SOUTH POD: Rise of a Region

Join us on this episode of SOUTH POD as we speak to Brandon Welch, Founder of Doxy.me.  Brandon discusses his Telehealth platform and how COVID-19 has changed healthcare forever.

On this episode we are featuring Shyft Auto's Wild Pitch recording where Stanfield Gray is joined by Co-founder and CEO of Shyft Auto, Marcus Aman. Shyft Auto reduces chaos at automotive repair shops while giving consumers an Amazon-like experience for service. Shyft's technology helps repair shops offer contactless solutions to their customers, while increasing retention, revenue, and satisfaction scores. The Shyft Auto team was a recipient of the NC Idea Seed Grant and the winner of one of the top startups at the NC Tech Awards in 2020.

Chief Marketing Officer, speaker, and business growth expert Paul Sparrow shares a simple methodology for determining the economic health and trajectory of a given business. Coupled with the most recent forecasts and trends driving the core US economy, participants will be exposed to new tools that will help them drive the growth of their respective businesses.

BatteryXchange is an ecosystem of smart kiosks that seeks to increase connectivity between people, businesses, and communities. BXE uses its rental platform to provide on-demand portable batteries to connect people, businesses, & communities to things that matter to each entity the most. Check it out tonight on SOUTH POD.

Joining us today on SOUTH POD, we have DIG NATION members, Iron Bridge Capital Founder & Managing Partner, John Hand, as well as Developer, Martin Wiloughby.Since developing Charleston Tech Center, home to a full house of tech-centric companies, Iron Bridge Capital has completed more than $400 million of investment and development projects and to date has not lost investor or lender capital in any project.

Tonight we resume SOUTH POD featuring Amazon Director Brice Brewer. Brewer leads Amazon Nashville as one of the company’s Directors within Worldwide Operations Technology.An experienced leader with more than 20 years of proven success leading engineering, technology and big data initiatives, Brewer counts an additional 7 years in the healthcare industry.

Behind every good athlete is a good coach. eSport athletes require no less and PureSkill has designed the perfect coach that every eSports player needs. This week on SOUTH POD we're throwing it back to our conversation last fall with PureSkill Co-Founder, Bill Freeman. Listen in and learn how PureSkill is using the talent gameplay to coach users on what they're doing wrong and how to fix it.

This week on SOUTH POD find out how startups are using Saas technology to grow their companies. Tonight we are re-airing DIG SOUTH Virtual Tech Summit Speaker Session with Jason Vandeboom, Founder & CEO of ActiveCampaign, and Martin Angert, Partner at Susquehanna Growth Equity

Tonight on SOUTH POD, we are re-airing our conversation with Natalie Angelillo and Nick Huzar from OfferUp. In this recording from the 2020 DIG SOUTH Virtual Tech Summit find out how OfferUp built a Unicorn from used goods.

Does your company have a loyalty program or a way to increase customer retention? Get ready to change the way you think about your customer retention rate.Tonight on SOUTH POD we are featuring Edward Nevraumont's speaker session from the DIG SOUTH Virtual Tech Summit: Loyalty is Not About Loyalty. It will blow your mind. 

From Pre-seed to Series C, there are always questions that surround the funding trail. This journey can be big and hard to keep up as the landscape changes nearly every 6 months! On this episode of SOUTH POD, we're throwing it back to the DIG SOUTH Virtual Tech Summit with Panelists from Oracle for Startups, BOSS Capital Funding, and Springbot to answer your biggest questions on landing your next big funding. Check it out!

The phrase 'always growing' is much easier said than done - especially in these times. Tonight on SOUTH POD we are premiering FloWater Founder and CEO Rich Razgaitis's speaker session from the DIG SOUTH Virtual Tech Summit on how to grow you company beyond your target market. This is the talk you've been waiting for. So sit down, take a few notes, and share this info with a colleague.

More than half of adults in the U.S. receive news from social media, and that means social networks play an outsized role in politics. By looking at how media content is being consumed on social, you can draw important conclusions about the election, and more broadly about consumer attention. SocialFlow CEO Jim Anderson has more than a decade of experience working with high-growth companies and the social media platforms and played a leadership role in Vitrue’s successful exit to Oracle in 2012. He’ll draw on that experience and data from more than a trillion social impressions generated by SocialFlow’s blue-chip media clients as he shares his thoughts on social media and the election insights that will last well beyond this election season.

Communication is vital in every organization, and especially for first responders who deal with emergent situations on a daily basis.  Tonight on SOUTH POD, Welton Chase, Jr. of FirstNet discusses how his organization is improving those lines of communication.

Grab a comfy seat and join us tonight night at 8 PM EDT on Facebook LIVE for another great episode of SOUTH POD. Tonight we talk with Jeff Hilimire from Dragon Army to talk about how to lead like an entrepreneur especially during this time.

