DevReady Podcast

Aerion Technologies

We started the DevReady podcast to help non-techs build better technology. We have been exposed to so many non-techs that describe the struggle, uncertainty and challenges that can come with building technology.

The objective for the DevReady podcast to share these stories and give you the tools and insights so that you to can deliver on your vision and outcomes.

You will learn from non-tech founders that have invested their time and money into developing technology. We will discuss what worked, what didn’t and how they still managed to deliver real value to their users. These stories are inspirational – demonstrating the determination, commitment and resolve it really takes to deliver technology.

Throughout the DevReady Podcast we also invite subject matter experts to the conversation to give you proven strategies and techniques to successfully take your idea through to delivery and beyond.

Enjoy the Podcast, it will challenge you, inspire you and provide the tools you will need ...

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26 episodes
Avg 41 min
English

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#319
Wednesday · 38 min
How to Stop Complex Projects From Blowing Out: James Harris on Risk, Planning and Control | Ep 323
In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Andrew Romeo, CEO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and Co-Founder of DevReady.Ai, speaks with James Harris, CEO of SwitchCo, SwitchCo works on the asset owner’s side of the table across ports and maritime, retail fuel, gas and petroleum, dangerous goods, data centres, resources, mining, government and renewable energy. James shares how independent project management, experienced judgement and early planning can help asset owners protect their money, reputation and intended project outcome. James explains that SwitchCo is independent by structure, with the client’s outcome as its central priority. The firm has no additional scope to sell, allowing its project managers to focus on defending the asset owner’s position. Its core value, “We challenge”, gives the team a clear responsibility to question clients, consultants, contractors and their own assumptions when something is wrong or a stronger course of action is available. James believes this willingness to speak up is central to adding value, particularly when remaining quiet would be easier. He also discusses SwitchCo’s experience supporting distressed projects, where asset owners need practical guidance to regain clarity and control. The conversation examines how project leaders can focus on the risks that genuinely matter. Risk registers can become crowded with every possible scenario while the most credible and damaging risks receive too little attention. James encourages decision-makers to concentrate on the issues that keep them awake at night, particularly risks with a realistic chance of occurring and serious financial, operational or reputational consequences. Experience and instinct can alert leaders to concerns that deserve closer investigation, while structured analysis helps teams understand the exposure, assign responsibility and decide what action is required. James also discusses the people and operating structures behind effective project delivery. SwitchCo’s leadership structure divides responsibility across vision and culture, implementation and efficiency, and technical innovation, allowing ideas to be challenged, prioritised and carried through. James compares a strong business to a high-performing sporting team whose members bring complementary strengths, remain accountable and work towards a shared outcome. He also reflects on the value of trusted advisers, honest conversations and leaders who understand their strengths while relying on others to bring different perspectives. The episode also explores SwitchCo’s “sharpen the axe” approach, which emphasises planning and process before construction or implementation begins. James explains how the company is bringing its internal processes and established project management tools into a bespoke platform that will create a clearer single source of truth. AI can support meeting summaries, risk clarification and the capture of decisions and actions, while discernment and accountability remain with experienced professionals. Looking ahead, SwitchCo aims to become Australia’s most desired project management company by balancing trusted client outcomes with meaningful development for its people and continuous improvement. For asset owners, portfolio managers, project directors, operations leaders and CFOs, the episode leaves one important question: when a complex project goes wrong, who will help you regain control? This episode is presented in partnership with SwitchCo. #ProjectPlanning #ProjectControls #ComplexProjectManagement #ProjectDelivery
#318
Tuesday · 33 min
How Small Businesses Can Get Media Coverage Without a Big PR Budget | Ep 322 | DevReady Podcast
Public relations can help small businesses build trust, attract ideal customers and strengthen their authority without requiring a large agency budget. In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis, CTO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and DevReady.Ai, speaks with Marie Dowling, Founder of Gust PR, formerly Newsary, and Co-Founder of The Club. Marie explores how founders can earn meaningful media coverage through niche publications, podcasts, newsletters and industry platforms, while using AI and predictive media intelligence to identify timely opportunities. Marie challenges the belief that valuable PR depends on mainstream media exposure. Specialist publications often provide a more direct route to relevant audiences and can improve visibility in AI-powered search, which increasingly draws information from trusted niche sources. Consistently pursuing smaller media opportunities can also help founders clarify their message, improve their presentation skills and establish the credibility needed to secure larger opportunities. The conversation turns to authentic thought leadership and the founder’s role in shaping it. PR professionals and AI tools can uncover trends, market questions and potential story angles, but the most valuable insights come from genuine industry experience. Marie explains that journalists need fresh, well-informed perspectives, while Anthony highlights how a clear public voice naturally attracts clients who align with a company’s values and approach. Manufactured controversy may generate brief attention, but long-term authority depends on substance, relevance and consistency. Marie also discusses the impact of social media algorithms and generic AI-generated content on professional platforms such as LinkedIn. She recommends using Google Alerts and targeted industry research to escape algorithmic echo chambers and discover meaningful conversations. Drawing on her experience of prototyping Gust PR without a technical team, she shares how mapping each human step helped her determine which tasks required automation, AI agents or human judgement. Anthony reinforces the importance of planning software before development, particularly as unstructured prompting can produce fragile products that are difficult to maintain. After an early product centred on AI-generated media pitches failed to address the deeper PR challenge, Marie spent three years rebuilding and repositioning Gust PR as a predictive media intelligence platform. The platform is designed to identify emerging topics and help businesses understand what to pitch, where to pitch it and when their expertise will be most relevant. Marie also discusses the rebrand from Newsary to Gust PR, plans to make the pitch-writing tool and supporting framework available for free, and the importance of choosing affordable PR support. Her central message is clear: a well-written pitch needs a timely, original and genuinely newsworthy story behind it. #DevReadyPodcast #SmallBusinessPR #ThoughtLeadership #ArtificialIntelligence #BusinessGrowth #AerionTechnologies
#317
August 26 · 34 min
AI Surveillance: Can It Keep People Safe and Protect Privacy? | Ep 321 | DevReady Podcast
