Middle Tech

In this episode, Logan and Evan kick off by highlighting Rivian's game-changing investment in Kentucky, where they plan to establish a state-of-the-art remanufacturing facility. Discover how this move will support warranty, repair, and service needs for their electric vehicles. Next, we dive into the highly anticipated launch of Threads by Meta, a direct competitor to Twitter. Explore Meta's vision for Threads and the impact it may have on the social media landscape, while we share our thoughts on Twitter's response and potential challenges ahead. Then, we discuss Twitter's recent introduction of rate limits, a move aimed at curbing AI companies that scrape content for training their models. Find out how these rate limits may impact user experience and the platform's efforts to combat bot activity. Finally, we explore OpenAI's growth struggles, including the temporary disabling of ChatGPT's Browse feature and the class-action lawsuit filed against OpenAI for allegedly scraping priv

Welcome to the Spotlight Series, where we shine a light on extraordinary individuals who have forged their own path to success. In the latest episode of the Middle Tech Spotlight Series, we sat down with JP Blevins, a former University of Kentucky basketball player who has played a significant role in building two hyper-successful companies: Live Oak Bank and nCino. Our conversation covered various aspects of his journey, including his transition from sports to business, the growth and success of Live Oak Bank and nCino, and the lessons learned along the way. Learn More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.liveoakbank.com/ JP's LinkedIn Visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MiddleTech.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Follow Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Logan's Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Evan's Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Logan and Evan cover the intriguing clash between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, as they consider a cage fight and engage in a Twitter feud. We'll dive into the details of their challenge and discuss the potential charitable aspect of the fight. Plus, we explore Meta's move to develop a Twitter competitor under the working title P92 and its implications for the social media landscape. Elon Musk shares his concerns about Facebook's control over another platform, raising questions about the impact on society. In addition, we bring you the latest on the federal seizure of BreachForums, a notorious hacking site, and the arrest of its administrator. We examine the challenges faced by hacking forums and the efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat cybercriminals. Furthermore, we delve into the Kentucky legislature's consideration of AI regulation. With AI technology rapidly advancing, lawmakers are beginning to explore the need for regulations and address concerns related to da

On this episode of the Middle Tech Spotlight Series, we sat down with Monique Quarterman, Executive Director of KY Innovation.KY Innovation is the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development’s Office of Entrepreneurship, and they’re responsible for supporting and developing our state’s startup ecosystem. Through the support of organizations such as Middle Tech, as well as their regional hubs (Awesome Inc, SOAR, Blue North, Amplify Louisville, Grow West, and Create) they deploy resources to empower those within the startup community.Our conversation with Monique covers how they do what they do, what’s been accomplished so far, and where their focus is going into the future. Learn More Follow Monique Quarterman on LinkedIn Follow Our Socials Twitter https://www.twitter.com/middletechpod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/middletechpodFacebook LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/middletech/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/middletechpod Logan's Twitter https://twitter.com/lojo_ky Evan's Tw

In this episode of the Middle Tech Podcast, Logan and Evan discuss the recent changes to the Reddit API, Intel's groundbreaking quantum chip, and the opening of Shadow Ventures' operations in Louisville. We explore the controversies surrounding Reddit's API changes and the implications for AI companies training on its data. We also delve into Intel's Tunnel Falls quantum chip and its potential to revolutionize computing. Lastly, we discuss Shadow Ventures' entry into Louisville's tech scene and their efforts to leverage technology in the construction industry. On our AI Edge segment, we bring you an interesting story about Mercedes adding ChatGPT to its infotainment system. We discuss the implications of this integration and the future of AI in the automotive industry. 0:00 - Intro 1:50 - Reddit's API changes 4:16 - Intel's Quantum Chip 7:20 - New Venture Fund in Louisville 9:07 - Mercedes Adds ChatPGT 10:55 - AI Tip of the Week Visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MiddleTech.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the Middle Tech Spotlight Series, we sit down with Josh Lay, the founder of Nymbl Systems, a medical records and practice management system. Josh shares the elevator pitch for Nymbl Systems, highlighting its efficiency in managing patient records, scheduling, and billing, allowing healthcare providers to spend more time with patients. He discusses the evolution of the business, starting in Lexington and later moving to Phoenix before settling in Columbus. The challenges Josh faced included fundraising and finding investors who understood the market potential beyond the narrow focus of orthotics and prosthetics. However, with the help of a lead investor, the business model expanded, unlocking new markets and growth opportunities. Josh emphasizes the importance of location and the supportive startup ecosystem in Columbus, with its vibrant community and resources for founders. He also highlights the success of Nymbl Systems in becoming a core system of records, enabling the monetization of add

