CTStartup Podcast

For some startups, disruption begins a home. The Feel Good Lab has been on a multi-year journey that has yielded some tough lessons that have made them a better, stronger competitor in the natural pain relief market.

Connecticut has a reputation for making a great deal of things, from complex aerospace components to tobacco. But coffee? That's not exactly in our wheelhouse - though Sasha and Ian Fay of Ovelle Coffee are bringing their family heritage of Jamiaca Blue Mountain coffee back to Connecticut.

CTStartup is BACK after an extended break, and we're stepping things up with a new recording studio, new sponsors, and exciting new guests. We are kicking things off by interviewing Hayley Segar of OneWith Swimwear, a new bathing suit brand disrupting the market with swimwear that feels as great as it looks.

Eric revisits reSET the place that helped get him and his business started so many years ago. He speaks with Stefanie Robles, who heads the food incubator program at reSET, which seeks to give food startups a path to building a sustainable business plan in 8 weeks. This episode sponsored by CTNext and Connecticut Innovations.

Web3 is the hot new term floating around the web describing a more decentralized internet future where big companies hold less sway. Eric speaks with Henry Quinn and Jake Burden of CT3 DAO and how they are hoping to bring some of that vision and tech to Connecticut. This episode sponsored by Connecticut Innovations and CTNext.

In this episode we speak with Jon Winkel, CEO of The Stamford Partnership, which has led the creation of numerous programs from concept through launch-and-scale. Jon now focuses on leading The Partnership into a position of national significance for the region's core industries; finance, insurance, digital media, and CPG.

From Y2K solutions to coining the phrase "broadband", Richard Guha has had an interesting career as a startup entrepreneur. Take a listen as he talks about what it means to be an EIR and why he remains so bullish on Connecticut.

As we wrap up our Stamford series, we take a look at StamfordNext - a program for finding, funding, and helping elevate the next generation of startups in Stamford. This podcast sponsored by CTNext and Connecticut Innovations

This is the second part of our series where Eric interviews students from TIPP's Startup Studio program in Stamford. This episode sponsored by CTNext and Connecticut Innovations.

In our last episode, Eric found out what the Stamford Startup is. In this episode, he speaks with some of the young entrepreneurs who make up its first cohort. This episode sponsored by CTNext and Connecticut Innovations.

The Stamford Startup Studio is a two-semester entrepreneurial working co-op experience for undergraduates and eight students will be working together to create technologies & products for the real estate and construction industry. Eric speaks with Tara Watrous about how this unique program is leveraging Connecticut's entrepreneurial ecosystem. This podcast sponsored by CTNext and Connecticut Innovations.

Data is the future, and UConn is working with CTNext and StamfordNext to create a unique pilot program with a multi-component initiative around data science. Tune in to hear from Executive Director Dan Schwartz on why Stamford is poised to be the next big data startup hub, and how this program is laying the foundation for bigger things to come. This podcast sponsored by CTNext and Connecticut Innovations.

Wave Aerospace is a perfect example of how the state is helping to bring entrepreneurs together in the creation of a startup ecosystem. Tune in as Eric interviews co-founders Mark Strauss and Steve Bofill about how they're tackling the hardware side of the drone industry from right here in Stamford, CT. Sponsored by CTNext and Connecticut Innovations

In our next eposide of the TIPP series, Eric speaks with Wendy of futuresTHRIVE, an early intervention mental health screening tool for youth. Eric and Wendy discuss the unique challenges of approaching adolescents mental health in a world with so many stigmas still attached. This podcast sponsored by CTNext and CT Innovations.

UCONN's TIP program has proven wildly successful helping fledgling entrepreneurs take flight, and it's recent expansion into Stamford is already bearing fruit. Join us for a conversation with the people who make TIP tick, Mostafa Analoui and Margaret Feeney, and how they are working to grow Connecticut's startup ecosystem in one of our state's biggest cities. This podcast sponsored by CTNext and Connecticut Innovations.

CTStartup has been around for quite some time now, and we have talked with many guests who have done many great things. One of our first guests, Matt Cremins, has returned to CTStartup with a new idea on how to bring civility back to social media with his partner Keith Fox and their startup, CivilTalk.

