Join host Moshe Mikanovsky in an insightful conversation with Nino Melikidze, Co-Founder & CEO of Immitracker, an immigration tech platform helping newcomers track their application timelines, compare cases, and connect with others going through the same journey.

Built from personal experience, Immitracker combines community, analytics, and real user data to help immigrants better understand their process and reduce the uncertainty that comes with relocation.

In this episode, we explore how a personal problem turned into a startup, the challenges of building a B2C platform, and why community-driven data can become a powerful product.

🔍 In this episode, we unpack: • How Immitracker helps immigrants track applications and reduce uncertainty • The challenge of building a startup from an existing product • Lessons from bootstrapping vs raising funding • Why product-market fit doesn’t always mean monetization works • Moving from B2C to B2B to build a sustainable business

One key insight from Nino: Sometimes the hardest part of building a startup is not the product — it’s finding the right business model to support it.

From predictive analytics to community-driven data, Immitracker shows how real user problems can lead to meaningful products that help thousands of people navigate life-changing decisions.

If you’re a founder, product builder, or working on community or data-driven platforms — this episode is for you.

Don’t miss this deep dive into immigration tech, product-market fit, and building startups from real-world problems. Subscribe now for actionable insights and stay ahead in the evolving world of startups, product development, and innovation. 🚀

Nino Melikidze is the Co-Founder & CEO of Immitracker, an immigration analytics and community platform helping newcomers track application timelines, compare cases, and navigate the immigration process with more clarity and confidence.

🙋 About Host

Moshe Mikanovsky is a Product Management Coach helping companies build lean software products with his unique experience in engineering and managing products for 30 years.

🎙️ About the Show

Beyond Product Podcast is brought to you by ⁠Rootquotient⁠ - Canada's Leading Product Engineering company.

🔔 Follow us for regular updates

LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/rootquotient

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rootquotientltd

X - https://twitter.com/rootquotient

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rootquotient

Rootquotient’s Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.rootquotient.com ⁠⁠⁠

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4H2wpIJmYrmYwLv0J2260R?si=b3f5f49963c24367

Stay tuned for more thought-provoking discussions, meaningful insights, and all things 'Beyond Product.'

#Startups #ImmigrationTech #CommunityProduct #ProductDevelopment #BeyondProduct #FounderJourney #Innovation #Rootquotient #TechPodcast #productengineering #startupstory #SaaS #Entrepreneurship

👤 About Nino Melikidze

Join host Moshe Mikanovsky in an insightful conversation with Azrah Manji-Savin, Co-Founder & CEO of Syzl, a platform reinventing how food businesses launch and grow. From flexible kitchen rentals to an AI-powered workspace that acts like a co-founder, Syzl is helping food entrepreneurs turn their ideas into real businesses.

In this episode, we explore how the food industry is evolving, why shared spaces and marketplaces are changing the way startups begin, and how AI can support founders who don’t have a full business team behind them.

🔍 In this episode, we unpack: • How Syzl helps food entrepreneurs launch without high upfront costs • Why shared kitchens and marketplaces are changing the gig economy • The challenge of building products for real-world businesses • What MVP really means in today’s AI-powered startup world • Lessons from scaling a startup through experimentation and iteration

One key insight from Azrah:Many founders focus on the product, but real success comes from understanding the full journey of the customer — from idea to execution.

From supporting side-hustlers to helping food businesses scale, Syzl is building tools that combine marketplace technology, real estate, and AI to make entrepreneurship more accessible.

If you’re a founder, product builder, or exploring marketplace and AI products — this episode is for you.

Don’t miss this deep dive into food startups, marketplaces, and building products in the real world. Subscribe now for actionable insights and stay ahead in the evolving world of startups, AI, and product innovation. 🚀

Azrah Manji-Savin is the Co-Founder & CEO of Syzl, a platform helping food entrepreneurs launch and grow through flexible kitchen rentals and AI-powered tools designed to support small business owners.

🙋 About Host

Moshe Mikanovsky is a Product Management Coach helping companies build lean software products with his unique experience in engineering and managing products for 30 years.

