Opto Sessions – Invest in the Next Big Idea

What can Kratos Defense do that larger defense primes can’t? In this episode of Opto Sessions, CEO Eric DeMarco explains the company’s low-cost approach to AI drones, hypersonic systems and space infrastructure, and makes the case that the future of defense belongs to scalable, software-enabled, affordable systems.

AI agents are targeting the biggest problem in healthcare: slow, expensive operations. In this episode, Autonomize AI founder & CEO Ganesh Padmanabhan breaks down why approvals like MRIs can take weeks and how AI agents streamline prior authorisation workflows to deliver faster decisions and lower costs in healthcare.

In this AI Christmas special of OPTO Sessions, we revisit standout moments from this year’s conversations on how AI is changing products, cost bases and competitive moats, from Better.com and Upstart in lending, to Box and Intercom in enterprise workflows and customer service, and SoundHound in voice AI. We look at near-term execution over the next year, longer-term positioning over five years, and the best criteria for spotting real AI advantage.

Leah Price, VP of the Tinman AI platform at Better.com, joins OPTO Sessions to unpack the company’s pivot to a full-stack GenAI mortgage OS and Betsy, the chat- and voice-based assistant embedded across the experience - delivering up to 75% faster cycle times, 45% lower fulfilment costs, and 10× volume, plus a first look at a pre-release avatar advisor.

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The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only. Opto Markets LLC does not recommend any specific securities or investment strategies. Investing involves risk & investments may lose value, including the loss of principal. Past performance doe...

Intercom co-founder and CSO Des Traynor joins OPTO Sessions to unpack the company’s AI-first shift and Fin, the 27-part AI customer service agent that delivers better, faster answers up to 94% of the time.

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The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only. Opto Markets LLC does not recommend any specific securities or investment strategies. Investing involves risk & investments may lose value, including the loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing. The information provided is not an endorsement of th...

QuantumScape CFO Kevin Hettrich joins OPTO Sessions to unpack solid-state EV batteries, why this tech could enable faster charging, more range and improved safety for electric vehicles, and what Volkswagen’s partnership means for QS stock. 

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The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only. Opto Markets LLC does not recommend any specific securities or investment strategies. Investing involves risk & investments may lose value, including the loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing. The information provided is not an end...

Upstart co-founder and CTO Paul Gu joins OPTO Sessions to explain how AI underwriting powers 92% fully automated loans and lifts conversion to approximately 24% as the AI lending marketplace returns to profitability with triple digit revenue growth. He unpacks fraud controls, the Upstart Macro Index, and expansion into HELOC and auto. 

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The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only. Opto Markets LLC does not recommend any specific securities or investment strategies. Investing involves risk & investments may lose value, including the loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should consider t...

Box CEO and co-founder Aaron Levie returns to OPTO Sessions to reveal how AI agents are turning 90% of unstructured corporate data into instant answers, powering automation across roles. He maps where enterprise AI is headed, the real obstacles to adoption, and Box’s strategy for scaling AI workflows that deliver measurable business value.

If you enjoyed this interview, consider subscribing to our Substack channel for more in-depth insights designed to help you invest smarter: https://optoforesight.substack.com/

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The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only. Opto Ma...

Andy Marsh, Plug Power CEO, joins OPTO Sessions to discuss the current state and future of green hydrogen, emphasizing how hydrogen production can free up scarce grid electricity for other uses while accelerating national sustainability goals. He explains the company’s playbook to profitability - scaling electrolyzers, locking in offtake, and driving costs down - highlighting real-world deployments and growing customer momentum.

If you enjoyed this interview, consider subscribing to our Substack channel for more in-depth insights designed to help you invest smarter: https://optoforesight.substack.com/

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Charlie Youakim, CEO and Co-Founder of Sezzle, joins OPTO Sessions to discuss company’s journey from startup to a leading public company in the fintech space, the evolution of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) model and record growth in the past 12 months.

