The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu

Raising capital looks easy from the outside. In reality, it is one of the most misunderstood parts of building a startup.In this episode, Mehmet sits down with Daniel Nikic, a global investment researcher who has analyzed over 15,000 companies across the US, Europe, and the Middle East. Together, they unpack the hard truths founders need to understand about fundraising, investor psychology, market geography, and why most rounds fail long before the first term sheet.This is a grounded, no-hype conversation about what actually drives investment decisions in 2025 and why “easy money” is often the biggest illusion founders believe.⸻About the GuestDaniel Nikic is the founder of Coherent Research and a global investment research professional with deep experience across North America, Europe, and emerging markets. Originally from Canada and now based in Croatia, Daniel has worked with investors, family offices, and founders worldwide, helping evaluate companies across stages, industries, and geographies.His work focuses on due diligence, market opportunity analysis, and understanding the human and cultural factors behind investment decisions.⸻Key Topics Discussed • Why most fundraising fails before it even starts • The biggest misconceptions founders have about “easy capital” • How geography actually impacts investment decisions • Why the Middle East is not fast money despite capital availability • Founder psychology, stress, and emotional control as investment signals • What investors look for beyond pitch decks and valuations • The difference between angels, VCs, family offices, and accelerators • Why urgency and FOMO often kill deals instead of closing them • How AI is changing investment behavior and decision-making • Realistic timelines for closing funding rounds in emerging markets⸻Key Takeaways • Capital is not free money. Investors expect returns, discipline, and execution. • Geography still matters, but trust and relevance matter more. • Founders who rush fundraising often lose credibility. • Investors back people they trust, not just ideas or decks. • Being organized and prepared beats hype every time. • Fundraising is a relationship-building process, not a transaction.⸻What You Will Learn • How to target the right investors at the right stage • Why mixing angels, VCs, and family offices too early backfires • How investors think about risk, timing, and founder maturity • What “smart money” really means beyond capital • How long fundraising realistically takes and why patience matters⸻Episode Highlights & Timestamps(You can fine-tune timestamps once audio is finalized) • 00:00 – Introduction and Daniel’s global background • 04:00 – Patterns from analyzing 15,000+ companies • 07:30 – Geography vs psychology in startup success • 10:45 – The Middle East investment misconception • 15:20 – Why capital follows trust, not hype • 18:30 – Choosing the right investor type early on • 22:40 – Check sizes, valuations, and regional differences • 27:00 – AI, FOMO, and modern investment behavior • 32:00 – Why urgency kills fundraising deals • 36:30 – Realistic timelines to close a round • 41:00 – Final advice for founders raising capital⸻Resources & Links • Daniel Nikic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-nikic/ • Website: https://www.danielnikic.com/

In this episode, Gabriel Jarrosson, founder and managing partner at Lobster Capital, breaks down what truly drives breakout startups inside the world’s most competitive ecosystem.Before becoming a YC-focused investor, Gabriel built seven startups, failed four, and bootstrapped one to one million ARR alone — no co-founder, no employees, no AI.Today he invests exclusively in YC companies and shares how he evaluates founders, why early traction beats everything, how YC creates unstoppable momentum, and how AI is reshaping the next generation of builders.⸻About Gabriel JarrossonGabriel Jarrosson is a serial founder turned YC-specialized investor and managing partner at Lobster Capital. He has built seven companies, exited three, and invested in more than 100 YC startups. Gabriel also hosts The Lobster Talks and has grown a fast-rising media presence supporting early-stage founders.https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/⸻Key Takeaways • Why solo founders can still win big when they embrace urgency, automation, and creative resourcefulness • The mindset required to scale without waiting for funding or a co-founder • YC founder patterns: technical teams, relentless execution, and high velocity • Why YC attracts the world’s strongest builders and why it’s nearly impossible to replicate • Gabriel’s 2 percent rule for selecting the best companies in every YC batch • Why early revenue and market pull matter more than ideas and hype • How AI is changing the definition of what a “lean team” can achieve⸻What You Will Learn • How top investors evaluate teams, traction, and momentum • How YC creates an environment that rewires founders to move faster • Why some geographies struggle to reproduce Silicon Valley outcomes • How to think about automation, support systems, and scaling with AI • How founders outside the US can become YC-ready • What Gabriel regrets missing as an angel investor — and what he learned from it⸻Episode Highlights & Timestamps00:00 — Introduction01:30 — Seven startups, three exits, four failures03:00 — Bootstrapping to 1M ARR as a solo founder07:00 — The role of AI in scaling today10:00 — Why YC is a category of its own14:30 — What YC founders have in common18:00 — Why “local incubators” fail to replicate YC21:00 — How Gabriel selects winners27:00 — Getting into competitive YC deals33:00 — The media edge in venture37:00 — Becoming YC-ready as a non-US founder46:00 — Gabriel’s biggest miss50:00 — Closing thoughts⸻Resources Mentioned • Lobster Capital: https://www.lobstercap.com/ • The Lobster Talks podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@lobster-talks

In this episode, Kingsley Maunder breaks down one of the most overlooked aspects of startup building: proper validation. With over two decades in the startup ecosystem, building products used by Disney, EA Sports, Snap, and more, Kingsley shares the hard-won lessons behind his framework, The SALT Test.We explore how founders can turn raw ideas into validated products, avoid the assumption trap, distinguish noise from real traction, and leverage AI to accelerate product discovery. This conversation is a masterclass in thinking clearly, testing quickly, and building what people actually want.⸻About the Guest — Kingsley MaunderKingsley is a veteran product builder, former startup operator, and the author of The SALT Test: How to Take an Innovative Product from Idea to Scale. Over the past 20 years, he has built and scaled products for some of the world’s biggest brands, taken two startups to exit, and helped another raise over $180M. Today, he teaches founders how to validate ideas, avoid costly assumptions, and build products that truly solve user problems.⸻Key Takeaways • Why assumptions are the biggest hidden risk in early-stage innovation • The story behind the SALT Test and how Thomas Edison inspired it • How to validate ideas in the right order • The difference between noise traction and real traction • Why customer discovery often leads founders astray • How AI can compress weeks of product validation into hours • Why you must test the problem before you test the solution • When to pivot lightly vs when to pivot hard • The importance of building something significantly better, not just slightly better • How to distinguish between the user and the buyer in B2B products⸻What You Will Learn • A practical, repeatable process for validating any product idea • How to talk to customers without falling into the polite feedback trap • How to stress-test your assumptions before writing a single line of code • How to set success and failure metrics before experimentation • How to avoid “innovator bias” and ego-driven decision making • How to use AI tools to accelerate discovery, research, and early validation • How to map your idea through the Growth Map to find blind spots⸻Episode Highlights 00:00 — Introduction02:00 — Why the SALT Test?04:00 — The Assumption Trap06:00 — How to Stress-Test an Idea08:00 — Noise Traction vs Real Traction10:00 — The Right and Wrong Way to Do Customer Discovery13:00 — Competing with Excel, WhatsApp, and the real world15:00 — Behavior Change and “Significantly Better”18:00 — Solution Selling for Founders22:00 — How AI Compresses Validation Cycles25:00 — B2B vs B2C Validation27:00 — Pivoting: Light vs Hard33:00 — Ego, fear, and founder psychology36:00 — Lessons from Amazon and Successful Innovators40:00 — Where Builders Should Focus Next42:00 — Final Advice⸻Resources Mentioned • The SALT Test by Kingsley Maunder: https://www.kingsleymaunder.com/the-salt-test • GrowthMap.org • Kingsley’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kingsleymaunder/

