<![CDATA[Colorado Tech People]]>Colorado Tech People is a podcast about the humans behind the technology shaping how we live, work, and connect—right here in Colorado and beyond. Hosted by product executive Monisha Saldanha, the show goes beyond surface-level startup stories to explore the real decisions, trade-offs, and moments that define building meaningful technology.

Each episode features candid conversations with founders, product leaders, and operators who are in the arena—building, scaling, and navigating the complexities of modern tech. From early-stage startups to growth-stage companies, guests share not just what worked, but what didn’t, and the lessons learned along the way.

The podcast is grounded in four core themes.

First, The Hard Decisions Behind Innovation. Building great products and companies is rarely a straight line. We dive into the tough calls—what to build, what not to build, when to pivot, and how to move forward when the path isn’t clear. These are the moments that don’t make it into press releases but ultimately define success.

Second, AI & Technology as Practical Enablers. Instead of hype, we focus on how technology—especially AI—is actually being used to solve real problems. Whether it’s enabling entirely new business models or making existing systems more efficient, we explore how innovation becomes practical and impactful.

Third, Building and Scaling in Colorado. Colorado has become a thriving hub for technology and entrepreneurship. We highlight what makes building here unique—the talent, the community, the challenges, and the opportunities. From Boulder to Denver and beyond, we explore how companies grow in this ecosystem.

Finally, Technology Changing Real Lives. At its best, technology improves how people live. We bring forward stories of products and platforms that are making a tangible difference—whether that’s in financial wellness, healthcare, logistics, or everyday experiences. This pillar keeps us grounded in why the work matters.

Colorado Tech People is for anyone interested in building products, leading teams, or understanding how technology moves from idea to impact. It’s for founders making high-stakes decisions, product managers navigating complexity, and operators working to scale something meaningful.

What makes this podcast different is its focus on honesty and depth. These are not scripted success stories—they’re real conversations about ambiguity, risk, and resilience. Listeners will come away with practical insights, new perspectives, and a deeper appreciation for the people behind the products they use every day.

If you care about technology not just as an industry, but as a force that shapes real lives—and you want to learn from the people doing the work—Colorado Tech People is for you.

]]>https://riverside.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Sat, 06 Jun 2026 15:15:38 GMTMon, 13 Apr 2026 21:43:07 GMT60Monisha Saldanha & Neha Myer<p>Colorado Tech People is a podcast about the humans behind the technology shaping how we live, work, and connect—right here in Colorado and beyond. Hosted by product executive Monisha Saldanha, the show goes beyond surface-level startup stories to explore the real decisions, trade-offs, and moments that define building meaningful technology.</p><p></p><p>Each episode features candid conversations with founders, product leaders, and operators who are in the arena—building, scaling, and navigating the complexities of modern tech. From early-stage startups to growth-stage companies, guests share not just what worked, but what didn’t, and the lessons learned along the way.</p><p>The podcast is grounded in four core themes.</p><p></p><p>First, The Hard Decisions Behind Innovation. Building great products and companies is rarely a straight line. We dive into the tough calls—what to build, what not to build, when to pivot, and how to move forward when the path isn’t clear. These are the moments that don’t make it into press releases but ultimately define success.</p><p></p><p>Second, AI &amp; Technology as Practical Enablers. Instead of hype, we focus on how technology—especially AI—is actually being used to solve real problems. Whether it’s enabling entirely new business models or making existing systems more efficient, we explore how innovation becomes practical and impactful.</p><p></p><p>Third, Building and Scaling in Colorado. Colorado has become a thriving hub for technology and entrepreneurship. We highlight what makes building here unique—the talent, the community, the challenges, and the opportunities. From Boulder to Denver and beyond, we explore how companies grow in this ecosystem.</p><p></p><p>Finally, Technology Changing Real Lives. At its best, technology improves how people live. We bring forward stories of products and platforms that are making a tangible difference—whether that’s in financial wellness, healthcare, logistics, or everyday experiences. This pillar keeps us grounded in why the work matters.</p><p></p><p>Colorado Tech People is for anyone interested in building products, leading teams, or understanding how technology moves from idea to impact. It’s for founders making high-stakes decisions, product managers navigating complexity, and operators working to scale something meaningful.</p><p></p><p>What makes this podcast different is its focus on honesty and depth. These are not scripted success stories—they’re real conversations about ambiguity, risk, and resilience. Listeners will come away with practical insights, new perspectives, and a deeper appreciation for the people behind the products they use every day.</p><p></p><p>If you care about technology not just as an industry, but as a force that shapes real lives—and you want to learn from the people doing the work—Colorado Tech People is for you.</p>episodicMonisha Saldanha & Neha Myersaldanhamonisha@gmail.comno<![CDATA[By The Time a Government RFP is Public, You've Already Lost]]>The episode features Adam Zucker, CEO and founder of Cloverleaf AI, discussing the development of AI products for unique markets, particularly government contracts. The conversation delves into the challenges and opportunities of building products for markets where the traditional playbook doesn't apply. Adam shares insights on understanding the government market, leveraging AI tooling for development, and the future vision for Cloverleaf AI.