🎙️ About the Show

Beyond Product Podcast is brought to you by ⁠Rootquotient⁠ - Canada's Leading Product Engineering company.

🔔 Follow us for regular updates

LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/rootquotient

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rootquotientltd

X - https://twitter.com/rootquotient

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rootquotient

Rootquotient’s Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.rootquotient.com ⁠⁠⁠

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4H2wpIJmYrmYwLv0J2260R?si=b3f5f49963c24367

Stay tuned for more thought-provoking discussions, meaningful insights, and all things 'Beyond Product.'

#Startups #Marketplace #AI #FoodStartups #Entrepreneurship #SaaS #ProductDevelopment #BeyondProduct #Rootquotient #FounderStory #TechInnovation #productinnovation #innovation #productengineering #techtalk #podcastdiscussion #productdevelopment

Join host Moshe Mikanovsky in an insightful conversation with Victor Salinas, CEO and founder of SmartConcil, a platform helping finance teams automate reconciliation, reduce errors, and gain full visibility into their financial data. In this episode, Victor shares his journey from building custom financial software to creating a scalable SaaS product used across multiple countries and industries.Explore how SmartConcil helps companies consolidate, analyze, and reconcile financial information faster, reducing manual work and minimizing risk. From retailers and insurance companies to financial institutions, Victor explains how automation is transforming the way organizations manage complex financial operations. 🤝From banks and insurance companies to retailers and global businesses, Victor shares how SmartConcil enables organizations to consolidate financial information from multiple systems, standardize data, and identify inconsistencies faster through automated reconciliation — giving finance teams more control over complex operations.🔍 In this episode, we unpack:• Why financial reconciliation becomes complex in modern digital businesses• How SmartConcil reduces manual work and reconciliation time• The challenge of turning custom software into a scalable SaaS product• Lessons in product-market fit across multiple industries• Building modular software that adapts to different data sources• Founder insights on resilience, balance, and long startup journeysOne key insight from Victor:Building a great product is not about adding more features — it’s about solving the real problem your users face.As companies rely on more payment systems, platforms, and data sources, automation and standardization are becoming essential for finance teams to stay in control.If you’re a founder, product leader, or building B2B SaaS — this episode is for you.Don’t miss this deep dive into financial automation and building scalable SaaS products. Subscribe now for actionable insights and stay ahead in the evolving world of fintech, product development, and startup innovation. 🚀👤 About Victor SalinasVictor Salinas is the founder and CEO of SmartConcil, a platform that helps companies automate financial reconciliation, reduce inconsistencies, and gain full visibility into their financial operations.🙋 About HostMoshe Mikanovsky is a Product Management Coach helping companies build lean software products with his unique experience in engineering and managing products for 30 years. 🎙️ About the ShowBeyond Product Podcast is brought to you by ⁠Rootquotient⁠ - Canada's Leading Product Engineering company. 🔔 Follow us for regular updatesLinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/rootquotient Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rootquotientltd X - https://twitter.com/rootquotient Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rootquotient Rootquotient’s Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.rootquotient.com ⁠⁠⁠Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4H2wpIJmYrmYwLv0J2260R?si=b3f5f49963c24367 Stay tuned for more thought-provoking discussions, meaningful insights, and all things 'Beyond Product.'#fintech #saas #financialautomation #SmartConcil #startupjourney #b2bsoftware #productdevelopment #beyondproduct #rootquotient #founderstory #techinnovation #productinnovation #innovation #productengineering #techtalk #podcastdiscussion #productdevelopment #entrepreneurship #startupjourney

Join host Moshe Mikanovsky in a powerful conversation with Jon French, a leader within the University of Toronto’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, exploring how one of North America’s top universities is transforming research into venture-backed startups.

From AI and robotics to life sciences and quantum computing, Jon shares how U of T is building a structured, scalable deep tech engine — supporting 12+ accelerators across three campuses and helping founders commercialize breakthrough research

🔍In this episode, we unpack:

• How university research becomes VC-backed companies • The rise of AI-native and robotics startups • Why quantum feels like “AI 10 years ago” • The shift in Canadian early-stage funding expectations • Why some founders leave Canada — and what needs to change • The importance of domestic investment and procurement

One key insight from Jon:

Founders must fall in love with solving the problem — not just raising capital.

