Born In Silicon Valley

I'm excited to bring you my conversation with Mike Conover, co-founder and CEO of BrightWave. Here's what we cover: Mike's Background: - From studying complex systems to creating Dolly at Databricks - His journey into AI-powered investment tools The Problem: - Investment pros drowning in 600-800 page data rooms - Traditional due diligence hitting human limits BrightWave's Solution: - AI that reads entire documents simultaneously, not snippets - Customer feedback: "Identified risks I wish I'd seen originally" - $21M raised to revolutionize investment research Leadership Insights: - Hiring for mindset over skills - Why humility is his secret weapon as a leader - Building high-performance teams in the AI era The Future: - How BrightWave plans to transform investment research forever   Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley https://www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey. If you are growing AI Startup or have a great story, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

In this episode, I sit down with Page Schult, co-founder and CEO of Topanga, who's tackling one of the food industry's biggest problems: massive waste and inefficiency. What started as a sustainable packaging company has evolved into an AI-powered kitchen intelligence platform that's helping colleges, hotels, and healthcare systems save millions by automating food waste tracking. Page walks me through her fascinating pivot from launching movies at Fox Film Studios to building technology that uses smart scales and image recognition to solve food service's data nightmare. She opens up about the unique dynamics of co-founding a company with her husband, the challenges of scaling from 15 to 30 employees, and why she believes decisiveness is everything in startup success. What really struck me was how they're not replacing kitchen workers - they're freeing them from spending 20+ hours a week in spreadsheets so they can actually cook. With food service representing 8% of US GDP, the opportunity here is massive, and Paige's team is just getting started. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

In this episode, host Jake Aaron Villarreal sits down with Stan Sthanunathan, co-founder and CEO of iGenie.ai. The conversation explores Stan's fascinating journey, from his extensive career in consumer insights to his bold leap into entrepreneurship. Stan shares the critical role consumer insights play in driving brand success and how technology is revolutionizing the insights industry. He opens up about the challenges faced moving from a corporate world to running a startup, reflecting on his time at Coca-Cola. The discussion covers the importance of building relationships, crafting effective marketing strategies, and the game-changing impact of AI on insights. Stan also reveals his exciting vision for the future of iGenie.ai, leaving listeners inspired by his passion and forward-thinking approach.   Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

In an engaging episode, Alex Gajiego, Redpanda's founder and CEO, recounts his path from a curious builder in Colombia, dismantling motorcycle engines, to spearheading a tech company revolutionizing real-time data streaming. He shares insights on creating Redpanda to address unmet needs in high-performance data systems, highlighting its impact on mission-critical applications for major global companies. Gajiego explores the vital role of data streaming in powering AI applications, emphasizing low latency and scalability. He also delves into Redpanda's culture, rooted in customer obsession, being a good human, and winning as a team, while stressing the importance of bidirectional feedback to foster trust. Looking ahead, Gajiego is excited about Redpanda's partnerships with leading AI firms, positioning the company at the forefront of technological innovation.   Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

Join us for an inspiring episode with Darryl Hicks, the founder of FlexPay, who traces his journey from a childhood shadowed by bullying to becoming a leader in the payments industry. He dives into the critical need for trust and transparency in the payments ecosystem, spotlighting the challenges businesses face with failed payments, especially in subscription-based models. Hicks highlights how recovering these payments can significantly boost customer lifetime value and tackles the issue of false declines, urging merchants to better understand payment complexities. He emphasizes the transformative role of AI and machine learning in crafting smarter payment solutions. Beyond tech, Hicks reflects on how past experiences fueled his entrepreneurial drive, shares lessons on personal growth, and explores the evolving demands of leadership in the tech sector. He also opens up about the hurdles of carving out a new category in the payment industry and offers sharp insights into effective fundraising strategies, painting a bold vision for a modern payment stack rooted in transparency and trust.   Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

In this conversation, Marty Kausas, co-founder and CEO of Pylon, shares his journey from working at Airbnb to founding his own startup. He discusses the challenges he faced in identifying market needs, the evolution of Pylon, and the strategies he employed to raise capital and build a strong company culture. Marty emphasizes the importance of product development and the need for a dedicated sales team to drive customer acquisition. He also reflects on his growth as a leader and the future vision for Pylon. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

