In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we sit down with Danny Nathan, the driving force behind Apollo 21, a company that operates at the intersection of innovation consultancy and product design. Danny shares his insights on how companies, particularly those in the growth stage like Series A and beyond, can move beyond mere “innovation theater” and take meaningful steps toward true innovation that drives long-term success. He discusses the critical importance of operationalizing innovative practices and the challenges companies face when they become too focused on short-term efficiencies and shareholder value at the expense of future growth.
Danny delves into the common pitfalls that companies encounter as they scale, including the danger of optimizing too heavily for what works today, which can stifle creativity and experimentation. He emphasizes the need for companies to allow their teams the freedom to explore new ideas, even if it means risking failure. In fact, Danny argues that embracing failure is a crucial component of any innovation strategy, as it leads to valuable learning and ultimately, greater success.
The conversation also explores the concept of venture-driven growth, where Danny outlines how large corporations can benefit from investing in or partnering with startups and disruptors rather than viewing them as threats. This approach not only fosters innovation but also positions established companies to remain competitive in an ever-changing market landscape.
Additionally, Danny offers practical advice for founders and entrepreneurs on the verge of starting their journey. He highlights the importance of customer development and the need to constantly validate ideas with real users before scaling. Danny also touches on the role of technology in streamlining operations and solving business challenges, cautioning against the premature adoption of AI when simpler, more immediate solutions like automation can often provide significant benefits.
About Danny:
Throughout a roller coaster of a career that has spanned acting, advertising, consulting, technology, and now entrepreneurship, Danny has developed a habit of helping companies create new products & services and launch new ventures. In the past, he’s been called a product person, a UX guy, a designer, a strategist, a marketer, a creative (and a few other choice names like “The Cleaner”).
Today, Danny is the founder of Apollo 21, a company which sits at the intersection of a business consultancy, a product design studio, and a venture studio. Apollo 21 helps companies foster innovation, leverage venture-driven growth, and remove barriers to scale by building technology that solves complex business and operational challenges.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:02 Danny Nathan’s Background and Company Overview
02:29 Challenges and Focus in Innovation
05:39 Importance of Customer Development
22:16 Operational Efficiency and AI
26:44 Embracing Failure and Final Advice
34:17 Closing Remarks and Contact Information