![[SaaS Series] AI and Automation in Global Energy Infrastructure With Bill Lenihan @podcaststrategy](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QkDCX7Blwr8/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Bill Lenihan is the Founder and CEO of ZOLA Intelligence (ZOLAi), a company delivering AI-driven enterprise technology solutions that are transforming energy infrastructure in emerging markets. Under his leadership, ZOLA has expanded across multiple countries, supported hundreds of thousands of off-grid facilities, and secured over $25 million in Series A funding. Bill has held operating and private equity roles at Goldman Sachs, Bain & Co., Calera Capital, and Switch Lighting, shaping his expertise in business expansion. He holds a BA in business and economics from UCLA and an MBA from The Wharton School.
In this episode… Across much of the world, access to reliable energy is still expensive, fragmented, and heavily manual. Communities and businesses often rely on outdated systems that are difficult to scale and maintain. What would it take to transform this broken infrastructure into an intelligent, connected energy network?
According to Bill Lenihan, an entrepreneur and operator focused on energy access in emerging markets, the key lies in turning inefficient, fragmented systems into streamlined, intelligent platforms without needing to fully replace what already exists. He highlights the evolution from distributing solar-powered hardware in remote regions to building a data-driven, software-enabled model that improves deployment, maintenance, and financing. A major turning point came when large-scale operational challenges revealed the limits of manual coordination, accelerating a shift toward automation and intelligence. This approach has enabled more scalable, affordable, and sustainable energy access while improving outcomes for end users and operators alike.
In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Bill Lenihan, Founder and CEO of ZOLAi, to discuss building an AI-native enterprise to solve global energy challenges. They explore the shift from hardware to software-driven energy services, how automation and AI scale infrastructure in emerging markets, and how data unlocks financing and access. Bill also shares insights on enterprise sales, telecom partnerships, and building a board with relevant operating expertise.
Bill Lenihan is the Founder and CEO of ZOLA Intelligence (ZOLAi), a company delivering AI-driven enterprise technology solutions that are transforming energy infrastructure in emerging markets. Under his leadership, ZOLA has expanded across multiple countries, supported hundreds of thousands of off-grid facilities, and secured over $25 million in Series A funding. Bill has held operating and private equity roles at Goldman Sachs, Bain & Co., Calera Capital, and Switch Lighting, shaping his expertise in business expansion. He holds a BA in business and economics from UCLA and an MBA from The Wharton School.
In this episode… Across much of the world, access to reliable energy is still expensive, fragmented, and heavily manual. Communities and businesses often rely on outdated systems that are difficult to scale and maintain. What would it take to transform this broken infrastructure into an intelligent, connected energy network?
According to Bill Lenihan, an entrepreneur and operator focused on energy access in emerging markets, the key lies in turning inefficient, fragmented systems into streamlined, intelligent platforms without needing to fully replace what already exists. He highlights the evolution from distributing solar-powered hardware in remote regions to building a data-driven, software-enabled model that improves deployment, maintenance, and financing. A major turning point came when large-scale operational challenges revealed the limits of manual coordination, accelerating a shift toward automation and intelligence. This approach has enabled more scalable, affordable, and sustainable energy access while improving outcomes for end users and operators alike.
In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Bill Lenihan, Founder and CEO of ZOLAi, to discuss building an AI-native enterprise to solve global energy challenges. They explore the shift from hardware to software-driven energy services, how automation and AI scale infrastructure in emerging markets, and how data unlocks financing and access. Bill also shares insights on enterprise sales, telecom partnerships, and building a board with relevant operating expertise.
![[SaaS Series] AI and Automation in Global Energy Infrastructure With Bill Lenihan](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QkDCX7Blwr8/mqdefault.jpg "[SaaS Series] AI and Automation in Global Energy Infrastructure With Bill Lenihan
Bill Lenihan is the Founder and CEO of ZOLA Intelligence (ZOLAi), a company delivering AI-driven enterprise technology solutions that are transforming energy infrastructure in emerging markets. Under his leadership, ZOLA has expanded across multiple countries, supported hundreds of thousands of off-grid facilities, and secured over $25 million in Series A funding. Bill has held operating and private equity roles at Goldman Sachs, Bain & Co., Calera Capital, and Switch Lighting, shaping his expertise in business expansion. He holds a BA in business and economics from UCLA and an MBA from The Wharton School.
