Innovation Odyssey

Welcome to the new episode of Innovation Odyssey, with Helen Burke, Founder and CEO of TeamBaseIreland, a company transforming the insurance industry through smart, human-focused technology. With over a decade of experience working in the Middle East and a background in tech, Helen shares how she’s on a mission to make insurance brokers’ lives easier by eliminating the administrative burden through automation and intuitive tools.Key Takeaways:How TeamBase Ireland simplifies complex insurance workflows, empowering brokers and agents to focus on what matters most - advising clients.Helen’s journey from teaching in Qatar to building a tech-enabled insurance solution rooted in global experience and deep empathy for operational pain points.The role of AI in the future of insurance, and how localized configuration with emphasis on regulatory compliance and thoughtful design are key to successful InsurTech adoption across regions.Tune in to hear how Helen Burke is challenging the status quo in insurance—and why “making boring things simple” can be the most impactful innovation of all.

Welcome to another chapter of Innovation Odyssey, where Renu explores Andrew Bate’s insights in his insurance journey. Andrew is the CEO and Co-founder of Safely, a company that’s redefining trust in the short-term rental market through data, technology and insurance.With a background spanning McKinsey, London Business School, and years of entrepreneurial experience, Andrew shares how he built Safely to help homeowners rent with peace of mind—by combining guest screening, data insights, and insurance in one smart platform.Key Takeaways:How Safely protects short-term rental properties by combining identity verification, risk data, and tailored insurance products.Andrew’s journey from launching a marketplace called “Trusted Guests” to founding an MGA and navigating the complexities of InsurTech.The evolving impact of AI on underwriting, claims, and customer service—and why trust and proactivity remain central to Safely’s growth.Tune in to hear how Andrew and his team are making insurance smarter, more data-driven, and accessible for short-term rental owners around the world.

Buckle up for another insightful ride on Innovation Odyssey, where Renu interviews Kenny Estes, Chief Geek at 42Geeks, Founder & CEO of Diffuse Inc., and a self-described “serial boutique fund manager.” Kenny shares his eclectic journey—from high-frequency trading to founding multiple venture and hedge funds- to now curating global trips that bring ambitious tech leaders together to spark serendipitous collaboration. Key Takeaways: How 42Geeks organizes immersive international trips to foster trust, cross-border business, and spontaneous innovation among VCs and founders. Kenny’s insights on geopolitical shifts, defense tech, and how emerging ecosystems outside Silicon Valley hold massive untapped potential. A candid look at innovation in the age of AI, robotics, and community living—and what this could mean for the future of work and entrepreneurship. Tune in to discover how Kenny Estes connects global dots—from capital to community—and challenges what it means to innovate across industries and borders. 

In this episode of Innovation Odyssey, Renu  talks to  Thomas Krapf, co-founder and CEO of Riskwolf, a technology company revolutionizing parametric insurance. With 25 years of experience in the insurance and reinsurance industry, Thomas shares his journey of building a platform that enables insurers to design, scale, and operate parametric insurance solutions worldwide. He also discusses his global expansion efforts, particularly in India, and the role of AI in the future of insurance.  Key Takeaways:  How Riskwolf is bridging the gap between traditional and parametric insurance, enabling faster and more reliable payouts for clients.  The challenges and opportunities of expanding an insurance tech company into global markets, including the key differences between Switzerland and India insurance ecosystem.  The evolving role of AI in insurance, from improving claims processing to enhancing underwriting efficiency while maintaining trust in the system.  Tune in to discover how Thomas and Riskwolf are reshaping the future of insurance through truly data-driven parametric insurance 

In this episode of Innovation Odyssey Renu interviews Emporia Meng, co-founder of EMPI DREAM, and Founding Partner of Sense of Agency, two ventures transforming how people engage with their subconscious and brands, respectively. Emporia shares her journey from growing up in Malaysia and China to co-creating EMPI DREAM, a platform that uses AI to help users understand and harness their dreams, and founding Sense of Agency, a marketing firm specializing in data-driven strategies for tech startups and hospitality brands.  Key Takeaways:   • How EMPI DREAM empowers users to record, analyze, and gain insights into their dreams, with features like AI dream interpretation and a lucid dreaming course.   • Emporia’s transition from marketing to technology, combining creativity with data to build solutions that resonate with users.   • Insights on cultural preservation and Eastern philosophy, and how Emporia integrates these values into her entrepreneurial endeavors.  Tune in to discover how Emporia is revolutionizing dream exploration and redefining marketing strategies with innovation and purpose. 