In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Andrew Romeo, CEO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and Co-Founder of DevReady.Ai, speaks with Sarah Payne, COO of icetana AI, about AI-powered video surveillance, product leadership and the realities of deploying artificial intelligence in complex security environments. Sarah explains how icetana AI analyses thousands of live CCTV feeds to identify unusual events such as falls, distress, loitering and safety hazards in real time. She also shares how a career spanning UK local government, database administration and product management shaped her commitment to building practical technology that protects people and delivers measurable value. Sarah’s journey to AI leadership began when she and her husband left the UK during the global financial crisis and moved to Australia without an established network. After travelling across the country in a campervan, they settled in Perth, where Sarah moved from an Oracle database administrator role into business analysis, project management and product leadership. Her career progression highlights the importance of curiosity, adaptability, practical experience and a willingness to take responsibility for difficult decisions. Discussing effective product management, Sarah describes the role as a bridge between customer needs, engineering capabilities and business strategy. Strong product leaders must ask thoughtful questions, translate complex technical concepts and balance customer value with budgets, roadmaps and technical feasibility. Sarah also explains why diverse teams, clear communication and active listening are essential when working with engineers, customers and senior decision-makers. The conversation explores the challenges of deploying real-world AI surveillance across thousands of live camera feeds affected by poor lighting, ageing equipment and unpredictable conditions. icetana AI uses repeat footage, confusion matrices and customer feedback to reduce false positives and improve the usefulness of its alerts. Its intuitive security software helps operators identify urgent incidents within seconds, while on-premises processing supports the privacy and security requirements of sensitive environments. Sarah also addresses concerns about AI surveillance, facial recognition and personal data, explaining how icetana AI focuses on elevating relevant events to the right people at the right time. Looking ahead, Sarah explains why icetana AI develops short, flexible product roadmaps as artificial intelligence continues to advance rapidly. Emerging applications include detecting hazards, dispatching cleaning robots, notifying staff and guiding emergency responses through automated workflows. She reinforces the value of understanding the problem behind every feature request and creating AI products that make people safer, support frontline teams and solve genuine customer needs. #DevReadyPodcast #AISurveillance #ArtificialIntelligence #ResponsibleAI #VideoAnalytics #ProductLeadership #TechPodcast #AustralianTechnology
#316
August 25 · 34 min
How an Advisory Board Helps Founders Scale a Business and Break Growth Barriers | Ep 320 | DevReady
In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis, CTO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and DevReady.Ai, speaks with Mike Logan, Advisory Board Chairman at C7EVEN Communications and author of The Asking Leader, about advisory boards, AI adoption and sustainable business growth. Drawing on his experience as a founder, business leader and chairman, Mike explains how structured advice can help founder-led, family-owned and privately held businesses clarify their goals, strengthen leadership and turn ambitious plans into practical action. Mike outlines four foundations that shape business performance: customers, people, systems and cash flow. While many small and mid-sized businesses consider advisory boards relevant only to larger organisations, they often face the same challenges around strategy, execution, risk and compliance. A well-structured advisory board brings specialist expertise to the table, establishes measurable outcomes and helps leaders navigate expansion, acquisitions, new markets, succession and rapid growth. The conversation also explores how COVID-19 accelerated digital adoption and changed the way teams communicate and collaborate. Anthony shares how Aerion Technologies transitioned to fully remote work without reducing performance, while recognising the fatigue created by back-to-back video meetings. Digital communication platforms and AI-powered meeting transcription now help businesses preserve decisions, capture context and give teams more time for focused discussion, creative thinking and strategic work. Anthony and Mike discuss the uncertainty surrounding AI adoption, particularly among non-technical business leaders who struggle to identify useful applications. Mike shares examples of professionals building their own AI tools for recruitment automation and long-term cash flow forecasting. Rather than chasing exaggerated claims about universal prompts and workflows, they recommend experimenting with accessible tools and developing small automations that solve specific business problems. Mike explains that sustainable growth also requires founders to evolve alongside their companies. Leaders who remain deeply involved in every operational detail can become a barrier to delegation, team development and business scalability. He shares how one founder introduced an experienced CEO and specialist advisers, helping the company grow from $10 million to $50 million while the founder remained closely connected to clients and continued serving as the face of the brand. A successful advisory relationship depends on a founder’s willingness to act, adapt and accept constructive challenges. Mike uses the lessons and “scar tissue” from his own leadership journey to help clients recognise capability gaps, strengthen their decision-making and build the right leadership structure. Through disciplined strategic reviews and practical accountability, advisory boards can help founders close the gap between their current position and the business, lifestyle and legacy they want to create. #DevReadyPodcast #BusinessGrowth #AdvisoryBoards #Leadership #FounderLedBusiness #ArtificialIntelligence #BusinessAutomation #AerionTechnologies
#315
August 19 · 41 min
How Programmable Scent Technology Could Transform Wellbeing | Ep 319 | DevReady Podcast
In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis, CTO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and DevReady.Ai, is joined by Adam Good, Founder and CEO of Auric, to explore programmable scent, AI-powered product development and the realities of building a hardware start-up. Auric’s scent intelligence platform combines specialised hardware, connected software and therapeutic oils to create personalised environments that support energy, calm, focus and sleep. Adam also shares how his experience across Microsoft, News Limited, DDB, Telstra and WPP shaped his transition from digital executive to technology founder. Inspired by wellness experiences across Asia, Adam recognised scent as a powerful sensory layer connected to memory, emotion and mood. This insight led Auric to develop its Aroma Chromosphere and introduce the concept of “Mood as a Service”. The system is designed to schedule personalised aromas throughout the day, with future applications for biometric wearables, gaming, cinema, cooking content and other immersive experiences. Adam explains the considerable engineering effort behind programmable scent technology. Auric must account for differences in oil viscosity while integrating electronics, firmware, mechanical components, RFID-enabled smart caps, usage tracking and precision tooling. These requirements have made hardware development slower and more capital-intensive, while also helping Auric build patents, specialised intellectual property and a valuable competitive moat. The conversation also examines how AI agents and AI coding tools are changing the economics of technology start-ups. Auric uses automation to analyse device activity, personalise scent routines, manage customer communications and recommend oil replenishments. Tools such as Claude and Codex have accelerated software prototyping, interface development and testing, supporting Adam’s ambition to scale Auric into a $100 million business with a remarkably small core team. Adam closes with practical advice for hardware founders, including defining a focused minimum viable product, validating the proof of concept and preparing for ongoing technical and financial challenges. He and Anthony emphasise the importance of clear specifications, strong product architecture, thorough documentation and experienced advisers when integrating software, firmware and physical hardware. Looking ahead, Adam expects AI hardware, ambient computing and IoT technology to drive the next generation of innovative, connected products. #DevReadyPodcast #ProgrammableScent #AIHardware #WellbeingTechnology #IoT #ProductDevelopment
#314
August 18 · 35 min
Brand Strategy in the Age of AI: Charlotte Durack on Creativity, Change and Agency Growth | Ep 318
