Episodes

In this episode of “The CTO Show with Mehmet,” we delve into the fascinating world of unstructured data and its impact on the future of AI with Kirk Marple, the founder and CEO of Graphlit. With over 30 years of experience in software development, Kirk shares his journey from Microsoft to founding his own company and the vision behind Graphlit. Discover how unstructured data can unlock valuable insights for businesses and the role of knowledge graphs in enhancing AI applications. Kirk expl...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we sit down with Sonia Couto, a two-time tech founder from Toronto, Canada. Sonia shares her incredible journey from working in accounting and operations to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the tech industry. She discusses the pivotal moments in her career, the importance of resilience and authenticity in leadership, and how she turned challenges into opportunities. Key Topics Discussed: 1. Sonia’s Background and Journey: • Sonia’s early...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, Matt Swalley, co-founder and Chief Business Officer of Omneky, joins us to explore the transformative power of AI in marketing. Matt shares his journey from a 13-year tenure at AT&T, leading sales teams and corporate strategy, to co-founding Omneky, an AI-powered marketing platform. He discusses how Omneky leverages data and generative AI to create personalized and scalable advertisements, addressing the challenges posed by today’s fragmented and fast...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we welcome Karthik Suresh, co-founder of Ignition, an AI product success platform. Karthik shares his remarkable journey from Wall Street’s high-frequency trading to product management roles at Facebook, and ultimately to co-founding Ignition. He discusses the pivotal moments that led him to focus on product management and startup growth, highlighting the differences between working in large corporations and startups. Karthik explains the market gap t...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we welcome Ben Johnson, the CEO of Particle41. Ben shares his journey from being a paperboy to becoming a serial technical co-founder and leader of a technology services company. He discusses the concept of T-shaped teams, emphasizing the importance of combining deep technical expertise with broad soft skills for enhanced productivity and collaboration. Ben talks about the challenges of transitioning from a developer to a CEO and the necessity o...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we are joined by Blake Burch, co-founder and CEO of Shipyard, a modern data operations platform. Blake starts by introducing himself and explaining how his background in marketing led him to teach himself SQL and Python to overcome the repetitive tasks he faced. This journey sparked the creation of Shipyard, which simplifies data workflows by allowing users to move data end-to-end either through low-code methods or by writing custom code. Blake ...

In this episode, Mehmet Gonullu welcomes Roshan Shah, an accomplished entrepreneur and investor, to discuss his extensive experience in Bitcoin mining, real estate investments, and strategic growth in the digital currency space. Roshan shares his journey, insights, and advice on making smart investments in the evolving world of cryptocurrency and beyond. Key Topics Discussed: 1. Roshan’s Background and Ventures: • Overview of Roshan’s professional journey, including his roles in commerc...

In this episode, Mehmet sits down with Alexander Ponomarev, the COO of Syrve in the Middle East, to discuss the transformative role of technology in the restaurant industry. Alexander shares his journey from IT and hardware technology to food tech, emphasizing the integration of AI and automation in enhancing restaurant operations. The conversation covers key trends, challenges, and the future outlook for technology adoption in the F&B sector, particularly in the MENA region. Key Topics Di...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we are joined by Sam Obletz, CEO and co-founder of Claim, a rewards-based social app designed for Gen Z. Sam shares his inspiring entrepreneurial journey, starting from his early ventures in Portland, Oregon, to founding Claim and securing funding from major investors like Sequoia Capital. We delve into the motivations behind Claim, the challenges faced in the startup journey, and the innovative strategies used to engage Gen Z consumers. Key Top...

In this insightful episode of “The CTO Show with Mehmet,” host Mehmet Gonullu sits down with Ken Pomella, the CEO of RevStar, to explore the transformative power of AI for small businesses and startups. Ken shares his extensive experience in the tech industry, from his early fascination with technology to founding and growing RevStar, a company that specializes in custom AI solutions. This episode dives deep into how AI can be a game-changer for businesses of all sizes, particularly focusing on ...

In this episode of “The CTO Show with Mehmet,” we dive into the fascinating journey of Edward Brawer, the visionary founder and CEO of PodcastAI. Edward shares his unique path from studying biology to becoming a tech entrepreneur, his experiences with building websites and apps for over 25 years, and how he ventured into the world of AI-driven podcasting. Discover how Edward’s innovative platform, PodcastAI, is revolutionizing the podcast production process, and learn about his remarkable experi...

In this episode of “The CTO Show with Mehmet,” we are joined by Björn Kolbeck, co-founder and CEO of Quobyte. With a rich background that includes a PhD in distributed systems, experience at Google, and a passion for high-performance computing (HPC), Björn shares his journey and insights into the world of scalable data storage solutions. Join us as we delve into the intersection of AI, HPC, and enterprise data management. Key Topics Discussed: • Björn’s Background: From his early days i...

