The Tech Trek

In this podcast episode, the host is joined by Rebecca Price, a Partner at Primary Venture Partners, to discuss the transition of founders to becoming exceptional CEOs. They explore the skills and gaps in this transition, the importance of adaptability and leadership, and the role of venture capital firms in supporting founders. Rebecca shares insights on the five key attributes of successful founders: adaptability, leadership, discipline, personal grounding, and storytelling. The conversation also delves into three main pitfalls that can hinder a founder's journey to becoming a CEO: lack of personal grounding, lack of alignment, and undervaluing the importance of recruiting. The episode provides practical advice and real-world examples to help current and future founders navigate their path to effective leadership.

Highlights:

02:43 The Difference Between Founders and CEOs

05:50 Attributes of Successful Founders

08:31 Coachability and Adaptability in Founders

14:07 Common Failures in the Founder to CEO Transition

Guest:

Rebecca Levine Price is a Partner at Primary Venture Partners, where she focuses on helping early-stage founders scale their companies and transition into effective CEOs. With a strong leadership development and talent acquisition background, Rebecca specializes in identifying key leadership attributes, supporting founders through strategic growth phases, and ensuring alignment between leadership and company goals. She has extensive experience guiding startups through critical transitions and is passionate about helping founders build high-performing teams and sustainable businesses.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-levine-price

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.

Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com

Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?

Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

In this episode, Chris Fahey, SVP of Talent and HR at Volition Capital, discusses the often-overlooked value of org charts for growing companies. He discusses how they can pinpoint hiring gaps and the importance of focusing on roles, not just people. Chris also highlights the importance of aligning your company's strategy with its structure and regularly revisiting this alignment for smoother scaling. Great tips for founders and businesses aiming for efficient growth!

Highlights:

01:47 The Importance of Org Charts in Business

Guest:

Chris Fahey is the Senior Vice President of Talent and Human Resources at Volition Capital. With extensive experience in talent acquisition and HR leadership, Chris deeply understands organizational strategy and scaling businesses. He focuses on aligning a company's talent needs with its broader strategic goals, helping growing businesses optimize their organizational structure and enhance hiring processes. Chris is passionate about building high-performing teams and fostering company cultures that drive success, especially in high-growth environments.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/fahey02

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.

Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com

Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?

Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

In this podcast episode, Amir interviews Christina Stejskalova, the Director of Data at Ontra. They discuss the optimal timing for startups to hire data professionals and the importance of data in shaping AI strategies. The conversation covers Christina’s experiences in big tech and startups, highlighting the commonly seen delays in hiring data experts in early-stage companies. Christina shares insights into the impact of early data integration on business strategies, particularly in AI-driven environments. The discussion emphasizes the critical role of a data-driven approach for optimizing product development and driving revenue growth.

Highlights:

01:17 The Importance of Early Data Hires in Startups

02:10 Challenges and Misconceptions in Data Hiring

04:07 The Role of Data in AI Strategy

05:22 Proving the Value of Data in Startups

10:50 Data Cleaning and Governance in AI

14:46 The Cost of Delaying Data Strategy

17:33 The Evolving Role of Data Professionals

Guest:

Christina Stejskalova is the Director of Data at Ontra, where she leads the development of data strategies that drive business growth and enhance decision-making through advanced analytics. With a strong background in data science, machine learning, and AI, Christina has worked in both startups and large tech companies, focusing on optimizing data platforms and managing technical debt. Her expertise lies in integrating data into business processes to shape AI strategies, improve data quality, and deliver impactful solutions. Christina holds a deep commitment to data-driven innovation and business transformation.

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

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.

Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com

Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?

Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

In this podcast episode, Amir interviews Addhyan Pandey, Zoro.com's Senior Director of AI and Data. They discuss the role of data platforms in serving businesses, mainly focusing on advanced technologies like machine learning and AI. Addhyan explains Zoro's current AI maturity, the challenges posed by data quality, and the concept of technical debt in data management. He also touches on the importance of self-service and human-in-the-loop systems for enhancing business processes. Addhyan shares his experience at Zoro and provides insights on strategic prioritization and stakeholder engagement in data projects.

