Building Great Tech

Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa

Growing, scaling, and selling tech businesses.

Building Great Tech takes you inside the product decisions that drive growth, protect margins, and make tech companies worth buying. What's killing your conversion. Why your customers churn. Where the real product value sits before, during, and after a deal.

Hosted by Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa. Two product value creation specialists behind £41M and $87M exits, a 156% conversion increase, and a 93% retention uplift.

Expert interviews with PE investors, CEOs, founders, and operators. Real case studies. Practical playbooks for growing, scaling, and selling tech businesses.

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20 episodes
Avg 1 hr 2 min
English

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July 16 · 57 min
The AI Laws Every Tech Business needs to know in 2026 with Funke Abimbola
In this week's episode, Simon and Anastasija talk with Funke Abimbola MBE, AI Governance Expert and Chief Legal Officer, about AI law and how it impacts UK businesses. If you are a UK based business founder you may not be fully aware of the local or international law that will either impact you now or as you grow. Did you know that the UK does not have any official single bill or legislation on AI regulation? ABOUT FUNKE: My name is Funke Abimbola and I am a multi-award winning Corporate Lawyer, C-suite Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leader, Healthcare executive, BBC media commentator, Non Executive Director, Public Speaker and Podcast host. Most importantly, I am a very proud mother to an exceptional son who is a software engineer. Funke's linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/funkeabimbola/ Funke's personal website - https://funkeabimbola.com/ BUILDING GREAT TECH WEBSITE ⁠⁠⁠http://BuildingGreatTech.com/⁠⁠⁠ YOUTUBE ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@buildinggreattech?si=PAPXfpruiSx_Nqgt⁠⁠⁠ TIKTOK ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@buildinggreattech?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc⁠⁠⁠ LINKEDIN ⁠⁠⁠https://uk.linkedin.com/company/building-great-tech⁠⁠⁠ INSTAGRAM ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/buildinggreattech/⁠⁠⁠ FACEBOOK ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/buildinggreattech/⁠
July 2 · 1 hr 8 min
How to Keep Customers During M&A and Bolt-Ons - with Jennie Vandegrift
In this episode of Building Great Tech. Anastasija and Simon talk with Jennie Vandegrift, Chief Customer Officer at Nuqleous, about the pressures that companies face to KEEP clients through the turbulant phases of mergers, aquisitions and the addition of bolt-ons. They break down the GRR metric and debate it's usefulness when calculating customer health, they also uncover some key strategies for improving retention and renewals. About Jennie: Jennie is a strategic and results-driven Chief Customer Officer with 19+ years of experience in retail, consumer packaged goods (CPG), apparel, and footwear industries. With proven expertise in building and scaling post-sale customer organizations across implementation, customer success, support, and professional services. She is also experienced in operating PE-backed environments with deep fluency in board reporting, investor-level metrics, and value creation planning. She is a recognised leader in developing high-performing global teams, driving revenue retention and expansion, and aligning customer success motions with business growth objectives. Connect with Jennie: Linkedin -⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennievandegrift/⁠ BUILDING GREAT TECH WEBSITE ⁠⁠⁠http://BuildingGreatTech.com/⁠⁠⁠ YOUTUBE ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@buildinggreattech?si=PAPXfpruiSx_Nqgt⁠⁠⁠ TIKTOK ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@buildinggreattech?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc⁠⁠⁠ LINKEDIN ⁠⁠⁠https://uk.linkedin.com/company/building-great-tech⁠⁠⁠ INSTAGRAM ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/buildinggreattech/⁠⁠⁠ FACEBOOK ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/buildinggreattech/⁠
June 25 · 1 hr 21 min
From 0 to 9-Figure PE Exit - with Grzegorz Blazewicz, founder of SALESmanago
In this episode of Building Great Tech, Anastasija and Simon talk with Grzegorz Blazewicz, founder of SALESmanago. They talk about pressures facing the marketing industry amidst the AI revolution and how AI can be used as a tool to help target marketing campaigns more effectivelty. They also break down Grzegorz's jounrey from B2B to B2B and back again, and how he managed to get funding from two seperate PE firms, eventually resulting in a 9-figure exit! ABOUT GRZEGORZ An entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in marketing and management. Founded Salesmanago and as a CEO bootstrapped the company from EUR 0 - 20 mln ARR and led the company to EUR 9-digit exit. Prior to starting Salesmanago worked in marketing agencies in New York and London, was CMO of Comarch, one of the largest