Atom Venture Podcasts

What used to be relatively straightforward—“Twitter for debate, Facebook for fun, Instagram for cool visuals, LinkedIn for business”—has become chaotic, politicized, and in many ways more dangerous for founders and brands. In this episode with Colin Kelly we explore: -Why the old rules of social media are gone and why nobody can honestly claim to “know” how it all works anymore. -How social platforms have shifted from organic discovery engines to paid advertising systems and what that means for startups. -The renewed importance of old‑school sales and marketing (phone calls, events, letters) and using social media as supporting evidence rather than your primary growth engine. -The tension around brand values, politics, and polarisation, and why being loudly “values‑driven” online can now backfire. -How to show your human side online without falling into inauthentic “I’m crushing it” performance. -Where AI, SEO, and search are heading, including a fascinating discovery about Instagram posts appearing in Goog

In this episode, Bhairav and Alan bring in AI practitioner Sanjay Rakshit to unpack what’s really going on with artificial intelligence – beyond the noise, hype, and fear. They explore what AI actually is (and isn’t), why no one is truly an “AI expert” yet, and how founders and business leaders should think about AI as a power tool rather than a magic replacement for people. The conversation ranges from: - The history and evolution of AI and why it suddenly “caught fire” with ChatGPT. - How hype distorts reality for founders, investors, and even universities. - How to differentiate between genuine practitioners and people who are just one chapter ahead of you. - Why AI augments good practitioners instead of replacing them – and what that means for developers, doctors, and small businesses. By the end, you’ll be less intimidated by AI, more skeptical of big promises, and clearer on how to use it intelligently in your business.

In this week's podcast, I'm talking with Kiley Tan, a co-founder and legal expert in AI with The Legal Director, who sheds light on how startups and businesses can navigate the complex landscape of AI usage, focusing on legal risks, copyright issues, and data protection. Key Discussion Points: Introduction to AI in Business: Kiley Tan shares his journey into AI, explaining how his curiosity led him to pursue an AI course to better understand its applications in business. Legal Concerns in AI: Discussion on common legal challenges related to AI, including data protection, copyright issues, and ownership of AI-generated content. Using Internal Data: Importance of leveraging proprietary internal data which can provide a significant advantage as it's owned by the company. The Role of AI in Legal Drafting: Examination of AI tools in drafting legal documents and the complexities involved. Agentic AI Risks: Examination of risks associated with autonomous agents, including liability issues if AI actions lead to

This week's guest is Kiley Tan, Consultant Solicitor specialising in AI with The Legal Director

You will learn the following: - There are patterns and challenges that companies commonly face at different stages of their growth. These challenges are not random. - Building a strong foundation and getting the basics right is essential for success in business. - Hiring the right people and aligning their values with the company’s values is crucial, especially when making the first few hires. - Conflict resolution can vary from case to case, but there are usually patterns that can be recognized. Choosing the path that minimizes resentment and disappointment is often the best approach. - Businesses can be rated on a scale of one to ten, and understanding the size and shape of a business can help determine the type of experience and skills needed for hiring and growth.

In this podcast you will learn: - What do we really mean by “Machine Learning”? - What is the difference between AI and ML? - What problems can ML solve? - How can a business owner know if ML is right for their business? - What are the steps a company should take before they decide on implementing ML within their organisation? - How do you implement ML within a business? - How can you know the ML solution is actually working? - What kind of team do you need to implement and run ML within a business?

In this highly informative episode of Atom CTO Podcast, we take a deep dive into the challenging yet rewarding world of startups as we converse with one of the seasoned experts in the field, Bill Bolden. With an impressive resume spanning a two-decade-long career, and contributing to over hundreds of startups, Bill talks about what he has seen that sets apart those companies that succeed from those that fail.

Welcome to another episode of The Atom CTO Podcast, joined by Bhairav Patel and Sanjay Rakshit, veterans in the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI). We delve into AI, machine learning, data science, and natural language processing (NLP). Concepts that have transformed life as we know it and the influencers at its core, helping shape the AI-driven future. We also discussed Bhairav and Sanjay's fascinating journey through the AI industry, their intriguing insights into data science, the growing emphasis on domain-specific knowledge, and the steady demand for experienced data scientists. Tune in to learn more about how continuously evolving technology necessitates a commitment to lifelong learning and how balancing work and further education contributes to professional excellence.

Dive into a fascinating journey of female entrepreneurship on the Atom CTO Podcast! We're hosting an inspiring conversation with Joanna Vargas, the dynamic force behind "The Get Up Girl" podcast. Vargas's career trajectory is a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit, fiery passion, and grit. Clearing her path outside the conventional structures of a 9-to-5 career, Joanna Vargas's chronicle kicks off quite intriguingly. From her early years running a lemonade stand to venturing into dance and fitness studios, Vargas's innovative and strategic decision-making have helped her pioneer her way in various industries. Besides discussing her successful transition into entrepreneurship, the episode takes a deep dive into the realistic aspects of the entrepreneurial life and the ability to adapt to business transitions.

