The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu

In this inspiring episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, I sit down with Ahmed Mahmoud (Founder & CEO) and Ahmed Elshahawy (CTO) of DXwand, a MENA-born AI startup reshaping how businesses unlock growth with generative AI, knowledge mining, and document intelligence.The conversation takes you through their courageous leap from successful corporate careers (Microsoft, IBM, EY) into the startup trenches, the reality of building a tech company in emerging markets, the transformative impact of generative AI, and their ambitious expansion from the MENA region to global markets like the U.S. and U.K.If you’re passionate about startups, AI innovation, or scaling tech businesses across borders, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Key Takeaways: • Why pivoting early is critical for startup survival (and success) • How the MENA region’s linguistic and cultural diversity shapes AI development • The real-world business challenges generative AI can (and cannot) solve • Building AI solutions that balance innovation, hallucination control, and data privacy • Why document intelligence and knowledge mining are the new frontier • Lessons on leading tech teams and driving innovation beyond the buzz • How DXwand cracked the formula to serve SMBs with advanced AI • The mindset required to jump from corporate life into true entrepreneurship⸻What You Will Learn: • How GenAI unlocked new growth opportunities in enterprise and SMB sectors • Why combining structured and unstructured data is reshaping data analysis • Practical insights into deploying AI in highly regulated industries • Why agent tech is exciting — but not a silver bullet for every problem • The power of resilience, grit, and passion in startup success stories from emerging marketsAbout the Guests:Ahmed Mahmoud is the Founder and CEO of DXwand. With over two decades of experience in technology and enterprise sales, including leadership roles at Microsoft, Ahmed transitioned from a successful corporate career to build one of the region’s leading AI companies. He is passionate about using AI to empower businesses of all sizes and believes in creating meaningful, lasting impact through technology.Ahmed Elshahawy is the CTO of DXwand. An experienced technology leader, Ahmed has a rich background in solution architecture, delivery management, and data analytics, having worked at global organizations like IBM, EY, and various startups across Egypt and Malaysia. At DXwand, he leads the technical strategy, focusing on generative AI, knowledge mining, and enterprise AI adoption, driving innovation in emerging markets and beyond.https://dxwand.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmedmmohammed/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashahawy/Episode Highlights:[00:02:00] - Founders’ backstory: From Microsoft and IBM to DXwand[00:05:00] - Identifying a major gap: Arabic language and regional AI support[00:08:00] - Pivoting into generative AI and knowledge mining[00:13:00] - Early business wins: Serving financial services and trading platforms[00:19:00] - Moving beyond chatbots: Document intelligence and compliance solutions[00:22:00] - Tackling multilingual and multi-dialect challenges[00:25:00] - How GenAI changed data analysis forever[00:30:00] - Addressing hallucination, security, and enterprise adoption[00:37:00] - Real talk on agent tech: Separating hype from real-world value[00:40:00] - DXwand’s global expansion strategy and new mid-market offerings[00:43:00] - Honest reflections on entrepreneurship: Courage, risk, and fulfillment

Tim O’Hearn, a software engineer and author known for his book, Framed: A Villain’s Perspective on Social Media, shares insights from his experience as a former black-hat growth engineer. He reveals the hidden mechanisms behind social media addiction and how algorithms manipulate users for profit. O’Hearn discusses the blurred lines between ethical marketing and exploitation, the impact of social media on youth, and offers practical advice for healthier digital habits. This conversation shifts the paradigm on how we view online interactions and engagement.

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive into the unique intersection of venture capital, healthcare innovation, and frontier tech with Cameron Sabet, a Georgetown medical student and Principal at Multifaceted Capital. Cameron shares his unconventional path from academia to venture capital, and how he evaluates startups through both a clinical and investor lens.From AI-powered health tools to biotech innovation in space, this episode explores what it takes to build and back the next wave of MedTech startups.💡 Key Takeaways • Why domain expertise is critical in healthcare startups • Cameron’s 3 red flags that kill MedTech deals before they start • The rise of AI-driven patient intake systems • Why the future of medicine might be built… in space • How founders can get VC attention—with or without early revenue⸻🎓 What You’ll Learn • How Cameron balances being a med student and VC investor • How to assess healthtech traction when clinical trials take years • The strategic importance of your board composition • How grants, institutional backing, and timing can replace seed funding👤 About the GuestCameron Sabet is a U.S.-based medical student, VC investor, angel backer of Y Combinator startups, and advisor to early-stage healthtech ventures. At Multifaceted Capital, he backs high-potential founders with a bias toward deep domain understanding and global scalability.https://www.cameronsabet.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-sabet-178079250/⏱️ Episode Highlights 00:00 – Intro and Cameron’s background03:00 – From Georgetown to VC: Why Cameron got into investing07:00 – What defines a good healthtech investment thesis10:30 – The 3 biggest red flags in early-stage MedTech15:00 – How founders should pitch health investors17:00 – Moats, speed, and defensibility in an AI-driven world21:00 – Can AI close the healthcare knowledge gap?25:00 – Cancer care in Africa and AI in low-resource settings27:00 – Why space is the next frontier in biotech30:00 – Regrets, missed startups, and lessons learned33:00 – What traction really looks like in healthcare36:00 – Non-traditional paths to early-stage MedTech funding40:00 – Final advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in healthcare

