Science & Technology

A diverse team will make your startup more successful with Leah Solivan, Taskrabbit l Build Mode

If one thing has become clear this season, finding the right talent for your team isn’t as easy as picking from a pile of resumes This week’s guest is Leah Solivan, the founder of Taskrabbit and now an early-stage investor who has seen that the power to change a homogenous startup exosystem comes from empowering…

Published

6 months ago

April 2, 2026

CYBER TECH TV

From bootstrapping TaskRabbit on credit cards to scaling it into one of the defining companies of the gig economy, Leah learned firsthand that the hardest part of building a company isn’t the product, it’s selecting the right people to build it.

In this episode, Isabelle Johannessen and Leah unpack what it really takes to build diverse teams from day one and why most companies get it wrong by waiting too long. They also explore how the lack of diversity in venture capital directly shapes who gets funded, and ultimately, who gets hired.

Apply to Startup Battlefield: We are looking for early-stage companies that have an MVP. So nominate a founder (or yourself): techcrunch.com/apply. Be sure to say you heard about Startup Battlefield from the Build Mode podcast.

TechCrunch Disrupt: If you’re thinking about applying to Startup Battlefield, then October 13 to 15 in San Francisco, we’re back for TechCrunch Disrupt, where the Startup Battlefield 200 takes the stage. So if you want to cheer them on, or just network with 1000s of founders, VCs, and tech enthusiasts, then grab your tickets.

Use code buildmode15 for 15% off any ticket type.

Chapters:
00:00 The hard way to hire diverse talent
01:20 From engineer to Taskrabbit founder
03:39 The moment that sparked Taskrabbit
07:39 Why building teams is the hardest part
12:06 Learning how to hire from scratch
17:36 Why venture capital lacks diversity
27:25 How to build diverse teams from day one
39:42 What founders get wrong about competition

New episodes of Build Mode drop every Thursday. Hosted by Isabelle Johannessen. Produced and edited by Maggie Nye. Audience development led by Morgan Little. Special thanks to the Foundry and Cheddar video teams.

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3 Comments

@jameslobosco36

April 2, 2026 at 8:33 am

Diverse ? How about BEST QUALIFIED ?

Reply
- @adityamwagh
  
  April 2, 2026 at 4:26 pm
  
  You want a good balance of ego and talent. Best qualified and ego go hand in hand.
  
  Reply
@biswas316

April 2, 2026 at 8:46 am

So now talent and hard work doesn’t matter but diversity matter 🤣🤣🤣

Reply

Science & Technology

We could be heroes?

Could a genetic mutation ever cause humanity to develop super powers? Anthropologist Agustín Fuentes joins WIRED to answer the internet’s burning questions about human evolution. Still haven’t subscribed to WIRED on YouTube? ►► Listen to the Uncanny Valley podcast ►► Want more WIRED? Get the magazine ►► Follow WIRED: Instagram ►► Twitter ►► Facebook ►►…

Published

23 hours ago

September 15, 2026

CYBER TECH TV

Could a genetic mutation ever cause humanity to develop super powers? Anthropologist Agustín Fuentes joins WIRED to answer the internet’s burning questions about human evolution.

Still haven’t subscribed to WIRED on YouTube? ►►
Listen to the Uncanny Valley podcast ►►
Want more WIRED? Get the magazine ►►

Follow WIRED:
Instagram ►►
Twitter ►►
Facebook ►►
Tik Tok ►►

ABOUT WIRED
WIRED is where tomorrow is realized.

CNET

Valve Steam Frame: Hands On

It’s real and it’s here! CNET’s Scott Stein has been playing with it for the last three weeks, here’s what he has to say about it so far. #valve #steamframe #vr #foveatedrendering #vrheadset #pcgaming Add CNET as a trusted news source Never miss a deal again! See CNET’s browser extension 👉 Check out CNET’s Amazon…

Published

2 days ago

September 14, 2026

CYBER TECH TV

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CNET

Valve Steam Frame Is Here: How Good Is This VR Headset?

Part Steam Deck, part VR headset and, yes, it plays Half-Life Alyx. Here’s everything I’ve discovered so far. Read more about the Valve Steam Frame on CNET.com: Steam Frame, Reviewed: Valve’s Ambitious VR Headset Feels Like an Experiment in Progress Timecode Chapters: 0:00 Valve Steam Frame 0:33 A Portable Steam Deck For Your Face 0:57…

Published

2 days ago

September 14, 2026

CYBER TECH TV

Part Steam Deck, part VR headset and, yes, it plays Half-Life Alyx. Here’s everything I’ve discovered so far.

Read more about the Valve Steam Frame on CNET.com:
Steam Frame, Reviewed: Valve’s Ambitious VR Headset Feels Like an Experiment in Progress

Timecode Chapters:
0:00 Valve Steam Frame
0:33 A Portable Steam Deck For Your Face
0:57 Design
1:17 Ergonomic Pack
1:47 A Challenge for Glasses Wearers
2:19 Viewing Experience
3:09 Foveated Streaming
3:41 Standalone Features
4:11 VR and Processor
5:11 Half-Life: Alyx
5:54 Controller Covered in Sensors
6:43 Pass-Through Cameras
7:28 Modular Design
8:00 Linux and Customizability
8:18 Not All Games Will Work
8:50 How Is It As A Steam Deck
10:13 Early Products and Valve
11:00 Expect More Later
11:26 The Future of VR, Headsets and The Steam Frame

Video Credits:
Host: Scott Stein
Scripted by: Scott Stein
Producer: Numi Prasarn
Camera: Numi Prasarn
Video Editor: Mitch Chang
Thumbnail Designer: Cole Kan