In this episode… Across much of the world, access to reliable energy is still expensive, fragmented, and heavily manual. Communities and businesses often rely on outdated systems that are difficult to scale and maintain. What would it take to transform this broken infrastructure into an intelligent, connected energy network?
According to Bill Lenihan, an entrepreneur and operator focused on energy access in emerging markets, the key lies in turning inefficient, fragmented systems into streamlined, intelligent platforms without needing to fully replace what already exists. He highlights the evolution from distributing solar-powered hardware in remote regions to building a data-driven, software-enabled model that improves deployment, maintenance, and financing. A major turning point came when large-scale operational challenges revealed the limits of manual coordination, accelerating a shift toward automation and intelligence. This approach has enabled more scalable, affordable, and sustainable energy access while improving outcomes for end users and operators alike.
In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Bill Lenihan, Founder and CEO of ZOLAi, to discuss building an AI-native enterprise to solve global energy challenges. They explore the shift from hardware to software-driven energy services, how automation and AI scale infrastructure in emerging markets, and how data unlocks financing and access. Bill also shares insights on enterprise sales, telecom partnerships, and building a board with relevant operating expertise.")
![[Top Agency Series] CRO Readiness and the Future of Revenue Leadership With Warren Zenna](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RgZo1zxcgqI/mqdefault.jpg "[Top Agency Series] CRO Readiness and the Future of Revenue Leadership With Warren Zenna
Warren Zenna is the Founder of The CRO Collective, a B2B consultancy focused on helping CEOs and CROs design stronger revenue strategies, operating models, and CRO readiness. A seasoned revenue leader and advisor, he brings more than 25 years of experience across B2B sales, marketing, digital media, and emerging technology. Warren is also Founder and CEO of Zenna Consulting Group, where he advises companies on organic growth, marketing, and go-to-market strategy. He is the author of What Chief Revenue Officers Actually Do and hosts The CRO Spotlight Podcast, where he explores the evolving responsibilities, challenges, and strategic importance of the modern CRO.
In this episode… Hiring a chief revenue officer can transform a growing company — but only if the business is ready. Many organizations expect a CRO to fix revenue problems, yet success depends just as much on structure, authority, and timing. So, how can companies set CROs up to succeed rather than fail?
For Warren Zenna, a longtime revenue leader and advisor to B2B executives, the answer starts with CRO readiness: companies must understand when they need a CRO, what authority the role requires, and how the revenue engine must be structured before making the hire. He highlights that many CROs fail not because they lack talent, but because they inherit broken systems without the autonomy, resources, or runway to fix them. The result is a costly mismatch between expectations and execution. Warren explains that companies often hire CROs too early for vanity or too late after complexity has already hardened into dysfunction. A successful CRO needs the ability to align sales, marketing, customer success, revenue operations, and leadership expectations around one cohesive growth strategy.
In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Warren Zenna, Founder of The CRO Collective, to discuss CRO readiness and the future of revenue leadership. Warren explains why CROs fail, when companies should hire one, and how AI is reshaping revenue organizations. Warren also shares advice for candidates evaluating CRO opportunities.")
![[SaaS Series] The AI Revenue Engine Driving Hotel Profits With Rudy Ganesh](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SX9plCuUTsQ/mqdefault.jpg "[SaaS Series] The AI Revenue Engine Driving Hotel Profits With Rudy Ganesh
Anirudh (Rudy) Ganesh is the Co-founder and CEO of Hotelzify, an AI-powered hospitality technology company that helps hotels increase direct bookings, streamline operations, and grow revenue. He leads the company’s strategy and product vision, developing tools that combine booking technology, digital marketing, and AI-enabled guest engagement. Before founding Hotelzify, Rudy held software and product roles at JPMorgan Chase, Perpule, and Amazon. A National Institute of Technology Karnataka alumnus, he brings deep technical, product, and commercial experience to meaningful hospitality innovation worldwide.