As global competition intensifies in AI and deep tech, Canada’s ability to retain talent, fund innovation boldly, and commercialize research effectively will determine its position on the world stage.

If you’re a founder, investor, researcher, or product leader — this episode is for you.

Don’t miss this deep dive into Canada’s deep tech and innovation ecosystem. Subscribe now for actionable insights and stay ahead in the evolving world of AI, quantum, and venture-backed startups. 🚀

👤 About Jon French

Jon French plays a key role in advancing entrepreneurship at the University of Toronto, supporting deep tech founders, faculty spin-outs, and venture-backed startups across AI, life sciences, robotics, and quantum innovation.

🙋 About Host

Moshe Mikanovsky is a Product Management Coach helping companies build lean software products with his unique experience in engineering and managing products for 30 years.

🎙️ About the Show

Beyond Product Podcast is brought to you by ⁠Rootquotient⁠ - Canada's Leading Product Engineering company.

🔔 Follow us for regular updates

LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/rootquotient

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rootquotientltd

X - https://twitter.com/rootquotient

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rootquotient

Rootquotient’s Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.rootquotient.com ⁠⁠⁠

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4H2wpIJmYrmYwLv0J2260R?si=b3f5f49963c24367

Stay tuned for more thought-provoking discussions, meaningful insights, and all things 'Beyond Product.'

#DeepTech #AI #QuantumComputing #StartupEcosystem #UniversityOfToronto #VentureCapital #InnovationEconomy #BeyondProduct #Rootquotient #FounderStory #TechInnovation #productinnovation #innovation #productengineering #techtalk #podcastdiscussion #productdevelopment #FounderStory

Join host Moshe Mikanovsky in this engaging episode of the Beyond Product Podcast as he sits down with Calvin Benchimol, Co-founder & CEO of CrewScope. The construction industry is facing a labor crisis, productivity challenges, and outdated planning methods. CrewScope is tackling these problems head-on by empowering field crews with simple, intuitive site planning and collaboration tools. 🏗️📲In this episode, Calvin shares his journey from working in construction logistics to launching a tech-driven solution for hourly workers, why simplicity is a strategy, and how gamification and behavioral psychology are reshaping workforce engagement on industrial sites.💡 Key Highlights:✅ Fixing Construction Productivity – Why hourly worker efficiency has declined since the 1970s and how CrewScope is changing that.✅ The Power of Simplicity – How reducing complexity in technology makes adoption easier for industrial teams.✅ Winning Together – How CrewScope fosters team collaboration, goal-setting, and performance rewards to keep workers engaged.✅ Gamification in Construction – How real-time incentives and progress tracking help crews stay motivated and aligned.✅ A Data-Driven Future – The role of AI, predictive analytics, and workforce data in shaping smarter, more efficient job sites.🎧 Listen now to learn how CrewScope is bridging the gap between frontline workers and leadership, creating a culture of accountability and efficiency in construction!👥 About Calvin Benchimol:Calvin Benchimol is the Co-founder & CEO of CrewScope, a site planning and collaboration tool built specifically for industrial and construction field teams. With nearly two decades of experience in the industry—including leadership roles at Lafarge and eCompliance—Calvin saw firsthand how disconnected job sites were from strategic planning. CrewScope is his solution to streamlining workflows, improving productivity, and making work more engaging for hourly workers.🔗 Reference LinksCrewScope Website - https://www.crewscope.comCrewScope LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/crewscopeCrewScope Twitter - https://twitter.com/crewscope🙋 About HostMoshe Mikanovsky is a Product Management Coach helping companies build lean software products with his unique experience in engineering and managing products for 30 years.🎙️ About the ShowBeyond Product Podcast is brought to you by Rootquotient—Canada's leading product engineering company.🔔 Follow us for regular updates🔗 LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/rootquotient📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rootquotientltd✖️ X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/rootquotient📘 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rootquotient🌍 Website - https://www.rootquotient.com🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4H2wpIJmYrmYwLv0J2260RStay tuned for more thought-provoking discussions, meaningful insights, and all things Beyond Product.#beyondproduct #constructiontech #proptech #industrialinnovation #gamification #B2Btech #supplychain #productmanagement #UX #digitaltransformation #hourlyworkers #founderstory #rootquotient #techforgood