Takeaways

  • Lessons in startup execution, MVP development, and building in fragmented markets
  • Why traditional SaaS growth playbooks fail in government sales
  • The role of AI-powered transcription, search, and behavioral intelligence in enterprise workflows
  • Founder insights on customer discovery, product-market fit, and scaling AI startups
  • A behind-the-scenes look at building AI infrastructure for public sector intelligence
  • Key lessons for founders, product leaders, GTM teams, and enterprise AI builders

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to Cloverleaf AI
  • 07:01 Government Contracts vs. B2B Market
  • 18:28 Development and AI Tooling
  • 25:30 Company Growth and Location
  • 33:33 Future Vision for Cloverleaf AI
]]>5e71adb8-7f82-4505-8538-926266a53f5cMon, 25 May 2026 15:25:47 GMT<p>The episode features Adam Zucker, CEO and founder of Cloverleaf AI, discussing the development of AI products for unique markets, particularly government contracts. The conversation delves into the challenges and opportunities of building products for markets where the traditional playbook doesn't apply. Adam shares insights on understanding the government market, leveraging AI tooling for development, and the future vision for Cloverleaf AI.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Lessons in startup execution, MVP development, and building in fragmented markets</li><li>Why traditional SaaS growth playbooks fail in government sales</li><li>The role of AI-powered transcription, search, and behavioral intelligence in enterprise workflows</li><li>Founder insights on customer discovery, product-market fit, and scaling AI startups</li><li>A behind-the-scenes look at building AI infrastructure for public sector intelligence</li><li>Key lessons for founders, product leaders, GTM teams, and enterprise AI builders</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction to Cloverleaf AI</li><li>07:01 Government Contracts vs. B2B Market</li><li>18:28 Development and AI Tooling</li><li>25:30 Company Growth and Location</li><li>33:33 Future Vision for Cloverleaf AI</li></ul>no00:29:52By The Time a Government RFP is Public, You've Already Lostfull<![CDATA[What Customers DO Tells You More Than What They SAY]]>The conversation covers the evolution of customer experience, the impact of AI, and the proactive management of customer experience. It also delves into the challenges of prioritizing features, turning customer feedback into insights, and balancing automation with the human touch. The future of experience management and the role of AI are explored, along with insights on customer-centricity and building customer-centric teams.

