Category Visionaries

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Yadhu Gopalan, CEO and Founder of Esper, an Android device management platform that's raised over $100 Million in funding.   Topics Discussed: Being an introvert in business, and what it takes to push yourself to the forefront as a founder What it’s like working at some of the biggest names in tech, for companies like Amazon and Microsoft How software development can often move faster than the mechanisms for deployment and customer feedback The critical importance of MDM in running any contemporary business which relies on software to run Why targeting a client’s pain points will always get you the attention you need, regardless of who you’re talking to   Favorite book:  Thinking Fast and Slow

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 Nate Kharrl, CEO & Co-Founder of Spec, a fraud defense technology platform that's raised $30 Million in funding. Here are the most interesting points from our conversation: Personal Journey from Fraudster to Fraud Fighter: Nate's unique background as a former eBay fraudster who now combats fraud highlights his deep understanding of the field and the irony of his professional journey. Founding During a Pandemic: The idea for Spec originated in 2014, but the COVID-19 pandemic created the perfect timing for Nate and his co-founder to finally launch the company, addressing the surge in fraud and scam activities. Understanding the Fraud Landscape: Nate differentiates fraud from cybersecurity, explaining that fraud involves the misuse of systems for nefarious purposes, while cybersecurity focuses on protecting systems from unauthorized access. Customer-Driven Product Evolution: The first customers of Spec helped shape the company's product by providing real-world feedback, leading to a better understanding and articulation of their core value proposition. Navigating Enterprise Sales: The transition from founder-led sales to a dedicated sales team has been challenging, but essential for scaling the business and addressing the complex needs of large enterprises. Future Vision with AI: Nate envisions leveraging AI to make complex fraud detection more accessible and efficient for non-technical users, enhancing the platform's value and usability.   //   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

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Igor Jablokov, CEO of Pryon, an AI-powered enterprise knowledge management platform that's raised more than $50 Million in funding. Topics Discussed: Igor’s background in the tech industry, working with Apple to create Siri, and the state of AI today A great Bill Gates quote about our biases when thinking about the short and the long term Why the man Igor most admires is Benjamin Franklin Facing disbelief when introducing innovative ideas, and why Igor doesn’t care about how other people define certain things Regulation in the AI industry and where AI is headed   Favorite book:  The Complete Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series Books 1-7

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Swapnil Shinde, CEO and Co-Founder of Zeni, a finance operations platform that's raised over $47 Million in funding. Topics Discussed: Swapnil’s background in computer science, and starting a service that was like Spotify for Indian music Working together with his identical twin brother Why startup bookkeeping is generally fragmented, complex, and lacking in insights, and how Zeni helps solve those problems Creating a new service category and disrupting a longstanding business Why fundraising becomes easier with every startup you found   Favorite book:  Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Nishika de Rosairo, CEO and Founder of HumanQ, a platform dedicated to unlocking human potential that's raised $3.5 Million in funding. Topics Discussed: Nishika’s background growing up and living in four continents, and her passion for unlocking human potential How education creates a problem for people because they are forced to choose between the left or right side of the brain The workings of HumanQ and how it harnesses the power of AI to help people transform Success stats, with 95% of people declaring HumanQ programs make them more equipped to add value in their workplace Why Nishika would advise her past self to take faster and bigger bets sooner   Favorite book:  Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable (Tim Grover Winning Series)

In today’s episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Kelsey Bishop, Founder and CEO of Candor, a culture-building platform that's raised $5 Million in funding. Topics discussed:  How her experience loving some teams she worked with, but not others, led Kelsey to start Candor Kelsey’s favorite founder, his success story, and why she admires him Building a platform that allows people to get to know colleagues on a personal level, and the one element that plays a big part in the success of Candor Using TikTok as a marketing tool, and why luck and timing play a big part in fundraising The importance of following your intuition rather than someone else’s advice   Favorite book: The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Raghu Gollamudi, CEO and Co-Founder of Included, a people analytics platform that's raised $5.4 Million in funding. Topics Discussed: Raghu’s experimenting with tech as a kid, which included blowing a TV fuse in a country where TVs were very expensive His background in engineering and telecommunication in India, building a startup during the .com crash, and working at Microsoft Why Raghu admires an innovator who’s making sanitary napkins more accessible  Creating an AI-powered HR analytics platform that provides insights and actionable recommendations to leaders Lessons Raghu learned from fundraising, and what his vision is for the future of Included   Favorite book:  Crossing the Chasm: Marketing and Selling High-Tech Products to Mainstream Customers

In today’s episode of Category Visionaries, we speak to Zach Rash, CEO and Co-founder of Coco, a food delivery robot that's raised $60 Million in funding. Topics discussed:  Zach’s background in mechanical engineering and wanting to build something for the physical world Why Sam Altman, Coco’s largest investor, is an inspiration for Zach Using tech and a remote work model to build a product that makes food delivery cheaper for merchants and buyers, and the ins and outs of Coco’s workings Regulatory headaches, why Coco doesn’t steal jobs from human food deliverers, and how it contributes to sustainability Dealing with competition, lessons learned from fundraising, and Zach’s view for the future of Coco   Favorite book: Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future

Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from tech's most innovative B2B founders. In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Troy Carter, CEO and Co-Founder of Earthshot Labs, an ecological restoration finance platform that's raised $11 Million in funding. Here are the most interesting points from our conversation: Troy’s background as a Stanford graduate, and also as founder of a successful cider company in the West Coast Finding fulfillment in one’s professional and personal life, and improving organizations How one can make environmental issues more personal and motivating for people, and what we can learn from stoicism The way Earthshot Labs uses ecosystem forecasting to help people develop carbon reduction projects Difficulties in the industry, and what Troy sees in the future of Earthshot Labs /   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  

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Ian White, Founder, CEO & CTO of ChartHop, a people ops platform that’s raised over $74 Million in funding. Topics discussed: Ian’s background as a student of both computer science and theater, and as a startup founder  Building a new way of planning, managing, and supporting the people in an organization Differences between being a CTO and a CEO How ChartHop helps connect, visualize, and align people to empower organizations through insights, alignment, and action. Lessons from getting his first customer, people operations, and community building   Favorite book: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable