In this episode, Ofer Shterling, CTO of Amberflo.io, joins the podcast to discuss the evolution of the CTPO role (Chief Technology and Product Officer). They dive into why this role is becoming a trend and why companies are adopting it. Ofer also explains the main problem his company solves - the pricing problem for businesses. They believe that measuring usage and understanding customer behavior can help companies achieve their pricing objectives. The conversation also touches on Ofer's decision to join a startup and the importance of product and ideation in his role. Please tune in to learn more about the CTPO role and its impact on companies.

Highlights:

[00:01:02] Solving the pricing problem.

[00:05:11] The CTO as CPO.

[00:10:11] Not scalable as CTO.

[00:14:23] Balancing passion, compassion, and inner peace.

Ofer Shterling is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Amberflo.io. He joined the company nearly three years ago, shortly after it secured seed funding, as one of the first two founding engineers. Ofer played a pivotal role in developing many of Amberflo's core pipelines and now serves as the CTO, guiding the company's technological direction.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ofer-shterling-32739b31
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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and 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, host Amir interviews Ramiro Berrelleza, the founder and CEO of Okteto. They discuss the concept of building software cheaper and faster, exploring the changing landscape of development costs and productivity. They also delve into the impact of tools like GitHub Copilot on team efficiency and delivery. Ramiro highlights how Okteto's platform automates development workflows in Kubernetes, allowing developers to focus on coding and creating value rather than setting up environments manually. The conversation explores the challenge of balancing cost, speed, and quality in software development. Tune in to gain insights into optimizing development processes and achieving cost-effective results.

Highlights:

[00:02:30] Producing software cheaper and faster.

[00:05:57] Cost savings through automation.

[00:09:14] Sizing environments correctly.

[00:12:04] Agile tools.

[00:17:07] Feedback loop in development.

[00:20:23] Customer feedback.

[00:23:45] Bridging the gap as companies grow.

[00:27:39] Innovating the web experience.

Ramiro Berrelleza is the CEO and Co-founder of Okteto, the leading platform for Development Experience Automation. With over 20 years of experience in engineering, Ramiro is a seasoned professional with a passion for building developer tooling.

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

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and 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, Amir interviews Ugur Tigli, the CTO of MinIO, a high-performance object storage company. They discuss the infrastructure components of cloud storage, data protection, operating models, and costs and how they tie into AI workloads. Ugur explains that MinIO is an open-source, S3-compatible distributed object storage solution popular for its simplicity and ease of deployment. They also delve into why MinIO chose the open-source path and its benefits. Listen to the episode to learn more about cloud and AI workloads and the impact on cloud costs. 

Highlights

[00:02:40] Dual licensing model.

[00:04:15] Open source and security.

[00:07:36] AI and data growth.

[00:14:15] Complex data infrastructure evolution.

[00:16:39] Object storage simplification.

[00:20:19] AI and storage cost.

[00:24:07] Integrating with external systems.

Ugur Tigli is CTO at MinIO. In this current role, he oversees enterprise strategy and interfaces with MinIO’s enterprise client base. He helps clients architect and deploy API-driven, cloud-native, and scalable enterprise-grade data infrastructure using MinIO. Ugur has almost two decades of experience building high-performance data infrastructure for global financial institutions. Before MinIO, he was a technology leader at Bank of America, serving as the Senior Vice President and Global Head of Hardware Engineering. He joined Bank of America through the acquisition of Merrill Lynch, where he was the Vice President for Storage Engineering. Ugur has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Lafayette College.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ugur-tigli-9a9323/

Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and 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, we have Max Bruner, founder and CEO of Anzen, a marketplace for executive liability insurance. Max shares his unconventional journey from foreign policy to becoming a founder in the insurance industry. He discusses Anzen's mission and how they are working to accelerate change in the insurance sector. Additionally, Max talks about the impact of AI and the challenges of securing funding. Tune in to gain insights into Max's unique career path and the innovative work being done at Anzen.

Highlights:

[00:01:18] A path through foreign policy.

[00:04:10] Educating about the world.

[00:08:12] Learning about new technology.

[00:13:12] Risk insurance and its appeal.

[00:15:20] Applying AI to existing industries.

[00:19:06] Becoming a technology company.

[00:23:44] Helping founders and building companies.

