Start At Zero
Start at Zero is a conversation-first podcast about what it actually takes to modernize technology, build a business from scratch, and make sense of AI without the hype. Episodes range from focused 15-minute interviews with government leaders and tech founders to longer deep dives where I walk through what I'm building in real time - the AI agents, the automation stack, the hard lessons from 20 years of consulting.
The tone is direct and honest. I don't do scripted questions or softball setups. I want the story behind the story - what went wrong, what you'd do differently, what nobody in the room was willing to say. Guests should expect a conversation that feels like two people working through a real problem together, not a performance.
Topics include government technology, AI in the real world, entrepreneurship, consulting, procurement, and the messy intersection of all of them. Some episodes are interviews, some are just me thinking out loud about something I built or broke that week.
If you've got a real story - something you built, something that failed, a lesson that cost you - you'll fit right in here. I'll send a loose topic outline beforehand, but the best episodes happen when we go off-script.
Start At Zero
AI & GovTech: The Race to Do It Right
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
AV sits down with Vidhu Shekhar, AI thought leader and Microsoft executive, to explore what it really means to lead in the age of artificial intelligence—from space-based data centers to responsible AI adoption in local government.
They unpack the realities behind the "AI race": rapid innovation, vendor hype, overwhelmed agencies, and the hidden costs of chasing shiny tools without a strategy.
Learn why the real path to dominance isn't about speed—it's about service delivery, policy alignment, and building infrastructure that lasts.
This one goes beyond buzzwords. It’s a masterclass in how AI, energy, and public trust all connect.
📅 Let’s Stay Connected:
Hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episode. We also go live weekly with more industry insights, so be sure to join us! And if you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments—we’re here to help!
Government IT Modernization and ERP Strategies for 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Public Sector Transformation
➡ https://conference.averoadvisors.com/2025report
Top Public Sector ERP Systems: :
➡ https://share.hsforms.com/1ee49ru4aSpe3x4Byzuqifgeexml
Learn More About Avero:
➡ https://www.averoadvisors.com
Connect With Us:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/averoadvisors
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averoadvisors
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/averoadvisors
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@averoadvisors
Connect With AV:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verekar
(865) 415-3848 | info@averoadvisors.com
©2025. Avero Advisors. All Rights Reserved.