Nothing Impossible

Carol Daniel talks with Dr. Carmel Martin-Fairey at Harris-Stowe State University about a geospatial summer program. Filament founder Matthew Homann explains the company's move to Cortex and takeover of the Innovation Hall space. Student-led start-ups from Washington University receive $1,000 grants from the Holekamp Seed Fund. Doug Villhard, director of the entrepreneurship program, has more.

A big milestone for BioGenerator, an organization which grooms the next generation of St. Louis science companies. It's often the the first dollar in, with hopes of attracting other investors to follow. Those follow-on dollars have just crossed $2.5 billion. Charlie Bolton and Maggie Crane explain. Stereotaxis CEO David Fischel talks about their new downtown headquarters. Michael and Travis discuss Brookings' latest rundown of U.S. tech cities.

This episode begins with KMOX Virtual Consumer Editor Megan Lynch looking into the possibility of Russian cyber attacks. Veterans with security clearances can transition into tech civilian jobs. Cortex President Sam Fiorello and LaunchCode Executive Director Jeff Mazur discuss. Finally, Megan returns with Media Literacy Expert Julie Smith with advice on how to sort through Ukraine misinformation on social media.

Chesterfield Mall will eventually be replaced by a new concept -- Downtown Chesterfield -- but until then, the mall's owner is looking for entrepreneurs to take over empty storefronts. Andy Dearing, GeoFutures lead, tells us how St. Louis firms are helping provide intelligence from Ukraine. Creamalicious founder Liz Rogers on getting her product into Schnucks.

St. Louis start-up mainstay LockerDome is changing its name. Decide Technologies President Ryan Allen discusses the pivot, the firm's focus, and plans to open a new office in Austin, Texas. Lambert Director Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge updates the latest from the airport, including Lufthansa's upcoming transatlantic flight. Arch Grants Executive Director Emily Loshe-Busch is departing.

Travis takes us to this year's Thinksgiving event, put on by Filament, which connects St. Louis nonprofits with innovation and strategy teams from local companies, creative agencies, and others. Then, Maria Keena talks with GlobalSTL Lead Vijay Chauhan about the Health Innovation Summit. Finally, Pat Quinn, CEO of UnitedHealthcare of Missouri, explains the new Bioinformatics program launching at Harris-Stowe State University.

Gateway Global American Youth and Business Alliance Academies will open the nation’s first geospatial & IT workforce and apprenticeship campus in North St. Louis near NGA. CEO Zekita Armstrong Asuquo tells us about it. Also, we continue learning about this Arch Grants cohort with Equalizer Games and InfraLytiks.

A new innovation district is taking shape for not-for-profits and other community-oriented organizations. Michael and Travis talk with Jorge Riopedre, the Executive Director of Delmar DivINe. Also, we continue spotlighting the latest class of Arch Grants recipients by talking with ZenHammer and GABA.

Project Geospatial's Adam Simmons calls from northern Virginia to recap the GEO INT Symposium held in St. Louis and give an outside assessment of the region's standing in the geospatial industry. Plus, we talk with two companies moving here because of Arch Grants: No Limbits and Onekin.

Two St. Louis startups debut on the New York Stock Exchange. They're called 'unicorns' after having grown to more-than a billion dollar valuations. Food tech company Benson Hill's CEO Matt Crisp joins us. We'll hear from BioSTL's Donn Rubin about their investment support for the company. Online learning firm Nerdy CEO Chuck Cohn calls after ringing the bell. Greater St. Louis Inc.'s Jason Hall puts it all in perspective.

35 companies are in the latest class to be boosted by Arch Grants. Executive Director Emily Lohse-Busch tells us about the startups coming to town. The GEOINT Symposium was a huge moment for the local geospatial community. We'll talk with T-REx's Dr. Patty Hagen and GeoFutures' Andy Dearing. Danni Eickenhorst is the new owner of The Fountain on Locust.