IT companies in Europe (2000-2006), and CEO of Interia, Poland’s 3rd largest Internet portal, quoted on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (2006-2008) which he managed to exit at EUR 100 mln valuation. Academic lecturer, startup mentor and author of the popular book “Marketing Automation. Towards Artificial Intelligence and Hyperpersonalization”. Finalist in the 2014 EY Entrepreneur of the Year award. Specializes in GTM Strategies, M&A, Product Development. GUEST LINKS Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/grzegorzblazewicz/ Book "Marketing Automation: Towards Artificial Intelligence and Hyper-personalization" - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Marketing-Automation-Artificial-Intelligence-Hyperpersonalization/dp/8301222220 SALESmanago - https://www.salesmanago.com/ BUILDING GREAT TECH WEBSITE ⁠http://BuildingGreatTech.com/⁠ YOUTUBE ⁠https://youtube.com/@buildinggreattech?si=PAPXfpruiSx_Nqgt⁠ TIKTOK ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@buildinggreattech?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc⁠ LINKEDIN ⁠https://uk.linkedin.com/company/building-great-tech⁠ INSTAGRAM ⁠https://www.instagram.com/buildinggreattech/⁠ FACEBOOK ⁠https://www.facebook.com/buildinggreattech/⁠
June 11 · 1 hr 7 min
Why PE Bolt-Ons Lose Value After Close (And the Man Who Fixes That), with Thomas Varan
In this week's episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk with Thomas Varan, a delivery leader for PE-backed software companies during post-acquisition integration. They talk about the key issues that affect acquisitions, why PE firms should think twice before adopting a bolt-on "buy and build" strategy, and how AI will redefine what it means to be agile in the software industry. ABOUT THOMAS: My career began on the phones — three years as a carrier sales account manager at Coyote Logistics, a company later acquired by UPS. That experience shaped everything I’ve done since: every engagement I run is ultimately about the customer’s outcome, not the internal process. From there I moved into business analysis, led teams of analysts and offshore developers, managed global implementations across three continents, and built an organization’s first structured delivery practice from zero. Each step added a layer — technical fluency, cross-functional leadership, the ability to operate at the intersection of business strategy and engineering execution. In 2018 I founded TV Consulting LLC and went independent. Since then I’ve worked inside PE-backed companies post-close — closing the gap between what diligence identifies and what actually gets fixed. Roadmap governance, sprint predictability, R&D metrics, board-level reporting. The work that turns engineering from a black box into a transparent, governed operation. Simple philosophy: make the framework work for your organization, not the other way around. GUEST LINKS: Website - https://thomasvaran.com/ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvaran/ BUILDING GREAT TECH WEBSITE http://BuildingGreatTech.com/ YOUTUBE https://youtube.com/@buildinggreattech?si=PAPXfpruiSx_Nqgt APPLE https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/building-great-tech/id1839197191 SPOTIFY https://open.spotify.com/show/3SqTKzhVxqUHHjOlWy0dWF?si=da31b7b196564319 TIKTOK https://www.tiktok.com/@buildinggreattech?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc LINKEDIN https://uk.linkedin.com/company/building-great-tech INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/buildinggreattech/ FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/buildinggreattech/
June 4 · 1 hr 5 min
Winning the SaaSpocalypse: Lessons for SaaS Companies from Jim Milbery, Partner at ParkerGale
In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk with Jim Milbery, partner at ParkerGale. They discuss the evolving software markets, how AI and the SaaSpocalypse is changing what investors are looking for, and why founders now want AI in everything! ABOUT JIM: Jim has spent his entire career in technology, working with customers, founders and management teams. Prior to founding ParkerGale, he worked at Chicago Growth Partners and William Blair Capital Partners where he managed portfolio company operations and technology initiatives. Before starting in private equity, Jim held various technical, sales and strategy roles at Oracle Corporation, Compuware/Uniface, CA/Ingres and Digital Equipment Corporation. He studied Accounting and Applied Statistics at Babson College, and holds a Master’s Degree in Information Technology from IIT in Chicago. Jim spends his free time mixing it up in the black belt division on the Sport Martial Arts circuit. Connect with Jim on Linkedin - linkedin.com/in/jmilbery BUILDING GREAT TECH WEBSITE http://BuildingGreatTech.com/ YOUTUBE https://youtube.com/@buildinggreattech?si=PAPXfpruiSx_Nqgt APPLE https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/building-great-tech/id1839197191 SPOTIFY https://open.spotify.com/show/3SqTKzhVxqUHHjOlWy0dWF?si=da31b7b196564319 TIKTOK https://www.tiktok.com/@buildinggreattech?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc LINKEDIN https://uk.linkedin.com/company/building-great-tech INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/buildinggreattech/ FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/buildinggreattech/
May 21 · 1 hr 2 min
How AI Can 10x your sales team - with David Pratley Mc-Gill
In this episode of Building Great Tech, Anastasija and Simon talk with David Pratley Mc-Gill, Client Solution Director, GTM & AI Labs at Salt. The episode explores how AI can empower sales teams to become more efficient. AI can conduct research for market outreach and even send emails on your behalf, but to what extent is AI actually harmful to the sales process? And could you replace your whole sales team with AI? ABOUT DAVID: My career has centred on building momentum where growth is being blocked. That has meant different things at different stages, from recruitment and talent solutions, to digital business building, to helping shape the commercial direction of an AI SaaS product. Most recently, I played a key role in developing @Answertree’s commercial engine, website, messaging, SEO foundations, outbound structure and enterprise-facing positioning during a critical stage of growth. I am now Client Solution Director, GTM & AI Labs at Salt, where my focus is on helping build new AI-enabled and platform-led solutions that bring together talent, teams and transformation in a more connected and commercially effective way across the group. GUEST LINKS: David's Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-pmcg/?originalSubdomain=uk BUILDING GREAT TECH: Website: ⁠⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠⁠ Anastasija’s Linkedin: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Simon’s Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/⁠
May 14 · 1 hr 5 min
$4M Fire, Grandfather Clock and $800B Market - with Rich Amsinger founder ManyCo.ai
In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija are in conversation with Rich Amsinger founder ManyCo.ai. An Ai-Driven inventory sell through engine. Rich explains how he let his Ai run wild with the company credit card, sometimes making werid and wonderful purchasing decisions. He also tells the story of how he lost $4 Million in shop inventory in a fire! ABOUT RICH: I’m the co-founder of The Many Company, where we’re building software to solve one of the most persistent and expensive problems in commerce: what happens to inventory after full-price selling ends. In a market defined by fragmented tools, manual workflows, and disconnected resale channels, we built a unified SaaS platform that gives brands and retailers a single system to manage excess inventory, returns, and resale. Our software uses proprietary data and decisioning to determine where each item should go to generate the most profit, reach new customers, and reduce cost, while maintaining brand control. The Many Company was founded with my co-founder and CEO, Carolyn Butler, on the belief that post-purchase commerce needed its own operating system—one built for margin recovery, compliance, and scale. Today, I focus on helping brands turn excess inventory from a cost center into a strategic revenue layer. We’re building the infrastructure that modern apparel companies rely on as commerce, regulation, and consumer behavior continue to evolve. GUEST LINKS: See how Manyco.ai can help you - https://www.manyco.ai/ Connect with Rich on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardamsinger/ The Many Company on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-many-company/ BUILDING GREAT TECH: Website: ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ Anastasija’s Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/⁠⁠⁠ Simon’s Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/⁠
May 7 · 1 hr 11 min
How to Price Your SaaS in the Age of AI - with Fessal Rahman
In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija speak with Fessal Rahman, originator of the Agentic Commercial Model framework and founder of FR Advisory, about the impending upheaval of SaaS platforms due to AI integration. Is the “SaaSpocalypse” real? And is it coming sooner than we anticipated? They also discuss what the PE landscape looks like in 2026, and what PE firms are looking for when investing in ever changing markets. About Fessal Fessal Rahman is the originator of the Agentic Commercial Model, a framework for rebuilding commercial operating models for the agentic AI era. Founder of FR Advisory, advising PE- and VC-backed SaaS businesses on agentic AI monetisation and commercial transformation. fessalrahman.github.io THE PODCAST: Growing, scaling, and selling tech businesses. Building Great Tech takes you inside the product decisions that drive growth, protect margins, and make tech companies worth buying. What's killing your conversion. Why your customers churn. Where the real product value sits before, during, and after a deal. Hosted by Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa. Two product value creation specialists behind £41M and $87M exits, a 156% conversion increase, and a 93% retention uplift. Expert interviews with PE investors, CEOs, founders, and operators. Real case studies. Practical playbooks for growing, scaling, and selling tech businesses. GUEST LINKS Connect with Fessal on Linkedin - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/fessal/?originalSubdomain=uk⁠ BUILDING GREAT TECH: Website: ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ Anastasija’s Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/⁠⁠⁠ Simon’s Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/⁠