In this conversation, Colin opens the curtain on how Sheets & Giggles became a breakout DTC success by doing things differently: selling before building, leaning into humor, making bold brand decisions, and prioritizing community and impact over hype.This episode is packed with practical lessons for founders navigating uncertainty, fundraising, pricing strategy, brand identity, and the deeper personal journey behind entrepreneurship.About the GuestColin McIntosh is the founder of Sheets & Giggles, one of the most beloved modern consumer brands known for its sustainable eucalyptus bedding and its unmistakably humorous voice. Colin bootstrapped the company from a simple idea into a high-growth startup that hit one million dollars in monthly revenue within two years. His journey blends sharp execution, authentic branding, creative fundraising, and a grounded philosophy about building companies with purpose.Colin has appeared on Good Morning America and multiple national outlets, has built a loyal customer community, and is now also a mentor at Techstars, where his 2019 pitch is used globally as an example for new founders.Connect with Colin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colindmcintosh/⸻In This Episode You’ll Learn1. How Sheets & Giggles Started Without InventoryColin reveals why he chose to validate demand first through pre-orders, and how a successful Indiegogo campaign became early seed capital and proof of market need.2. The Inflection Points That Unlocked Serious ScaleFrom a bold COVID donation that unexpectedly reached the governor’s office to a national Good Morning America feature and a high-impact podcast sponsorship, Colin breaks down the moments that changed the company’s trajectory.3. Humor as a Business StrategyWhy Colin embraced the “jester” brand archetype and how authenticity, relatability, and personality helped Sheets & Giggles stand out in a boring category.4. Pricing Psychology Explained SimplyMost founders underprice — Colin explains why, and how he tested price elasticity, optimized margins, and used real data to guide pricing decisions.5. How to Talk to Investors the Right WayColin breaks down investor psychology, why FOMO matters, why you must know your numbers by heart, and how honesty builds long-term trust.6. Bootstrapping vs. VC in Today’s MarketAn honest look at why this era might be the best time to build slowly, stay disciplined, and focus on profitability instead of chasing rounds.7. Purpose, Happiness, and the Reality of Being a FounderColin dives deep into fulfillment, ego, expectations, and why internal peace matters far more than revenue milestones.8. Techstars and a Full Circle MomentFrom joining Techstars Boulder as an early team member to returning years later as a founder, and later as a mentor and pitch coach — Colin shares what the program taught him and why founders should consider it.⸻Chapters00:00 Intro01:00 Colin’s journey and background03:00 Starting Sheets & Giggles through pre-orders06:00 Early traction and unexpected breakthroughs10:00 The donation that changed everything12:00 Building a humorous and authentic brand identity16:00 Pricing psychology and finding your true value20:00 Fundraising and managing investor expectations27:00 The truth about growth and scale33:00 Bootstrapping vs raising capital40:00 Purpose, fulfillment, and founder mindset46:00 Techstars experience and mentorship52:00 Final reflectionsWhy This Episode MattersIf you’re building a startup today, this conversation will give you both tactical clarity and emotional grounding. Colin brings a rare mix of sharp execution and thoughtful humility. From pre-selling products to scaling with humor, from raising millions to staying true to purpose, his journey offers a realistic playbook for building something meaningful.

Mark Donnigan has spent decades helping deep tech and video technology startups translate complex products into commercial traction. In this conversation, we cover why early stage companies must stay lean, how to diagnose GTM confusion, and what AI first marketing looks like in practice.We also dig into the new buyer journey in B2B, why content is a serious competitive advantage, and why founder led marketing is becoming non negotiable for technical startups.⸻👤 About Mark DonniganMark Donnigan is a virtual CMO who specializes in helping early stage technology companies design and execute GTM systems for scale. He blends a technical background with marketing strategy, and has worked closely with deep tech, infrastructure, and video technology companies across the US and beyond. Mark also hosts his own podcast where he covers the intersection of engineering, GTM, and startup growth.