AlchemistX: Innovators Inside

In this episode of AlchemistX Innovators Inside Podcast, host Ian Bergman welcomes Natalie Born, a principal consultant at Arch + Tower, to discuss the nuances of innovation in corporate settings. With a career that began in the bustling world of corporate America, Natalie quickly found her calling in product development and innovation. She shares her journey, highlighting the complexities and human elements involved in integrating newly acquired companies into larger platforms. Her experiences underscore the significance of empathy and understanding both the technical and emotional aspects of mergers and acquisitions. Natalie delves into the crucial role of empowerment in fostering innovation, drawing from her early career experiences at CareerBuilder.com. She recounts the challenges of making critical decisions in different time zones, emphasizing how a deep grasp of the company's ethos empowered her to act effectively and independently. This approach not only shaped her leadership style but also provided insights into managing the delicate dynamics of mergers and acquisitions. The conversation shifts to a broader perspective on innovation within organizations. Natalie advocates for a cultural shift where innovation is not the sole domain of top executives but a collective effort involving employees at all levels. She discusses the importance of breaking down limiting belief systems and creating an inclusive environment that encourages experimentation and learning from failures. Natalie stresses the need for companies to engage with customers early and often, ensuring that innovations are aligned with market demands and customer needs. Wrapping up the episode, Natalie and Ian explore the incremental nature of innovation, arguing for a methodical approach that values small, manageable steps over grand leaps. This strategy reduces risks and allows for more agile adaptations to changing market dynamics.  This episode is perfect for anyone eager to delve into the nuances of leadership, empathy, and cultural transformation in the realm of innovation. Natalie Born shares invaluable insights that can redefine your approach to driving change within organizations.  For more episodes and resources, visit https://www.alchemistaccelerator.com/podcasts.

In this episode, Ian Bergman sits down with Brian Bell, managing partner at Team Ignite Ventures. Bell shares his remarkable story, transitioning from history to finance, experiencing disillusionment on Wall Street, and ultimately finding his true calling in the world of technology and venture capital. The episode delves deep into the realms of technological accelerationism, with Bergman and Bell pondering the ramifications of rapid technological advancement. From large language models to AI's emergent properties, they explore how these developments are reshaping our understanding of possibility and creativity. Bell's optimistic outlook and belief in technology as a catalyst for a better future are both infectious and thought-provoking. The discussion takes a turn towards the art and science of venture capital, with Bell detailing his investment strategy, the importance of founder vision, and the critical role of timing in startup success. His approach to venture capital is a unique blend of intuition and analysis, driven by a deep understanding of market trends and founder motivations. Bell's journey from a challenging background to a successful venture capitalist is an inspiring example of overcoming adversity through optimism and hard work. His insights offer invaluable lessons for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone navigating the dynamic world of startups and technology. This episode of AlchemistX Innovators Inside Podcast promises not just a narrative of success but a deep dive into the mechanics of innovation, the future of venture capital, and the unyielding spirit of entrepreneurship. For more episodes and resources, visit https://www.alchemistaccelerator.com/podcasts.

In this episode of AlchemistX Innovators Inside, host Ian Bergman welcomes Peter Giordano, a go-to-market strategy expert with over 30 years of experience in the tech industry. Peter's journey, which includes transformative roles at Net Gravity/DoubleClick, VMware, and Google Cloud, is packed with lessons on innovation, strategic thinking, and market dynamics. Throughout the conversation, Peter shares his deep understanding of Go-to-Market (GTM) strategy, an essential element in transitioning from product development to creating a successful business. He breaks down GTM into six key areas: product strategy, market focus, commercialization, sales model, channel, and customer experience. This framework offers valuable insights for listeners looking to build scalable and effective customer acquisition and retention strategies. Peter also delves into the complexities of navigating uncertainty in the tech sector. He emphasizes the need for confidence, risk assessment, and adaptability in a rapidly changing landscape. His practical advice on decision-making and leveraging feedback for continuous improvement is particularly relevant for today’s fast-paced business environment. If you're an entrepreneur, corporate innovator, or anyone keen on mastering the art and science of successful product market entry, this episode with Peter Giordano is a must-listen. Packed with practical advice and strategic insights, it's your guide to navigating the complexities of Go-to-Market strategies in the tech world. Tune in now to unlock valuable lessons and actionable strategies for your innovation journey! For more episodes and resources, visit https://www.alchemistaccelerator.com/podcasts. Mentioned resources GoStart Peter Giordano's Consulting Practice Website (Ghost CEO) - https://www.ghostceo.com/ Connect with Peter Giordano LinkedIn Connect with Ian Bergman LinkedIn

In this episode of AlchemistX Innovators Inside, host Ian Bergman welcomes Amali de Alwis, a dynamic professional with a rich background in technology and innovation. Amali, known for her roles as CEO at Climate and Data Accelerator Subak, Managing Director at Microsoft for Startups UK, and CEO of Code First: Girls, shares her unique journey from a curious child fascinated with building and fairness to becoming a serial entrepreneur and influential leader in the tech world. The episode traverses through Amali's diverse career path, from engineering to shoe design, leading her to discover her true passion in the principles behind design and research. This shift marked the onset of her innovation journey, heavily focused on understanding the dynamics of the world and aiding brands in crafting relevant products and services. Amali's role in the tech industry was deeply influenced by her geeky side and her initial foray into software engineering. Ian and Amali discuss the sense of restlessness often experienced by individuals in large organizations, underscoring that such feelings, while challenging, can lead to significant scale and impact when effectively harnessed. The conversation then highlights Amali's impactful work with Code First: Girls, an organization she founded to bridge the gender gap in technology education. Amali shares the organization's growth, teaching over 40,000 young women to code, and its role in empowering women to enter the tech industry. Exploring the concept of innovation beyond technology, Amali reflects on her time in shoe design, emphasizing the crucial role of understanding how products interact with people, which is key to innovation in any field. The discussion also covers Amali's time at Subak, where she focused on climate data acceleration and the collective fight against climate change, highlighting the need for data sharing and collaborative problem-solving. Delving deeper, Amali discusses the intersection of innovation, fairness, and the drive to make a difference, citing examples from various organizations addressing critical issues like climate action and decarbonization.  The conversation also touches upon how income inequality and the pursuit of profit can conflict with fairness, yet underscores that innovation can still lead to a fairer world. This episode of AlchemistX Innovators Inside offers a deep dive into the complexities of innovation, fairness, and the impact of technology on society, providing valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators alike. Full show notes and resources at https://www.alchemistaccelerator.com/podcasts

