In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with Kirk Marple, the visionary CEO and founder of Graphlit. Kirk shares his impressive journey from key roles at Microsoft, General Motors, and STATS to the founding of Graphlit, a company revolutionizing the way unstructured data is handled. Graphlit's serverless, cloud-native platform automates data ingestion, knowledge extraction, and LLM conversations, bringing unprecedented efficiency to data processing and retrieval.

Kirk delves into the technology behind Graphlit, explaining how the platform's innovative use of metadata indexing and AI-powered analysis transforms various data formats into actionable insights. He also discusses the integration of knowledge graphs with large language models (LLMs) and their practical applications, such as enhancing data processing and retrieval through a web of interconnected information.

Looking ahead, Kirk envisions Graphlit as an essential middleware layer that simplifies the handling of unstructured data for developers, allowing them to create powerful applications with ease. Tune in to discover how Graphlit is setting new standards in data management and what the future holds for this groundbreaking company.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas interviews Jim Scapa, the founder, chairman, and CEO of Altair. With nearly 40 years of experience in business growth, innovation, and cultural stewardship, Jim shares his journey from founding Altair in 1985 to leading it as a global leader in computational intelligence. He discusses the early challenges of starting the company with limited resources and how they overcame these obstacles through innovation and agility.

Jim delves into the key leadership principles that have guided Altair’s growth to serve over 16,000 customers with 3,000 employees across 81 offices in 29 countries. He emphasizes the importance of building a strong culture of innovation and mutual respect, which has been instrumental in sustaining the company’s success.

The conversation explores how Altair has adapted its technologies and services to stay ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving fields of computational science and AI. Jim highlights their strategic investments in electronics, high-performance computing, and data science, which have expanded their reach across various industries including automotive, aerospace, finance, and life sciences.

Jim also shares insights into emerging trends in computational science and AI that excite him the most, such as the move towards 3D integrated circuit design and the development of analytical graph database technology. He explains how Altair is preparing to address these trends and continue its legacy of innovation.

Join us to hear Jim Scapa’s inspiring story and learn how Altair is poised to drive the next wave of technological advancements in computational intelligence.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes David Phillips, the accomplished CEO of Elf Labs. David shares his remarkable journey from co-founding Journey, a hospitality tech company, to leading Elf Labs, a company that reimagines iconic character IP through next-generation storytelling. He discusses the motivation behind his transition, emphasizing his desire to combine innovative technology with classic and beloved characters to create high-value IP franchises.

David explains how Elf Labs leverages advancements in immersive entertainment and gaming technology to develop unique and engaging experiences for modern audiences. He highlights the significance of creating immersive, high-fidelity worlds that are easily accessible, drawing comparisons to popular platforms like Roblox and PlayStation.

The conversation also delves into Elf Labs' ambitious projects, including "Once Upon a Zombie" and "Robo Stars," which explore profound themes through reimagined characters like Cinderella and Huckleberry Finn. David's passion for innovation and his vision for Elf Labs' future are evident as he outlines his goals for the next 5 to 10 years, aiming to pioneer the next generation of entertainment and establish Elf Labs as a leading company in the industry.

Join us to hear David Phillips' inspiring story and learn how Elf Labs is set to revolutionize the world of entertainment with technology and creativity.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas interviews Chandra Duggirala, the CEO and co-founder of Portal. Chandra, a medical doctor turned entrepreneur, discusses his transition from the medical field to technology and finance. He shares insights into his journey, from starting a medical device company to founding an AI-based personalized nutrition company, and now leading Portal, a company focused on providing the safest and easiest path to Bitcoin from any other chain or layer 2.

Chandra elaborates on the motivation behind rebranding Portal from DeFi to Bitcoin, emphasizing the long-term value and stability of building on the Bitcoin platform. He introduces Portal’s innovative BitScaler technology, which addresses the challenges of custody in decentralized finance and enables secure cross-chain transactions without the need for changes to the core Bitcoin protocol.

The conversation also touches on Portal’s partnership with Anduro, enhancing cross-chain trading and Bitcoin utility. Chandra’s passion for free markets, financial self-sovereignty, and leveraging cutting-edge technology to deliver value is evident throughout the discussion. Join us to learn how Chandra Duggirala is revolutionizing the blockchain and crypto space, making it more secure and trustworthy for users worldwide.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas interviews Raul Wald, the visionary founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Estu, a groundbreaking student life fintech company. At just 20 years old, Raul has created an innovative platform that integrates finances, academic responsibilities, and social events into one seamless app.

Raul shares his unique journey as an international student from Brazil, the inspiration behind Estu, and the challenges he has faced as a young entrepreneur. He discusses the platform's innovative features, such as peer-to-peer tuition payments, international and domestic wires, and integrated social networking, which set it apart from other student-focused apps. Raul also outlines his long-term vision for Estu, aiming to expand its offerings to include services like insurance, real estate, and career support for students worldwide.

The conversation delves into how Estu leverages new technologies to enhance its services, ensuring that the platform meets the evolving needs of students. Raul's passion for creating a sustainable and positive impact on the student community shines through as he explains his commitment to helping students balance their academic and social lives.

Join us to learn how Raul Wald is revolutionizing student life through fintech and hear his insights on the future of education technology.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Brandon Leibowitz, founder and operator of SEO Optimizers, to discuss his journey in digital marketing and the evolution of SEO. Brandon shares how he started in the field in 2007, managing the marketing for an e-commerce website with little initial knowledge, and how he built SEO Optimizers into a successful company.

He delves into specific strategies used to help small and medium-sized businesses increase online traffic, sales, and leads, emphasizing the importance of keyword research and backlinks. Brandon also highlights significant changes in SEO over the years, including the impact of mobile technology and AI, and offers insights into the future of digital marketing. Tune in to learn from Brandon's expertise and discover how SEO Optimizers is preparing to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of SEO and digital marketing.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes John Son, the global marketing manager at DeepBrain AI, to discuss the transformative power of AI in various industries. John delves into the groundbreaking advancements at DeepBrain AI, including the development of Instant Custom Avatar and Dream Avatar, which are reshaping how humans interact with AI.

He highlights the significant impact of these technologies on modern banking practices, sharing success stories from partnerships with Korea's top banks, including KB Bank's integration of AI avatars to enhance customer service and operational efficiency. John also explores the future of AI in banking and its potential to deliver personalized experiences, as well as its applications in the education sector, where AI is enhancing learning and engagement. Tune in to discover how DeepBrain AI is leading the charge in AI-driven transformation across multiple domains.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas sits down with David Lichter, founder and owner of Lock Horns, to explore his journey of transforming a personal crisis into an entrepreneurial success. David shares how a thwarted wheel theft in 2009 inspired him to create a superior wheel lock system, leading to the establishment of Lock Horns. With two decades of experience in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries, David applies his scientific expertise to innovate and drive progress in automotive security.

He details the unique double lock technology of Lock Horns, emphasizing its deterrent capabilities and the personalized protection it offers. David also discusses the company's future plans, including the development of additional sizes and potential applications for their patented technology. Tune in to hear how Lock Horns aims to stay ahead of thieves and continuously improve vehicle security for millions of car owners.