Fueling Growth with AI and Viral Product Features — Ajay Mehta, Portola

In this episode of the Sub Club podcast, David Bernard and Jacob Eiding interview Ajay Mehta, co-founder of Portola, about building Tolans, an AI alien friend app. They discuss the opportunities AI creates for app developers, Tolans' TikTok growth strategy, and how monetization improved product decisions. Ajay shares the founding story, the importance of emotional resonance, and the team's focus on low-latency voice AI and character design. The conversation covers fundraising, product-market fit, growth strategies, and the potential for AI companions, as well as the importance of retention and continuous product improvement.