In this episode of the Middle Tech Podcast, Logan and Evan discuss the AppHarvest foreclosure lawsuit, where Equilibrium Capital alleges that AppHarvest breached its obligations, leading to a potential liquidation of assets. Logan and Evan share their insights on the implications and possible outcomes of this legal battle. Next, we explore the recent development in the electric vehicle charging landscape. With Tesla's charging standard becoming the dominant force, owners of GM and Ford EVs will soon be able to charge at Tesla's extensive network of stations. Our hosts discuss the short-term benefits for GM and Ford, as well as the long-term implications that position Tesla as a dominant player in the market. Lastly, we delve into the regulatory actions taken by the SEC against major cryptocurrency exchanges Coinbase and Binance. As the SEC asserts its jurisdiction over the crypto industry, the lawsuits and potential regulations have far-reaching effects. Logan and Evan offer their perspectives on the

In this episode of Middle Tech, Logan and Evan discuss three big stories in the tech world: Toyota's investment in sustainable energy and Elon Musk's Neuralink getting FDA approval. We'll also talk about Nvidia's brief brush with a $1 trillion valuation. Toyota Sustainable Energy Toyota has announced that it will be investing $591 million in its Kentucky manufacturing plant to produce a new battery electric vehicle. The plant is expected to create 9,000 new jobs and will help Toyota achieve its goal of carbon neutrality in North America by 2035. The investment is part of Toyota's broader commitment to sustainable energy. The company has already invested heavily in solar and wind power, and it plans to continue to increase its use of renewable energy sources. Neuralink Gets FDA Approval Elon Musk's Neuralink company has received FDA approval to begin human trials of its brain-computer interface implant. The implant is designed to help people with severe paralysis regain communication an

On this weeks episode, we’re sharing the recording from our live panel discussion about Angel Investing in Kentucky. The panel included Brad Luttrell, CEO & Cofounder GoWild & Holler Commerce, Gregg Morton, CEO & Cofounder of Fooji, and Jeb Jerrell, Director of Render Capital’s Angel Network. Moderated by Evan Knowles, the discussion covers feedback on KY’s Angel networks, tactical advice for fundraising, KY fundraising data, and more. A special shoutout to our sponsors of the event, Chase Bank, KY Innovation, and Awesome Inc! Thanks for helping us make the event happen. 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

In this episode of the Middle Tech Spotlight Series, we sit down with TJ Barnett, the founder and CEO of Full Court Social, a social media agency based in Lexington, Kentucky. Full Court Social helps businesses of all sizes create, curate, and manage content on social media to reach their target audiences and achieve their marketing goals. TJ shares his insights on how he started Full Court Social, the challenges he's faced along the way, and his advice for other entrepreneurs who are thinking about starting their own businesses. He also talks about the importance of building relationships with clients and partners, and the power of social media to connect with customers and build brand awareness. If you're interested in learning more about social media marketing or starting your own business, this episode is for you. Tune in to hear TJ's story and get inspired to take your own business to the next level. Learn More: ⁠https://www.fullcourtsocial.com/ Visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MiddleTech.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Foll

In this week's episode, Logan and Evan discuss AppHarvest's latest SEC filings, TikTok's ban in Montana, and Sam Altman's testimony to the Senate about the dangers of AI and calls for regulation. AppHarvest, a vertically integrated indoor farming company, filed its 8-K and 10-Q with the SEC on May 10th. The 8-K report details unscheduled material events, while the 10-Q report provides a quarterly update on the company's financial position. The SEC filings paint a grim picture for AppHarvest, which has been struggling financially since its IPO in 2021. The company has defaulted on loans, its crop yields have been impacted by pests and a Listeria outbreak, and it has received a delisting notice from the Nasdaq. AppHarvest is now expected to run out of operating capital in Q3. In other news, Montana has become the first state to ban TikTok, a popular social media app owned by Chinese company ByteDance. Montana Governor Greg Gianforte said he is banning TikTok to protect his state's reside

In this week's episode, Logan and Evan discuss the latest technology and innovation news. The first topic of the episode is Helion and Microsoft's power purchase deal for nuclear fusion. They dive into the details of the agreement, including the financial penalties if Helion fails to deliver. They also talk about the potential of AI in fusion research and how it could help advance the technology. Next, they cover Google's AI updates, which include Gmail's ability to write emails for users, Google Maps' AI-powered "immersive" view, and Android's AI-powered customization options. They also talk about Bard, Google's AI-powered chatbot, and the company's investment in AI research. Logan and Evan discuss the implications of these updates and what they mean for the future of AI. Lastly, they discuss the appointment of Linda Yaccarino as the new CEO of Twitter. They analyze Yaccarino's background in advertising and her connections in the industry. They also talk about he

In this week’s episode, Logan and Evan discuss some of the latest developments in the world of technology and AI. They cover topics such as the White House's upcoming AI meeting with top executives from Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic, IBM's CEO announcing a hiring freeze as he expects AI to replace 7,800 jobs, and the failure of First Republic Bank due to uninsured deposits. Additionally, we provide insights on the risks and rewards of AI and the race to achieve AGI, as well as the latest chatbot plugin, ChatGPT, that is revolutionizing the investment industry. They also share tips on how to be mindful of privacy policies and turning off ChatGPT to avoid sharing confidential data. 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 Marke

