In this episode, host JC Granger sits down with Lance Keene, the veteran CEO of Keene Systems — a boutique software consulting firm with nearly four decades of experience in building custom web applications for some of the world’s biggest companies.

Keene Systems specializes in Microsoft technologies like ASP.NET and SQL Server, crafting tailored solutions that transform complex manual workflows into streamlined, data-driven web and mobile apps. Their work has saved clients millions by replacing outdated paper forms and error-prone spreadsheets with secure, efficient digital platforms accessible anywhere, anytime.

The conversation explores how Keene is integrating AI tools into their development process to enhance productivity, improve code quality, and empower their 35-developer team to deliver faster, smarter solutions. Keene shares insights on the evolving role of AI in software consulting, the challenges of scaling custom development, and the future of enterprise software built for real-world business problems.

If you’re interested in how AI is reshaping software development, custom web applications, or managing complex workflows at scale, this episode provides an inside perspective on a veteran-led company driving real innovation in enterprise solutions.

In this episode of The Future of BizTech, host JC Granger chats with Brian Borg, Founder and CEO of OnPath Testing — the QA powerhouse helping software teams hit their product goals without sacrificing quality, momentum, or sanity.

OnPath Testing specializes in crafting customized software testing solutions that integrate seamlessly into existing dev teams, bringing clarity, speed, and confidence to every stage of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Whether companies are building new apps, launching updates, or recovering from a buggy release, OnPath provides the process, people, and leadership to get things back into “flow.”

The conversation dives into why so many startups wait too long to invest in QA, how OnPath’s remote-first, globally distributed model gives clients premium results at a lower cost, and what it takes to shift from reactive testing to a sustainable quality culture. Brian also shares his origin story from the dot-com era, how QA has matured into a core pillar of modern software development, and how agentic AI is about to transform the entire QA landscape.

If you're building software, managing dev teams, or just want to understand how quality engineering shapes user experience and scalability, this episode offers a grounded, behind-the-scenes look at what really keeps high-growth tech products on track.

In this episode of The Future of BizTech, host JC Granger sits down with Joe Eisner, Co-Founder and CEO of Bliss AI — the company helping enterprises unlock the hidden value in their voice data by converting legacy call recordings into usable formats for AI, analytics, and beyond.

Bliss AI streamlines audio data migration, allowing businesses to extract years’ worth of customer interaction data from outdated, vendor-locked systems and transform it into structured, actionable insights — whether stored on-premise or in the cloud. With 35% of CX leaders citing legacy systems as their biggest barrier to delivering better experiences, Bliss AI offers a simple but powerful solution: liberate your voice data and use it on your terms.

The conversation explores how companies across finance, insurance, healthcare, and other regulated sectors are using Bliss AI to power sentiment analysis, train LLMs, reduce hallucinations in generative models, and enable agentic AI to take on more meaningful customer service roles. Joe also shares the story behind founding Bliss AI after working at AWS, how the company is scaling through channel partners, and why most enterprises don’t realize they’re already sitting on an AI goldmine.

If you're interested in customer experience transformation, AI training data, or the future of voice analytics in enterprise tech, this episode is full of fresh insights and real-world applications.

In this episode of The Future of BizTech, host JC Granger chats with Brad Hawkins, Co-Founder and CEO of SaferNet — the company delivering next-generation VPN technology built for real-world cybersecurity, not just location spoofing.

Designed for modern businesses navigating remote work and rising cyber threats, SaferNet’s always-on VPN goes beyond encryption. With device-level filters and 24/7 protection, it creates an impenetrable digital shield that stops viruses before they reach your network — no IT team required.

Brad shares how SaferNet pivoted from router-based protection to a full-scale endpoint security platform, why most VPNs give users a false sense of safety, and how the company rebuilt itself after a crypto-incentive experiment backfired. He also unpacks how small businesses can finally access enterprise-grade cybersecurity that’s simple, scalable, and smart enough to adapt to AI-era threats.

If you're thinking about securing your remote workforce, simplifying IT, or staying ahead of quantum-age cybersecurity risks, this episode is packed with sharp insights and startup lessons you won't want to miss.

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.