Today is a special episode. This is our 250th episode!

To celebrate, Laura and Kevin sit down with Dikshant Dave, a three-time founder and current CEO of Zigment, to explore the next frontier in AI, Agentic AI. Dikshant breaks down what sets Zigment apart in the crowded marketing tech world and explains how Agentic AI systems do more than just automate, they learn, adapt, and make decisions on the fly.

The conversation touches on his journey through multiple startups, the challenges of balancing innovation with privacy, and the industries where AI is just getting started. Dikshant shares sharp takes on job displacement, the ethics of extracting personal data, and what transparency in AI really looks like. He also dives into a big question: Can empathy be automated? And should it be? Plus, hear what kind of startup he’d build next, and who he’d begrudgingly? choose to be stuck in an elevator with.

It’s a thoughtful, funny, and wide-ranging conversation with someone who’s not just building tech, but rethinking how it fits into the real world.

Dikshant Dave is the CEO of Zigment, a marketing automation platform built around Agentic AI—intelligent systems that go beyond automation to actively learn, adapt, and make decisions across every customer touchpoint. With Zigment, he’s redefining how businesses engage with customers by combining proactive AI with human insight to drive measurable impact: higher lead conversion, smarter workflows, and stronger ROI. A three-time founder with a background in startups like CureJoy and Funstar, Dikshant has made a career out of pushing the boundaries of what tech can do. His latest work focuses on the rise of AI agents, the future of personalization at scale, and how businesses can tap into AI without losing the human touch. He's also passionate about using AI for good, most recently through Zigment’s nonprofit partnership with Give.org.

On this episode of That Tech Pod, Laura and Kevin chat with Alex Heublein, President of Culture and Innovation at Netsurit, about what it actually takes for small and midsize businesses to modernize their tech without getting overwhelmed. Alex has spent time at major companies like IBM and Oracle, but he makes it clear why working with SMBs is often more rewarding: they’re nimble, adaptable, and ready to try new things, as long as those things make sense.

They dig into Netsurit’s approach to “Innovate as a Service,” a subscription-style model built around co-innovation, outcomes, and a mindset shift from traditional consulting. Alex also shares his framework for helping clients navigate the noise around AI, how to pick the right use cases, and why some businesses are better off waiting before diving in.

The conversation touches on everything from AI ethics and return on investment to why culture and tech have to evolve together. Plus, there’s a lighthearted trivia round on the inventors behind the internet, some talk about the future of augmented reality glasses, and a few laughs along the way. If you’ve ever wondered how to actually apply AI without just chasing trends, or what makes an IT partner worth working with, this one’s worth a listen.

Alex Heublein is the President of Culture and Innovation at Netsurit, where he focuses on helping small and midsize businesses navigate digital transformation, cybersecurity, and operational growth through practical, forward-thinking technology solutions. With a strong background in both business strategy and technical leadership, Alex has held senior executive roles at major tech companies including IBM, HP, Oracle, and Red Hat. His experience spans innovation strategy, IT modernization, cloud services, and organizational culture development. At Netsurit, he leads efforts to blend culture with technology, ensuring that companies not only adopt new tools but also build the internal mindset and processes to make them work.

In this episode, Laura and Kevin sit down with Bob Bodily, founder of Odin.fun, to talk about the wild ride of memecoins, Bitcoin's evolving role in the crypto ecosystem, and what the future might hold for decentralized tech. Bob breaks down how Odin.fun is rethinking the Bitcoin experience, from instant token creation to a gasless, wallet-agnostic interface that’s pulling in tens of thousands of users.

We discuss the growing risks in crypto including wallet drains, scams, and design flaws, and ask what platforms can do to protect users without killing the fun. Bob shares his thoughts on whether the rise of meme-driven platforms is a cultural shift or just another hype cycle, and weighs in on Bitcoin’s potential to support more complex applications without abandoning its core stability.

There’s also plenty of banter: Laura's optimism, Kevin’s crypto skepticism, and Bob’s grounded take on what’s real, what’s broken, and what could be next. Whether you’re a degenerate trader or just crypto-curious, this one gives you a smart, honest look at what’s going on under the hood.

Bob Bodily is the founder of Odin.fun, which pioneered instant memecoin creation and trading on Bitcoin and offers 2-second finality.

With Odin.fun, Bob has shown what’s possible with Bitcoin and helped silence the narrative that the network isn’t fast enough. After the first two months of operation, the platform amassed more than 60K users, 3000+ BTC in trading volume, and 15k+ tokens created, with 150+ hitting bonded status. Unlike Solana’s model, Odin.fun offers a gasless experience through chain abstraction tech, enables logins with any Bitcoin wallet, and uses a single-canister system to streamline operations. It’s a fresh take on Bitcoin’s capabilities, hinting at the broader potential for programmability on the network, which Bob can highlight to underscore the capabilities of the Bitcoin-native Layer 0 interoperability protocol.

