Innovation Unplugged

In this episode, Jim speaks with Jags Kandasamy, Co-Founder and CEO of Latent AI, about how enterprises are moving artificial intelligence from the cloud to the edge.Jags shares how Latent AI is helping organizations deploy and optimize AI models across edge devices - reducing infrastructure costs while enabling real-time decision-making. The conversation explores the rise of edge AI and physical AI, with real-world use cases across manufacturing, retail, utilities, and defense.They also break down the concept of the edge continuum, offering practical guidance on when to process data locally versus in the cloud, and how to manage the growing cost of data movement. From AI-powered drone inspections to mission-critical defense systems, this episode highlights how edge intelligence is transforming enterprise operations.Jags closes with advice for founders and students: focus on real-world problems, develop domain expertise, and use AI as a tool - not the starting point.Key Topics:Edge AI vs. cloud AI: when and why it mattersReal-time AI and the edge continuumReducing AI infrastructure costsEnterprise AI use cases (manufacturing, retail, utilities, defense)Advice for AI founders and students

In this episode, Jim sits down with Cameron Waite, Founder and CEO of Real Life Robotics, to explore what it really takes to make autonomy work in the real world.With over two decades of experience in robotics, Cameron shares his journey from building physical robots to recognizing a much bigger challenge: scaling and managing autonomy across complex, messy, real-world environments. What started as a robotics company evolved into something far more impactful—a software-driven orchestration platform called Passenger that sits above robots, vehicles, and IoT systems to unlock real operational and economic value.The conversation dives into:Why hardware alone isn’t enough—and where it falls short in enterprise environmentsThe critical role of orchestration, interoperability, and AI in scaling autonomous systemsReal-world deployments with municipalities and major organizations, including lessons learned from early pilots to multi-year SaaS contractsHow enterprises can move from experimentation to measurable ROI in automationWhy the future of robotics isn’t about individual machines—but about the systems that connect and manage themCameron also shares a compelling perspective on where the industry is headed: a world where robotics and automation are no longer optional, but essential for staying competitive.If you’ve ever wondered how autonomy moves from promise to production—and what it takes to operationalize it at scale—this episode is for you.

In this episode, Jim is joined by leading wireless industry analyst Chetan Sharma for a candid conversation on what really held 5G back - and what operators must get right before 6G.They unpack why 5G was never a technology challenge, but a business model and execution problem, especially in Western markets where strong consumer ARPU reduced urgency to pursue enterprise innovation. In contrast, operators in China and select global markets embraced connectivity-plus strategies built on private 5G, edge computing, AI, and industry-specific solutions.Key topics include:Why enterprise 5G adoption stalled in the WestWhat global operators can learn from China’s private 5G successWhy private networks should be as simple as Wi-FiThe importance of outcome-driven enterprise engagementAnd why missing the mark in 5G puts 6G at riskA must-listen for operators, enterprise leaders, and anyone shaping the future of connectivity beyond the “dumb pipe.”

What if deploying to the cloud were as simple as running an app on your laptop?In this inspiring episode, Jim sat down with Prakash Sundaresan, Founder of Defang, to unpack one of the most persistent challenges in modern software development: cloud complexity.With nearly 30 years of experience spanning Microsoft, AWS, and Workday, Prakash has seen the cloud from every angle - as a builder, an operator, and a customer. That unique perspective led to Defang: a developer-first, cross-cloud platform that lets teams deploy production-grade applications to AWS, GCP, and beyond using the same Docker Compose file they already use locally - with a single command.In this conversation, Prakash explains:Why cloud complexity affects startups and enterprises alikeHow Defang bridges the gap between simple platforms and hyperscaler powerWhat “develop once, deploy anywhere” really looks like in practiceHow Defang uses AI responsibly - to assist, not introduce riskWhy agentic AI applications represent the next major platform shiftAnd how Defang has grown to nearly 10,000 developers with rapid month-over-month adoptionThis episode is a must-listen for developers, founders, DevOps leaders, and anyone building the next generation of cloud and AI applications.If you’ve ever felt that infrastructure was slowing innovation instead of enabling it, this conversation will change how you think about the cloud.

For our Season 2 and 2025 finale, Innovation Unplugged welcomes Alex Smith, CEO and co-founder of Nectar Edge - a company redefining how AI workloads are processed at the edge. Jim and Alex explore why AI’s future depends on distributed compute, the inefficiencies of today’s centralized cloud model, and the massive opportunity emerging for telcos and enterprises.Alex shares Nectar’s founding story, their integrated hardware-plus-software approach, and how their immersion-cooled edge systems and novel workload orchestration platform (“the brain”) deliver sub-20ms inference, dramatic backhaul reduction, and scalable multi-tenant environments. The discussion dives into real-world use cases - from public safety to manufacturing to next-generation advertising - and why adoption has historically been so difficult.This episode is a deep dive into the infrastructure challenges of the AI era and how Nectar aims to unlock the next wave of real-time intelligence at the far edge.