In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis, CTO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and DevReady.Ai, is joined by Charlotte Durack, Director of Studio Agriculture, for an honest conversation about agency growth, brand strategy and adopting AI in business. Charlotte shares lessons from building and leading a specialist creative agency while responding to changing markets, emerging technology and evolving client expectations. Together, they explore how business owners can evaluate AI tools, guide teams through uncertainty and improve established processes while preserving the strategic expertise clients value. Charlotte reflects on how Studio Agriculture has grown by developing a strong brand methodology and adapting to the industries, seasons and commercial conditions affecting its clients. Its work in agriculture provides a compelling example of why deep customer knowledge matters. Understanding how people make decisions, build relationships and assess value enables the agency to create practical B2B marketing that connects suppliers, producers and major retailers. Charlotte also discusses the continuing disconnect between consumers and the origins of their food, and the role strong storytelling can play in making agricultural value and sustainability more visible. Much of the conversation centres on a challenge familiar to founders across every industry: deciding which technologies deserve time, money and attention. Charlotte speaks candidly about the pressure created by a constant stream of AI tools and the difficulty of introducing new systems while managing client work and leading a busy team. Her experience highlights the value of starting with one practical use case, testing it properly and making incremental improvements based on genuine business needs. Studio Agriculture has already begun using generative AI for concept development, campaign ideas, mood boards, sales communications and early creative drafts. Charlotte and Anthony examine the resistance that can arise within creative teams, particularly when people are accustomed to polished work and proven processes. They discuss how leaders can make AI adoption more tangible through experimentation, collaboration and examples that demonstrate the quality achievable when human judgement remains involved. The episode also explores how AI is influencing agency workflows, commercial models and expectations around speed. Anthony shares practical applications involving ChatGPT, Codex, Figma integrations, reusable skills and AI meeting assistants, while Charlotte considers how Studio Agriculture could produce assets more efficiently and move towards outcome-focused pricing. Her central challenge reflects the experience of many established business owners today: evolving the way work gets delivered while continuing to lead with strategy, creative direction and trusted expertise. #DevReadyPodcast #BrandStrategy #ArtificialIntelligence #CreativeAgency #AgencyGrowth #GenerativeAI
#313
August 12 · 51 min
Software Australia: Stewart Marshall on AI, SaaS and the Future of Australia's Software Industry | Ep 317 | DevReady Podcast
In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Andrew Romeo, CEO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and Co-Founder of DevReady.Ai, sits down with Stewart Marshall, CEO and Executive Director of Software Australia, SaaS adviser, investor, scale-up mentor and author of Kick Some SaaS. Stewart shares the vision behind Software Australia, a new not-for-profit industry association designed to strengthen Australia's software sector by helping businesses commercialise, scale and connect more effectively. Drawing on decades of experience across the software industry, he explains why Australia needs a stronger national voice for software companies and how a collaborative, digital-first community can accelerate innovation and business growth. Stewart explains that Software Australia was born from a recurring challenge he observed while writing Kick Some SaaS. Many technically capable founders struggle to transform great software into successful businesses because commercialisation, market positioning and business growth require a very different set of skills from software development. Rather than operating as a traditional lobbying body, Software Australia aims to bridge this gap by supporting software businesses with practical resources, industry connections and opportunities to reach more Australian organisations actively looking for technology solutions. Andrew adds that storytelling, shared experiences and community learning have always been essential ingredients in helping founders avoid costly mistakes and achieve sustainable growth. The conversation explores how Software Australia plans to differentiate itself through a digital-first platform that keeps members engaged every day rather than relying on occasional networking events. Stewart discusses plans for an online community featuring industry news, collaboration opportunities, marketplaces and practical resources, supported by strategic partnerships that expand the value delivered to members. They also examine the role of startup communities, accelerators and existing industry organisations, explaining how Software Australia is designed to unite these groups rather than compete with them. Its goal is to become a central hub that helps software companies navigate every stage of growth by connecting founders with trusted expertise, commercial opportunities and the right people at the right time. Andrew and Stewart also discuss the broader future of Australia's technology sector, highlighting the importance of supporting locally developed software, increasing industry collaboration and creating stronger visibility for Australian innovation. Stewart advocates for a new national conversation that recognises software and digital technology as essential foundations of the modern economy, while also encouraging greater diversity by showcasing more young professionals and women working across the technology sector. The discussion concludes with an honest assessment of artificial intelligence, acknowledging that AI is making software development more accessible while reinforcing that commercialisation, security, governance and customer relationships remain the defining factors behind long-term software success. Together, they argue that AI is expanding opportunities for businesses, but experienced people, trusted communities and strong commercial thinking will continue to drive sustainable growth across Australia's software industry. #SoftwareAustralia #ArtificialIntelligence #SaaS #SoftwareDevelopment #AustralianTech #Technology #Innovation #DevReadyPodcast #AerionTechnologies
#312
August 11 · 34 min
AI for Finance: How Serge Radisic Is Transforming Financial Planning and FP&A | Ep 316 | DevReady Podcast
In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Andrew Romeo, CEO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and Co-Founder of DevReady.Ai, sits down with Serge Radisic, Founder and CEO of Uptio, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping financial planning and analysis for modern businesses. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience in finance transformation, sales leadership and consulting, Serge shares why he left a successful consulting business to build an AI-powered FP&A platform designed to help CFOs and finance teams make faster, more informed decisions. The conversation covers AI in finance, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), customer-led product development, startup strategy and the future of enterprise software. Serge reflects on the slow pace of innovation within the finance industry, explaining that many organisations still depend on spreadsheets, disconnected systems and manual reporting despite years of discussion around automation. He discusses how AI is finally creating an opportunity to transform finance workflows by delivering contextual, traceable insights in seconds rather than days. Instead of replacing finance professionals, Uptio is designed to augment decision making by helping teams quickly understand what happened, why it happened and what actions they should consider next. Throughout the discussion, Andrew highlights the importance of combining powerful AI technologies with deep industry expertise to solve complex business problems. A major theme of the episode is the importance of customer-led product development. Serge explains how early assumptions about the product changed after extensive customer discovery, revealing that finance leaders wanted clearer visibility into current business performance before more advanced forecasting capabilities. By working closely with customers throughout the development process, Uptio has focused on building a simple, highly accurate AI assistant that provides transparent, verifiable answers through natural language. Andrew and Serge also discuss why quality assurance, user validation and continuous feedback remain essential, even as AI dramatically accelerates software development. The conversation also explores