Alex Konrad
@alexrkonrad.bsky.social
Founder and editor of @upstarts.bsky.social, a tech publication focused on the startup ecosystem. Previously Forbes senior editor. Email: [email protected]
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Alex Konrad
@alexrkonrad.bsky.social
· Mar 25
I am thrilled to announce the launch of my new tech media brand, Upstarts Media 🎉
Upstarts will focus on the startup ecosystem, from inception through IPO 📈
We launch a twice-weekly Upstarts newsletter next week. Video, podcast, and events to follow!
Read more: open.substack.com/pub/upstarts...
Upstarts will focus on the startup ecosystem, from inception through IPO 📈
We launch a twice-weekly Upstarts newsletter next week. Video, podcast, and events to follow!
Read more: open.substack.com/pub/upstarts...
When you sign up but don’t go to the event
November 24, 2025 at 6:37 PM
When you sign up but don’t go to the event
“Our mission is to program biology, to steer it using AI to cure disease."
Startup founder Ali Madani is training his own AI models to fight disease at Profluent, using what he says is the world's largest protein dataset.
Now he's raised $106M to scale. Our @upstarts.bsky.social interview 👇
Startup founder Ali Madani is training his own AI models to fight disease at Profluent, using what he says is the world's largest protein dataset.
Now he's raised $106M to scale. Our @upstarts.bsky.social interview 👇
Protein Diet: Inside The Bezos-Backed Biotech Training AI To Fight Disease
Profluent CEO Ali Madani has raised $106M from Altimeter and Jeff Bezos to generate drug-boosting molecules from new AI models built with the world's largest protein dataset.
www.upstartsmedia.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:47 PM
“Our mission is to program biology, to steer it using AI to cure disease."
Startup founder Ali Madani is training his own AI models to fight disease at Profluent, using what he says is the world's largest protein dataset.
Now he's raised $106M to scale. Our @upstarts.bsky.social interview 👇
Startup founder Ali Madani is training his own AI models to fight disease at Profluent, using what he says is the world's largest protein dataset.
Now he's raised $106M to scale. Our @upstarts.bsky.social interview 👇
Target partnering with OpenAI is smart, but doesn't go far enough. The people obviously want in-store promotions on Nvidia Blackwell GPUs
November 19, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Target partnering with OpenAI is smart, but doesn't go far enough. The people obviously want in-store promotions on Nvidia Blackwell GPUs
The temptation to skip the work drinks and just hang out inside the Lego Store
November 18, 2025 at 10:48 PM
The temptation to skip the work drinks and just hang out inside the Lego Store
Exclusive: Span, a startup building a new-look 'developer intelligence' platform for the AI code era, has raised $25M.
Led by Lattice's former head of product J Zac Stein, Span already helps companies like Braze, Intercom, Ramp, Vanta and Writer keep track of their engineering and AI tool usage.
Led by Lattice's former head of product J Zac Stein, Span already helps companies like Braze, Intercom, Ramp, Vanta and Writer keep track of their engineering and AI tool usage.
This Startup Can Track If Your AI Code Is Worth It
Span's 'developer intelligence' software helps Ramp and Vanta track how engineers spend their time, and which AI code editors they use. Now it's raised $25M from Craft Ventures and 100+ tech execs.
www.upstartsmedia.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Exclusive: Span, a startup building a new-look 'developer intelligence' platform for the AI code era, has raised $25M.
Led by Lattice's former head of product J Zac Stein, Span already helps companies like Braze, Intercom, Ramp, Vanta and Writer keep track of their engineering and AI tool usage.
Led by Lattice's former head of product J Zac Stein, Span already helps companies like Braze, Intercom, Ramp, Vanta and Writer keep track of their engineering and AI tool usage.
“Now the object is to accumulate Cones. Or Cones Wins. But, in order to get a Cone, you have to build a civilization…
Are the Cones a metaphor? Well, yes and no.”
Are the Cones a metaphor? Well, yes and no.”
November 15, 2025 at 11:38 PM
“Now the object is to accumulate Cones. Or Cones Wins. But, in order to get a Cone, you have to build a civilization…
Are the Cones a metaphor? Well, yes and no.”
Are the Cones a metaphor? Well, yes and no.”
someday i will be able to say or write the phrase "my wife" without a little voice shouting it in my head
today is not that day though
today is not that day though
November 13, 2025 at 10:37 PM
someday i will be able to say or write the phrase "my wife" without a little voice shouting it in my head
today is not that day though
today is not that day though
Our CEO spent too long at a VC dinner tonight (we’re not even raising!) so the @upstarts.bsky.social social media manager decided to learn a new skill.