For the final episode in our Hartford series we return to Upward Labs, Hartford's premier coworking space and business cohort. We cover how they survived the pandemic while continuing to help entrepreneurs thrive in Connecticut's capitol city.

Any podcast on businesses in Connecticut HAS to discuss innovation in insurance, and on this episode, Eric and Ojala kick off a discussion with two of Hartford's insurance innovators. Join us for a conversation with Cigna, a Hartford insurance staple for decades. This episode sponsored by CTNext and Connecticut Innovations.

This episode is a bit different! Eric takes some time to talk with author and entrepreneur Amos Schwartzfab, who co-authored "Levers: The Framework for Building Repeatability Into Your Business." Built on decades of experience across hundreds of companies, Levers condenses the essentials of creating a metrics-driven company into five core workshops to help startups recognize their potential. Sponsored by CTNext and CT Innovations

While some companies were relocating out of Connecticut, Stanley Black & Decker has been recommitting to the state it has called home for over 160 years. On this episode we speak with their Vice President of Business Development Marty Guay, who discusses navigating a global Fortune 500 company through a global pandemic, the sharp rise of DIYers stuck at home, and his optimistic outlook on Connecticut. This episode was sponsored by CTNext and Connecticut Innovations.

Customer retention is a major issue for insurance companies, as is insurance fraud, and figuring out how to separate the good customers from the bad is worth billions. That is where Aureus Analytics comes in, using predictive analytics and machine learning to deliver insights to help insurers maximize customer lifetime value while providing a better customer experience. In this episode Ojala sits with owner Anurag Shah to discuss how he is helping reshape the insurance customer experience.

Being the insurance capital of the country, it should come as no surprise that Hartford is home to numerous insurance startups. Enter InsureTech Hartford, a community organization founded and run by insurance professionals, bringing this community together and promoting the entrepreneur ecosystem. This episode sponsored by CTNext and Connecticut Innovations

How do you become a 163 year old startup? It may seem like an oxymoron, but when it comes to reinventing itself, Nassau Re has made a name for itself in very short order. Tune in as Eric and Ojala discuss the ups and downs of insurance, finance, and supporting the Hartford startup ecosystem. This podcast is sponsored by CTNext and Connecticut Innovations.

Launching a business - especially a food business - in the middle of a pandemic is a bold move. But that is exactly what the long-anticipated Parkville Market did in 2020, bringing its vision of a food hall to Hartford's hip Parkville section. Tune in for an exciting look at how this blooming business overcame so much and has reenergized an entire neighborhood.

As we continue our Hartford Innovation Places series, we revisit a familiar name in the capitol startup ecosystem - reSET. The home and starting point of many great and innovative companies, reSET has become a hub of entrepreneurship in Hartford. In this episode we interview reSET's executive directory Sarah Bodley for a look at what in the incubator's pipeline and future. This episode sponsored by CTNext and CT Innovations.

When the Innovation Places project was first announced, it was no surprise that Hartford was selected as one of Connecticut's designated innovation hubs. Several years later, the Innovation Places project has poured millions into growing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the state capitol, and we've interviewed several companies and organizations that have benefitted from this effort to bolster local startups. Our journey begins with Launch Hartford, the organization managing the Innovation Places project, as we discuss how this program has helped jumpstart local business activity despite the unplanned pandemic. This episode was sponsored by CTNext and Connecticut Innovations.

The pandemic made it difficult to get together, but people always find ways to connect. And for the first time in awhile, the CT Startup Podcast gang is back together, with Eric, Chris, Dave, and Ojala touching on the pandemic's effects on business in CT, how the workplace is evolving, and whether CT is more blue collar than white collar in the post-pandemic world. Plus, Ojala put's Chris in his place (as usual), so this is one episode you don't want to miss!

Recreational weed is big business, even though it remains illegal at the Federal level - which makes working with traditional banks a bit...difficult. But Mike Kennedy of Green Check Verified has stepped in to offer these businesses a better way to bank while minimizing the time, cost, and risk required to maintain compliance.

