The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we’re joined by Ali Hafizji, founder of the product development agency Wednesday, for a candid look into one of the most overlooked phases in startup growth: the dangerous gap between MVP and Product-Market Fit (PMF).We explore why many startups lose momentum after MVP, how to avoid premature scaling, the role of AI in early-stage execution, and what it really takes to survive the chaos between MVP and PMF.💡 Key Takeaways • Why the MVP is just a milestone, not the finish line • The most common traps founders fall into post-MVP • How to measure the right metrics instead of vanity ones • The importance of distribution, sales, and customer conversations • When and how to outsource technical work without losing control • Why being an AI-native founder or team is now a startup superpower • The real difference between a programmer and a product engineer⸻📚 What You’ll Learn • How to shift your mindset and role after shipping an MVP • The dangers of scaling too early or hiring too fast • How AI changes the game for early-stage teams and solo founders • Whether non-technical founders still need CTOs in the age of AI • How to evaluate and collaborate with outsourcing partners effectively👤 About the GuestAli Hafizji is a veteran entrepreneur, engineer-turned-marketer, and founder of Wednesday, a product development agency helping startups go from MVP to scalable products. At Wednesday Solutions, he leads a team that has collaborated with over 10% of India’s unicorn companies, delivering solutions that have meaningfully contributed to their growth.With deep insights from working across multiple startups, Ali brings sharp clarity to common mistakes, smart iterations, and team-building in early-stage ventures.http://wednesday.is/http://tuesday.is/https://www.linkedin.com/in/alihafizji/ Episode Highlights00:00 – Intro and Ali’s background03:00 – Why MVP is just the beginning05:00 – The real job of a founder after MVP06:30 – What is “The Dangerous Gap”?08:00 – Why vanity metrics lead startups astray11:00 – Premature scaling: the #1 killer14:30 – What great early-stage teams focus on17:00 – How AI can help founders post-MVP20:00 – Product engineer vs. programmer25:00 – Outsourcing: best practices and warning signs30:00 – Do you need a fractional CTO?33:00 – Final thoughts and how to connect with Ali

Jeremy Sirota, CEO of Merlin and advocate for indie artists, joins to discuss the future of music licensing. He reveals how technology and AI are transforming opportunities for independent musicians, ensuring they have a fair chance in the digital landscape. The conversation highlights Merlin’s innovative tools, like 'Merlin Bridge,' that simplify licensing for startups. Jeremy shares insights on navigating AI's impact on music and offers valuable lessons for tech leaders in creative industries. His journey from law to music illustrates the power of serendipity.

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive deep into what it really takes to implement AI that works—not just experiments, but systems that scale. Joining us is Matt Leta, founder & CEO of Future Works, an AI-native company built alongside generative AI as his co-founder.🔑 Key Takeaways • AI alone isn’t enough—without workflow integration and people buy-in, the tech fails. • 20% of teams may never adapt to AI, and that has structural consequences. • Digital transformation 3.0 is here: from networks to intelligence. • Executive blind spots often derail AI success more than tech limitations. • Vibe coding is real—and it’s reshaping how products get built.⸻📚 What You’ll Learn • How to go beyond tools like ChatGPT and achieve organization-wide ROI • Why “AI-first” is a mindset, not a label • The future of billion-dollar companies with minimal teams • Lessons from Matt’s journey—from artist to startup exit to AI-native builder👤 About the GuestMatt Leta is a serial entrepreneur, technologist, and the founder of Future Works, a company born from an experiment: what if AI could co-create a business from scratch?Formerly a digital product studio founder, Matt has worked with top-tier Silicon Valley companies including Apple, Google, and JLL among 150+ organizations, built multiple ventures, and authored the book “100x: An Executive Brief for AI-Driven Business Results.” He’s also the creator of the viral HustleGPT experiment and a vocal advocate for building truly AI-first organizations.https://www.linkedin.com/in/matleta/https://future.works/https://www.amazon.com/100x-Executive-AI-Driven-Business-Results-ebook/dp/B0DZHQFCV4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1447UD5KAL1RZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oYi5C4pp0ELD6xmW0R8QjWICgAlDBWJOKH6JsbGSj6mdDn_yFdDr7SOGNkVLJRcxV-_dpJxGb2ya8bUCZP9J_whgn7AUhYm_Vfzr_3NhbTs.gzpYqf3AVAAFG1fqdK9zHLhfWkn9A7U8zMrPDHo1Ra0&dib_tag=se&keywords=matt+leta&qid=1743434813&sprefix=matt+%2Caps%2C1036&sr=8-1Episode Highlights & Timestamps • [00:01:00] Matt Leta’s journey from artist to AI-native entrepreneur • [00:05:30] Can AI really co-found a company? Lessons from HustleGPT • [00:08:00] Why most companies fail at AI implementation • [00:13:45] Automation vs. Intelligence: what leaders often confuse • [00:17:00] Internal resistance: why some teams never adopt AI • [00:21:00] Digital transformation isn’t new—this is just the next wave • [00:27:00] “100x” thinking and the rise of the augmented team • [00:34:00] Vibe coding, solo founders, and the $1B company of one • [00:43:00] Are today’s AI models smarter—or just shinier? • [00:50:00] Why adaptability beats prediction when building with AI

