In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we welcome Ricardo Jimenez, an entrepreneur, angel investor, and author of the book Crash Course. Ricardo shares his journey from being an entrepreneur to writing a book that delves into the emotional challenges faced by founders. He discusses his motivation for becoming an entrepreneur, his experiences with failure, and the psychological aspects of managing the ups and downs of startup life. Ricardo emphasizes the importance of separating one’s identity from their venture, understanding that failure is often a part of the entrepreneurial journey, and the need to process and release the emotions tied to these experiences. Throughout the conversation, Ricardo offers valuable insights into the mental and emotional resilience required to navigate the often turbulent world of startups. He talks about the fear of failure, the societal pressure to succeed, and how entrepreneurs can maintain their mental well-being. Ricardo also shares his own story of risking personal finances to fund his startup and how he managed the stress and eventual decision to step back from his venture. His experience led him down a spiritual path, and he discusses how meditation and self-awareness have played a crucial role in helping him stay grounded and make better decisions. Towards the end of the episode, Mehmet and Ricardo explore the concept of entrepreneurship not being for everyone, with Ricardo offering thoughtful advice for those contemplating this path. He encourages listeners to reflect on their motivations, understand the sacrifices involved, and consider whether the entrepreneurial journey aligns with their personal goals and values. Ricardo’s book, Crash Course, aims to provide support and companionship to entrepreneurs, offering a perspective that is both practical and empathetic. He invites listeners to explore his book, which is available on Amazon, and to connect with him through his website and social media platforms. More about Ricardo: RICARDO JIMÉNEZ is a Puerto Rico- and Barcelona-based writer, entrepreneur and active angel investor. Since 2014, he has performed direct investments in over 30 tech projects, including the Ethereum token launch. Jiménez, who was born in Spain, holds an MBA from Duke and is fluent in Spanish, English and conversational Indonesian. He has traveled to 60 countries, visited the Seven Wonders of the World, spent six months at a meditation retreat in Uruguay, and he continues to spend several months every year in the Isha meditation center in Mexico. He enjoys kite surfing in Puerto Rico and motorbike riding the Texas back roads. He is a founder supporter of Yo Elijo, a not-for-profit that supports children and families in socio-economic stress in Colombia in choosing a different path in their lives. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Crash-Course/Ricardo-Jimenez/9781637632963 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardojimenezh/ 01:42 Ricardo's Journey to Entrepreneurship 04:40 Overcoming Fear of Failure 06:46 Emotional Resilience in Entrepreneurship 11:48 Financial Challenges and Lessons Learned 18:21 The Importance of Self-Awareness 34:08 Spiritual Path and Meditation Insights 37:32 Final Thoughts and Book Information

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we sit down with Walid Abou Ali, the CTO and Co-Founder of Places, a groundbreaking F&B discovery platform based in Dubai. Walid shares his unique journey from a 3D artist to a tech innovator in the MENA region, where he has channeled his passion for food and technology into creating a highly advanced search engine for the F&B industry. We dive deep into the challenges and triumphs of building a tech startup in Dubai, the importance of accurate data, and how Places is revolutionizing the way people discover dining experiences across the city. Walid also discusses the technical complexities of developing a robust search engine tailored to Dubai’s diverse culinary landscape and his approach to balancing innovation with practical business needs. He shares valuable insights on the future of F&B tech in the MENA region, offering advice for fellow CTOs on avoiding technical debt and scaling smartly. More about Walid: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walid-abou-ali-45680a43/ https://placesuae.com/ 01:11 Walid's Journey from 3D Artist to Software Engineer 03:24 Founding and Vision of Places 03:43 The Spark Behind Places 04:19 Building the Places App 05:22 Meeting Co-Founder Matthew Davidson 07:00 Challenges in Dubai's F&B Scene 08:05 Advanced Search Engine for Foodies 09:20 Data Accuracy and Engineering 13:44 Revenue Model and Business Strategy 19:43 Technical Challenges and Solutions 24:19 Combining AI and Traditional Search 24:56 Transparency in Episode Recording 25:13 The Gold Rush of AI 26:23 The Role of LLM in Software Engineering 28:54 Choosing the Right Technology 35:18 Scaling and Technical Debt 36:41 The Importance of DevOps 41:24 The Evolution of Startups in MENA 48:06 Future Expansion Plans 49:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of “The CTO Show with Mehmet,” we dive into the intricate dynamics between CTOs and CEOs, exploring how these relationships can make or break a startup’s success. Our guest, Hutton Henry, founder of Beyond M&A and a seasoned expert in due diligence, shares his valuable insights on how CTOs and CEOs can better align their goals, manage expectations, and overcome common challenges in high-pressure environments. Hutton discusses the importance of understanding the different speeds at which CTOs and CEOs operate, especially