Building Great Tech
Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.
The AI Laws Every Tech Business needs to know in 2026 with Funke Abimbola
In this week's episode, Simon and Anastasija talk with Funke Abimbola MBE, AI Governance Expert and Chief Legal Officer, about AI law and how it impacts UK businesses. If you are a UK based business founder you may not be fully aware of the local or international law that will either impact you now or as you grow. Did you know that the UK does not have any official single bill or legislation on AI regulation?
ABOUT FUNKE:
My name is Funke Abimbola and I am a multi-award winning Corporate Lawyer, C-suite Dive...
How to Keep Customers During M&A and Bolt-Ons - with Jennie Vandegrift
In this episode of Building Great Tech. Anastasija and Simon talk with Jennie Vandegrift, Chief Customer Officer at Nuqleous, about the pressures that companies face to KEEP clients through the turbulant phases of mergers, aquisitions and the addition of bolt-ons. They break down the GRR metric and debate it's usefulness when calculating customer health, they also uncover some key strategies for improving retention and renewals. About Jennie: Jennie is a strategic and results-driven Chief Customer Officer with 19+ years of experience in retail, consumer packaged goods (CPG), apparel, and footwear industries. With proven expertise in building and scaling post-sale customer...
From 0 to 9-Figure PE Exit - with Grzegorz Blazewicz, founder of SALESmanago
In this episode of Building Great Tech, Anastasija and Simon talk with Grzegorz Blazewicz, founder of SALESmanago. They talk about pressures facing the marketing industry amidst the AI revolution and how AI can be used as a tool to help target marketing campaigns more effectivelty. They also break down Grzegorz's jounrey from B2B to B2B and back again, and how he managed to get funding from two seperate PE firms, eventually resulting in a 9-figure exit!
ABOUT GRZEGORZ
An entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in marketing and management. Founded Salesmanago and as...
Why PE Bolt-Ons Lose Value After Close (And the Man Who Fixes That), with Thomas Varan
In this week's episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk with Thomas Varan, a delivery leader for PE-backed software companies during post-acquisition integration. They talk about the key issues that affect acquisitions, why PE firms should think twice before adopting a bolt-on "buy and build" strategy, and how AI will redefine what it means to be agile in the software industry.
ABOUT THOMAS:
My career began on the phones — three years as a carrier sales account manager at Coyote Logistics, a company later acquired by UPS. That experience shaped everything I’...
Winning the SaaSpocalypse: Lessons for SaaS Companies from Jim Milbery, Partner at ParkerGale
In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk with Jim Milbery, partner at ParkerGale. They discuss the evolving software markets, how AI and the SaaSpocalypse is changing what investors are looking for, and why founders now want AI in everything! ABOUT JIM: Jim has spent his entire career in technology, working with customers, founders and management teams. Prior to founding ParkerGale, he worked at Chicago Growth Partners and William Blair Capital Partners where he managed portfolio company operations and technology initiatives. Before starting in private equity, Jim held various technical, sales and strategy roles at Oracle...
How AI Can 10x your sales team - with David Pratley Mc-Gill
In this episode of Building Great Tech, Anastasija and Simon talk with David Pratley Mc-Gill, Client Solution Director, GTM & AI Labs at Salt. The episode explores how AI can empower sales teams to become more efficient. AI can conduct research for market outreach and even send emails on your behalf, but to what extent is AI actually harmful to the sales process? And could you replace your whole sales team with AI?
ABOUT DAVID:
My career has centred on building momentum where growth is being blocked. That has meant different things at different stages, from...
$4M Fire, Grandfather Clock and $800B Market - with Rich Amsinger founder ManyCo.ai
In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija are in conversation with Rich Amsinger founder ManyCo.ai. An Ai-Driven inventory sell through engine. Rich explains how he let his Ai run wild with the company credit card, sometimes making werid and wonderful purchasing decisions. He also tells the story of how he lost $4 Million in shop inventory in a fire!
