Podcasts about elevate ventures

Canadians re-elect failure. That'll show Trump! Funding for Elevate Ventures has been frozen. Cargo ships not coming onshore because of tariff concerns? Canada you should be embarrassed. Spain and Portugal blackout due to their "Net Zero" policies. Canada you're next. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canadians keep the liberals around because they’re ridiculous. Trump can't deny federal funds to ‘sanctuary’ cities, US judge rules. Covid and Cancer. Fever flaming cakes. Most Gen Z Graduates Now Think College Was Waste of Money. Army Blackhawk pilot in DC crash failed to heed flight instructor’s command 15 seconds before deadly collision. Johnette Cruz coming to WIBC. Columbus Day coming back. Chuck Todd says it’s a right-wing narrative that the media ignored Biden’s cognitive decline. Tank made into a pig. Media sounds alarm over MAGA women’s looks. Canadians re-elect failure. That'll show Trump! 8:17: Funding for Elevate Ventures has been frozen. Cargo ships not coming onshore because of tariff concerns? Canada you should be embarrassed. Spain and Portugal blackout due to their "Net Zero" policies. Canada you're next. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've been on tour for the past couple of months, recording live episodes in some of the manufacturing hot spots around the country. Indiana is our current stop, where Guggman Haus Brewing hosted us for an episode all about innovation, technology, culture, and, of course, Indiana's manufacturing prowess. Manufacturing makes up a huge portion of Indiana's economy and culture, so we look behind the scenes at what the state is getting right to make it a manufacturing hub. We welcomed Noel Hopkins, the Principal of Digital Growth at CliftonLarsonAllen and digital transformation expert, joins along with self-titled “private equity mercenary” Steve Martin, who sits on the board at Elevate Ventures. We also welcomed Kathy Miller, President and Co-Founder of YK2020 and OPSisters, plus co-author of the book Steel Toes and Stilettos.Noel, Steve, and Kathy share their takes on local manufacturing and how it's adapting to the rapid evolution of tech like AI. But it's not just tech that's shaping the industry. We also explore the human element of manufacturing and why we need leaders who are open to change and growth (even if it means making some mistakes along the way). In this episode, find out:What can manufacturers learn from IndianaThe role of digital transformation in manufacturing and the best ways to implement it Why leadership is key to driving transformation and the top characteristics good leaders need The challenges facing Indiana's manufacturing industry from a private equity viewpoint Why you should always look at the problems facing your organization first, then find tech to solve it (not the other way around)Why fewer companies are using tech for the sake of it and are becoming more intentionalLessons learned from past experiences and why manufacturing is all about the people Areas where technology is making the most difference and how it impacts the people working with it How to build scale and transferability within organizations with the three Ps – people, planning, process The importance of having a vision and the ability to execute on it and why leaders are central to this Why hesitancy is the most dangerous thing manufacturers could do right now Innovation's impact on psychological safety in the workplace, plus why we need to be open to making mistakes Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It's feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!Tweetable Quotes: ”If we create a culture that basically penalizes thinking, then we're never going to get any new ideas.” – Steve Martin“ I think the most dangerous thing manufacturers could do right now is pause or wait, or be overly cautious and risk falling way, way behind.” – Noel Hopkins“No matter what technology we're working with, what inventions, manufacturing is about people. And so, we can't lose sight of that.” – Kathy MillerLinks & mentions:CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen), an advisory, audit, tax and consulting firmIndustry Trends: Lessons Learned from Florida Manufacturing DaysGuggman Haus Brewing, a family-owned microbrewery and coffee Haus in the northwest side of downtown IndianapolisElevate Ventures, an

In this special Women's History Month episode of The Freedom Forum, host Angela B. Freeman talks with Tiffany Munsell, senior vice president of mature engine programs at Rolls-Royce. An Indianapolis native, Tiffany shares her unconventional path from law school to venture capital to aerospace leadership, highlighting the grit and resilience required to balance motherhood, career pivots and professional growth. She discusses her early role in helping launch Elevate Ventures, her transition to Rolls-Royce during the pandemic, and the challenges and rewards of being a Black female leader in a male-dominated industry. Tiffany also reflects on the lasting impact of her education at Spelman College, the importance of authenticity in leadership and the need for psychological safety in the workplace.

In this special Women's History Month episode of The Freedom Forum, host Angela B. Freeman talks with Tiffany Munsell, senior vice president of mature engine programs at Rolls-Royce. An Indianapolis native, Tiffany shares her unconventional path from law school to venture capital to aerospace leadership, highlighting the grit and resilience required to balance motherhood, career pivots and professional growth. She discusses her early role in helping launch Elevate Ventures, her transition to Rolls-Royce during the pandemic, and the challenges and rewards of being a Black female leader in a male-dominated industry. Tiffany also reflects on the lasting impact of her education at Spelman College, the importance of authenticity in leadership and the need for psychological safety in the workplace.

Pitchbook reports that of venture capital deals in 2024, roughly 30% of them were down rounds or flat, meaning their valuation of the companies either went backwards or were the same round to round. It's a trend that will continue, so how can entrepreneurs break the cycle? Matt Tyner, managing partner of America's most active venture capital firm – Elevate Ventures, joins today to make sense of what's ahead and how innovators can succeed. He gets into: The current state of venture capital – and the criticality of taking a step back to understand where things sit today Investors' increased focus on profitability and not being able to cut your way to growth Artificial intelligence as an enabler – not a vertical Does the future include a shift to debt versus venture The cost of innovation and the role of an investor in this era of venture capital What the current conversation with portfolio companies looks like for Elevate Ventures What Matt sees as emerging trends in agbioscience The most important jobs to be done in the industry

Pitchbook reports that of venture capital deals in 2024, roughly 30% of them were down rounds or flat, meaning their valuation of the companies either went backwards or were the same round to round. It's a trend that will continue, so how can entrepreneurs break the cycle? Matt Tyner, managing partner of America's most active venture capital firm – Elevate Ventures, joins today to make sense of what's ahead and how innovators can succeed. He gets into:  The current state of venture capital – and the criticality of taking a step back to understand where things sit today Investors' increased focus on profitability and not being able to cut your way to growth Artificial intelligence as an enabler – not a vertical  Does the future include a shift to debt versus venture The cost of innovation and the role of an investor in this era of venture capital What the current conversation with portfolio companies looks like for Elevate Ventures What Matt sees as emerging trends in agbioscience The most important jobs to be done in the industry 