AI may be everywhere, but getting it into production is still painfully hard. In this episode of Innovation Unplugged, Jim talks with Darren Kimura, CEO of AI Squared, about why enterprises struggle to turn AI investments into real results - and what it takes to change that.Darren reveals the surprising government origins of AI Squared, the real reasons most AI POCs stall, and how bringing intelligence into existing enterprise applications (instead of forcing teams to rebuild workflows) is accelerating adoption. They dig into real-world examples, enterprise deployment timelines, and why AI is on track to reshape-not just enhance-core enterprise systems like CRM, ERP, and HRIS.For leaders serious about driving ROI from AI, this conversation offers clarity in a very noisy market.

In this episode of Innovation Unplugged, Jim sat downwith telecom visionary Glenn Lurie, whose leadership helped usher in one of the most transformative moments in technology history - the launch of the first iPhone with AT&T.As a veteran of the wireless industry and now a General Partner at Stormbreaker Ventures, Glenn reflects on his remarkable journey - from negotiating with Steve Jobs and Apple’s team on a groundbreaking deal that reshaped the mobile ecosystem, to leading AT&T Mobility and pioneering the rise of Cricket Wireless and IoT connectivity.Together, Jim and Glenn unpack the pivotal moments thatchanged how we connect, communicate, and live - and explore what’s next at the intersection of wireless, software, and venture innovation. Glenn offers an insider’s view on:How the original iPhone deal came together - and how it permanently redefined the carrier and device relationship.Why the App Store was the true game-changer that unlocked today's mobile-first society.The evolution of MVNO's and new connectivity models reshaping competition and consumer choice.The role of Stormbreaker Ventures in backing the next generation of innovators driving the, "connected ecosystem." And much more...With candid reflections and forward-looking insights, Glennshares how wireless innovation has evolved from the early days of flip phones to a world of intelligent, connected everything - and what needs to happen next for the industry to keep leading the way.Whether you’re a founder, investor, or technologist, thisepisode offers a masterclass in leadership, transformation, and the future of connectivity from someone who’s helped shape it at every stage.Tune in to hear how Glenn Lurie helped move the world from the phone line to frontier tech - and where he believes the next wave of disruption will come from.

The edge is no longer a future promise - it’s becoming plug-and-play.In this episode, Jim sat down with Peter Thomson, CEO of Nedge, to explore how the company is expanding cloud computing seamlessly to the edge.Nedge’s platform optimizes cloud applications for remote and end-user computing by offloading and accelerating them at the edge - giving enterprises the speed, security, and scalability of the cloud, without the latency or complexity.Peter shares the origin story behind Nedge - from solving real-world pain points in unified communications during the pandemic to pioneering a hybrid model that blends the best of cloud and edge infrastructure. You’ll hear how Nedge’s “meshing layer” enables real-time integration between edge workloads and end-user devices, creating a native-like experience that’s changing how businesses think about distributed compute.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why traditional VDI and secure browsers fall short in today’s edge-first world.How Nedge simplifies deployments for both public and private environments.The role of the “meshing layer” in bridging cloud and edge for seamless user experiences.Real-world examples of how enterprises — including defense organizations — are deploying Nedge to enhance performance and security.

In this episode of Innovation Unplugged, we sat down with Caroline Chan, a longtime Intel executive and industry visionary shaping the future of networking, AI, and edge innovation.From her early role driving Intel’s edge and telecom strategy to her most recent leadership in advancing AI-enabled connectivity, Caroline shares how 5G has evolved beyond consumer applications to power the next wave of industrial transformation. Together, Jim and Caroline explore how global markets are approaching 5G and the road to 6G, the rise of AI at the edge, and what it means for enterprises building smarter, more connected ecosystems.This is a must-listen for anyone interested in the convergence of AI, connectivity, and edge technologies-and how these forces are reshaping industries worldwide.

In this episode, we sat down with Michael Maxey, VP of Business Development at Zededa, to explore the rapidly evolving world of edge computing. Maxey shares how Zededa is making edge infrastructure effortless, open, and secure—bringing the simplicity of the cloud to some of the most distributed, rugged, and complex environments on the planet.The conversation covers the origins of Zededa, why the edge is different from traditional IT, and how enterprises are consolidating legacy systems with modern workloads to unlock real business value. From oil rigs and shipping vessels to manufacturing plants, learn how Zededa helps customers securely deploy applications, manage AI and analytics at scale, and keep critical systems running with zero trust reliability.If you want to understand how the edge is shaping the future of data, AI, and enterprise IT, this episode is a must-listen.

Discover how Embeint is making networks smarter at the edge! In this episode of Innovation Unplugged, host Jim talks with co-founder Phil Valencia about AI-native wireless networks, ultra-low power IoT devices, and real-world deployments that are transforming industries from smart cities to industrial operations.Learn how Embeint is keeping devices connected, adaptive, and intelligent - all while reducing complexity and energy use.

