From Dropout to 18% Monthly Growth: Building Cody with Barak Glanz

Mar 3

MARCH 04, 2026| 00:35| Episode 105

Barak Glanz, Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer of COTI

Barak Glanz is a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of coddy.tech - a platform dedicated to turning coding education into a daily habit. Before building Coddy, Barak launched and ran several ventures spanning different niches, giving him broad experience in product development, business models, and user engagement. With a background in computer science and a passion for making coding accessible and fun, he now combines technical insight with a growth mindset. On the podcast, Barak will share what it takes to go from multiple early-stage startups to a mission-driven education company, and how consistency and user experience can drive success.

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Intro

Barak Glanz, the co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of COTI, presents a transformative perspective on coding education by advocating for the establishment of coding as a daily habit rather than a burdensome task to be completed. Through his innovative platform, COTI, which has experienced remarkable growth of 18% monthly for nearly three years, he emphasizes the importance of consistency over grand promises of job placements for aspiring developers. Glanz's journey is characterized by resilience; he began his first bachelor's degree at the tender age of 13, faced numerous setbacks, and yet remained undeterred. He draws inspiration from successful models like Duolingo, aiming to create a casual and engaging learning environment that encourages users to integrate coding into their daily routines. In our discussion, he explores his unique marketing strategies, the significance of customer retention, and the underlying grit that fuels his entrepreneurial endeavors. The conversation unfolds with Barak Glanz, a luminary in the realm of coding education, who serves as the co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of COTI.

Conversation

The dialogue embarks upon the transformative journey of coding from a daunting task to an engaging habit, akin to playing a game. Barak elucidates on COTI's unique approach to coding education, which emphasizes daily practice over conventional course completion. His narrative is interwoven with personal anecdotes, including his early academic pursuits that began at the tender age of thirteen, as well as his tenure as an officer in the Israeli Navy. Despite facing numerous setbacks in his entrepreneurial ventures, Barak's resilience led him to develop COTI, a platform that has seen remarkable growth, achieving an average monthly increase of 18% over three years. Through this episode, we gain insight into the intricacies of customer acquisition, the importance of retention, and the relentless spirit of innovation that drives Barak and his team to redefine how coding is taught and learned.

Takeaways

Barack Glanz emphasizes the importance of making coding a daily habit rather than a daunting course to complete. This approach is inspired by successful platforms like Duolingo and intends to foster consistency in learning.
The foundation of COTI was built without external funding, showcasing an entrepreneurial spirit that thrives on creativity and resourcefulness, even in the face of adversity.
Barack's journey involved numerous failures, which he reframes as learning experiences, highlighting the necessity of resilience in the startup ecosystem.
Cody's marketing strategy has evolved to include guerrilla marketing and influencer partnerships, enabling effective customer acquisition on a global scale, particularly in the United States.
The platform prioritizes user retention by focusing on short, manageable coding challenges, reinforcing the idea that consistent engagement is more valuable than lofty promises of employment.
Barack's unique background, including his service in the Israeli Navy, has shaped his leadership style, emphasizing the importance of motivation and creativity in managing teams.