Category Visionaries

Craig Rupp, Founder & CEO of Sabanto: Over $22 Million Raised to Build the Future of Autonomous Tractors

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Craig Rupp, Founder & CEO at Sabanto, an AG tech company that's raised over $22 Million in funding, about why autonomy is the future of agriculture, and how Sabanto’s innovative offering is driving the next generation of farm tech. With a full stack of solutions covering practically every field in row-crop planted agriculture, Sabanto allows their clients to deploy autonomous technology into the world’s oldest economic sector.
We also speak about Craig’s career path before founding Sabanto, and what finally led him to AG tech, the complex challenges associated with planting and producing agricultural products and how it took years to develop a marketable product, and why autonomy is set to establish itself firmly in the future of farming.
Topics Discussed:
Craig’s career trajectory up until founding Sabanto, and how he eventually found himself at the cutting edge of agro-tech
The challenges of building real-world solutions to agriculture’s complex challenges
The years-long process of developing a marketable product, from outreach with farmers to finding the right engineers
The lack of labor facing contemporary farmers, and why AG tech supports, rather than supplants, farm workers
Why a future of autonomous farming will be more flexible and efficient, and why Craig is excited to be a part of it
 
Favorite book: 
How to Win Friends & Influence People

Guilhem de Marliave, CEO & Co-Founder at Elistair: Over €8 Million Raised to Build the Future of Aerial Surveillance and Security

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Guilhem de Marliave, Co-Founder & CEO of Elistair, a tethered drone manufacturer that's raised over €8 Million in funding, about why a new generation of tethered drones fills a critical niche in the contemporary information economy. By eliminating the restrictions of short battery life and broadening the compliance with certain regulations against flying, Elistair is developing a unique niche in the rapidly-maturing drone market, where specific tools for specific tasks looks set to be the future.
We also speak about Guilhem’s first-hand experiences dealing with the limitations of free-flying drones, the inspiration for the ‘tethered drone’ concept, the strategic and practical benefits of tethered drones for certain critical tasks, and why Elistair’s offering is a supplement, not a replacement, for the free-flying models most of us associate with drone technology.
Topics Discussed:
Guilhem’s experiences in the nascent drone sector, and his inspiration for developing tethered models
The limitations of free-flying drones, and how the tethered system helps overcome many of them
The critical spaces in which tethered drones have a clear advantage over free-flying drones, but why they’re not a replacement for every function
The slow pace of regulations compared to the development of technology, and why tech firms need to work with regulators to build a system that works for everyone
The current state of the drone sector, and the handful of companies really leading the process of innovation
How the drone market is maturing into one where specific models for specific tasks looks set to be the future
 
Favorite book: 
The Roots of Evil: A Postmodern Exploration of the Unintended Consequences of Civilization

Ron Benegbi, CEO & Founder at Uplinq: Over $5 Million Raised to Transform SMB Lender’s Existing Credit Evaluation Process

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Ron Benegbi, Founder & CEO at Uplinq,  a credit assessment and scoring platform for small business lenders that's raised over $5 Million in funding, about why small businesses the world over have been excluded from ethical credit servicing for so long, and why bringing them into the world of financial services is a great move for everyone in these uncertain economic times. By providing empirical, data based insights to support both creditors and their clients, Uplinq facilitates smart financial decision making and ultimately long term, sustainable success.
We also speak about Ron’s extensive startup experience and why Uplinq is the business in which he has found the most passion, what it’s like building a business up from nothing, and why, in business, if it’s not a win-win solution, then you’re most likely looking at both parties losing out in the long run.
Topics Discussed:
Ron’s experience in the startup economy, and why, out of five businesses he’s started so far, Uplinq is the one he’s most passionate about
The critical role of small business in the modern economy, and why supporting them building a better business environment for everyone
The challenges of financial access for small businesses, and the bureaucratic burden which they struggle to overcome
How Uplinq uses data to empower decision makers and drive smart investment in tomorrow’s successful enterprises
Why Ron sees the status quo as the biggest challenge to overcome, and supports other business working to change it, even Uplinq’s competitors
 