On this episode of That Tech Pod, Laura and Kevin sit down with Alexander Patrushev, Head of Product for AI/ML at Nebius, a European cloud platform focused on machine learning infrastructure. Kicking things off, we unpack the buzz around China’s fully AI-powered “Agent Hospital,” raising questions about what role AI should play in medicine. Laura also shares a personal rant about navigating the healthcare system in search of real answers.

Then, Alex joins from Luxembourg to explain what Nebius does, who it's built for, and how it helps companies tackle ML workloads. He breaks down the common mistakes teams make when launching ML projects and why success depends more on people and processes than just tech. The conversation also goes into whether companies should host their own LLMs or use pay-per-token APIs, and how to approach that decision. Looking ahead, Alex challenges the idea that AI is inherently hard and shares what businesses should really be focusing on, from smarter software to evolving hardware needs, as AI infrastructure continues to grow. It's a thoughtful, practical look at the future of AI from someone who builds the tools to power it.

Alexander Patrushev is an experienced IT leader with over 15 years in the industry, including the past six focused on artificial intelligence. He currently serves as Head of Product for AI/ML at Nebius, a European cloud platform designed for building and deploying machine learning workloads. Based in Luxembourg, Alexander is known for his practical approach to solving real-world challenges faced by AI practitioners. He’s especially focused on delivering user-centric, innovative solutions, and believes strongly in the importance of in-house R&D to drive product excellence and stay ahead in a fast-moving space.

In this episode, Laura and Kevin sit down with Fredrik Nilsson, Vice President of the Americas for Axis Communications, to talk about the intersection of surveillance technology, cybersecurity, and ethical innovation.

Fredrik reflects on his rare 30-year tenure with Axis, explaining how a strong company culture and a constant focus on innovation have kept him committed. He shares his journey from Sweden to the U.S., noting how working in both regions has influenced his leadership style, bringing together Sweden’s emphasis on collaboration with the U.S. drive for growth and execution.

For listeners unfamiliar with Axis, Fredrik explains that the company pioneered the shift from analog CCTV to digital network video and continues to lead by developing open, scalable, and secure surveillance solutions. What sets Axis apart, he says, is their long-term approach to partnerships, transparency, and quality, plus a strong emphasis on ethical technology use. Looking ahead, Fredrik is excited about how AI and machine learning are transforming surveillance, not just for traditional security purposes but across sectors like retail, healthcare, and transportation. He shares how Axis is applying analytics in creative ways, from optimizing store layouts to improving patient safety in hospitals.

The conversation also tackles serious topics around cybersecurity and privacy. Fredrik acknowledges the tension between advancing surveillance capabilities and the risks they can bring. He discusses Axis’ approach to building trust with customers, through transparency, strict data handling policies, and a focus on responsible AI use. In the face of increasing threats like state-sponsored cyberattacks and deepfakes, Axis is investing heavily in secure systems and client education.

And, as a lighter note, Laura kicks things off by sharing her unique connection to Sweden: buying wildlife calendars on Kickstarter from a guy who photographs animals in his yard.

Vice President of the Americas for Axis Communications, Fredrik Nilsson oversees the company’s operations in North and South America and serves on the global management team. In his 25+ year’s at Axis, he has undertaken various roles in both Sweden and the United States and has been instrumental in leading the surveillance industry shift from analog closed-circuit television to network video. Since assuming responsibility for the Americas in 2003, revenues in the region have grown from $20M to $1B, due in part to a focus on increasing Axis' presence in the market by opening more than sixteen Axis Experience Centers throughout the region.

This week on the pod, Laura and Kevin discuss what’s shaping up to be the biggest Bitcoin event of the year: Bitcoin 2025, happening May 27–29 at The Venetian in Las Vegas. With over 30,000 attendees and 400+ speakers, it’s more than a conference - it’s a full-on Bitcoin takeover.

We are joined by Justin Doochin, one of the conference organizer. He says to expect a mix of Bitcoiners, developers, investors, policymakers, and curious newcomers. People come to network, share ideas, and get a pulse on where Bitcoin is headed. This year’s “Code & Country” track kicks off Industry Day, focusing on the intersection of policy, technology, and innovation. Laura asks if Trump will show, Justin shares that while President Donald Trump isn't on the speaker list, his sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. are confirmed to speak about capitalism, Bitcoin, and economic sovereignty. Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road, will make his first public appearance since being released from prison earlier this year. He’s set to speak at the conference, marking a significant moment for many in the Bitcoin community.

