Building Great Tech https://buildinggreattech.com/ en Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. 

 Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/dfd12810-8ef9-11f0-930c-4bad06e41a2e/image/e6d2eec776cf201a14db549b49de7263.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress Building Great Tech https://buildinggreattech.com/ episodic Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. 

 Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.

We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. 



Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

]]> Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa podcast@disruptivemedia.co.uk The Trick Is to Never Talk About the Environment – With Josh Dorfman, founder of Plantd https://buildinggreattech.com/ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk with Josh Dorfman, Founder of Plantd and host of The Supercool Podcast. They talk about how AI will actually save the planet from climate change, and why companies need to STOP talking about the environment to actually make consumers care! Follow Josh on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorfmanjosh/ About Supercool - https://getsuper.cool/about/ Buy Josh's Book "The Lazy Environmentalist" - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Environmentalist-Guide-Stylish-Green-Living/dp/1584796022 About Josh: He is co-founder of Plantd, a carbon-negative materials company that converts atmospheric carbon into high-performance products, starting with building materials. As CEO, Josh led the company through its Seed and Series A rounds and helped secure a partnership with D.R. Horton, which has since scaled to more than 10 million carbon-negative structural panels. He recently returned as fractional CMO to lead Plantd’s brand evolution, market positioning, and commercial strategy as the company scales.Josh is also co-founder and host of Supercool, a media platform covering the companies building the low-carbon economy. Through founder interviews and editorial storytelling, Supercool highlights how climate companies gain market adoption by leading with performance, cost, and customer value. Follow us on Linkedin! ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/⁠⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/⁠ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa https://buildinggreattech.com/ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk with Josh Dorfman, Founder of Plantd and host of The Supercool Podcast. They talk about how AI will actually save the planet from climate change, and why companies need to STOP talking about the environment to actually make consumers care! Follow Josh on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorfmanjosh/ About Supercool - https://getsuper.cool/about/ Buy Josh's Book "The Lazy Environmentalist" - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Environmentalist-Guide-Stylish-Green-Living/dp/1584796022 About Josh: He is co-founder of Plantd, a carbon-negative materials company that converts atmospheric carbon into high-performance products, starting with building materials. As CEO, Josh led the company through its Seed and Series A rounds and helped secure a partnership with D.R. Horton, which has since scaled to more than 10 million carbon-negative structural panels. He recently returned as fractional CMO to lead Plantd’s brand evolution, market positioning, and commercial strategy as the company scales.Josh is also co-founder and host of Supercool, a media platform covering the companies building the low-carbon economy. Through founder interviews and editorial storytelling, Supercool highlights how climate companies gain market adoption by leading with performance, cost, and customer value. Follow us on Linkedin! ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/⁠⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/⁠ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. https://buildinggreattech.com/

In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk with Josh Dorfman, Founder of Plantd and host of The Supercool Podcast. They talk about how AI will actually save the planet from climate change, and why companies need to STOP talking about the environment to actually make consumers care!

Follow Josh on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorfmanjosh/

About Supercool - https://getsuper.cool/about/

Buy Josh's Book "The Lazy Environmentalist" - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Environmentalist-Guide-Stylish-Green-Living/dp/1584796022


About Josh:

He is co-founder of Plantd, a carbon-negative materials company that converts atmospheric carbon into high-performance products, starting with building materials. As CEO, Josh led the company through its Seed and Series A rounds and helped secure a partnership with D.R. Horton, which has since scaled to more than 10 million carbon-negative structural panels.
He recently returned as fractional CMO to lead Plantd’s brand evolution, market positioning, and commercial strategy as the company scales.
Josh is also co-founder and host of Supercool, a media platform covering the companies building the low-carbon economy. Through founder interviews and editorial storytelling, Supercool highlights how climate companies gain market adoption by leading with performance, cost, and customer value.

Follow us on Linkedin! ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/⁠⁠

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/⁠ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.

We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.

Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.


]]> 3168 no 5 Pivots, Dinner With Strangers & €18M ARR - with Maxime Barbier, founder of Timeleft ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk with Maxime Barbier, founder of Timeleft. Timeleft matches you with like-minded people for a shared meal in 250+ cities across 55 countries. They talk about global app distribution, how often you should be pivoting and why being a CEO is the loneliest job you can have! Timeleft DISCOUNT Code - BGT25 Download the app or go to https://timeleft.com and get 25% off on 1 month & 3 months subscription with code BGT25 Follow Mixime on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximebarbier/ Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk with Maxime Barbier, founder of Timeleft. Timeleft matches you with like-minded people for a shared meal in 250+ cities across 55 countries. They talk about global app distribution, how often you should be pivoting and why being a CEO is the loneliest job you can have! Timeleft DISCOUNT Code - BGT25 Download the app or go to https://timeleft.com and get 25% off on 1 month & 3 months subscription with code BGT25 Follow Mixime on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximebarbier/ Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠

In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk with Maxime Barbier, founder of Timeleft. Timeleft matches you with like-minded people for a shared meal in 250+ cities across 55 countries. They talk about global app distribution, how often you should be pivoting and why being a CEO is the loneliest job you can have!

Timeleft DISCOUNT Code - BGT25

Download the app or go to https://timeleft.com and get 25% off on 1 month & 3 months subscription with code BGT25

Follow Mixime on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximebarbier/

Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

]]> 3577 no Force for Good, Force for Devastation: The AI Clock Is Ticking – with Matt Cashatt ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk with Matt Cashatt, founder of Polyrific and The Geniverse. They debate if AI is really taking everyone's jobs, and reveal how beginners can get started in discovering how AI can improve your everyday life and unleash your creativity. Follow Matt on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cashatt/ See how Polyfiric can help you - https://polyrific.com/ Visit Building Great Tech to see how we can help you - https://buildinggreattech.com/ About Matt: I built Polyrific because I believe AI should multiply human potential, not replace it. That belief shapes how we design systems, how we govern them, and how we measure success. Alongside this work, I’m building The Geniverse—an exploratory platform focused on how AI agents can amplify individual human capability. It’s a longer-term bet on what AI could become when humans remain firmly at the center. Always open to thoughtful conversations about where AI is headed, how it should be applied, and what responsibility looks like as it becomes infrastructure. Follow us on linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk with Matt Cashatt, founder of Polyrific and The Geniverse. They debate if AI is really taking everyone's jobs, and reveal how beginners can get started in discovering how AI can improve your everyday life and unleash your creativity. Follow Matt on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cashatt/ See how Polyfiric can help you - https://polyrific.com/ Visit Building Great Tech to see how we can help you - https://buildinggreattech.com/ About Matt: I built Polyrific because I believe AI should multiply human potential, not replace it. That belief shapes how we design systems, how we govern them, and how we measure success. Alongside this work, I’m building The Geniverse—an exploratory platform focused on how AI agents can amplify individual human capability. It’s a longer-term bet on what AI could become when humans remain firmly at the center. Always open to thoughtful conversations about where AI is headed, how it should be applied, and what responsibility looks like as it becomes infrastructure. Follow us on linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠

In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk with Matt Cashatt, founder of Polyrific and The Geniverse. They debate if AI is really taking everyone's jobs, and reveal how beginners can get started in discovering how AI can improve your everyday life and unleash your creativity.

Follow Matt on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cashatt/

See how Polyfiric can help you - https://polyrific.com/

Visit Building Great Tech to see how we can help you - https://buildinggreattech.com/

About Matt:

I built Polyrific because I believe AI should multiply human potential, not replace it. That belief shapes how we design systems, how we govern them, and how we measure success.

Alongside this work, I’m building The Geniverse—an exploratory platform focused on how AI agents can amplify individual human capability. It’s a longer-term bet on what AI could become when humans remain firmly at the center.

Always open to thoughtful conversations about where AI is headed, how it should be applied, and what responsibility looks like as it becomes infrastructure.

Follow us on linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/

Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.

We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.

Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

]]> 4083 no #1 Mental Skill No Leadership Course Teaches You — with Armen Arustamov, Founder of Got It Life ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Armen Arustamov, founder of Got It Life. The app, aimed at high-performing founders, is an AI self-coaching tool that allows them to unlock their minds and achieve peak potential. They also unpack Armen's experience as a founder, struggling with self-doubt and pitching ideas with little-to-no money to fall back on! Download Got It Life now! - https://www.gotit.life/ Visit Building Great Tech to see how we can help you - https://buildinggreattech.com/ About Armen and Got It Life: I’m the founder at Got it Life - a Google-backed Mental Health App 🧠 that boosts High Performers' Resilience through AI-driven Self-Talk & Psycholinguistics ➡️ www.gotit.life It builds Self-Coaching Skills like “Duolingo for Psychology” - while others give answers replacing users’ thinking, like “Google Translate.” Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Armen Arustamov, founder of Got It Life. The app, aimed at high-performing founders, is an AI self-coaching tool that allows them to unlock their minds and achieve peak potential. They also unpack Armen's experience as a founder, struggling with self-doubt and pitching ideas with little-to-no money to fall back on! Download Got It Life now! - https://www.gotit.life/ Visit Building Great Tech to see how we can help you - https://buildinggreattech.com/ About Armen and Got It Life: I’m the founder at Got it Life - a Google-backed Mental Health App 🧠 that boosts High Performers' Resilience through AI-driven Self-Talk & Psycholinguistics ➡️ www.gotit.life It builds Self-Coaching Skills like “Duolingo for Psychology” - while others give answers replacing users’ thinking, like “Google Translate.” Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠

In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Armen Arustamov, founder of Got It Life. The app, aimed at high-performing founders, is an AI self-coaching tool that allows them to unlock their minds and achieve peak potential.

They also unpack Armen's experience as a founder, struggling with self-doubt and pitching ideas with little-to-no money to fall back on!

Download Got It Life now! - https://www.gotit.life/

Visit Building Great Tech to see how we can help you - https://buildinggreattech.com/

About Armen and Got It Life:

I’m the founder at Got it Life - a Google-backed Mental Health App 🧠 that boosts High Performers' Resilience through AI-driven Self-Talk & Psycholinguistics ➡️ www.gotit.life It builds Self-Coaching Skills like “Duolingo for Psychology” - while others give answers replacing users’ thinking, like “Google Translate.”

Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/

Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.

We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.

Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

]]> 3389 no You've Invested in AI. But Have You Invested in This? ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Rebecca Christian, mindset consultant and founder of Limitless Academy. They explore how high pressures in the corporate world can lead to burnout, and how women are expected to overperform to be seen as equal in all male-dominated industries. Follow Rebecca on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-christianuk/?skipRedirect=true See how Limitless Academy can help you - https://limitlessacademy.co.uk/ About Rebecca:I’m the founder of Limitless Academy, the home for female founders expanding beyond their internal ceilings, where overflow becomes the standard. If you’re building something meaningful but sometimes feel the wobble that comes with growth… You’re not broken. You’re expanding. And I'd love to support you on your next evolution Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Thu, 19 Mar 2026 13:26:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Rebecca Christian, mindset consultant and founder of Limitless Academy. They explore how high pressures in the corporate world can lead to burnout, and how women are expected to overperform to be seen as equal in all male-dominated industries. Follow Rebecca on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-christianuk/?skipRedirect=true See how Limitless Academy can help you - https://limitlessacademy.co.uk/ About Rebecca:I’m the founder of Limitless Academy, the home for female founders expanding beyond their internal ceilings, where overflow becomes the standard. If you’re building something meaningful but sometimes feel the wobble that comes with growth… You’re not broken. You’re expanding. And I'd love to support you on your next evolution Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Rebecca Christian, mindset consultant and founder of Limitless Academy. They explore how high pressures in the corporate world can lead to burnout, and how women are expected to overperform to be seen as equal in all male-dominated industries.


Follow Rebecca on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-christianuk/?skipRedirect=true


See how Limitless Academy can help you - https://limitlessacademy.co.uk/


About Rebecca:I’m the founder of Limitless Academy, the home for female founders expanding beyond their internal ceilings, where overflow becomes the standard. If you’re building something meaningful but sometimes feel the wobble that comes with growth…

You’re not broken.

You’re expanding.

And I'd love to support you on your next evolution

Follow us on Linkedin!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/


Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.

Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

]]> 3135 no Why Gen Z Won’t Work for You - with Peter Wood ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Peter Wood, SEO of The Gradute Guide. About the common misconceptions surrounding the employability of Gen-Z. Are the younger generations REALLY not worth hiring? Or does the recruitment industry needs to shake things up to become more adaptable in the modern age? Tune in to find out! Connect with Peter on Linkedin! - https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-m-wood/ Watch the Graduate Guide - https://www.youtube.com/@thegraduateguide About Peter Wood: A 24 year old trying to solve some big problems. Ski Instructor ➡️ Confused History Student ➡️ Explored Startups ➡️ Sold The Graduate Guide Building Calibr. The answer to fast-growing companies most underserved people problems. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Peter Wood, SEO of The Gradute Guide. About the common misconceptions surrounding the employability of Gen-Z. Are the younger generations REALLY not worth hiring? Or does the recruitment industry needs to shake things up to become more adaptable in the modern age? Tune in to find out! Connect with Peter on Linkedin! - https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-m-wood/ Watch the Graduate Guide - https://www.youtube.com/@thegraduateguide About Peter Wood: A 24 year old trying to solve some big problems. Ski Instructor ➡️ Confused History Student ➡️ Explored Startups ➡️ Sold The Graduate Guide Building Calibr. The answer to fast-growing companies most underserved people problems. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Peter Wood, SEO of The Gradute Guide. About the common misconceptions surrounding the employability of Gen-Z. Are the younger generations REALLY not worth hiring? Or does the recruitment industry needs to shake things up to become more adaptable in the modern age? Tune in to find out! Connect with Peter on Linkedin! - https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-m-wood/ Watch the Graduate Guide - https://www.youtube.com/@thegraduateguide About Peter Wood: A 24 year old trying to solve some big problems. Ski Instructor ➡️ Confused History Student ➡️ Explored Startups ➡️ Sold The Graduate Guide Building Calibr. The answer to fast-growing companies most underserved people problems. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

]]> 3814 no The Fintech That Exposes FX scam - with Ellis Taylor ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Ellis Taylor, founder of Glyde and Fintech specialist. Together they expose the scams of the FX sector, discussing the need for transparency and reflecting on how it could foster a more competitive, consumer focused market. Follow Ellis on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellis-taylor-llm-law-596686166/ See how Glyde can help your business today - https://www.glyde.money/ Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Ellis Taylor, founder of Glyde and Fintech specialist. Together they expose the scams of the FX sector, discussing the need for transparency and reflecting on how it could foster a more competitive, consumer focused market. Follow Ellis on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellis-taylor-llm-law-596686166/ See how Glyde can help your business today - https://www.glyde.money/ Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠

In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Ellis Taylor, founder of Glyde and Fintech specialist. Together they expose the scams of the FX sector, discussing the need for transparency and reflecting on how it could foster a more competitive, consumer focused market.


Follow Ellis on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellis-taylor-llm-law-596686166/


See how Glyde can help your business today - https://www.glyde.money/


Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

]]> 4399 no Is AI Breaking Our Education System? - With Shannon Seaver ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ Follow Shannon on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-seaver-nbct-23a2a933/ About Shannon Relentless about driving equity and innovation in education, I bring 20+ years of experience as an educator, nonprofit leader, and founder focused on building meaningful pathways into STEM and tech careers. As Executive Director of createMPLS and co-founder of FULL STEM—a startup bridging industry and education through hands-on, immersive learning experiences—I specialize in connecting talent, tech, and opportunity. I proudly serve on the Hennepin County Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Board, where I advocate for youth employment access and help shape workforce policy that better serves our region’s diverse communities. My work bridges systems—education, workforce, and industry—to make tech careers more inclusive, attainable, and rooted in community voice. Currently, I’m developing and preparing to ship an AI-integrated learning management system that adapts in real time to learner needs—offering personalized feedback, multilingual accessibility, and generative AI-driven content design. This project reflects my belief that AI should amplify human learning, not replace it—making tech education more equitable, flexible, and future-ready. I lead collaborative initiatives with partners like Genesys Works, MnTech, school districts, and foundations, designing AI-integrated curriculum, coaching BIPOC professionals into CS education, and building real-world programming that prepares students not just for jobs, but for leadership. Whether I’m podcasting to amplify unheard voices or building equity-centered solutions with FULL STEM, I’m committed to rethinking how we grow human intelligence in a tech-driven world. If it’s bold, meaningful, and future-focused—I’m in. Let’s build what’s next. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠ Follow Shannon on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-seaver-nbct-23a2a933/ About Shannon Relentless about driving equity and innovation in education, I bring 20+ years of experience as an educator, nonprofit leader, and founder focused on building meaningful pathways into STEM and tech careers. As Executive Director of createMPLS and co-founder of FULL STEM—a startup bridging industry and education through hands-on, immersive learning experiences—I specialize in connecting talent, tech, and opportunity. I proudly serve on the Hennepin County Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Board, where I advocate for youth employment access and help shape workforce policy that better serves our region’s diverse communities. My work bridges systems—education, workforce, and industry—to make tech careers more inclusive, attainable, and rooted in community voice. Currently, I’m developing and preparing to ship an AI-integrated learning management system that adapts in real time to learner needs—offering personalized feedback, multilingual accessibility, and generative AI-driven content design. This project reflects my belief that AI should amplify human learning, not replace it—making tech education more equitable, flexible, and future-ready. I lead collaborative initiatives with partners like Genesys Works, MnTech, school districts, and foundations, designing AI-integrated curriculum, coaching BIPOC professionals into CS education, and building real-world programming that prepares students not just for jobs, but for leadership. Whether I’m podcasting to amplify unheard voices or building equity-centered solutions with FULL STEM, I’m committed to rethinking how we grow human intelligence in a tech-driven world. If it’s bold, meaningful, and future-focused—I’m in. Let’s build what’s next. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. ⁠https://buildinggreattech.com/⁠

Follow Shannon on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-seaver-nbct-23a2a933/

About Shannon

Relentless about driving equity and innovation in education, I bring 20+ years of experience as an educator, nonprofit leader, and founder focused on building meaningful pathways into STEM and tech careers. As Executive Director of createMPLS and co-founder of FULL STEM—a startup bridging industry and education through hands-on, immersive learning experiences—I specialize in connecting talent, tech, and opportunity.


I proudly serve on the Hennepin County Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Board, where I advocate for youth employment access and help shape workforce policy that better serves our region’s diverse communities. My work bridges systems—education, workforce, and industry—to make tech careers more inclusive, attainable, and rooted in community voice.


Currently, I’m developing and preparing to ship an AI-integrated learning management system that adapts in real time to learner needs—offering personalized feedback, multilingual accessibility, and generative AI-driven content design. This project reflects my belief that AI should amplify human learning, not replace it—making tech education more equitable, flexible, and future-ready.


I lead collaborative initiatives with partners like Genesys Works, MnTech, school districts, and foundations, designing AI-integrated curriculum, coaching BIPOC professionals into CS education, and building real-world programming that prepares students not just for jobs, but for leadership.


Whether I’m podcasting to amplify unheard voices or building equity-centered solutions with FULL STEM, I’m committed to rethinking how we grow human intelligence in a tech-driven world.


If it’s bold, meaningful, and future-focused—I’m in. Let’s build what’s next.


Follow us on Linkedin!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/


https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/


Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.



We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.



Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

]]> 3660 no Why the race to AGI is BS - with Ian P. Cook, PhD In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Ian Cook about the implications of AI in the modern world. They talk about the American government's race to beat china in AI development, Google vs Apple's AI implementation AND they explore some of the worse AI products ever brought to market! Follow Ian on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianpcook/ About Ian: Keeping the science in DS, the learning in ML, and the artificial in AI. I have over a decade of experience turning data in outcomes. I've built AI-focused code, products, teams, and companies. More specifically, I have successfully created and deployed new deep-learning NLP models for large-scale entity recognition, enabled user workflow optimization with embedded models, created tools to map the structural integrity of bridge infrastructure, built teams of applied scientists dedicated to revolutionizing business, and helped define the future of whole companies focused on making AI useful. Above all, I believe that asking the right questions, using the right data and tools, and effective communication of results can change entire industries. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Ian Cook about the implications of AI in the modern world. They talk about the American government's race to beat china in AI development, Google vs Apple's AI implementation AND they explore some of the worse AI products ever brought to market! Follow Ian on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianpcook/ About Ian: Keeping the science in DS, the learning in ML, and the artificial in AI. I have over a decade of experience turning data in outcomes. I've built AI-focused code, products, teams, and companies. More specifically, I have successfully created and deployed new deep-learning NLP models for large-scale entity recognition, enabled user workflow optimization with embedded models, created tools to map the structural integrity of bridge infrastructure, built teams of applied scientists dedicated to revolutionizing business, and helped define the future of whole companies focused on making AI useful. Above all, I believe that asking the right questions, using the right data and tools, and effective communication of results can change entire industries. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. In this episode of Building Great Tech, Simon and Anastasija talk to Ian Cook about the implications of AI in the modern world. They talk about the American government's race to beat china in AI development, Google vs Apple's AI implementation AND they explore some of the worse AI products ever brought to market!


Follow Ian on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianpcook/


About Ian:

Keeping the science in DS, the learning in ML, and the artificial in AI. I have over a decade of experience turning data in outcomes. I've built AI-focused code, products, teams, and companies. More specifically, I have successfully created and deployed new deep-learning NLP models for large-scale entity recognition, enabled user workflow optimization with embedded models, created tools to map the structural integrity of bridge infrastructure, built teams of applied scientists dedicated to revolutionizing business, and helped define the future of whole companies focused on making AI useful. Above all, I believe that asking the right questions, using the right data and tools, and effective communication of results can change entire industries.

Follow us on Linkedin!


https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/


https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/


Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.


We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.


Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.


]]> 4109 no Is AI making us Stupid? In this thought-provoking episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the impact of social media and artificial intelligence on our cognitive abilities. They explore the alarming notion that our reliance on platforms like TikTok and AI tools may be contributing to a decline in memory, attention span, and overall intelligence. With references to various studies, including those from MIT and Ludwig Maximilian University, Simon and Anastasija discuss the implications of these findings on mental health and the future of work. They also touch on the evolving nature of content consumption, the dumbing down of media, and the potential for AI to reflect our own cognitive decline. Join them as they navigate these pressing issues and ponder whether we are truly becoming more intelligent or, conversely, more foolish in the digital age. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa In this thought-provoking episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the impact of social media and artificial intelligence on our cognitive abilities. They explore the alarming notion that our reliance on platforms like TikTok and AI tools may be contributing to a decline in memory, attention span, and overall intelligence. With references to various studies, including those from MIT and Ludwig Maximilian University, Simon and Anastasija discuss the implications of these findings on mental health and the future of work. They also touch on the evolving nature of content consumption, the dumbing down of media, and the potential for AI to reflect our own cognitive decline. Join them as they navigate these pressing issues and ponder whether we are truly becoming more intelligent or, conversely, more foolish in the digital age. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. In this thought-provoking episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the impact of social media and artificial intelligence on our cognitive abilities. They explore the alarming notion that our reliance on platforms like TikTok and AI tools may be contributing to a decline in memory, attention span, and overall intelligence.

With references to various studies, including those from MIT and Ludwig Maximilian University, Simon and Anastasija discuss the implications of these findings on mental health and the future of work. They also touch on the evolving nature of content consumption, the dumbing down of media, and the potential for AI to reflect our own cognitive decline. Join them as they navigate these pressing issues and ponder whether we are truly becoming more intelligent or, conversely, more foolish in the digital age.

Follow us on Linkedin!


https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/


https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/


Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.


We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.


Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.


]]> 1467 no AI is killing authentic dating - with Daniel Cheaib founder of Feels App Follow Daniel on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielcheaib/?originalSubdomain=fr Check out the Feels App - https://www.feels-app.com/ In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa sit down with Daniel Cheaib, the founder and CEO of Feels, a dating app designed specifically for Gen Z. With over 8 million downloads and an impressive 80% year-on-year revenue growth, Daniel shares insights into how his app is redefining online dating by fostering authentic connections among users under 30. The conversation delves into the unique challenges of Gen Z, including the phenomenon of dating app fatigue and the evolving nature of loneliness in a digital age. Daniel also discusses the role of AI in enhancing user experiences while maintaining the importance of real-life interactions. Join us as we explore the future of dating, the impact of technology on relationships, and the innovative strategies behind Feels. Follow us on Linkedin! <https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/> <https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/> Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa Follow Daniel on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielcheaib/?originalSubdomain=fr Check out the Feels App - https://www.feels-app.com/ In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa sit down with Daniel Cheaib, the founder and CEO of Feels, a dating app designed specifically for Gen Z. With over 8 million downloads and an impressive 80% year-on-year revenue growth, Daniel shares insights into how his app is redefining online dating by fostering authentic connections among users under 30. The conversation delves into the unique challenges of Gen Z, including the phenomenon of dating app fatigue and the evolving nature of loneliness in a digital age. Daniel also discusses the role of AI in enhancing user experiences while maintaining the importance of real-life interactions. Join us as we explore the future of dating, the impact of technology on relationships, and the innovative strategies behind Feels. Follow us on Linkedin! <https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/> <https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/> Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Follow Daniel on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielcheaib/?originalSubdomain=fr

Check out the Feels App - https://www.feels-app.com/

In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa sit down with Daniel Cheaib, the founder and CEO of Feels, a dating app designed specifically for Gen Z.

With over 8 million downloads and an impressive 80% year-on-year revenue growth, Daniel shares insights into how his app is redefining online dating by fostering authentic connections among users under 30. The conversation delves into the unique challenges of Gen Z, including the phenomenon of dating app fatigue and the evolving nature of loneliness in a digital age.

Daniel also discusses the role of AI in enhancing user experiences while maintaining the importance of real-life interactions. Join us as we explore the future of dating, the impact of technology on relationships, and the innovative strategies behind Feels.


Follow us on Linkedin!


<https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/>


<https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/>


Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.


We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.


Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

]]> 3690 no Legal Time Bombs Ticking in Your Startup - with Gretchen Lennon Follow Gretchen on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchen-lennon-55455664/?originalSubdomain=uk Lennon Legal Website - https://lennonlegal.com/ In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa sit down with Gretchen Lennon, a seasoned startup lawyer who transitioned from a prestigious city law firm to establish her own boutique practice. With a focus on supporting early-stage companies, Gretchen shares her insights on the critical legal pitfalls that founders often encounter, the importance of intellectual property ownership, and the evolving role of AI in the legal landscape. As they delve into the complexities of legal agreements, funding rounds, and the value of professional legal advice, listeners will gain valuable knowledge to navigate the often daunting world of startup law. Join Simon, Anastasija, and Gretchen for an engaging discussion that highlights the intersection of law and entrepreneurship in today's fast-paced tech environment. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa Follow Gretchen on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchen-lennon-55455664/?originalSubdomain=uk Lennon Legal Website - https://lennonlegal.com/ In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa sit down with Gretchen Lennon, a seasoned startup lawyer who transitioned from a prestigious city law firm to establish her own boutique practice. With a focus on supporting early-stage companies, Gretchen shares her insights on the critical legal pitfalls that founders often encounter, the importance of intellectual property ownership, and the evolving role of AI in the legal landscape. As they delve into the complexities of legal agreements, funding rounds, and the value of professional legal advice, listeners will gain valuable knowledge to navigate the often daunting world of startup law. Join Simon, Anastasija, and Gretchen for an engaging discussion that highlights the intersection of law and entrepreneurship in today's fast-paced tech environment. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Follow Gretchen on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchen-lennon-55455664/?originalSubdomain=uk


Lennon Legal Website - https://lennonlegal.com/


In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa sit down with Gretchen Lennon, a seasoned startup lawyer who transitioned from a prestigious city law firm to establish her own boutique practice.

With a focus on supporting early-stage companies, Gretchen shares her insights on the critical legal pitfalls that founders often encounter, the importance of intellectual property ownership, and the evolving role of AI in the legal landscape.

As they delve into the complexities of legal agreements, funding rounds, and the value of professional legal advice, listeners will gain valuable knowledge to navigate the often daunting world of startup law.

Join Simon, Anastasija, and Gretchen for an engaging discussion that highlights the intersection of law and entrepreneurship in today's fast-paced tech environment.


Follow us on Linkedin!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/

Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.

We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.

Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.


]]> 3554 no Is your co-founder the reason you're stuck? - with Nicki Coe See how Nicki can help your business relationships - https://www.nickicoe.com/ In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa sit down with Nicki Coe, a coach dedicated to helping co-founders navigate the complexities of their partnerships. Often referred to as the "couple's therapist for business partners," Nicki shares her insights on the critical importance of effective communication and the challenges that arise when co-founders face misalignment in their roles and visions. With a staggering 65% of startups failing due to co-founder fallout, Nicki is on a mission to change this statistic by fostering stronger, more resilient partnerships. Join Simon and Anastasija as they delve into the dynamics of co-founder relationships, the transition from founder to leader, and practical strategies to nurture collaboration and joy in the workplace. Nicki Coe discusses the importance of effective communication between co-founders, emphasising that it's not just about talking more, but understanding different communication styles and how to listen effectively. The conversation highlights the transition from being a founder to a leader, with Nicky explaining that this shift involves relinquishing some control and adapting to a new role that focuses on building a strong team culture Nicki shares practical advice for co-founders, encouraging them to have meaningful meetings, communicate about their communication, and remember to have fun together. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa See how Nicki can help your business relationships - https://www.nickicoe.com/ In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa sit down with Nicki Coe, a coach dedicated to helping co-founders navigate the complexities of their partnerships. Often referred to as the "couple's therapist for business partners," Nicki shares her insights on the critical importance of effective communication and the challenges that arise when co-founders face misalignment in their roles and visions. With a staggering 65% of startups failing due to co-founder fallout, Nicki is on a mission to change this statistic by fostering stronger, more resilient partnerships. Join Simon and Anastasija as they delve into the dynamics of co-founder relationships, the transition from founder to leader, and practical strategies to nurture collaboration and joy in the workplace. Nicki Coe discusses the importance of effective communication between co-founders, emphasising that it's not just about talking more, but understanding different communication styles and how to listen effectively. The conversation highlights the transition from being a founder to a leader, with Nicky explaining that this shift involves relinquishing some control and adapting to a new role that focuses on building a strong team culture Nicki shares practical advice for co-founders, encouraging them to have meaningful meetings, communicate about their communication, and remember to have fun together. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. See how Nicki can help your business relationships - https://www.nickicoe.com/


In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa sit down with Nicki Coe, a coach dedicated to helping co-founders navigate the complexities of their partnerships. Often referred to as the "couple's therapist for business partners," Nicki shares her insights on the critical importance of effective communication and the challenges that arise when co-founders face misalignment in their roles and visions. With a staggering 65% of startups failing due to co-founder fallout, Nicki is on a mission to change this statistic by fostering stronger, more resilient partnerships. Join Simon and Anastasija as they delve into the dynamics of co-founder relationships, the transition from founder to leader, and practical strategies to nurture collaboration and joy in the workplace.