James Pham, Opsin's co-founder and CEO, recounts his journey from Vietnam to Silicon Valley, honed by his MIT experience, as he dives into the world of generative AI data security. Leading Opsin, James champions a bold approach to safeguarding enterprise data, prioritizing privacy and governance. Facing fierce market challenges, James leans on a relentless growth mindset and masterful storytelling to steer his startup forward.   Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

Join Jake Aaron Villarreal as he chats with Suman Kanuganti, CEO of Personal AI. They explore Suman's background in tech and robotics, and how Personal AI addresses the challenge of scaling human expertise. Suman explains their approach to creating tailored AI models for industries like legal and finance, enabling digital twins to enhance productivity. He covers rapid deployment, cost-effectiveness, and standing out in the AI market, while touching on persona managers and navigating industry changes. Listen in for insights on boosting human potential with AI! Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com  

In this episode, we interviewed Mike Pappas, co-founder and CEO of Modulate, an AI-driven voice moderation company for online gaming. Mike discusses his path from MIT to founding Modulate, the challenges of raising capital, and the need to address toxicity in gaming communities. He explains how Modulate's technology improves player experiences, supports mental health, and strengthens digital communities. Mike also covers applications in call centers, AI's role in brand safety, and startup challenges like prioritization and growth.   Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

Hey there, listeners! Welcome back to the show! Today, we've got an incredible episode lined up for you. Host Jake Aaron Villarreal sits down with Gennady Pihimenko, the co-founder and CEO of CentML, for a deep dive into the wild world of AI and machine learning. Gennady takes us on his fascinating journey—from a math and programming whiz in Russia to a trailblazer in the AI industry. He breaks down the evolution of AI, spills the tea on why optimizing machine learning workloads is a game-changer, and gets real about the balancing act of being a professor and a startup CEO.Gennady doesn't hold back, sharing sharp insights on the hidden costs of AI—think training and inference—and who CentML's solutions are built for. He's all about solving real-world problems and unlocking transformative impact through smarter, more efficient compute solutions. Plus, he dishes on the challenges and opportunities in the AI industry, from the skyrocketing demand for computational power to the art of building a killer team and nailing hiring strategies in a startup. Gennady also gives us a sneak peek into CentML's future, teasing their growth plans and how customer feedback is shaping their roadmap.Buckle up for a conversation packed with big ideas, practical wisdom, and a front-row seat to the future of AI. Let's dive in! Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com  

In this episode, we sit down with Dorna Moini, founder and CEO of Gavel, who shares her journey from litigator to launching a legal tech startup that uses AI to streamline legal processes. Dorna opens up about her journey and how Gavel's platform works, and the legal fields—like litigation and family law—that benefit from their suite of tools. She highlights the value of efficiency and revenue growth for lawyers while making legal services more accessible. Dorna also gets into the importance of building a strong team, the impact of AI on the legal industry, and her growth as a leader. She reflects on the surprises she's encountered and teases exciting updates for Gavel's automation tools. If you're curious about legal innovation or startup stories, this episode offers a thoughtful look at Dorna's mission to empower attorneys and shape the future of law. Check it out! Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you a are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

Podcast Episode Summary: Dylan Fox on Building Assembly AI & Navigating the AI Frontier In this episode, I sit down with Dylan Fox, founder of Assembly AI, to unpack the incredible journey of creating a leading speech AI company. We dive into the entrepreneurial hustle, from finding product-market fit to tackling the challenges of a crowded AI landscape. Dylan shares how Assembly AI's cutting-edge technology is powering real-world applications, the rise of AI agents, and why a customer-first approach is key. Plus, we get into the nitty-gritty of building a remote team, ensuring security and privacy, and what it takes to stay ahead in voice tech. Tune in for a deep dive into innovation, leadership, and the future of AI! Listen now for insights on startups, tech, and the AI revolution! Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you a are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