November 13, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Our CEO spent too long at a VC dinner tonight (we’re not even raising!) so the @upstarts.bsky.social social media manager decided to learn a new skill.
One benefit of OpenAI going public would be more transparency around its revenue and inference spend.
If numbers shared by @edzitron.com this AM are legit, there's a disconnect between what's widely reported and what can be reproduced from its Microsoft deal $ sums.
www.wheresyoured.at/oai_docs/
If numbers shared by @edzitron.com this AM are legit, there's a disconnect between what's widely reported and what can be reproduced from its Microsoft deal $ sums.
www.wheresyoured.at/oai_docs/
Exclusive: Here's How Much OpenAI Spends On Inference and Its Revenue Share With Microsoft
As with my Anthropic exclusive from a few weeks ago, though this feels like a natural premium piece, I decided it was better to publish on my free one so that you could all enjoy it. If you liked or f...
www.wheresyoured.at
November 12, 2025 at 4:55 PM
One benefit of OpenAI going public would be more transparency around its revenue and inference spend.
If numbers shared by @edzitron.com this AM are legit, there's a disconnect between what's widely reported and what can be reproduced from its Microsoft deal $ sums.
www.wheresyoured.at/oai_docs/
If numbers shared by @edzitron.com this AM are legit, there's a disconnect between what's widely reported and what can be reproduced from its Microsoft deal $ sums.
www.wheresyoured.at/oai_docs/
Reposted by Alex Konrad
Just caught up with @alexrkonrad.bsky.social, founder of Upstarts Media, which launched earlier this year and has built a big fan base among tech industry insiders. Terrific follow if you want the inside scoop on trends, personalities, and innovation in the tech ecosystem bsky.app/profile/alex...
"People thought it was insane." Now women's health startup Gameto has helped with 9 healthy births and raised $127M to date.
CEO Dina Radenkovic Turner spoke with
@upstarts.bsky.social about her startup's plans to take on menopause and ovarian health next.
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/exclusive-...
CEO Dina Radenkovic Turner spoke with
@upstarts.bsky.social about her startup's plans to take on menopause and ovarian health next.
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/exclusive-...
November 11, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Just caught up with @alexrkonrad.bsky.social, founder of Upstarts Media, which launched earlier this year and has built a big fan base among tech industry insiders. Terrific follow if you want the inside scoop on trends, personalities, and innovation in the tech ecosystem bsky.app/profile/alex...
Exclusive: SuperMe, a startup building a new-look AI expert network, has launched with $6.8M in funding and 3K profiles onboard.
CEO Casey Winters says they're tackling a simple problem: “How do you share the knowledge sitting in the heads of top 1% people?”
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/superme-la...
CEO Casey Winters says they're tackling a simple problem: “How do you share the knowledge sitting in the heads of top 1% people?”
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/superme-la...
November 11, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Exclusive: SuperMe, a startup building a new-look AI expert network, has launched with $6.8M in funding and 3K profiles onboard.
CEO Casey Winters says they're tackling a simple problem: “How do you share the knowledge sitting in the heads of top 1% people?”
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/superme-la...
CEO Casey Winters says they're tackling a simple problem: “How do you share the knowledge sitting in the heads of top 1% people?”
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/superme-la...
"People thought it was insane." Now women's health startup Gameto has helped with 9 healthy births and raised $127M to date.
CEO Dina Radenkovic Turner spoke with
@upstarts.bsky.social about her startup's plans to take on menopause and ovarian health next.
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/exclusive-...
CEO Dina Radenkovic Turner spoke with
@upstarts.bsky.social about her startup's plans to take on menopause and ovarian health next.
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/exclusive-...
November 10, 2025 at 5:44 PM
"People thought it was insane." Now women's health startup Gameto has helped with 9 healthy births and raised $127M to date.
CEO Dina Radenkovic Turner spoke with
@upstarts.bsky.social about her startup's plans to take on menopause and ovarian health next.
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/exclusive-...
CEO Dina Radenkovic Turner spoke with
@upstarts.bsky.social about her startup's plans to take on menopause and ovarian health next.
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/exclusive-...
Of the age now where I got a good back crack getting out of bed, and I’ll now be thinking about it all day
November 7, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Of the age now where I got a good back crack getting out of bed, and I’ll now be thinking about it all day
Would you trust a drone security system at your business if it cost one-tenth the price of a guard?
Sunflower Labs seems smart for big footprint worksites — but it’s the startup’s turnaround from near-death that made me interested in covering its new round led by Sequoia in @upstarts.bsky.social.
Sunflower Labs seems smart for big footprint worksites — but it’s the startup’s turnaround from near-death that made me interested in covering its new round led by Sequoia in @upstarts.bsky.social.
