Tech Scenes Unplugged with Dmitry Koltunov CEO and Founder of Arbor

"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

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

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