In this thought-provoking episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we welcome Sam Sammane, physicist, serial entrepreneur, and author of The Singularity of Hope. With a background in nanotechnology, life sciences, and AI, Sam offers a rare mix of technical depth and philosophical insight.Together, we explore how AI is reshaping business, creativity, and even our understanding of intelligence—and why the future belongs to those who amplify human potential, not replace it.🧠 What You’ll Learn • Why most people misunderstand AI (and how to explain it better) • What makes real intelligence—including love, intuition, and soul—impossible to replicate • How startups can build defensible models in a world of fast replication • When AI amplifies human creativity vs. when it distracts from it • Why specialization (not general AI) is where business value lives⸻🔑 Key Takeaways • Generative AI is powerful but not conscious—it’s automation on steroids, not artificial general intelligence. • Startups need a human or physical component to stay defensible in the AI era. • Human augmentation is the next frontier: using AI to elevate—not replace—intuition, judgment, and wisdom. • Be cautious with AI hallucinations and over-automation without human-in-the-loop control.👤 About the GuestSam Sammane is a bestselling author, PhD in nanotechnology, and founder of multiple ventures across life sciences, AI, and public relations. His book The Singularity of Hope explores humanity’s path through the age of AI. He is also the author of the novel The Republic of Mars.Sam brings a deeply humanistic lens to emerging technologies, blending scientific rigor with bold visions of the future.https://www.sammane.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-sammane-ba192720/Episode Highlights & Timestamps00:00 – Intro & Sam’s multidisciplinary background02:45 – From nanotech and life science to AI startups06:10 – What people get wrong about AI and intelligence12:30 – The emotional layer: love, empathy, and human learning16:40 – The myth of AGI and why it’s still far away22:00 – AI vs. quantum intelligence: where we are and aren’t25:45 – Real-world use cases that excite Sam today29:50 – AI as a “super assistant,” not a cofounder32:10 – Why intuition still beats perfect data36:30 – Hallucinations, shortcuts, and human laziness42:10 – Big tech manipulation and algorithmic ethics45:00 – Advice for founders in the age of commoditized tech50:00 – Why physical innovation is your startup moat52:00 – Where to find Sam + upcoming speaking in Dubai53:00 – Closing thoughts & tease for Part 2 on The Republic of Mars