ABOUT RICH:
I’m the co-founder of The Many Company, where we’re building software to solve one of the most persistent and expensive problems in commerce: what happens to inventory after full-price sell...
How to Price Your SaaS in the Age of AI - with Fessal Rahman
In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija speak with Fessal Rahman, originator of the Agentic Commercial Model framework and founder of FR Advisory, about the impending upheaval of SaaS platforms due to AI integration. Is the “SaaSpocalypse” real? And is it coming sooner than we anticipated? They also discuss what the PE landscape looks like in 2026, and what PE firms are looking for when investing in ever changing markets. About Fessal Fessal Rahman is the originator of the Agentic Commercial Model, a framework for rebuilding commercial operating models for the agentic AI era. Founder of FR Advi...
From the White House to AI Entrepreneur for Democracy - with Dr. Travis Hoppe founder of GroundVue
In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija are in conversation with Dr.Travis Hoppe, Chief AI Officer at GroundVue and Former White House Assistant Director of AI Research and Development at OSTP. Travis also co-developed The Pile, the first open-source data pile for large language models. In this episode they discuss how AI will shape the future of democracy and the science behind developing large language models. ABOUT TRAVIS: Dr. Travis Hoppe is a physicist, AI researcher, and public health data leader focused on advancing artificial intelligence in government and healthcare. He previously served as the...
The Trick Is to Never Talk About the Environment – With Josh Dorfman, founder of Plantd
https://buildinggreattech.com/
In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk with Josh Dorfman, Founder of Plantd and host of The Supercool Podcast. They talk about how AI will actually save the planet from climate change, and why companies need to STOP talking about the environment to actually make consumers care!
Follow Josh on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorfmanjosh/
About Supercool - https://getsuper.cool/about/
Buy Josh's Book "The Lazy Environmentalist" - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Environmentalist-Guide-Stylish-Green-Living/dp/1584796022
...
5 Pivots, Dinner With Strangers & €18M ARR - with Maxime Barbier, founder of Timeleft
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In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk with Maxime Barbier, founder of Timeleft. Timeleft matches you with like-minded people for a shared meal in 250+ cities across 55 countries. They talk about global app distribution, how often you should be pivoting and why being a CEO is the loneliest job you can have!
Timeleft DISCOUNT Code - BGT25
Download the app or go to https://timeleft.com and get 25% off on 1 month & 3 months subscription with code BGT25
Follow Mixime on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ma...
Force for Good, Force for Devastation: The AI Clock Is Ticking – with Matt Cashatt
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In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk with Matt Cashatt, founder of Polyrific and The Geniverse. They debate if AI is really taking everyone's jobs, and reveal how beginners can get started in discovering how AI can improve your everyday life and unleash your creativity.
Follow Matt on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cashatt/
See how Polyfiric can help you - https://polyrific.com/
Visit Building Great Tech to see how we can help you - https://buildinggreattech.com/
About Matt...
#1 Mental Skill No Leadership Course Teaches You — with Armen Arustamov, Founder of Got It Life
https://buildinggreattech.com/
In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Armen Arustamov, founder of Got It Life. The app, aimed at high-performing founders, is an AI self-coaching tool that allows them to unlock their minds and achieve peak potential.
They also unpack Armen's experience as a founder, struggling with self-doubt and pitching ideas with little-to-no money to fall back on!
Download Got It Life now! - https://www.gotit.life/
Visit Building Great Tech to see how we can help you - https://buildinggreattech.com/
Ab...
You've Invested in AI. But Have You Invested in This?
https://buildinggreattech.com/ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Rebecca Christian, mindset consultant and founder of Limitless Academy. They explore how high pressures in the corporate world can lead to burnout, and how women are expected to overperform to be seen as equal in all male-dominated industries.
Follow Rebecca on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-christianuk/?skipRedirect=true
See how Limitless Academy can help you - https://limitlessacademy.co.uk/
About Rebecca:I’m the founder of Lim...