Rally Returns Christopher Day, CEO, Elevate Ventures and U.S. Sen. Todd Young Inside INdiana Business is on location for the second Rally Innovation Conference in Indianapolis. We look at what it means for entrepreneurs and executives from around the globe and the potential payoff for Indiana businesses. University of Evansville partners with Toyota Christopher Pietruszkiewicz, President, University of Evansville The University of Evansville and Toyota Indiana have a new partnership to support the automaker's Driving Possibilities initiative. The initiative aims to prepare students in southwest Indiana for future STEM careers. International Harvester Building remains endangered Jerry Betley, Vice President, Harvester Homecoming For 60 years, it produced everything from World War II torpedoes to what many credit as the first modern SUV. But now, the former International Harvester building in Fort Wayne is on Indiana Landmarks' Most Endangered List, which lists historic places around the state on the brink of extinction. South Bend's momentum James Mueller, Mayor of South Bend South Bend has come a long way since its early days with millions of dollars going toward revitalizing its downtown, modernizing and adding flights to its international airport, strengthening its partnership with Notre Dame and more. Mayor James Mueller is this week's guest on the Business & Beyond podcast.

Venture capital has become synonymous with innovation. And one firm is turning to an event featuring world renowned artists, actors, athletes and innovators (plus a multi-million-dollar pitch competition) to drive new creative collisions. Toph Day, CEO of Elevate Ventures and mastermind of the Rally Innovation Conference, joins today to talk the state of venture capital, false growth driving bad decisions and his optimism heading into the last quarter of 2024. Part of his optimism starts with a major event kicking off in Indianapolis this week – the 2nd Rally Innovation Conference. Toph stresses the value of other vertical perspectives, bringing a wide range of expertise together at Rally and what attendees can expect at the event this week (in one word: Toph says to expect magic). What's so different about Rally, anyway? Toph acknowledges that innovation doesn't happen 1 on 1 between investor and entrepreneur and introduces a critical figure to the process: the disparate stakeholder (the figure upon which the event was launched). Between the demo floor, nationally renowned keynote speakers and a multi-million-dollar pitch competition, Rally is designed to bring together leaders across multiple disciplines to drive new, creative waves of innovation. With over 3,000 attendees in year one, Toph has a big vision for Rally's sophomore season. This includes keynotes from Tia White, Alex Rodriguez, Marcus Lemonis and Jann Mardenborough (think creative collisions) + fantastic breakout sessions across food and agtech (among other verticals). Learn more about Rally at rallyinnovation.com. Use code RALLYAgrinovus to get 40% off your ticket.

Venture capital has become synonymous with innovation. And one firm is turning to an event featuring world renowned artists, actors, athletes and innovators (plus a multi-million-dollar pitch competition) to drive new creative collisions. Toph Day, CEO of Elevate Ventures and mastermind of the Rally Innovation Conference, joins today to talk the state of venture capital, false growth driving bad decisions and his optimism heading into the last quarter of 2024. Part of his optimism starts with a major event kicking off in Indianapolis this week – the 2nd Rally Innovation Conference. Toph stresses the value of other vertical perspectives, bringing a wide range of expertise together at Rally and what attendees can expect at the event this week (in one word: Toph says to expect magic). What's so different about Rally, anyway? Toph acknowledges that innovation doesn't happen 1 on 1 between investor and entrepreneur and introduces a critical figure to the process: the disparate stakeholder (the figure upon which the event was launched). Between the demo floor, nationally renowned keynote speakers and a multi-million-dollar pitch competition, Rally is designed to bring together leaders across multiple disciplines to drive new, creative waves of innovation. With over 3,000 attendees in year one, Toph has a big vision for Rally's sophomore season. This includes keynotes from Tia White, Alex Rodriguez, Marcus Lemonis and Jann Mardenborough (think creative collisions) + fantastic breakout sessions across food and agtech (among other verticals). Learn more about Rally at rallyinnovation.com. Use code RALLYAgrinovus to get 40% off your ticket.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Christopher 'Toph' Day, CEO of Elevate Ventures. Toph shares his journey from growing up on a farm outside Lafayette, Indiana to becoming a serial entrepreneur, co-founding a number of successful businesses across multiple sectors while establishing himself as a leader in the venture capital space. Toph takes a deep dive into his entrepreneurial experiences, the pivotal role of partnerships, and what drew him to Elevate Ventures, one of the most active venture capital firms in the country.  The discussion also touches on Rally, a three-day global innovation conference, highlighting its $5 million pitch competition.  Toph also shares insights on the current entrepreneurial climate, ideas for driving the state forward, and why he refers to Indiana as the innovation capital of the world.

It's May in Indiana and major headlines abound as The Greatest Spectacle in Racing coupled with the Global Economic Summit (GES) put the state on the world's stage – for racing spectators and innovators alike. Today, Mitch Frazier and Cayla Chiddister recap the month including major news in the agbiosciences from Elanco, Purdue, Elevate Ventures and Traction Ag. Elanco and Purdue announced a OneHealth Innovation District as part of the company's new campus west of downtown Indianapolis. The facility is designed to deliver and scale up innovation where industry and academia can collaborate including office, wet lab and incubator space. Elanco plans to also contribute up to $2M of initial funding to jumpstart a new Animal Health Ventures Fund to support early-stage innovators, in close coordination with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), to take advantage of available tools and programs that support startup activity in this space. From GES it was also announced that Elevate Ventures will launch a new $100M fund focused on cross-sector innovation driven growth stage companies with a $500M total addressable market (TAM) or greater. The fund will commence formation in late Q2 with targets to make first investments in 2025. Traction Ag also announced a $10M Series A round led by Cooperative Ventures and joined by Plymouth Growth and existing investors. The investment was designed to support platform development and business growth.

It's May in Indiana and major headlines abound as The Greatest Spectacle in Racing coupled with the Global Economic Summit (GES) put the state on the world's stage – for racing spectators and innovators alike. Today, Mitch Frazier and Cayla Chiddister recap the month including major news in the agbiosciences from Elanco, Purdue, Elevate Ventures and Traction Ag.  Elanco and Purdue announced a OneHealth Innovation District as part of the company's new campus west of downtown Indianapolis. The facility is designed to deliver and scale up innovation where industry and academia can collaborate including office, wet lab and incubator space. Elanco plans to also contribute up to $2M of initial funding to jumpstart a new Animal Health Ventures Fund to support early-stage innovators, in close coordination with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), to take advantage of available tools and programs that support startup activity in this space. From GES it was also announced that Elevate Ventures will launch a new $100M fund focused on cross-sector innovation driven growth stage companies with a $500M total addressable market (TAM) or greater. The fund will commence formation in late Q2 with targets to make first investments in 2025. Traction Ag also announced a $10M Series A round led by Cooperative Ventures and joined by Plymouth Growth and existing investors. The investment was designed to support platform development and business growth. 

