Category Visionaries

Clayton Wood, CEO of Picnic Works: $30 Million Raised to Automate Pizza Making

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 Clayton Wood, CEO of Picnic, a pizza tech company that's raised over $30 Million in funding.
Here are the most interesting points from our conversation:
Origin Story: Picnic started with a focus on automating food service, initially aiming to create a fully automated pizza truck, but soon focused on perfecting the pizza-making process.
Market Category: Picnic operates in the nascent field of food preparation automation, with a specific focus on pizza, leveraging their unique technology to cater to a broad range of pizza styles.
Customer Benefits: Picnic’s technology can produce 130 pizzas per hour with less than 2% food waste, significantly reducing the industry average of 10-12%, translating to substantial cost savings for operators.
Labor Challenges: The pizza industry faces chronic labor shortages and high turnover, and Picnic’s automation addresses these issues by improving productivity and consistency without needing to increase staff.
Adoption Hurdles: Educating the market and overcoming the skepticism towards new technology are major challenges. Picnic focuses on early adopters and operators willing to innovate.
Future Vision: While currently focused on pizza, Picnic’s technology is adaptable to other foods, potentially revolutionizing other segments of the food service industry in the future.
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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

Ethan Aaron, CEO of Portable: $3 Million Raised to Build a Cloud ETL Tool That Supports the Long Tail of Business Applications

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Ethan Aaron, CEO of Portable, an extract, transform and loading data platform that’s raised over $3 million in funding, about why bespoke-built data solutions are mission critical for so many businesses these days, and how Portable’s streamlined, seamless software is helping people get a grip on the insights they really need. With a range of solutions ready to plug in and go already available for clients and the capacity to quickly innovate and integrate systems for extremely specific needs, Portable is making a space for itself in a saturated data ecosystem, and their client testimonials speak for themselves.
We also speak about the years Ethan had spent working in data, the legacy of entrepreneurship in his family background, exactly how the ETL pain points were identified and why alleviating them is such a profitable opportunity, and why Portable is determined to keep the focus on their customers, rather than obsessing about how much capital they can raise.
Topics Discussed:
Ethan’s years in the data economy, and how the investment environment has changed over the years
How Ethan’s entrepreneurial family helped inspire him to get into the startup space
The ETL model, and why a singe simple acronym is helping redefine companies’ relationships with their data
How Portable found themselves in an independent market niche, and how their unique product offering keeps them a class apart from the competition
Why building-out bespoke solutions is an invaluable asset for a company promising critical insights on complex data
Why a focus on funding comes second to keeping customer satisfaction as a priority for Portable
 
Favorite book: 
The Art of Narrative Psychiatry: Stories of Strength and Meaning

Gabino Roche, CEO of Saphyre: $19 Million Raised to Digitize Pre-Trade Data and Activities Across Multiple Counterparties

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Gabino Roche, CEO of Saphyre, a pre-trade onboarding platform that’s raised over $19 Million in funding, about why it’s time to  break the siloed system keeping pre-trade separate, and develop a more streamline, reliable trading infrastructure to make sure every transactions lands where it should. By targeting the pre-trade silo of financial services, Saphyre functions like a rosetta stone for different departments and institutions, creating digital memory around trades to make sure everyone knows exactly what’s going on.
We also speak about Gabino’s many years in the space between financial services and software product offerings, what he learned from working closely with some of the world’s largest banking institutions, how two failed startups helped deliver lessons he took on to Saphyre, why revenue has always been central to the Saphyre business model, and why, when you don’t have a network to rely on, guerilla marketing strategies might be the best way to claim a share for yourself.
Topics Discussed:
Gabino’s career in the finance sector, developing software solutions for some of the world’s largest financial institutions
How the 2008 financial crisis revealed opportunities for innovative solutions to perennial finance problems
Why revenue generation is and always will be the key to successful adoption
The siloed system hamstringing successful trading, and why Saphyre chooses to target the pre-trade space specifically
Why trust will always be top of the list when it comes to expanding your market share, and how Saphyre works to build and reinforce it
How guerrilla marketing strategies might be the best option to claim a market share, especially if you lack the insider networks to get a jump start
 
Favorite book: 
Never Eat Alone, Expanded and Updated: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time

Andrew Butt, CEO of Enable: $156 Million Raised to Build the Future of Rebate Management