the technical and commercial realities of building enterprise AI products. Serge outlines Uptio's vision of reducing implementation complexity through modern integrations, open source technologies and secure data connectivity, allowing organisations to transform business data into actionable insights within minutes. Andrew emphasises that enterprise customers expect robust security, governance and compliance from the outset, making strong technical foundations just as important as product innovation. Together, they explain why successful AI platforms combine proven technologies rather than attempting to reinvent every component. Looking ahead, Serge shares his long-term ambition of creating an AI-powered FP&A agent that serves as a trusted second brain for finance teams across thousands of organisations. While the vision is ambitious, he stresses that sustainable growth depends on building a reliable, enterprise-ready product through rigorous testing, customer collaboration and continuous improvement. Andrew concludes that meaningful innovation takes time, particularly when accuracy and trust are critical, while Serge reflects on the rewards of entrepreneurship and the willingness to embrace risk in pursuit of creating lasting value. #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #Finance #FPA #FinancialPlanning #EnterpriseAI #DevReadyPodcast #Startup #BusinessTechnology #Innovation
#311
August 5 · 33 min
AI, APIs and AI Agents: What Every Business Should Know | Ep 315 | DevReady Podcast
In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis, CTO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and DevReady.Ai, is joined by Rajeev Ramani, Director of ItFromBit and an API specialist with more than 20 years of experience helping organisations build secure, scalable software systems. Drawing on his extensive background in API architecture, governance and AI integration, Rajeev explains why APIs have become the backbone of modern AI applications and why thoughtful planning remains essential for successful software projects. This episode is packed with practical insights for business leaders, founders, developers and anyone looking to adopt AI responsibly while building software that is secure, reliable and ready for growth. Anthony and Rajeev explore how AI has dramatically lowered the barrier to software development, enabling businesses to prototype ideas faster than ever before. While AI accelerates coding, they explain that software architecture, business planning and user experience design continue to rely on human judgement. The conversation highlights why AI should support strategic thinking rather than replace it, with brainstorming, idea validation and decision making emerging as some of the technology's most valuable business applications. A major focus of the discussion centres on APIs and the critical role they play in connecting AI with business systems. Rajeev explains why secure API design, governance and well-structured integrations are becoming increasingly important as organisations introduce AI into their operations. They also discuss the risks of relying on AI-generated code without understanding security, architecture and predictable business processes, reinforcing the importance of human oversight when AI is given access to sensitive systems or data. The episode also tackles the growing hype surrounding AI, cutting through marketing claims and social media trends to focus on practical implementation. Rajeev encourages businesses to begin with small, repetitive problems that can deliver measurable improvements through automation before considering more advanced AI agents. Anthony shares practical advice on using AI as a critical thinking partner by challenging assumptions, refining ideas and exploring alternative solutions, helping organisations build confidence before investing in larger AI initiatives. To conclude, Rajeev introduces his open-source API control platform designed to help organisations prepare their APIs for the AI era through stronger governance, integration and management. Together, Anthony and Rajeev demonstrate that successful AI adoption is built on clear business objectives, strong technical foundations and a willingness to learn through experimentation. Whether you are leading digital transformation, building your first AI-powered product or looking to improve existing business systems, this conversation provides practical guidance for using AI effectively while creating software that is secure, scalable and built for long-term success. #DevReadyPodcast #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #APIs #AIAgents #SoftwareDevelopment #BusinessAutomation #DigitalTransformation #TechnologyLeadership #AerionTechnologies
#310
August 4 · 50 min
How AI and Commercial Drones Are Transforming Business with Mahmood Hussein | Ep 314 | DevReady
In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis, CTO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and DevReady.Ai is joined by Mahmood Hussein, Founder and CEO of Global Drone Solutions, Australia's largest drone pilot training provider. Drawing on decades of experience across engineering, international business and emerging technologies, Mahmood shares how drones, artificial intelligence and automation are reshaping industries including agriculture, mining, defence and infrastructure. He also reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, leadership philosophy and commitment to creating opportunities for others. Mahmood begins by tracing his career from mechanical engineering with Cummins to leading global sales, establishing international distribution networks and building successful businesses across multiple industries. After relocating to Australia, he founded Global Drone Solutions, transforming it into Australia's leading drone pilot training organisation while expanding into international markets. He explains how growing awareness of drone technology, combined with rapid advances in AI and automation, is creating new opportunities for businesses and professionals around the world. The conversation explores how commercial drones have evolved far beyond aerial photography, becoming essential tools for precision agriculture, mining, environmental rehabilitation and defence. Mahmood explains how AI powered drones use multi-spectral imaging to identify crop health issues, reduce chemical usage and improve farming efficiency, while autonomous drone technology supports mine rehabilitation through large scale tree planting and environmental monitoring. Anthony and Mahmood also discuss how smartphone technology accelerated drone innovation by making cameras, sensors and processors smaller, more affordable and more powerful, enabling industries to capture detailed data and create highly accurate digital models for smarter decision making. Anthony and Mahmood then examine the practical role of AI in business growth, using Global Drone Solutions as a real world example. Mahmood explains how AI driven lead qualification, CRM automation and intelligent customer insights have improved conversion rates, streamlined customer service and increased operational efficiency without significantly increasing headcount. They also discuss how AI is reducing repetitive administrative work, allowing employees to focus on higher value activities, while drones equipped with thermal imaging and intelligent automation are making tasks such as roof inspections faster, safer and more accurate. The episode concludes with a thoughtful discussion about leadership, innovation and the future of work. Mahmood shares why helping others succeed remains the driving force behind his business, from training more than 8,000 drone pilots to partnering with WeRobotics to develop drone training programmes in emerging economies. Anthony offers practical insights into overcoming resistance to AI adoption, emphasising that successful implementation depends on using technology to support people rather than replace them. Together, they explore how organisations can embrace AI with confidence, build stronger customer experiences and create sustainable long-term growth through continuous innovation, meaningful relationships and a clear sense of purpose. #DevReadyPodcast #AI #CommercialDrones #Innovation #Technology #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #AerionTechnologies
#309
July 29 · 39 min
AI Strategy for Business: Sean Campbell on AI Adoption & Digital Transformation | Ep 313 | DevReady
