This is a podcast for tech in Minnesota. Kevin McArdle and Jac Stark set out to tell the stories of the individuals that make up the Minnesota Tech Community.
Emily Pritchard knew this whole social media thing was going to be a major deal, and that's why she bet big on the platforms early in their lifespans.Now, as the CEO of The Social Lights, a fast-growing social media marketing agency in Minneapolis, Pritchard takes the entrepreneurial fire from the early days and focuses it on guiding the company to bigger and bigger things. How did she land clients in the early days of the business (and social media)? Can a brand presence on social media ever really be genuine? Pritchard talks about it all in this episode.
As the Founding Executive of Minnestar, Maria Ploessl has spent the last five years building community — and relying on it. As the single full-time employee on the staff, Ploessl makes the Minnestar machine run with the help of dedicated board members, community members, and probably a lot of coffee. In this episode, Ploessl talks about the recent MN Tech Job & Opportunities Fair and Minnedemo37 (both held during Twin Cities Startup Week 2022), the evolution of the Entrepreneurial Support Organization (ESO) network in Minnesota, and how those ESOs can continue to work together to elevate founders in the state.
From an investment banker in Turkey to the owner of a substance abuse clinic to a devotee to the world of technology and hospitality, Cihan Behlivan has had quite the journey so far. Now, as the Entrepreneur In Residence at BETA (in addition to several entrepreneurial ventures), Behlivan is dedicated to helping fledgling founders navigate the early stages of startups. Hear Behlivan talk about his early days, how he approaches working with early-stage founders, why empathy is key, and much more in this episode of The tech.mn Podcast.
There has been lots of ink spilled about the attributes of extroverts and introverts, but one thing seems to be no-brainer — extroverts, with all of their powers of socialization, must make the better salespeople. ...right?Maybe not, according to SMITH Company CEO Lisa J. Smith. In this episode of The tech.mn Podcast, Lisa discusses the not-so-hidden powers extroverts have when it comes to closing big sales, forming meaningful professional relationships, and more. Note: This episode was recorded before Twin Cities Startup Week 2022.
With Twin Cities Startup Week 2022 upon us, The tech.mn Podcast welcomes Shelisa Demuth (Executive Director, BETA) to talk about the festival, the Minnesota startup community, and the future of BETA.Learn more about TCSW2022 and get your ticket HERE.
From struggling to get out of bed because of an email mistake to stepping away from The Jed Mahonis Group, Bionic Giant CTO Tim Bornholdt joins the podcast to talk about the ups and downs of his mental health journey. Content Warning: Discussion of suicide. If you or anyone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help and support is available. Dial 988 to call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Jon Bauer is a seasoned marketer and seasoned video game nerd, making his role of Chief Marketing Office at Game Phoenix make a lot of sense. Hear Jon talk about his path in the marketing profession, his love of games, and what it's like balancing a full-time day job with a budding startup. You can learn more about Game Phoenix here.
Start using Hubspot for a special price today! Click here to sign up.Even the greatest idea can't achieve much if no one knows about it. But sales and marketing isn't easy, especially if you're working on a small-yet-mighty startup. Listen to Jack Eckblad, Head of Midwest Partnerships for Hubspot for Startups North America, break down the secret sauce of sales and marketing and explain why Hubspot can be the key founders need to take things to the next level.BETA may receive an affiliate commission for new Hubspot for Startups signups through the referral link above.
From mechanical engineering to startup consultant to… inspiring workouts with the help of an adorable digital dog? Alina Matson, Founder of gaming company Glossbird, is on a mission to help you get fit one tiny exercise at a time. How? Through a cozy mobile game designed to get you off the couch minutes at a time called Fitment. We talk to Alina about the ups and downs of game development, how she's navigating the sometimes-dubious waters of free-to-play gaming, and the company's participation in the Vitoria-Gasteiz F2P Campus accelerator. Twin Cities Startup Week is coming soon! The biggest startup event in Minnesota kicks off on September 16, so get your ticket and start planning your week today.
Katrina Anderson co-founded Clinician Nexus in 2016. A few months ago, the company was acquired by Sullivan Cotter. A LOT has happened during those six years. From making pandemic pivots to navigating the interpersonal challenges of how a team *thinks* a CEO acts, we talk through it all.