In this episode of Innovation Odyssey, host Renu has a conversation with Nick McEvily, serial founder and fractional product leader, as he shares his journey from New York to Mexico City, navigating diverse business landscapes. Nick dives into his expertise in human-centric design and his approach to quickly testing new product ideas across markets. He also reflects on the stark cultural differences between building businesses in the U.S. and Mexico.  Key Takeaways:  How human-centric design has evolved, with increasing standards making every detail in product development more impactful.  Nick’s personal experience with company pivots and his approach to testing ideas efficiently to identify product-market fit before scaling, minimizing risks and maximizing potential.  His view on AI and what that means for the future of business, and his outlook for LatAm 

In this special winter episode of Innovation Odyssey, Renu talks to Panya Chheng, the innovative founder and CEO of Starra, an AI-powered astrology-based matchmaking app. Panya shares his journey from building health tech solutions with Medyear to creating Starra, which uniquely combines astrology with technology to foster meaningful and fulfilling relationships. He also opens up about his passion for acting and innovation, emphasizing his entrepreneurial drive to bring unique ideas to life.  Key Takeaways:  How Starra uses AI and astrology to predict relationship compatibility and guide users toward their ideal partners.  Panya’s transition from Medyear, a health records startup, to Starra, driven by his passion for astrology and creating human connections.  Insights into the growing astrology market, the future of matchmaking, and the shift from traditional dating apps to curated, personalized experiences.  Tune in to discover how Panya is redefining love and relationships with Starra and inspiring innovation through his entrepreneurial journey. 

In this episode of Innovation Odyssey, host Renu interviews Michael Magdongon, a serial entrepreneur who shares insights also on his newest startup Crosstide, which helps startups jumpstart their business by connecting them to grants and loans from Malta. He also talks about his earlier venture Strabo, a FinTech platform designed to help expats and global citizens manage their finances seamlessly across borders.   Key Takeaways:  The unique opportunities and challenges of expanding into European markets, and why Malta stands out for foreign tech startups.  Michael’s philosophy on building and scaling startups, balancing solopreneurship with entrepreneurship, and leveraging AI to streamline operations.  How Michael’s experience as an expat inspired the creation of Strabo Financial, addressing the challenges of managing global financial accounts  Join the episode to discover how Michael’s multi-dimensional personal journey transformed into several businesses. 

Join us for November episode of  Innovation Odyssey podcast, where  Renu interviews Nick Jain, CEO of IdeaScale, the world’s largest innovation management software platform. Nick shares his unique journey from growing up across India, Canada, and the U.S. to leading a company that empowers organizations like NASA, the U.S. Coast Guard, and Fortune 500 companies to harness the power of collective innovation.  Key Takeaways:  How IdeaScale democratizes innovation by collecting and scaling ideas from all levels of an organization, from CEOs to frontline employees.  Nick’s insights on building a company that emphasizes user simplicity, robust customer support, and tailored solutions for diverse industries.  His vision for the future of innovation, including global expansion and integrating AI into idea generation while maintaining a human-centric approach.  Tune in to discover how Nick Jain and IdeaScale are transforming the way organizations innovate and adapt to change. 

Welcome to the new episode of Innovation Odyssey, where Renu interviews Shanya Tsai, founder and Chief Style Officer of HangRr App, an AI-powered personal wardrobe styling community. Shanya shares her journey from Taiwan to New York City and explains how HangRr App uses an AI stylist named Rayna to offer personalized fashion advice. Driven by her experiences as an immigrant navigating new fashion norms, Shanya created HangRr App to make wardrobe styling accessible and adaptable to users’ unique preferences and lifestyles.  Key Takeaways:  How HangRr App leverages AI to provide affordable, on-demand fashion advice tailored to body type, style, and daily activities.  Shanya’s journey from digital marketing to fashion tech, highlighting the challenges and rewards of bootstrapping a startup.  Her vision for HangRr App as a lifestyle tool that goes beyond fashion, connecting users with like-minded communities and curated recommendations.  Tune in to discover how Shanya is redefining fashion through AI, making personal style more accessible for all, leveraging the power of community 

Welcome to the new episode of Innovation Odyssey, where Renu Ann Joseph interviews Jessica Droujko, founder and CEO of Riverkin, a Swiss company focused on building a global water monitoring network to track freshwater quality. Jessica shares her inspiring journey, from studying mechanical engineering to becoming a passionate advocate for water sustainability. Now based in Switzerland, she leverages her expertise to develop innovative solutions for monitoring freshwater ecosystems, the first of its kind.  Key Takeaways:  The importance of preserving and monitoring freshwater systems, and how Riverkin is creating a global water quality network.  Her professional and personal journey and the happenstance that took her to Switzerland  Insights into the future of water management and its significance for industries like F & B and hydropower.  Tune in to discover how Jessica and Riverkin are transforming how we think about and manage freshwater resources. 

