Sinopsis
A weekly podcast exploring startups, technology, and entrepreneurship in Kentucky and beyond.
Episodios
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265. Roland Achenjand of C2 Keep on Leveraging Spirituality in Startups
20/11/2023 Duración: 41minIn this episode, Evan speaks with Roland Achenjand, a pharmacist turned tech entrepreneur. As the founder of C2 Keep, a compliance management tool for pharmacies, Roland brought his intimate knowledge of healthcare regulations into the realm of technology. From Kentucky to the wider United States, C2 Keep has grown to make an impact in the world of pharmacy regulation. This episode dives into Roland's process of building C2 Keep, his spiritual awakening and the valuable insights he's garnered along his journey. Discover how Roland successfully navigated through the challenges of starting a company under strenuous circumstances. With approximately 90 customers and growing, plus recent accomplishments in securing funding, C2 Keep holds promise for the future. Visit us at MiddleTech.com Follow Us Twitter Instagram
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264: Katie Trauth Taylor of Narratize on Unlocking the Potential of Generative AI
13/11/2023 Duración: 45minIn this episode, Evan sits down with Katie Trauth Taylor, the founder of Narratize. Katie is a serial founder with a passion for innovation storytelling and a background in narrative science. Her journey includes spearheading her first company, Untold Content, which focused on accelerating innovation through storytelling. With her expertise in language patterns and narrative algorithms, Katie recognized the power of generative AI in transforming how professionals write and communicate at work. During the episode, Katie discusses the challenges and opportunities in the generative AI space, highlighting the importance of collaboration and the role of large language models in enterprise solutions. She explains how Narratize, as a generative AI storytelling platform, helps professionals in science, tech, and medical industries elevate their workflows by seamlessly generating insights, summaries, and deliverables for various content needs. Additionally, Katie emphasizes the significance of diversity and inclusion
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263. Riya Shah of Fetal Life: Student Founder Revolutionizing Maternal Health
06/11/2023 Duración: 33minIn this episode Evan welcomes Riya Shah, an exceptional young founder and the driving force behind Fetal Life. Riya shares her amazing story of inventing a patented at-home contraction monitoring device for pregnant women, revolutionizing the way they track contractions. Join Evan and Riya as they discuss her journey as a student entrepreneur, the challenges of balancing startup life with college, and the incredible impact Fetal Life is making in the medical space. From securing FDA approval to forming partnerships in remote areas like Uganda, Ria's determination and vision are shaping the future of maternal health. Tune in to gain insights into Riya's innovative solutions and the transformative power of Fetal Life. Visit us at MiddleTech.com Follow Us Twitter Instagram Facebook
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262. Matthew Sunday of The Corps on Taking High-Stakes Concepts from Ideas to Reality
30/10/2023 Duración: 39minIn the latest episode of the Middle Tech Spotlight Series, we sat down with Matthew Sunday, the founder and Chief Engineer of The Corps. The Corps specializes in bringing ideas and concepts to reality for the Department of Defense and other high stakes organizations where lives are quite literally on the line. Our conversation covered various aspects of Matthew’s journey, starting with enlisting in the Marines out of high school, earning a graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, serving 30 years in the fire and police services, and then finally starting The Corps. Matthew’s story is one of gaining first hand experience of the problems that individuals in high-stakes organizations face in their day to day responsibilities, and applying his engineering background and network to provide solutions for a variety of problems those individuals encountered. As I joked on the podcast, Matt plays a similar role to “Q” in the James Bond movies, albeit providing more realistic products than tricked out Aston Martins a
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Middle Tech Live | A Panel Discussion on The State of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in KY
23/10/2023 Duración: 55minFor this week’s episode, we’re releasing a panel discussion recorded live at the 2023 SOAR Summit in Corbin, Kentucky. Moderated by Logan Jones, our panelists included Lincoln Brown, Geoff Marietta, Sabrina McWhorter, and JP Blevins. A primary theme of the discussion was diving into the differences between small business entrepreneurship and high-growth-startup entrepreneurship; exploring how we as a state should think of and support the different types of entrepreneurs and how they each comprise a part of the larger whole of our entrepreneurial ecosystem. Visit us at MiddleTech.com Follow Us Twitter Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Logan's Twitter Evan's Twi