Favorite book: 
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't

Brian King, CEO of LODAS Markets: $8.5 Million Raised to Power the Future of Alternative Investments

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 Brian King, CEO of LODAS Markets, a marketplace for alternative investments that has raised $8.5 Million in funding.
Here are the most interesting points from our conversation:
Background in Marketplaces: Brian's extensive experience includes being part of the startup team for Bats Markets and launching Bats Europe, which is now the largest exchange in Europe.
Inspiration for LODAS Markets: The idea for LODAS Markets stemmed from observing family and friends trapped in illiquid investments, motivating Brian to create a more liquid marketplace for alternative investments.
Initial Traction: LODAS Markets has attracted significant buy-side interest, with over $1-$2 billion represented in the marketplace from institutional investors such as insurance companies, hedge funds, and PE firms.
Overcoming Marketplace Challenges: Balancing the chicken-and-egg dilemma of attracting both buyers and sellers was a major challenge, which the company overcame by leveraging relationships with financial advisors and creating top-of-funnel strategies.
Competitive Landscape: LODAS Markets faces limited competition in creating secondary markets for private real estate and private funds, distinguishing itself as an ATS (Alternative Trading System) functioning like a stock exchange for real estate.
Vision for the Future: Brian envisions a future where alternative investments are interconnected through technology, making it easier for investors of all kinds to access and thrive in this market.
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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

Devin Horsman, CTO & Co-Founder at Arcturus: Over $22 Million Raised to to Power the Future of Volumetric Video

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Devin Horsman, CTO & Co-Founder at Arcturus, a volumetric content platform that's raised over $22 Million in funding, about the growing gap between what technology is capable of and how most of us continue to access media today. A volumetric content platform working to bring the spatial reality of holographic recording to the vast volumes of video we all consume every day, Arcturus intends to give us all an unmatched viewing experience more immersive than ever before.
We also speak about the vision of independence which led Arcturus to entrepreneurship, the highs and lows of going on a startup journey, the role augmented reality and holographic recordings is likely to play in the future of our media landscape, and how Arcturus has a grand vision to replace video everywhere it exists today.
Topics Discussed:
How the idea of pursuing his own independent vision led Devin to the road towards entrepreneurship
The current developments in video and media technology set to transform our media landscape of the future
The highs and lows of a startup journey, and how Devin finds the strength and motivation to keep moving
Why Devin believes that building the right team will always be the key to good business, and how he believes it can be done
Arcturus’ grand vision to replace video everywhere it exists today, and just how they plan to go about making it happen
 
Favorite book: 
Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High

Omri Gazitt, CEO & Co-Founder at Aserto: $5 Million Raised to Build the Future of Authorization

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Omri Gazitt, CEO & Founder at Aserto, an authorization as a service platform that's raised over $5 Million in funding, about why authorization in the cloud-economy era is absolutely essential, and how Aserto is hoping to make this perennial problem a thing of the past. With a distributed systems architecture putting the right authorization in the hands of the people who need it most, Aserto helps empower relevant decision-makers while keeping security at the highest possible standard.
We also speak about Omri’s entrepreneurial journey and his experiences with multiple startups, the importance of authorization in the cloud economy era, why product-market fit is the biggest challenge for every company, and why a distributed system for access authorization is absolutely key, all without sacrificing security.
Topics Discussed:
Omri’s entrepreneurial journey and his experiences working with multiple startups over the years
How Omri came to settle on authorization as a perennial problem that needed to be solved 
The critical role of authorization in the cloud-economy era, and why it’s not just an issue of ‘who can log in’
The central importance of product-market fit for any startup trying to make it in business today
Why Omri thinks that at the end of the day, the most important thing in business is to stay focused and true to your vision
 
Favorite book:
Steve Jobs

Rajat Mishra, Founder & CEO of Prezent: Over $24 Million Raised to Build the Presentation Productivity Platform Category

