2025: The stories you cared about most
As 2025 winds down, we’re reflecting on the stories that you, our founder community, connected with the most.
This year showcased extreme growth by companies leveraging AI to do things previously thought impossible. And with that, new leadership challenges arose for builders.
Here are the top ten stories of 2025 and some of our favorite moments from each:
Anyone can build by Lak Ananth
“[In today’s world], what's rare is the judgment, insight, and obsession required to build something that truly matters. Something that solves real problems in ways that feel both obvious and brilliant. In an era where anyone can ship code, the differentiator isn't access to tools but the builder's ability to see what others miss and execute with precision.”
Celebrating the top 100 European AI startups by Fred Ellis, T.J. Rylander, and Viraj Bajpai
“Great entrepreneurs are emerging in key talent centres worldwide, and Europe has already produced world-leading AI businesses due to exceptional engineering talent, world-class research institutions, deep industrial heritage, and a fast-spreading entrepreneurial mindset.
Some of the world’s most exciting AI companies with global ambitions are based in Europe. We believe this is just the start and that the quality, diversity, and ambition of the companies on this list give credence to the future strength of European AI.”
Mediocre teams kill great products by Lak Ananth
“The harsh truth is that mediocre teams don’t produce. Not at the level required to drive innovation. We’ve seen this across our portfolio and in the largest tech companies in the world: you can have the right strategy on paper, but if you’re having the same alignment conversations six months later, the problem is the people.
Innovation doesn’t die in a dramatic collapse. It dies in repetition. In ambiguity. In a subtle drift that nobody stops.
That’s why the most important early decision isn’t what to build—it’s who you build it with.”
Last-mile work is going away by Lak Ananth, Matthew Cowan, and Vivian Cheng
“Machine intelligence should automate mechanical execution while leaving judgment work to humans. [Founders should] build products that handle last-mile tasks so people can focus on what drives real business outcomes: trust, relationships, and strategic decisions.”
How to run an effective interview process by Vanessa Camozzi
“An effective process signals to candidates that you’re serious, thoughtful, and invested, not just in hiring them but in building the best team possible.
And remember: your employer brand is always on display, especially in early-stage hiring. A disorganized or poor process can be a big turnoff for top talent and even cause them to dissuade their network from interviewing with you.”
The case for seed funds by Jenny Graetzel, Jonathan Barek, and Lak Ananth
“The temptation of getting a large firm on your cap table early and hoping they stay in the boat is rapidly shifting. Today, the best founders increasingly optimize for stage fit and value alignment.
At the seed stage, that means choosing investors who treat your success as their core business, not as a hedged bet. It means surrounding yourself with people who know how to spot greatness at inception, not just in the rearview of metrics and growth curves.
The new generation of iconic companies will be built by founders who are deliberate about every layer of their journey, who choose partners that go deep, not wide, and who believe, as we do, that greatness starts at the product, not the pitch.”
The rise of bionic AI dev teams by Matthew Cowan
“When we talk about the AI revolution, the conversation usually centers on product functionality: smarter apps, better personalization, and new user experiences. But the deeper, and arguably more disruptive, change is happening beneath the surface, where software gets made.
We’re entering an era where AI native software development will define the new bar for speed, efficiency, and leverage. This is already happening.
At N47, we believe that embracing this model is no longer optional. It’s a prerequisite for survival.”
The future of machine intelligence by Lak Ananth and Igor Marinelli
“I do not tolerate managers who can’t identify problems or act once I identify them. If I have to point it out, it’s already too late for them. You either solve problems on your own, or you execute when told—that’s how we move fast.”
How great engineering teams actually scale by Wikings Machado and Kent Wills
“Product work is easy to connect to revenue. Infrastructure work isn’t, and without advocates, it gets deprioritized.”
Why your sales hire isn’t working by Lak Ananth
“The best product doesn’t sell itself. It takes a sales motion as inventive as the product itself, especially in the wild.
Hiring a zoo-trained seller into a wild market is like asking a safari guide to navigate the Amazon. They might have the right instincts, but they lack the training, tools, and mindset. And your startup can’t afford a mismatch.
So next time you’re hiring your “hunter,” go deeper. Dig into context. Because the difference between a good hire and a great one isn’t their stats—it’s how they earned them.”
Conclusion
Thank you for being part of our community this year! We’re excited to continue sharing resources and stories with you in 2026.
