In the latest episode of the Bright Founders Talk podcast, we are excited to feature a conversation with Elizabeth Tishchenko, Co-Founder of Nevemind. Elizabeth, originally from Ukraine, shares her story of ambition, mobility, and entrepreneurial spirit that spans across various countries and industries. Her current venture, Nevemind, is an intelligence platform designed to maintain and strengthen business relationships, a critical tool for anyone looking to nurture their professional connections. From her early days participating in Olympiads to founding multiple startups, Elizabeth's path is a testament to the power of networking and adaptability.
This interview uncovers how her experiences shaped her into a generalist, thriving in varied roles and constantly seeking new challenges. Join us as Elizabeth discusses the importance of networking, her strategies for maintaining relationships, and the innovative solutions Nevemind offers to today’s professionals.
Elizabeth Tishchenko: From Nomadic Startup Enthusiast to Networking Virtuoso
Elizabeth Tishchenko's journey is as dynamic as the tech landscape itself. From her early days of scraping together resources to build her first company, Culturey, Elizabeth's entrepreneurial spirit was sparked by a desire to bridge cultural gaps through travel. "I was only 18, with no money, diving into sales, marketing, and even software development," she recounts. Her tale isn't just one of starting up but of continuous growth and adaptation, a narrative that resonates with anyone who knows the thrill and terror of stepping out into the unknown.
I was only 18, with no money, diving into sales, marketing, and even software development
Elizabeth TishchenkoCo-Founder at Nevemind
Transitioning from Culturey, Elizabeth ventured into productivity startups, tweaking her approach as she honed her skills across various business functions. This phase of her career crystallized her belief in the power of adaptability and generalism over specialization. "I realized I just like wearing multiple hats," she says, capturing the essence of her approach to business. It's this versatile, inquisitive nature that has enabled her to navigate the complexities of multiple startups across different countries, each experience layering upon the last to enhance her understanding and strategic acumen.
Networking, for Elizabeth, is less a skill and more a lifeline, pivotal to her success. Starting anew in each country, she built and rebuilt her network from scratch—a testament to her resilience and forward-thinking. "You need to get support from somebody you already know," Elizabeth advises, emphasizing the importance of maintained connections and nurtured relationships. Her story underscores a powerful lesson: in the fluid world of startups, your network is your net worth, a sentiment echoed by history's great connectors like Benjamin Franklin.
Why 'Nevemind'? Elizabeth Tishchenko Unveils the Story Behind the Name and Vision of Her Innovative Company
As we delved deeper into our conversation with Elizabeth Tishchenko, the origins and aspirations of Nevemind came to light, revealing much more than just a catchy name. Originally envisioned as a tool to sift through unstructured data within internal communications, Nevemind's journey took a pivotal turn. "It started with trying to navigate vast amounts of internal data, but then, it evolved when we saw people were really focused on their connections—what they talked about last, who they met on a call," Elizabeth shared. This insight shifted their focus toward fostering meaningful professional connections, underscoring the organic development from a simple concept to a necessity-driven innovation.
Elizabeth then touched on what sets Nevemind apart from the vast sea of CRMs and network management tools that saturate the market. The uniqueness of Nevemind lies in its intuitive and proactive design, tailored for serial entrepreneurs and business consultants who rely heavily on their networks. "CRMs are often overwhelming and filled with feature creep, catering to larger enterprises. We aimed to create something more intuitive and lightweight, where the data comes to you, not the other way around," she explained. This approach not only simplifies user interaction but significantly enhances the efficiency of managing professional relationships.
Discussing the common challenges people face in maintaining these relationships, Elizabeth highlighted the critical issue of memory limitations and the resultant relationship fallout. "You reach out, have a great meeting, and then life gets in the way. Suddenly, it's months later, and you realize you've dropped the ball," she candidly noted. This statement gets to the heart of why Nevemind is more than just a tool—it's an ally in the relentless pursuit of maintaining and nurturing professional bonds. Elizabeth's vision is clear: to bridge the gap between remembering to connect and making those connections meaningful, all while keeping the interactions as natural as possible.
Smart CRM Redefined: Elizabeth Tishchenko's Nevemind Brings Proactive Networking to Your Fingertips
Elizabeth Tishchenko is revolutionizing the way professionals manage their networks with Nevemind, a smart CRM that anticipates your needs before you even articulate them. As we dove deeper into the functionalities of Nevemind, Elizabeth illuminated how the platform uses AI to deliver proactive insights, transforming passive data into active opportunities. "Imagine a system smart enough to prompt you about reconnecting with a contact or updating you on a change in their professional life—like starting a podcast—providing you with a perfect conversation starter," Elizabeth explained. This proactive approach is designed to maintain the warmth of professional relationships without the heavy lifting traditionally involved in network management.
As Elizabeth elaborated on the shift in user expectations towards more intuitive technology, it became clear that Nevemind’s strategy aligns perfectly with current tech trends. Users no longer want to navigate through clunky interfaces or perform repetitive tasks; they expect technology to adapt to their workflow and provide relevant information seamlessly. Elizabeth shared, "People are looking for smart dashboards that prioritize their relationships and suggest actions, reducing the manual effort involved in maintaining these connections." This philosophy underpins Nevemind's development, ensuring it serves as an extension of the user's cognitive process, rather than just another tool to manage.
People are looking for smart dashboards that prioritize their relationships and suggest actions, reducing the manual effort involved in maintaining these connections
Elizabeth TishchenkoCo-Founder at Nevemind
During our conversation, Elizabeth also highlighted the broader tech trends that influence Nevemind's evolution, such as the rise of AI assistants and the increasing reliance on virtual communication platforms since the onset of COVID-19. These trends underscore the growing need for tools that not only manage professional relationships but also enhance personal interactions in an increasingly digital world. "It's about creating tools that help you reconnect with real individuals, remembering those connections that matter," Elizabeth remarked, capturing the essence of what makes Nevemind essential in today's fast-paced, tech-driven society.
Navigating the AI Landscape: Elizabeth Tishchenko on Harnessing Technology for Real-World Impact
Elizabeth Tishchenko, during our in-depth discussion, shared her views on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in today's tech-driven world. Elizabeth emphasized the importance of focusing AI development on practical applications that genuinely enhance human capabilities and address real-world problems. "It's not just about creating something because we can; it's about ensuring it serves a meaningful purpose," Elizabeth pointed out. She believes that while AI is brilliant at handling mundane tasks and improving efficiency, its real value comes from applications that can make significant differences, like aiding those with disabilities or optimizing work processes.
It's not just about creating something because we can; it's about ensuring it serves a meaningful purpose
Elizabeth TishchenkoCo-Founder at Nevemind
As the conversation turned towards the potential consequences of AI, including the displacement of jobs, Elizabeth provided a balanced perspective. She argued that while some jobs might disappear as AI capabilities expand, new opportunities will also emerge, particularly in refining AI applications and ensuring their ethical use. "We're going to see a lot of jobs generated around tuning algorithms, applying AI meaningfully, and addressing safety and privacy concerns," she noted. This shift requires a rethinking of job roles and a focus on areas where AI integration can create value rather than just automate tasks.
Addressing the public's often skeptical view of AI, Elizabeth discussed the importance of adapting and reskilling to keep pace with technological advancements. "If you see AI as a tool rather than a threat, you can find opportunities to leverage it within your field," she advised. By understanding and engaging with new technologies, professionals can position themselves at the forefront of innovation, using AI to enhance their expertise and reach rather than being overshadowed by it. Elizabeth's insights not only illuminate the path forward in a technology-saturated future but also inspire professionals to approach AI with curiosity and strategic thinking.
