Founder Weekly (Issue 692 July 9 2025)

Welcome to issue 692 of Founder Weekly. Let's get straight to the links this week.

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General

The 10-minute AGI-proof stress test

Will your startup survive the next model drop?

Emerging Playbooks For The Vertical AI Era

Vertical SaaS is evolving into Vertical AI, where startups use industry-specific AI to automate high-impact workflows. Common playbooks include business-in-a-box, workflow automation, dev shop models, and voice-AI wedges tailored to buyer type and ACV.

Why I Disagree With Sequoia's Thesis on AI

The App Layer will not be the best place to make money.

Where’s my AI banker?

Why financial services is lagging on AI adoption.

Marketing, Sales and PR

How Granola Grows

Dissecting the 10% Weekly Growth of Every VCs Favorite Notetaking App.

You should be playing with AI agents for marketing

Inside a marketing org with no marketers, just 40 AI agents.

Does Being Mentioned on Highly Linked Pages Influence AI Mentions?

The article analyzes whether being mentioned on highly linked web pages increases a brand’s visibility in AI-generated content, finding a strong correlation for Google AI Overviews, a moderate one for Perplexity, and a very weak correlation for ChatGPT. This suggests that Google and Perplexity favor brands mentioned on authoritative pages, while ChatGPT relies less on such signals.

Money and Finance

The New Fundraising Playbook: Seed-Strapping

Why AI is fueling seed-strapping; when it works and when it doesn't.

Is the “Conviction” Game in VC Is BS?

The Math Behind Why Most VCs Should Diversify, Not Double Down.

VCs Are In a Love-Hate Relationship With the Model Layer

The article explores venture capitalists’ complex “love-hate” relationship with the Model Layer in AI startups, highlighting both their enthusiasm for its potential and their frustration with its challenges and unpredictability. It discusses how this tension shapes investment decisions and the broader dynamics between VCs and AI companies.