On the new installment of our regular segment called The Checkup, the Side Effects team tries to find out why it's hard to lower the cost of drugs. The City of Indianapolis has offered to purchase the riverfront site where the future stadium of Indy Eleven was planned. The state and venture capital firm Elevate Ventures announced Thursday the creation of a $100 million entrepreneurship fund. The Family and Social Services Administration implemented a waitlist for a Medicaid waiver utilized by people with disabilities and those who want to age in place – new slots will open up in July, but lawmakers are concerned it won't be enough. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. Today's episode of WFYI News Now was produced by Abriana Herron, Drew Daudelin and Kendall Antron with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

Recorded on March 8th 2024 Chelsea Marburger subbed in for Matt in this episode as we spoke with TechPoint CEO Ting Gootee.  Ting is an Indiana VC veteran and provides listeners with a discussion of the role venture capital has to play in supporting the growth of the Hoosier economy.  We discuss the state of VC and the profound changes we have seen in the past several years.  Ting also elaborates on the role of RIAs in expanding the local pool of LPs.   Helpful Links: Ting's Book Recommendation: Give and Take by Adam Grant Chelsea's Book Recommendation: Poems by Chen Chen Techpoint Mira Awards Connect with Ting: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Ting Gootee is a seasoned venture development and community builder with in-depth experience leading and managing impact-driven programs across public, private and academic sectors. She joined TechPoint, as president and CEO in May 2022.  Gootee co-developed the original vision and strategy for Elevate Ventures in 2011 and served as the organization's vice president of investment until 2014, when she was named chief investment officer. In addition to focusing on investment funds formation and evaluating and supporting pre-seed to later-stage investment opportunities at Elevate Ventures, Gootee played an instrumental role in standing up all aspects of its operations from day one. Prior to Elevate Ventures, Gootee was the deputy director of the Indiana 21st Century Research & Technology Fund. She came to that position from Lionhart Investments Limited, Office of Global Counsel, where she served as a business and legal analyst from 2003 to 2006. A native of China, Gootee earned her Masters of Business Administration from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business in Bloomington, Ind. after earning a Master of Arts degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. She earned her undergraduate degree from Peking University in Beijing. Who are the hosts? Austin Crites, CFA: Austin is a past-president and current committee member of CFA Society Indianapolis. Professionally, he is the Chief Investment Officer at Aurora Financial Strategies where he manages US-focused, all-cap, style-agnostic equity strategies as the core of client portfolios. Austin is a 2008 graduate of Marian University in Indianapolis where he is now an adjunct professor in the Byrum School of Business. Matt Henry, CFA: Matt is a Senior Investment Officer at STAR Wealth Management. He is also a Past President and a director of CFA Society Indianapolis. When he's not managing porfolios, Matt teaches Finance 300 at Ball State University. He enjoys air conditioning, wi-fi, and the conveniences of indoor living.    

When serial entrepreneur Christopher Day walks into a room, he should be followed by somebody with a boombox playing “Start Me Up” by the Rolling Stones. Not to put too fine a point on it, but Christopher Day gathers no moss. Over the last 30 years, he has co-founded eight businesses in seven distinct sectors—namely, artificial intelligence, software as a service, hardtech, broadband, entertainment, investment banking and real estate. For the last two years, he has been CEO of Indianapolis-based Elevate Ventures, a seed and early-stage venture capital firm that invests in high-potential, innovation-based companies with a significant presence in Indiana. Last year, Elevate launched Rally, a three-day innovation conference in Indianapolis that brought together hundreds of companies, entrepreneurs, universities and investors from a broad range of industries. It included a pitch competition with $5 million in prizes. With his decades of experience and different roles in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, Day has a unique vantage point on Indiana's startup community, its strengths and its weaknesses. He recently served as a panelist at IBJ's Technology Power Breakfast, and IBJ Podcast host Mason King wanted to follow up with him on several points he made about expanding recruitment of talent, the untapped power of collaboration and transparency, and the five key aspects of a business where entrepreneurs can minimize risk and get buy-in from investors. He also shares some high-level thoughts about Elevate's plans to relocate from northern Indianapolis to downtown's Mile Square. The IBJ Podcast is brought to you by Taft.  

In partnership with the Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana Soybean Alliance, the 2023 Producer-Led Innovation Challenge tasked companies, entrepreneurs, students and innovators with creating new revenue streams from current on-farm processes to increase efficiency and return on investment for producers' operations.  FiberX, the winning team of this year's challenge, works with corn growers to source and convert corn stover into a feedstock for the chemical and materials sectors. The company's product portfolio includes natural fiber-reinforced plastic polymer pellets and fiber for the plastic injection molding industry, focusing on customers producing durable products for long-term use such as outdoor furniture. Their team, comprised of Dave Skibinski, Wade Lange and Tom Santelli, has already received a Manufacturing Readiness Grant from Conexus Indiana and an Innovation Voucher for Elevate Ventures. As winners of the Producer-Led Innovation Challenge, FiberX receives $25,000 to help accelerate commercialization of their solution.  Dave Skibinski joined us following the winners announcement to talk about how the FiberX team will use their $25,000, creating new revenue streams for the farmer and what's ahead for their company.

Innovation is something often discussed but is often under executed across sectors. Earlier this year, the agbioscience economy witnessed a powerful commitment to cross-sector innovation when global ag giant Corteva announced plans to create a new low Carbon fuel with oil giant Chevron and ag processor Bunge. Inspiring more of these cross-sector innovations is believed to hold tremendous opportunity for creating the economy of the future, and today's bonus guest is laser focused on making that happen with a new event that is underway. Toph Day, CEO of Elevate Ventures and the mastermind behind the Rally Innovation Conference in Indianapolis, joins us to kick off Rally's inaugural year and talk about our opportunity to bring together disparate stakeholders across innovative sectors to drive new ideas and creative collisions to move faster than before.  From brain dates to a $5 million pitch competition, high-level keynote speakers like Moira Gunn and Peyton Manning, Toph gets into what visitors can expect from the event in downtown Indianapolis (hint: Peyton Manning opens for an AgriNovus led panel discussion on Thursday at 10 AM).   Tickets are still available for Rally and single-day passes are also available for purchase. Visit rallyinnovation.com.  

