Episodes

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive into the fascinating intersection of technology and culinary arts with Fisayo Olawadiya, the visionary founder of OKAO Inc. Discover how her passion for food writing and AI led to the creation of Resactly, a game-changing AI and ML platform that personalizes dining experiences like never before. Join us as Fisayo shares her entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of tech innovation in the food industry, and a peek into the future of food tech....

In this episode of the CTO show with host Mehmet, Dean Croshere shares his unique professional journey, underscoring the importance of assertiveness and emotional awareness in leadership and business. From starting his career through a Facebook ad to running a factory in Thailand and eventually pivoting his career towards business and leadership consultancy, Dean's story highlights the significance of asking effective questions, both of oneself and others, to achieve success. The discussion delv...

This episode of the CTO Show With Mehmet features a fascinating discussion with Kirk Penn, CEO and Principal Advisor at Service Management Specialists, from Sydney, Australia. Kirk chronicles his journey and expertise in IT Service Management (ITSM) and IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) practices, detailing how his company helps organizations streamline their IT processes. He shares insights into the challenges and successes of ITSM implementation, highlighting a case study with a commercial real...

In this episode of the CTO Show, host Mehmet is joined by Michael Becker, a marketing technology expert and entrepreneur based in Dubai as part of the Antler Cohort. Michael shares insights from his decade-long career in content and marketing, his journey into launching a startup in Dubai's Antler Accelerator program, and the upcoming release of his book 'Content Capitalist'. The conversation covers the transition from traditional to content-centric marketing models, the importance of video and ...

In this episode of the CTO Show, host Mehmet interviews Roman Axelrod, Managing partner and founder of XPANCEO. Roman shares his journey of building and selling technology companies and discusses his latest venture into developing a next-generation computing solution. With a vision to overcome the limitations of current gadgets, Roman and his team at XPANCEO are creating a soft contact lens capable of providing an extended reality (XR) experience, including image rendering, biological parameter ...

In this episode of the CTO show, host Mehmet is joined by Habiba, CTO and co-founder of Metric, who shares her rich background in AI and machine learning, transitioning from academia to the tech industry, and her current role at Metric.app. Habiba discusses her commitment to leveraging AI for providing personalized financial management solutions to small and medium-sized businesses. With a vast experience spanning research in dynamic networks, postdoctoral work in historical trade routes, ...

In this episode of 'The CTO Show with Mehmet', Abdul Rahman Janoo, co-founder of Tericsoft, shares his journey from product manager to tech entrepreneur, offering insights into the challenges and victories of startup life. Abdul Rahman recounts his multiple startup experiences, emphasizing the transition from failing ventures to successful ones, particularly highlighting his work in waste management and the pivot towards AI and tech services. He discusses the importance of strategic par...

In this episode of the CTO Show, host Mehmet is joined by Steve Tafaro, who shares his extensive experience in the business world, emphasizing the evolution of selling strategies from hardware and software to Software as a Service (SaaS). With a background in teaching, IBM, Oracle, and founding Associates in 1990, Steve discusses the shift towards value-based selling and the importance of customer-centric cultures in SaaS companies. He highlights the critical role of marketing in generating lead...

In this episode of the CTO Show, Mehmet hosts Dan Balcauski, the founder of Product Tranquility, a consulting firm that assists B2B SaaS CEOs with pricing and packaging strategies. Dan discusses common misconceptions about pricing, emphasizing the importance of focusing more on whom and how you charge rather than on the price itself. He introduces a pricing model comprising four components: Segments, Value, Competition, and Strategy (SVCS), explaining how each plays a crucial role in determining...

In this episode, Mehmet interviews entrepreneur Colin Hirdman, who shares his journey from a fresh college graduate to a seasoned entrepreneur. Colin discusses the initial challenge of diving into entrepreneurship without a formal business education, emphasizing the creative and rewarding aspects of building businesses from scratch. He also touches upon the importance of embracing risks and failures as part of the entrepreneurial path. The conversation then shifts towards the role of education i...

Unlock the secrets to business transformation as Geert van Vlijmen AKA G, a trained legal eagle turned entrepreneurial guru, joins me, Mehmet, for a candid conversation on the daring shift from legal to the boardroom. Together, we dissect the essence of business success and the metamorphosis required in leadership roles for those who dare to venture into the world of innovation and risk. G’s narrative is a treasure trove of insights, highlighting the need for self-awareness, the strategic advant...

Join us as Christian Hammer, the innovative mind behind Vala-AI, peels back the layers of technical debt and exposes the transformative role AI plays in reshaping software management. Christian's journey from childhood programmer to tech CEO is not just inspiring—it's a roadmap for how we handle the increasingly complex digital landscape. Our discussion ranges from the untangling of legacy systems that anchor major sectors like banking to the ways AI can streamline and simplify the often convolu...