Takeaways

  • Journey orchestration and customer experience
  • AI's impact on customer experience
  • Proactive customer experience management

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to Medallia and Product Challenges
  • 06:19 Medallia's Success and Product Decisions
  • 16:16 Turning Customer Feedback into Insights
  • 25:26 Balancing Automation and Human Touch
  • 31:52 Surprising Insights from Customer Experience Data
  • 37:48 Building Customer-Centric Teams
  • 42:59 Book Recommendation and Conclusion
]]>d2e82abb-ba9a-4e2a-918a-b92e5a595799Mon, 25 May 2026 13:26:26 GMT<p>The conversation covers the evolution of customer experience, the impact of AI, and the proactive management of customer experience. It also delves into the challenges of prioritizing features, turning customer feedback into insights, and balancing automation with the human touch. The future of experience management and the role of AI are explored, along with insights on customer-centricity and building customer-centric teams.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Journey orchestration and customer experience</li><li>AI's impact on customer experience</li><li>Proactive customer experience management</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction to Medallia and Product Challenges</li><li>06:19 Medallia's Success and Product Decisions</li><li>16:16 Turning Customer Feedback into Insights</li><li>25:26 Balancing Automation and Human Touch</li><li>31:52 Surprising Insights from Customer Experience Data</li><li>37:48 Building Customer-Centric Teams</li><li>42:59 Book Recommendation and Conclusion</li></ul>no00:30:56What Customers DO Tells You More Than What They SAYfull<![CDATA[What It Really Takes to Build a Marketplace Startup]]>The conversation with Marvin Lim, co-founder and CEO of The Kitchen Table, explores the challenges of building a marketplace for dining experiences, the impact of technology on the dining industry, and the experience of entrepreneurship in Colorado. Marvin shares insights on marketplace challenges, seasonal ups and downs, niche focus, leveraging AI, and the impact of private dining moments. He also discusses funding, leadership lessons, and the importance of learning from mistakes.

Takeaways

  • Marketplace Challenges
  • Technology in Dining
  • Entrepreneurship in Colorado

Chapters

  • 00:00 Building a Marketplace for Dining Experiences
  • 06:33 Seasonal Ups and Downs in the Business
  • 12:16 Building a Marketplace Outside Traditional Tech Hubs
  • 19:29 Leveraging AI and Building the Team
  • 24:54 Redefining Dining and Connection at Home
  • 31:07 Recommended Book for Entrepreneurs
]]>8e559aa9-357b-4fec-bbb9-6503fbad9c8cMon, 25 May 2026 13:24:08 GMT<p>The conversation with Marvin Lim, co-founder and CEO of The Kitchen Table, explores the challenges of building a marketplace for dining experiences, the impact of technology on the dining industry, and the experience of entrepreneurship in Colorado. Marvin shares insights on marketplace challenges, seasonal ups and downs, niche focus, leveraging AI, and the impact of private dining moments. He also discusses funding, leadership lessons, and the importance of learning from mistakes.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Marketplace Challenges</li><li>Technology in Dining</li><li>Entrepreneurship in Colorado</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Building a Marketplace for Dining Experiences</li><li>06:33 Seasonal Ups and Downs in the Business</li><li>12:16 Building a Marketplace Outside Traditional Tech Hubs</li><li>19:29 Leveraging AI and Building the Team</li><li>24:54 Redefining Dining and Connection at Home</li><li>31:07 Recommended Book for Entrepreneurs</li></ul>no00:27:30What It Really Takes to Build a Marketplace Startupfull<![CDATA[Why Most Productivity Apps Fail Neurodivergent People]]>The conversation with Kathy Long, the founder of Nixit, covered the inspiration behind Nixit, the role of responsible AI in sensitive contexts, and the future of inclusive technology. It also delved into the ethical considerations in AI for neurodiverse populations, the user journey, and the lessons learned from building Nixit. Kathy shared insights on team building, architecture, and the unique support provided by AI tools for neurodiverse individuals. Additionally, she discussed the balance between personalization and privacy, as well as leadership lessons and decision-making. The recommended book for builders was also highlighted.

