đ Advice, Articles & HowâTo Guides
Title | Type | Summary | What You'll Get / Key Takeaways | Link |
So youâve got an idea, now what? | HowâTo Guide | FAQs from early-stage founders plus roadmap to test startup ideas. | ⢠Validate your idea objectively via customer insights and traction signals
⢠Learn from founders whoâve succeeded or failed
⢠Utilize structured feedback systems from seasoned mentors | |
The cofounder question | HowâTo Guide | Do you need a coâfounder? How to find, split equity, and handle breakups. | ⢠Compare solo vs partnership structures (20% of unicorns are solo)⢠Understand team size and equity trade-offs⢠Discover where and how to find aligned co-founders | |
From SaaS to SaiS | River of enquiry | What we look for in vertical AI start ups? | 1. Vertical SaaS has lagged because its buyers have been âbad customers.â 2. AI flips the script, creating a new category the author calls âvertical SaiSâ (software-AI-as-a-Service). 3. Winning vertical SaiS companies share three consistent traits - speed to a wedge - build fast - stay flexible and adopt the cutting edge. | |
The most important marketing question⌠| HowâTo Guide | Core positioning & messaging guidance for early-stage founders. | ⢠Ground your marketing in clear positioning before tactics⢠Align messaging across product, branding, pricing⢠Use proven frameworks like April Dunfordâs model | https://www.blackbird.vc/blog/the-most-important-marketing-question-90-of-giants-founders-didn't-know-they-needed-to-ask |
Understanding a great mentor relationship⌠| Article | Insights from Giants program mentors for effective mentoring. | 1. Gain clarity on mentor expectations and responsibilities.2. Learn to build trust and mutual accountability.3. Deploy practical feedback techniques from Giants mentors. | |
What Blackbird Looks for in Founders Today | Article | Traits and mindsets Blackbird seeks in early-stage founders. | 1. Emphasis on clarity of mission and founder resilience.2. Value in coachability and growth mindset.3. Importance of founder-team fit over just tech or market. |
Founder Spotlights & Interviews
Title | Summary | Key Takeaways | Link |
Spotlight: Connor Archbold (Tracksuit) | Brandâtracking tool founder shares marketing/growth lessons. | 1. Use data for marketing decisions 2. Create network-driven growth loops 3. Tie product features tightly to user pain-points | |
Spotlight: Tim Doyle (Eucalyptus) | Telehealth founder on scaling and mission. | 1. Let the mission evolve operationally 2. First hires define culture 3. Adopt incremental progress in regulated sectors | |
Spotlight: Flavia Tata Nardini (Fleet Space) | Nanosatellite founder on global connectivity. | 1. Build low-cost satellite networks 2. Tackle regulatory clearance 3. Focus on impact in agriculture & logistics | |
Spotlight: Charlie Gearside (Eucalyptus) | Eâcommerce/healthcare coâfounder on brand + ops. | 1. Maintain operational discipline 2. Ensure brand consistency 3. Merge compliance with user experience | |
Spotlight: Dr Julio Ribeiro (Inventia Life Sciences) | Biotech 3Dâbioprinting breakthrough story. | 1. Merge research with commercialization vision 2. Navigate biotech regulation 3. Build strong interdisciplinary teams | |
Spotlight: Cortical Labs | Neural computer chips built using living neurons. | 1. Fuse bio and silicon tech 2. Prepare for long R&D cycles 3. Progress from lab innovation to product-market fit | |
Spotlight: Matt Hinds (Sauce) | Product-ops perspective on mentoring/PM culture. | 1. Embed PM mindset early 2. Leverage mentorship to scale teams 3. Track PM impact beyond features | |
Spotlight: Max Olson (Seachange) | Founder of electric ferry zero-emission marine tech. | 1. Tackle hardware scaling & infrastructure 2. Navigate marine regulations 3. Manage cleantech capital demands | |
Spotlight: Lucy Mort (Sunroom) | Creatorâtech founder on market discovery. | 1. Identify niche creator segments 2. Build intuitive UX for creatives 3. Develop tailored monetization for niche communities | |
Spotlight: Nathan Taylor (Partly) | Kiwi founder of autoâparts API. | 1. Standardize fragmented auto data 2. Integrate with inventory systems 3. Build platform trust for developers | |
Spotlight: Melissa Miller (The Mintable) | Manager-dev startup founder balancing motherhood. | 1. Embody leadership while parenting 2. Build accessible manager tools 3. Leverage personal journey for product-market fit |
Podcasts & Playlists
Title | Type | Summary | Link |
Wild Hearts | Podcast | Inâdepth founder & investor interviews (e.g. Fleet Space, Vow Foods). | |
At the Very Beginning | Playlist | Miniâseries on idea validation, coâfounder dynamics, early-stage pitfalls. | |
Diaspora | Podcast | Interviews with some of the most ambitious Kiwis abroad. |