Why Gen Z Won’t Work for You - with Peter Wood
https://buildinggreattech.com/ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Peter Wood, SEO of The Gradute Guide. About the common misconceptions surrounding the employability of Gen-Z. Are the younger generations REALLY not worth hiring? Or does the recruitment industry needs to shake things up to become more adaptable in the modern age? Tune in to find out! Connect with Peter on Linkedin! - https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-m-wood/ Watch the Graduate Guide - https://www.youtube.com/@thegraduateguide About Peter Wood: A 24 year old trying to solve some big problems. Ski Instructor ➡️ Confused History...
The Fintech That Exposes FX scam - with Ellis Taylor
https://buildinggreattech.com/
In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Ellis Taylor, founder of Glyde and Fintech specialist. Together they expose the scams of the FX sector, discussing the need for transparency and reflecting on how it could foster a more competitive, consumer focused market.
Follow Ellis on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellis-taylor-llm-law-596686166/
See how Glyde can help your business today - https://www.glyde.money/
Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/a...
Is AI Breaking Our Education System? - With Shannon Seaver
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Follow Shannon on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-seaver-nbct-23a2a933/
About Shannon
Relentless about driving equity and innovation in education, I bring 20+ years of experience as an educator, nonprofit leader, and founder focused on building meaningful pathways into STEM and tech careers. As Executive Director of createMPLS and co-founder of FULL STEM—a startup bridging industry and education through hands-on, immersive learning experiences—I specialize in connecting talent, tech, and opportunity.
I proudly serve on the Hennepin County Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIO...
Why the race to AGI is BS - with Ian P. Cook, PhD
In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Ian Cook about the implications of AI in the modern world. They talk about the American government's race to beat china in AI development, Google vs Apple's AI implementation AND they explore some of the worse AI products ever brought to market!
Follow Ian on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianpcook/
About Ian:
Keeping the science in DS, the learning in ML, and the artificial in AI. I have over a decade of...
Is AI making us Stupid?
In this thought-provoking episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the impact of social media and artificial intelligence on our cognitive abilities. They explore the alarming notion that our reliance on platforms like TikTok and AI tools may be contributing to a decline in memory, attention span, and overall intelligence.
With references to various studies, including those from MIT and Ludwig Maximilian University, Simon and Anastasija discuss the implications of these findings on mental health and the future of work. They also touch on the evolving nature of content...
AI is killing authentic dating - with Daniel Cheaib founder of Feels App
Follow Daniel on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielcheaib/?originalSubdomain=fr
Check out the Feels App - https://www.feels-app.com/
In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa sit down with Daniel Cheaib, the founder and CEO of Feels, a dating app designed specifically for Gen Z.
With over 8 million downloads and an impressive 80% year-on-year revenue growth, Daniel shares insights into how his app is redefining online dating by fostering authentic connections among users under 30. The conversation delves into the unique challenges of...
Legal Time Bombs Ticking in Your Startup - with Gretchen Lennon
Follow Gretchen on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchen-lennon-55455664/?originalSubdomain=uk
Lennon Legal Website - https://lennonlegal.com/
In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa sit down with Gretchen Lennon, a seasoned startup lawyer who transitioned from a prestigious city law firm to establish her own boutique practice.
With a focus on supporting early-stage companies, Gretchen shares her insights on the critical legal pitfalls that founders often encounter, the importance of intellectual property ownership, and the evolving...
Is your co-founder the reason you're stuck? - with Nicki Coe
See how Nicki can help your business relationships - https://www.nickicoe.com/
In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa sit down with Nicki Coe, a coach dedicated to helping co-founders navigate the complexities of their partnerships. Often referred to as the "couple's therapist for business partners," Nicki shares her insights on the critical importance of effective communication and the challenges that arise when co-founders face misalignment in their roles and visions. With a staggering 65% of startups failing due to co-founder fallout, Nicki is on a...
When is THE BEST time to rebrand your platform?
In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the often costly world of rebranding. They discuss the staggering $20 billion wasted annually by global tech companies on ineffective rebranding strategies, highlighting the potential pitfalls and hidden costs associated with such initiatives. Through engaging examples, including the recent rebranding of Starling Bank and notable failures from giants like Netflix and Uber, Simon and Anastasija explore the reasons companies pursue rebranding and the importance of aligning it with genuine business goals. Tune in as they share insights on how to approach rebranding with...
