BUILDERS

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Ethan Aaron, CEO of Portable, an extract, transform and loading data platform that’s raised over $3 million in funding, about why bespoke-built data solutions are mission critical for so many businesses these days, and how Portable’s streamlined, seamless software is helping people get a grip on the insights they really need. With a range of solutions ready to plug in and go already available for clients and the capacity to quickly innovate and integrate systems for extremely specific needs, Portable is making a space for itself in a saturated data ecosystem, and their client testimonials speak for themselves.

We also speak about the years Ethan had spent working in data, the legacy of entrepreneurship in his family background, exactly how the ETL pain points were identified and why alleviating them is such a profitable opportunity, and why Portable is determined to keep the focus on their customers, rather than obsessing about how much capital they can raise.

Topics Discussed:

• Ethan’s years in the data economy, and how the investment environment has changed over the years

Favorite book: 

The Art of Narrative Psychiatry: Stories of Strength and Meaning

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Gabino Roche, CEO of Saphyre, a pre-trade onboarding platform that’s raised over $19 Million in funding, about why it’s time to  break the siloed system keeping pre-trade separate, and develop a more streamline, reliable trading infrastructure to make sure every transactions lands where it should. By targeting the pre-trade silo of financial services, Saphyre functions like a rosetta stone for different departments and institutions, creating digital memory around trades to make sure everyone knows exactly what’s going on.

We also speak about Gabino’s many years in the space between financial services and software product offerings, what he learned from working closely with some of the world’s largest banking institutions, how two failed startups helped deliver lessons he took on to Saphyre, why revenue has always been central to the Saphyre business model, and why, when you don’t have a network to rely on, guerilla marketing strategies might be the best way to claim a share for yourself.

Topics Discussed:

• Gabino’s career in the finance sector, developing software solutions for some of the world’s largest financial institutions

Favorite book: 

Never Eat Alone, Expanded and Updated: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Andrew Butt, CEO of Enable, a rebate management platform that’s raised over $156 Million in funding, about why the undervalued but high profit rebates and incentives in contemporary supply chains are in dire need of 21st-Century innovation, and how Enable is making it happen. Handling everything from helping rebate managers connect with the customers they need to providing cloud-based software solutions enabling people to get the most out of what’s available, Enable promises growth-driving, money-making mechanisms accessible to all.

We also speak about how a serendipitous encounter at a flying school helped lead Andrew to this underappreciated sector of the economy, why most modern firms still fail to make the most of rebates and incentives, how Enable is building a community, as well as a commercial product, and why you don’t always need to be a visionary inventor to create a whole new business category.

Topics Discussed:

• How Andrew’s time spent building software for a flying school led him to a largely unnoticed business opportunity

Favorite book: 

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't

In today’s episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with John Milburn, CEO of Clear Skye, about his decades of experience in the enterprise software space, and why he found himself drawn back to security solutions with Clear Skye. Having identified shortcomings in the traditional approach to cybersecurity, focusing almost exclusively on the technology instead of the people and processes involved in making it work effectively, John is determined to make us rethink what cybersecurity means and do something genuinely different in an established market space.

Clear Skye is an identity governance and security solution built natively on ServiceNow that optimizes enterprise identity and risk management with a platform-first approach. The company provides workflow management, access requests, access review, and identity lifecycle management tools to a broad set of vertical markets. By leveraging an existing business platform, Clear Skye enables customers to reduce friction and IT hurdles, while improving workflows and user experience.

Topics Discussed:

• Why John respects grind and hard work over talent and intelligence

Favorite book: 

Infinite Jest

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Michael Corr, CEO of Duro Labs, a product life cycle management company that’s raised over $4 Million in funding, about why a stagnant hardware development sector has been left behind by the .com boom, and how Duro Labs is doing their bit to reduce the risk of innovation for everyone. By improving the way engineers working in different divisions create, enter and transfer their critical data, Duro facilitates automation in critical development cycles, giving people the time, space and resources to really do things differently.

