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Vidar Hokstad is a Norwegian technologist, entrepreneur, and DevOps consultant with over 30 years of hands-on startup experience. From launching one of Norway’s first internet service providers at 19 to building tablet computers years before the iPad, Vidar has been at the forefront of tech innovation — and has the scars to prove it.

In this candid conversation, Vidar shares hard-earned lessons from bootstrapping companies, enduring legal battles, navigating venture capital, scaling too early, and getting diluted to near zero. We also explore the myths around “8-figure exits,” why founders often miss the bigger picture, and why he’s now focused on building leaner, more resilient startups.

Vidar offers a rare inside look at the transition from founder to funder, the evolving role of AI in engineering, and how DevOps and automation are transforming how tech businesses scale. Whether you’re launching your first startup or leading your fifth, this episode is full of real insights for the long game.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thestashcast.substack.com/subscribe

Startups, Screwups & Second Chances: Vidar Hokstad on Building Tech, Breaking Rules, and Beating Burnout