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

How do you turn a passion project into a thriving business? In this episode, Jason Taylor sits down with Benedikt Hain, founder of The Self-Recording Band and Outback Recordings, to discuss how he built an international online coaching business from his home studio. Benedikt shares his journey from being a DIY musician in Germany’s punk scene to becoming a music production coach and entrepreneur.

His story highlights key lessons for startup founders, including the power of community-driven business models, how to scale an online business, and why embracing coaching and mentorship can transform a side hustle into a sustainable venture. Whether you're a musician, tech entrepreneur, or creative founder, this episode is packed with insights on launching and growing a niche business in a competitive space.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

· From Freelancer to Founder – Benedikt Hain turned his DIY passion into a thriving global coaching business, proving that organic growth and community-driven models can scale.

· The Power of Community – The Self-Recording Band Syndicate became a global hub for musicians, showing how building a strong network enhances engagement and retention—a lesson startup founders can apply.

· Scaling an Online Business – Transitioning from one-on-one work to digital courses and memberships allowed Benedikt to scale without burning out, a strategy relevant to subscription-based startup models.

· The Role of Business Coaching – Working with a business coach transformed his strategy, showing founders why mentorship and external perspectives are crucial for scaling efficiently.

· Overcoming the Fear of Launching – Whether releasing music or launching a startup, perfectionism holds many back. Benedikt and Jason Taylor discuss how founders must push past fear and launch to grow.

Did a CodeLaunch startup contribute to Ohio State's national championship victory? In Episode 80 of the "We Code You Launch" podcast, Jason W. Taylor sits down with CodeLaunch DFW 2023 finalist Tina Provost, founder of Five Star Fans, to explore this intriguing possibility. They discuss how Five Star Fans' innovative platform has empowered Ohio State supporters to directly impact their team's success through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) contributions. By enabling fans to financially support athletes, Five Star Fans has played a role in enhancing player retention and performance, potentially influencing the Buckeyes' championship run. Tune in to hear how a startup's unique approach to fan engagement may have helped propel Ohio State to the pinnacle of college football.