In this episode… Hotels lose revenue when potential guests encounter slow websites, missed calls, poor pricing, or complicated booking experiences. AI can address these gaps while allowing hotel teams to focus on delivering better stays — but what does an effective AI revenue engine actually look like?
According to Rudy Ganesh, a software developer turned product leader, an effective AI revenue engine combines direct-booking technology, automated marketing, intelligent pricing, and personalized guest communication. He highlights how AI agents can manage campaigns, recover abandoned bookings, answer calls and chats, and adjust room rates based on demand and competitor activity. Together, these tools help hotels attract more guests, convert more inquiries, and improve profitability without proportionally expanding their teams. Rudy also applies e-commerce lessons from Amazon, such as reducing checkout friction, offering relevant payment options, and re-engaging interested customers. By automating digital tasks, hotels can dedicate more attention to on-site operations and memorable guest experiences.
In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Rudy Ganesh, Co-founder and CEO of Hotelzify, to discuss building an AI revenue engine for hotels. They explore direct-booking conversion, automated marketing and pricing, and AI concierge tools. Rudy also shares how customer feedback shapes product development and profitable growth.")
![[SaaS & AI Series] Relationship Networks as the New Pipeline With Olivier Roth](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Sswtgyh_lms/mqdefault.jpg "[SaaS & AI Series] Relationship Networks as the New Pipeline With Olivier Roth
Olivier Roth is the Co-founder and Chief Growth Officer at The Swarm, a go-to-network platform that helps companies and investors map, combine, and activate relationship networks for sales, recruiting, and fundraising. He helps lead the company’s growth strategy, building systems that turn relationship data into warm introductions and stronger business opportunities. Previously, Olivier founded Timelapse, a strategic creative agency that worked with high-growth startups and brands, including LinkedIn, Lyft, and Stanford Research Park. His work focuses on helping teams use authentic relationships to create more practical, scalable paths to growth.
In this episode… Cold outbound can create opportunities, but the strongest path to a deal often starts with a trusted relationship already inside your extended network. When teams can map those relationships, identify the right connectors, and ask for introductions with care, how can they turn relationship networks into a repeatable growth channel?
Olivier Roth, a relationship intelligence leader who has spent years helping teams uncover warm introduction paths, says the key is treating networks as structured business assets rather than loose collections of contacts. He highlights the importance of mapping relationships among employees, investors, advisors, customers, partners, and industry friends to identify the most credible path to a target account. Instead of relying on cold emails or broad LinkedIn connections, Olivier explains how teams can use relationship data to identify stronger, more actionable introduction paths. The result is a more human go-to-market motion where AI helps surface the path, but people still build trust, protect social capital, and personalize the ask.
In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Olivier Roth, Co-founder and Chief Growth Officer at The Swarm, to discuss how relationship networks can become a stronger source of pipeline. Olivier breaks down warm introductions, reverse-engineered intro paths, and connector-driven network graphs. He also shares how AI, Claude, Salesforce, and Klarna fit into relationship-led growth.")
