[
  {
    "start": 0.86,
    "end": 1.32,
    "text": "You are now listening"
  },
  {
    "start": 1.38,
    "end": 3.24,
    "text": "to the EU Startups podcast."
  },
  {
    "start": 13.44,
    "end": 20.8,
    "text": "Hello and welcome to this episode of The EU Startup Podcast, as always I'm your host David Sanand Garcia, the editor at EU startups today."
  },
  {
    "start": 20.84,
    "end": 26.86,
    "text": "a child with Nikita Miller She's the chief product officer at perk formerly known as travel perk."
  },
  {
    "start": 27.34,
    "end": 28.46,
    "text": "those view that don't know."
  },
  {
    "start": 28.599,
    "end": 40.9,
    "text": "perk is A Spanish startup was founded in twenty fifteen And it focuses on the booking process events, and really just kind of the financial area of the travel journey."
  },
  {
    "start": 41.64,
    "end": 48.44,
    "text": "Nikita and I were able to talk about her previous experience as well as her current position as a Chief Product Officer."
  },
  {
    "start": 48.78,
    "end": 69.42,
    "text": "she joined in September last year since has been at the helm of Perk's current AI and automation implementation into what they do and their product offering, as well as the broader moves that Perk is making along with acquisitions expanding to"
  },
  {
    "start": 69.679,
    "end": 70.06,
    "text": "U.S.,"
  },
  {
    "start": 70.42,
    "end": 87.039,
    "text": "so she really came in at a very transformative time for these Spanish scale-up and involved quite few different things of particular interest not just through entrepreneurs among us but also investors and people interested on wider startup ecosystem."
  },
  {
    "start": 87.86,
    "end": 96.88,
    "text": "We chatted over her background as I say, we chatted about the current AI landscape."
  },
  {
    "start": 96.92,
    "end": 108.32,
    "text": "The way it affects headcount and jobs that workers can do or whether they replace certain kind of shadow work as she mentions."
  },
  {
    "start": 108.7,
    "end": 110.14,
    "text": "So hope you're looking forward to this episode!"
  },
  {
    "start": 111.86,
    "end": 113.88,
    "text": "Well thank-you very much for joining me Nikita."
  },
  {
    "start": 113.92,
    "end": 116.24,
    "text": "It's a pleasure having on EU Starbs podcast."
  },
  {
    "start": 117.119,
    "end": 117.6,
    "text": "Thank you, David."
  },
  {
    "start": 117.64,
    "end": 118.24,
    "text": "Great to be here."
  },
  {
    "start": 119.22,
    "end": 121.539,
    "text": "I'm looking forward to our conversation today."
  },
  {
    "start": 122.02,
    "end": 127.6,
    "text": "i don't believe i've gone through the history of the usurps podcast and i Don't believe we've had somebody from perk on."
  },
  {
    "start": 127.979,
    "end": 136.3,
    "text": "We've definitely done interviews with some of the co-founders and ceos but this is a first time we have Somebody from perk travel perk On the show."
  },
  {
    "start": 136.46,
    "end": 136.64,
    "text": "so uh?"
  },
  {
    "start": 137.08,
    "end": 137.98,
    "text": "I am looking forward To it."
  },
  {
    "start": 138.4,
    "end": 140.02,
    "text": "awesome where i'm happy to be sure."
  },
  {
    "start": 140.1,
    "end": 140.82,
    "text": "thanks for having us."
  },
  {
    "start": 141.48,
    "end": 142.06,
    "text": "Yes, yes."
  },
  {
    "start": 142.5,
    "end": 151.12,
    "text": "Well before we get into the immediate questions I think it's always best to let the guests introduce themselves who they are and kind of set this stage for what their conversations could be about."
  },
  {
    "start": 152.3,
    "end": 152.94,
    "text": "Hello everyone!"
  },
  {
    "start": 152.98,
    "end": 156.38,
    "text": "My name is Nikita Miller Chief Product Officer here at PERC."
  },
  {
    "start": 156.58,
    "end": 161.26,
    "text": "PERC is the Intelligent AI-Native Platform for Travel & Spend Management."
  },
  {
    "start": 161.78,
    "end": 168.86,
    "text": "We started in Barcelona but now global with twelve offices across the US and Europe."
  },
  {
    "start": 169.04,
    "end": 174.96,
    "text": "We've grown significantly over the past few years, crossing four hundred million in annualized revenue this year."
  },
  {
    "start": 175.64,
    "end": 177.24,
    "text": "And we're just getting started."
  },
  {
    "start": 177.56,
    "end": 191.42,
    "text": "our goal is to remove shadow work which is essentially getting rid of all the manual tasks that employees have to do when they are spending on behalf of a company whether it's travel spend or expense management."
  },
  {
    "start": 191.96,
    "end": 196.0,
    "text": "so make as easy as possible without overhead."
  },
  {
    "start": 198.24,
    "end": 205.6,
    "text": "Well, in preparation for this interview of course I was reading into your background which is a very interesting and even varied."
  },
  {
    "start": 206.0,
    "end": 210.9,
    "text": "September of twenty-twenty five."
