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Conversations with a range of business owners from across the globe that discuss the challenges, triumphs and failures that are faced when trying to build and grow a business. In addition we talk about the latest trends in tech and generally anything we feel is relevant for today's tech and busine…

Business Podcasts by Atom Ventures


    • Jul 30, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 28m AVG DURATION
    • 282 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Atom Venture Podcasts

    RWE: What do you really need to worry about when starting a business?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2026 31:04


    In this episode of Real World Entrepreneurship, Bhairav and Alan dig into a question every business owner wrestles with: what's actually worth worrying about? Between cash flow, co-founders, market reception and the things you genuinely cannot see coming, it's easy to spend energy in the wrong places. Alan and Bhairav talk through how they've each dealt with the unexpected over the years, including a deeply personal story from Alan about a cancer diagnosis that tested everything he believed about planning and control. What You Will Learn From Listening - A simple test for deciding whether something is actually worth worrying about - Why detailed planning gives a false sense of control, and why that's not actually a problem - The difference between risks worth preparing for and risks not worth the effort - How COVID exposed which businesses could adapt and which couldn't - Why Eisenhower's two quotes on planning are more useful than any risk register - How Bhairav's experience selling Atom challenged his own assumptions about strategy - Why founders should run a “hit by a bus” scenario on themselves, not just key staff - Alan's personal account of being diagnosed with cancer two weeks after buying a company - What the “trough of disillusionment” is and why it hits most founders around six months in - How to tell the difference between problems worth carrying yourself and problems you can hand off

    The Loneliness Economy: London vs The Valley

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2026 37:08


    **About This Episode** Bhairav sits down with Ramit Mehta, founder of Commfy, a community marketplace app connecting individuals, organisers, venues and brands. Ramit shares his journey from Mumbai to Silicon Valley to London, why he left the US behind, and the thinking behind building a platform to fight rising loneliness and the disappearance of "third places." **What We Cover** - Ramit's winding career path: engineering at BITS Pilani, a master's at Duke, years in Silicon Valley business strategy and ops roles, including launching a gaming brand and doing Twitch talent work - Why he left the Bay Area for London: layoffs, US green card wait times, family, and health - Comparing work culture and diversity between Silicon Valley and London - The idea behind Commfy: a marketplace for real-life communities, built on co-creation and asset-based community development principles - The closure of youth centres and libraries in the UK, and what that means for community spaces - How Commfy plans to work with community organisers, venues, and brands - Ramit's advice to his younger self on anxiety, perfectionism, and self-acceptance **Key Takeaways** - Integration is not just about language. It's about finding your niche and your people, wherever you land. - Loneliness has been described as an epidemic, and shrinking "third places" (neither home nor work) are a big part of why. - Building community isn't just about ticketing or chat apps. It's about giving organisers real support and rewarding participation. - Being an immigrant twice shaped Ramit's thinking about what makes people feel like they belong somewhere. **Links** - Commfy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/commfy/ - Find Ramit Mehta on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramitmehta/

    Find Joy in the Process - Ramit Mehta Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2026 4:54


    This is the trailer to the main event, this week's guest is Ramit Mehta, the founder of Commfy https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramitmehta

    LLMs are the most overrated part of AI - Sanjay Rakshit

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2026 38:45


    About This Episode Bhairav sits down with Sanjay Rakshit, now at Poppulo, for his third or fourth appearance on the show. The conversation was sparked by a quote Sanjay gave at DSE (the digital signage industry event run by Invidis): "LLMs are the most overrated part of AI." They unpack what that actually means, and dig into agents, agentic systems, context engineering, data fidelity, AGI, robotics, and the future of engineering jobs. What We Cover - What Sanjay meant by his "LLMs are overrated" quote, and the DSE event where he said it - The difference between an agent and a chatbot: agency, planning, and achieving an outcome versus reactive output - Where LLMs actually fit inside an agentic system (as one tool among many) - Why context engineering, not the LLM call, is where most of the real work happens - Data fidelity versus data quality, and why it matters more than raw data volume - The mathematics underpinning AI, and why understanding first principles beats following influencers - Quantum computing's potential impact on AI going forward - AI, jobs, and the "power tools" analogy for engineering productivity - Sanjay's take on AGI, and why he remains sceptical - Robotics versus AGI, and his work with the Bayes Institute in Scotland Key Takeaways - An agent is any entity that can think, plan, and act to achieve an outcome; a chatbot just responds - Roughly 70% of agentic system work is context generation and systems engineering, not the LLM call itself - Data fidelity (relevance to the use case) matters more than raw data quality - AGI scepticism rests on the argument that the brain's capacity may be too vast to model - AI is compressing the mechanical effort of coding, freeing engineers to focus on solving the actual problem Links Connect with Sanjay Rakshit on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjay-rakshit/

