In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, Mehmet sits down with Ahraz Hussain, VP of Product Engineering and Data at Growers Edge, to explore the powerful intersection of AgriTech and FinTech. Ahraz shares his journey from technology to agriculture and the incredible impact Growers Edge is making in supporting farmers through advanced financial products and innovative technology. The conversation delves into the fascinating ways technology is revolutionizing agriculture. From automated machinery that optimizes planting and fertilizing to AI-driven tools for precision agriculture, Ahraz explains how these innovations are transforming traditional farming practices. He highlights how AI and data analytics help farmers make informed decisions that reduce costs and improve yields, all while promoting sustainability. A significant part of the discussion centers on the unique financial challenges farmers face and how Growers Edge is working to solve them. Ahraz introduces listeners to the concept of “FinTech for agriculture,” which includes creating accessible financial solutions like crop insurance, dynamic pricing, and warranties for crop plans. These tools provide farmers with financial security, enabling them to take calculated risks and experiment with new technologies that could increase their productivity and sustainability over time. Mehmet and Ahraz also explore the critical role of AI in agriculture, particularly in terms of risk management. Through products like crop prescription warranties, Growers Edge offers protection for farmers who are embracing sustainable practices or trying new approaches. This risk management innovation empowers farmers to adopt environmentally friendly practices without the fear of financial loss due to unpredictable yields. Throughout the episode, Ahraz shares valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that come with bridging agriculture and technology, especially for smallholder farmers. By leveraging FinTech solutions, Growers Edge aims to support these farmers by reducing barriers to entry and making vital resources more accessible, helping to bridge the digital divide in rural communities. About Ahraz Hussain Ahraz Hussain is an expert at the intersection of AI, agriculture, and fintech, offering a unique perspective on how technology can transform traditional industries. With a foundation in computer science and data analytics, he has applied his expertise to create cutting-edge solutions in the agricultural sector. At Growers Edge, Ahraz has led initiatives that drove a 500% revenue increase and introduced innovative products, reshaping how farmers manage risk and secure financing. http://www.ahrazhusain.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahrazhusain/ 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:29 Ahraz Hussain's Background and Journey 02:33 Intersection of Agriculture and Technology 05:53 FinTech in Agriculture 07:44 AI and Its Impact on Agriculture 13:19 Sustainability in Farming 16:19 Risk Management for Farmers 28:04 Challenges and Opportunities for Smallholder Farmers 36:15 Emerging Technologies in Agri-FinTech 40:25 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we’re joined by Andrew Duncan, CEO of Vertice Labs, a boutique software engineering company that helps startups and SMBs turn innovative ideas into functional products. Andrew kicks off by sharing his journey in the tech world, which spans nearly two decades, and explaining the unique approach that Vertice Labs brings to software development. Their work goes beyond simple execution, focusing on strategic alignment between management and engineering teams to deliver projects efficiently and without unnecessary complexity. A significant part of the discussion explores why non-technical founders benefit from partnering with experienced tech companies like Vertice Labs. Andrew explains that having access to strategic technical leadership from the start helps avoid costly missteps in architecture, stack choice, and development planning. For founders aiming to get a minimum viable product (MVP) to market, Vertice Labs provides a comprehensive service from ideation through to launch, including guidance on finding a suitable CTO as the startup grows. The conversation also touches on aligning short-term execution with long-term vision. Andrew explains the importance of a CTO’s role in bridging the gap between high-level business goals and day-to-day engineering work. This alignment, he notes, is essential not only for startups but also for SMBs and even larger enterprises where strategic clarity can prevent costly mistakes and wasted resources. Andrew delves into the challenges of managing technical debt and shares insights on building high-performance engineering teams that stay focused on clear, measurable outcomes. He emphasizes the importance of setting milestones and managing resources effectively, ensuring that each stage of development is