Founder's Story

The Hidden Pain Behind Building a $300M Tech Company | Ep 274 with Dan Novaes Founder of Mode Mobile

04 Nov 2025

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In this episode of Founder’s Story, Daniel Robbins sits down with Dan Novaes, the visionary behind Mode Mobile. What began as a $1,000 project at age fifteen evolved into a company now valued at over $300 million—with more than 57,000 shareholders. Novaes opens up about the brutal realities of scaling, the crash that nearly ended it all, and how a bold pivot into crowdfunding changed everything. Key Discussion Points:Novaes recounts his journey from early entrepreneurial experiments to building Mode Mobile, where he faced near collapse after losing major advertisers like FTX and Voyager. He reveals how discipline, mindfulness, and a pivot to equity crowdfunding helped Mode raise over $60 million directly from users. He also breaks down the importance of product-market fit, the mental toll of leadership during crises, and how to stay adaptable in fast-changing industries. Takeaways:Entrepreneurship is a cycle of peaks and freefalls. Novaes emphasizes that every business must pivot or perish—and that growth requires deep strategic thinking, not just relentless action. He credits his company’s resurgence to embracing transparency, connecting directly with everyday investors, and using setbacks as springboards for smarter, more sustainable scaling. Closing Thoughts:From teenage hustler to tech CEO, Dan Novaes proves that resilience, reinvention, and relentless focus can turn even the darkest chapters into defining wins. His journey with Mode Mobile is a masterclass in building a movement, not just a company. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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The Hidden Pain Behind Building a $300M Tech Company | Ep 274 with Dan Novaes Founder of Mode Mobile

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet

Other episodes from Founder's Story

The Truth About Founder Wealth | Ep 302 with Julian Metcalfe Founder of Pret a Manger and itsu

Why Applying for Jobs Is a Waste of Time (And What Actually Works Instead) | Ep 301 with Julia Arpag Founder of Aligned Recruitment

The Testosterone Myth That’s Costing Men Years of Their Lives | Ep 299 with Shalin Shah CEO of Marius Pharmaceuticals

The Founder Who Turns Your Body Heat Into Healing Light: 'It Goes 2 Inches Deep' | Ep 295 with Seth Casden Founder of Hologenix

Side Hustle With a Heart: How One Founder Makes Giving Frictionless | Ep 289 with Stuart White Founder of We Are Our World

He Found $500B Hidden in Healthcare Waste — And Built the AI to Fix It | Ep 283 with Raheel Retiwalla Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Boost Health AI

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