Welcome to the next September episode of Innovation Odyssey, with Malgorzata Stys and Roberto Sicconi, Co-Founders and CEO ant CTO of dreyev, respectively. Dreyev is a company dedicated to improving road safety using AI-driven technology. Maggie and Roberto share their experiences building dreyev, which provides real-time driving feedback and helps prevent accidents by analyzing road scenes and driver behavior and improve driving safety in countries with challenging traffic conditions.  Key Takeaways:  The evolution and the impact of AI in improving real-time driver safety, helping prevent accidents and improving road behavior.  How dreyev supports gig economy drivers, fleets, and insurers by providing risk mitigation and loss reduction.  Insights into Maggie and Roberto’s global life journeys, their experience at IBM and how their diverse backgrounds shaped dreyev’s innovative mission.  Tune in to discover how dreyev is transforming the driving experience to make it safer! 

In this September episode of Innovation Odyssey, Renu interviews Victor Santoro, founder and CEO of Profit Leap, a company focused on helping small businesses achieve growth through data-driven strategies. Victor shares his unique journey from being a medical doctor in Brazil to becoming a serial entrepreneur in the United States, where he now advises companies on how to optimize their processes and improve their financial performance.  Key Takeaways:  The importance and opportunities of leveraging data to drive business growth and make informed decisions, especially for small businesses  How Profit Leap’s success dashboard helps small businesses track key metrics and improve their performance.  Victor’s insights on transitioning from a medical career to entrepreneurship and building a thriving business in the U.S.  Tune in to discover how Victor and Profit Leap are empowering small businesses with data and strategy for faster success. 

Welcome to our new episode with Meetash “Max” Narayan, a venture capitalist and seasoned entrepreneur who has built and advised startups across industries like AI, blockchain, and enterprise tech. Max shares his journey, from launching his first startup as a solo founder at 23 years, to becoming a Venture Capitalist and a mentor in Singapore's 100 Club, where he now supports budding entrepreneurs by guiding them through the challenges of startup life.  Key Takeaways:  The importance of focusing on customers and product excellence before seeking investors.  Max’s advice on the benefits of finding a co-founder for enhanced startup success.  Inter-generational differences in attitudes towards technology and innovation.  Tune in to discover Max’s inspiring entrepreneurial journey and how he’s shaping the future of startups by sharing his wisdom with the next generation of founders. 

In this episode of Innovation Odyssey, Renu has an energetic chat with Mario Paladini, founder and CEO of Club GLOBALS, a platform that empowers global tech entrepreneurs through experiences. Mario shares his journey from his early entrepreneurial experiences from Argentina to US, Berlin and now in Barcelona to building a successful global network aimed at connecting and accelerating the growth of tech startups.  Key Takeaways:  The significance of creating a supportive network for entrepreneurs.  How Club GLOBALS leverages matchmaking and events to foster startup growth.  Mario’s insights on building and leading a tech community across different countries and cultures.  Tune in to discover how Mario and Club GLOBALS are connecting entrepreneurs worldwide and shaping the future of tech innovation. 

In this episode of Innovation Odyssey, Renu meets Olga Burdukovskaya, Co-Founder & CRO of Perforator Inc. , a platform designed for website load testing. Perforator helps businesses of all sizes identify and solve performance issues on their websites before they impact real users. With a strong background in mathematics and economics, Olga brings a unique perspective to optimizing website performance and user experience.  Key Takeaways:  The importance of creating affordable and efficient load testing solutions for businesses.  How Perforator democratizes load testing by harnessing data to reduce time, cost, and the need for high-level expertise.  How her interest in poker triggered her entrepreneurial career from a young age  

Listen in with Renu as she talks with Jacqueline Legrand, CEO and co-founder of MAPTYCS , a data analytics company which revolutionizes property risk assessment for insurers. They use geospatial analytics to provide clients with detailed insights into property risk exposure.  Jacqueline shares her personal and professional experiences, highlighting the importance of innovation, networking, and the use of data in insurance.   Key take aways are:  International connections and how they can make a difference in founding and expanding your company  How MAPTYCS integrates various streams of data to manage property risk exposure in the insurance industry  Her choice of choosing revenue vs. capital in growing MAPTYCS till now 

In this episode of Innovation Odyssey, host Renu interviews Mateusz, co-founder and CEO of ShareP, a company revolutionizing urban parking solutions with smart technology. Mateusz shares his entrepreneurial journey from overcoming early challenges to leading a tech-driven futuristic company aimed at solving city parking problems.  Key Takeaways:  The importance of persisting through setbacks to achieve success.  How ShareP uses smart technology to optimize urban parking and improve mobility.  Insights on building and leading a tech company, having spend time in multiple countries   Tune in to discover how Mateusz and ShareP are transforming urban mobility and the future of city living. 

