Code First Data & AI Platform: Build Fast with Greg Michaelson of Zerve

What does it take to build an AI startup that actually solves real problems? In this episode of The AI Space Podcast, host Sanjay Kalluvilayil, founder and CEO of Stonehaas Advisors, sits down with Greg Michaelson, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Zerve. Greg shares his unconventional journey—from Baptist preacher to Ph.D. in applied statistics to early DataRobot executive and now AI platform innovator. His insights into product-led growth, startup execution, and the state of AI tooling are sharp, candid, and highly actionable.

Greg opens up about Zerve’s mission to redefine data science and AI development environments for code-first users. From grappling with the inefficiencies of notebooks to designing an architecture that’s collaborative, serverless, and built for scale, Greg explains how Zerve is eliminating roadblocks for AI practitioners. He also discusses the company’s $7.6M seed round, the realities of venture capital in a post-2020 funding landscape, and why ideas are cheap but execution is everything.

This episode covers critical ground: startup strategy, ethical AI, business scaling, compute cost management, and the real challenges of democratization. Whether you're a founder, engineer, investor, or AI enthusiast, you’ll leave with fresh clarity and renewed drive.

🎧 Watch the full episode of The AI Space Podcast hosted by Sanjay Kalluvilayil on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/kVZGi6m-quc

Ready to start building your AI advantage? Make sure to use the affiliate links in the episode description below to sign up for DataCamp and start building your AI Advantage today.

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00:00 Execution Over Ideas

01:56 Trends in AI for 2025

05:14 Scaling Businesses in a Tight Market

07:12 Greg's Journey to AI

10:51 Building for Experts in AI

19:23 Entrepreneurial Strategy and Mindset

24:09 Navigating Seed Funding Challenges

28:51 The Value of Accelerators in Startup Growth

35:33 Navigating Revenue and Product Development

36:01 Essential Tools for AI and ML Architecture

43:09 Scaling the Business Without Complexity

45:30 Democratizing AI for Diverse Industries

51:20 Balancing Innovation with Ethical AI Practices

54:08 Encouragement for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

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Website: https://stonehaasadvisors.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjaykalluvilayil/Linkedin

Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aispace-podcast-with-host-sanjay-kalluvilayil/

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Host Bio:

Sanjay Kalluvilayil is a visionary leader with 30+ years of experience with a specialty in Go-to-Market Strategy & Execution. He is the Founder of Stonehaas Advisors, The AI Space Podcast, and working on some stealth AI start-ups.

Company Bio:

Stonehaas Advisors provides a Comprehensive Portfolio of Consultancy & Fractional CXO Services to Guide Companies Across the Full Cycle of Business & Technology Initiatives. The company empowers Founders and businesses struggling with cash flows to grow, transform, and scale to new levels and dimensions.