    Understand the Fundamentals - 5 Questions with Sanjay Rakshit

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2026 3:54


    Sanjay is back! But this time he answers the famous five questions... https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjay-rakshit/

    Position Alone Doesn't Give You Authority with Mateo Bervejillo

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2026 49:26


    Guest: Mateo Bervejillo, CEO of Xseed and author of Back to Basics Mateo started his career as an attorney in Uruguay before moving into outsourcing operations, growing into VP-level roles leading teams across the US, Uruguay and India, and eventually becoming CEO of Xseed, a LATAM software talent company he helped grow from five people to a hundred. He has spent two decades in the gap between being good at a job and being good at leading people who do that job. What we cover in this episode The conversation covers what actually happens when you get promoted into leadership for the first time, and why the skills that earned you the role are rarely the ones the role requires. We talk about inheriting teams versus building them, the mistake of leading by authority rather than trust, why scaling a business means changing how you work rather than just working more, and how to tell whether you are actually succeeding as a leader. Key topics and timestamps [00:02] Why a legal background can become a "business prevention syndrome" and how to get past it [08:00] The transition from corporate to entrepreneurship, and losing the fear of rejection [11:00] Building a network before you need it: your 20s, 30s and 40s [14:45] The book: what nobody tells you when they give you a team [19:50] Inheriting a team, taking it slowly, and giving people the right chance [22:30] Leading by authority versus leading by alignment [26:45] Building a team from scratch, cultural fit, and hiring for the stage you are actually at [29:00] Why unconscious bias in hiring is unavoidable, and how to design around it [33:50] Scaling and the player-coach problem: when letting go of the work feels like not working [41:00] Leadership myths: you are on camera constantly, and the little things matter more than you think [45:50] How to know if it is actually working: results, attrition and growth [48:00] Advice to his younger self: network outside the company, and start early Mentioned in this episode Back to Basics: Bridging the Gap Between Expectations and Preparation for the Leader Role by Mateo Bervejillo, available on Amazon in Kindle, paperback and hardcover. Also at www.xseed.com.uy/back-to-basics-book First Break All the Rules by Gallup (on employee motivation and engagement) Connect with Mateo Company: www.xseed.com.uy LinkedIn: search Mateo Bervejillo Email: mateobervejillo@gmail.com The Atom CTO Podcast is hosted by Bhairav Patel. New episodes cover technology, entrepreneurship and the people building things that matter. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

    Prepare for an emotional rollercoaster - Mateo Bervejillo Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2026 2:50


    This week's guest is Mateo Bervejilo - CEO of Exceed Solutions, who will be answering the famous 5 questions

