On Kilo Kish's 'Negotiations', robotic soundscapes mirror the transactional, 'churned-out' side of the music industry. She asks "what am I worth?" - not to an unforgiving business model, but to herself. In this interview, we discuss this tension, & the importance of art on one's own terms. Find Kilo Kish on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7lsnwlX6puQ7lcpSEpJbZE?si=LkhaVZsZTs-7Xaky7StGSA On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/kilo-kish/487657156 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kilokish/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kilokish Subscribe: https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.beforethechorus.com/ Follow on Instagram: @beforethechoruspodcast & @soundslikesofia About the podcast: Welcome to Before the Chorus , where we go beyond the sounds of our favourite songs to hear the stories of the artists who wrote them. Before a song is released, a record is produced, or a chorus is written, the musicians that write them think. A lot. They live. A lot. And they feel. A LOT. Hosted by award-winning interviewer Sofia Loporcaro, Before the Chorus explores the genuine human experiences behind the music. Sofia’s deep knowledge of music and personal journey with mental health help her connect with artists on a meaningful level. This is a space where fans connect with artists, and listeners from all walks of life feel seen through the stories that shape the music we love. About the host: Sofia Loporcaro is an award-winning interviewer and radio host who’s spent over 8 years helping musicians share their stories. She’s hosted shows for Amazing Radio, and Transmission Roundhouse. Now on Before the Chorus, she’s had the chance to host guests like Glass Animals, Feist, Madison Cunningham, Mick Jenkins, & Ru Paul's Drag Race winner Shea Couleé. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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محتوای ارائه شده توسط Mehmet Gonullu. تمام محتوای پادکست شامل قسمت‌ها، گرافیک‌ها و توضیحات پادکست مستقیماً توسط Mehmet Gonullu یا شریک پلتفرم پادکست آن‌ها آپلود و ارائه می‌شوند. اگر فکر می‌کنید شخصی بدون اجازه شما از اثر دارای حق نسخه‌برداری شما استفاده می‌کند، می‌توانید روندی که در اینجا شرح داده شده است را دنبال کنید.https://fa.player.fm/legal
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#454 Scaling the Blockchain: Srini Parthasarathy on Fixing Gas Fees and Decentralization
Manage episode 475850219 series 3506362
محتوای ارائه شده توسط Mehmet Gonullu. تمام محتوای پادکست شامل قسمت‌ها، گرافیک‌ها و توضیحات پادکست مستقیماً توسط Mehmet Gonullu یا شریک پلتفرم پادکست آن‌ها آپلود و ارائه می‌شوند. اگر فکر می‌کنید شخصی بدون اجازه شما از اثر دارای حق نسخه‌برداری شما استفاده می‌کند، می‌توانید روندی که در اینجا شرح داده شده است را دنبال کنید.https://fa.player.fm/legal
In this episode, Mehmet sits down with Srini Parthasarathy, CTO of Shardeum, a Layer 1 EVM-compatible blockchain that’s rewriting the rules of scalability, decentralization, and transaction efficiency. Srini shares his journey from building NFT platforms and working at AWS to leading a project that’s tackling the blockchain trilemma head-on.
Whether you’re a developer, founder, or Web3 investor, this episode breaks down what makes Shardeum different—and why it could shape the future of blockchain infrastructure.
💡 What You’ll Learn
• The core problems with today’s blockchains (scalability, gas fees, decentralization)
• How Shardeum uses dynamic state sharding and transaction-level consensus
• Why Shardeum is developer-friendly and EVM-compatible
• Srini’s thoughts on the intersection of AI and blockchain
• What it takes to transition into Web3 as a tech leader or developer
⸻
🔑 Key Takeaways
• Shardeum dynamically scales by increasing the number of “shards” as usage grows.
• Unlike traditional blockchains, consensus is achieved per transaction—not per block.
• This design enables low, predictable gas fees, even during high demand.
• The network becomes more decentralized as it scales.
• Shardeum is fully open-source and developer-friendly.
👤 About the Guest
Srini Parthasarathy is the Chief Technology Officer at Shardeum, a dynamic state-sharded blockchain offering linear scalability, low gas fees, and robust decentralization. Srini’s career includes leadership roles at Silks, DraftKings, and AWS, and he brings decades of experience in distributed systems and blockchain innovation.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/svasan/
⏱️ Episode Highlights
• [00:02:00] Srini’s background in blockchain gaming and infrastructure
• [00:05:00] Explaining Shardeum with the spreadsheet analogy
• [00:08:00] What makes Shardeum’s dynamic state sharding unique
• [00:12:00] How Shardeum benefits both users and developers
• [00:14:00] Shardeum’s Proof of Quorum and security model
• [00:18:00] Open source philosophy and transparency at Shardeum
• [00:20:00] Srini’s take on the synergy between AI and blockchain
• [00:25:00] Advice for tech leaders transitioning into blockchain
• [00:28:00] Final reflections and where to follow Srini and Shardeum
512 قسمت
اشتراک گذاریManage episode 475850219 series 3506362
محتوای ارائه شده توسط Mehmet Gonullu. تمام محتوای پادکست شامل قسمت‌ها، گرافیک‌ها و توضیحات پادکست مستقیماً توسط Mehmet Gonullu یا شریک پلتفرم پادکست آن‌ها آپلود و ارائه می‌شوند. اگر فکر می‌کنید شخصی بدون اجازه شما از اثر دارای حق نسخه‌برداری شما استفاده می‌کند، می‌توانید روندی که در اینجا شرح داده شده است را دنبال کنید.https://fa.player.fm/legal
In this episode, Mehmet sits down with Srini Parthasarathy, CTO of Shardeum, a Layer 1 EVM-compatible blockchain that’s rewriting the rules of scalability, decentralization, and transaction efficiency. Srini shares his journey from building NFT platforms and working at AWS to leading a project that’s tackling the blockchain trilemma head-on.
Whether you’re a developer, founder, or Web3 investor, this episode breaks down what makes Shardeum different—and why it could shape the future of blockchain infrastructure.
💡 What You’ll Learn
• The core problems with today’s blockchains (scalability, gas fees, decentralization)
• How Shardeum uses dynamic state sharding and transaction-level consensus
• Why Shardeum is developer-friendly and EVM-compatible
• Srini’s thoughts on the intersection of AI and blockchain
• What it takes to transition into Web3 as a tech leader or developer
⸻
🔑 Key Takeaways
• Shardeum dynamically scales by increasing the number of “shards” as usage grows.
• Unlike traditional blockchains, consensus is achieved per transaction—not per block.
• This design enables low, predictable gas fees, even during high demand.
• The network becomes more decentralized as it scales.
• Shardeum is fully open-source and developer-friendly.
👤 About the Guest
Srini Parthasarathy is the Chief Technology Officer at Shardeum, a dynamic state-sharded blockchain offering linear scalability, low gas fees, and robust decentralization. Srini’s career includes leadership roles at Silks, DraftKings, and AWS, and he brings decades of experience in distributed systems and blockchain innovation.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/svasan/
⏱️ Episode Highlights
• [00:02:00] Srini’s background in blockchain gaming and infrastructure
• [00:05:00] Explaining Shardeum with the spreadsheet analogy
• [00:08:00] What makes Shardeum’s dynamic state sharding unique
• [00:12:00] How Shardeum benefits both users and developers
• [00:14:00] Shardeum’s Proof of Quorum and security model
• [00:18:00] Open source philosophy and transparency at Shardeum
• [00:20:00] Srini’s take on the synergy between AI and blockchain
• [00:25:00] Advice for tech leaders transitioning into blockchain
• [00:28:00] Final reflections and where to follow Srini and Shardeum
512 قسمت
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In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , Derrick Girard shares his remarkable journey from financial services advisor to tech founder — despite having no technical background. Derrick opens up about scaling his company without a traditional sales team, surviving multiple lawsuits, and ultimately selling his business. His story is one of grit, resilience, and what he calls the FIO (Figure It Out) mindset — a framework every founder and leader can adopt to overcome obstacles and drive success. 🚀 Key Takeaways • Why excuses are never the solution in entrepreneurship • How Derrick scaled without a traditional sales team • The importance of validating an idea in a resistant market • Lessons from navigating three simultaneous lawsuits • Why success is “stairs, not an elevator” — and the reality check founders need • Building a culture of ownership and resilience inside growing teams ⸻ 🎧 What You’ll Learn • Practical strategies for validating and scaling a startup in regulated industries • How to compartmentalize challenges and stay focused under extreme pressure • The difference between the victim mindset and the solution mindset • Why documenting agreements — even with family and friends — is critical for founders • How to instill the Figure It Out mindset across teams and organizations 👤 About Derrick Girard Derrick Girard is an entrepreneur, author, and speaker who built and exited a tech company in the highly regulated financial services sector. With no formal background in technology, he relied on persistence, problem-solving, and the FIO mindset to navigate challenges that included investor disputes, lawsuits, and industry resistance. Today, Derrick helps founders and leaders embrace resilience, take ownership, and build solutions-driven cultures. He is also the author of Put to the Test: The FIO Mindset . https://derrickgirard.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrickgirard/ https://www.amazon.com/dp/1966190581?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_W4Z0S11X2YDG28CRKE17&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_W4Z0S11X2YDG28CRKE17&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_W4Z0S11X2YDG28CRKE17&bestFormat=true&newOGT=1 Episode Highlights • (02:30) Derrick’s unlikely path from finance to tech entrepreneurship • (05:00) Scaling without a sales team and replacing it with relationship managers • (07:30) Validating the idea through networks, questions, and conferences • (11:00) Navigating three lawsuits while scaling the company • (18:30) Why “success is stairs, not an elevator” • (23:00) The danger of excuses and the rise of the victim mentality • (27:00) Applying the FIO mindset to teams and organizations • (31:00) Reality checks every founder should do before starting up • (38:00) Redefining entrepreneurship: problem solvers vs. titles • (44:00) Derrick’s mission today and how to connect with him…
In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , I sit down with Rob Duffy , CTO of HealthEdge , to unpack how healthcare—one of the last industries to modernize—is finally undergoing a deep digital transformation. Rob shares how his journey through companies like Amazon, Kindle, Time Inc., and Expedia prepared him for leading one of the most complex transitions in technology: taking healthcare systems from legacy mainframes to cloud-native platforms. We discuss the hype vs. reality of AI, what true ROI looks like, and why cultural change is the hardest part of transformation. Whether you’re a tech leader, investor, or founder, Rob’s perspective sheds light on how to drive meaningful change in regulated and lagging industries. Key Takeaways • Why healthcare has lagged in digital transformation and how SaaS is shifting the landscape • The real challenges of replacing mainframes and legacy systems in regulated industries • AI in practice: from demos and hype to real ROI and human-hour savings • Building an AI-first culture and making adoption stick inside organizations • APIs, interoperability, and the future of system integration • Career advice for aspiring CTOs: why learning the business matters as much as tech What You’ll Learn • How to navigate transformation in industries with entrenched legacy systems • The single most important metric for measuring AI impact • Why cultural adoption is the true unlock for enterprise AI • How APIs and interoperability shape the future of healthcare and beyond About the Guest Robert Duffy is an accomplished technology leader with an extensive background in product development and engineering. Rob previously served as the Chief Product and Technology Officer at Drizly, an Uber Company, where he played a pivotal role in scaling the company’s product and engineering teams post-acquisition. His leadership at Drizly was instrumental in driving innovation within Uber Eats' grocery delivery services, showcasing his ability to merge technology with user-centric solutions. Prior to his tenure at Drizly, Robert held significant positions at industry giants including Salesforce.com, Amazon, and Time Inc. At Salesforce, Rob excelled as the Vice President of Software Engineering, leading the team responsible for the Lightning Web Stack, which handles billions of API calls per day. At Time Inc, he served as VP of Engineering for its video and content platform that powered more than 300 content apps for 91 media brands with 139 million unique monthly users. At Amzaon, he was Head of Strategic Initiatives for the Kindle Store Platform, the content experience powering hundreds of millions of e-commerce transactions on the digital stores (books, audio books, video, and mp3) across all of Amazon's devices (fire tablet, kindle, echo, fire TV, and mobile apps). https://www.linkedin.com/in/platformduffy/ https://healthedge.com/ Episode Highlights • [02:30] Why healthcare is the last major industry to transform • [06:45] Mainframes, legacy systems, and the cost of change • [12:00] AI hype vs. real-world ROI examples • [20:00] Building an AI-first culture and driving adoption • [27:30] Governance, security, and evaluating new AI tools • [33:00] Pilot programs and scaling cultural change • [38:00] AI’s role in cloud optimization and legacy refactoring • [44:00] APIs as the next big unlock for enterprise systems • [46:30] Rob’s advice for aspiring CTOs: learn the business first…
In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , I sit down with Leandro Cartelli , CEO of Lana Talent , to explore how Latin America is emerging as one of the most strategic regions for global hiring. From Argentina to the world, Lean shares insights from 15+ years in talent acquisition—helping startups and SMBs build cost-effective, high-performing remote teams. We discuss why the “right hire” is evolving in the age of AI, the real cost of bad hiring decisions, and how Latin American talent is powering startups across the US, Canada, Europe, and beyond. Key Takeaways • Why bad hires cost up to 200% of annual salary and how to avoid them • The shift from hard skills to soft skills in defining the “right hire” • How AI is reshaping both the recruiter’s process and the candidate’s journey • Why Latin America offers top talent at 30–50% lower cost without sacrificing quality • The critical role of transparency and trust in hiring and retention ⸻ What You’ll Learn • How startups can leverage Latin America for affordable, high-quality teams • The future of hiring in the AI-driven job market • The biggest mistakes founders make when recruiting talent • Why candidate experience directly impacts business performance • The importance of development and growth conversations in retention About the Guest Leandro Cartelli is the CEO and Founder of Lana Talent , a staffing and recruiting company specializing in building remote teams in Latin America for global businesses. With over 15 years of leadership in talent acquisition at firms like Accenture and within the pharma and tech sectors, Lean is passionate about connecting startups and SMBs with world-class talent in an affordable, scalable way. https://lanatalent.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/leancartelli/ Episode Highlights ⏱️ [00:03:00] Lean’s journey from Accenture to founding Lana Talent ⏱️ [00:07:00] When to use in-house hiring vs. external partners ⏱️ [00:13:00] The hidden costs of bad hiring decisions ⏱️ [00:15:00] How the definition of the “right hire” has shifted in the AI era ⏱️ [00:20:00] The loop of AI recruiters vs. AI applicants ⏱️ [00:30:00] Why development and transparency matter more than ever ⏱️ [00:38:00] How COVID accelerated remote hiring across Latin America ⏱️ [00:43:00] The top three functions LATAM talent fills for startups ⏱️ [00:48:00] How Lana Talent bridges global founders with Latin American talent…
