#94 - Startup Growth Strategies from a YC Alumni | Max Berthelot

In this episode of Let’s Talk AI, Max Berthelot takes us into the heart of his founder journey. It is one that spans B2B SaaS, Y Combinator’s high-pressure halls, and now the health-tech frontier with Lucis.

What starts as a leap from a stable career becomes a story about obsession, discipline, and the uncomfortable truths behind real startup growth. Max shares the moment he realized community was the key to expansion. He talks about the nights spent rethinking distribution, the emotional rollercoaster of working with both technical and non-technical co-founders, and the mindset that transformed Lucis from an idea into a fast-emerging longevity platform.

This is a story of a founder recounting the lessons that scarred him, shaped him, and ultimately strengthened his ability to scale a startup in one of the toughest markets.

If you want startup growth lessons that go beyond clichés, this is the episode to hear.

Top Takeaways:

Max is the founder of Lucis, focusing on health and longevity.
Building a community around health can drive engagement and growth.
Distribution should be prioritized from day one in product development.
It's important to start with an idea and iterate rather than waiting for perfection.
Y Combinator provided invaluable lessons and a life-changing experience for Max and his co-founders.
Relentlessness is key to building a successful startup.
Continuous learning is essential for founders as they navigate different stages of growth.
The mission of Lucis is to make preventative health accessible in Europe.
Max's personal experience with health data drives the mission of Lucis

Connect with Max Berthelot