In this episode, Alexandra Vidyuk shares her journey from banking to becoming a key player in the space tech industry. She provides insights into her role as CEO of Beyond Earth Technologies, her work with Deep Tech VC Aloniq, and the creation of her influential blog, Space Ambition.  Key Takeaways:  How Alexandra moved from banking to space tech to pursue greater impact and align her career with her passions and goals.  The rise of her blog into a major resource for the space tech community through effective communication and networking.  Her strategies for supporting early-stage space tech startups and fostering innovation in the industry. 

In this episode of Innovation Odyssey, host Renu speaks with Natasha Alekseeva, the founder and CEO of Friendly, a company leveraging machine learning to automate complex processes in the insurance industry, specifically underwriting and claims adjudication. Natasha shares her journey from Moscow to significant roles in U.S. tech giants and her shift to entrepreneurship.  Key takeaways include:  How Friendly applies AI to streamline and secure insurance data handling.  The challenges and breakthroughs of introducing automation in a traditionally slow-to-adapt industry.  The strategic advantage of targeting regulated industries and ensuring compliance in AI deployments. 

Welcome to the new episode of Innovation Odyssey with Rohit Jha, CEO & Co-founder of Transcelestial, which pioneers the technique of using lasers, instead of fibre for global and inter-planetary internet connectivity. In this episode, Rohit discusses the challenges of traditional internet distribution and the potential of laser technology to revolutionize communication infrastructure on Earth and beyond.   Some of the key insights are:  The importance of lasers in overcoming the limitations of fiber optics, particularly in under-connected regions.   Insights into laser technology's logistical and economic advantages over traditional internet infrastructure.   The future role of laser communications in supporting human activities in space.    

Welcome to the third episode of Innovation Odyssey, featuring Heinrich Terborg, an entrepreneur with a physics background. Heinrich has applied his expertise to building up Solar180, a solar panel company, and Marein, Inc that provides SaaS solutions for renewal energy projects    In the episode, Heinrich & Renu touched on several topics some of them being  Transitioning from academia to multiple entrepreneurial ventures, even while studying  Challenges and successes in the renewable energy sector.  Integration of technology into traditional industries for innovation.   

Innovation Odyssey’s second April halt was with the incredibly versatile Brian Lee, co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Roamli and Co-Founder Gildre.  A key thread in all his ventures has been that of building, nurturing & accelerating communities and ecosystems, using tech.  In this fascinating episode, Brian & Renu discuss the following  Brian's professional experiences from consumer goods to escape rooms to travel tech  The power of one connection to change one´s professional trajectory  The evolving landscape of travel tech and professional networking platforms  Challenges in and strategies to being a sustainable entrepreneur 

Innovation Odyssey had a great chat with Dominik Andrzejcuk, CEO of The Quantum Data Center Corporation. As the next cutting-edge technology getting ready for commercial adoption, quantum computing is often hard to understand, belying its immense possibilities.  In this episode, Dominik talks to Renu on the following topics  How his company lowers the barrier to entry to solve optimization problems in operations research, logistics and supply chain using quantum computing  How his background as a physicist and a VC drew him to starting QDC  Why & how he moved to Poland and his outlook for this European technical powerhouse  His hope & vision for Quantum computing 

In our second episode with Dennis Lee, CEO of Market Stadium, a platform offering location analytics to real estate investors, we talk about Dennis' background in urban planning research and how that lead to launching Market Stadium.  Dennis & Renu discussed a variety of topics including  Market Stadium's role in enhancing real estate investment decisions through data and AI analytics, especially in the context of evolving dynamics of the workplace post-COVID.  The challenges and successes faced in establishing Market Stadium, including raising funds and differentiating it from competitors like Zillow.  Cultural differences between South Korea and US and what that means for innovation. 

In this episode, Sri shares her personal journey from India to Australia to US, and experiences working in the banking industry to creating a groundbreaking AI solution for insurance claims.   Sri & Renu talked about topics such as  Sri´s fascination and expertise with data and how that has informed the creation of Charlee.ai    The creation and evolution of Charlee.ai in transforming insurance claims processing  Insights into being a female entrepreneur and balancing multiple roles in the process 

In this pilot episode you will get  acquainted with Innovation Odyssey Podcast and its main themes, purpose and topics.