Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from tech's most innovative B2B founders. In today's episode, we're speaking with Daniele Grassi, CEO at Axyon AI, an AI platform for financial markets that has raised $5.5 Million in funding. Here are the most interesting points from our conversation: Early Passion for AI and Finance: Daniele's journey into the intersection of AI and finance began early, with him programming a stock market simulation at just eight years old. This early interest led him to pursue software engineering and eventually to the founding of Axyon AI. Specialization in Financial AI: Unlike broad AI applications, Axyon AI focuses on the specific challenges of applying deep learning and advanced machine learning techniques to financial time series, aiming to optimize financial market predictions without typical pitfalls like overfitting. Building a Startup in Modena: Known for high-performance automotive brands like Ferrari and Maserati, Modena, Italy, provided a surprisingly rich environment for AI development, with a strong engineering focus spurred by local industry demands. Challenges of Early AI Adoption: In the early days, Daniele faced significant challenges explaining what AI is and convincing stakeholders of its potential, especially following the disillusionment from the previous AI hype cycles. Impact of Generative AI on Perception: The release of more advanced AI models like ChatGPT significantly changed public perception and acceptance of AI, easing some earlier challenges Axyon faced in market education and acceptance. Vision for AI in Investment Strategies: Looking forward, Daniele sees AI becoming an indispensable component of investment strategies, not just for gaining an edge but as a fundamental necessity to compete effectively in financial markets.   //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.  www.GlobalTalent.co

Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from tech's most innovative B2B founders. In today's episode, we're speaking with Sergey Litvinenko, CEO & Co-Founder at Koop Insurance, an insurance technology company that has raised $7 Million in funding.   Here are the most interesting points from our conversation:   Preventive Insurance Model: Koop Insurance distinguishes itself by offering a preventive insurance model tailored for the tech sector, where traditional insurance falls short due to a lack of historical data for new technologies. Founding Inspiration: The initial idea for Koop emerged from the challenges faced in the autonomous vehicle space, which led to the realization that these challenges were prevalent across the tech sector, prompting a pivot to insurance. Aha Moments: Sergey describes multiple "aha" moments in Koop’s journey, such as shifting from an API for autonomous vehicles to an insurance model when realizing the existing market’s inefficiencies. Growth and Scaling: Discussing the growth from a bootstrap startup in Pittsburgh to a pre-series A stage company in New York with nearly 20 full-time employees. Trust and Branding: Emphasizing the importance of trust in the insure-tech space, Koop focuses on building a brand that combines expertise, reliability, and partnership with giants like Munich Re and Lloyd’s of London. Market Strategy and Evolution: Koop’s strategy involves not selling insurance in the conventional sense but offering compliance and risk management as part of a comprehensive package to tech companies. //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.  www.GlobalTalent.co

Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from tech's most innovative B2B founders. In today's episode, we're speaking with Brandon Lucia, CEO & Co-Founder at Efficient Computer, a chip startup that has raised $16 Million in funding.   Here are the most interesting points from our conversation:   Academic Origins: Brandon's journey into Efficient Computer began in academia, where he was a professor at Carnegie Mellon University. His research into energy-efficient computing systems laid the groundwork for what would become Efficient Computer. Energy Efficiency Focus: The core idea behind Efficient Computer was to radically improve the energy efficiency of processors, focusing not on incremental gains but on rethinking architecture to prioritize efficiency from the ground up. Startup Genesis: The decision to transition from academic research to a startup was spurred by the development of a new chip architecture that promised substantial improvements in energy efficiency over existing technologies. Challenges of Starting Up: Brandon discussed the initial challenges of starting a business, from incorporating a company to understanding the commercial aspects of technology entrepreneurship. Market Education and Adoption: One of the key hurdles they face is educating the market about their revolutionary chip architecture, especially explaining the tangible benefits of their energy-efficient chips to potential customers. Future Vision: Looking forward, Brandon is focused on expanding their technology's applications, scaling up production, and exploring high-performance uses for their chips, including potential applications in aerospace and other energy-constrained environments. //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.  www.GlobalTalent.co

Joselyn Lai, CEO & Co-Founder of Bedrock Energy, brings her passion for sustainability to the geothermal energy space. The discussion dives into her motivation for harnessing geothermal power to combat the climate crisis. Joselyn outlines how Bedrock is making geothermal systems cost-effective and accessible, particularly for urban developments. She emphasizes the dual economic and environmental benefits of their technology and shares insights from a successful pilot project, illustrating the promising future of geothermal energy in reshaping sustainability.

Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from tech's most innovative B2B founders. In today's episode, we're speaking with Mike Weiland, CEO & Co-Founder of Govly, a public sector procurement platform that's raised over $13 Million in funding. Here are the most interesting points from our conversation: From Necessity to Innovation: Govly was born out of the need for software to manage internal operations at Mike's previous government contracting company, leading to a platform that now serves the industry. The Value of Process in Government Contracting: Despite the bureaucracy, Mike highlights the dependability of government contracts due to their strict rules and regulations. Misconceptions About Government Contracting: Many believe that all government opportunities are available on public forums like Sam.gov, but Mike explains the importance of private contract vehicles in the process. Marketing Approach: Initially, Govly's growth was driven by founder-led sales and word-of-mouth, with a significant marketing push only beginning recently. Challenges in Fundraising: Timing and market conditions play crucial roles in successful fundraising. Maintaining relationships with top VC firms is essential. Growth and Stickiness: Govly's platform has become business-critical for its users, leading to significant growth, from $360,000 ARR in 2022 to an expected $4 million by the end of this year.   //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe. www.GlobalTalent.co

Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from tech's most innovative B2B founders. In today's episode, we're speaking with Mykolas Rambus, CEO & Co-Founder of Hush, a cybersecurity company that's raised $7.5 Million in funding. Here are the most interesting points from our conversation: Navigating the .com Bubble: Mykolas shared how his first company, Lobby7, navigated the .com bubble burst by pivoting business models and ultimately selling in 2003. Building Wealthex: Wealthex emerged from the 2008 financial crisis, providing a Bloomberg-like platform for private bankers using public internet data, leading to a successful exit. The Birth of Hush: Hush was founded to address data privacy, focusing on removing personal information from the internet to prevent cyberattacks on employees. Tackling Cybersecurity Threats: Mykolas discussed the rise of AI-driven cyber threats and how Hush proactively mitigates risks by eliminating accessible personal data. Effective Marketing in Cybersecurity: Hush's marketing strategy revolves around building trust through referrals and email campaigns to ensure companies are aware of the service when they need it. Vision for Privacy: Mykolas envisions a future where 20% of the American workforce is protected by services like Hush, significantly reducing cybersecurity risks and enhancing data privacy. // Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe. www.GlobalTalent.co

Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from tech's most innovative B2B founders. In today's episode, we're speaking with Liz Gilligan, CEO & Founder of Material Evolution, a sustainable cement company that has raised $19 Million in funding. Here are the most interesting points from our conversation: Cement Chose Liz: Liz transitioned into cement research serendipitously, finding the vast potential impact of decarbonizing an industry responsible for 8% of global emissions. Startup in a Garage: Early on, Material Evolution operated from Liz’s parents' garage, where they developed two tons of material during the pandemic, showing resourcefulness and resilience. Initial Target Market: The company's initial customers are concrete manufacturers in the precast industry, which offers a controlled environment to test and refine their sustainable cement. Navigating Traditional Industries: While many traditional cement companies are open to innovation, some resist change. Liz focuses on engaging with forward-thinking clients eager to adopt sustainable solutions. Regulatory Changes: The evolving regulatory landscape, including carbon taxes and updated standards, supports the adoption of new, sustainable materials and technologies. Challenges of Scaling: Building factories presents significant challenges, from securing adequate power supply to navigating environmental regulations. Material Evolution is learning and iterating from each step in this process.   //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe. www.GlobalTalent.co  

Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from tech's most innovative B2B founders. In today's episode, we're speaking with Claudius Jehle, CEO & Co-Founder of Volytica Diagnostics, a battery diagnostics platform that has raised over $9 Million in funding. Here are the most interesting points from our conversation: Pioneering Battery Diagnostics: Claudius transitioned from mechanical engineering to e-mobility, focusing on the degradation and quality assessment of electric bus batteries, leading to the foundation of Volytica Diagnostics. Innovative Technology Development: Initially working with telematic IoT devices, Claudius developed algorithms to analyze field data from batteries in real-time, which became the core IP of Volytica Diagnostics. Navigating Early Challenges: The company faced significant challenges during its early days, especially amid COVID-19, including securing funding and negotiating licensing agreements with academic institutions. Strategic Early Adopters: Claudius emphasized the importance of speaking at industry events and leveraging his network to attract early adopters, though he noted the need for a more scalable approach like webinars and online marketing. Global Monitoring: Volytica Diagnostics now monitors over a gigawatt hour of batteries across various applications worldwide, including utility-scale systems and public transport, showcasing their expansive growth and traction. Critical Go-to-Market Decisions: The decision to focus on API-based integrations and partnering with established companies in the logistics and utility sectors was pivotal, allowing for scalable and widespread adoption of their technology. //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.  www.GlobalTalent.co  

Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from tech's most innovative B2B founders. In today's episode, we're speaking with Lars Grønnegaard Hansen, CEO & Co-Founder at Dreamdata, a B2B revenue attribution platform that has raised over $12 Million in funding. Here are the most interesting points from our conversation: Tech Scene Evolution in Copenhagen: Lars discusses the growth of the tech scene in Copenhagen, highlighting the emergence of successful companies like Vivino and Zendesk, which have paved the way for newer ventures like Dreamdata. Dreamdata’s Founding: Coming from a background in user experience and product development at Trustpilot, Lars and his co-founders launched Dreamdata to address the challenges B2B marketers face in linking marketing efforts directly to revenue generation. Focus on Data Integration: Dreamdata differentiates itself by integrating deeply with modern data stacks, allowing B2B marketers to perform sophisticated revenue attribution and optimize marketing spend based on data-driven insights. Changing the Attribution Conversation: Lars emphasizes the shift from using attribution merely as a tool for assigning credit to viewing it as essential for operational optimization and strategic planning in marketing. Automated Marketing Optimization: Dreamdata aims to automate B2B marketing processes, drawing parallels to advancements in B2C marketing automation that have transformed customer acquisition strategies. The Future Vision for Dreamdata: Looking ahead, Lars sees Dreamdata at the forefront of automating go-to-market strategies for B2B companies, enabling them to scale efficiently with technology-driven solutions.   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe. www.GlobalTalent.co  

Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from tech's most innovative B2B founders. In today's episode, we're speaking with Gary Ong, CEO & Founder of Celadyne, a green hydrogen platform that's raised over $5 Million in funding. Here are the most interesting points from our conversation: Genesis of Celadyne: Gary discussed how his PhD research in material science led to the founding of Celadyne, focusing on hydrogen technologies to aid industrial decarbonization and durable trucking. Navigating COVID Challenges: The startup faced significant challenges during COVID-19, including finding alternative lab spaces and working in shifts to maintain progress. Simplifying Technology for Commercialization: Gary explained how focusing on the most critical feature—gas permeability—helped streamline the development process and reduce the commercialization timeline. Government Contracts: Securing contracts with the Department of Energy and Department of Defense required patience and a deep understanding of their unique needs and specifications. High-Touch Marketing Approach: Celadyne uses a high-touch, B2B marketing strategy, leveraging existing connections within the hydrogen ecosystem to engage with key decision-makers at major OEMs. Fundraising Insights: Gary emphasized the importance of selecting investors who offer more than just capital, highlighting the value of expertise and strategic alignment in the fundraising process. //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe. www.GlobalTalent.co