Things I Read
Founder in office skeptically handling self-help advice, with tools for turning fluff into actionable founder strategies.
When Self-Help Makes You Gag: Turning John Maxwell’s “No Limits” Into Actual Founder Fuel

Okay, I'll admit it – I sometimes fall for those inspirational leadership books promising I can achieve ANYTHING. But Maxwell's…

Case Studies
Fantastical negotiation scene with a solo founder and a giant corporate figure, illustrating strategic unfairness.
Dare to Deal – Part 2: The Art of Being Unfair (When It Pays Off)

Last time, I talked about how finding the deal is more important than squeezing the other side for every penny.…

Case Studies
From lawyer to deep tech entrepreneur, experimenting in a kitchen-turned-lab.
The Long Game of Deep Tech: From Kitchen Experiments to Scientific Breakthrough

Let's be honest, the image of a stressed-out lawyer turned venture capitalist experimenting with flour in his kitchen is pretty…

Corporate Venture Building
A founder working closely with their target audience, showcasing Founder-Market Fit.
Forget Product-Market Fit, Founders Need Founder-Market Fit

Too much startup advice treats founders like interchangeable pieces. "Find a big market, build a cool product...success!" But the best…

Case Studies
Half-baker, half-businessperson managing both baking and boardroom challenges.
From Baking to Million-Dollar Deals: The Skills That Work Anywhere (As Long As You Don’t Burn Everything)

Let's be real – I've been covered in more flour than brains some mornings, resembling a zombie in an artisanal…

Experiment
Founder learns to listen over selling, leading to engaged conversation at a coffee shop.
My Week of Active Listening, Part 2: Why Founders Need to Shut Up and Sell Less

Last week, I committed to a little experiment – listening more, talking less. It's been eye-opening, especially when it comes…

Case Studies
Founder at a party awkwardly avoids small talk, instead using a 'Deal Machine' to create win-win partnerships.
Dare to Deal – Part 1: The Networking Lie They Don’t Teach You in Law School

I get told all the time how "good at networking" I am. Big fundraising rounds, partnerships that seem to come…

Things I Read
Caricatures of tech moguls in a lab, showcasing the balance between obsession and success.
The Curse of Obsession: Lessons from Tech’s Most Driven (And Dangerous) Leaders

We're told to "follow our passion", that relentless focus is the key to greatness. But Robert Bruce Shaw's "All In"…

Things I Read
Bustling startup garage scene contrasted with a bureaucratic corporate lab, showcasing startups' advantage in innovation.
The Decline of Big R&D: What Startups Need to Know (And Do Differently)

Intro Recently, I read this article: https://worksinprogress.co/issue/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-american-rd-lab/ There's a lot of nostalgia for the glory days of Bell Labs and…

Experiment
My Week of Active Listening: What Worked, What REALLY Didn’t

Okay, confession time: I'm kind of a talker. I get excited about deals, about ideas, and sometimes I forget there's…

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Hello, I'm Trai Sasatavadhana. I'm a part strategist, part mentor, and an all-around catalyst for some of the most exciting ventures emerging in the market.

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