From side project to software giant with Alexis Fogel (Stonly + Dashlane)

The Only Thing That Matters

Discover the journey from fun coding project to pioneering password management tool with Alexis Fogel, co-founder of Dashlane and CEO of Stonely.
Alexis kicks things off by sharing how a school project aimed at universal one-click purchases evolved into a leading password manager and digital wallet, thanks to invaluable user feedback and a few key pivots.
Learn from Alexis's experiences moving from B2C to B2B, and the strategic shifts that have played a crucial role in both Dashlane’s and Stonely’s successes.
Alexis reveals the compelling story behind Dashlane's rise, from its early challenges with form filling to its branding as a trusted password manager.
Uncover the pivotal moments, including media recognition by the New York Times, that shaped Dashlane’s trajectory and led to its expansion into the B2B space.
Alexis also delves into the nuances of marketing and funding strategies, offering tips on leveraging press coverage and navigating the complexities of customer acquisition.
In the latter part of our episode, Alexis discusses his transition to founding Stonely, a company focused on automating and personalizing customer support.
He provides a thoughtful exploration of the satisfaction derived from creating something new, the importance of timing in raising funds, and the strategic decisions behind bootstrapping versus early investment.

Chapters

1. Founding Dashlane & Stonely (00:00:00)

2. Evolution of Dashlane's Identity Management (00:04:31)

3. Product & Market Strategy in Startups (00:17:30)

4. Marketing and Funding Strategies in Tech (00:23:55)

5. Entrepreneurship, Transition, and Automation in Tech (00:37:21)

6. Building a Startup From Scratch (00:48:02)

7. Big Clients, Tech Innovations (00:58:37)

8. Innovating Business With AI Integration (01:05:45)