Few people can tell it like it is when it comes to doing business in Connecticut the way Mark Lassoff can. Founder of Framework Tech Media and longtime web/mobile development instructor, Mark reflects with Eric on the past decade of working in Connecticut, the struggles and triumphs that have marked his career, what the future holds post-pandemic, and why he's ready for a new adventure in a new place.  This episode is sponsored by CTNext and CT Innovations.

We have all seen businesses and flyers advertising for ISO ratings - and yet despite it being seemingly everywhere, many businesses don't actually know when they need ISO certification, and what it's used for. Enter Benjamin Trow of ISO Pro, who explains in fascinating detail the process and power of proper ISO ratings, and what businesses ACTUALLY need them. This podcast sponsored by CTNext and Connecticut Innovations.

The gaming world has grown by leaps and bounds, and many entreprenuers have great ideas - but lack the technical skills to implement their vision. That's when they turn to Bernard François, founder of rapid game prototyping company Preview Labs. Bernard's journey may have started across the Atlantic, but his entrepreneurial spirit is the sort of thing the American Dream is made of.

Hiring an employee is all about humans - yet the hiring process seems to be more and more automated, and less human, all the time. Enter Jamie Laufer and her recruitment firm Venn, which is grounded in the belief that a person’s greatest potential lives at the intersection of their talent and passion.

Startups and businesses can take many different shapes - some are full-time endeavors, others are more like successful side hustles. For Paul Gaurino of PG Sports, the line has definitely blurred as the sports apparel brand has been flourishing into a beast of its own. Tune in for a discussion about sports, startups, and building a brand from a deeply held passion.

One part of a vibrant city and culture is that when people come to or move for work, for school, or an event they fall in love with it and decide to stay. This is the case for both co-directors of the Collab Caroline Tanbee Smith and Margaret Lee who came to school at Yale and decided to make New Haven home after they graduated. The Connecticut innovation ecosystem is lucky to have these two as they founded Collab to bring a Heart based approach to building companies and uplifting entrepreneurs. In this episode Eric speaks to them about the Why behind starting Collab and their upcoming accelerator that starts this spring. You can use this link if you would like to apply.

Dave Menard and Eric Francis sit down with the founders of The Bolder Company. Jenny Drescher and Ellen Ornato first came on CTStartup as Connect and Improv and return in their new form, as The Bolder Company. A fun conversation which highlighted how COVID-19 forced them to focus their energy into the business which they could have the most impact on. Great lessons for businesses in this episode in addition to the case being made that puppets are necessary addons to a zoom call. Check them out at https://www.theboldercompany.com/

Being an entrepreneur comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, and Nick Wagner highlights how you can be an entrepreneur even with 9-5. Eric Francis sat down with Nick to explore his entrepreneurial journey from his first DJ contract with his high school to selling an aftermarket car parts business to starting a nonprofit. Through his non-profit C.I.T.E, Nick launched the Full Potential Movement to share career stories, ideas, and experiences to empower people to reach their full potential. This wide ranging conversation highlights how to cultivate and harness entrepreneurial skills in your career.

Eric Francis talks with Michael Cocuzza, Founder an CTO of EnviroPower, in his second appearance on the podcasts about the evolution of his company and himself as an entrepreneur. Over the past couple years, Michael has created a manufacturing company which will be releasing their SmartWatt boiler in 2021. Their heating technology, the SmartWatt Boiler, is the next generation heating technology. Producing high efficiency heat while generating cleaner and inexpensive electricity, the SmartWatt Boiler, is designed to generate significant savings on operating-cost for homeowners, landlords and grid operators and reduce the carbon footprint for millions of buildings. Check them out at https://www.enviropowertec.com/

Eric Francis sits down with Al Bhatt, Director of District Arts and Education to discuss how he is focusing on digging wells instead of wondering if the glass is half full or half empty. Eric and Al start the conversation talking about the storming of the capital and where the country is at this moment in time. Throughout the podcast, Al showcases how the work District Arts and Education is doing will bring about a better world for New Haven and Connecticut. Please visit their website https://www.transformnhv.org/

CTStartup founders and co-hosts, Eric Francis and Dave Menard, get back into the swing of podcasting as they discuss how the podcast has evolved, the new 2021 sponsorship from Connecticut Innovations and CTNext, and what topics the podcast looks to explore in 2021. The false start that was 2020 is over and CTStartup will be evolving this year to create new forms of content and bring together more voices from the Connecticut Startup Community.