In this deeply reflective episode, Mehmet welcomes futurist, bestselling author, and technologist Sam Rad to explore how we navigate—and thrive—in a world reshaped by exponential tech. From AI and quantum computing to deepfakes and biotech, this conversation is less about predicting the future and more about reclaiming what it means to be human.🔑 Key Takeaways • Why acceleration, not just change, defines this tech era • How to surf the wave of AI, quantum, and biotech without losing your sense of self • The importance of deprogramming from outdated operating systems • What “post-human” really means—and why reconnection is the key • Sam’s own experience with building a deepfake of herself • A powerful reminder: Purpose is your protection in uncertain times⸻📘 What You’ll Learn • What’s driving the current “age of acceleration” • How to build mental and emotional resilience as a founder or leader • The role of spirituality and introspection in shaping your path • How emerging technologies may force a radical rethink of work, identity, and meaning • Whether Universal Basic Income is a solution or a patch👤 About Sam RadSam Rad (Samantha Radocchia) is a lifelong student of humanity—futurist, anthropologist, and creative technologist—a four-time technology entrepreneur, and the founder of themeta-media storytelling studio Radical Next. Sam has shared stories of radical change with global audiences on stages across five continents—empowering individuals, leaders,and organizations not only to survive but to thrive amid radical and accelerating change.Her work has led to advisory roles with the United Nations, the World Economic Forum, and the Federal Reserve, among others.She has served in multiple founding executive roles across the C-Suite, including co-founder of NYOUM, a London-based generative AI communication platform, and Chronicled, a San Francisco-based blockchain company bringing trust to global commerce. Prior to Chronicled, Sam founded two companies leveraging AI to map personal aesthetics and taste.She holds a dual bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, English Literature, and Linguistics from Colgate University, a master’s degree from New York University in Game Design and Social Analysis of Technology, and several patents linking the physical and digital worlds. She is considered a pioneer in extended reality (XR), simulation design, applied cryptography, blockchain systems, artificial intelligence, and natural language processing.Sam’s work has been featured in Newsweek, Fast Company, and Forbes, where she previously wrote as a contributor. She was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 List for Enterprise Technology and is also the author of the bestselling book: Bitcoin Pizza: The No-Bullshit Guide to Blockchain.Sam is a citizen of the world and is most often found people-watching somewhere between a Brooklyn coffee shop, South American rainforest, London’s West End, or some undisclosed off-grid location.https://sam-rad.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantharadocchia/⏱️ Episode Chapters00:00 – Intro & Sam’s background03:00 – Living on the edge of emerging tech06:00 – The Age of Acceleration explained09:00 – Deepfakes, cognition, and digital identity14:00 – Are we ready for what’s coming?17:00 – Learning to surf change22:00 – The post-human dilemma28:00 – Reprogramming vs. resisting33:00 – Future of work, economics & Universal Basic Income39:00 – Spirituality, purpose & thriving in the now49:00 – What “radical” really means52:00 – Final thoughts & optimism

