Middle Tech

Nate, Logan, and Evan discuss Netflix’s slowing subscriber growth and Gov. Beshear’s statements on legalizing medical marijuana in Kentucky. This week in tech history: The first ever spam email goes out advertising Digital Equipment Corporation mainframe computer system. Now, 14.5 billion spam emails are sent each day :( Watch Middle Tech's Friday Updates LIVE at 8:30am EST on Instagram every week! @MiddleTechPod Today's Friday Update is sponsored by KY Innovation and Render Capital Visit us at MiddleTech.com

Raechele Smalls is the Manager of Entrepreneur Selection & Growth and Access to Capital Lead at Endeavor’s regional hub. Endeavor is a global organization that supports high impact entrepreneurship and works to connect regional, national, and international startup ecosystems by providing mentorship, a robust network, and access to capital. Our conversation with Raechele covers the launch of Endeavor’s new platform, Endeavor Edge, the issues entrepreneurs in this region face when fundraising, and how the Edge platform is helping to provide access to capital in this region. Learn more about EDGE at Edge.Endeavor.org Visit us at MiddleTech.com  Twitter Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Evan's Twitter Logan's Twitter Middle Tech is proud to be supported by: Our presenting sponsor, KY Innovation Bolt Marketing The Johnson Law Group Render Capital

Logan explores the Human Colossus... or how technology is augmenting ourselves to progress human civilization. Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Visit us at MiddleTech.com 

Nate, Evan, and Logan discuss Kentucky’s second largest economic development coming to Bowling Green, Meta’s virtual sales fee, and Elon’s offer to purchase Twitter. This week in tech history: In 1961, Yuri Gagarin becomes the first man to go to space at the age of 27. In the 61 years since them, over 600 humans have made the journey to space. Watch Middle Tech's Friday Updates LIVE at 8:30am EST on Instagram every week! @MiddleTechPod Today's Friday Update is sponsored by KY Innovation and Render Capital Visit us at MiddleTech.com

Tim Metzner is the co-founder and Chief Growth Officer at Coterie Insurance, a Cincinnati-based InsureTech startup simplifying the process of getting small business insurance. Founded in 2018, Coterie has now raised $70m to continue their growth. During this conversation Evan Knowles and Logan Jones discussed the Coterie story, building a great company culture, and how to foster a great startup ecosystem. Learn more about Coterie Insurance at CoterierInsurance.com Visit us at MiddleTech.com  Twitter Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Evan's Twitter Logan's Twitter Middle Tech is proud to be supported by: Our presenting sponsor, KY Innovation Bolt Marketing The Johnson Law Group Render Capital

Evan explores how modern implementations of online banking via APIs and deep product integrations are changing how we interact with products, and paving the way to the ideal "Web 3.0" everyone is talking about. Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Visit us at MiddleTech.com 

Logan, Nate, and Evan cover Elon’s twitter investment & board seat, big news from the Bitcoin Conference, and Fast shutting down after raising $102m. This week in tech history: The first cell phone call is made in 1973 and Microsoft is founded in 1975. Watch Middle Tech's Friday Updates LIVE at 8:30am EST on Instagram every week! @MiddleTechPod Today's Friday Update is sponsored by KY Innovation and Bolt Marketing Visit us at MiddleTech.com

Jane Mosbacher Morris is the founder and CEO of To The Market, a turnkey solution for ethical manufacturing, connecting brands and retailers to a syndicated network of sustainable, story-rich suppliers. Jane started To The Market with a vision to democratize access to the global supply chain and provide makers around the world with the economic empowerment that comes from safe, dignified, fairly paid work. Our conversation covers Jane’s background in foreign relations, how To The Market is giving underrepresented entrepreneurs access to global supply chains, and the importance of sustainability and resilience in supply chains. Learn more about To The Market at ToTheMarket.com Visit us at MiddleTech.com  Twitter Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Evan's Twitter Logan's Twitter Middle Tech is proud to be supported by: Our presenting sponsor, KY Innovation Bolt Marketing The Johnson Law Group Render Capital

Nate explores how Amazon, the perpetually innovating company that flips industries upside down, may impact the media industry with its acquisition of MGM. Middle Tech socials: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Visit us at MiddleTech.com 

Nate, Logan, and Evan cover Biden’s push for battery production, Amazon’s unionization votes, and the latest Bitcoin news. This week in tech history: Wabash, Indiana becomes the first city to be lit with electricity Watch Middle Tech's Friday Updates LIVE at 8:30am EST on Instagram every week! @MiddleTechPod Today's Friday Update is sponsored by KY Innovation and Bolt Marketing Visit us at MiddleTech.com

