BUILDERS

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Evan Kaplan, CEO of InfluxData, a time series data platform that's raised over $170 Million in funding. Topics Discussed: Evan’s background and his unconventional path to CEO as someone with an environmental science degree The excitement and challenges of being a first-time CEO and the disappointment of a failed IPO due to a market crash The increasing demand for data and AI, and InfluxData's position as a market leader in the time series database space InfluxData’s growth prospects and their rise as a market leader in the sector Overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities as the foundation for moving forward in business   Favorite book:  When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Elizabeth Muller, CEO and Co-Founder of Deep Isolation, a nuclear waste disposal solution that's raised over $22 Million in funding. Topics Discussed: Elizabeth’s passion for the environment, and her lifelong desire to work towards the greater good Why nuclear power is absolutely essential for the future of a green energy transition, despite many people’s legitimate concerns Storage as a central component of making nuclear energy safe, and how Deep Isolation deploys innovative solutions to this perennial problem Building trust and credibility with everyone from state institutions to local communities with an interest in safe storage Why enjoying the fundraising journey is an important part of bringing a business to market, and the future of Deep Isolation’s first disposal //   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    

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Scott McCrady, CEO of SolCyber, a modern MSSP that's raised $20 Million in funding. Topics Discussed: Scott’s background as a security engineer and what led him to found SolCyber as a solution to what he saw as existing shortcomings Why comprehensive monthly security packages are so appealing for many mid-sized security-conscious companies Balancing positivity and caution in Scott’s approach to business, and how ‘duality’ shapes his worldview How Scott sees SolCyber’s evolution in retrospect, and the things he might have done differently The future of outsourced security programs and why Scott thinks they’ll soon dominate the industry   Favorite book:  The Power of Positive Thinking Only the Paranoid Survive: How to Exploit the Crisis Points That Challenge Every Company

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Jason Radisson, CEO and Founder of Movo, an HR automation platform that's raised over $9 Million in funding. Topics Discussed: Jason’s time being in charge of the expansion of Uber into Nevada, and the lessons he learned there and at 99 taxis The workforce problem in the US and how that spurred Jason to create Movo What it was like for Movo during the pandemic, and how the app contributed to keep businesses running Jason’s strategies for rising above the competition in the US Lessons Jason learned from fundraising for Movo

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 Mars Geuze, CHO & Co-Founder of Hardt Hyperloop, a transportation system that's raised over €36 Million in funding. Here are the most interesting points from our conversation: From Student Projects to Hyperloop: Mars and his co-founders transitioned from building electric race cars to pioneering Hyperloop technology, catalyzed by Elon Musk's Hyperloop competition. Open, Standardized Infrastructure: Hardt Hyperloop advocates for a network of standardized infrastructure owned by governments or private entities, enabling various operators to run their Hyperloop vehicles. Capacity and Feasibility: Addressing misconceptions, Mars emphasized that Hyperloop can transport up to 20,000 passengers per direction per hour, rivaling traditional rail capacity. Strategic Partnerships and Global Efforts: Countries like the Netherlands, Spain, India, and South Korea are actively investing in Hyperloop development, with significant public-private partnerships driving progress. Next Steps and Testing: Hardt is building a 420-meter test facility to demonstrate key functionalities, including lane switching, which is critical for creating an efficient and flexible transportation network. Long-term Vision: Mars highlighted a phased approach, with operational pilot routes expected by 2029 and widespread adoption and scaling of longer routes from 2030 onwards.   //   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

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Brandon Schulz, CEO and Co-Founder of Violet, an e-commerce technology company that's raised $14 Million in funding. Topics Discussed: Brandon’s career background in social commerce and e-commerce businesses, and finding his calling in entrepreneurship Why so many social commerce team struggle to establish an integrated infrastructure for large numbers of companies selling on a single platform Violet’s vested interest in making their customers make more money, and how their pricing policy reflects this reality How overpromising often ends up compromising the category creation process in the minds of customers Finding product market fit, and the four-year slog towards finally making a commercial breakthrough

Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from tech's most innovative B2B founders. In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Ben Christensen, CEO and Co-Founder of Cambium Carbon, a company that has raised $5.5 Million in funding. Here are the most interesting points from our conversation: Ben’s background in forestry and his lifelong commitment to fighting climate change The staggering figures of urban wood waste in the US and how that material can be harnessed by companies  Why running ultramarathons has been transformational for Ben What founding a startup has taught Ben about dealing with existential challenges How rethinking the uniqueness of products can lead to a smaller carbon footprint   //   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  

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Stephen de Vries, CEO and Co-Founder of IriusRisk, a threat modeling platform that's raised nearly $40 Million in funding. Topics Discussed: Stephen’s career as a programmer in the Y2K era and transitioning to application software security testing  Being an early entrant to the cybersecurity space, and how the industry has changed over the years How IriusRisk’s automated security approach streamlines the security software design process for developers The expansion of IriusRisk's content to meet market demand, including device-specific protocols for medical devices. The potential implications of impending regulations and working with the federal government to improve security   Favorite book:  The Bhagavad Gita

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Mark Morissette, CEO and Co-Founder of Foxquilt, an insurance technology company that has raised $25 Million in funding.  Topics Discussed: Mark’s background in distribution strategy and property casualty, his time in business school, and falling in love with insurance How micro and small businesses are neglected when it comes to offering them insurance solutions that fit their individual needs Foxquilt’s work creating economic gains for small businesses through a product that helps agents and brokers offer them the best insurance  Differences between working in insurance in Canada and the US Challenges of attracting venture capital in Canada as opposed to the US

In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Matt Butcher, CEO of Fermyon, a web assembly company that’s raised $26 Million in funding. Topics Discussed: Matt’s background as a PhD in Philosophy, and the mistake that led him to learn coding in high school Working in HP and several other companies, including Microsoft Fermyon’s inception, and how it sells to developers as the easiest way to go from a blinking cursor to a deployed application in two minutes or less Matt's thoughts on the difference between a manager and a leader The advantages of starting a startup with a mature team, developing a pattern of boldness, and the importance of Matt’s mentor