In this episode, Guillaume Luccisano, founder of Yuma AI, shares his journey of building his third startup. Yuma AI is revolutionizing customer service automation for ecommerce businesses, specifically large Shopify merchants, by leveraging cutting-edge AI technology. Before launching Yuma, Guillaume was an early member of Twitch (formerly Justin.tv) and went on to co-found Socialcam, which was later acquired by Autodesk. From 2015 to 2021, he was the co-founder and CTO of Triplebyte, a company that also went through Y Combinator. With a deep background in startups and a keen eye for innovation, Guillaume has invested in over 70 startups, continuously seeking the next big idea. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you a are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

Today we talk with Leo Patching, executive and entrepreneur with experience in building fast-growing businesses across various industries. Former senior leader in private companies and PLCs, founder of multiple businesses, and active investor, non-exec director, and board advisor, focused on strategy, performance, and growth. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you a are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

Angie Westbrock, CEO of Standard AI, shares her journey from a non-traditional background in chemical engineering to leading a billion-dollar startup focused on retail analytics. The discussion covers the evolution of Standard AI, the technology behind their solutions, and the insights they provide to retailers.  Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com  

In this episode, Jason Smith, cofounder of https://klue.com and investor of multiple startups, discusses his journey and how he's revolutionizing competitive intelligence with Klue. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

In this episode, we sit down with Kavitta Ghai, founder of Nectir, as she shares her inspiring journey from struggling with learning disabilities to revolutionizing education through AI.  Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com 

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of data decentralization with Zhamak Dehghani, founder of Data Mesh and CEO of Next Data. Zhamak, a pioneer in the field, shares her vast experience and insights into how data mesh is reshaping the way organizations manage and leverage their data. Zhamak explains the key concepts behind data mesh and its importance in solving data scalability challenges. With her expertise in designing data-driven solutions, she walks us through real-world use cases and the core principles that make data mesh a game-changer for modern businesses. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com  

In this episode, Christina Lopes, Founder and CEO of FidoCure and the One Health Company, shares insights into how FidoCure is transforming cancer care for both dogs and humans. By leveraging precision medicine, FidoCure's innovative approach uses genetic similarities between human and canine cancers to offer targeted therapies that extend dogs' lives by up to 3x. Christina discusses the groundbreaking work FidoCure is doing in canine oncology and the power of precision treatments in the fight against cancer. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com  

In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Joyce, CEO of GenLogs, a cutting-edge Freight Intelligence platform revolutionizing the logistics industry. GenLogs uses AI and a nationwide network of sensors, commercial, and open-source datasets to track commercial truck patterns and unlock hidden capacity. Ryan dives deep into how the company is combating fraud, theft, and inefficiencies within supply chains, while building unbreakable freight networks across America. With Ryan's extensive background in counter-terrorism from his 15+ years in the U.S. Intelligence Community, he shares fascinating insights on how his experience tracking terrorists now translates into tracking trucks to strengthen national supply chains. Learn how GenLogs is shaping the future of freight transportation, boosting efficiency, and making America's supply chains safer and stronger. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com  

Join us as we dive deep into the world of entrepreneurship and innovation with Daniel Saks, the CEO and co-founder of Landbase. Daniel shares his journey from co-founding AppDirect, the leading subscription commerce platform, to building Landbase, a company that transforms businesses' go-to-market strategies by harnessing machine intelligence and human performance. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com  

In this episode, we sit down with John Tabis, Partner and Head of Launchpad at M13 Venture Studio. John shares his journey from founding and scaling The Bouqs Company to becoming a key leader at M13, where he helps visionary founders create companies that define the future of business. We dive into John's unique approach to entrepreneurship, the lessons learned from his time at The Walt Disney Company and Bain & Co., and his current role as an educator at UCLA Anderson, teaching the next generation of entrepreneurs. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com  

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Darrow, Co-Founder and CEO of Vivun, to discuss his journey from Deloitte technology consultant to revolutionizing the world of technical sales. Matt shares his early exposure to enterprise software and how it sparked his passion for blending technical expertise with business acumen in the role of Sales Engineering. With over a decade of experience in technical sales leadership, Matt reveals the challenges and rewards of his career and how it led to co-founding Vivun, a platform that serves as the Technical Copilot for Sales teams. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey. If you are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