The conference aims to set a Guinness World Record for the most Bitcoin point-of-sale transactions in eight hours. It’s a bold move to showcase Bitcoin’s potential as a daily-use currency. This year's event is set to be high-energy, with a mix of serious discussions and celebratory moments. It’s a place where ideas are exchanged, and the future of Bitcoin is debated and envisioned. Laura also speculates if Bitcoin Hit $150K or $200K in 2025.

Justin is offering our listeners a 30% discount on all Bitcoin 2025 passes. Use the code: TECHPOD30 at checkout: https://bm.b.tc/TECHPOD30.

For more details and to register for the conference, visit the official conference site: https://b.tc/conference/2025.

In this week's episode, Laura and Kevin sit down with Susana Cabrera, Global Head of Channel and Alliances at Parsec Automation, for a conversation that bridges manufacturing, technology, and strategic leadership. With a career spanning tech giants like SAP and CISCO, Susana shares how her path led to Parsec and why the company’s mission to modernize manufacturing resonated with her.

Susana breaks down what Parsec does to empower manufacturers through digital transformation and explores why innovation in this space is not just necessary - it’s overdue. She goes into the real-world applications of AI in industrial settings, separating the hype from the real opportunities. For a deeper dive on that topic, check out Parsec’s blog post: What AI Can Do for Manufacturers Right Now.

The episode also tackles big-picture topics like global supply chain disruptions, shifting manufacturing strategies, and the technologies that will reshape partner ecosystems in the years ahead. Plus, the we discuss the controversial topic of bagged olives (spoiler: Susana’s a fan), and the conversation wraps with a powerful message: let technology be an enabler, not a barrier—just don’t forget that humans still drive the business.

As Parsec's Global Head of Channel and Alliances, Susana Cabrera leverages her nearly 30 years of experience in business development, channel teams, and professional services to drive growth and innovation. Having previously worked at companies like SAP and CISCO, Susana excels at aligning partner strategies with customer needs, ensuring that clear communication and collaboration lead to measurable business outcomes. Driven by a passion for strategy, execution, and delivering business outcomes, Susana thrives at the intersection of partner-led growth, innovation, and operational excellence.

On this week’s episode, Laura and Kevin sit down with Nandan Nayampally, the Chief Commercial Officer at Baya, to discuss the shifting landscape of intelligent computing and the hidden challenges behind AI innovation.

Nandan kicks things off by demystifying what Baya actually does, solving the critical problem of data movement, a growing bottleneck that traditional compute-focused architectures can't keep up with. With a rich background that includes scaling Arm’s processor business from $200M to billions and playing key roles at AMD, Amazon (Alexa), and neuromorphic AI startups like Brainchip and Tenstorrent, Nandan offers a unique perspective on where hardware truly sits at the heart of today's AI revolution. He unpacks one of the most misunderstood aspects of AI development: while flashy models grab the headlines, it's the hardware, and even more critically, how data flows across chips, that will define the next generation of intelligent systems. As he explains, we’re moving from a compute problem to a data movement problem, and Baya is right at the center of that inflection point. Laura and Kevin also get Nandan’s expert map of the chip landscape, from Nvidia’s dominant position to Intel, Arm, AWS, and where Baya fits in. Spoiler alert: Baya isn’t trying to out-muscle the big players but to fundamentally enhance and rethink architectures for a world driven by AI at scale.

Nandan also talks about the next big frontier as a hybrid between cloud and edge AI, with massive commercial opportunities tied to how efficiently and securely we can process data wherever it’s generated. He offers a thoughtful, non-political perspective on how escalating tariffs on Chinese goods could impact the semiconductor supply chain, AI innovation, and global data privacy. Along the way, the conversation touches on chiplets, SoC (system-on-chip) trends, and, what he really thinks about Nvidia.

If you care about the future of AI, semiconductors, or where the real innovation is happening behind the scenes, this is a must-listen episode.

Nandan Nayampally is the Chief Commercial Officer at Baya that runs Product
Management, Marketing Communication, Business Development, Sales and Strategic Alliances. Nandan has consistently been passionate about disruptive technologies and being in the eye of the storm in semiconductor inflection points. While he’s had various start up stints in neuromorphic AI at Brain chip, Tenstorrent and Denali Software, a major part of Nandan’s career involved growing Arm’s processor business from $200M to into the $billions, and expanding its reach from the mobile and consumer markets to automotive, networking infrastructure, data center and AI. During his time, Arm’s customers shipped more than a 150B process-based chips. He also had meaningful stints at AMD and Amazon on scaling Alexa into 3rd party devices.