In this episode, Mehmet is joined by Josh Dorfman, CEO of Supercool and host of the Supercool podcast. Josh is a serial sustainability entrepreneur, former investor, and media trailblazer with two decades of experience scaling climate-focused ventures. From founding The Lazy Environmentalist to helping build a company that landed a 10M panel deal with D.R. Horton, Josh shares why storytelling—not tech specs—is what drives results in climate tech today.📌 Key Takeaways: • Why outcomes matter more than tech or climate talk when selling to real-world customers. • The single biggest communication mistake climate founders make—and how to fix it. • Why corporate partnerships (like D.R. Horton or Amazon) are crucial for GTM in climate tech. • The role of personal branding in breaking through a crowded tech market. • Why investors are leaning into climate tech for business reasons, not just impact.⸻🎓 What You’ll Learn: • How to pitch climate solutions to skeptics using outcomes, not moral appeals. • Strategic GTM lessons from real deals in building materials, mobility, and AI-powered HVAC. • How Josh used media to amplify early-stage ventures (and how founders can do the same). • What LPs are really looking for in the climate investment space.About Josh Dorfman:Josh Dorfman is the founder of Supercool, a media company focused on real-world, proven climate solutions. With previous roles as a VC, tech startup founder, and national radio host, Josh blends operational insight with a media-savvy approach to helping climate founders scale. He is best known for his earlier work as The Lazy Environmentalist on Sirius Radio and Sundance Channel.Josh is a driving force in sustainable innovation, creating companies that blend cutting-edge technology with a positive environmental impact. As co-founder and CEO of Plantd, Josh spearheaded efforts to produce carbon-negative building materials, earning accolades such as Fast Company's World's Most Innovative Companies. Much like your guest, John, Josh has a way of intertwining sustainability with savvy business practices.https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorfmanjosh/https://getsuper.cool/https://www.plantdmaterials.com/Episode Highlights:[00:03:00] Josh’s China moment that triggered a climate awakening[00:08:00] Why talking about AI or climate turns off most customers[00:16:00] What drag racers taught Josh about emotional storytelling[00:24:00] From prototype to 10M panel order: Scaling a new material with D.R. Horton[00:31:00] The myth that only young people will solve climate change[00:43:00] GTM tactics: Changing the RFP instead of chasing it[00:47:00] Why founders must invest in their personal brand[00:51:00] Josh’s ideal investment: turning carbon removal into durable products

In this episode, Mehmet sits down with Anya Cheng, the founder and CEO of Taelor, a fashion-tech startup revolutionizing how busy men dress—without shopping or doing laundry. With past leadership roles at Meta, eBay, and McDonald’s, Anya brings a unique product mindset and startup resilience that shines through her journey from MVP to raising millions.This is a masterclass in product thinking, perseverance, and staying focused—even when things get scrappy.🔑 Key Takeaways • Start with real customer pain, not tech buzzwords • Use product intuition and lean MVPs to validate ideas • Why storytelling and empathy beat sales tactics in fundraising • Fundraising is less about pitching, more about training champions • Deep customer insight is your competitive moat🎧 What You’ll Learn • How Anya applied agile principles to build Taelor from a landing page • The truth about launching AI products in fashion • Lessons from her time at Meta, eBay, and Target • How to approach investors with authenticity and relevance • Why female founders and minority-led teams should lean into their strengths👤 About the GuestAnya Cheng is a serial builder and product leader turned founder. As a Mentor at '500 Startups' and ex-product leader at McDonald, eBay and Facebook, she has been listed in 'Girls Tech 40 Under 40' and founded a sustainable men clothing rental platform- Taelor (currently doing $1.5m in revenue).She’s also a TEDx speaker and a mentor at 500 Startups.At Taelor, she’s building “Netflix for menswear,” using AI to deliver rental clothing for men who want to look great without effort.Use code PODCAST25 for 25% off your first month!https://www.linkedin.com/in/anyacheng/https://taelor.style/🧭 Episode Highlights00:02 – Anya’s background and the aha moment behind Taelor00:07 – Early MVP experiments and Taelor’s first 100 customers00:12 – GTM lessons from Meta, eBay, and Target00:15 – Knowing when to follow data—and when not to00:18 – Building a product team with complementary pieces00:22 – What Anya looks for in startup founders as a 500 Startups mentor00:26 – Fundraising stories and mindset reframes00:34 – Solving for a focused use case instead of chasing features00:39 – Her perspective on being a female founder in tech00:42 – TEDx behind the scenes and tips for pushing through hardship00:47 – Mehmet’s reflections on podcasting, persistence, and building in public