    Vibe Coding and Real World Problems: Why AI Still Needs a CTO

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2026 44:34


    # Show Notes: Vibe Coding and Real World Problems: Why AI Still Needs a CTO **Guest:** Anuraag Jain, CTO, Executive Coach and Author **Website:** [growthvariable.com](https://www.growthvariable.com) **LinkedIn:** [Anuraag Jain](https://www.linkedin.com/in/anuraagjain) --- ## About This Episode Anuraag Jain is a 30-year tech industry veteran who started as an Oracle DBA in India without an engineering degree and became a CTO in under nine years. He was the first developer hired at Betfair, where he built the betting exchange engine behind one of the era's biggest fintech IPOs, and served as CTO at The Hut Group (THG) during their run as the UK's fastest-growing tech company. In this episode, Bhairav and Anuraag talk honestly about vibe coding: what it can do, where it breaks down, and why thirty years of building things under pressure still matters in an AI-assisted world. --- ## What We Cover - How two non-traditional hires found their way into tech and why that background shaped how they build - The early days at Betfair: manual bet settlement, shoestring infrastructure, and recovering 36 hours of betting data from server log files at 2am - What scaling really means when you have no safety net - The 80/20 rule for vibe coding: what AI handles well and what still requires human judgment - Security blind spots in AI-generated code and why even experienced engineers get caught out - The hidden cost of running AI tooling against a large code base - Repo to Pitch: the open source tool that turns a code base into a full pitch deck and documentation suite - RepoWatch: how to track exactly what AI has changed in your code, commit by commit - *Prompt Engineering the Subconscious*: the book that connects AI prompting to mindset and reached the UK top 50 - What the fractional CTO market actually looks like right now, and the three types operating in it - Practical advice for anyone trying to break into tech or move toward a CTO role today --- ## Key Takeaways - AI can handle roughly 80% of what used to require a developer. The remaining 20% is the domain logic that requires someone who actually understands the problem. - The AI does not know which parts of your code cannot be touched. Unless you tell it, it will modify anything, and you may not notice until something breaks. - Vibe coding a product does not make it production-ready. Security, scalability, and edge-case logic still need human attention. - Building something real, however small, is still the best way to develop the judgment the CTO role requires. The tooling available now means there is no excuse not to. --- ## Links - Anuraag Jain on LinkedIn: [linkedin.com/in/anuraagjain](https://www.linkedin.com/in/anuraagjain) - Growth Variable: [growthvariable.com](https://www.growthvariable.com) - Repo to Pitch (open source): [growthvariable.com/repotopitch.html](https://www.growthvariable.com/repotopitch.html) - RepoWatch: [growthvariable.com](https://www.growthvariable.com) - *Prompt Engineering the Subconscious*: [book.growthvariable.com](https://book.growthvariable.com) --- ## About the Atom CTO Podcast The Atom CTO Podcast, transitioning to Bits, Bytes and Business, features conversations with founders, CTOs and entrepreneurs about building technology businesses in the real world. Hosted by Bhairav Patel. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

    Logical Thinking is more important in the age of AI - Anuraag Jain Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2026 2:57


    This week veteran tech CTO Anuraag Jain, author of Prompt Engineering the Subconscious is answering 5 questions: https://book.growthvariable.com/ i

    Koloso: The Zambian EdTech Startup Solving an African Problem

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2026 39:32


    James found me online looking for fractional CTO services. That conversation eventually made me an investor. In this episode I sit down with all three co-founders of Koloso — James, Petra and Sowi — to talk about building a meaningful EdTech product in Zambia with limited capital, no technical background, and a problem that affects millions of children across Sub-Saharan Africa. **The problem:** Zambian classrooms regularly have 60 to 100 children and one teacher. Teachers have no reliable way to track who is keeping up or falling behind, and a mountain of admin on top. The slogans around leaving no child behind simply don't translate into classroom reality. **The product:** Children play a two-minute, ten-question quiz aligned to the Zambian national curriculum. Teachers get a real-time dashboard showing individual progress over time. Parents receive practical tips for reinforcing learning at home, in everyday Zambian contexts. Version two covers the entire teaching loop, from lesson planning through to compliance reporting. **The challenges:** Schools are cautious adopters. The "lazy teacher" objection was real and unexpected. Annual procurement cycles create brutal seasonal gaps. Building without technical founders nearly finished them. **AI at the right moment:** Koloso started using AI-assisted development around eight to ten months before this conversation. Problems that once required lengthy specifications now get resolved in half an hour. But if AI had arrived two years earlier they would have built the wrong product. A year later and they would have run out of money. The timing was critical. **An African solution to an African problem:** Khan Academy hasn't gained traction in Zambia because it isn't aligned to the Zambian curriculum. Koloso's questions use Zambian names, Zambian currency, and Zambian contexts. The family-centred learning philosophy reflects Zambian cultural values in a way that imported solutions don't. --- ## Timestamps | Time | Topic | |------|-------| | 00:32 | How the founders met and their backgrounds | | 04:00 | Why data is the core problem in Zambian classrooms | | 07:00 | Building the first prototype | | 11:10 | How the app works | | 13:58 | School adoption challenges | | 17:28 | African solution to an African problem | | 26:53 | AI-assisted development and why timing mattered | | 35:01 | Advice to their younger selves | | 37:21 | Where to find Koloso | --- Koloso is live in Zambia, South Africa, Nigeria and Uganda, with Malawi in progress. Available on iOS and Google Play. Pre-seed round of $250,000 currently open. Actively seeking investors and schools. **www.koloso.app** *Subscribe to the Atom CTO Podcast for more conversations with founders building things that matter.*

