Alex Nevsky is a Staff Software Engineer, AI expert, and cloud systems architect with over a decade of hands-on experience building large-scale, high-impact applications for industry giants like Yandex, Glovo, Coca-Cola, and Adidas. With a B.S. in Artificial Intelligence and an entrepreneurial spirit, Alex has developed over 30 products ranging from recommendation engines and social platforms to real-time delivery systems and AI-powered mobile apps.

In this episode, Alex shares what it takes to build resilient, scalable web systems in the cloud, why AI is revolutionizing software development, and how to lead engineering teams that move fast and stay innovative. He also reflects on his experience competing head-to-head with Google and Microsoft in the AI space while building Yandex.Keyboard, a widely-used app with 10M+ monthly users.

Tune in to hear lessons from the trenches of Silicon Valley startups and global tech companies—and how Alex approaches engineering as both a craft and a catalyst for transformation.

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

https://x.com/anevsky

https://alexnevsky.com/ 

Elisabeth Bykoff is a powerhouse in the SaaS world—startup founder, investor, advisor, and global operator with over 17 years of experience scaling companies across the tech landscape. She is the founder of Boxsy, the first AI-powered end-to-end SaaS platform designed to drive early-stage startups toward profitable growth.

In this episode, Elisabeth shares hard-earned insights from the front lines of startup growth, corporate development, and global leadership. We dive into her journey as a founder, her passion for building and investing in transformative technology, and how Boxsy is redefining the way SaaS startups scale. From go-to-market strategies to exit planning and AI integration, Elisabeth brings clarity and vision to what it takes to grow smart in today’s fast-moving landscape.

Tune in for a high-energy, high-impact conversation with one of tech’s most dynamic and forward-thinking leaders.

             Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.boxsy.io

Signup for Boxsy: app.boxsy.io/sign-up

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisabethbykoff

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ramesh Rajagopalan, Founder and CEO of SetCONNECT, a company on a mission to empower the next generation of leaders through AI, analytics, and digital transformation. With over 30 years of experience across industry and academia, Dr. Rajagopalan brings a unique perspective on the convergence of technology, education, and business value.

From leading AI discovery programs to building global partnerships that incubate innovation, Ramesh shares how his team is driving meaningful change across industries. We also discuss his hands-on work implementing advanced analytics at Fortune 500 companies, and his passion for bridging the gap between data and decision-making.

Tune in to learn how AI and data can be leveraged not just for disruption—but for purpose-driven transformation.

linkedin.com/in/rameshraj05

www.setconnect.ai

In this episode, we’re joined by Martin Martinez — advisor, speaker, executive producer, and the founding force behind the Texas Startup Ecosystem and Founder Institute Texas. With two decades of experience as an event producer and a deep-rooted passion for entrepreneurship, Martin has played a pivotal role in launching and accelerating early-stage founders across Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.

As the Founding & Executive Director of Founder Institute Texas, Martin shares how he helps aspiring entrepreneurs move from idea to MVP through one of the world’s largest pre-seed accelerator programs, operating in over 200 cities globally. We also talk about the upcoming FounderX Texas Conference happening March 4–6, 2025, in Austin — a gathering designed to ignite innovation and connection across the startup landscape.

From startup growth strategies to community building and the power of local ecosystems, Martin brings unmatched insight into what it takes to launch and scale in today’s world.

Tune in to hear how you can turn your idea into action — and why Texas is fast becoming one of the most dynamic hubs for entrepreneurship in the U.S.

linkedin.com/in/martinmarteen

https://www.instagram.com/martinmarteen

https://www.instagram.com/thefounder.journey/

https://www.instagram.com/foundingtexas/

aplayermedia.com (Company)

In this episode of The Sparking Entrepreneur Show, we speak with Michael Cavopol — B2B product and revenue leader turned Revenue Engineer. Michael helps CEOs drive innovation and accelerate revenue using AI-powered strategies that respond to today’s fast-changing markets.

Tune in as Michael shares how companies can escape stagnation, outpace competitors, and evolve like top performers — all through his 90-day framework for capital-efficient innovation.

linkedin.com/in/michael-cavopol

hedgehoggrowth.com (Company

On this episode of The Sparking Entrepreneur Show, we welcome Wendy Glavin — a 20+ year marketing strategist, agency owner, business consultant, and creator of #DecodeYourValue. Wendy brings her deep expertise across industries like tech, fintech, AI, SaaS, and digital marketing to help businesses and individuals uncover their true value and stand out in today’s competitive market.

Tune in to hear Wendy’s insights on branding, entrepreneurship, and building powerful, integrated marketing strategies that drive results.

linkedin.com/in/wendyglavin

wendyglavin.com 

In this episode of The Sparking Entrepreneur Show, we’re joined by Mariah Hay, CEO and Co-Founder of Allboarder — a company driven by human-centered design and product excellence. With a strong background in digital product development, Mariah shares how she builds tech organizations that prioritize flow efficiency and user-centric value.

Tune in as she dives into her journey of leading high-performing teams, aligning product strategy with business goals, and why great design is at the core of lasting innovation.

linkedin.com/in/mariahhay

On this episode of The Sparking Entrepreneur Show, we meet Eric Leebow, the visionary Founder and CEO of FreezeCrowd — a unique social networking platform that lets users “freeze” their crowd and “break the ice” in photos. Inspired by an idea Eric had back in 1999, FreezeCrowd brings a fresh and interactive twist to how we connect online, especially among college communities.

Eric shares his entrepreneurial journey, from publishing tech-forward books featured in national media to turning a simple insight about human connection into a full-fledged platform. His passion for innovation, storytelling, and technology shines as he explains what makes FreezeCrowd different in a crowded social media landscape.

Tune in for a conversation filled with creativity, persistence, and the power of a long-held vision coming to life.

linkedin.com/in/ericleebow

freezecrowd.com (FreezeCrowd.com)

twitter.com/freezecrowd (Follow FreezeCrowd on Twitter)

twitter.com/ericleebow (Follow me on Twitter)

Eric’s Profile Website

Join us on The Sparking Entrepreneur Show as we sit down with Luther, a serial entrepreneur, data scientist, and investor with 25+ years of experience building software and AI solutions that scale. As the Founder of Horatius AI and tech leader at Horatius Group’s RealAI™ practice, Luther is redefining dynamic pricing and AI strategy for industrial services and investment firms.

Tune in to hear how Luther built predictive AI that optimized $50B in exploration capital, and how he continues to drive ROI through AI culture, implementation, and adoption.

linkedin.com/in/lutherbirdzell

kristasoft.com (Company)

In this episode of The Sparking Entrepreneur Show, we’re joined by Ken Fichtler, the CEO of Gaize — a company transforming safety with groundbreaking impairment detection technology. Ken discusses how Gaize addresses one of today’s most pressing safety challenges: distinguishing real-time impairment from past substance use.

Unlike traditional drug tests that only detect usage history, Gaize’s non-invasive ocular-based technology measures actual physiological impairment in just six minutes. The result? A scalable, portable solution that’s already in use by some of the world's top safety-sensitive workplaces.

Tune in as Ken shares the mission behind Gaize, the science driving it, and how it's setting a new standard for fairness, accuracy, and safety in both the workplace and on the road.

linkedin.com/in/kenfichtler

gaize.ai (Company)