In this insightful episode of "The CTO Show with Mehmet," we dive deep into the world of startup growth and scaling with Bechir Omran, the VP of Growth at Wonderflow. Bechir brings a wealth of experience from his diverse career in media, content production, rights management, e-commerce, mobile apps, travel tech, and SaaS. He shares his journey, pivotal career moments, and the strategies he has developed to transform startups into successful scale-ups. Key Topics Discussed: Introduction and ...

In this insightful episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we are joined by Shanif Dhanani, founder of Locusive, an AI-powered platform revolutionizing customer success. Shanif brings a wealth of experience in software engineering, machine learning, and startups, having previously built and sold Tap Commerce to Twitter and founded Apteo, a predictive marketing company. Join us as Shanif delves into how AI can transform customer success teams, streamline data management, and enhance customer expe...

In this episode of the CTO Show, host Mehmet interviews Buchi Reddy, founder and CEO of Levo.ai, a proactive API security platform. Reddy shares his journey from India to Silicon Valley, the inception of Levo.ai, and the gaps he identified in API security which led him to start the company. With significant experience at AppDynamics and witnessing firsthand the challenges in securing applications post-development, Reddy emphasizes the importance of proactive security measures. Levo.ai aims to pr...

In this episode of "The CTO Show with Mehmet," we are joined by Ashis Parajuli, Founder and CEO of DLytica. Ashis shares his extensive experience in AI, data science, machine learning, and data engineering analytics. We dive deep into the transformative power of AI and big data, exploring how organizations can leverage these technologies to drive innovation and make data-driven decisions. Ashis also discusses the importance of moving from vendor lock-in to open source solutions, fostering collab...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we are joined by Bill Simmons, the co-founder of Thrive Business Operations. Bill shares his extensive experience and insights into the growing trend of fractional Chief Operating Officers (COOs) and how they play a crucial role in driving sustainable growth for startups. We dive deep into the Thrive Ops Cycle, a business operating system designed to help small to mid-sized businesses achieve operational excellence. Bill also discusses the balance bet...

In this enlightening episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, I sit down with Ryan Pollyniak, a seasoned technology consultant with two decades of experience in IT, business systems, and sales. Ryan has extensive expertise in helping businesses of all sizes embark on their digital transformation journeys, particularly within the Microsoft ecosystem. This episode delves into how AI can act as a co-pilot for business growth, guiding organizations through technological advancements and strategic upgrad...

In this episode of "The CTO Show with Mehmet," we dive deep into "The Alpha Movement" with Seif El Hakim, a seasoned entrepreneur and former CMO of Samsung. Seif shares his extensive experience and unique insights into the entrepreneurial journey, discussing the critical elements of grit, leadership, and innovation. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or an established business leader, this episode offers valuable strategies and real-life advice to help you navigate the challenges of the bus...

In this episode of "The CTO Show with Mehmet," we are joined by Jamal Ahmed, a renowned expert in the field of data privacy. Together, we explore the multifaceted challenges of data privacy, the power of storytelling in branding, and the transformative influence of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) on personal development. Jamal shares his experiences as the global privacy and AI expert at Kazient Privacy Experts, the founder of Privacy Pros Academy, and the host of the top-rated Privacy Pros P...

Join us on this enlightening episode of "The CTO Show with Mehmet" as we delve into the transformative world of AI-driven supply chain management with the cofounders of TrueGradient, CEO Ankur Verma and CRO Jasneet Kohli. Discover how True Gradient's self-serve AI platform is revolutionizing demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and price optimization in the CPG and retail sectors. Learn about the challenges and solutions in implementing AI technologies directly from the visionaries behind...

Welcome to another episode of "The CTO Show with Mehmet," where we delve into the journeys of successful tech entrepreneurs and leaders. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Ryan Matonis, the founder of a leading SaaS startup in the lead generation space. Join us as Ryan shares his transition from a technical expert to a successful entrepreneur. Episode Highlights: The Spark of Entrepreneurship: Ryan discusses his early career as an intern and the pivotal moments that led him ...

Join us on this enlightening episode of "The CTO Show with Mehmet," where we sit down with Jon Gillham, founder of Originality.Ai. From his days as a mechanical engineer to becoming a trailblazer in the digital content arena, Jon shares his unique journey and how AI is reshaping the landscape of content marketing. What You'll Learn: How Jon’s engineering background influenced his approach to online business and content marketing. Key challenges and solutions in distinguishing AI-genera...

In this episode of "The CTO Show with Mehmet," Sue Mysko, founder of Hire A Fractional and a seasoned fractional CMO, dives deep into the evolving world of fractional executives. Discover how part-time C-suite roles are reshaping business landscapes and enabling companies to adapt, innovate, and grow in today’s dynamic market. What You'll Learn: The definition and role of a fractional executive. The driving forces behind the rise of fractional leadership. Key advantages of hiring...