Born In Silicon Valley

In this episode, we sit down with Amar Goel, founder and CEO of Bito AI, to explore how agentic AI is changing the future of software development. Amar shares his journey from launching PubMatic to building AI-powered agents that help developers ship better code, faster. We discuss how Bito’s flagship product, the AI Code Review Agent, cuts review time by up to 50%, reduces regressions, and empowers teams to focus on innovation rather than repetitive tasks. Amar also dives into the concept of agentic AI and how it’s redefining the relationship between developers and their tools. From scaling startups to pioneering new categories in tech, Amar brings years of experience and insight into how great products are built and improved through iteration, curiosity, and resilience. Whether you’re a developer, founder, or tech enthusiast, this episode offers valuable lessons on building in the age of AI. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

In this episode, we sit down with Nick Bonfiglio, CEO and Co-Founder of Syncari, to explore how Agentic Master Data Management (Agentic MDM) is revolutionizing the way enterprises handle data. Nick shares his insights on building AI-ready data infrastructures, the importance of trusted data for automation and decision-making, and how Syncari is helping companies unify, govern, and synchronize their information across systems in real time. With patented multi-directional synchronization and an intelligent data quality engine, Syncari empowers organizations to eliminate data silos, enforce integrity, and achieve real-time governance. Nick also discusses his journey from leading global product at Marketo—growing it from $2.5M to $300M ARR—to now driving innovation at Syncari, where the focus is on enabling AI-driven enterprises to scale faster and smarter. If you’re passionate about AI, data management, or the future of automation, this episode will give you an inside look at how data trust fuels the next generation of intelligent systems. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

In this episode, we sit down with AIUTA, a company reshaping the future of fashion with cutting-edge, white-label virtual try-on solutions. Their platform enables customers to seamlessly try on clothing, either on themselves or on an AI-generated model that matches their physique. This breakthrough technology allows shoppers to visualize outfit combinations and styling possibilities in real time. AIUTA’s solutions are designed for flexibility and scalability, supporting web, mobile, and in-store experiences with high-speed performance and industry-leading visual quality. With their customizable integrations, fashion brands can offer engaging shopping journeys that boost sales, reduce returns, and increase customer loyalty. The leadership team at AIUTA brings together a powerful mix of expertise from global tech and retail leaders. With backgrounds spanning Amazon, Yandex, Sberbank, Farfetch, Walmart, Lamoda, McKinsey, and Techstars, they are uniquely positioned to redefine how fashion commerce works in the digital era. Tune in to learn how AIUTA is bridging the gap between digital shopping and real-life experiences, creating a future where fashion is more interactive, personalized, and confidence-driven than ever before. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

In this episode, we sit down with Omri Mor, co-founder and CEO of Routable, to explore how businesses can simplify and scale B2B payments with ease. Omri shares the story behind building Routable, the challenges of sending hundreds of payments every month, and how their accounts payable platform helps companies worldwide. We discuss the importance of automating the payables process, from vendor onboarding to final settlement, and why finance, operations, and engineering teams benefit from an integrated system. Omri also highlights how Routable syncs with accounting software so organizations can scale their payment volume from 100 to over 100,000 transactions without increasing workload. Tune in to hear valuable insights on fintech innovation, the future of B2B payments, and how automation is transforming financial operations at growing startups and enterprises. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Kissi, the founder of Zof AI, to explore how his company is transforming the future of software testing and release. Zof AI is an AI-native platform that automates test creation, execution, and validation at every stage of release—giving teams the confidence to ship with certainty. Kevin shares his journey building Zof AI, the challenges of creating a platform that blends image recognition and natural language processing, and the impact of AI-driven testing on modern software development. From eliminating bottlenecks to ensuring precision in every release, Zof AI is setting a new standard for testing automation. Whether you’re a software engineer, product manager, or technology leader, this episode provides insights into how AI is reshaping testing and helping companies ship faster without sacrificing quality. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

In this episode, we sit down with Ronak Desai, Co-founder and CEO of Ciroos, to explore how AI is transforming the world of SRE, DevOps, and operations. With over 20 years of experience at Cisco leading AppDynamics and Full-Stack Observability, Ronak brings deep expertise and a powerful vision for the future of operations. Ciroos is pioneering the use of multi-agentic AI to tackle IT toil and dramatically accelerate complex investigations. Their AI SRE Teammate is designed to help engineering teams reduce toil, automate tasks, and cut investigation times from days to hours, and from hours to minutes—all while ensuring humans remain in control. Ronak shares his personal journey, the challenges engineers face today, and how Ciroos is redefining what it means to build reliability and resilience at scale. We also dive into the broader potential of AI in operations, automation, and digital experiences. If you’re interested in the future of site reliability, DevOps, and how AI is being applied to real-world challenges in IT, this episode is a must-listen. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