Special episode release promotion for Rally Innovation Conference coming to Indy August 29-31 Matt Hunckler is the CEO of Powderkeg and Chris "Toph" Day is the CEO of Elevate Ventures and Chief Visionary of Rally Innovation Listen to CCS episode ​170 where you'll hear Matt and Toph tell us about… ● How they each learned important life lessons early in life that are still practical to life and business today ● How each of them had several successful business ventures (with some failures along the way) prior to founding Powderkeg (Matt) and Elevate Ventures (Toph) ● How the Rally Innovation Conference came about and what the community can expect to see and who they can expect to meet at the Conference August 29-31   As always, don't forget to check out our partners and sponsors: Java House, IUPUI Jags, Migration Wealth Management, AP Engineering and Consulting, North Indy Magazine, Synergize, and our recording venue the Columbia Club.   CCS Podcast Parnters ● IUPUI Athletics: https://iupuijags.com/ ● Columbia Club: https://columbia-club.org/ ● North Indy Magazine: https://townepost.com/north-indy/ ● Synergize: https://synergizeindy.com/ ● Java House: https://javahouse.com/ ● Migration Wealth Management: https://migrationwealthmanagement.com/ ● AP Engineering and Consulting: https://www.apecindy.com/ Connect with CCS hosts: ● Connect with Jason: https://lnkd.in/dS82puKp ● Connect with Drew: https://lnkd.in/d-VtF9Hb ● Connect with Matt Hadley: https://lnkd.in/dhAhM36A ● Connect with Matt Carroll: https://lnkd.in/dkv7VmDx

In this episode, we sit down with Landon Young, a trans-disciplinary entrepreneur, educator, and investor focused on high-impact technology innovation. Landon was awarded the National Science Foundation Fellowship in 2011 and named one of thirteen Kauffman Foundation Global Scholars in 2013. Landon holds a Ph.D. from Purdue University and currently serves as Director of University Initiatives at Elevate Ventures, the most active seed-stage fund in the Midwest. He is also an advisor and board member for several venture-backed startup companies. In this episode, Landon shares his journey and the importance of perseverance in the face of failure. He also discusses his pursuit of work-life integration and building sacred time with family. Don't miss this inspiring conversation. Links: How Our Careers Affect Our Children (HBR) Exit Right: How to Sell Your Startup, Maximize Your Return and Build Your Legacy by Mark Achler and Mert Iseri DonateEquity Small Is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered by E. F. Schumacher Learn more about Elevate Ventures. Learn more about our sponsor, My PIN Plus. Follow More Than Profit on Twitter and LinkedIn!

Less than 1 percent of startups in the world are funded by venture capital, yet venture remains the focus for many seeking to advance innovation. Today's guest is a veteran of the venture capital community and is here to shed more light on the role of venture and share a few tips for startups and big companies alike. Ting Gootee, CEO of TechPoint, joins us to talk capital connectivity in startups, big companies investing to create strategic product consolidation and how the venture community is evolving in the Midwest at large.   Ting also talks about investor interest in agbioscience and driving momentum using the customer voice. As the past Chief Investment Officer at Elevate Ventures, she lays out quick tips for entrepreneurs getting ready to make their first pitch including and how to create an “aha” moment rather than a “so what” moment. Ting also lays out for big companies the benefits of working with startups and entrepreneurs to expand their portfolio of solutions and looks ahead at agtech and its acceleration in Indiana. 

Entrepreneurs are most successful when they fit and have passion for what they are undertaking. The answers to critical questions such as these indicate the probability of making it: How do they relate to the solution they are bringing into the world? Do they have grit and determination, especially in the early stages? Are they humble enough and willing to seek help and support when and where they need it? Are they crazy enough to invest in?In this episode, I (Daniel) interviewed Matt Hunckler, Founder and CEO of Powderkeg, and Christopher (Toph) Day, CEO of Elevate Ventures. Together with their friend, Nate Spangle, Matt and Toph are also the co-hosts of the podcast Get IN. As we spoke, Matt and Toph shared about their entrepreneurial journeys, invigorating connections, and founder market fit. They also talked about finishing well with excellent execution, safety and encouragement in community, empowering mental energy, and the upcoming Global Cross-Sector Innovation Rally Conference.“How do you relate to the problem and the pain point?... Do I see what I'm doing as part of something bigger? And not from an ego standpoint… Even if I benefit nothing from this endeavor, do I feel good about making this contribution?” -- Matt HuncklerWhat You'll LearnAddressing problemsInvigorating connectionsFounder market fitGrit and staying powerCrazy enough to invest inFinishing wellSafety and encouragement in communityEmpowering mental performanceIt's about relationshipsRally ConferenceRecommended ResourcesRally Conference: The Largest Global Cross-Sector Innovation Conference will be held in Indianapolis, IN on AUGUST 29 - 31, 2023. Rally forges and celebrates cross-sector connections between companies, entrepreneurs, investors and universities from across the globe and features a $5M cash IN-Prize pitch competition, 1:1 investor meetups, a demo arena, content sessions and more!Matt and Toph's Podcast: Get INConnect with Matt HuncklerMatt Hunckler is the Founder and CEO of Powderkeg, a digital community that helps startups and professionals thrive in the fastest growing tech hubs in the U.S. With more than 10,000 active members, Powderkeg cuts through the noise, amplifies reach, and helps high-growth tech ventures connect with the resources they need to grow and scale in areas beyond Silicon Valley. Matt believes life is too short to work at a boring job. That's why he created Powderkeg. They help match smart people with the best tech jobs so they can love their work and live their best life.In previous roles at various fast-growing tech companies, he led Marketing, Product, Sales and a smattering of just about every other role right up to the CEO and founder. He's started and bootstrapped companies and helped scale venture-backed businesses. Matt loves helping people level up in their career, connect with their calling, and reach their fullest potential.Website: powderkeg.com Innovation Capital of the World, Indiana Tech Hub:

Scott and Christopher engage in conversations covering various subjects, including founder-led sales and common fundraising errors. Additionally, they delve into the details of the Rally Innovation Summit, highlighting its emphasis on fostering collaboration across different sectors. Christopher stresses the significance of participating in events like Rally, as they provide valuable opportunities to achieve breakthroughs and adapt when needed.   About our guest: Toph Day, CEO of Elevate Ventures is an active investor in the #1 most active seed & early stage Venture Capital Firm in the Great Lakes Region and #24 in the US. He is a best-selling author of Pillar-Based Marketing and has been a part of starting 8 different companies throughout his career in 7 different verticals. Toph has a perspective to offer on the “creative collisions” that will fuel the midwest's growth as an innovation hub through Rally Innovation. Rally was developed to bring together companies, universities, entrepreneurs, and investors to forge the creative, cross-sectors that power innovation.   Some of the topics that we covered are: - Toph's Creative Collisions Term  - Rally Innovations Event  - Mid- west region as a hub for innovation  Links & Resources:    Rally Innovation: www.rallyinnovation.com/  Elevate Ventures: www.elevateventures.com/ LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/christopherday2   Thanks so much for listening! Tell a friend or ten about The Startup Selling Show, and please leave a review wherever you're listening to the show.  

