In a world where sales teams are inundated with tools and data, finding actionable insights that truly make a difference can be challenging. That’s where Dr. Burak Aksar, founder of Spiky AI, steps in. In this episode of the Ignite Podcast, Dr. Aksar shared his journey from an academic specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) to an entrepreneur empowering revenue teams with real-time AI solutions. Here’s a closer look at his story, Spiky AI’s mission, and the future of sales enablement.
From Academia to Entrepreneurship
Originally from Turkey, Dr. Aksar moved to Boston to pursue a PhD in computer engineering at Boston University. His work focused on explainable AI and optimizing high-performance computing systems, which laid the foundation for his later innovations. During the pandemic, while teaching online, he noticed the inefficiencies in virtual communication—nobody spoke up, engagement was minimal, and there was no way to gauge or improve the effectiveness of the interactions. This sparked an idea: what if AI could solve these problems by providing real-time insights to improve communication and performance?
From this realization, Spiky AI was born. The company initially aimed to enhance online education but quickly pivoted to meet the needs of corporate revenue teams. Dr. Aksar’s vision was clear: empower people to reach their full potential by scaling the behaviors that lead to success.
What Makes Spiky AI Unique?
Unlike traditional tools that summarize meetings or record calls for later review, Spiky AI offers real-time coaching during sales meetings. It acts like an AI-powered co-pilot, providing actionable insights tailored to each conversation. For instance, it can warn a salesperson to pause and listen when they’re overloading a client with unnecessary details, or remind them to address specific topics before the meeting ends.
The results are remarkable. Spiky AI has helped reduce ramp-up times for new sales reps by 30% and increased quarterly revenues by up to 8% for some clients. By analyzing patterns from hundreds of conversations, it identifies and scales "winning behaviors" that drive sales success. Whether it’s handling objections more effectively or improving discovery calls, Spiky AI is transforming how sales teams operate.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Dr. Aksar envisions Spiky AI evolving into a platform that integrates across sales, customer success, and product teams, breaking down silos and enabling smarter collaboration. He believes that technologies like knowledge graphs will redefine how businesses access and utilize data, further enhancing AI’s ability to deliver real-time intelligence.
Dr. Aksar also offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: learn how to conduct effective customer interviews. Understanding real customer pain points is key to building products that solve meaningful problems. His journey reflects resilience and a commitment to learning—traits he credits as the foundation of his success.
Why It Matters
Spiky AI is more than just a sales tool; it’s a platform designed to help people and teams unlock their full potential. By providing real-time, personalized guidance, it empowers sales leaders to coach their teams better, reduce administrative burdens, and close deals faster. It’s a testament to the power of AI when applied thoughtfully to human challenges.
Whether you’re a sales leader, an entrepreneur, or simply someone fascinated by the intersection of AI and business, Dr. Aksar’s story is an inspiring example of how innovation can drive tangible impact. With Spiky AI, the future of sales enablement is not just about data but about making that data actionable and meaningful in real time.
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Chapters:
Introduction to Dr. Burak Aksar & Spiky AI (00:01 – 00:35)
Burak’s Journey: From Turkey to Boston (00:36 – 01:52)
Challenges of Immigration and Building Resilience (01:53 – 03:16)
From Academia to Spiky AI (03:17 – 04:51)
Identifying and Solving Online Communication Issues (04:52 – 08:13)
Scaling Winning Behaviors Across Teams (08:14 – 12:45)
Real-Time Sales Insights with AI (12:46 – 14:35)
The Importance of Personalization in Sales (14:36 – 16:20)
Revenue Intelligence and AI’s Role (16:21 – 20:04)
Delivering ROI for Sales Teams (20:05 – 23:10)
Overcoming Go-To-Market Challenges (23:11 – 27:55)
Sales vs. Product: The Startup Balancing Act (27:56 – 32:00)
Breaking Down Communication Silos (32:01 – 36:23)
The Future of AI in Sales Enablement (36:24 – 39:03)
Lessons for Founders and Burak’s Book Picks (39:04 – 44:52)
Rapid Fire: Drummers, Tech, and Icebreakers (44:53 – 47:44)
What’s Next for Spiky AI (47:45 – 50:00)
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