S1E5: Nicolas Hourcard, Co-founder @ QuestDB
Venture Passport
The show is co-hosted by two VCs, Jack Richardson, and Richard Armstrong, exploring the inner workings behind the creation of thriving tech unicorns, showcasing conversations with leading pioneers and visionaries in the global startup arena.
Richard ArmstrongJack Richardson
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PodcastAI

S1E5: Nicolas Hourcard, Co-founder @ QuestDB

S1 E5 • May 8, 2023 • 34 mins

In this episode, Jack Richardson sits down with Nicholas Wukal to explore the journey behind Quest DB. Nicholas shares his background and the inception of Quest DB, highlighting the growing importance of time series data and its diverse applications. The conversation delves into the fundraising challenges faced in the US versus Europe and the critical role of early product iterations and customer feedback. Nicholas reflects on his Y Combinator experience and the support received post-YC. The discussion also covers strategies for engaging developers, the significance of a public roadmap, and the impact of angel investors. The episode concludes with insights into board control, leadership, and lessons for first-time founders.

Key Points

  • Building an open-source time series database from scratch to solve industry-specific bottlenecks can lead to widespread adoption across various sectors beyond financial services.
  • YC's structured yet flexible support system, including weekly accountability and access to a community of experienced founders, can significantly accelerate a startup's growth and learning curve.
  • A clear monetization strategy and path to revenue are crucial for open-source startups, especially in the current investment climate where demonstrating potential financial returns is increasingly important.
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