April 30 · 1 hr
From the White House to AI Entrepreneur for Democracy - with Dr. Travis Hoppe founder of GroundVue
In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija are in conversation with Dr.Travis Hoppe, Chief AI Officer at GroundVue and Former White House Assistant Director of AI Research and Development at OSTP. Travis also co-developed The Pile, the first open-source data pile for large language models. In this episode they discuss how AI will shape the future of democracy and the science behind developing large language models. ABOUT TRAVIS: Dr. Travis Hoppe is a physicist, AI researcher, and public health data leader focused on advancing artificial intelligence in government and healthcare. He previously served as the first Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where he led the agency's AI portfolio and launched its first enterprise AI strategy to accelerate data modernization, outbreak detection, and public health decision-making. During his tenure, Travis helped position CDC as a federal leader in AI adoption. Under his leadership, the agency became the first federal organization to adopt generative AI at scale, commission a government-wide study on generative AI return on investment, and publish early guidance on emerging deep research technologies for public health agencies. Travis also served at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) as Assistant Director of AI Research and Development, where he helped shape federal AI policy and coordinate AI strategy across agencies. His work focused on bridging cutting-edge AI research with practical government implementation, advancing responsible AI adoption across the federal ecosystem. ABOUT THE PODCAST: Growing, scaling, and selling tech businesses. Building Great Tech takes you inside the product decisions that drive growth, protect margins, and make tech companies worth buying. What's killing your conversion. Why your customers churn. Where the real product value sits before, during, and after a deal. Hosted by Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa. Two product value creation specialists behind £41M and $87M exits, a 156% conversion increase, and a 93% retention uplift. Expert interviews with PE investors, CEOs, founders, and operators. Real case studies. Practical playbooks for growing, scaling, and selling tech businesses. FOLLOW TRAVIS Travis' Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-hoppe-17902b59 GroundVue - https://www.groundvue.org/ The Pile - https://pile.eleuther.ai/ CDC Vision and Retun on Investment: https://www.cdc.gov/ai/vision/index.html More background on GroundVue and the Founders: https://fedscoop.com/former-federal-technologists-tap-public-meetings-data-new-ai-venture/ BUILDING GREAT TECH: Website: https://buildinggreattech.com/ Anastasija’s Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/⁠⁠ Simon’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/⁠
April 23 · 52 min
The Trick Is to Never Talk About the Environment – With Josh Dorfman, founder of Plantd
https://buildinggreattech.com/ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk with Josh Dorfman, Founder of Plantd and host of The Supercool Podcast. They talk about how AI will actually save the planet from climate change, and why companies need to STOP talking about the environment to actually make consumers care! Follow Josh on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorfmanjosh/ About Supercool - https://getsuper.cool/about/ Buy Josh's Book "The Lazy Environmentalist" - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Environmentalist-Guide-Stylish-Green-Living/dp/1584796022 About Josh: He is co-founder of Plantd, a carbon-negative materials company that converts atmospheric carbon into high-performance products, starting with building materials. As CEO, Josh led the company through its Seed and Series A rounds and helped secure a partnership with D.R. Horton, which has since scaled to more than 10 million carbon-negative structural panels. He recently returned as fractional CMO to lead Plantd’s brand evolution, market positioning, and commercial strategy as the company scales. Josh is also co-founder and host of Supercool, a media platform covering the companies building the low-carbon economy. Through founder interviews and editorial storytelling, Supercool highlights how climate companies gain market adoption by leading with performance, cost, and customer value. Follow us on Linkedin! ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/⁠⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/⁠ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.