 
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 Rajat Mishra, Founder & CEO of Prezent, a presentation productivity platform that's raised over $24 Million in funding.
Here are the most interesting points from our conversation:
Personal Drive and Vision: Rajat's journey from a senior executive at Cisco to founding Prezent was driven by a desire to democratize business communication, helping professionals improve their presentation skills and save time.
Initial Challenges and Learnings: The early days of Prezent involved numerous iterations and extensive customer feedback to refine the product, highlighting the importance of quickly prototyping and validating ideas with real users.
Targeting Large Enterprises: Despite the challenges, Rajat's focus on large enterprises paid off, leveraging his background and network to secure major clients by demonstrating immediate value through a simple and intuitive product.
Significant Time and Cost Savings: Prezent's platform can save up to 75% of the time spent on creating presentations, translating into substantial cost savings and efficiency gains for enterprises.
Complementing Technology with Services: By partnering with service providers for last-mile execution, Prezent ensures a comprehensive solution that combines software and services, catering to all aspects of business communication.
Future Vision: Rajat envisions Prezent as the go-to platform for all business communication needs, democratizing presentation success and enabling professionals to become better communicators.
 

Nik Talreja, CEO & Co-Founder of Sydecar: Over $16 Million Raised to Make Venture Deal Execution a Frictionless Process

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 Nik Talreja, CEO & Co-Founder of Sydecar, a deal execution platform for venture investors that's raised over $16 Million in funding.
Here are the most interesting points from our conversation:
Identifying Inefficiencies: Nik shares how his experience as an attorney revealed the inefficiencies in venture capital operations and led to the creation of Sydecar to automate and standardize the process.
Transition from Law to Startup: The journey from a successful legal career to startup founder was driven by a desire for greater impact and excitement, despite the initial risks and uncertainties.
Value of Grit: Nik emphasizes the importance of grit and team building as key traits for successful founders, based on his observations and personal experiences.
Long-Term Vision: Sydecar’s mission is to transform the venture capital industry with a focus on long-term goals, aiming for a paradigm shift over the next 10-20 years.
Growth and Traction: Sydecar has shown impressive growth, moving from a concept to a platform with a rapidly increasing annual run rate, driven by customer satisfaction and word-of-mouth.
Partnership Opportunities: The potential for Sydecar to partner with traditional fund administrators and law firms, offering an embeddable solution to modernize their services.
 

Sam Mallikarjunan, Co-Founder & CEO of OneScreen: $10 Million Raised to Power the Future of Offline Advertising

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Sam Mallikarjunan, Co-Founder & CEO of OneScreen, an offline advertising platform that's raised $10 Million in funding, about why in an oversaturated marketplace confronted with regulatory limits and suspicion from the public, it might be time to take advertising back into the physical world. Bridging the digital divide by providing their clients with real-time analytics about their physical advertising strategies, Onescreen helps to deliver the measurable metrics that marketers crave from traditional media that might have once been considered dead.
We also speak about Sam’s unique career trajectory, his years at HubSpot and the lessons he learned about what it takes to make it in the tech sector, how the pandemic provided the original impetus for OneScreen’s innovative strategy, and why taking the leap into the startup space might not be for everyone unless you’re ready to do a lot of independent learning
Topics Discussed:
How working in the cigar industry eventually brought Sam to a dynamic career in marketing
Sam’s time at HubSpot, from the unique job application strategy that got him in the door to the lessons he brought with him when he left
How the pandemic provided the impetus for a marketing innovation which would eventually become OneScreen
Why measurable indicators are the thing that modern marketers crave above all, and how OneScreen provides them from physical marketing strategies
Why, unless you’re ready to do a lot of independent learning, the startup adventure might not be for everyone
Why an oversaturated digital marketing space is limiting the ROI for targeted advertising, and what other options are available

Sid Jha, Founder & CEO of Arbol: Over $20 Million Raised to Build the Future of Climate Risk Management

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 speak with Sid Jha, Founder & CEO at Arbol, a climate risk management platform that's raised over $20 Million in funding.
Here are the most interesting points from our conversation:
Sid’s early life in India and how he came to find himself fascinated with the natural world
The current state of the insurance landscape and how Arbol looks set to disrupt it
The inherent challenge of climate-based risk that comes from complexity and connectivity between natural systems
How blockchain will change the way insurance functions and even create new potential markets
Why transparency is key to building trust and sustainability in the insurance industry
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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