# The Sims for Founders: What Agent-First Companies Actually Look Like

- Show: [Built 2 Scale](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/built-2-scale)
- Published: 2026-03-31
- Length: 49m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/built-2-scale/2026-03-31-the-sims-for-founders-what-agent-first-companies-actually-look-like
- Listen: https://b2spod.captivate.fm

## Summary

Hosts Scott Wilcox and Matt Perrott discuss their collaboration between BuildPass and W, focusing on implementing agent-first workflows. Scott details using Paperclip to simulate an organization with CEO and employee agents, while Matt explains onboarding his entire company onto Claude to capture institutional knowledge. They discuss the strategic shift from general software to vertical, industry-specific solutions in construction, leveraging tools like Replit and Notebook LM to accelerate development and customer intimacy.

## Chapters

- [0:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/built-2-scale/2026-03-31-the-sims-for-founders-what-agent-first-companies-actually-look-like#t=11) Introduction: Podcast Refresh and Agent-First Philosophy
- [5:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/built-2-scale/2026-03-31-the-sims-for-founders-what-agent-first-companies-actually-look-like#t=348) Paperclip and Simulating an Agent-First Organization
- [14:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/built-2-scale/2026-03-31-the-sims-for-founders-what-agent-first-companies-actually-look-like#t=851) Onboarding BuildPass Company onto Claude
- [27:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/built-2-scale/2026-03-31-the-sims-for-founders-what-agent-first-companies-actually-look-like#t=1660) Building a Project Operating System with Claude
- [34:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/built-2-scale/2026-03-31-the-sims-for-founders-what-agent-first-companies-actually-look-like#t=2093) Replit and Building a Palantir for Construction
- [40:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/built-2-scale/2026-03-31-the-sims-for-founders-what-agent-first-companies-actually-look-like#t=2408) Jensen Huang’s GTC Insights and Vertical Strategy
- [46:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/built-2-scale/2026-03-31-the-sims-for-founders-what-agent-first-companies-actually-look-like#t=2775) WVC Accelerator and Future Collaboration

## Topics

- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Paperclip (tool)
- Claude (tool)
- OpenClaw (tool)
- Replit (tool)
- Notebook LM (tool)
- Monday.com (tool)
- Granola (tool)
- BuildPass (product)
- W (company)
- Palantir (company)
- Coinbase (company)
- Nvidia (company)
- Y Combinator (company)

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- [BONUS: From a Sabbatical to Building the First Full-Stack Industrial AI Company with Andres Naranjo, CEO of Software Toolbox](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-07-07-bonus-from-a-sabbatical-to-building-the-first-full-stack-industrial-ai-company-w) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [BONUS: Purpose-Built AI for Manufacturing: How AI Agents Are Transforming Workflows on the Factory Floor with Apprentice CEO Angelo Stracquatanio](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-05-01-bonus-purpose-built-ai-for-manufacturing-how-ai-agents-are-transforming-workflow) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [295: Reindustrialization, AI Agents, and the Future of Manufacturing with First Resonance CEO Karan Talati](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-07-14-295-reindustrialization-ai-agents-and-the-future-of-manufacturing-with-first-res) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [S6E46 Rick James | ANSYS & Engineering Simulation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-11-14-s6e46-rick-james-ansys-engineering-simulation) (Being an Engineer)
- [Inside Simberian's AI-Driven Design Automation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-12-09-inside-simberians-ai-driven-design-automation) (OnTrack)

## Citing this page

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