In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir Bormand sits down with Dave McCann, CTO at Self Financial, to dive deep into scaling strategies and the art of navigating exits in both VC-backed and private equity-backed companies. With multiple successful exits, Dave shares his insights on building cohesive teams, adapting leadership styles, and evaluating opportunities for success. Whether you're a budding technologist or a seasoned leader, this episode offers valuable perspectives on creating impactful career trajectories in the tech industry.

Key Takeaways:

Timestamped Highlights:

Quote of the Episode:*"Great leadership isn't about controlling outcomes—it's about enabling people and trusting them to deliver their best." – Dave McCann

Connect with Dave McCann:

Let’s Continue the Conversation:Enjoyed the episode? Share it with your network, leave a review, and subscribe for more insights into the tech world. Got questions for Dave or Amir? Comment below or reach out directly!

In this episode, Amir Bormand is joined by Nadav Eiron, SVP of Cloud Engineering at Crusoe, to discuss the nuances of leadership, team dynamics, and scaling engineering teams. The conversation dives into how small companies evolve into large organizations, the art of aligning teams with company missions and managing the complexities of remote work. Nadav also shares insights on balancing speed, quality, and autonomy while navigating between startup and enterprise cultures.

Key Takeaways:

Highlights with Timestamps:

Quote of the Episode: "Building a good organization is the same as building good software—define the APIs and minimize interactions across them." – Nadav Eiron

Subscribe and Share: If you found this episode valuable, don’t forget to subscribe and share it with your network!

Engage with Nadav: Connect with Nadav Eiron on⁠ LinkedIn⁠ to dive deeper into his insights on leadership and scaling engineering teams.

Nadav Eiron is the SVP of Cloud Engineering at Crusoe, where he leverages his extensive experience in cloud technologies to drive innovation and operational efficiency. With a background that spans various leadership roles, Nadav has a proven track record of managing and scaling engineering teams, optimizing cloud infrastructure, and aligning technology initiatives with business goals. He is passionate about leveraging cloud engineering to solve complex problems and foster growth for his teams and the organizations he works with.

In this episode, the host interviews Tanaz Mody, the Head of People Operations and Talent at Lerer Hippeau, about the complexities and pressures founders face, particularly in the hiring process. They discuss how founders must make critical decisions and sometimes struggle with making the right hires due to their close attachment to the business. Tanaz shares insights on how she assists founders in navigating these challenges, setting expectations, and evolving from founders to effective CEOs. The conversation also discusses the importance of trust, delegation, and VC talent partners' unique perspectives in supporting startups.

Highlights

01:12 Challenges Founders Face in Hiring

03:58 The Importance of Delegation for Founders

04:52 Navigating Change in Early-Stage Companies

06:01 Decision-Making in Hiring

07:38 Setting Milestones in the Hiring Process

12:37 The Founder to CEO Journey

14:38 Building Trust and Safe Spaces for Founders

21:34 The Evolving Role of People Operations

Guest:

Tanaz Mody is the Head of People Operations and Talent at Lerer Hippeau, where she plays a crucial role in shaping and executing talent strategies for the firm’s portfolio companies. With a rich background in talent management, she specializes in helping founders navigate the complexities of hiring, organizational development, and leadership transitions. Tanaz is dedicated to building strong teams and fostering company cultures that drive success, leveraging her extensive experience to support early-stage startups in scaling effectively.

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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 of The Tech Trek, Amir Bormand sits down with Harshit Shah, CTO of Kyruus Health, to discuss cultivating high-performance engineering cultures, managing distributed teams, and navigating the evolving landscape of technology. Harshit shares insights on geostrategy, the role of Gen AI in software engineering, and the importance of attributes like growth mindset and collaboration in building successful teams.

Whether you're a CTO, an engineering leader, or a technologist, this episode is packed with actionable insights and thought-provoking discussions that will resonate with professionals across the tech industry.

