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.

How do you simplify one of the most complex areas in technology?

In this episode, Natalie Binns speaks with Kevin Callahan, founder of Uniblock, about building a platform designed to make Web3 infrastructure easier to use.

Kevin shares how Uniblock brings together multiple blockchain providers into a single interface, helping developers reduce complexity and focus on building. He also discusses the realities of operating in a fast-changing market, where adoption and sentiment can shift quickly.

They explore developer experience, product iteration, and what it takes to build in an emerging space where clarity is often limited.

If you’re building in Web3 or interested in developer tools, this episode offers a practical and grounded perspective.

How do you build a cybersecurity company in a world where AI is changing the rules?

In this episode, Natalie Binns speaks with Sandy Kronenberg, founder of Netarx, about how deepfakes, avatars, and AI-driven threats are reshaping the security landscape.

Sandy explains why the human layer is now the biggest vulnerability, how identity verification needs to evolve, and what organisations must do to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated attacks.

They also discuss the rise of non-human identities, the role of compliance in driving adoption, and what it feels like to build a company in a category that is still emerging.

If you’re a founder, operator, or working in cybersecurity, this episode offers a practical and forward-looking perspective.

YouTube Description

AI is changing cybersecurity faster than most organisations can keep up.

In this episode of Tech Startup Stories, Natalie Binns interviews Sandy Kronenberg, founder of Netarx, to explore the rise of deepfakes, avatars, and AI-driven cyber threats.

How do you build an AI company in a market full of noise?

In this episode, Natalie Binns speaks with Ashu Dubey, founder of Alhena, about what it takes to stand out in a crowded AI space.

Ashu shares his journey from his first startup to building Alhena, including lessons on monetisation, pivots, and finding product-market fit. He explains how the company evolved into an e-commerce AI platform focused on driving revenue, not just efficiency.

They also discuss the challenges of differentiation, why customers are becoming more selective, and how founders can stay focused on solving real problems.

If you’re building in AI or SaaS, this episode offers a practical and honest perspective.

How do you bring structure to something as complex and human as partnerships?

In this episode, our host, Natalie Binns speaks with Mick Gosset, founder of JointFlows, about building a platform designed to simplify and scale B2B partnerships.

Mick shares the realities of building in a space that is still evolving, where workflows are often fragmented and difficult to manage. He talks about the importance of iteration, learning from users, and creating a product that fits how people actually work.

They also discuss the challenges of early-stage growth, balancing startup life with personal responsibilities, and what it really takes to keep moving forward when things are still taking shape.

If you’re building a startup or working in partnerships, this episode offers a thoughtful and practical perspective.

How do you build a product that enhances creativity without replacing it?

In this episode, Natalie Binns speaks with Polina Sali, co-founder of First Concepts, about her journey from architecture to building an AI-powered platform for creatives.

Polina shares how global events reshaped her path, why creativity and technical thinking are more connected than we think, and what it takes to build a product in a fast-changing space.

They also discuss co-founder alignment, navigating uncertainty, and how AI can support creative workflows rather than disrupt them.

If you’re a founder, designer, or building in AI, this episode offers a thoughtful and practical perspective.

In this episode of Tech Startup Stories, Natalie Binns reconnects with Mike Adams, founder of IntroStars, to explore how the business has evolved over the past 12 months and what it takes to scale a platform built on human connection.

Mike shares how IntroStars is transforming the way business introductions are made, tracked, and rewarded, creating a structured ecosystem where relationships drive measurable outcomes. From growing a global community of “super connectors” to expanding into key markets such as New York and Silicon Valley, this episode dives into the realities of building a network-driven platform in a digital-first world.

The conversation also explores the challenges of changing user behaviour, the importance of reducing friction in product design, and how consistent experimentation led to the development of IntroStars’ recommendation engine. Alongside this, Mike reflects on the role of serendipity in business growth, including how a chance meeting led to securing investment.

For founders, operators, and anyone interested in community-led growth, referral platforms, and B2B networking strategies, this episode offers practical insight into scaling through trust, partnerships, and meaningful connections.

What does it really take to build a startup in the age of generative AI?

In this episode, Sophie Carr, founder of GAIO Tech, joins Natalie Binns to share her journey from failed startup attempts to building a platform focused on generative AI optimisation.

They talk about:

• Learning to fail (and why it matters)

• Pivoting when the market says no

• Building a product from real-world experiments

• Finding the right co-founder

• And why fewer clients can actually mean better growth

This is a candid conversation about resilience, timing, and what it actually looks like to build something from scratch.

What really changes after you raise funding, and what doesn’t?

In this episode, Natalie Binns is joined again by Tom Rudnai, co-founder of Demand Genius, one year after his first appearance on Tech Startup Stories.

Tom shares what the last 12 months have actually looked like, from raising a pre-seed round to navigating the pressures that come with it. He opens up about the reality of startup experimentation, why most things don’t work at first, and how his team eventually found a way to stand out in a crowded AI search market.

They also discuss hiring in early-stage startups, the shift from experimentation to execution, and what it means to build a business in a space where everything is constantly changing.

If you’re building a startup or scaling a SaaS product, this episode offers a grounded and honest look at what it really takes.

What does it really take to build a biotech startup from scratch?

In this episode, Natalie Binns speaks with Georgia Witchel, founder of Mantis Biotech, about her journey from early programming to launching a company focused on biomedical infrastructure.

Georgia shares how she identified a gap in the biotech space, why she prioritised sales from day one, and how cold outreach helped her secure early customers. She also breaks down the reality of startup execution, why everything takes longer than expected and why growth is rarely linear.

They discuss her experience with Y Combinator, building as a solo founder, and the mindset required to keep moving forward in a demanding and competitive space.

If you’re building a startup or considering it, this episode offers a grounded and practical perspective on what it really takes.