Atom CTO Podcasts

James found me online looking for fractional CTO services. That conversation eventually made me an investor. In this episode I sit down with all three co-founders of Koloso — James, Petra and Sowi — to talk about building a meaningful EdTech product in Zambia with limited capital, no technical background, and a problem that affects millions of children across Sub-Saharan Africa. **The problem:** Zambian classrooms regularly have 60 to 100 children and one teacher. Teachers have no reliable way to track who is keeping up or falling behind, and a mountain of admin on top. The slogans around leaving no child behind simply don't translate into classroom reality. **The product:** Children play a two-minute, ten-question quiz aligned to the Zambian national curriculum. Teachers get a real-time dashboard showing individual progress over time. Parents receive practical tips for reinforcing learning at home, in everyday Zambian contexts. Version two covers the entire teaching loop, from lesson planning through to compliance reporting. **The challenges:** Schools are cautious adopters. The "lazy teacher" objection was real and unexpected. Annual procurement cycles create brutal seasonal gaps. Building without technical founders nearly finished them. **AI at the right moment:** Koloso started using AI-assisted development around eight to ten months before this conversation. Problems that once required lengthy specifications now get resolved in half an hour. But if AI had arrived two years earlier they would have built the wrong product. A year later and they would have run out of money. The timing was critical. **An African solution to an African problem:** Khan Academy hasn't gained traction in Zambia because it isn't aligned to the Zambian curriculum. Koloso's questions use Zambian names, Zambian currency, and Zambian contexts. The family-centred learning philosophy reflects Zambian cultural values in a way that imported solutions don't. --- ## Timestamps | Time | Topic | |------|-------| | 00:32 | How the founders met and their backgrounds | | 04:00 | Why data is the core problem in Zambian classrooms | | 07:00 | Building the first prototype | | 11:10 | How the app works | | 13:58 | School adoption challenges | | 17:28 | African solution to an African problem | | 26:53 | AI-assisted development and why timing mattered | | 35:01 | Advice to their younger selves | | 37:21 | Where to find Koloso | --- Koloso is live in Zambia, South Africa, Nigeria and Uganda, with Malawi in progress. Available on iOS and Google Play. Pre-seed round of $250,000 currently open. Actively seeking investors and schools. **www.koloso.app** *Subscribe to the Atom CTO Podcast for more conversations with founders building things that matter.*

Dominic Courage shares gripping insights from managing global humanitarian crises at Save the Children. From coordinating refugee responses to training crisis leaders, this episode reveals practical leadership lessons born from high-stakes situations. Discover how empathy, systematic thinking, and strategic frameworks can transform chaos into effective action. Perfect for leaders seeking proven crisis management strategies from someone operating at the sharp end of global emergencies.

In this engaging episode of the Atom CTO podcast, host Bhairav Patel welcomes Phin Mpofu, a dynamic serial entrepreneur and founder of Ugenie. Bhairav and Phin explore the journey from idea to implementation in the start-up ecosystem, focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities in the tech and AI industries. Phin shares his insights on building an AI-first business, the evolution of entrepreneurship, and the experiences of being a Black founder. Guest Bio: Phin Mpofu is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Eugenie, an AI-powered platform in the social commerce space. With a background in the start-up community and a passion for technology and community building, Phin is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the tech industry

Trailer to the main event where we ask this week's guest 5 questions Phin Mpofu is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Eugenie, an AI-powered platform in the social commerce space. With a background in the start-up community and a passion for technology and community building, Phin is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the tech industry

In this episode Alan and Bhairav talk all things "pitch deck" Both Alan and Bhairav outline the slides described by Guy Kawasaki in his post, "The only 10 slides you need in your pitch" and add their own experience and flavour to that methodology https://guykawasaki.com/the-only-10-slides-you-need-in-your-pitch/ In this podcast you'll learn: The key slides you need in your pitch deck Why they are important What content you need to put into each slide What turns off investors

In this episode of the Atom CTO Podcast, we talk with Aviv Ben-Yosef, tech consultant and CTO coach: https://avivbenyosef.com/ We delve into the persistent disconnect between tech teams and business units—a challenge that plagues both start-ups and larger enterprises. Along with Aviv we explore common issues such as the misalignment of goals and stakeholder perception. We also discuss practical methodologies for fostering a collaborative culture, including implementing joint KPIs and promoting continuous improvement. Tune in to learn how you can turn your tech department from a cost center into an innovation hub driving business growth.

In this Real World Entrepreneurship podcast we talk with Lauren Young, the Burnout Therapist: https://www.theburnouttherapist.co.uk/ We explore the signs and symptoms of burnout that entrepreneurs frequently face, from chronic exhaustion and sleep disturbances to increased physical ailments and emotional drain, understanding these symptoms is crucial. In this episode, we help the listener distinguish between ordinary stress and the prolonged state of burnout, highlighting practical measures to prevent the escalation of stress into a more severe condition. Learn how to manage your mental health proactively in the demanding world of entrepreneurship.

In this episode of the Atom CTO Podcast, we delve into the intricacies of building a Rapid Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with insights from Verticode's ground-breaking approach. Rapid MVP delivery has revolutionized the start-up landscape by enabling founders to receive a functional prototype within two to three weeks. This agile methodology provides a swift feedback loop, allowing start-ups to iterate and refine their offerings with real user insights. Our guest, who has spearheaded the launch of over 50 tech start-ups in just two years, shares valuable experiences on managing expectations, maintaining transparency, and applying structured sprints to achieve rapid yet reliable MVP development. To learn more about Verticode, visit their website: https://www.verticode.co.uk/