Disrupt or Defend

Softup Technologies GmbH

In the age of AI, founders face a constant choice: disrupt the market—or defend what they’ve built. Disrupt or Defend is a weekly podcast for startup founders, CTOs, and tech builders who want to stay ahead without losing focus on people and purpose. Host Daniel Kazani, co-founder of Softup Technologies, talks with founders and experts who are shaping the next wave of software innovation. From AI agents and low-code tools to scaling dev teams and building products that last, each episode explores the decisions that define a company’s future. If you’re building in tech and want real stories, practical lessons, and honest conversations about the balance between boldness and focus—this show is for you. Subscribe and join the community of builders defining what comes next in tech.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    AI-Powered Smart Home Search | Ep. 18

    Traditional real estate systems often come with rules, limitations, and legacy baggage that can stifle creativity. Host Daniel Kazani speaks with Bobby Bryant, M.Ed.x2 about building a solution that bypasses the MLS entirely. Bobby explains the strategy behind hōmhub.ai: a peer-to-peer, AI-powered Real Estate Operating System. They discuss why he chose a non-MLS approach to allow for features like digital offers and commission transparency. Bobby also details the launch of the Global Agent Exchange to unify agents across borders and his plans to bring voice-activated home search to the world. ㅤ 👤 Guest Bio Bobby Bryant, M.Ed.x2 is the CEO of DOSS Group, INC. and the founder of hōmhub.ai. A veteran with over 25 years in the industry, he became the first African American to create and franchise a real estate brokerage brand. His work is backed by Amazon and Google. Bobby holds two Master’s Degrees in Education and previously served as a contributor to Forbes. ㅤ 📌 What We Cover Why hōmhub.ai operates as a non-MLS platform to avoid data restrictions and allow for more creativity.The concept of a property-agnostic marketplace: handling sales, rentals, and wholesale properties in one unified system.How the team applies a "Steve Jobs" philosophy by designing for the consumer experience first and working backward to the technology.The specific features of their AI search: users can speak in over 100 languages or visualize new wall colors and flooring instantly.Creating a "Carfax for homes": allowing owners to upload warranties, receipts, and documents directly to a property profile.The Global Agent Exchange (GAE): a listing service built to standardize real estate practices for modern agents.Plans to expand the platform into international markets like Canada, the UK, and New Zealand.Using data to answer hyper-local questions about neighborhoods: from noise levels to air quality. ㅤ 🔗 Resources Mentioned hōmhub.aiBobby Bryant on LinkedIn

    26 min
  2. 5 MAR

    Optimize Manufacturing with AI | Ep. 17

    Manufacturing generates massive amounts of data, yet many factories still run expensive machinery on settings that have not changed in a decade. Daniel Kazani sits down with Dr. Jonathan Spitz, Founder and CEO of GaussML, to discuss why having data does not always mean having information. ㅤ Jonathan explains his "small data" approach to industrial optimization. Instead of requiring months of data cleaning and massive data lakes, his team focuses on rapid experimentation. By running a few targeted tests, operators can find the ideal parameters for processes like laser cutting and injection molding in a single day. Jonathan shares real-world examples, including how a 0.5-gram adjustment saved Coca-Cola 20 tons of plastic a year and how job shops eliminated Saturday shifts by increasing efficiency. The conversation also covers the role of the human operator as a pilot rather than a bystander. ㅤ Guest Bio Dr. Jonathan Spitz is the Founder and CEO of GaussML. Before launching his own company, he served as a Research Scientist at the Bosch Center for Artificial Intelligence, where he applied machine learning algorithms to industrial optimization. He holds a PhD in Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. Jonathan specializes in "small data" solutions that help manufacturers improve efficiency without complex integration. ㅤ What We Cover The difference between being data-rich and information-poor in manufacturingWhy traditional deep learning often fails in factory settings due to the need for massive datasetsHow the "small data" approach works: finding optimal machine settings with minimal experimentsReal-world wins: Reducing cycle times by 50% in machining and saving raw materials in bottle productionThe Coca-Cola case study: How a tiny weight reduction per bottle resulted in massive material savingsThe "Copilot" philosophy: Why AI should augment the operator's intuition rather than replace itOvercoming the "worker gap" by making expert-level machine operation accessible to newer employeesWhy is failing during the testing phase necessary to find the true limits of a machine ㅤ Resources Mentioned GaussML (Official Website)Optimyzer (Product)Dr. Jonathan Spitz (LinkedIn)Daniel Kazani (LinkedIn)Softup TechnologiesBosch (Company)TRUMPF (Company)Coca-Cola (Company)