In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , we dive into the future of education and technology with Greg Banks , a veteran teacher, school administrator, researcher, and author. Greg brings over 20 years of experience in K-12 education and chemistry teaching, along with a deep perspective on how AI is reshaping classrooms. From the early days of clickers and smart boards to today’s AI-powered tools, Greg explains what works, what doesn’t, and what founders building in EdTech must keep in mind. Together, we explore how AI can empower teachers rather than replace them, and why the human connection in classrooms will always matter. 🔑 Key Takeaways • Why AI reveals the shortcomings of today’s education system. • The two big questions: What should students learn? vs. How should they learn? • How COVID-era online schooling exposed the limits of tech in classrooms. • Why banning devices isn’t the answer—and how to rethink their role in learning. • The “three pillars” of education: personal exchange, curriculum, and classroom exchange. • How EdTech founders should design products that take work off teachers’ plates . • Why personalization is the real superpower AI brings to education. ⸻ 🎧 What You’ll Learn • The difference between integrating AI for students vs. for teachers . • Where EdTech startups are oversaturated—and where real opportunities still exist. • The long-term impact of AI on classrooms, teaching careers, and learning outcomes. • Why interpersonal skills and human connection will define education in an AI era. 👤 About Greg Banks Dr. Greg Banks is a veteran educator, researcher, entrepreneur, and edtech thought leader with over 20 years of experience teaching and leading in public, exam, and private K-12 schools. With a PhD in Chemistry and a deep focus on how teacher beliefs shape classroom practice, Greg brings a rare blend of real-world classroom insight and rigorous academic research to the table. He recently led a pilot study with Eddo Learning and the Einstein Project exploring how AI can help teachers adopt new science curricula more effectively. His Substack, Aligned: AI in Education, and his newly released book, Aligned: A Love Letter to Developers on What We Need from AI to Improve Education, aim to bridge the gap between edtech creators and the classroom—because great tools start with deep understanding. https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-banks-ph-d-15733113/ https://gregorybanks.authorsites.co/ https://gregorybanksphd.substack.com/ Episode Highlights • [02:00] Greg’s journey from chemistry teacher to AI and EdTech thought leader • [06:00] The gap between what kids can do with AI and what schools still teach • [09:00] Why Zoom classes failed during COVID—and what it means for EdTech • [13:00] Prohibiting ChatGPT vs. integrating AI into lessons • [17:00] Why teachers are still at the center of the classroom experience • [22:00] The debate on banning phones and laptops in schools • [28:00] Surprising lessons from AI pilot programs with teachers • [31:00] Where EdTech should (and shouldn’t) focus its innovation • [39:00] What AI will never replace in education • [42:00] Why Greg is optimistic about the future of classrooms…
In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , I sit down with Rob Kalwarowsky — executive coach, TEDx speaker, and author of Capitalizing on Chaos . Rob shares his powerful personal journey from MIT-trained engineer to leadership coach, opening up about toxic leadership, mental health struggles, and how he transformed adversity into a framework for resilient leadership. We explore what chaos really means for today’s founders and tech leaders, and how to turn uncertainty into an opportunity to scale, grow, and lead authentically. 🔑 Key Takeaways • Chaos starts within — why leaders must master their own psychology first. • How to avoid falling into the six destructive leadership types. • Why saying “I’m human” can unlock resilience and clarity. • The balance between empathy and accountability in startup leadership. • Real-world examples of scaling companies through resilient leadership. ⸻ 📚 What You’ll Learn • How founders and tech leaders can thrive during uncertainty. • The dangers of toxic leadership — and how to break free from it. • The process of building authentic, resilient leadership. • How to scale your business without losing clarity or balance. • Why empathy, authenticity, and accountability drive growth. 👤 About Rob Kalwarowsky Rob Kalwarowsky is a globally recognized executive coach, keynote speaker, and author , celebrated for transforming high-performing leaders by empowering their mindset, strength, and influence through research-backed leadership techniques . • Speaking : Rob delivers deeply transformative keynotes that blend authenticity, humor, and practical insights. His presentations invite leaders to make immediate, lasting internal shifts through stories that resonate, regardless of audience size . • Executive Coaching – the MIT Way : With a unique background as an MIT-trained engineer, Rob applies strategies grounded in psychological research—such as Internal Family Systems (IFS)—to drive quick, sustainable leadership growth. His clients include Fortune 500 executives, C-suite leaders, and Olympic gold medalists . • Proven Track Record : Rob is renowned for delivering massive results that endure —he doesn’t just provide answers, he empowers leaders to discover long-term solutions themselves . https://www.robkalwarowsky.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-kalwarowsky/ Episode Highlights 00:01 – Rob’s journey from MIT engineer to executive coach 04:00 – Facing toxic leadership & hitting rock bottom 07:30 – Defining chaos for founders and leaders today 10:30 – The framework to overcome uncertainty 13:00 – Case study: Scaling a $3M company to $15M in six months 16:00 – Why results vary — and how breakthroughs happen 17:00 – The six destructive leadership types 20:00 – Balancing empathy and accountability as a leader 23:00 – Authenticity vs. pretending: why founders must lead as themselves 26:00 – Rob’s book & leadership assessment…
1 #508 Breaking the Expert Trap: Alistair Gordon on Elevating Technical Skills into Enterprise Impact 48:55
In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , I sit down with Alistair Gordon , founder of Expertunity and author of Master Expert . Alistair has spent decades helping organizations unlock the hidden potential of their technical experts by transforming them into influential leaders. We dive into why technical skills alone are no longer enough, how “enterprise skills” drive innovation, and why overlooking experts in leadership development is one of the costliest mistakes organizations make. Key Takeaways • Why most organizations underinvest in their technical experts • The “Expert Trap” and how to break free from it • The three types of leadership every technical professional should understand • Why outcome-based KPIs matter more than activity-based metrics • How enterprise skills fuel innovation, collaboration, and influence ⸻ What You’ll Learn • Practical ways CTOs and CIOs can unlock more value from their teams • How technical founders can build leadership capacity in startups and scaleups • Why democratized leadership and coaching are reshaping the workplace • The role of AI in reshaping technical expertise and leadership skills About the Guest Alistair Gordon is the CEO of Expertunity, a global leadership development company dedicated to transforming technical experts into master experts. With a background in publishing, entrepreneurship, and investing, Alistair has built a unique perspective on how leadership must evolve in the age of AI, automation, and rapid organizational change. https://www.linkedin.com/in/alistair-gordon-5a69349/ https://expertunity.global/ Episode Highlights • [04:30] The evolution of leadership from 2000 to 2025 • [09:15] Blind spots most leaders don’t see in themselves • [14:00] The shift from activity KPIs to outcome KPIs • [18:30] Why technical experts are the real drivers of innovation • [27:45] The innovation deficit: why great ideas die in organizations • [34:20] Enterprise skills: the real differentiator for technical experts • [39:15] The future of coaching and mentorship in the AI era…
In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , I sit down with Corey Hart , Senior Director of Growth at Mentavi Health . Corey shares his journey from the entertainment industry to scaling telehealth and mental health startups, his lessons from driving 800% growth in behavioral health, and how AI-driven personalization (“B2Me”) is reshaping healthcare marketing and patient care. We also dive into the Midwest startup ecosystem , the importance of community building through Startup Grind, and why startups must return to first principles when crafting go-to-market strategies. 🔑 Key Takeaways • Telehealth’s Transformation : How COVID-19 accelerated adoption and normalized mental health care globally. • The Mentavi Innovation : Decoupling diagnosis from treatment to reduce costs and increase accessibility. • AI in Healthcare Marketing : Why “B2Me” personalization is becoming the new standard. • Growth Lessons : Why many founders give up on successful tactics too early. • Midwest Advantage : Strong margins, undervalued startups, and overlooked innovation outside Silicon Valley. • Community Matters : How Startup Grind’s ethos of “give before you take” creates real impact. ⸻ 📚 What You’ll Learn • Why mental health startups need purpose and curiosity to succeed • How to scale healthcare services while navigating regulation and compliance • The difference between AI as a tool vs. AI as a crutch in GTM strategy • Why founders must think in first principles rather than copying playbooks • How innovation is thriving in the Midwest — and why investors should pay attention 👤 About Corey Hart Corey Hart is the Senior Director of Growth at Mentavi Health , a pioneering telehealth company specializing in ADHD diagnosis and mental health services. He previously scaled a behavioral health startup by 800% and led large-scale public sector initiatives in New York. Corey also teaches Business 101 at a local university, runs the Grand Rapids chapter of Startup Grind, and was named Global Chapter Director of the Year (2021) . https://www.coreythehart.com/ https://mentavi.com/ Episode Highlights 00:00 – Introduction and Corey’s background 04:30 – Why he pivoted from entertainment to healthcare 07:30 – The core innovation behind Mentavi Health 11:00 – Telehealth adoption post-COVID 18:00 – Healthcare marketing philosophy & personalization (“B2Me”) 23:00 – Using AI in GTM the right way vs. “spray and pray” 29:00 – The most misunderstood growth lever in startups 36:00 – What makes a healthcare startup investible in 2025 38:30 – Why the Midwest is an underestimated startup hub 44:00 – Building global communities through Startup Grind 47:00 – The power of human connection and giving back…
In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , I’m joined by Elipaz Tanzman , Co-Founder and CEO of Cygnostic . Elipaz brings a wealth of experience from his early career as a cybersecurity officer in the Navy to leading innovative solutions in application, AI/ML, and cloud security. We explore how organizations can break the long-standing tension between R&D and security teams, building a partnership that allows products to ship quickly without compromising on safety — even in the rapidly evolving age of AI. From integrating security into developers’ native workflows to preparing for the next wave of AI-driven threats, this conversation is packed with actionable advice for CTOs, CISOs, and startup founders alike. Key Takeaways • Why R&D and security teams often clash — and how to make them BFFs . • How to integrate security seamlessly into the development lifecycle. • The top cybersecurity threats in 2025, from ransomware to AI risks. • Best practices for using AI in software development without exposing sensitive data. • Why startups must prioritize security from day one. • Building ROI for application security investments with developer training and the right tools. • The role of security champions in fostering a culture of secure coding. ⸻ What You’ll Learn • How to identify and prioritize security risks in your organization. • Steps to avoid slowing down product delivery while enhancing security. • Practical tips for securing AI-assisted coding environments. • The evolving landscape of security regulations and standards for AI. • Business case strategies that win executive buy-in for security initiatives. About the Guest Elipaz Tanzman is the Co-Founder and CEO of Cygnostic, specializing in application security, AI/ML security, and cloud security. He serves on the Azure International Committee for ISO 27001, bringing a global perspective on security standards. His mission is to harmonize development speed with robust security practices across industries. https://cygnostic.io/ https://boldpmm.com/elipaz-tanzman/ Episode Highlights [00:01:00] Elipaz’s journey from Navy cybersecurity officer to Cygnostic CEO. [00:03:00] The current top threats in cybersecurity and their financial drivers. [00:06:00] Making R&D and security “best friends forever.” [00:09:00] Does secure development slow down product delivery? [00:10:00] Risks of AI-assisted coding and best practices for safe adoption. [00:14:00] Why startups need security from day one. [00:18:00] Where CISOs should start when building their DevSecOps stack. [00:22:00] AI regulations, ISO standards, and the need for security governance. [00:27:00] Showing ROI for application security programs. [00:31:00] The next wave of threats and the role of AI in security’s future. [00:33:00] Advice for students and career changers entering cybersecurity.…
1 #505 From VC to Education Disruptor: Ted Dintersmith on Fixing Math, Schools, and Our Mindset for the AI Era 1:09:23
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دوست داشته شد1:09:23
پخش در آینده پخش در آینده لیست ها پسندیدن دوست داشته شدWhat if our education system is training students for jobs that no longer exist? In this eye-opening conversation, bestselling author, film producer, and former venture capitalist Ted Dintersmith shares why decades of math education have missed the mark — and what we must teach instead to prepare for the AI-driven future. From his years in venture capital spotting disruptive innovation to his current mission as an education reformer, Ted reveals why rote memorization and high-stakes testing are holding us back, how AI changes what skills matter, and why creativity, decision-making, and real-world math will be the new competitive edge. Whether you’re a founder, tech leader, parent, or investor, this episode will challenge your assumptions about what it really means to be future-ready. Key Takeaways • Why most high school math has little real-world relevance — and what to teach instead. • How AI changes the equation for human skills and employability. • Why decision-making and risk assessment should be core to every student’s education. • The hidden cost of high-stakes testing and standardized curricula. • How to reconnect students (and adults) with curiosity and creativity. ⸻ What You’ll Learn • The wrong math we’ve been teaching for decades — and why it’s stuck in the curriculum. • How venture capital insights shaped Ted’s view on education reform. • Practical ways to make math and problem-solving relevant in any career. • The link between AI, workforce disruption, and the urgent need for new learning models. • Why embracing unconventional career paths may be the best preparation for the future. About Ted Dintersmith Ted Dintersmith is a former partner at Charles River Ventures, named by Business 2.0 as one of the top U.S. venture capitalists. Today, he’s a leading voice in education transformation, focusing on aligning school priorities with the skills and mindsets needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world. He’s the author of multiple books, producer of the Sundance-premiered documentary Most Likely to Succeed, and a sought-after speaker on the future of learning. Ted is consumed with issues at the intersection of education, innovation, and democracy. His films, books, keynotes, and philanthropy focus on the urgency of reimagining school to keep pace with the tsunami of innovation reshaping society. He is the founder of WhatSchoolCouldBe.org, a non-profit organization catalyzing progress in schools, districts, and states across America, and in countries around the globe. https://www.teddintersmith.com/most-likely-to-succeed https://www.teddintersmith.com/about-ted https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-dintersmith-0211985a/ https://wscbpodcast.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvhb9aoyeZs https://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_do_schools_kill_creativity Episode Highlights [00:02:00] Ted’s journey from Stanford PhD to startup, VC, and now education advocate [00:04:30] The “Where’s Waldo” test of high school math — and why most adults fail [00:09:00] Why AI makes rote math skills obsolete [00:15:00] The case for teaching estimation, prediction, and optimization [00:21:00] AI’s exponential growth and its implications for human advantage [00:29:00] How Finland restructured its education system — and what we can learn [00:34:00] Understanding risk and decision-making — the missing life skill [00:43:00] Why creativity is the most valuable skill schools should protect [00:48:00] Multiple Choice — Ted’s upcoming documentary on integrating career and academics [01:00:00] The venture capital lesson: the best ideas often face the most resistance…