    Don't do it alone! The Koloso Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2026 5:51


    This week I'm joined by Sowi, Petra and James, the founders of Koloso, a Zambian EdTech Startup

    New Season Coming!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2026 2:29


    We're back! A new season of the Atom CTO podcast will be coming to your ears over the coming weeks so stay tuned!

    RWE: All you knew about social media has changed - with Colin Kelly

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2026 31:02


    What used to be relatively straightforward—“Twitter for debate, Facebook for fun, Instagram for cool visuals, LinkedIn for business”—has become chaotic, politicized, and in many ways more dangerous for founders and brands. In this episode with Colin Kelly we explore: -Why the old rules of social media are gone and why nobody can honestly claim to “know” how it all works anymore. -How social platforms have shifted from organic discovery engines to paid advertising systems and what that means for startups. -The renewed importance of old‑school sales and marketing (phone calls, events, letters) and using social media as supporting evidence rather than your primary growth engine. -The tension around brand values, politics, and polarisation, and why being loudly “values‑driven” online can now backfire. -How to show your human side online without falling into inauthentic “I'm crushing it” performance. -Where AI, SEO, and search are heading, including a fascinating discovery about Instagram posts appearing in Google's AI Overviews.

    RWE Episode: Understanding the current AI landscape with Sanjay Rakshit

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2026 43:13


    In this episode, Bhairav and Alan bring in AI practitioner Sanjay Rakshit to unpack what's really going on with artificial intelligence – beyond the noise, hype, and fear. They explore what AI actually is (and isn't), why no one is truly an “AI expert” yet, and how founders and business leaders should think about AI as a power tool rather than a magic replacement for people. The conversation ranges from: - The history and evolution of AI and why it suddenly “caught fire” with ChatGPT. - How hype distorts reality for founders, investors, and even universities. - How to differentiate between genuine practitioners and people who are just one chapter ahead of you. - Why AI augments good practitioners instead of replacing them – and what that means for developers, doctors, and small businesses. By the end, you'll be less intimidated by AI, more skeptical of big promises, and clearer on how to use it intelligently in your business.

    AI and the Law: What you need to know about using AI in your business with Kiley Tan

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2025 44:26


    In this week's podcast, I'm talking with Kiley Tan, a co-founder and legal expert in AI with The Legal Director, who sheds light on how startups and businesses can navigate the complex landscape of AI usage, focusing on legal risks, copyright issues, and data protection. Key Discussion Points: Introduction to AI in Business: Kiley Tan shares his journey into AI, explaining how his curiosity led him to pursue an AI course to better understand its applications in business. Legal Concerns in AI: Discussion on common legal challenges related to AI, including data protection, copyright issues, and ownership of AI-generated content. Using Internal Data: Importance of leveraging proprietary internal data which can provide a significant advantage as it's owned by the company. The Role of AI in Legal Drafting: Examination of AI tools in drafting legal documents and the complexities involved. Agentic AI Risks: Examination of risks associated with autonomous agents, including liability issues if AI actions lead to unintended consequences. For more info on The Legal Director, follow this link: https://www.thelegaldirector.co.uk/ You can see Kiley's profile here: https://www.thelegaldirector.co.uk/team/kiley-tan/ You can follow Kiley here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kileytan/

    Just do it! The Kylie Tan Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2025 3:37