post-investment, when new pressures and expectations emerge. He emphasizes the need for effective communication and mutual understanding to prevent friction and ensure that both technical and business objectives are met. We also explore the role of due diligence in the startup journey, with Hutton providing an insider’s view of the process. He highlights the common pitfalls that startups encounter during due diligence, particularly in areas like cybersecurity and technology stack assessments. Hutton underscores the value of conducting due diligence early, even before seeking investment, to create a stronger, more resilient business. Throughout the conversation, Hutton offers practical advice for both CTOs and CEOs on how to navigate their partnership, optimize their collaboration, and prepare for the rigorous demands of due diligence. Whether you’re a founder, tech leader, or investor, this episode is packed with actionable insights that can help you steer your startup toward success. More about Hutton: https://linktr.ee/huttonhenry 01:10 Hutton Henry's Background and Expertise 02:09 Inspiration Behind Hutton's Career 04:34 Challenges in CEO-CTO Relationships 11:07 Investor's Role and Expectations 16:12 Transactional Analysis in Leadership 21:16 The Importance of Training in Tech 22:08 Balancing Speed and Quality in Product Development 23:46 Effective Communication Between CTOs and Founders 24:23 Introduction to Due Diligence 25:03 The Due Diligence Process Explained 27:18 Common Issues Found During Due Diligence 40:57 Advice for Founders and CTOs 42:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we are joined by Juliette Denny, a pioneer in the learning and development space and the driving force behind Growth Engineering and the newly launched Iridescent Technologies. Juliette shares her journey from founding Growth Engineering, a company that has been revolutionizing corporate learning for over 20 years, to her latest venture focused on AI-powered learning solutions. We delve into the evolution of learning technologies, particularly the role of gamification in making corporate training more engaging and effective. Juliette explains the difference between game-based learning and gamification, emphasizing how gaming mechanics like streaks, points, and leaderboards can significantly enhance the learning experience. The conversation then shifts to Zavmo AI, Iridescent Technologies’ innovative AI-driven learning companion set to launch soon. Juliette explains how Zavmo AI is designed to provide personalized learning experiences by understanding individual learner needs, behaviors, and preferences through a four-step process: Discover, Discuss, Deliver, and Demonstrate. This approach aims to break away from traditional one-size-fits-all education models, offering tailored learning paths that cater to each user’s unique learning style and goals. Juliette also touches on her upcoming book, The Learning Revolution, which explores the intersection of brain science, technology, and education, and how AI can be leveraged to create more effective and inclusive learning environments. Throughout the episode, Juliette’s passion for transforming education is evident, particularly her focus on making learning accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or learning challenges. She discusses her personal motivation, rooted in her own experiences with dyslexia, and how this has driven her to ensure that no one is left behind in the learning process. Juliette also offers her insights on the broader implications of AI in education and the entrepreneurial opportunities that this rapidly evolving field presents. Finally, Juliette shares her thoughts on the current landscape of AI applications, particularly the need for entrepreneurs to go beyond merely wrapping existing large language models in simple applications. She stresses the importance of solving real problems and creating impactful solutions that can truly make a difference in people’s lives. More about Juliette: https://www.growthengineering.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliettedenny/ https://iridescenttechnology.ai/ 01:05 Juliette Denny's Background and Career Journey 01:10 Growth Engineering and Learning Solutions 02:06 Introduction to Iridescent Technologies and Zavmo AI 02:56 The Learning Revolution Book 03:20 Challenges in Learning and Development 03:58 Juliette's Journey into Learning and Development 07:49 The Role of Gamification in Learning 10:50 Transitioning to AI-Powered Learning 16:27 The 4D Process of Personalized Learning 27:54 The Flexibility and Potential of AI 28:14 Guardrails and Learning Models in AI 29:13 AI's Role in Human Potential 29:50 Cost-Effective Education with Zavmo 30:31 Skepticism and Misconceptions about AI 32:01 Choosing the Right AI Tools 32:24 The Birth of Zavmo 33:37 Developing AI for Learning 36:01 The Future of AI in Education 37:27 Entrepreneurship in the Age of AI 38:09 The Economics of AI 39:46 Building Meaningful AI Applications 48:40 The Learning Revolution Book 51:40 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we are joined by John Horn, the CEO of StubGroup, a leading digital advertising agency. John shares his extensive experience in helping businesses navigate the complex world of digital advertising, with a particular focus on SaaS companies. We dive deep into the challenges SaaS companies face in a crowded marketplace and explore how they can effectively align their go-to-market strategies with digital marketing, especially through platforms like Google Ads. John emphasizes the importance of problem-oriented marketing, where understanding