{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Episode 124: Connecting Ships with Local Experts: Manos Koukouvios, COO, Vsltec","description":"Connecting Ships with Local Experts Guest: Manos Koukouvios, COO,&amp;nbsp; Vsltec Episode Overview: Former seafarer and now COO of Vsltec, Manos Koukouvios shares how a real off-hire HVAC failure in West Africa sparked the idea for a vetted, location-based network of technical service providers. We talk about building a two-sided marketplace in shipping, managing expectations in a \u201cWhatsApp world,\u201d and what founders should really focus on when starting in maritime tech.    \u2b50 Sponsor: Accelleron \u2013 LOREKA360\u00b0 Emissions Desk You Should Be Operating Ships, Not Filing Paperwork Accelleron\u2019s LOREKA360\u00b0 Emissions Desk is a complete compliance service that handles data checks, documentation, forecasting, and verification \u2013 powered by intelligent software and experts who\u2019ve actually worked at sea.  \ud83d\udc49 Learn more at accelleron.com\/emissions-desk Want to advertise with the podcast?&amp;nbsp; Contact my friends at DigitalShip   Key Points  From sea to startup: Manos\u2019 journey from LNG and cruise ships to Flagship Founders and into VesselTech. The HVAC case that sparked Vsltec: How one bad technical job turned into months of off-hire and a clear problem to solve. Vetted, local networks: Why Vsltec insists on truly local service providers and how that de-clutters the \u201cwe do everything, everywhere\u201d noise. Change management &amp;amp; expectations: Selling into overloaded technical\/purchasing teams whose expectations are shaped by free, consumer-grade apps. Advice for founders: Obsess over the problem first, talk to people, and only build when you know it\u2019s real, big, and worth paying for.    Learn More: For another deep-dive on maritime innovation, check out Episode 78: Navigating Maritime Innovation with Fabian Feldhaus Tune in Now: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Support the Podcast: Please rate 5 stars, follow, share, or support via Buy Me a Coffee. Stay curious, stay salty.  \ud83e\udd95\ud83c\udf0a ","author_name":"The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age","author_url":"http:\/\/sites.libsyn.com\/404561\/site","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/39135310\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/195724110"}