Matt Bigge, partner at Crosslink Capital and former 10th Mountain Division infantry officer, shares his unique perspective as a venture capitalist, military veteran, and deep tech investor on the revolution happening in defense technology & how modern defense technologies are evolving to meet today's security challenges. His MIR framework—modular, interoperable, responsive—offers a blueprint for effective military innovation in an era where asymmetric threats and machine-speed warfare are becoming the norm.

• Using low-cost expendable systems like drones against expensive platforms as demonstrated in Ukraine
• Building defense tech that's modular (plug and play), interoperable (communicates across systems), and responsive (quick development cycles)
• Moving from human-speed to machine-speed operations through AI and automation
• Overcoming hollowed-out supply chains through innovations like X-Bow's 3D-printed rocket motors
• Partnering emerging defense tech startups with legacy prime contractors for mutual benefit
• Investing in "plausible science fiction" that may seem futuristic but has overcome core scientific challenges
• Using the F.I.R.E. framework (Fun, Interesting, Rewarding, Entrepreneurial) for career and investment decisions
• The value of leadership skills developed through military or team-based experiences
• Creating systems with "five nines" reliability when lives depend on your technology
• Understanding how to see the world through others' eyes to engage in mutually beneficial transactions

As Ukraine demonstrates the stunning effectiveness of low-cost drones against multi-million-dollar platforms, Matt explains why the future of warfare demands operating at machine speed rather than human speed, and how AI-powered automation is making this possible.

We dive deep into fascinating case studies from Matt's investment portfolio, including X-Bow's 3D-printed rocket motors that can be manufactured in shipping containers anywhere in the world, and DarkHive's drone swarms that deliver reconnaissance capabilities at a fraction of traditional costs. These innovations aren't just disrupting defense—they're addressing critical gaps in America's industrial base and creating new possibilities for battlefield responsiveness.

Throughout, he emphasizes why leadership—the ability to set and achieve goals in a team-based setting at an elite level—remains the most crucial trait in founders he backs.

Whether you're fascinated by defense technology, interested in the venture landscape, or simply curious about how innovation happens at the intersection of multiple disciplines, this episode offers rare insights from someone who has viewed these challenges from nearly every possible angle.


Matt Bigge: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bigge/

Matt's been in Venture Capital for over 25 years – he's backed winners like Verodin (sold to FireEye), ArcSight (sold to HP), and CloudShield (sold to SAIC). He was even a founding investor and Chair of MeshNetworks, which Motorola snatched up. Before he was writing checks and building tech empires, he was serving our country as an Infantry officer in the 10th Mountain Division. Armed with degrees from Georgetown and Harvard Business School, and based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Matt's also deeply committed to giving back through The Honor Foundation, helping Special Operations veterans transition to civilian careers.

Website: https://www.position2.com/podcast/

Rajiv Parikh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajivparikh/

Sandeep Parikh: https://www.instagram.com/sandeepparikh/

Email us with any feedback for the show: spark@postion2.com

In this eye-opening conversation, join host Rajiv Parikh as he unveils Arena AI – their revolutionary platform that's transforming how marketing campaigns are planned, executed, and optimized. Sajjan Kanukolanu (VP of Global Operations) and Vikrant V.(CTO) walk us through how their team has embedded 20 years of marketing expertise into a system that combines project management, unified analytics, and AI agents that execute real marketing work.

• Arena includes project management specifically designed for marketing workflows
• The Calibrate interface provides unified dashboards pulling data from 130+ platforms
• RPA technology connects even to custom platforms without APIs
• AI co-pilot powered by multiple agents that execute specific marketing tasks
• Built on what Position Squared calls their "Growth Language Model"
• Platform incorporates 20 years of industry-specific marketing expertise
• System provides 95% accurate predictive analytics using LSTM neural networks
• Campaign strategies incorporate industry data and competitor analysis
• Human oversight remains crucial at decision points for optimal results
• AI agents work together to handle everything from ICPs to ad creation

The marketing technology landscape has exploded with specialized tools, leaving marketers buried under mountains of disconnected data and endless manual tasks. What if there was a way to harness artificial intelligence not just for insights, but to actually do the work?