In this thought-provoking episode, Mehmet sits down with Joel Quintela, a business psychologist and former computer systems engineer, to break down the biggest hiring blind spots—and how to fix them. Joel shares how psychology, structured assessments, and poker strategies can help founders and leaders hire better, retain top talent, and create winning teams.You’ll learn how to go beyond gut feel and “culture fit” into something more predictive—and scalable.🎯 Key Takeaways • Why bad hires hurt startups more than big companies • How to identify and avoid founder blind spots when hiring • The difference between person-job fit and person-environment fit • The P.O.K.E.R. framework to align perception with reality • Why most roleplays and interviews fail to predict success • The hidden cost of complexity in HR tech and candidate experience • Why founders often think they’re good at hiring—but aren’t⸻🧠 What You’ll Learn • How structured job profiling can reduce attrition • How to assess motivation fit in early interviews • What data-driven hiring looks like at scale • Why simplicity and clarity matter more than AI in talent tech • The link between self-awareness and high performance👤 About Joel QuintelaJoel Quintela is the founder and CEO of Quintela Group LLC, a minority-owned business enterprise specializing in HR technology solutions. With over 25 years of experience in HR assessment technology and 15 years as an entrepreneur, Joel has worked with numerous Fortune 500 clients to improve their hiring processes.https://quintela.io/https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelquintela/🕒 Episode Highlights (Timestamps)00:00 – Intro & Joel’s background03:45 – Why gut feeling fails in hiring07:00 – The impact of a bad hire on startups10:20 – Common founder blind spots13:45 – Job profiling: the missing step in hiring16:50 – Role plays, assessments, and triangulation22:10 – Culture fit vs real environmental fit28:00 – Complexity kills: The UI/UX trap in HR tech34:30 – The P.O.K.E.R. Framework: From perception to reality47:00 – Final thoughts on performance, mindset, and human behavior

🔍 Episode OverviewIn this episode, Mehmet sits down with Lucas Lovell, VP of Product at Paddle, to unpack the powerful yet often overlooked role of payments in SaaS growth. From navigating tax compliance and pricing localization to optimizing for global expansion, Lucas shares product leadership insights and the future of billing in an AI-powered world.Whether you’re a founder scaling globally or a product leader aiming to boost efficiency, this episode delivers practical frameworks and forward-thinking strategies.📌 Key Takeaways • What the Merchant of Record model really is—and why it matters • How Paddle handles tax, compliance, and fraud so SaaS companies can scale • Why localized pricing and payment methods impact conversion • The power of web-first flows for mobile apps to bypass app store fees • Using your payments platform as a strategic GTM and growth tool • How AI will shape the future of subscription billing and product design • What founders should prepare before an exit or fundraising round⸻🎧 What You’ll Learn • How to enter new markets without spinning up new entities • Tactical ways to increase revenue through smarter payment setups • Why usage-based pricing is gaining momentum across SaaS • How Paddle supports product teams through compliance shifts and AI tools • Real trends from global SaaS markets—from MENA to India and Southeast Asia👤 About Lucas LovellLucas Lovell is currently VP of Product a Paddle, a payments infrastructure company for digital software companies. Prior to that, Lucas was Founder of an early stage SaaS startup in the travel & hospitality space, that he launched in Australia out of Law School. He was a laureate of the French Tech Ticket Program, and grew the startup in Paris & across Europe before joining Paddle in 2021.His experience in technology is firmly at the intersection of SaaS & fintech, which is the primary problem space he explores day-in day-out at Paddle. Outside of work, Lucas is a keen runner & skier, and loves both the outdoors & exploring his now home city of London.https://www.paddle.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucaslovell/🕒 Episode Highlights (Timestamps)00:00 – Intro and Lucas’s journey from law to SaaS founder to VP Product04:00 – Explaining the Merchant of Record model07:00 – How Paddle enables localized payment methods09:30 – Product complexity at the intersection of tax, compliance, and UX14:30 – Pricing localization strategies and regional purchasing power21:00 – Web-first flows vs. App Store dependency26:00 – How payments impact exit valuations and due diligence31:00 – AI’s role in billing, usage-based models, and future product trends36:00 – Emerging SaaS GTM playbooks and community-led growth40:00 – Regional SaaS trends: India, Singapore, and beyond42:00 – Where to connect with Lucas and learn more about Paddle