  },
  {
    "start": 211.9,
    "end": 215.14,
    "text": "Is that right?"
  },
  {
    "start": 215.32,
    "end": 216.98,
    "text": "Yes, so great."
  },
  {
    "start": 217.18,
    "end": 219.9,
    "text": "So from then I mean what kind of may?"
  },
  {
    "start": 220.6,
    "end": 230.32,
    "text": "What made you move into this sector when made to decide okay Well now's the time to go Into maybe European founded company because he are from the States."
  },
  {
    "start": 230.42,
    "end": 233.04,
    "text": "obviously We're kind of prompted that move."
  },
  {
    "start": 233.16,
    "end": 235.84,
    "text": "Now as the your the chief product officer."
  },
  {
    "start": 236.28,
    "end": 236.74,
    "text": "That's correct."
  },
  {
    "start": 237.96,
    "end": 238.78,
    "text": "Quite a few things."
  },
  {
    "start": 238.86,
    "end": 240.44,
    "text": "So yes, my career has been varied."
  },
  {
    "start": 240.5,
    "end": 248.78,
    "text": "I've done big companies small companies education technology traditional enterprise SaaS startups scale ups."
  },
  {
    "start": 249.42,
    "end": 256.919,
    "text": "one of the things that drew me to perk in particular was really the ambition Of this team of this leadership team."
  },
  {
    "start": 257.019,
    "end": 262.919,
    "text": "having started Europe but grown so quickly expanding globally and The global ambitions are definitely there."
  },
  {
    "start": 265.299,
    "end": 267.62,
    "text": "There's also so much opportunity in this place."
  },
  {
    "start": 267.7,
    "end": 278.52,
    "text": "One of the things I've found really incredible, and now here a year-and-a half getting to know space more is that once they get into travel... They kind stay in travel!"
  },
  {
    "start": 279.08,
    "end": 295.719,
    "text": "People have been doing this career for decades So it has been fascinating being an outsider coming new Not at all new to what it takes to scale companies, especially with big multi-product and global ambitions."
  },
  {
    "start": 299.18,
    "end": 305.219,
    "text": "I did read that you're joining kind of moment right now where Perk's really talking about expanding to the"
  },
  {
    "start": 305.38,
    "end": 305.96,
    "text": "U.S.,"
  },
  {
    "start": 308.219,
    "end": 312.32,
    "text": "and we'll get into it later, but expand the product offering integrating automation in AI."
  },
  {
    "start": 312.7,
    "end": 318.12,
    "text": "so then you feel like your well focused on taking these challenges with Perk?"
  },
  {
    "start": 318.44,
    "end": 319.26,
    "text": "Yeah!"
  },
  {
    "start": 319.4,
    "end": 330.9,
    "text": "We are well positioned by joined just after the rebrand when we went from Travel Perk to Perk which was a very intentional move, given everything else that we're building beyond travel as well."
  },
  {
    "start": 331.34,
    "end": 335.12,
    "text": "And I joined just before our launching or spend product."
  },
  {
    "start": 335.34,
    "end": 355.9,
    "text": "so That was through a company We acquired called Yokoi and they join Just at the moment were really Positioned to integrate that product fully into The perk platform and then do the big launch for that which i thought Was amazing because It was integration, which we know can be very challenging and take a lot of time."
  },
  {
    "start": 355.94,
    "end": 362.2,
    "text": "But I think the way we approached it kind of amazing and we shipped in And what i'd consider record-time for that launch."
  },
  {
    "start": 363.359,
    "end": 367.359,
    "text": "Okay well then...I think thats good place to also jump off from."
  },
  {
    "start": 368.0,
    "end": 372.94,
    "text": "So Chief Product Officer were talking about the product here speaking out to this integration that was recently launched right?"
  },
  {
    "start": 373.5,
    "end": 374.18,
    "text": "Im kinda curious."
  },
  {
    "start": 374.659,
    "end": 375.02,
    "text": "where do you go?"
  },
  {
    "start": 376.5,
    "end": 382.88,
    "text": "So you're saying all right, so we've consolidated everything on kind of these different branches at different offerings into one place."
  },
  {
    "start": 384.099,
    "end": 385.0,
    "text": "Where does that go from there?"
  },
  {
    "start": 385.06,
    "end": 387.02,
    "text": "Kind of seems like that's kind of the end-all."
  },
  {
    "start": 387.099,
    "end": 389.08,
    "text": "Right where does a chief product officer take that from?"
  },
  {
    "start": 389.359,
    "end": 392.46,
    "text": "ah That's interesting I would never."
  },
  {
    "start": 393.18,
    "end": 394.64,
    "text": "for me it feels like the beginning."
  },
  {
    "start": 395.08,
    "end": 403.9,
    "text": "rights travel integrating travel, which is both from the end user perspective but also from administrators or admins."
  },
  {
    "start": 404.039,
    "end": 415.38,
    "text": "Also from the office of a CFO like everyone in a company kind of touches on travel and also spend and expenses And so I think there's still a lot to do in that space."
  },
  {
    "start": 415.419,
    "end": 419.979,
    "text": "We consolidated, brought everything onto one platform so it's easy and end-to-end."