According to the CDC, there were 23.8 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020 in the United States. That is a shameful first place statistic in the industrialized world. The next highest? 8.7 deaths per 100,000 live births in France. There is, without a doubt, a maternal health crisis in our country. And Dr. Senan Ebrahim is hoping to do something about it.Delfina, founded and led by Dr. Ebrahim, is creating a "dynamic care management platform" with the goal of taking the guesswork out of pregnancy. The platform creates a personalized care plan for each unique pregnancy and works with a pregnant person's care team to make the journey and birth as healthy as possible.On The tech.mn Podcast, we talk with Dr. Ebrahim about Delfina's mission, the disparity of care when it comes to Black and Brown pregnancies, and the recent Supreme Court ruling on Roe V. Wade.
As the Senior Vice President of Wisdom Gaming, Jaycie Gluck has a front-row seat to the rapidly growing and evolving esports scene in Minnesota and across the globe. Hear her thoughts on how esports has changed over her many levels of experience, what the future of the sector looks like, and how Wisdom Gaming's new complex at Mall of America is helping elevate gaming in Minnesota.And she tackles the debut of a new segment dubbed "The Rapids!" It's like a lightning round but... called The Rapids. Like river rapids. Because Minnesota, you know?Interested in checking out Wisdom Gaming's new MOA office? Learn more about the grand opening event happening on July 23-24, 2022 here.
If the angel investment scene in Minnesota has traditionally been a bit sleepy, it's waking up. That's according to Groove Capital Head of Platform Mickayla Zinsli Rosard. In this episode of The tech.mn Podcast, we talk to Mickayla about how angel investing isn't just for the mega-wealthy anymore, how Groove sees itself as a player in sparking increased investment from Minnesota angels, and what the organization is planning for its upcoming angel investment bash — Angel Fest.You can register for Angel Fest (June 2, 2022) here.
Players Health CEO Tyrre Burks makes a triumphant return to The tech.mn Podcast with a new raise in the books and thoughts about the state of the Minnesota startup landscape.How do you keep your mission priority number one while raising capital? Are things getting better for early-stage startups in Minnesota? How do you learn to accept failures and grow from them? In his second appearance on The tech.mn Podcast, Tyrre Burks answers all of these questions and more. With a new raise and a guest spot in the upcoming FUN Spring 2022 from BETA, the Players Health CEO has a lot to talk about.Get your ticket for Fuckup Nights Twin Cities - Spring 2022 today and hear stories of failure and growth from Minnesota entrepreneurs!
What can you accomplish with $20 and a good idea? As we learn from Robin Crockett in this episode of The tech.mn Podcast, a lot. As the founder of a successful cleaning business, Robin was hit with a lightning bolt of inspiration after one particular exhausting day — why drive back and forth and back and forth and back and forth when video calls are in the palm of almost anyone's hand? That nugget grew into Virtual Bid, an app that allows cleaning professionals and homeowners to arrange video calls to get accurate bids for work. In the episode, Robin shares her story of entrepreneurship, how she connected with Virtual Bid's now CTO Chris Black, and her experience trying to raise capital in Minnesota as a woman of color.
The tech.mn Podcast has reached a very Minnesotan first! Buzz Hannahan, CEO of Bone Foam, is the first guest to have played baseball against the one and only Joe Mauer. All other podcasts try to reach that point, right?But this episode is about much more than baseball. At the time of the recording, Hannahan was just 28 days into his role as the new CEO of Bone Foam, the Minnesota-based medtech company delivering positioning solutions to operating rooms across the country. We talk about Hannahan's leadership style, what the baton pass between former and current CEOs looks like, and, of course, a bit of baseball.tech.mn on TwitterBETA on TwitterBone Foam on Twitter
It's safe to say that for most consumers, any thought of "manufacturing" lives and dies on whatever store shelf they decide to grab their shampoo from. But there's a lot -- LOT -- more that goes into any good reaching that shelf in the first place. Unfortunately, the process is so complex that a lot of important data gets muddied thanks to the often outdated process used to track it. David Klein, Co-founder and President of Inspectorio, is out to change that. David has hopped across the globe while building an impressive body of work and has crystal-clear insight into the woes of the manufacturing process. From why pen and paper is still used to track links in the supply chain to how Inspectorio aims to help clients be more ethically and environmentally conscious to the company's recent $50 million Series B, our chat was a fascinating look at how things get from here to there.tech.mn on TwitterBETA on TwitterInspectorio on Twitter
