Category Visionaries

Tony Jamous, CEO of Oyster: $220+ Million Raised to Build the Global Employment Platform (GEP) Category

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Tony Jamous, CEO of Oyster, about how remote working is bringing the world together, building new opportunities and making a dent in one of our greatest collective challenges - global inequality. Oyster’s seamless, red-tape-free solution for any company to hire anyone, anywhere, is more than just a revenue stream, it’s a mission-based company determined to lead the way toward a better future of work for us all.
We spoke about Oyster’s extraordinary funding success, the impact of the pandemic and the importance of timing, and how personal experiences building a global company led him to appreciate the challenge of hiring across borders. A self-proclaimed ‘future of work activist,’ Tony wants to see a world where barriers and borders to productivity are eliminated, allowing people to optimize their skills in their communities and end the cycle of brain drain afflicting much of the world.
 Topics Discussed:
The future of a truly global economy, and why bureaucracy hurts us all, in the long run,
How Tony became a ‘future of work activist’ and what it means to run a mission-based company
Why global talent can become the basis of a global community, and why borders build inequality into our society
The importance of like-minded investors, and why a mission is everything when founding a company to drive real change
Why learning and leadership go hand in hand, and why every first-time founder needs a good coach
Target market resonance and the challenge of positioning a revolutionary company in a saturated market
Why global work will soon become ‘future work,’ and how Oyster is positioning itself to get ahead of the curve
 
Favorite book:   
Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting out of the Box

Eduardo Silva, CEO of Calyptia: $5 Million Build the Future of Data Observation

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Eduardo Silva, CEO of Calyptia, about the future of data observation in a fully automated economy, and why a surplus of information can create as many challenges as it solves. Calyptia’s mission is to simplify data observation and give decision-makers access to the most valuable insights possible, ultimately helping everyone do better business on a daily basis.
Eduardo explains a little about his journey in the data space, the process of transitioning from engineer to entrepreneur, community, connectivity, and collaboration in the open-source economy,  and the pros and cons of operating a remote company spread across several different countries.
Topics Discussed:
Learning and leading - Eduardo’s journey from an engineer to entrepreneur, and how commercial complexity added a new level of understanding to his technical skill set
Why observability is crucial to unlocking the power of data, and why so many companies miss the mark with their analysis
The digital logistics of collecting and analyzing data from so many different sources
How simplifying observation gives everyone access to the best possible decisions, and what it takes to get there.
Why the world is bigger than silicon valley, and the pros and cons of running a tech platform from Costa Rica

Ibrahim, CEO of NeoTax: $13 Million Raised to Build the Future of Tax Automation

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Ibrahim, CEO of Neo.Tax, about the future of everyone’s least favorite aspect of doing business, and why it just makes sense for computers to take care of the number crunching. Positioning themselves as more than just a solution for tax challenges, but an optimization tool to make sure every enterprise works within the tax framework that best suits their needs and structure.
Ibrahim explains a little about why automation has been so slow to penetrate the world of accounting and taxes, but why a labor shortage in the sector now likely makes it inevitable, why political deadlock can have real-world impacts across all industries when regulations are hamstrung by infighting, and how Neo.Tax is working on a winning strategy to level the playing field, and drive business to a better relationship with tax
Topics Discussed:
Ibrahim’s first-hand experience with tax challenges and why he decided to build-out the solution himself.
Why tax optimization is about so much more than just filing, and how every business could benefit from an automated accountant
Why politics causes problems for entrepreneurs when it affects how regulations are drafted and introduced
How a few well-trained engineers can work out a way through all the complexity built into hundreds of years of tax policy
The aging industry of accounting, and why a labor shortage might be about to supercharge the drive towards automation 
Why computers taking care of the numbers might actually be a boon to accountants’ careers, and why there’s so much space for new skills to be introduced
How tax automation outmaneuvers the competition by being more than just a filing system, and why good taxes can become a real revenue boost

Alon Grinshspoon, CEO of echo3D: $9 Million Raised to Build the Next Generation of Integrated 3D Cloud-Integrated Infrastructure

