The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, I sit down with Leandro Cartelli, CEO of Lana Talent, to explore how Latin America is emerging as one of the most strategic regions for global hiring. From Argentina to the world, Lean shares insights from 15+ years in talent acquisition—helping startups and SMBs build cost-effective, high-performing remote teams.We discuss why the “right hire” is evolving in the age of AI, the real cost of bad hiring decisions, and how Latin American talent is powering startups across the US, Canada, Europe, and beyond.Key Takeaways • Why bad hires cost up to 200% of annual salary and how to avoid them • The shift from hard skills to soft skills in defining the “right hire” • How AI is reshaping both the recruiter’s process and the candidate’s journey • Why Latin America offers top talent at 30–50% lower cost without sacrificing quality • The critical role of transparency and trust in hiring and retention⸻What You’ll Learn • How startups can leverage Latin America for affordable, high-quality teams • The future of hiring in the AI-driven job market • The biggest mistakes founders make when recruiting talent • Why candidate experience directly impacts business performance • The importance of development and growth conversations in retentionAbout the GuestLeandro Cartelli is the CEO and Founder of Lana Talent, a staffing and recruiting company specializing in building remote teams in Latin America for global businesses. With over 15 years of leadership in talent acquisition at firms like Accenture and within the pharma and tech sectors, Lean is passionate about connecting startups and SMBs with world-class talent in an affordable, scalable way.https://lanatalent.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/leancartelli/Episode Highlights⏱️ [00:03:00] Lean’s journey from Accenture to founding Lana Talent⏱️ [00:07:00] When to use in-house hiring vs. external partners⏱️ [00:13:00] The hidden costs of bad hiring decisions⏱️ [00:15:00] How the definition of the “right hire” has shifted in the AI era⏱️ [00:20:00] The loop of AI recruiters vs. AI applicants⏱️ [00:30:00] Why development and transparency matter more than ever⏱️ [00:38:00] How COVID accelerated remote hiring across Latin America⏱️ [00:43:00] The top three functions LATAM talent fills for startups⏱️ [00:48:00] How Lana Talent bridges global founders with Latin American talent

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive into the future of education and technology with Greg Banks, a veteran teacher, school administrator, researcher, and author. Greg brings over 20 years of experience in K-12 education and chemistry teaching, along with a deep perspective on how AI is reshaping classrooms.From the early days of clickers and smart boards to today’s AI-powered tools, Greg explains what works, what doesn’t, and what founders building in EdTech must keep in mind. Together, we explore how AI can empower teachers rather than replace them, and why the human connection in classrooms will always matter.🔑 Key Takeaways • Why AI reveals the shortcomings of today’s education system. • The two big questions: What should students learn? vs. How should they learn? • How COVID-era online schooling exposed the limits of tech in classrooms. • Why banning devices isn’t the answer—and how to rethink their role in learning. • The “three pillars” of education: personal exchange, curriculum, and classroom exchange. • How EdTech founders should design products that take work off teachers’ plates. • Why personalization is the real superpower AI brings to education.⸻🎧 What You’ll Learn • The difference between integrating AI for students vs. for teachers. • Where EdTech startups are oversaturated—and where real opportunities still exist. • The long-term impact of AI on classrooms, teaching careers, and learning outcomes. • Why interpersonal skills and human connection will define education in an AI era.