In this episode of AlchemistX Innovators Inside, host Ian Bergman welcomes Sam Li, founder and CEO of Thoropass, a burgeoning startup transforming the compliance landscape for tech companies. With a background in software engineering and experiences at Goldman Sachs, Google, and Bain Capital Ventures, Sam shares his entrepreneurial journey leading to the creation of Thoropass. Formerly known as Laika, Thoropass provides a robust solution for information security, compliance, and audits, helping companies align with stringent IT security and privacy standards such as SOC 2, GDPR, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and more. Sam dives into the critical role of compliance in enterprise procurement and the challenges startups face with extensive security questionnaires and audits from potentially large clients. He discusses Thoropass’s mission to streamline the traditionally manual and labor-intensive compliance processes into a more manageable, software-driven approach. The conversation explores the tension between innovation and the inherently risk-averse nature of compliance and procurement departments in larger enterprises, revealing how Thoropass alleviates this tension for software vendors. Throughout the episode, Sam offers valuable advice for startup founders, emphasizing the importance of validating their product-market fit and being open to iterations to address customer needs genuinely. He also advises enterprise buyers on maintaining compliance requirements while facilitating startups' processes, creating an environment conducive to innovation without compromising security. Concluding the episode, Sam reflects on his active role in the startup community, sharing insights and experiences to guide aspiring entrepreneurs. He underscores his commitment to helping others navigate the entrepreneurial journey and extends an invitation to connect through Thoropass’s website and his LinkedIn for further insights into navigating compliance in the tech industry. Tune in for a blend of strategic guidance, practical wisdom, and enlightening discussions on compliance challenges and solutions in the ever-evolving tech landscape.  Full show notes and resources at https://www.alchemistaccelerator.com/podcasts

In this episode, Ian Bergman engages with Robyn Bolton, innovator extraordinaire and founder of MileZero, known for her strategic acumen from her time at P&G to the insights gained under Clay Christensen’s tutelage. Robyn dives into her life as a risk-averse innovator, revealing how she molds breakthrough ideas into actionable strategies within the rigid frameworks of large corporations. The conversation cuts through the complexities of innovation leadership and the venture studio model, unpacking the delicate dance between maintaining core business values and embracing disruptive change. With a critical eye on the pitfalls of 'innovation theater,' Robyn advocates for authenticity in meeting customer needs amidst the seductive haze of future tech promises. As they explore the nuanced role of AI in advancing business innovation, Robyn offers invaluable advice to those on the innovation path: let curiosity be your guide, keep an open mind, and judiciously push boundaries. Join us for a deep dive into the philosophical and practical world of corporate innovation with one of the industry's most forward-thinking leaders. Tune in for an episode rich in strategic insights and actionable advice that's crucial for anyone looking to navigate the complex currents of corporate innovation. Full show notes and resources at https://www.alchemistaccelerator.com/podcasts

Christy Canida, Senior Director at Alchemist, joins host Ian Bergman for a deep dive into the intricate universe of corporate innovation. Christy's diverse background, spanning from the biotech industry to the helm of startups like Instructables—which later found its home with Autodesk—paints a vibrant backdrop to their conversation.

Renowned startup pitch coach, political influencer, and now the mind behind an innovative dating platform, Bianca Praetorius, brings a wealth of diverse experiences to the table. In the latest episode of "AlchemistX Innovators Inside," Bianca sits down with host Ian Bergman to peel back the layers on her illustrious journey, offering listeners valuable insights and lessons along the way.

In this AlchemistX Innovators Inside Podcast episode, host Ian Bergman sits down with the dynamic David Luong, the Innovation Hub Leader at Qatar Airways. Responsible for shaping the journeys of its 34 million annual passengers, David offers a deep dive into the airport's relentless pursuit of innovation to enhance the traveler's experience. One of the episode's focal points is the unique challenges faced by individuals on the autism spectrum in vast transit hubs. David passionately elaborates on their groundbreaking collaborations with advocacy groups, unveiling their ambitious plans to leverage the metaverse, augmented reality, and avatars to assist passengers with special needs. David and Ian also navigate the complex intersections of risk and innovation in transportation, emphasizing the necessity of trial, error, and adaptation. David shares invaluable career advice for those eyeing a future in innovation, underscoring the power of conviction and curiosity. Want a behind-the-scenes look at the next big thing in airport innovation? David cordially invites listeners to join Hamad International Airport's LinkedIn community. Join us for a journey of discovery, where innovation meets action, and where the future of transit is being shaped today! Full show notes and resources at https://www.alchemistaccelerator.com/podcasts

From an early passion ignited by Kurzweil's visionary writings to the creation of pioneering AI solutions, Hatalis chronicles his journey that defied convention. This episode promises a whirlwind tour of the AI landscape, examining its transformative potential in fields like marketing and delving into the nuances between academic AI theories and real-world applications. Bergman and Hatalis confront the pressing questions: How does AI's surge influence human creativity? Are we inching closer to a world overshadowed by our own creations?