Happy hump day world changers! Welcome back to the Leaderboard. In today's issue, we're diving into anapp built for true yappers, Google's answer to Sora, an AI for all you tab hoarders, and of course, the top products.
Waffles: An ephemeral voice messaging app for friends
While I do love a good Eggo, "waffling" here means posting a 60-second voice message with an optional picture—and I kind of love it. I already prefer voice memos over long texts and often wear headphones, so listening to messages without disrupting my workflow is a win. Waffles feels like a blend of Airchat and Instagram, combining voice memos with private photo updates in one neat platform. That said, I’m skeptical about its chances—there are just too many apps these days, and convincing friends and family to join is a hassle. Still, I hope it takes off or evolves. The idea of a crisp voice update paired with a picture in a private feed sounds pretty great.
Google Veo 2: Google's state of the art video generation model
A state-of-the-art video generation modelThere’s been a lot of talk recently about Google’s impending demise. Will ChatGPT be the search killer? Is Google too overrun by bureaucrats to still ship cutting-edge product? Veo 2 suggests the answer is a resounding “no” — at least for now. Its ultra-realistic renderings of biomechanics and visual textures put OpenAI’s Sora to shame and set a dramatic new standard in AI video generation. Looks like Goliath's still got it.
Findr: An AI-powered second brain for organizing files
Findr wants to be the brain we all wish we had—organizing your notes, bookmarks, and files, and letting you recall them through a chat interface like you’re talking to your own memory assistant. The idea of asking, “Where’s that article I saved last month?” and actually getting an answer feels like magic. But let’s be real: adding another tool to my stack always sounds good until it quietly fades into the background. If Findr can avoid that fate and truly deliver on making my scattered thoughts searchable, it might just be the one I stick with.
In an era where AI is reshaping how businesses operate, the journey of building an early-stage startup has never been more dynamic—or complex. How do founders navigate finding product-market fit, delegation, and scaling, all while adapting to technological innovations?
Join on January 14 at 3 pm PT for a fireside chat with Christina Cacioppo, CEO and Co-founder of Vanta, and Eric Ries, author of The Lean Startup and Founder of LTSE, as they explore the journey of the modern startup founder.
Eric and Christina will discuss: