AlchemistX: Innovators Inside

In this episode of the AlchemistX Innovators Inside Podcast, Ian Bergman sits down with Roey Eliyahu and Michael Nicosia, co-founders of Salt Security—the company that pioneered the API security category. Together, they break down the early decisions that helped them go from idea to industry-defining solution.Roey shares how he went from coding at nine in Israel’s cybersecurity units to buying a one-way ticket to Silicon Valley with a bold pitch and a few thousand dollars. Michael recounts how their first four-hour meeting turned into a lasting partnership. What followed was a masterclass in customer discovery, iterative product development, and relentless market education.Key takeaways include:How to pitch a complex idea with clarity and impactWhy discovering your APIs is just the beginning of managing riskHow to qualify early adopters and validate product-market fitThe mindset shift required to sell innovation into large enterprisesThe critical role of posture governance in modern cybersecurityHow Salt Security aligned internal incentives with real customer outcomesFrom crawling to running in the API security space, Roey and Michael offer hard-won lessons in navigating ambiguity, building trust with enterprise buyers, and scaling a product that protects some of the world's biggest companies.If you're building a startup or buying enterprise tech, this conversation is packed with strategy, insight, and inspiration.For more episodes and resources, visit https://www.alchemistaccelerator.com/podcasts.

In this episode of the AlchemistX Innovators Inside Podcast, Ian Bergman welcomes Matt Brady, Strategy & Growth Advisor at Innosight, to uncover how venture studios are reshaping the way corporations and universities launch disruptive startups. Dive into a masterclass on strategic innovation as Matt shares his winding journey from aerospace consulting at Booz Allen to pioneering the venture studio model for Fortune 500s. You’ll learn practical frameworks and real-world tactics to:Frame the right problems: Discover why rigorous problem selection and diligence underpin every successful startup venture.Set expectations: Learn how to align timelines, ROI metrics, and stakeholder incentives to avoid the “innovation team pendulum.”Map corporate pathways: Explore the “Sherpa” approach to navigating procurement, legal, and compliance so your venture avoids common roadblocks.Leverage strategic advantages: See how combining deep analytical rigor, experienced founders, and powerful partner networks creates “advantaged startups.”Drive real impact: Hear the inspiring case study of Gold Health—an opioid-crisis solution born from a partnership with UNC and Buncombe County, already saving lives across North Carolina.Whether you’re an innovation leader, intrapreneur, or aspiring founder, this episode delivers actionable insights on building, partnering, and scaling ventures inside large organizations.🔔 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you never miss an insider’s guide to crafting the future of corporate innovation.For more episodes and resources, visit https://www.alchemistaccelerator.com/podcasts.

In this episode of the AlchemistX Innovators Inside Podcast, Ian Bergman gets philosophical with Ciara Peter, Senior Vice President of Product at Robin, to explore how AI and hybrid work are reshaping the future of innovation. Ciara draws on 18 years in B2B SaaS and her product leadership at Robin to unpack:Redefining Product Management: Why the PM’s real job is strategic customer research and long-term ownership, not just feature delivery.Automating Busywork: How AI assistants can free teams from routine tasks—saving thousands of days of wasted effort—and surface the real problems to solve.Human Connection as a Competitive Edge: The case for intentional in-office days, serendipitous encounters, and why the “busywork” that builds empathy still matters.Designing the Ideal Hybrid Playbook: Introducing Robin’s collaboration score, space-booking automations, and data-driven policies that balance employee sentiment and workspace analytics.Measuring Success: Key KPIs—from adoption and retention to task funnels—that reveal whether new features truly land and deliver value.Tune in to discover actionable takeaways on harnessing AI to automate the mundane, crafting spaces that foster real human interaction, and leading product innovation in a world where technology accelerates teamwork—but only human insight sparks true transformation.For more episodes and resources, visit https://www.alchemistaccelerator.com/podcasts.