tightly aligned with the company’s objectives and that teams are always working towards a defined goal. In a lively discussion about innovation, Andrew and Mehmet explore the impact of AI on software development. While AI tools can significantly enhance efficiency and allow teams to focus more on creative problem-solving, Andrew stresses that a human touch is still essential for providing context and strategic guidance. They discuss recent advances in AI, such as AI agents that streamline software development workflows, and how these technologies lower barriers to entry for startups. About Andrew: Andrew Duncan is the founder of Duncan Labs, a boutique software engineering firm. Andrew is a highly driven technology executive with a combination of strategic insight, business expertise, financial skills, and deep technology experience, with a record of success in the leadership of application development, vendor management and consulting initiatives for major companies and high-growth startups. Duncan Labs focuses on providing custom software delivery and strategic technical advisory services for small to mid-sized companies and startups looking to launch or enhance products and services or increase the efficiency of their technical teams. https://www.duncanlabs.io/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-b-duncan/ 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:06 Andrew Duncan's Background and Vertis Labs 01:49 Importance of Technical Leadership for Startups 04:35 Building MVPs and Scaling Startups 09:17 Aligning Technical Teams with Business Goals 14:59 Avoiding Failures and Managing Technical Debt 20:24 Balancing Speed and Decision-Making in Startups 24:13 The Role of AI in Software Engineering 33:22 When and How to Use AI Effectively 37:49 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we’re thrilled to have West Stringfellow, a product and technology visionary with an impressive track record of launching zero-to-one innovations at companies like Amazon and PayPal, leading transformations at Fortune 500 companies such as Visa and Target, and accelerating startups with Techstars. Currently the Founder and CEO of Howdo, West joins us to share valuable insights on innovation strategies, data-driven decision-making, and building effective teams that fuel growth and transformation. West’s journey began in 1997, navigating the early days of tech from server closets to becoming a product manager at Amazon. During his tenure, he played pivotal roles in launching Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Amazon Prime Video, which laid the groundwork for today’s digital streaming landscape. From there, he moved into innovation leadership roles at Visa and PayPal, ultimately founding his own startup that was acquired by Target, where he became Vice President of Innovation. Through these experiences, West honed a unique approach to problem-solving, emphasizing the importance of first principles, robust data utilization, and a growth mindset. During our conversation, West explores the dynamic balance between data and intuition, especially within the context of fast-evolving technologies like AI and machine learning. He shares frameworks for making data-driven decisions, managing complex innovation teams, and scaling products that resonate deeply with customers. West also discusses the critical role of customer empathy and understanding as a foundation for achieving product-market fit—a message crucial for startups aiming to stand out in today’s crowded tech landscape. We dive into how startups and established companies alike can harness emerging technologies, the importance of process and data readiness in implementing AI, and how executives can foster an innovation-driven culture. West explains why understanding your customers at a granular level is essential for long-term success and provides actionable insights on building teams composed of resilient, problem-solving individuals who can adapt and thrive in challenging environments. About West: West led Fortune 500s — Amazon, PayPal, Target, Visa — and startups through product launches and transformations with new technology for 20+ years.  In 2015, Target bought West's patented marketplace platform, powered by AI. West believes in leadership excellences and was selected as "top 1%" executive by the CEOs of Target, PayPal, and Visa. He was promoted annually at Amazon. He's consistently led large teams (1k+) and budgets ($40M+) and has been awarded 5 patents for technology innovation.  Now, he is Founder and CEO at HowDo where he help entrepreneurs and executives accelerate their growth in the era of AI. https://howdo.