    29 min
  3. 26 FEB

    GenAI In Real Estate | Ep. 16

    Real estate runs on data, but most of it is trapped in PDFs, lease agreements, and siloed legacy systems. In this episode, host Daniel Kazani sits down with Dr. Nino Paulus, Co-Founder and CPO of AlphaPrompt, to discuss how generative AI is bringing order to this chaos. Nino explains how his team moved from building simple dashboards to creating an AI that functions like a senior analyst—capable of reading entire data rooms, extracting complex lease terms, and spotting risks that humans might miss. ㅤ They discuss the reality of deploying AI in a traditional industry, sharing a story in which their software identified 7 active leases for a property the owner didn't even know they still owned. Nino also opens up about his "live demo" sales strategy and shares his thoughts on the future of autonomous AI agents, including the emergence of "Moltbook," a social network where bots communicate with each other. This is a practical look at how Softup and other tech builders can learn from AlphaPrompt's approach to automation and data structuring. ㅤ 👤 Guest Bio Dr. Nino Paulus is the Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of AlphaPrompt. He holds a PhD from the IREBS International Real Estate Business School, where his research focused on Natural Language Processing (NLP) in the real estate sector. At AlphaPrompt, he leads the development of GenAI solutions that automate due diligence and data structuring for asset and property managers. His work bridges the gap between academic AI research and the practical, messy reality of real estate documentation. ㅤ 📌 What We Cover The Data Problem: Why the biggest challenge in real estate isn't a lack of data, but the fact that it is unstructured and stuck in "silos" that don't talk to each other.Automating "Monkey Work": How AlphaPrompt uses GenAI to handle the tedious tasks—like typing out rent rolls or checking lease addendums—so analysts can focus on decision-making.The "Live" Sales Pitch: Nino explains why he throws a prospect's actual data room into the tool during sales calls instead of using a canned demo.Red Flag Reports: Moving beyond just data extraction to "risk alerts," such as spotting a break clause that allows a tenant to leave early.The "Lost" Property Story: A case study where the AI found seven active leases in a small German town that the portfolio owner thought they had exited years ago.Bottom-Up Adoption: Why AI initiatives fail when they are top-down mandates and why you need to involve the people doing the daily work to make it stick.The Future of Agents: A look at "Moltbook" (Moltbot), a social network for AI agents, and what happens when bots start communicating and learning from one another without human input. ㅤ 🔗 Resources Mentioned AlphaPrompt (Guest Company)Moltbook (AI Agent Social Network mentioned by Nino)