In this high-impact episode, Mehmet sits down with Jess Schultz, a fractional CRO/CMO and angel investor, to unpack what truly drives early-stage startup success. From the importance of founder-led sales to building a go-to-market (GTM) motion that actually works, Jess shares practical advice that bridges theory and execution.Whether you’re a technical founder hesitant to sell, or an early-stage investor looking for better GTM signals, this episode delivers actionable insights grounded in Jess’s experience as both a growth operator and former VC.🎯 What You’ll Learn • Why founder-led sales is non-negotiable in the early stages • How to know when to hire your first sales rep or fractional GTM leader • The signs of early product-market fit (it’s not just ARR) • How to segment and prioritize ideal customer profiles • Why building a personal brand as a founder accelerates GTM • The truth about outbound vs. inbound in 2025—and how AI is changing both • What metrics actually matter before you hit $10M ARR⸻🧠 Key Takeaways • Founder-market fit and coachability matter as much as traction to early investors • The founder should drive top-of-funnel AND be the closer—until it’s time to slowly step back • Thoughtful positioning and audience-building beats ad spend in early GTM • Outbound still works, but only when highly personalized (and not AI-written)👤 About Jess SchultzJess Schultz brings a rare blend of experience across capital markets, SaaS sales, venture capital, and now entrepreneurship—giving her a sharp, forward-looking perspective on business growth and market dynamics.At Amplify Group, Jess helps startups master go-to-market strategy and navigate the transition from founder-led sales to scalable growth. Her hands-on work has driven 150–590% YoY revenue growth for her clients.Beyond her role as a fractional CRO/CMO, Jess is a thought leader and brand builder—for both herself and the startups she advises. Her passion for sharing practical insights and demystifying growth strategy makes her an engaging and highly impactful guest.https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicatschultz/https://www.amplifyscales.com/ ⏱️ Episode Highlights00:00 – Intro and Jess’s background03:00 – Why she became a fractional CRO/CMO05:00 – Why founder-led sales always comes first10:00 – Common mistakes founders make when selling13:00 – The power of founder-led content & brand18:00 – Knowing when you’ve hit product-market fit21:00 – When (and how) to hire your first sales rep24:00 – Metrics that really matter under $10M ARR29:00 – What’s changed in outbound and AI’s role in GTM34:00 – The case for consistent marketing, not just campaigns39:00 – How Jess evaluates startups as an angel44:00 – Fundraising readiness tips from a former VC47:00 – Final advice + where to follow Jess

🔍 Episode OverviewIn this forward-looking conversation, Mehmet welcomes Colin Fitzpatrick, founder of Griffin AI and long-time tech leader, to unpack the convergence of artificial intelligence, Web3, and robotics. From “vibe coding” and AI agents to programmable avatars and robotic personal assistants, Colin paints a vision of a world being reshaped by exponential technology. They also explore how AI will democratize software development, disrupt work as we know it, and create massive opportunity.📌 Key Takeaways • Why we haven’t seen the true “ChatGPT moment” yet—and what’s coming next • What “vibe coding” is and how it’s revolutionizing app development • Why AI won’t replace developers—but will change who builds software • How AI agents are solving onboarding and usability issues in Web3 • How AI and Web3 are becoming a “happy marriage” of complementary technologies • What robotics breakthroughs (like Figure and Gemini for Robotics) mean for your everyday life • Why tech-savvy founders will use AI agents as a competitive edge • How to future-proof yourself and your company in the AI age⸻🎧 What You’ll Learn • The role of AI agents in automating complex, goal-oriented tasks • The current limitations of AI coding tools—and why they’re about to disappear • How AI and robotics together will reshape daily life and physical labor • The rise of deep research tools and personalized AI assistants • Why knowing how to use AI tools will become a fundamental job skill👤 About the GuestColin Fitzpatrick is a tech entrepreneur and futurist based in Dubai. With a career spanning Oracle, Salesforce, and HubSpot, he founded a metaverse/NFT venture and now leads Griffin AI, a platform enabling autonomous AI agents for Web3 applications. He is a vocal thought leader on LinkedIn covering emerging tech, AI, and the future of work.https://www.griffinai.io/https://www.linkedin.com/in/colly/🕒 Episode Highlights & Timestamps0:00 – Intro and Colin’s journey from enterprise software to Web32:00 – How ChatGPT changed everything for Colin4:30 – The rise of AI agents and the next “GPT moment”6:45 – Vibe coding: Coding apps just by describing them10:00 – From hobbyist tools to startup MVPs: what’s possible today14:00 – How Griffin AI is building agents for Web3 wallets and dApps18:30 – The difference between bots and true AI agents21:00 – How AI will automate personal and business workflows26:00 – Using AI to explore meme coins and analyze trends29:00 – Deep Seek, Grok, and Google’s edge with Gemini33:00 – Robotics breakthroughs: Figure, Sora, Gemini for Robotics38:00 – The future of AI-embodied robots in everyday life43:00 – Preparing for the AI-driven job market45:30 – Why AI has to become more human and contextual48:00 – Personal AI personalities and voice assistants50:00 – Final advice: How to stay ahead in the AI age

