Episodes

In this thought-provoking episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we sit down with Rabeeh Abla, an AI pioneer, entrepreneur, and founder of CSP Solutions. Rabeeh shares his incredible journey from teaching algorithms to building AI-driven platforms, offering insights into the evolution of artificial intelligence—from early neural networks to the era of AGI (Artificial General Intelligence). Together, we explore the transformative power of AI in business and society, and what lies ahead in the rapid...

In this exciting episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we welcome back Bart Jenezon, Chief Inspirational Officer and co-founder of CASTOMAI. Bart shares his journey of creating CASTOMAI, a cutting-edge platform designed to simplify entrepreneurship through AI-powered tools. We dive into the philosophy behind the Inspiration Canvas, the challenges entrepreneurs face, and how AI is reshaping the startup ecosystem. Whether you’re a seasoned founder or a first-time entrepreneur, this episode is packe...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we’re joined by Will Blackburn, co-founder of DevClarity, to explore how AI is transforming the management of developer teams. From his journey as a first-time CTO to building tools specifically for engineering leaders, Will shares invaluable insights into leveraging AI for productivity, managing software teams effectively, and navigating the future of development leadership. “Developers are the most highly leveraged employees in organizations t...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive into the evolution of Flowwow, a global gifting marketplace, with COO Vera Modenova. Vera shares her inspiring journey, starting as a student in a five-person startup to scaling Flowwow across 30+ countries. We explore how Flowwow leverages AI, adapts to a mobile-first market, and empowers local sellers while navigating cultural diversity in the MENA region. If you’re curious about e-commerce, leadership, and market expansion, this episode is ...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we sit down with Kiran Chinnagangannagari, Co-Founder, CTO, and CPO of Securin, to explore his journey from a stable role as the CTO for the State of Arizona to the exciting and challenging world of cybersecurity entrepreneurship. Kiran shares how Securin is working to democratize cybersecurity through proactive, accessible solutions, and we dive into critical topics like zero-day vulnerabilities, AI-driven cyber threats, and the evolving digital atta...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we are joined by Ed Osckar, CEO of Wowrack, a cloud service provider specializing in Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), hybrid cloud solutions, and managed services. From his humble beginnings in Jakarta, Indonesia, to building Wowrack into a global player in the cloud infrastructure space, Ed shares his incredible entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of scaling a capital-intensive business, and the evolution of cloud computing. Ed also dive...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we explore the critical components of a successful pitch deck with Sergio Yankovenko, a seasoned digital consultant who has helped startups raise over $560 million. Sergio reveals his approach to transforming technical ideas into fundable business propositions, discusses how to avoid common pitch deck pitfalls, and offers strategies for tailoring your deck to different investor types. Tune in for practical insights every founder needs to know about fu...

In this exciting episode, Mehmet speaks with Yohann Abitann, founder of NewMail AI, about tackling one of the most pressing challenges for executives today: email overload. Yohann shares his fascinating journey, from studying at NYU and working at Stanford Research Institute to developing an AI-powered executive assistant designed to transform productivity for leaders. Discover how NewMail AI leverages cutting-edge artificial intelligence to prioritize communication, declutter inboxes, and ma...

