Mike interviews Aycan Gulez, the CTO of Faraday, to explore the world of carbon emissions management and energy optimisation. Aycan shares invaluable insights on leveraging AI, navigating hardware challenges, and driving sustainability in the tech industry. Listen to this episode to discover how Faraday is revolutionising the way businesses measure and reduce their environmental impact, and learn practical strategies for scaling tech ventures while prioritising sustainability.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Measuring carbon emissions is crucial for companies to comply with upcoming regulations and avoid potential carbon taxes
Faraday provides a platform for companies to calculate carbon emissions and manage energy consumption using IoT devices and AI algorithms
Outdated practices and hardware-centric mindsets in the energy management industry pose challenges for innovation and flexibility
Scalability issues with relational databases can be addressed using techniques like vertical scaling, ARM processors, and the ZFS file system
Prioritising simplicity in tech stack choices, such as using Vue.js over React, can improve developer experience and reduce complexity
Working closely with customers to understand pain points and develop solutions is key to successful product innovation
Ensuring security through encryption, simplifying tech stacks, and following best practices is essential when handling large amounts of sensitive data
Achieving product-market fit is the most critical factor for the growth and success of any tech venture

BEST MOMENTS

"You can't reduce something you don't measure. And also, there are initiatives about a so-called carbon tax, some companies will be expected to pay a carbon tax for damaging the environment and making the entire world a really bad place for our children to live in." (03:05) Aycan emphasises the importance of measuring carbon emissions.

"I prefer to have as few dependencies as possible because statistically speaking the more dependencies you have, the more chances of something going wrong. So, I think it makes sense to build a monolith first." (28:06) Aycan discusses his approach to managing complexity in software architecture.

"Soon this I hope will be normal. I mean, asking your partners what their emissions are. Right now, I mean, no one cares. But there is an increasing awareness and the upcoming regulations that make it mandatory to check all these data from your suppliers." (40:59) Aycan predicts the future of carbon emissions reporting in business partnerships.

"I hate pointless government regulations as much as everyone. But I think self-regulation is an oxymoron. In a free market, all economic actors are supposed to act in their own self-interest. That's the agreement, right?" (41:47) Aycan shares his blunt opinion on the necessity of government regulations for carbon emissions.

"I mean, tech is only part of the equation. I believe that business developments, marketing, product-market fit, things like this, soft things are actually more important than the tech stack, because if you, if no one knows that you have a great product, then I mean, it doesn't really matter" (52:33) Aycan stresses the importance of product-market fit over technology.

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech start-ups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Measuring Carbon Footprints: Faraday's AI-Powered Sustainability Solution with Aycan Gulez CTO of Faraday

Mastering Tech Growth