His Drone Security Startup Almost Crashed. Now Sequoia's Investing $16M.
Sunflower Labs CEO Alex Pachikov's startup almost went under during the pandemic. Now his autonomous drone system cuts security costs at commercial sites and high-net-worth homes.
www.upstartsmedia.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Would you trust a drone security system at your business if it cost one-tenth the price of a guard?
Sunflower Labs seems smart for big footprint worksites — but it’s the startup’s turnaround from near-death that made me interested in covering its new round led by Sequoia in @upstarts.bsky.social.
Sunflower Labs seems smart for big footprint worksites — but it’s the startup’s turnaround from near-death that made me interested in covering its new round led by Sequoia in @upstarts.bsky.social.
My trusty wooden umbrella of the past 16 years did not survive today's windy rain in NYC 😭
Farewell, umbrella friend, you made it through 2 years of college, being momentarily forgotten at countless parties and dive bars, and at least 4 apartment moves. Stay dry in the sky 🫡
Farewell, umbrella friend, you made it through 2 years of college, being momentarily forgotten at countless parties and dive bars, and at least 4 apartment moves. Stay dry in the sky 🫡
October 30, 2025 at 7:23 PM
My trusty wooden umbrella of the past 16 years did not survive today's windy rain in NYC 😭
Farewell, umbrella friend, you made it through 2 years of college, being momentarily forgotten at countless parties and dive bars, and at least 4 apartment moves. Stay dry in the sky 🫡
Farewell, umbrella friend, you made it through 2 years of college, being momentarily forgotten at countless parties and dive bars, and at least 4 apartment moves. Stay dry in the sky 🫡
Many startups have tried and failed to solve the "tar pit" of a personal CRM for better keeping in touch with contacts.
So I'm genuinely excited to try Goodword, a new app that launched today. It uses AI to better track connections, but requires a human touch.
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/goodword-a...
So I'm genuinely excited to try Goodword, a new app that launched today. It uses AI to better track connections, but requires a human touch.
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/goodword-a...
Can AI Help To Restore The Art Of Networking?
Chief alum Caroline Dell's new startup Goodword, which combines AI insights with a personal touch, is launching with $4 million in funding led by Human Ventures to find out.
www.upstartsmedia.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Many startups have tried and failed to solve the "tar pit" of a personal CRM for better keeping in touch with contacts.
So I'm genuinely excited to try Goodword, a new app that launched today. It uses AI to better track connections, but requires a human touch.
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/goodword-a...
So I'm genuinely excited to try Goodword, a new app that launched today. It uses AI to better track connections, but requires a human touch.
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/goodword-a...
Reposted by Alex Konrad
My TikTok book is out in stores today!
Why should you read it? Because 1 in 5 Americans now get their news from this thing. We should all understand how it works.
It was inevitable that strongmen would seek to control a tool this powerful. The book is the story of what happened when they did.
Why should you read it? Because 1 in 5 Americans now get their news from this thing. We should all understand how it works.
It was inevitable that strongmen would seek to control a tool this powerful. The book is the story of what happened when they did.
The rise of the most effective attention-algorithm ever invented, and the superpower struggle to control it.
EVERY SCREEN ON THE PLANET: THE WAR OVER TIKTOK by Emily Baker-White.
In Stores 9.30.25.
wwnorton.com/books/every-...
EVERY SCREEN ON THE PLANET: THE WAR OVER TIKTOK by Emily Baker-White.
In Stores 9.30.25.
wwnorton.com/books/every-...
September 30, 2025 at 11:40 AM
My TikTok book is out in stores today!
Why should you read it? Because 1 in 5 Americans now get their news from this thing. We should all understand how it works.
It was inevitable that strongmen would seek to control a tool this powerful. The book is the story of what happened when they did.
Why should you read it? Because 1 in 5 Americans now get their news from this thing. We should all understand how it works.
It was inevitable that strongmen would seek to control a tool this powerful. The book is the story of what happened when they did.
Really enjoyed this chat with the great @hunterwalk.com about what we're building at @upstarts.bsky.social as we approach our 6 month mark.
Feedback includes:
"You are SUCH a nerd my god" 🤓
and
"You really nailed the balance of promo + substance here!" 😂
Feedback includes:
"You are SUCH a nerd my god" 🤓
and
"You really nailed the balance of promo + substance here!" 😂
Tech Reporter Alex Konrad on Going Independent with Upstarts, What Drives Subscribers (vs Just Views) and How He Uses AI in His Content Creation
Got to know Alex while he was at Forbes, a tenure which basically made him one of, if not *the*, go-to reporters for exclusives launches and fund announcements. As a result of our friendship, I kne…
hunterwalk.com
September 17, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Really enjoyed this chat with the great @hunterwalk.com about what we're building at @upstarts.bsky.social as we approach our 6 month mark.