Episode OverviewIn this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, Andy Cwik—co-founder and CEO of Hubub—shares his lessons from three startups, including the painful failures and meaningful wins. From crashing his first startup to exiting a telehealth company, Andy now leads Hubub, a SaaS platform that automates client entertainment for B2B teams.He opens up about what truly makes a startup successful (hint: it’s not the idea), how AI fits into real business workflows, why network effects matter more than ever, and how he’s using his time to mentor founders and advocate for mental health reform through a personal documentary project.💡 Key Takeaways • Execution outweighs the idea: Why founders often get stuck at ideation. • Building defensibility through network effects and switching costs. • How to pitch enterprise tools to decision-makers, not just users. • Why most AI startups are chasing buzzwords—and what actually works. • The evolution of startup ecosystems beyond Silicon Valley. • A rare look into Andy’s advocacy for mental health reform in the justice system.🎧 What You’ll Learn • The origin story behind Hubub and its 13-year evolution • How to move from “paper napkin” idea to product with traction • Strategic use cases of AI in early-stage SaaS • How to validate pain points and avoid marketplace traps • Navigating risk aversion in startup hubs like Chicago • Why some founders should take the exit—and why others shouldn’t👤 About the GuestAndy Cwik is a seasoned entrepreneur and AI thought leader with a track record of building innovative businesses. As the Co-Founder and CEO of hubub, he is redefining business client entertainment through AI-driven digital concierge services, automating logistics from reservations to expense reporting. With over a decade of experience in tech-driven ventures, Andy has successfully founded and exited multiple companies, including a telehealth startup with peak annual revenues of $25 million and a data encryption firm.Beyond hubub, Andy is a key figure in Chicago’s startup ecosystem, serving in leadership roles for the Founders Institute and Founders Network, where he mentors emerging entrepreneurs. He has raised over $5 million across his ventures and has spoken at leading AI and business events, including GenAI Collective and the Union League of Chicago Business Leaders Group. Passionate about AI’s capabilities and limitations, Andy brings unique insights into the evolving landscape of technology, work, and automation. His thought leadership challenges mainstream AI narratives, advocating for a balanced perspective on its future impact.https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-cwikhttps://hubub.me/Episode Highlights & Timestamps00:01 – Andy’s startup journey: 3 ventures and one painful failure04:00 – The aha moment that led to Hubub08:00 – Why expense reporting is the hidden pain point no one talks about10:30 – Building a two-sided marketplace with smart API integrations13:00 – What startup founders get wrong about AI17:30 – Network effects and why Groupon failed23:00 – Defensibility: Your real moat in a world of clones28:00 – How AI is reshaping VC workflows (and deal sourcing)32:00 – Chicago vs. Silicon Valley: What founders should know40:00 – When to exit and when to stay the course47:00 – Andy’s work on a documentary about mental health and the justice system 

In this episode of The CTO Show, serial entrepreneur and podcast host Anthony Franco joins Mehmet to unpack how AI is fundamentally reshaping how businesses operate—beyond the hype. With six exits under his belt and decades of experience launching and scaling ventures, Anthony shares what it really takes to operationalize AI in today’s organizations and why the real disruption isn’t about job loss—it’s about organizational survival.💡 What You’ll Learn • Why most leaders still misunderstand what “AI transformation” really means • The biggest mistake companies make when automating workflows • How to rethink outdated systems like Agile and Six Sigma in the AI age • Why agentic AI is less about replacing roles and more about rebuilding how work is done • How founders can leverage AI for early-stage growth, product-market fit, and GTM⸻🧠 Key Takeaways • Don’t automate bad processes—simplify first, then apply AI • Think like a gardener, not a factory manager: AI requires adaptability • Founders need to master human-to-human connection more than ever • Smaller teams will win, but collaboration still beats solo work • The best time to exit is two years before you burn out👤 About the GuestAnthony Franco is a serial entrepreneur, founder of six companies, and host of the How to Founder podcast. He’s currently helping companies apply AI-first thinking to real-world operations through his work with OneReach and initiatives like AI First Principles and the WISER Methodology.http://www.howtofounder.com/https://linkedin.com/in/anthonyfranco/⏱️ Episode Highlights00:02 – Anthony’s journey and current projects04:00 – What it means to “operationalize” AI06:30 – AI First Principles and the WISER Methodology11:00 – Why old frameworks like Agile are becoming obsolete17:00 – Can this work for large enterprises?20:00 – Is AI a threat to jobs or to companies?25:00 – How founders should approach AI-powered ventures30:00 – Building vs. selling: What founders forget34:00 – Why a great product isn’t enough without distribution39:00 – The story behind How to Founder43:00 – Smaller teams, bigger outcomes47:00 – Signs it’s time to exit51:00 – Final thoughts on the startup mindset