How much dark data does your company have lurking in the depths of its servers? No, we're not talking about anything shady (...are we?). We're talking about the tons of slideshows, presentations, PDFs, reports, graphs, research, and on and on that goes completely unused but shouldn't go completely unused. Dan Mallin and Lucy are here to try to fix that issue.As the founder and CEO of Lucy, Dan is guiding the artificial intelligence company into the future. Lucy, the company's titular AI, scrapes through huge amounts of data and accurately tags each and every bit in the hopes that it can be quickly recalled via natural language search to help companies be better at what they do. We talked with Dan about Lucy's data-diving prowess, his impressive career in tech, why farmers are definitely, definitely entrepreneurs, and a lot more. Don't miss it. tech.mn on TwitterBETA on TwitterLucy on TwitterDan Mallin on Twitter
BETA State of the State 2022 is in the books, and we have the entire night's presentation here for you in wonderful audio form. Listen to three panels hosted by an all-star lineup of guests talk about the state of the Minnesota startup ecosystem from unique perspectives. Just try not to get excited about what the year will bring.BETA State of the State 2022 Panels:From the founders' perspective: Jazz Hampton - CEO & General Counsel, TurnSignl Susan Langer - CEO, Spave For the bigger picture: Mary Grove - Managing Partner, Bread & Butter Ventures Justin Kaufenberg - Managing Director, Rally Ventures And from within the community: Matt Lewis - Vice President, Strategic Initiatives at Greater MSP Shelisa Demuth - Executive Director, BETA
Remember selfie sticks? We can all agree that they were, you know, kind of silly, right? Well, if Greg Appelhof has anything to say about it, the selfie stick will soon look positively ancient in comparison to his company's selfie-taking gadget — the AirSelfie.As CEO of AirSelfie, Inc., Appelhof has taken the idea of a flying, drone-like camera to new heights, winning CES Awards, expanding into Europe and China, and running successful crowd-funding campaigns in the process. But there have been some challenges along the way, including a question that has been definitively answered only recently, Appelhof says — Is AirSelfie just a toy?tech.mn on TwitterBETA on TwitterCasey Shultz on TwitterAirSelfie, Inc. on Twitter
Oh, the internship. A professional rite of passage that doesn't always turn out to be the bridge-building experience you're hoping it to be. But Allison Barmann and Genesys Works - Twin Cities are on a mission to change that. In her role as Executive Director, Barmann is helping guide the organization and shaping the futures of high school students from underserved communities in the process.Host Casey Shultz chats with Barmann about why it's so important for the diversity of companies to reflect their communities, how Genesys Works - Twin Cities helps create meaningful internship experiences for its students, and a lot more. tech.mn on TwitterBETA on TwitterCasey Shultz on TwitterShacarria Scott on TwitterAllison Barmann on TwitterGenesys Works Twin Cities on Twitter
Building an app, building a website, building, well, anything digital can be a huge pain if you don't know your code. Thankfully, there have never been more tools for building digital products without the need to tweak thousands of lines of code. That's great! But when you're running a business, you don't always have the time to dig through the digital trenches to create your new app or site.Ken Krutsch and his digital product design studio KRUTSCH are trying to alleviate that pain. With the studio's new venture, Think.Code.Go., Krutsch and KRUTSCH (it's not as confusing as it looks) are looking to fast-track the building process with minimal-code solutions that provide clients with professional and flexible digital products. Here all about Krutsch's journey to the design world, Think.Code.Go.'s inception, and a lot more in this episode of The tech.mn Podcast.Stay up to date with the Minnesota tech and startup community at tech.mn.tech.mn on TwitterBETA on TwitterCasey Shultz on TwitterShacarria Scott on Twitter