Toph Day is the CEO of Elevate Ventures, a Venture Capital firm that has many hardware companies in its portfolio of over $220 million of investments under management. He has founded 8 companies with over $600 million in transactions over the past 30 years. Today Toph is going to share some valuable knowledge for inventors, startups, and small manufacturers on what venture capital funding is, if VC funding is right for you, and some advice on how to plan for and pitch your hardware startup to VC firms. Today you will hear us talk about: Venture capital is later stage, more sophisticated, and usually beyond  Make your pitch and plan to be very tight. It is important understand what your venture capital firm invests. Make sure the venture capital firm invests in hardware technology. Relationship build with your investors about a year in advance. Keep your pitch to the pitch, don't embellish Structure of Venture Capital funding When you start your company, start with a very clean legal structure. Use a convertible note for your investors When raising capital, check out all the programs and grants available Don't include grants as revenue Hardware startups can grow to be successful slowly You can also grow hardware companies much quicker  Surround yourself with partners, rely more on partners than hiring. Prototypes require multiple iterations Narrow and deep plays into hard tech, keep the product's first version simple EPISODE LINKS: Toph Day Links: LinkedIn | Elevate Ventures | Rally Conference The Product Startup Podcast Links: https://www.ProductStartup.com/ Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook Page | Facebook Group | Pinterest | Twitter | YouTube Mako Design Links: https://www.makodesign.com/ YouTube | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter Kevin Mako Links: Instagram | LinkedIn | Quora | Facebook | Twitter Partner: PTC's best-in-class software solutions Onshape: The only cloud-native product development platform that delivers full-featured computer-aided design (CAD), integrated product data management (PDM) and enterprise analytics in a single system, and Creo: 3D CAD solution that provides designers with the most innovative tools to build better products faster, such as generative design, additive manufacturing, real-time simulation, IIoT, and augmented reality. Producer: MAKO Design + Invent is the original firm providing world-class consumer product development services tailored to startups, small manufacturers, and inventors. Simply put, we are the leading one-stop-shop for developing your physical product from idea to store shelves, all in a high-quality, cost-effective, and timely manner. We operate as one powerhouse 30-person product design team spread across 4 offices to serve you (Austin, Miami, San Francisco, & Toronto). We have full-stack in-house industrial design, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, patent referral, prototyping, and manufacturing services. To assist our startup and inventor clients, in addition to above, we help with business strategy, product strategy, marketing, and sales/distribution for all consumer product categories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not too long after he became the CEO of Elevate Ventures last summer, Christopher Day was having visions of putting Indiana on the map from an innovation standpoint.“It was time to think much bigger as a state,” the Indiana tech veteran and entrepreneur recalls. Out of that desire, the Rally Innovation Conference was born. The event celebrates cross-sector connections between companies, entrepreneurs, investors and universities from across the globe and features an attention-getting $5 million pitch competition.In this edition of the IN Chamber podcast, Day dives into what the Rally event is all about and what it means for start-ups, the broader business community and the state. We also catch up on Indiana's entrepreneurial and venture capital landscapes.Sponsored by the Talent Resource Navigator, a new free online workforce center that offers the convenience of one-stop shopping for education and training needs in Indiana. Learn more at www.talentresourcenavigator.com.

“I didn't have a TV growing up. We worked and played basketball…with a rim nailed to the barn.” Christopher Day has gone from a low-tech childhood to the heights of high-tech success by always leaning in. The CEO of Elevate Ventures talks about life on the farm, creating “Indiana's South by Southwest” and why it's Toph, not Christopher.

"You'll be in jail for the rest of your life by the time you're 16." Toph Day, CEO of Elevate Ventures, heard all of these words from teachers and mentors in his life by the time he was 16. He let every single one of these sentences affect him for the better. Toph Day has mastered the art of investing in the people and places around him to create an impact far beyond his goals and dreams. But, it didn't come without its fair share of adversity. In this episode, he shares with Joe how different people impacted his journey—for worse and for better—and how he overcame some biting words in his early years.   In this episode you'll learn: Words and communication are filled with so much power. They have the ability to change someone's world and give them the confidence they need to pursue their dreams. We're all going to go through struggles at some point in our lives, but you won't get to where you want to go unless you persevere and learn from the struggles. Experiences affect people in different ways. If we can have 1% more empathy for each other, the trickle-down effect can change the scope of the landscape.   To claim 10% off of your first month of BetterHelp, use the code 1000STORIES here: https://betterhelp.com/1000stories   References: Follow Toph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherday2/ Elevate Ventures: https://elevateventures.com/ Scale Computing: https://www.scalecomputing.com/

The stunning collapse of a go-to bank for investors. Shockwaves from the Silicon Valley Bank shut down creating a potential ripple effect for Indiana innovators. Police officers stressed to the max...how an Indianapolis-based company is using virtual reality to help calm their nerves.  And, Indiana is at the center of rallying tech minds from around the globe. Learn more about Elevate Ventures' upcoming innovation conference.

Get ready for an exciting episode as we welcome Christopher Day, better known as Toph, back to the show! Toph is the former CEO of DemandJump and is now leading the charge as the CEO of Elevate Ventures, the #1 most active Seed and Early Stage investor in the Great Lakes Region and ranked 20th in the entire US. Toph is also a co-author of a groundbreaking new book, Pillar Based Marketing, which he wrote with co-host Ryan Brock. Whether you're a CMO or CEO in the B2B or B2C world, or even if you run a small or large company, you won't want to miss out on the valuable insights offered in this episode.Quote“PBM gives the marketer a seat at the strategy table. It raises their profile within the organization of critical importance, right to the strategy and the future of that company.” - Christopher Day, CEO, Elevate Ventures Time Stamps:* (1:00) Welcome back Toph!* (3:00) Why did Ryan and Toph write the “Pillar Based Marketing” book?* (5:53) Does the rise of AI tools impact PBM?* (11:00) What will CEOs and CMOs gain from the book?*(19:00) What's next for Elevate VenturesContact UsGot a topic idea? Hot take? Guest pitch? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at PageOne@DemandJump.com.SponsorThis podcast is brought to you by DemandJump. Tired of wasting time creating content that doesn't rank? With DemandJump you know the exact content to create to increase 1st-page rankings and drive outcomes. Get started for free today at DemandJump.com.

