The Tech Trek

In this episode, Amir Bormand chats with Jake Moshenko about his journey from engineer to founder, the challenges of identifying the right startup ideas, and navigating both venture capital and bootstrapping. They also discuss decision-making, failure, and the growing role of AI in authorization systems. Key Takeaways Turning an Idea into a Startup: Jake emphasizes the importance of picking the ri...

In this episode, Srini Rajagopal joins us to discuss how Generative AI (Gen AI) is transforming the engineering landscape. We explore the challenges of integrating AI into legacy products vs. building AI-first solutions from the ground up, the impact on developer productivity, and how teams prioritize AI-driven innovation while bringing stakeholders along for the ride. 🔹 How should engineering te...

In this episode, Amir Bormand is joined by Jay Como to discuss how organizations can simplify data governance. Jay shares insights on shifting the perception of governance from a bureaucratic burden to a business enabler, how emerging technologies like Gen AI can assist in governance challenges, and strategies for making governance policies more effective and accessible. 🔑 Key Takeaways Data Gove...

In this episode, Amir Bormand sits down with Ganesh Datta, Co-founder & CTO of Cortex, to dive deep into engineering excellence—what it means, how to measure it, and how to build it into the culture of a technology organization. They explore product thinking, shared standards, accountability, and continuous improvement, as well as the challenges of maintaining excellence across different types...

Artificial intelligence is moving beyond proofs-of-concept and into real-world production—but how do you make it work in highly secure environments? In this episode, Ben Van Roo, CEO & Co-Founder of Yurts, joins Amir Bormand to discuss the challenges of implementing Gen AI in government, financial institutions, and enterprises with strict security requirements. Ben breaks down why 2024 is the...

In this episode, we dive deep into getting the right results from Gen AI with Timm Peddie, an expert in operationalizing AI at scale. We discuss the common pitfalls companies face, what "right results" actually mean, and how organizations can effectively implement Gen AI solutions. Timm shares practical strategies for AI adoption, the importance of rapid failure, and how companies can av...

In this episode, I sit down with Varun Madan, Head of Engineering at OneHouse, to discuss how startups must operate with slimmer margins—both in decision-making and execution. We dive into the high-stakes hiring process, balancing efficiency with impact, managing context switching, and transitioning between IC and leadership roles. Key Takeaways: ✅ Hiring at a startup requires extreme precision....

In this episode, I sit down with Wade Bruce, CTO of Fetch, to explore his journey from engineer to CTO. We dive into what it takes to grow into a leadership role, how to create influence, and why focusing on value over titles leads to career progression. Wade shares his unique perspective on filling gaps within a company, playing "free," and embracing challenges without the fear of failu...

In this episode, Jeremy Whittington shares his journey of building a startup without relying on traditional venture capital. Instead, he leveraged alternative funding paths, including government grants and accelerators. We dive deep into the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the I-Corps program, and how startups can secure non-dilutive funding to kickstart their business. If you'r...

In this episode, we dive into blurring engineering lines , full-stack engineering , and the evolving role of software engineers in a rapidly changing landscape. Sahil shares insights on how generative AI is reshaping engineering , the shift towards problem-solving over-specialization , and how teams can optimize for speed and business value . Key Takeaways: 🔹 Blurring Engineering Roles : Traditio...

In this episode, we dive into the evolving role of engineering leadership with Andy Elmhorst, VP of Engineering at Bolt . We explore the delicate balance between delegation and hands-on leadership , dissect the founder mode philosophy, and analyze how servant leadership has been interpreted—and sometimes misapplied—in tech organizations. Andy shares insights on why traditional management books may...

In this episode, Sasha Bartashnik shares her insights on how large language models (LLMs) are transforming the development of data products , making advanced AI-driven solutions more accessible and scalable . We dive into the challenges of traditional data tools , the advantages and risks of LLM integration , and how businesses should adapt to the changing landscape of AI-driven decision-making. K...

In this episode, we dive into the evolution of the Chief Product and Technology Officer (CPTO) model , the blending of traditional engineering and product roles, and how AI, hackathons, and shifting org structures are reshaping product development. Arjun shares insights on what this means for engineers, product managers, and leadership teams, as well as the challenges of making this shift successf...