In this mind-expanding episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, futurist investor and international entrepreneur Steven Zeller joins us to explore the cutting edge of human advancement through technology. From genetic engineering and health tech breakthroughs to brain-computer interfaces, quantum computing, and the philosophical questions of immortality, Steven shares a vision of the near future that is as inspiring as it is disruptive.Whether you’re a tech founder, startup enthusiast, or future-focused investor, this episode is packed with next-level insights.🔑 Key Takeaways • Why AI is only the beginning—and how quantum computing will unlock true superintelligence • How CRISPR and AI are merging to rewrite human biology and potentially eradicate cancer • The race to build ethical and non-invasive brain-computer interfaces • The philosophical and economic implications of human pseudo-immortality • Why repetitive jobs must be automated—and how it will free humanity for higher pursuits • The bold case for optimism in the face of exponential technological change📚 What You’ll Learn • The state of AI-powered genetic engineering in 2025 • Cutting-edge examples of non-invasive neurotech • The case for investing in humanity’s long-term future • Steven’s framework for evaluating high-impact, long-horizon tech investments • Why fear of innovation is outdated—and how to embrace what’s next👤 About the GuestSteven Zeller is an international entrepreneur and investor focused on frontier technologies such as AI, quantum computing, longevity, and neurotech. His mission is to help accelerate humanity into a prosperous future by backing innovations that have profound societal impact.http://linkedin.com/in/steven-zeller-b05664100⏱️ Episode Highlights (Timestamps) • [00:01:00] Steven’s background and his mission to accelerate humanity • [00:05:00] Health tech, AI, and the dawn of engineered longevity • [00:13:00] The reality of brain-computer interfaces today • [00:20:00] The rise of non-invasive neurotech and its commercial future • [00:26:00] Quantum computing breakthroughs and what’s next • [00:33:00] Why we need quantum to achieve superintelligence • [00:38:00] Investing with a long-term vision vs. short-term ROI • [00:44:00] The future of work: replacing repetitive jobs with human creativity • [00:47:00] Final thoughts: hope, harmony, and embracing innovation

In this episode, Mehmet sits down with Srini Parthasarathy, CTO of Shardeum, a Layer 1 EVM-compatible blockchain that’s rewriting the rules of scalability, decentralization, and transaction efficiency. Srini shares his journey from building NFT platforms and working at AWS to leading a project that’s tackling the blockchain trilemma head-on.Whether you’re a developer, founder, or Web3 investor, this episode breaks down what makes Shardeum different—and why it could shape the future of blockchain infrastructure.💡 What You’ll Learn • The core problems with today’s blockchains (scalability, gas fees, decentralization) • How Shardeum uses dynamic state sharding and transaction-level consensus • Why Shardeum is developer-friendly and EVM-compatible • Srini’s thoughts on the intersection of AI and blockchain • What it takes to transition into Web3 as a tech leader or developer⸻🔑 Key Takeaways • Shardeum dynamically scales by increasing the number of “shards” as usage grows. • Unlike traditional blockchains, consensus is achieved per transaction—not per block. • This design enables low, predictable gas fees, even during high demand. • The network becomes more decentralized as it scales. • Shardeum is fully open-source and developer-friendly.👤 About the GuestSrini Parthasarathy is the Chief Technology Officer at Shardeum, a dynamic state-sharded blockchain offering linear scalability, low gas fees, and robust decentralization. Srini’s career includes leadership roles at Silks, DraftKings, and AWS, and he brings decades of experience in distributed systems and blockchain innovation.http://shardeum.org/https://www.linkedin.com/in/svasan/⏱️ Episode Highlights • [00:02:00] Srini’s background in blockchain gaming and infrastructure • [00:05:00] Explaining Shardeum with the spreadsheet analogy • [00:08:00] What makes Shardeum’s dynamic state sharding unique • [00:12:00] How Shardeum benefits both users and developers • [00:14:00] Shardeum’s Proof of Quorum and security model • [00:18:00] Open source philosophy and transparency at Shardeum • [00:20:00] Srini’s take on the synergy between AI and blockchain • [00:25:00] Advice for tech leaders transitioning into blockchain • [00:28:00] Final reflections and where to follow Srini and Shardeum