How do meaningful startup events really come together—and what can founders learn from the process?

In this episode of We Code, You Launch: The Startup Community Podcast From CodeLaunch & Improving , host Jason W. Taylor sits down with two key collaborators behind Startup Mania, a high-energy pitch event that debuted during Miami Tech Week 2025.

Guests Rajiv Nathan, aka Startup Hype Man, and Guillermo Vizcaino aka "G", Global Community Director at Startup Grind, share how the idea for Startup Mania emerged from a casual email and evolved into a unique collaboration across communities, creatives, and tech ecosystems.

They break down how intentional storytelling, community building, and trusting your gut can turn a bold idea into something founders can rally around. Whether you’re launching a product, growing a community, or planning your next community event, this episode is packed with real lessons on what it takes to build something impactful.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Turning Founder Emotions Into Creative Expression: Rajiv shares how years of working with startups, led to the creation of Go to Market, the first-ever hip hop album inspired by startup life. He opens up about founder burnout, emotional cycles, and why music became his outlet to tell the stories many in tech are afraid to say out loud.

The Story Behind Startup Mania: From Idea to Execution: You’ll hear the real backstory of how Startup Mania started as a wild pitch in an email thread between Rajiv, G, and a contact at HubSpot for Startups—and how it evolved into a high-energy, bracket-style pitch tournament held during Miami Tech Week, backed by CodeLaunch and Startup Grind.

The Power of Collaboration in Startup Culture: JWT, G, and Rajiv reflect on how Startup Mania came together through fast trust and shared purpose—not red tape. This conversation is a reminder that when creators, founders, and ecosystem leaders align on values, bold ideas can come to life quickly—and make a lasting impact.

Building Startup Communities Where They Don’t Exist: G shares how he launched the Startup Grind Guayaquil chapter remotely from the U.S. to serve founders in Ecuador, where no ecosystem existed at the time. His grassroots approach helped grow a 23K-member community—proof that founders can build ecosystem infrastructure by leading with service.

How to Pitch When Your Revenue Is “Too Early”: Rajiv introduces the Revenue Engine Technique, a strategy he developed to help early-stage founders talk about traction when their MRR is still low. Learn how repositioning your progress can change investor perception—without inflating your numbers.

From Solo Hustle to Scalable Teams: G reflects on his journey as a startup founder, explaining how bringing in the right co-founders was the key to sustainable growth—and eventually, a successful exit. His take on founder partnerships and long-haul thinking offers practical advice for any startup leader navigating scale.

Connect with Our Guests:

• RajNation on LinkedIn – @startuphypeman
  🎧Check his Startup-Inspired Hip Hop Album — GOAT to Market
• Connect with Guillermo Vizcaino on LinkedIn – @StartupGrind

Watch this video episode on YouTube