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/weststringfellow/ 01:12 Wes Stringfellow's Career Journey 02:43 Insights on Innovation and AI 06:26 Balancing Data-Driven Decisions and Intuition 09:42 Frameworks for Presenting to Executives 13:16 Mindset for Innovation and Growth 16:19 Implementing AI Strategies 21:03 Emerging Technologies and Business Transformation 27:15 Data Utilization at Amazon vs. Visa 29:16 Pioneering Digital Video at Amazon 30:40 The Birth of AWS 33:41 Building Effective Teams 36:21 Applying First Principles Across Industries 42:48 Advice for Startups in a Competitive Market 47:54 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive into the exciting world of AI, automation, and innovation with Mike Todasco. Mike shares his journey from starting as an accountant to evolving into a leader in product management and innovation, including his influential role at PayPal. With experience in one of Silicon Valley’s most dynamic environments, Mike has firsthand insights into how emerging technologies are reshaping the landscape of business and consumer behavior. We begin by exploring Mike’s transition into tech, his early fascination with innovation, and how he found himself drawn to Silicon Valley’s vibrant ecosystem. Mike talks about his time at PayPal, where he witnessed the meteoric rise of mobile payments and led projects that pushed the boundaries of what was possible with new technology. From mobile to PayPal Beacon, Mike shares behind-the-scenes stories of PayPal’s innovative experiments, some of which thrived, while others taught valuable lessons about market readiness and timing. A central theme in the episode is AI’s profound influence on technology and society. Mike reflects on the early days of generative AI, describing the excitement he felt when experimenting with GPT-3, and how it felt like a paradigm shift for non-technical users who suddenly had access to powerful machine learning tools. Together, Mehmet and Mike discuss the democratizing effect of AI and its potential to redefine industries, streamline workflows, and augment human capabilities rather than replace them. In addition, Mike shares advice for companies looking to start innovation labs, drawing from his experience with PayPal’s lab and the lessons he learned in fostering a culture of experimentation. He outlines the different horizons of innovation, explaining why it’s essential for companies to define clear goals and strategies before diving into new tech trends. For startups and established companies alike, Mike emphasizes the importance of flexibility, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace both successes and failures along the journey. The conversation also explores the future of work in an AI-driven world. As AI tools become more accessible, Mike envisions a future where humans are empowered to focus on creative and strategic tasks, leaving routine work to intelligent automation. Both Mehmet and Mike reflect on the role of AI as a tool to enhance, rather than replace, human interaction, with Mike sharing anecdotes about how AI is already helping people make informed decisions in everyday life. More about Mike: Mike Todasco spends his days thinking about how AI will change how we create using generative tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and the ever-growing slate. He used to work at PayPal, focused on innovation where he evangelized creativity to employees of every nation. At PayPal he also had many roles in the field of product from management to marketing to launch, which was a bit chaotic. Previously, he founded a company, Sketch Maven where long start-up nights turned his appearance to unshaven. Prior to his career in tech, he was in finance and accounting you see starting his career at the company with a meatball logo, GE. https://www.linkedin.com/in/todasco/ https://medium.com/@todasco 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:20 Mike's Career Journey 02:20 Transition to Product Management 05:18 Innovations at PayPal 07:09 Challenges and Successes in Mobile Payments 12:16 Exploring Emerging Technologies 15:39 Starting and Running Innovation Labs 18:55 The Culture of Innovation at PayPal 25:59 Generative AI and Personal Experiences 28:22 The Magic of GPT-3 29:02 The Evolution of AI Tools 33:12 Public Perception and AI 36:47 AI's Impact on Jobs and Industries 45:33 The Future of AI and Human Collaboration 46:59 Personal Reflections and Exciting Technologies 53:45 Final Thoughts and Farewell

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive deep into the dynamic world of loyalty programs with Maria Alvarez, Chief Business Development Officer and Board Member of CheckRewards. Maria shares her journey from Eastern Europe to Latin America and now to the MENA region, highlighting her expertise in data-driven marketing and her passion for connecting brands with consumers through loyalty and rewards programs. Maria discusses how CheckRewards is making strides in the MENA region by bridging gaps between consumer goods brands and their customers, allowing brands to directly engage with end-users in a way that was previously out of reach. Through data insights and AI-powered analytics, CheckRewards enables brands to personalize customer