⸻💡 Key Takeaways • Small teams outperform large teams because they adapt faster and avoid siloed decision making • Most early marketing hires fail because they come from companies with fully established ICPs and playbooks • The new B2B buyer journey is committee based and nonlinear • Founders must articulate pain, value, and narrative before marketing can be effective • AI tools create leverage but still require human curation • Content is not optional; it is a revenue accelerant • The best marketing starts with mapping actual buying behavior, not assumptions • Technical founders can outperform junior marketers with AI workflows⸻🎓 What You Will Learn • How to avoid the early stage marketing trap • Why small GTM teams win in dynamic markets • How to map buying journeys in modern B2B • How to use AI to generate content, frameworks, and GTM assets • The difference between buyers, influencers, and blockers • How to build trust and shorten sales cycles through content • Why founder storytelling is more important than ever⸻⏱️ Episode Highlights and Timestamps00:00 Welcome and intro02:00 Mark’s background as both technologist and creative06:00 Why great technology fails without great marketing07:30 The trap of hiring big company marketers too early10:45 Why small teams win in early GTM14:00 The missing skill in most marketing hires17:00 How to know if the market actually needs your product20:00 Understanding the real buyer versus the visible buyer23:00 Buying committees, decision blockers, and internal politics27:00 Why founders misread senior titles in enterprise sales30:00 Mapping the buyer journey with precision32:00 The underrated power of content and use case clarity36:00 Where founders should start if they have no content38:00 The role of documentation in technical sales40:00 What AI first marketing looks like in action43:00 Founders using PRDs to generate full GTM assets47:00 What should always stay human in AI powered marketing51:00 Human tone, emotions, and authenticity versus perfect AI output55:00 Why social algorithms reward provocation, not perfection58:00 Features vs benefits in modern marketing01:02:00 Final insights and where to follow Mark⸻🔗 Resources Mentioned • Mark Donnigan website: https://GrowthStage.Marketing • Mark Donnigan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdonnigan/ • Tools referenced: Gemini, ChatGPT 5.1, Claude, Perplexity Pro

In this conversation, Mehmet is joined by Gerald Beuchelt and Subu Rao, two cybersecurity leaders from Acronis, to unpack the evolving threat landscape, the rise of AI in both offense and defense, and why cyber resilience has become a board-level priority.They break down what CISOs need to know, how MSPs can create new value, and what frameworks actually work in the real world. If you want a clear and practical blueprint for building resilience, this episode is for you.👤 About the GuestsGerald BeucheltChief Information Security Officer at Acronis, with more than 14 years of experience securing global environments across multiple industries. Gerald leads cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, and corporate security strategy, with deep knowledge in AI-driven defense, risk management, and enterprise resilience.https://www.linkedin.com/in/beuchelt/Subu RaoSenior Manager of Cybersecurity Solutions Strategy at Acronis, focused on cyber resilience for MSPs and mid-market organizations. Subu brings over 15 years of experience in identity security, cloud security, and resilience engineering across global security vendors.https://www.linkedin.com/in/raos/https://www.acronis.com/en/💡 Key Takeaways • Cyber resilience and cybersecurity are not the same. One focuses on protection, the other on recovery and adaptation. • AI is already used by attackers and defenders. Ignoring it increases risk. • MSPs have a major opportunity to monetize resilience, not just protection. • Most breaches still start with basic failures like weak passwords and unpatched systems. • Boards do not want CVE numbers. They want business risk in plain language. • The right balance between risk appetite and risk tolerance shapes the entire security program. • Backups alone are not enough. Tested, measurable recovery plans are essential. • Availability is often the forgotten piece of the CIA triad.⸻🎧 What Listeners Will Learn • The current global threat landscape • How AI is changing cyber offense and defense • The difference between cybersecurity and cyber resilience • What MSPs should do today to serve customers better • How CISOs can communicate risk to non-technical boards • Practical frameworks for resilience and business continuity • Why regional exposure influences risk strategy • The most common mistakes companies still make in 2025⸻⏱️ Episode Highlights & Timestamps00:00 Introduction and welcome01:00 Meet Gerald and Subu04:00 The real state of cyber threats today05:30 Why basic hygiene failures still cause most breaches08:30 How attackers are using AI10:00 The future of automated SOCs12:00 Are threat patterns different by geography15:00 Why every company is a target16:00 Cybersecurity vs cyber resilience explained in simple terms18:00 How to build resilience without enterprise budgets21:00 MSPs and the opportunity to lead resilience consulting24:30 Understanding crown jewels and business impact26:00 How Acronis-style failover models change the game29:00 Where boards should start with security frameworks32:00 Risk appetite vs risk tolerance36:00 Why security cannot decide in isolation40:00 Compliance, mandates, and real world frameworks45:00 How MSPs can craft resilience offerings48:00 Final advice for CISOs and MSPs51:00 Closing thoughts and wrap up