In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , I sit down with Lars Maaløe , Co-Founder and CTO of Corti.ai , to explore how AI is transforming healthcare. From explainability and compliance to building scalable AI infrastructure, Lars shares his journey from researching generative models to delivering life-changing technology for clinicians and patients worldwide. We unpack the challenges of deploying AI in one of the most highly regulated industries, the importance of trust in AI-assisted decision-making, and why the future belongs to specialized models that combine accuracy, speed, and transparency. Key Takeaways • Explainability matters — why transparency in AI predictions is non-negotiable in healthcare. • From research to reality — how generative AI evolved into mission-critical medical tools. • Compliance as a competitive advantage — meeting and exceeding HIPAA, GDPR, and other regulatory standards. • Scaling responsibly — designing APIs and infrastructure that empower startups and incumbents alike. • Specialized vs. general models — why domain-specific AI will outperform general-purpose LLMs in clinical settings. ⸻ What You’ll Learn • The mindset shift needed to move AI pilots into full-scale production in healthcare. • How uncertainty quantification can make AI safer and more reliable. • Trends in healthtech startups, from ambient scribes to autonomous patient intake agents. • The role of sovereign cloud deployments in protecting patient data. • Why the next AI breakthroughs will come from self-supervised learning. About Lars Maaløe About Lars Maaløe Lars Maaløe is a machine learning researcher turned healthtech entrepreneur, with a PhD in generative models long before they became mainstream. As CTO of Corti.ai, he leads the development of AI infrastructure that powers real-time decision support for healthcare providers globally — from ambient clinical documentation to patient triage and diagnostic assistance. https://www.corti.ai https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsmaaloe/ Episode Highlights 00:00 — Introduction & guest background 02:15 — The early days of generative AI research 06:05 — Why explainability is mission-critical in healthcare 09:50 — Accuracy, performance, and real-world deployment challenges 14:00 — Navigating healthcare regulations globally 18:20 — Startup trends in healthtech and AI 23:00 — Mindset shifts for rapid AI adoption in healthcare 26:10 — Readiness challenges beyond the tech stack 30:00 — Building AI agents for clinical use cases 32:00 — Sovereign cloud vs. public cloud in healthcare AI 34:00 — AI breakthroughs and the path to trustworthy reasoning 41:00 — Why specialized models outperform general-purpose AI in medicine 43:00 — Final thoughts & how to connect with Lars…
In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , we dive deep with Ron Green , CTO of Kungfu.ai , a veteran AI engineer and serial entrepreneur who’s built 9 startups and deployed 120+ enterprise-grade AI systems. Ron shares how to go beyond AI hype , build custom AI that works, and unlock real ROI using the data you already have. 💡 What You’ll Learn • Why bottom-up AI initiatives often outperform boardroom mandates • How to build production-grade AI using your enterprise’s proprietary data • Why agentic AI and emergent reasoning are the next major frontier • How startups can avoid the AI label trap and build real defensibility • A practical 4-phase framework for AI adoption: from data assessment to deployment • The surprising industries where AI is already transforming operations—from agriculture to finance ⸻ 🔑 Key Takeaways • Enterprise AI success starts with use-case clarity and data readiness , not “just build me some AI.” • Agentic AI is coming fast , but businesses must balance autonomy with human-in-the-loop safety. • Proprietary data remains the strongest moat —not who owns the model, but who owns the insights. • Startups should be AI-native , but they must ground ambitions in execution, not aspiration. ⸻ 👤 About the Guest Ron Green is the Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at KUNGFU. AI, the leading AI management consultancy and engineering firm. He is a sought-after speaker, thought leader, and podcast host who has spent more than 20 years in artificial intelligence. Ron has successfully launched and led several tech ventures, including Thrive Technologies, Ziften Technologies, and Powered. At KUNGFU.AI, Ron leads the development of AI solutions for clients across multiple industries. He holds a Master’s degree in Evolutionary and Adaptive Systems from the University of Sussex and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from The University of Texas. https://www.linkedin.com/in/rongreen/ https://www.kungfu.ai/ ⏱️ Episode Highlights & Timestamps • 00:55 – Ron Green’s background in AI since the Clinton era • 03:10 – Why Kungfu.ai focuses on strategy before solutions • 07:50 – Data readiness: where companies still struggle • 09:15 – Top-down vs. bottom-up AI adoption • 14:00 – How Kungfu.ai approaches human-in-the-loop AI • 18:00 – What’s next after generative AI: agentic AI and emergent reasoning • 22:30 – How startups can harness AI without overhyping • 27:00 – A 4-phase blueprint for building production-grade AI • 33:00 – Why every startup needs a real ML engineer now • 43:00 – What really differentiates companies in the AI era: data, not infrastructure • 47:00 – Ron’s final thoughts and where to connect…
In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , we dive deep into the future of venture capital with Cyril Shtabtsovsky , founder of AlphaSemantic and a practicing VC. Cyril shares how his data-driven platform helps venture firms source, score, and connect with high-potential startups — using proprietary algorithms and machine learning to augment traditional VC workflows. From the role of AI in deal sourcing to venture arbitrage between US and MENA, this conversation blends tech, strategy, and hard-won insights from both sides of the table. 🔑 Key Takeaways • Why traditional VC gut feeling can be quantified — and where it still matters • How AlphaSemantic helps VCs find, pick, and approach the right startups • Why Series B is the “sweet spot” for data-driven venture strategies • The arbitrage opportunity between regions like Europe, MENA, and the US • Where deep tech, space tech, and robotics are headed in 2025 and beyond ⸻ 🎓 What You’ll Learn • The rise of data-driven VC platforms and what’s driving adoption • How Cyril’s published research back-tested startup success using public signals • What makes a VC fund globally competitive in today’s AI-native environment • Why deep tech may be the last defensible moat in the age of SaaS commoditization • Realistic startup valuation trends and exit paths in 2025 👤 About the Guest Cyril Shtabtsovsky is the founder of AlphaSemantic , a platform that empowers VCs with smart sourcing tools using big data, semantic search, and predictive scoring. Cyril is also an active venture capitalist and published researcher on startup success prediction. His mission is to democratize advanced VC tooling for the next generation of investors. https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyrilsh/ https://www.alphasemantic.ai/ https://arxiv.org/abs/2309.15552v1 ⏱️ Episode Highlights & Timestamps (Spotify + YouTube Chapters) 00:00 – Intro: Meet Cyril, founder of AlphaSemantic 02:00 – Why AlphaSemantic was born: From thesis to product 04:20 – The contradiction: Gut feeling vs. data-driven VC 07:00 – What stage is best for data-driven sourcing? 09:00 – Demo logic: What AlphaSemantic’s onboarding looks like 11:00 – The VC’s job: Find, pick, win 13:10 – Gut feeling as unconscious data processing 15:00 – How Cyril’s paper achieved 86% success prediction rate 17:30 – The challenge of scaling data-driven VC in emerging markets 20:00 – How new VCs can differentiate without a brand 22:00 – Deep tech, AI, and the post-software opportunity 24:00 – MENA data quality gaps vs. US/Europe VC infrastructure 28:00 – Global arbitrage in valuations between MENA, Europe, and the US 34:00 – What deep tech bets matter in 2025 40:00 – Angels vs. VCs: The role of smart capital 44:00 – Final thoughts: Optimism, growth, and regional momentum…
1 #501 The Technology of Belonging: Glen Cameron on Identity, Immigration, and Proof of Relationships 49:49
In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , we sit down with Glen Cameron, founder and CEO of Bonded, to explore how technology can validate the most human thing we have: relationships. From immigration barriers to identity verification in a deepfake world, Glen unpacks the inspiration behind Bonded — a startup building proof-of-relationship infrastructure for the AI age. 🎯 Key Takeaways • The problem with traditional identity: it’s static and individual • Immigration systems still rely on analog evidence of relationships • Deepfakes and fraud are making it harder to prove authentic human ties • Bonded’s approach: blending AI, privacy-first design, and blockchain timestamping • The concept of “proof of human relationship” as a new digital primitive • Why self-sovereign identity must extend beyond individuals to relationships • Use cases beyond immigration: from border checks to creative rights and relational passports • Glen’s unique founder journey from global ad exec to protocol builder ⸻ 🎧 What You’ll Learn • How AI and blockchain can work together to solve real-world identity challenges • The unseen complexity behind relationship verification in immigration • Why “relational identity” may be the missing link in Web3 innovation • How Glen is building a platform that’s both deeply technical and radically human 👤 About the Guest Glen Cameron is the founder of Bonded and Together Alone Ventures , with a diverse background spanning global PR, branding, and deep tech innovation. A true global citizen, Glen has lived and worked in 15+ countries and is now building a Web3- and AI-enabled platform to bring dignity, trust, and speed to how we prove human connection in high-stakes processes like immigration, banking, and beyond. https://www.linkedin.com/in/glencameronpb/ https://www.bonded2.com/ ⏱️ Episode Highlights 00:00 – Intro and how Mehmet and Glen met 02:00 – Glen’s personal immigration struggle that sparked Bonded 06:30 – Why traditional proof of relationships is broken 09:00 – Using AI + blockchain to build time-based, verifiable relational identity 13:30 – Starting from scratch: what if you’re already 45 years old? 16:00 – Privacy-first approach: user-owned data, kill switch, full control 18:30 – Getting immigration authorities to accept digital proof 21:00 – How Bonded structures evidence (scrollable timeline, triangulated proof) 23:30 – Border crossings, interrogation, and “proof in your pocket” 25:00 – Glen on why existing tech harvests data without helping users 27:00 – Expanding beyond immigration: traffic stops, IP rights, relational AI agents 30:00 – Why Web3 matters — and how Bonded avoids the hype traps 34:00 – Glen’s global career story and lessons from advertising to tech 41:00 – The rise of real use cases for relational protocols 44:00 – Fundraising, building responsibly, and going beyond MVP 47:00 – Final thoughts and how to get in touch with Glen…
In this special 500th episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , we dive deep into the talent game behind startup scaling and private equity moves. Joining us is Justin Dixon , founder of Hire Tomorrow, who brings nearly two decades of recruiting experience—from Fortune 500s to early-stage startups and PE-backed ventures. We explore how AI is disrupting (and complicating) hiring, why job security at big companies is a myth, and how to evaluate a startup as if you were a VC—even when you’re just looking for your next role. 🔑 Key Takeaways: • The shift from employee to founder mindset (and how Rich Dad Poor Dad started it all) • How startups can compete with Fortune 500s for top talent • Why private equity firms almost always replace the CFO post-acquisition • What startup job seekers should really evaluate (hint: think like a VC) • How AI is flooding hiring pipelines—and what that means for founders and recruiters • Why job security at big companies is often an illusion • How Justin uses AI as a “board of advisors” to sharpen his thinking • The underrated power of podcasting for network building and deal flow ⸻ 🎓 What You’ll Learn: • Practical hiring insights for both founders and job seekers • How to vet a startup before joining—beyond the hype • Trends shaping AI’s role in recruitment (and its limitations) • The human side of recruiting that AI can’t automate 👤 About the Guest: Founder of Hire Tomorrow, Justin Dixon brings a wealth of experience and passion to his business. With a career dedicated to the recruiting industry, Justin has effectively collaborated with companies of various sizes and across diverse industries, ranging from emerging startups to Fortune 500. In January 2020, he transitioned from his role as Head of Recruiting for a Wealth Management firm to establish Hire Tomorrow, dedicated to assisting Private Equity firms and Startups in finding the Right Talent to drive their success. Our focus extends across C-level roles, Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Technology, ensuring a comprehensive approach to fulfilling our clients' staffing needs. https://www.hiretomorrow.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmdixon15/ Episode Highlights (Timestamps): 00:00 – Introduction and Justin’s backstory 02:00 – Quitting a stable job to launch a recruiting firm 06:00 – Building financial freedom through entrepreneurship 08:30 – Working with private equity firms post-acquisition 13:00 – Why PE firms prioritize CFO replacements 15:00 – How startups can win talent over big companies 19:00 – What Justin looks for in a startup before recommending it 23:00 – Startup job seekers need a VC mindset 27:00 – How AI is disrupting hiring—and why it’s messy 33:00 – Why candidate experience is broken 37:00 – Limitations of AI interviews and hidden legal risks 41:00 – Why recruiters (and salespeople) won’t be replaced 43:00 – How podcasting builds network, not just visibility 46:00 – Wrap-up and how to reach Justin…
In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , host Mehmet Gonullu sits down with Karan Jain , Founder and CEO of NayaOne , to explore the broken state of enterprise tech adoption — and what it takes to fix it. With over two decades of experience in financial services and technology, Karan is on a mission to eliminate the painful 12-month vendor procurement cycles that cripple innovation in large institutions. NayaOne offers a powerful, secure platform that connects enterprises with technology vendors and enables real-time evaluation using synthetic data, workflow tooling, and curated testbeds. From regulated environments like banking and healthcare to emerging innovation hubs in MENA, this conversation dives deep into how enterprises can move faster without compromising trust, compliance, or outcomes. 💡 What You’ll Learn • Why most enterprises still take 6–12 months to validate a tech vendor • How NayaOne shortens this cycle to a few weeks with sandbox infrastructure and synthetic data • The role of AI urgency in transforming procurement culture • Why “measured” doesn’t have to mean “slow” in regulated industries • How enterprise buyers are beginning to embrace experimentation over perfection • Trends in enterprise AI use cases (contact centers, dev tooling, document workflows) • What MENA banks can learn from global innovation patterns — and where they’re leapfrogging ⸻ 🔑 Key Takeaways • 🧪 Proof-of-concept purgatory is real — but solvable with the right tools and mindset • ⏱ Speed is a competitive advantage, even in highly regulated sectors • 🤖 AI adoption requires a cultural shift, not just tools • 🌍 MENA is a region full of top-down innovation energy and emerging early adopters • 🧠 Enterprises must start thinking like platforms — not just buyers 👤 About Karan Jain • Founder & CEO of NayaOne • Former exec in banking, wealth, capital markets • Passionate about transforming enterprise-vendor relationships and building tech infrastructure that accelerates delivery • Actively working with banks, insurers, governments, and regulators globally — including in the MENA region https://nayaone.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/karanjainonline/ ⏱ Timestamps 00:00 – Intro 01:30 – Karan’s journey from banking to NayaOne 03:15 – The core problem: why vendor adoption is broken 05:40 – Industries most affected: finance, health, legal, public sector 07:10 – How NayaOne accelerates vendor evaluation with synthetic data 10:30 – Vendor vs. enterprise adoption mindsets 12:20 – Executives as the key stakeholders in tech adoption 14:40 – Why AI has forced enterprises to move faster 17:00 – NayaOne’s internal AI journey and infrastructure 20:15 – Agentic AI: hype vs. real use cases 23:45 – Why 70% of “AI agents” are just glorified automation 26:10 – Real enterprise AI use cases today 29:00 – The enterprise fear of missing out (FOMO) 31:10 – Lessons from neobanks and BNPL players 34:00 – The CVC use case: accelerating adoption within portfolios 36:20 – Expansion and innovation patterns in MENA 39:40 – Cultural nuance and early adopters in B2B 41:00 – Crossing the chasm in the MENA startup ecosystem 44:00 – Where to find Karan and learn more…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