interactions and foster loyalty in increasingly competitive markets. Maria explains how their innovative approach not only builds brand affinity but also provides invaluable data to help brands tailor their marketing strategies. The conversation touches on the rise of loyalty trends globally, the differences between cashback programs and traditional discount-based models, and how gamification plays a crucial role in driving engagement, especially among Gen Z users. Maria also highlights the advanced AI and OCR technology behind CheckRewards, which allows users to upload physical receipts and earn rewards seamlessly. This approach makes CheckRewards a valuable tool for consumer brands seeking to understand and respond to customer behaviors at a granular level. Maria also shares her insights into navigating the startup ecosystem across various regions and emphasizes the importance of adapting strategies to cultural nuances. She discusses the challenges of startup growth, from securing funding to building technological infrastructure, and shares her philosophy on staying motivated and focused on innovation. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a startup founder, or a marketing professional, this episode offers an insightful look at how MarTech is transforming the consumer loyalty landscape and the strategic role technology plays in driving brand success. More about Maria and Checkrewards: Maria has 8 years of experience in project management, Digital marketing, e-commerce and the knowledge of business administration along with budget planning. Has working experience in Europe, Asia and Latin America in Russian, English and Spanish. https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvmaria/ https://checkrewards.com/business 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:20 Maria's Journey and Background 03:09 CheckRewards: Mission and Market Gaps 04:32 Understanding the MENA Region 06:37 The Rise of Cashback and Loyalty Programs 10:41 MarTech and Marketing Technology Insights 16:30 AI and Machine Learning in Marketing 21:55 Challenges and Success in Different Markets 26:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we welcome Eli Farhood, the founder and CEO of KatchID, a pioneering company focused on reinventing identity protection through innovative biometric solutions. Eli shares his personal journey that led him to start KatchID, driven by his experiences as a two-time victim of identity theft. He highlights the growing risks of personal information misuse and data breaches in the digital world, explaining why protecting personal information is not just critical for high-profile individuals but for everyone, regardless of their financial status. Throughout the conversation, Eli delves into the mechanisms of identity theft and the evolving tactics used by threat actors. He illustrates the consequences of compromised personal information, from financial fraud to medical identity theft and even legal troubles. Mehmet and Eli discuss the motivations behind KatchID’s creation, which aims to eliminate the need for passwords and two-factor authentication by utilizing a unique hand-scan biometric technology. Unlike other biometric solutions, KatchID’s technology is device-agnostic and doesn’t require special hardware, making it a versatile option for various applications, including payments, access control, and identity verification. Eli also shares his vision for a password-free future, where users can authorize access with a simple hand scan on any device, ensuring both convenience and security. He discusses the role of AI in the cybersecurity landscape, emphasizing its dual nature as both a tool for innovation and a potential weapon for attackers. The conversation also touches on KatchID’s use of AI for enhanced detection and security, alongside the company’s journey in gaining market traction and validation, including recognition from Visa and FDIC. Wrapping up, Eli talks about the challenges and rewards of being a startup founder, especially in the cybersecurity sector, and shares insights into KatchID’s ongoing crowdfunding campaign. For more information, listeners can visit KatchID’s website and consider supporting the campaign to be part of this groundbreaking journey. More about Eli: Eli Farhood is the founder and CEO of Katsh Digital ID, a pioneering company committed to safeguarding consumers and businesses from financial fraud through a simple hand-wave on any smart device. This innovative approach offers a seamless, private, and touch-free solution for identity verification, ensuring military-grade security to confirm identities for a variety of applications. Eli's personal experience as a victim of identity theft underscores the importance of Katsh's mission. Eli's career in finance began at an early age, where he quickly established himself as a skilled trader and analyst, accumulating over 20 years of experience in the financial markets. His expertise spans commodities, stocks, and the Foreign Exchange markets, leading him to become a portfolio manager at a Forex fund. Eli is also a FINRA-licensed professional. Throughout his career, Eli gained deep insights into cybercrime, particularly phishing tactics for personal information and the challenges of identity theft. He has participated in multiple Anti-Money Laundering (AML) workshops at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), where he trained in regulatory procedures for securing clients' personal information, financial accounts, and ensuring legal compliance. https://www.linkedin.com/in/efarhood/ https://www.katshid.