👤 About Greg BanksDr. Greg Banks is a veteran educator, researcher, entrepreneur, and edtech thought leader with over 20 years of experience teaching and leading in public, exam, and private K-12 schools. With a PhD in Chemistry and a deep focus on how teacher beliefs shape classroom practice, Greg brings a rare blend of real-world classroom insight and rigorous academic research to the table. He recently led a pilot study with Eddo Learning and the Einstein Project exploring how AI can help teachers adopt new science curricula more effectively. His Substack, Aligned: AI in Education, and his newly released book, Aligned: A Love Letter to Developers on What We Need from AI to Improve Education, aim to bridge the gap between edtech creators and the classroom—because great tools start with deep understanding.https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-banks-ph-d-15733113/https://gregorybanks.authorsites.co/https://gregorybanksphd.substack.com/Episode Highlights • [02:00] Greg’s journey from chemistry teacher to AI and EdTech thought leader • [06:00] The gap between what kids can do with AI and what schools still teach • [09:00] Why Zoom classes failed during COVID—and what it means for EdTech • [13:00] Prohibiting ChatGPT vs. integrating AI into lessons • [17:00] Why teachers are still at the center of the classroom experience • [22:00] The debate on banning phones and laptops in schools • [28:00] Surprising lessons from AI pilot programs with teachers • [31:00] Where EdTech should (and shouldn’t) focus its innovation • [39:00] What AI will never replace in education • [42:00] Why Greg is optimistic about the future of classrooms

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, I sit down with Rob Kalwarowsky — executive coach, TEDx speaker, and author of Capitalizing on Chaos. Rob shares his powerful personal journey from MIT-trained engineer to leadership coach, opening up about toxic leadership, mental health struggles, and how he transformed adversity into a framework for resilient leadership.We explore what chaos really means for today’s founders and tech leaders, and how to turn uncertainty into an opportunity to scale, grow, and lead authentically.🔑 Key Takeaways • Chaos starts within — why leaders must master their own psychology first. • How to avoid falling into the six destructive leadership types. • Why saying “I’m human” can unlock resilience and clarity. • The balance between empathy and accountability in startup leadership. • Real-world examples of scaling companies through resilient leadership.⸻📚 What You’ll Learn • How founders and tech leaders can thrive during uncertainty. • The dangers of toxic leadership — and how to break free from it. • The process of building authentic, resilient leadership. • How to scale your business without losing clarity or balance. • Why empathy, authenticity, and accountability drive growth.👤 About Rob KalwarowskyRob Kalwarowsky is a globally recognized executive coach, keynote speaker, and author, celebrated for transforming high-performing leaders by empowering their mindset, strength, and influence through research-backed leadership techniques  . • Speaking: Rob delivers deeply transformative keynotes that blend authenticity, humor, and practical insights. His presentations invite leaders to make immediate, lasting internal shifts through stories that resonate, regardless of audience size  . • Executive Coaching – the MIT Way: With a unique background as an MIT-trained engineer, Rob applies strategies grounded in psychological research—such as Internal Family Systems (IFS)—to drive quick, sustainable leadership growth. His clients include Fortune 500 executives, C-suite leaders, and Olympic gold medalists . • Proven Track Record: Rob is renowned for delivering massive results that endure—he doesn’t just provide answers, he empowers leaders to discover long-term solutions themselves .https://www.robkalwarowsky.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-kalwarowsky/Episode Highlights00:01 – Rob’s journey from MIT engineer to executive coach04:00 – Facing toxic leadership & hitting rock bottom07:30 – Defining chaos for founders and leaders today10:30 – The framework to overcome uncertainty13:00 – Case study: Scaling a $3M company to $15M in six months16:00 – Why results vary — and how breakthroughs happen17:00 – The six destructive leadership types20:00 – Balancing empathy and accountability as a leader23:00 – Authenticity vs. pretending: why founders must lead as themselves26:00 – Rob’s book & leadership assessment

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, I sit down with Alistair Gordon, founder of Expertunity and author of Master Expert. Alistair has spent decades helping organizations unlock the hidden potential of their technical experts by transforming them into influential leaders.We dive into why technical skills alone are no longer enough, how “enterprise skills” drive innovation, and why overlooking experts in leadership development is one of the costliest mistakes organizations make.Key Takeaways • Why most organizations underinvest in their technical experts • The “Expert Trap” and how to break free from it • The three types of leadership every technical professional should understand • Why outcome-based KPIs matter more than activity-based metrics • How enterprise