Tech Talks Daily

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I chat with Tim Hwang, the 30-year-old CEO of FiscalNote, who became the youngest Asian American CEO on the NYSE in August 2022. Under Tim's leadership, FiscalNote has grown significantly. FiscalNote is the premier platform for regulatory and policy data, functioning as the "Bloomberg terminal" for state, federal, and global policy information. With over 5,000 clients, FiscalNote powers the data used in President Biden's daily briefings, informs decision-making at half of the Fortune 500 companies and enables foreign embassies to monitor global changes and enact diplomacy and treaty negotiations. During the interview, Tim shares the background story of FiscalNote, which he started during his junior year of college alongside his childhood friends. He also discusses how he secured Mark Cuban as the company's first investor through a cold email after watching Shark Tank. Tim emphasizes the importance of a "Bloomberg terminal" for policy in today's rapidly changing regulatory landscape. With 69% of people in the government and regulatory affairs sector experiencing increased policy issues, FiscalNote's technology and AI-driven platform help key decision-makers navigate complex policy environments. Lastly, Tim delves into his commitment to equal opportunity information and intelligence, highlighting FiscalNote's work with clients across the political spectrum and around the world. As misinformation continues to plague modern society, Tim believes everyone should have equal access to accurate data, regardless of political beliefs. Join me and Tim as we explore the innovative world of FiscalNote and its impact on policy intelligence.

Megan Clarken shares her unique background, going from a woman with no college degree to an Olympic athlete and finally to the CEO of Criteo. She discusses her dedication to promoting diversity and inclusivity within the tech industry based on her experiences of discrimination. We discuss the challenges of implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the tech industry, emphasizing the need for long-term commitment over immediate progress. Megan reveals Criteo's approach to attracting and hiring diverse talent, focusing on pay parity and collaborations with diversity-focused groups and universities. Together, we explore Criteo's innovative DEI programs, such as the Open Path program for underprivileged students and the Top Talent program for career growth. Megan expresses her optimism for the future of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, driven by the demands of the younger workforce. Megan highlights the importance of fostering a culture of inclusivity within organizations and the pitfalls of short-term "quick fixes" that often fail. Finally, we discuss the benefits Criteo has experienced from implementing DEI programs and the ongoing efforts to prioritize pay parity and inclusivity. I learn more about the power of diversity and inclusion in building a more resilient and innovative company culture and Megan's inspirational journey as a woman leader breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry.

Join me in a conversation with Oren Kaniel, the CEO and co-founder of the successful Israeli mobile marketing measurement and experience platform, AppsFlyer. In this episode, Oren shares his journey of creating AppsFlyer, a unique technology that empowers brands to better understand their users and make informed decisions. Learn how AppsFlyer's independence and unbiased measurement approach has gained the trust of major players in the ecosystem, including Coca Cola, HBO, Walmart, and eBay. Discover how AppsFlyer anticipated the mobile industry's transformative impact on our lives and the crucial role of analytics in mobile app marketing. Oren and our host, Neil, discuss the challenges posed by privacy changes and regulations on the digital ecosystem and how AppsFlyer is responding with privacy-preserving technology. Explore the potential of AI as a game-changing technology and how AppsFlyer is working at the intersection of data privacy and AI to ensure consumer privacy and safety in the digital ecosystem. Hear about AppsFlyer's mission to provide privacy-preserving technologies and measurement solutions in the face of an ever-evolving industry. In this conversation, Oren also shares insights from his blog and the influence of Tony Hsieh's book, "Delivering Happiness," on AppsFlyer's company culture. Don't miss this fascinating discussion with Oren Kaniel, the leader of a unicorn startup that has grown to a valuation of over $2 billion and is trusted by more than 12,000 brands worldwide.