Max Bruner, CEO and Founder of Anzen Insurance, a platform that is saving insurance brokers and companies thousands of hours and tons of stress, that has raised $10 Million in funding.
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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and 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, Amir Bormand introduces two guests, Ajax Trueblood and Chris Ieva, who discuss the book "Bastards and Brothers" written by Ajax. The book focuses on the Marines and their fight for al-Qaim in Iraq. Ajax, a retired Air Force intel officer, shares his motivations for writing the book, while Chris, a Marine who served in Iraq, provides his unique perspective. The conversation delves into the book's significance and connections to everyday experiences, including agile practices. 

Highlights

[00:03:53] Dark times in Iraq.

[00:07:36] Marine battalion's fascinating story.

[00:14:48] John Boyd and the OODA Loop

[00:16:27] The OODA Loop concept.

[00:20:23] Thinking in cycles

[00:25:51] Rules for winning firefights.

[00:29:19] The courage it takes.

[00:34:26] Coordinated strike on enemy.

[00:36:14] Marines rushing headlong into combat.

[00:39:10] Tying explosives on a rope.

[00:47:20] Communication techniques and gratitude.

[00:50:27] Building trust through honest communication.

[00:54:18] Risk and decision-making.

[00:59:02] Fighting with a small footprint.

[01:02:32] Outreach to local tribes.

[01:07:46] The ripple of wartime experience.

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and 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, Prashanth Sarpamale, CEO of Althea.ai, discusses the company's focus on integrating health equity with patient engagement and closing care gaps. He explains how they use healthcare analytics and AI methodology to identify social determinants of health and their impact on patient health. Prashanth also shares insights on his journey from chief data analytics officer to CEO and the importance of leveraging data and analytics to drive clinical outcomes. This episode provides valuable information on the intersection of technology and healthcare.

Highlights:

[00:01:03] Closing care gaps in healthcare.

[00:04:06] Ensuring care teams have the necessary data.

[00:09:08] Non-traditional sources of data.

[00:14:29] Interoperability and healthcare systems.

[00:16:53] Medicare spending stabilization.

[00:23:12] Building analytics skills for transition.

[00:26:04] Progressions into high levels of management.

Guest:

Prashanth is the CEO of Althea.ai, which is focused on using analytics to integrate Health Equity with Whole Person Care. Before joining Althea.ai, he was Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Oak Street Health. In this leading Value-Based Care company, he leveraged data to drive innovation and enhance patient care. Before his tenure at Oak Street Health, Prashanth served as Senior Vice President for Operations Analytics at United Health Care, where he led all Data Engineering, Business Insights, and Advanced Analytics and Research for all lines of business – Medicare, Medicaid, and Commercial. Before this, he set up and led global analytics practices at UnitedHealth and Hewlett-Packard.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prashanth-sarpamale-99ba7b/

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and 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, Katelyn Donnelly, the founder and general partner at Avalanche VC, joins the podcast to discuss the concept of an avalanche in the startup and venture capital world. She explains that Avalanche VC invests in companies that transform how people learn, earn, and own, focusing on disruptive ideas and technologies that have the potential to create sweeping societal change. Katelyn also distinguishes between the terms "unicorn" and "avalanche," highlighting that a unicorn refers to a company with a billion-dollar valuation. In contrast, an avalanche represents a massive trend that can lead to significant market disruption. Please tune in to learn more about how founders and entrepreneurs can take advantage of these trends and position themselves for success.

Highlights

[00:01:58] What is an avalanche?

[00:06:11] The impacts of the avalanche.

[00:09:04] Founders and founding teams.

[00:12:57] Pivoting vs changing ideas.

[00:16:39] Learnable skills of successful founders.

[00:19:18] Exceptional judgment.

[00:24:01] Risk of backing first-time founders.

Katelyn is the Managing Director of Avalanche VC, an early-stage venture firm investing in massive sector trends starting with how people learn, earn, and own. She is active in web3 as the genesis member of VC3DAO, a Kernel Fellow, and a crypto investor. She is co-founder and board director of Delivery Associates, the leading public sector advisory and technology firm focused on government operations and achieving results. She has worked with governments and invested in companies in over 20 countries globally. Previously, she co-founded and served as the Managing Director of Pearson Ventures (prior PALF), a $65M venture fund that invests in edtech companies in emerging markets. Katelyn also led the strategy and implementation of Pearson’s global efficacy strategy. Katelyn started her career as a consultant at McKinsey in San Francisco. Katelyn is a Kauffman Fellow - Class 21. She was named to the Corporate Venturing Power List and recognized on Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2014. Venture Capital Journal named her to 40 under 40 Rising Stars in 2022. Katelyn currently serves on Duke University's Learning Innovation Advisory Council, helping Duke imagine the future of on-campus and online learning. Katelyn is a published author on innovation, education, and market disruption. She writes a newsletter called Obviously The Future. www.katelyndonnelly.com