skills fuel innovation, collaboration, and influence⸻What You’ll Learn • Practical ways CTOs and CIOs can unlock more value from their teams • How technical founders can build leadership capacity in startups and scaleups • Why democratized leadership and coaching are reshaping the workplace • The role of AI in reshaping technical expertise and leadership skillsAbout the GuestAlistair Gordon is the CEO of Expertunity, a global leadership development company dedicated to transforming technical experts into master experts. With a background in publishing, entrepreneurship, and investing, Alistair has built a unique perspective on how leadership must evolve in the age of AI, automation, and rapid organizational change.https://www.linkedin.com/in/alistair-gordon-5a69349/https://expertunity.global/Episode Highlights • [04:30] The evolution of leadership from 2000 to 2025 • [09:15] Blind spots most leaders don’t see in themselves • [14:00] The shift from activity KPIs to outcome KPIs • [18:30] Why technical experts are the real drivers of innovation • [27:45] The innovation deficit: why great ideas die in organizations • [34:20] Enterprise skills: the real differentiator for technical experts • [39:15] The future of coaching and mentorship in the AI era

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, I sit down with Corey Hart, Senior Director of Growth at Mentavi Health. Corey shares his journey from the entertainment industry to scaling telehealth and mental health startups, his lessons from driving 800% growth in behavioral health, and how AI-driven personalization (“B2Me”) is reshaping healthcare marketing and patient care.We also dive into the Midwest startup ecosystem, the importance of community building through Startup Grind, and why startups must return to first principles when crafting go-to-market strategies.🔑 Key Takeaways • Telehealth’s Transformation: How COVID-19 accelerated adoption and normalized mental health care globally. • The Mentavi Innovation: Decoupling diagnosis from treatment to reduce costs and increase accessibility. • AI in Healthcare Marketing: Why “B2Me” personalization is becoming the new standard. • Growth Lessons: Why many founders give up on successful tactics too early. • Midwest Advantage: Strong margins, undervalued startups, and overlooked innovation outside Silicon Valley. • Community Matters: How Startup Grind’s ethos of “give before you take” creates real impact.⸻📚 What You’ll Learn • Why mental health startups need purpose and curiosity to succeed • How to scale healthcare services while navigating regulation and compliance • The difference between AI as a tool vs. AI as a crutch in GTM strategy • Why founders must think in first principles rather than copying playbooks • How innovation is thriving in the Midwest — and why investors should pay attention👤 About Corey HartCorey Hart is the Senior Director of Growth at Mentavi Health, a pioneering telehealth company specializing in ADHD diagnosis and mental health services. He previously scaled a behavioral health startup by 800% and led large-scale public sector initiatives in New York. Corey also teaches Business 101 at a local university, runs the Grand Rapids chapter of Startup Grind, and was named Global Chapter Director of the Year (2021).https://www.coreythehart.com/https://mentavi.com/Episode Highlights00:00 – Introduction and Corey’s background04:30 – Why he pivoted from entertainment to healthcare07:30 – The core innovation behind Mentavi Health11:00 – Telehealth adoption post-COVID18:00 – Healthcare marketing philosophy & personalization (“B2Me”)23:00 – Using AI in GTM the right way vs. “spray and pray”29:00 – The most misunderstood growth lever in startups36:00 – What makes a healthcare startup investible in 202538:30 – Why the Midwest is an underestimated startup hub44:00 – Building global communities through Startup Grind47:00 – The power of human connection and giving back

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, I’m joined by Elipaz Tanzman, Co-Founder and CEO of Cygnostic. Elipaz brings a wealth of experience from his early career as a cybersecurity officer in the Navy to leading innovative solutions in application, AI/ML, and cloud security.We explore how organizations can break the long-standing tension between R&D and security teams, building a partnership that allows products to ship quickly without compromising on safety — even in the rapidly evolving age of AI.From integrating security into developers’ native workflows to preparing for the next wave of AI-driven threats, this conversation is packed with actionable advice for CTOs, CISOs, and startup founders alike.Key Takeaways • Why R&D and security teams often clash — and how to make them BFFs. • How to integrate security seamlessly into the development lifecycle. • The top cybersecurity threats in 2025, from ransomware to AI risks. • Best practices for using AI in software development without exposing sensitive data. • Why startups must prioritize security from day one. • Building ROI for application security investments with developer training and the right tools. • The role of security champions in fostering a culture of secure coding.