and addressing the specific pain points of potential customers is key. He discusses how Google Ads can be a powerful tool for scaling SaaS businesses, especially for targeting small businesses and individual users. The conversation also touches on the differences in strategies between B2B and B2C SaaS companies, with insights into how to effectively leverage platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn for B2B marketing. We also explore the critical role of data-driven decision-making in digital advertising. John provides practical advice on tracking key metrics and understanding the conversion patterns that drive successful campaigns. He also discusses the importance of giving AI-driven platforms like Google and Facebook accurate data to optimize ad targeting and performance. Additionally, John addresses the challenges of Google Ads account suspensions, a common issue that can significantly impact startups. He shares best practices for avoiding suspensions and the importance of seeking expert help to navigate the complexities of Google’s policies. Finally, John talks about his passion for teaching digital advertising to thousands of students and how he keeps his content relevant in a fast-changing industry. More about John: Joh is the CEO of StubGroup, a digital advertising agency, and Premier Google Partner. Google ranks him in the top 1% of all Google Partners worldwide for performance and customer care. StubGroup has generated over half a billion dollars in revenue for its clients across many different verticals, including B2B, B2C, SaaS, startups, and more. Stubgroup has also helped over 2000 clients across 15k campaigns with their paid ads and suspension issues.  https://stubgroup.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnjhorn1 01:06 John Horn's Background and StubGroup Overview 02:04 Digital Marketing Strategies for SaaS Companies 03:19 Problem-Oriented Marketing and Google Ads 05:29 B2B vs. B2C Marketing Strategies 08:32 Importance of Metrics and Data-Driven Marketing 12:25 Scalability and Challenges with Google Ads 15:29 Targeting and AI in Digital Marketing 19:14 Privacy Regulations and Retargeting 22:24 Google Ads Account Suspensions 26:04 Best Practices and Seeking Professional Help 30:00 John Horn's Passion for Teaching and Staying Updated

In this episode of “The CTO Show with Mehmet,” Mehmet Gonullu is joined by Andrew Sykes, a lifelong entrepreneur, professor at the Kellogg Sales Institute, and lead facilitator at Serene Life. Andrew shares his journey from South Africa to the United States, where he now calls Chicago home. With a rich portfolio career, Andrew discusses the diverse hats he wears—from founding “Habits at Work,” a company focused on helping leaders and salespeople develop magnetic habits, to teaching the fine art of entrepreneurial selling at one of the world’s top business schools. The conversation dives deep into the challenges and opportunities in sales, particularly focusing on the trust deficit that salespeople often face. Andrew highlights how sales professionals can transform this challenge into an opportunity by prioritizing authenticity, empathy, and a genuine commitment to serving their customers. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling as a powerful tool not only for sales but also for leadership. According to Andrew, effective storytelling allows entrepreneurs and leaders to build trust, connect emotionally with their audience, and inspire action. Andrew also discusses the concept of “entrepreneurial selling,” which he defines as the ability to sell and influence without the usual advantages of established brands, track records, or large budgets. He explains that this mindset is crucial for both startups looking to gain their first customers and for enterprise salespeople who want to excel in a competitive market. The episode also touches on Andrew’s innovative work with Serene Life, where he helps leaders unlock their full potential and become “unrecognizable to themselves” in all the best ways through intense, transformational experiences. As the episode concludes, Andrew leaves listeners with a powerful message about the role of voice and storytelling in creating the future. He encourages everyone to view their voice as an instrument of change and to use it wisely to build the reality they want to see. More About Andrew: https://www.andrewsykes.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewsykes1/ https://habitsatwork.com/ 01:14 Andrew Sykes' Background and Career Journey 03:23 The Importance of Trust in Sales 06:04 Challenges and Solutions in Building Trust 18:01 Mindsets and Habits for Effective Sales 28:38 The Power of Storytelling in Sales 29:55 The Three Pillars of Selling 30:45 The Power of Storytelling in Sales 32:06 Changing Minds: Facts vs. Stories 37:01 Authenticity in Sales 39:38 Entrepreneurial Selling Explained 43:25 Leadership and Sales: A Shared Skillset 44:55 The Magic Eight for Rapid Skill Development 50:04 Final Thoughts and Connecting with Andrew

