What separates AI buzzword hype from actual business transformation?

In this episode, Chris Fanchi talks with Ken Winell—former CTO of Tough Mudder and co-founder of Nexus Digital Group—about how companies can build practical AI roadmaps, drive adoption across teams, and stay competitive as technology evolves faster than ever.

From agents and verticalization to cultural buy-in and the near-future of AGI, this conversation is a must-listen for any founder, tech leader, or strategist building in the AI era.

Speak with Ken and his team at Nexus Digital: https://www.nexusdigitalgroup.com/Subscribe for more founder-driven insights on AI, SaaS, and tech innovation.Looking to grow your SaaS or dev agency revenue? Visit https://bignorthmarketing.com

Legacy code is everywhere—but few know how to modernize it without breaking everything.

In this episode of Pitch, Build, Scale, Chris Fanchi talks with Ira Baxter, CEO of Semantic Designs, about the art and science of software transformation. From rewriting 10 million lines of COBOL to building transformation engines that rival compilers, Ira shares 40+ years of insight into why most modernization projects fail—and what it takes to succeed.

Whether you’re a software leader navigating legacy debt or just curious how massive systems evolve, this episode is packed with stories, strategies, and bold truths you won’t hear anywhere else.

From disaster relief to digital transformation.

Robin Eissler’s journey from coordinating crisis airlifts to founding a SaaS platform for booster clubs is anything but ordinary. In this episode of Pitch, Build, Scale, host Chris Fanchi explores how Robin went from zero tech experience to launching BoosterHub - a volunteer-first operating system now used by hundreds of school organizations.

We talk MVP strategy, market pivots, feature prioritization, and what happens when your niche ends up bigger than expected. If you're building a tech platform for a nontraditional audience - or just love real founder stories - this one’s packed with insight.

🔗 Learn more at boosterhub.com
💡 Get a free SaaS or dev shop growth consult at bignorthmarketing.com

From managing a coffee shop to building an AI that screens hospitality hires in seconds—this is the journey of Rich Simmerman, co-founder of Cantaloupe AI.

In this episode of Pitch, Build, Scale, Rich joins host Chris Fanchi to unpack how Cantaloupe is redefining first-round interviews using conversational AI. He shares the origin story, the resistance from the hospitality industry, and how his team is overcoming both technical and business challenges to scale a vertical SaaS company.

Whether you’re building in AI, selling to traditional industries, or navigating your first raise—there’s something here for you.

Subscribe, share, and stay ahead of the tech curve.

Learn more about Cantaloupe AI: https://trycantaloupe.com/

Get your free growth assessment from Chris at Big North Marketing: https://bignorthmarketing.com/

What does it take to launch and scale an AI startup inside the highly regulated worlds of healthcare and finance?

In this episode of Pitch, Build, Scale, host Chris Fanchi sits down with Michael Brown, founder of CloudNine AI, to explore how his team is pioneering augmented intelligence for enterprises navigating complex data, compliance, and regulation.

We talk real-world challenges—from wrangling legacy systems to dealing with hallucination risks in AI—and how CloudNine is securing early enterprise pilot programs while staying lean on compute. Michael also shares blunt insights on today’s VC landscape, AI investment fatigue, and why some solo founders might just build billion-dollar companies in the near future.

If you're building in AI, selling to the enterprise, or just trying to survive the seed stage, this one's for you.

Timestamps:00:00 Intro – Michael’s journey from Silicon Valley to AI02:28 Augmented intelligence vs artificial intelligence05:46 Tackling compliance and data sovereignty11:47 Building the right team (and why it’s so hard)18:58 Fundraising in a post-hype AI market25:17 Can solo founders build unicorns with AI?
28:38 Enterprise pilot programs: why they matter, how to get them
35:24 The compute challenge and AI’s future in your home
40:00 Why privacy, data access, and national security will shape AI’s path
42:20 Final thoughts + where to connect with Michael

Resources:🌐 Learn more about CloudNine AI: CloudnineAI.com
💼 Want to scale your tech business? Visit BigNorthMarketing.com

🔔 Subscribe for more expert conversations on building, selling, and scaling tech in an AI-powered world.