If you enjoyed this interview, consider subscribing to our Substack channel for more in-depth insights designed to help you invest smarter: https://optoforesight.substack.com/

Create your Own Stock Index & Invest Smarter with OPTO Folios: https://optothemes.onelink.me/BZDG/ti2lb2fd

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/opto-invest-in-innovation-308416193/ 

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Nitesh Sharan, CFO of SoundHound AI, returns to OPTO Sessions to discuss the company’s accelerating momentum and why Voice AI is fast becoming the default interface of the future. As pioneers in the space, with deep AI roots, a strong patent portfolio, and an agnostic architecture spanning cloud, edge, and agentic AI, SoundHound is leading the evolution of natural human-machine interaction.

*$50B Frontier: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/conversational-ai-market-49043506.html

If you enjoyed this interview, consider subscribing to our Substack channel for more in-depth insights designed to help you invest smarter: https://optoforesight.substack.co...

Victor Basta, Managing Partner and Co-founder of Artis Partners, joins OPTO Sessions to share his two-stage exit preparation process - designed to ensure companies are bought, not sold. He delves into why success often comes to those who exit uncomfortably early, the critical roles of boards and CEOs, and what it truly means to be prepared for an exit. 

If you enjoyed this interview, consider subscribing to our Substack channel for more in-depth insights designed to help you invest smarter: https://optoforesight.substack.com/

Create your Own Stock Index & Invest Smarter with OPTO Folios: https://o...

In this episode of OPTO Sessions, Andrew Ye, an investment strategist at GlobalX ETFs, discusses the evolving landscape of the defence industry, particularly in light of recent geopolitical tensions and technological advancements. He covers the significant increase in global military spending, the long-term trends shaping defence budgets, and the impact of emerging technologies such as AI and robotics. 

If you enjoyed this interview, consider subscribing to our Substack channel for more in-depth insights designed to help you invest smarter: https://optoforesight.substack.com/

Create your Own Stock Index & Invest Smarter with OPTO Folios: https://optothemes.o...

Sir Peter Beck, CEO and Founder of Rocket Lab, returns to OPTO Sessions a year after our first conversation to delve deeper into the company’s evolution as an end-to-end space provider, its growing role in national security, record financial performance following Q1 earnings, and the transformative impact of AI on the future of space exploration. 

If you enjoyed this interview, consider subscribing to our Substack channel for more in-depth insights designed to help you invest smarter: https://optoforesight.substack.com/

Create your Own Stock Index & Invest Smarter with OPTO Folios: https://optothemes.onelink.me/BZD...

Dr. Alan Baratz, D-Wave CEO, joins OPTO Sessions to discuss the current state and future of quantum computing, emphasizing the unique capabilities of D-Wave's quantum annealing technology. He explains how quantum computing can solve complex problems more efficiently than classical computers, highlighting real-world applications and the growing momentum in customer bookings. 

If you enjoyed this interview, consider subscribing to our Substack channel for more in-depth insights designed to help you invest smarter: https://optoforesight.substack.com/

Create your Own Stock Index & Invest Smarter with OPTO Folios: https://optothemes.onelink.me/BZDG/ti2lb2fd

In this week’s OPTO Sessions, Ashley Johnson, President and CFO of Planet Labs, explains how the company is using satellites and AI to deliver real-time insights about life on Earth. She breaks down Planet’s evolving business model, the move into satellite services, and how its data is helping governments, agriculture, and disaster response teams make faster, smarter decisions. 

If you enjoyed this interview, consider subscribing to our Substack channel for more in-depth insights designed to help you invest smarter: https://optoforesight.substack.com/

Create your Own Stock Index & Invest Smarter with OPTO Folios: https...

In this week’s OPTO Sessions, Craig Bealmear, CFO of Oklo, shares how the company is transforming nuclear energy with small modular reactors. He discusses Oklo’s unique business model model, rising demand from data centers, and the future of reliable, clean energy.

If you enjoyed this interview, consider subscribing to our Substack channel for more in-depth insights designed to help you invest smarter: https://optoforesight.substack.com/

Create your Own Stock Index & Invest Smarter with OPTO Folios: https://optothemes.onelink.me/BZDG/ti...