In this episode, host Mehmet Gonullu welcomes back Dev Aditya , Co-Founder of OIAI by Otermans Institute , who returns nearly two years after his first appearance to share an extraordinary update: they’ve built an AI teacher that runs completely offline — even on a 2020 Android phone. From educating learners in refugee camps to scaling across 17 countries, Dev’s mission is clear: make AI-powered learning accessible to the 750 million people underserved by the internet and modern hardware. We explore the engineering breakthroughs , the philosophical pivots , and the global partnerships that are making it possible. 🔑 Key Takeaways: • Why offline, voice-first AI is a game changer for education in low-connectivity areas • How Dev’s team runs 3D avatar-based AI on edge devices from 2020 — without cloud inference • The reason they pivoted away from enterprise clients to return to their impact-driven mission • Why running AI for the marginalized means solving for both connectivity and hardware bottlenecks • Their ambitious goal: upskill 750M people by 2030 • The launch of an SDK for other organizations to embed their AI teaching system • Upcoming partnerships with African governments and UN bodies ⸻ 🎓 What You’ll Learn: • How to scale AI without relying on cloud infrastructure • What true digital inclusion looks like — beyond donations and broadband • The importance of philosophy and mission in product decisions • The future of immersive, voice-first learning experiences • How to build for constraint — and still scale globally 👤 About the Guest: Dev Aditya is the co-founder of OIAI by Otermans Institute. He’s known for launching the world’s first public-facing AI teachers well before ChatGPT entered the scene. Dev’s work focuses on democratizing education through AI and edge computing, bringing scalable, impactful learning to the most underserved populations. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dev-adityaofficial/ https://www.portfolio.oiedu.co.uk/ 00:00 – Welcome back, Dev Aditya & what’s changed since Episode 212 02:00 – From rural schools to refugee camps: The origin story 05:30 – Content vs. teacher: The real challenge in scaling learning 07:00 – The philosophical misstep and going back to the mission 09:40 – Monetizing impact: Lessons from enterprise and education 11:00 – Offline breakthrough: Running AI without internet 13:40 – Engineering feat: 3D avatar AI on Android 2020 phones 15:20 – Why bigger models don’t equal better outcomes 18:00 – Did open-source LLMs influence their vision? 21:00 – How they handle data, analytics & personalization offline 23:00 – No patents? Why they’re releasing an SDK instead 25:00 – The SEA Model: Skills, Efficiency, Accessibility 27:00 – Building voice-first digital experiences for the underserved 30:00 – VR + AI for marginalized learners? Already built 32:00 – Teaching entrepreneurship, not just STEM 34:30 – An AI teacher that remembers you 36:00 – What’s next: Kenya, Guinea-Bissau & São Tomé 38:00 – Final thoughts & how to get in touch with Dev…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
1 #497 From Startup Grind to Mozilla Labs: Raj Singh on AI, Vibe Coding, and Building What Matters 50:31
Raj Singh, VP of Product at Mozilla and a seasoned startup founder, joins The CTO Show with Mehmet to share a candid look into the evolution of building products—from the early days of AI to today’s GenAI-fueled solo founder wave. We dive into what vibe coding means, how big companies like Mozilla are tackling zero-to-one innovation, and why most startups fail—not because of the idea, but because the founders get tired. 🚀 Key Takeaways • Most startups fail in the messy middle, not the beginning or end • AI is shifting us from “doing the work” to “instructing the machine” • Vibe coding is enabling faster product iteration—but it still needs human judgment • Large companies often struggle with zero-to-one because of talent structure, risk aversion, and short conviction windows • Solo founders can thrive—if they manage their energy and support systems ⸻ 🎯 What You’ll Learn • How Raj defines product-market fit in the GenAI era • The new role of engineers and creators in the age of AI • How to build new products inside legacy organizations • When and how to pivot—without burning out • Why AI shouldn’t be the pitch—it should be the enabler 👤 About the Guest Raj is the VP of Product at Mozilla, leading new 0 to 1 product initiatives. He joined Mozilla in 2022 via the acquisition of his startup, Pulse, which developed AI meeting summarization models. Previously, Raj has been a repeat consumer-focused startup founder. He was Co-Founder and CEO of Tempo AI, a smart calendar acquired by Salesforce in 2015. He also co-founded AllTheCooks, which became the largest recipe community on Android before its acquisition by Cookpad. Earlier in his career, he served as VP of Business Development at Skyfire, a mobile browser acquired by Opera. Prior to this, Raj co-founded and exited startups in the ringtone, live video and college dating categories. https://linktr.ee/mobileraj Episode Highlights (Timestamps) 00:00 – Intro and Raj’s journey from founder to Mozilla 03:00 – Pattern recognition and founder gut-checks 06:15 – Why most startups are stuck in the messy middle 08:45 – Evolution of AI: from OpenCV to GenAI 11:20 – Vibe coding and the shift in creative workflows 13:40 – The 95% AI accuracy rule and human-in-the-loop design 16:00 – AI’s impact on growth hacking and customer acquisition 17:40 – Can solo founders really build unicorns? 20:00 – Trillion-dollar ambitions vs. billion-dollar thinking 21:30 – Building zero-to-one products inside Mozilla 25:00 – Why large companies struggle with innovation 29:00 – Culture, incentives, and the “conviction window” 33:00 – Pivoting: when to stick, when to switch 36:00 – The solo founder dilemma and founder loneliness 41:00 – Consumer AI: solving problems vs. chasing hype 44:00 – Final advice: execute your idea—don’t just think about it…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
1 #496 From Accidental Founder to 30,000+ Entrepreneurs | Jeremy Ames on Building Businesses That Last 51:34
In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , we sit down with Jeremy Ames , Co-Founder and CEO of Guidant Financial , a company that has helped over 30,000 entrepreneurs fund their businesses using US retirement funds. Jeremy shares his unconventional path into entrepreneurship, the rise of Main Street innovation , and what truly holds people back from launching businesses. This is a masterclass in testing ideas , avoiding costly mistakes, and seeing opportunities where others don’t—plus a refreshing take on AI adoption in traditional businesses. 💡 Key Takeaways • Why retirement funds can be a powerful startup capital source • The secret behind starting a business without quitting your job: “Side Projects” • Why validation before investment is non-negotiable • What entrepreneurs often overlook about financial modeling • The power of AI in traditional businesses and why it’s about culture, not just tools • Why “shiny object syndrome” kills more businesses than lack of capital • A personal story of failure—and what Jeremy learned from a loss-making franchise bet ⸻ 📚 What You’ll Learn • How to reduce risk when starting a business • What investors and entrepreneurs can learn from 30,000+ business launches • How to blend tech savviness with service-based business models • How AI is being used at Guidant Financial to create bottom-up innovation • Why agency, ownership, and intention matter more than ever in today’s uncertain economy 👤 About the Guest Jeremy Ames is a serial entrepreneur and the Co-Founder & CEO of Guidant Financial, a leader in innovative business funding solutions. With over 20 years of experience, Jeremy has helped 30,000+ individuals leverage their retirement funds to start and grow businesses through programs like 401k Business Financing (ROBS). A firm believer in the power of entrepreneurship to create wealth and freedom, Jeremy’s career spans successes, failures, and invaluable lessons, including being recognized as the SBA’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year. http://www.guidantfinancial.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyamesentrepreneur/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyamesentrepreneur/ Episode Highlights 00:00 – Intro & Jeremy’s background 03:00 – The emotional story behind his first business 06:00 – What keeps people from starting businesses 09:30 – The “Side Project” framework 13:00 – The viral cocoa bomb experiment 16:30 – Cleaning trash bins = $4M business? 19:00 – The engineer who bought a car repair shop 22:00 – Guidant’s approach to AI adoption 27:00 – AI’s role in business financing 29:00 – The #1 mistake entrepreneurs make after launching 33:00 – Coffee shop myths and financial realism 36:00 – Research, customer interviews, and competitive edge 40:00 – On the illusion of copying success 44:00 – A personal failure: the massage franchise story 47:00 – Final thoughts on agency, entrepreneurship, and ownership…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
In this episode, I sit down with Greg Marlin , the CTO of ZKcandy , to explore the evolving intersection of AI agents, blockchain infrastructure, NFTs, and the gaming world . We dive deep into how Greg is building seamless onboarding for Web3 gaming, how AI agents are redefining non-player characters and companions, and why encrypted AI agent NFTs might just be the future of user-owned digital experiences. Whether you’re a founder building in Web3, an investor watching the AI frontier, or just curious about where gaming is headed—this one’s packed with insights. 💡 Key Takeaways • What AI agents actually are—and why they matter in gaming • The vision behind encrypted AI companion NFTs • How ZKcandy simplifies Web3 authentication and onboarding • Why composability and simplicity are keys to developer adoption • The role of blockchain in preserving ownership and memory in AI • Founder tips on staying resilient in a copycat-prone startup environment ⸻ 🎧 What You’ll Learn • How AI agents will revolutionize NPCs and game companions • Why ERC-7662 is critical for privacy-first AI agents on-chain • Practical strategies for founders building in AI + gaming + blockchain • A preview of Raid Quest and ZKcandy’s upcoming game features About Greg Marlin Greg is a serial entrepreneur and technologist with a track record across SaaS, crypto, AI, and developer platforms. As the CTO of ZKCandy , a layer-2 blockchain built on the ZK Stack, he’s building tools that simplify Web3 onboarding for developers and gamers alike. Greg is also the author of ERC-7662 , the emerging standard for encrypted AI agent NFTs. https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregmarlin/ https://zkcandy.io/ https://eips.ethereum.org/EIPS/eip-7662 ⏱️ Episode Highlights 00:00 – Intro 01:00 – Greg’s journey from SaaS to AI to blockchain 04:00 – Breaking down what an AI agent actually is 09:30 – How AI companions will reshape gaming experiences 13:00 – AI in “raid” environments and social quests 15:00 – Addressing hallucinations and unpredictability in AI 20:00 – What ERC-7662 is and why it matters for AI NFTs 26:00 – Who owns your AI? How blockchain can protect user memory 28:00 – Developer experience: Plug-and-play SDKs for Web3 games 32:00 – Advice for founders building at the intersection of AI and gaming 36:30 – Final thoughts + where to find Greg…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
1 #494 Trust is the New Traction: PR, Fundraising, and the AI Discovery Shift with Mauro Battellini 47:51
In this episode, Mehmet sits down with Mauro Battellini , co-founder of Black Unicorn PR , to break down why PR is no longer optional for startups—and how the rise of AI-powered search is changing what investors and customers see first. From fundraising strategy to media perception, Mauro explains how to build legitimacy , earn visibility , and outperform better-funded competitors —even if you’re not in Silicon Valley. Whether you’re a first-time founder or a repeat entrepreneur, this episode will shift how you think about storytelling, credibility, and why “earned media” may be your strongest asset in the AI era . 🔑 Key Takeaways • When PR matters : The signals investors, regulators, and enterprise clients look for beyond the pitch deck • AI’s impact on perception : How tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity influence investor research and due diligence • Personal branding vs. thought leadership : Why founders must be discoverable—before the product is • PR in emerging markets : How startups from Central & Eastern Europe or MENA can play the global media game • Fundraising and credibility : How the right PR at the right time can shorten investor cycles ⸻ 📚 What You’ll Learn • How to identify your startup’s PR timing based on traction and stakeholder needs • Why earned media is becoming more powerful than paid ads in the AI era • The difference between “spray & pray” and strategic media outreach • How journalists evaluate startups—and how founders can become go-to voices • Real-world examples of how PR directly impacted fundraising outcomes 🧑💼 About Mauro Battellini Mauro is the co-founder of Black Unicorn PR , an agency laser-focused on early-stage tech startups. With a background in sales, market research, and e-commerce, Mauro brings a unique lens to PR that aligns brand perception with business outcomes. His mission: help founders from non-traditional ecosystems punch above their weight in global markets. https://www.blackunicornpr.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauro-alexis-battellini/ Episode Highlights & Timestamps 00:00 – Intro and Mauro’s journey from sales to startup PR 04:30 – Why Black Unicorn PR was founded to fix broken agency models 06:45 – When founders should start thinking about PR 10:15 – The mindset shift: PR isn’t about vanity—it’s about trust 14:00 – Thought leadership vs. personal branding in founder visibility 18:20 – Why emerging markets struggle with global media presence 22:40 – How PR helped Lithuanian startups get into international coverage 26:30 – What PR looks like during a fundraising round 30:45 – AI’s disruption of SEO and search discovery 33:10 – Why PR is becoming essential in the AI discovery layer 36:00 – The rise of solo journalists, niche media, and credibility loops 38:20 – Practical advice: what AI sees when someone Googles you 42:00 – Why PR is your startup’s trust layer in the noisy digital world 45:00 – Final tips: how to map stakeholders, focus outreach, and treat journalists like investors…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
In this episode of The CTO Show , Mehmet Gonullu sits down with Cosmin Ivan , CEO of Platinumlist , the leading event and ticketing platform in the MENA region. From selling tickets by hand to building a platform used for the biggest concerts and sporting events, Cosmin shares his 18-year journey and how Platinumlist became a trusted tech partner for global entertainment brands. They unpack the power of secure, scalable event tech, what it takes to expand across culturally diverse markets, and why trust, transparency, and customer experience drive long-term success. 💡 What You’ll Learn • How Platinumlist evolved into MENA’s most trusted ticketing tech platform • The role of security, dynamic QR codes, and anti-scalping measures • Why a great user experience begins before the event • Strategies for scaling across culturally diverse countries • Cosmin’s leadership approach to change management and team building • The future of AI, blockchain, and Web3 in entertainment tech • Opportunities for startup founders in the MENA event ecosystem ⸻ 🔑 Key Takeaways • Tech alone isn’t enough— simplicity and trust are critical. • 85% drop in ticket fraud after adopting dynamic QR and bank-grade encryption. • Customer experience is an end-to-end journey, not a single touchpoint. • The GCC’s mobility and transparency offer a unique opportunity for entertainment startups. 👤 About the Guest Cosmin Ivan is the CEO of Platinumlist, the region’s leading event discovery and ticketing platform. With nearly two decades in the industry, Cosmin helped grow the company from a scrappy 3-person operation to a regional tech powerhouse operating across the GCC. He’s an advocate for customer-centric design, ethical reselling, and event tech innovation. https://platinumlist.net/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosmin-ivan-38546582/ Episode Highlights 00:00 – Intro and welcome 02:00 – Cosmin’s journey from Europe to Platinumlist 06:00 – Defining a great event experience 10:00 – Leveraging tech to eliminate fraud and scalping 15:00 – Behind the scenes: Dynamic QR and secure ticketing 20:00 – Scaling Platinumlist across MENA 25:00 – Leading change and adapting to regional nuances 30:00 – The future of event tech: AI, Web3, crowd analytics 36:00 – What’s next for Platinumlist 39:00 – Advice for entertainment tech entrepreneurs in MENA 42:00 – Final thoughts on leadership and team culture…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
1 #492 Building Human-First Products in the Age of AI: Eric Müller on Security, Trust, and Leadership 46:20
