Sam Kroonenburg is the CEO and Founder of A Cloud Guru, a disruptive online learning platform for cloud certification and training. A Cloud Guru has recently been acquired by Pluralsight, a US company, in the largest-ever acquisition of an Australian software company. The story of A Cloud Guru is an amazing example of product-market fit and successfully getting the product into the hands of the customers who need it most.
Sam has an extensive background in software development; he spent years at Microsoft as a Software Design Engineer. Sam also spent time honing his software development skills at Kiandra IT, where he worked as a Software Development Lead and a Software Development Manager.
During their chat, Ian & Sam discuss…
Sam’s extensive background in software development
Working in an ever-changing industry
Engaging customers through education
The natural progression of adding B2B services
The process of negotiations that led to the acquisition by Pluralsight
The unique set of challenges A Cloud Guru faced in raising funds and hiring
Creating consistency through shared values among employees...and more!
Quickfire Recommendations
Book: Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
Podcast: Lex Fridman podcast
News source: Ars Technica, The Age, The Washington Post, WSJ
Tech CEO: Elon Musk (Tesla)
App: Calm
Productivity tool: Superhuman Email
TV show: The West Wing
Ted Talk Topic: “The future of education and work” or “the biggest and most exciting ideas in physics”

<div>Sam Kroonenburg is the CEO and Founder of A Cloud Guru, a disruptive online learning platform for cloud certification and training. A Cloud Guru has recently been acquired by Pluralsight, a US company, in the largest-ever acquisition of an Australian software company. The story of A Cloud Guru is an amazing example of product-market fit and successfully getting the product into the hands of the customers who need it most.</div><div><br></div><div>Sam has an extensive background in software development; he spent years at Microsoft as a Software Design Engineer. Sam also spent time honing his software development skills at Kiandra IT, where he worked as a Software Development Lead and a Software Development Manager.</div><div><br></div><div>During their chat, Ian &amp; Sam discuss…</div><ul><li>Sam’s extensive background in software development</li><li>Working in an ever-changing industry</li><li>Engaging customers through education</li><li>The natural progression of adding B2B services</li><li>The process of negotiations that led to the acquisition by Pluralsight</li><li>The unique set of challenges A Cloud Guru faced in raising funds and hiring</li><li>Creating consistency through shared values among employees</li></ul><div>...and more!</div><div><br></div><div>Quickfire Recommendations</div><ul><li>Book: Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari</li><li>Podcast: Lex Fridman podcast</li><li>News source: Ars Technica, The Age, The Washington Post, WSJ</li><li>Tech CEO: Elon Musk (Tesla)</li><li>App: Calm</li><li>Productivity tool: Superhuman Email</li><li>TV show: The West Wing</li><li>Ted Talk Topic: “The future of education and work” or “the biggest and most exciting ideas in physics”</li></ul>

There is a lot of activity in the Australian startup ecosystem. Ideas, talent, and money are all flowing into this sector at an unprecedented rate. 

This weekly podcast brings in-depth interviews with the best people making the biggest difference.

It's brought to you by Ian Gardiner and Phaedon Stough, technology entrepreneurs helping to grow the startup sector in Australia and New Zealand. Ian and Phaedon co-founded Innovation Bay with a clear mission to help technology entrepreneurs succeed.

A weekly deep dive into Australia's tech and startup ecosystem. Brought to you by Innovation Bay

Open the Pod Bay Doors

The Australian and New Zealand startup ecosystem is burgeoning, exciting and filled with some of the most fascinating minds on the planet, all driven by a passion to make a positive and lasting impact. Open The Pod Bay Doors invites some of the brightest minds in the industry for deep conversations and awe-inspiring insights from their captivating journeys. Lend us your ears to gain some fresh knowledge and broaden your insights. Brought to you weekly by Innovation Bay. 

<p>The Australian and New Zealand startup ecosystem is burgeoning, exciting and filled with some of the most fascinating minds on the planet, all driven by a passion to make a positive and lasting impact. Open The Pod Bay Doors invites some of the brightest minds in the industry for deep conversations and awe-inspiring insights from their captivating journeys. Lend us your ears to gain some fresh knowledge and broaden your insights. Brought to you weekly by Innovation Bay. </p>

Sam Kroonenburg is the CEO and Founder of A Cloud Guru, a disruptive online learning platform for cloud certification and training. A...

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