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This week, Sebastian Schroetel, Senior VP of Product Management at UiPath, joins OPTO Sessions to explore the future of AI-driven automation. He shares how UiPath has evolved from robotic process automation (RPA) to end-to-end automation, integrating AI agents to enhance efficiency. 

If you enjoyed this interview, consider subscribing to our Substack channel for more in-depth insights designed to help you invest smarter: https://optoforesight.substack.com/

Create your Own Stock Index & Invest Smarter with OPTO Folios: https://optothemes.onelink.me/BZDG/ti2lb2fd

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In this week’s episode, James Campanini, Head of B2B at Logitech, shares how the company is enhancing smart meeting experiences and hybrid work. He discusses AI-powered solutions for seamless collaboration, room monitoring for better workplace efficiency, and Logitech’s vision for the future of digital workspaces. 

If you enjoyed this interview, consider subscribing to our Substack channel for more in-depth insights designed to help you invest smarter: https://optoforesight.substack.com/

Create your Own Stock Index & Invest Smarter with OPTO Folios: https://optothemes.onelink.me/BZDG/ti2lb2fd

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This week on OPTO Sessions, Compounding Quality’s founder, Pieter, shares his insights on quality investing. His newsletter, read by LeBron James and Bill Ackman, focuses on investing in the world's best companies. In this episode, he discusses his shift from value to quality investing, defines quality stocks, and outlines key selection criteria. We also explore valuation techniques, significance of investment time horizons, and the current market environment’s impact on quality investing.

OPTO x Compounding Quality Collaboration - Quality Stock Investment Case: https://optoforesight.substack.com/p/what-makes-kkr-a-high-quality-stock

Compounding Quality on Substack:  https://substack.com...

Christian Magoon, CEO of Amplify ETFs, joins OPTO Sessions to share expert insights into blockchain investing. We dive deep into performance of blockchain-related stocks in 2024 and analyze the impact of the Bitcoin halving cycle on the market. Christian discusses key investment opportunities within the blockchain space, trends among Bitcoin miners, and the future of blockchain technology beyond cryptocurrency. 

If you enjoyed this interview, consider subscribing to our Substack channel for more in-depth insights designed to help you invest smarter: https://optoforesight.substack.com/

Create your Own Stock Index & Invest Smarter with OPTO Folios: https://optothemes.o...

This week, Michael Gayed joins Opto Sessions to discuss the current state of the global economy, from the implications of the reverse carry trade to 2025 market predictions and Trump’s policies. He explores Bitcoin’s role in modern finance, the challenges posed by high valuations & why China’s stock market could surpass the US in the coming years.

📲  *Invest in stocks & ETFs with OPTO* _Install app for free_ (🇺🇸 US only): https://optothemes.onelink.me/BZDG/ti2lb2fd

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In this week’s OPTO Sessions, Aaron Levie, CEO and co-founder of Box, shares how the company has grown into a billion-dollar enterprise by revolutionizing content management in the cloud. He discusses Box’s innovative AI integrations, strategies in a competitive tech landscape, and the future of enterprise technology.

📲  *Invest in stocks & ETFs with OPTO* _Install app for free_ (🇺🇸 US only): https://optothemes.onelink.me/BZDG/ti2lb2fd

Disclaimer: https://optothemes.com/disclosures-and-legal-documentation

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The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only. Opto Markets LLC does not recommend any specific s...

In this week’s OPTO Sessions, Julian Brigden, Co-Founder and President of Macro Intelligence 2 Partners (MI2), shares his insights on the US macroeconomic landscape as the country adjusts to a second Trump presidency. He examines key trends and challenges facing investors, including the outlook for bonds, equities, employment, and inflation.

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The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only. Opto Markets LLC does not recommend any specific sec...

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Nitesh Sharan is Chief Financial Officer at SoundHound [SOUN], a groundbreaking conversational and voice artificial intelligence (AI) company.

