Tech Captains

Hosted by Ron Danenberg

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Episodes

Latest episode

Sep 2024

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EN-US

About the show

Bi-weekly discussions with tech captains from startups, public companies, and anything in between.

Listen to episodes

41 recent

September 10, 2024Episode 4037 min

EP40: Scaling Success - Leadership Insights from Meri Williams, CTO at Pleo

If you’re fascinated by what it takes to lead tech teams through both startup chaos and massive scaling challenges, then the latest episode of Tech Captains is a must-listen! We sit down with Meri Williams, CTO at Pleo, who shares her journey from Procter & Gamble to transforming tech organizations like Monzo and now Pleo. With insights on everything from managing rapid team growth to the intricacies of API-first development, Meri offers a candid look at what it really takes to thrive in tech leadership.Tune in for practical advice, deep industry knowledge, and a conversation that blends strategy with heart!➜ Hosted by Ron Danenberg and Gareth Thomas.

August 27, 2024Episode 3928 min

EP39: Navigating Fintech Innovation - PayEm’s Growth Story with Gilad Bonjack

Join us on this episode of TechCaptains as we delve deep into the future of fintech with Gilad Bonjack, VP of Product at PayEm, a groundbreaking spend management platform for SMBs. This episode is a masterclass in modern product development, innovation, and the art of balancing customer needs with a scalable product vision. Gilad shares insights on everything from roadmap planning to overcoming the challenges of tech debt, all while ensuring PayEm's platform stays ahead of the curve. If you're passionate about fintech, product management, or just love hearing from industry innovators, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.➜ Hosted by Ron Danenberg and Gareth Thomas.

August 13, 2024Episode 3832 min

EP38: Scaling Real-Time Communication - Inside PubNub with CTO Stephen Blum

If you’re into cutting-edge tech and the challenges of real-time communication at scale, this episode of Tech Captains is for you. We dive deep with Stephen Blum, the CTO and founder of PubNub. With over 14 years of experience, Stephen shares the nitty-gritty of building a global real-time data stream network that powers everything from multiplayer gaming to live event stats and telemedicine. Learn how PubNub handles billions of devices, ensures low latency, and maintains security—all while pushing the boundaries of tech with the latest protocols and AI advancements. Don’t miss this insightful conversation filled with technical deep dives, real-world challenges, and advice for anyone in the tech scene. Whether you’re a developer, an engineer, or just curious about the future of real-time communication, tune in now!➜ Hosted by Ron Danenberg and Gareth Thomas.

July 30, 2024Episode 3729 min

EP37: How AI is Shaping Business Automation: A Deep Dive with Niranjan of Nintex

Dive into the latest episode of Tech Captains with Ron Danenberg and Gareth Thomas, featuring Niranjan Vijayaragavan, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Nintex. Discover how Niranjan’s extensive experience—from Microsoft to BCG—shapes Nintex’s pioneering AI-driven automation solutions. Learn about the cutting-edge ways Nintex leverages AI to streamline enterprise processes and drive digital transformation. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a business leader, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of automation and the role of AI in revolutionizing productivity. Don’t miss it!➜ Hosted by Ron Danenberg and Gareth Thomas.

July 16, 2024Episode 3631 min

EP36: Revolutionizing Construction - Insights from Jeroen Coenders

We welcome Jeroen Coenders, founder of Voortann and Packhunt, two groundbreaking platforms transforming the building industry with cutting-edge automation, sustainability, and speed.Jeroen shares his journey from programming on a Commodore 64 to leading impactful projects in academia and industry. Learn how his platforms empower engineers and architects with computational design and 3D printing, reshaping construction as we know it.Join us for an engaging conversation with a digital engineering pioneer and discover how technology is revolutionizing construction. Don’t miss out – tune in now!➜ Hosted by Ron Danenberg and Gareth Thomas.

