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Democratising Generative AI: Jeevika Makani on Building TopRoad

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Manage episode 462799014 series 3611203
Content provided by DayOne.FM. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by DayOne.FM or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.

Episode Summary

In this episode of In the Blink of AI, host Georgie Healy interviews Jeevika Makani, co-founder of TopRoad and Y Combinator alum. Jeevika explains TopRoad’s mission to democratise AI by helping developers monetise custom GPTs in the OpenAI store. She reveals how “apps” (or GPTs) can offer more specialised functionality than ChatGPT alone, enabling end-to-end user experiences, like e-commerce fulfilment or streamlined travel planning. Jeevika also shares her experiences graduating from Y Combinator, discussing what founders need to succeed and why creating tangible value for users is more important than hype. Finally, she dives into the broader potential of AI, dispelling the notion that we’ve reached “peak” AI. According to Jeevika, the true AI revolution has only just begun.

Time Stamps

00:00 AI’s transformative impact: “We’re living through a knowledge revolution.”

00:37 Introduction: Georgie welcomes Jeevika and introduces TopRoad’s AI mission.

01:47 Origin of TopRoad: Pivoting in Jamaica, discovering the GPT store, and first GPT build.

03:32 Early product insights: Niche GPTs, monetisation gaps, and the developer experience.

05:14 The GPT store’s potential: Encouraging developers to build premium AI apps.

06:24 Y Combinator experience: Why authenticity and scrappiness matter for founders.

09:07 YC insights: Founders' resilience, pitching tips, and networking advantages.

11:45 Exploring TopRoad’s technical approach: Custom GPT actions and real-world examples.

18:07 Developer incentives: Monetisation models, compute costs, and app distribution challenges.

24:26 Democratising AI adoption: Personalised apps, vertical use cases, and user-friendly design.

29:03 Jeevika’s background: Building fintech in Nairobi and lessons for diverse founders.

36:02 Rapid Fire: Overhyped MBAs, favourite AI tools, and Microsoft Copilot skepticism.

41:16 Closing thoughts: AI’s untapped potential, staying optimistic, and TopRoad’s beta apps.

Resources Mentioned

Context Crafter

Description: A tool by TopRoad that connects FAQs or company-specific data to generate highly contextualised responses, streamlining customer support and professional communications like investor updates.

TopRoad’s GPT Builder Tools

Description: Developer tools that enable custom GPT apps with analytics, monetisation options, and marketing features. Designed to be no-code friendly and integrated with the OpenAI GPT store.

Basel III Global Banking Framework

Description: A global standard providing a framework for banking regulation and risk management, referenced for scaling AI apps targeting financial institutions.

Private Apps by TopRoad

Description: Beta tools, including personalised AI apps for writing and contextualised data integrations, created to improve developer productivity and simplify access for non-technical users.

In The Blink of A.I. is is part of Day One.

Day One helps founders and startup operators make better business decisions more often.

To learn more, join our newsletter to be notified of new In The Blink of AI episodes and upcoming shows.

Sponsors:

In The Blink of A.I. is supported by our wonderful sponsors:

Rocking Horse: Rocking Horse helps startups access their R&D tax rebate early. Get up to $3M in non-dilutive finance, solve cash flow challenges, and accelerate growth. Easy application, fast approval. Smart investment for innovative startups.

https://dayone.fm/rockinghorse

Mentioned in this episode:

PMB Trailer

PMB Trailer

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33 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 462799014 series 3611203
Content provided by DayOne.FM. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by DayOne.FM or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.

Episode Summary

In this episode of In the Blink of AI, host Georgie Healy interviews Jeevika Makani, co-founder of TopRoad and Y Combinator alum. Jeevika explains TopRoad’s mission to democratise AI by helping developers monetise custom GPTs in the OpenAI store. She reveals how “apps” (or GPTs) can offer more specialised functionality than ChatGPT alone, enabling end-to-end user experiences, like e-commerce fulfilment or streamlined travel planning. Jeevika also shares her experiences graduating from Y Combinator, discussing what founders need to succeed and why creating tangible value for users is more important than hype. Finally, she dives into the broader potential of AI, dispelling the notion that we’ve reached “peak” AI. According to Jeevika, the true AI revolution has only just begun.

Time Stamps

00:00 AI’s transformative impact: “We’re living through a knowledge revolution.”

00:37 Introduction: Georgie welcomes Jeevika and introduces TopRoad’s AI mission.

01:47 Origin of TopRoad: Pivoting in Jamaica, discovering the GPT store, and first GPT build.

03:32 Early product insights: Niche GPTs, monetisation gaps, and the developer experience.

05:14 The GPT store’s potential: Encouraging developers to build premium AI apps.

06:24 Y Combinator experience: Why authenticity and scrappiness matter for founders.

09:07 YC insights: Founders' resilience, pitching tips, and networking advantages.

11:45 Exploring TopRoad’s technical approach: Custom GPT actions and real-world examples.

18:07 Developer incentives: Monetisation models, compute costs, and app distribution challenges.

24:26 Democratising AI adoption: Personalised apps, vertical use cases, and user-friendly design.

29:03 Jeevika’s background: Building fintech in Nairobi and lessons for diverse founders.

36:02 Rapid Fire: Overhyped MBAs, favourite AI tools, and Microsoft Copilot skepticism.

41:16 Closing thoughts: AI’s untapped potential, staying optimistic, and TopRoad’s beta apps.

Resources Mentioned

Context Crafter

Description: A tool by TopRoad that connects FAQs or company-specific data to generate highly contextualised responses, streamlining customer support and professional communications like investor updates.

TopRoad’s GPT Builder Tools

Description: Developer tools that enable custom GPT apps with analytics, monetisation options, and marketing features. Designed to be no-code friendly and integrated with the OpenAI GPT store.

Basel III Global Banking Framework

Description: A global standard providing a framework for banking regulation and risk management, referenced for scaling AI apps targeting financial institutions.

Private Apps by TopRoad

Description: Beta tools, including personalised AI apps for writing and contextualised data integrations, created to improve developer productivity and simplify access for non-technical users.

In The Blink of A.I. is is part of Day One.

Day One helps founders and startup operators make better business decisions more often.

To learn more, join our newsletter to be notified of new In The Blink of AI episodes and upcoming shows.

Sponsors:

In The Blink of A.I. is supported by our wonderful sponsors:

Rocking Horse: Rocking Horse helps startups access their R&D tax rebate early. Get up to $3M in non-dilutive finance, solve cash flow challenges, and accelerate growth. Easy application, fast approval. Smart investment for innovative startups.

https://dayone.fm/rockinghorse

Mentioned in this episode:

PMB Trailer

PMB Trailer

  continue reading

33 episodes

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