Join host Moshe Mikanovsky in this eye-opening episode of the Beyond Product Podcast as he speaks with Sylvia Ng, CEO & Founder of Return Bear. Returns are now a $900 billion problem, with massive financial, logistical, and environmental consequences. Sylvia and her team at Return Bear are on a mission to revolutionize reverse logistics, making returns smoother for customers, more profitable for brands, and better for the environment. 🌱📦In this episode, Sylvia shares her journey from Shopify to building a logistics startup, how AI and predictive analytics help brands minimize waste, and why returns are one of the biggest sustainability challenges in e-commerce today.💡 Key Highlights:✅ The Hidden Cost of Returns – How returns contribute 24 million metric tons of CO2 annually and why most returned items end up in landfills.✅ Fixing the Broken System – How Return Bear provides instant refunds, local logistics hubs, and cuts return costs by 40%.✅ Amazon’s Influence – Why Amazon’s return policies have set new consumer expectations, forcing brands to adapt or fall behind.✅ Using AI for Smarter Returns – How predictive analytics help brands decide what to restock, resell, or donate.✅ Building a Mission-Driven Startup – Sylvia’s founder journey, insights on pivoting, and balancing impact with profitability.🎧 Listen now to learn how e-commerce brands can turn returns into an opportunity—for business and the planet!👥 About Sylvia Ng:Sylvia Ng is the CEO & Founder of Return Bear, a reverse logistics company tackling the e-commerce return crisis. With a background in growth product management, she previously led teams at Shopify and 500px before launching Return Bear to create a sustainable, tech-powered solution for returns. Sylvia has been recognized as EMC’s Woman of the Year (2024), WeWorking Woman CEO of the Year (2023), and one of Canada’s Most Inspiring Women in STEM (2018).🔗 Reference LinksReturn Bear Website - https://www.returnbear.comReturn Bear LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/returnbearReturn Bear Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/returnbear🙋 About HostMoshe Mikanovsky is a Product Management Coach helping companies build lean software products with his unique experience in engineering and managing products for 30 years.🎙️ About the ShowBeyond Product Podcast is brought to you by Rootquotient—Canada's leading product engineering company.🔔 Follow us for regular updates🔗 LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/rootquotient📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rootquotientltd✖️ X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/rootquotient📘 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rootquotient🌍 Website - https://www.rootquotient.com🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4H2wpIJmYrmYwLv0J2260RStay tuned for more thought-provoking discussions, meaningful insights, and all things Beyond Product.#beyondproduct #ecommerce #returns #reverseLogistics #sustainability #greentech #productmanagement #growthhacking #supplychain #logistics #customerexperience #founderstory #rootquotient #innovation #techforgood