Takeaways

  • Responsible AI in sensitive contexts
  • Inclusive technology for neurodiverse individuals

Chapters

  • 00:00 Inspiration Behind Nixit
  • 07:30 Choosing SMS First
  • 13:54 Team Building and Architecture
  • 21:03 AI's Unique Support for Neurodiverse Individuals
  • 26:06 User Journey and Personalization
  • 35:18 Characterizing AI as a Companion
  • 40:33 Leadership Lessons and Decision-Making
]]>3829290e-9538-4429-bd52-be3ed09e60a6Wed, 13 May 2026 16:43:20 GMT<p>The conversation with Kathy Long, the founder of Nixit, covered the inspiration behind Nixit, the role of responsible AI in sensitive contexts, and the future of inclusive technology. It also delved into the ethical considerations in AI for neurodiverse populations, the user journey, and the lessons learned from building Nixit. Kathy shared insights on team building, architecture, and the unique support provided by AI tools for neurodiverse individuals. Additionally, she discussed the balance between personalization and privacy, as well as leadership lessons and decision-making. The recommended book for builders was also highlighted.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Responsible AI in sensitive contexts</li><li>Inclusive technology for neurodiverse individuals</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Inspiration Behind Nixit</li><li>07:30 Choosing SMS First</li><li>13:54 Team Building and Architecture</li><li>21:03 AI's Unique Support for Neurodiverse Individuals</li><li>26:06 User Journey and Personalization</li><li>35:18 Characterizing AI as a Companion</li><li>40:33 Leadership Lessons and Decision-Making</li></ul>no00:33:27Why Most Productivity Apps Fail Neurodivergent Peoplefull<![CDATA[An 8-Year Old Can Build An App. What Does That Mean For The Future of Building?]]>Takeaways

  • AI is changing the landscape of software development
  • The role of experts is evolving in the AI era

Chapters

  • 00:00 The Birth of Wisary
  • 05:31 Wisary's Role in Product Development
  • 14:29 Building Startups in Colorado
  • 25:54 Lessons Learned and Pivots Made
  • 32:08 Vision for Wisary and Future Plans
]]>8b332145-5cce-41c5-b933-106cefb2b008Tue, 12 May 2026 17:25:19 GMT<p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>AI is changing the landscape of software development</li><li>The role of experts is evolving in the AI era</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 The Birth of Wisary</li><li>05:31 Wisary's Role in Product Development</li><li>14:29 Building Startups in Colorado</li><li>25:54 Lessons Learned and Pivots Made</li><li>32:08 Vision for Wisary and Future Plans</li></ul>no00:29:19An 8-Year Old Can Build An App. What Does That Mean For The Future of Building?full<![CDATA[How AI is Rebuilding Recycling- And Changing the Economics Behind it]]>AMP, a company using AI-powered robotics to modernize recycling infrastructure, is transforming the waste and recycling industry by automating the sorting process and building fundamentally more efficient recycling facilities. Their technology impacts everyday lives by making recycling easier and more effective, with the goal of simplifying the recycling process for consumers.

Takeaways

  • AI-powered robotics in recycling
  • Impact of technology on recycling infrastructure

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to AMP and Recycling Technology
  • 06:30 Expansion and Future Plans for AMP
  • 13:07 Partnerships and Environmental Impact of AMP's Technology
  • 25:46 Commercial and Technical Pivots for AMP
]]>865ab132-5d28-4b8b-abcd-84e216a4b162Sun, 03 May 2026 04:39:41 GMT<p>AMP, a company using AI-powered robotics to modernize recycling infrastructure, is transforming the waste and recycling industry by automating the sorting process and building fundamentally more efficient recycling facilities. Their technology impacts everyday lives by making recycling easier and more effective, with the goal of simplifying the recycling process for consumers.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>AI-powered robotics in recycling</li><li>Impact of technology on recycling infrastructure</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction to AMP and Recycling Technology</li><li>06:30 Expansion and Future Plans for AMP</li><li>13:07 Partnerships and Environmental Impact of AMP's Technology</li><li>25:46 Commercial and Technical Pivots for AMP</li></ul>no00:39:55How AI is Rebuilding Recycling- And Changing the Economics Behind itfull<![CDATA[Quantum is Finally Here! What's Changed?]]>Quantum computing has been “10 years away”… for decades.
So what’s actually changed?