Nicki Coe discusses the importance of effective communication between co-founders, emphasising that it's not just about talking more, but understanding different communication styles and how to listen effectively.


The conversation highlights the transition from being a founder to a leader, with Nicky explaining that this shift involves relinquishing some control and adapting to a new role that focuses on building a strong team culture


Nicki shares practical advice for co-founders, encouraging them to have meaningful meetings, communicate about their communication, and remember to have fun together.

Follow us on Linkedin!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/

Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.

We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.

Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.


]]> 3060 no When is THE BEST time to rebrand your platform? In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the often costly world of rebranding. They discuss the staggering $20 billion wasted annually by global tech companies on ineffective rebranding strategies, highlighting the potential pitfalls and hidden costs associated with such initiatives. Through engaging examples, including the recent rebranding of Starling Bank and notable failures from giants like Netflix and Uber, Simon and Anastasija explore the reasons companies pursue rebranding and the importance of aligning it with genuine business goals. Tune in as they share insights on how to approach rebranding with purpose, ensuring it amplifies rather than distracts from your core product experience. Simon expresses his irritation with Starling Bank's rebranding, particularly the new font and logo, highlighting how it detracted from the user experience he previously enjoyed.   Anastasija shares a cautionary tale about a company that spent a significant amount on rebranding, including creating a mascot, which ultimately failed to resonate with users and distracted from the app's core functionality.   The hosts discuss the importance of aligning rebranding efforts with actual business evolution, using Airbnb's introduction of experiences as a successful example of how a rebrand can reflect and support a company's growth. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/  Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the often costly world of rebranding. They discuss the staggering $20 billion wasted annually by global tech companies on ineffective rebranding strategies, highlighting the potential pitfalls and hidden costs associated with such initiatives. Through engaging examples, including the recent rebranding of Starling Bank and notable failures from giants like Netflix and Uber, Simon and Anastasija explore the reasons companies pursue rebranding and the importance of aligning it with genuine business goals. Tune in as they share insights on how to approach rebranding with purpose, ensuring it amplifies rather than distracts from your core product experience. Simon expresses his irritation with Starling Bank's rebranding, particularly the new font and logo, highlighting how it detracted from the user experience he previously enjoyed.   Anastasija shares a cautionary tale about a company that spent a significant amount on rebranding, including creating a mascot, which ultimately failed to resonate with users and distracted from the app's core functionality.   The hosts discuss the importance of aligning rebranding efforts with actual business evolution, using Airbnb's introduction of experiences as a successful example of how a rebrand can reflect and support a company's growth. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/  Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the often costly world of rebranding. They discuss the staggering $20 billion wasted annually by global tech companies on ineffective rebranding strategies, highlighting the potential pitfalls and hidden costs associated with such initiatives. Through engaging examples, including the recent rebranding of Starling Bank and notable failures from giants like Netflix and Uber, Simon and Anastasija explore the reasons companies pursue rebranding and the importance of aligning it with genuine business goals. Tune in as they share insights on how to approach rebranding with purpose, ensuring it amplifies rather than distracts from your core product experience.

Simon expresses his irritation with Starling Bank's rebranding, particularly the new font

and logo, highlighting how it detracted from the user experience he previously enjoyed.

 

Anastasija shares a cautionary tale about a company that spent a significant amount on rebranding, including creating a mascot, which ultimately failed to resonate with users and distracted from the app's core functionality.

 

The hosts discuss the importance of aligning rebranding efforts with actual business evolution, using Airbnb's introduction of experiences as a successful example of how a rebrand can reflect and support a company's growth.

Follow us on Linkedin!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ 

Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.

We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.

Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

]]> 2084 no Why Most Founders Never Get VC Funding - With Venture Scout Ritika Mehta In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the challenging world of venture capital funding with special guest Ritika Mehta. As a New York-based go-to-market strategist and advisor to venture-backed startups, Ritika shares her insights on the role of Venture Scouts in bridging the gap between founders and investors. With a wealth of experience in early-stage companies, she discusses the current state of the VC market, the importance of traction, and the critical factors that can make or break a startup's chances of securing funding. Tune in to discover valuable advice for founders seeking investment and learn how to navigate the complexities of the venture capital landscape. Simon and Anastasija discuss the role of Venture Scouts with Ritika Mehta, highlighting how they act as connectors between founders and VCs, helping both parties understand each other's needs better. Ritika shares her insights on the current VC market, noting a significant shift towards investing in AI, healthcare, and deep tech, while also emphasising the importance of traction and proof of concept for early-stage startups. The conversation touches on the critical need for founders to focus on a single ideal customer profile (ICP) rather than spreading themselves too thin, as this focus can significantly impact their chances of securing funding and achieving product-market fit. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Thu, 08 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the challenging world of venture capital funding with special guest Ritika Mehta. As a New York-based go-to-market strategist and advisor to venture-backed startups, Ritika shares her insights on the role of Venture Scouts in bridging the gap between founders and investors. With a wealth of experience in early-stage companies, she discusses the current state of the VC market, the importance of traction, and the critical factors that can make or break a startup's chances of securing funding. Tune in to discover valuable advice for founders seeking investment and learn how to navigate the complexities of the venture capital landscape. Simon and Anastasija discuss the role of Venture Scouts with Ritika Mehta, highlighting how they act as connectors between founders and VCs, helping both parties understand each other's needs better. Ritika shares her insights on the current VC market, noting a significant shift towards investing in AI, healthcare, and deep tech, while also emphasising the importance of traction and proof of concept for early-stage startups. The conversation touches on the critical need for founders to focus on a single ideal customer profile (ICP) rather than spreading themselves too thin, as this focus can significantly impact their chances of securing funding and achieving product-market fit. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the challenging world of venture capital funding with special guest Ritika Mehta. As a New York-based go-to-market strategist and advisor to venture-backed startups, Ritika shares her insights on the role of Venture Scouts in bridging the gap between founders and investors. With a wealth of experience in early-stage companies, she discusses the current state of the VC market, the importance of traction, and the critical factors that can make or break a startup's chances of securing funding. Tune in to discover valuable advice for founders seeking investment and learn how to navigate the complexities of the venture capital landscape.

Simon and Anastasija discuss the role of Venture Scouts with Ritika Mehta, highlighting how they act as connectors between founders and VCs, helping both parties understand each other's needs better.


Ritika shares her insights on the current VC market, noting a significant shift towards investing in AI, healthcare, and deep tech, while also emphasising the importance of traction and proof of concept for early-stage startups.


The conversation touches on the critical need for founders to focus on a single ideal customer profile (ICP) rather than spreading themselves too thin, as this focus can significantly impact their chances of securing funding and achieving product-market fit.

Follow us on Linkedin!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/

Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.

We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.

Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.


]]> 3628 no 7 Interview Biases Costing You Customers (And How to Fix Them) In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa outline the top 7 interview biases that are stopping you and your startup from getting accurate user feedback! 86% of startups dismiss the most important feedback! Are you putting your efforts in the wrong place? Interview bias can cuase founders to validate their vision and NOT satisfy what user actually need. Simon and Anastajia outline the most dangerous biases and offer specific solutions to help you maximise your feedback! Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa outline the top 7 interview biases that are stopping you and your startup from getting accurate user feedback! 86% of startups dismiss the most important feedback! Are you putting your efforts in the wrong place? Interview bias can cuase founders to validate their vision and NOT satisfy what user actually need. Simon and Anastajia outline the most dangerous biases and offer specific solutions to help you maximise your feedback! Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa outline the top 7 interview biases that are stopping you and your startup from getting accurate user feedback!


86% of startups dismiss the most important feedback! Are you putting your efforts in the wrong place? Interview bias can cuase founders to validate their vision and NOT satisfy what user actually need. Simon and Anastajia outline the most dangerous biases and offer specific solutions to help you maximise your feedback!


Follow us on Linkedin!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/


Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.

We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.


Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

]]> 1921 no AI Hype Vs Reality In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into a recent report by HSBC that raises eyebrows about the financial sustainability of OpenAI and the broader AI industry. With claims that OpenAI may require a staggering $207 billion by 2030 just to continue operating at a loss, Simon and Anastasija explore whether AI is genuinely transformative or merely a bubble waiting to burst. They discuss the contrasting timelines for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), the current profitability of AI companies, and the implications of AI on the workforce. Join them as they cut through the hype and examine the reality of AI's impact on technology and society. Simon highlights the staggering claim from HSBC that OpenAI will need to raise at least $207 billion by 2030 just to continue operating while still losing money, prompting a discussion on the sustainability of AI companies. Anastasija reflects on the insights shared by Jolene, the former Meta AI chief, who emphasises that rather than replacing jobs, AI will enhance workforce capabilities, suggesting a more realistic timeline for AI's impact on the job market. Simon and Anastasija conclude that while AI technology is revolutionary, the short-term impact may be limited, and real companies with solid product-market fit will ultimately prevail, regardless of their use of AI. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into a recent report by HSBC that raises eyebrows about the financial sustainability of OpenAI and the broader AI industry. With claims that OpenAI may require a staggering $207 billion by 2030 just to continue operating at a loss, Simon and Anastasija explore whether AI is genuinely transformative or merely a bubble waiting to burst. They discuss the contrasting timelines for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), the current profitability of AI companies, and the implications of AI on the workforce. Join them as they cut through the hype and examine the reality of AI's impact on technology and society. Simon highlights the staggering claim from HSBC that OpenAI will need to raise at least $207 billion by 2030 just to continue operating while still losing money, prompting a discussion on the sustainability of AI companies. Anastasija reflects on the insights shared by Jolene, the former Meta AI chief, who emphasises that rather than replacing jobs, AI will enhance workforce capabilities, suggesting a more realistic timeline for AI's impact on the job market. Simon and Anastasija conclude that while AI technology is revolutionary, the short-term impact may be limited, and real companies with solid product-market fit will ultimately prevail, regardless of their use of AI. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into a recent report by HSBC that raises eyebrows about the financial sustainability of OpenAI and the broader AI industry. With claims that OpenAI may require a staggering $207 billion by 2030 just to continue operating at a loss, Simon and Anastasija explore whether AI is genuinely transformative or merely a bubble waiting to burst.

