In the fast-evolving world of medical spas and aesthetic clinics, securing funding is a critical step for growth and sustainability. In this episode of the Snowpal podcast, host Krish Palaniappan speaks with Sharmeen Aqeel, founder of Lyyvora, a lending platform tailored for healthcare businesses. Sharmeen shares her journey, the challenges faced by clinic owners, and how her platform is revolutionizing the lending process for medical spas across North America.

In this finance-focused discussion, we examine three companies that often appear together in conversations about cloud computing and data—but operate in meaningfully different segments of the market: Oracle, Snowflake, and Datadog.

In today’s conversations about software, AI, and innovation, it’s easy to forget one critical truth: humans still use the products we build. No matter how powerful the backend or how advanced the algorithms, a poor user experience can render a product nearly unusable.

The first four trading days of 2026 have delivered exactly what active market participants look for: movement, volume, and clear intraday patterns. While the year is still young, early signals across indices, semiconductors, hyperscalers, and financials are already shaping trader sentiment and short-term strategies .

In this engaging conversation, Krish Palaniappan and Suri Nagarajan delve into the intricacies of investing, particularly in the tech sector versus non-tech industries. They discuss the importance of financial literacy, the risks associated with high-risk investments, and the significance of diversification for new investors. Suri shares insights on industry allocation for a hypothetical $100 investment, emphasizing stable sectors like healthcare and energy. The discussion also touches on the cyclical nature of markets, the risks of entrepreneurship versus employment, and personal reflections on career choices and cultural opportunities in the US. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the importance of pursuing one’s passions and the unique educational experiences available in America.

Only take vacations you can afford—debt and relaxation should never meet. If it needs installments and isn’t food or medicine, you don’t need it. Credit card debt is just regret charging interest—kill it first. Don’t enroll in college by muscle memory; 2026 doesn’t care about tradition. If you switch careers, pick a role that actually matters—vibes don’t pay rent. Skipping AI in 2026 is like skipping email in 1999—bold, but stupid. Invest real money if you can, fake money if you can’t, ignorance is not an option. Park far away—walking is free cardio and cheaper than therapy. Eat because you’re hungry, not because the fridge made eye contact. There is no perfect time—there’s only now and a lot of excuses. Build a side hustle so layoffs don’t decide your personality. If every year feels the same, congratulations—you’re on career autopilot. Social media isn’t real life—it’s a heavily filtered lie with Wi-Fi. Comparison kills joy, and titles won’t fix insecurity. Everything important takes longer than promised—welcome to reality. Ignore naysayers—they’re deeply committed to being comfortable. One focused person with AI can now replace a small team—choose wisely. If your car works, keep it—nobody’s impressed by your loan balance. Be selfish enough to protect your time, energy, and sanity. Nothing is saturated—most people just quit early.

As 2025 comes to a close, it’s a good time to reflect, experiment, and learn—especially if you’re interested in investing, trading, or building fintech products. On the final trading day of the year, I spent some time walking through live paper trades using a desktop trading platform, sharing practical insights along the way. This article distills those lessons into a beginner-friendly guide for anyone curious about trading, risk, and tools.

At Snowpal, we’ve spent years building and running production-grade software products across multiple domains. Most recently, our focus has been on B2B APIs — tools designed to help teams move faster, build reliably, and scale without reinventing the wheel. As we head into 2026, we’re starting work on our next API product. It will begin life as an API, but over time, it will grow into something broader — firmly rooted in the fintech space.

Unless you’ve been completely disconnected from the news cycle, it’s impossible to ignore the explosion of conversation around data centers, energy demand, and AI infrastructure. These topics aren’t abstract anymore—they’re reshaping local communities, capital markets, and the future of technology itself. Living in Northern Virginia, particularly Loudoun County, makes this reality impossible to miss. This region is now the largest data center market in the United States by capacity, with more than 3,000 megawatts of installed power—roughly six times larger than the next biggest market, the Dallas–Fort Worth area. That concentration alone tells a powerful story about where the digital backbone of the modern economy is being built.

In this conversation, Greg Irwin, co-founder of BWG Global, discusses the role of his company in providing fundamental research for institutional investors. He emphasizes the importance of community and networking in the tech industry, the logistics of organizing expert discussions, and the balance between art and science in research methodologies. The conversation also explores the transformative impact of AI on research and enterprise software, the geopolitical implications of technology, and the evolving landscape of investing in AI and technology stocks. Greg shares insights on lock-in strategies in technology and the role of AI coding tools in modern development, concluding with reflections on the future of enterprise software.

In this episode of the Snowpal podcast, Dr. Adam Link, founder of Fireweed Capital, shares his unique journey from software engineering to wealth management. He discusses common financial mistakes engineers make, the differences between active and passive investment strategies, and the importance of personality in financial decision-making. Dr. Link also highlights the tools and technologies used in wealth management and explores the future of trading in the context of AI and 24/7 markets. The conversation concludes with insights on how individuals should approach investing based on their personal circumstances.