  },
  {
    "start": 420.44,
    "end": 439.28,
    "text": "we've also launched an events product which is part of that connected with many customers for big events where all about getting people together in person and incubating products as well focused on making users but the office at CFO make their lives easier."
  },
  {
    "start": 442.219,
    "end": 448.94,
    "text": "Yeah, our ambitions are much greater than travel and spend but we do acknowledge there's so much complexity frankly in travel as you know."
  },
  {
    "start": 449.12,
    "end": 453.06,
    "text": "And I think any one of the police knows an additional complexity whenever you get into fintech."
  },
  {
    "start": 455.06,
    "end": 456.359,
    "text": "So yes We have not."
  },
  {
    "start": 456.46,
    "end": 458.159,
    "text": "i think we Do have a lot more planned?"
  },
  {
    "start": 458.28,
    "end": 460.919,
    "text": "Not only when those verticals But in launching additional ones."
  },
  {
    "start": 461.08,
    "end": 461.859,
    "text": "well on the coming year"
  },
  {
    "start": 462.96,
    "end": 463.599,
    "text": "right Right."
  },
  {
    "start": 463.78,
    "end": 469.979,
    "text": "And I mean, Spain in particular we you mentioned coming here and all that is so involved with travel tech."
  },
  {
    "start": 470.5,
    "end": 473.979,
    "text": "We just see some many companies and so many startups kind of continuously being founded."
  },
  {
    "start": 474.02,
    "end": 478.14,
    "text": "So it's definitely the right place for perk to be In terms where began?"
  },
  {
    "start": 478.18,
    "end": 480.039,
    "text": "because from the very beginning?"
  },
  {
    "start": 480.5,
    "end": 484.18,
    "text": "Then now you talk about developing this product officer and automation ai."
  },
  {
    "start": 484.219,
    "end": 494.26,
    "text": "as i understand there has been a big Angle of all of these and from whatever I've read From the materials that are found online There's a lot of talking about wanting kind of an invisible layer."
  },
  {
    "start": 494.68,
    "end": 495.74,
    "text": "Of what goes on now."
  },
  {
    "start": 495.9,
    "end": 501.479,
    "text": "to imagine that's very important because we're talking about traveling so many companies and still such a large human element, right?"
  },
  {
    "start": 501.56,
    "end": 503.359,
    "text": "It's still people talk into other people."
  },
  {
    "start": 503.46,
    "end": 506.68,
    "text": "it's still very much a human involved industry."
  },
  {
    "start": 506.84,
    "end": 509.08,
    "text": "So yeah What does that look like?"
  },
  {
    "start": 509.14,
    "end": 514.74,
    "text": "is there an element of wanting to keep the human elements still active within perk or isn't very much The gung ho?"
  },
  {
    "start": 514.86,
    "end": 516.76,
    "text": "I've fallen in two AI"
  },
  {
    "start": 517.72,
    "end": 519.24,
    "text": "Ooh, gum ho."
  },
  {
    "start": 520.919,
    "end": 522.6,
    "text": "That's like ten questions in one."
  },
  {
    "start": 522.659,
    "end": 526.439,
    "text": "let's see On the where we started."
  },
  {
    "start": 526.54,
    "end": 530.46,
    "text": "I think it's fantastic But worth calling out that we are just global now."
  },
  {
    "start": 530.52,
    "end": 533.28,
    "text": "We have offices London Boston Chicago."
  },
  {
    "start": 534.38,
    "end": 547.079,
    "text": "Expansion not only within Europe but also to the US is a really big part of what we're doing and One of the things that i think perk that we've done well Is because in europe you have to localize across so many countries and geographies."
  },
  {
    "start": 547.22,
    "end": 554.34,
    "text": "I think it's positioned us to be able do that elsewhere, so as we think about moving into the US It is also a localization strategy."
  },
  {
    "start": 554.84,
    "end": 557.62,
    "text": "We've recruited teams there because we know that."
  },
  {
    "start": 557.78,
    "end": 558.02,
    "text": "u.s."
  },
  {
    "start": 558.24,
    "end": 566.06,
    "text": "You know consumers in business travelers Have different expectations and different standards in some ways So we're making sure that we meet those."
  },
  {
    "start": 568.079,
    "end": 586.34,
    "text": "On The AI front We spent a lot of time over the past year and a half talking about shadow work And shadow work is really everything that's so manual, many people still spend hours reconciling their receipts from business trips."
  },
  {
    "start": 586.86,
    "end": 594.98,
    "text": "Searching to find flights and figuring out which hotel is best without getting the recommendations or personalizations we provide."
  },
  {
    "start": 596.36,
    "end": 598.38,
    "text": "So this is what we do."
  },
  {
    "start": 601.06,
    "end": 602.76,
    "text": "You know, I'm a technologist."
  },
  {
    "start": 602.819,
    "end": 616.02,
    "text": "I've been doing this my whole career and technology is amazing in many ways but ultimately it's about using that to enable people whether its teams or individuals so In this case for us as how do we use the tech?"
  },
  {
    "start": 616.12,
    "end": 619.26,
    "text": "To enable people to Do The work That really matters."