In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , we sit down with Eric Müller , Product Engineering Associate Director at Work & Co, to unpack the evolving intersection of AI adoption , digital security , and empathetic leadership . With a career that spans cybersecurity, product architecture, and agency collaboration, Eric shares how to lead engineering teams through complexity without losing the human touch —especially in today’s AI-driven landscape. Whether you’re a founder, CTO, product leader, or advisor , this conversation is packed with practical insights and leadership wisdom 💡 What You’ll Learn • Why AI should augment , not replace, your dev team • The real risks of trusting LLM output blindly (including “slopjacking”) • How to balance speed and security in fast-paced product teams • The overlooked power of psychological safety in engineering culture • Why technical debt is just business debt —and how to manage it • Practical ways to communicate security to non-technical leaders • How to spot and mentor emerging engineering leaders ⸻ 🔑 Key Takeaways • AI is not a silver bullet. Use it to accelerate boilerplate and QA, but keep human oversight for anything mission-critical. • Security must start early. You can’t patch it in the final sprint—bake it into your culture from day one. • Empathy wins. In client work and internal leadership, understanding before advising changes everything. • Trust your inner voice. As a leader, self-trust is a vital compass—don’t let indecision erode confidence. 👤 About Eric Müller Eric Müller, is an Associate Director focusing on Product Engineering and Digital Security at Work & Co, part of Accenture Song, where leads engineering teams and supported automated processes to deliver high-quality digital products for the past decade. With over 20 years of experience in engineering and security, Eric has worked across various industries including banking, social media, B2B, retail, fashion, and online gaming. His extensive background includes significant roles at Wells Fargo Bank, Charles Schwab, Razorfish, and Mekanism, where he delivered award-winning projects for clients such as Microsoft, Business Wire, Anza, and Vibrant Planet. Eric fosters empathetic leadership and transparent communication to build resilient, high-performing tech teams. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericmullersf/ https://work.co/ Episode Highlights 00:00 – Intro & Eric’s journey from Gen X hacker to engineering leader 04:00 – AI adoption: Hype vs. Doomerism, and where the real value lies 07:00 – Finding the sweet spot for GenAI in engineering 10:00 – The tension between speed, usability, and secure code 12:30 – LLM risks: hallucinations, outdated data, slopjacking 15:30 – Explaining AI risk & security to non-technical executives 18:00 – Making clients feel heard: the “make them writer” mindset 22:00 – Coaching engineering teams through compromises and deadlines 29:00 – Psychological safety and what leaders get wrong 33:00 – Leading in a hybrid world: Slack, trust, and async culture 38:00 – Spotting and mentoring the next generation of leaders 41:00 – Why mentorship vs management books 44:00 – Final advice: Trust yourself, and trust your team…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
In this episode, Mehmet Gonullu sits down with Mary Moore-Simmons , VP of Engineering at Keebo AI, to unpack what it really takes to scale high-performing engineering teams in today’s AI-powered environment. From DevOps and ML Ops to building team culture that lasts, Mary shares hard-won insights from over a decade in engineering leadership across startups and high-growth tech companies. This is a must-listen for founders, CTOs, and venture investors seeking clarity on where engineering, AI, and culture intersect. 🔑 Key Takeaways • The shift from traditional DevOps to ML Ops and its impact on team structure • Why data engineering is no longer optional, even for product-focused engineers • How to balance velocity with sustainable engineering culture • The real difference between a CTO and a VP of Engineering • Why culture must be owned—and modeled—by the CEO to scale • How Mary mentors future leaders through transparency and structure ⸻ 📘 What You’ll Learn • The traits Mary looks for when hiring for early-stage engineering teams • How to scope early features in a fast-moving startup environment • Strategies to shield your team from “firefighting” and maintain focus • The importance of infrastructure automation in the age of AI • Mary’s thoughts on whether company culture can truly scale 👤 About the Guest Mary Moore Simmons is the VP of Engineering at Keebo.ai, where she has been instrumental in shaping the company's innovative approach to data warehouse optimization. A seasoned engineering leader with 10+ years in software, her background includes Director of Engineering at Github and Zcash as well as VP of Engineering at AgentSync. She focuses on building high-performing teams that sustain a healthy culture and growth mindset. She is passionate about authentic and transparent leadership, and building a culture where people can bring their authentic selves to work, where DEIB is table stakes. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmooresimmons http://keebo.ai/ https://github.com/mmsthepizzathief Episode Highlights & Timestamps 00:01 – Mary’s journey: from chemical engineer to VP of Engineering 03:20 – What Keebo AI does and how they optimize Snowflake & Databricks 05:10 – The evolving intersection of software and data engineering 07:00 – Why Mary prioritizes hiring with data and ML experience 08:30 – DevOps, ML Ops, and keeping engineers happy and efficient 10:50 – The CTO vs VP of Engineering: What really separates the two 13:30 – Balancing velocity vs long-term stability in startup engineering 18:45 – How Mary shields her team from noise and burnout 22:00 – The traits Mary looks for when hiring 23:30 – Authentic and transparent leadership in practice 25:30 – Does culture scale? What Mary has seen work 28:30 – What goes wrong when companies scale too fast 33:00 – Coaching future leaders and creating career ladders 37:00 – Tools, books, and blog posts Mary recommends 38:00 – AI, automation, and what tech excites Mary today 40:00 – Where to connect with Mary…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
In this episode of The CTO Show , Mehmet welcomes Keith Cassar , CTO at Game Lounge, who shares his journey from SQL developer to tech leader, and what it takes to evolve from a data specialist into a cross-functional CTO. Together, they explore how to make data genuinely useful, what AI can and can’t solve, and how to scale high-performing tech teams without overengineering. 📌 Key Takeaways • The shift from developer to data leader to CTO — and what changes at each level • Why availability, accuracy, and speed of data are key to data usability • How to turn raw data into decision-ready insights • Embracing AI for empowerment, not replacement • Building cross-functional, agile teams without overhiring • How to lead during crisis: the importance of being “first to know” • Leadership advice for aspiring CTOs — from imposter syndrome to team design ⸻ 📚 What You’ll Learn • How to structure data systems that support business decisions • Practical use cases of AI in affiliate marketing and tech operations • How to scale infrastructure with limited resources • The CTO’s evolving role in hybrid and remote work culture • Personalization as the next AI frontier 👤 About Keith Cassar Keith Cassar is the CTO of Game Lounge , an affiliate marketing company operating globally. With a strong background in data engineering, Keith previously held roles as Chief Data Officer and Head of Data. He began his career as a developer, later joining King (makers of Candy Crush) during its early growth. Now based in Malta, he focuses on bridging the gap between tech and business, using data and leadership to build resilient organizations. https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithcassar/ https://www.gamelounge.com/ Episode Highlights 00:00 – Introduction and Keith’s background 03:00 – Transitioning from data to CTO 07:00 – What “making data usable” really means 11:00 – Raw data to insight: The transformation journey 14:00 – Real-world AI applications and limitations 18:00 – Scaling infrastructure with limited resources 21:00 – AI in development teams: Productivity vs. replacement 25:00 – Frameworks for high-performing tech teams 28:00 – Remote culture and trust in hybrid environments 33:00 – Crisis leadership and data observability 37:00 – Trends in personalization and AI 39:00 – Advice for aspiring CTOs and tech leaders 42:00 – Final thoughts + where to find Keith…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
1 #489 Why Silicon Valley Still Wins: Dr. Andrey Kunov on What Emerging Markets Miss 1:02:56
1:02:56 پخش در آینده پخش در آینده لیست ها پسندیدن دوست داشته شد1:02:56
پخش در آینده پخش در آینده لیست ها پسندیدن دوست داشته شدIn this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , Dr. Andrey Kunov — serial entrepreneur, founder of Silicon Valley Innovation Center, and AI advisor — joins us from the heart of Silicon Valley to dissect what truly makes the Valley unbeatable. We explore why other ecosystems struggle to replicate it, what founders in emerging markets should focus on instead, and how AI is reshaping the rules of startup creation and capital. 🧠 What You’ll Learn • Why disruption doesn’t start with capital — it starts with conviction • The real reason Silicon Valley can’t be copied • How AI agents will reshape startup teams (and reduce early hiring needs) • Why execution matters more than knowledge in today’s innovation economy • How emerging hubs can build their own innovation flywheel • Why venture capital isn’t always a blessing — and when to delay raising ⸻ ✨ Key Takeaways • Disruption = growth without profit : Startups win by operating in uncertain markets large companies avoid. • Execution is the differentiator : Ideas are common — what matters is putting them into motion, despite risk. • AI is shifting the capital equation : Solo founders can now build with fewer resources by deploying intelligent agents. • Silicon Valley’s edge lies in compounding effects : Talent, capital, IP protection, early adopters, and open markets fuel each other. • Emerging markets should stop copying and start localizing innovation using their own unfair advantages. 🎙️ About the Guest Dr. Andrey Kunov is the founder of Brio Link and Silicon Valley Innovation Center (SVIC) , with over two decades of experience in innovation, AI, and technology adoption. At Brio Link, he develops fully automated, AI-powered marketing solutions for enterprises. Through SVIC, he has helped global corporations and governments accelerate innovation by connecting them with Silicon Valley’s ecosystem of startups, R&D labs, and venture capital. His clients include Toyota, ExxonMobil, Deutsche Bank, and SAP. A Stanford Ph.D. holder, Dr. Kunov specializes in generative AI, automation, and bridging Silicon Valley with global markets. https://briolink.com/ https://svicenter.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kunov/ Episode Highlights & Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction and Dr. Kunov’s journey from Kazakhstan to Stanford 04:30 – Common thread between science, startups, and execution 07:50 – Defining real technological disruption 13:10 – Why large companies can’t build disruptive products 18:00 – How Google and Amazon became monopolies without being first 22:30 – Execution vs. knowledge in the age of abundant AI 28:10 – How Silicon Valley Innovation Center helps global founders 34:00 – Startup scouting and strategic acquisitions for corporates 38:45 – Why no one can replicate Silicon Valley 47:30 – Advice for emerging markets: build your own version, don’t copy 53:00 – The rise of AI agents and how founders should use them 58:00 – Sam Altman, superintelligence, and the path to post-VC innovation 1:00:00 – Final thoughts and where to find Dr. Kunov online…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
1 #488 The Inside-Out Entrepreneur: Mohamed Ahmed on Startup Mindset and Emotional Readiness 1:03:27
1:03:27 پخش در آینده پخش در آینده لیست ها پسندیدن دوست داشته شد1:03:27
پخش در آینده پخش در آینده لیست ها پسندیدن دوست داشته شدIn this episode, host Mehmet Gonullu sits down with Mohamed Ahmed , an engineer-turned-founder and author of The Inside-Out Entrepreneur . Together, they unpack the mental, emotional, and strategic conditioning required for engineers to become successful startup founders. From navigating early-stage chaos to managing the emotional rollercoaster of startup life, Mohamed offers frameworks, stories, and tools that every founder needs to hear. 🎯 Key Takeaways • Why building a business is radically different from building a product • How emotional resilience and mental robustness can make or break your startup • The difference between mentors, advisors, and the right kind of friends • Fundraising reality checks: what first-time founders often get wrong • How to avoid “startup identity crisis” and separate your self-worth from your venture • Tactical tips for expanding your founder support system and filtering noise ⸻ 🎓 What You’ll Learn • A practical mindset framework to prepare for the ups and downs of entrepreneurship • How to validate your idea without getting stuck in tech hype • The role of storytelling, support systems, and self-awareness in founder success • How to build real VC relationships without falling into transactional traps ⸻ ⏱️ Episode Highlights & Timestamps 00:00 – Intro and Mohamed’s journey from Egypt to AWS to entrepreneurship 03:00 – Why engineers often misunderstand what it takes to build a business 06:00 – Emotional resilience: the invisible edge founders need 14:00 – Fundraising psychology and how to avoid burnout from rejections 19:00 – The support system: mentors, family, friends, and the role they each play 28:00 – Filtering noise: how to avoid time-wasters and empty advice 36:00 – How Mohamed overcame a failed acquisition hours before signing 44:00 – Fundraising done right: how to build investor trust before the ask 47:00 – Talking tech vs. solving problems: building the right narrative 52:00 – What “Boundless Founder” means and how Mohamed is giving back 👤 About Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed is an AI infrastructure leader, entrepreneur, and author of The Inside-Out Entrepreneur . He has built and scaled AI-driven ventures across startups and Fortune 1000 companies, with leadership roles at Intel, Amazon, and Microsoft. As the founder of Boundless Founder , he helps technical founders develop the mental resilience and strategic clarity needed to scale high-growth businesses. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohamedfahmed/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Inside-Out-Entrepreneur-Become-entrepreneur-were/dp/B0DN25TW7H ⏱️ Episode Highlights & Timestamps 00:00 – Intro and Mohamed’s journey from Egypt to AWS to entrepreneurship 03:00 – Why engineers often misunderstand what it takes to build a business 06:00 – Emotional resilience: the invisible edge founders need 14:00 – Fundraising psychology and how to avoid burnout from rejections 19:00 – The support system: mentors, family, friends, and the role they each play 28:00 – Filtering noise: how to avoid time-wasters and empty advice 36:00 – How Mohamed overcame a failed acquisition hours before signing 44:00 – Fundraising done right: how to build investor trust before the ask 47:00 – Talking tech vs. solving problems: building the right narrative 52:00 – What “Boundless Founder” means and how Mohamed is giving back…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , we sit down with Cheryl Cunningham , CEO of Huro AI , to explore how agentic AI is reshaping entrepreneurship as we know it. From her early days in the food industry to building a quantum-informed AI company, Cheryl shares the journey behind Huro’s mission: enabling solopreneurs and SMBs to go from vision to execution with a single personalized operating system. Whether you’re a future founder, tech leader, or just AI-curious — this is an unmissable conversation about agency, survival, and the future of work. 🔑 Key Takeaways • Why the solopreneur economy is growing — and how AI will fuel it • How Huro’s AI agent “Gabby” acts like your personal COO • The importance of hyper-personalization in future AI systems • Cheryl’s perspective on quantum-inspired AI and sustainability • Why entrepreneurship is no longer optional — it’s a survival skill ⸻ 🎓 What You’ll Learn • How agentic AI can turn a non-technical founder into a one-person startup • The mindset shift from tools-in-buckets to full-stack execution engines • The role of empathy and personal context in the AI-human loop • Real talk on how and when AI might really replace traditional jobs • What Cheryl learned by moving from service entrepreneur to tech founder ⸻ 👤 About Cheryl Cunningham Cheryl Cunningham is the CEO and founder of Huro AI , a company building a hyper-personalized, agentic operating system designed to help everyday entrepreneurs execute their vision—without needing to be tech experts. With a background spanning food service to frontier AI, she brings a fresh, grounded approach to what it means to build tools for the builder. https://www.huroai.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylecunningham/ Episode Highlights [00:04:30] Cheryl’s first vision of Huro AI: A way to protect humanity from AI job loss [00:07:10] Why siloed tools are failing new entrepreneurs [00:09:30] The birth of Gabby: A hyper-personalized AI COO [00:14:00] Human uniqueness as the “source code” for agentic agents [00:20:30] Lessons from the food industry: Distribution is everything [00:23:00] Quantum-level AI thinking: Feasible without quantum chips? [00:35:00] Why we’re entering a “forced entrepreneurship” era [00:40:00] A message to the non-technical dreamers: You won’t be left behind…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