In this powerful episode of Innovation Unplugged, Jim sits down with Khalid Raza, a legendary pioneer in networking and the mind behind Graphiant, to explore why traditional network models are breaking under the pressure of today’s AI-enabled, edge-driven world.With a track record that includes co-founding Viptela (acquired by Cisco) and CloudGenix, Khalid unpacks why yesterday’s MPLS and SD-WAN architectures are no longer enough. He introduces a bold new approach with Graphiant’s stateless core - a next-gen model that merges the best of MPLS, SD-WAN, and segment routing, without the complexity.Why the network must become an intelligent participant in the AI data economyHow Graphiant solves for data sovereignty, visibility, and observabilityThe evolution from static routing to cloud-native, scalable fabricsThe critical role of carrier POPs and programmable infrastructureHow enterprises can achieve real-time control from edge to LLMsWhether you’re an enterprise leader navigating digital transformation, an AI innovator building for the edge, or just curious about where networking is headed - this episode will change how you think about infrastructure in the AI era.

In this episode of Innovation Unplugged, host Jim Brisimitzis sits down with Somi Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO of Synthefy, a groundbreaking startup transforming how enterprises harness the power of time series data.As data floods every corner of industry, Synthefy is unlocking new frontiers in predictive intelligence—forecasting outcomes, detecting anomalies, and making sense of chaotic, number-heavy environments. From robotics to finance, telecom to logistics, Somi shares how Synthefy is democratizing hedge fund-level forecasting for the modern enterprise.Tune in as Jim and Somi dive into:Why time series data is the "dark matter" of enterprise decision-makingHow Synthefy merges time series, computer vision, and macroeconomic signalsReal-world applications from ports to telco networksWhy understanding trillions of datapoints is no longer just for quantsThis conversation goes beyond buzzwords—it's a masterclass in actionable AI for the real world.

In this episode, Jim sat down with Rishabh Agarwal, CEO and co-founder of Peer Robotics, to explore how the company is transforming the way humans and robots work together. Rather than replacing workers, Peer Robotics builds collaborative robots that learn directly from humans and adapt to existing workflows—making automation more accessible, scalable, and efficient for manufacturers of all sizes.Rishabh shares his personal journey from growing up in a manufacturing family to building a startup focused on solving real-world operational challenges through intuitive human-robot collaboration. Learn how Peer Robotics tackles ROI, simplifies adoption, and delivers value from day one—without forcing businesses to overhaul their infrastructure.Whether you’re leading a factory floor, innovating in logistics, or simply curious about the future of automation, this episode is packed with practical insight and visionary thinking.

In this episode of Innovation Unplugged, Jim sits down with David Aronchick, co-founder and CEO of Expanso, to discuss the future of data management at the edge. Expanso is revolutionizing how enterprises handle distributed data, enabling real-time processing and smarter decision-making without the need for massive data transfers. David shares insights from his experience with Kubernetes and Kubeflow, the challenges of distributed computing, and how Expanso’s open-source platform, Bacalhau, is redefining efficiency for data-driven businesses.Tune in to learn how Expanso is tackling the complexities of edge computing and helping enterprises scale smarter!

In this episode of Innovation Unplugged, Jim Brisimitzis sits down with Kalon Welch from FastSensor to explore the cutting-edge world of location intelligence and behavioral analytics. From retail to warehousing, FastSensor is revolutionizing how businesses understand and engage with customers in physical spaces. Learn how their real-time tracking technology helps optimize layouts, improve customer experiences, and drive smarter business decisions. Tune in to discover the power of data-driven insights.

In this episode of Innovation Unplugged, we sit down with Yoav Amitai, CEO of Elsight, to explore how the company is reshaping mission-critical connectivity for drones, robotics, and autonomous vehicles.Elsight’s Halo platform ensures seamless, secure connectivity across multiple networks, enabling uncrewed systems to maintain reliable communication in any environment. Learn how Elsight is driving the future of unmanned operations, from drone deliveries to defense applications.

In this episode of Innovation Unplugged, host Jim Brisimitzis sits down with Alon Ascher, Chief Business Officer at Blue White Robotics, to discuss the transformative power of autonomous technology in agriculture. From addressing global labor shortages to retrofitting existing farm equipment with cutting-edge robotics, Alon shares how they are revolutionizing farming operations by enhancing productivity, safety, and efficiency. Tune in to explore how this innovative approach is reshaping one of the world's most essential industries.

In this episode of Innovation Unplugged, host Jim Brisimitzis sits down with Amir Haramaty, founder and CEO of Aiola, to explore how AI-driven speech technology is transforming frontline workflows. Amir shares his journey from identifying the untapped potential of unstructured data to developing cutting-edge solutions that elevate efficiency and accessibility in challenging environments. Discover how Aiola's innovative approach to keyword spotting, natural language understanding, and customizable language models is setting new standards in speech AI. Tune in to hear how Aiola is empowering industries with practical, people-first technology.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Innovation Unplugged, where we spotlight game-changing startups driving innovation and solving real-world challenges. In this debut episode, we sit down with Somya Kapoor, CEO of The Loops, a cutting-edge platform redefining enterprise intelligence through operationalized AI. Tune in to hear how The Loops is making a tangible impact on industries and communities while leading the charge in operational AI. Don’t miss this insightful conversation packed with strategies, lessons, and inspiration for enterprise leaders and tech enthusiasts alike.