April 16 · 59 min
5 Pivots, Dinner With Strangers & €18M ARR - with Maxime Barbier, founder of Timeleft
⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk with Maxime Barbier, founder of Timeleft. Timeleft matches you with like-minded people for a shared meal in 250+ cities across 55 countries. They talk about global app distribution, how often you should be pivoting and why being a CEO is the loneliest job you can have! Timeleft DISCOUNT Code - BGT25 Download the app or go to https://timeleft.com and get 25% off on 1 month & 3 months subscription with code BGT25 Follow Mixime on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximebarbier/ Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.
April 9 · 1 hr 8 min
Force for Good, Force for Devastation: The AI Clock Is Ticking – with Matt Cashatt
⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk with Matt Cashatt, founder of Polyrific and The Geniverse. They debate if AI is really taking everyone's jobs, and reveal how beginners can get started in discovering how AI can improve your everyday life and unleash your creativity. Follow Matt on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cashatt/ See how Polyfiric can help you - https://polyrific.com/ Visit Building Great Tech to see how we can help you - https://buildinggreattech.com/ About Matt: I built Polyrific because I believe AI should multiply human potential, not replace it. That belief shapes how we design systems, how we govern them, and how we measure success. Alongside this work, I’m building The Geniverse—an exploratory platform focused on how AI agents can amplify individual human capability. It’s a longer-term bet on what AI could become when humans remain firmly at the center. Always open to thoughtful conversations about where AI is headed, how it should be applied, and what responsibility looks like as it becomes infrastructure. Follow us on linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.
April 2 · 56 min
#1 Mental Skill No Leadership Course Teaches You — with Armen Arustamov, Founder of Got It Life
⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Armen Arustamov, founder of Got It Life. The app, aimed at high-performing founders, is an AI self-coaching tool that allows them to unlock their minds and achieve peak potential. They also unpack Armen's experience as a founder, struggling with self-doubt and pitching ideas with little-to-no money to fall back on! Download Got It Life now! - https://www.gotit.life/ Visit Building Great Tech to see how we can help you - https://buildinggreattech.com/ About Armen and Got It Life: I’m the founder at Got it Life - a Google-backed Mental Health App 🧠 that boosts High Performers' Resilience through AI-driven Self-Talk & Psycholinguistics ➡️ www.gotit.life It builds Self-Coaching Skills like “Duolingo for Psychology” - while others give answers replacing users’ thinking, like “Google Translate.” Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.
March 19 · 52 min
You've Invested in AI. But Have You Invested in This?
⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Rebecca Christian, mindset consultant and founder of Limitless Academy. They explore how high pressures in the corporate world can lead to burnout, and how women are expected to overperform to be seen as equal in all male-dominated industries. Follow Rebecca on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-christianuk/?skipRedirect=true See how Limitless Academy can help you - https://limitlessacademy.co.uk/ About Rebecca:I’m the founder of Limitless Academy, the home for female founders expanding beyond their internal ceilings, where overflow becomes the standard. If you’re building something meaningful but sometimes feel the wobble that comes with growth… You’re not broken. You’re expanding. And I'd love to support you on your next evolution Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.
March 12 · 1 hr 3 min
Why Gen Z Won’t Work for You - with Peter Wood
⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Peter Wood, SEO of The Gradute Guide. About the common misconceptions surrounding the employability of Gen-Z. Are the younger generations REALLY not worth hiring? Or does the recruitment industry needs to shake things up to become more adaptable in the modern age? Tune in to find out! Connect with Peter on Linkedin! - https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-m-wood/ Watch the Graduate Guide - https://www.youtube.com/@thegraduateguide About Peter Wood: A 24 year old trying to solve some big problems. Ski Instructor ➡️ Confused History Student ➡️ Explored Startups ➡️ Sold The Graduate Guide Building Calibr. The answer to fast-growing companies most underserved people problems. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.