📲  Invest in stocks & ETFs with OPTO Install app for free (🇺🇸 US only): https://optothemes.onelink.me/BZDG/ti...

#ai #voiceai #soundhound #soun #artificialintelligence

Disclaimer: https://optothemes.com/disclosures-and-legal-documentation

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The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only. Opto Markets LLC does not recommend any specific securities or investment strategies. Investing involves risk & investments m...

Marc Stapley, CEO at Veracyte, joins OPTO Sessions to discuss the company’s use of AI and machine learning, its strategic focus on the cancer diagnostics cycle, and how its acquisition of MRD platform C2i expands this focus to the post-treatment phase. Enjoy!

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The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only. Opto Markets LLC does not recommend any specific securities or investment strategies. Investing involves risk & investments may lose value, including the loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should consider their investment objectives an...

Phong Le, President and CEO of MicroStrategy, discusses the company’s business intelligence tools and its bitcoin strategy with OPTO Sessions, explaining how in tandem they have enabled it to become one of the best-performing stocks on the S&P 500 in recent years. Enjoy!

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The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only. Opto Markets LLC does not recommend any specific securities or investment strategies. Investing involves risk & investments may lose value, including the loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully be...

Yuri Khodjamirian, Chief Investment Officer at Tema ETFs, joins OPTO Sessions to discuss the reshoring trend, its historical context and drivers, and why he feels that it will benefit the US manufacturing companies that adopt it. He shares insight into how Tema’s American Reshoring ETF captures hidden gems within the trend. Enjoy!

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The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only. Opto Markets LLC does not recommend any specific securities or investment strategies. Investing involves risk & investments may lose value, including the loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. In...

► Discover top-performing Space stocks - Install our FREE app: https://optothemes.onelink.me/BZDG/ti2lb2fd

Today, we revisit a previous episode in which Peter Beck, the Founder & CEO of Rocket Lab, discusses his vision for the company’s future as it solidifies its position as one of the leading forces in the new space age. Beck explains the strategic significance of recently announced government contracts in expanding Rocket Lab's market reach while envisioning a future where the combination of rocket and spacecraft capabilities unlocks unprecedented opportunities in space commercialisation and infrastructure development. Enjoy!

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Today, Jens Nordvig, Co-founder and CEO of MarketReader, joins OPTO Sessions to discuss how the dollar might react during a second Trump term, the rise of ‘Trump Trades’, and the wider picture on inflation. Enjoy!

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The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only. Opto Markets LLC does not recommend any specific securities or investment strategies. Investing involves risk & investments may lose value, including the loss of principal. Past performance do...

📲  Find top-performing stocks & ETFs - Install app for free 🇺🇸: https://optothemes.onelink.me/BZDG/ti2lb2fd

Today, Vijay Karunamurthy, Field Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Scale AI, explains how his company has evolved from labelling data for autonomous driving to enabling a range of applications for companies including OpenAI. He also discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving and why modelling using advanced data sources is the key to building trust. We also cover the global AI arms race, touching on the competition for talent and regulatory challenges faced by companies like Scale AI working ac...

📲  Find top-performing stocks & ETFs - Install app for free 🇺🇸: https://optothemes.onelink.me/BZDG/ti2lb2fd

The US tech sector has dominated the market for so long that it has almost come to be taken for granted: Nvidia stock is now in almost every portfolio. Today, Michael A. Gayed, founder & author of The Lead-Lag Report, tells us why he believes the artificial intelligence (AI) rally could be the final chapter in the story of big tech. Enjoy!

Foresight by OPTO: https://optoforesight.substack.com/
The Lead-Lag Report: https://www.leadlagrep...

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Today, Doomberg, one of the most successful financial Substack newsletters, delves into the compelling case for nuclear power over solar energy, highlighting how intermittent renewable sources might be driving up costs and how hydrogen could be the next big investment opportunity. Enjoy!