In this episode of The CTO Show, we're joined by Lillian Pierson, a fractional CMO and marketing strategist with an impressive track record of supporting 10% of Fortune 100 companies and educating two million learners on data science and AI. With a unique background as a licensed professional engineer and two decades of marketing experience, Lillian brings a distinctive perspective to the intersection of technology and growth strategy. Lillian discusses her upcoming book, "The Data and AI Imper...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive deep into the world of artificial intelligence with Rajeev Kapur, President and CEO of 1105 Media. Rajeev brings decades of leadership experience, from working as one of Michael Dell’s first executive assistants to spearheading AI initiatives long before they became mainstream. Join us as we explore how businesses can leverage AI to stay competitive and why waiting to adopt AI might spell disaster for your organization. Rajeev shares his...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we sit down with Joe Conley, an accomplished CTO and the founder of Techsight, to dive deep into the intricacies of technology leadership and innovation. With over 16 years of experience in software engineering, Joe has honed his expertise in scaling data platforms, navigating M&A due diligence, and driving efficiency for startups and established businesses alike. Currently based in the greater Philadelphia area, Joe shares his journey from full-stack...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Ahmad Baitalmal, Co-founder and CTO of Mytra, as he shares his journey from Tesla's manufacturing innovation to revolutionizing warehouse automation. Learn how Mytra is transforming traditional warehouses with autonomous robots that can think, communicate, and solve problems independently. Key Topics Discussed: Ahmad's background from Microsoft to Tesla, and eventually founding Mytra The evolution of warehouse automation and why current solut...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, Mehmet sits down with Ahraz Hussain, VP of Product Engineering and Data at Growers Edge, to explore the powerful intersection of AgriTech and FinTech. Ahraz shares his journey from technology to agriculture and the incredible impact Growers Edge is making in supporting farmers through advanced financial products and innovative technology. The conversation delves into the fascinating ways technology is revolutionizing agriculture. From automated ...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we’re joined by Andrew Duncan, CEO of Vertice Labs, a boutique software engineering company that helps startups and SMBs turn innovative ideas into functional products. Andrew kicks off by sharing his journey in the tech world, which spans nearly two decades, and explaining the unique approach that Vertice Labs brings to software development. Their work goes beyond simple execution, focusing on strategic alignment between management and engineering te...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we’re thrilled to have West Stringfellow, a product and technology visionary with an impressive track record of launching zero-to-one innovations at companies like Amazon and PayPal, leading transformations at Fortune 500 companies such as Visa and Target, and accelerating startups with Techstars. Currently the Founder and CEO of Howdo, West joins us to share valuable insights on innovation strategies, data-driven decision-making, and building effecti...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive into the exciting world of AI, automation, and innovation with Mike Todasco. Mike shares his journey from starting as an accountant to evolving into a leader in product management and innovation, including his influential role at PayPal. With experience in one of Silicon Valley’s most dynamic environments, Mike has firsthand insights into how emerging technologies are reshaping the landscape of business and consumer behavior. We begin by...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive deep into the dynamic world of loyalty programs with Maria Alvarez, Chief Business Development Officer and Board Member of CheckRewards. Maria shares her journey from Eastern Europe to Latin America and now to the MENA region, highlighting her expertise in data-driven marketing and her passion for connecting brands with consumers through loyalty and rewards programs. Maria discusses how CheckRewards is making strides in the MENA region b...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we welcome Eli Farhood, the founder and CEO of KatchID, a pioneering company focused on reinventing identity protection through innovative biometric solutions. Eli shares his personal journey that led him to start KatchID, driven by his experiences as a two-time victim of identity theft. He highlights the growing risks of personal information misuse and data breaches in the digital world, explaining why protecting personal information is not just crit...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive deep into the entrepreneurial journey of Miguel Sarenas, a third-time bootstrap founder who has recently sold his AI startup just three months after its launch. Miguel shares his insights on how bootstrapping and strategic decision-making contributed to his early exit. He emphasizes the importance of aligning opportunities with company goals and being open to selling at the right time when alignment exists. The discussion transitions int...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive deep into the evolving world of industrial AI with Manas Talukdar, Director of Engineering at Labelbox. Based in the Bay Area, Manas has nearly two decades of experience in enterprise AI, data infrastructure, and distributed systems. Throughout his career, he has played pivotal roles in companies like C3 AI and OSIsoft, where he contributed to developing platforms for mission-critical industrial AI applications. In our conversation, Manas unpa...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we sit down with Alex Nocifera, a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Loma. Alex shares his insights on disrupting both AdTech and MarTech to enhance local brand engagement. With over two decades of experience in retail marketing, Alex has a deep understanding of the evolving dynamics in the advertising and marketing landscape. He discusses how his company, Loma, addresses the unique challenges faced by marketers, particularly those managing multip...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive deep into the world of drone technology and startup innovation with Dario Valenza, founder of Carbonix. Broadcasting from Australia, Dario shares his unique journey from yacht racing to founding Carbonix, a company that is redefining long-range UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) for critical infrastructure monitoring, linear infrastructure, and other key applications. Dario opens up about how first principles thinking and design thinking pl...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we sit down with Alina Timofeeva, an expert in digital transformation, cloud technology, and financial services. Alina has a wealth of experience working with global institutions like HSBC, JP Morgan, and Crédit Suisse, leading them through complex digital transformations. Throughout the conversation, Alina shares her insights into the evolution of financial services, from cloud adoption to the cutting-edge possibilities of quantum computing. We...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we’re joined by Adrian Mendoza, General Partner and co-founder of Mendoza Ventures. Based in Boston, Adrian has carved a unique path from being a tech founder and CTO to a venture capitalist, specializing in AI, fintech, and cybersecurity investments. With firsthand experience navigating the startup ecosystem, Adrian brings a unique empathy and understanding to his role as an investor. He shares his journey from startup founder to venture capitalist, ...