Clayco Executive Chairman and Founder Bob Clark joins us to explain why the construction and design firm was honored as a top workplace for innovators by Fast Company. Rung for Women's Leslie Gill gets us ready for geospatial jobs. Site selection consultant John Boyd fills us in on St. Louis' reputation among companies.

If your Schnucks doesn't already have robots, it will soon. Dave Steck explains. The Danforth Plant Science Center is establishing the New Roots for Restoration Biology Integration Institute. Allison Miller, PhD, will be director. Affordable housing developer McCormack Baron Salazar co-founder Richard Baron talks about their relocation within downtown St. Louis.

Geospatial is an important part of agriculture technology. Stephanie Regagnon of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center talks about the GeoInnovation National Speaker Series. WEPOWER launched Elevate/Elevar Capital. Yoni Blumberg tells us about the $1.5 million investment fund for Black and Latinx-owned companies. Jeff Stevens with WellBeing updates us on the non-alcoholic brewery.

Creve Coeur-based food tech company Benson Hill is launching what's called the Food System Innovators Program. CEO Matt Crisp explains. Jeremy Nulik of BigWideSky tells us how to think like a "futurist" and promotes his upcoming "foresight experience." Finally, Sergio Avedian from The Rideshare Guy on the latest frustration for Uber and Lyft drivers.

First, we introduce you to Impossible Sensing, Pablo Sabron's firm which develops optical sensors that are being used on Mars and at the bottom of the ocean. Then, Charlie Bolten, SVP Investments at BioGenerator, tells us what the startup arm of BioSTL has been up to. Finally, hear from the NGA Director, Director of National Intelligence, and local politicians, from the Moonshot Labs opening at T-REx.

Tara Mott explains why ESRI, a giant in the geospatial industry, opened up a new office in the T-REx innovation center. Scott Leiendecker, founder of St. Louis-based KNOWiNK, was named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Boeing Vice President of Global Services Dan Gillian (pictured) tells why LaunchCode is a valuable part of their talent pipeline. Finally, Doobie is the first marijuana delivery service in Missouri. President Bill Silver and CEO Joseph Rubin join us.

Square plans to create a new division dedicated to "decentralized finance," so we talk with CNET Editor at Large Ian Sherr about cryptocurrency. Geospatial is an industry cluster for St. Louis; Harris Stowe State University is partnering with T-REX for GeoHornet. VP for STEM Initiatives Dr. Freddie Wills explains. Finally, BioSTL's Ben Johnson testified before Congress.

Conflux Co-Learning Executive Director Matt Menietti tells us about the collaboration and education space for manufacturing and distribution companies. ​Tyler Mathews, ​​executive director of Venture Café St. Louis, hints at when the largest weekly gathering of aspiring entrepreneurs will return in-person. Ted Schnuck is rising in the executive ranks at his family's namesake grocery retailer. (7-11-21)

6-6-21

5-9-21

Ahead of Earth Day, Josh Weaver, Vice President of Software Solutions at Emerson Commercial & Residential Solutions, tells us about the Sensi smart thermostat. The #STLMade product is Energy Star Partner of the Year for the second year in a row. After Nashville scored 8,500 jobs from Oracle, Greater STL Inc's Jason Hall joins us to explain what St. Louis has percolating.

Local start-up Invisibly's ad unit-based poll predicted the wrong outcome in Tuesday's mayoral election. Jim McKelvey explains. St. Louis-based Giftameal found how restaurants can increase order amounts and tips while giving back. CEO Andrew Glantz tells us about it. Need a new career? Jeff Mazur says LaunchCode is accepting applications for free programming classes.

NGA Accelerator has its first cohort of startups. Travis talks geospatial with Jason Hall of Greater St. Louis Inc. What's an NFT? That's how St. Louis native Jack Dorsey sold his first tweet. CNET News Editor at Large Ian Sherr explains. Big year for telemedicine. SteadyMD CEO Guy Friedman tells us plans for a new Series B venture capital round.