    32 min
  4. 12 FEB

    How AI is impacting Health Tech | Ep. 14

    Learn more about facial vital sign detection: shen.ai & caire.ai ㅤ Healthcare has historically lagged in digitalization, creating a significant opportunity for artificial intelligence to jump-start the industry. Host Daniel Kazani sits down with Dr. Lucas Mittelmeier, an investor at Heal Capital, to discuss why the sector's heavy administrative burden makes it a prime target for disruption. They explore the reality of "Shadow AI," where physicians bypass slow hospital IT systems to use tools like ChatGPT for daily tasks. Lucas explains how the industry is splitting into two distinct speeds: highly regulated clinical tools and agile administrative workflows. The conversation also highlights cutting-edge innovations, including facial analysis software that reads vital signs via a camera and vocal biomarkers that detect heart failure. ㅤ Guest Bio Dr. Lucas Mittelmeier is a physician-turned-investor at Heal Capital, a leading European healthtech venture capital firm. With a background bridging clinical medicine, strategy consulting, and startup leadership, he evaluates companies through both medical and business lenses. He is also the author of the Healthtech Off The Record newsletter, where he provides data-driven analysis of industry trends. At Heal Capital, he focuses on sourcing and leading deals from Pre-Seed to Series A. ㅤ What We Cover Why the lack of legacy digital infrastructure in healthcare might actually accelerate AI adoption.The phenomenon of "Shadow AI" and why doctors are using consumer tools despite strict hospital regulations.How administrative AI is moving faster than clinical diagnostic tools due to lower regulatory barriers.The potential for "facial parameters" in which video can detect heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation.Using vocal biomarkers to identify conditions like heart failure by analyzing fluid buildup in the lungs.How typing patterns on a keyboard can serve as early indicators for depression.Why specialized "AI Therapist" startups have struggled to compete with general Large Language Models.The four key moats for healthtech startups: data advantages, network effects, deep customer service, and brand trust. ㅤ Resources Mentioned Heal CapitalOpenAI (ChatGPT)Anthropic (Claude)WhoopCaire (Healthtech startup)Scale AI

    34 min
  5. 5 FEB

    AI Trends in Germany | Ep. 13

    AI Trends in Germany - Presentation (PDF) — Follow along with the data discussed in this episode ㅤ Germany currently faces a distinct tension between its technical potential and actual financial commitment to artificial intelligence. While the country ranks high in AI skills and research, private investment stands at just 1.8 billion euros, compared to over 62 billion in the United States. Host Daniel Kazani sits down with Stephan Fricke to examine the reality behind these numbers and what they mean for the German market. ㅤ Stephan breaks down the data on Germany's current 45,000 AI specialists and the projected gap of nearly 180,000 by 2032. They discuss why customer contact centers are seeing 88% of implementations and how manufacturing giants like BMW and Siemens are using AI for practical quality assurance. The conversation also covers the critical role of strategic partnerships and outsourcing in bridging the talent shortage that domestic training alone cannot solve. ㅤ 👤 Guest Bio Stephan Fricke is the CEO of the Deutscher Outsourcing Verband e.V. (German Outsourcing Association) and the Deutscher Process Automation Verband. Since 2010, he has focused on bridging the gap between German business culture and global innovation hubs. Through industry publications such as the Outsourcing Journal, Stephan shapes the narrative around Global Business Services and advocates for diversifying sourcing destinations to address the talent crisis in the DACH region. ㅤ 📌 What We Cover The estimated 60 billion euro market volume for AI services in Germany in 2025.Why 88% of German companies implementing AI start with customer contact and chatbots.The massive gap in private AI investment: 1.8 billion euros in Germany versus 62.5 billion in the US.How Germany compares globally in terms of infrastructure, with a notable lack of data centers.The talent crisis: Moving from 45,000 specialists today to a need for 180,000 by 2032.Why Softup and similar partners are becoming essential for companies unable to find local talent.Specific manufacturing use cases for AI: From predictive maintenance at Siemens to quality assurance at BMW.The regulatory hurdles and slow government strategies are affecting European competitiveness. ㅤ 🔗 Resources Mentioned Deutscher Outsourcing Verband e.V. (German Outsourcing Association)Global AI Index 2024Canva (Marketing tool)VolkswagenBMW GroupSiemensBoschTrumpf

