On this episode of Startup Builders & Backers, I sit down with Carsten Brinkschulte, co-founder and CEO of Dryad Networks, to uncover how a seasoned telecom entrepreneur pivoted from software to saving forests.

Carsten explains how witnessing devastating wildfires and his own daughter’s climate activism pushed him to found Dryad Networks, a company deploying solar-powered sensors and mesh networks deep into forests to detect wildfires before they spread. We dive into what it takes to build rugged IoT devices for some of the world’s harshest, most remote environments, how Dryad trains edge AI to sniff out the gas signatures of a forest fire, and why satellite partnerships are vital to keeping the network online when traditional connectivity vanishes.

He also shares hard-earned insights on scaling hardware startups, building trust with governments and forestry organisations worldwide, and balancing climate impact goals with commercial reality.

This episode is a masterclass for anyone interested in climate tech, IoT innovation, or the grit required to turn a fresh idea into a global venture that could prevent millions of hectares from going up in smoke.

Tune in and get inspired by a founder turning sensors, AI and satellite links into tools for fighting climate change—one forest at a time.

You've probably heard it before: "Self-published books don't make money." But what if we're measuring success with the wrong metrics? Eric Jorgensen, CEO of Scribe Media and million-copy bestselling author, challenges this conventional wisdom with a simple but powerful insight: "A book does not have to make money to make you money."

Rethinking Book Success

The math is compelling. While most self-published books won't sell millions of copies, even reaching 1,000-5,000 targeted readers can transform a business. Look at any major conference - roughly half the speakers include "author" in their bios, often listing it before achievements that took far longer to accomplish. Why? Because books build authority at scale.

Forget the image of the solitary author in a cabin. Today's most successful business authors work with teams, use structured processes, and leverage technology. As Jorgensen notes, "There's such thing as writer's block, but there's no such thing as talker's block." Modern book creation is about converting expertise into written content, often through conversation and collaboration.

Technology as the Game-Changer

While AI won't replace human authors, it's revolutionizing the process of creating books. From organizing content to generating ideas and processing existing materials (like podcasts and talks), technology is making book creation more accessible. The key is understanding that "options are now free, and the judgment to choose the options remains human."

The Audio Advantage

Audiobooks now generate up to one-third of book royalties for some authors. However, the format decision extends beyond financial considerations. For consultants, speakers, and experts, narrating your audiobook creates a powerful trust bridge. When prospects hear your voice for hours before meeting you, you've already built significant credibility.

Strategic Over Mass Market

Success isn't about maximizing hardcover sales. It's about reaching the right readers. One Scribe Media author who helps financial planners transition their businesses found that readers who connected with his book became clients. Another, a lawyer, converted readers into high-value customers. The book became their most effective sales tool.

The publishing world has changed. Success no longer means hitting bestseller lists or selling hundreds of thousands of copies. Instead, it's about strategically positioning your expertise and reaching the readers who can become your best clients, partners, and advocates.

A well-executed book isn't just another product, it's a business transformation tool that works while you sleep.

Want to get started? Begin by defining your ideal reader and the change you want to create. The technology and teams are in place to support everything else.

What if the biggest risk for startups isn't failure, but building the wrong thing too soon?

In this episode of Startup Builders & Backers, I sit down with David Hirschfeld, founder of Tekyz Inc., to explore a different way of thinking about early-stage success. With more than 35 years in software and experience across over 90 startups, David shares what he has learned from both the wins and the missteps.

At the heart of this conversation is the Launch First Method, a framework David created to help founders validate demand before investing in development. It is a strategy designed to reduce time, cost, and the need for outside funding, while dramatically increasing the odds of building something people actually want.

We also dig into:

• How AI is reshaping the way software gets built
• Where automation helps and where it still falls short
• The key traits that define high-performing development teams
• How detailed artifacts like status reports and estimation tracking improve outcomes
• Why successful founders fall in love with the problem, not the product

David’s story spans decades of building, selling, and supporting software companies. He brings sharp insight and practical advice to anyone navigating the unpredictable path of early-stage growth.

If you're starting a company or backing one, this episode will help you ask better questions and make smarter decisions from day one.

Are you building what customers need or just hoping they show up? Let’s dig into that.