The most fascinating aspect of Arena isn't just its ability to connect data from hundreds of platforms (even proprietary ones without APIs), but how it deploys specialized AI agents to handle specific marketing tasks. Unlike generic AI tools that provide broad recommendations, Arena's Growth Language Model understands the nuances of different industries and buyer personas, delivering highly targeted strategies that have historically driven results.

What makes this conversation particularly valuable is how openly the team discusses their journey from service provider to software company. Their practical approach demonstrates that effective AI implementation isn't about theoretical capabilities, but about solving real problems that marketers face daily.

Sajjan Kanukolanu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sajjank/

Sajjan serves as Vice President of Global Operations & Strategy at Position². He has experience as a digital marketing, growth & digital experience strategist and previously led strategy & growth at Ogilvy, & Wunderman. Sajjan is an AI Advisor and Speaker, having accepted a role on the AI Advisory Board at the University of San Francisco School of Management. He holds a Ph.D. in Marketing, an MBA, and an MS Electrical Engineering.

Vikrant V.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikrantv/

Vikrant V is the Chief Technology Officer at Position². Prior to his current role at Position², he served as Chief Technology Officer at TiLa from July 2020 to September 2023. Vikrant has led large ecommerce and analytics teams at Amazons and Moneyview, a fast growing fintech company. Vikrant holds an MS in Software Systems from Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani.

Website: https://www.position2.com/podcast/

Rajiv Parikh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajivparikh/

Sandeep Parikh: https://www.instagram.com/sandeepparikh/

Email us with any feedback for the show: spark@postion2.com

Chandar Pattabhiram, marketing maestro and Chief Go-to-Market Officer at Workato, shares his expertise on the agentic economy and the revolutionary impact of AI on go-to-market strategies.

• The rise of AI agents brings productivity without pause, enabling organizations to shift from reactive to proactive approaches
• Current AI implementation remains largely experimental and edge-focused rather than addressing core business processes
• Workato's approach focuses on cross-functional processes versus siloed applications to prevent agent sprawl
• Traditional go-to-market principles still apply – win more, win bigger, win faster – but AI provides unprecedented efficiency
• Enterprise context is crucial for AI effectiveness – it's not just about LLMs but Enterprise Learning Models (ELMs)
• AI enhances storytelling capabilities but emotional connection remains essential – "heart to head, not head to heart"
• Success requires identifying your "onlyness" and selling to markets that value your unique differentiation
• Bring philosophies rather than playbooks when moving between companies
• Balance technical understanding with human connection – "CTFO: chill the F out"
• Life ultimately comes down to health, experiences, and relationships (H-E-R)

Ready to master go-to-market strategy in the AI era? Chandar Pattabhiram reveals the secrets behind scaling companies into billion-dollar powerhouses:

🤖 The Agentic Economy Unveiled
"It's reigning agents everywhere," Chandar declares as he breaks down how AI agents are revolutionizing business operations. We're only in "the bottom of the first inning" of this transformation, but the potential is mind-blowing. Learn how these intelligent agents eliminate productivity pauses and shift organizations from reactive to proactive across every function.

🎯 Beyond "Agent Sprawl" – The Process Revolution
Forget siloed thinking. Chandar reveals Workato's competitive edge: cross-functional process thinking. "Don't think functionally, think process. The process grows across systems." Discover why this approach is crucial as companies face "agent sprawl" – a problem he warns will be "1000X worse than application sprawl."

💡 Marketing Fundamentals That Still Matter
Even in our AI-driven world, emotional connection reigns supreme. "People think hard to head rather than head to heart," Chandar observes. Learn his philosophy of identifying your "onlyness" and positioning to markets that value your differentiation – essential wisdom for scaling companies.