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and 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, Shadi Rostami, the Senior Executive VP of Engineering at Amplitude, joins the podcast to discuss the role of prompt engineering in fueling innovation and speeding up hackathons. She emphasizes that prompt engineering is a team sport and explores how experimentation and data analytics can impact business outcomes. Amplitude aims to help companies build better products by leveraging data and user behavior insights. Shadi also shares her responsibilities overseeing engineering, security, and support at Amplitude. Tune in for an insightful conversation on driving innovation through prompt engineering.

Highlights:

[00:00:22] Hackathons and LLMs speeding up innovation.

[00:06:27] Features originated in hackathon.

[00:11:13] Prompt engineering and model changes.

[00:17:23] Hackathon ideas and roadmap.

[00:19:58] Relying on user behavior.

[00:22:00] Balancing hackathon experience for developers.

[00:26:06] AI as a tool for innovation.

[00:29:06] Hackathons impact business outcomes.

Shadi Rostami is SVP of engineering at leading digital analytics platform Amplitude. She is a passionate, seasoned technology leader and architect experienced in building and managing highly proficient engineering teams. Before Amplitude, she was VP of Engineering at Palo Alto Networks. She has innovated and delivered several product lines and services specializing in distributed systems, cloud computing, big data, machine learning, and security. She has a Ph.D. in computer engineering from the University of British Columbia and a B.Sc. from Sharif University of Technology. 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shadi-rostami-b6a636/

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and 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, Amir Bormand interviews Ryan Glasgow, the CEO of Sprig. They discuss Ryan's journey from pre-Sprig to launching the company, focusing on building products centered around experience data. Ryan explains how Sprig is a product experience insights platform that helps companies understand what their customers think of their products. They delve into the different products offered by Sprig, including in-product surveys, session replay, prototype testing, and AI. Tune in and learn more about how Sprig revolutionizes customer feedback and product development.

Highlights

[00:01:06] Sprig's core product: in-product surveys.

[00:04:02] Early-stage company experiences.

[00:07:36] The evolution of CDs.

[00:11:38] Customer journey and product fit.

[00:15:25] Outbound feedback is crucial.

[00:18:12] User experience management.

[00:23:48] Identifying core supporters of the product.

[00:26:06] Product market fit and learnings.

Guest:

Ryan Glasgow is the founder and CEO of Sprig. Sprig is the leading product experience insights platform and works with high-growth companies, including Figma, Notion, Loom, and Dropbox.

Before starting the company, Ryan was a Product Manager and early team member at five different companies that he helped scale from startup to successful exit, including Weebly, which was acquired by Square, and Vurb, which Snapchat acquired.

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and 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, host Amir interviews Zach Wasserman, Co-founder and CTO of Fleet, an open-source device management platform. They discuss the features and functionalities of Fleet, including its use in mobile device management (MDM) and telemetry collection. Zach explains how Fleet is built on top of OSQuery and supports managing Mac workstations, with plans to expand to Windows, mobile devices, and Linux. Tune in to learn more about the benefits of Fleet and why they decided to open-source their product.

Highlights:

[00:01:23] Device Management Use Cases.

[00:05:55] Telemetry data.

[00:09:54] Vulnerability management platform.

[00:13:20] Bringing DevOps principles into IT and security.

[00:15:28] Business requirements and efficiency gains.

[00:19:27] Shifting left in endpoint management.

[00:24:23] Open source business model.

Zach Wasserman is a serial entrepreneur, engineer, co-founder, and CTO of Fleet, where he works to unlock the full potential of osquery for enterprise and open-source customers. He brings the vision and experience of co-creating and working with osquery since the earliest design documents at Facebook in 2014. He has been a member of the Linux Foundation osquery Technical Steering Committee since its inception in 2019. Before Fleet, Zach founded open-source security consultancy Dactiv,  and co-founded endpoint security company Kolide. Zach graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BSE in computer science from the University of Pennsylvania, where he conducted wireless security research and lectured on the Python programming language.

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and 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)