"You want to do well by doing good." - Austin GadientIn this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, Jeff Martin sits down with Anthony and Austin Gadient, the father-and-son founders of Vali Cyber — the company behind ZeroLock, the first Linux security platform to protect hypervisors against ransomware in real time.With deep experience spanning startups, software engineering, and military service, the Gadients share how they’ve built a company focused on protecting one of the most overlooked layers in cybersecurity — the hypervisor. They unpack the realities of fighting ransomware, the discipline behind risk management, and the lessons of building a business together as family.The conversation dives into the importance of communication, patience, and data-driven decision-making in scaling a sustainable company — and how Vali Cyber’s approach is transforming enterprise and defense-grade security for the Linux ecosystem.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Vali Cyber01:55 Understanding Hypervisors and Their Importance03:48 Market Focus and Competition in Cybersecurity05:44 Founding Story: Family Dynamics and Entrepreneurship07:42 The Impact of Ransomware on Society09:38 Building a Sustainable Business11:16 Organizational Structure and Military Influence15:23 Communication and Team Dynamics in Startups20:37 The Importance of Managing Risk23:25 Lessons in Patience and Persistence26:22 The Learning Loop in Growth Companies28:41 The Role of Data in Decision Making30:29 Teaching Entrepreneurship: Key Insights34:39 Future Product Developments and PatienceWatch now to hear how Anthony and Austin are redefining Linux and hypervisor protection — and what it takes to scale a mission-driven cybersecurity company from the ground up.📘 Learn more about the book Peak Teams – Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-Backed Companies👉 https://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu🌐 Visit Collective Genius™ to build your growth team with the Peak Operating System™👉 https://www.collective-genius.com/⏱️ Got 5 minutes? Take the Peak Teams Assessment to see where your team can level up👉 https://www.collective-genius.com/peak-teams-assessment#Cybersecurity #ValiCyber #ZeroLock #TechScenes #Startups #LinuxSecurity #Entrepreneurship #RansomwareProtection #Leadership #PeakTeams

"You can’t be what you can’t see." - Joey Mak

In this episode of Tech Scenes, Jeff Martin sits down with Joey Mak, CEO of Chicago:Blend, a nonprofit driving inclusion and equity in venture capital. With over two decades in community and economic development, Joey shares how Chicago:Blend is breaking systemic barriers and opening doors for underrepresented investors and founders across the tech ecosystem.

The conversation explores the realities of DEI in a polarized world, the power of representation, and how initiatives like the Chicago Blend Venture Fellowship are creating lasting pathways into venture capital. Joey also reflects on lessons from leading through complexity — from building coalitions to finding gratitude amid challenge.

Chapters:

00:00 The DEI Landscape and Its Challenges

00:49 Introduction to Chicago Blend

02:15 The Mission and Impact of Chicago Blend

04:30 Personal Journey and Motivation

06:32 Breaking Barriers in Venture Capital

09:44 The Chicago Blend Venture Fellowship

11:18 Recruitment and Selection of Fellows

13:16 Addressing Diversity in Venture Capital

14:57 Collaborative Efforts for Inclusion

16:49 Chicago's Tech Ecosystem and Its Potential

17:50 Data Insights on Diversity in VC

20:49 Capital Flow and Investment Trends

22:51 The Importance of DEI in Business

24:13 Humanity in DEI Practices

29:51 Building a Thriving Ecosystem

33:22 Staying Motivated in Challenging Times

36:01 Lessons Learned and Mistakes Made

38:23 A Fun Desert Island Scenario

Watch now to explore how Joey and Chicago:Blend are helping reshape the future of venture capital — one inclusive connection at a time.

Learn more about the book Peak Teams – Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies

https://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu

Visit Collective Genius™ to Build Your Growth Team with the Peak Operating System™

https://www.collective-genius.com/

Got 5 minutes? Take the Peak Teams Assessment to see where your team needs to level up

https://www.collective-genius.com/peak-teams-assessment

Music by Andrew Applepie – https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

#DEI #VentureCapital #ChicagoBlend #TechScenes #Inclusion #EconomicDevelopment #Leadership #PeakTeams

"The why is everything—great storytelling starts with what’s at stake."

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, Jeff Martin sits down with Dmitry Koltunov, a repeat founder and award-winning storyteller, to explore the intersection of AI, creativity, and business strategy.

As CEO of Arbor, Dmitry is building a platform that helps organizations scale authentic storytelling by transforming long-form videos into clips, quotes, blog posts, and more. But this conversation goes beyond software. Dmitry shares deep insights on what makes communication resonate—from startup pitches to musical theater, from product development to customer conversations.

They dive into the power of narrative, the chaos of early-stage startups, and how product teams can listen, learn, and iterate. With a background that spans hedge funds, Broadway musicals, and VC-backed tech, Dmitry offers a unique lens on how to build tools that matter—and stories that move people.

Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Arbor and AI Content Creation02:55 The Shift Towards Authenticity in Business Communication05:41 Understanding Target Audiences and Goals in Content Creation08:40 The Intersection of Technology and Storytelling10:59 The Role of Narrative in Business and Personal Projects13:56 The Importance of Stakes in Storytelling16:48 Building a Narrative in Business Strategy27:03 The Stakes of Vision and Innovation28:02 Defining the Right Thing to Do29:49 The Process of Discovery and Learning32:21 The Chaos of Startups and Systematization33:41 The Importance of Listening to Customers36:44 Aligning Why with Customer Needs39:06 The Role of Customer Success in Product Development41:44 The Dangers of Stubbornness in Product Management47:05 The Art of Listening in Product Development49:50 Final Thoughts and Personal Reflections

Learn more about the book Peak Teams – Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companieshttps://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu

Visit Collective Genius™ to Build Your Growth Team with the Peak Operating System™

https://www.collective-genius.com/

Got 5 minutes? Take the Peak Teams Assessment to see where your team needs to level up

https://www.collective-genius.com/peak-teams-assessment

Music by Andrew Applepie – https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

#ArborAI #DmitryKoltunov #TechScenes #StorytellingInTech #AuthenticCommunication #AIContentCreation #ProductLeadership #StartupLife #NarrativeBuilding #FounderJourney #ContentStrategy #B2BMarketing #TechStorytelling #CustomerSuccess #StartupLeadership #PeakOperatingSystem #JeffMartin #BroadwayFounder #CreativeTech #FounderToFounder