In this episode of Colorado Tech People, we sit down with Justin Ging, Chief Product Officer at Atom Computing, to unpack why this moment in quantum feels different—and why Colorado is at the center of it.

We go beyond the hype to break down what’s real today, what’s still uncertain, and what needs to happen for quantum to move from breakthrough to real-world impact.

In this conversation:

  • What’s actually changed in quantum computing
  • Why the timeline is finally compressing
  • Where quantum can deliver real value (and where it can’t—yet)
  • What most people misunderstand about the space
  • Why Colorado is emerging as a global hub for quantum innovation

This isn’t a future-looking conversation.
It’s about the shift that’s already underway.

🎧 If you’ve been hearing about quantum but haven’t connected the dots—this episode will.

]]>e64b7071-3b1f-438f-8183-7e7608d4f338Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:15:24 GMT<p><b>Quantum computing has been “10 years away”… for decades.<br />So what’s actually changed?</b></p><p>In this episode of <i>Colorado Tech People</i>, we sit down with Justin Ging, Chief Product Officer at Atom Computing, to unpack why this moment in quantum feels different—and why Colorado is at the center of it.</p><p>We go beyond the hype to break down what’s real today, what’s still uncertain, and what needs to happen for quantum to move from breakthrough to real-world impact.</p><p><b>In this conversation:</b></p><ul><li>What’s actually changed in quantum computing</li><li>Why the timeline is finally compressing</li><li>Where quantum can deliver real value (and where it can’t—yet)</li><li>What most people misunderstand about the space</li><li>Why Colorado is emerging as a global hub for quantum innovation</li></ul><p>This isn’t a future-looking conversation.<br />It’s about the shift that’s already underway.</p><p>🎧 If you’ve been hearing about quantum but haven’t connected the dots—this episode will.</p>no00:27:36Quantum is Finally Here! What's Changed?full<![CDATA[9 Principles in Building World Class Product Organizations]]>What does it actually take to scale a product team from startup to IPO?

In this episode of Colorado Tech People, we sit down with Scott Williamson—former Chief Product Officer at GitLab and VP Product at SendGrid—to break down the real challenges of product management, startup scaling, and building high-performing product teams.

From early-stage product-market fit to scaling organizations through hypergrowth and IPO, this conversation is packed with practical lessons for founders, product managers, and startup leaders.

In this episode, we cover:

  • How to build world-class product teams
  • The biggest mistakes founders make when scaling startups
  • Why hiring too fast can hurt growth
  • How product strategy evolves from early-stage startup to public company

Chapters

  • 00:00 The Role of Product Teams
  • 07:49 Scaling Product Teams
  • 15:06 Go-to-Market Models
  • 21:11 Building Global Companies from Colorado
  • 26:35 Lessons from Advising Companies
]]>86079e6d-beb2-4a98-974f-4a9d94d4bbf9Mon, 13 Apr 2026 21:46:54 GMT<p>What does it actually take to scale a product team from startup to IPO?</p><p>In this episode of Colorado Tech People, we sit down with Scott Williamson—former Chief Product Officer at GitLab and VP Product at SendGrid—to break down the real challenges of product management, startup scaling, and building high-performing product teams.</p><p>From early-stage product-market fit to scaling organizations through hypergrowth and IPO, this conversation is packed with practical lessons for founders, product managers, and startup leaders.</p><h2><b>In this episode, we cover:</b></h2><ul><li><b>How to build world-class product teams</b></li><li><b>The biggest mistakes founders make when scaling startups</b></li><li><b>Why hiring too fast can hurt growth</b></li><li><b>How product strategy evolves from early-stage startup to public company</b></li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 The Role of Product Teams</li><li>07:49 Scaling Product Teams</li><li>15:06 Go-to-Market Models</li><li>21:11 Building Global Companies from Colorado</li><li>26:35 Lessons from Advising Companies</li></ul>no00:27:319 Principles in Building World Class Product Organizationsfull