$215M AI CEO: How I’d Build a Profitable AI Startup in 30 Days (2026 Playbook)

$215M AI CEO: How I’d Build a Profitable AI Startup in 30 Days (2026 Playbook)

37:22 Jan 5, 2026
About this episode
Young Zhao is the CEO of OpusClip, one of the fastest-growing AI tools with 50M users and a $215M valuation.In this episode of Silicon Valley Girl, Marina Mogilko talks with Young about how he built a profitable AI startup after multiple failed attempts. They break down a realistic 2026 playbook for founders — how to find a problem worth solving, when to pivot, how to get your first users, and how to think about pricing and unit economics early.A practical conversation for founders, solopreneurs, and anyone serious about building an AI startup that actually makes money.
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