# Mission Before Startup: Gokul Rajaram’s Playbook for Founders

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/minus-one-6971941/mission-before-startup-gokul-rajaram-s-playbook-for-founders
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/minus-one-6971941/mission-before-startup-gokul-rajaram-s-playbook-for-founders.md
Podcast: [Minus One](https://stenobird.com/podcast/minus-one-6971941)
Published: 2025-12-11T14:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/minus-one-spc/episodes/Mission-Before-Startup-Gokul-Rajarams-Playbook-for-Founders-e3c737d
Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/f91eac68/podcast/play/112478893/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2025-11-11%2F414188672-44100-2-7d7963aec4b0e.mp3
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Duration seconds: 2432

## Resource

Having been a key part of building Google and Meta, and helping scale DoorDash and Block, Gokul Rajaram joins Aditya Agarwal to share his principles and patterns for deciding what’s truly worth building. Together, they draw on real stories from Silicon Valley and reflect on what it will take to unlock India’s deep tech potential. The investor gives crucial insight into the mindset, the team, and the personal qualities required to build meaningfully in the age of AI. Apply to SPC: https://www.southparkcommons.com/apply Connect with us: 1. Gokul Rajaram - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gokulrajaram1/ 2. Aditya Agarwal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adityaagarwal3/ 3. South Park Commons - https://www.linkedin.com/company/southparkcommons/ 00:00 Trailer 01:00 Introduction 03:42 The Importance of Passion in Startups 08:27 The Role of Serendipity in Finding a Mission 12:01 User Storytelling vs. User Research 18:24 The Obsession of Great Founders 28:44 The Evolution of AI and Its Impact on Startups 38:23 The Future of AI in the Physical World

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## Transcript

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