OpenAI just dropped $3B on vibe coding—should software engineers be worried?
And what happens now that Apple’s 30% App Store tax just took a major legal hit?

In this episode of The Startup Podcast, hosts Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein are joined by seasoned founder and investor Hooman Radfar (CEO at Collective, ex-VC at Expa) to unpack three seismic shifts shaping the future of tech startups today.

They dive deep into OpenAI’s $3B move into vibe coding, the ripple effects of Apple’s court-ordered App Store concession, and a sobering update on Silicon Valley's AI talent trends.

In this episode, you will:

•⁠ ⁠Learn why OpenAI is acquiring AI coding startups—and what that means for developers everywhere
•⁠ ⁠Understand how tools like Windsurf and Cursor are changing expectations for startup speed and headcount
•⁠ ⁠Discover why SaaS margins and investor sentiment are shifting under the weight of AI-native startups
•⁠ ⁠Explore how Apple’s legal defeat is reshaping the app ecosystem for founders and product builders
•⁠ ⁠Hear first-hand stories about the limits of current LLM coding assistants—and why user trust may be short-lived
•⁠ ⁠Unpack the growing platform risk as hyperscalers begin to own entire labor categories, not just infrastructure
•⁠ ⁠Debate whether the “two-speed” startup economy (AI-native vs everyone else) is sustainable—or a bubble waiting to pop

Whether you’re an early-stage founder, startup operator, or just trying to make sense of the shifting AI landscape, this episode is packed with hard-earned insights and startup war stories from the frontlines.

Timestamps
00:00 On Today's Show
02:03 Silicon Valley's Talent Crisis
03:40 AI's Impact on Venture Capital and Startups
04:47 The Rise of AI Coding Tools
08:21 Challenges and Limitations of AI Coding
16:41 AI's Role in Future Job Markets
25:58 Platform Risks and Economic Implications
38:33 Epic vs. Apple: A Landmark Court Case
40:09 The Implications of Antitrust Rulings on Big Tech
43:17 The Future of AI and Market Regulation
57:52 The Role of AI in Enhancing Human Intelligence
01:00:38 Closing Thoughts

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Key links
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The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/

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/

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