Category Visionaries

Tine Karlsen, CEO and Co-Founder of Vev: $7 Million Raised to Power the Future of No-Code Visual Design

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Tine Karlsen, CEO and Co-Founder of Vev, an all-in-one design platform that's raised $7 Million in funding, about why a web-dominant economy demands a new generation of design tools to empower visual creativity without sacrificing smooth functioning. Learning by doing, Vev has developed a seamless visual developing platform that integrates with the hard technology of back-end software to cover everything from paywall pieces to interactive scrolling narratives.
We speak about Tine's background in the Norwegian tech sector and her thoughts on what makes it special as an early adopter of innovation, the hands-on learning that helped her become a 'Jack-of-all-trades,' why media companies led the way in Vev's market development, and why giving designers the power to build without code is streamlining the world of web design like never before.
Topics Discussed:
How Tine came to found a company through learning by doing, and what it means to be a 'jack-of-all-trades'
The unique position of the Norwegian tech sector and how a high tech transition is pushing new currents of innovation
Why traction in the media industry was critical to Vev's market growth
How inclusivity is key to Vev's value proposition, putting design tools in the hands of creatives without cumbersome code
How code-free design is transforming an existing market category, and what it means for the future of web design
Vev's vision to establish themselves as the go-to front end builder in the next 3 years
 
Favorite book: 
The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers

Christelle Rohaut, CEO of Codi: $23 Million Raised to Power the Future of Modern Workspace Solutions

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Christelle Rohaut, CEO of Codi, a flexible workspace solution startup that's raised $23 Million in funding, about why tomorrow’s cities need a more flexible approach to space usage, and how Codi is positioning themselves as a leader in the marketplace of flexible office leases. With a portfolio of office solutions available for clients and a ready-made support system to help businesses scout, secure and establish themselves in the spaces that are right for them.
We also speak about Christelle’s background in urban planning and her passion for making cities better places to live in, the impact of disruptive companies like AirBnB on the way our cities work, what it means to establish an office-as-a-service business model, and why flexibility in finding solutions will always be a cornerstone of good business.
Topics Discussed:
Christelle’s urbanist background and her passion for building better cities for everyone
The fundamental differences between US and European urban landscapes, and what it means for the people who live in them
What the office-as-a-service model means for Codi’s clients, and what it means to build a long term relationship with clients
The comprehensive support package Codi provides for their clients, and why a good office is so much more than just space
Bridging the gap between tenants and landlords, and securing a lease that works for all the stakeholders involved
Christelle’s predictions for the future of Codi, and how a new way of office working will change the cities of tomorrow
 
Favorite book: 
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change

Alan Cowen, CEO and Founder of Hume AI: Over $17 Million Raised to Measure and Improve How Technology Affects Human Emotion

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Alan Cowen, CEO and Founder of Hume AI, a research lab and technology startup that's raised Over $17 Million in funding, about how unchecked machine learning can lead very quickly to exploitation, and why we need to develop technology more in line with people’s mental health. With algorithms targeted specifically for more positive behavioral outcomes, positive emotions and desirable life outcomes, Hume AI is charting a new course in the development of human-AI interaction.
We speak with CEO and Founder Alan Cowen about his background education in psychology and being a pioneer in the field of data science and human emotion, his motivations for founding Hume AI and the risks of unchecked machine learning development for people’s mental wellbeing, and how he sees the current frenzy surrounding AI technology developing in the years to come.
Topics Discussed:
Alan’s background education in psychology, and being one of the people who brought data science to the study of human emotion 
Experiences at Google’s AI program and the decision for Alan to strike out on his own with a new company
The potential risks of unchecked AI development and the risks of exploitation even when unintentional
Why wellbeing-aware algorithms are an essential part of a healthy relationship with the technology we rely on every day
The current media frenzy surrounding ChatGPT and similar language models, and what it means for AI in the future
Where Alan believes AI should sit in our future society, and some practical suggestions for how we might get there.
 