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Alon Grinshpoon, CEO of echo3D, about the virtual reality revolution, the almost unlimited potential of fully immersive technology, and why a supporting infrastructure is so important to make it happen. echo3D have positioned themselves as a 3D-native technology cloud solution for technology companies to develop VR applications at scale, retaining flexibility and function without getting left behind in a fast-moving marketplace.
From curing cybersickness to fixing rendering quality for 3D video experiences, solutions to the VR problems of tomorrow are a rapidly emerging industry at the very cutting edge of our digital future, whatever tools might end up emerging as the face of all this new technology, and echo3D’s integrated cloud platform might just be the glue which holds it all together behind the scenes.
Topics Discussed:
Being a self-declared ‘certified nerd,’ and a true believer in the potential of cloud technology and VR
How the metaverse spread across the world, and why it's emerging between big tech and the youth technology market
Why VR is the next technology you don’t realize you need, and how websites, social media and smartphone applications prove the model
How a stint supporting VR surgery led Alon to rethink flexibility in 3D infrastructures
Why echo3D targets the technology developers who can build out applications at scale, and need the cloud support to realize that vision
Cyber sickness, rendering issues, and why the VR revolution offers a whole range of business opportunities
Why oversaturated buzzwords are still a boon for people really pushing the industry forward
 
Favorite book: 
The Founders: The Story of Paypal and the Entrepreneurs Who Shaped Silicon Valley

Steven Greene, CEO & Co-Founder of Standard Practice (Previously Nibble Health): $8 Million Raised to Bring the Fintech Revolution to the World Healthcare Payments

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 Steven Greene, CEO & Co-Founder of Standard Pracice (previously known as Nibble Health), a B2B healthcare payments platform that's raised $8.5 Million in funding.
Here are the most interesting points from our conversation:
Inspired by Personal Experience: Steven shared how a personal healthcare emergency and an unexpected $8,000 medical bill led him to realize the need for more accessible healthcare financing solutions, inspiring the creation of Nibble Health.
Innovative Healthcare Financing: Standard Practice offers zero-interest, zero-fee financing for medical expenses as an employee benefit, providing a healthcare safety net that removes financial barriers to care.
Focus on Employers: By partnering with employers, Standard Practice enables companies to offer their workforce flexible healthcare payment options, improving employee retention, productivity, and overall financial wellness.
Seamless Integration: The platform runs on Visa rails, allowing employees to use their Standard Practice card anywhere Visa is accepted, without the need for complex integrations with healthcare providers or payroll systems.
Attributable ROI: Steven highlighted how Standard Practice can help employers save significantly on healthcare costs by encouraging employees to switch to high-deductible health plans, demonstrating a clear ROI for the program.
Long-term Vision: Beyond healthcare financing, Steven envisions Standard Practice evolving into a comprehensive healthcare operating system that helps patients make better care decisions and navigate the healthcare system more effectively.
 
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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

Idan Shchori, CEO of Datorios: More Than $23 Million Raised to Build the Perfect Data Orchestration Environment to Run ETL Code

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Idan Shchori, CEO of Datorios, a data transformation platform promising to disrupt the way everyone from dedicated engineers to marketing executives deals with the modern deluge of data. Moving through the sales and marketing space to take a founding position at Datorios, Idan shares insights from the CEOs and thought leaders that make him tick, and also his frustrations with the sometimes outdated approach of what is supposed to be an innovation-driven industry.
With a code-agnostic platform accessible for everyone, regardless of technical background, and a vision to produce a one-stop shop for all their clients' data concerns but at a fraction of the price compared to hiring an external team of dedicated experts, Datorios is making a strategic play for premiere position in a saturated market space. 2023 looks set to be their year, so watch this space.
Topics Discussed:
The Israeli tech ecosystem, and why Tel-Aviv is transforming into a world startup superpower
Why disruption isn’t enough anymore, and why Idan has joined the ‘war on the status quo.’
Why the world of data remains poorly understood, and how this leads to wasting time and money on inefficient solutions
How Datorios ‘code agnostic’ model helps make their solutions accessible for as many people as possible, and why that matters
How leveraging a new breed of ‘data influencers’ helps develop a winning market strategy and prepare a market-ready product
Why two years incarcerated in a contract just doesn’t make sense in the modern startup space
Why Datorios is in it for the long run, developing a meaningful product rather than a quick ‘cash-out’ strategy
 
Favorite book: 
Amp It Up: Leading for Hypergrowth by Raising Expectations, Increasing Urgency, and Elevating Intensity

Olivia Bushe, CEO of FlowForma: $4 Million+ Raised to Build the Future of Digital Process Automation

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Olivia Bushe, CEO of FlowForma, about her journey from CMO to CEO, and why she’s proud to have broken not one, but two glass ceilings on her journey to the top. We also discuss the need for a business-orientated process automation tool at the enterprise scale, and why FlowForma’s no-code approach might just be the winning formula, providing critical services at an accessible price via a SaaS model.
It’s this approach which is helping FlowForma disrupt the market space, and driving them towards increasingly global expansion. Rising above the background noise as a business-native software solution and breaking dependency on dedicated IT teams to integrate crucial software, having established themselves as a presence in the market, the next few years look to be an exciting time indeed.
 Topics Discussed:
From CMO to CEO - why breaking glass ceilings is good for innovation and market development
Why more CMOs are likely to find their way into the top job in the future and how their skills make them ideal candidates for CEO
How FlowForma recognised the need for a business-orientated workflow product
The key criteria for new product features, and why ease of use is everything
Why the ‘no-code’ model is disrupting the process automation space
Why new ideas are always an uphill struggle, and why education has been a central part of Forma Flow’s market development strategy
Global expansion, a growing staff, and why FormaFlow is ready to increase its impact exponentially
 
