Amjad Masad on Going Direct, Building Replit, and the Future of Software

July 18, 2026

1:06

Amjad Masad on Going Direct, Building Replit, and the Future of Software

Here's a surprising truth — going direct to your audience can be more powerful than traditional marketing, especially for founders like Amjad Masad of Replit. He explains that in today’s world, authentic storytelling isn’t just nice to have; it’s essential for attracting talent, funding, and early believers. According to Masad, building in public and communicating a clear vision helps create trust and momentum, even before the product hits its stride. Erik Torenberg from a16z highlights that this transparency can also help founders navigate controversy and stay connected with their community. But here's the thing — timing matters. Masad emphasizes that founders should think carefully about when to go direct and what story they want to tell, because this shapes how the market perceives them. As content+a16zpodcast@a16z.com discusses, if founders master this storytelling craft, they won’t just build products — they’ll build movements. And in the fast-evolving landscape of software, that’s often what sets the winners apart.

Recorded live at the New Media Summit, Erik Torenberg sits down with Replit founder and CEO Amjad Masad to discuss founder-led storytelling, building in public, and the role of media in company building.

Masad reflects on Replit’s decade-long journey, including the years before the company’s recent breakout growth, and explains why communicating a vision can be just as important as executing on it. He argues that for many founders, especially those building ambitious products ahead of the market, telling a compelling story is often necessary to attract talent, capital, and early believers.

The conversation explores social media, authenticity, public communication, company-building, and how founders can develop a voice that resonates beyond their product. Along the way, Masad shares lessons from building Replit, navigating controversy, and why he believes founders should think carefully about when to go direct and what story they're trying to tell.

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Audio Transcript