They discuss the contrasting timelines for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), the current profitability of AI companies, and the implications of AI on the workforce. Join them as they cut through the hype and examine the reality of AI's impact on technology and society.

Simon highlights the staggering claim from HSBC that OpenAI will need to raise at least $207 billion by 2030 just to continue operating while still losing money, prompting a discussion on the sustainability of AI companies.

Anastasija reflects on the insights shared by Jolene, the former Meta AI chief, who emphasises that rather than replacing jobs, AI will enhance workforce capabilities, suggesting a more realistic timeline for AI's impact on the job market.

Simon and Anastasija conclude that while AI technology is revolutionary, the short-term impact may be limited, and real companies with solid product-market fit will ultimately prevail, regardless of their use of AI.

Follow us on Linkedin!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/

Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.

We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.

Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.


]]> 1681 no How Social Biases Trick You into Shipping The Wrong Product In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the critical topic of cognitive and social biases that can significantly impact product development in the tech industry. They explore how these biases often lead founders to make decisions based on peer influence rather than genuine customer needs, highlighting cautionary tales like Quibi. The discussion covers various biases, including the bandwagon effect, authority bias, and the halo effect, and how they can distort perceptions of user feedback. Simon and Anastasija also share practical strategies to overcome these biases, ensuring that tech leaders can create products that truly resonate with their target audiences. Tune in for valuable insights that could reshape your approach to product development! Simon highlights the cautionary tale of Quibi, illustrating how the founders prioritised social proof over actual customer needs, leading to their eventual failure despite significant investment. Anastasija shares a fascinating experiment by Dr. Todd Ross, demonstrating how participants unconsciously adjusted their ratings of attractiveness based on group feedback, showcasing the power of social influence. Simon and Anastasija discuss the importance of diverse user panels, emphasising that recruiting users from different backgrounds can help uncover hidden biases and ensure that product development is informed by a broader range of perspectives. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Thu, 04 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the critical topic of cognitive and social biases that can significantly impact product development in the tech industry. They explore how these biases often lead founders to make decisions based on peer influence rather than genuine customer needs, highlighting cautionary tales like Quibi. The discussion covers various biases, including the bandwagon effect, authority bias, and the halo effect, and how they can distort perceptions of user feedback. Simon and Anastasija also share practical strategies to overcome these biases, ensuring that tech leaders can create products that truly resonate with their target audiences. Tune in for valuable insights that could reshape your approach to product development! Simon highlights the cautionary tale of Quibi, illustrating how the founders prioritised social proof over actual customer needs, leading to their eventual failure despite significant investment. Anastasija shares a fascinating experiment by Dr. Todd Ross, demonstrating how participants unconsciously adjusted their ratings of attractiveness based on group feedback, showcasing the power of social influence. Simon and Anastasija discuss the importance of diverse user panels, emphasising that recruiting users from different backgrounds can help uncover hidden biases and ensure that product development is informed by a broader range of perspectives. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the critical topic of cognitive and social biases that can significantly impact product development in the tech industry.

They explore how these biases often lead founders to make decisions based on peer influence rather than genuine customer needs, highlighting cautionary tales like Quibi.

The discussion covers various biases, including the bandwagon effect, authority bias, and the halo effect, and how they can distort perceptions of user feedback. Simon and Anastasija also share practical strategies to overcome these biases, ensuring that tech leaders can create products that truly resonate with their target audiences. Tune in for valuable insights that could reshape your approach to product development!

Simon highlights the cautionary tale of Quibi, illustrating how the founders prioritised social proof over actual customer needs, leading to their eventual failure despite significant investment.

Anastasija shares a fascinating experiment by Dr. Todd Ross, demonstrating how participants unconsciously adjusted their ratings of attractiveness based on group feedback, showcasing the power of social influence.

Simon and Anastasija discuss the importance of diverse user panels, emphasising that recruiting users from different backgrounds can help uncover hidden biases and ensure that product development is informed by a broader range of perspectives.

Follow us on Linkedin!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/

Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.

We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.

Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.


]]> 3649 no Building What You Like vs. What Customers Need: Tech Founder Bias Patterns In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the uncomfortable truth that 72% of startups fail not due to poor products, but because they fall in love with ideas that are misaligned with market needs. They explore the concept of cognitive biases, particularly how these mental shortcuts can sabotage decision-making for founders. From confirmation bias to the availability heuristic, Simon and Anastasija discuss various biases that can cloud judgement and lead to misguided strategies. They also share practical strategies to combat these biases, emphasising the importance of structured decision-making processes and seeking diverse perspectives. Tune in to discover how to outsmart your own instincts and build a more resilient startup. Simon highlights that 72% of startups fail not due to poor products, but because they fall in love with ideas that are misaligned with market needs, emphasising the importance of understanding cognitive biases in decision-making. Anastasija discusses the dangers of confirmation bias, noting that 67% of startup founders only seek information that validates their existing beliefs, which can lead to ignoring valuable contradictory data. Simon and Anastasija introduce the concept of a pre-mortem analysis as a strategy to combat cognitive biases, encouraging founders to imagine their product has failed and brainstorm potential reasons before making major decisions. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Thu, 27 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the uncomfortable truth that 72% of startups fail not due to poor products, but because they fall in love with ideas that are misaligned with market needs. They explore the concept of cognitive biases, particularly how these mental shortcuts can sabotage decision-making for founders. From confirmation bias to the availability heuristic, Simon and Anastasija discuss various biases that can cloud judgement and lead to misguided strategies. They also share practical strategies to combat these biases, emphasising the importance of structured decision-making processes and seeking diverse perspectives. Tune in to discover how to outsmart your own instincts and build a more resilient startup. Simon highlights that 72% of startups fail not due to poor products, but because they fall in love with ideas that are misaligned with market needs, emphasising the importance of understanding cognitive biases in decision-making. Anastasija discusses the dangers of confirmation bias, noting that 67% of startup founders only seek information that validates their existing beliefs, which can lead to ignoring valuable contradictory data. Simon and Anastasija introduce the concept of a pre-mortem analysis as a strategy to combat cognitive biases, encouraging founders to imagine their product has failed and brainstorm potential reasons before making major decisions. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the uncomfortable truth that 72% of startups fail not due to poor products, but because they fall in love with ideas that are misaligned with market needs. They explore the concept of cognitive biases, particularly how these mental shortcuts can sabotage decision-making for founders.

From confirmation bias to the availability heuristic, Simon and Anastasija discuss various biases that can cloud judgement and lead to misguided strategies. They also share practical strategies to combat these biases, emphasising the importance of structured decision-making processes and seeking diverse perspectives. Tune in to discover how to outsmart your own instincts and build a more resilient startup.


Simon highlights that 72% of startups fail not due to poor products, but because they fall in love with ideas that are misaligned with market needs, emphasising the importance of understanding cognitive biases in decision-making.


Anastasija discusses the dangers of confirmation bias, noting that 67% of startup founders only seek information that validates their existing beliefs, which can lead to ignoring valuable contradictory data.

Simon and Anastasija introduce the concept of a pre-mortem analysis as a strategy to combat cognitive biases, encouraging founders to imagine their product has failed and brainstorm potential reasons before making major decisions.


Follow us on Linkedin!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/


Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.


We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.


Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

]]> 2766 no Lovable & AI - The fastest way to lose your money if you don’t know what you are building In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the rapidly evolving landscape of AI coding tools, projected to grow from $6 billion in 2024 to over $25 billion by 2030. They discuss the exciting potential of platforms like Lovable and Blink, which empower non-technical founders to bring their ideas to life through natural language prompts. However, Simon and Anastasija also highlight the critical challenges that come with relying solely on AI for product development, including the high abandonment rate of apps and the importance of human context and validation. Tune in as they explore the limitations of AI tools, the significance of effective prompting, and share a six-step validation process to ensure that your builds resonate with real users. Whether you're a seasoned founder or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate the intersection of AI and product development. Simon and Anastasija discuss the transformative potential of AI coding tools like Lovable and Blink, highlighting how they empower non-technical founders to bring their ideas to life, but emphasise that success still requires a deep understanding of customer needs. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Thu, 20 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the rapidly evolving landscape of AI coding tools, projected to grow from $6 billion in 2024 to over $25 billion by 2030. They discuss the exciting potential of platforms like Lovable and Blink, which empower non-technical founders to bring their ideas to life through natural language prompts. However, Simon and Anastasija also highlight the critical challenges that come with relying solely on AI for product development, including the high abandonment rate of apps and the importance of human context and validation. Tune in as they explore the limitations of AI tools, the significance of effective prompting, and share a six-step validation process to ensure that your builds resonate with real users. Whether you're a seasoned founder or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate the intersection of AI and product development. Simon and Anastasija discuss the transformative potential of AI coding tools like Lovable and Blink, highlighting how they empower non-technical founders to bring their ideas to life, but emphasise that success still requires a deep understanding of customer needs. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the rapidly evolving landscape of AI coding tools, projected to grow from $6 billion in 2024 to over $25 billion by 2030. They discuss the exciting potential of platforms like Lovable and Blink, which empower non-technical founders to bring their ideas to life through natural language prompts.