It's safe to say the average person has never been more aware of the “supply chain” than they are now, and that's something Sunny Han, Founder and CEO of Fulcrum, knows well. With a customer-focused goal of smoothing out the manufacturing process, Han has captained Fulcrum since 2015, and it's safe to say he's learned a lot along the way. From navigating personnel struggles (a story that was well-documented in his FuckUp Nights presentation), to trying to genuinely care about a customer's place in the manufacturing sector, to being a part of the number-one ranked raid guild on World of Warcraft, it has been a lot. And he talks about it all in this episode.tech.mn on TwitterBETA on TwitterCasey Shultz on TwitterShacarria Scott on TwitterFulcrum on TwitterSunny Han on Twitter
Maddy LeClaire has been there and back again in just a few short years. After an impressive and important-to-the-ecosystem run at MinneInno, LeClaire moved to the other side of the journalism/PR aisle as a Marketing and Communications Coordinator for Medical Alley. Now, she's mixing a bit of journalistic peanut butter with some marketing chocolate as the new Program Specialist for Launch Minnesota. And there are big things in store for the organization in 2022.Listen to our interview with LeClaire as we cover a wide range of topics from the importance of capital J Journalism, how she took a solutions-based approach to her work at MinneInno, how Launch Minnesota impacts the startup community, and a lot more.tech.mn on TwitterBETA on TwitterCasey Shultz on TwitterAlex Skjong on TwitterShacarria Scott on TwitterMaddy LeClaire on TwitterLaunch Minnesota on Twitter
Kelvin Johnson Jr. wasn't born for the public accounting world. With a penchant for storytelling and a passion for honing the art of the pitch, it's only natural that Johnson left the financial world for the looser, more dynamic world of startup to help other founders, well, pitch their asses off. With his company, Brevity Pitch, founders can tap into an AI system to help build the right foundation for any type of pitch. It's an interesting concept, and one that we're sure you'll agree fits Johnson well after hearing this episode of The tech.mn Podcast. Johnson has held the letters "CPA" longer, but CEO seems to fit pretty darn good, too.tech.mn on TwitterBETA on TwitterCasey Shultz on TwitterAlex Skjong on TwitterShacarria Scott on TwitterBrevity Pitch on Twitter
After watching Pathfinder land on Mars with the Sojourner rover in tow when he was five years old, Amogha Srirangarajan has spent the better part of his life obsessed with robots. Now, as the CEO of Carbon Origins, Amogha has one goal – make robots commonplace. But while blasting off to Mars is a bit off for the Minneapolis startup, the team is tackling something else closer to home – delivery. With Skippy, the Carbon Origins robot (who was also in love with a butterfly at one point... it's a long story), the company is on a mission to get you your next meal at the perfect temperature, in good time, and by something that's much more Star Wars-esque than your usual pizza delivery guy.tech.mn on TwitterBETA on TwitterCasey Shultz on TwitterShacarria Scott on TwitterCarbon Origins on Twitter
Bharat Pulgam and the rest of the Pikup team are attempting to bring the idea of the milkman to the modern age. The Minneapolis startup is looking to change the way we think about delivery services, eschewing the on-demand, "I want it now!" angle of competitors for a more reliable, scheduled approach. Host Casey Shultz talks about that mission and a lot more on this episode of The tech.mn Podcast.tech.mn on TwitterBETA on TwitterCasey Shultz on TwitterShacarria Scott on TwitterBharat on TwitterPikup on Twitter
Well, almost a year later. Casey chats with Kris Eul (Co-founder, Kinetic) and Andrew Verboncouer (Partner & CEO, Headway) about the year that was 2021 and how it shaped Kinetic's path forward. Trying to help people make genuine connections, how to keep people coming back for that connection, ditching comparison for collaboration, raising seed round money... there's a lot to talk about.tech.mn on TwitterBETA on TwitterCasey Shultz on TwitterShacarria Scott on TwitterKinetic on TwitterHeadway on Twitter
Nick VanWagner, CEO of OurFamilyWizard, chats one-on-one with Casey about moving from LinkedIn to When I Work to his latest position, how he's taking a startup approach to a company that's 20 years old, and much more. tech.mn on TwitterBETA on TwitterCasey Shultz on TwitterShacarria Scott on TwitterOurFamilyWizard on Twitter
Frank Jaskulke, VP of Intelligence and Head of Medical Alley Starts for the Medical Alley Association, joins the podcast for this one-on-one with Casey. Franks talks about the Minnesotan drive to do things that matter, his personal medical journey, and why there's nothing wrong with singing the praises of our ecosystem. Loudly.tech.mn on TwitterBETA on TwitterCasey Shultz on TwitterShacarria Scott on TwitterMedical Alley Association on Twitter