Natalia Bishop is a serial entrepreneur, known for starting Louisville-based companies Story Louisville and Level Up. Natalia is also the Entrepreneur in Residence for Amplify Louisville, the Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at University of Louisville, and most recently, a General Partner at Renew VC. Throughout her experience in the Louisville startup ecosystem, Natalia has been a major advocate for underrepresented founders and is actively working to ensure that all founders have access to the resources they need to be successful. Our conversation covers Natalia’s extensive experience, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and her vision for the Louisville startup ecosystem. Connect with Natalia here. Visit us at MiddleTech.com  Twitter Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Evan's Twitter Logan's Twitter Middle Tech is proud to be supported by: Our presenting sponsor, KY Innovation Bolt Marketing The Johnson Law Group Render Capital

Nate runs through what it takes to operate the company behind Middle Tech, including the current challenges and opportunities the team faces this year. Middle Tech socials: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Visit us at MiddleTech.com 

Nate, Logan, and Evan discuss: - Bored Ape Yacht Club’s creator, Yuga Labs, raising $450 million - Uber and NYC Taxis new partnership - Demetrius Gray’s new fintech platform, Captain, coming out of stealth mode Watch Middle Tech's Friday Updates LIVE at 8:30am EST on Instagram every week! @MiddleTechPod Today's Friday Update is sponsored by KY Innovation and Bolt Marketing Visit us at MiddleTech.com

Brad Zapp is a co-founder and managing partner of Connetic Ventures, a Covington, Kentucky based VC firm that has built a machine learning model that allows them to make data-driven investment decisions. Through using this machine learning model, Connetic has been able to reduce the amount of bias present in their investment decisions and allocate a significant portion of their fund to underrepresented founders. Our conversation with Brad covers how they’ve found success by using a data-driven investment approach, his perception of this region’s startup ecosystem, and the role that the University of Kentucky has played in Brad’s background. Learn more about Connetic at ConneticVentures.com Visit us at MiddleTech.com  Twitter Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Evan's Twitter Logan's Twitter Middle Tech is proud to be supported by: Our presenting sponsor, KY Innovation Bolt Marketing The Johnson Law Group Render Capital

Tj explores how social media has permanently rewired our brains, the implications that has had on him personally, and how he tries to combat the constant barrage of content. Connect with Tj on LinkedIn here. Middle Tech socials: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Visit us at MiddleTech.com 

Logan, Nate, and Evan discuss SpaceX’s “space surgery” program, Amazon completing their acquisition of MGM, and AMC investing in a literal gold mine. This week in tech history: The first internet domain was registered - symbolics.com Watch Middle Tech's Friday Updates LIVE at 8:30am EST on Instagram every week! @MiddleTechPod Today's Friday Update is sponsored by KY Innovation and Bolt Marketing Visit us at MiddleTech.com

Anthony Ellis and David Brock are the Executive Director/General Council and Director of Operations for Ky Innovation, respectively. Ky Innovation is the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development's entrepreneurship and innovation partner, working to support and develop Kentucky's startup ecosystem through allocating government funds to entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial support organizations. Our discussion covers the purpose of Ky Innovation, the different programs they fund and support, and the impact that their support has had on the state of Kentucky. Learn more about Ky Innovation at KyInnovation.com Visit us at MiddleTech.com  Twitter Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Evan's Twitter Logan's Twitter Middle Tech is proud to be supported by: Our presenting sponsor, KY Innovation Bolt Marketing The Johnson Law Group Render Capital

Nate contemplates how when we talk about startups and the fact that they can change the world, we don't ever really stop to think about "what if they don't, though?" Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Visit us at MiddleTech.com 

Logan discusses Rivian’s earnings report and Biden signing an executive order for a crypto framework. This week in tech history: the first phone call ever was 135 years ago this week. Watch Middle Tech's Friday Updates LIVE at 8:30am EST on Instagram every week! @MiddleTechPod Today's Friday Update is sponsored by KY Innovation and Bolt Marketing Visit us at MiddleTech.com

Brian Frye is the Spears-Gilbert Professor of Law at UK Law School, with a focus on copyright and trademark law. Before getting into the legal field, Brian was a successful film artist in New York City. Once NFTs started gaining popularity, Brian dove into the space by issuing his own “conceptual art” NFTs and hosting conversations about NFTs on his legal scholarship podcast, Ipse Dixit. The intersection of Brian’s unique perspectives and experiences made for an in-depth conversation on the key concepts of NFTs, how they’re affecting copyright law, and what it means to own something on the internet. Learn more about Brian here. Visit us at MiddleTech.com  Twitter Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Evan's Twitter Logan's Twitter Middle Tech is proud to be supported by: Our presenting sponsor, KY Innovation Bolt Marketing The Johnson Law Group Render Capital