  },
  {
    "start": 619.36,
    "end": 624.88,
    "text": "So think of you Know someone Who's who's planning an event And you have twenty People coming to visit you."
  },
  {
    "start": 626.54,
    "end": 635.64,
    "text": "A lot of that is really manual right now, kind of sourcing hotels venues booking travel all a bit managing RSVPs Managing all the receipts."
  },
  {
    "start": 635.68,
    "end": 652.1,
    "text": "So the idea that we can do that in the background using our tools to kind of streamline That entire experience I think Is amazing because it enables people To do work that matters which is really focus on being in person Focus on The high-leverage decisions that need to be made not Manual"
  },
  {
    "start": 652.38,
    "end": 652.78,
    "text": "tasks."
  },
  {
    "start": 654.46,
    "end": 659.56,
    "text": "Well, what I like about it and It's something you're opening yourself up to critiques."
  },
  {
    "start": 659.88,
    "end": 660.34,
    "text": "I don't believe that."
  },
  {
    "start": 660.38,
    "end": 661.98,
    "text": "but What I would I like?"
  },
  {
    "start": 662.02,
    "end": 664.68,
    "text": "About kind of the approach That i've seen so far has been."
  },
  {
    "start": 664.72,
    "end": 671.74,
    "text": "they are getting ahead Of the narrative in terms speaking bout AI And the effect its gonna have on the philosophy at The way as can apply."
  },
  {
    "start": 672.16,
    "end": 676.84,
    "text": "and I'm referring here because uh You wrote a blog post Yeah, month and a half ago."
  },
  {
    "start": 677.26,
    "end": 687.579,
    "text": "And I was reading through it... One part stood out to me when you were talking about whether AI is going replace people or if they're gonna make them more productive?"
  },
  {
    "start": 687.8,
    "end": 692.64,
    "text": "That's not the right question that people should be focusing on!"
  },
  {
    "start": 694.96,
    "end": 696.66,
    "text": "the right question people should be focusing on."
  },
  {
    "start": 697.0,
    "end": 705.26,
    "text": "And just how you navigate that kind of turbulent water, saying oh are we reducing shadow work and helping with that?"
  },
  {
    "start": 705.78,
    "end": 707.28,
    "text": "Or are re-reducing headcounts?"
  },
  {
    "start": 707.86,
    "end": 710.34,
    "text": "How do I"
  },
  {
    "start": 714.76,
    "end": 729.5,
    "text": "say this...I think human capacity is immense not to get too poetical but frankly contain multitudes and can think so much, I think is amazing."
  },
  {
    "start": 729.579,
    "end": 732.199,
    "text": "So when i think about what technology can do for us?"
  },
  {
    "start": 732.78,
    "end": 738.12,
    "text": "Is to enable and make space or the things that I think technology Can't replace!"
  },
  {
    "start": 738.42,
    "end": 748.6,
    "text": "So you know uploading a receipt sorry You don't need to reconciling invoices at the end of the month Yes we can but there's technology That could be better."
  },
  {
    "start": 749.28,
    "end": 756.62,
    "text": "But thinking about the strategic work of like getting that information, trying to see projections and how or where you can save."
  },
  {
    "start": 756.68,
    "end": 766.199,
    "text": "And where we might deploy it better is the kind of thing that strategically... You could use this as a human to make decisions whether for your product or company."
  },
  {
    "start": 767.28,
    "end": 772.86,
    "text": "I've also been doing a lot of AI work at Perkin."
  },
  {
    "start": 772.92,
    "end": 777.98,
    "text": "when i think about our builders as a product design engineering data."
  },
  {
    "start": 778.72,
    "end": 784.04,
    "text": "We're using it a lot internally to kind of make our own processes better."
  },
  {
    "start": 784.74,
    "end": 791.98,
    "text": "But the actual decision making and not intuition, but discernment."
  },
  {
    "start": 792.04,
    "end": 797.18,
    "text": "you know what we should do and why we should Do It And How To Make A Business Case Or Build Towards."
  },
  {
    "start": 797.22,
    "end": 802.34,
    "text": "That On Our Strategy is something that I think Is very much part Of The Human Experience Right Now!"
  },
  {
    "start": 802.42,
    "end": 812.28,
    "text": "Its Not Just Saying AI Might Get There At Some Point kind of present multiple options, but the idea that ultimately each individual still owns the decision at the end."
  },
  {
    "start": 819.38,
    "end": 821.06,
    "text": "And"
  },
  {
    "start": 821.319,
    "end": 834.199,
    "text": "don't mean to hammer the point here, but I do think that people listening too would are interested in kind of hearing about this especially because you know right now In the context of Muse they just announced That there were lame off and surmount their staff."
  },
  {
    "start": 834.38,
    "end": 837.04,
    "text": "This is in the travel tech sector European Travel Tech Sector."
  },
  {
    "start": 837.52,
    "end": 845.8,
    "text": "They specifically talked About how it had To deal with these kind Of AI native Focus out There going for and that this resulted Reducing Their headcount."
  },
  {
    "start": 846.56,
    "end": 857.3,
    "text": "i can want to hear about where You see perks philosophy on AI and the impact it will have on the... And we can talk not only Perk, but the wider travel tech sector."