Anders Olmanson, Founder and CEO of REMastered Sleep, brings hyperawareness of tongue placement to the masses during this episode of The tech.mn Podcast. Learn all about how REMastered Sleep is addressing snoring, sleep apnea, and more with a simple water bottle.tech.mn on TwitterBETA on TwitterCasey Shultz on TwitterShacarria Scott on Twitter
Kate Bolseth, CEO of HelpSystems, joins the podcast to talk mentorship (how it benefits both the mentee and mentor), the company's recent string of acquisitions (what role a CEO plays in that strategy), and cybersecurity.tech.mn on TwitterBETA on TwitterCasey Shultz on TwitterShacarria Scott on TwitterHelpSystems on Twitter
We've made it to the final Lunar Startups Founder Spotlight! In this triple threat of an episode, Rachael Rinehart Moody's Ice Cream, Larissa Loden of Larissa Loden Inc., and Renee Powers of Feminist Book Club talk about their entrepreneurial journeys and how Lunar Startups played a role.Moody's Ice CreamFollow on InstagramLarissa LodenFollow on InstagramFollow on TwitterFeminist Book ClubUse code TECHMN for $10 off your first purchase!Follow on InstagramFollow on Twitter
Zoë Levin, Founder and CEO of Bim Bam Boo and the TP Queen herself, joins The tech.mn Podcast to talk CPG, using improv to "yes and" your way to brilliant ideas, and becoming a "forest-saving superhero" when you wipe.tech.mn on TwitterBETA on TwitterCasey Shultz on TwitterShacarria Scott on TwitterBim Bam Boo on TwitterZoë Levin on Twitter
Jazz Hampton, Co-founder and CEO of TurnSignl, joins The tech.mn Podcast. With an aim to get everyone home safe, TurnSignl is quickly making a name for itself as an innovative and socially important startup. After listening, read more about TurnSignl on tech.mn. Casey Shultz on Twitter Shacarria Scott on Twittertech.mn on Twitter BETA on TwitterTurnSignl on TwitterJazz Hampton on Twitter
Hunter Dansbury, Founder of ShotCaller, chats with Casey and Shacarria on The tech.mn Podcast about playing, talking sh*t, and winning, getting in on the excitement of U.S. soccer, esports, and a lot more. Casey Shultz on TwitterShacarria Scott on TwitterBETA on TwitterShotCaller on Twitter
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Register for Food | Ag | Ideas Week here.Casey Shultz on TwitterShacarria Scott on TwitterBETA on TwitterGrow North on Twitter
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Casey Shultz on TwitterShacarria Scott on TwitterBETA on TwitterTCSW on TwitterAfrica Chamber of Digital Commerce on Twitter
Looking for even more TCSW resources? Check out our Ultimate Guides and Overview!And don't forget to register for TCSW today!Casey Shultz on TwitterShacarria Scott on TwitterBETA on TwitterTCSW on Twitter
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tech.mn on TwitterKevin McArdle on TwitterDanielle Steer on TwitterLunar Startups on TwitterErin Horne McKinney on TwitterCheck out Black Female Founders
Don't miss out on The tech.mn Podcast Summer Brewery Tour fun! Get the details here.tech.mn on TwitterKevin McArdle on TwitterDanielle Steer on TwitterLunar StartupsLunar Startups on TwitterSezzle on TwitterAble Seedhouse + BreweryAble Seedhouse + Brewery on Twitter
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The tech.mn Podcast Summer Brewery Tour marches as we escape the heat and talk with the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Steve Grove.
About The tech.mn PodcastThis is a podcast for tech and entrepreneurship in Minnesota. Kevin McArdle, owner of SureSwift Capital, and Jac Stark, Community Manager for tech.mn set out to tell the stories of the individuals that make up the Minnesota tech and startup capital of the North. Join us every Tuesday as we interview people from across the ecosystem about their journeys.
https://www.lunarstartups.org/https://teqnizan.com/https://www.playshotcaller.com/ Don't miss future dates of The tech.mn Podcast Summer Brewery Tour!https://tech.mn/summerbrewerytour
Get your FREE ticket for The tech.mn Podcast Summer Brewery Tour on July 14 at Lake Monster Brewing!https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summer-brewery-tour-beta-techmn-launch-party-at-lake-monster-brewing-tickets-158755256245Learn more about The tech.mn Podcast Summer Brewery Tourhttps://tech.mn/summerbrewerytour
Everyone celebrates the big 101, right? ...cough... We're one week late for the big centennial celebration, but it's a celebration nonetheless! Reed Robinson, Founder and Partner of Groove Capital, flips the script and throws host Kevin McArdle and Jac Stark into the podcast fire for a special Q&A episode!
Featured Interviews:Sean Higgins, CEO of BetterYouBetterYou Secures $2.25 Million Funding RoundHeadlines:Medical Device Company CVRx Makes Public DebutNexben Hires New CTOKavira Health Expands Into Employee HealthRegister for the Bold Open 2021 Reverse Pitch Event Today
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