Join us for an insightful conversation with Neha Mittal, Co-founder and CEO of justwords.ai, as she shares her journey from leading growth initiatives at tech giants like Twitter and Pinterest to launching a groundbreaking platform that's redefining content personalization with AI. In this episode, Neha dives deep into her career highlights, including managing retention strategies, scaling growth platforms, and spearheading data product development. Discover how her passion for data and machine learning has driven innovation in industries from real estate to energy, and now in marketing technology. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com  

In this episode, we sit down with Bob Miles, the visionary founder of Salad, to explore how his innovative platform is reshaping the cloud computing landscape. From securing the perfect domain name to leveraging a global GPU shortage, Bob shares the secrets behind his bold mission to challenge tech giants like AWS and Google Cloud. Discover how Salad connects 400 million unused consumer-grade GPUs to companies in desperate need of affordable AI/ML compute power. With SaladCloud 1.0, Bob is bringing scalable, on-demand access to a distributed cloud of over 10,000 GPUs, creating a win-win ecosystem for enterprises and everyday users alike. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey. If you are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

In this episode, we dive into the world of productivity and AI-driven meeting tools with Aydin Mirzaee, the co-founder and CEO of Fellow.app. Aydin shares his journey from founding and scaling Fluidware to creating Fellow, a groundbreaking app designed to transform how teams collaborate and manage meetings. Discover how Fellow.auto-joins your video calls to provide accurate transcripts, actionable summaries, and key insights. Learn how the app integrates seamlessly with tools like Slack, Google Docs, and Linear, enhancing productivity across organizations. Aydin also discusses the future of leadership and technology, offering actionable advice for managers and entrepreneurs striving to build high-performing teams. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com  

Dive into this exciting episode featuring Bradley Dillon, the CEO of Luxonis, a leading tech company revolutionizing computer vision and artificial intelligence. Bradley shares his journey from engineering and product leadership roles at Amazon and Guardian to heading a cutting-edge AI company.Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com  Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com  

In this episode, we sit down with Satadru Sengupta and Alexandra Fontova, the visionary leaders behind Dobby, America's most loved home services company. Satadru, Dobby's co-founder and CEO, shares his incredible journey from being an early operator at DataRobot to pioneering AI-driven solutions in the insurance industry. With a career spanning AI, machine learning, and industry-focused go-to-market strategies, Satadru discusses how his passion for technology and ethical innovation drives Dobby's mission to transform home services. Alexandra, co-founder and COO, brings her expertise in customer experience and operational excellence to the conversation. With a background leading high-performing teams at WeWork and a proven track record in growth and customer satisfaction, Alex reveals the strategies that have propelled Dobby to achieve an industry-leading NPS of +80. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com  

In this episode, MatchRelevant sits down with the award-winning innovator, keynote speaker, and AI pioneer Kevin Surace. Known for his groundbreaking work in Generative AI, sustainable business practices, and disruptive innovation, Kevin shares his journey from building billion-dollar startups to revolutionizing industries through cutting-edge technologies. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com  

Dive into this exciting episode featuring Bradley Dillon, the CEO of Luxonis, a leading tech company revolutionizing computer vision and artificial intelligence. Bradley shares his journey from engineering and product leadership roles at Amazon and Guardian to heading a cutting-edge AI company.Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com  Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com  

In this episode, we dive into the world of virtual receptionist services with Aaron Lee, CEO and co-founder of Smith.ai. Known for top-tier call answering, web chat, and text response services, Smith.ai was founded by a team with deep roots in Google, Apple, and Intuit. Their virtual receptionists provide a seamless experience, offering call answering, lead qualification, new customer intake, and appointment booking at a fraction of the cost of in-house staff. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com  

In this episode of the MatchRelevant Podcast, we're thrilled to sit down with David Bradford, a visionary leader in immersive e-learning. David brings years of experience, from his early days with venture-backed startups to his impactful roles at Walmart and Utah's Governor's Office of Economic Development. His journey includes managing multimillion-dollar tech grant programs and developing strategies that have shaped economic growth and innovation in Utah. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com  

In this episode, we welcome Jim Barnett, the CEO and co-founder of Wisq, a groundbreaking platform transforming workplace coaching with AI. With a mission to make success accessible to all, Wisq brings expertise from the team behind Glint, merging years of HR innovation into a virtual coach that helps employees thrive at every stage of their careers. Discover how Wisq's AI-driven guidance helps individuals develop leadership skills, achieve personal growth, and drive business outcomes. Jim shares his personal journey and passion for creating tools that empower people to be happier and more successful at work. With a track record as the founder of multiple industry-changing platforms like Glint and Turn, Jim has a unique perspective on employee engagement and development. Through Wisq, he's helping redefine how employees approach professional growth, focusing on building an environment where everyone can excel.

