15 Best Startup Podcasts Every Founder Should Listen To

Man with headphones listening to podcast.

The popularity of podcasts has grown dramatically in recent years. Fortunately for startup founders, there is a substantial amount of startup and business-related podcasts. But, how do you find the right one for you? We’ve got you covered. 

Whether you’re a startup founder or a startup enthusiast — these startup podcasts are bound to inspire, entertain, and educate you on everything you need to know about the startup world.

Best Startup Podcasts to Listen to in 2023

We think what makes a startup podcast great is insight, credibility, and a healthy dose of entertainment. These are the best startup podcasts to listen to in 2023.

1. Masters of Scale

About

Masters of Scale is hosted by Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn and currently an investor at Greylock, a venture-capital firm. Considered by many to be an absolutely essential podcast for entrepreneurs and startup founders, Masters of Scale boasts a lineup of interviews with some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world from Mark Zuckerberg to Peter Thiel. The focus of this podcast is rapid-growth, venture-backed startups and strategies to reach optimal success. 

Best For:

  • Tech startup founders
  • Growth-oriented startups

2. How I Built This

About

A podcast by NPR, How I Built This is an interview-based podcast that aims to tell the stories of how innovators and entrepreneurs built their successful startups. From the founders of Chipotle to VICE, this podcast boasts an all-star lineup of influential entrepreneurs that will undoubtedly give listeners some noteworthy advice.

Best For:

  • Aspiring entrepreneurs
  • Startup enthusiasts

3. Startup Savant

About

Startup Savant, a podcast by award-winning media company TRUiC (The Really Useful Information Company), features empowering interviews with startup founders disrupting a variety of industries. From authentic entrepreneurial stories and insights to expert industry advice, this podcast has it all for startup enthusiasts everywhere. Get an inside perspective into the startup sphere by subscribing to the Startup Savant podcast today!

Best For:

  • Startup enthusiasts
  • Aspiring startup founders

4. Mixergy

With close to 2,000 interviews aired on the podcast, Mixergy is an excellent source of content for entrepreneurs and startup enthusiasts alike. Not only does host Andrew Warner choose a variety of entrepreneurs to interview, but the questions also aren’t like your typical interview questions. The aim of this podcast is to provide a different view into the startup world; providing insight you might not have heard before. 

Best For:

  • Aspiring entrepreneurs 
  • New startup founders

5. Recode Decode With Kara Swisher

About

Everything you want to know about tech startups and the people who founded them can be found on Re/code Decode, the podcast hosted by tech journalist Kara Swisher. This podcast, brought to you by Vox, goes beyond simply interviewing entrepreneurs; Swisher dives into conversations with media personalities and politicians for a well-rounded perspective of the tech world and beyond. 

Best For:

  • Tech entrepreneurs
  • Engineers and developers

6. This Week in Startups

About

This Week in Startups boasts interviews from some of the biggest names in tech startups. Catch up on the most impactful news stories in the startup world and get the perspectives of successful entrepreneurs and investors by tuning in. Additionally, startup founders can absorb valuable insights, advice, and more that can help during various stages of the startup process. 

Best For:

  • Startup founders
  • Startup investors

7. Startup Podcast

About

Startup Podcast is a unique take on a business podcast by Gimlet. A documentary series that was spun into a TV show called Alex, Inc., The Startup Podcast takes a look at the reality of starting a business that is entertaining and engaging while still providing valuable information about launching a startup.

Best For:

  • Startup founders 
  • Startup fans

8. Women Who Startup

About

Women Who Startup is a Denver-based startup podcast hosted by Lizelle Van Vuuren, a show by women for women. On this podcast, you can expect to hear from women entrepreneurs, coders, founders, and more. Women Who Startup also provides a platform to connect with fellow women in business as well as engage with the educational resources provided. 

Best For:

  • Women entrepreneurs
  • Women in tech

9. Product Hunt Radio

About

If you’re involved in the startup community, you’ve probably heard of Product Hunt, the platform that surfaces the most innovative products startups can throw at them. Product Hunt Radio is an extension of this platform hosted by Ryan Hoover and Abadesi Osunsade. An exploration into the future of product innovations as well as the startup ecosystem as a whole, you can expect interviews with founders, inventors, and more. 

Best For:

  • Tech startups 
  • Engineers and product developers

10. Traction: How Startups Start

About

Traction: How Startups Start is a podcast by NextView that airs interviews with startup founders from a wide range of industries about topics that impact their business. From influencer marketing to building products in a saturated market, Traction provides insight from experienced entrepreneurs that are helpful at all stages of startup development. 

Best For

  • Startup founders 
  • Aspiring and new entrepreneurs

11. Planet Money

About

Planet Money, a podcast by NPR, isn’t necessarily about startups or entrepreneurs, though there is some valuable content on those subjects here as well. Planet Money is centered around economics and finances, two topics that play heavily into the startup ecosystem. Entrepreneurs can expect to hear valuable, well-researched information on economics from this podcast and, hopefully, use what they learn to build a strong financial foundation for their startup. 

Best For:

  • Startup founders
  • Startup management and leadership

12. Entrepreneur on Fire

About

Whether you’re a startup founder or a startup fan, Entrepreneur on Fire has a great deal of content to inspire, educate, and entertain listeners. You will find a litany of impactful interviews with big-name entrepreneurs such as Tim Ferriss and Seth Godin. 

Best For:

  • Startup founders 
  • Startups enthusiasts

13. The Tropical MBA

About

The Tropical MBA podcast primarily focuses on self-funded and bootstrapped startups that are not established in any one location. Or, as they call it on the podcast, location independent. Following stories of thousands of digital nomads and entrepreneurs, Tropical MBA equips listeners with insights, inspiring stories, and entertaining banter to motivate the next generation of nomadic entrepreneurs. 

Best For:

  • Aspiring entrepreneurs
  • Digital entrepreneurs

14. The Tim Ferriss Show

About

It’s no surprise that The Tim Ferriss Show ranks on the list for best startup podcasts. While Tim Ferriss is known originally as the author of “The 4-Hour Work Week,” his podcast has become one of the most downloaded podcasts. Don’t expect only startup content, though. Ferriss explores a wide range of subjects, from entrepreneurship to plant medicine and healthcare, by interviewing experts in a variety of industries and fields. 

Best For:

  • Aspiring entrepreneurs 
  • Startup enthusiasts

15. Modern Finance

About

Modern Finance isn’t a startup podcast, per se. Hosted by Digg founder Kevin Rose, the Modern Finance podcast takes a deep dive into everything you should know about cryptocurrency, NFTs, and the future of finance in the digital age. For FinTech and crypto enthusiasts alike, this podcast is an excellent source of information about modern finances and investment from big names in the industry. 

Best For:

  • Fintech startup founders
  • Cryptocurrency startup founders