In this episode, we sit down with Cody Barbo, Founder & CEO of Trust & Will, the leading digital estate planning platform transforming how families prepare for the future. Cody shares his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of disrupting a traditional industry, and how Trust & Will has grown to serve over one million Americans with secure, affordable, and modern estate planning solutions. We dive into the company’s early days at Techstars, raising over $83M in funding, and forging key partnerships with institutions like UBS, AARP, Carta, and Acorns. Cody also reveals insights into building EstateOS™, the world’s first intelligent platform designed to modernize legacy management through AI-enabled workflows, collaboration tools, and dynamic estate planning solutions. Beyond his role as a founder, Cody reflects on his previous venture Industry, his passion for mentorship, and the personal motivations that drive his mission to make estate planning accessible to everyone. Listeners will walk away with valuable lessons on entrepreneurship, innovation, and legacy-building. If you want to understand how technology is reshaping the way we protect families and plan for the future, this episode is a must-listen. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

In this episode of the Match Relevant Podcast, we sit down with Daniel Saks, founder of Landbase and co-founder of AppDirect. Daniel shares his journey of scaling SaaS companies from startup to unicorn, raising over half a billion in capital, and creating billions in equity value. At Landbase, Daniel is pioneering a new category: AI-powered go-to-market. Landbase helps companies launch sales and marketing campaigns in minutes instead of months, transforming growth from a slow, linear grind into AI-driven exponential results. We explore how AI is reshaping sales and marketing, the lessons Daniel learned scaling AppDirect into a leading subscription commerce platform, and why the next generation of unicorns will be built on AI-driven go-to-market strategies. Daniel also reflects on leadership, fundraising, and the importance of aligning human performance with machine intelligence to accelerate business growth. If you’re a founder, investor, or business leader looking to scale faster and smarter, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

In this conversation, Jake Villarreal interviews Matt Bertulli, a serial entrepreneur and CEO of sustainable brands Pila and Lomi. They discuss Matt's journey from building a digital agency to creating innovative consumer products focused on sustainability. The conversation explores the challenges of manufacturing, the importance of working capital, and the role of AI in enhancing consumer goods. Matt shares insights on risk-taking in entrepreneurship and the future of AI in business, emphasizing the need for careful management at scale. In this conversation, Matt and Jake discuss various aspects of entrepreneurship, including strategies for bringing products to market, understanding consumer behavior, the evolution of podcasting, hiring strategies, and the dynamics of remote work versus on-site operations. They emphasize the importance of community among entrepreneurs and share insights on launching new products and building a successful business culture. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

In this conversation, Jake Aaron Villarreal interviews Akshay Dodeja, co-founder and CEO of Terminal 49, exploring the intricacies of global trade and logistics technology. They discuss Akshay's journey from a tech enthusiast in India to a startup founder in Silicon Valley, the challenges faced in the logistics industry, and how Terminal 49 is revolutionizing container tracking. The discussion also touches on the importance of innovation, the competitive landscape, and the future roadmap for Terminal 49 as they aim to expand globally and automate workflows in logistics. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

In this episode, we sit down with Trey Sutten, CEO and Co-Founder of Siftwell Analytics, to explore how AI-powered prescriptive analytics is revolutionizing healthcare outcomes and reducing costs. With over 20 years of leadership in healthcare, Trey has led multimillion and multibillion-dollar transformations, specializing in Medicaid, behavioral health, and managed care. Trey shares insights from his experience in enterprise-level turnarounds, offering valuable strategies for aligning people, assets, and goals to drive sustainable change. He also explains how Siftwell’s unique analytics-as-a-service model identifies at-risk members before diagnoses occur, enabling community health plans to take proactive, life-changing interventions. If you’re a healthcare leader, data strategist, or innovator looking to improve patient outcomes while optimizing resources, this conversation will give you actionable insights to move from predictive to prescriptive analytics. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

In this episode, we sit down with Amy Brown, founder and CEO of Authenticx, to discuss how she’s transforming the healthcare industry by listening—at scale. With over 20 years of experience in public and private sector healthcare leadership, Amy shares how she leveraged her expertise to build a company that uses AI and real human conversations to generate actionable insights for healthcare organizations. From her time as COO at Seven Corners and Centerfirst, to leading government health initiatives, Amy brings a deep understanding of health policy, operations, and strategy. We explore how those experiences inspired the launch of Authenticx, a platform dedicated to solving communication gaps and uncovering transformational opportunities in healthcare. We also dive into her entrepreneurial journey, including founding NOLAbles and her passion for improving the human experience in medical systems. Amy explains how Authenticx's AI technology is helping payers and pharma understand the voice of the customer, influence decision-making, and ultimately deliver better care. If you’re a startup founder, healthcare leader, or AI enthusiast, you won’t want to miss Amy’s insights on growth, leadership, and the future of healthcare innovation. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

In this episode, we sit down with Luke Arrigoni, CEO and Founder of Loti AI, to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of deepfake detection, content protection, and digital identity security. Loti AI protects celebrities, public figures, and corporate intellectual property by locating and removing real and AI-generated content online. With tools like Loti Watchtower, they enable clients to remove unwanted and impersonated content within hours. We discuss the rise of deepfake threats, how Loti’s technology works across the open web including social media and adult sites, and what the future holds for content authenticity and digital autonomy. Luke shares insights on the company’s founding mission, their work with top-tier clients, and upcoming consumer tools aimed at empowering everyday creators to take control of their online presence. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in AI, cybersecurity, content moderation, and the future of identity on the internet. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