Highlights:

01:13 AI and Machine Learning at Zoro

03:13 Challenges in Data Quality and Technical Debt

05:45 Balancing Business Needs and Data Feasibility

11:43 Self-Service and Human in the Loop

15:14 Addhyan's Onboarding Experience at Zoro

Guest:

Addhyan Pandey is the Head of AI and Data at Zoro.com, an e-commerce platform focused on supporting businesses. Before this role, he led Machine Learning and Platform teams at Cars.com and Groupon, addressing diverse marketplace and e-commerce challenges. He also spearheaded the re-platforming of the tech stack at Cars Commerce as part of the Product and Strategy teams. With several research papers and patents in machine learning, Addhyan holds a strong technical background and a degree in electronics and communication engineering.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/addhyan-pandey

In this episode, Amir welcomes Matt Birnbaum, Partner at Pear VC, to discuss the intricacies of structuring equity in early-stage startups. They delve into factors that go into managing an option pool, the importance of setting aside the right amount of equity, and the nuanced calculations behind compensation packages. Matt shares insights from a blog article he authored, which provides a practical calculator to help founders plan equity distribution. They also explore common pitfalls, discuss the balance between attracting crucial hires and maintaining flexibility, and offer advice for having transparent equity conversations with early-stage employees. The episode aims to equip founders and potential candidates with tools and frameworks to make informed decisions about startup equity.

Highlights:

02:15 Importance of Structuring Startup Equity

05:51 Equity Spend and Flexibility for Founders

09:45 Balancing Equity for Early Hires

14:19 Presenting Equity Offers to Candidates

20:43 Nuances in Equity Allocation

Guest:

Matt Birnbaum is Partner at Pear VC, where he focuses on investing in and guiding early-stage startups. With extensive experience in talent acquisition and leadership, Matt has previously led talent functions at companies like Instacart and Optimizely. He specializes in scaling teams and building effective hiring strategies for high-growth companies. At Pear VC, Matt leverages his background to support founders in assembling world-class teams that drive innovation and success. He is passionate about helping startups navigate the complexities of growth and talent development.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/birnbing

Blog article: https://pear.vc/how-to-structure-startup-equity-for-early-hires/

In this episode, Amir welcomes Matt Birnbaum, Partner at Pear VC, to discuss the intricacies of structuring equity in early-stage startups. They delve into factors that go into managing an option pool, the importance of setting aside the right amount of equity, and the nuanced calculations behind compensation packages. Matt shares insights from a blog article he authored, which provides a practical calculator to help founders plan equity distribution. They also explore common pitfalls, discuss the balance between attracting crucial hires and maintaining flexibility, and offer advice for having transparent equity conversations with early-stage employees. The episode aims to equip founders and potential candidates with tools and frameworks to make informed decisions about startup equity.

Highlights:

02:15 Importance of Structuring Startup Equity

05:51 Equity Spend and Flexibility for Founders

09:45 Balancing Equity for Early Hires

14:19 Presenting Equity Offers to Candidates

20:43 Nuances in Equity Allocation

Guest:

Matt Birnbaum is Partner at Pear VC, where he focuses on investing in and guiding early-stage startups. With extensive experience in talent acquisition and leadership, Matt has previously led talent functions at companies like Instacart and Optimizely. He specializes in scaling teams and building effective hiring strategies for high-growth companies. At Pear VC, Matt leverages his background to support founders in assembling world-class teams that drive innovation and success. He is passionate about helping startups navigate the complexities of growth and talent development.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/birnbing

Blog article: https://pear.vc/how-to-structure-startup-equity-for-early-hires/

In this episode, Amir welcomes Sandeep Bhadra, General Partner at Vertex US, to discuss early-stage founders' challenges and the critical support they need. The conversation covers the loneliness of the founder's journey, the importance of coaching and mentoring, and the dynamics of candid discussions between investors and founders. Sandeep emphasizes the significance of understanding distribution and managing teams with different expertise. The episode also delves into the art of pivoting, testing ideas, and the necessity of being patient while finding the right market fit.

Highlights:

01:44 Challenges and Psychology of Founders

04:35 Importance of Coaching and Mentorship

06:28 Balancing Vision and Reality

12:24 Skills and Gaps in First-Time Founders

16:18 The Art of Pivoting and Lean Experimentation

Guest:

Sandeep Bhadra is a General Partner at Vertex Ventures US, where he focuses on early-stage investments in enterprise software, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity. With a strong background in venture capital and a PhD in electrical engineering from Stanford, Sandeep brings deep technical expertise and business acumen to his role. Before Vertex, he held roles at Menlo Ventures and helped lead investments in several successful tech startups. Sandeep is passionate about partnering with visionary founders to help them scale and grow their companies.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandeepbhadra/

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.

Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com

Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?

Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

In this podcast episode, Amir Bormand interviews John Cottongim, Co-Founder and CTO at Roots Automation, discussing the impact of process automation and generative AI in the insurance industry. John shares his extensive industry background and insights into how advanced technologies, mainly digital co-workers powered by generative AI, transform legacy systems and optimize processes in insurance companies. The conversation touches on data quality issues, simplifying complex business processes, and the future potential of narrow AI models tailored specifically for insurance. John emphasizes practical strategies for successful automation while maintaining data integrity and enhancing efficiency. The episode concludes with reflections on the evolving landscape of insurance and the promising role of technology.

Highlights:

01:50 Challenges of Legacy Systems in Insurance

03:03 John's Background and Insights from AIG

05:29 Data Quality and Process Automation

09:51 Identifying and Automating Key Processes

13:03 Simplifying Complex Processes and User Adoption

22:16 The Future of Gen AI in Insurance

Guest:

John Cottongim is the Co-Founder and CTO of Roots Automation Inc., an Insurtech startup focused on delivering Digital Coworkers to the insurance industry, leveraging Roots’ industry-leading insurGPT AI capabilities.

https://linkedin.com/in/john-cottongim

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.

Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com

Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?

Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

In this podcast episode, Amir Bormand interviews Michelle Avery, Group VP of AI at WillowTree, a TELUS International Company. They discuss the process of prototyping Generative AI (Gen AI) solutions and transitioning from prototypes to production-ready applications. Key points include identifying business problems, the importance of intentional prototyping, overcoming data access challenges, and ensuring user acceptance and ROI. Michelle shares insights from her work at WillowTree, emphasizing the role of strategic planning and cross-disciplinary collaboration in successful AI implementation.

Highlights

01:34 Prototyping Gen AI Solutions

03:25 Identifying Business Problems for AI Solutions

06:40 Challenges in Prototyping and Data Access

07:55 From Prototype to Production

09:57 Ensuring User Acceptance and Feedback

16:01 Moving Beyond Chatbots

Guest:

With 17 years of experience across engineering, AI, FinTech, and Robotics, Michelle Avery is a technical leader in the Data and AI space. As the Group Vice President of AI at WillowTree, a Telus International Company, Michelle is passionate about building responsible, production-ready AI applications that address real-world business problems. She leads innovative initiatives in generative AI, oversees impactful research projects, and drives the development of data-intensive applications for Fortune 100 clients.

www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-avery-63729bb7

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.

Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com

Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?

Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

In this podcast episode, Amir Nathoo, Co-Founder and Head of Outschool, discusses the innovative online marketplace for live classes aimed at kids globally. He explains how Outschool empowers unconventional educators to offer diverse and creative subjects, providing alternatives to traditional learning systems. The conversation covers the impact of the pandemic on remote learning, the challenges of integrating such platforms within traditional school systems, and the role of AI in personalized education. Emphasis is placed on fostering a love of learning and shifting societal attitudes toward education.

Highlights:

02:40 The Genesis of Outschool

06:25 Impact of the Pandemic on Outschool

10:55 Challenges and Opportunities in Education

21:06 The Role of AI in Education

25:41 Future of Education and Final Thoughts

Guest:

Amir Nathoo is the Co-Founder and CEO of Outschool, an innovative online platform that connects kids globally with live, interactive classes led by expert educators. With a background in engineering and technology, Amir is passionate about transforming education by offering diverse and creative learning opportunities outside the traditional classroom. Under his leadership, Outschool has grown rapidly, especially during the shift to remote learning, and continues to pioneer new educational approaches, empowering students and educators worldwide.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirnathoo/

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.

Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com

Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?

Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

In this podcast episode, we explore critical technical decisions and the concept of technical debt with Brian Moseley, Co-Founder and CTO of Sixfold. Brian discusses his views on balancing short-term goals with long-term ramifications, including real-life examples from his work. The conversation delves into the use of generative AI in insurance underwriting, the importance of context in decision-making, and the challenge of remote work collaboration. Brian stresses the need for documenting reasoning and decisions to avoid future misunderstandings and highlights the role of whiteboard sessions in accelerating productive outcomes. The episode comprehensively discusses making informed and contextually aware technical choices.

Highlights:

01:28 Understanding Technical Debt

02:38 Real-World Examples of Technical Debt

05:47 The Importance of Context in Decision Making

08:38 Asynchronous Communication and Documentation

16:30 Challenges of Remote Collaboration

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.

Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com

Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?

Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)