Tune in tonight at 8pm as we talk with Daniella Harkins from LiveRamp about how to work smarter as a s business and how to make data connectivity work harder for you to heighten consumer experiences. Daniella Harkins is the strategic and media alliances for LiveRamp.

It’s time to forget about the health of your business and focus on the health of your employees. D & Julie Sharma both experienced extreme burnout from their careers and found themselves taking a sabbatical to focus on their health and wellbeing. Join us at 8pm on SOUTH POD, as D & Julie Sharma share the benefits of implementing wellness programs within the company culture and how it improves employee wellness leading to companies that are better equipped to succeed in an increasingly competitive marketplace. They will also talk through what an emotional health index is and why having that data can drastically improve company culture & morale.

Marketing is evolving and brands need to change with it to keep up with consumers’ expectations. This week on SOUTH POD we're talking with marketing expert Chris Savage about the secret to success for effective marketing. Chris is the CEO and founder of Wistia, a web-based software solution that helps marketers turn viewers into brand advocates to grow their businesses. Chris will share why brand affinity marketing goes beyond brand recognition to keep consumers engaged longer. Chris will share why brand affinity marketing is the future and break down the steps for building it: find a niche audience, create binge-worthy content, market like a media company, and measure resonance over reach by tracking key metrics. Join the conversation and learn how you can step up your brand recognition game. Become a DIG NATION member today to connect with top tech talent and access year-round content like this at digsouthtechsummit.com.

How is your company using data? This week on SOUTH POD we feature Jordan and Tony Berry of Interloop's keynote from the 2020 DIG SOUTH Virtual Tech Summit where they discuss how your company can better understand and utilize data.

Soccer is alive and well in the city of Atlanta with help from Catie Griggs, VP of Operations at Atlanta United. This week on SOUTH POD we feature Catie Grigg's keynote from the 2020 DIG SOUTH Virtual Tech Summit.

Leading through a hectic time is a challenge, but Abby Leibowitz of Call Experts and Jonathan Williams of Theorem were able to successfully lead through hectic times and come out ahead! On this episode of SOUTH POD, we feature Abby Leibowitz and Jonathan Williams's keynote presentation from the 2020 DIG SOUTH Virtual Tech Summit.

Is your business ready for the data-driven future?  Today's episode of SOUTH POD was recorded for DIG SOUTH's Wild Pitch Wednesday.  It features Tony Berry and Jordan Berry of Interloop discussing how to use data more effectively to boost your business.

As stores and restaurants begin reopening, social distancing is a must.  This episode of SOUTH POD was recorded for DIG SOUTH's Wild Pitch Wednesday on April 22. It features Steven Dodge and Luke Rabin of Regulr discussing their new DISTANCE MOBILE APP. Distance is a mobile platform designed to help people practice safe social distancing confidently.

Marketing is an essential, especially in these uncertain times.  Today on SOUTH POD I sit down with Whitney Mendoza, Managing Partner at Liger Partners to talk about mastering modern marketing.

Starting your own business is overwhelming, but it is not something you have to go through alone.  Today on SOUTH POD I am joined by Nicholas Mancini, Manager of North American Business Operations for Oracle for Startups to discuss how his company supports young entrepreneurs along their journeys.

Nobody wants to be get into legal issues, which is why it is so important to have a lawyer Duncan Byers on yours side.  Today on SOUTH POD I am joined Duncan to talk about his career and how it has led him to becoming a Partner at Patten, Wornam, Hatten, and Diamonstein.

Being an entrepreneur requires lots of hard work and skill, and as a startup grows it is essential to find the right talent to add to your team.  Today on SOUTH POD I am joined by the President, CEO, and Co-Founder of Anthroware, Jon Jones, to discuss his journey and how he is continuing to grow through the current crisis.

Remaining financially viable and connected with clients during this crazy time can be a struggle for some companies.  Today on SOUTH POD I am joined by Jill Rowley, a Fund Advisor at Stage 2 Capital, to discuss her successful career and how she continues to put her clients first.

Companies across the world are moving their teams remote in response to COVID-19.  But with so much uncertainty around when this crisis will end, teams are having to get used to the idea of being away from the office for months.  CEO of Call Experts, Abby Leibowitz joins me on this episode of SOUTH POD to discuss her team's transition and how her company can assist other businesses going remote. 

The southeast is booming and companies from across the country are seeing that.  On this episode of SOUTH POD the Senior Vice President of Accounts at Theorem, Jonathan Williams discusses how his company successful works remotely and why he is targeting the southeast.

Every year the Venture Atlanta Conference in Atlanta, Georgia connects entrepreneurs and startups with investors and potential clients.  On this episode of SOUTH POD I sit down with the former Executive Director and current CEO of Venture Atlanta, Allyson Eman to talk about the goals of the conference and how they hope to impact their attendees.

When your team and clients are based all around the country, communication and productivity is key.  On this episode of SOUTH POD I sit down with the Senior Vice President of Accounts at Theorem, Jonathan Williams to discuss the secret to cross country success!