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Andrew Butt, CEO of Enable, a rebate management platform that’s raised over $156 Million in funding, about why the undervalued but high profit rebates and incentives in contemporary supply chains are in dire need of 21st-Century innovation, and how Enable is making it happen. Handling everything from helping rebate managers connect with the customers they need to providing cloud-based software solutions enabling people to get the most out of what’s available, Enable promises growth-driving, money-making mechanisms accessible to all.
We also speak about how a serendipitous encounter at a flying school helped lead Andrew to this underappreciated sector of the economy, why most modern firms still fail to make the most of rebates and incentives, how Enable is building a community, as well as a commercial product, and why you don’t always need to be a visionary inventor to create a whole new business category.
Topics Discussed:
How Andrew’s time spent building software for a flying school led him to a largely unnoticed business opportunity
Why rebates and incentives can be a significant growth driver in the modern supply-chains we all rely on
Why so many companies struggle to manage their rebates, and how Enable is helping them get on top of things
The reason why a combined cloud-networking solutions is the ideal offering to help drive win-win solutions in the incentives space
How Enable is creating a community, not just a commercially successful software product
Why Andrew believes you don’t have to be a visionary innovator to end up creating an entirely new category in the world of business
 
Favorite book: 
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't

John Milburn, CEO of Clear Skye: More Than $20 Million Raised to Build the Future of Identity and Access Governance

In today’s episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with John Milburn, CEO of Clear Skye, about his decades of experience in the enterprise software space, and why he found himself drawn back to security solutions with Clear Skye. Having identified shortcomings in the traditional approach to cybersecurity, focusing almost exclusively on the technology instead of the people and processes involved in making it work effectively, John is determined to make us rethink what cybersecurity means and do something genuinely different in an established market space.
Clear Skye is an identity governance and security solution built natively on ServiceNow that optimizes enterprise identity and risk management with a platform-first approach. The company provides workflow management, access requests, access review, and identity lifecycle management tools to a broad set of vertical markets. By leveraging an existing business platform, Clear Skye enables customers to reduce friction and IT hurdles, while improving workflows and user experience.
Topics Discussed:
Why John respects grind and hard work over talent and intelligence
Basic security hygiene and how so many companies get the fundamental aspects of security wrong
Identity and access governance as an established market category, and how Clear Skye is leading a transformation in the space
The enterprise technology sector’s problem with new solutions, and why focusing exclusively on technology misses critical components of security implementation
Why enterprise sales are the Clear Skye strategy for now, but PLG is coming soon as an important option for scaling brand impact
Pushing a new market category and why being first in the space can be a blessing
The challenge of transforming traditional budget owners, and pushing them towards truly innovative solutions
 
Favorite book: 
Infinite Jest

Michael Corr, CEO of Duro Labs: $4 Million Raised to Power the Future of Hardware Engineering

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Michael Corr, CEO of Duro Labs, a product life cycle management company that’s raised over $4 Million in funding, about why a stagnant hardware development sector has been left behind by the .com boom, and how Duro Labs is doing their bit to reduce the risk of innovation for everyone. By improving the way engineers working in different divisions create, enter and transfer their critical data, Duro facilitates automation in critical development cycles, giving people the time, space and resources to really do things differently.
We also speak about the reason why hardware has been neglected for so long, and the fundamental economics which have kept focus on innovation in the software space, how data entry is at the heart of the development process, and why by combining the strengths of software and human engineering means that Michael sees a bright future over the horizon for hardware.
Topics Discussed:
Michael’s engineering career, and how he let his love for building things bring him to the startup space
Stagnation in the hardware space and the economics of risk which have kept innovation largely confined to software
How data drove the .com boom and started a software renaissance, and what it can do for the hardware development economy
Why more and more companies are breaking down the walls between software and hardware solutions
How automation is helping build innovative feedback loops into the hardware product life cycle, and how Duro Labs is at the forefront of the process
Michael’s prediction of a bright future for hardware, and why many more young engineers are finding their way into the space

Henrik Johansson, CEO of Gembah: $14 Million Raised to Democratize Consumer Product Creation

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Henrik Johansson, CEO of Gembah, about why the real world constraints of creating physical products put the process out of reach for most people, and how Gembah’s unique global marketplace is democratizing the development of tomorrow’s must-have items. By connecting engineers, factories and other specialists with the people bringing new ideas for products, Gembah helps facilitate a more streamlined, efficient and empowered production network accessible to all.
We also speak about Henrik’s move to the US and the current condition of the startup sector in his home base of Austin, his previous experience in procurement and product development, why a trip to China transformed his perspective on the production supply chain, and why Genmbah’s target market of small to mid-sized businesses is likely to drive growth for many years to come.
Topics Discussed:
The startup space in two leading innovation hubs - what differentiates Austin from San Francisco, and how things are changing
Henrik’s experience in procurement for Fortune500 companies and how it led him to the production and supply chain space
The challenges and risks confronting new market entrants when it comes to production, and why a single purchase can be mission critical
Legal obstacles when it comes to building physical objects, and how Gembah plans to integrate legal protections into its production process
The democratization of product development via an online global marketplace and what it means for the economy of tomorrow
Why hardware production might be the next part of business to become dominated by outsourcing, and how Gembah see themselves fitting in
 