🚀 Career Transformation Insights
From mechanical engineering to marketing visionary, Chandar shares his personal journey and life motto: "Health, Experiences, Relationships." His advice to aspiring leaders? "Bring philosophies, not playbooks" when transitioning between companies.

Chandar Pattabhiram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandarp

With over 25 years in strategic marketing, Chandar has been the Chief Marketing Officer at companies like Marketo and Coupa, helping grow Coupa from $150 million to nearly $1 billion in revenue. He's been recognized by LinkedIn as one of the top 5 CMOs in the world to follow and he gained these insights while cutting his teeth at some great companies: Accenture & IBM. Originally from Chennai, Chandar did his undergraduate at PSG College of Technology in India with a background in mechanical engineering, and went to the University of Texas for Business School.

Website: https://www.position2.com/podcast/

Rajiv Parikh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajivparikh/

Sandeep Parikh: https://www.instagram.com/sandeepparikh/

Email us with any feedback for the show: spark@postion2.com

Marc Hustvedt shares insights from helping to scale Mr. Beast to 350 million YouTube subscribers and building a global creator brand, revealing the unique combination of traits that separates extraordinary creators from everyone else. Check out Contrarian Thinking and Codie Sanchez to learn more about Marc's current work helping people buy and grow small businesses.

• Creator-led businesses eliminate the power imbalance found in traditional media
• The most successful YouTube integrations feel natural and appeal to the global audience
• Small, targeted audiences of 10,000 engaged followers can build lucrative businesses
• The future of media belongs to individual creators who own their businesses
• Work ethic and obsessive dedication to the craft set apart successful creators
• Jimmy Donaldson (Mr. Beast) studied YouTube content for years before finding success
• High appetite for risk and willingness to bet on yourself is critical
• Single-minded focus on "making the best YouTube videos in the world" drove their strategy
• The $3.5 million Squid Game recreation video was an inflection point for the brand
• Traditional production methods create unnecessary friction for creators

Ever wonder what makes certain creators explode while others struggle to gain traction? Marc Hustvedt, former president of Mr. Beast, pulls back the curtain on how they built one of the most successful creator brands in history expanding into ventures like Feastables Chocolate and Mr. Beast Burger.

What truly sets apart the 0.1% of creators from everyone else? Marc reveals it's a unique combination of traits: relentless work ethic, obsessive attention to detail, willingness to take massive risks, and laser-sharp focus on a singular mission. Jimmy Donaldson didn't just appear out of nowhere – he spent years making videos that barely got views, studying YouTube's ecosystem, and constantly iterating. The breakthrough came from understanding that success requires both quantity and quality, paired with the courage to bet everything on yourself repeatedly. The $3.5 million Squid Game recreation video serves as a perfect case study of their approach. While traditional media might have stretched production over months of planning and bureaucracy, the Mr. Beast team compressed timelines dramatically. They secured one of the largest brand deals ever for a single YouTube video by creating a sense of FOMO around cultural moments. Most importantly, they eliminated the traditional production hierarchy: "We were both the studio and the network," Marc explains, allowing for nimble decision-making that put creative vision first.

Marc is now bringing his digital expertise to Contrarian Thinking as their president, where he's exploring the intersection of education and creator economy. His observation? "You don't need a hundred million people to watch a video. If you've got the right 10,000 people, you can have a very lucrative business." This shift toward highly engaged, targeted communities represents the next evolution in digital content creation. Listen now for insights on building digital businesses, recognizing talent, and creating content that captivates audiences in today's fragmented landscape.

Marc Hustvedt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marchustvedt/

Marc was the President of Mr. Beast from 2021 to 2024. After graduating from the University of Michigan, he co-founded Tubefilter and the Streamy Awards.

Website: https://www.position2.com/podcast/

Rajiv Parikh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajivparikh/

Sandeep Parikh: https://www.instagram.com/sandeepparikh/

Email us with any feedback for the show: spark@postion2.com

Sandeep Parikh shares his journey of resilience after being displaced by the LA wildfires, discussing how the disaster tested his strength as a father, husband, and creator while inspiring new approaches to filmmaking and community building.