SirenGPS, a local startup which sends instant alerts of 911 calls, is partnering with several local school districts. CEO Paul Rauner and Maplewood-Richmond Heights' Ed Rich describe how its being used. Amazon Fresh is reportedly planning to open in Sunset Hills. Winsight Grocery Business editor Jon Springer explains the difference. Debbie Monterrey profiles accelerator Grind + Growth. Finally, new KMOX voiceover artist Deidre Goodwin.

St. Louis medical device company Stereotaxis is moving from the Cortex Innovation Community to the Globe Building in downtown. Michael talks with CEO David Fischel. Debbie Monterrey on how to celebrate St. Louis on 314 Day. And Bruce Katz of New Localism Associates details how 'American Rescue Plan' funds relate to the region's 2030 Jobs Plan.

On this edition of the show, which was conducted via video for the SLACO conference, Michael and Travis begin by talking with Edgar Payano, entrepreneur support fellow at WePower and Tiffany Wesley, founder of Pure Vibes. Then, Matthew Homann, founder and CEO of meeting space Filament, describes his vision for "Thinksgiving." Finally, Darren Jackson of All Black Creatives, which connects, inspires, and empowers Black creatives.

The St. Louis Regional Data Alliance is building a shared data infrastructure to improve lives in the region. Paul Sorenson explains to Michael and Travis. Biogenerator's Charlie Bolten tells us about the exit of Canopy. Arch Grants executive director Emily Loshe-Busch on their new Growth Grant program.

Presented by BioSTL. Chris Motley tells us about the pivots his company has made; originally called Better Weekdays, then The Whether, now it's Mentor Spaces. Then, the Early Adopter Grower Innovation Community gives farmers access to start-up technology. Quentin Rund, BioSTL's EAGIC Lead, and Blake Hurst of Hurst Greenery explain. Finally, Harry Campbell of The Rideshare Guy explains the rift between rideshare companies and their contractors.

Michael and Travis talk workforce development with Ben Johnson, BioSTL’s VP of Programs, and Freddie Wills, Harris Stowe State University's Assistant VP for STEM Initiatives. Byron Abrigg and Austin Smith started Mission Control, a platform for gathering and growing community through recreational e-sports. A conversation with Carolyn Kindle-Betz and Lee Broughton about St. Louis City SC.

Presented by BioSTL. A start-up is developing technology that puts a 3D hologram of a patient's heart over their chest for the surgeon to explore on the operating table. Dr. Jennifer Silva of SentiAR explains how they developed the idea in St. Louis with the help of BioGenerator. City Foundry developer Steve Smith gives us an update on the new, innovative attraction. Beard-winning chef Gerard Craft outlines challenges restaurants face during COVID.

Presented by BioSTL. Dr. Alex Garza, head of the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force, is taking on a role with the Consumer Technology Association. BioSTL's Grants to Business program has directed more than $70 million in grants to local start-ups. Otis Williams of the St. Louis Development Corporation lays out the economic development plan unveiled this week.

Presented by BioSTL. Missouri Foundation for Health Vice President of Public Policy Sheldon Weisgrau and GlobalSTL Lead Vijay Chauhan address topics including Medicaid expansion, access to rural healthcare, and tele-medicine innovation. Galera Therapeutics Chief Operating Officer Robert Beardsley updates us on their pancreatic cancer treatment.

Presented by BioSTL. Schnucks President and COO Dave Peacock tells how the locally-based grocer had to innovate in response to the Coronavirus. He also talks about EatWell, their new natural foods concept, and a partnership with foodshed.io on homegrown produce. Then, a freewheeling conversation with BioSTL Founding President Donn Rubin on equity in STEM careers, creating an industry cluster ecosystem, COVID-19 research, and how St. Louis can move to address civic criticism.

Presented by BioSTL. At a time when companies are hurting for skilled workers, Natalie Self of STEMSTL outlines how they're working toward equitable access to STEM learning and employment opportunities. Less Annoying CRM is named the best 'customer relationship manager' software for 2020. CEO Tyler King and Partner Alex Haimann explain. Why NexCore put on St Louis Small Business Independence Day.