Favorite book: 
The Qualified Sales Leader: Proven Lessons from a Five Time CRO

Andres Blank, CEO of Fetcher: $40 Million+ Raised to Build the Future of Recruiting Automation

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Andres Blank, CEO of Fetcher, about his journey from Venezuela to America as a student, his lifelong love for tech solutions, and why he believes in the power of a few key interactions to change a person’s career. Through Fetcher’s automated recruitment search approach, everyone from mature enterprises to energetic startups can solve a key problem that all businesses face - getting the best people into the right positions.
By helping recruiters stick to what they know best by providing a user-ready solution for integrated search, selection and messaging of relevant talent, Fetcher is disrupting the recruitment space, not just tweaking search parameters. Simultaneously forging a new category in terms of staffing, Fetcher relies on referrals to grow its customer base, and looks set to expand significantly over the next few years, connecting many more people with the opportunities that mean the most to them.
Topics Discussed:
Technology through transition, from Venezuela to the USA and to the top of a tech startup
Why setting clear goals is the key to extraordinary achievements, and how to follow through on them
Why outbound marketing is the future of finding top talent, and why that can be a problem with LinkedIn
How empowering recruiters through automation can help them focus on what they do best
Why more and more mature brands are looking to automate their recruitment, and what that means for employees
The importance of community in driving product innovation, feedback and development
Why a human-assisted automation approach helps Fetcher stand out from the competition
 
Favorite book: 
Amp It Up: Leading for Hypergrowth by Raising Expectations, Increasing Urgency, and Elevating Intensity

Yarden Shaked, CEO, and Founder at Varos: $4M Raised to Revolutionize Competitive Analytics and Break Data Silos

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 Yarden Shaked, CEO and Founder of Varos, a data analytics platform that has raised $4 Million in funding.
Here are the most interesting points from our conversation:
Identifying the Problem: Varos addresses the lack of comparative data analytics for e-commerce and SaaS companies by allowing them to benchmark key metrics like customer acquisition cost and retention rate against similar businesses.
Give to Get Model: The platform's value proposition is built on a cooperative model where users must share their data to access aggregated and anonymized insights from others, creating a robust data ecosystem.
YC Experience: Yarden highlights the intensity and value of Y Combinator, emphasizing the importance of staying lean, focusing on growth, and the crucial lessons learned from interacting with other talented founders.
Category Creation: Varos is pioneering the competitive data analytics category, offering unique insights that traditional analytics tools lack, thereby requiring significant market education and evangelism.
Navigating Challenges: Building a new category involves overcoming significant hurdles, including customer education and validating the hypothesis that businesses need and will benefit from comparative analytics.
Future Vision: Yarden is motivated by the challenge of proving the Varos hypothesis, expanding the user base, and scaling the team to establish a new standard in data analytics.
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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

Paul Lewis, CEO of Calamu: $20 Million Raised to Build the Cyber Storage Category

In today’s episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Paul Lewis, CEO of Calamu, about his career solving problems in the cyber economy, and why the Calamu approach of securing private assets in the public domain of the cloud is the future of security for our data. The reality is that ransomware attacks and data breaches happen, so instead of promising more than they can deliver, Calamu focuses on taking the right action in the critical moments after data has been compromised to make sure their clients can quickly and effectively recover.
By developing a new ‘cyberstorage’ category in the security space, Calamu are differentiating themselves from the competition, breaking through the supercrowded industry’s background noise, and establishing themselves as a major market player, while retaining a community-oriented ethic to help solve the collective challenge of keeping our data safe.
Topics Discussed:
The roots of insecurity in cyberspace, and why easy communication left the door wide open for breaches
The modern cybersecurity landscape, and why constant evolution is driving a security arms race
Why cyberattacks are inevitable these days, and how companies can respond to the threat
How Paul Lewis’ dog was responsible for Calamu’s big business idea
Why the cloud is the new public domain, and what it means for the future of cybersecurity
How Calamu finds its niche in a crowded marketplace of security solutions
Why punitive measures are likely not the right cybersecurity solution, and how community-minded approaches can build real resilience
 
Favorite book: 
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't