1 #486 The Brave Leap: Michael Cutajar on Automating Accounting with AI Agents & Building with Purpose 40:38
In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , we sit down with Michael Cutajar , CEO of AI Partners, who’s on a mission to fix the broken world of accounting through the power of AI agents. From his early days as a PwC accountant in Malta to founding multiple startups—including a VR venture and now an AI-driven automation company—Michael shares what it takes to go from employee to entrepreneur, how to close six-figure enterprise deals, and why cultural resistance to failure is holding regions like Europe and MENA back. 🎯 What You’ll Learn • Why the accounting industry is broken—and how AI agents can fix it • How to sell automation without triggering fear of job loss • Michael’s approach to closing large deals through trust and patience • Why he traveled to Silicon Valley to build founder confidence • How to reframe failure as feedback • The hidden importance of storytelling in tech entrepreneurship • Why personal touch still matters in a world of AI ⸻ 🧠 Key Takeaways • “Build for free to earn trust” can break through even the most skeptical industries • Defensibility in AI isn’t just about code—it’s about context, geography, and relationships • Europe’s fear of failure is cultural, not intellectual—founders need a new narrative • The future of junior roles in accounting (and tech) is advisory, not operational 👤 About the Guest Michael Cutajar is the founder and CEO of AI Partners , a startup creating AI agents tailored for finance and accounting workflows. A qualified accountant turned tech entrepreneur, Michael is passionate about solving real-world problems with automation and building in public with a practical, test-first mindset. https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcutajar/ https://www.ai-partners.ai/ 🕒 Episode Highlights (Timestamps) 00:00 – Intro & Michael’s background 02:30 – From accounting to entrepreneurship 04:45 – Spotting opportunities in AI automation 06:15 – Why accounting is a broken industry 07:40 – Real-world impact of AI agents (150% efficiency gains) 09:30 – Selling automation without triggering fear 11:00 – Lessons from closing six-figure enterprise deals 13:00 – Playing with pricing models in an evolving AI economy 14:50 – Can Big Tech kill your AI startup? 16:30 – Will AI make purchasing decisions? 17:30 – Are junior accounting jobs disappearing? 19:00 – How Michael built confidence through pitching 20:30 – Going to Silicon Valley for real-world feedback 22:00 – Why failure is taboo in Europe and MENA 26:30 – How to change a risk-averse culture 29:00 – Why schools need entrepreneurship education 31:00 – AI Partners’ roadmap and UK expansion 32:00 – The truth about “one-person unicorns” 37:00 – Final thoughts: Learn, test, and take the leap…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
1 #485 Scaling Starts with People: Nahed Khairallah on Building Teams That Don’t Break 1:02:38
1:02:38 پخش در آینده پخش در آینده لیست ها پسندیدن دوست داشته شد1:02:38
پخش در آینده پخش در آینده لیست ها پسندیدن دوست داشته شدMehmet sits down with Nahed Khairallah , founder of Organized Chaos , to discuss why startups that reach initial traction often stall or fail due to people-related blind spots. With experience advising over 150 startups globally, Nahed unpacks the tactical, cultural, and strategic layers of building scalable teams that last. 🔑 Key Takeaways • 🚫 The real reason startups fail after product-market fit isn’t product—it’s people decisions • 🧠 Why founders struggle to let go—and how that bottlenecks growth • 🔍 The myth of culture as an “HR responsibility” and how to fix it • 🌍 When (and how) to scale internationally from a headcount perspective • 🔄 Burnout, layoffs, and the hidden cost of poor hiring processes • 💡 Why copying big company playbooks kills early-stage startups • 🤖 How AI is changing HR infrastructure—and where the tech is still falling short ⸻ 📚 What You’ll Learn • How to plan headcount like a growth-stage founder, not a first-time operator • Tactics to avoid operational debt from misaligned hires • The early signals that your startup culture is breaking • Frameworks for HR as a business enabler, not a cost center 👤 About Nahed Khairallah Nahed is a relentless advocate for the extraordinary potential of fast-growing startups. For over a decade, he has built a track record of transforming 7-figure companies into 9-figure powerhouses by turning HR into rocket fuel for their growth. His journey in scaling startups has been an exhilarating global expedition, taking him across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. This experience has enriched his perspective on what it truly means to drive hyper-growth on a global scale and across cultures. https://www.linkedin.com/in/khairallahnahed https://organizedchaos.fyi/ Episode Highlights & Timestamps 00:00 – Intro and why people ops is often overlooked 01:30 – Nahed’s journey: from IT to HR for startups 05:15 – Common people mistakes when startups start scaling 10:05 – Hiring for short-term needs vs long-term adaptability 14:10 – When is a startup really ready to scale globally? 20:00 – Why founders must stop treating HR as admin overhead 26:00 – A real example of cutting $500K in hiring costs 29:40 – Why startup culture breaks after 50+ employees 35:00 – Burnout, silent resignations, and founder blind spots 44:20 – Layoffs as a symptom of bad planning 48:00 – Using AI in HR: what’s working and what’s not 56:00 – Nahed’s podcast, newsletter, and startup HR course…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , Naga Vadrevu, Chief Technology Officer at Wonderschool and former engineering leader at Square, Adobe, and Autodesk, shares his journey from big tech to startup disruption. Naga dives deep into how he applies AI and machine learning to revolutionize childcare access in the U.S., and why modern CTOs must evolve from coders to orchestrators. He also reflects on the tough decisions leadership demands, including disbanding QA teams and embracing lean, impact-focused engineering. 🔑 Key Takeaways • Why CTOs today must focus on customer outcomes , not just technical execution • How AI is reshaping industries with human-centric applications • The jobs-to-be-done mindset that shaped Square’s success • Lessons from shutting down a QA department in favor of full automation • The future of lean engineering teams and the end of unnecessary hierarchy • Thoughts on MCP, API design, and the orchestration layer of modern platforms ⸻ 💡 What You’ll Learn • How to lead tech teams with purpose and clarity • What it takes to align engineering with business goals • First-hand insights into AI implementation in non-technical industries • Why understanding “first principles” can give you a competitive edge • Tips for future CTOs and first-time startup tech leaders 👤 About Naga Vadrevu Naga is the CTO of Wonderschool, a platform transforming early childhood education through tech. With 15+ years in Silicon Valley, his experience spans enterprise giants like Adobe and Square to fast-scaling startups. Naga is passionate about using technology to solve human problems—and doing it with first-principles thinking. https://www.wonderschool.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/naga-ravi-vadrevu-8b142521/ Episode Highlights ⏱️ [00:02:00] Naga’s journey from India to Silicon Valley ⏱️ [00:03:00] Applying AI-driven pricing in childcare ⏱️ [00:05:00] Matching parents and childcare providers with tech ⏱️ [00:09:00] Learning the business: Lessons from Square and “Jobs To Be Done” ⏱️ [00:14:00] Thoughts on mass layoffs and the evolving role of engineers ⏱️ [00:21:00] Lean teams and the new standard for Series A+ readiness ⏱️ [00:26:00] Deterministic APIs vs non-deterministic agents ⏱️ [00:30:00] Shutting down QA and retraining engineers ⏱️ [00:34:00] Advice for aspiring CTOs: Think like a business owner…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
In this episode, Mehmet is joined by Tyler Dunagin, Founder & CEO of Turnserv, a platform powering multiple tech-enabled service brands in the multifamily housing sector. Tyler has scaled five brands to 7-figure revenue, secured private equity backing, and earned a spot on the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing U.S. companies. From building within arm’s reach to leading with culture and equity, Tyler shares hard-won insights into scaling non-obvious businesses with discipline and purpose. ✅ Key Takeaways • Why tech isn’t the only path—service businesses can scale fast if built smart • The “within arm’s reach” framework for discovering untapped opportunities • Why specialization beats generalization in early-stage business models • Scaling operations through playbooks, KPIs, and culture codes • Fundraising lessons: services vs. software, and earning trust before capital • The underestimated power of personal branding for founders ⸻ 🎧 What You’ll Learn • How Tyler built multiple 7-figure businesses with low ego and high focus • The hidden challenges of growing service companies (and how to solve them) • When founders must delegate—and how to do it without losing control • A real founder’s mindset on burnout, motivation, and purpose • How to align your team with equity, not just expectations 👤 About the Guest Tyler Dunagin is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Turnserv, a tech-enabled service platform for property management. He has directed $250M+ in asset management, developed patented products, and been nominated for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year award. Tyler is also a strong advocate for founder mental health, team equity, and personal branding done right. https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerdunagin/ https://dunagincollective.com/ https://www.turnserv.com/ Episode Highlights (Chapters) 00:00 – Introduction & Tyler’s journey 03:00 – Building within arm’s reach 06:00 – Frameworks for fast, focused scaling 10:00 – Bottlenecks and solving for scale in service businesses 15:00 – Scaling company culture with speed 21:00 – Delegation, burnout, and breaking founder bottlenecks 27:00 – Managing $250M in assets and applying it to entrepreneurship 30:00 – Fundraising for service businesses vs. tech 35:00 – Personal branding and its impact on recruiting, sales, and trust 44:00 – The founder mindset: staying grounded through uncertainty 49:00 – Final reflections and how to connect with Tyler…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
1 #467 From Engineer to Entrepreneur: Tom Basey on Reinventing Career Paths Through Insurance & Impact 45:52
In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , we sit down with Tom Basey , a former engineer and project manager turned entrepreneur, to unpack what it really takes to pivot from corporate life to a lean, scalable business in an unexpected space—insurance. Tom shares lessons from 30+ years in tech and telecom, why he believes insurance is a smart entry point for aspiring entrepreneurs, and how he’s leveraging digital tools and AI to scale impact without the traditional overhead. 🔑 Key Takeaways • Why simplicity and execution often outperform innovation • How to build a scalable business with no payroll or supply chain • The overlooked power of insurance as a lean startup model • What Web3 and blockchain can teach us about ownership and decentralization • Why lifelong learning and digital mentorship are the future of education ⸻ 📚 What You’ll Learn • How corporate experience can prepare you for entrepreneurship • The pros and cons of entering a crowded market • What “doing the work once and getting paid repeatedly” looks like • Real-life use cases for blockchain in fraud prevention, insurance, and creator economy • How to rethink traditional education in an AI-first world 👤 About the Guest Tom Basey is a self-described “recovering engineer” who spent decades in corporate America before launching a successful entrepreneurial career in the insurance industry. Drawing from his background in engineering, telecom, and medical devices, Tom now helps people secure their futures through insurance, while mentoring others on digital learning and distributed ownership. https://www.basey-insurance.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tombasey/ ⏱️ Episode Highlights 00:00 – Tom’s journey: from engineering to entrepreneurship 03:00 – Why he chose insurance and how it scales lean 07:00 – Competing in a crowded market through consultative selling 09:00 – Incentives, recurring revenue, and trust in sales 11:00 – How AI is transforming underwriting in insurance 14:00 – Leaving corporate: mindset shifts and myths to break 18:00 – Digital learning, mentorship, and monetizing expertise 27:00 – Web3, blockchain, and decentralizing ownership 36:00 – Use cases for blockchain in insurance, identity, and tickets 41:00 – Staying human in a digital world 43:00 – Final advice: Own your future, stay curious, and keep learning We’re proud to share that The CTO Show was recently featured by Million Podcasts as a top show across several categories: 100 Best Business Technology Podcasts 100 Best Digital Business Podcasts 100 Best Digital Transformation Podcasts 100 Best Future of Work Podcasts 100 Best Future Tech Podcasts 100 Best Startup Podcasts Check it out here: Million Podcasts Feature…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
1 #466 What Founders Miss Most: Moataz Mukhaimer on Strategy, Pricing, and Funding Readiness 1:04:24
1:04:24 پخش در آینده پخش در آینده لیست ها پسندیدن دوست داشته شد1:04:24
پخش در آینده پخش در آینده لیست ها پسندیدن دوست داشته شدIn this episode, Mehmet sits down with strategy and finance advisor Moataz Mukhaimer , joining from Jordan, to unpack the most overlooked blind spots in early-stage startups. From pricing pitfalls to financial illiteracy, Moataz reveals the top three areas founders consistently ignore—and why getting these right can be the difference between scaling and stalling. A must-listen for any entrepreneur serious about building fundable, resilient companies. Key Takeaways • Why external research is the #1 blind spot for most founders. • The critical link between pricing strategy and sustainable profitability. • How to simplify financial modeling—even if you’re not a numbers person. • The psychology of founders: knowing when to say no . • The anatomy of investor due diligence and how to prepare. • Why culture and failure acceptance matter in MENA’s startup ecosystem. ⸻ What You’ll Learn • How to avoid “build, build, build” syndrome without losing focus • The real reason investors care more about cash flow than your pitch • How to use value-based pricing to strengthen your margins • What it means to be funding-ready —from story to spreadsheets About the Guest Moataz Mukhaimer is a seasoned strategic and financial advisor with 20+ years of experience supporting SMEs across the MENA region. Based in Jordan, he has worked with a wide range of clients—from family businesses to international brands—across sectors like retail, medtech, edtech, e-commerce, manufacturing, and software. Moataz specializes in strategy, pricing, financial modeling, and business valuation, helping founders make smarter decisions and build fundable companies. https://www.linkedin.com/in/moataz-mukhaimer/ https://moatazmukhaimeradvisory.com Episode Highlights ⏱️ 03:00 – The top 3 blind spots Moataz sees in startups ⏱️ 08:30 – Why founders avoid financial modeling (and how to simplify it) ⏱️ 14:45 – Burn rate, cash flow, and pricing as strategic tools ⏱️ 23:10 – Strategy vs. operations: defining the big picture ⏱️ 29:30 – The founder mindset: ego, FOMO, and resilience ⏱️ 36:00 – How to know you’re ready to raise funding ⏱️ 45:00 – Financial due diligence: what investors actually look at ⏱️ 52:30 – The rise of the MENA ecosystem and what still needs work…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