Key Takeaways:

Timestamped Highlights:

Featured Quote:

"Building a high-performing culture isn't just about technical skills; it's about fostering collaboration, problem-solving, and a growth mindset in every team member." – Harshit Shah

Call to Action:

If you enjoyed this episode, please:

To connect with Harshit Shah, visit his LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harshah/

In this episode, Amir Bormand is joined by Mukta Nandwani, the CTO of Findhelp, to explore the critical role of technology in social care. Mukta shares insights into the industry's unique constraints, the importance of accessibility and privacy, and how technology meets users where they are—especially in underserved communities. They also discuss challenges in adoption, the potential of emerging technologies like generative AI, and the intersection of innovation and humanity in social care tech.

Key Takeaways:

Understanding Social Care Tech: The spectrum of technical maturity in social care organizations varies significantly, requiring tailored solutions.

Accessibility is Key: Technology must be usable by people with limited devices, internet access, or tech skills.

Respecting Privacy and Dignity: Social care tech must prioritize user consent and protect sensitive data to maintain trust.

Adoption Challenges: The "last mile" in social care tech requires simplicity and innovative solutions like community kiosks and real-time translation tools.

Engineering in Social Care: Building solutions in this domain demands a deeper understanding of societal needs and user contexts.

Timestamped Highlights:

[00:01:00] What is social care tech, and how does it differ from health tech?

[00:04:00] Mukta explains accessibility challenges for underserved communities.

[00:07:00] Why privacy and dignity are non-negotiable in social care tech.

[00:10:00] Generative AI’s potential and its challenges in low-tech environments.

[00:13:00] The complexity of developing social care tech solutions and the engineer’s perspective.

Quote to Highlight:

"It's not always about the cool technology. It's about meeting users where they're at and respecting their dignity." – Mukta Nandwani

Connect with Mukta:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mukta-nandwani/

Call to Action:

If this episode inspired you, share it with a colleague or friend. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and tell us how this discussion resonated with you!

In this episode, Rebecca Price joins Amir to discuss the critical transition founders face when evolving into successful CEOs. Rebecca, leveraging her experience as a Partner at Primary Venture Partners, shares insights into the attributes that contribute to a founder's success, the common pitfalls that lead to failure, and actionable advice for navigating this complex journey. This conversation is a must-listen for leaders in tech and startup ecosystems who are eager to enhance their leadership capabilities and scale effectively.

Key Takeaways

Timestamped Highlights

Quote of the Episode

"Organizations become the embodiment of their leaders. A CEO's job is to create alignment, build trust, and set the vision to drive performance." – Rebecca Price

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

Call to Action

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with fellow tech leaders and founders. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share your feedback!

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 episode, Amir Bormand chats with Christina Stejskalova, Director of Data at Ontra, about the pivotal role of data professionals in startups and the strategic considerations surrounding their hiring. They explore how early investment in data expertise impacts AI strategies, product development, and long-term company success. Christina shares valuable insights from her time at Facebook and leadership roles in Series B startups, offering a fresh perspective on integrating data into business decision-making.

🗝️ Key Takeaways:

⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:

📢 Quote of the Episode:"The best companies in the world use data to drive their revenue growth. Startups need to stop seeing data teams as cost centers and start leveraging them as a strategic asset." – Christina Stejskalova

🔗 Connect with Christina:Find Christina Stejskalova on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinastejskalova/

✅ Call to Action:What are your thoughts on when to hire a data professional? Have you seen early data strategies succeed or fail? Share your experiences! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review.

In this episode, we dive into how businesses leverage data platforms and AI to serve the business effectively. Addhyan Pandey shares insights into Zoro’s AI journey, the role of machine learning, data technical debt, and the shift toward self-service analytics.

Key Takeaways

🔹 AI vs. ML in Business: While AI is a hot topic, many companies still rely on traditional machine learning (ML) models like recommendation systems and predictive analytics.

🔹 The Data Technical Debt Challenge: Companies struggle with historical data issues, making AI adoption difficult. Addressing data governance and quality from the source is crucial.

🔹 Self-Service Analytics & AI: The demand for self-service analytics is rising, but human oversight remains necessary to ensure accuracy and meaningful insights.

🔹 AI’s Role in Decision-Making: AI can support but not replace business leaders. Decision-making must balance data-driven insights with strategic judgment.

🔹 Stakeholder Collaboration: Business leaders need to be more forward-thinking in adjusting their data processes to maximize AI benefits.

Timestamped Highlights

⏳ [00:01:00] – Introduction: Addhyan shares Zoro’s approach to AI and M

⏳ [00:03:00] – Data quality & technical debt: How companies still struggle with basic BI

⏳ [00:06:30] – Balancing new AI innovations with messy legacy data

⏳ [00:09:00] – The challenges of making AI useful for stakeholders with poor data

⏳ [00:12:00] – The rise of self-service analytics & human-in-the-loop AI

⏳ [00:15:00] – How AI-powered recommendations still need human judgment

⏳ [00:17:00] – Addhyan’s 60-day assessment at Zoro & future AI priorities

Quote of the Episode

"We do not have—and won’t have anytime soon—perfect AI tools. Human oversight is essential to make AI work for businesses effectively." – Addhyan Pandey

Connect with Addhyan

📍 LinkedIn: Addhyan Pandey

📍 Twitter/X: @AddhyanPandey

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

In this episode, I sit down withMatt Birnbaum, Partner atPear VC, to discuss one of the most critical aspects of early-stage startups:structuring equity for early hires. We dive deep intohow founders should allocate equity, common pitfalls, and how to ensure flexibility for future growth. If you’re an early-stage founder, considering joining a startup, or just want to better understand the mechanics of equity distribution, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

We also discuss Pear VC’sstartup equity calculator, amust-have resource for founders and candidates alike. If you're navigating startup hiring or negotiating an offer, this episode is for you!

Key Takeaways

• Equity Allocation Matters: The way you structure early equity sets the tone for compensation and expectations in your startup.
• Early Hires Take More Risk, So They Get More Equity: The first technical hire should receive significantly more equity than the tenth, but many founders don’t account for this.
• Equity Pools Need Strategic Planning: Many founders either set aside too little or too much, leading to dilution or a lack of hiring flexibility.
• Plan for a Buffer: Keeping a25% buffer in your option pool allows flexibility for future hires, key recruits, and strategic pivots.
• Technical vs. Non-Technical Equity: While technical hires often receive a premium, some non-technical roles can be just as critical—founders should plan accordingly.
• Candidates Should Ask Smart Questions: If you’re negotiating equity, ask about the total equity pool, planned headcount, and how your grant was calculated.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00:00]Introduction – Welcoming Matt Birnbaum, Partner at Pear VC, and discussing the episode’s focus on startup equity.

[00:01:16]What is Pear VC? – Early-stage investment approach and how Pear supports founders beyond capital.

[00:02:37]Why Startup Equity Structure is Critical – How it impacts long-term hiring and company growth.

[00:05:22]Common Mistakes in Equity Planning – Founders often rely too much on benchmarks without understanding the logic behind them.

[00:07:56]Equity Pool Size & Flexibility – Why 10% is the typical equity pool and the importance of maintaining a buffer.

[00:10:44]Negotiating Early Hires’ Equity – How to balance offering enough equity without overcommitting.

[00:14:19]How Founders Should Talk About Equity – Advice on explaining equity offers in a way candidates understand.

[00:19:35]Technical vs. Non-Technical Hiring – Does a non-technical hire deserve as much equity as an engineer?

[00:23:47]The Risk vs. Reward Equation – Why the first hire gets significantly more equity than the tenth hire.

[00:27:28]Final Thoughts & Resources – How to reach Matt and access the Pear VC equity calculator.

Quote of the Episode

"Instead of closing your eyes and picking numbers from a benchmark, take the extra steps to plan your equity spend. It’s the difference between thriving and struggling down the road." –Matt Birnbaum

Resources & Links

• Pear VC Startup Equity Calculator: https://pear.vc/how-to-structure-startup-equity-for-early-hires/
• Matt Birnbaum on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/birnbing

Connect with Us

• Subscribe to The Tech Trek for more episodes
• Share this episode with a founder or candidate who needs to hear it!