However, Simon and Anastasija also highlight the critical challenges that come with relying solely on AI for product development, including the high abandonment rate of apps and the importance of human context and validation. Tune in as they explore the limitations of AI tools, the significance of effective prompting, and share a six-step validation process to ensure that your builds resonate with real users.

Whether you're a seasoned founder or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate the intersection of AI and product development.

Simon and Anastasija discuss the transformative potential of AI coding tools like Lovable and Blink, highlighting how they empower non-technical founders to bring their ideas to life, but emphasise that success still requires a deep understanding of customer needs.

Follow us on Linkedin!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/

Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.

We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.

Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.


]]> 3014 no Unlocking $100 Billion: Why Tech Needs to Embrace Older Users! In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into a crucial yet often overlooked market segment: older users. With an astonishing $100 billion left untapped by tech companies each year, the duo explores the immense wealth and spending power held by senior citizens. They discuss the psychological barriers that lead tech companies to neglect this demographic and share insights on how to create inclusive, age-friendly experiences without the need for massive redesigns. Through engaging anecdotes and practical advice, Simon and Anastasija highlight the importance of catering to older users, revealing how doing so can unlock significant growth opportunities for tech businesses. Tune in to discover how to make your platform more accessible and appealing to this vital audience. Anastasija highlights the significant wealth held by older generations, noting that Baby Boomers and Gen X together control about 78% of total household wealth in the US, emphasising the missed opportunity for tech companies to tap into this lucrative market. Simon shares his observations of how older users interact with technology, illustrating the challenges they face, such as understanding interactive elements and navigating interfaces, which can lead to frustration and confusion. Anastasija discusses her mother's successful use of an AI language learning app, demonstrating that when technology is designed well, it can effectively cater to older users, debunking the myth that they cannot adapt to modern tools. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into a crucial yet often overlooked market segment: older users. With an astonishing $100 billion left untapped by tech companies each year, the duo explores the immense wealth and spending power held by senior citizens. They discuss the psychological barriers that lead tech companies to neglect this demographic and share insights on how to create inclusive, age-friendly experiences without the need for massive redesigns. Through engaging anecdotes and practical advice, Simon and Anastasija highlight the importance of catering to older users, revealing how doing so can unlock significant growth opportunities for tech businesses. Tune in to discover how to make your platform more accessible and appealing to this vital audience. Anastasija highlights the significant wealth held by older generations, noting that Baby Boomers and Gen X together control about 78% of total household wealth in the US, emphasising the missed opportunity for tech companies to tap into this lucrative market. Simon shares his observations of how older users interact with technology, illustrating the challenges they face, such as understanding interactive elements and navigating interfaces, which can lead to frustration and confusion. Anastasija discusses her mother's successful use of an AI language learning app, demonstrating that when technology is designed well, it can effectively cater to older users, debunking the myth that they cannot adapt to modern tools. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into a crucial yet often overlooked market segment: older users. With an astonishing $100 billion left untapped by tech companies each year, the duo explores the immense wealth and spending power held by senior citizens.


They discuss the psychological barriers that lead tech companies to neglect this demographic and share insights on how to create inclusive, age-friendly experiences without the need for massive redesigns. Through engaging anecdotes and practical advice, Simon and Anastasija highlight the importance of catering to older users, revealing how doing so can unlock significant growth opportunities for tech businesses. Tune in to discover how to make your platform more accessible and appealing to this vital audience.


Anastasija highlights the significant wealth held by older generations, noting that Baby Boomers and Gen X together control about 78% of total household wealth in the US, emphasising the missed opportunity for tech companies to tap into this lucrative market.


Simon shares his observations of how older users interact with technology, illustrating the challenges they face, such as understanding interactive elements and navigating interfaces, which can lead to frustration and confusion.


Anastasija discusses her mother's successful use of an AI language learning app, demonstrating that when technology is designed well, it can effectively cater to older users, debunking the myth that they cannot adapt to modern tools.


Follow us on Linkedin!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/


Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.


We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.

Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

]]> 2675 no Shiny Object Syndrome: Why Tech Founders Chase Trends That Don't Pay Off In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the phenomenon of shiny object syndrome that often plagues tech founders. With over 17 years of experience in the tech space, they explore why many businesses are drawn to the allure of new ideas and trends, despite the fact that a staggering 64% of tech leaders report seeing no return on investment from cutting-edge technologies like AI. Simon and Anastasija discuss various trends, from gamification to the metaverse, and share real-life examples of when these innovations succeeded and when they fell flat. They also introduce a validation framework designed to help founders avoid costly mistakes and focus on what truly adds value to their customers and their business. Tune in for insights that could save you from the costly trap of chasing the latest tech fads without a clear purpose. Simon and Anastasija discuss the allure of gamification, highlighting its effectiveness in contexts like fitness apps but cautioning against its misuse in serious applications like loan applications, where it may not resonate with stressed users. The hosts reflect on the hype surrounding the Metaverse, noting how many companies invested heavily in it without clear user demand, ultimately leading to significant financial losses, particularly for Meta. Simon and Anastasija emphasise the importance of focusing on existing features and making incremental improvements, sharing a success story where optimising error messages led to a 154% increase in user sign-ups, demonstrating that small changes can yield substantial results. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the phenomenon of shiny object syndrome that often plagues tech founders. With over 17 years of experience in the tech space, they explore why many businesses are drawn to the allure of new ideas and trends, despite the fact that a staggering 64% of tech leaders report seeing no return on investment from cutting-edge technologies like AI. Simon and Anastasija discuss various trends, from gamification to the metaverse, and share real-life examples of when these innovations succeeded and when they fell flat. They also introduce a validation framework designed to help founders avoid costly mistakes and focus on what truly adds value to their customers and their business. Tune in for insights that could save you from the costly trap of chasing the latest tech fads without a clear purpose. Simon and Anastasija discuss the allure of gamification, highlighting its effectiveness in contexts like fitness apps but cautioning against its misuse in serious applications like loan applications, where it may not resonate with stressed users. The hosts reflect on the hype surrounding the Metaverse, noting how many companies invested heavily in it without clear user demand, ultimately leading to significant financial losses, particularly for Meta. Simon and Anastasija emphasise the importance of focusing on existing features and making incremental improvements, sharing a success story where optimising error messages led to a 154% increase in user sign-ups, demonstrating that small changes can yield substantial results. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the phenomenon of shiny object syndrome that often plagues tech founders. With over 17 years of experience in the tech space, they explore why many businesses are drawn to the allure of new ideas and trends, despite the fact that a staggering 64% of tech leaders report seeing no return on investment from cutting-edge technologies like AI.


Simon and Anastasija discuss various trends, from gamification to the metaverse, and share real-life examples of when these innovations succeeded and when they fell flat. They also introduce a validation framework designed to help founders avoid costly mistakes and focus on what truly adds value to their customers and their business. Tune in for insights that could save you from the costly trap of chasing the latest tech fads without a clear purpose.


Simon and Anastasija discuss the allure of gamification, highlighting its effectiveness in contexts like fitness apps but cautioning against its misuse in serious applications like loan applications, where it may not resonate with stressed users.


The hosts reflect on the hype surrounding the Metaverse, noting how many companies invested heavily in it without clear user demand, ultimately leading to significant financial losses, particularly for Meta.


Simon and Anastasija emphasise the importance of focusing on existing features and making incremental improvements, sharing a success story where optimising error messages led to a 154% increase in user sign-ups, demonstrating that small changes can yield substantial results.


Follow us on Linkedin!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/


Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.


We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.

]]> 3506 no How To Make Customers AWARE of Your Features - App and UX Design In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the intriguing phenomenon where only 20% of product features are actively used by customers, leaving a staggering 80% underutilised. They explore the reasons behind this discrepancy and discuss effective strategies to enhance feature awareness among users. Through engaging conversations, Simon and Anastasija share personal experiences with various applications, highlighting the importance of contextual triggers, progressive disclosure, and clear communication in feature updates. Tune in to discover actionable insights that can help you improve user engagement and maximise the value of your product features. Simon and Anastasija discuss how Starling Bank effectively communicates new features to users through concise emails and in-app notifications, ensuring that updates are relevant and easily accessible within the user journey. Anastasija shares her experience with the British Airways app, highlighting the confusion caused by outdated features like faxing boarding passes, which raises questions about the relevance of certain functionalities in modern applications. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Thu, 30 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the intriguing phenomenon where only 20% of product features are actively used by customers, leaving a staggering 80% underutilised. They explore the reasons behind this discrepancy and discuss effective strategies to enhance feature awareness among users. Through engaging conversations, Simon and Anastasija share personal experiences with various applications, highlighting the importance of contextual triggers, progressive disclosure, and clear communication in feature updates. Tune in to discover actionable insights that can help you improve user engagement and maximise the value of your product features. Simon and Anastasija discuss how Starling Bank effectively communicates new features to users through concise emails and in-app notifications, ensuring that updates are relevant and easily accessible within the user journey. Anastasija shares her experience with the British Airways app, highlighting the confusion caused by outdated features like faxing boarding passes, which raises questions about the relevance of certain functionalities in modern applications. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the intriguing phenomenon where only 20% of product features are actively used by customers, leaving a staggering 80% underutilised.


They explore the reasons behind this discrepancy and discuss effective strategies to enhance feature awareness among users. Through engaging conversations, Simon and Anastasija share personal experiences with various applications, highlighting the importance of contextual triggers, progressive disclosure, and clear communication in feature updates. Tune in to discover actionable insights that can help you improve user engagement and maximise the value of your product features.


Simon and Anastasija discuss how Starling Bank effectively communicates new features to users through concise emails and in-app notifications, ensuring that updates are relevant and easily accessible within the user journey.


Anastasija shares her experience with the British Airways app, highlighting the confusion caused by outdated features like faxing boarding passes, which raises questions about the relevance of certain functionalities in modern applications.


Follow us on Linkedin!


https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/


https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/


Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.


We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.

