# Indra Sofian

Early-stage founder

Outline

I love First Round’s content on their blog and podcasts. They're always so oddly specific—yet perfectly helpful because of that.

## Featured Articles

1. [Firsthand: Seven Years Inside Applied Intuition, the Quietly Dominant Physical AI Company](https://review.firstround.com/firsthand-applied-intuition/ "Firsthand: Seven Years Inside Applied Intuition, the Quietly Dominant Physical AI Company")
   - I joined Applied Intuition as a new-grad engineer back in early 2019, when it was just a handful of us working above a bar on Murphy Ave in Sunnyvale...
   - **Published:** June 03, 2026

2. [“AI-Powered” Isn’t a Position](https://review.firstround.com/positioning-playbook-for-ai-products/ "“AI-Powered” Isn’t a Position")
   - A playbook for building a distinctive brand when too many AI products sound the same, look the same and have the same positioning.
   - **Published:** May 14, 2026

3. [Why founders should bet on first-time executives | Praveer Melwani (CFO, Figma)](https://review.firstround.com/why-founders-should-bet-on-first-time-executives-praveer-melwani-cfo-figma/ "Why founders should bet on first-time executives | Praveer Melwani (CFO, Figma)")
   - In this latest episode of Executive Function, Brett sits down with Praveer Melwani, CFO at Figma. Praveer joined Figma in 2017 as the company's first...
   - **Published:** May 14, 2026

4. [Guideline's Path to Product-Market Fit — The Early Decisions That Powered Its Acquisition by Gusto](https://review.firstround.com/guidelines-path-to-product-market-fit/ "Guideline's Path to Product-Market Fit — The Early Decisions That Powered Its Acquisition by Gusto")
   - Ten years after shaking up the retirement fund industry for SMBs, Guideline has been acquired by Gusto. Here, co-founder Kevin Busque shares the early decisions that led to this success.
   - **Published:** March 24, 2026

5. [Positioning Your Startup is Vital — Here’s How to Nail It](https://review.firstround.com/positioning-your-startup-is-vital-heres-how-to-do-it-right/ "Positioning Your Startup is Vital — Here’s How to Nail It")
   - Arielle Jackson has experience crafting marketing campaigns at Google, Facebook and Square. This is her messaging toolbox.
   - **Published:** January 28, 2015

6. [The Founder Dating Playbook – Here’s the Process I Used to Find My Co-Founder](https://review.firstround.com/the-founder-dating-playbook-heres-the-process-i-used-to-find-my-co-founder/ "The Founder Dating Playbook – Here’s the Process I Used to Find My Co-Founder")
   - Gloria Lin opens up about her pre-founder journey, from how to find a co-founder and early conversations, to the set of 50 questions she prototyped to...
   - **Published:** September 30, 2019

7. [A Tactical Guide to Managing Up: 30 Tips from the Smartest People We Know](https://review.firstround.com/a-tactical-guide-to-managing-up-30-tips-from-the-smartest-people-we-know/ "A Tactical Guide to Managing Up: 30 Tips from the Smartest People We Know")
   - Top startup leaders share their best tips for managing up, including communication tactics, building trust, and goal setting with your manager.
   - **Published:** January 14, 2021

8. [The Minimum Viable Testing Process for Evaluating Startup Ideas](https://review.firstround.com/the-minimum-viable-testing-process-for-evaluating-startup-ideas/ "The Minimum Viable Testing Process for Evaluating Startup Ideas")
   - The traditional approach is to do some customer research, throw an MVP out there as fast as possible, and hope it hits. After being early at three...
   - **Published:** September 14, 2021