  },
  {
    "start": 857.42,
    "end": 858.16,
    "text": "Yeah that's a"
  },
  {
    "start": 861.06,
    "end": 861.579,
    "text": "great question."
  },
  {
    "start": 861.84,
    "end": 876.88,
    "text": "I think That A lot of the companies that i am connected with are close to in following or advising even Who are doing it really well there is a lot more work being created Not less."
  },
  {
    "start": 877.6,
    "end": 885.36,
    "text": "There just is now whether or The folks in a team are the right skill sets that are needed at that moment is a different conversation."
  },
  {
    "start": 885.78,
    "end": 890.78,
    "text": "So I think that a lot of things have been conflated, you know?"
  },
  {
    "start": 890.96,
    "end": 899.92,
    "text": "Is it AI or actually there's slightly different skillset That is needed to meet the moment that has probably more systems designers."
  },
  {
    "start": 899.98,
    "end": 914.98,
    "text": "Systems designers now really incredible because what we're building with AI and agents about understanding broader level kind of how what we do impacts downstream across other themes, across other parts with the product."
  },
  {
    "start": 915.4,
    "end": 918.5,
    "text": "And that is a different way of thinking and potentially operating."
  },
  {
    "start": 918.72,
    "end": 921.66,
    "text": "so yeah I'm not completely sold on that."
  },
  {
    "start": 921.74,
    "end": 924.6,
    "text": "where you know folks are making all these cuts in it's because of AI."
  },
  {
    "start": 924.72,
    "end": 927.54,
    "text": "It is likely there's slightly different ways of operating."
  },
  {
    "start": 927.66,
    "end": 932.46,
    "text": "There're slightly different skills set required A different set of skills one might recruit for."
  },
  {
    "start": 934.12,
    "end": 937.16,
    "text": "But thats also how i think businesses evolve whether without AI."
  },
  {
    "start": 937.34,
    "end": 939.34,
    "text": "Yeah true True."
  },
  {
    "start": 939.579,
    "end": 947.88,
    "text": "And there's other things to talk about, so I don't think it's the only important thing here to be talking about at perks use of AI but... Yeah!"
  },
  {
    "start": 947.92,
    "end": 951.28,
    "text": "...I think is an important topic and as you say its not only in the travel tech sector."
  },
  {
    "start": 951.439,
    "end": 954.66,
    "text": "yeah i think everyone's kind wondering right now how does this affect us?"
  },
  {
    "start": 954.96,
    "end": 956.36,
    "text": "Is for good or bad?"
  },
  {
    "start": 957.079,
    "end": 962.62,
    "text": "especially start ups that operate on just this bleeding edge whether they're going make it."
  },
  {
    "start": 963.98,
    "end": 965.6,
    "text": "The impact of AIs are so important."
  },
  {
    "start": 969.56,
    "end": 974.6,
    "text": "Whether you believe in the impact of AI or not, it's here and is changing what we build."
  },
  {
    "start": 975.8,
    "end": 990.42,
    "text": "We released our MCP a couple weeks ago that connects our travel spend invoices events so allows customers to get all information at their fingertips on whatever platform they're using."
  },
  {
    "start": 991.02,
    "end": 992.76,
    "text": "That really valuable."
  },
  {
    "start": 993.84,
    "end": 1000.14,
    "text": "It allowed us do reporting better more easily than we have in the past."
  },
  {
    "start": 1000.199,
    "end": 1010.96,
    "text": "So there's so many amazing use cases, they're like it's enabling the future of business travel to really be hands off and potentially agentic or moving in that direction."
  },
  {
    "start": 1011.199,
    "end": 1012.36,
    "text": "I think technology is there."
  },
  {
    "start": 1018.78,
    "end": 1020.06,
    "text": "Not all companies are ready for that."
  },
  {
    "start": 1020.16,
    "end": 1020.96,
    "text": "We're still in B to be."
  },
  {
    "start": 1021.34,
    "end": 1023.62,
    "text": "there's still so many considerations that we have."
  },
  {
    "start": 1023.699,
    "end": 1033.599,
    "text": "So while we might be kind of moving in that direction at the forefront In many ways, we still have to kind of be where our customers Are right now and just make sure that were ready For them when they get their."
  },
  {
    "start": 1033.819,
    "end": 1048.22,
    "text": "what we've seen is actually you know SMB is also mid-market and enterprise companies, their views on what AI can provide from a policy or compliance for reporting has changed significantly over the past six months."
  },
  {
    "start": 1048.28,
    "end": 1055.48,
    "text": "Certainly in the last three months so pace and expectations of our user base are vastly different than it was one year ago."
  },
  {
    "start": 1055.7,
    "end": 1057.82,
    "text": "So we do need to stay ahead with that and be ready."
  },
  {
    "start": 1058.139,
    "end": 1071.24,
    "text": "It was the three hundred million credit facility Yeah, from June."
  },
  {
    "start": 1071.44,
    "end": 1073.44,
    "text": "From June twenty-twenty six You know."
  },
  {
    "start": 1073.879,
    "end": 1075.78,
    "text": "how does that tie into all of this in terms?"