⸻What You’ll Learn • How to identify and prioritize security risks in your organization. • Steps to avoid slowing down product delivery while enhancing security. • Practical tips for securing AI-assisted coding environments. • The evolving landscape of security regulations and standards for AI. • Business case strategies that win executive buy-in for security initiatives.About the GuestElipaz Tanzman is the Co-Founder and CEO of Cygnostic, specializing in application security, AI/ML security, and cloud security. He serves on the Azure International Committee for ISO 27001, bringing a global perspective on security standards. His mission is to harmonize development speed with robust security practices across industries.https://cygnostic.io/https://boldpmm.com/elipaz-tanzman/Episode Highlights[00:01:00] Elipaz’s journey from Navy cybersecurity officer to Cygnostic CEO.[00:03:00] The current top threats in cybersecurity and their financial drivers.[00:06:00] Making R&D and security “best friends forever.”[00:09:00] Does secure development slow down product delivery?[00:10:00] Risks of AI-assisted coding and best practices for safe adoption.[00:14:00] Why startups need security from day one.[00:18:00] Where CISOs should start when building their DevSecOps stack.[00:22:00] AI regulations, ISO standards, and the need for security governance.[00:27:00] Showing ROI for application security programs.[00:31:00] The next wave of threats and the role of AI in security’s future.[00:33:00] Advice for students and career changers entering cybersecurity.

What if our education system is training students for jobs that no longer exist? In this eye-opening conversation, bestselling author, film producer, and former venture capitalist Ted Dintersmith shares why decades of math education have missed the mark — and what we must teach instead to prepare for the AI-driven future.From his years in venture capital spotting disruptive innovation to his current mission as an education reformer, Ted reveals why rote memorization and high-stakes testing are holding us back, how AI changes what skills matter, and why creativity, decision-making, and real-world math will be the new competitive edge.Whether you’re a founder, tech leader, parent, or investor, this episode will challenge your assumptions about what it really means to be future-ready.Key Takeaways • Why most high school math has little real-world relevance — and what to teach instead. • How AI changes the equation for human skills and employability. • Why decision-making and risk assessment should be core to every student’s education. • The hidden cost of high-stakes testing and standardized curricula. • How to reconnect students (and adults) with curiosity and creativity.⸻What You’ll Learn • The wrong math we’ve been teaching for decades — and why it’s stuck in the curriculum. • How venture capital insights shaped Ted’s view on education reform. • Practical ways to make math and problem-solving relevant in any career. • The link between AI, workforce disruption, and the urgent need for new learning models. • Why embracing unconventional career paths may be the best preparation for the future.About Ted DintersmithTed Dintersmith is a former partner at Charles River Ventures, named by Business 2.0 as one of the top U.S. venture capitalists. Today, he’s a leading voice in education transformation, focusing on aligning school priorities with the skills and mindsets needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world. He’s the author of multiple books, producer of the Sundance-premiered documentary Most Likely to Succeed, and a sought-after speaker on the future of learning. Ted is consumed with issues at the intersection of education, innovation, and democracy. His films, books, keynotes, and philanthropy focus on the urgency of reimagining school to keep pace with the tsunami of innovation reshaping society. He is the founder of WhatSchoolCouldBe.org, a non-profit organization catalyzing progress in schools, districts, and states across America, and in countries around the