    29 min
  6. 29 JAN

    How AI is impacting the Industrial Tech Space? | Ep. 12

    Manufacturing is no longer just about moving atoms. It is shifting toward software-defined automation and fully autonomous systems. Daniel Kazani sits down with Miroslav Kriz, Principal Partner at Momenta, to discuss how AI is reshaping the factory floor. They explore why industrial innovation requires different safety standards than typical software, where a "hallucination" can mean physical danger rather than just bad code. ㅤ Miroslav explains the reality of "lights out" factories, where blast furnaces adjust in real time without human input. He also critiques the "tourist syndrome" that European founders face when entering the US market and argues why industrial startups should look to Pittsburgh or Indianapolis rather than Silicon Valley. This conversation covers the journey from simple automation to true autonomy and the specific physics that investors look for before writing a check. ㅤ Guest Bio Miroslav Kriz is a Principal Partner at Momenta, a venture capital firm focused on industrial impact and enterprise technology. He specializes in bridging the gap between legacy industrial companies and modern innovation. Currently based in Prague after moving from New York, Miroslav works to connect Central and Eastern European technical talent with the US market. He also helps lead initiatives like Gem7 to help startups establish operational beachheads in America. ㅤ What We Cover The three core pillars of industrial impact are software-defined automation, robotics, and AI.Why the "move fast and break things" mentality fails in manufacturing, where safety is critical.How virtualization allows agile development on machines with 30-year lifecycles.The emergence of "lights out" factories and autonomous closed-loop systems.Why ROI in industry is defined by speed and waste reduction rather than quality improvements.The "tourist" mistake European founders make when expanding to the US.Why industrial startups often find better success in Detroit or Milwaukee than in Silicon Valley.Using AI in venture capital to validate physics and research trends rather than make deal decisions. ㅤ Resources Mentioned MomentaGem7 (Market entry service)Rockwell AutomationFleet SpaceGrokMicrosoft

    34 min
  7. 22 JAN

    From Automation to Autonomy with Agentic AI (with Pascal Faerber) | Ep. 11

    This episode was recorded on Dec 10, 2025. ㅤ Automation and digitalization were huge topics for decades, but “it’s no longer enough.” Host Daniel Kazani talks with Pascal Faerber, Managing Director, Digital Services Germany at Orange Business, about agentic AI and why it is “fundamentally different” from reactive gen AI. Pascal frames agentic AI as proactive, understanding goals and desired outcomes, breaking them down into steps, executing across multiple systems, evaluating its own output, and learning continuously. ㅤ The conversation moves from digital transformation and cloud, including hyperscalers like Azure and Amazon, to a concrete example: a customer success AI agent that scans incoming customer messages across channels, classifies issues, prioritizes urgency, fetches relevant internal knowledge, drafts proposed solutions, triggers actions across systems, and escalates only when human judgment is required. They also talk about AI as a transformation: leadership mindset, processes, and foundations that enable a network of collaborating humans and agents. ㅤ 👤 Guest BioPascal Faerber is Managing Director, Digital Services Germany at Orange Business. He describes Digital Services as “top of the spear” in digital transformation, supporting clients with cloud transformation, data and AI, data platform development, and AI use case development. Pascal also mentions being a lecturer and a business angel, as well as being very active in the tech community. ㅤ 📌 What We CoverOrange Business Digital Services and “digital transformation,” including cloud transformation and working with hyperscalers like Azure and AmazonA sovereign cloud solution with regulatory requirements and environments operated in Europe by European employees“Agentic AI” as proactive systems that understand goals, breaks them into steps, executes across multiple systems, evaluates output, and learn continuouslyA customer success AI agent: scanning multichannel messages, classifying and prioritizing issues, pulling contracts, SLAs, documentation, and ticket history, then triggering actions across systemsImpact discussed: resolution time brought down from “two, three days” to “15, 30 minutes,” and “60, 65, 70%” reduction in repetitive workAI adoption as a transformation, “mindset first,” and the bottleneck being “permission” rather than technologyClearly defined roles in human and AI collaboration, and AI as “a new colleague.”Moving from pilots to scale: five questions, one high-impact breakthrough, and scaling aggressively with training and change ㅤ 🔗 Resources MentionedOrange BusinessAzureAmazonChatGPTGeminiSalesforceNvidiaMicrosoftIBMSatya Nadella

    39 min

About

In the age of AI, founders face a constant choice: disrupt the market—or defend what they’ve built. Disrupt or Defend is a weekly podcast for startup founders, CTOs, and tech builders who want to stay ahead without losing focus on people and purpose. Host Daniel Kazani, co-founder of Softup Technologies, talks with founders and experts who are shaping the next wave of software innovation. From AI agents and low-code tools to scaling dev teams and building products that last, each episode explores the decisions that define a company’s future. If you’re building in tech and want real stories, practical lessons, and honest conversations about the balance between boldness and focus—this show is for you. Subscribe and join the community of builders defining what comes next in tech.