    This week's guest is Kiley Tan, Consultant Solicitor specialising in AI with The Legal Director

    Fostering a Growth Mindset: A Key to Startup Success with Adib Bamieh (replay)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2025 67:15


    You will learn the following: - There are patterns and challenges that companies commonly face at different stages of their growth. These challenges are not random. - Building a strong foundation and getting the basics right is essential for success in business. - Hiring the right people and aligning their values with the company's values is crucial, especially when making the first few hires. - Conflict resolution can vary from case to case, but there are usually patterns that can be recognized. Choosing the path that minimizes resentment and disappointment is often the best approach. - Businesses can be rated on a scale of one to ten, and understanding the size and shape of a business can help determine the type of experience and skills needed for hiring and growth.

    Machine Learning 101 with Matt White (replay)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2025 41:53


    In this podcast you will learn: - What do we really mean by “Machine Learning”? - What is the difference between AI and ML? - What problems can ML solve? - How can a business owner know if ML is right for their business? - What are the steps a company should take before they decide on implementing ML within their organisation? - How do you implement ML within a business? - How can you know the ML solution is actually working? - What kind of team do you need to implement and run ML within a business?

    Mastering Startup Challenges: Bill Bolden's Experience as a CTO (replay)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2025 43:50


    In this highly informative episode of Atom CTO Podcast, we take a deep dive into the challenging yet rewarding world of startups as we converse with one of the seasoned experts in the field, Bill Bolden. With an impressive resume spanning a two-decade-long career, and contributing to over hundreds of startups, Bill talks about what he has seen that sets apart those companies that succeed from those that fail.

    Understanding AI Basics with Sanjay Rakshit (replay)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2025 40:24


    Welcome to another episode of The Atom CTO Podcast, joined by Bhairav Patel and Sanjay Rakshit, veterans in the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI). We delve into AI, machine learning, data science, and natural language processing (NLP). Concepts that have transformed life as we know it and the influencers at its core, helping shape the AI-driven future. We also discussed Bhairav and Sanjay's fascinating journey through the AI industry, their intriguing insights into data science, the growing emphasis on domain-specific knowledge, and the steady demand for experienced data scientists. Tune in to learn more about how continuously evolving technology necessitates a commitment to lifelong learning and how balancing work and further education contributes to professional excellence.

    Empowering Women in Business with Joanna Vargas

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 41:09


    Dive into a fascinating journey of female entrepreneurship on the Atom CTO Podcast! We're hosting an inspiring conversation with Joanna Vargas, the dynamic force behind "The Get Up Girl" podcast. Vargas's career trajectory is a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit, fiery passion, and grit. Clearing her path outside the conventional structures of a 9-to-5 career, Joanna Vargas's chronicle kicks off quite intriguingly. From her early years running a lemonade stand to venturing into dance and fitness studios, Vargas's innovative and strategic decision-making have helped her pioneer her way in various industries. Besides discussing her successful transition into entrepreneurship, the episode takes a deep dive into the realistic aspects of the entrepreneurial life and the ability to adapt to business transitions.

    Finding your tribe: A journey into humanitarian leadership with Dom Courage

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 39:49


    Dominic Courage shares gripping insights from managing global humanitarian crises at Save the Children. From coordinating refugee responses to training crisis leaders, this episode reveals practical leadership lessons born from high-stakes situations. Discover how empathy, systematic thinking, and strategic frameworks can transform chaos into effective action. Perfect for leaders seeking proven crisis management strategies from someone operating at the sharp end of global emergencies.

    Act small - think Big! The Dominic Courage Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2025 4:29


    Act small - think Big! The Dominic Courage Trailer by Business Podcasts by Atom CTO

    Unpacking M&A: The mechanics of a tech due diligence with Mark Zurich

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 51:24


    In this episode of the Atom CTO podcast, Bhairav Patel sits down with seasoned tech executive Mark Zurich to delve deep into the intricate world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) from a technical perspective. The conversation addresses both the seller's and buyer's mindsets, with an emphasis on preparing for M&A activities, understanding tech due diligence processes, and managing cultural integration post-acquisition. Guest Bio: With over 35 years in the tech industry, Mark has held senior positions at industry giants and boasts a robust portfolio of M&A experiences. His expertise spans across roles at General Electric, Nokia, and BlackBerry, among others, aligning technology strategies with business objectives.