Why Most Founders Never Get VC Funding - With Venture Scout Ritika Mehta
In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the challenging world of venture capital funding with special guest Ritika Mehta. As a New York-based go-to-market strategist and advisor to venture-backed startups, Ritika shares her insights on the role of Venture Scouts in bridging the gap between founders and investors. With a wealth of experience in early-stage companies, she discusses the current state of the VC market, the importance of traction, and the critical factors that can make or break a startup's chances of securing funding. Tune in to discover valuable...
7 Interview Biases Costing You Customers (And How to Fix Them)
In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa outline the top 7 interview biases that are stopping you and your startup from getting accurate user feedback!
86% of startups dismiss the most important feedback! Are you putting your efforts in the wrong place? Interview bias can cuase founders to validate their vision and NOT satisfy what user actually need. Simon and Anastajia outline the most dangerous biases and offer specific solutions to help you maximise your feedback!
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https...
AI Hype Vs Reality
In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into a recent report by HSBC that raises eyebrows about the financial sustainability of OpenAI and the broader AI industry. With claims that OpenAI may require a staggering $207 billion by 2030 just to continue operating at a loss, Simon and Anastasija explore whether AI is genuinely transformative or merely a bubble waiting to burst.
They discuss the contrasting timelines for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), the current profitability of AI companies, and the implications of AI on the workforce. Join them as they...
How Social Biases Trick You into Shipping The Wrong Product
In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the critical topic of cognitive and social biases that can significantly impact product development in the tech industry.
They explore how these biases often lead founders to make decisions based on peer influence rather than genuine customer needs, highlighting cautionary tales like Quibi.
The discussion covers various biases, including the bandwagon effect, authority bias, and the halo effect, and how they can distort perceptions of user feedback. Simon and Anastasija also share practical strategies to overcome these biases...
Building What You Like vs. What Customers Need: Tech Founder Bias Patterns
In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the uncomfortable truth that 72% of startups fail not due to poor products, but because they fall in love with ideas that are misaligned with market needs. They explore the concept of cognitive biases, particularly how these mental shortcuts can sabotage decision-making for founders.
From confirmation bias to the availability heuristic, Simon and Anastasija discuss various biases that can cloud judgement and lead to misguided strategies. They also share practical strategies to combat these biases, emphasising the importance of structured decision-making...
Lovable & AI - The fastest way to lose your money if you don’t know what you are building
In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the rapidly evolving landscape of AI coding tools, projected to grow from $6 billion in 2024 to over $25 billion by 2030. They discuss the exciting potential of platforms like Lovable and Blink, which empower non-technical founders to bring their ideas to life through natural language prompts.
However, Simon and Anastasija also highlight the critical challenges that come with relying solely on AI for product development, including the high abandonment rate of apps and the importance of human context and validation. Tune in as...
Unlocking $100 Billion: Why Tech Needs to Embrace Older Users!
In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into a crucial yet often overlooked market segment: older users. With an astonishing $100 billion left untapped by tech companies each year, the duo explores the immense wealth and spending power held by senior citizens.
They discuss the psychological barriers that lead tech companies to neglect this demographic and share insights on how to create inclusive, age-friendly experiences without the need for massive redesigns. Through engaging anecdotes and practical advice, Simon and Anastasija highlight the importance of catering to...
Shiny Object Syndrome: Why Tech Founders Chase Trends That Don't Pay Off
In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the phenomenon of shiny object syndrome that often plagues tech founders. With over 17 years of experience in the tech space, they explore why many businesses are drawn to the allure of new ideas and trends, despite the fact that a staggering 64% of tech leaders report seeing no return on investment from cutting-edge technologies like AI.
Simon and Anastasija discuss various trends, from gamification to the metaverse, and share real-life examples of when these innovations succeeded and when...