Dominic Courage shares gripping insights from managing global humanitarian crises at Save the Children. From coordinating refugee responses to training crisis leaders, this episode reveals practical leadership lessons born from high-stakes situations. Discover how empathy, systematic thinking, and strategic frameworks can transform chaos into effective action. Perfect for leaders seeking proven crisis management strategies from someone operating at the sharp end of global emergencies.

Act small - think Big! The Dominic Courage Trailer by Business Podcasts by Atom CTO

In this engaging episode of the Atom CTO podcast, host Bhairav Patel welcomes Phin Mpofu, a dynamic serial entrepreneur and founder of Ugenie. Bhairav and Phin explore the journey from idea to implementation in the start-up ecosystem, focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities in the tech and AI industries. Phin shares his insights on building an AI-first business, the evolution of entrepreneurship, and the experiences of being a Black founder. Guest Bio: Phin Mpofu is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Eugenie, an AI-powered platform in the social commerce space. With a background in the start-up community and a passion for technology and community building, Phin is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the tech industry

In this episode of the Atom CTO podcast, Bhairav Patel sits down with seasoned tech executive Mark Zurich to delve deep into the intricate world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) from a technical perspective. The conversation addresses both the seller's and buyer's mindsets, with an emphasis on preparing for M&A activities, understanding tech due diligence processes, and managing cultural integration post-acquisition. Guest Bio: With over 35 years in the tech industry, Mark has held senior positions at industry giants and boasts a robust portfolio of M&A experiences. His expertise spans across roles at General Electric, Nokia, and BlackBerry, among others, aligning technology strategies with business objectives.

Trailer to the main event where we ask this week's guest 5 questions Phin Mpofu is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Eugenie, an AI-powered platform in the social commerce space. With a background in the start-up community and a passion for technology and community building, Phin is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the tech industry

In this episode, Alan and Bhairav talk about leadership and management, the qualities to look out for and what it takes to excel as a leader and a manager. In this podcast you'll learn: - Difference between leadership and management - Can everyone be a leader? - What makes a great manager? - Roles and responsibilities for being a better leader and a manager - How important is influence for leadership? - Who is considered to be a great leader?

In this episode Alan and Bhairav talk all things "pitch deck" Both Alan and Bhairav outline the slides described by Guy Kawasaki in his post, "The only 10 slides you need in your pitch" and add their own experience and flavour to that methodology https://guykawasaki.com/the-only-10-slides-you-need-in-your-pitch/ In this podcast you'll learn: The key slides you need in your pitch deck Why they are important What content you need to put into each slide What turns off investors

In this episode of the Real World Entrepreneurship Podcast, hosts Bhairav Patel and Alan Clarke dive deep into the reasons why projects often fail and share valuable insights on how to avoid common pitfalls. Drawing from their extensive experience in the business and technology worlds, they highlight the importance of the "CPOP" principles - Communication, People, Oversight, and Planning - in ensuring project success. Key topics covered in this episode include: 1. The critical role of thorough planning and requirements gathering at the outset of a project 2. The importance of maintaining open, honest communication between all stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle 3. The impact of having the right people involved who are invested in the project's success and empowered to make decisions 4. The need for regular oversight to track progress against milestones and course-correct as necessary 5. How the "CPOP" principles should be applied at every stage of a project, not just at the beginning Bhairav

In this episode of the Atom CTO Podcast, we talk with Aviv Ben-Yosef, tech consultant and CTO coach: https://avivbenyosef.com/ We delve into the persistent disconnect between tech teams and business units—a challenge that plagues both start-ups and larger enterprises. Along with Aviv we explore common issues such as the misalignment of goals and stakeholder perception. We also discuss practical methodologies for fostering a collaborative culture, including implementing joint KPIs and promoting continuous improvement. Tune in to learn how you can turn your tech department from a cost center into an innovation hub driving business growth.

This is the trailer to the main event we are asking Aviv Ben-Yosef 5 questions...

In this Real World Entrepreneurship podcast we talk with Lauren Young, the Burnout Therapist: https://www.theburnouttherapist.co.uk/ We explore the signs and symptoms of burnout that entrepreneurs frequently face, from chronic exhaustion and sleep disturbances to increased physical ailments and emotional drain, understanding these symptoms is crucial. In this episode, we help the listener distinguish between ordinary stress and the prolonged state of burnout, highlighting practical measures to prevent the escalation of stress into a more severe condition. Learn how to manage your mental health proactively in the demanding world of entrepreneurship.