95 episodes

Advisor, Investor, and 3-time Startup Founder Hilmon Sorey of ClozeLoop interviews startup founders on the all the things that DON'T usually get talked about.  Learn about the mistakes, the regrets, the challenges, the tricks, the tools, and the tactics that founders are employing across industries to build the next BIG THING.

The Winning Zone: Startup Confessions Hilmon Sorey

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 305 Ratings

Advisor, Investor, and 3-time Startup Founder Hilmon Sorey of ClozeLoop interviews startup founders on the all the things that DON'T usually get talked about.  Learn about the mistakes, the regrets, the challenges, the tricks, the tools, and the tactics that founders are employing across industries to build the next BIG THING.

    AI in Performance Management and Workplace Productivity, with Projjal Ghatak from OnLoop

    AI in Performance Management and Workplace Productivity, with Projjal Ghatak from OnLoop

    We're going on a deep dive into the increasingly influential sphere of AI in performance management and workplace productivity. Pajal shares his insights on how AI can eliminate bias and promote fairness in performance reviews, a revolutionary approach that might just change how we perceive and execute performance management. We also delve into the unique challenges startups face and the importance of mental health amidst the high-pressure startup environment. 

    Closing out our conversation with Pajal, we explore the relentless drive of entrepreneurs to solve problems and the potential for growth that lies in rejection and resilience. Pajal gives us a glimpse of his vision for his company, OnLoop, and its ambitious goal to upskill and reskill the world's population, unlocking their full potential. A word of caution though, this episode might just change the way you think about startups, AI, and the media.

    • 39 min
    Diversity, Inclusion, and Entrepreneurship with Mandy Price of Kanarys

    Diversity, Inclusion, and Entrepreneurship with Mandy Price of Kanarys

    Imagine having the power to transform your workplace culture, fostering a sense of belonging, diversity and inclusion. That's the promise of our latest episode, where we're joined by an extraordinary guest, Mandy, founder of Kanarys. Grab this opportunity to delve into Mandy's unique perspective and experiences, as she juggles her roles as a busy mom and a dynamic entrepreneur, driven by her passion for DEI.

    In the fast-paced world of startups, there's nothing more exhilarating than the prospect of systemic change. And what better way to bring about that change than by gathering measurable data to drive DEI strategies? Listen as Mandy outlines how they've reverse-engineered a tech roadmap to tackle these pressing issues, all while keeping the mission of the company at heart. We’ll also explore the critical role of data in understanding your workplace and making targeted interventions.

    Now, imagine having just raised a phenomenal $10.5 million for your company. Yup, that's Mandy with her startup, Kanarys. In the final part of our conversation, we delve into the world of fundraising, acknowledging the challenges faced by non-technical founders, and the obstacles that black and female entrepreneurs have to overcome in the tech industry. All while celebrating the joy of Mandy's impressive fundraising feat. What's more, we'll also highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion in product development and advisory boards, giving you insights on how it can help address user and buyer challenges. Tune in, and understand the power of diversity!

    • 26 min
    The Founder Journey from eBay and Uber to Movo with Jason Radisson

    The Founder Journey from eBay and Uber to Movo with Jason Radisson

    How are industries with expansive frontline workforces reshaping their operations using modern technologies and algorithms? Tune in as we sit down with Jason Radisson, the spearhead behind Movo, a groundbreaking workforce management platform. Movo is revolutionizing how companies, particularly those in the hospital and logistics sectors, manage their large-scale operations efficiently in real-time. Its pioneering tools offer functionalities such as labor forecasting, mobile time clocks, and combating time fraud, ensuring that the right person is doing the right job at the right time.

    We're not just talking about the specifics of Movo. Brace yourselves as we delve into the intriguing world of algorithms and how they're transforming industries with large frontline workforces. We'll be discussing everything from the significant role of integration in large company mergers to the importance of the right algorithms in enhancing the customer experience. Furthermore, we'll analyze the influence of Jeff Bezos' investment banking background on Amazon's success and the pivotal role of algorithms in that journey.

    Our conversation with Jason will also throw light on various approaches to building algorithmic solutions tailored for companies with colossal frontline workforces. We'll decode headless approaches to algorithm portfolios, define product lead roles, and the merits of introducing virtual reality layers for managing massive operations. If the concept of gamification and social interaction in the hiring process fascinates you or you're curious to know how massive multi-user gaming can provide a model for these companies, you're in for a treat. Join us in this enlightening discussion with Jason about the future of workforce management.

    • 33 min
    Navigating the AI Startup Landscape with Reza Farahani

    Navigating the AI Startup Landscape with Reza Farahani

    Have you ever wondered why a staggering 80% of AI projects fail to deliver a return on investment? Today, we sit down with Reza Farahani, an AI startup founder, who sheds light on this perplexing issue. 

    He discusses the trials and tribulations of his entrepreneurial journey and provides valuable insights into the world of AI startups. The conversation delves into the issues of enterprise immaturity in deploying AI and the lack of necessary infrastructure, drawing from Reza's own experiences of transitioning from a consultant to a startup founder.

    Are you developing a product and unsure of your market? Reza emphasizes the importance of identifying the target market and kickstarting valuable customer conversations. From his experience, he advises on crafting a product that is a 'painkiller', not a 'vitamin', and opening up to conversations to truly understand customer needs. It's a masterclass anyone looking to break into the startup scene should not miss.

    As we wrap up, we uncover Reza's unique approach to small team hiring and his vision for startup success. The future of startups, he believes, lies in the hands of a small, talented team that can quickly bring a product to market. We also discuss the increasing significance of productivity as technology advances. 

    Reza's remarkable journey with his current startup, Catalyze AI, symbolizes the value of perseverance, risk-taking, and continuous learning in the face of challenges. Listen in for an engaging conversation filled with hard-earned wisdom and insights from the AI space.

    • 37 min
    Amy Wong on How to Unlock the Blueprint to Communication

    Amy Wong on How to Unlock the Blueprint to Communication

    • 32 min
    No Casual Effort! With Derrick Williams

    No Casual Effort! With Derrick Williams

    • 33 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
305 Ratings

305 Ratings

StefanAvery ,

Very Insightful

Accessible and inspiring conversations that demonstrate what it is actually like to be a startup founder

unpinnable ,

Straight to the point

Your time if valuable and this podcast knows it. No nonsense. Extremely helpful conversations without the ego stroking.

Mr3Link ,

Insightful

The Winning Zone is absolute gem of a podcast. I can’t speak highly enough of how well produced each episode is. And from the perspective of a quest, Hilmon makes the interview fun. It’s easy to be nervous during interviews like this but he makes it easy to get comfortable so that you can just have a conversation.

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