Feedback includes:
"You are SUCH a nerd my god" 🤓
and
"You really nailed the balance of promo + substance here!" 😂
Feedback includes:
"You are SUCH a nerd my god" 🤓
and
"You really nailed the balance of promo + substance here!" 😂
When I still worked at Forbes, I'd annoy our IT helpdesk by filing tickets to update Signal and WhatsApp seemingly every week.
One-year-old startup Console, which just raised $23M, uses AI agents to automate away basic IT requests like that.
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/console-ai...
One-year-old startup Console, which just raised $23M, uses AI agents to automate away basic IT requests like that.
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/console-ai...
September 16, 2025 at 4:05 PM
When I still worked at Forbes, I'd annoy our IT helpdesk by filing tickets to update Signal and WhatsApp seemingly every week.
One-year-old startup Console, which just raised $23M, uses AI agents to automate away basic IT requests like that.
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/console-ai...
One-year-old startup Console, which just raised $23M, uses AI agents to automate away basic IT requests like that.
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/console-ai...
When Margot was a puppy, she tried to say hi to a skunk and got sprayed pretty bad. Years later, she still freaks out when she sees black and white dogs.
Which raises an important question: does she think the dogs are skunks, or that skunks are just a spooky kind of dog 🤔
Which raises an important question: does she think the dogs are skunks, or that skunks are just a spooky kind of dog 🤔
September 16, 2025 at 2:45 PM
When Margot was a puppy, she tried to say hi to a skunk and got sprayed pretty bad. Years later, she still freaks out when she sees black and white dogs.
Which raises an important question: does she think the dogs are skunks, or that skunks are just a spooky kind of dog 🤔
Which raises an important question: does she think the dogs are skunks, or that skunks are just a spooky kind of dog 🤔
— Scene: outside a fancy new Brooklyn high rise, 1pm —
Broker [suit, clipboard in hand]: sir, do you have an appointment?
Me [gym clothes, stomping on 50 spotted lanternflies]: no, just getting my steps in!
Broker [suit, clipboard in hand]: sir, do you have an appointment?
Me [gym clothes, stomping on 50 spotted lanternflies]: no, just getting my steps in!
September 13, 2025 at 5:33 PM
— Scene: outside a fancy new Brooklyn high rise, 1pm —
Broker [suit, clipboard in hand]: sir, do you have an appointment?
Me [gym clothes, stomping on 50 spotted lanternflies]: no, just getting my steps in!
Broker [suit, clipboard in hand]: sir, do you have an appointment?
Me [gym clothes, stomping on 50 spotted lanternflies]: no, just getting my steps in!
Chatted with Klarna's CEO from NYSE during their IPO week.
We talked about what he learned from IKEA and Walmart, Klarna's evolving mission, his stance on crypto, personally vibe coding fixes for bad customer text messages, handling CEO pressure and much more.
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/klarna-ceo...
We talked about what he learned from IKEA and Walmart, Klarna's evolving mission, his stance on crypto, personally vibe coding fixes for bad customer text messages, handling CEO pressure and much more.
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/klarna-ceo...
September 12, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Chatted with Klarna's CEO from NYSE during their IPO week.
We talked about what he learned from IKEA and Walmart, Klarna's evolving mission, his stance on crypto, personally vibe coding fixes for bad customer text messages, handling CEO pressure and much more.
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/klarna-ceo...
We talked about what he learned from IKEA and Walmart, Klarna's evolving mission, his stance on crypto, personally vibe coding fixes for bad customer text messages, handling CEO pressure and much more.
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/klarna-ceo...
Tech legend Jack Dangermond founded Esri in 1969. Now 80 years young and with a net worth of $10B+, he's still "all in" on his company and global mission.
@upstarts.bsky.social spent an hour with Jack this week for one of our best interviews yet, full of lessons on startup-building and life.
@upstarts.bsky.social spent an hour with Jack this week for one of our best interviews yet, full of lessons on startup-building and life.
Esri Founder Jack Dangermond's 'Secrets' To Building A Legendary Business
The 80-year-old software billionaire shares startup and life lessons that have kept him "all in" while running a high-impact global business for 50+ years.
www.upstartsmedia.com
August 28, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Tech legend Jack Dangermond founded Esri in 1969. Now 80 years young and with a net worth of $10B+, he's still "all in" on his company and global mission.
@upstarts.bsky.social spent an hour with Jack this week for one of our best interviews yet, full of lessons on startup-building and life.
@upstarts.bsky.social spent an hour with Jack this week for one of our best interviews yet, full of lessons on startup-building and life.