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:01 Eli Farhood's Background and Journey 03:11 The Problem of Personal Information Security 05:18 Understanding Cybersecurity Threats 10:45 The Importance of Protecting Personal Information 19:14 Introducing KatchID: A Solution to Identity Theft 22:02 How KatchID Works and Its Advantages 29:23 The Role of AI in Cybersecurity 37:24 Startup Journey and Fundraising 41:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive deep into the entrepreneurial journey of Miguel Sarenas, a third-time bootstrap founder who has recently sold his AI startup just three months after its launch. Miguel shares his insights on how bootstrapping and strategic decision-making contributed to his early exit. He emphasizes the importance of aligning opportunities with company goals and being open to selling at the right time when alignment exists. The discussion transitions into the crucial topic of idea validation, especially in the SaaS and AI space. Miguel outlines his approach to rapid validation, highlighting the use of social media as a primary tool for testing ideas and engaging with potential users. He advocates for starting with organic strategies to gather genuine feedback, allowing for more effective iteration and customer onboarding. As the conversation continues, Miguel and Mehmet delve into the growing importance of personal branding for founders. Miguel explains how creating content and building a founder brand are essential in today’s evolving landscape. He stresses that founders must shift their mindsets to embrace personal branding as a long-term investment that will amplify their ventures. He also shares practical tips for simplifying complex concepts when communicating about technical products. Miguel shares his strategies for community building, both online and offline. Drawing from his experiences in New York, he emphasizes the value of hosting local events for building an intimate community and exploring digital platforms like Discord for broader engagement. His approach to hosting successful events includes starting small, leveraging local venues, and focusing on marketing to drive attendance. The episode also covers Miguel’s vision for the future of solopreneurship and indie hacking. He believes that AI will enable smaller teams to tackle larger problems with fewer resources, making solopreneurship and small, nimble teams more viable than ever before. The discussion moves to landing page optimization, where Miguel shares common mistakes and tips for improving conversion rates, such as using templates and crafting clear, targeted messaging for specific audiences. Miguel also introduces the concept of a “second brain,” which he considers vital for managing multiple skills and projects as a generalist founder. He shares how he uses tools like Obsidian to organize his knowledge, create playbooks, and enhance his efficiency across different areas of expertise. This system, he explains, not only supports his role as a founder but also helps him scale his personal and professional growth. More about Miguel: Miguel is a part-time founder and content creator in New York City.  He sold his bootstrapped AI company 3 months after launch, and hosted over 270+ people for his tech events. He is now building his third startup and making content to help people build their own SaaS products.  He's here to show you how to build startups without funding and how to build a strong personal brand as a tech founder. https://twitter.com/MiguelSarenas https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-miguel-sarenas/ https://makers-report.beehiiv.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:06 Miguel's Background and Current Ventures 01:43 Selling the AI Startup: Key Strategies 02:41 Validating Ideas and Onboarding Customers 03:55 The Importance of Personal Branding 06:30 Creating Engaging and Simple Content 11:10 Building and Growing a Community 15:11 The Future of Startups and AI 16:51 Common Landing Page Mistakes 19:13 The Power of Being a Generalist 21:52 Managing Your Second Brain 24:10 Choosing New York Over the Bay Area 25:22 Influential Indie Hackers 27:05 Recommended Resources for Founders 28:39 Final Thoughts and Farewell