In this episode of the Match Relevant podcast, we sit down with Jesse Chen, Co-Founder & CEO of CoPilot AI — a Vancouver-based tech company transforming how sales teams connect with prospects using AI-powered tools. With over 20 years in the software industry, Jesse shares insights from his journey, including his early days as a software engineer on EA’s FIFA team to now leading one of the most innovative companies in AI-driven social selling. Jesse dives deep into how CoPilot AI is changing the sales enablement landscape by blending artificial intelligence with human authenticity. From lead generation to meaningful engagement, discover how CoPilot AI helps recruiters, agencies, and sales professionals book more meetings, faster — all while building real connections. If you’ve ever struggled with cold outreach, lead quality, or scaling a sales team, this episode is packed with valuable lessons. Learn about the power of prediction tools, personality insights, and the importance of aligning your values with your go-to-market strategy. Tune in to hear Jesse’s take on: - What makes AI-powered selling successful - The future of sales and human connection - Key strategies for consistent revenue growth - The bold moves that helped scale CoPilot AI For more on CoPilot AI, visit: www.copilotai.com Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

In this episode, we sit down with Mark Doble, CEO of Alexi, to dive deep into how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the legal industry. Mark shares how Alexi is empowering law firms to work smarter, faster, and more effectively through AI-driven solutions that prioritize privacy, control, and performance. We explore the current and future impact of AI on legal research, workflow automation, and how Alexi's platform is helping firms gain a competitive edge. Whether you're a legal professional, technologist, or just curious about the intersection of AI and law, this conversation delivers critical insights into one of the most important transformations happening today. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

In this episode, we interview Greg Selkoe, the co-founder and CEO of XSET, a gaming lifestyle brand. Greg shares his journey from urban planning to the gaming industry, explaining how XSET is redefining gaming culture by blending it with lifestyle and media. We discuss XSET's unique approach compared to traditional e-sports teams, the importance of authentic cultural connections, and insights into their business model and partnerships. Greg also opens up about the challenges and breakthroughs in building a gaming-focused company and his vision for XSET's future.   Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

In this conversation, William Chan, CEO and co-founder of Iodine, shares his journey from Malaysia to becoming an entrepreneur in the healthcare technology space. He discusses the challenges faced in the healthcare industry, particularly regarding efficiency and profit margins, and how Iodine aims to address these issues through AI-driven solutions. The conversation also touches on leadership evolution, company culture, and the future roadmap for Iodine as they continue to innovate and integrate AI into their processes.   Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

I sat down with Mark Straub, co-founder and CEO of SmileID, for an eye-opening conversation about his journey from Silicon Valley VC to building identity verification technology across Africa. Mark walked me through the unique challenges of operating in Africa's diverse markets and how digital infrastructure is driving economic development across the continent. What really struck me was his emphasis on localized strategies rather than one-size-fits-all approaches, and the massive growth potential he sees in these emerging markets. The conversation got personal when Mark opened up about his evolution as a leader - transitioning from venture capitalist to founder, learning the importance of empathy in management, and how team dynamics make or break scaling efforts. His honest reflections on founder mental health and sustaining long-term success while maintaining personal balance were particularly refreshing. We wrapped up discussing SmileID's latest innovations in biometric authentication and their focus on building user trust in digital transactions. Mark's insights revealed both the practical realities of building tech in Africa and the transformative potential of what they're creating. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

I had an incredible conversation with Enrique Perezalonso, founder and CEO of Palla, a fintech startup that just closed their Series A funding round. We dove deep into his company's remarkable growth trajectory and what it's really like building a fintech company in today's market. Enrique opened up about their hiring strategies and how they're scaling their team, plus he walked me through their entire fundraising journey - the highs, the lows, and everything in between. What really caught my attention was how they're integrating AI into their operations and the tangible impact it's having on their business. We explored the unique challenges and opportunities he's seeing in the fintech space right now, and I was fascinated by his approach to building company culture. We also spent time discussing the evolution of remote work and how his team has adapted to this new landscape. This conversation really showcased the fast-moving, ever-changing world of startups and why being adaptable isn't just helpful - it's absolutely critical for survival and success in today's business environment.   Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

I'm excited to bring you my conversation with Vernon O'Donnell, CEO of Voxel AI, where we dive deep into how AI is revolutionizing workplace safety. Vernon shares his incredible journey from military service in Iraq to leading a company that's tackling a $175 billion problem - workplace injuries and deaths that are largely preventable.  What fascinated me most was learning how Voxel transforms existing security cameras into intelligent safety monitors, catching dangerous violations in real-time and literally saving lives. Vernon opens up about the shocking incidents their AI has detected, from workers bypassing safety protocols in the middle of the night to systemic process failures creating cascading safety risks. We also explore the business side - how they've landed 13 Fortune 500 customers including four Fortune 50 companies, their approach to scaling culture while growing 150% year-over-year, and Vernon's hard-earned lessons on hiring the right talent. Whether you're interested in AI applications, workplace safety, or scaling a high-growth company, this conversation delivers insights you won't want to miss. Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com