Building Great Tech

Building Great Tech

By Simon Hook & Anastasija KrysaTechnology
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Building Great Tech episodes

  • 5 Pivots, Dinner With Strangers & €18M ARR - with Maxime Barbier, founder of Timeleft

    ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠

    In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and

    Anastasija talk with Maxime Barbier, founder of Timeleft. Timeleft matches you with like-minded people for a shared meal in 250+ cities across 55 countries. They talk about global app distribution, how often you should be pivoting and why being a CEO is the loneliest job you can have!

    Timeleft DISCOUNT Code - BGT25

    Download the app or go to https://timeleft.com and get 25% off on 1 month & 3 months subscription with code BGT25

    Follow Mixime on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximebarbier/

    Follow us on Linkedin!

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/
    Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.
    We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.
    Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

    1 hr
  • Force for Good, Force for Devastation: The AI Clock Is Ticking – with Matt Cashatt

    ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠

    In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and

    Anastasija talk with Matt Cashatt, founder of Polyrific and The Geniverse. They debate if AI is really taking everyone's jobs, and reveal how beginners can get started in discovering how AI can improve your everyday life and unleash your creativity.

    Follow Matt on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cashatt/

    See how Polyfiric can help you - https://polyrific.com/

    Visit Building Great Tech to see how we can help you - https://buildinggreattech.com/

    About Matt:

    I built Polyrific because I believe AI should multiply human potential, not replace it. That belief shapes how we design systems, how we govern them, and how we measure success.

    Alongside this work, I’m building The Geniverse—an exploratory platform focused on how AI agents can amplify individual human capability. It’s a longer-term bet on what AI could become when humans remain firmly at the center.

    Always open to thoughtful conversations about where AI is headed, how it should be applied, and what responsibility looks like as it becomes infrastructure.

    Follow us on linkedin

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/

    Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.

    We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.

    Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.


    1 hr 9 min
  • #1 Mental Skill No Leadership Course Teaches You — with Armen Arustamov, Founder of Got It Life

    ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠

    In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and

    Anastasija talk to Armen Arustamov, founder of Got It Life. The app, aimed at high-performing founders, is an AI self-coaching tool that allows them to unlock their minds and achieve peak potential.

    They also unpack Armen's experience as a founder, struggling with self-doubt and pitching ideas with little-to-no money to fall back on!

    Download Got It Life now! - https://www.gotit.life/

    Visit Building Great Tech to see how we can help you - https://buildinggreattech.com/

    About Armen and Got It Life:

    I’m the founder at Got it Life - a Google-backed Mental Health App 🧠 that boosts High Performers' Resilience through AI-driven Self-Talk & Psycholinguistics ➡️ www.gotit.life

    It builds Self-Coaching Skills like “Duolingo for Psychology” - while others give answers replacing users’ thinking, like “Google Translate.”

    Follow us on Linkedin!

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/

    Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.

    We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.

    Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

    57 min
  • You've Invested in AI. But Have You Invested in This?

    ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠

    In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and
    Anastasija talk to Rebecca Christian, mindset consultant and founder of Limitless Academy. They explore how high pressures in the corporate world can lead to burnout, and how women are expected to overperform to be seen as equal in all male-dominated industries.


    Follow Rebecca on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-christianuk/?skipRedirect=true


    See how Limitless Academy can help you - https://limitlessacademy.co.uk/


    About Rebecca:I’m the founder of Limitless Academy, the home for female founders expanding beyond their internal ceilings, where overflow becomes the standard. If you’re building something meaningful but sometimes feel the wobble that comes with growth…

    You’re not broken.

    You’re expanding.

    And I'd love to support you on your next evolution

    Follow us on Linkedin!

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/


    Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.

    Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

    53 min
  • Why Gen Z Won’t Work for You - with Peter Wood

    ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠

    In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and
    Anastasija talk to Peter Wood, SEO of The Gradute Guide. About the common misconceptions surrounding the employability of Gen-Z.
    Are the younger generations REALLY not worth hiring? Or does the recruitment industry needs to shake things up to become more adaptable in the modern age? Tune in to find out!
    Connect with Peter on Linkedin! - https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-m-wood/
    Watch the Graduate Guide - https://www.youtube.com/@thegraduateguide
    About Peter Wood:
    A 24 year old trying to solve some big problems.
    Ski Instructor ➡️ Confused History Student ➡️
    Explored Startups ➡️ Sold The Graduate Guide
    Building Calibr.
    The answer to fast-growing companies most underserved people problems.
    Follow us on Linkedin!
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/
    Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.
    We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.
    Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

    1 hr 4 min
  • The Fintech That Exposes FX scam - with Ellis Taylor

    ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠

    In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Ellis Taylor, founder of Glyde and Fintech specialist. Together they expose the scams of the FX sector, discussing the need for transparency and reflecting on how it could foster a more competitive, consumer focused market.


    Follow Ellis on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellis-taylor-llm-law-596686166/


    See how Glyde can help your business today - https://www.glyde.money/


    Follow us on Linkedin!
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/
    Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.
    We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.
    Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

    1 hr 14 min
  • Is AI Breaking Our Education System? - With Shannon Seaver

    ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠

    Follow Shannon on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-seaver-nbct-23a2a933/

    About Shannon

    Relentless about driving equity and innovation in education, I bring 20+ years of experience as an educator, nonprofit leader, and founder focused on building meaningful pathways into STEM and tech careers. As Executive Director of createMPLS and co-founder of FULL STEM—a startup bridging industry and education through hands-on, immersive learning experiences—I specialize in connecting talent, tech, and opportunity.


    I proudly serve on the Hennepin County Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Board, where I advocate for youth employment access and help shape workforce policy that better serves our region’s diverse communities. My work bridges systems—education, workforce, and industry—to make tech careers more inclusive, attainable, and rooted in community voice.


    Currently, I’m developing and preparing to ship an AI-integrated learning management system that adapts in real time to learner needs—offering personalized feedback, multilingual accessibility, and generative AI-driven content design. This project reflects my belief that AI should amplify human learning, not replace it—making tech education more equitable, flexible, and future-ready.


    I lead collaborative initiatives with partners like Genesys Works, MnTech, school districts, and foundations, designing AI-integrated curriculum, coaching BIPOC professionals into CS education, and building real-world programming that prepares students not just for jobs, but for leadership.


    Whether I’m podcasting to amplify unheard voices or building equity-centered solutions with FULL STEM, I’m committed to rethinking how we grow human intelligence in a tech-driven world.


    If it’s bold, meaningful, and future-focused—I’m in. Let’s build what’s next.


    Follow us on Linkedin!

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/


    https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/


    Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.



    We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.



    Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

    1 hr 1 min
  • Why the race to AGI is BS - with Ian P. Cook, PhD

    In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Ian Cook about the implications of AI in the modern world. They talk about the American government's race to beat china in AI development, Google vs Apple's AI implementation AND they explore some of the worse AI products ever brought to market!


    Follow Ian on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianpcook/


    About Ian:

    Keeping the science in DS, the learning in ML, and the artificial in AI.
    I have over a decade of experience turning data in outcomes. I've built AI-focused code, products, teams, and companies. More specifically, I have successfully created and deployed new deep-learning NLP models for large-scale entity recognition, enabled user workflow optimization with embedded models, created tools to map the structural integrity of bridge infrastructure, built teams of applied scientists dedicated to revolutionizing business, and helped define the future of whole companies focused on making AI useful. Above all, I believe that asking the right questions, using the right data and tools, and effective communication of results can change entire industries.

    Follow us on Linkedin!


    https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/


    https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/


    Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.


    We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.


    Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.


    1 hr 9 min
  • Is AI making us Stupid?

    In this thought-provoking episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the impact of social media and artificial intelligence on our cognitive abilities. They explore the alarming notion that our reliance on platforms like TikTok and AI tools may be contributing to a decline in memory, attention span, and overall intelligence.

    With references to various studies, including those from MIT and Ludwig Maximilian University, Simon and Anastasija discuss the implications of these findings on mental health and the future of work. They also touch on the evolving nature of content consumption, the dumbing down of media, and the potential for AI to reflect our own cognitive decline. Join them as they navigate these pressing issues and ponder whether we are truly becoming more intelligent or, conversely, more foolish in the digital age.

    Follow us on Linkedin!


    https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/


    https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/


    Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.


    We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.


    Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.


    25 min
  • AI is killing authentic dating - with Daniel Cheaib founder of Feels App

    Follow Daniel on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielcheaib/?originalSubdomain=fr

    Check out the Feels App - https://www.feels-app.com/

    In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa sit down with Daniel Cheaib, the founder and CEO of Feels, a dating app designed specifically for Gen Z.

    With over 8 million downloads and an impressive 80% year-on-year revenue growth, Daniel shares insights into how his app is redefining online dating by fostering authentic connections among users under 30. The conversation delves into the unique challenges of Gen Z, including the phenomenon of dating app fatigue and the evolving nature of loneliness in a digital age.

    Daniel also discusses the role of AI in enhancing user experiences while maintaining the importance of real-life interactions. Join us as we explore the future of dating, the impact of technology on relationships, and the innovative strategies behind Feels.


    Follow us on Linkedin!




    Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.


    We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.


    Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

    1 hr 2 min

About Building Great Tech

From the publisher's feed

Growing, scaling, and selling tech businesses.