In this episode, we sit down with Amr Awadallah, Founder and CEO of Vectara, a leading generative AI platform. With over 25 years of experience in scalable systems, big data, and AI, Amr shares his journey from Yahoo and Google Cloud to founding Vectara. Discover how Vectara is transforming the generative AI landscape by providing a trusted platform for business data, addressing challenges like hallucinations, bias, copyright infringement, and data privacy. Amr discusses the evolution of AI technology, the importance of responsible AI practices, and how Vectara is positioned to lead the way in GenAI solutions. Learn about the innovative solutions Vectara offers, including Retrieval Augmented Generation-as-a-Service (RAGaaS), and how it helps businesses integrate conversational AI and question-answering capabilities seamlessly.

In this episode, we sit down with Todd Mickelsen, an innovative technology executive and CEO of Converus, to explore the groundbreaking advancements in credibility assessment technologies. With over 20 years of experience in Business Development, Enterprise Software Sales, and Product Management, Todd shares valuable insights into how Converus is revolutionizing the way we detect deception and identify trustworthy individuals. Converus' flagship technology, EyeDetect®, offers 86% accuracy in detecting deception within just 30 minutes by analyzing eye behavior. Their other solutions, IdentityDetect™ and IntegrityDetect™, are designed to detect falsified identities and identify trustworthy individuals, respectively, providing organizations with reliable tools to maintain integrity and safety.

In this episode, we sit down with Chadd Olsen, CEO of AVRL, to discuss the future of decision-making technology and automation in the logistics sector. With over seven years leading AVRL, Chadd has pioneered a unique platform that empowers non-technical teams to leverage sophisticated automation and decision trees in ways never seen before. AVRL is revolutionizing the way 3PLs, carriers, and shippers approach complex problem-solving and streamline their workflows. Chadd dives into the cutting-edge technology behind AVRL's Generation platform, which enables users to convert intricate expertise into structured, cross-domain decision trees. From API-driven customer outreach to automated content management, AVRL's platform brings intelligent automation within reach for all levels of an organization.

In this episode, we sit down with Vinay Kumar, the founder and CEO of Arya.ai, a leading AI platform designed to make artificial intelligence accessible, explainable, and safe for enterprises—particularly in the banking and financial services industries. Join us as Vinay shares his journey from a small town in Andhra Pradesh, India, to the cutting-edge world of AI, starting with his formative years at IIT Bombay and progressing to his current work with Arya.ai. Vinay dives into Arya.ai's mission: to democratize complex AI while ensuring it's auditable, transparent, and aligned with user goals. His journey began with the development of a STEM research assistant, InvenZone.com, and evolved into Arya.ai, an AI platform for enterprises that deploys deep learning solutions quickly and responsibly. Vinay discusses Arya.ai's role in creating AI systems that adapt to the unique needs of the financial sector, prioritizing safety and explainability to help organizations build trust with AI technologies.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Wardah Inam, Founder and CEO of Overjet, a pioneering company transforming dentistry through the power of artificial intelligence. Dr. Inam, an MIT and Harvard-trained expert, discusses her journey from academic research to founding a groundbreaking company that enhances patient care and sets new standards in dental diagnostics. With the FDA-cleared technology of Overjet, dental organizations now have an objective standard to detect and treat oral health issues with precision. Dr. Inam delves into the technology behind Overjet and explains how AI empowers dentists to make informed decisions, improve patient outcomes, and even educate patients about their dental health.

