BUILDERS

Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from the tech's most innovative B2B founders. In today's episode, we're speaking with Jithendra Palasagaram, CEO and Founder of Part Analytics, a sourcing platform for direct materials that's raised $4 Million in funding. Here are the most interesting points from our conversation: Part Analytics' Unique Offering: A B2B SaaS platform that empowers sourcing and procurement leaders in manufacturing companies with significant electronic spends to make quicker, smarter decisions throughout the product lifecycle. Inspiration Behind Part Analytics: Jithendra's firsthand experience with the challenges in sourcing and procurement roles at a large multinational corporation, combined with his academic tenure at the University of Chicago, motivated him to tackle these issues through technology. Fundraising in the Midwest: Jithendra's journey underscores the importance of networking and finding the right investors who share the vision for the company and contribute beyond just financial support. Platform Impact through Case Studies: A case study with ITW, a Fortune 500 company, showcased Part Analytics' ability to deliver 5% cost reduction on electronic components spend, reduce shortages by over 70%, and consolidate spend data for better negotiation leverage. Market Position and Vision: Distancing itself from traditional procurement solutions, Part Analytics champions a 'design to procure' philosophy, aiming to bridge the gap between engineering and sourcing from the onset of the design phase. Advice for Aspiring Founders: Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Jithendra advises acting sooner and with conviction. He emphasizes the importance of fully committing to your venture from the start to accelerate progress and success.

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Ali Javidan, Co-Founder of Range Energy, a new electric vehicle company focused on trailers that's raised $8 Million in funding. Topics Discussed: Ali’s career background, beginning in motosports before eventually transitioning to the decarbonization economy Ali’s time spent at Tesla during the early years, and his belief that the company can make a meaningful impact The challenges of driving innovation in the commercial transportation sector, and why it tends to be resistant to change Why Ali believes that the majority of vehicles will be electrified in the next ten years, and prospects for the sector as a whole How Range Energy carved a unique space for themselves, free of competitors or critics   Favorite book:  Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know Organizing Genius: The Secrets of Creative Collaboration

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Kalpesh Kapadia, CEO and Founder of Deserve, a mobile-first credit card platform powering the future of credit cards.  Topics Discussed: Kalpesh’s background as a mechanical engineer, his life in India in the 1980s, and his studies in the US How his experiences as a foreign student in the US led Kalpesh to found the company that became Deserve What’s different about credit cards like Deserve, that run entirely on the cloud  Why 99% of the credit cards still run on infrastructure from the 80s and 90s, and what problem this will be causing by 2025 Working as B2C versus B2B, getting a domain name, and crisis management   Favorite book:  The Art of Thinking Clearly

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Evan Kaplan, CEO of InfluxData, a time series data platform that's raised over $170 Million in funding. Topics Discussed: Evan’s background and his unconventional path to CEO as someone with an environmental science degree The excitement and challenges of being a first-time CEO and the disappointment of a failed IPO due to a market crash The increasing demand for data and AI, and InfluxData's position as a market leader in the time series database space InfluxData’s growth prospects and their rise as a market leader in the sector Overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities as the foundation for moving forward in business   Favorite book:  When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Elizabeth Muller, CEO and Co-Founder of Deep Isolation, a nuclear waste disposal solution that's raised over $22 Million in funding. Topics Discussed: Elizabeth’s passion for the environment, and her lifelong desire to work towards the greater good Why nuclear power is absolutely essential for the future of a green energy transition, despite many people’s legitimate concerns Storage as a central component of making nuclear energy safe, and how Deep Isolation deploys innovative solutions to this perennial problem Building trust and credibility with everyone from state institutions to local communities with an interest in safe storage Why enjoying the fundraising journey is an important part of bringing a business to market, and the future of Deep Isolation’s first disposal //   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 Scott McCrady, CEO of SolCyber, a modern MSSP that's raised $20 Million in funding. Topics Discussed: Scott’s background as a security engineer and what led him to found SolCyber as a solution to what he saw as existing shortcomings Why comprehensive monthly security packages are so appealing for many mid-sized security-conscious companies Balancing positivity and caution in Scott’s approach to business, and how ‘duality’ shapes his worldview How Scott sees SolCyber’s evolution in retrospect, and the things he might have done differently The future of outsourced security programs and why Scott thinks they’ll soon dominate the industry   Favorite book:  The Power of Positive Thinking Only the Paranoid Survive: How to Exploit the Crisis Points That Challenge Every Company

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Jason Radisson, CEO and Founder of Movo, an HR automation platform that's raised over $9 Million in funding. Topics Discussed: Jason’s time being in charge of the expansion of Uber into Nevada, and the lessons he learned there and at 99 taxis The workforce problem in the US and how that spurred Jason to create Movo What it was like for Movo during the pandemic, and how the app contributed to keep businesses running Jason’s strategies for rising above the competition in the US Lessons Jason learned from fundraising for Movo

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 Mars Geuze, CHO & Co-Founder of Hardt Hyperloop, a transportation system that's raised over €36 Million in funding. Here are the most interesting points from our conversation: From Student Projects to Hyperloop: Mars and his co-founders transitioned from building electric race cars to pioneering Hyperloop technology, catalyzed by Elon Musk's Hyperloop competition. Open, Standardized Infrastructure: Hardt Hyperloop advocates for a network of standardized infrastructure owned by governments or private entities, enabling various operators to run their Hyperloop vehicles. Capacity and Feasibility: Addressing misconceptions, Mars emphasized that Hyperloop can transport up to 20,000 passengers per direction per hour, rivaling traditional rail capacity. Strategic Partnerships and Global Efforts: Countries like the Netherlands, Spain, India, and South Korea are actively investing in Hyperloop development, with significant public-private partnerships driving progress. Next Steps and Testing: Hardt is building a 420-meter test facility to demonstrate key functionalities, including lane switching, which is critical for creating an efficient and flexible transportation network. Long-term Vision: Mars highlighted a phased approach, with operational pilot routes expected by 2029 and widespread adoption and scaling of longer routes from 2030 onwards.   //   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 Brandon Schulz, CEO and Co-Founder of Violet, an e-commerce technology company that's raised $14 Million in funding. Topics Discussed: Brandon’s career background in social commerce and e-commerce businesses, and finding his calling in entrepreneurship Why so many social commerce team struggle to establish an integrated infrastructure for large numbers of companies selling on a single platform Violet’s vested interest in making their customers make more money, and how their pricing policy reflects this reality How overpromising often ends up compromising the category creation process in the minds of customers Finding product market fit, and the four-year slog towards finally making a commercial breakthrough

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 Ben Christensen, CEO and Co-Founder of Cambium Carbon, a company that has raised $5.5 Million in funding. Here are the most interesting points from our conversation: Ben’s background in forestry and his lifelong commitment to fighting climate change The staggering figures of urban wood waste in the US and how that material can be harnessed by companies  Why running ultramarathons has been transformational for Ben What founding a startup has taught Ben about dealing with existential challenges How rethinking the uniqueness of products can lead to a smaller carbon footprint   //   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