In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis, CTO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and DevReady.Ai, is joined by Sean Campbell, Founder of Executive Minds and host of The Next Breakthrough with Sean Campbell. for an insightful discussion on AI adoption, digital transformation, business strategy and leadership. Drawing on decades of international experience across the United States, Thailand, Sweden and Australia, Sean shares practical lessons from corporate IT, marketing technology, consulting and executive coaching. Together, they explore how organisations can embrace AI, modernise their operations and build technology strategies that deliver lasting business value. This episode is essential listening for business leaders, founders and technology professionals looking to navigate AI, software development and organisational change with confidence. Sean reflects on his career journey, explaining how his early work in corporate training, instructional design and change management taught him that successful technology adoption always begins with people. He shares how helping traditional businesses embrace new systems shaped his leadership philosophy, combining technical expertise with communication, empathy and a practical understanding of business operations. Throughout the conversation, Anthony and Sean emphasise that every successful digital transformation relies on clear planning, stakeholder engagement and structured processes before any technology is introduced. The discussion then turns to artificial intelligence and its growing impact on software development, business operations and marketing technology. Sean explains that while AI has made it easier to prototype ideas, automate repetitive tasks and accelerate innovation, moving from experimentation to production requires governance, security, compliance and thoughtful change management. Anthony reinforces the importance of defining requirements, designing robust systems and continuously testing AI solutions to ensure they remain reliable as models evolve. They also explore why domain-specific AI, supported by trusted knowledge and expert context, can deliver stronger business outcomes than relying solely on publicly available information. Anthony and Sean also examine the strategic decisions businesses face when investing in technology, including whether to build custom software or adopt off the shelf platforms. They discuss how software should support competitive advantage, operational efficiency and long-term growth while balancing ownership, flexibility and ongoing maintenance. Looking beyond technology itself, Sean explains that as AI becomes increasingly accessible, organisations will stand apart through exceptional customer experiences, strong organisational culture and meaningful human connections. Their conversation concludes with a powerful reminder that the future belongs to businesses that combine technological innovation with leadership, creativity and a genuine focus on delivering value to people. #DevReadyPodcast #ArtificialIntelligence #AIStrategy #DigitalTransformation #BusinessLeadership #SoftwareDevelopment #Innovation #AerionTechnologies
#308
July 28 · 48 min
How Ben Grozier Built ClassCover: Startup, SaaS & EdTech Lessons | Ep 312 | DevReady Podcast
In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Ben Grozier, Co-Founder and CEO of ClassCover and Director of EPC Sports, joins Andrew Romeo, CEO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and Co-Founder of DevReady.Ai, to share the story behind one of Australia's leading EdTech platforms. Drawing on his experience as a professional tennis coach, teacher and entrepreneur, Ben reveals how a simple frustration within the education sector evolved into a technology business used by thousands of schools. This episode explores software product development, startup validation, SaaS growth, product leadership and scaling technology businesses, offering practical lessons for founders, product managers and business leaders. Ben explains how ClassCover was born after witnessing the inefficiency of schools relying on endless phone calls to secure casual teachers. He reflects on building the first version of the platform in 2011, admitting that instinct played a greater role than formal product validation in the early days, while highlighting the importance of timing, trusted partnerships and learning directly from customers. Andrew and Ben discuss why founders must own the product vision, create clear workflows and prioritise the right features, ensuring developers have the direction needed to build software that solves genuine business problems. The conversation also explores why launching a lightweight minimum viable product and building strong customer relationships remain essential for long-term success. Ben shares how reserving budget for sales, marketing and customer feedback allowed ClassCover to evolve through real-world use rather than assumptions. Together, Andrew and Ben discuss the value of listening to customers, earning trust through hands-on support and maintaining realistic expectations as startups grow through continuous iteration instead of chasing rapid, unsustainable growth. Ben offers valuable insights into scaling a SaaS business, particularly the realities of selling to enterprise and government customers where procurement cycles can span many years. He introduces the concept of "runway resilience", explaining why sustainable revenue from customers within a founder's control creates the stability needed while larger contracts progress. The discussion also covers leadership, highlighting the importance of focusing on high-impact work, creating psychologically safe teams and embracing vulnerability, curiosity and continuous learning throughout the entrepreneurial journey. Looking ahead, Ben shares ClassCover's vision of becoming the leading professional platform for educators by expanding into recruitment, professional development, networking and additional education services. Rather than spreading resources across multiple industries, ClassCover continues to deepen its expertise within education, strengthening its value for teachers and schools alike. Andrew concludes by reinforcing that enduring technology companies are built through deep industry knowledge, meaningful customer relationships and a commitment to evolving alongside the people they serve. #DevReadyPodcast #ClassCover #EdTech #SaaS #Startup #Entrepreneurship #SoftwareDevelopment #ProductManagement #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #AerionTechnologies
#307
July 22 · 42 min
How Simon Dell Built Australia's Leading Fractional Marketing Marketplace | Ep 311 | DevReady Podcast
In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis, CTO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and DevReady.Ai, is joined by Simon Dell, CEO and Founder of Cemoh, to explore how one unexpected client request evolved into one of Australia's leading fractional marketing marketplaces. Drawing on decades of experience in marketing, Simon shares the journey from running a traditional digital agency to building a scalable platform that connects businesses with experienced marketing leaders on a flexible basis. The conversation covers entrepreneurship, marketplace design, product validation, artificial intelligence and sustainable business growth, offering practical insights for founders, business leaders and technology entrepreneurs. Simon explains how Cemoh was born after a client urgently needed temporary marketing support during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. That experience uncovered a growing demand for senior marketing expertise without the long-term commitment of a full-time hire, leading Simon and his co-founder to rethink their agency model. Together, they discuss the growing role of fractional executives, why businesses benefit from embedded strategic leadership, and how recognising genuine customer problems can create entirely new business opportunities. Anthony and Simon also reflect on the importance of preparation, adaptability and making the most of unexpected opportunities. The discussion then turns to the realities of building and scaling a two-sided marketplace. Simon shares the lessons learned from six years of refining pricing models, improving workflows and balancing the needs of consultants, clients and the business itself. They explore the challenges of solving the marketplace supply and demand equation, creating trust between all participants, navigating Australian labour laws and developing long term partnerships that encourage sustainable growth. Simon also offers valuable insights into bootstrapping a profitable business while continually adapting to customer feedback and changing market conditions. Anthony and Simon examine why successful software products are built through continuous validation rather than assumptions. Simon explains how early versions of Cemoh included features that customers rarely used, reinforcing the importance of understanding real user behaviour before investing in development. They discuss product adoption, workflow integration and the importance of building software that naturally fits into the way customers already work. The conversation highlights why rapid iteration, customer feedback and careful prioritisation remain essential ingredients for successful product development. The episode concludes with an in-depth discussion about the impact of artificial intelligence on marketing, software development and business productivity. Simon shares practical examples of using AI to transform podcast transcripts into blog articles, streamline content creation and accelerate operational tasks, while Anthony compares AI to productivity tools that enable professionals to work more efficiently without replacing their expertise. Together, they explain why strategic thinking, planning and human judgement remain central to delivering outstanding results. This episode is packed with practical advice for founders, marketers, software teams and business leaders looking to scale their organisations through smarter systems, stronger processes and effective use of AI. #DevReadyPodcast #Startup #Entrepreneurship #Marketing #FractionalCMO #AI #BusinessGrowth #SoftwareDevelopment