• Surviving the devastating LA wildfires that destroyed over 9,000 structures and left countless homes uninhabitable due to toxic contamination
• Co-founding Eaton Fire Residents United to map toxin spread through affected neighborhoods when official support fell short
• Maintaining creativity despite compounding challenges to Hollywood from pandemic, strikes, and now natural disasters
• Pioneering crowdfunding success with culturally authentic projects like DesiQuest and the upcoming film "Vidhya's Guide for the Afterlife"
• Building genuine creative relationships with fellow artists instead of constantly chasing validation from industry gatekeepers
• Leveraging community support to maintain creative independence and ownership of artistic properties
• Transforming personal trauma into art that connects with audiences seeking authentic representation
• Using "all parts of the buffalo" – drawing on diverse experiences from computer science to improv to create unique work

When the LA wildfires tore through Sandeep Parikh's neighborhood, destroying over 9,000 structures and rendering countless homes uninhabitable from toxic contamination, he faced the ultimate test of resilience. But true to his nature as a creator, he found ways to transform disaster into opportunity.

From the ashes of displacement, Sandeep co-founded Eaton Fire Residents United, a grassroots organization mapping the spread of dangerous toxins through affected neighborhoods when institutional support fell short. This community-driven approach mirrors his philosophy as a filmmaker – finding unconventional paths when traditional structures fail.

That spirit of innovation has defined Sandeep's career, from his early days breaking ground with web series like "The Guild" and "Legend of Neil," to his current success crowdfunding culturally authentic projects like "DesiQuest" and "Vidhya's Guide for the Afterlife." He reveals the strategic thinking behind these campaigns, including a brilliant live improv show that served as both entertainment and fundraising event.

Beyond financial success, Sandeep values the creative independence this model provides. After spending ten years fighting to regain rights to earlier work, he cherishes maintaining ownership of his art while building direct connections with passionate audiences. His journey demonstrates how authentic community building can replace traditional gatekeeping in entertainment.

Throughout our conversation, Sandeep shares invaluable wisdom for creators navigating uncertain terrain – the importance of establishing genuine relationships with fellow artists, using "all parts of the buffalo" by drawing on diverse life experiences, and measuring success through depth of audience connection rather than conventional metrics. Even in disaster's wake, he shows how creativity can thrive through resilience, community, and unwavering authenticity.

Join this powerful exploration of creative perseverance in the face of unprecedented challenges, and discover how disaster can become a springboard for your most meaningful work yet.

Check out Vidhya's Guide for the Afterlife on Kickstarter and follow Sandeep's journey through his Patreon where you can join his community of supporters

Website: https://www.position2.com/podcast/

Rajiv Parikh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajivparikh/

Sandeep Parikh: https://www.instagram.com/sandeepparikh/

Email us with any feedback for the show: spark@postion2.com

Udi Ledergor, Gong's Chief Evangelist and former CMO, reveals how courageous marketing strategies helped propel Gong from startup to multi-billion dollar company status while redefining the B2B marketing playbook.

• Creating bold B2B marketing that stands out requires courage and rejecting "boring practices" that yield ordinary results
• The "punching above your weight" strategy helped Gong appear much larger than it was, allowing early access to enterprise customers
• Gong's Super Bowl commercial hack: buying regional ads in tech hubs for under $350K instead of spending $20M on national spots
• The 95-5 rule: most marketers only target the 5% ready to buy, while Gong created value for the other 95% through Gong Labs content
• Breaking B2B visual identity norms by rejecting "Series A blues" for bold fuchsia and purple with a bulldog mascot
• Building psychological safety within marketing teams encourages innovative ideas and calculated risk-taking
• Udi's background as a magician influenced his marketing approach: complex work behind the scenes creates simple, magical experiences
• Marketing's ultimate goal is making sales easier – creating alignment across teams and driving measurable business results
• Finding courage to take strong, bold points of view in marketing requires leadership that celebrates creative experimentation

You can find Courageous Marketing: The B2B Marketer's Playbook for Career Success by Udi Ledergor available everywhere books are sold starting April 10th.
https://www.amazon.com/Courageous-Marketing-Marketers-Playbook-Success/dp/B0DZQLTW45

What does it take to transform B2B marketing from forgettable to phenomenal? Udi Ledergor, reveals the bold strategies that helped drive Gong from early-stage startup to multi-billion-dollar powerhouse with over $300 million in ARR.