Terrie Smith, Co-founder and Global Ambassador of wearable tech pioneer DIGISEQ joins me on Tech Talks Daily.Terrie shares her expert insights on the future of wearable technology, and how it is transforming payments, consumer engagement, access control, and authentication across various industries. Discover how NFC chip design is paving the way for fashionable items to become payment and ID devices, and how the wearable tech market is expected to reach $186 billion by 2030. In this episode, Terrie talks about smart clothing, powered by passive wearable tech, and explore the opportunities it presents for tech innovators and forward-thinking designers to collaborate on a new style revolution. Learn about the concept of tokenisation, which Terrie helped create for ApplePay, GooglePay, Garmin, and more, and discuss the current state of FashionTech. Key points covered in this episode include: The use of sensors to track biometric data, acting as living ID The application of wearable tech for home or venue access control, and as an interface between the physical world and augmented virtual reality How the diversity of wearable tech applications is being embraced by high-end fashion designers and luxury brands worldwide Don't miss this exciting conversation with Terrie Smith, a trailblazer in fintech and the driving force behind the Mastercard Digital Enablement Service (MDES) and mobile contactless payment services like Apple Pay. Be inspired by Terrie's innovative leadership, ground-breaking payment technology patents, and her commitment to raising the bar for tech ingenuity today.

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily,I chat with Paul Ruppert, a Harvard graduate, skilled negotiator, CPaaS veteran, and holder of 2 tech patents, as they explore the world of mobile technology, messaging, and telecommunications. Paul shares insights from his impressive career, which includes launching Messaging Trust with AT&T, a cybersecurity solution that generated $6 million in its first year and won the GSM Association's global product award for "Best Cyber Security Solution. Paul discusses his involvement in the development of voice-activated personal assistant technology, as well as the future trends in the telecommunications industry, including asynchronous messaging for customer care and the integration of various communication platforms through data management. We also delve into the potential of text messaging for businesses to engage with customers and the emergence of quantum computing and its applications in the industry. Paul shares his perspective on innovation and staying competitive in a rapidly evolving tech landscape, emphasizing the importance of humility, agility, and adaptability. With a track record of generating $400 million in tech sales and engineering multiple trade acquisitions, Paul has worked with clients such as Facebook, MasterCard, Western Union, and private equity firms like National Bank of Kuwait, HIG Capital, Warburg Pincus, and One Equity Partners. He shares valuable insights on emerging trends, such as Quantum Computing, AI, Conversational Commerce, and Secure Authentication. Listen in as we discuss global telecoms and messaging megatrends, uncovering the secrets to staying innovative and competitive in the rapidly changing technology industry. Learn about the potential of cutting-edge technologies like quantum-safe cryptography and the importance of leveraging technology to enhance customer engagement.

In this episode, I welcome Prof Stijn Viaene from Vlerick Business School, a renowned digital transformation and leadership expert. We delve into the critical role of digital infrastructure in business success and the importance of collaboration across organizational silos for effective digital transformation. The discussion highlights the debate around every company being a tech company and emphasizes the need for business transformation, with digital technology playing a dominant role. My guest shares insights on the four leadership styles (vigilant, voyager, visionary, and vested) crucial for successful digital transformation. We discuss ensuring digital transformation is purpose-driven and that technology complements human skills. We also discuss the importance of focusing on business transformation, aligning objectives with resource allocation, balancing past exploitation with exploring the future, and addressing the talent gap. Together, we examine companies' challenges and pitfalls during digital transformation, such as the need for a forward-looking vision, digital literacy gaps in executive teams, and the importance of routine transformation. The conversation explores the need for businesses to stay ahead of the curve, continuously adapting to industry innovations and disruptions. All were brought to life with examples of successful companies, including DBS Bank, KBC, John Deere, and the City of London, that have introduced new products and services while transforming their ways of working with technology.

