Born In Silicon Valley

Born In Silicon Valley is a podcast that features founders’ stories. Each episode highlights the journey of success, pivots, and what entrepreneurs have learned when building from the ground up. Host Jake Aaron Villarreal interviews founders, discussing their struggles, triumphs, and their progress along the way. Listeners will gain insight into leadership and the operations of a startup. This podcast is supported by Match Relevant, a company that helps startups find top talent to grow their businesses.

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Episodes

Thursday May 08, 2025

Hey there, listeners! Welcome back to the show! Today, we’ve got an incredible episode lined up for you. Host Jake Aaron Villarreal sits down with Gennady Pihimenko, the co-founder and CEO of CentML, for a deep dive into the wild world of AI and machine learning. Gennady takes us on his fascinating journey—from a math and programming whiz in Russia to a trailblazer in the AI industry. He breaks down the evolution of AI, spills the tea on why optimizing machine learning workloads is a game-changer, and gets real about the balancing act of being a professor and a startup CEO.Gennady doesn’t hold back, sharing sharp insights on the hidden costs of AI—think training and inference—and who CentML’s solutions are built for.
He’s all about solving real-world problems and unlocking transformative impact through smarter, more efficient compute solutions. Plus, he dishes on the challenges and opportunities in the AI industry, from the skyrocketing demand for computational power to the art of building a killer team and nailing hiring strategies in a startup. Gennady also gives us a sneak peek into CentML’s future, teasing their growth plans and how customer feedback is shaping their roadmap.Buckle up for a conversation packed with big ideas, practical wisdom, and a front-row seat to the future of AI. Let’s dive in!
Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com  

Tuesday May 06, 2025

In this episode, we sit down with Dorna Moini, founder and CEO of Gavel, who shares her journey from litigator to launching a legal tech startup that uses AI to streamline legal processes. Dorna opens up about her journey and how Gavel’s platform works, and the legal fields—like litigation and family law—that benefit from their suite of tools. She highlights the value of efficiency and revenue growth for lawyers while making legal services more accessible.
Dorna also gets into the importance of building a strong team, the impact of AI on the legal industry, and her growth as a leader. She reflects on the surprises she’s encountered and teases exciting updates for Gavel’s automation tools. If you’re curious about legal innovation or startup stories, this episode offers a thoughtful look at Dorna’s mission to empower attorneys and shape the future of law. Check it out!
Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you a are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

Thursday May 01, 2025

Podcast Episode Summary: Dylan Fox on Building Assembly AI & Navigating the AI Frontier
In this episode, I sit down with Dylan Fox, founder of Assembly AI, to unpack the incredible journey of creating a leading speech AI company. We dive into the entrepreneurial hustle, from finding product-market fit to tackling the challenges of a crowded AI landscape. Dylan shares how Assembly AI’s cutting-edge technology is powering real-world applications, the rise of AI agents, and why a customer-first approach is key. Plus, we get into the nitty-gritty of building a remote team, ensuring security and privacy, and what it takes to stay ahead in voice tech. Tune in for a deep dive into innovation, leadership, and the future of AI!
Listen now for insights on startups, tech, and the AI revolution!
Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you a are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

Tuesday Apr 29, 2025

In this episode, Guillaume Luccisano, founder of Yuma AI, shares his journey of building his third startup. Yuma AI is revolutionizing customer service automation for ecommerce businesses, specifically large Shopify merchants, by leveraging cutting-edge AI technology.
Before launching Yuma, Guillaume was an early member of Twitch (formerly Justin.tv) and went on to co-found Socialcam, which was later acquired by Autodesk. From 2015 to 2021, he was the co-founder and CTO of Triplebyte, a company that also went through Y Combinator. With a deep background in startups and a keen eye for innovation, Guillaume has invested in over 70 startups, continuously seeking the next big idea.
Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you a are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

Tuesday Apr 22, 2025

Today we talk with Leo Patching, executive and entrepreneur with experience in building fast-growing businesses across various industries. Former senior leader in private companies and PLCs, founder of multiple businesses, and active investor, non-exec director, and board advisor, focused on strategy, performance, and growth.
Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you a are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

Tuesday Apr 15, 2025

Angie Westbrock, CEO of Standard AI, shares her journey from a non-traditional background in chemical engineering to leading a billion-dollar startup focused on retail analytics. The discussion covers the evolution of Standard AI, the technology behind their solutions, and the insights they provide to retailers. 
Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com  

Wednesday Apr 09, 2025

In this episode, Jason Smith, cofounder of https://klue.com and investor of multiple startups, discusses his journey and how he's revolutionizing competitive intelligence with Klue.
Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com

Friday Mar 28, 2025

In this episode, we sit down with Kavitta Ghai, founder of Nectir, as she shares her inspiring journey from struggling with learning disabilities to revolutionizing education through AI. 
Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great story to tell, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com 

Monday Feb 24, 2025

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of data decentralization with Zhamak Dehghani, founder of Data Mesh and CEO of Next Data. Zhamak, a pioneer in the field, shares her vast experience and insights into how data mesh is reshaping the way organizations manage and leverage their data.
Zhamak explains the key concepts behind data mesh and its importance in solving data scalability challenges. With her expertise in designing data-driven solutions, she walks us through real-world use cases and the core principles that make data mesh a game-changer for modern businesses.
Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com  

AI is Saving Pets' Live

Thursday Feb 20, 2025

Thursday Feb 20, 2025

In this episode, Christina Lopes, Founder and CEO of FidoCure and the One Health Company, shares insights into how FidoCure is transforming cancer care for both dogs and humans. By leveraging precision medicine, FidoCure's innovative approach uses genetic similarities between human and canine cancers to offer targeted therapies that extend dogs' lives by up to 3x. Christina discusses the groundbreaking work FidoCure is doing in canine oncology and the power of precision treatments in the fight against cancer.
Host: Jake Aaron Villarreal, leads the top AI Recruitment Firm in Silicon Valley www.matchrelevant.com, uncovering stories of funded startups and goes behinds to scenes to tell their founders journey.  If you are growing AI Startup or have a great storytelling, email us at: jake.villarreal@matchrelevant.com  

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