In this episode of “The CTO Show with Mehmet,” we are joined by Benjamin Bohman, CTO and founder of Stratashield AI. With a rich background in technology spanning 25 years, Ben shares his unique journey from starting as an IT department head at 22 to founding his own AI company. He emphasizes that you don’t need to be a techie to succeed in technology, recounting his initial experience of not even owning a computer before diving into the tech world. Ben discusses the rapid evolution of AI and its impact on businesses. He notes that while AI has taken the world by storm over the past two years, many businesses are still not ready to fully adopt it. He explains that a significant reason for this hesitation is the lack of budget allocation for AI initiatives. Ben advises against rushing into AI adoption and stresses the importance of AI readiness, which begins with having clean, organized data. He highlights that messy and disparate data systems are a major hurdle for companies looking to implement AI effectively. Throughout the episode, Ben and Mehmet explore the misconceptions surrounding AI, particularly the belief that AI is either the Terminator or just a chatbot. Ben clarifies that AI’s potential lies in its ability to enhance business processes through data-driven insights and recommendations, rather than making decisions independently. He emphasizes the importance of having a clear business use case and return on investment (ROI) before implementing AI. The conversation delves into the ethical considerations and security risks associated with AI. Ben underscores the need for businesses to secure their data and ensure that AI systems are used responsibly. He shares insights on how companies can prepare for AI adoption by cleaning up their data lakes and ensuring proper categorization and sequencing of data. Ben also discusses the challenges and opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in leveraging AI. He advises SMBs to be cautious when selecting AI vendors, as many AI startups may not be around in a few years. He suggests focusing on secure and affordable AI solutions that allow businesses to own and control their data. The episode concludes with Ben’s vision for the future of AI in the workplace. He envisions AI acting as a co-pilot, handling mundane tasks and freeing up employees’ time for more complex and creative work. He highlights the potential for AI to transform call centers by handling routine inquiries and allowing human agents to focus on more challenging issues. More About Ben: Benjamin Bohman is the founder of Stratishield AI, with a career spanning over two decades in the technology arena, beginning with a transformative 13-year tenure as an IT leader at a global printing corporation. Here, he led the charge in implementing groundbreaking technologies that revolutionized flow and process-management for manufacturing. This foundation paved the way for his current role, where he channels his profound understanding of business operations and the potential of AI into Stratishield AI's mission. https://stratishield.ai/ 01:03 Ben Bohman's Background and Journey 03:21 AI in Business: Adoption and Readiness 08:50 Misconceptions and Use Cases of AI 15:59 AI for Small and Medium Businesses 20:39 The Future of AI and Ethical Considerations 40:44 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

In this episode of “The CTO Show with Mehmet,” our host, Mehmet, welcomes Rodolph Khlat, the co-founder of Smartr AI, a Dubai-based software development automation engine. Rodolph shares his fascinating journey from a young entrepreneur to a leader in AI-driven software development. He discusses the origins of Smartr AI, a company dedicated to making software development faster and more efficient through automation and artificial intelligence. Rodolph explains how he and his co-founder started as small developers fresh out of college, eventually discovering a unique technique that allowed them to deliver high-quality code in a fraction of the time. This discovery led to the creation of Smartr AI, a product designed to onboard junior developers and enable them to produce work at the level of senior developers. With Smartr AI, they have completed numerous projects across several countries, including partnerships with notable clients like Telus and the Dubai Corporate Games. Throughout the conversation, Rodolph highlights the challenges and feedback they’ve received from the developer community. He emphasizes the importance of non-intrusive integration into developers’ workflows and shares insights from their Beta program, which currently has 50 developers testing the product. He also touches on the broader market validation they’ve achieved and their plans for expanding Smartr AI’s capabilities. Mehmet and Rodolph delve into the differentiation between Smartr AI and other low-code/no-code platforms. Rodolph explains that while low-code/no-code solutions cater to non-technical users, Smartr AI is designed for actual developers, offering deeper customization and avoiding vendor lock-in. They discuss the potential for AI to assist, but not replace, human developers, envisioning a future where AI handles repetitive tasks, allowing developers to focus on more complex and creative aspects of coding. The discussion also covers the entrepreneurial landscape in Dubai and the wider MENA region. Rodolph praises Dubai’s supportive environment for startups, citing its streamlined processes and focus on eliminating bureaucratic noise, which allows entrepreneurs to concentrate on building and scaling their businesses. Mehmet echoes this sentiment, noting the growing interest from international founders looking to move to Dubai for its favorable business climate. More about Rodolph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khlat/ 01:13 Guest Background and Startup Journey 01:56 Challenges and Solutions in Software Development 04:40 Market Validation and Feedback 07:01 Automation and AI in Software Development 10:07 Low Code vs. Smartr AI 16:16 AI's Role in Software Development 20:46 Smartr AI for Non-Technical Users 31:30 Entrepreneurial Landscape in Dubai 34:57 Final Advice and Closing Remarks