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, Neil C. Hughes interviews blockchain expert and Ontology enthusiast Humpty Calderon. As a passionate advocate for emergent technologies, Humpty has extensive experience in everything from drone technology to cryptocurrencies. The pair discuss the potential of purpose-driven blockchains, the importance of decentralized identity, and the future of decentralized finance. Humpty explains Ontology's unique approach to tackling problems in the blockchain space and the potential it holds for content creators looking to take ownership of their work. They dive into the benefits of different layer one protocols and the need for simplifying the blockchain landscape for mainstream users. As the conversation unfolds, Humpty emphasizes bridging Web2 and Web3 through decentralized identity and reputation systems, making technology invisible to users for widespread adoption. The ONT token and staking rewards within the Ontology network is also discussed, alongside upcoming developments like the Goshen L2 project. Humpty encourages listeners to explore the Ontology blog and his podcast, Crypto Sapiens, for more information. With a deep understanding of various cutting-edge technologies, Humpty has founded businesses, grown protocols and applications, and launched the podcast Crypto Sapiens, which reaches over 100,000 listeners. He also founded DAO LA, a group connecting Los Angeles founders, investors, and hackers. Join me in an insightful conversation about blockchain, Web3, crypto, Ontology, and the world of staking as they explore the future of technology and its impact on our lives.

Did you know that cellular networks only cover 15% of the world? In today's episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Josh Miner, Vice President of Land Mobile Services at Iridium Communications, to explore the exciting world of satellite communication. Iridium Communications is the only company offering true pole-to-pole coverage, connecting people and organizations across the globe. They discuss the unique benefits of Iridium's network, including satellite phones, push-to-talk, and data products that cater to various industries. We discuss Iridium's innovative approach to global communications and how it's reshaping industries. I also learn more about the Iridium GO! exec device and its powerful new features. Together we explore the fascinating world of Iridium Communications and how this ultra-portable device creates new possibilities for global connectivity and transforms how businesses, governments, and adventurers stay connected. Whether working off the grid or exploring the world, I discover how the Iridium GO! exec brings reliable communication to your fingertips.

In this thought-provoking episode of Tech Talks Daily, I speak with Kat Hartigan, VP of International at Clari, a revenue operations platform that is transforming businesses across the globe. With a rich background at Soho House and WeWork, Kat shares her inspiring journey from studying neuroscience to leading Clari's international expansion. Kat also discusses her experience as a female leader in the tech industry, addressing challenges such as confidence gaps and the lack of diversity in leadership positions. She shares her personal battle with imposter syndrome and offers valuable advice for women seeking leadership roles in technology and business. Neil and Kat delve into the concept of revenue operations (RevOps) and its impact on businesses in the UK, as well as the benefits of Revenue Governance & Collaboration as an emerging trend. They explore how Clari's Revenue Platform improves efficiency, predictability, and growth across the entire revenue process, providing total visibility to drive process rigor, spot risks and opportunities in the pipeline, and increase forecast accuracy. Kat shares a success story and highlights how Clari's platform has helped the company enhance its forecasting accuracy. She also provides insights into Clari's future plans and upcoming features, emphasizing the company's commitment to innovation and support for its users.

I sit down with Paul Saccone, Sr. Director of Adobe Video Marketing, to dive into the latest Adobe announcements and explore how AI revolutionizes video creation. Paul shares insights on Adobe Premiere Pro's new features, including generative AI and AI-powered text-based editing, and the company's dedication to providing workflow innovations that enable customers to execute their ideas faster. We discuss the recent improvements in Adobe's Premiere Pro and After Effects, touching on workflow animations, tone mapping, and the new property panel interface for After Effects. They also delve into Adobe's expansion of the Frame.io collaboration platform to encompass still images and PDF documents. With the increasing demand for content, I learn more about how Adobe is committed to offering tools like Firefly and Sensei to help creators work more efficiently and produce unique content. We also explore the potential of generative AI and Adobe's focus on supporting artists and creators while maintaining authenticity in content creation. Finally, we examine the use of generative AI in professional video work, and its ability to enhance creativity and speed up the creative process. Paul also shares some exciting news about Adobe's upcoming releases and how customers can try them. Tune in to this insightful episode as we delve deep into the world of video tech, AI, and the innovations shaping content creation for years to come.