#306
July 21 · 47 min
How Brand Strategy, Company Culture and AI Drive Business Growth | Ep 310 | DevReady Podcast
For this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Andrew Romeo, CEO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and Co-Founder of DevReady.Ai, is joined by Jono Wegerle, Owner and Director of Ideate Studios and brand strategist, to explore how brand strategy, organisational culture and AI are reshaping the way businesses grow. With more than two decades of experience spanning branding, design thinking, leadership, digital innovation and organisational development, Jono shares practical insights into building businesses that people trust from the inside out. Drawing on his work with global organisations including Massmart and Walmart, he explains why culture is one of the strongest drivers of business performance and competitive advantage. The conversation begins by challenging the common perception that branding is primarily about logos and visual identity. Jono explains that a successful brand is built on a clear sense of identity, shared values and consistent leadership behaviours that influence every customer and employee interaction. Through the use of brand archetypes, organisational values and design thinking, he demonstrates how businesses can align leadership, employees and customer experience around a shared vision. Andrew expands on the discussion by highlighting the importance of creating genuine buy in rather than relying on statements displayed on office walls, encouraging organisations to build cultures where values are consistently lived through everyday actions. Andrew and Jono then explore how culture can be strengthened through continuous engagement rather than isolated initiatives. Sharing examples from large scale organisational transformation projects, Jono explains how gamification, digital platforms and rewards programmes significantly improved employee onboarding, engagement and recognition, with more than 10,000 employees voluntarily adopting one platform within six months. The discussion also examines how strong workplace culture supports employee wellbeing, reduces staff turnover, lowers onboarding costs and protects long term brand reputation. Together, they explain why businesses that invest in their people create stronger customer experiences and more sustainable growth. The episode also examines the growing role of AI in brand strategy, internal communication and modern marketing. Jono discusses the shift towards search everywhere optimisation, where businesses need to build brands that are discoverable across AI-powered search platforms, recommendation engines, and digital assistants. He also explains why curiosity, reverse mentorship and hiring for cultural alignment are becoming essential qualities for organisations that want to remain innovative. The conversation concludes by exploring how measurable cultural health factors, continuous learning, and strong leadership create businesses that are better equipped to adapt, innovate, and build lasting competitive advantage in an AI-driven world. #DevReadyPodcast #BusinessAcquisition #Startups #AI #Entrepreneurship #AerionTechnologies
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July 15 · 55 min
Business Acquisition vs Startups: Which Builds Wealth Faster? | Ep 309 | DevReady Podcast
In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Andrew Romeo, CEO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and Co-Founder of DevReady.Ai,, is joined by Olivia Truong, Director of W&T Investment Management, Co-Founder of WT Acquisition Advisory and Director of Wilson & Truong Developments. With more than 20 years of experience spanning banking, business transformation and product management, Olivia shares how she transitioned from corporate leadership into entrepreneurship, combining artificial intelligence, business acquisition and strategic investing to build long-term wealth. Drawing on her experience helping people acquire businesses and launch new ventures, Olivia offers practical insights for founders, investors and non-technical entrepreneurs looking to turn ideas into sustainable businesses. The conversation begins with Olivia's entrepreneurial journey and how experimenting with AI enabled her to build Lemonade Empire, a financial literacy game for her daughters, before publishing it to the Apple App Store within days. Andrew and Olivia explore how AI has transformed product development by making prototyping, validation and idea visualisation far more accessible for non-technical founders. They also discuss why experienced technology partners remain essential when moving from early concepts to secure, scalable products, alongside the importance of strategy, product thinking and customer validation before investing heavily in development. Andrew and Olivia then compare the realities of launching startups with acquiring established businesses. Olivia explains why she and her partner chose business acquisition as a strategy to generate cash flow that can fund innovation, while Andrew reflects on lessons learned from supporting founders through nearly two decades of software development. Together, they examine the role of business intelligence, customer insights, operational dashboards and strong leadership in building businesses that can grow without founders becoming the bottleneck. They also explore how understanding your own strengths helps determine whether entrepreneurship, investment or business operations are the right path. The discussion moves into the practical side of buying businesses, covering due diligence, profitability, business valuation and the importance of acquiring companies that can operate independently of their owners. Olivia explains why successful acquisitions depend on trust, shared values, experienced advisers and flexible deal structures rather than focusing solely on purchase price. The conversation also highlights how AI, automation and operational improvements can unlock additional value within long-established businesses while helping investors build scalable portfolios that extend beyond their local market. To close the episode, Andrew and Olivia compare the mindset required for business acquisition and startup success, identifying patience, resilience and continuous learning as essential qualities for both paths. They encourage aspiring entrepreneurs to take meaningful action, ask better questions and seek guidance from people who have already travelled the journey. Whether listeners are planning to build a technology startup, invest in an established business or explore new opportunities through AI, this episode provides practical frameworks for making better decisions and creating long-term business success. #DevReadyPodcast #BusinessAcquisition #Startups #Entrepreneurship #ArtificialIntelligence #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #Technology #Innovation #AerionTechnologies
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July 14 · 35 min
How to Build a Successful Product: From Idea to Manufacturing with Nathan Pollock | Ep 308 | DevReady Podcast