    Innovating Social Commerce with AI - Ugenie

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 41:36


    In this engaging episode of the Atom CTO podcast, host Bhairav Patel welcomes Phin Mpofu, a dynamic serial entrepreneur and founder of Ugenie. Bhairav and Phin explore the journey from idea to implementation in the start-up ecosystem, focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities in the tech and AI industries. Phin shares his insights on building an AI-first business, the evolution of entrepreneurship, and the experiences of being a Black founder. Guest Bio: Phin Mpofu is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Eugenie, an AI-powered platform in the social commerce space. With a background in the start-up community and a passion for technology and community building, Phin is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the tech industry

    Develop a Founder Mindset - the Phin Mpofu Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2025 2:50


    Trailer to the main event where we ask this week's guest 5 questions Phin Mpofu is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Eugenie, an AI-powered platform in the social commerce space. With a background in the start-up community and a passion for technology and community building, Phin is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the tech industry

    Leadership vs Management

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2025 29:04


    In this episode, Alan and Bhairav talk about leadership and management, the qualities to look out for and what it takes to excel as a leader and a manager. In this podcast you'll learn: - Difference between leadership and management - Can everyone be a leader? - What makes a great manager? - Roles and responsibilities for being a better leader and a manager - How important is influence for leadership? - Who is considered to be a great leader?

    How to write a pitch deck

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2025 41:57


    In this episode Alan and Bhairav talk all things "pitch deck" Both Alan and Bhairav outline the slides described by Guy Kawasaki in his post, "The only 10 slides you need in your pitch" and add their own experience and flavour to that methodology https://guykawasaki.com/the-only-10-slides-you-need-in-your-pitch/ In this podcast you'll learn: The key slides you need in your pitch deck Why they are important What content you need to put into each slide What turns off investors

    CPOP: The Four Pillars of Successful Project Management

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2025 24:54


    In this episode of the Real World Entrepreneurship Podcast, hosts Bhairav Patel and Alan Clarke dive deep into the reasons why projects often fail and share valuable insights on how to avoid common pitfalls. Drawing from their extensive experience in the business and technology worlds, they highlight the importance of the "CPOP" principles - Communication, People, Oversight, and Planning - in ensuring project success. Key topics covered in this episode include: 1. The critical role of thorough planning and requirements gathering at the outset of a project 2. The importance of maintaining open, honest communication between all stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle 3. The impact of having the right people involved who are invested in the project's success and empowered to make decisions 4. The need for regular oversight to track progress against milestones and course-correct as necessary 5. How the "CPOP" principles should be applied at every stage of a project, not just at the beginning Bhairav and Alan share real-world examples and anecdotes to illustrate these points, making the lessons both relatable and actionable for entrepreneurs and project managers alike. They also touch on the dangers of letting ego-driven agendas derail projects and emphasize the importance of staying focused on the ultimate goal. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this episode offers valuable wisdom on navigating the challenges of bringing a project to fruition. Tune in for some hard-won insights and practical tips on keeping your next project on track and avoiding the common reasons why projects fail. Follow the Real World Entrepreneurship Podcast for more no-nonsense advice and real talk on building and growing a successful business.

    RWE Podcast: Burnout

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2024 32:44


    In this Real World Entrepreneurship podcast we talk with Lauren Young, the Burnout Therapist: https://www.theburnouttherapist.co.uk/ We explore the signs and symptoms of burnout that entrepreneurs frequently face, from chronic exhaustion and sleep disturbances to increased physical ailments and emotional drain, understanding these symptoms is crucial. In this episode, we help the listener distinguish between ordinary stress and the prolonged state of burnout, highlighting practical measures to prevent the escalation of stress into a more severe condition. Learn how to manage your mental health proactively in the demanding world of entrepreneurship.