In this episode, Mehmet sits down with Radhika Dutt, author of Radical Product Thinking, to explore why OKRs and traditional performance frameworks often collapse under the realities of modern work. Radhika introduces OLA, a new approach built on puzzle-solving, continuous learning, and adaptability — designed for today’s fast-moving product, engineering, and startup environments.Together, they break down the hidden “product diseases,” the dangers of vanity metrics, the myth of extrinsic motivation, and why teams need clarity instead of big, fluffy vision statements. This conversation is a mindset reset for anyone leading teams, building products, or trying to scale sustainably.⸻👤 About Radhika DuttRadhika Dutt is the author of Radical Product Thinking, an engineer by training, and a two-time founder. She built her first startup out of her MIT dorm room and has since become a leading voice on vision-driven product development. Radhika works with organizations around the world to help them escape the trap of short-term targets and build meaningful, world-changing products.Find more about Radhika’s work here:https://rdutt.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/radhika-dutt/⸻✨ Key Takeaways • Why OKRs work in theory but fail in most modern organizations • How goal-driven cultures create “performance theater” instead of real progress • The difference between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation • Why fluffy vision statements confuse teams instead of inspiring them • How to define real problems before jumping into solutions • The OLA framework: objectives, hypotheses, learnings, adaptations • How OLA drives alignment, clarity, and honest learning • Why founders should stop copying big-company playbooks • How to communicate results to investors without vanity metrics • Why adaptation speed is the true competitive advantage⸻🎧 What You’ll Learn • How to replace rigid goal-setting with dynamic puzzle-solving • How to build a product culture that values curiosity and experimentation • How to avoid the biggest traps that kill innovation • How AI hype influences bad decision-making and how to course-correct • How leaders can create clarity without micromanaging • How to apply OLA even if your company still uses OKRs⸻⏱️ Episode Highlights & Timestamps00:00 — Welcome and intro01:00 — Radhika’s early story and the mistakes that inspired Radical Product Thinking06:00 — Why motivation systems today actually kill motivation08:00 — The problem with fluffy, generic vision statements11:00 — Why OKRs create the wrong incentives14:00 — How OKRs evolved from 1940s manufacturing18:00 — Why modern work requires a different approach23:00 — Introduction to OLA and how puzzle-setting works26:00 — How to apply OLA in sales, product, and engineering34:00 — Using OLA to bring clarity and innovation39:00 — Speed, experimentation, and continuous learning44:00 — How to communicate progress to boards and investors49:00 — Why founders must drop ego and embrace honesty54:00 — Final advice and how to connect with Radhika⸻📚 Resources Mentioned • Radical Product Thinking — Radhika’s book • Free toolkits https://www.radicalproduct.com/ • OLA Toolkit (formerly OHL)

In this conversation, Jonathan breaks down the real state of AI adoption in GTM, why most revenue teams are still “stuck in the basics,” and how leaders can shift from dashboards to intelligence. He explains why CRM data hygiene is dead, how operational AI works behind the scenes, and what it truly means to run an AI native revenue team.From first principles thinking to reinvented GTM playbooks, this is a roadmap for founders, CROs, RevOps leaders, and anyone building modern revenue organizations.