In this episode, JD Williams joins Amir Bormand to dive into the critical role of change management in driving successful digital adoption. From leading with digital fluency to navigating organizational change for AI integration, JD shares actionable insights from his work at Zoetis. Key Takeaways Digital Fluency Starts with People : Training needs to be role-specific and practical. Peer-to-peer l...

In this episode of The Tech Trek , Amir Bormand sits down with Stephen Harris, former Corporate Vice President of Global Data Science and Growth Analytics at Microsoft. Steffen, a seasoned data executive with over 30 years of experience, shares insights into tackling foundational data issues, addressing data debt, and integrating advanced AI strategies. Together, they explore how businesses can mo...

In this episode, Amir Bormand is joined by Marty Kausas, Co-founder and CEO of Pylon, a groundbreaking customer support platform for B2B companies. Marty shares his journey of navigating "pivot hell," the challenges of ideation, finding the right co-founders, and understanding what it takes to build a billion-dollar company. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned profe...

In this episode, Tanaz Mody shares insights on the hiring struggles founders face as they scale their companies. We explore how founders navigate the decision-making process, overcome hiring hesitations, and transition from being hands-on operators to strategic leaders. Key Topics: ✅ The weight of hiring decisions on founders ✅ How founders can avoid “decision paralysis” in hiring ✅ The evoluti...

In this insightful episode, James Evans dives into the unique challenges and growth opportunities for first-time founders. From building leadership styles to navigating tough decisions, James shares his journey and valuable lessons from leading CommandBar to its acquisition by Amplitude. If you're a tech enthusiast, startup founder, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actiona...

In this inspiring episode, Amir Bormand chats with Matt Martin, Co-Founder of Clockwise. Matt shares his unique career trajectory, transitioning from being a lawyer to a self-taught software engineer, and ultimately, to a tech entrepreneur. They discuss the challenges, self-doubt, and triumphs of making a bold career pivot, as well as insights into the future of technology and software development...

In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir Bormand sits down with Scott Peachey, Director of Data Governance and Oversight at Bread Financial, to explore the evolving world of data enablement. Together, they unpack how rebranding data governance can shift perceptions, make data accessible across organizations, and foster a culture of collaboration. Scott shares his insights on tackling the challenges...

In this episode, Amir Bormand is joined by Vinod Ramachandran , CEO and Co-Founder of Big Sur AI, and Arnaud Weber , Co-Founder and CTO, to discuss how AI is reshaping the e-commerce landscape. The conversation explores AI-driven personalization, the future of dynamic online shopping experiences, and how smaller brands can compete with industry giants. Key Takeaways AI as a Game-Changer for Smalle...

In this episode, Amir Bormand is joined by Jake Peters, co-founder, CTO, and CPO of Fora, a modern travel agency platform. Together, they delve into the art of customer-centric engineering, the balance between business and technology, and how Fora is revolutionizing the travel industry. Jake shares his unique journey through tech, from 90s coding to leading dual roles in product and engineering, a...

In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Curtis Northcutt, CEO and Co-Founder of CleanLab. Curtis shares his inspiring journey from humble beginnings in rural Kentucky to becoming a leader in AI innovation. He delves into his personal story, the principles that shaped him, and his thoughts on the role of technology in creating meaningful change. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested...

In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir Bormand sits down with Mayuresh Hajirnis, Director of Engineering at Altruist, to discuss his fascinating journey from QA to software engineering leadership. Mayuresh shares valuable lessons on bridging the gap between QA and engineering, creating a culture of quality, and how his background has shaped his leadership approach. Whether you're in QA, developmen...

In this episode, host Amir Bormand interviews Jehangir Abdulla, Head of Back Office Development at Schoenfeld, to discuss his unique journey from being a startup founder back to taking on a leadership role within an enterprise. Jehangir shares the lessons learned from his entrepreneurial experience, how he retained a founder’s mindset in a corporate setting, and the challenges of balancing ambitio...