We also speak about the reason why hardware has been neglected for so long, and the fundamental economics which have kept focus on innovation in the software space, how data entry is at the heart of the development process, and why by combining the strengths of software and human engineering means that Michael sees a bright future over the horizon for hardware.

Topics Discussed:

• Michael’s engineering career, and how he let his love for building things bring him to the startup space

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Henrik Johansson, CEO of Gembah, about why the real world constraints of creating physical products put the process out of reach for most people, and how Gembah’s unique global marketplace is democratizing the development of tomorrow’s must-have items. By connecting engineers, factories and other specialists with the people bringing new ideas for products, Gembah helps facilitate a more streamlined, efficient and empowered production network accessible to all.

We also speak about Henrik’s move to the US and the current condition of the startup sector in his home base of Austin, his previous experience in procurement and product development, why a trip to China transformed his perspective on the production supply chain, and why Genmbah’s target market of small to mid-sized businesses is likely to drive growth for many years to come.

Topics Discussed:

• The startup space in two leading innovation hubs - what differentiates Austin from San Francisco, and how things are changing

Favorite book: 

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Nyasha Gutsa, CEO of Billy, a construction insurance platform that’s raised over $4 Million in funding, about how he found a lucrative niche in a very specific market, and why digital administration in the construction sector has been a long time coming. Billy was established to provide integrated access to insurance for people and companies in the construction sector, letting people review, interact with and manage their insurance plans, including direct contact with providers when necessary.

We also spoke about Nyasha’s journey from Zimbabwe to the US and what it was like arriving here for the first time, how his journey took him through several different industries until he worked his way to the top, and what he learned along the way about how to deal with things when they don’t work out the way you thought they would. Nyasha also shared his experiences as a founder of color in an unequal investment environment still unable to provide truly equal opportunities.

Topics Discussed:

• Nyasha’s journey from Zimbabwe to the USA, and what it felt like coming here for the first time at a young age

Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from tech's most innovative B2B founders. In today's episode, we're speaking with Jonas Rinde, CEO & Co-Founder of Nomono, a podcast technology company that has raised $15 Million in funding.

Here are the most Interesting Points from the Conversation:

• Innovating Audio Capture: Nomono is revolutionizing the way audio is captured by developing smart microphones that capture spatial audio and metadata, providing a more immersive experience.

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Shamir Karkal, CEO of Sila, a money API platform that’s raised over $20 Million in funding, about why their innovative fintech development platform is helping to usher in a more diverse future of payments for everyone, and how supporting market disruptors ultimately builds a stronger and more resilient finance sector. Providing developers with the tools they need to build financial applications to handle everything from virtual bank accounts and digital wallets to wire transfers and identity verification, Sila’s mission is to make it easier for everyone to innovate and program with their money.

We also speak about why Shamir’s frustration with the ‘big bank’ lifestyle led him to found a succession of fintech startups, how Sila define their customer problem statement for customers with a wide range of problems to solve, the strengths and weaknesses of traditional banks versus disruptors in the finance space, and a global history of finance and payments, from yap stones to the federal reserve.

Topics Discussed:

• Shamir’s career in the finance space, and why ‘big bank’ burnout took him to the fintech startup sector

Favorite book: 

Debt: The First 5000 Years

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Justin Beals, CEO and Co-founder of Strike Graph, about why security certification in a digital economy plagued with breaches can be the difference between success and failure for businesses seeking all-important funding. With Strike Graph, Justin and his team have developed an automated platform to monitor, map and manage their clients’ security systems and deliver a gold-standard attestation of quality that potential partners will immediately recognize and feel comfortable putting their trust (and money) in, all without the lengthy, costly process of an outside consultant.

We also speak about Justin’s transition from a more technical background to the role of founder, why being alone at the top can sometimes be the toughest position of all, the personal experience which drove home the importance of security certification, and why Strike Graph insists they can’t run a firm’s security system on their behalf.

Topics Discussed:

• How a technical background in engineering and product development prepared Justin for the founder’s position that would follow

Favorite book: 

How to Start a Record Label