In this bold and thought-provoking episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , UK-based serial entrepreneur and investor Steve Endacott joins the show to discuss the intersection of AI, entrepreneurship, and legacy . From backing disruptive startups to launching Neural Voice , a conversational AI platform for the travel industry, and Life’s Echo , a digital legacy tool that lets people speak at their own funerals—Steve is turning ambitious ideas into impactful ventures. You’ll hear why Steve believes AI is still at the “engine” stage, why implementation is the real frontier, and how his AI incubator is matching technical founders with seasoned business leaders to accelerate market-ready innovation. 🎯 Key Takeaways • Why AI startups need real business models, not just tech • The danger of overestimating big tech’s dominance in AI • Why UK founders struggle to scale—and how Dubai is emerging as an alternative funding hub • How AI can preserve human stories through voice and memory • The funding death zone: why early UK startups thrive but Series A remains elusive • Why failure is embraced in the US—but still taboo in the UK ⸻ 🎓 What You’ll Learn • How to build scalable AI startups with B2B2C models • What it means to “build a car, not just the AI engine” • How to make your startup fundable through SEIS and EIS • Real examples of AI products in travel, legacy tech, and politics • Why founders need to surround themselves with “gray hair” and business realism 👤 About the Guest: Steve Endacott STEVE ENDACOTT (AI-STEVE) NON-EXEC CHAIRMAN NEURAL RIVER (AI), NEURAL VOICE (AI) AND TRAVEL SOLUTIONS NETWORK AND FOUNDER OF ECO–ELECTRIC CAR ORGANISATION. He had an extensive business career before Steve created the SmarterUK party and exploded into political work by standing as AI Steve to become the UK's first AI Member of Parliament in Brighton Pavilion. Steve has the unusual distinction of having successful careers within both corporate and entrepreneurial environments. Steve is now “Semi-Retired”, having sold Holiday Taxis Ltd (Jan 2019) and Rock Insurance Ltd in multimillion-pound deals. He, however, continues to invest in startup businesses and has recently launched a range of new companies. ⏱ Episode Highlights (Timestamps) 00:00 – Intro and Steve’s entrepreneurial background 03:00 – The “AI car” metaphor: why implementation is everything 06:00 – Neural Voice: building travel-focused conversational AI 10:00 – Running for office as AI Steve 14:00 – Politics vs AI: fear of disruption 17:00 – The UK startup environment: good for early-stage, hard for scaling 20:00 – Why Steve is looking to Dubai for follow-on funding 22:00 – Life’s Echo: creating digital legacies and posthumous storytelling 27:00 – Public reactions: love, hate, and death threats 32:00 – Startup building lessons: team balance, sweat equity, and valuation realism 38:00 – Global-first thinking: building 25-language, 24/7 AI products 42:00 – Final advice: move fast, go global, and build meaningful businesses…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
1 #464 The Resume is Dead: Garrett Rice & Philippe Cailloux on Reinventing Job Hunting with AI 1:30:49
1:30:49 پخش در آینده پخش در آینده لیست ها پسندیدن دوست داشته شد1:30:49
پخش در آینده پخش در آینده لیست ها پسندیدن دوست داشته شدIn this episode, I’m joined by two tech veterans, Garrett Rice (former Apple) and Philippe Cailloux (former Head of Product Design at Adobe), co-founders of Callings.ai —a platform that’s rethinking how we search for jobs in the AI era. We dive into how the traditional job-hunting process is broken, what’s wrong with the resume as we know it, and how AI can help job seekers know themselves better, stand out, and land more meaningful work. 💡 Key Takeaways: • Why resumes and job portals are built for companies, not candidates—and how that’s failing job seekers. • The origin story of Callings.ai and how Garrett & Philippe used their own job hunt frustration to build a new solution. • How AI can help users reflect, self-brand, and generate tailored applications at scale. • The importance of personal intention and identity in an increasingly automated hiring world. • The philosophical and practical shift from “spray and pray” to focused, purposeful job searching. ⸻ 🎓 What You’ll Learn: • How AI is changing the job search process • The flaws of applicant tracking systems (ATS) • How to use personal branding to stand out • Why self-awareness matters more than ever • The role of LLMs in reimagining career platforms 👤 About the Guests: Garrett Rice is a former Apple executive and startup operator with deep expertise in technology, product, and business building. Garrett is a leader with a 25-year record of shipping innovative products, developing meaningful partnerships, designing effective processes and leading dynamic teams. Experience with startups, medium and large companies. Love building things and solving problems to make customers happy and companies better. https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrettrice/ Philippe Cailloux has 20+ Years of Experience, he engaged in emerging technology product strategy and design, leading teams to develop products appreciated by a global user base (hundreds of millions). He has led product design at Adobe and several other companies, and brings a unique lens to merging user-centric design with cutting-edge AI. https://www.linkedin.com/in/cailloux/ Together, they co-founded Callings.ai , a platform focused on empowering job seekers—not employers—with AI-driven tools to navigate the modern hiring landscape. https://callings.ai/ Episode Highlights: ⏱️ [00:04:20] – Why traditional job search tools ignore the candidate’s experience ⏱️ [00:08:40] – Building tools out of frustration: the founding story of Callings.ai ⏱️ [00:16:00] – Resume ≠ identity: how AI helps uncover the real value behind your past roles ⏱️ [00:27:30] – The “My Insights” feature and how AI personalizes the career journey ⏱️ [00:34:50] – LLMs as enablers: using tech to accelerate self-discovery, not replace it ⏱️ [00:45:00] – The role of purpose, personal branding, and the future of work ⏱️ [01:03:00] – Will AI lead to one-person unicorns? The myth, the reality, and the nuance…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
1 #463 From Corporate to Startup: How DXwand is Driving AI-Powered Business Growth from MENA to the World 52:32
In this inspiring episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , I sit down with Ahmed Mahmoud (Founder & CEO) and Ahmed Elshahawy (CTO) of DXwand , a MENA-born AI startup reshaping how businesses unlock growth with generative AI, knowledge mining, and document intelligence. The conversation takes you through their courageous leap from successful corporate careers (Microsoft, IBM, EY) into the startup trenches, the reality of building a tech company in emerging markets, the transformative impact of generative AI, and their ambitious expansion from the MENA region to global markets like the U.S. and U.K. If you’re passionate about startups, AI innovation, or scaling tech businesses across borders, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Key Takeaways: • Why pivoting early is critical for startup survival (and success) • How the MENA region’s linguistic and cultural diversity shapes AI development • The real-world business challenges generative AI can (and cannot) solve • Building AI solutions that balance innovation, hallucination control, and data privacy • Why document intelligence and knowledge mining are the new frontier • Lessons on leading tech teams and driving innovation beyond the buzz • How DXwand cracked the formula to serve SMBs with advanced AI • The mindset required to jump from corporate life into true entrepreneurship ⸻ What You Will Learn: • How GenAI unlocked new growth opportunities in enterprise and SMB sectors • Why combining structured and unstructured data is reshaping data analysis • Practical insights into deploying AI in highly regulated industries • Why agent tech is exciting — but not a silver bullet for every problem • The power of resilience, grit, and passion in startup success stories from emerging markets About the Guests: Ahmed Mahmoud is the Founder and CEO of DXwand. With over two decades of experience in technology and enterprise sales, including leadership roles at Microsoft, Ahmed transitioned from a successful corporate career to build one of the region’s leading AI companies. He is passionate about using AI to empower businesses of all sizes and believes in creating meaningful, lasting impact through technology. Ahmed Elshahawy is the CTO of DXwand. An experienced technology leader, Ahmed has a rich background in solution architecture, delivery management, and data analytics, having worked at global organizations like IBM, EY, and various startups across Egypt and Malaysia. At DXwand, he leads the technical strategy, focusing on generative AI, knowledge mining, and enterprise AI adoption, driving innovation in emerging markets and beyond. https://dxwand.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmedmmohammed/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashahawy/ Episode Highlights: [00:02:00] - Founders’ backstory: From Microsoft and IBM to DXwand [00:05:00] - Identifying a major gap: Arabic language and regional AI support [00:08:00] - Pivoting into generative AI and knowledge mining [00:13:00] - Early business wins: Serving financial services and trading platforms [00:19:00] - Moving beyond chatbots: Document intelligence and compliance solutions [00:22:00] - Tackling multilingual and multi-dialect challenges [00:25:00] - How GenAI changed data analysis forever [00:30:00] - Addressing hallucination, security, and enterprise adoption [00:37:00] - Real talk on agent tech: Separating hype from real-world value [00:40:00] - DXwand’s global expansion strategy and new mid-market offerings [00:43:00] - Honest reflections on entrepreneurship: Courage, risk, and fulfillment…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
What happens when the very platforms meant to connect us instead manipulate us? In this eye-opening conversation, Tim O’Hearn — former black-hat growth engineer, bestselling author of Framed: A Villain’s Perspective on Social Media — joins Mehmet to expose the hidden mechanisms behind social media addiction, fake engagement, and the dark psychology driving today’s online behavior. Whether you’re a startup founder, tech leader, marketer, or a concerned user, this episode will shift the way you think about algorithms, content, and influence. Key Takeaways • Why all social platforms eventually get gamed — and why they let it happen at first. • How social proof, dopamine loops, and algorithmic feedback traps rewire our behavior. • The blurry line between black-hat marketing and everyday online tactics. • How social media evolved from community to manipulation machine. • Realistic strategies to protect yourself and your mental health online. ⸻ What You Will Learn ✅ How black-hat tactics exposed deep weaknesses in major platforms ✅ Why being controversial now beats being authentic in the algorithm game ✅ How kids and adults alike are losing control to tech-designed addiction ✅ Why the future of the internet might feel “dead” unless something changes ✅ Practical tips for healthier digital habits About Tim O’Hearn Tim O'Hearn is a software engineer who created some of the most pesky and effective bots to ever be unleashed on social media. Between 2017 and 2022, his agency gained millions of followers for its clients while generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue. His February 2025 debut, Framed: A Villain's Perspective on Social Media, was a #1 New Release in "Social Aspects of the Internet" on Amazon. Framed is Tim's confrontation with the Internet Age delivered by a video game cheater who outgrew gaming but never stopped breaking the rules. Tim has spent his career working in quantitative trading and has freelanced as a sports journalist. The book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DW2X8YSK Tim’s Website: https://www.tjohearn.com/links Episode Highlights & Timestamps 00:00 — Intro: Welcome and overview of today’s discussion 01:00 — Tim O’Hearn’s journey: from black-hat engineer to bestselling author 04:00 — Building bots that beat the system: Early vulnerabilities of Instagram 08:00 — The psychology of fake followers, likes, and social proof 11:00 — How AI is changing (and worsening) manipulation dynamics 14:00 — Growth hacks vs black-hat: where’s the line today? 18:00 — Is the algorithm pushing creators toward extremes? 22:00 — How the algorithm manipulates our emotions and behavior 27:00 — Who’s really to blame: us, the platforms, or someone else? 32:00 — Are kids the biggest victims of addictive tech? 36:00 — The lost magic of early internet communities 40:00 — Dead Internet Theory and the rise of AI-generated everything 45:00 — If we could redesign social media from scratch: what Tim would change 48:00 — Final thoughts: How to regain control in a hyper-digital world…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
1 #461 Investing in the Future of Healthcare: Cameron Sabet on AI, Space, and the VC Edge in MedTech 43:55
In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , we dive into the unique intersection of venture capital, healthcare innovation, and frontier tech with Cameron Sabet , a Georgetown medical student and Principal at Multifaceted Capital. Cameron shares his unconventional path from academia to venture capital, and how he evaluates startups through both a clinical and investor lens. From AI-powered health tools to biotech innovation in space , this episode explores what it takes to build and back the next wave of MedTech startups. 💡 Key Takeaways • Why domain expertise is critical in healthcare startups • Cameron’s 3 red flags that kill MedTech deals before they start • The rise of AI-driven patient intake systems • Why the future of medicine might be built… in space • How founders can get VC attention—with or without early revenue ⸻ 🎓 What You’ll Learn • How Cameron balances being a med student and VC investor • How to assess healthtech traction when clinical trials take years • The strategic importance of your board composition • How grants, institutional backing, and timing can replace seed funding 👤 About the Guest Cameron Sabet is a U.S.-based medical student, VC investor, angel backer of Y Combinator startups, and advisor to early-stage healthtech ventures. At Multifaceted Capital, he backs high-potential founders with a bias toward deep domain understanding and global scalability. https://www.cameronsabet.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-sabet-178079250/ ⏱️ Episode Highlights 00:00 – Intro and Cameron’s background 03:00 – From Georgetown to VC: Why Cameron got into investing 07:00 – What defines a good healthtech investment thesis 10:30 – The 3 biggest red flags in early-stage MedTech 15:00 – How founders should pitch health investors 17:00 – Moats, speed, and defensibility in an AI-driven world 21:00 – Can AI close the healthcare knowledge gap? 25:00 – Cancer care in Africa and AI in low-resource settings 27:00 – Why space is the next frontier in biotech 30:00 – Regrets, missed startups, and lessons learned 33:00 – What traction really looks like in healthcare 36:00 – Non-traditional paths to early-stage MedTech funding 40:00 – Final advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in healthcare…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
In this deeply reflective episode, Mehmet welcomes futurist, bestselling author, and technologist Sam Rad to explore how we navigate—and thrive—in a world reshaped by exponential tech. From AI and quantum computing to deepfakes and biotech, this conversation is less about predicting the future and more about reclaiming what it means to be human. 🔑 Key Takeaways • Why acceleration , not just change, defines this tech era • How to surf the wave of AI, quantum, and biotech without losing your sense of self • The importance of deprogramming from outdated operating systems • What “post-human” really means—and why reconnection is the key • Sam’s own experience with building a deepfake of herself • A powerful reminder: Purpose is your protection in uncertain times ⸻ 📘 What You’ll Learn • What’s driving the current “age of acceleration” • How to build mental and emotional resilience as a founder or leader • The role of spirituality and introspection in shaping your path • How emerging technologies may force a radical rethink of work, identity, and meaning • Whether Universal Basic Income is a solution or a patch 👤 About Sam Rad Sam Rad (Samantha Radocchia) is a lifelong student of humanity—futurist, anthropologist, and creative technologist—a four-time technology entrepreneur, and the founder of the meta-media storytelling studio Radical Next. Sam has shared stories of radical change with global audiences on stages across five continents—empowering individuals, leaders, and organizations not only to survive but to thrive amid radical and accelerating change. Her work has led to advisory roles with the United Nations, the World Economic Forum, and the Federal Reserve, among others. She has served in multiple founding executive roles across the C-Suite, including co-founder of NYOUM, a London-based generative AI communication platform, and Chronicled, a San Francisco-based blockchain company bringing trust to global commerce. Prior to Chronicled, Sam founded two companies leveraging AI to map personal aesthetics and taste. She holds a dual bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, English Literature, and Linguistics from Colgate University, a master’s degree from New York University in Game Design and Social Analysis of Technology, and several patents linking the physical and digital worlds. She is considered a pioneer in extended reality (XR), simulation design, applied cryptography, blockchain systems, artificial intelligence, and natural language processing. Sam’s work has been featured in Newsweek, Fast Company, and Forbes, where she previously wrote as a contributor. She was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 List for Enterprise Technology and is also the author of the bestselling book: Bitcoin Pizza: The No-Bullshit Guide to Blockchain. Sam is a citizen of the world and is most often found people-watching somewhere between a Brooklyn coffee shop, South American rainforest, London’s West End, or some undisclosed off-grid location. https://sam-rad.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantharadocchia/ ⏱️ Episode Chapters 00:00 – Intro & Sam’s background 03:00 – Living on the edge of emerging tech 06:00 – The Age of Acceleration explained 09:00 – Deepfakes, cognition, and digital identity 14:00 – Are we ready for what’s coming? 17:00 – Learning to surf change 22:00 – The post-human dilemma 28:00 – Reprogramming vs. resisting 33:00 – Future of work, economics & Universal Basic Income 39:00 – Spirituality, purpose & thriving in the now 49:00 – What “radical” really means 52:00 – Final thoughts & optimism…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