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive into the world of deep tech and hardware innovation with Faizan Ahmed, founder and CEO of Invensify. From solving his father’s insulin storage problem to building a patented solid-state cooling module, Faizan walks us through the journey of reinventing refrigeration and building a product-as-a-service business in a legacy-driven industry.🎯 Key Takeaways • What solid-state cooling really is—and why it matters • The surprising size of the pharma cold chain logistics market • Why hardware innovation must be 10x better to be taken seriously • How a Product-as-a-Service model creates defensibility • Fundraising for deep tech: what works and what doesn’t • Real-world sustainability beats greenwashing⸻📚 What You’ll Learn • How to identify deep tech opportunities from personal problems • The trade-offs of designing hardware with no moving parts • Why solid-state cooling is more sustainable and scalable than compressors • What it takes to commercialize deep tech in a SaaS-obsessed world • How to overcome industry resistance to innovation👤 About the GuestFaizan Ahmed is a second-time hardware founder with a background in electrical engineering and solid-state physics. Before Invensify, he exited a startup that built camera lens rain deflectors, and earlier contributed to a defense tech company acquired by the U.S. Air Force. Today, he leads Invensify in building energy-efficient, compressor-free cooling systems for healthcare and beyond.https://www.invensify.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/faizan-ahmed-a720b411/🕒 Episode Highlights & Timestamps00:00 – Intro and guest welcome01:30 – Faizan’s engineering background and past exits03:55 – The insulin travel problem that sparked Invensify05:30 – Cold chain logistics is a $6.2B market still using ice packs06:45 – What is solid-state cooling? Tech foundations explained10:00 – Efficiency, battery weight, and key trade-offs12:30 – Designing lightweight, plug-and-play cooling systems14:00 – Zero moving parts = low maintenance + high reliability15:00 – Accidental sustainability: how climate impact became a bonus17:00 – Key verticals: pharma, EV batteries, AI chips, data centers21:00 – Product-as-a-Service: Why Faizan avoided hardware sales24:30 – ESG regulations and sustainability tailwinds28:00 – Manufacturing in Malaysia and global expansion plans29:00 – Fundraising lessons from deep tech31:00 – The importance of 10x differentiation in hardware34:00 – Transferable skills from previous startups36:00 – Will solid-state cooling replace traditional refrigeration?39:00 – Faizan’s vision: Cooling fridges in off-grid areas42:00 – Which is harder—tech innovation or mindset shift?47:00 – Final advice to founders

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive into the intersection of technology, creativity, and brand authenticity with Mona Bavar — founder of DLISH and BlueApples.ai. From a childhood shaped by cultural resilience to building borderless brands rooted in storytelling, Mona shares why the future of innovation needs more than algorithms — it needs soul.📌 Key Takeaways • Why your brand story matters more than ever in the AI age • The difference between scaling fast and building with soul • How Mona went from gifting to launching an AI agency rooted in authenticity • Real-life case studies of AI in brand strategy, market research, and storytelling • The role of vulnerability and purpose in leadership and entrepreneurship • Why asking the right questions is the most creative act in AI-driven work⸻💡 What You’ll Learn • How to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini for creative ideation without losing your voice • Why understanding your “why” is non-negotiable for sustainable brand building • Tactics for blending human emotion with automation in a noisy digital world • How Mona helps clients transform brand identity into impactful narratives using AI👤 About the GuestMona Bavar is a creative entrepreneur and founder of DLISH, a Europe-based gifting company that curates meaningful experiences through food and design, and BlueApples.ai, an AI consulting agency helping businesses implement AI while preserving their unique brand voice. Her work bridges design, purpose, and emerging technology.https://www.linkedin.com/in/bavar/https://dlish.us/https://www.blueapples.ai/⏱️ Episode Highlights & Timestamps00:00 – Intro & Mona’s background03:00 – Story behind DLISH & cultural roots of the brand07:00 – Is AI killing creativity or enhancing it?10:30 – Avoiding generic content with AI15:00 – Shortcuts vs. long-term brand building18:00 – Examples of AI-powered storytelling & product positioning25:00 – Asking better questions: the key to powerful outputs27:30 – Personal branding and building trust through vulnerability32:00 – Customer-centricity, inspiration, and Steve Jobs36:00 – What Mona means by “the future needs soul”40:00 – Advice for entrepreneurs on staying grounded in their why42:00 – Where to connect with Mona