⸻👤 About Jonathan KvarfordtJonathan Kvarfordt is the VP of GTM Strategy & Marketing at Momentum.io. Known as “Coach” across the industry, he is the creator of GTM AI Academy with more than 10,000 participants, a university instructor, a strategic advisor, and a practitioner at the intersection of GTM, AI, and automation.He works hands-on with leaders to operationalize AI, eliminate friction in revenue processes, and build next generation GTM systems.https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmkmba/⸻💡 Key Takeaways • AI adoption is overstatedDespite hype, only about 7 percent of companies operate with real “operational AI.” • CRM data entry is the most underrated automationAI driven CRM automation unlocks insights for reps, managers, and executives. • The new GTM OS lives in tools like SlackRevenue teams are moving away from 20 tabs into one unified operating layer. • First principles thinking matters more than toolsStart with initiatives and gaps, not buying random AI tools. • Human skills become more important, not lessThe future seller is a strategist, negotiator, and relationship builder. • Small teams have the biggest advantageFewer processes mean faster reinvention and cleaner AI powered workflows. • AI native pipeline reviews are strategicNot data entry sessions. Think signals, intelligence, and deal momentum.⸻🎧 What You Will Learn • Why GTM fundamentals are still broken despite AI hype • How AI changes forecasting, deal reviews, and revenue leadership • The difference between “time saving AI” and “amplification AI” • How to build AI native workflows inside your GTM stack • Why founders should start automating earlier than they think • Which sales skills matter most in the AI era • Why CRM systems might look completely different in the future⸻⏱ Episode Highlights (Timestamps)00:00 – Welcome and intro01:00 – Jonathan’s journey and new VP role03:00 – The truth about AI adoption in GTM05:00 – Where companies struggle most with AI07:00 – From dashboards to intelligence10:00 – Why AI tools fail without clear initiatives12:00 – Slack as the new operating system for GTM15:00 – Why RevOps teams over engineer tech stacks17:00 – CRM hygiene vs operational AI19:00 – Time as the highest leverage automation area21:00 – How AI shifts GTM playbooks24:00 – The rise of AI powered buyer research26:00 – The new pipeline review29:00 – The most underrated automation in GTM31:00 – Real win/loss data and bias removal33:00 – What skills sellers need in the AI era36:00 – “Let us go sell” culture and eliminating busywork37:00 – When founders should start automating39:00 – Reinvent vs optimize vs amplify41:00 – The idea behind Jonathan’s book Ignite44:00 – Will CRM even exist in the future?48:00 – Which parts of sales AI might fully replace50:00 – First principles thinking and GTM52:00 – Final advice and where to find Jonathan⸻📚 Resources Mentioned • Momentum.io • GTM AI Academy • The book Ignite your GTM With AI: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FRXGSDSN

In this episode, Mehmet sits down with Dr. Nico Augustin, Head of Research and Expeditions at OceanQuest, to uncover the mysteries of the deep ocean. From unexpected discoveries in the Atlantic to cutting edge underwater robotics, Dr. Nico reveals how little we know about the world beneath us and why the deep sea remains one of Earth’s last unexplored frontiers.The conversation covers the science, technology, and leadership lessons behind modern ocean exploration, along with how emerging tech like AI and digital twins are reshaping the future of the field.⸻About the GuestDr. Nico Augustin is a marine geologist, expedition leader, and the Head of Research and Expeditions at OceanQuest, a pioneering non profit foundation advancing deep ocean discovery, innovation, and capacity building. With more than 20 years of research experience across the Atlantic, Arctic, and the Red Sea, he has led large scale mapping missions, discovered new hydrothermal systems, and mentored hundreds of young scientists.Connect on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nico-augustin-971a93308/⸻Key Takeaways • The deep ocean is still one of Earth’s least explored environments. • Modern expeditions rely on mapping, robotics, data, and multidisciplinary teams. • AI will play a major role in making underwater vehicles more autonomous and safer. • The deep ocean is far more active and diverse than older textbooks suggest. • Leadership at sea is a masterclass in clarity, calmness, and adaptability. • Exploration and storytelling are essential to inspire the next generation of ocean researchers.