March 5 · 1 hr 13 min
The Fintech That Exposes FX scam - with Ellis Taylor
⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Ellis Taylor, founder of Glyde and Fintech specialist. Together they expose the scams of the FX sector, discussing the need for transparency and reflecting on how it could foster a more competitive, consumer focused market. Follow Ellis on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellis-taylor-llm-law-596686166/ See how Glyde can help your business today - https://www.glyde.money/ Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.
February 26 · 1 hr 1 min
Is AI Breaking Our Education System? - With Shannon Seaver
⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ Follow Shannon on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-seaver-nbct-23a2a933/ About Shannon Relentless about driving equity and innovation in education, I bring 20+ years of experience as an educator, nonprofit leader, and founder focused on building meaningful pathways into STEM and tech careers. As Executive Director of createMPLS and co-founder of FULL STEM—a startup bridging industry and education through hands-on, immersive learning experiences—I specialize in connecting talent, tech, and opportunity. I proudly serve on the Hennepin County Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Board, where I advocate for youth employment access and help shape workforce policy that better serves our region’s diverse communities. My work bridges systems—education, workforce, and industry—to make tech careers more inclusive, attainable, and rooted in community voice. Currently, I’m developing and preparing to ship an AI-integrated learning management system that adapts in real time to learner needs—offering personalized feedback, multilingual accessibility, and generative AI-driven content design. This project reflects my belief that AI should amplify human learning, not replace it—making tech education more equitable, flexible, and future-ready. I lead collaborative initiatives with partners like Genesys Works, MnTech, school districts, and foundations, designing AI-integrated curriculum, coaching BIPOC professionals into CS education, and building real-world programming that prepares students not just for jobs, but for leadership. Whether I’m podcasting to amplify unheard voices or building equity-centered solutions with FULL STEM, I’m committed to rethinking how we grow human intelligence in a tech-driven world. If it’s bold, meaningful, and future-focused—I’m in. Let’s build what’s next. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.
February 19 · 1 hr 8 min
Why the race to AGI is BS - with Ian P. Cook, PhD
In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Ian Cook about the implications of AI in the modern world. They talk about the American government's race to beat china in AI development, Google vs Apple's AI implementation AND they explore some of the worse AI products ever brought to market! Follow Ian on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianpcook/ About Ian: Keeping the science in DS, the learning in ML, and the artificial in AI. I have over a decade of experience turning data in outcomes. I've built AI-focused code, products, teams, and companies. More specifically, I have successfully created and deployed new deep-learning NLP models for large-scale entity recognition, enabled user workflow optimization with embedded models, created tools to map the structural integrity of bridge infrastructure, built teams of applied scientists dedicated to revolutionizing business, and helped define the future of whole companies focused on making AI useful. Above all, I believe that asking the right questions, using the right data and tools, and effective communication of results can change entire industries. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.
February 12 · 24 min
Is AI making us Stupid?
In this thought-provoking episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the impact of social media and artificial intelligence on our cognitive abilities. They explore the alarming notion that our reliance on platforms like TikTok and AI tools may be contributing to a decline in memory, attention span, and overall intelligence. With references to various studies, including those from MIT and Ludwig Maximilian University, Simon and Anastasija discuss the implications of these findings on mental health and the future of work. They also touch on the evolving nature of content consumption, the dumbing down of media, and the potential for AI to reflect our own cognitive decline. Join them as they navigate these pressing issues and ponder whether we are truly becoming more intelligent or, conversely, more foolish in the digital age. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.
February 5 · 1 hr 1 min
AI is killing authentic dating - with Daniel Cheaib founder of Feels App
Follow Daniel on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielcheaib/?originalSubdomain=fr Check out the Feels App - https://www.feels-app.com/ In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa sit down with Daniel Cheaib, the founder and CEO of Feels, a dating app designed specifically for Gen Z. With over 8 million downloads and an impressive 80% year-on-year revenue growth, Daniel shares insights into how his app is redefining online dating by fostering authentic connections among users under 30. The conversation delves into the unique challenges of Gen Z, including the phenomenon of dating app fatigue and the evolving nature of loneliness in a digital age. Daniel also discusses the role of AI in enhancing user experiences while maintaining the importance of real-life interactions. Join us as we explore the future of dating, the impact of technology on relationships, and the innovative strategies behind Feels. Follow us on Linkedin! <https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/> <https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/> Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

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