  },
  {
    "start": 1075.82,
    "end": 1080.5,
    "text": "Of how Perk is developing when it comes to what its offering you know?"
  },
  {
    "start": 1080.58,
    "end": 1084.02,
    "text": "Could you give us a little bit of insight then as to what they're kind of being channeled too?"
  },
  {
    "start": 1084.18,
    "end": 1089.06,
    "text": "Is if for AI is there for the All In One What's the use of it?"
  },
  {
    "start": 1092.16,
    "end": 1094.22,
    "text": "The short answer is all will be above right."
  },
  {
    "start": 1094.36,
    "end": 1094.44,
    "text": "our."
  },
  {
    "start": 1096.16,
    "end": 1097.52,
    "text": "It's part of what we're doing."
  },
  {
    "start": 1098.18,
    "end": 1101.84,
    "text": "We are an AI native platform, it is a part how we operate and build"
  },
  {
    "start": 1102.36,
    "end": 1103.12,
    "text": "the product"
  },
  {
    "start": 1103.36,
    "end": 1104.02,
    "text": "that we create."
  },
  {
    "start": 1104.22,
    "end": 1121.56,
    "text": "We ship things faster because we go into so many new spaces for us going from travel to spend expense management invoices, having our own credit cards here in Europe and also the US which is a massive undertaking."
  },
  {
    "start": 1122.3,
    "end": 1128.32,
    "text": "The breadth of our investment is huge so it helps us to deliver on that faster and better."
  },
  {
    "start": 1128.96,
    "end": 1142.4,
    "text": "We're also incubating ideas because this idea...the user base for us whether it's the end traveler spending half or the office of CFO that needs to reconcile all that spend across a business."
  },
  {
    "start": 1142.46,
    "end": 1145.8,
    "text": "There's so many opportunities there, we're trying to incubate some those as well."
  },
  {
    "start": 1146.4,
    "end": 1148.7,
    "text": "So it really is going into innovation."
  },
  {
    "start": 1150.3,
    "end": 1151.78,
    "text": "Okay So innovation."
  },
  {
    "start": 1152.92,
    "end": 1161.46,
    "text": "Somebody who's using Perk and maybe has been with Perk for so long then, is there... I mean what can you tell them as saying oh this Is What You Should Be Looking Out For?"
  },
  {
    "start": 1161.58,
    "end": 1163.62,
    "text": "We're kind of working on this for ya."
  },
  {
    "start": 1163.86,
    "end": 1167.66,
    "text": "because uh y'know that i think Because your-as you say doing so much right."
  },
  {
    "start": 1167.86,
    "end": 1175.46,
    "text": "we spoke about acquisitions just spoken About AI Development Spoken about Expand to the U.S..So There's a lot Of Things."
  },
  {
    "start": 1175.56,
    "end": 1181.0,
    "text": "But Maybe Somebody On The Ground Who'S Using It Says Okay Well, what's the difference for me from"
  },
  {
    "start": 1181.82,
    "end": 1182.0,
    "text": "sorry?"
  },
  {
    "start": 1182.04,
    "end": 1182.16,
    "text": "Yeah."
  },
  {
    "start": 1182.76,
    "end": 1184.139,
    "text": "Yes I have a great question."
  },
  {
    "start": 1184.32,
    "end": 1187.36,
    "text": "i feel like um some small things."
  },
  {
    "start": 1187.48,
    "end": 1194.139,
    "text": "we're in small small big things but In the product or small big thing um indications in the product."
  },
  {
    "start": 1194.18,
    "end": 1195.92,
    "text": "We focus a lot on personalization."
  },
  {
    "start": 1196.139,
    "end": 1198.379,
    "text": "now personalizations always been around right."
  },
  {
    "start": 1198.42,
    "end": 1212.16,
    "text": "it's not a new concept But we have ten years worth of data and anonymized data But also we have all the travel patterns companies that had been with us for ten years five years three years We know the preferences of an individual travel."
  },
  {
    "start": 1212.3,
    "end": 1218.9,
    "text": "I know whether you, when you're booking a hotel... ...I know if we want to free breakfast or the gym?"
  },
  {
    "start": 1219.66,
    "end": 1223.96,
    "text": "I know what your aisle seat and window seats are like."
  },
  {
    "start": 1224.02,
    "end": 1227.58,
    "text": "Or do not take the flight at six o'clock."
  },
  {
    "start": 1227.72,
    "end": 1228.86,
    "text": "And then get home!"
  },
  {
    "start": 1229.3,
    "end": 1238.26,
    "text": "So all this information means that in any given moment.... ...we invest in being able offer the best recommendations in real time as possible."
  },
  {
    "start": 1239.12,
    "end": 1242.02,
    "text": "our users are starting to see a lot of that in the product."
  },
  {
    "start": 1242.68,
    "end": 1250.78,
    "text": "On the control side, which is from policy, duty of care."
  },
  {
    "start": 1250.879,
    "end": 1273.18,
    "text": "So on policies anytime anyone goes to book something they know in line-in real time whether it's above or below policy and why when we send notifications to the person that needs days that might be better for this particular trip."
