Pivoting & Bootstrapping to 1000 Customers

Startup Hustle

Ever gotten hit with a chargeback? You're not alone. In this episode, we dive into the world of e-commerce fraud with Qi Cao, the co-founder and CEO of Chargeblast, a company helping merchants fight back against unfair chargebacks.

Qi Cao went from scientist to entrepreneur after experiencing the pain of chargebacks firsthand. Now, he's helping businesses win back revenue and avoid costly disputes. But Chargeblast's journey wasn't always smooth sailing. We'll hear how Qi Cao pivoted from B2C to B2B, bootstrapped his company, and leveraged data to achieve explosive growth.

We'll also discuss:

• Chargebacks in e-commerce: Why merchants lose most disputes, and how to fight back.
• Bootstrapping and growth strategies: How Chargeblast achieved success without venture capital.
• Cost-saving hacks for startups: Cutting costs with AI tools and data-driven decisions.
• The future of AI in FinTech: Separating hype from reality.

So buckle up, entrepreneurs! This episode offers insights to help you win the chargeback battle and grow your business.

Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:

https://gigb.co/l/YEh5

This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:

https://fullscale.io/

Visit the Chargeblast website:

https://www.chargeblast.com/

Learn more about Qi Cao:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/xiuqi-cao/

Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter:

https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/

Highlighted Discussion Points

• Chargeblast is a startup that helps merchants maintain low chargeback rates by alerting them before payment processors. 0:31
• Chargebacks in e-commerce, with insights on industries affected and strategies for resolving disputes. 8:47
• Bootstrapping, unit economics, and growth strategies for startups. 13:06
• Advertising strategies for early-stage companies, focusing on targeting and margin growth. 18:45
• Cost-saving strategies for businesses, including using AI tools and tracking ROI. 23:48
• AI in finance, Chargeblast's product, and entrepreneurship advice. 30:21

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.