]]> 2678 no The REAL Reason You Are LOSING Customers! Price vs Product In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the critical issue of customer churn, exploring whether pricing or product experience plays a more significant role in driving customers away. Drawing on insights from PwC research, they discuss how businesses often misattribute churn to pricing issues, overlooking the impact of customer experience. Simon and Anastasija share compelling statistics, real-world examples, and practical strategies to help listeners identify the true causes of churn. They also provide a framework for assessing product experience versus pricing, encouraging businesses to focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences to justify their pricing. Tune in for valuable insights that could transform your approach to customer retention! Simon highlights that 86% of buyers are willing to pay more for a great customer experience, emphasising the direct link between product experience and pricing strategies. Anastasija discusses the importance of understanding customer feedback, noting that many customers use price as a socially acceptable reason to leave, masking deeper issues related to product experience. Simon and Anastasija conclude that successful companies optimise product experience to justify pricing, urging listeners to focus on behavioural analysis rather than assumptions to identify real issues affecting customer churn. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Wed, 22 Oct 2025 23:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the critical issue of customer churn, exploring whether pricing or product experience plays a more significant role in driving customers away. Drawing on insights from PwC research, they discuss how businesses often misattribute churn to pricing issues, overlooking the impact of customer experience. Simon and Anastasija share compelling statistics, real-world examples, and practical strategies to help listeners identify the true causes of churn. They also provide a framework for assessing product experience versus pricing, encouraging businesses to focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences to justify their pricing. Tune in for valuable insights that could transform your approach to customer retention! Simon highlights that 86% of buyers are willing to pay more for a great customer experience, emphasising the direct link between product experience and pricing strategies. Anastasija discusses the importance of understanding customer feedback, noting that many customers use price as a socially acceptable reason to leave, masking deeper issues related to product experience. Simon and Anastasija conclude that successful companies optimise product experience to justify pricing, urging listeners to focus on behavioural analysis rather than assumptions to identify real issues affecting customer churn. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the critical issue of customer churn, exploring whether pricing or product experience plays a more significant role in driving customers away. Drawing on insights from PwC research, they discuss how businesses often misattribute churn to pricing issues, overlooking the impact of customer experience. Simon and Anastasija share compelling statistics, real-world examples, and practical strategies to help listeners identify the true causes of churn. They also provide a framework for assessing product experience versus pricing, encouraging businesses to focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences to justify their pricing. Tune in for valuable insights that could transform your approach to customer retention!

Simon highlights that 86% of buyers are willing to pay more for a great customer experience, emphasising the direct link between product experience and pricing strategies.


Anastasija discusses the importance of understanding customer feedback, noting that many customers use price as a socially acceptable reason to leave, masking deeper issues related to product experience.


Simon and Anastasija conclude that successful companies optimise product experience to justify pricing, urging listeners to focus on behavioural analysis rather than assumptions to identify real issues affecting customer churn.

Follow us on Linkedin!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/

Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth.

We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.

Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.


]]> 2832 no Can AI FULLY replace customer feedback?! In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the intriguing world of artificial intelligence and its impact on customer insights. They explore the concept of synthetic users—AI-generated personas that mimic real users—and discuss the pros and cons of relying on them for user research. The conversation highlights the limitations of AI, particularly in understanding human context, emotions, and the nuances of user behaviour. Simon and Anastasija also outline the three biggest mistakes companies make when using AI for customer insights and advocate for a hybrid approach that combines AI analysis with genuine human interaction. Tune in to discover how to effectively leverage AI while ensuring that you remain connected to your users' real needs and experiences. Simon and Anastasija highlight the limitations of synthetic users, comparing them to mannequins that may resemble real users but lack the depth and context needed for genuine insights, emphasising the importance of real user interactions. They discuss the critical distinction between correlation and causation, urging listeners to validate AI-generated assumptions with direct customer conversations to ensure that product decisions are based on accurate understanding rather than misleading data. Anastasija and Simon advocate for a hybrid approach that combines AI's ability to process large amounts of data with human intelligence, stressing that while AI can identify patterns, it cannot grasp the emotional and contextual nuances that are essential for making informed strategic decisions. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Wed, 15 Oct 2025 23:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the intriguing world of artificial intelligence and its impact on customer insights. They explore the concept of synthetic users—AI-generated personas that mimic real users—and discuss the pros and cons of relying on them for user research. The conversation highlights the limitations of AI, particularly in understanding human context, emotions, and the nuances of user behaviour. Simon and Anastasija also outline the three biggest mistakes companies make when using AI for customer insights and advocate for a hybrid approach that combines AI analysis with genuine human interaction. Tune in to discover how to effectively leverage AI while ensuring that you remain connected to your users' real needs and experiences. Simon and Anastasija highlight the limitations of synthetic users, comparing them to mannequins that may resemble real users but lack the depth and context needed for genuine insights, emphasising the importance of real user interactions. They discuss the critical distinction between correlation and causation, urging listeners to validate AI-generated assumptions with direct customer conversations to ensure that product decisions are based on accurate understanding rather than misleading data. Anastasija and Simon advocate for a hybrid approach that combines AI's ability to process large amounts of data with human intelligence, stressing that while AI can identify patterns, it cannot grasp the emotional and contextual nuances that are essential for making informed strategic decisions. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the intriguing world of artificial intelligence and its impact on customer insights. They explore the concept of synthetic users—AI-generated personas that mimic real users—and discuss the pros and cons of relying on them for user research. The conversation highlights the limitations of AI, particularly in understanding human context, emotions, and the nuances of user behaviour. Simon and Anastasija also outline the three biggest mistakes companies make when using AI for customer insights and advocate for a hybrid approach that combines AI analysis with genuine human interaction. Tune in to discover how to effectively leverage AI while ensuring that you remain connected to your users' real needs and experiences. Simon and Anastasija highlight the limitations of synthetic users, comparing them to mannequins that may resemble real users but lack the depth and context needed for genuine insights, emphasising the importance of real user interactions. They discuss the critical distinction between correlation and causation, urging listeners to validate AI-generated assumptions with direct customer conversations to ensure that product decisions are based on accurate understanding rather than misleading data. Anastasija and Simon advocate for a hybrid approach that combines AI's ability to process large amounts of data with human intelligence, stressing that while AI can identify patterns, it cannot grasp the emotional and contextual nuances that are essential for making informed strategic decisions. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

]]> 2078 no The KEY To Feedback ANALYSIS - Why Your Feedback SUCKS In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the critical topic of user feedback strategies. With a staggering 95% of companies collecting user feedback, the duo explores why many of these strategies fail to deliver actionable insights. They discuss common pitfalls such as confirmation bias, poor feedback collection methods, and the over-reliance on quantitative metrics without the necessary qualitative context. Simon and Anastasija also share practical tips on how to overcome these challenges, emphasising the importance of asking better questions, observing user behaviour, and utilising proven analysis frameworks. Tune in to discover how to transform user feedback into a powerful tool for growth and innovation. Simon and Anastasija highlight the critical issue of confirmation bias, explaining how founders often ask leading questions that only confirm their pre-existing beliefs, which can skew the feedback they receive from users. They discuss the importance of observing user behaviour rather than solely relying on what users say, emphasising that actions often reveal more about usability than verbal feedback. Anastasija and Simon stress the necessity of combining qualitative and quantitative data to gain a comprehensive understanding of user needs, ensuring that businesses do not make decisions based on misleading metrics alone. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Wed, 08 Oct 2025 23:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the critical topic of user feedback strategies. With a staggering 95% of companies collecting user feedback, the duo explores why many of these strategies fail to deliver actionable insights. They discuss common pitfalls such as confirmation bias, poor feedback collection methods, and the over-reliance on quantitative metrics without the necessary qualitative context. Simon and Anastasija also share practical tips on how to overcome these challenges, emphasising the importance of asking better questions, observing user behaviour, and utilising proven analysis frameworks. Tune in to discover how to transform user feedback into a powerful tool for growth and innovation. Simon and Anastasija highlight the critical issue of confirmation bias, explaining how founders often ask leading questions that only confirm their pre-existing beliefs, which can skew the feedback they receive from users. They discuss the importance of observing user behaviour rather than solely relying on what users say, emphasising that actions often reveal more about usability than verbal feedback. Anastasija and Simon stress the necessity of combining qualitative and quantitative data to gain a comprehensive understanding of user needs, ensuring that businesses do not make decisions based on misleading metrics alone. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the critical topic of user feedback strategies. With a staggering 95% of companies collecting user feedback, the duo explores why many of these strategies fail to deliver actionable insights. They discuss common pitfalls such as confirmation bias, poor feedback collection methods, and the over-reliance on quantitative metrics without the necessary qualitative context. Simon and Anastasija also share practical tips on how to overcome these challenges, emphasising the importance of asking better questions, observing user behaviour, and utilising proven analysis frameworks. Tune in to discover how to transform user feedback into a powerful tool for growth and innovation. Simon and Anastasija highlight the critical issue of confirmation bias, explaining how founders often ask leading questions that only confirm their pre-existing beliefs, which can skew the feedback they receive from users. They discuss the importance of observing user behaviour rather than solely relying on what users say, emphasising that actions often reveal more about usability than verbal feedback. Anastasija and Simon stress the necessity of combining qualitative and quantitative data to gain a comprehensive understanding of user needs, ensuring that businesses do not make decisions based on misleading metrics alone. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

]]> 2366 Falling Out Over BUSINESS - How To Repair a Toxic Working Relationship In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into a critical yet often overlooked issue in the startup world: the hidden costs of a toxic co-founder. Drawing on insights from Harvard Business School, they reveal that over 65% of startups fail due to co-founder conflicts, rather than market conditions or product issues. Simon and Anastasija discuss the detrimental effects of unresolved disputes, including time drains, decision paralysis, and the impact on team morale and productivity. They also share real-life stories, such as the tumultuous history of Tinder and the rise of Bumble, highlighting the importance of mutual awareness and understanding in co-founder relationships. Tune in to discover how to navigate these challenges and foster healthier partnerships in your entrepreneurial journey. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Thu, 02 Oct 2025 10:09:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into a critical yet often overlooked issue in the startup world: the hidden costs of a toxic co-founder. Drawing on insights from Harvard Business School, they reveal that over 65% of startups fail due to co-founder conflicts, rather than market conditions or product issues. Simon and Anastasija discuss the detrimental effects of unresolved disputes, including time drains, decision paralysis, and the impact on team morale and productivity. They also share real-life stories, such as the tumultuous history of Tinder and the rise of Bumble, highlighting the importance of mutual awareness and understanding in co-founder relationships. Tune in to discover how to navigate these challenges and foster healthier partnerships in your entrepreneurial journey. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into a critical yet often overlooked issue in the startup world: the hidden costs of a toxic co-founder. Drawing on insights from Harvard Business School, they reveal that over 65% of startups fail due to co-founder conflicts, rather than market conditions or product issues. Simon and Anastasija discuss the detrimental effects of unresolved disputes, including time drains, decision paralysis, and the impact on team morale and productivity. They also share real-life stories, such as the tumultuous history of Tinder and the rise of Bumble, highlighting the importance of mutual awareness and understanding in co-founder relationships. Tune in to discover how to navigate these challenges and foster healthier partnerships in your entrepreneurial journey. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.