Udi shares the genesis of his new book "Courageous Marketing: The B2B Marketer's Playbook for Career Success," distilling two decades of hard-won wisdom into actionable insights for marketers at every stage. The conversation explodes with practical, counterintuitive approaches that challenge the status quo of B2B marketing.

The discussion dives deep into building memorable brands through distinctive visual identity creating content that serves the 95% not yet ready to buy, and fostering a culture where marketing teams feel safe taking calculated risks.

Whether you're a marketing veteran or just starting your journey, this episode delivers a masterclass in breaking free from "boring practices" to create marketing that drives real business results while genuinely connecting with audiences. Ready to inject some courage into your marketing?

Udi Ledergor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/udiledergor/

Udi was Gong's first marketing hire as their CMO. He's the mastermind who helped define the revenue intelligence category and create Gong's iconic, human-centered brand. He's led marketing at five B2B startups and is known for his bold approach to branding and storytelling that puts people first. When he's not evangelizing for Gong, Udi wears many hats as an author, speaker, mentor, angel investor, and board member. He is passionate about startups, storytelling, and creating unforgettable

Website: https://www.position2.com/podcast/

Rajiv Parikh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajivparikh/

Sandeep Parikh: https://www.instagram.com/sandeepparikh/

Email us with any feedback for the show: spark@postion2.com

Elay Cohen, CEO and co-founder of SalesHood, shares his journey from Salesforce to pioneering the sales enablement category through his AI-driven platform.

• Built SalesHood to address the unmet need for scalable sales enablement solutions
• Pioneered sales enablement at Salesforce, helping scale revenue from $300M to $3B
• Created a direct connection between sales ramp time and company performance
• Focus on leading indicators (meetings booked, pipeline created) vs lagging indicators (quota attainment)
• Essential modern sales skills: curiosity, storytelling, communications, and effective meeting management
• AI role-playing driving 231% more enablement activities with 45% fewer enablement staff
• Digital sales rooms and mutual action plans transforming strategic account management
• Building compelling events requires co-creation and understanding the sequence of events
• Trusted his gut to build SalesHood despite VCs claiming "sales tech isn't a big enough market"
• Draws inspiration from both Steve Jobs (minimalism, vision) and Taylor Swift (connection, community)

What happens when one of the architects behind Salesforce's explosive growth decides to revolutionize sales enablement for everyone? Elay Cohen, who helped scale Salesforce from $300M to $3B as SVP of Sales Productivity, takes us behind the scenes of his journey founding SalesHood, an AI-driven sales enablement platform transforming how companies prepare their teams for success.

The numbers are staggering - SalesHood customers are achieving 231% more enablement activities with 45% fewer staff, and seeing win rates jump from 57% to over 100% increases through AI-powered training. But this conversation goes deeper than metrics, revealing the fundamental shift happening in sales today.

We explore the critical distinction between leading and lagging indicators in sales performance, why the first five minutes of a customer meeting determines success, and how the best strategic account managers are co-creating compelling events with their champions. Eli shares practical frameworks like MEDDICC for managing complex deals and explains why digital sales rooms are becoming essential for modern selling.

Beyond the tactical insights, Eli takes us through his entrepreneurial journey - including the moment VCs told him "the sales tech market isn't big enough" (they were spectacularly wrong), and why trusting your gut sometimes trumps what the data tells you. His unexpected inspiration from both Steve Jobs and Taylor Swift reveals the perfect blend of minimalist precision and community-building that drives his approach to business.

