In this episode of Who's Your Captain, Mark Francis sits down with Jay Zapata, CEO & Co-Founder of Satokie, for a deep dive into leadership, scaling a startup, and building in a fast-moving industry.
Jay shares the journey of growing Satokie from a small startup into a rapidly expanding data center and infrastructure company. From Bitcoin mining and colocation services to AI and high-performance computing, this conversation explores how the company is evolving and where the future is headed.
The discussion goes beyond business strategy and gets into what leadership really looks like inside a growing organization. Jay talks openly about learning through failure, building strong teams, and creating a culture where people take ownership and grow into leadership roles themselves.
Mark Francis brings his leadership framework into the conversation, covering vision, mobilization, development, and enablement. Together, they unpack how founders can scale not just their business, but their people and systems.
You’ll also hear insights on:
 • How Satokie expanded from Bitcoin infrastructure into broader data center services
 • Why powered land and energy access are becoming critical assets
 • The importance of systems, processes, and communication in scaling
 • Building leaders from within through structured development plans
 • Balancing growth, capital, and operational efficiency
 • What it takes to lead in a volatile and fast-changing environment
This episode is packed with practical takeaways for founders, operators, and anyone interested in leadership, startups, and the future of data infrastructure.

Connect with Jay Zapata on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-zapata-117286b8/ 
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future.
#MarkFrancis #WhosYourCaptain #JayZapata #Satokie #Leadership #StartupGrowth #Entrepreneurship #DataCenters #BitcoinMining #AIInfrastructure #BusinessPodcast

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– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team

Connect with Mark Francis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-78b3061/
Visit The Uspire Partnership website here: https://theuspirepartnership.com
Preview Mark's book here: https://www.book2look.com/book/5PLGQaM16K

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#WhosYourCaptain #MarkFrancis #LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessLeadership #Mentorship #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLeadership #TransformationalLeadership #BusinessGrowth #ExecutiveThinking #Leadership 

Hosted by Mark Francis, founder of The Uspire Partnership and former senior leader at Burberry and Tesco, this podcast provokes fresh thinking, energises purpose, and transforms how leaders perform. With over 25 years of experience in learning and development, organisational change, and executive coaching, Mark brings deep insight to every conversation. He's worked across retail, FMCG, logistics, and professional services, helping leaders and organisations unlock potential and drive meaningful transformation. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating your own path, you'll discover practical wisdom and inspiration from those who know what it takes to steer the ship.

If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate your leadership, find inspiration from great mentors, or understand what drives transformational performance, this podcast will give you the insights and energy to chart your own course with confidence.