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive deep into the evolving world of industrial AI with Manas Talukdar, Director of Engineering at LabelBox. Based in the Bay Area, Manas has nearly two decades of experience in enterprise AI, data infrastructure, and distributed systems. Throughout his career, he has played pivotal roles in companies like C3 AI and OSIsoft, where he contributed to developing platforms for mission-critical industrial AI applications. In our conversation, Manas unpacks his journey from electrical engineering to working with leading AI platforms and shares valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of data infrastructure in AI. Manas explains the anatomy of data pipelines, emphasizing the importance of data storage, ingestion, normalization, and analytics as the building blocks of AI systems. He highlights why high-quality, real-time data is crucial for training AI models, especially in mission-critical applications like predictive maintenance and industrial automation. We discuss the emerging concept of synthetic data and how enterprises can leverage it to fill the gap left by the lack of high-quality training data. Manas also touches on AI’s reliance on data infrastructure and the complexities of using synthetic data to enhance large language models. We explore real-world use cases, such as using drones and AI algorithms to predict rust rates in pipelines, showcasing the transformative impact of AI in the industrial sector. Manas also shares his thoughts on integrating AI into traditional industrial systems, offering a glimpse into the future of AI-enabled operations. He sheds light on the importance of building scalable, resilient AI systems and the role of loose coupling in creating adaptable AI solutions that can withstand rapid technological changes. Towards the end of the episode, Manas shares career advice for aspiring AI professionals, emphasizing the importance of foundational knowledge, continuous learning, and finding mentors in the AI field. He also highlights resources like Andrew Ng’s Coursera courses that provide comprehensive training in machine learning and deep learning. More about Manas: Manas Talukdar is a senior software engineering leader in Data Infrastructure for Enterprise AI. He has significant experience designing and developing products in artificial intelligence and large-scale data infrastructure, used in mission critical sectors across the world. He is a senior member of IEEE, AI 2030 Senior Fellow and Advisory Board member. His experience spans over a decade and a half in leadership and critical roles for leading enterprise software companies in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has made key contributions to the preeminent industrial data historian in the world, specially ubiquitous throughout the process industry. As Director of Platform Engineering at C3 AI, the leading Enterprise AI company, he founded and led an organization of multiple teams developing cutting edge capabilities at the intersection of artificial intelligence and large-scale systems. He is currently Director of Engineering at Labelbox, a startup building a data-centric AI platform, where he runs platform and product engineering organizations. https://manastalukdar.github.io/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/manastalukdar/ 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:14 Manas Talukdar's Background 02:57 Choosing a Career in Data Infrastructure and AI 04:56 Understanding Data Infrastructure 06:42 The Importance of High-Quality Data for AI 08:52 Challenges with Current LLMs and Data Quality 13:11 Synthetic Data and Ensuring Quality 15:11 Enterprise AI and Custom LLMs 16:38 Industrial Use Cases of AI 18:08 Real-Life Use Cases of Predictive Maintenance 19:22 Building Scalable Data and AI Infrastructure 25:47 Guidance for AI Startups 30:02 Opportunities in Data Processing and Machine Learning 33:29 Advice for Aspiring AI Professionals 36:18 Connecting with Manas and Final Thoughts

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we sit down with Alex Nocifera, a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Loma. Alex shares his insights on disrupting both AdTech and MarTech to enhance local brand engagement. With over two decades of experience in retail marketing, Alex has a deep understanding of the evolving dynamics in the advertising and marketing landscape. He discusses how his company, Loma, addresses the unique challenges faced by marketers, particularly those managing multiple storefronts. Throughout the conversation, Alex dives into the concept of “last-mile advertising,” emphasizing how brands can break through today’s digital noise to deliver more personalized and effective marketing. He highlights three core elements of impactful marketing—frequency, diversification, and context—explaining how each plays a crucial role in driving consumer behavior at the local level. Alex also delves into how data-driven insights and real-time measurement can help brands optimize their ad spend and achieve