Whether you're in sales, marketing, enablement, or leadership, this conversation offers a masterclass in how AI is transforming go-to-market execution while making the fundamental human elements of selling more important than ever. Ready to reimagine how your team prepares to win? This is your blueprint.

Email us with any feedback for the show: spark@postion2.com
Find more great content like this at: https://www.position2.com/
If you like what you here, please drop us a comment!

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Rajiv Parikh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajivparikh/

Sandeep Parikh: https://www.instagram.com/sandeepparikh/

Elay Cohen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaycohen

Elay is the CEO and co-founder of SalesHood, an AI-driven sales enablement platform. As CEO and co-found

Website: https://www.position2.com/podcast/

Rajiv Parikh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajivparikh/

Sandeep Parikh: https://www.instagram.com/sandeepparikh/

Email us with any feedback for the show: spark@postion2.com

We share transformative insights on leveraging your network for career growth. Our guests Susan Hailey (CHRO @ Enable), Shannon Lundgren (Founder & CEO @Shannon's Circle) and Jean Kovacs ( share how to navigate personal branding effectively and develop meaningful connections that elevate your career potential.

• Networking should focus on building relationships, not just asking for favors
• Strategies to engage your network authentically without asking for jobs
• The distinction between mentorship and sponsorship, emphasizing sponsorship importance
• Tactics for making positive first impressions during networking events
• The importance of giving more than you take in networking

Discover the transformative power of networking in our engaging episode, where we explore innovative strategies for career advancement. Join us as we dive into enriching discussions with leading professionals who share their invaluable insights on how to leverage connections to unlock potential and growth. Our guests tackle common misconceptions about networking, explaining how to engage authentically with your network, and why mentoring and sponsorship are crucial for success, especially for women.

Unpack the key tactics to stand out in competitive job markets, including how to make memorable first impressions without resorting to rehearsed pitches. Also, expect tips on navigating both in-person and online networking effectively. By the end of this episode, you'll gain a fresh perspective on your networking approach, creating lasting relationships designed for success.

Ready to elevate your career? Tune in, and if you resonate with our insights, please subscribe, share, and leave a review to help others find their way to their own career transformations!

If you enjoyed this conversation, please take a moment to rate our podcast and leave a comment.

Email us with any feedback for the show: spark@postion2.com
Find more great content like this at: https://www.position2.com/
If you like what you here, please drop us a comment!

SUBSCRIBE TO @Position2Inc FOR MORE EPISODES!

Rajiv Parikh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajivparikh/

Sandeep Parikh: https://www.instagram.com/sandeepparikh/

Susan Hailey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanlyonhailey/

Susan Hailey is the Chief Human Resource Officer at Enable. With over 20 years of experience as a senior HR and talent executive, Susan has a proven track record of leading all aspects of human capital and talent for high-growth organizations. Before joining Enable, Susan was the Vice President of Global Talent Acquisition at OpenText, where her leadership earned the company recognition as one of Forbes’ Best Places to Work in 2022.

Jean Kovacs: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-kovacs/

Jean Kovacs is a Partner at Hillsven Venture Capital, a seed venture capital fund focused on the enterprise B2B space. Jean is also the Co-President of the HBS Alumni Angels Association of Northern California and her resume includes serving as CEO and Co-Founder of Comergent Technologies, and Co-Founder and EVP of Qualix Group. Jean was named to the Silicon Valley/San Francisco Business Journal’s list of Most Influential Women in Business.

Shannon Lundgren : https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonlundgren/

Shannon Lundgren is the Founder & CEO of Shannon's Circle Matchmaking. Shannon pivoted from a successful corporate career, including a 16-year tenure at Wells Far

Website: https://www.position2.com/podcast/

Rajiv Parikh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajivparikh/

Sandeep Parikh: https://www.instagram.com/sandeepparikh/

Email us with any feedback for the show: spark@postion2.com