In this episode of the AlchemistX Innovators Inside Podcast, Ian Bergman sits down with Celia Wanderley, Chief Innovation Officer and Head of AI at Bits In Glass, to unpack the mindset, methods, and guardrails that power today’s most effective innovation. Together, they explore how to stay ahead in a world of constant AI breakthroughs and turn proof-of-concepts into production-ready solutions. You’ll discover:How to prevent knowledge overload by weaving continuous, bite-sized learning into your workflow.Why treating innovation as a portfolio of experiments beats betting everything on a single project.What guardrails and data governance frameworks ensure you can take calculated risks—without exposing your organization to runaway liability.Tune in for actionable insights on bridging the gap between hype and reality, leveraging cutting-edge research in days not months, and building an innovation engine that delivers lasting business impact.For more episodes and resources, visit https://www.alchemistaccelerator.com/podcasts.

In this episode of the AlchemistX Innovators Inside Podcast, Ian Bergman sits down with Danny Brickman, CEO and co-founder of Oasis Security, to explore the rapidly growing threat of non-human identities in enterprise systems.As AI agents, machine workflows, and digital tools proliferate, companies are facing a new kind of cybersecurity challenge—one that traditional identity and access management systems were never built to handle. Danny draws from his background in elite Israeli cyber defense units and startup innovation to explain why non-human identities are multiplying, how they’re being exploited, and what organizations must do to secure them.This episode is packed with insights on:Why more than 80% of cyberattacks today are identity-basedHow startups can outmaneuver legacy giants in fast-moving marketsThe emotional and operational costs of failure in securityWhat "philosophical differentiation" means in cybersecurity innovationWhy trust, like in autonomous cars and AI tools, takes time—but is everythingDanny also reflects on the culture of innovation, the importance of failure, and what surfing taught him about leadership.Whether you're a security leader, startup founder, or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, this conversation will shift how you think about identity in the AI era.For more episodes and resources, visit https://www.alchemistaccelerator.com/podcasts.

In this episode of the AlchemistX Innovators Inside Podcast, Ian Bergman sits down with Conrad Wade—Director of Strategy & Innovation at Moody’s—to unpack the real‑world playbook behind turning Fortune 500 scale into startup‑speed creativity. Conrad reveals why every one of Moody’s 14,000 employees is now considered a “prompt engineer,” and how that mindset shift is helping the 115‑year‑old firm stay ahead of generative AI, quantum computing, and whatever comes next.Listen to learn:The first domino of innovation – mapping a “day‑in‑the‑life” of your users before writing a single line of code.Why friction is your friend – and how to channel cross‑functional tension into market‑ready ideas.Execution > ideas – the simple change‑management moves that turn big concepts into bottom‑line results.Startups as radar – Conrad’s method for scouting early‑stage founders to spot horizon‑three threats (now collapsing to six months!).Leadership’s role – what happens when the C‑suite declares, “You’re all innovators,” and means it.Future‑proofing with tech – from gen‑AI enablement to the looming impact of quantum on credit‑risk modeling.Whether you’re fighting ivory‑tower thinking, launching an internal AI initiative, or hunting for your company’s next competitive moat, this conversation is packed with tactics you can use Monday morning.Connect with Conrad on LinkedIn and send your questions to innovators@alchemistaccelerator.com for a chance to be featured in a future episode.For more episodes and resources, visit https://www.alchemistaccelerator.com/podcasts.

In this episode of the AlchemistX Innovators Inside Podcast, Ian Bergman sits down with Victor Mulas, the first Chief Innovation Officer at Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), to unpack a 20-year journey that stretches from telecom deregulation in Europe to shaping startup hubs on three continents. Victor reveals the Panini Effect—his practical framework for sandwiching top-down vision with grassroots momentum—to push bold ideas through even the most risk-averse organizations.Key takeaways include:Activate the Glue. Why vibrant “networking assets” (events, mentors, super-connectors) are the real catalyst that binds university talent, capital, and policy into a living ecosystem.Incentives Over Talk. How Victor aligns systems and rewards so innovation isn’t just a slogan from the C-suite but a career accelerator for project managers on the ground.From Pilot to Platform. Lessons from scaling CIC’s community model from Cambridge to Tokyo—and how any company can globalize a proven playbook without losing local soul.The Sandwich vs. The Panini. Tactics for pressing resistance out of large institutions, drawn from Victor’s decade steering billion-dollar World Bank programs.Whether you’re a corporate intrapreneur wrestling with red tape or a government leader designing the next startup cluster, Victor’s stories deliver a punchy, field-tested roadmap for turning bureaucracy into breakthroughs.For more episodes and resources, visit https://www.alchemistaccelerator.com/podcasts.

