfort and security, revealing that the biggest challenge wasn’t changing his business model, but fundamentally changing himself.

Can technology solve the global loneliness epidemic? Felix Wong, a global citizen and founder of EMOKA, asks a profound question. Inspired by a conversation with a NASA astronaut about the loneliness of space, he explores how AI can be a tool not just for efficiency, but for connection, and what it takes to build an AI that truly knows how to care.

What do you do when your most important partner tries to exploit your dependence? Himanshu Chandra of Progcap shares a cautionary tale every founder needs to hear. He recounts the moment his company had to make an impossible choice, revealing how the painful decision to walk away ultimately saved their business.

In a fragile and rapidly changing world, is the greatest risk standing still? Yusuke Jindo, a crypto-native CPA and new father, makes the compelling case that becoming an entrepreneur was the most stable and conservative decision he could make. A fascinating perspective that challenges everything you think you know about risk.

How do you survive when a $20 million funding deal vanishes overnight? Ritesh and Deepak Jain, co-founders of FlexiLoans, share a powerful lesson in leadership and collective calm. Discover how their pact to “not panic at once” and the discipline to say “no” became their ultimate survival strategy in a moment of crisis.

How do you find the courage to build something that has never existed before? Aishwarya Jaishankar, co-founder of Hyperface, reveals the simple but powerful question that has guided her entire career: “Why the hell not?” Learn how this mindset helped her navigate the chaos of India’s demonetization and turn complexity into courageous progress.

What does “safety” truly mean in today’s world? Keisuke Kimura grew up with a mother who, scarred by financial instability, urged him to find a “safe job.” In this talk, he shares his journey of defying that definition to prove that true security comes not from a corporate safety net, but from the courage to build your own value.

Do you need to be a superhuman to build a successful company? Joe Lu, an “accidental entrepreneur” who failed his YC interview three times, dismantles the myth of the perfect founder. In this refreshingly honest talk, he shares how his own feelings of being average and flawed ultimately gave him a unique and powerful edge.

Is your pitch a static document, or a living story? Evan Burkosky, a solo sailor turned AI founder, makes the powerful argument that constantly refining your narrative is the most critical survival skill in the startup world. Learn why storytelling is the key to raising capital, closing deals, and building a team that truly believes.

Is being under estimated a disadvantage, or a secret weapon? Caroline Tran, founder of Hello Clever, flips the script on the challenges female founders face, arguing that these very obstacles cultivate distinct advantages—like sharper judgment and more resilient strategies. A powerful lesson in how to turn bias into a profitable edge.

The entrepreneurial journey takes a toll that no one talks about. Shivashish Chatterjee, co-founder of DMI Group, delivers a candid and necessary conversation about the hidden neurological costs of being a founder and the critical importance of managing the one risk we often ignore: our own well-being.

How do you lead a company through a military coup and a global pandemic? Brad Jones tells the powerful story of Wave Money in Myanmar, revealing that true resilience is built on three pillars: prioritizing your people, cultivating adaptability through brutal honesty, and leading with deep empathy.

Starting a company is like “eating glass while staring into the abyss.” Vince Vissers of Firsty gives a raw and hilarious tour of the founder’s marathon, reminding us that the joy isn’t in the comfort of the finish line, but in the courage you discover during the brutal, glass-eating climb.

Can code dismantle inequity? Winston Damarillo, a serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist, delivers a powerful call to action, urging us to use the meritocracy of code not just to build products, but to disrupt systemic inequality and create true economic freedom for everyone.

Your greatest idea might be hidden in your deepest frustration. Joe Kinvi, founder of Borderless, delivers a powerful lesson on how your personal pain can be your greatest asset, revealing a systemic problem that, when solved, can unlock economic empowerment for an entire generation.

From commercial pilot to co-founding Latin America’s biggest unicorn, Rappi, Juan Pablo Ortega knows about navigating turbulence. In this talk, he offers a powerful reminder that the greatest companies are not just built on hustle, but on a deep, unwavering purpose that fuels you through the inevitable storms of the founder’s journey.

What if being underestimated is your greatest advantage? Vincent Iswara, co-founder of DANA, delivers an inspiring message for every founder who feels overlooked, showing us that being the underdog gives you the freedom to rewrite the rules and the hunger to be undeniable.

In the startup world, there is only one strategy that truly matters: survival. Ankit Ratan of Signzy tells a gripping and honest story of near-death moments, teaching us that cash buys you time, and sometimes, the oxygen you need to survive comes from the most unexpected places.

After leading two unicorns (Freelancer.com and Bukalapak) through massive IPOs, Willix Halim knows what it takes to win. In this rapid-fire masterclass, he delivers eight incredibly sharp and usable insights, covering everything from metrics and fundraising to the critical importance of speed and knowing your numbers to survive and thrive.