⸻What Listeners Will Learn • How deep sea expeditions are planned and executed • Why the Red Sea and Atlantic hold surprising geological mysteries • The role of AI, digital twins, and robotics in underwater exploration • How OceanQuest is training young scientists across Africa • Leadership lessons from managing complex expeditions • Why public awareness matters in ocean science⸻Episode Highlights00:00 Introducing Dr. Nico Augustin02:00 Childhood curiosity and the path to marine geology04:00 Early expeditions and transformational moments07:00 Mapping the unknown through interdisciplinary teams08:30 Surprising discoveries from the Atlantic to the Red Sea11:00 The first visual hydrothermal systems found in the Red Sea14:00 How deep sea expeditions are designed and executed17:00 AI, robotics, and digital twins shaping future exploration22:00 OceanQuest’s Around Africa Expedition and its impact28:00 Leadership lessons from uncertainty and high stakes operations36:00 Collaboration between science and the private sector39:00 What the deep ocean still hides from us45:00 How to inspire public excitement for ocean discovery50:00 Final thoughts and how to connect with Dr. Nico⸻Resources Mentioned • OceanQuest: oqfoundation.org • OceanQuest on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X

In this episode, Mehmet sits down with Harish Chandramowli, Head of AI at Good Day Software, to explore how AI is reshaping the future of fashion, retail, and e-commerce operations.Harish shares his journey from cybersecurity engineering at Bloomberg and cloud security at MongoDB to building fashion-specific AI tools that solve real operational pain points around data chaos, messy workflows, and inventory waste.This is a deep dive into verticalized AI, workflow automation, agentic systems, and the emerging category of Retail OS.If you’re a founder, investor, or tech leader curious about applied AI or the future of retail automation, this episode is full of insight.⸻👤 About Harish ChandramowliHarish is the Head of AI at Good Day Software, a fast-growing platform redefining how fashion and retail brands manage operations. With experience at Bloomberg and MongoDB, he brings a unique blend of security engineering, data modeling, and real-world problem solving into the retail tech world.He previously founded FLA, a fashion operations startup, and now focuses on building AI-powered workflows and agents for e-commerce brands.Harish’s LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/scharish/⸻✨ Key Takeaways • Why retail back-office operations are still broken and dominated by spreadsheets • The rise of Retail OS and why ERP is becoming outdated • Real examples of AI reducing hours of manual work • Why agentic workflows matter more than chatbots • The biggest unseen cost in e-commerce: data integrity failures • The hidden value of vertical AI models • How founders should think about AI “moats” • Red flags Harish sees in AI startup pitches • How non-technical founders can communicate with technical teams more effectively • Why everyone is on a level playing field in this phase of AI⸻🎧 What You’ll Learn • How to build AI systems for operational workflows • Why fashion and retail create perfect environments for data-driven AI • How to spot real vs fake AI innovation • How AI can automate back-office processes like purchase orders, packing lists, and inventory reconciliation • Why agent-based AI is the future • How AI changes new-market entry strategies • How founders can pitch AI in a credible, non-hyped way⸻⏱️ Episode Highlights (Timestamps)(For YouTube + Spotify chapters)00:00 — Welcome and introduction01:00 — Harish’s journey: cybersecurity, Bloomberg, MongoDB03:00 — Why retail operations are still broken04:30 — Discovering the back-office pain points in fashion06:30 — The spreadsheet problem killing profitability08:30 — Why e-commerce is a brutal margin business10:00 — Workflow chaos and data fragmentation12:00 — Retail OS vs ERP and what the future looks like14:00 — How AI powers Good Day Software15:00 — Chatbots vs real AI vs agentic workflows16:00 — Automating packing lists, PO ingestion, and email workflows17:30 — Agents detecting inventory discrepancies18:30 — Using localized data for new market expansion20:00 — Verticalized AI and the rise of industry-specific LLMs22:00 — Accounting differences across regions24:00 — What founders need to know about AI moats26:00 — Why real-world data is a superpower28:00 — Changing consumer funnels: search, ads, and GPT shopping30:00 — From engineer to business thinker: Harish’s mindset shift32:00 — ChatGPT as a tool for business communication34:00 — The biggest red flags in AI startup pitches36:00 — Why automating everything is dangerous38:00 — Final thoughts on curiosity, experimentation, and the AI era39:00 — Where to reach Harish⸻📚 Resources Mentioned • Good Day Software https://www.gooddaysoftware.com/ • MongoDB • Shopify and e-commerce back-office operations • Vertical AI applications • Agentic workflows and email-based automation