2026 is set to be a huge year in tech, and founders are feeling the pressure to perform well. But what do you need to focus on to give your startup the best chance of surviving the year? And with the AI landscape set to become more complex, how can you navigate it effectively?

In this episode, Yaniv is joined by Jess Mah, founder of inDinero and Mahway, to unpack what founders actually need to build durable companies. They explore lessons from scaling a startup young, navigating failure, and what investors really look for today.

In this episode, you will:

Understand how early traction differs from sustainable growth in venture-backed startups
Learn what investors prioritize beyond pitch decks and valuations
Discover how operational discipline impacts long-term startup survival
Avoid common scaling mistakes first-time founders make
Explore the realities of raising venture capital in competitive markets
Gain insights into founder resilience and navigating setbacks
Apply practical frameworks for building a financially healthy startup

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Key links

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Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/

Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/

Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Resilient Startups: How founders can survive 2026 w/ Jess Mah

The Startup Podcast