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we are joined by Shehab Beram, the founder of VisionX, the first personal branding studio for product leaders.  Shehab shares his extensive journey from Malaysia to Istanbul, discussing his roles and experiences across various companies like Qawafel, Taker, and Mrsool. He provides insights into his work managing products and emphasizing the importance of personal branding for product leaders. Shehab delves into the core responsibilities and challenges of product management in the MENA region, highlighting the evolving landscape and the need for a shift from a sales-driven to a value-driven mindset. He explains his approach to problem discovery, solution ideation, and the art of launching products effectively. Shehab also touches on the significance of product marketing management and its critical role in successful product launches. The conversation shifts to the cultural aspects of product management in the MENA region, where Shehab underscores the need for better understanding and adoption of the product manager’s role beyond just shipping features. He stresses the importance of being user-centric and leveraging data to make informed decisions. The discussion also covers the balance between product-led and sales-led growth, with Shehab providing practical examples from his experience. Mehmet and Shehab explore the broader startup ecosystem in the MENA region, contemplating its potential to compete with global hubs like Silicon Valley. Shehab believes that the region has immense potential but needs to adopt a global mindset to scale successfully. He encourages founders to think beyond local markets and strive for global impact. Shehab also shares his thoughts on the role of AI in product management, advising against integrating AI for the sake of it and emphasizing the need to solve real customer problems. He concludes by encouraging product managers to be proactive in competitive analysis, not just to replicate competitors but to innovate and add true value to their customers. More about Shehab: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shehab-beram https://www.shehabberam.com 01:06 Shehab Beram's Professional Journey 06:31 Product Management in the MENA Region 09:07 Challenges and Strategies in Product Management 22:05 Product-Led vs. Sales-Led Growth 30:52 The Role of Competitive Analysis 35:23 Adopting AI in Product Management 42:50 Global Thinking for MENA Startups 49:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

n this episode of “The CTO Show with Mehmet,” we are joined by Eoghan O’Donnell, the Chief Innovation Officer at Innovecs. Eoghan takes us through his extensive journey in the tech industry, starting from his early days in Ireland with Symantec, where he worked on the Norton antivirus suite, to his roles at McAfee and Amazon. He shares his experiences of moving across continents, living in Ukraine, and ultimately settling in Australia for family reasons while continuing to work for Innovecs. Eoghan discusses the evolving role of innovation in today’s business landscape, highlighting the increasing importance of Chief Innovation Officers and Chief AI Officers, especially in forward-thinking cities like Dubai. He explains how innovation isn’t just about creating new technologies but also about leveraging existing ones in novel ways to solve problems across various industries, including health tech, clean tech, gaming, and supply chain management. A significant portion of the conversation delves into AI and its transformative potential. Eoghan shares his insights on how AI is reshaping customer experiences, particularly in the consumer goods sector, with personalized shopping experiences and advanced data analytics. He also touches on the challenges businesses face when integrating AI into their operations, emphasizing the importance of understanding and managing data, having access to the right technologies, and possessing the necessary expertise. Eoghan also explores the exciting advancements in the Internet of Things (IoT) and its impact on various industries. He explains how IoT is driving efficiencies, creating new business models, and seamlessly connecting the physical and digital worlds. The discussion covers smart manufacturing, connected logistics, and the concept of digital twins, which use sensor data to predict and prevent equipment failures. The episode also covers the intersection of AI and gaming, where Eoghan highlights innovations such as automated game testing, personalized gaming experiences, and AI-generated game assets. He explains how AI is enhancing the gaming industry by learning from player behaviors and making games more engaging and challenging. More about Eoghan:  Eoghan O’Donnell has over two decades of experience in the software development industry, having worked at Symantec Corporation, McAfee, and, most recently, Amazon. Eoghan has a proven track record in fostering innovation, leading his teams to develop software solutions that enhance UX and efficiency.  As a Chief Innovation Officer, Eoghan embraces new technologies and services, harnesses AI, recognizes industry trends, and fosters innovation, leading to significant organizational growth and client satisfaction. https://innovecs.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/eoghan-o-2687213/ 01:04 Eoghan's Career Journey 03:06 Role of Chief Innovation Officer 04:57 Innovation and AI in Business 07:43 AI in Consumer Industries 12:06 Challenges in Implementing AI 16:26 The Future of IoT 21:47 Autonomous Vehicles and Robotics 26:35 AI in the Gaming Industry 34:44 Outsourcing and Compliance in Tech 38:36 Final Thoughts and Contact Information