Mike Palmer, the CEO of Sigma Computing, shares his journey from a teacher to a tech leader, invoking lessons learned during the dot-com boom. He discusses the evolution of data analytics and the importance of mentorship in navigating the startup landscape. Palmer provides insights from a recent tech CEO dinner, offering perspectives on the impact of the pandemic and current market trends. He also explores the future of AI, the challenges in capital raising, and the ever-changing dynamics of tech valuations and enterprise software.