Foresight by OPTO: https://optoforesight.substack.com/
Doomberg: https://newsletter.doomberg.com/

Doomberg's posts:
https://newsletter.doomberg.com/p/no-solar-isnt-cheap 
https://newsletter.doomberg.com/p/boomerang <...

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Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA), the world's largest bitcoin mining company, currently boasts a hash rate of 31.5 EH/s and aims to reach 50 EH/s by the end of 2024.

Today, ‪‬Marathon's Chief Growth Officer, Adam Swick, discusses the company's business model and the impact of recent accounting rule changes on net income.

Marathon has shifted its focus to sustainable energy management for its zero-emission operations. In Q1 2024, the company reported a significant rise in net income due to...

📲  Find top-performing stocks & ETFs - Install app for free 🇺🇸: https://optothemes.onelink.me/BZDG/ti2lb2fd

Today, we have the pleasure of welcoming Edwin Dorsey, Founder and Author of the short-selling newsletter The Bear Cave, back to the show. Edwin shares his journey from a college short-selling enthusiast to an expert in identifying corporate misconduct. His investigations exposed Care.com's negligence, and his intuitive approach led him to spot problems at Chegg, Planet Fitness, and DeFi Technologies, to name a few. Edwin dives deep into his methodologies, mentorship from industry leaders, and the importance of qualita...

📲 Blockchain has been the top-performing theme over the past 12 months, the OPTO screener shows. Discover top-performing stocks within this theme - Install app for free 🇺🇸: https://optothemes.onelink.me/BZDG/ti2lb2fd

Today, Anthony Scaramucci, Founder and Managing Partner at SkyBridge Capital & Dan Tapiero, Managing Partner, CEO and CIO of 1RoundTable Partners and 10T Holdings, discuss why they believe that bitcoin and digital assets are among the best investment opportunities they have seen in their lifetimes. Enjoy!

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The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only. Opto Markets LLC does n...

► Invest in top-performing innovation stocks - Install our FREE app: https://optothemes.onelink.me/BZDG/ti2lb2fd

Cathie Wood, CEO & CIO of ARK Invest, explains that disruptive innovation makes up a sixth of global business value today. ARK predicts 60% by 2030, potentially catapulting its market cap to $220 trillion.

In this episode, Cathie identifies 5 innovation platforms shaping this era of technological convergence, as outlined in ARK Invest’s Big Ideas 2024 report.

We’ve synthesised ARK’s 163-page report into an easily digestible summary, available for free exclusively in the OPTO...

► Invest in top-performing AI stocks with OPTO - Install FREE app: https://optothemes.onelink.me/BZDG/ti2lb2fd

Today, Miriam McLemore, Enterprise Strategist at AWS, discusses her journey from CIO at Coca-Cola to her current role, emphasising the importance of cloud adoption and data security in leveraging AI. She highlights that 2023 was a year of experimentation, while 2024 is seeing companies developing clear AI strategies, particularly those already using cloud infrastructure. Miriam also notes the transformative impact of AI across industries, with examples from healthcare and sports, and advises businesses to secure their da...

► Invest in top-performing AI stocks - Install our FREE app: https://optothemes.onelink.me/BZDG/ti2lb2fd

Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Que Nguyen, Chief Investment Officer at Research Affiliates. Que explores the lifecycle of generative AI, drawing parallels to the early Internet boom and discussing its current stage of development. She also discusses the evolving investment landscape for GenAI, highlighting key indicators and lessons from past tech cycles, before sharing her insights on the potential winners and losers in the GenAI space. Enjoy!

Read Que's article he...

► Invest in top-performing biotech stocks - Install our FREE app: https://optothemes.onelink.me/BZDG/ti2lb2fd

Over the past 25 years, the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index has outperformed the S&P500 by 467%. This growth, fueled by a tripling in FDA drug approvals since 2002, coincides with the UN's prediction that the over-60 population will double by 2050, driving healthcare spending to unprecedented levels.

Today, we delve into the challenges and opportunities in the biotech sector with Yuri Khodjamirian, CIO of Tema ETFs. We explore how investors can navigate the se...