Unsold Podcast

We Built Conviction, Not Just Product - Unsold Podcast

Guest: Aditi Sinha [https://www.linkedin.com/in/aditisinha1002/] [Ex-CEO, Locale.ai] Host: Santhosh Venkatesh [https://www.linkedin.com/in/santhosh-venkatesh-awts/] Theme: Navigating the highs, lows, and hidden truths of building a B2B startup, and what founders get wrong about Product-Market Fit. This episode isn’t about how to win, it’s about what’s true. Santhosh Venkatesh sits down with Aditi Sinha to unpack the reality behind startup growth, the dangers of chasing PMF too fast, and the strength it takes to step back. Aditi shares her journey from building Locale.ai through the COVID era, finding early traction, pivoting her way through multiple learnings, and ultimately, why she chose to walk away. Top Talking Points: * Why early traction doesn’t always equal PMF * Product-led growth vs. founder-led conviction * How to think about sales when you don’t have repeatable demand * Fundraising pressure vs. honest customer feedback * What it really means to “give the company back to investors” * The personal cost of building in stealth and in the spotlight What she’d do differently today if starting again #UnsoldPodcast #StartupLessons #FounderStories #B2BSaaS #ProductMarketFit

Product-Market Fit Isn’t Static. It Evolves or Your Brand Fades - Unsold Podcast

Guest: Vikas Sunkad [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikas-sunkad/] [Founder, SunJosho Ventures] Host: Santhosh Venkatesh [https://www.linkedin.com/in/santhosh-venkatesh-awts/] Everyone loves to talk about finding Product-Market Fit. But what if that’s the wrong question? In this episode of the #UnsoldPodcast, I sit down with Vikas Sunkad—a D2C product leader, startup advisor, and growth coach who’s spent over 15 years helping brands reach scale across India and Southeast Asia. We don’t talk about the definition of PMF—we unpack the real work: what it takes to get there, how to know if you’ve lost it, and why memorability, convenience, and trust matter far more than just conversion ads. Whether you’re launching your first product or growing your 10th, this conversation is a reality check. Key Talking Points: * Why Product-Market Fit is not a milestone—it’s a moving target * The 3 invisible levers D2C founders must align: demand, timing, and brand memorability * What loyalty actually means in the convenience economy * Why paid ads can't buy long-term differentiation * The cost of chasing metrics before you understand your customer * How today’s founders can build resonance without burning CAC * The real difference between growth and momentum While Vikas touched on the key elements of PMF, you can find his compete, strategic template here - Download for free [https://workdrive.zohopublic.in/external/7cdcad015113a3af81e41dbc57d95f479fc933bae8cbc60870261b15a30d29c6/download]. #UnsoldPodcast #D2CMarketing #ProductMarketFit #BrandStrategy #StartupGrowth

Mental Wellness in the B2B Workplace - Unsold Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with Shaifali Verma, a seasoned people and culture leader, to unpack the evolving role of mental health in the modern workplace. With experience spanning psychology, HR, and leadership development, Shaifali shares real-world insights into how wellness can (and should) be designed as a strategic pillar, not a reactive perk. If you're a founder, people manager, or wellness startup operator, this episode will give you tactical clarity on what's broken, what's working, and where the real opportunities lie. Key Talking Points: * Why mental health isn’t just about therapy or meditation apps * The difference between performative wellness and embedded culture * How startups and high-pressure teams can build mental health into their DNA * The critical role of leadership and middle management in creating safe workplaces * Why one-size-fits-all mental health strategies don’t work * What real impact looks like, stories from roundtables and on-ground experiences * Early signs that your team’s mental wellbeing is at risk (and what to do) * Opportunities for startups working in the B2B mental wellness space #UnsoldPodcast #MentalHealthAtWork #WorkplaceWellbeing #PeopleAndCulture #B2BLeadership

Shawn Lim on Owning Your Voice in the Age of Algorithms - Unsold Podcast

Guest: Shawn Lim [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mediumshawn/], Founder of Human Algorithm Host: Santhosh Venkatesh [https://www.linkedin.com/in/santhosh-venkatesh-awts/] In this special episode of The Unsold Podcast, Santhosh Venkatesh sits down with Shawn Lim—content creator, former journalist, and founder of Human Algorithm—to talk about the power of storytelling, personal branding, and building authenticity in a world run by algorithms. From his early struggles growing up in Singapore, to his journey through advertising, journalism, and finally into the B2B creator economy, Shawn opens up about his life, lessons, and mission to humanize digital spaces. This conversation is a must-listen for startup founders, marketing leaders, and aspiring creators who want to build brands rooted in authenticity, not just algorithms. Key Talking Points: ✅ Shawn’s early life, challenges, and turning points that shaped his authentic voice ✅ His transition from advertising and journalism into full-time content creation ✅ Why building a personal brand isn’t optional in today's B2B world ✅ The importance of owning your audience (and not relying solely on platforms) ✅ Storytelling as a competitive advantage in the age of AI ✅ Why businesses must champion internal voices, not just logos and products ✅ Tips for overcoming fear of video, content creation, and self-promotion ✅ The philosophy behind Human Algorithm and what it aims to create for the next generation Sign up for Shawn's newsletter and podcast -- Human Algorithm here [https://humanalgorithm.substack.com/]. #UnsoldPodcast #PersonalBranding #B2BCreators #Storytelling #AuthenticMarketing

Talking B2B Events with ExchangeWire's Grainne Reid - Unsold Podcast

In this episode of The Unsold Podcast, we dive deep into the world of B2B tech events with Grainne Reid, Head of Marketing at ExchangeWire—one of the most recognized names in media, marketing, and commerce. Events have long been a hub for networking, education, and deal-making, but how are they evolving in the digital-first world? What does it take to plan and execute a global flagship event? And with rising expectations from attendees and sponsors, how do event marketers adapt to industry shifts while maintaining quality and engagement? Grainne brings her insights from running ExchangeWire’s flagship ATS events in London, Singapore, and Tokyo, shedding light on event marketing, planning challenges, sponsorship strategies, and the future of industry events. Key Talking Points: ✅ How B2B tech events have evolved and why networking is more critical than ever ✅ The planning process behind global events—from agenda setting to sponsor relationships ✅ Regional differences in event culture—what works in London might not work in Singapore or Tokyo ✅ The metrics that define event success—from attendee engagement to sponsorship ROI ✅ The shift from long-form events to shorter, more impact-driven formats ✅ The future of industry events—trends, challenges, and the balance between in-person and digital experiences Tune in for a deep-dive into the world of B2B events and what it takes to stay ahead in a rapidly changing landscape. Want to appear as a guest or suggest an industry leader to appear on The Unsold Podcast? Write to sv@teamawts.com #UnsoldPodcast #B2BMarketing #EventMarketing #TechConferences #SaaSMarketing