Favorite book: 
Human Compatible: Artificial Intelligence and the Problem of Control

Will Sealy, CEO and Co-Founder of Summer: Over $18 Million Raised to Build the Future of Student Debt Financing

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Will Sealy, CEO and Co-Founder of Summer, a student debt technology platform that's raised over $18 Million in funding, about why so many Americans are still paying back student loans well into their senior years, and the long-term impacts this debt burden can have on individuals and the companies they work for. By partnering with employers and financial institutions to reach hundreds of thousands of employees, Summer helps their clients manage everything from financial planning to college tuition fees, and savings to pay off loans in a swift, sustainable, and well-structured way.
We speak to CEO and Co-Founder Will Sealy about his personal experiences with the burden of student debt and the origin story of Summer, transitioning from government work to entrepreneurship, challenges operating in the student loan sector and why it needs improvement, and how Summer intends to change the narrative about college education ROI in contemporary America.
Topics Discussed:
Will’s personal experiences dealing with shortcomings and challenges in the student loan sector, and his inspiration for founding Summer
Will’s background briefing members of Congress on the challenges and potential solutions for the student loan sector
How Summer manages to secure partnerships with financial institutions and employers across the economy
A range of potential solutions for student debt relief, and why so many borrowers are in urgent need of assistance
Why Summer is seeking to transform the established narratives surrounding ROI on a college education
Why Will hopes for more affordable tuition and more accountable colleges as part of a long term student loan solution
 
Favorite book: 
Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist

Behind the Category: Creating the Account-Based Marketing (ABM) Category with Sangram Vajre

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Sangram Vajre, CEO and Co-Founder of GTM Partners and Co-Founder of Terminus, pioneers of the Account-Based Marketing (ABM) category.
Topics discussed: 
Sangram’s career background as the CEO and Co-Founder of GTM partners, and what led him to found Terminus
The origins of ABM
The role events play in creating a new category
The power of podcasting to support category creation efforts
Why Terminus partnered with competitors to create demand for the ABM category
The most common challenges of category creation
Sangram’s advice for founders getting ready to embark on their own category creation journeys 
Sangram's next big move with GTM Partners 

Marc-Alexander Christ, Co-Founder of SumUp: $1.5 Billion Raised to Help Small Businesses Around the World Accept Payments

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Marc-Alexander Christ, Co-Founder of SumUp, a mobile point of sale solution that’s raised $1.5 Billion in funding, about the trials and challenges of disrupting the established payments industry, as well as the benefits it brings to small businesses everywhere. By simplifying orders, unifying payment processes and providing critical insights on everything from tax payments to business performance, SumUp is empowering small businesses with software tools that, until now, have been the reserve of major enterprises.
We also talk about Marc-Alexander’s background in banking and real estate finance, the inspiration for revolutionizing existing payments systems which inspired founding SumUp, causing a major market disruption and the inevitable skepticism that brings from incumbents, and why small businesses became the focus of this global-facing payments platform.
Topics Discussed:
Marc-Alexander’s background in banking and real estate finance, and how he eventually found himself in the startup sector
The inspiration for SumUp’s disruptive payments system and what it means for small businesses
Why doing something new will always bring skepticism from incumbents, but why real disruption is always worth it
Why focusing on payments addresses a critical pain point for SumUp’s clients in the small business world
How resilience and investor appeal have both contributed to SumUp’s success in the startup economy
Favorite book: 
Moonshots: Creating a World of Abundance

Doron Myersdorf, CEO & Co-Founder of StoreDot : $200 Million Raised to Power the Future of Electric Vehicles

Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from tech's most innovative B2B founders. In today's episode, we're speaking with Doron Myersdorf, CEO and Co-Founder of StoreDot, a battery developer that's raised over $200 Million in funding.
Here are the most interesting points from our conversation:
Doron's engineering background and what led him to the battery technology space
The critical anxieties holding back widespread adoption of electric vehicles, and his StoreDot plans to overcome them
How StoreDot overcomes the trust barrier with customers simply by demonstrating that 'the proof is in the pudding'
Why StoreDot have their eyes set on a target of '100 in 2,' and what achieving it would mean for the electric vehicle economy
Why various markets across the world will experience different maturation rates of the inevitable electric vehicle transition
The technological factors still to be addressed in future generations of electric vehicle technology, from cold weather to carrying capacity
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Sponsors:
Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership.
www.FrontLines.io
The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe. 
www.GlobalTalent.co
 