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261. Akhil Suresh Nair on AI-Driven Ecommerce Success
16/10/2023 Duración: 47minIn this episode, we're joined by Akhil Suresh Nair, the founder of Xena Intelligence, a remarkable company based right here in the heart of Kentucky. Xena Intelligence has pioneered an AI-powered eCommerce tool that's making a significant impact on businesses. We'll delve into Ankil's entrepreneurial journey, starting from what motivated him to create this tool, inspired by personal experiences, including his father's challenges in marketing life-saving products. We'll explore how this tool operates, sharing real success stories from small businesses that have harnessed its potential. We'll also take a look behind the scenes at Xena Intelligence, discussing the global tech team Ankil has assembled, their current market presence, and their ambitious plans for future expansion. In addition, we'll uncover how the state of Kentucky has played a pivotal role in shaping Xena Intelligence's development and success. Finally, we'll touch on the key elements our startup ecosyste
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260. Becca Self & Wes Murry of Hunsicker on Building a Lexington-Based Venture Studio
25/09/2023 Duración: 57minIn this episode, Logan sat down with Becca Self and Wes Murry from Hunsicker, a Lexington-based Venture Studio. Our conversation covers the venture studio model, Hunsicker's "Kentucky Advantage", and their approach to social impact through their ventures. Visit us at MiddleTech.com Follow Us Twitter Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Logan's Twitter Evan's Twitter Middle Tech is proud to be supported by: KY Innovation Bolt Marketing
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259. Koby Hastings & Chris Michelson on Navigating the SalesRiver: Evolution, Fundraising, and Growth
18/09/2023 Duración: 55minIn this episode, Logan and Evan sit down with Koby Hastings and Chris Michelson from SalesRiver (formerly Leadrilla) in Lexington, Kentucky. SalesRiver's software is transforming how insurance sales teams work, making them more efficient, transparent, and compliant. Today, we'll catch up with Koby and Chris, discussing their recent achievements: They raised $4 million in a Series A funding round. They rebranded as SalesRiver. Their team has grown to 23 members. We also introduce Chris Michelson and delve into his career journey to becoming SalesRiver's Chief Revenue Officer. Learn why Leadrilla became SalesRiver and how the new name reflects their mission. SalesRiver signifies the dynamic nature of the sales process. They also unveil a new feature called "Teams." Discover SalesRiver's vision for the future, including AI features, expansion strategies, and revenue goals. Join us for a candid conversation about the ins and outs of SalesRiver's remarkable journey. https://sale
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258. Nick Durham on Investing in the Built World
11/09/2023 Duración: 45minOn this week’s episode, we sat down with Nick Durham, one of the general partners at Shadow Ventures. Shadow Ventures focuses on investing in companies building technology for the “built world” (ie construction & real estate) and they recently established an office in Louisville, led by Nick.Our conversation covered Shadow Venture’s investment thesis for investing in the built world, their approach to partnering with large firms in the construction & real estate space to give their portfolio companies access early customers, and Nick’s perspective on Kentucky’s startup ecosystem. https://shadow.vc/ https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/inno/stories/news/2023/06/14/shadow-ventures-plants-roots-in-louisville.html Visit us at MiddleTech.com Follow Us Twitter Instagram Facebook LinkedIn
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257. Albert Lukonga on Establishing Kentucky's First Fashion House
05/09/2023 Duración: 48minOn this week's Spotlight Series, caught up with Albert Lukonga, Founder and CEO of Albert Couture - Kentucky's First "Fashion House". We originally spoke with Albert back in 2020 for ep. 112, right when he was getting the business off the ground. Since then, Albert has been making waves not only in Kentucky, but in the fashion world as a whole. He's recently opened up his flagship store - The House of Albert Couture - in Lexington, Kentucky, as well as purchase the rights to "Kentucky Fashion Week" We chat about Albert's early successes, the role of his Kentucky community and early supporters In getting him this far, and his vision for the continued growth of Albert Couture. Visit us at MiddleTech.com Follow Us Twitter Instagram Facebook LinkedIn
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256. Tech Transforms Real Estate: Jennifer Mason's TitleWise Vision
