In a market dominated by AI narratives and software-driven growth, it’s easy to lump technology companies into a single bucket. But a closer look often reveals very different stories beneath the surface. Two companies that highlight this contrast particularly well are Datadog (DDOG) and CoreWeave (CRWV)—both high-quality software businesses, yet operating in entirely different domains and exhibiting sharply different market behavior.

Earlier this month, Apple and Google announced a major multi-year partnership that will bring Google’s Gemini AI models into Apple’s ecosystem, most notably to power Siri. The deal signals a profound shift in how the world’s most influential consumer technology company approaches artificial intelligence and raises important questions about competition, platform control, and the future of mobile computing.

Welcome to the Snowpal Podcast, where we explore technology, leadership, and the ideas shaping the future. I’m your host, Krish Palaniappan, founder of Snowpal and a long-time software builder and entrepreneur, and on this show we go beyond surface-level trends to unpack real experiences and hard-earned insights. Today’s conversation is both timely and deeply personal. Our guest is Nikki Barua (LinkedIn), a serial entrepreneur, keynote speaker, bestselling author, and the CEO of FlipWork, where she helps people and organizations prepare for the AI age. Nikki’s work sits at the intersection of technology, culture, and human potential, but her story goes far beyond the boardroom. As an immigrant who has navigated visas, uncertainty, and reinvention over decades, she brings a deeply lived perspective to today’s discussion. In this episode, we explore what immigration really means beyond headlines and politics, diving into themes of belonging, assimilation, and cultural responsibility. We examine the difference between entitlement and privilege, why immigrants often become entrepreneurs and leaders, and how identity, contribution, and shared values shape acceptance. This is a conversation about people, not policies—about responsibility, opportunity, and the social contracts that bind us together in a rapidly changing world.