    Introducing the Real World Entrepreneurship podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2024 0:32


    As we're in the middle of putting together the next season of the Atom CTO podcast, we thought we'd introduce the Real World Entrepreneurship podcast which is hosted by Bhairav Patel and Alan Clarke, from the Business Growth Partnership For the next few weeks we will be showcasing various episodes that will resonate with you, our audience

    Aligning Tech and the Business: Become a better CTO with Aviv Ben-Yosef

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2024 38:23


    In this episode of the Atom CTO Podcast, we talk with Aviv Ben-Yosef, tech consultant and CTO coach: https://avivbenyosef.com/ We delve into the persistent disconnect between tech teams and business units—a challenge that plagues both start-ups and larger enterprises. Along with Aviv we explore common issues such as the misalignment of goals and stakeholder perception. We also discuss practical methodologies for fostering a collaborative culture, including implementing joint KPIs and promoting continuous improvement. Tune in to learn how you can turn your tech department from a cost center into an innovation hub driving business growth.

    Think of why you're doing what you're doing - Aviv Ben-Yosef Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2024 1:48


    This is the trailer to the main event we are asking Aviv Ben-Yosef 5 questions...

    Fall in love with your problem, not your solution - MVP tips from Verticode

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2024 42:00


    In this episode of the Atom CTO Podcast, we delve into the intricacies of building a Rapid Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with insights from Verticode's ground-breaking approach. Rapid MVP delivery has revolutionized the start-up landscape by enabling founders to receive a functional prototype within two to three weeks. This agile methodology provides a swift feedback loop, allowing start-ups to iterate and refine their offerings with real user insights. Our guest, who has spearheaded the launch of over 50 tech start-ups in just two years, shares valuable experiences on managing expectations, maintaining transparency, and applying structured sprints to achieve rapid yet reliable MVP development. To learn more about Verticode, visit their website: https://www.verticode.co.uk/

    5 Questions with Tom Green

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2024 2:53


    In our usual trailer to the main event, we ask Tom Green from Verticode 5 Questions....

    Essential Guide to Software Contracts with Rustam Roy

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2024 33:21


    Join us on this episode of the Atom CTO Podcast as we examine the significance of well-drafted contracts in software development projects for startups. Our speakers Bhairav Patel and Rustam Roy illustrate how comprehensive contracts ensure mutual understanding and alignment of expectations between startups and software vendors. Key topics include the ownership of code, the implications of verbal agreements under English law, and the benefits of leveraging free knowledge resources. This episode provides valuable insights for founders looking to navigate the complexities of software vendor collaborations effectively To learn more contact Atom CTO at hello@atomcto.com or Rustam Roy at Legalistic: https://www.legalistic.co.uk/

    5 Questions with Rustam Roy

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2024 2:29


    This weeks podcast guest is Rustam Roy from Legalistic: https://www.legalistic.co.uk/

    5 Questions with Diana Matei

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2024 5:54


    This week's trailer is with Diana Mateir, Product Consultant and founder of DM the PM: https://dmthepm.com/

    Understanding Product Management and Idea Validation with Diana Matei

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2024 43:17


    In this enlightening episode of the Atom CTO Podcast, we welcome Diana Matei, an accomplished product consultant with over a decade of experience spanning diverse industries such as travel, retail, e-commerce, and fintech. Together, they delve into the critical aspects of product management and idea validation. From discussing the essence of methodical product management to dissecting the importance of rigorous idea validation processes, this episode serves as a comprehensive guide for anyone aiming to navigate the complex landscape of creating successful, user-centric products. To learn more about Diana's work visit her website: https://dmthepm.com/ or follow her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-eugenia-matei/

    The Power of Self-Awareness: Unlocking Your Potential as a Business Owner

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2024 39:00


    This week's guest is Mark Bentley: https://markbentley.com.au/ Today's conversation orbits around the intriguing journey of self-awareness and how to reclaim your own authority. You'll get a comprehensive understanding of self-awareness as the backbone of personal development and mental well-being. We'll explore how this inward-looking process helps cultivate better decision-making processes and thereby reclaim one's own authority.