Join host Moshe Mikanovsky in this powerful episode of the Beyond Product Podcast as he sits down with Thomas Fletcher, Co-founder & CTO of Leynek Medical. Leynek Medical is on a mission to revolutionize cancer care with ReneCare, a digital platform designed to support patients and caregivers throughout their cancer journey. 🏥💡In this episode, Thomas shares his journey of building a tech-driven solution for cancer care, the challenges of startup funding, and how AI-powered insights are transforming patient support. Discover how ReneCare helps patients track symptoms, manage their health data, and stay connected with caregivers—all while reducing stress and improving treatment outcomes.💡 Key Highlights:✅ Bridging the Cancer Care Gap – How ReneCare helps patients log symptoms, journal experiences, and receive personalized insights.✅ Beyond AI Hype – How AI is used for intelligent summarization, not diagnostics, to improve patient-doctor communication.✅ The Positivity Bucket – A unique feature helping patients receive emotional support from their loved ones at the right moments.✅ Startup Lessons from a Serial Founder – Insights on bootstrapping vs. VC funding and why co-founder compatibility is key.✅ Real-World Impact – How cancer patients and caregivers worldwide are already benefiting from the platform.🎧 Tune in now for a thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of technology, healthcare, and human-centered design.👥 About Thomas Fletcher:Thomas Fletcher is the Co-founder & CTO of Leynek Medical, an innovative healthtech company focused on digital tools for cancer care. With a background in embedded systems and UX, he previously co-founded Crank Software, later acquired after 15 years of success. His passion lies in creating impactful technology solutions that enhance patient care.🔗 Reference Links🌍 Leynek Medical Website - https://www.leynekmedical.com📱 ReneCare App (iOS & Android) - Available worldwide💼 Leynek Medical LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leynekmedical🙋 About the Host:Moshe Mikanovsky is a Product Management Coach helping companies build lean software products with his 30 years of experience in engineering and managing products.🎙️ About the Show:Beyond Product Podcast is brought to you by Rootquotient—Canada's leading product engineering company.🔔 Follow us for regular updates🔗 LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/rootquotient📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rootquotientltd✖️ X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/rootquotient📘 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rootquotient🌍 Website - https://www.rootquotient.com🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4H2wpIJmYrmYwLv0J2260R📌 Stay tuned for more thought-provoking discussions, meaningful insights, and all things Beyond Product.#BeyondProduct #HealthTech #DigitalHealth #AIinHealthcare #CancerCare #StartupJourney #FounderStory #PatientCare #Rootquotient #Innovation #TechForGood

Join host Moshe Mikanovsky in this insightful episode of the Beyond Product Podcast as he speaks with Oz Azaria, CEO & Co-founder of Hoox. Hoox is revolutionizing customer activation for banks and card issuers, providing real-time, personalized incentives at the point of purchase—without friction. 🏦💳In this episode, Oz shares his journey from MasterCard business development leader to fintech founder, the challenges of breaking into a slow-moving industry, and why banks struggle to adapt to rapid innovation. Discover how Hoox is bridging this gap by making customer engagement seamless and effective.💡 Key Highlights:✅ Revolutionizing Card Loyalty – How Hoox shifts incentives from post-purchase rewards to real-time engagement at checkout.✅ The Challenge of Slow-Moving Giants – Why big banks struggle to innovate and how fintech startups can help.✅ Navigating Regulations & Compliance – Insights into building a secure, compliant fintech startup from the ground up.✅ The Founder’s Journey – How Oz transitioned from corporate stability to startup uncertainty—and the lessons learned.✅ Scaling a Global Fintech Business – Why Hoox started in Israel but expanded to North America for growth and market potential.🎧 Tune in now to explore how fintech innovation is reshaping the payments landscape!👥 About Oz Azaria:Oz Azaria is the CEO & Co-founder of Hoox, a fintech company transforming how banks and card issuers engage with customers through embedded, real-time incentives. With a decade of experience at MasterCard and major financial institutions, Oz saw the inefficiencies in the industry and set out to bridge the gap between banks, merchants, and consumers.🔗 Reference LinksHoox Website - https://www.hoo.comHoox LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/hooxHoox Twitter - https://twitter.com/hoox🙋 About HostMoshe Mikanovsky is a Product Management Coach helping companies build lean software products with his unique experience in engineering and managing products for 30 years.🎙️ About the ShowBeyond Product Podcast is brought to you by Rootquotient—Canada's leading product engineering company.🔔 Follow us for regular updates🔗 LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/rootquotient📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rootquotientltd✖️ X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/rootquotient📘 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rootquotient🌍 Website - https://www.rootquotient.com🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4H2wpIJmYrmYwLv0J2260RStay tuned for more thought-provoking discussions, meaningful insights, and all things Beyond Product.#beyondproduct #fintech #payments #customeractivation #embeddedfinance #digitalbanking #startupjourney #founderstory #bankingtech #rootquotient #innovation #techforgood