What does it take to transform one of the world’s oldest industries using some of the newest technologies available today?

In this episode of Startup Builders and Backers, I sit down with Robin Saluoks, CEO and Co-Founder of eAgronom, to explore how a childhood connection to farming evolved into one of Europe’s fastest-growing climate-tech platforms. Robin shares how building a simple tool for his family farm at just 17 laid the foundation for a business now supporting more than 3,500 farms across 14 countries, helping them improve soil health, reduce emissions, and unlock new revenue streams through carbon credits.

We spend time unpacking why agriculture has remained one of the least digitized industries for so long, and what is finally changing. From AI and satellite monitoring to real-time data collection, Robin explains how technology is beginning to fit into the realities of farm life without adding friction. He also brings clarity to one of the toughest challenges in climate tech today, measuring soil carbon accurately, and why poor data can undermine even the most advanced models.

The conversation also explores the growing role of carbon markets and how farmers can participate without taking on unnecessary complexity or risk. Robin offers a practical view of how regenerative practices can improve profitability over time, why starting small matters, and how trust, local partnerships, and real-world results play a role in driving adoption.

As farming becomes more data-driven, we also touch on the implications for data ownership, control, and the shifting balance of power across the agricultural ecosystem. So as technology reshapes how food is produced and how carbon is managed, are we building systems that truly work for farmers, or simply adding another layer of complexity to an already demanding industry?

What happens when the best AI hires are not AI specialists at all, but founders?

In this episode of Startup Builders and Backers, I sat down with Fran Loftus, Chief Experience Officer at EliseAI, to talk about a hiring philosophy that goes against the grain. At a time when so many companies are chasing the same technical talent, EliseAI is betting on people with founder DNA, generalists who can move fast, solve problems across functions, and take ownership from day one.

Fran brings a rare perspective to that conversation. She has lived both sides of it, first as a PropTech founder and now as an executive helping scale one of the most interesting vertical AI companies in the market. EliseAI supports operations for one in six U.S. apartments and is also automating workflows in healthcare, so this is not theory. It is a real-world look at how AI companies are being built, staffed, and scaled right now.

We talked about why generalist founders can often outperform narrow specialists in fast-moving AI environments, and how EliseAI structures teams more like micro-companies than traditional departments. Fran explained why engineers need to stay close to customers, why speed means very little if you are heading in the wrong direction, and how shorter feedback loops can lead to better products and better outcomes.

We also got into the bigger picture around leadership, org charts, and what happens as AI starts flattening layers of management. Fran shared why she believes strategy and execution are increasingly being owned by the same people, and why companies should stop fearing entrepreneurial employees who may one day leave to build something of their own. In her view, that mindset does not weaken a business, it makes it stronger.

If you are building, funding, or scaling an AI company, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on what talent really looks like in 2026. It is about flexibility, customer obsession, and giving ambitious people the room to build inside your business before they build something of their own. What kind of team do you think will win in the AI era, and do you agree with Fran’s view that founder-minded talent is one of the biggest advantages a company can have? Share your thoughts.

For founders moving fast and feeling pressure to scale, that insight alone could save months of frustration and lost momentum.

We also explore how to balance urgency with long-term fit. Darren makes a strong case for clarity before speed. Know exactly what you are hiring for. Separate cultural alignment from core competency. And resist the temptation to drag out decisions when the fundamentals are not working. His perspective is grounded in experience, including lessons learned from hires that did not close deals or deliver results.

Another standout theme in this episode is partnership. Darren explains how Vader-Rey positions itself beyond transactional recruiting. From executive succession planning to long-term workforce strategy, he describes what it really means to be trusted by leadership teams from the warehouse floor to the boardroom. For founders who want to build companies that last, long-term thinking is worth listening to.

We also dig into modern workforce models. Darren discusses his approach to building distributed teams using virtual professionals, many based in the Philippines, and how treating them as valued team members rather than outsourced support changes performance and loyalty. There is also a practical conversation around using AI for contracts, process design, and operational efficiency, something many early-stage founders will find immediately actionable.

And because no Startup Builders episode is complete without a little personality, we also touch on the story behind the Vader-Rey name, pro wrestling, hot sauce, Rocky movie montages, and the creative balance required to build a business without losing yourself in the process.

If you are a first-time founder about to make your first three hires, or a startup leader wrestling with scale, culture, and delegation, this episode offers grounded advice from someone who has built the plane while flying it.

As always, I would love to hear your thoughts. What was the most expensive hiring mistake you have seen, or made, and what did it teach you?