Favorite book: 
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change

Nyasha Gutsa, CEO of Billy: $4 Million Raised to Build the Future of Construction Insurance

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Nyasha Gutsa, CEO of Billy, a construction insurance platform that’s raised over $4 Million in funding, about how he found a lucrative niche in a very specific market, and why digital administration in the construction sector has been a long time coming. Billy was established to provide integrated access to insurance for people and companies in the construction sector, letting people review, interact with and manage their insurance plans, including direct contact with providers when necessary.
We also spoke about Nyasha’s journey from Zimbabwe to the US and what it was like arriving here for the first time, how his journey took him through several different industries until he worked his way to the top, and what he learned along the way about how to deal with things when they don’t work out the way you thought they would. Nyasha also shared his experiences as a founder of color in an unequal investment environment still unable to provide truly equal opportunities.
Topics Discussed:
Nyasha’s journey from Zimbabwe to the USA, and what it felt like coming here for the first time at a young age
How a recession permanently changed Nyasha’s career trajectory, and how he worked his way up from the construction yard to the administrator’s office
Why digitalization in the construction sector has been a long time coming, and why Billy prioritizes ease of access to encourage adoption
The construction insurance ecosystem and why the needs of modern businesses suit a more flexible, digital platform
How a user-centric focus helped Billy reduce friction for new users while maintaining security for administrators
Nyasha’s experiences as a founder of color, and the challenge of inclusivity in the investment ecosystem

Jonas Rinde, CEO of Nomono: $15 million Raised to Power the Future of Podcasting

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 Jonas Rinde, CEO & Co-Founder of Nomono, a podcast technology company that has raised $15 Million in funding.
Here are the most Interesting Points from the Conversation:
Innovating Audio Capture: Nomono is revolutionizing the way audio is captured by developing smart microphones that capture spatial audio and metadata, providing a more immersive experience.
Targeting Professional Podcasters: Nomono focuses on professional podcasters and media agencies, offering high-quality, easy-to-use solutions that simplify the recording process, even in complex environments.
Navigating the Pandemic: The pandemic presented significant challenges, particularly with hardware component shortages. However, Nomono leveraged this time to enhance their cloud solutions, ensuring long-term value.
Ease of Use and Quality: The sound capsule developed by Nomono simplifies the recording process, making it easy for anyone to use and ensuring high-quality audio without the need for extensive setup and equipment.
Growing Interest: With over 21,000 people on the waiting list, Nomono is poised for significant growth, highlighting the demand for their innovative audio solutions in the podcasting industry.
Future Vision: Jonas envisions Nomono’s AI technology touching any spoken audio recording, expanding beyond podcasting to enhance various applications in the audio industry.
 

Shamir Karkal, CEO of Sila: $20+ Million Raised to Build the Money API For Fintech

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Shamir Karkal, CEO of Sila, a money API platform that’s raised over $20 Million in funding, about why their innovative fintech development platform is helping to usher in a more diverse future of payments for everyone, and how supporting market disruptors ultimately builds a stronger and more resilient finance sector. Providing developers with the tools they need to build financial applications to handle everything from virtual bank accounts and digital wallets to wire transfers and identity verification, Sila’s mission is to make it easier for everyone to innovate and program with their money.
We also speak about why Shamir’s frustration with the ‘big bank’ lifestyle led him to found a succession of fintech startups, how Sila define their customer problem statement for customers with a wide range of problems to solve, the strengths and weaknesses of traditional banks versus disruptors in the finance space, and a global history of finance and payments, from yap stones to the federal reserve.
Topics Discussed:
Shamir’s career in the finance space, and why ‘big bank’ burnout took him to the fintech startup sector
The challenges facing fintech developers in building functional, effective apps to solve contemporary financial problems
Why established banks and fintech disruptors service different needs in the market, and why that diversity is ultimately a good thing
How finance has developed over thousands of years through a whole range of technologies, but why the basic problem statement remains the same as ever
The federal reserve and the history of the American monetary system, what differentiates it from the European approach to finance
Legacy payment systems, from stones to bank notes, and why they aren’t likely to disappear entirely any time soon
 
Favorite book: 
Debt: The First 5000 Years