In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis, CTO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and DevReady.Ai, is joined by Nathan Pollock, Founder and CEO of Katapult Design, to explore the realities of modern product design, connected devices and bringing innovative ideas to market. Drawing on more than 35 years of experience in industrial design, Nathan shares how Katapult Design guides businesses from product discovery and concept development through prototyping, engineering and manufacturing across sectors including MedTech, agritech, sports technology and consumer products. He also reflects on the career journey that led him to establish Katapult Design and discusses how the convergence of physical products and digital experiences is reshaping product development. The conversation explores why developing hardware requires a fundamentally different approach from software. Nathan explains that while software can evolve through continuous updates, physical products become significantly more expensive to change once manufacturing begins. Anthony and Nathan discuss the critical role of prototyping, validation and early planning, highlighting how advances in 3D printing and digital modelling have accelerated development while reducing risk. They also examine why experienced design partners deliver value by identifying manufacturing challenges before they become costly production problems. Anthony and Nathan also discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming product design without replacing the expertise of skilled designers. From accelerating research and visualisation to improving presentations and workflows, AI is helping teams deliver more value while keeping human creativity and judgement at the centre of the design process. They also explore the importance of testing products with real users, explaining how prototypes often uncover valuable insights that cannot be predicted during the planning stage. For startups and entrepreneurs, the episode offers practical advice on navigating the full product journey, including manufacturing, crowdfunding and commercialisation. The discussion then turns to the future of connected products, sustainability and responsible innovation. Nathan explains why customers increasingly expect products to integrate seamlessly with digital ecosystems while also meeting higher environmental standards. He shares how concepts such as circular design, Right to Repair and recyclable components are becoming key design considerations, alongside advances in battery technology, health monitoring and connected devices. The episode concludes with an insightful discussion about purposeful design, the renewed appreciation for tactile user experiences and why the most successful products solve genuine problems while creating meaningful value for the people who use them. #DevReadyPodcast #ProductDesign #ProductDevelopment #Innovation #IndustrialDesign #Hardware #Manufacturing #ArtificialIntelligence #ConnectedDevices #Startup #Entrepreneurship #AerionTechnologies
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July 8 · 50 min
Artificial Intelligence in Business and the Future of AI with Thomas Green | Ep 307 | DevReady Podcast
Thomas Green, Technology Futurist, Keynote Speaker and Co-Founder of The Really Conscious Group, joins Andrew Romeo, CEO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and Co-Founder of DevReady.Ai, on this episode of the DevReady Podcast for a thought provoking conversation about the future of artificial intelligence, business leadership and human potential. Drawing on his extraordinary life experiences, including a near-death experience that transformed his worldview, Thomas shares why technology alone will not determine the future. Instead, he explores how consciousness, leadership, innovation and purpose will shape the next generation of organisations. Thomas begins by explaining how his near-death experience reshaped his understanding of technology, consciousness and human connection. Using concepts from computing, quantum science and meditation, he explores the idea that people are connected through more than physical interactions, influencing one another through mindset, behaviour and shared environments. He draws comparisons between clean software code and human thinking, arguing that the language, habits and beliefs people develop ultimately shape their ability to innovate, adapt and lead. Throughout the discussion, Thomas encourages leaders to become more present, question inherited assumptions and rethink the way they approach both technology and business. The conversation then shifts to the rapid acceleration of artificial intelligence and its impact on organisations. Thomas introduces his concept of a new era of diminishing effort, where AI enables increasingly powerful outcomes with significantly less human input. Andrew and Thomas discuss why many businesses are still operating with outdated structures despite the speed of technological change, highlighting the need to rethink education, leadership, business models and workforce development. Rather than replacing people with AI, Thomas advocates for investing in employees, helping them build new skills and empowering them to become innovators alongside intelligent technologies. Andrew and Thomas also examine the ethics of growth, questioning whether technology should simply accelerate existing systems or create better ones. Thomas reflects on his decision to walk away from opportunities that conflicted with his values and explains why stakeholder-driven organisations, supported by technologies such as AI, blockchain and tokenisation, have the potential to create more sustainable outcomes. Together, they discuss why meaningful innovation begins with challenging assumptions, remaining open to new perspectives and designing businesses that create lasting value for customers, employees and society. The episode concludes with a broader discussion about leadership, intelligence and what success will look like in the AI era. Thomas argues that future-ready organisations must develop more than technical capability by strengthening emotional, physical and collective intelligence alongside traditional business skills. Andrew reinforces the importance of continuous learning, adaptability and investing in people during periods of rapid disruption. Together, they leave listeners with a compelling message that the organisations best equipped for the future will combine human potential, purposeful leadership and emerging technologies to create value that extends well beyond financial performance. #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #BusinessInnovation #Leadership #DigitalTransformation #BusinessStrategy #Technology #FutureOfWork #Innovation #DevReadyPodcast
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July 7 · 30 min
How AI Is Changing Software Development and Why Git Needs to Evolve | Ep 306 | DevReady Podcast
In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Andrew Romeo, CEO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and Co-Founder of DevReady.Ai, sits down with Dan Borthwick, Founder of NiceGit, to explore how software development is evolving in the age of AI. Drawing on a career that spans early video game development, high-growth startups and product innovation, Dan shares the experiences that shaped his approach to building technology that empowers both technical and non-technical teams. From pioneering mobile and Facebook gaming to creating a simpler approach to source control, this conversation offers valuable insights for founders, product managers and anyone involved in building digital products. Dan reflects on how a childhood fascination with computer games in the UK led him into software development, beginning with programming on early 8-bit and 16-bit computers. His career progressed through the rapidly evolving games industry, where he worked on cutting-edge mobile games before smartphones became mainstream and later helped shape the rise of Facebook gaming. He discusses the technical innovation, rapid experimentation and product thinking that defined those years, along with the ethical considerations surrounding gaming mechanics such as loot boxes. These experiences laid the foundation for his passion for creating products that solve real-world problems through better technology. The discussion then turns to NiceGit and the growing challenge of collaboration in modern software development. Dan explains how his experience leading multidisciplinary teams inspired him to simplify source control for designers, writers, product managers and other contributors who increasingly play an active role in software projects. After conducting more than 80 user interviews and participating in leading startup accelerator programs, he discovered that product leaders, rather than developers alone, were driving demand for better collaboration tools. Together, Andrew and Dan explore how AI coding tools have accelerated software creation while exposing new workflow challenges that require a fresh approach to version control and team collaboration. Dan also shares the lessons he learned from co-founding Pearlii, an AI-powered dental health startup that sought to identify dental conditions through smartphone images. He discusses the realities of building a deep tech company, including securing investment, collecting specialised datasets and ensuring founders share clear expectations from the outset. Although the venture ultimately closed, the experience reinforced the importance of customer validation, founder alignment and disciplined product strategy, all of which have influenced the way he has built NiceGit. Looking ahead, Dan outlines his vision for NiceGit as the collaboration platform for the next generation of software creators. As AI continues to lower the barriers to building software, he believes teams need intuitive tools that make collaboration as straightforward as sharing files in cloud storage while still supporting professional development practices. The conversation highlights why productivity software requires extensive testing, why software quality depends on effective collaboration, and why the future of product development belongs to teams where technical and non-technical contributors can work together seamlessly. #DevReadyPodcast #ArtificialIntelligence #SoftwareDevelopment #Startup #Founders #ProductManagement #Git #Technology #Innovation #AerionTechnologies