  },
  {
    "start": 1273.26,
    "end": 1282.72,
    "text": "So trying to give as much information and as much context is possible based on the volumes of data, both over the past ten years but also with our partners."
  },
  {
    "start": 1284.98,
    "end": 1287.36,
    "text": "Well, then and I want to shift just a little bit here."
  },
  {
    "start": 1287.76,
    "end": 1293.16,
    "text": "No kind of coming to this point A little bit too you personally because we spoke about your background."
  },
  {
    "start": 1293.22,
    "end": 1294.16,
    "text": "It is interesting."
  },
  {
    "start": 1294.22,
    "end": 1303.22,
    "text": "it's something that thinks always interesting when i talk About people from the states And maybe they're kind of made That jump over as that comparison Because that matters so much specifically To our audience."
  },
  {
    "start": 1303.6,
    "end": 1304.1,
    "text": "You know how?"
  },
  {
    "start": 1304.4,
    "end": 1318.7,
    "text": "How wait how you see The EU startup ecosystem, the EU travel tech ecosystem versus what you've seen in the US and maybe some kind of gaps and challenges that you think are identifiable."
  },
  {
    "start": 1320.8,
    "end": 1323.5,
    "text": "I will tell you...I have been surprised how many times i've been asked."
  },
  {
    "start": 1325.08,
    "end": 1325.62,
    "text": "It matters!"
  },
  {
    "start": 1332.5,
    "end": 1334.62,
    "text": "Just by way of background I am."
  },
  {
    "start": 1335.139,
    "end": 1336.32,
    "text": "Um, i'm very american."
  },
  {
    "start": 1336.48,
    "end": 1338.639,
    "text": "like people meet me You're pretty American?"
  },
  {
    "start": 1339.3,
    "end": 1340.639,
    "text": "I'm an american immigrant."
  },
  {
    "start": 1340.72,
    "end": 1341.48,
    "text": "I was born in jamaica."
  },
  {
    "start": 1341.7,
    "end": 1345.18,
    "text": "my family moved to the u.s when i was um almost seven."
  },
  {
    "start": 1345.56,
    "end": 1348.96,
    "text": "But i think by culture and ethos i'm Very much in that."
  },
  {
    "start": 1349.8,
    "end": 1350.44,
    "text": "i'm a believer."
  },
  {
    "start": 1350.54,
    "end": 1351.879,
    "text": "My friends back home laugh at me."
  },
  {
    "start": 1352.02,
    "end": 1359.12,
    "text": "Like this idea The the american dream where you can start you know From anywhere And build A great life In a great career."
  },
  {
    "start": 1359.3,
    "end": 1359.68,
    "text": "All Of That!"
  },
  {
    "start": 1361.96,
    "end": 1367.44,
    "text": "And you see that a lot in American entrepreneurship and in tech over certainly, or the past thirty years."
  },
  {
    "start": 1367.52,
    "end": 1370.879,
    "text": "So like I've drunk that Kool-Aid i think it's amazing."
  },
  {
    "start": 1372.28,
    "end": 1374.26,
    "text": "But I also See A Lot of That In Europe."
  },
  {
    "start": 1374.34,
    "end": 1378.52,
    "text": "Like If We Look Around Right Now There Are A Lot Of Really Great Success Stories?"
  },
  {
    "start": 1379.08,
    "end": 1382.06,
    "text": "Of Entrepreneurship Coming Out Of Europe And I Think That'S Amazing."
  },
  {
    "start": 1382.52,
    "end": 1385.76,
    "text": "The Way I Think About It Is Kindof...It is really about ambition."
  },
  {
    "start": 1387.26,
    "end": 1394.24,
    "text": "right on that You know, I think some places encourage entrepreneurship and make it easier than others."
  },
  {
    "start": 1394.3,
    "end": 1395.5,
    "text": "And I will say that."
  },
  {
    "start": 1396.1,
    "end": 1405.84,
    "text": "but the idea like grit and working hard on what it takes to succeed... ...I think those elements of entrepreneurship exist everywhere and they're necessary for anyone embarked on it."
  },
  {
    "start": 1408.3,
    "end": 1408.42,
    "text": "Yeah!"
  },
  {
    "start": 1408.5,
    "end": 1410.34,
    "text": "That's just a short answer."
  },
  {
    "start": 1411.2,
    "end": 1418.56,
    "text": "There is there are lots for learning across both."
  },
  {
    "start": 1418.639,
    "end": 1432.26,
    "text": "I think there's a lot happening and obviously in the US, um... And there must be ways to share that across the Atlantic but nationally as well."
  },
  {
    "start": 1432.34,
    "end": 1445.12,
    "text": "There is something about work ethos and culture That is shifting A little bit For instance now going back you know, working from the office and being co-located."
  },
  {
    "start": 1445.26,
    "end": 1451.12,
    "text": "I think there was a moment at least back home where that wasn't a thing but i'm seeing it come back in the US and also in Europe."
  },
  {
    "start": 1451.16,
    "end": 1460.2,
    "text": "this idea that like small groups are really talented ambitious people working together in real life no matter how amazing technology is as being magical?"
  },
  {
    "start": 1460.92,
    "end": 1462.04,
    "text": "I think exists both!"