In this episode, we sit down with visionary entrepreneur Dave Copps, CEO and co-founder of Worlds, a groundbreaking platform bringing the Industrial Metaverse to life. With a career spanning 15 years and three successful AI-driven companies under his belt, Dave is no stranger to the transformative power of machine learning and artificial intelligence. Currently, Dave and his team are building live digital twins for ground-floor operations, empowering companies to visualize their worlds as dynamic data streams that drive actionable insights and innovation at scale. In our conversation, we explore the impact of AI as an essential infrastructure component leading us into the fourth industrial revolution. Dave shares insights on the potential of AI-based automation, the importance of digital transformation in manufacturing, and how the Worlds AI platform is set to change the game for enterprises worldwide.  

In this episode of the MatchRelevant Podcast, we dive deep into the world of AI innovation with Ofer Ronen, the founder and CEO of Tomato AI. Ofer is no stranger to building and selling successful tech companies, with three previous ventures acquired by industry giants like Google and IAC. Now, he's back with another game-changing solution: Tomato AI. Tomato AI focuses on solving a critical challenge for offshore call centers and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies. By using advanced AI technology, Tomato AI softens the accents of offshore agents in real-time as they interact with customers. This results in clearer communication, higher customer satisfaction, and improved trust between agents and customers.

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Palmer, a technology and business leader with extensive experience across all stages of company growth. Mike has held "C" level positions in both VC and PE-owned enterprises, leading large-scale transactions like capital raises, divestitures, acquisitions, and integrations. His leadership spans from early-stage startups generating their first revenue to Fortune 100 companies managing global responsibilities. Mike shares his expertise in driving high-growth strategies for businesses of all sizes, from scaling first revenues to expanding mid-sized enterprises and transforming legacy systems for growth. He also dives into team-building, explaining how he identifies and grows talent, while integrating new hires into rapidly evolving companies.

In this episode, we sit down with David Smith, a leading ML Data Technology expert, to dive deep into the cutting-edge solutions transforming the world of data preparation for machine learning models. David shares insights on how MLtwist is revolutionizing data labeling operations, reducing deployment time by half while cutting costs. Learn how their platform unifies data across various labeling annotation systems, streamlining the entire process for data scientists and ML engineers.  Discover how MLtwist's services allow data scientists to focus on their core tasks by alleviating the burden of labeling operations. With seamless platform connectivity, real-time dashboards, and integrations with over 75 labeling platforms, MLtwist offers a one-stop solution for managing data assets. David explains how the platform's robust capabilities allow teams to save 50% of their time, stay in control, and maintain flexibility throughout the data annotation process.

In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Millner, Co-founder and CEO of Unwrap AI, a cutting-edge tool that leverages Natural Language Processing (NLP) to help product leaders better listen to their customers. With over 4 years of experience at Graphiq (acquired by Amazon Alexa in 2017) and 3.5 years working at Amazon to improve Alexa's intelligence, Ryan shares his deep insights into product development, NLP, and how Unwrap AI is transforming the way companies understand and act on customer feedback. Ryan discusses the power of knowledge graphs, data ontologies, and the importance of building great team cultures. If you're passionate about AI, customer feedback, or creating smarter products, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

In this episode of MatchRelevant, we sit down with Forest Flager, CEO and Co-Founder of Parspec, to dive into the world of AI-driven solutions for the construction industry. Parspec is a technology company simplifying the supply chain process by enabling better product discovery and sourcing for the building and construction industry. Forest shares insights into how Parspec's AI-powered platform is transforming the way sales agents and distributors in the construction industry discover and source materials. He also discusses the challenges and opportunities in the construction supply chain and how technology can help reduce inefficiencies, improve decision-making, and drive sustainability.

In this episode, Logan Havern, founder and CEO of Datalogs, takes us behind the scenes of enterprise data management and business intelligence (BI). He explores the common challenges of BI sprawl, security risks, and cost inefficiencies in analytics environments. Logan explains how Datalogs targets Fortune 2000 companies and the Department of Defense by providing automated insights to optimize BI environments. Learn how AI-powered modules like governance and workflow automation are driving cost reduction, risk management, and operational efficiency, including a success story where a retail client saved significant costs by consolidating BI tools with Datalogs. This show is supported by www.matchrelevant.com. A company that helps venture-backed Startups find the best people available in the market, who have the skills, experience, and desire to grow. With over a decade of experience in recruitment across multiple domains, they give people career options to choose from in their career journey. 