In this thought-provoking episode, Mehmet sits down with Joel Quintela , a business psychologist and former computer systems engineer, to break down the biggest hiring blind spots—and how to fix them. Joel shares how psychology, structured assessments, and poker strategies can help founders and leaders hire better, retain top talent, and create winning teams. You’ll learn how to go beyond gut feel and “culture fit” into something more predictive—and scalable. 🎯 Key Takeaways • Why bad hires hurt startups more than big companies • How to identify and avoid founder blind spots when hiring • The difference between person-job fit and person-environment fit • The P.O.K.E.R. framework to align perception with reality • Why most roleplays and interviews fail to predict success • The hidden cost of complexity in HR tech and candidate experience • Why founders often think they’re good at hiring—but aren’t ⸻ 🧠 What You’ll Learn • How structured job profiling can reduce attrition • How to assess motivation fit in early interviews • What data-driven hiring looks like at scale • Why simplicity and clarity matter more than AI in talent tech • The link between self-awareness and high performance 👤 About Joel Quintela Joel Quintela is the founder and CEO of Quintela Group LLC, a minority-owned business enterprise specializing in HR technology solutions. With over 25 years of experience in HR assessment technology and 15 years as an entrepreneur, Joel has worked with numerous Fortune 500 clients to improve their hiring processes. https://quintela.io/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelquintela/ 🕒 Episode Highlights (Timestamps) 00:00 – Intro & Joel’s background 03:45 – Why gut feeling fails in hiring 07:00 – The impact of a bad hire on startups 10:20 – Common founder blind spots 13:45 – Job profiling: the missing step in hiring 16:50 – Role plays, assessments, and triangulation 22:10 – Culture fit vs real environmental fit 28:00 – Complexity kills: The UI/UX trap in HR tech 34:30 – The P.O.K.E.R. Framework: From perception to reality 47:00 – Final thoughts on performance, mindset, and human behavior…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
🔍 Episode Overview In this episode, Mehmet sits down with Lucas Lovell , VP of Product at Paddle , to unpack the powerful yet often overlooked role of payments in SaaS growth. From navigating tax compliance and pricing localization to optimizing for global expansion, Lucas shares product leadership insights and the future of billing in an AI-powered world. Whether you’re a founder scaling globally or a product leader aiming to boost efficiency, this episode delivers practical frameworks and forward-thinking strategies. 📌 Key Takeaways • What the Merchant of Record model really is—and why it matters • How Paddle handles tax, compliance, and fraud so SaaS companies can scale • Why localized pricing and payment methods impact conversion • The power of web-first flows for mobile apps to bypass app store fees • Using your payments platform as a strategic GTM and growth tool • How AI will shape the future of subscription billing and product design • What founders should prepare before an exit or fundraising round ⸻ 🎧 What You’ll Learn • How to enter new markets without spinning up new entities • Tactical ways to increase revenue through smarter payment setups • Why usage-based pricing is gaining momentum across SaaS • How Paddle supports product teams through compliance shifts and AI tools • Real trends from global SaaS markets—from MENA to India and Southeast Asia 👤 About Lucas Lovell Lucas Lovell is currently VP of Product a Paddle, a payments infrastructure company for digital software companies. Prior to that, Lucas was Founder of an early stage SaaS startup in the travel & hospitality space, that he launched in Australia out of Law School. He was a laureate of the French Tech Ticket Program, and grew the startup in Paris & across Europe before joining Paddle in 2021. His experience in technology is firmly at the intersection of SaaS & fintech, which is the primary problem space he explores day-in day-out at Paddle. Outside of work, Lucas is a keen runner & skier, and loves both the outdoors & exploring his now home city of London. https://www.paddle.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucaslovell/ 🕒 Episode Highlights (Timestamps) 00:00 – Intro and Lucas’s journey from law to SaaS founder to VP Product 04:00 – Explaining the Merchant of Record model 07:00 – How Paddle enables localized payment methods 09:30 – Product complexity at the intersection of tax, compliance, and UX 14:30 – Pricing localization strategies and regional purchasing power 21:00 – Web-first flows vs. App Store dependency 26:00 – How payments impact exit valuations and due diligence 31:00 – AI’s role in billing, usage-based models, and future product trends 36:00 – Emerging SaaS GTM playbooks and community-led growth 40:00 – Regional SaaS trends: India, Singapore, and beyond 42:00 – Where to connect with Lucas and learn more about Paddle…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
1 #457 Why Founder-Led Growth Isn’t Optional: Jess Schultz on Early-Stage GTM, Metrics, and Startup Scaling 49:41
In this high-impact episode, Mehmet sits down with Jess Schultz , a fractional CRO/CMO and angel investor, to unpack what truly drives early-stage startup success. From the importance of founder-led sales to building a go-to-market (GTM) motion that actually works, Jess shares practical advice that bridges theory and execution. Whether you’re a technical founder hesitant to sell, or an early-stage investor looking for better GTM signals, this episode delivers actionable insights grounded in Jess’s experience as both a growth operator and former VC. 🎯 What You’ll Learn • Why founder-led sales is non-negotiable in the early stages • How to know when to hire your first sales rep or fractional GTM leader • The signs of early product-market fit (it’s not just ARR) • How to segment and prioritize ideal customer profiles • Why building a personal brand as a founder accelerates GTM • The truth about outbound vs. inbound in 2025 —and how AI is changing both • What metrics actually matter before you hit $10M ARR ⸻ 🧠 Key Takeaways • Founder-market fit and coachability matter as much as traction to early investors • The founder should drive top-of-funnel AND be the closer—until it’s time to slowly step back • Thoughtful positioning and audience-building beats ad spend in early GTM • Outbound still works , but only when highly personalized (and not AI-written) 👤 About Jess Schultz Jess Schultz brings a rare blend of experience across capital markets, SaaS sales, venture capital , and now entrepreneurship —giving her a sharp, forward-looking perspective on business growth and market dynamics. At Amplify Group , Jess helps startups master go-to-market strategy and navigate the transition from founder-led sales to scalable growth. Her hands-on work has driven 150–590% YoY revenue growth for her clients. Beyond her role as a fractional CRO/CMO, Jess is a thought leader and brand builder—for both herself and the startups she advises. Her passion for sharing practical insights and demystifying growth strategy makes her an engaging and highly impactful guest. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicatschultz/ https://www.amplifyscales.com/ ⏱️ Episode Highlights 00:00 – Intro and Jess’s background 03:00 – Why she became a fractional CRO/CMO 05:00 – Why founder-led sales always comes first 10:00 – Common mistakes founders make when selling 13:00 – The power of founder-led content & brand 18:00 – Knowing when you’ve hit product-market fit 21:00 – When (and how) to hire your first sales rep 24:00 – Metrics that really matter under $10M ARR 29:00 – What’s changed in outbound and AI’s role in GTM 34:00 – The case for consistent marketing, not just campaigns 39:00 – How Jess evaluates startups as an angel 44:00 – Fundraising readiness tips from a former VC 47:00 – Final advice + where to follow Jess…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
1 #456 Colin Fitzpatrick on AI Agents, Vibe Coding, and the Future of Web3, Robotics, and Work 54:14
🔍 Episode Overview In this forward-looking conversation, Mehmet welcomes Colin Fitzpatrick, founder of Griffin AI and long-time tech leader, to unpack the convergence of artificial intelligence, Web3, and robotics. From “vibe coding” and AI agents to programmable avatars and robotic personal assistants, Colin paints a vision of a world being reshaped by exponential technology. They also explore how AI will democratize software development, disrupt work as we know it, and create massive opportunity. 📌 Key Takeaways • Why we haven’t seen the true “ChatGPT moment” yet—and what’s coming next • What “vibe coding” is and how it’s revolutionizing app development • Why AI won’t replace developers—but will change who builds software • How AI agents are solving onboarding and usability issues in Web3 • How AI and Web3 are becoming a “happy marriage” of complementary technologies • What robotics breakthroughs (like Figure and Gemini for Robotics) mean for your everyday life • Why tech-savvy founders will use AI agents as a competitive edge • How to future-proof yourself and your company in the AI age ⸻ 🎧 What You’ll Learn • The role of AI agents in automating complex, goal-oriented tasks • The current limitations of AI coding tools—and why they’re about to disappear • How AI and robotics together will reshape daily life and physical labor • The rise of deep research tools and personalized AI assistants • Why knowing how to use AI tools will become a fundamental job skill 👤 About the Guest Colin Fitzpatrick is a tech entrepreneur and futurist based in Dubai. With a career spanning Oracle, Salesforce, and HubSpot, he founded a metaverse/NFT venture and now leads Griffin AI , a platform enabling autonomous AI agents for Web3 applications. He is a vocal thought leader on LinkedIn covering emerging tech, AI, and the future of work. https://www.griffinai.io/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/colly/ 🕒 Episode Highlights & Timestamps 0:00 – Intro and Colin’s journey from enterprise software to Web3 2:00 – How ChatGPT changed everything for Colin 4:30 – The rise of AI agents and the next “GPT moment” 6:45 – Vibe coding: Coding apps just by describing them 10:00 – From hobbyist tools to startup MVPs: what’s possible today 14:00 – How Griffin AI is building agents for Web3 wallets and dApps 18:30 – The difference between bots and true AI agents 21:00 – How AI will automate personal and business workflows 26:00 – Using AI to explore meme coins and analyze trends 29:00 – Deep Seek, Grok, and Google’s edge with Gemini 33:00 – Robotics breakthroughs: Figure, Sora, Gemini for Robotics 38:00 – The future of AI-embodied robots in everyday life 43:00 – Preparing for the AI-driven job market 45:30 – Why AI has to become more human and contextual 48:00 – Personal AI personalities and voice assistants 50:00 – Final advice: How to stay ahead in the AI age…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
In this mind-expanding episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , futurist investor and international entrepreneur Steven Zeller joins us to explore the cutting edge of human advancement through technology. From genetic engineering and health tech breakthroughs to brain-computer interfaces , quantum computing , and the philosophical questions of immortality , Steven shares a vision of the near future that is as inspiring as it is disruptive. Whether you’re a tech founder, startup enthusiast, or future-focused investor, this episode is packed with next-level insights. 🔑 Key Takeaways • Why AI is only the beginning—and how quantum computing will unlock true superintelligence • How CRISPR and AI are merging to rewrite human biology and potentially eradicate cancer • The race to build ethical and non-invasive brain-computer interfaces • The philosophical and economic implications of human pseudo-immortality • Why repetitive jobs must be automated —and how it will free humanity for higher pursuits • The bold case for optimism in the face of exponential technological change 📚 What You’ll Learn • The state of AI-powered genetic engineering in 2025 • Cutting-edge examples of non-invasive neurotech • The case for investing in humanity’s long-term future • Steven’s framework for evaluating high-impact, long-horizon tech investments • Why fear of innovation is outdated—and how to embrace what’s next 👤 About the Guest Steven Zeller is an international entrepreneur and investor focused on frontier technologies such as AI, quantum computing, longevity, and neurotech. His mission is to help accelerate humanity into a prosperous future by backing innovations that have profound societal impact. http://linkedin.com/in/steven-zeller-b05664100 ⏱️ Episode Highlights (Timestamps) • [00:01:00] Steven’s background and his mission to accelerate humanity • [00:05:00] Health tech, AI, and the dawn of engineered longevity • [00:13:00] The reality of brain-computer interfaces today • [00:20:00] The rise of non-invasive neurotech and its commercial future • [00:26:00] Quantum computing breakthroughs and what’s next • [00:33:00] Why we need quantum to achieve superintelligence • [00:38:00] Investing with a long-term vision vs. short-term ROI • [00:44:00] The future of work: replacing repetitive jobs with human creativity • [00:47:00] Final thoughts: hope, harmony, and embracing innovation…
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The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
In this episode, Mehmet sits down with Srini Parthasarathy , CTO of Shardeum , a Layer 1 EVM-compatible blockchain that’s rewriting the rules of scalability, decentralization, and transaction efficiency. Srini shares his journey from building NFT platforms and working at AWS to leading a project that’s tackling the blockchain trilemma head-on. Whether you’re a developer, founder, or Web3 investor, this episode breaks down what makes Shardeum different—and why it could shape the future of blockchain infrastructure. 💡 What You’ll Learn • The core problems with today’s blockchains (scalability, gas fees, decentralization) • How Shardeum uses dynamic state sharding and transaction-level consensus • Why Shardeum is developer-friendly and EVM-compatible • Srini’s thoughts on the intersection of AI and blockchain • What it takes to transition into Web3 as a tech leader or developer ⸻ 🔑 Key Takeaways • Shardeum dynamically scales by increasing the number of “shards” as usage grows. • Unlike traditional blockchains, consensus is achieved per transaction—not per block. • This design enables low, predictable gas fees , even during high demand. • The network becomes more decentralized as it scales. • Shardeum is fully open-source and developer-friendly. 👤 About the Guest Srini Parthasarathy is the Chief Technology Officer at Shardeum , a dynamic state-sharded blockchain offering linear scalability, low gas fees, and robust decentralization. Srini’s career includes leadership roles at Silks, DraftKings, and AWS, and he brings decades of experience in distributed systems and blockchain innovation. http://shardeum.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/svasan/ ⏱️ Episode Highlights • [00:02:00] Srini’s background in blockchain gaming and infrastructure • [00:05:00] Explaining Shardeum with the spreadsheet analogy • [00:08:00] What makes Shardeum’s dynamic state sharding unique • [00:12:00] How Shardeum benefits both users and developers • [00:14:00] Shardeum’s Proof of Quorum and security model • [00:18:00] Open source philosophy and transparency at Shardeum • [00:20:00] Srini’s take on the synergy between AI and blockchain • [00:25:00] Advice for tech leaders transitioning into blockchain • [00:28:00] Final reflections and where to follow Srini and Shardeum…
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