This special Fireside Chat edition brings together two SaaS VCs to discuss the current investment landscape vibe. Tackling everything from the technologies they are bullish on to the importance of burn efficiency in defining financial health, the current sitch is both conservative and optimistic. Sara Omohundro, Principal at Elevate Ventures, and David Kerr, Managing Director of Allos Ventures, are two experienced SaaS investors who joined Lindsey in-office for an agency discussion. Tune in to hear the unscripted conversation from the boots on the ground in SaaS investing. Connect with Sara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-omohundro-cfa-2a104181/ Connect with David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kerr-9b0b501/ Learn more about Allos Ventures: https://allosventures.com/ Learn more about Elevate Ventures: https://elevateventures.com/ Connect with Lindsey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindseygroepper/ Learn more about BLASTmedia: https://www.blastmedia.com/

He's an entrepreneur turned venture capitalist and today, he's on the podcast. Christopher “Toph” Day, the new CEO of Elevate Ventures, joins us to talk about the venture fund's work in Indiana, helping companies beyond capital and making intentional connections to bring big ideas together. He also digs into the agbiosciences, opportunities for growth and what can be expected ahead for the state's entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

Today, David is talking to Sara Omohundro. Sara is the Director of Venture Syndication, Principal, GO Fund at Elevate Ventures. She is responsible for fund investment and syndication activities. Prior to Elevate, Sara worked at the Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS), where she allocated capital across private asset classes. She is also the Founder and President of the Women Investors Network (WIN), a local networking group for women in the investment industry. Sara holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Butler University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and received Highest Honors in Economics and Finance. She also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, and she is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Economics at Purdue University. Outside of work, Sara enjoys riding and showing horses, playing with her cat, reading, working out, and watching Butler basketball. What You'll Learn: Intellectual Curiosity  Institutional LP Structure Pitching Institutions Relationship building matters  Capital base diversification and expansion  Investment process as an institutional investor Ways to differentiate funds  Tips on how emerging managers should prepare for institutional money Transition and difference between institutional LP and GP Favorite Quote: “Building Relationships is The Most Important Thing You Can Do No Matter What Side of the Table You Are On.” --  The Capital Stack All Things Tech Investing and Value Creation Early growth investor David Paul interviews the world's greatest ecosystem, learns how to start and scale your own business, and finds an edge in today's capital markets.  To connect with David, visit:   Twitter -https://twitter.com/davidpaulvc ( CLICK HERE) Substack -http://davidpaul.substack.com/ ( CLICK HERE) LinkedIn -http://linkedin.com/in/Davidpaulvc ( CLICK HERE) IG -https://www.instagram.com/davidpaulvc/ ( CLICK HERE)     DISCLAIMER: David Paul is the founder and general partner at DWP Capital.  All opinions expressed by David and podcast guests are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinions of DWP capital.  This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for decisions. David and guests may maintain positions in the securities discussed on this podcast.

A hometown girl jumping into the driver's seat at global giant, Cummins. Columbus born and bred Jennifer Ramsey's rise to the top and her plans for the company's future; Plus showcasing Indiana's diverse businesses through the new Hoosier's in Action Campaign; and a new buzz around Indianapolis-based Elevate Ventures who gave startups like the B Corp wings to fly…Now that company's getting ready to take off under new leadership. Christopher Davis shares his vision for what's next at Elevate ventures; and we talk about the week's biggest stories with our partners at the IBJ.

Staffing software company Mindscope has been acquired by the Univerus group of businesses. After several months as a Mindscope customer, Univerus identified copious synergies between the two organizations, making it clear that a valuable relationship could be established through acquisition. https://hrtechfeed.com/staffing-software-mindscope-acquired-by-univerus/  Alongside, an HR tech startup that helps create a more human connection between employers and job seekers, raised $8 Million CAD in growth financing. Part of the funding was used to strategically acquire one of Canada's leading job boards, CareerBeacon. Now, the Alongside team is using the funding to modernize, differentiate, and innovate its product to guide and support job seekers through every step of their career journey. This includes finding their first job, levelling up their career, and creating a career path they are excited about. https://hrtechfeed.com/canadian-job-board-careerbeacon-owner-alongside-gets-infusion-of-funding/  Qualifi, an on-demand screening platform allowing recruiting teams to phone interview hundreds of candidates in minutes, today announced that it raised $2.5 million in Series Seed financing. Rally Ventures led the round with participation from repeat investors Techstars, Sixty8 Capital, Elevate Ventures, Debut Capital, and Flywheel Fund, as well as newcomers Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator powered by gener8tor, Converge, Service Provider Capital, and multiple strategic angels. https://hrtechfeed.com/phone-screening-platform-qualifi-raises-2-5m/ A new company called Check, a payroll infrastructure company that lets platforms embed payroll into their products, today announced it has raised a $75 million Series C led by Stripe, with participation from existing investors Bedrock, Thrive and Index. The company will use the funding to continue to make Check the easiest and most robust platform to build, launch, and scale new payroll businesses. https://hrtechfeed.com/payroll-infrastructure-startup-check-announces-75-million/

In this episode, we learn how quality places, nurturing relationships, and thriving startups contribute to the flourishing of our city. IN THIS EPISODE: Candace Chapman, Executive Director of Downtown Evansville Development Corporation Bob Myer, Entrepreneur, Investor, and Board Member at Elevate Ventures

Produced by Foundersuite (www.foundersuite.com), "How I Raised It" goes behind the scenes with startup founders who have raised capital. This episode is with Lindsay Tjepkema of Casted.com, an audio and video podcast product aimed at B2B marketers. In this episode, Lindsay shares tips for leveraging podcast content, tips for distributing and measuring content, spinning Casted out of a venture studio, cultivating relationships in between rounds, successful elements of her investor pitch, next-gen content marketing and more. The Company raised $7 million in Series A funding led by Revolution Ventures. Previous investors High Alpha Capital, Elevate Ventures and Tappan Hill Ventures also participated in the round. How I Raised It is produced by Foundersuite, makers of software to raise capital and manage investor relations. Foundersuite's customers have raised over $3 Billion since 2016. Create a free account at foundersuite.com/

