In this episode of Startup Anthology, I welcome Olga Pogoda, the Chief Operating Officer of KEF Robotics and a seasoned startup veteran with 15 years of experience.

Olga shares her inspiring journey from the corporate world to startups. We discussed her background working for a large bank, moving to a consultant in the startup ecosystem, becoming a co-founder of her own startup, and her current role as COO at KEF Robotics in Pittsburg, PA.

Olga emphasizes the cultural and operational differences between corporate and startup culture, the importance of mentorship, and the challenges and joys of the fast-paced startup life.

She also touches on her experiences as a woman in the tech and defense industries and the complexities of work-life balance. Throughout the episode, she provides valuable insights into the addictive nature of startup culture and the personal growth that comes from working in such dynamic settings.

Chapters/Timestamps:

1. 00:00 Introduction and Gratitude


2. 00:23 Introduction to Startup Anthology


3. 00:43 Meet Olga Pogoda: A Startup Veteran


4. 02:37 Olga's Journey from Corporate to Startups


5. ​07:12 The Addictive Nature of Startups


6. 09:31 Navigating Startup Culture and Growth


7. ​16:24 Mentorship and Learning in Startups


8. ​20:19 Challenges as a Woman in Defense and Tech


9. ​21:23 Challenges Faced by Women in Tech


10. ​21:59 Positive Changes in the Industry


11. ​22:51 Recruiting Women in Robotics and Defense


12. ​23:03 Join the Startup Anthology Community


13. ​23:38 Becoming a Mentor


14. ​25:59 Balancing Work and Family Life


15. ​30:31 Proudest Career Moments


16. ​32:57 Embarrassing Moments in the Workplace


17. ​35:14 Advice to My Younger Self


18. ​37:22 🙌 Shoutout to the KEF Team 🥳


19. ​37:51 Closing Remarks and Thank You


20. ​38:09 Episode Outro

How to Connect:

Olga Pogoda & KEF Robotics:

• ​LinkedIn [linkedin.com/in/olgapogoda]


• ​KEF Robotics [https://www.kefrobotics.com/]

Startup Anthology [startupanthology.com]:

• LinkedIn [linkedin.com/company/startup-anthology-llc]


• ​Instagram [@startupanthology]


• ​Facebook [StartupAntholo]

Jeremy Willis

• ​LinkedIn [linkedin.com/in/jeremy-startup-anthology]


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