better returns. Additionally, Alex shares valuable lessons from his entrepreneurial journey, including navigating venture capital and understanding when and how to scale. As a veteran in building venture-backed companies, he offers advice to founders on deciding between bootstrapping and raising external funds, as well as how to maintain operational discipline while working with major enterprises. If you’re interested in innovative marketing strategies, the complexities of multi-location campaigns, or the future of retail advertising, this episode is packed with insights. Don’t miss Alex’s story about building Loma and the company’s plans for scaling its reach beyond the U.S. market. More about Alex: LOMA is Alex’s 4th venture-capital-financed technology company helping multi-unit, enterprise brands drive last-mile results with over 30,000 branded stores acquired as customers, including brands such as Starbucks, Ace Hardware, Walmart, Panera Bread and more. Alex’s 20 years of experience is all about driving last-mile success into storefronts by activating timely, locally relevant advertising.   https://www.lomaplatform.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexnocifera/ 00:00 Welcome and Guest Introduction 01:19 Alex Nocifera's Background and Entrepreneurial Journey 02:43 The Birth of Loma: Addressing Market Challenges 06:22 Evolution of Marketing and Advertising Technology 11:50 The Concept of Last Mile Advertising 20:26 Data-Driven Marketing Strategies 22:32 Understanding Sales and Ticket Averages 22:41 Behavioral Change and Measurement 24:08 The Unique Approach of Loma 25:31 Personalization in Advertising 29:00 Challenges with Large Enterprises 34:16 The Entrepreneurial Journey 44:14 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive deep into the world of drone technology and startup innovation with Dario Valenza, founder of Carbonix. Broadcasting from Australia, Dario shares his unique journey from yacht racing to founding Carbonix, a company that is redefining long-range UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) for critical infrastructure monitoring, linear infrastructure, and other key applications. Dario opens up about how first principles thinking and design thinking played pivotal roles in Carbonix’s development of cutting-edge drone solutions. He explains how the company adapted technologies from yacht racing, specifically lightweight carbon fiber airframes, to create drones that offer longer flight times, higher payload capacity, and increased operational efficiency. Dario also emphasizes the importance of balancing aesthetics with functionality to achieve optimal results in drone design. The conversation covers the challenges of building a startup in a capital-intensive field like UAVs, along with the regulatory landscape that governs drone technology. Dario shares insights on how Carbonix navigates safety standards, technological integrations, and the need for continuous innovation to scale its operations. We also discuss the broader vision for the future of autonomous drones, including advancements in automation, AI integration, and the potential for drones to be utilized across various sectors such as agriculture, security, and firefighting. Toward the end of the episode, Dario shares valuable lessons for fellow founders, discussing the critical aspects of leadership, team building, and knowing when to bring in external expertise to manage business growth. His decision to hire a CEO early on allowed him to focus on the core technology and vision, setting an example for other tech-driven entrepreneurs looking to scale their ventures. More about Dario: Dario Valenza, founder of Carbonix. A pioneering force in revolutionizing aviation with cutting-edge UAV technology. Dario has crafted yachts, planes, and cars, merging vision into reality. His journey from racing yachts to aerospace explores beauty, functionality, and efficiency. With America’s Cup accolades and hydrofoiling innovations, Dario applies first-principles problem solving across diverse fields, including automotive, architecture, movies, and drones. His creations are designed for joy, aesthetics, and value, and he is eager to share his experiences and embrace new challenges. http://www.carbonix.com.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/dario-valenza-a7380a23/ 00:00 Welcome and Guest Introduction 01:19 Dario's Background and Carbonics 02:29 The Fascination with UAV Technology 04:01 Clientele and Applications 07:04 First Principles Problem Solving 13:37 Design Thinking in Aerospace 19:38 Challenges in the Aviation Industry 25:33 Dual Propulsion Systems and Operational Procedures 26:36 Challenges in UAV Design and Regulation 27:32 Key Components of UAV Systems 30:56 Autonomous Capabilities and Future Developments 35:53 The Future of Drones: Automation and Integration 40:13 Insights from a Founder: Challenges and Vision 46:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts