GSD Venture Studios Podcasts by Gary Fowler

From Toys "R" Us to the AI Frontier: The B2B Marketplace Revolution with Gil Bar-Lev

Join Gil Bar-Lev, CEO of HomeRoots, for a masterclass on the evolution of digital commerce. A software engineer who helped bridge the gap between physical retail and the digital world during the legendary Toys "R" Us integration with Amazon, Gil has seen the "under the hood" mechanics of global trade for decades. In this episode, we move beyond the buzzwords to discuss how HomeRoots—a leading B2B marketplace and aggregator—is embedding AI into its core workflow to solve the "unsolved" problems of furniture and home decor logistics, and what the next decade of AI-native commerce looks like. 🎯 Insights You’ll Learn: The Integration Playbook: Lessons from the front lines of the Toys "R" Us x Amazon partnership and how it shaped modern e-commerce. AI in the Workflow: How HomeRoots uses AI for more than just chatbots—from predictive inventory management to automated B2B logistics. The Next Set of Expectations: Why 2026 is the year we stop "using" AI and start "collaborating" with it on strategic decision-making. B2B vs. B2C Intelligence: Why the furniture and home decor industry requires a more complex AI logic than simple consumer goods. The Marketplace/Aggregator Hybrid: How Gil’s tech-first approach allows HomeRoots to scale where others face traditional logistics bottlenecks. Founder-to-Exit Wisdom: Strategies for building a tech-centric brand that attracts major financial interest. The Future of "High-Touch" Tech: Maintaining a premium marketplace experience while automating the most difficult parts of the global supply chain. 🌍 Why This Matters: In 2026, the global B2B furniture market is a multi-billion dollar landscape still plagued by legacy inefficiencies. Gil Bar-Lev is using his engineering pedigree to "re-code" how home decor moves from manufacturers to retail partners. By embedding AI into every layer of the HomeRoots workflow—from product discovery to the complex logistics of shipping heavy goods—Gil is proving that the future of commerce belongs to the platforms that can balance massive data with human-centric design. This isn't just about selling furniture; it's about building the intelligent infrastructure for the next generation of B2B trade. 👤 Expert Background: CEO of HomeRoots, the B2B marketplace and aggregator redefining the home decor industry. Seasoned Software Engineer with an exit in the e-commerce space. Former Technical Lead for Toys "R" Us, orchestrating their global network and Amazon integration. Strategic Innovator who bridges the gap between deep technical architecture and high-level business growth. Marketplace Architect focused on high-frequency B2B transactions and automated fulfillment. 🎙️ Hosted by Gary Fowler, CEO of GSD Venture Studios — global AI entrepreneur, investor, and innovation leader spotlighting founders navigating the realities of building in the AI era. 💡 Perfect For: E-commerce founders, B2B strategists, supply chain engineers, AI product managers, and investors looking for the next phase of marketplace evolution. 🚀 Timely Topic: The transition from "online stores" to "intelligent marketplaces" is the story of 2026. Gil Bar-Lev is the engineer leading that charge, ensuring that HomeRoots isn't just a platform, but a brain for the furniture industry. Subscribe for more global founder conversations from GSD Venture Studios: https://gsdvs.com #B2BCommerce #HomeRoots #AIWorkflows #EcommerceInnovation #MarketplaceStrategy #GilBarLev #GaryFowler #GSDVentureStudios

The Logic of Agility: Reclaiming Decision Control from the Black Box with Václav Kandrnal

Join Václav Kandrnal, CEO and Co-Founder of DecisionRules, for a masterclass on the evolution of automated decision-making. A veteran of the financial world with 20 years of experience building digital banks like Zopa and MONETA, Václav is a leader who understands the high cost of rigid code. In this episode, we discuss the strategic "spin-off" of DecisionRules, the critical difference between rule inference and execution, and why giving business teams no-code control over logic is the only way for institutions to stay agile in a 2026 economy. 🎯 Insights You’ll Learn: The DecisionRules Odyssey: A look at the journey from the 2021 co-founding to the high-stakes spin-off in 2025. Architecture of Agility: Why "build-first" institutions are moving away from vendor black boxes toward open API decision platforms. Execution vs. Inference: Breaking down the technical nuances—why executing a rule is a different beast than inferring logic from data. The Collaborative Bridge: How to foster effective collaboration between engineers (API control) and business teams (no-code design). Scaling the Billions: What it takes to build a platform that powers 100M+ automated decisions monthly across 25+ countries. Lessons from Digital Banking: Applying the rigor of GE Capital and Erste Group to modern, cloud-native decisioning. The Ironman Mindset: How the discipline of a four-time Ironman finisher translates to leading a high-growth tech startup. 🌍 Why This Matters: In 2026, the speed of business is the speed of logic. If it takes a three-week development sprint just to change a loan approval threshold or a fraud detection rule, the organization has already lost. Václav Kandrnal saw this bottleneck throughout his career and built DecisionRules to eliminate it. By treating decision logic as a living asset—managed by those who understand the business, but controlled by those who understand the system—DecisionRules is helping 100+ global enterprises automate their core intelligence without the traditional "IT tax." 👤 Expert Background: CEO & Co-Founder of DecisionRules, a global leader in business rule automation. 20-Year FinTech Veteran with leadership roles at GE Capital, Erste Group, Zopa, and MONETA. Digital Bank Architect who has built financial institutions from the ground up. Global Scaler managing 100M+ decisions for clients in 25+ countries. High-Performance Athlete and four-time Ironman finisher. 🎙️ Hosted by Gary Fowler, CEO of GSD Venture Studios — global AI entrepreneur, investor, and innovation leader spotlighting founders navigating the realities of building in the AI era. 💡 Perfect For: CTOs, Chief Risk Officers, Compliance leads, Product Managers at financial institutions, and engineers looking for a better way to manage complex business logic. 🚀 Timely Topic: Decisions are the "microprocessors" of every modern business process. In 2026, Václav Kandrnal is ensuring those microprocessors are faster, more transparent, and entirely within the user's control. Subscribe for more global founder conversations from GSD Venture Studios: https://gsdvs.com #DecisionRules #DecisionIntelligence #FinTech #NoCode #BusinessRules #Automation #VaclavKandrnal #GaryFowler #GSDVentureStudios

The Compliance Collision: Why the EU AI Act Demands a New Deal for SMBs with Youssef Khayali

Join Youssef Khayali, CEO and Co-founder of Sustalium, for a strategic look at the massive shift occurring at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and corporate responsibility. As LLM business models optimize for cost and enterprise scale, a familiar pattern is emerging: a fragmented ecosystem of compliance and sustainability frameworks that threatens to leave Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) behind. In this episode, we discuss how the EU AI Act serves as a catalyst for disrupting these outdated, siloed systems and why empowering the "backbone of the economy" is the only way to build a truly sustainable global value chain. 🎯 Insights You’ll Learn: The LLM Pricing Shift: How evolving AI business models are mirroring legacy compliance structures by favoring the "Enterprise" at the expense of the SMB. The EU AI Act Convergence: Why 2026 is the year that AI governance, sustainability, and legal compliance finally collide into a single operational challenge. The "Silo" Problem: How fragmented frameworks create a cost and resource barrier that prevents smaller players from participating in the global value chain. Disrupting for Inclusion: Youssef’s vision for a unified compliance platform that levels the playing field for SMBs through automated, integrated workflows. Lessons from Healthcare: How making a sustainable impact in the highly regulated world of health informed Sustalium’s approach to global accountability. The Global Value Chain Reality: A candid look at the inefficiencies and struggles different parties face when trying to meet shifting international standards. The Catch-Up Strategy: Practical steps for SMBs to navigate the "regulatory soup" without draining their focus from innovation and growth. 🌍 Why This Matters: For decades, compliance and sustainability have been treated as "check-the-box" exercises for large corporations with deep pockets. In 2026, with the arrival of strict AI regulations and more aggressive ESG reporting requirements, these frameworks are becoming a prerequisite for doing business. Youssef Khayali realized that if we don't disrupt how these standards are delivered, we risk an economic "dark age" for SMBs who simply cannot afford the administrative overhead. Sustalium isn't just a platform; it's a movement to decentralize and simplify accountability, ensuring that smaller businesses can lead—not just survive—the transition to a responsible AI economy. 👤 Expert Background: CEO & Co-founder of Sustalium, a platform dedicated to SMB compliance and sustainability. Global Value Chain Specialist with deep experience in both high-growth startups and complex corporate roles. Healthcare Innovator with a proven track record of creating sustainable systemic change in regulated sectors. Advocate for SMB Resilience, focusing on removing the friction of fragmented regulatory environments. Strategic Visionary at the intersection of the EU AI Act, ESG, and digital transformation. 🎙️ Hosted by Gary Fowler, CEO of GSD Venture Studios — global AI entrepreneur, investor, and innovation leader spotlighting founders navigating the realities of building in the AI era. 💡 Perfect For: SMB owners, RevOps professionals, ESG consultants, AI policy makers, and supply chain directors looking to understand the next wave of integrated compliance. 🚀 Timely Topic: The regulatory landscape of 2026 is moving faster than most businesses can track. Youssef Khayali is providing the "unified operating system" that allows SMBs to turn compliance from a burden into a competitive advantage. Subscribe for more global founder conversations from GSD Venture Studios: https://gsdvs.com #EUAIAct #Sustalium #SMBGrowth #Sustainability #ComplianceInnovation #AIGovernance #YoussefKhayali #GaryFowler #GSDVentureStudios

The Business of Bioprinting: Moving Beyond the Hype to Living Proof with Dr. Simon MacKenzie

Join Dr. Simon MacKenzie, co-CEO of Cellbricks Therapeutics, for a grounded and high-stakes discussion on the reality of biofabrication. With over 25 years of experience building biotech and med-tech organizations across Europe, the US, and Asia, Simon is a veteran leader who knows that the gap between a "cool demo" and a "clinical therapeutic" is paved with disciplined engineering. In this episode, we strip away the hype of "printing organs overnight" to explore the hard work of creating vascularized, functional human tissues that can actually survive and integrate within the patient. 🎯 Insights You’ll Learn: The Hype vs. Reality Check: Where we truly stand in 2026—moving from lab-grown clusters to complex, implantable adipose and soft tissues. The Vascularization Challenge: Why the biggest hurdle isn't printing the cells, but building the "plumbing" (blood vessels) that keeps them alive once implanted. Stepwise Innovation: Why Cellbricks is focusing on soft tissue reconstruction and wound healing as the essential stepping stones to full organ replacement. AI-Powered Tissue Engineering: How deep learning and fluid dynamics are used to generate precise biological "building plans" that ensure tissue viability. The Business of Biofabrication: Navigating the translational valley—from raising €10M in recent funding to managing the manufacturing foundations for human-scale implants. Regenerative Partnerships: How collaboration between engineers, clinicians, and regulatory bodies is the only way to move bioprinting into the clinic. The Global Ecosystem: Lessons from building a "deep-tech" bridge between the innovation hubs of Berlin and Boston. 🌍 Why This Matters: For years, regenerative medicine has promised a world where we don't just treat symptoms, but replace damaged parts. However, in 2026, the industry is entering a new chapter: the shift from potential to proof. Simon MacKenzie and the team at Cellbricks are focused on "living tissue implants"—not synthetic compromises, but biological alternatives designed to restore function. By solving the engineering of complex bio-architectures today, Simon is laying the groundwork for a future where organ shortages could become a thing of the past. It’s a journey measured in disciplined milestones, not just headlines. 👤 Expert Background: Co-CEO of Cellbricks Therapeutics, leading therapeutic programs and translational development. PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Dundee with a career spanning 25+ years in life sciences. Former CEO at REGENHU, a leader in 3D bioprinting technology. Biotech Scale-up Specialist who has launched discovery and therapeutic programs across three continents. Strategic Mentor for startups in the regenerative and personalized medicine space. 🎙️ Hosted by Gary Fowler, CEO of GSD Venture Studios — global AI entrepreneur, investor, and innovation leader spotlighting founders navigating the realities of building in the AI era. 💡 Perfect For: Med-tech investors, regenerative medicine researchers, surgeons, biotech founders, and anyone interested in the technical and commercial hurdles of the "next frontier" of healthcare. 🚀 Timely Topic: The vision of printing a human heart is the north star, but the victory is won in the clinical validation of functional tissue today. Simon MacKenzie is the architect ensuring that the bridge to that future is built on solid biology and sound business. Subscribe for more global founder conversations from GSD Venture Studios: https://gsdvs.com #Bioprinting #RegenerativeMedicine #Cellbricks #TissueEngineering #HealthTech #SimonMacKenzie #GaryFowler #GSDVentureStudios

Lean Growth, Big Impact: Scaling a CPG Powerhouse with AI with Kathryn Bricken

Join Kathryn Bricken, Founder and CEO of Doughlicious – The London Dough Co., for a candid masterclass on scaling a better-for-you frozen snack brand across two continents. Moving from a single London facility to over 6,000 US locations including Whole Foods, Target, and Costco, Kathryn has mastered the art of the "lean scale-up." In this episode, we discuss the grit of being a female founder in the CPG space and how she leverages AI to give a nimble, founder-led brand the operational muscle and marketing velocity of a multinational giant. 🎯 Insights You’ll Learn: The Dual-Market Playbook: The logistical and cultural realities of managing high-growth retail expansion in both the UK and the US simultaneously. AI for Lean Teams: How to use technology to amplify a small team’s output—transforming content creation, social media strategy, and supply chain decisions. Manufacturing Sovereignty: The strategic advantage of operating a 22,000 sq ft gluten-free certified facility in West London while expanding US production in Cincinnati. Preserving Brand Soul: How to automate operations and use AI without losing the authentic, premium "dough-to-table" story. From Policy to Pastries: How Kathryn’s background in Capitol Hill policy and corporate brand management at Borden Foods shaped her disciplined approach to scaling. Navigating Big Retail: Secrets to managing relationships with global giants like Costco, Kroger, and Whole Foods. The Future of "Better-for-You": Trends in the frozen category and how technology helps predict consumer shifts before they happen. 🌍 Why This Matters: The CPG industry is notoriously capital-intensive and dominated by legacy players with massive budgets. Kathryn Bricken is proving that in 2026, a founder-led brand can bypass traditional barriers by being "tech-forward." By integrating AI into the core of Doughlicious—from optimizing supply chain decisions to automating creative assets—Kathryn is leveling the playing field. Her journey is a blueprint for modern entrepreneurs who want to build high-growth, high-quality businesses that remain agile enough to innovate and soulful enough to connect with customers. 👤 Expert Background: Founder & CEO of Doughlicious, one of the fastest-growing better-for-you frozen food brands globally. Manufacturing Expert overseeing 22,000 sq ft of gluten-free certified production. Retail Growth Strategist who secured 8,000+ global retail doors in record time. Former Brand Manager at Borden Foods with experience in large-scale corporate CPG. Policy Veteran with experience on Capitol Hill, bringing a unique regulatory and strategic lens to business. 🎙️ Hosted by Gary Fowler, CEO of GSD Venture Studios — global AI entrepreneur, investor, and innovation leader spotlighting founders navigating the realities of building in the AI era. 💡 Perfect For: CPG founders, retail executives, supply chain managers, and female entrepreneurs looking for a realistic look at scaling a physical product brand using 2026 technology. 🚀 Timely Topic: In a market where efficiency is king, Kathryn Bricken is showing that "lean" doesn't mean "small." It means using AI to work smarter, move faster, and dominate the freezer aisle without sacrificing the craft that made the brand a success. Subscribe for more global founder conversations from GSD Venture Studios: https://gsdvs.com #CPGGrowth #Doughlicious #FemaleFounders #AIBusiness #RetailExpansion #SupplyChainInnovation #KathrynBricken #GaryFowler #GSDVentureStudios