About David Hirschfeld:

David Hirschfeld is a 35-year veteran of the software startup world whose journey began as a physics student at UCLA. He spent his early career at Computer Associates and Texas Instruments, then led software projects at Intel and Motorola. He launched his first successful startup software company, which grew to 800 customers in 22 countries, and sold it in 2000. David founded Tekyz Inc. in 2007 and spent 17 years working with over 70 startups, leading to his breakthrough insight into what makes software companies succeed or fail and inspiring the Launch 1st Method. This systematic approach reduces risks, costs, and time while minimizing investor dependence. When he’s not transforming startups, David is a golfer, a woodworker, and a proud father of four successful sons who taught him his most valuable lesson: success follows patterns, but they’re not always the ones you expect.

In this episode, Dean Newlund and David Hirschfeld explore:

• Speed and implications of AI innovation
• Workflow automation and process redesign
• Modern approaches to product innovation and validation
• The future impact of autonomous vehicles
• User empowerment through advanced AI tools

Key Takeaways:

• Automating outdated workflows without reevaluating their relevance can lead to inefficiency—some processes should be reinvented, not just automated.
• Instead of building products based on assumptions, companies should test the market through pre-sales to validate real demand before development.
• AI tools like ChatGPT’s voice and vision modes can now provide real-time visual navigation, product identification, and contextual support in everyday situations.
• The rise of autonomous vehicles like Waymo may render parking structures and personal car ownership obsolete within five years, fundamentally shifting urban infrastructure needs.

“You have to channel your inner five-year-old when you’re thinking about what’s possible.” — David Hirschfeld

Connect with David Hirschfeld:  

Website: https://www.tekyz.com & https://launch1st.tekyz.com

Email: david@tekyz.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhirschfeld/

X (Twitter): https://www.x.com/tekyzinc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tekyzinc

See Dean’s TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I

Connect with Dean:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkw

Website: https://www.mfileadership.com/

The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/deannewlund

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionFacilitators/

Email: dean.newlund@mfileadership.com

Phone: 1-800-926-7370

Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You’re the expert. Your podcast will prove it.