Building the AI-First Enterprise: Product Innovation, Venture Insights & Marketing Trust | DisrupTV Ep. 238

In DisrupTV Episode 238, hosts R "Ray" Wang and Vala Afshar are joined by:

  • Dmitri Krakovsky – Chief Product Officer at Unit4, known for building flexible, domain-focused enterprise solutions using cloud, micro-services, APIs, and machine learning 
  • Ash Fontana – Managing Director at Zetta Ventures and author of The AI-First Company, founding investor in AI-native leaders like Kaggle, Domino, Tractable, and Invenia 
  • Liz Miller – VP & Principal Analyst at Constellation Research, leading analysis on CMO transformation, brand trust, and the evolving demands on marketing leadership 

This episode examines the intersection of AI-driven product innovation, investment in AI-first startups, and the evolving role of marketing trust in digital transformations.

Key Takeaways

Dmitri Krakovsky emphasized that the future of enterprise software lies in agility and adaptability. Customers no longer want heavy, monolithic systems that quickly become outdated—they need platforms designed with micro-services, APIs, and machine learning at their core so they can flex and evolve with changing demands. Ash Fontana built on this theme by explaining how his investment philosophy at Zetta Ventures centers on AI-first companies. Rather than layering AI on top of existing models, these startups are designed from day one around intelligent software, creating exponential opportunities in markets ranging from insurance to supply chain optimization. Liz Miller rounded out the discussion by turning to the marketing imperative of trust. As brands face growing scrutiny in an era of misinformation and heightened digital expectations, CMOs must not only drive engagement but also protect the integrity and reputation of their organizations.

Notable Quotes

  • Dmitri Krakovsky: “Enterprise clients need flexibility—systems built to evolve, not to be replaced.”
  • Ash Fontana: “Being AI-first means building your business around the possibilities of intelligent software, not retrofitting it.”
  • Liz Miller: “Marketing's future lies in earning and protecting trust in an increasingly digital world.”

Final Thoughts

Episode 238 revealed that the path forward for organizations rests on three interconnected pillars: adaptive technology, AI-driven business models, and trust-centered marketing. Krakovsky reminded us that flexibility is now table stakes in enterprise product design. Fontana challenged leaders to think bigger—building with AI as the foundation, not an afterthought. And Miller reinforced that none of this innovation matters without trust, the true currency of lasting customer relationships. Together, these insights offer leaders a blueprint for thriving in a world where innovation, intelligence, and integrity must go hand in hand.

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