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July 1 · 54 min
How to Build a Scalable Business That Runs Without You | Ep 305 | DevReady Podcast
In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Andrew Romeo, CEO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and Co-Founder of DevReady.Ai, sits down with Themi Stergianos, Founder & CEO of LabWorks and Founder of Stergianos Group, to explore the realities of entrepreneurship, business growth, leadership, and artificial intelligence. Drawing on decades of experience across startups, property, business coaching, and scaling companies, Themi shares practical insights into building sustainable businesses, developing leaders, and creating organisations that can thrive without constant founder involvement. From navigating uncertainty and burnout to leveraging AI for competitive advantage, this conversation offers valuable lessons for founders, business owners, and leaders looking to scale effectively in an increasingly technology-driven world. Themi reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, which began without a university degree but with a strong passion for business, innovation, and creating opportunities. From launching a successful pizza delivery venture to building businesses in real estate, technology, and coaching, he discovered that long-term success comes from understanding personal strengths, building strong teams, and creating systems that support growth. His transition into business coaching, including his experience with ActionCOACH and entrepreneur Brad Sugars, helped shape his philosophy around leadership, accountability, and helping business owners overcome common challenges in sales, people management, and execution. A major theme throughout the discussion is the challenge founders face when they become trapped in the daily operations of their businesses. Themi explains how entrepreneurs often wear multiple hats across sales, marketing, operations, finance, and delivery, increasing the risk of burnout and limiting their ability to focus on strategy and growth. He shares how LabWorks was intentionally designed to operate profitably without relying on his constant involvement, highlighting the importance of documenting processes, delegating effectively, and creating repeatable systems that allow businesses to scale. Andrew reflects on Aerion Technologies' own growth journey, emphasising the adaptability, resilience, and long-term thinking required to build a successful company. The conversation also explores the growing role of artificial intelligence in modern business. Both Andrew and Themi discuss how AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude are helping founders improve decision-making, increase productivity, create documentation, and gain strategic insights. Themi explains how he uses AI as a virtual coach, combining it with personality profiling frameworks to better understand leadership styles, team dynamics, and organisational design. They agree that business owners who embrace AI, equip their teams with the right tools, and focus on high-value activities will be better positioned to innovate, compete, and grow in the years ahead. The episode concludes with a discussion on balancing automation with human connection. Themi introduces his philosophy of "systemising the routine 80% and humanising the exceptional 20%", arguing that while systems, SOPs, and integrated technology create consistency and efficiency, genuine relationships, empathy, initiative, and problem-solving remain uniquely human strengths. Together, Andrew and Themi highlight the importance of building cultures where people are empowered to think creatively, take ownership, and continuously improve. Their conversation serves as a powerful reminder that sustainable business growth comes from combining effective systems, strong leadership, and meaningful human relationships. #DevReadyPodcast #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #ScalableBusiness #FounderLife #ArtificialIntelligence #BusinessSystems #Innovation #AerionTechnologies
#300
June 30 · 35 min
Building the Shopify of Lending with AI and Embedded Finance | Ep 304 | DevReady Podcast
In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Andrew Romeo, CEO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and Co-Founder of DevReady.Ai, sits down with Julian Fayad, Founder and CEO of LoanOptions.ai, to explore how technology, automation, and customer-focused innovation are transforming the lending industry. From launching an app on the Apple App Store as a teenager to building one of Australia's fastest-growing fintech businesses, Julian shares the journey behind LoanOptions.ai and the lessons learned along the way. This conversation covers fintech innovation, embedded finance, SaaS growth, AI-powered lending technology, startup scaling, and the future of financial services. Julian's career began in software and app development before financial responsibilities led him into finance broking. As he progressed from broker to general manager, he developed a deep understanding of lender policies and recognised how heavily the industry relied on manual processes and fragmented systems. Seeking a way to scale his expertise, he built a sophisticated spreadsheet-based decision engine capable of matching borrowers with suitable lenders. That early solution laid the foundation for LoanOptions.ai, which officially launched during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic and reached profitability within its first month. A key focus of the discussion is how LoanOptions.ai reimagined the lending experience by simplifying what had traditionally been a lengthy and frustrating process. Through OCR technology, contextual AI, automated data extraction, and bank connectivity, the platform can pre-fill up to 80 per cent of a loan application using information from documents such as identification, bank statements, and payslips. This innovation dramatically reduced manual data entry while increasing speed, transparency, and customer confidence. The result was rapid growth, multiple years of triple-digit expansion, and the evolution of the platform into a SaaS solution adopted by brokers and lending organisations across Australia. Julian also explains the importance of focus and strategic partnerships in scaling a technology business. Rather than competing directly with mortgage brokers, LoanOptions.ai specialised in non-property lending, including vehicle finance, personal loans, and commercial lending. The company developed a white-label and embedded finance model that combines the trust of established brands with the scalability of digital technology. Today, LoanOptions.ai powers more than 2,000 partnerships across industries including automotive, solar, marine, property, and e-commerce, helping businesses seamlessly integrate finance options into their customer journeys. Looking ahead, Julian shares his vision of becoming the infrastructure layer that powers lending businesses globally. He reflects on navigating regulatory changes, supply chain disruptions, and shifting market conditions while remaining committed to a single mission: making lending faster, easier, and more transparent. The conversation also explores the impact of artificial intelligence and large language models on software development, product experimentation, and innovation. For founders, fintech leaders, and technology professionals, this episode offers valuable insights into scaling a SaaS platform, building strategic partnerships, leveraging AI, and creating products that challenge conventional industry thinking. #DevReadyPodcast #Fintech #LoanOptionsAI #ArtificialIntelligence #EmbeddedFinance #SaaS #SoftwareDevelopment #DigitalTransformation #CustomerExperience #Technology #StartupGrowth #AerionTechnologies

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