Geng Wang is the CEO and co-founder of Civic Champs, a software startup focused on creating s seamless and rewarding volunteering experience for both volunteers and service organizations   This is Geng’s third commercial venture. He’s previously co-founded two companies; RentJungle.com, an apartment search engine that sold in 2014 to The Rainmaker Group, and Community Elf (rebranded as Cosmitto), a social media management firm which we sold in 2017 to a PE firm, Topanga Partners.   Given his past successes, Geng is looking to both create financial and social impact with his latest company. He has leveraged a number of startup incubators, including TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield, Elevate Ventures, Innovation Works, TechStars Iowa, and Mass Challenge, to get it off the ground.   In this episode, Geng and Aaron discuss how motivation changes through an entrepreneur’s career, the nature of product development, and how to design a startup’s culture.   Sign up for a Weekly Email that will Expand Your Mind.   Geng Wang’s Challenge; For National Volunteering Month, get out there and go find an avenue to help your community.   Connect with Geng Wang Linkedin Twitter Civic Champs Website geng@civicchamps.com If you liked this interview, check out episode 12 with Scott Rogerson where we discuss Community Elf, social media management, and their software spinout UpContent.   Text Me What You Think of This Episode 412-278-7680 Underwritten by Piper Creative Piper Creative makes creating podcasts, vlogs, and videos easy.    How? Click here and Learn more.   We work with Fortune 500s, medium-sized companies, and entrepreneurs.   Follow Piper as we grow YouTube Instagram Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Overcast | Spotify

Great tech startup ideas can come from anywhere. This one came from the waiting room of a high-end car wash. Following a successful career in sales with med device maker Medtronic, Brent Oakley started Prime Car Wash, now with 5 locations. In the process, he discovered how setting the right mood creates an exceptional customer experience that keeps customers coming back. So, he co-founded Vibenomics, the marketing tech software company that provides location-based businesses with an easy & effective way to create whatever vibe they want to convey within their space. It’s an audio out-of-home advertising & experience platform. Vibenomics promotes products in-store, educates shoppers, and drives them to websites or apps for coupons. His investors include BIP Capital, High Alpha, Elevate Ventures, Allos Ventures, Hyde Park Venture Partners. In this 20-minute conversation, Brent reveals how he’s scaled his team comprised of 40 Rockstars.

Up next on Pass the Secret Sauce: we have Cy Megnin, who is the Entrepreneur in Residence of Elevate Ventures. If you are a startup and you're looking to bring in investors, one of the important things you can do to introduce your company to investors is work on your pitch deck. Cy and I dive pretty deep into the ins and outs of creating a startup pitch deck, what's important in that pitch deck, what are the common mistakes people make when creating their pitch deck. At Elevate Ventures they also have, essentially, an angel investment fund and Cy also does angel investment himself. So, this information is coming directly from someone who not only has a business that revolves around angel investing and generating interest in companies they represent, but they also personally invest their own capital into early stage companies. If you are starting a company and you're looking for investment, this episode is going to be one you want to listen to. In this episode we discuss: Being entrepreneurial at a young age [4:15] Creating a GPS enabled timesheet app in the era of flip phones [7:02] Helping entrepreneurs start their business [10:22] What does an Entrepreneur in Residence do for companies [11:48] Common mistakes startups make when pitching to investors [14:06] Advice for entrepreneurs looking for investments for their startup [15:19] How to create a startup pitch deck [21:01] Pitching to the right investors for your startup business [25:07] Reasons to start business in the midwest [27:30] Best ways to learn more about Elevate Ventures [29:00] Links to sources and tools Are you an investor looking for your next investment? Or perhaps you're an entrepreneur looking for investors for your startup. Visit https://www.elevateventures.com/ to learn more about their services. Follow Cy Megnin and Elevate Ventures on social media: Cy Megnin LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/32TAbbm Elevate Ventures: https://bit.ly/3lT0FCK Instagram: @CyMegnin Twitter: @CyMegnin Company's Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/3i30zpC Join the Indiana University Angel Network to collaborate and network with IU affiliated investors and founders. https://iuventures.com/investors/ Other episodes you might like: What it takes to be a successful entrepreneur, how to select employees and more with Nicolas Vandenberghe: https://bit.ly/32VfFal Testing for product market-fit, overseas manufacturing & how to grow an audience before launching a crowdfunding campaign with Dustin Bouch: https://bit.ly/3bpGeby Choosing The Best Name, Logo, Idea and more – With Justin Chen: https://bit.ly/3h4XnIY Thanks for listening. Don't forget to like us on Facebook to get updates on new episodes. If you haven't already, please follow and leave a review for our podcast, we'll really appreciate it. And as always, don't forget to pass the secret sauce. Support our podcast If you're a fan of the show, there are three simple things you can do to support our work: Rate and review the podcast on iTunes or wherever you subscribe. Tell a family member, friend, or colleague about the show. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to us on YouTube and follow us on LinkedIn

Pat East talks with Cy Megnin, entrepreneur in resident for Elevate Ventures in the Velocities partnership between Bloomington and Columbus, about why determining product-user fit is crucial for achieving product-market fit.

The mayor of Greenwood talks about the city’s transformation; Elevate Ventures looks to spark higher education entrepreneurship; an Indiana company looks to help Hoosier farmers break records; Riley brings VR to fundraising; the Innovators With Dr. K looks at an eye health startup; we take a look at the new Kokomo Sports Complex; and, our INsiders weigh in on the week’s top stories.

In this episode, I talk with Jacob Schpok, executive director of university initiatives for Elevate Ventures. University initiatives is branded under the name Elevate Nexus, rolling out new programs and investment vehicles to grow entrepreneurship and start-up activity across the state, through engaging higher education institutions. Elevate Nexus is broken into a couple of different components: identifying best practices across the state with higher education institutions, figuring out where these institutions currently are with supporting entrepreneurs, and then cross-pollinating these ideas.Topics in the episodeHow elevate engages with universitiesHow much of Elevate’s investment dollars are directed to the university initiativesDetails of the seven pitch competitions Elevate is launching across the stateQualifications of pre-seed and seed level investment opportunitiesExpectations of a pitch at the competitionProblems of pitch competitions, and how Elevate Nexus is addressing thoseImportance of having data that your roadmap is based on primary or secondary researchContact infoElevatenexus.comNewsletter for more informationEmail: js@elevateventures.com