globe.https://www.teddintersmith.com/most-likely-to-succeedhttps://www.teddintersmith.com/about-tedhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-dintersmith-0211985a/https://wscbpodcast.com/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvhb9aoyeZshttps://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_do_schools_kill_creativityEpisode Highlights[00:02:00] Ted’s journey from Stanford PhD to startup, VC, and now education advocate[00:04:30] The “Where’s Waldo” test of high school math — and why most adults fail[00:09:00] Why AI makes rote math skills obsolete[00:15:00] The case for teaching estimation, prediction, and optimization[00:21:00] AI’s exponential growth and its implications for human advantage[00:29:00] How Finland restructured its education system — and what we can learn[00:34:00] Understanding risk and decision-making — the missing life skill[00:43:00] Why creativity is the most valuable skill schools should protect[00:48:00] Multiple Choice — Ted’s upcoming documentary on integrating career and academics[01:00:00] The venture capital lesson: the best ideas often face the most resistance


In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, I sit down with Lars Maaløe, Co-Founder and CTO of Corti.ai, to explore how AI is transforming healthcare. From explainability and compliance to building scalable AI infrastructure, Lars shares his journey from researching generative models to delivering life-changing technology for clinicians and patients worldwide.We unpack the challenges of deploying AI in one of the most highly regulated industries, the importance of trust in AI-assisted decision-making, and why the future belongs to specialized models that combine accuracy, speed, and transparency.Key Takeaways • Explainability matters — why transparency in AI predictions is non-negotiable in healthcare. • From research to reality — how generative AI evolved into mission-critical medical tools. • Compliance as a competitive advantage — meeting and exceeding HIPAA, GDPR, and other regulatory standards. • Scaling responsibly — designing APIs and infrastructure that empower startups and incumbents alike. • Specialized vs. general models — why domain-specific AI will outperform general-purpose LLMs in clinical settings.⸻What You’ll Learn • The mindset shift needed to move AI pilots into full-scale production in healthcare. • How uncertainty quantification can make AI safer and more reliable. • Trends in healthtech startups, from ambient scribes to autonomous patient intake agents. • The role of sovereign cloud deployments in protecting patient data. • Why the next AI breakthroughs will come from self-supervised learning.About Lars MaaløeAbout Lars MaaløeLars Maaløe is a machine learning researcher turned healthtech entrepreneur, with a PhD in generative models long before they became mainstream. As CTO of Corti.ai, he leads the development of AI infrastructure that powers real-time decision support for healthcare providers globally — from ambient clinical documentation to patient triage and diagnostic assistance.https://www.corti.aihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/larsmaaloe/Episode Highlights00:00 — Introduction & guest background02:15 — The early days of generative AI research06:05 — Why explainability is mission-critical in healthcare09:50 — Accuracy, performance, and real-world deployment challenges14:00 — Navigating healthcare regulations globally18:20 — Startup trends in healthtech and AI23:00 — Mindset shifts for rapid AI adoption in healthcare26:10 — Readiness challenges beyond the tech stack30:00 — Building AI agents for clinical use cases32:00 — Sovereign cloud vs. public cloud in healthcare AI34:00 — AI breakthroughs and the path to trustworthy reasoning41:00 — Why specialized models outperform general-purpose AI in medicine43:00 — Final thoughts & how to connect with Lars

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive deep with Ron Green, CTO of Kungfu.ai, a veteran AI engineer and serial entrepreneur who’s built 9 startups and deployed 120+ enterprise-grade AI systems. Ron shares how to go beyond AI hype, build custom AI that works, and unlock real ROI using the data you already have.💡 What You’ll Learn • Why bottom-up AI initiatives often outperform boardroom mandates • How to build production-grade AI using your enterprise’s proprietary data • Why agentic AI and emergent reasoning are the next major frontier • How startups can avoid the AI label trap and build real defensibility • A practical 4-phase framework for AI adoption: from data assessment to deployment • The surprising industries where AI is already transforming operations—from agriculture to finance⸻🔑 Key Takeaways • Enterprise AI success starts with use-case clarity and data readiness, not “just build me some AI.” • Agentic AI is coming fast, but businesses must balance autonomy with human-in-the-loop safety. • Proprietary data remains the strongest moat—not who owns the model, but who owns the insights. • Startups should be AI-native, but they must ground ambitions in execution, not aspiration.