In this episode of the AlchemistX Innovators Inside Podcast, Ian Bergman sits down with marketing maven and entrepreneurial force, Stephanie Melodia, to uncover the secrets behind hacking luck in both startup and corporate worlds. Stephanie shares how embracing a mindset of accountability, visionary thinking, and calculated risk-taking can transform setbacks into breakthrough opportunities. Throughout the conversation, she breaks down her unique “four-leaf clover” framework, which highlights the roles of accountability, vision, positivity, and risk tolerance in creating your own opportunities. Main takeaways:Own Your Journey: Discover how embracing responsibility empowers you to control your destiny.Craft Your Vision: Learn to define success on your own terms and set inspiring goals.Take Bold Risks: See why stepping outside your comfort zone can unlock extraordinary opportunities.Hustle Hard: Understand how relentless effort can pave the way to breakthrough success.Bounce Back: Hear strategies to transform setbacks into powerful comebacks.Stay Optimistic: Find out how a positive outlook attracts new possibilities.Experiment and Evolve: Explore the art of rapid testing to fuel continuous growth.Join us as we dive deep into powerful lessons on resilience, the art of seizing moments, and the crucial balance between hard work and the serendipity of luck in crafting sustainable success.For more episodes and resources, visit https://www.alchemistaccelerator.com/podcasts.

In this episode of the AlchemistX Innovators Inside Podcast, Ian Bergman sits down with Azita Esmaili, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Eviden, to explore the dynamic interplay between AI, innovation management, and future-proofing organizations. They dive into the rapid pace of technological change and discuss how building a culture of continuous learning, experimentation, and data-driven decision-making can empower enterprises to not only adapt but thrive in uncertainty. Drawing from her extensive experience—transitioning from engineering to digital transformation—Azita shares practical strategies for developing challenge libraries, measuring ROI, and navigating the human elements of change. Tune in for actionable insights on how to harness AI responsibly and strategically, ensuring that innovation remains a transformative force for the future.Key takeaways include:AI’s Fast Pace: Technology is evolving quicker than regulatory frameworks can adapt.Culture of Learning: Success depends on fostering a mindset of continuous learning and experimentation.Integrated Strategy: Align technology, data, and people to embed AI effectively.Experimentation is Key: Without a set playbook, learning by doing is essential.Measurable Impact: Use clear KPIs and challenge libraries to track progress and ROI.Human Element: Address resistance to change and the emotional impacts of innovation.Adaptive Future-Proofing: Focus on building flexible, resilient systems rather than predicting the future.Balancing Risks: Manage cybersecurity and compliance challenges while innovating.Don't miss out—subscribe now to stay ahead with more expert insights and join the conversation on transforming tomorrow's challenges into today's opportunities!For more episodes and resources, visit https://www.alchemistaccelerator.com/podcasts.

In this episode of the AlchemistX Innovators Inside Podcast, Ian Bergman sits down with Nathaniel Smith, Epicenter Memphis’ Director of Programs, to explore how Memphis is transforming its economic landscape through innovation. They dive into how the city’s robust logistics and medical device industries are pivoting towards tech-driven solutions to drive growth and efficiency. Nathaniel shares his journey—from venture capital to spearheading Epicenter’s mission—and discusses the importance of customer discovery, building trust, and fostering cross-industry partnerships. Listeners will gain insights into solving real-world challenges like cargo theft through technology and learn practical lessons on leveraging local strengths to fuel innovation in any region.Key takeaways include:Memphis leverages its unique geographical and industrial assets to drive tech innovation.The importance of customer discovery and tailored solutions in addressing industry challenges.How collaborative partnerships between startups and established companies spur regional economic growth.Strategies for building trust and long-term relationships within local ecosystems.The role of focused innovation programs in transforming traditional industries.Tune in now to uncover the strategies fueling Memphis’ innovative surge and discover how these insights can ignite transformation in your own industry. Listen and get inspired to innovate!