In our latest episode of CT startup, Eric sits down with an old friend, Tom Nassr of Checkmate Digital, to discuss Tom's sale of the company, as well as his next moves in the midst of a global pandemic. Definitely worth tuning into!

In this episode, Eric talks with Digital Surgeons co-founders Pete Sena and David Salinas. This podcast is a one of the ones we recorded pre-covid shutdown where we sat down and talked about direct to consumer marketing and product development. Pete dives into actionable tactics you can use even in these uncertain times. David Salinas also hops in and out to give his hot takes on everything as they are always fire!! "

Welcome back to season 5 of CT Startup! This episode was recorded just before the world was turned upside-down by the COVID-19 pandemic. So much has changed, and very little of the content still makes sense...but hey, we're all bored, stuck inside, looking for something to listen to. So tune in

In this episode of CT Startup we have an in-depth exchange with Ben from Hugo & Hoby; a design, fabrication, and delivery company for custom made furniture all along the East Coast. Ben explains to us how he got involved in the furniture business, how he works with fabrication shops on the East Coast, sustainably sources raw materials, and so much more! For more on Hugo & Hoby please visit their website below: https://www.hugoandhoby.com/

Welcome to the second episode of Issues Series with CT Startup. This weeks guest is Ryan Keating of Keating Insurance and we discuss his background of growing up in Connecticut, leaving, and then returning with motivation to improve his family business and grow as an entrepreneur. Following his general introduction we discuss issues Ryan has faced in the Connecticut Startup Ecosystem and how has worked to overcome them. Thank you for joining us, if you enjoy this episode be sure to subscribe. https://www.keatingagency.com/

Welcome to our inaugural Issues podcast, a new series that falls under the CTStartup umbrella. We'll discuss a wide variety of topics and issues that Connecticut residents face and experience on a day-to-day basis. Kicking off this new series is Jim Strange, a Connecticut native who has experienced extensive change during his multiple decades of living here. Jim gives us some insight on how the tolling system works, contrasts our system to neighboring states, and then following that we begin a discussing regarding the $15.00 minimum wage. Thank you for listening, if you enjoy this episode please be sure to subscribe so you'll receive updates when we post new episodes.

Our guest this week is David, who started a mask insert company with the primary goal to fight malodor (aka unpleasant odor) in particular medical and non-medical situations. That company was Rhino Guard. Learn how it's changing the way people handle disharmonious scents.  https://www.rhinoguardmask.com/

This week's guests come from the Middletown Chamber of Commerce (MEWS). We had the honor of seeing and recording our guests from the comfort of their chamber; The Middletown Entrepreneur Work Space. We discuss the background of this new workspace, where it is now, and where it's headed. https://www.middlesexchamber.com/

This week we sit down with Dana Bucin of Murtha Cullina Attorneys at Law, the same law firm where co-host David Menard is a partner. Dana specializes in immigration law, and in this podcast she breaks down how being an immigrant entrepreneur gave her (and others) a leg up when it came to applying for legal residency. Dana also takes time to teach us to appreciate our place in American society, as well as the changes that have made attaining legal citizenship much more difficult. Tune in for a different take on business and immigration on this episode of CTStartup. If you'd like to email her with any questions, do it here: dbucin@murthalaw.com

We're doubling up on original content this week with this special episode of CTStartup Podcast. We chat live with one of the founders of Connecticut's largest makerspace during their final construction kickoff party. Learn about the long road that led them to this point and the latest news on the Makerspace(including the grand opening date) by listening to this podcast and visiting their website: https://makerspacect.com/

We're happy to introduce Kelly Helmuth of Bestest the polling app. We sat down with Kelly and learned about the ins and outs of her development process while getting hands-on experience with it. Tune in to find out what makes this app so addictive, and be sure to download and try it out yourself at the link below. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bestest/id1348937378?mt=8

We were lucky enough to get a hands-on look at Spheregen's up and coming augmented reality headset. Come virtually join us in this week's podcast as we learn about this fascinating new form of virtual reality. For more information on Spheregen click the link below: http://www.spheregen.com/