]]> 2649 STREAMLINE YOUR APP - Why Your SaaS Product is OVERLOADED With Features In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into a startling statistic: 80% of features in SaaS products are rarely or never used. They explore the implications of this phenomenon, discussing the common pitfalls that lead teams to overinflate their product roadmaps with unnecessary features. From relying on assumptions to building for investors rather than users, Simon and Anastasija outline the nine main reasons behind feature bloat and the consequences it can have on user experience and business performance. They also provide actionable insights on how to trim existing features, reset your roadmap, and focus on what truly matters for your users. Join them as they challenge the notion that more features equate to more value and encourage a more strategic approach to product development. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Wed, 01 Oct 2025 23:04:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into a startling statistic: 80% of features in SaaS products are rarely or never used. They explore the implications of this phenomenon, discussing the common pitfalls that lead teams to overinflate their product roadmaps with unnecessary features. From relying on assumptions to building for investors rather than users, Simon and Anastasija outline the nine main reasons behind feature bloat and the consequences it can have on user experience and business performance. They also provide actionable insights on how to trim existing features, reset your roadmap, and focus on what truly matters for your users. Join them as they challenge the notion that more features equate to more value and encourage a more strategic approach to product development. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into a startling statistic: 80% of features in SaaS products are rarely or never used. They explore the implications of this phenomenon, discussing the common pitfalls that lead teams to overinflate their product roadmaps with unnecessary features. From relying on assumptions to building for investors rather than users, Simon and Anastasija outline the nine main reasons behind feature bloat and the consequences it can have on user experience and business performance. They also provide actionable insights on how to trim existing features, reset your roadmap, and focus on what truly matters for your users. Join them as they challenge the notion that more features equate to more value and encourage a more strategic approach to product development. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission.

]]> 2365 How To Successfully PIVOT Your Business! In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the often daunting concept of pivoting in the startup world. With a staggering 92% of startups failing, the duo highlights the importance of adaptability, revealing that companies that pivot experience three times higher user growth than those that remain stagnant. They discuss the signs that indicate it's time to pivot, the psychological barriers that founders face, and share inspiring real-life success stories of businesses that have successfully navigated change. Tune in to discover how to pivot your tech business strategically, without feeling like a failure, and learn the essential steps to ensure a successful transition. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Wed, 01 Oct 2025 23:02:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the often daunting concept of pivoting in the startup world. With a staggering 92% of startups failing, the duo highlights the importance of adaptability, revealing that companies that pivot experience three times higher user growth than those that remain stagnant. They discuss the signs that indicate it's time to pivot, the psychological barriers that founders face, and share inspiring real-life success stories of businesses that have successfully navigated change. Tune in to discover how to pivot your tech business strategically, without feeling like a failure, and learn the essential steps to ensure a successful transition. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the often daunting concept of pivoting in the startup world. With a staggering 92% of startups failing, the duo highlights the importance of adaptability, revealing that companies that pivot experience three times higher user growth than those that remain stagnant. They discuss the signs that indicate it's time to pivot, the psychological barriers that founders face, and share inspiring real-life success stories of businesses that have successfully navigated change. Tune in to discover how to pivot your tech business strategically, without feeling like a failure, and learn the essential steps to ensure a successful transition. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

]]> 3029 The BEST and WORST User Feedback Methods For ANY Business In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the critical topic of user feedback methods. With a staggering 95% of companies collecting user feedback, they explore why only two-thirds of these companies effectively act on the data they gather. Drawing on their two decades of experience, Simon and Anastasija rank nine common feedback methods from worst to best, highlighting the importance of qualitative user research in achieving product market fit and improving profit margins. They also discuss the often-avoided topic of negative feedback, sharing insights on how embracing it can lead to significant improvements. Tune in as they provide a feedback checklist for success and share a captivating story about a Hollywood platform launch disaster that underscores the importance of understanding user needs. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. Wed, 01 Oct 2025 23:00:00 -0000 full Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the critical topic of user feedback methods. With a staggering 95% of companies collecting user feedback, they explore why only two-thirds of these companies effectively act on the data they gather. Drawing on their two decades of experience, Simon and Anastasija rank nine common feedback methods from worst to best, highlighting the importance of qualitative user research in achieving product market fit and improving profit margins. They also discuss the often-avoided topic of negative feedback, sharing insights on how embracing it can lead to significant improvements. Tune in as they provide a feedback checklist for success and share a captivating story about a Hollywood platform launch disaster that underscores the importance of understanding user needs. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. In this episode of the Building Great Tech podcast, hosts Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa delve into the critical topic of user feedback methods. With a staggering 95% of companies collecting user feedback, they explore why only two-thirds of these companies effectively act on the data they gather. Drawing on their two decades of experience, Simon and Anastasija rank nine common feedback methods from worst to best, highlighting the importance of qualitative user research in achieving product market fit and improving profit margins. They also discuss the often-avoided topic of negative feedback, sharing insights on how embracing it can lead to significant improvements. Tune in as they provide a feedback checklist for success and share a captivating story about a Hollywood platform launch disaster that underscores the importance of understanding user needs. Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvhook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.

]]> 4193 Building Great Tech | Trailer Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. 

 We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. 

 Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. HOST BIO Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa are a powerhouse duo combining deep expertise in customer experience, technology, and product design to guide businesses toward technological excellence.
 Simon Hook is a seasoned customer experience specialist, tech consultant, and entrepreneur with a proven track record of aligning technology with real customer & business needs. Having advised major organisations like British Gas, Shell Energy, and Barclays, as well as scaling tech startups, he excels in areas such as audience validation, securing product-market fit, and post-Series A growth strategies. His insights into conversion, retention, and user experience have transformed underperforming platforms into high-growth success stories.
 Anastasija Krysa brings over 15 years of experience as a product designer and business owner. She thrives on collaborative ideation and is inspired by creating engaging and intuitive solutions through experience design. Anastasija has a remarkable ability to drive positive change, as evidenced by her work with a founder who nearly lost $100K in funding, where her expertise played a pivotal role in turning the situation around. She is also an active member of TechWomen4Boards, supporting women globally in the tech space. Together, as co-hosts of Building Great Tech, they share insider strategies, battle-tested frameworks, and hard-won lessons to help founders build, scale, and monetise technology the right way. USEFUL LINKS https://buildinggreattech.com/ Our Linkedin Bio's: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-hook/ Thu, 11 Sep 2025 10:49:00 -0000 trailer Simon Hook & Anastasija Krysa Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. 

 We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. 

 Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose. HOST BIO Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa are a powerhouse duo combining deep expertise in customer experience, technology, and product design to guide businesses toward technological excellence.
 Simon Hook is a seasoned customer experience specialist, tech consultant, and entrepreneur with a proven track record of aligning technology with real customer & business needs. Having advised major organisations like British Gas, Shell Energy, and Barclays, as well as scaling tech startups, he excels in areas such as audience validation, securing product-market fit, and post-Series A growth strategies. His insights into conversion, retention, and user experience have transformed underperforming platforms into high-growth success stories.
 Anastasija Krysa brings over 15 years of experience as a product designer and business owner. She thrives on collaborative ideation and is inspired by creating engaging and intuitive solutions through experience design. Anastasija has a remarkable ability to drive positive change, as evidenced by her work with a founder who nearly lost $100K in funding, where her expertise played a pivotal role in turning the situation around. She is also an active member of TechWomen4Boards, supporting women globally in the tech space. Together, as co-hosts of Building Great Tech, they share insider strategies, battle-tested frameworks, and hard-won lessons to help founders build, scale, and monetise technology the right way. USEFUL LINKS https://buildinggreattech.com/ Our Linkedin Bio's: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-hook/ Building Great Tech is the podcast that helps mission-driven tech businesses become more profitable and customer-focused. Whether you're just starting out or optimising what you’ve already built, each episode helps you drive conversion, retention, and real business growth. 

 We dive into customer-focused strategies, killer product experiences, ethical tech, team dynamics, and smart roadmaps. Expect expert interviews, startup case studies, and practical advice to help make your tech profitable, scalable, and deeply aligned with your mission. 

 Build better tech. Serve more customers. Scale with purpose.


HOST BIO

Simon Hook and Anastasija Krysa are a powerhouse duo combining deep expertise in customer experience, technology, and product design to guide businesses toward technological excellence.


Simon Hook is a seasoned customer experience specialist, tech consultant, and entrepreneur with a proven track record of aligning technology with real customer & business needs. Having advised major organisations like British Gas, Shell Energy, and Barclays, as well as scaling tech startups, he excels in areas such as audience validation, securing product-market fit, and post-Series A growth strategies. His insights into conversion, retention, and user experience have transformed underperforming platforms into high-growth success stories.


Anastasija Krysa brings over 15 years of experience as a product designer and business owner. She thrives on collaborative ideation and is inspired by creating engaging and intuitive solutions through experience design. Anastasija has a remarkable ability to drive positive change, as evidenced by her work with a founder who nearly lost $100K in funding, where her expertise played a pivotal role in turning the situation around. She is also an active member of TechWomen4Boards, supporting women globally in the tech space.

Together, as co-hosts of Building Great Tech, they share insider strategies, battle-tested frameworks, and hard-won lessons to help founders build, scale, and monetise technology the right way.


USEFUL LINKS

https://buildinggreattech.com/


Our Linkedin Bio's:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasijakrysa/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-hook/


]]> 82 no