Chief in Tech S1E23 - Liesel Yearsley : Frontier Tech

Technology is evolving faster than ever, but how do you actually build and scale what’s next?

In this Chief in Tech Deep Dive session, Liesel Yearsley (CEO, Akin) shares her journey of building frontier technologies ahead of their time, from AI platforms that became part of IBM Watson to pioneering search and deep tech innovations. She breaks down the mindset and process behind identifying major trends, creating breakthrough products, and scaling them to millions of users.

Liesel explores how leaders can think beyond incremental innovation, align their vision with future societal and technological shifts, and build solutions that truly transform industries. She also highlights the importance of courage, long-term thinking, and bold ambition when working at the edge of what’s possible.

If you’re building, innovating, or leading in emerging tech, this conversation is for you.

Key Takeaways:

• How to identify and build for future tech trends before they become mainstream
• Why thinking big and choosing the right “mountain” matters
• The importance of adaptability when scaling frontier technologies
• How to align innovation with real-world impact and user needs
• Why courage and long-term vision are critical in deep tech leadership

🎧 Tune in to learn how to build, scale, and lead at the forefront of technology.