28/08/2023 Duración: 26minIn this episode, we're excited to sit down with Jennifer Mason, the driving force behind TitleWise, an innovative company that's making waves right here in Lexington. Jennifer Mason is no stranger to the world of entrepreneurship, and as the creative mind behind TitleWise, she's taken her own experiences and translated them into an inspiring solution. Facing the challenges of her own, she crafted an app that has become a game-changer in the real estate sector, especially during the tumultuous times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Join us as we delve into the story of how Jennifer's team managed to harness their unique insights to accommodate the unprecedented demand for their services. At TitleWise, they're more than just a company – they're a team that's empowering human researchers to wield technology as a tool for better decision-making. Collaborating closely with settlement companies, TitleWise leverages its prowess to gather and process property title information, effectively distin
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255. Fusion Reaction Success, Sentient Solutions Acquisition, Neuralink's $280M Raise
14/08/2023 Duración: 13minIn this week's episode, Logan and Evan explore the world of fusion energy with groundbreaking news from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. For the second time, they've achieved net energy gain in a fusion reaction, pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery. We break down the significance of this achievement and its potential implications for the energy sector. Next up, we delve into the acquisition of Louisville-based accounting tech startup Sentient Solutions. Recently acquired by Ascend, this move showcases the influence of AI-driven solutions on traditional industries. We discuss the motivations behind the acquisition and explore the role of technology in transforming the way CPA firms operate. References Scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory achieve net energy gain in a fusion reaction for a second time Louisville accounting tech startup acquired Neuralink raises $280m in funding led by Thiel’s Founders Fund Visit us at MiddleTech.com
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Adam VanWingerden of Silver Fern on Building Beyond Buzz | Spotlight Series
09/08/2023 Duración: 30minIn the latest episode of the Middle Tech Spotlight Series, we had an enlightening conversation with Adam VanWingerden, the co-founder and CEO of Silver Fern, a company that is simplifying the complex world of the horticulture industry. Silver Fern offers modular ERP software designed to help growers make key changes for growth without the typical growing pains. From unlimited customer support to seamless integration, Silver Fern is perfect for growers looking to find simplicity, certainty, and efficiency. Our conversation with Adam VanWingerden delved into the challenges and successes Silver Fern has experienced, how Adam approaches building a team and processes, and how they save time, money, and stress for their clients. Learn More: https://silverfern.com/ Adam VanWingerden's LinkedIn Visit us at MiddleTech.com Follow Us Twitter Instagram Facebook LinkedIn L
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254. Forecastr's $4.5M Raise, Worldcoin's Real Human Verification, and Meta's AI Persona Advancements
07/08/2023 Duración: 18minThis week, Logan and Evan start off by discussing Forecastr, a promising business-to-business, software-as-a-service company that recently raised an impressive $4.5 million in funding. With plans to allocate the capital to product development, sales, and finance, Forecastr aims to further expand its presence in the market. Join us as we explore Forecastr's impressive growth trajectory and the impact it could have on the tech startup landscape. Next up, we dive into the world of cryptocurrencies with the intriguing launch of Worldcoin's crypto project. At the heart of this project lies the World ID, a "digital passport" designed to verify real humans and differentiate them from AI bots. We'll discuss the project's vision for combating income inequality through concepts like universal basic income (UBI) and the potential role of World IDs in this endeavor. Tune in to learn more about Worldcoin's ambitious mission and its potential implications for the future. Lastly, we'll unco
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Armando Diaz of Working With Saint on the Intersection of Creativity & Business | Spotlight Series
02/08/2023 Duración: 27minOn this episode of the Middle Tech Spotlight Series, we sat down with Armando Diaz, the creative force behind Working With Saint, a design agency making waves in the creative space. Armando shares his journey from the inception of Working With Saint to its current success, discussing the challenges of running a design agency, managing cash flow, finding ways to monetize, and keeping up with industry trends. We also discuss the role of generative AI in branding and design, and how it's helped his agency improve their research and speed up their processes. He shares his thoughts on the future of design agencies as it relates to AI and how he envisions it evolving. We also delve into Armando's unique approach to running his business, focusing on creating an environment for his team to thrive and being proactive in increasing their cash flow. Learn More: https://www.workingwithsaint.com/ Armando Diaz LinkedIn Visit us at MiddleTech.com Follow Us Twitter