⸻👤 About the GuestRon Green is the Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at KUNGFU. AI, the leading AI management consultancy and engineering firm. He is a sought-after speaker, thought leader, and podcast host who has spent more than 20 years in artificial intelligence. Ron has successfully launched and led several tech ventures, including Thrive Technologies,Ziften Technologies, and Powered. At KUNGFU.AI, Ron leads the development of AI solutions for clients across multiple industries. He holds a Master’s degree in Evolutionary and Adaptive Systems from the University of Sussex and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from The University of Texas.https://www.linkedin.com/in/rongreen/https://www.kungfu.ai/⏱️ Episode Highlights & Timestamps • 00:55 – Ron Green’s background in AI since the Clinton era • 03:10 – Why Kungfu.ai focuses on strategy before solutions • 07:50 – Data readiness: where companies still struggle • 09:15 – Top-down vs. bottom-up AI adoption • 14:00 – How Kungfu.ai approaches human-in-the-loop AI • 18:00 – What’s next after generative AI: agentic AI and emergent reasoning • 22:30 – How startups can harness AI without overhyping • 27:00 – A 4-phase blueprint for building production-grade AI • 33:00 – Why every startup needs a real ML engineer now • 43:00 – What really differentiates companies in the AI era: data, not infrastructure • 47:00 – Ron’s final thoughts and where to connect

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive deep into the future of venture capital with Cyril Shtabtsovsky, founder of AlphaSemantic and a practicing VC. Cyril shares how his data-driven platform helps venture firms source, score, and connect with high-potential startups — using proprietary algorithms and machine learning to augment traditional VC workflows.From the role of AI in deal sourcing to venture arbitrage between US and MENA, this conversation blends tech, strategy, and hard-won insights from both sides of the table.🔑 Key Takeaways • Why traditional VC gut feeling can be quantified — and where it still matters • How AlphaSemantic helps VCs find, pick, and approach the right startups • Why Series B is the “sweet spot” for data-driven venture strategies • The arbitrage opportunity between regions like Europe, MENA, and the US • Where deep tech, space tech, and robotics are headed in 2025 and beyond⸻🎓 What You’ll Learn • The rise of data-driven VC platforms and what’s driving adoption • How Cyril’s published research back-tested startup success using public signals • What makes a VC fund globally competitive in today’s AI-native environment • Why deep tech may be the last defensible moat in the age of SaaS commoditization • Realistic startup valuation trends and exit paths in 2025👤 About the GuestCyril Shtabtsovsky is the founder of AlphaSemantic, a platform that empowers VCs with smart sourcing tools using big data, semantic search, and predictive scoring. Cyril is also an active venture capitalist and published researcher on startup success prediction. His mission is to democratize advanced VC tooling for the next generation of investors.https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyrilsh/https://www.alphasemantic.ai/https://arxiv.org/abs/2309.15552v1⏱️ Episode Highlights & Timestamps (Spotify + YouTube Chapters)00:00 – Intro: Meet Cyril, founder of AlphaSemantic02:00 – Why AlphaSemantic was born: From thesis to product04:20 – The contradiction: Gut feeling vs. data-driven VC07:00 – What stage is best for data-driven sourcing?09:00 – Demo logic: What AlphaSemantic’s onboarding looks like11:00 – The VC’s job: Find, pick, win13:10 – Gut feeling as unconscious data processing15:00 – How Cyril’s paper achieved 86% success prediction rate17:30 – The challenge of scaling data-driven VC in emerging markets20:00 – How new VCs can differentiate without a brand22:00 – Deep tech, AI, and the post-software opportunity24:00 – MENA data quality gaps vs. US/Europe VC infrastructure28:00 – Global arbitrage in valuations between MENA, Europe, and the US34:00 – What deep tech bets matter in 202540:00 – Angels vs. VCs: The role of smart capital44:00 – Final thoughts: Optimism, growth, and regional momentum