In this episode of Tech Startup Stories, Natalie Binns speaks with Burak Karakan, co-founder and CEO of Bruin, about building a data and AI platform shaped by real operational frustration.

Burak shares how years of working with complex data workflows led to the creation of Bruin, a product designed to simplify how organisations access, manage, and act on their data. The conversation explores how early experimentation, repeated failure, and close customer collaboration helped refine the product into something businesses are willing to pay for.

The episode also examines what it takes to build in a crowded AI market, where trust, reliability, and long-term value matter more than visibility. Burak reflects on hiring, co-founder alignment, and the importance of focusing on real problems rather than building in isolation.

For founders, data teams, and product builders, this episode offers practical insight into product-market fit, scaling with intention, and building resilient technology companies.