    Listen During Times of Conflict or Challenge - Mark Bentley Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2024 3:46


    This week's podcast guest is Mark Bentley, a proponent of the Gene Keys and all round life coach

    Crafting Effective Surveys: A Guide to Asking the Right Questions

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2024 36:21


    Welcome to another enlightening episode of The Atom CTO Podcast, where we take a comprehensive look at the untapped potential of organizational and client surveys. To learn more about DMSA or to get in touch with Nadine Lewis visit their website: https://dmsa.co.za/

    Never work harder than your boss - Nadine Lewis Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2024 3:12


    This week's guest is Nadine Lewis....

    Why should you hire a fractional CFO

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2024 32:54


    This week's podcast guest is Alysha Randall from Fast Growth Consulting: https://www.fastgrowthconsulting.com/ In this episode our key focus is the Fractional Chief Financial Officer (CFO) role - a fundamental player in the company financial strategy, providing a more high-level viewpoint compared to bookkeepers and accountants. We're looking at why startups need this forward-thinking strategist, their indispensable role across the C-suite, and the case for engaging financial expertise as early as possible.

    If you never ask, the answer is always no - Alysha Randall Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2024 1:59


    This week's podcast guest is Alysha Randall, the founder of Fast Growth Consulting, a company that specializes in building strong finance teams for fast growing businesses

    CTO Insights: Understanding Why Tech Projects Fail - (Pt 5) Solutions

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2024 8:33


    Listeners of this podcast episode will gain valuable insights into the key factors contributing to project failures and how to mitigate them. They will learn the importance of clear communication, effective planning, proper oversight, and managing people dynamics within a project team. By understanding the significance of aligning business objectives with project goals, anticipating and planning for changes, and avoiding ego clashes that can derail progress, listeners will be equipped with strategies to increase the chances of project success. Emphasizing the need for open communication, swift decision-making in the face of challenges, and flexibility to adapt to market feedback, this episode provides a roadmap for overcoming common pitfalls in project management.

    CTO Insights: Understanding Why Tech Projects Fail - (Pt 4) Planning

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2024 8:25


    If you're eager to learn about why planning is crucial to prevent project failure, then this podcast episode is a must-listen for you. Bhairav Patel takes us through the significant impact of planning on project success, emphasizing how overlooking this aspect can result in project failures. By diving into various real-world examples and detailing common pitfalls, Bhairav underscores the importance of creating adaptable roadmaps, being mindful of market feedback, and avoiding the trap of changing course too frequently. This episode offers valuable insights on how thorough planning can help navigate challenges, foster adaptability, and drive project success. So, tune in to gain practical tips on effective planning strategies to steer clear of project failures and ensure your initiatives thrive!

    CTO Insights: Understanding Why Tech Projects Fail - (Pt 3) Oversight

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2024 8:12


    If you're looking to uncover the hidden reasons behind project failures and how to mitigate them, then this podcast is a must-listen! Bhairav Patel delves into the critical factors like people, communication, oversight, and planning that can make or break a project's success. Through engaging storytelling and real-life examples, Bhairav stresses the importance of due diligence, honest communication, and quality delivery in project management. Whether you're new to project management or a seasoned professional, this podcast offers valuable insights on avoiding common pitfalls and maximizing project success. Tune in to learn how to navigate challenges and set your projects up for smooth sailing!

    Boubid: Helping Nigerian businesses achieve their full potential

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2024 28:56


    This week's podcast guest is Zumah Yahaya, the founder of Boubid: https://boubid.com/ In this episode we explore Zumah's own entrepreneurial journey as well as the work she does to help businesses across Africa achieve their full potential. We discuss the various challenges businesses face that are specific to the ecosystem and how they can be solved

    CTO Insights: Understanding Why Tech Projects Fail - (Pt 2) People

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2024 17:10


    In this second part of the series of Why Projects Fail, we delve into perhaps the crux of the matter - people. Whether it is egos, failure to act, fear, there are many reasons why people are the cause of so many problems when it comes to delivering projects

    CTO Insights: Understanding Why Tech Projects Fail - (Pt 1) Communication

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2024 13:54


    This is the first episode in a series where we explore why projects fail. Today we talk about how poor communication can create confusion and cause delays

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