  },
  {
    "start": 1462.22,
    "end": 1464.379,
    "text": "And um...I'm also here for them."
  },
  {
    "start": 1464.879,
    "end": 1469.18,
    "text": "There's magic in teams working together close to proximity."
  },
  {
    "start": 1469.22,
    "end": 1470.08,
    "text": "Well,"
  },
  {
    "start": 1470.2,
    "end": 1478.5,
    "text": "I think Perk is specifically interesting at least from an interviewer's side because i try and speak to a wide range of startups."
  },
  {
    "start": 1478.6,
    "end": 1481.18,
    "text": "you know even if it's early stage they're doing something interesting."
  },
  {
    "start": 1481.6,
    "end": 1483.84,
    "text": "To unicorns...to multi-stage."
  },
  {
    "start": 1483.96,
    "end": 1489.02,
    "text": "and we always talk about companies like Perk with the moment that you are in this moment expansion right?"
  },
  {
    "start": 1489.08,
    "end": 1501.1,
    "text": "That not so much about raising money anymore or establishing your offering but more about seeing where can go What places can you get to and what's the overall dream for the company?"
  },
  {
    "start": 1501.66,
    "end": 1507.58,
    "text": "It is very interesting because so many of them do this expansion, go back from the states."
  },
  {
    "start": 1508.98,
    "end": 1509.98,
    "text": "Once they reach a certain level."
  },
  {
    "start": 1510.04,
    "end": 1516.44,
    "text": "there are those who want to reach out across the Atlantic and be in both places at once."
  },
  {
    "start": 1517.24,
    "end": 1518.42,
    "text": "with that in mind I guess."
  },
  {
    "start": 1518.52,
    "end": 1522.96,
    "text": "my final question then here where did you see Perk five years ago?"
  },
  {
    "start": 1523.04,
    "end": 1523.139,
    "text": "now?"
  },
  {
    "start": 1523.54,
    "end": 1525.879,
    "text": "Because we've spoke about so many things are going to the future."
  },
  {
    "start": 1527.34,
    "end": 1531.12,
    "text": "Is there something that kind of is even higher up there than?"
  },
  {
    "start": 1531.18,
    "end": 1532.42,
    "text": "maybe it's an idea, hope?"
  },
  {
    "start": 1532.48,
    "end": 1535.6,
    "text": "That five years from now ten years from Now you can get to something different?"
  },
  {
    "start": 1539.74,
    "end": 1540.66,
    "text": "cool question."
  },
  {
    "start": 1541.76,
    "end": 1559.46,
    "text": "We talk a lot here About building A company that lasts or our co-founder Avi talks about like Building a hundred year Company which has You know a shorthand for we're here to create something that at last, you know all of us once were in retirement home somewhere."
  },
  {
    "start": 1560.28,
    "end": 1568.98,
    "text": "And to do that I think You Do Have To Act Boldly and There Is The Ambition Of Creating Something Remarkable!"
  },
  {
    "start": 1569.56,
    "end": 1575.7,
    "text": "i feel like in travel spend Office Or The CFO Like Combining Travel & Fintech."
  },
  {
    "start": 1575.8,
    "end": 1577.82,
    "text": "there's so many opportunities there."
  },
  {
    "start": 1578.42,
    "end": 1580.78,
    "text": "We Think About the Many Many."
  },
  {
    "start": 1582.54,
    "end": 1584.04,
    "text": "Yeah, there's so much that's manual."
  },
  {
    "start": 1584.34,
    "end": 1589.04,
    "text": "That isn't necessarily core to what it is to work in a company and move the business board."
  },
  {
    "start": 1589.48,
    "end": 1597.0,
    "text": "And we really believe that we can remove a lot of that with technology With helping people operate better or operate more efficiently."
  },
  {
    "start": 1597.98,
    "end": 1612.18,
    "text": "So I think there's something in their that's both about removing shadow work, but also enabling people to use their time more meaningfully and more productively whether that's at-work or outside of work for that matter."
  },
  {
    "start": 1614.16,
    "end": 1614.94,
    "text": "Yeah I think it's just."
  },
  {
    "start": 1615.04,
    "end": 1618.379,
    "text": "we have really big ambitions and there is more to come."
  },
  {
    "start": 1619.74,
    "end": 1621.26,
    "text": "Well nobody can doubt that."
  },
  {
    "start": 1622.04,
    "end": 1631.16,
    "text": "i think what we've seen since in twenty fifteen the company was founded yeah its clearly grown ten years increasing pace and very impressively."
  },
  {
    "start": 1631.26,
    "end": 1634.12,
    "text": "So we'll all keep an eye on it here."
  },
  {
    "start": 1634.18,
    "end": 1638.54,
    "text": "to you startups that were always understanding your news from Perk, so thank you very much."
  },
  {
    "start": 1638.72,
    "end": 1642.82,
    "text": "And Nikki has been a pleasure to have you on twice."
  },
  {
    "start": 1642.86,
    "end": 1643.0,
    "text": "Okay?"
  },
  {
    "start": 1643.2,
    "end": 1645.36,
    "text": "Well yes talk soon bye."
  }
]