![[Swim Series] Custom Swim Goggles Powered by Innovation With Rasmus Barfred](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Sv7NhWL8aKs/mqdefault.jpg "[Swim Series] Custom Swim Goggles Powered by Innovation With Rasmus Barfred
Book a Complimentary B2B Podcast Strategy Call:
https://rise25.com/bookcall
Download our B2B Podcast Strategy & Tools List PDF:
https://rise25.com/podcastcheatsheetyt
Rasmus Barfred is the Co-founder of THEMAGIC5, a company redefining athletic gear through custom-fit products powered by 3D scanning and robotic technology. He has helped grow the company into a global brand, securing investment on Shark Tank and expanding its reach worldwide. Building on this technology, he also helped launch Vayu Sleep, which applies custom-fit solutions to CPAP masks for sleep apnea patients. With a background in entrepreneurship, he focuses on scaling innovation across sports and healthcare.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
• [0:00] Intro
• [4:01] Rasmus Barfred on facial scanning technology for custom-fit swim goggles
• [11:36] The story behind evolving a product from Kickstarter roots
• [15:27] How combining hardware and software drives innovation in the industry
• [17:38] Why recreational swimmers became THEMAGIC5’s breakout audience
• [20:02] Olympic athletes joining the company as partners and investors
• [25:29] AI impact on customer service and backend operations
• [33:20] Role of paid social ads in scaling growth on Meta
• [38:27] Expansion vision beyond swimming into broader sports markets
Resources mentioned in this episode:
• Rasmus Barfred on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rasmus-barfred-38a5b636
• THEMAGIC5 - http://TheMagic5.com | $20% Discount Code: Jeremy20
• Vayu Sleep - https://vayusleep.com
• Kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/custom-fit-interface/custom-fitted-swimming-goggles
• Rapha - https://www.rapha.cc/us/en
• “The Sharks BEG For A Deal With The Magic 5” | Shark Tank US | Shark Tank Global - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rct78Sh_weo
• Shopify - https://www.shopify.com
Special offer:
• Go to https://themagic5.com/collections/swim-goggles
• Pick your goggles and add them to your cart
• At checkout, enter code Jeremy20 in the discount field to save 20%
Sponsor for this episode
At https://rise25.com, we help B2B businesses give to and connect to your Dream 200 relationships and partnerships.
We help you cultivate amazing relationships in 2 ways:
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The Rise25 podcasting solution is designed to help you build a profitable podcast. This requires a specific strategy, and we’ve got that down pat. We focus on making sure you have a direct path to ROI — plus, our podcast production company takes any heavy lifting of production and distribution off your plate.
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We’ll distribute each episode across more than 11 unique channels, including iTunes, Spotify, and Amazon Podcasts. We’ll also create copy for each episode and promote your show across social media.
Cofounders Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran credit podcasting as being the best thing they have ever done for their businesses. Podcasting connected them with the founders/CEOs of P90x, Atari, Einstein Bagels, Mattel, Rx Bars, YPO, EO, Lending Tree, Freshdesk, and many more.
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Powered by Rise25 Podcast Production Company - https://rise25.com")
![[SaaS Series] AI, Global Talent, and the Future of Software Teams With Matt Watson](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TAca0f6as-g/mqdefault.jpg "[SaaS Series] AI, Global Talent, and the Future of Software Teams With Matt Watson
Matt Watson is the Founder and CEO of Full Scale, an offshore software development company that helps U.S. companies build dedicated software engineering teams in the Philippines. A four-time tech founder and longtime CTO, he previously co-founded VinSolutions, an automotive software company that AutoTrader.com acquired in 2011, and later founded the developer-tools company Stackify. Matt brings more than 20 years of engineering and startup leadership experience to helping companies build and scale high-performing software teams. He is also the author of Product Driven and host of the Startup Hustle podcast.
In this episode… As AI transforms how companies build software, they are rethinking what it takes to scale development teams without sacrificing quality, speed, or accountability. With global talent and increasingly capable AI tools changing the economics of software development, how can leaders build teams that are both more efficient and more effective?
According to Matt Watson, a serial SaaS founder and longtime software leader, companies can scale development more effectively by combining offshore talent with AI-powered workflows while keeping human judgment at the center. He highlights how staff augmentation allows Philippines-based developers to work directly within a company’s existing teams instead of operating as a separate outsourced unit. This approach can give businesses greater flexibility and access to experienced talent while maintaining stronger team integration. Matt also explains how AI tools, MCP servers, and shared plugins can streamline operations by connecting business systems, surfacing information, and standardizing repeatable workflows. As AI accelerates execution, he emphasizes that product thinking becomes even more valuable because teams still need people who can determine what to build, why it matters, and whether the outcome actually serves the customer.
In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Matt Watson, Founder and CEO of Full Scale, to discuss the future of software teams. They explore offshore staff augmentation, AI-powered business workflows, and why product thinking matters more as development accelerates. Matt also shares how AI is reshaping marketing and website development.")