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253. AppHarvest's Bankruptcy, AI Job Risks, and Room-Temperature Superconductors
31/07/2023 Duración: 19minIn this episode, Logan and Evan start by discussing the recent bankruptcy filing of AppHarvest and its efforts to reorganize and improve operational efficiency. Next, they delve into the KY Solar project, an ambitious initiative to transform a former coal mine into a massive solar energy center. They also share exciting news about a groundbreaking physics discovery—a new superconductor material called LK-99 that operates at room temperature, with potential applications in quantum computing and energy transmission. Lastly, Logan and Evan shed light on a concerning report indicating that women are at a higher risk of AI job replacement, leading to a discussion on the impact of AI on workforce gender disparities. Reference Articles AppHarvest Bankruptcy: https://www.wkyt.com/2023/07/24/appharvest-files-bankruptcy/ Starfire Solar Project: https://www.wymt.com/2023/07/25/kentuckys-largest-renewable-power-project-former-coal-mine-be-turned-into-renewable-energy-site/ Superconductor Breakthrough: https://www.indepen
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252. Microsoft & Meta Join Forces, Apple's Ajax Framework, and Hollywood Strikes
24/07/2023 Duración: 18minIn this episode, Logan and Evan discuss the recent announcement of a game-changing partnership between tech giants Microsoft and Meta. They are teaming up to bring you Llama 2, Meta's open-source LLM (Large Language Model), as a free resource on Microsoft's Azure cloud computing platform. This move opens up unprecedented opportunities for innovation in the AI space, while also raising important questions about the responsible use of such powerful technology. We'll explore the pros and cons of open-source AI models and the potential implications they may have on the industry as a whole. Next, we turn our attention to one of the biggest players in the tech world, Apple. Bloomberg reports that Apple has quietly been working on its own framework for creating large language models, called Ajax. This significant development has already sent shockwaves through the industry, as Apple's cautious approach hints at plans to integrate AI into their existing ecosystem in a transformative way. Join us as we
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Adam Bowe of Cake on Disrupting Industries | Spotlight Series
19/07/2023 Duración: 28minIn this series, we bring you candid conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem supporters who are shaping the future of innovation. Today, we sit down with Adam Bowe, the mastermind behind Cake, a game-changing platform based in Lexington, KY. Cake is the one-stop marketplace for buying and selling insurance agents' books of business. Join us as Adam shares the story behind Cake's success and how this platform is revolutionizing the insurance industry's landscape. Stay tuned for more insightful episodes where we uncover the untold stories of innovation and growth, and gain valuable industry insights from the best in the business. Learn More: https://www.haveyourcake.com/ Adam Bowe's LinkedIn Visit us at MiddleTech.com Follow Us Twitter Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Logan's Twitter Evan's Twitter
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251. AppHarvest Updates, Facebook Data Dilemmas, and Musk's xAI
17/07/2023 Duración: 16minWelcome to Middle Tech Podcast, in this episode, we bring you the latest updates on AppHarvest's struggles as founder Jonathan Webb steps back, and the agricultural startup faces challenges with creditors and potential eviction. Our hosts, Logan and Evan, share their insights on the implications of these developments for the Kentucky-based company and the controlled environment agriculture industry. Next up, we delve into a concerning case involving Facebook data, where a teen and her mother plead guilty to abortion charges based on private messages obtained by authorities. Uncover the unsettling reality of how private communications can impact legal proceedings and spark debates around data privacy and government access to personal information. And that's not all! Stay tuned as we discuss the exciting launch of xAI, a new artificial intelligence company led by Elon Musk himself. With a team of industry veterans from tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Tesla, xAI aims to "understand the unive
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Randall Stevens of Avail on The Role of Natural Language Search in Streamlining Workflows | Spotlight Series
12/07/2023 Duración: 42minIn this episode, we feature Randall, founder of Avail, a groundbreaking software platform in the architecture and engineering industry. We discuss leveraging Exif data, the power of generative AI, and balancing innovation and regulation. Tune in to hear Randall's entrepreneurial journey and learn about the milestones achieved by Avail. Get ready for an insightful conversation about the future of technology in architecture and engineering. Learn More: https://getavail.com/ Randall's Linkedin Visit us at MiddleTech.com Follow Us Twitter Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Logan's Twitter Evan's Twitter