The New Founder Playbook in the Age of AI

AI is changing how startups are built. It’s also changing what great founders look like.

In Ep#11 of Angels Decoded, Cheryl Kellond and Andy Walsh explore why the traditional traits investors look for in founders may no longer be enough in the AI era.

While grit, adaptability, and resourcefulness still matter, founders today face a new layer of responsibility: understanding how AI can remove friction, unlock new capabilities, and reshape how teams build and scale.

This episode unpacks how AI is raising the ceiling for startups, why tinkering and experimentation are becoming core founder skills, and the questions investors should be asking to identify founders who can thrive in this new environment.

Topics covered:
• Founder traits in the age of AI
• How AI changes startup building and scaling
• Why “tinkering” is a new founder skill
• The difference between hype and real AI advantage
• Questions investors should ask founders about AI

AI won’t magically create great founders.

But it will amplify the ones who know how to use it.

Andy Walsh2x exited founder and host of Startups Decoded (Top 2% globally). Andy helps founders sharpen judgment and build companies through practical experience and operator insight.

Cheryl Kellond
Founder of Play Money and active angel investor. Cheryl focuses on democratizing angel investing and helping new investors build diversified portfolios while supporting founders with practical guidance and community.

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