#AIStartup #EnterpriseTech #Compliance #VCFunding #SaaS #PitchBuildScale

What happens when a personal tragedy inspires a leap from advertising to transforming how the modern workforce learns? In this episode of Pitch, Build, Scale, host Chris Fanchi sits down with Mike Thompson, CEO of SVI and Learner Mobile, to explore his incredible journey. Mike shares how his company is redefining enterprise training with mobile-first, AI-driven micro-learning solutions—delivering bite-sized, on-demand education that empowers employees to win their day. From scaling a tech-driven business to embracing AI without fear, Mike reveals the strategies, mindset, and culture that keep Learner Mobile ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape. Tune in for a masterclass in innovation, resilience, and the future of talent development.ResourcesSVI: https://www.sviworld.com/Learner Mobile: http://www.learnermobile.com/Follow Mike: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-thompson-9872181Are you looking to grow your agency or SaaS company's revenue? Connect with us at https://BigNorthMarketing.comChapters00:00 Mike Thompson's Journey: From Advertising to Talent Development04:25 The Role of Technology in Workforce Training08:48 Speed and Agility in Talent Development12:26 Content vs. Experience: The New Paradigm16:02 Convenience and Accessibility in Learning20:53 The Future of Talent Development and AI31:21 Advice for Leaders in Technology

In this episode of Pitch, Build, Scale, host Chris Fanchi sits down with Arseniy Seroka, CEO of Serokell and Blooper.ai. Arseny’s unique journey—from a mathematics and computer science prodigy to a film director turned serial entrepreneur—has fueled his passion for functional programming and cutting-edge AI solutions. Discover how his team at Sarokel leverages languages like Haskell to tackle complex challenges in biotech, fintech, and crypto, and why they’re betting big on open-source innovation. Then, dive into the story behind Blooper.ai, a groundbreaking AI-powered tool that’s streamlining pre-production for filmmakers, bridging the gap between creativity and technology. Arseny shares insights on scaling a niche tech agency, the future of AI in development, and advice for building ventures with heart.ResourcesFilm production management: https://blooper.ai/Build with Serokell: https://serokell.io/Follow Arseniy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/serokaLooking to grow your agency or SaaS company's revenue? Check out our growth services at https://BigNorthMarketing.comChapters01:22 Arseniy Seroka's Journey into Software and AI04:52 Finding Clients and Early Challenges09:10 Scaling Up and Client Relationships12:55 The Future of Technology and AI20:02 Open Source vs. Proprietary Solutions23:45 Specialization in Functional Programming28:06 The Birth of Blooper.ai34:09 Integrating AI in Film Production39:02 Parting Thoughts and Advice

What happens when a microbiology grad turned banker discovers his passion for technology and design? In the premiere episode of Pitch, Build, Scale, host Chris Fanchi sits down with Ted Novak, Managing Director and Partner at Clique Studios, to unpack a journey that’s anything but conventional.

From optimizing banking processes in the pre-Big Short era to co-founding a digital agency in 2010, Ted shares how he and his team at Clique Studios are redefining digital transformation—blending creativity, technology, and human-centric design to empower businesses. Expect insights on scaling a nimble agency, leveraging AI without losing the human touch, and why training clients might just be the future of tech partnerships.

Ready to ignite your spark of innovation? This is where it starts.Show NotesWelcome to the premiere of Pitch, Build, Scale! Host Chris Fanchi kicks off the series with Ted Novak, Managing Director and Partner at Clique Studios, a digital agency that’s been pushing the boundaries of design and technology since 2010. In this episode, Ted takes us from his early days in banking—streamlining investor reporting during the wild pre-2010 capital markets era—to co-founding Clique Studios with a mission to blend creativity and tech into transformative digital solutions.What You’ll Learn:

• How Ted transitioned from microbiology and banking into software development and design (1:21)
• The spark that led to co-founding Clique Studios—and why they chose to build a company, not just a freelance gig (6:04)
• Why design still matters in a tech-driven world, and how Clique stays ahead of trends (8:11)
• Digital transformation unpacked: From websites to enterprise platforms, and the power of pilots over perfection (13:29)
• The role of AI in scaling agencies—and why understanding still beats outsourcing (20:18)
• Scaling challenges: How diversity, transparency, and talent keep Clique thriving (26:31)
• The next 12-24 months: Trends in tech partnerships and the rise of upskilling clients (33:41)

Connect with Ted:Website: https://www.cliquestudios.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tednovakPodcast: https://www.tedlistenspodcast.com/ or search “Ted Listens” on SpotifyFollow Pitch, Build, Scale:Subscribe now to catch every episode!Website: Coming soon!Hosted by Chris Fanchi of Big North Marketing (https://bignorthmarketing.com)