July 2, 2024Episode 3531 min

EP35: Breaking Barriers - Boosting CTO Performance with Adelina Chalmers

We sit down with Adelina Chalmers, known as the "Geek Whisperer," to delve into her expertise in transforming first-time CTOs into strategic leaders. With a proven track record of enhancing engineering performance and aligning tech leaders with C-suite expectations, Adelina shares her unique approach to coaching. She recounts success stories, highlighting the significant impact of her tailored action plans on various companies. Adelina also explores common challenges faced by CTOs, including imposter syndrome and communication barriers, and emphasizes the importance of understanding business strategy. Tune in to discover how Adelina's insights can help tech leaders excel and hear her inspiring personal anecdotes, including a memorable encounter with Stephen Hawking. This episode is packed with valuable advice and fascinating stories that you won't want to miss!➜ Hosted by Ron Danenberg and Gareth Thomas.

June 18, 2024Episode 3425 min

EP34: Harnessing Data Power - Jonathan Kopnick on Tech Strategies and Innovations

In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome Jonathan Kopnick, Chief Technology Officer at Revenue Roll.Jonathan shares insights on how Revenue Roll identifies anonymous traffic for e-commerce stores, the technology stack they use, and the benefits of using Neo4j for building an identity graph. He also talks about the challenges of managing large-scale data architectures, the importance of cost management, and the unique strategies Revenue Roll employs to provide value to its clients.He also highlights the shift from monolithic architectures to microservices, drawing from his experience and the influence of the book "Monolith to Microservices" by Sam Newman.Join us for an engaging conversation packed with insights and expert knowledge from one of the leading figures in the tech industry. Don't miss out on this episode of Tech Captains!➜ Hosted by Ron Danenberg and Gareth Thomas.

June 4, 2024Episode 3334 min

EP33: Transforming Tech - Adam Horner on the Future of CTO Roles

Join hosts Ron Danenberg and Gareth Thomas as they chat with Adam Horner, fractional CTO and coach. Adam shares his journey , discussing his passion for helping startups accelerate software development.Adam explains the shift towards fractional CTO roles due to the need for profitability and the rise of non-technical founders using advanced tools. He explores the transformative impact of AI on the industry, predicting significant changes in team dynamics and productivity.Discover the importance of mindset, skill broadening, and the role of coaching in tech leadership. Gain insights into the future of technology and the evolving CTO role in this engaging episode. Tune in to Tech Captains for inspiration and expert insights from Adam Horner!➜ Hosted by Ron Danenberg and Gareth Thomas.

May 21, 2024Episode 3226 min

EP32: AI-Driven Talent Management: A Conversation with Tech Wolf's Co-Founder Jeroen Van Hautte

In this episode of Tech Captains, Gareth and Ron interview Jeroen Van Hautte, co-founder and CP0/CTO of Tech Wolf. Jeroen discusses his journey from being a Cambridge-educated student to leading Tech Wolf, which specializes in skills-based talent technologies. He explains how Tech Wolf evolved from helping students find jobs to providing enterprises with AI-driven insights into workforce skills, using an API-first approach that integrates data sources like JIRA and Confluence.Jeroen highlights the company's focus on robust AI technology and the importance of backend infrastructure and strategic partnerships. He addresses the challenges of selling technical products to large enterprises and the need for resilient systems.Jeroen offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing dedication, rapid learning, and the value of a supportive ecosystem. He also shares insights on the future of AI and the importance of responsible AI practices in developing effective business solutions.➜ Hosted by Ron Danenberg and Gareth Thomas.

May 7, 2024Episode 3141 min

EP31: How Product and Tech Collaboration Drives Innovation at ScrumBuddy

Join us in this enlightening episode of Tech Captains as we delve into the world of agile methodologies and AI-driven solutions with Nishadi Ranasinghe, Chief Product Officer, and James Sperring, CTO of ScrumBuddy. Discover how they leverage AI to tackle common project delivery issues and how they maintain a dynamic collaboration between product goals and technological capabilities. Nishadi discusses her transition from operational roles to strategic product leadership, emphasizing relationship building and customer engagement. Meanwhile, James explores the implications of learning and professionalism in software development, arguing for a balance between formal education and practical experience. Dive into this detailed discussion on integrating AI tools into project management and fostering a culture that bridges technology with business needs.➜ Hosted by Ron Danenberg and Gareth Thomas.