In this conversation, Krish Palaniappan interviews Ran Aroussi, founder of AutoMaze, discussing the transformative impact of AI on software development and the training of junior developers. Ran shares insights on how AI tools are reshaping coding practices, the importance of understanding software architecture over syntax, and the evolving role of non-developers in the coding process. The discussion also touches on the future of consulting in the age of AI and the reimagining of user interfaces to enhance user experience.

Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU) is often described as a memory and storage company—but that label significantly understates what the company has become. While memory has historically been viewed as a commodity business, Micron’s recent performance and strategic positioning suggest a very different story.

In this conversation, Josh Dorfman, CEO of Supercool, discusses the intersection of climate innovations and AI technologies. He explains the importance of understanding carbon emissions and the collective responsibility of individuals and nations in reducing them. The dialogue explores the hypocrisy often found in climate discussions, particularly regarding the balance between technological advancements and environmental impacts. Josh highlights the role of AI in enhancing energy efficiency and the future of renewable energy, while also addressing community concerns about data centers and their implications for local environments.

In this conversation, Krish Palaniappan discusses the risks associated with investments in the current market, particularly focusing on the potential for solid investments to weaken and the implications this could have on the broader ecosystem. He raises concerns about the expectations of the investment community and explores the use of AI tools to predict possible market scenarios based on these risks. Money flows in loops—NVIDIA funds companies that then buy NVIDIA GPUs—creating rapid growth but also heavy dependence. Recent volatility across major players shows how fragile this ecosystem is if any major link weakens.

In this podcast, Krish Palaniappan discusses the alarming levels of debt among young adults, particularly focusing on student loans and car loans. He reflects on the financial decisions made by this demographic, often influenced by societal expectations regarding education and career paths. The conversation emphasizes the importance of financial awareness and making informed decisions about borrowing, especially in relation to education and lifestyle choices. Krish advocates for a more cautious approach to debt and encourages listeners to consider the long-term implications of their financial choices.

Clive Dsouza brings over 16 years of experience in IT, including significant contributions at major retail companies like Target and Lowe’s. He introduces the concept of real-time server-driven web components, highlighting the current landscape where most e-commerce sites, such as Amazon, utilize static components to display product recommendations. These static elements often fail to provide a personalized experience, displaying the same generic recommendations regardless of individual user behavior. This conversation explores the rapid evolution of technology and its profound impact on developers. It discusses the changing landscape of work in the tech industry, the importance of adapting to new tools, and the role of AI in development. The speakers emphasize the need for developers to embrace change and navigate job security concerns in a world where 70% of traditional roles may be replaced.

In this conversation, ⁠Richa Kaul⁠, CEO of ⁠Complyance⁠, discusses the importance of data privacy and compliance in today’s business landscape. She emphasizes the necessity of investing in proactive compliance to prevent future costs associated with data breaches and regulatory fines. The discussion also touches on the evolving perceptions of trust in the wake of frequent data breaches, the cultural shifts in consumer awareness regarding data privacy, and the role of technology in facilitating compliance management. Richa highlights the varying needs of businesses based on their size and industry, and the importance of integrating compliance into their operational frameworks. They discuss the complexities of integrating compliance into software development, the importance of practical approaches to information security, and the role of AI in modern workflows. They explore the challenges of maintaining compliance in diverse tech stacks, the need for custom compliance solutions, and the impact of AI on problem-solving skills in the workforce. The discussion also touches on essential skills for future professionals.

In this episode of the Snowpal podcast, ⁠Krish Palaniappan⁠ speaks with ⁠Brian Samson⁠, founder of ⁠Plugg Technologies⁠, about the evolving landscape of remote work, particularly in the context of nearshoring and offshoring. Brian shares insights on the benefits of hiring talent from Latin America, the cultural nuances that affect remote collaboration, and the importance of a rigorous hiring process to mitigate risks associated with international hiring. The conversation delves into the value of talent beyond cost savings and the challenges faced when hiring from different countries. In this conversation, Brian Samson discusses the evolving landscape of hiring processes, the impact of AI on workforce dynamics, and the future of engineering and software development. He emphasizes the importance of rigorous hiring practices, the efficiencies brought by AI, and the changing composition of engineering teams. The discussion also touches on entrepreneurship in the age of AI, job security, and the need for professionals to adapt to rapid technological changes.

In this episode, Krish Palaniappan speaks with Andy Sitison, CEO of ShareMoreStories, a technology expert focused on enhancing human experience through storytelling and AI. They discuss the importance of understanding human emotions in business, the process of collecting and analyzing stories, and the role of trust in obtaining authentic feedback. Andy shares real-world applications of his work, including projects with Virginia tourism and the YMCA, and emphasizes the need for organizations to engage with their communities. The conversation also touches on employee engagement, retention strategies, and the balance between art and science in data analysis. Andy concludes with advice for new graduates about the importance of community involvement and enjoying one's work.