In this episode of the Middle Tech Spotlight Series, we sit down with Varun Dwaraka, Head of Bioinformatics at TruDiagnostic, to discuss the cutting-edge work being done at this Lexington-based startup. TruDiagnostic is making waves in the health and aging industry with their focus on epigenetic analysis and their commitment to using only proven processes and real research. Dwaraka shares the science behind the company's work, including their use of the largest private epigenetic database in the world, and their ongoing clinical trials aimed at reducing aging. With a mission to revolutionize the health and aging industry, TruDiagnostic is expanding from an epigenetic testing lab to a full multi-omic suite. Dwaraka discusses the company's partnerships with top scientists from around the world, their development of new methods of epigenetic identification, and their goal of delivering the most accurate and comprehensive epigenetic analysis possible. Tune in to learn more about TruDiagnostic's latest

In this episode, Logan and Evan cover a range of topics from Congo Brands' expansion to the latest AI developments at Meta and Apple. Congo Brands is investing $8.2 million in a new headquarters in Kentucky, which is expected to create 500 jobs over the next decade. We also discuss Meta's new product group focused on generative AI and the impact it could have on the future of social media. Additionally, we explore Apple's new AI health coaching service, Quartz, which uses data from Apple Watches to create personalized programs for users. 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

In this weeks episode, Logan and Evan discuss how Apple has teamed up with Goldman Sachs to introduce a high-yield savings account that offers a 4.15% APY, which is ten times the national average. Apple's foray into finance has been successful, with services like Apple Pay, Apple Card, and Apple Cash being well-received by consumers. Next, we'll delve into the world of space travel and talk about SpaceX's Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket. Although the first test flight was successful, it was not without its challenges, including debris flying for miles and residents describing the noise and debris as "truly terrifying." Finally, we'll explore Google's Code Red panic over the rise of ChatGPT and its failure to excite the world with its AI products. We'll discuss the implications of this and how it relates to the future of AI. Visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MiddleTech.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lo

This week, Logan and Evan dive into the latest developments in the world of artificial intelligence. Our first topic centers around Elon Musk's recent move to start a rival AI company called X.AI, after changing the name of Twitter to X corp. by merging the two companies together. We discuss his plans to build an everything app like WeChat in China and power it with AI likely trained on Twitter data. With his aggressive recruiting of engineers away from Deep Mind and Open AI, we explore the potential for Musk to create a new, powerful AI app that revolutionizes the way we consume information and interact on social media. Our second topic covers Amazon's recent entry into the generative AI race with Bedrock Launch. We examine Amazon's approach of recruiting third parties to host models on AWS, which enables developers to build with pre-trained models within the AWS ecosystem, the largest cloud development platform in the world. With Amazon competing with Microsoft's partnership with OpenAI, we

This week, Logan and Evan explore several topics that are currently shaping the tech industry. They start by discussing Jack Harlow's investment in Phocus, a Louisville-based drink brand, and highlight the potential benefits of the collaboration between the popular rapper and the beverage company. We then delves into Tesla's recent decision to reduce the prices of its Model S and Model X vehicles, and the implications this may have on the automotive industry. The hosts also examine the proposed RESTRICT act and its potential risks, including the possibility of criminalizing the use of VPNs and authorizing additional surveillance of US citizens' online activity. Finally, the podcast features an AI Edge segment that discusses Google's plan to integrate conversational AI features into its search engine, and how this move could change the user experience significantly. Visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠MiddleTech.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Logan's

Dr. Stephen Carrithers is the founder and CEO of AmDx PrognostX, a biotechnology company working to develop an immunoassay blood test to identify early diabetes-related microvascular dysfunction. With 88 million Americans suffering from prediabetes, many remain unaware of their condition, leaving them at risk for developing type 2 diabetes and other serious health complications. The groundbreaking test by AmDx PrognostX aims to predict which prediabetic patients will progress into kidney disease and allow for proactive and preventative treatment. In this episode, we discuss the challenges faced by prediabetic patients, the importance of early detection and intervention, and the unique family dynamic at AmDx PrognostX, which combines the expertise of MBAs, MDs, and PhDs. We also explore the company's recent successes, including receiving an SBIR Phase II grant from the NIH and their plan to bring the diagnostic test to market. Learn more about AmDx PrognostX at PrognostXHealth.com. Visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Middle

This week, Logan and Evan dive into the latest major battery projects in Kentucky, including EnerVenue's investment of $264m into a gigafactory in Shelby County, and Microvast's $504m investment in Hopkinsville. These announcements solidify Kentucky as the EV battery production capital of the United States. We also discuss Kentucky's latest legislation on medical marijuana and sports betting, with the recent passing of Senate Bill 47 to legalize and regulate medical marijuana in Kentucky, and our thoughts on the potential pivot of AppHarvest to growing medical marijuana. In our AI Edge Segment, we discuss the recent call by tech industry leaders, including Elon Musk and Steve Wozniak, for a six-month pause in the development of AI systems more powerful than GPT-4. They believe that the risk to society is too great as AI becomes increasingly human-competitive at general tasks, potentially flooding information channels with propaganda and causing job displacement on a massive scale. Goldman Sachs pr