Unlock the secrets to elevating your startup's narrative with the help of marketing maven Danielle R. Harris, who stopped by to share her sage advice on authentic storytelling. Transform your marketing approach as we discuss the undeniable impact a powerful story can have on captivating investors and enchanting customers. With Danielle's insights, learn how to weave the essence of your brand into a story that sticks, carving out a place for your startup in the bustling market, all while staying ...

Embark on a journey through the AI revolution with Silicon Valley's very own Manish Patel, as he unveils the cutting-edge developments poised to reshape our world in 2024. As co-founder of Nava Ventures and an early innovator at Google, Manish's narrative weaves through his ground-breaking work on AdWords and Maps to his current mentorship role at Stanford. Our conversation goes beyond the buzz, breaking down the real promise of AI technology and its readiness to deliver substantial returns acro...

From the vibrant streets of New York City to the cutting-edge forefront of medical technology, Dr. Harvey Castro's story is nothing short of a rollercoaster through adversity and triumph. Imagine being a teenager with the audacity to start a business at 16 and then pioneering the very first medical app; that's the kind of innovative spirit Harvey brought to our latest conversation. We follow Harvey's remarkable trajectory—writing medical guides in med school, launching a vitamin company during h...

Unlock the secrets of AI's role in our future as I welcome back Ken Lonyai, a mastermind in product and design, for a critical examination of trust in artificial intelligence. Touching on the intriguing parallels of AI's growth to that of the internet's surge in the late '90s, we unravel the complexities of bias and human manipulation that challenge our reliance on AI. Ken brings his expertise to the table, showcasing real-world examples where AI has mirrored societal biases and discussing the n...

Have you ever wondered why CRM systems, which are supposed to streamline business, often end up collecting virtual dust on the shelf? Michael Hudlow, a maestro of CRM and author, joins us to implode the myth that CRM is just about organizing data. He brings a wealth of frontline experience from the CIO and CRM trenches, sharing why a well-implemented CRM is a game-changer, turning chaos into clarity and action. This episode isn't just a chat; it's an expedition through the crucial mistakes busin...

In this episode of the CTO show hosted by Mehmet, cybersecurity icon Wes Kussmaul shares his extensive experience in IT, starting from his early programming days in the Air Force during the 60s and 70s, to creating the world's first online encyclopedia and eventually venturing into social media. Wes discusses the evolution of his career, including the innovative creation and sale of his first business to Rupert Murdoch's News America Corporation, and his ventures into developing secure and accou...

In this episode of the CTO Show with Mehmet, guest G. Kofi Annan, a brand strategist and technologist, shares his insights on improving company visibility, engagement, and revenue through branding. With experience working with large corporations like Puma and Pfizer, as well as emerging companies, Annan emphasizes the importance of storytelling and making meaningful connections with target markets. Drawing from his upbringing in Ghana and Liberia and professional pivot at Saatchi and Saatchi, he...

Join us on "The CTO Show with Mehmet" as we welcome Brittany Greenfield, CEO of Wabbi, to discuss the evolving challenges of cybersecurity in software development. Brittany shares her journey into the cybersecurity domain, revealing how Wabbi is pioneering the integration of security within the development lifecycle for companies ranging from startups to Fortune 500s. In This Episode, You'll Learn: The Inspiration Behind Wabbi: Discover the inception story of Wabbi and its mission to...

In this episode of 'The CTO Show with Mehmet', Mehmet interviews Ravi Pratap, the CTO and Co-founder of Uniqode, a company that is at the forefront of QR code technology. Ravi shares his journey as an entrepreneur and the evolution of Uniqode. He discusses the pivotal role QR codes play in bridging the physical and digital world, and how the technology has found widespread application across various industries, especially post-COVID. Ravi further elaborates on the initial challenges, the importa...

In this episode of the CTO show with Mehmet, Sean Languedoc, the CEO of Outforce.ai from Canada, shares his journey as a tech entrepreneur and how it led him to create a solution for the common challenges faced in outsourcing for tech startups. He delves into the intricacies of outsourcing, including selecting the right team, understanding common pitfalls, and leveraging technology and AI to enhance productivity and quality. Sean also covers the critical role of culture fit, the importance of...

Discover the transformative power of authenticity in tech leadership with Noah Cantor, a seasoned tech leadership coach from New Zealand, who joins us to explore the nuances of guiding teams through challenges and personal growth. Noah brings to light the intimate struggles of tech leaders, recounting his own journey from confronting demotivated teams and technical debt to harnessing the strength of genuine management. Through his candid storytelling, we learn how a leader's journey is as much a...

Unlock the transformative secrets of HR technology and navigate the ever-evolving landscape of job seeking with our special guest, Sharanu S. Shirol, the Chief Digital Officer of Buzzwords and Innovations Group. Our enlightening chat in Bangalore takes you through the seismic shifts from conventional job markets to the dynamic internet-driven employment and gig economies, dissecting the challenges like skill mismatches and underscoring the critical role of continuous learning. Discover the ingen...