The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu

In this episode, we sit down with Liam O’Neil , Managing Director at BPMD, to explore how modern organizations can use process intelligence, AI, and change design to build scalable, resilient systems. We go deep into process mining, task mining, the future of process teams, breaking organizational silos, and how AI is reshaping enterprise transformation. Whether you’re a CTO, operator, or founder,...

In this episode, Apexon CEO Sriniketh Chakravarthi joins us to unpack what it really takes to build and scale a global technology services company in the era of AI and automation. We explore the intersection of technology, culture, and execution — and why the future belongs to leaders who can combine deep tech understanding with human-centric leadership. From scaling teams to embracing Agentic AI,...

In this episode, Mehmet sits down with Brian Corcodilos , CEO of Designblendz , to explore how technology is transforming the built environment — from 3D visualization and digital twins to the future of AR-powered real estate. Brian shares his journey from pro-gamer to architect-founder , scaling a design studio from a college dorm room to a 30-person innovation-driven firm. We dive deep into the...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , we sit down with Ahmed Bahgat , a leading IT expert, digital forensics specialist, and court-appointed arbitrator who has handled 600+ cyber and technology-related cases across the UAE, GCC, and Canada . From cyber breaches and data leaks to AI deployment disputes and cryptocurrency investigations, Ahmed shares real-world insights into modern digital c...

Tourism is becoming a strategic economic engine for cities like Dubai, Singapore, Riyadh, and Milan. But one massive gap has been untouched: tax-free shopping. Every year, billions in VAT refunds leave local economies instead of being reinvested into retail and travel ecosystems. Ameer Jumahboy , Co-Founder & CEO of Utu, is changing that. He shares: • How digital tax-free systems work under th...

In this episode, Mehmet sits down with Art Rivilis , CTO of Augment , to explore how AI is moving beyond copilots and into the era of AI teammates — intelligent agents that think, act, and collaborate like humans. Art shares his journey from immigrant engineer to CTO , the lessons learned through two major acquisitions (Shopify and Flexport), and what it really takes to lead engineering teams thro...

In this episode, Mehmet Gonullu sits down with Carina Negreanu , CTO of Robin AI , to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the legal industry. From her roots in physics and machine learning to leading one of the most innovative legal tech companies, Carina shares how Robin AI is using AI to simplify contracts, enhance trust, and improve lawyer productivity. The conversation dives deep...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , we sit down with Mark Vange , founder of Autom8ly and former CTO at Electronic Arts , to explore what he calls “cooperative AI.” Mark shares how decades of experience in gaming, enterprise software, and automation shaped his belief that the true power of AI lies not in replacing humans but in partnering with them . From building video games at 13 to ru...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , host Mehmet Gonullu sits down with Pete Steege , Founder of B2B Clarity and author of Radical Clarity . Pete helps “accidental CEOs” — technical experts who suddenly find themselves leading companies — move from chaos to focus by simplifying what matters most. They explore how meaning, empathy, and intentional leadership drive business growth, why foun...

In this episode, Mehmet sits down with Federico Ramallo , founder of Density Labs and Prevetted AI , to explore how technology, culture, and human connection intersect in building world-class engineering teams. From managing nearshore teams in Mexico to scaling engineering partnerships for U.S. startups, Federico shares the secrets behind a 6-year average retention rate , and why trust, ownership,...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , host Mehmet Gonullu sits down with Eckhard Jann — former commercial pilot, safety manager, author of Error One , and host of the Error One podcast — to explore how lessons from aviation safety can transform leadership, culture, and decision-making in startups. Drawing from 30 years in the cockpit and years of investigating human error, Eckhard unpacks...

