In this episode of The Future of BizTech, host JC Granger chats with Malcolm De Leo, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer at GraphIQ — the company behind the world’s largest living business knowledge graph, connecting over 280 million companies, nearly a billion people, and billions of data points into one powerful platform.

GraphIQ is helping sales teams, investors, and business researchers cut through the noise by turning scattered business data into actionable leads and insights. By combining AI-driven search with deep data aggregation, GraphIQ enables users to find ideal customers, surface hidden opportunities, and replace outdated sales tools — all while reducing the time and cost of business research.

The conversation dives into GraphIQ’s unique approach to building a scalable knowledge graph, its role in powering smarter B2B sales and lead generation, and how the platform is positioned to support the next wave of AI-driven business workflows. Malcolm also shares lessons from bootstrapping the company during tough funding climates, the importance of customer feedback in product development, and why GraphIQ is quickly becoming a go-to resource for companies looking to grow smarter.

If you’re interested in the future of business data, AI-driven sales tools, or how knowledge graphs are reshaping B2B lead generation, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

In this episode of The Future of BizTech, host JC Granger sits down with Katherine Lehman, Chief Marketing Officer at ReturnBear — the logistics innovator helping e-commerce brands turn costly returns into profitable, planet-friendly opportunities.

ReturnBear goes beyond traditional return portals by combining software with its own logistics network, allowing brands to resell returned items locally instead of shipping them back overseas. With clients ranging from Shopify merchants to major brands like Skims, ReturnBear is cutting costs, reducing fraud, speeding up inventory turnover, and slashing emissions — all while giving consumers a smoother return experience.

The conversation explores ReturnBear’s unique model that solves the messy, expensive challenges of cross-border returns, why forward fulfillment is changing the game for e-commerce logistics, and how the company is helping brands compete with Amazon-level convenience while avoiding landfill waste. Katherine also shares behind-the-scenes insights on scaling ReturnBear’s operations across multiple countries and why sustainability, profit, and customer experience no longer have to be at odds.

If you’re curious about the future of e-commerce logistics, sustainable retail, or how brands can make returns work for their bottom line, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode of The Future of BizTech, host JC Granger chats with Stefano Marrone, Partner and Creative Strategist at Unit9—an award-winning global production partner blending cutting-edge technology with creativity to build immersive brand experiences.

Unit9 helps top brands like Google, Ford, Meta, and Coca-Cola deliver unforgettable campaigns by combining AR, VR, and experiential technology at scale. From creating Meta's flagship AR/VR experience First Encounters to developing VR journeys inside nuclear reactors and real estate AR previews, Unit9 pushes the boundaries of what's possible in marketing and brand engagement.

The conversation explores Unit9’s unique value proposition, focusing on its expertise in tackling complex brand challenges, scaling immersive campaigns globally, and staying at the forefront of creative technology. Stefano also shares insider stories on how Unit9 has helped brands win Cannes Lions and Emmys, and how they’re preparing for the next wave of AR engagement reaching billions worldwide.

If you’re curious about the future of AR, VR, immersive marketing, or how brands can leverage creative tech to stand out, this episode has you covered.

In this episode of The Future of BizTech, host JC Granger chats with Omer Jamal, CEO of AQX (now known as "Atlas")—an AI-powered voice platform transforming how businesses deploy AI phone agents.

AQX/Atlas makes it easy for companies to integrate voice AI into their operations, improving customer interactions and increasing conversions. With its plug-and-play setup, AQX/Atlas empowers entrepreneurs to create, customize, and sell market-ready voice agents with no coding required.

The conversation explores AQX/Atlas’s unique value proposition, focusing on its seamless user experience and how it allows businesses to automate phone-based customer service. Omer also discusses the potential for entrepreneurs to build AI-as-a-service businesses using AQX/Atlas’s platform, giving them the tools to tap into the fast-growing voice AI market.

If you’re curious about the future of voice technology, AI-powered business solutions, or the entrepreneurial opportunities within the AI space, this episode has you covered.

In this episode of The Future of BizTech, host JC Granger talks with Matt Doyle, CEO of Array—a platform that's reshaping field operations by turning outdated, manual inspection processes into dynamic, digital workflows. They dive into how Array empowers companies doing inspections and field services to collect structured, AI-ready data through mobile-friendly forms, offline capabilities, and repeatable processes that improve compliance and efficiency.

Matt shares the company's evolving go-to-market strategy, including deep integrations with industry partners and a shift toward reseller networks that help Array reach specialized verticals like construction, retail, and trade associations. He also offers a sneak peek at Array’s upcoming AI-powered features designed to automate form creation, extract actionable insights, and enhance real-time visibility across field teams.

The conversation expands into the realities of scaling a SaaS company, including the tough choices that come with growth—and the mindset shifts leaders need to "hug the cactus" during hard times. If you're interested in field tech, no-code platforms, or how AI is driving the next wave of operational efficiency, this episode delivers valuable insights.

In this episode of The Future of BizTech, host JC Granger talks with the Chief Revenue Officer of Readymode, a company transforming how outbound sales are done through smart technology and data-driven strategies. They dive into the platform’s predictive engine that eliminates downtime, boosts call connect rates, and improves cold calling efficiency—all while staying fully compliant with strict regulatory frameworks. With a clear stance against outbound AI voice agents, ReadyMode focuses on equipping human sales teams with the right tools to work smarter, not harder.

The discussion expands into the company’s shift toward a product-led growth model—removing friction from the buying process and letting users explore the platform with minimal barriers. They also explore the challenges of scaling a startup, the growing role of AI in B2B outreach, and how Readymode balances automation with authentic customer engagement. If you're into sales tech, SaaS growth strategies, or the evolving role of AI in outbound marketing, this episode is packed with insights.

In this episode of The Future of BizTech, host JC Granger sits down with Kimber Spradlin, the CMO of Graylog, a company revolutionizing how businesses handle data security and performance monitoring. They discuss how the platform empowers organizations to gain real-time insights from massive amounts of data, uncovering hidden issues, and enhancing security postures. With cybersecurity at the forefront of business concerns, Graylog is reshaping how companies protect their infrastructure and optimize their performance.

The conversation goes beyond the tech to explore Graylog’s approach to scaling in an ever-evolving industry, emphasizing how their innovative solutions help clients stay agile in a rapidly changing digital landscape. The hosts also talk about the company's unique challenges, the growing importance of data security, and how Graylog’s mission continues to drive its success in the enterprise tech world. If you're into cybersecurity, log management, or data-driven innovations, this episode is a must-listen.

What does it take to rise from gopher-level field tech to the corner office— and still keep your soul intact? In this episode of The Future of BizTech, host JC Granger sits down with John Snyder, CEO of North Carolina–based MSP NetFriends. John unpacks his 26-year climb from the company’s third employee to majority owner, sharing the pivotal moments that shaped both his leadership style and NetFriends’ evolution into a “pure-play” managed service provider.

You’ll hear:

• The unconventional mailroom-to-C-suite journey—and the mindset shifts required at each rung
• How NetFriends leverages robotic process automation to deliver lightning-fast IT outcomes
• Surviving (and learning from) a sudden $2 million cybersecurity-contracts implosion—and the tough layoffs that followed
• Why John ditched outsourced vendors to build an in-house, three-person marketing squad—and why he says it might actually save you money
• Actionable advice on mentorship, team trust after crisis, and budget-to-marketing ratios for MSPs and other tech firms

Whether you’re an MSP founder, a tech leader eyeing the CEO chair, or anyone who’s ever wondered how to bounce back when the rug gets yanked out, this conversation is packed with real-world lessons you can apply today.