Uncharted Podcast

Poya sits down with Vineet Edupuganti, Co-Founder & CEO of Cogent Security to talk about fighting AI-powered hackers with defensive AI agents, what Abnormal got right, and how to win over CISOs in one of the toughest markets in tech.Vineet Edupuganti is the CEO and Co-Founder of Cogent Security. With a background in machine learning and product management, Vineet brings a product-first mindset to solving complex security challenges for modern enterprises. Prior to founding Cogent, Vineet was a GM at Abnormal Security, where he joined as an early employee and helped build it into a category-leading company. 

From growing up around the world to building global products, Jon Carr Harris shares how adaptability, problem-solving, and patience shaped his path as a founder — and what it really takes to scale a startup like Cred.Jon Carr-Harris is the Founder and CEO of CRED—an AI-powered platform enabling data-driven decisions with real-time external signals. Since its founding in 2023, CRED uncovers consumer and business behavior to drive profitability for enterprises such as the Golden State Warriors, UTA, and the PGA. With 10+ years as an entrepreneur and product innovator, Jon specializes in the application of predictive analytics, machine learning, and behavioral design. Previously, Jon founded Swish Labs, leading corporate solutions for Prudential, Nasdaq, Gatorade, and HSBC, and was a founding member of a financial exchange launched in 2018. Widely recognized as an expert in startup investment and marketplace platforms, Jon has also advised companies such as Airbnb, Khan Academy, and Kik to enhance their product strategy and development.

Feeling drained or at a crossroads? Join Sean Erickson as he discusses the importance of sabbaticals, self-awareness, and building community to find fulfillment and embrace new directions in your life and career.

On this episode of the Uncharted podcast, we're joined by Phil Carr, a seasoned tech entrepreneur. Phil dives into his journey from building and exiting the successful fitness platform, My PT Hub, to his current venture, Upzelo. He shares invaluable insights on his strategic pivot from SaaS retention to e-commerce loyalty, the unique challenges of being a second-time founder, and his take on AI's evolving role in the tech landscape. Tune in for candid lessons on self-awareness, raising capital, and navigating market shifts.

How do you build partnerships that actually drive revenue—not just relationships? In this episode, Billy Robbins joins to break down the evolution of partnerships, the rise of marketplaces like AWS, and how to create real value through strategic collaboration. Whether you're building your first BD function or scaling with hyperscalers, this one’s packed with hard-earned insight.

In this candid and heartfelt episode, we dive deep into a personal journey of resilience, growth, and authentic connection. Poya shares their experience growing up as an immigrant in America, navigating career transitions from politics to sales, and building a successful consulting practice based on genuine relationships. They reveal how childhood insecurities transformed into a passion for empowering others, the importance of learning through experience, and why they now measure success by happiness rather than income. From overcoming professional setbacks to finding purpose in helping others succeed, this conversation explores how vulnerability and loyalty have shaped their approach to business and life. Discover powerful insights about perseverance, authentic leadership, and why sometimes the best path forward is simply to "step the fricking up" when facing life's challenges.

Amir Orad shares how he scaled three companies to over $150M, navigated crises like 9/11 and the financial crash, and built winning teams through reinvention, resilience, and relentless focus. A masterclass in scaling SaaS through chaos.

Mark Selcow, General Partner at Costanoa Ventures and serial entrepreneur who co-founded BabyCenter and Merced Systems, shares sharp perspectives. He recounts choosing pregnancy as a focus through deep research. He explains why product focus and trust beat big media. He breaks down closing big remote deals and hiring salespeople for market fit. He highlights traits that make great founders.

In this episode of Uncharted, host Poya shares invaluable insights from his recent keynote at SaaStanak conference in Croatia. Drawing from his personal journey as an immigrant and his experience helping European startups succeed in the US, Poya breaks down the most common pitfalls founders face when expanding internationally. From the importance of founders owning the sales process to building genuine relationships instead of transactional ones, this episode delivers practical advice on how to navigate the American business landscape. Whether you're considering US expansion or simply looking to improve your sales approach, you'll learn why being opinionated matters, how to add value in follow-ups, and why documentation is critical for scaling success. Don't miss these battle-tested strategies from someone who has helped multiple companies achieve their American dream.

Our speaker this week is Jonathan Festejo. He is the CEO and co-founder of Salesbricks, where he is dedicated to making software easier to buy. He leads the company’s vision, strategy, and long-term growth. With firsthand experience in the challenges of selling software in today’s digital world, Jonathan is focused on making software more accessible through simple, click-to-purchase solutions. Before founding Salesbricks, he managed go-to-market operations at several companies backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and oversaw more than $2 billion in software sales contracts.