Andy Berman, CEO and Founder of Vowel: $13 Million Raised to Power the Future of Meetings

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Andy Berman, CEO and Founder of Vowel, an AI-powered meeting platform that's raised $13 Million in funding, about why most contemporary video conferencing tools fail to really deliver a working environment conducive to the collaboration so essential for modern business. With a suite of collaboration features that help everyone stay engaged while the meeting is active and an organized repository of content that allows people to search for any valuable information they might need, Vowel is transforming the virtual meeting into a powerhouse of productivity.
We also speak about Andy's career in venture capital and his baby-focused market offering, working with Google, building products with organic growth within their clients' companies, and how delivering practical outputs has helped Vowel stand out in a crowded AI marketplace.
Topics Discussed:
Andy's career in venture capital, and the tech offerings which eventually led him to found his own AI platform
The shortcomings of established video conferencing solutions in terms of supporting genuine collaboration
Vowel's unique offering, supporting people during and after an important meeting takes place
How Vowel developed a system driven by organic adoption within their clients' organizations
The importance of messaging and a clear value proposition to establish a market identity
Why category creation should be a continuous process of learning and improvement to ensure true product-market fit
 
Favorite book: 
Amp It Up: Leading for Hypergrowth by Raising Expectations, Increasing Urgency, and Elevating Intensity

Maggie Adhami-Boynton, CEO & Founder of ShopThing: $10 Million Raised to Power the Future of Live Video Commerce

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Maggie Adhami-Boynton, Founder & CEO at ShopThing, a live video commerce platform that's raised $10 Million in funding, about the future of live shopping and how the experience is set to get a whole lot more exciting. ShopThing functions as a live shopping marketplace where people can engage with and purchase from their favorite designers and creators through a seamless app interface complete with chatting, emojis, and all the audience interaction missing from traditional shopping channels.
We also speak about Maggie’s more than decade-long career in the tech space, building solutions and applications for everyone from banks to quick service restaurants, how being a micro-influencer led her to found a whole new business based entirely around her passion, why a new way of live shopping is overhauling the old ‘shopping channel’ model, and why ShopThing’s approach is empowering brand partners without losing curated control.
Topics Discussed:
Maggie’s tech background as the backdrop for founding her first tech company
How a personal passion for fashion and micro-influencing dovetailed with the commercial opportunity of a live shopping app
How ShopThing positions itself as a new way to engage with and purchase from people's favorite creators via a more immersive experience
The challenge of attracting brand partners to a new platform, and how ShopThing overcame this early stage hurdle
The future of live streaming beyond purely content and live shopping, and how it will shape the marketplace of tomorrow
How partnerships with influencers, creators, and designers via the ShopThing platform bring benefits to everyone involved
 
Favorite book: 
Shoe Dog

Virgile Raingeard, CEO of Figures: €8.5 Million Raised to Build the Future of Compensation Intelligence

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Virgile Raingeard, CEO of Figures, a compensation intelligence platform that’s raised €8.5 Million in funding, about why a lack of relevant market insights are a real pain point when developing a compensation policy, and how Figures plans to ease that issue for their customers. With a database of validated compensation data and a web-based application for accessing and analyzing it, Figures helps companies develop competitive, profitable and more equitable compensation packages perfectly suited to the talent they seek to attract.
We also speak about Virgile’s unique background in both computer science and human resources, how a personal experience developing compensation policy revealed the potential marketability of a solution to the challenges, how Figures positions themselves among the market competition, and the future of the French Tech ecosystem as a whole.
Topics Discussed:
Virgile’s background between computer science and human resources, and how it gave him the skills he’d need as Figures’ CEO
The personal compensation policy experience which highlighted the market potential of a software solution to the problem
Exactly what Figures can offer their clients, from a comprehensive database to an analytics web app and consultation services
The market competition confronting Figures, and how they position themselves with a unique offering
The future prospects of the French Tech startup sector, and why Virgile sees big things in the country’s future
 
Favorite book: 
Thinking, Fast and Slow