Getting paid is an important part of life for employees and businesses alike.  On this episode of SOUTH POD, I sit down with President and Co-Founder of Fattmerchant, Sal Rehmetullah to talk about how his business is simplifying payment processing for businesses everywhere.

Bitcoin has been around for a few years now, but what do you really know about the cryptocurrency?  On this episode of SOUTH POD, I sit down with Bala "Mr. B" Inamdar the CEO of Mercury Exchange to talk about Bitcoin and his company's role in the  new currency.

Everyone likes free branded pens and drink koozies, but trinkets don't necessarily stick in the minds of potential customers.  At COFFEE labs, Partner and Chief Marketing Officer Al Silvestri helps brands to create a memorable experience that makes brands unforgettable!

Making your startup successful can be a difficult task, but Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough is here to help.  On this episode of South Pod with talk with Associate Brian Gillespie about how his law firm helps startups to excel in their field.

Comcast is doing big things, especially in Charleston!  On this episode of South Pod, I sit down with the Vice President of Public Relations at Comcast, Alex Horwitz, to talk about these innovations and what the company is doing to bridge the technology gap.

While it's always nice to have options, sometimes too many choices can be overwhelming.  That's where Toucan AI comes in!  On this episode of South Pod, we sit down with the Co-Founder and CEO of Toucan AI, Arjun Devarajan to discuss how his company's AI customer service program helps customers to more easily find exactly what they're looking for when shopping online.

Uniting a city is a difficult task, but that exactly what Jenn Graham of Civic Dinner has been doing for years!  On this episode of South Pod we sit down with Graham live at Venture Atlanta to discuss how a simple meal can bring together diverse groups of people from across the globe.

With a population of nearly 6 million people, the Atlanta metropolitan area is home to a very diverse group of professionals.  On this episode of South Pod, I sit down with the Chief Innovation Officer for the Metro Atlanta Chamber, Alex Gonzalez live at Venture Atlanta to discuss all the city has to offer!

On this episode of South Pod, John Yates of Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP joins host Stanfield Gray at Venture Atlanta to talk about tech startups and the South's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Who will be the South's next unicorn?

No one knows how to build a stellar team better than Champ Bailey! The NFL Hall of Famer and former Denver Branco joins us live from Venture Atlanta to share about his new organization, CB24 Ventures, where he brings his experience on the field to startups including those in the South.

Samira Salman, Founder and CEO of Salman Solutions talks The Funding Food Chain: How to Finance Your Company from Start to Finish.

Alexis Esneault, Attorney with Nagele Attorney at Law talks Blockchain 101: I’m in (your industry here) so Why Should I Care?

Chia Network's Brian Zisk explains why ICO/Tokenization is not a requirement of developing on blockchain.

Platforms, data.... nightmares at night. Todd Sundsted, CTO at Odeko and SumAll joins South Pod host Jon Yarian to share how Odeko is becoming the "Alexa for Coffee Shops" sheding light on small business issues and helping local coffee shops everywhere compete with the bigs. Their predictive technology takes care of the ordering, analyzing sales data and identifying trends to brew up new business. Grab a mug and listen in!

Purpose driven cities are making waves of change and innovation is happening right here in the South. Metro Atlanta Chamber CIO Alex Gonzalez joins South Pod host Jon Yarian to share how inclusivity, local tech talent, the booming film industry and our history of overcoming obstacles is leading the way.

Live from DIG SOUTH 2019: The Future of Corporate-Startup-Government Partnerships: How to Build Sustainable Entrepreneurial Ecosystems via Collaboration As a business or entrepreneur, can you contribute to big companies like Google while located outside The Valley? Say, from Vermont? In today's world of Fiber Internet and video conferencing, it's easier than ever to do so. Matt Dunne, Founder and Executive Director for the Center on Rural Innovation joins South Pod Host Jon Yarian to talk bridging the economic gap by helping rural communities develop digital economy ecosystems that can grow and thrive.

This podcast is about unrelenting hustle and using what you have today to build the business that you want tomorrow. Mixtroz Co-Founders Ashlee Ammons and Kerry Schrader join South Pod host Jon Yarian to give a real and unfiltered look at the realities that black, female, founders face day-to-day in startup life.

What is artificial intelligence? The question everyone has a different answer to. Turns out, AI is more than what the IBM commercials have told you. In Part 1 of this edition of South Pod live from the 2019 DIG SOUTH Tech Summit, host Jon Yarian sits down with Jon Morgan, Product Manager at Google and Enrico Palmerino, Founder and CEO of botkeeper as they discuss how to incorporate AI and machine learning into your strategic planning and other processes to grow your company.      

In the final piece of our two part series on mergers and acquisitions in the South, we showcase the DIG SOUTH Tech Summit 2019 Super Keynote between LendingTree Chief Financial Officer J.D. Moriarty and Atlatl Software CEO Marc Murphy. Listen in as they discuss strategic acquisitions and technology development continuing to spread across the southern region.