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The 7-Failure Rule: How Forethought AI Found Product-Market Fit with Co-Founder Deon Nicholas

Forethought AI co-founder Deon Nicholas shares how he built a company that puts customers (not hype) at the center. In this episode of Build Mode, he unpacks his “7-Failure Rule,” the early experiments that shaped Forethought’s success, and why conviction should always come from your users, not your investors. 00:00 Intro 01:23 The Founder Journey:…

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7 months ago

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Forethought AI co-founder Deon Nicholas shares how he built a company that puts customers (not hype) at the center. In this episode of Build Mode, he unpacks his “7-Failure Rule,” the early experiments that shaped Forethought’s success, and why conviction should always come from your users, not your investors.

00:00 Intro
01:23 The Founder Journey: Adapting Every 6-9 Months
05:33 From AI Research to Solving Business Problems
11:12 Finding Your Customer: The Importance of User Conversations
18:22 Building Demos and Landing First Paying Customers
25:12 The Seven Failure Rule for Product Market Fit
30:38 Preparing for and Winning TechCrunch Disrupt
35:16 The Reality of Fundraising and Chasing Metrics
39:07 Navigating Competition in Customer Service AI
43:03 Stepping into Chairman and What’s Next
44:57 Outro

From the episode:
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New episodes of Build Mode drop every Thursday. Isabelle Johannessen is our host. Build Mode is produced and edited by Maggie Nye. Audience Development is led by Morgan Little. And a special thanks to the Foundry and Cheddar video teams.

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CNET

The US Government Doesn’t Want You to Buy This Car

Xpeng brought Mashable reporter Amanda Yeo to China to experience the new VLA 2.0 autonomous driving model inside its P7 electric vehicle. 0:00 The Car the US Government Doesn’t Want You to Buy 0:18 Meet XPENG: China’s High-Tech Tesla Rival 0:39 How VLA 2.0 Autonomous Driving Works 1:43 Stress Testing Self-Driving in Hectic Traffic 2:21…

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1 day ago

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June 14, 2026

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Xpeng brought Mashable reporter Amanda Yeo to China to experience the new VLA 2.0 autonomous driving model inside its P7 electric vehicle.

0:00 The Car the US Government Doesn’t Want You to Buy
0:18 Meet XPENG: China’s High-Tech Tesla Rival
0:39 How VLA 2.0 Autonomous Driving Works
1:43 Stress Testing Self-Driving in Hectic Traffic
2:21 The Challenge of “Corner Cases” in Autonomy
2:43 Hands-Free Self-Parking Demo
3:00 Heads-Up Display and Interior Tech
3:24 XPENG’s Personal Flying Machines
4:22 Why Chinese EVs are Banned in the US

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#xpeng #electricvehicle #automobile #car #electricvehicle #china

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CNET

How to Get Free 3D Files for Adaptive Xbox Controller Parts

Xbox dropped complementary, 3D printable files in on its Xbox Design Lab site for users to customize and create their own adaptive thumbstick toppers (if you have access to a 3D printer, anyway). There are seven customizable shapes compatible with the standard Xbox wireless controller and the Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, plus the Xbox…

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2 days ago

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June 13, 2026

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Xbox dropped complementary, 3D printable files in on its Xbox Design Lab site for users to customize and create their own adaptive thumbstick toppers (if you have access to a 3D printer, anyway). There are seven customizable shapes compatible with the standard Xbox wireless controller and the Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, plus the Xbox Adaptive Joystick. CNET senior writer Antuan Goodwin tried them out. #xbox #adaptivegaming #accessibility #controllers #gaming

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CNET

Hiding the iPad? New Apple Parental Controls Can Help

Although certain child restrictions aren’t new at Apple, the company is expanding its parental controls and working with the American Academy of Pediatrics to learn more about digital guidelines for children, the company announced at WWDC 2026. Here are a few we demoed. #apple #wwdc #ipad #childsafety #screentime

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3 days ago

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June 12, 2026

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Although certain child restrictions aren’t new at Apple, the company is expanding its parental controls and working with the American Academy of Pediatrics to learn more about digital guidelines for children, the company announced at WWDC 2026. Here are a few we demoed. #apple #wwdc #ipad #childsafety #screentime

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