How To Make Customers AWARE of Your Features - App and UX Design
In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the intriguing phenomenon where only 20% of product features are actively used by customers, leaving a staggering 80% underutilised.
They explore the reasons behind this discrepancy and discuss effective strategies to enhance feature awareness among users. Through engaging conversations, Simon and Anastasija share personal experiences with various applications, highlighting the importance of contextual triggers, progressive disclosure, and clear communication in feature updates. Tune in to discover actionable insights that can help you improve user engagement and maximise the value...
The REAL Reason You Are LOSING Customers! Price vs Product
In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the critical issue of customer churn, exploring whether pricing or product experience plays a more significant role in driving customers away. Drawing on insights from PwC research, they discuss how businesses often misattribute churn to pricing issues, overlooking the impact of customer experience. Simon and Anastasija share compelling statistics, real-world examples, and practical strategies to help listeners identify the true causes of churn. They also provide a framework for assessing product experience versus pricing, encouraging businesses to focus on delivering exceptional customer...
Can AI FULLY replace customer feedback?!
In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the intriguing world of artificial intelligence and its impact on customer insights. They explore the concept of synthetic users—AI-generated personas that mimic real users—and discuss the pros and cons of relying on them for user research. The conversation highlights the limitations of AI, particularly in understanding human context, emotions, and the nuances of user behaviour. Simon and Anastasija also outline the three biggest mistakes companies make when using AI for customer insights and advocate for a hybrid approach that combines AI a...
The KEY To Feedback ANALYSIS - Why Your Feedback SUCKS
In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the critical topic of user feedback strategies. With a staggering 95% of companies collecting user feedback, the duo explores why many of these strategies fail to deliver actionable insights. They discuss common pitfalls such as confirmation bias, poor feedback collection methods, and the over-reliance on quantitative metrics without the necessary qualitative context. Simon and Anastasija also share practical tips on how to overcome these challenges, emphasising the importance of asking better questions, observing user behaviour, and utilising proven analysis frameworks. Tune in to...
Falling Out Over BUSINESS - How To Repair a Toxic Working Relationship
In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into a critical yet often overlooked issue in the startup world: the hidden costs of a toxic co-founder. Drawing on insights from Harvard Business School, they reveal that over 65% of startups fail due to co-founder conflicts, rather than market conditions or product issues. Simon and Anastasija discuss the detrimental effects of unresolved disputes, including time drains, decision paralysis, and the impact on team morale and productivity. They also share real-life stories, such as the tumultuous history of Tinder and the rise of Bumble...
STREAMLINE YOUR APP - Why Your SaaS Product is OVERLOADED With Features
In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into a startling statistic: 80% of features in SaaS products are rarely or never used. They explore the implications of this phenomenon, discussing the common pitfalls that lead teams to overinflate their product roadmaps with unnecessary features. From relying on assumptions to building for investors rather than users, Simon and Anastasija outline the nine main reasons behind feature bloat and the consequences it can have on user experience and business performance. They also provide actionable insights on how to trim existing features, reset your...
How To Successfully PIVOT Your Business!
In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the often daunting concept of pivoting in the startup world. With a staggering 92% of startups failing, the duo highlights the importance of adaptability, revealing that companies that pivot experience three times higher user growth than those that remain stagnant. They discuss the signs that indicate it's time to pivot, the psychological barriers that founders face, and share inspiring real-life success stories of businesses that have successfully navigated change. Tune in to discover how to pivot your tech business strategically, without feeling like...
The BEST and WORST User Feedback Methods For ANY Business
In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the critical topic of user feedback methods. With a staggering 95% of companies collecting user feedback, they explore why only two-thirds of these companies effectively act on the data they gather. Drawing on their two decades of experience, Simon and Anastasija rank nine common feedback methods from worst to best, highlighting the importance of qualitative user research in achieving product market fit and improving profit margins. They also discuss the often-avoided topic of negative feedback, sharing insights on how embracing it can lead...
Building Great Tech | Trailer
Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.
HOST BIO
Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa are a powe...
