About this podcast

Dive into an insightful conversation with Karthik Gollapudi, former software leader for the SpaceX Dragon Capsule team and the visionary founder & CEO of Sift. This video offers invaluable career advice, emphasizing the critical importance of surrounding oneself with brilliant minds and understanding 'what good looks like' before embarking on an entrepreneurial journey. Karthik shares profound insights into 'first principles thinking,' a foundational philosophy championed by Elon Musk at SpaceX, which has driven historical achievements like the moon landing and now aims for the ambitious goal of terraforming Mars. The discussion spans his career trajectory from JPL to SpaceX, the inspiration behind Sift, the essence of building a customer-centric company, and the often-unseen realities of career progression. Gain a unique behind-the-scenes perspective on SpaceX's intense operational culture, mission-driven ethos, and even a fascinating anecdote involving Starlink's experimental early days. Additionally, tech startup founders are invited to a special pitching opportunity in Silicon Valley.