In this episode, Mehmet sits down with Sebastian Gierlinger , VP of Engineering at Storyblok , to explore what it really takes to build software and teams that stand the test of time. From composable architectures to developer-first design, Sebastian shares practical wisdom for engineering leaders navigating complexity, scalability, and AI adoption. The conversation moves beyond code—into mindset,...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , we dive into the digital transformation wave reshaping businesses in the UAE and beyond. Mehmet sits down with Moosa Alavi , Founder & CEO of Techbot ERP , to explore how cloud-based ERP solutions are empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to automate operations, make smarter decisions, and embrace the future of AI-driven business. Fr...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , we dive into one of the most pressing questions of our time: Can privacy survive in the age of AI surveillance? Joining Mehmet is Kee Jefferys , Co-Founder of Session , a decentralized, privacy-first messaging platform built on blockchain technology. Kee breaks down how Session protects users from metadata tracking, how it differs from mainstream encry...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , host Mehmet Gonullu welcomes Marco Benítez , Founder & CEO of Rook , a data infrastructure company powering the next generation of preventive healthcare. From martial arts discipline to building one of the most promising health data platforms in the world, Marco shares his entrepreneurial journey, the evolution of wearables, and how clean data and...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , I sit down with Steve and Melissa Fultz — founders of The Fultz Group, authors of Family Business Facelift , and consultants helping family businesses unlock hidden revenue and embrace digital transformation. From uncovering inefficiencies worth hundreds of thousands to guiding owners through AI adoption, Steve and Melissa share practical strategies fo...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , I sit down with Lori Crooks , CEO of Cadra , to explore the evolving world of compliance and cybersecurity. From FedRAMP and SOC 2 to the latest AI regulations, Lori breaks down why compliance matters, where companies often go wrong, and how startups can use compliance as a competitive advantage. We also dive into Lori’s entrepreneurial journey as a so...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , I’m joined by Chad Link , Co-Founder & CEO of Swyvvl, and Rob Brower , Co-Founder & CTO. Together, they share their journey of building Swyvvl — a PropTech startup that’s reimagining how real estate transactions are done by shifting power back to buyers, sellers, and agents. We dive into how Chad’s 18 years in real estate brokerages revealed sy...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , I sit down with Jeff Greenfield , CEO of Provalytics , to unpack one of the biggest shifts in marketing: moving from click-based attribution to AI-driven attention analytics . From the death of cookies to the rise of connected TV, podcasts, and non-click channels , Jeff explains how marketers, CFOs, and entrepreneurs alike can avoid wasting ad spend, u...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , we dive into the future of management with Jack Skeels , CEO of Agency Agile and author of Unmanaged . Jack shares why traditional command-and-control structures are outdated, how hidden dysfunctions cripple organizations, and what it takes to unlock true productivity in the age of AI. We explore why overmanagement is slowing teams down, the warning si...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , Angela Thomas shares her extraordinary journey from growing up in East Germany to building award-winning businesses, reinventing her career, and now helping entrepreneurs scale in Dubai. We dive into the misconceptions about scaling, the role of authenticity, why reinvention is critical, and why Dubai has become a global hub for entrepreneurs. Key Take...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , I sit down with Rob Matzkin , a serial entrepreneur, investor, and connector who has built and exited multiple companies and now advises startups on scaling, fundraising, and execution. Rob shares the hard truths of entrepreneurship — why execution beats hype every time, what founders get wrong about investor readiness, and how AI is reshaping startup...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , I sit down with Tomas Navickas , Co-Founder and CTO of myTU , a digital-first financial institution known for running an entire bank on less than €1,000/month in cloud costs. We explore how efficiency, AI, and smart architecture are redefining the future of digital banking and fintech. Tomas shares how myTU built efficiency into its DNA, why fraud prev...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , I sit down with Soha Ashrafian , co-founder of Temis and a fearless serial entrepreneur who turned early challenges into a global track record of business building. From launching her first startup at 21 in Iran—against social resistance and financial restrictions—to building ventures across Dubai, Soha’s journey is a powerful lesson in resilience, cre...

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , I sit down with Jon Sabes, Founder & CEO of Longevity FP, serial entrepreneur, and author of Healthy Wealthy Longevity . We explore how the intersection of health, wealth, and technology is reshaping our future. From the basics of extending healthspan to the economic implications of an aging population, Jon shares practical wisdom and groundbreakin...