From the USSR to the Top of Health Tech: Natural Cycles’ Kirill Groshkov on AI, Hiring, and Leadership

In this episode, Lee Haynes sits down with Kirill Groshkov, CTO of Natural Cycles—the first FDA-cleared birth control app—to explore his journey from coding in the USSR to leading innovation in women’s health tech. Kirill dives into the role of AI in product development and code reviews, the art of hiring for niche tech roles, and why soft skills matter as much as technical ones. He shares insights on data privacy in health apps, building collaborative teams, and making bold long-term tech decisions. Plus, learn what’s next for Natural Cycles as they expand products and integrate AI. A must-listen for developers, tech leaders, and health tech enthusiasts.Chapters(00:00) Introduction to Kirill Groshkov and Natural Cycles(02:58) Kirill’s Early Journey in Tech(05:47) Transitioning to Professional Software Development(09:03) First Experiences with International Clients(12:08) Understanding Natural Cycles’ Unique Approach(15:10) The Role of a CTO in a Growing Company(17:59) Building and Leading Engineering Teams(20:52) Hiring Practices and Company Culture(24:07) The Future of Development in the Age of AI(27:28) Navigating AI Challenges in Code Review(28:56) Hiring in a Niche Industry(30:57) Understanding Job Titles and Market Needs(31:46) Fostering Team Collaboration and Purpose(35:11) Data Privacy in Health Apps(39:00) The Rewards of Long-Term Technical Bets(41:21) Future Plans and Product Expansion(44:06) AI’s Role in Business Evolution(47:11) Advice for Aspiring Developers and Tech Leaders