In this episode, we speak with Sourabh Gupta, Founder of Skit.ai, about how their Conversational AI platform is transforming the collections industry. Discover how AI can accelerate revenue recovery and elevate customer experiences.

Jeu George, CEO of Orkes and former architect at Uber and Netflix, shares insights on building scalable architectures, workflow orchestration, and his journey from tech giants to leading an orchestration platform.

In this episode of the MatchRelevant Podcast, we sit down with Stefan Gunnarsson, Founder & CEO at PropTexx. Stefan shares his journey of transforming the real estate industry with cutting-edge technology, leveraging Computer Vision and AI to create truly data-driven solutions. We dive deep into the inner workings of PropTexx, how they are disrupting the real estate market, and the unique challenges they face. With over 8 years of experience in Southeast Asian startups through Terra Capital, Stefan offers valuable insights into what it takes to succeed in a highly competitive space. Learn about his perspective on the future of real estate and why innovation is critical to its growth. Stefan also talks about his experience as CFO at Güssing Renewable Energy and Head of Strategic Business Development at ENGIE, highlighting the importance of sustainability in today's business landscape. Tune in for a conversation filled with expertise, entrepreneurial wisdom, and groundbreaking technologies shaping the built world. This show is supported by www.matchrelevant.com. A company that helps venture-backed Startups find the best people available in the market, who have the skills, experience, and desire to grow. With over a decade of experience in recruitment across multiple domains, they give people career options to choose from in their career journey.

Join us in this insightful episode featuring Channi Greenwall, the Founder and CEO of Olympix. Channi discusses how Olympix is pioneering developer tools for proactive web3 security, embedding security into the development process to protect against vulnerabilities from the start. Learn about Channi's journey from her experiences in cybersecurity at JPMorgan Chase and other organizations to founding Olympix. She shares her vision for the future of web3 security and the innovative solutions Olympix offers to developers. Don't miss this episode to gain valuable insights into the evolving landscape of cybersecurity and the importance of proactive measures in web3. This show is supported by www.matchrelevant.com. A company that helps venture-backed Startups find the best people available in the market, who have the skills, experience, and desire to grow. With over a decade of experience in recruitment across multiple domains, they give people career options to choose from in their career journey.

In this episode, we sit down with Jeff (Jiajun) Lu, the Founder & CEO of Akool, to explore the world of AI-powered personalized visual marketing. Jeff brings over a decade of experience in artificial intelligence and computer vision, with a background in leading tech companies like Google, Apple, and XREAL. He is currently driving innovation at Akool, a cutting-edge Generative AI platform designed to transform visual marketing and advertising. We dive into how Akool is helping marketers and creators build custom, engaging experiences with AI-generated videos, images, and avatars. With personalized content becoming a key factor in building customer loyalty, Jeff discusses how brands can leverage AI to create experiences that convert viewers into loyal customers. Additionally, we talk about Jeff's book, Enhanced Human, which outlines his vision for humanity's future in an AI-powered world, and how this perspective shapes his work at Akool. This show is supported by www.matchrelevant.com. A company that helps venture-backed Startups find the best people available in the market, who have the skills, experience, and desire to grow. With over a decade of experience in recruitment across multiple domains, they give people career options to choose from in their career journey.

In this episode, we sit down with Piero Nunez-Del Risco, Co-Founder & CEO of Pana, a Y Combinator-backed challenger bank. Piero shares his journey from digital banking at Scotiabank to creating Pana, a fintech solution focused on providing accessible and affordable financial services to the cross-border economy. Learn about the challenges and opportunities in the fintech industry and how Pana is revolutionizing banking and remittances for US-Hispanics. Discover insights into building a customer-focused digital strategy and leading diverse teams to deliver innovative solutions. This show is supported by www.matchrelevant.com. A company that helps venture-backed Startups find the best people available in the market, who have the skills, experience, and desire to grow. With over a decade of experience in recruitment across multiple domains, they give people career options to choose from in their career journey.