Business and Builders

Founder Playbook

12 articles

Kobo e-reader and Amazon Kindle facing each other, with StoryGraph connecting them, symbolizing competition in the e-reader market.
Founder Playbook

Kobo eReader Integrates with StoryGraph, Challenging Amazon

For the first time, an e-reader device outside of Amazon's ecosystem, Rakuten's Kobo, now automatically tracks reading progress with the popular social reading platform, StoryGraph.

Amir Fakhoury·June 30, 2026
Digital illustration showing Indian users connecting via VPNs to bypass Telegram restrictions, highlighting a surge in app downloads.
Founder Playbook

India's Telegram Ban Boosts VPN Use

The day India announced restrictions on Telegram, VPN app downloads in the country surged by 49%, reaching the highest number recorded this year.

Marek Kowalski·June 19, 2026
Futuristic cityscape at dusk with AI network lines, symbolizing the US government's potential equity stake in AI companies.
Founder Playbook

Trump Administration Explores Equity Stakes in AI Companies

President Trump is reportedly in talks with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman about a deal to grant the U.

Marek Kowalski·June 7, 2026
Digital fortress with glowing shields symbolizing OpenAI's Lockdown Mode protecting ChatGPT from cyber threats and prompt injection attacks.
Founder Playbook

OpenAI Launches Lockdown Mode for Enhanced Prompt Injection Protection

OpenAI quietly rolled out an optional 'Lockdown Mode' for personal ChatGPT accounts in 2026.

Marek Kowalski·June 7, 2026
Diverse group of entrepreneurs looking at a futuristic interface with the Startup Battlefield logo, representing a final chance for innovation.
Founder Playbook

Startup Battlefield 2026 Extends Application Deadline to June 8

Startup Battlefield alumni have collectively raised an astonishing $32 billion.

Amir Fakhoury·June 6, 2026
Abstract visualization of AI interacting with diverse user profiles, representing Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky's new AI lab for user interaction.
Founder Playbook

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky launches new AI lab for user interaction

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, already at the helm of a multi-billion dollar company, is now personally funding a new artificial intelligence lab.

Amir Fakhoury·June 5, 2026
A group of former Snap employees, led by Max Rivera, launching the Ghost Angels venture fund to invest in early-stage AI and consumer tech startups.
Founder Playbook

Snap Alums Launch Ghost Angels Fund to Back Early-Stage Startups

In 2025, a collective of 20 former Snap employees, led by Max Rivera, launched Ghost Angels.

Amir Fakhoury·May 31, 2026
Futuristic esports arena with holographic AI projections, representing Lucra Sports' $20 million funding round.
Founder Playbook

Esports Startup Lucra Sports Raises $20M With AI Pitch

Lucra Sports founder Dylan Robbins adjusted his pitch to lead with AI, even though the company is not an AI business, a tactic that helped secure a $20 million Series B funding round for the esports s

Marek Kowalski·May 25, 2026
Abstract visualization of AI data streams forming an upward revenue graph, symbolizing Peec AI's rapid financial growth and success in the tech industry.
Founder Playbook

Peec startup revenue growth crosses $10 million milestone

Just six months after raising $21 million, AI startup Peec AI has already crossed $10 million in annualized revenue.

Amir Fakhoury·May 23, 2026
User creating an AI-generated song cover on a holographic interface in a futuristic music studio, with an engaged audience in the background.
Founder Playbook

Spotify Expands AI Features to Enhance User Experience

For the first time, Spotify allows users to create AI-generated covers and remixes of songs, a significant shift in fan interaction with music.

Marek Kowalski·May 22, 2026
Holographic AI interface displaying a personalized podcast feed, with data streams connecting from a laptop and smartphone, representing Spotify's new AI features.
Founder Playbook

Spotify launches AI features to personalize podcast listening

Spotify's new 'Studio' app can generate a daily podcast briefing using your listening habits, calendar, inbox, and even your personal notes, according to 9to5Google .

Amir Fakhoury·May 21, 2026
Futuristic visualization of AI integrating with YouTube, enabling video generation and conversational search with Gemini Omni.
Founder Playbook

YouTube AI search to generate videos with Gemini Omni

This summer, Google will allow users to conversationally search their emails.

Marek Kowalski·May 20, 2026