This episode is a re-broadcast of episode 21, my interview with Ting Gootee, the Chief Investment Officer of Elevate Ventures. This is one of my favorite interviews we’ve done on the podcast. In this episode, Ting shares a little bit about her background and the investment work she does. She walks through the Elevate Ventures process for how they make investment choices and breaks down a framework for how she thinks of competition in the market and how they leverage that a little bit in their process of choosing a potential investment.Topics in this episode:Process of going through Elevate in order to secure an investment:Buckets of 10-12 metrics through which Elevate ensures that an EIR fits the framework:TeamMarketProductCustomerReturnRole as Chief Investment Officer for ElevateHow competition affects and shapes on a potential investmentDetermining the real opportunity that is available to a potential investmentRed flags a potential investment may haveMost awkward moment in a pitchContact Informationelevateventures.com

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick speaks with Ting Gootee, Elevate Ventures, Chief Investment Officer

This is Part 2 of a two part conversation with Kyle Keeney, Entrepreneur-In-Residence, Elevate Ventures. In Part 1, Kyle told the story of bringing his experience on the coasts, in Europe, and around the world back home to boost the economy in Southern Indiana/Northern Kentucky. In part 2, Kyle describes how important it is for communities to take a long view when it comes to securing the future of innovation and sciences. Then, Kyle and Steve discuss some of their favorite books. Kyle tells Steve how he fosters a love of reading and learning in his children. An experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated record of success in supporting innovation in life science and think tanks, Kyle offers the skills to build meaningful partnerships and relationships that cross boundaries to move science-based discoveries forward. With his business development skills and a focus on entrepreneurship, Kyle establishes novel collaborations, and fosters the commercialization of new technologies and ideas. A proactive leader, Kyle encourages collaboration and communication, which serves as the foundation for bringing new ideas to fruition. He always seeks the opportunity to build new bridges as the means to fostering paths that lead to the emergence of capabilities in the sciences. Resources mentioned in this episode: https://www.ynharari.com/book/sapiens/ https://www.ynharari.com/book/21-lessons/ http://www.jareddiamond.org/Jared_Diamond/Guns,_Germs,_and_Steel.html http://www.jareddiamond.org/Jared_Diamond/Collapse.html https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/146153.What_Are_People_For_ https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Tangled-Tree/David-Quammen/9781476776620 https://www.elevateventures.com/ http://communities.techstars.com/usa/indianapolis-in-usa/about

This is Part 1 of a two part conversation with Kyle Keeney, Entrepreneur-In-Residence, Elevate Ventures. In Part 1, Kyle tells the story of bringing his experience on the coasts, in Europe, and around the world back home to boost the economy in Southern Indiana/Northern Kentucky. How can entrepreneurs tap into the capital resources available for startups? Where can they get objective advice on how to attract and use the right resources? And, importantly, what's it all for? Kyle is a devoted family man and an active member of his community. An experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated record of success in supporting innovation in life science and think tanks, I offer the skills to build meaningful partnerships and relationships that cross boundaries to move science-based discoveries forward. With my business development skills and a focus on entrepreneurship, I establish novel collaborations, and foster the commercialization of new technologies and ideas. A proactive leader, I encourage collaboration and communication, which serves as the foundation for bringing new ideas to fruition. I always seek the opportunity to build new bridges as the means to fostering paths that lead to the emergence of capabilities in the sciences. Part 2 will be a more personal discussion about books and the importance of inspiring kids to read. Resources mentioned in this episode: https://www.elevateventures.com/ http://communities.techstars.com/usa/indianapolis-in-usa/about

Diversity and inclusion are arguably the most important issues in tech culture right now. Companies on and between the coasts, from startups to global corporations, recognize more and more the positive impacts of improving diversity and inclusion. In fact, our tech censuses in Indianapolis and Cincinnati this year revealed that it’s the top-ranked social issue by members of both communities. Entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders are making efforts to honestly assess the state of diversity and inclusion in tech and, more importantly, determine how to create a brighter and more inclusive future. With this national trend in mind, we held a special pitch night in Indianapolis earlier this month called “Diversity, Inclusion, and the Future of Tech.” As part of our programming, we brought on a guest host and a panel of three champions for diversity in the local community. The conversation was so timely and full of wonderful insights that we decided it needed to be shared with the entire Powderkeg community. In this episode of the Igniting Startups podcast, Kelli Jones of Givelify leads Danielle Vetter of Cummins, Kelly Schwedland of Elevate Ventures and Rochelle Olaleye of Salesforce in assessing the state of diversity and inclusion in tech today. Over the course of an inspirational and informative discussion, they ultimately explain what entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders can do to help make their companies and communities more diverse, more inclusive, and more welcoming of different perspectives. And it’s not about optics. It’s about building high-performing companies that attract the best talent and understand their customers’ needs. In this episode with four champions for diversity and inclusion in tech, you’ll learn: --- Keyways companies can empower team managers to drive diversity and inclusion. --- How diverse founders can build “venture-backable” companies to help secure funding. --- Strategies for weaving diversity and inclusion into your company’s day-to-day operations. --- The best hiring practices for attracting and retaining diverse talent. --- Why you should make time to listen to everyone on your team. --- The crucial role training plays in promoting diversity and inclusion. If you like this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on iTunes. You can also follow us on Soundcloud or Stitcher. We have an incredible lineup of interviews we’ll be releasing every Tuesday here on the Powderkeg Podcast. Check it out at powderkeg.com/itunes.

Produced by Foundersuite.com, "How I Raised It" goes behind the scenes with startup founders who have raised capital. this episode is with Rod Reasen, CEO of Springbuk. Sprinbuk is an online health analytics platform to forecast costs, measure performance and improve health. The Company, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, recently raised $20 million of Series B venture funding in a deal led by HealthQuest Capital and Echo Health on January 22, 2018. Lewis & Clark Ventures and Elevate Ventures. Rod discusses the myth that raising capital is hard in the Midwest, how he ran a sales-like process, how and why he did extensive research on investors, and the detailed grading system he used to ultimately select his funding partners. BONUS: check out the cool VC Scoring worksheet that Rod used to sort and analyze potential investors: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_FRMjZZktqfgPU3nPdyZKwjeaeOcVhv2vQMoGmgV-Pk/edit?usp=sharing

What do competing digital signage startups, Case Western, CES, GroupGets, SmartTEMPS, Elevate Ventures, Pringles, and a cold-emailing marketer Matthew Sterrett promoting the InNEVator accelerator have in common? They brought Mark, Alex and Eric together to found SimpleSense! Remove any one piece and none of us would be in this current venture. Thanks to Bob, Ron, Mike, John, Gavin, Matt, Rose, Jim, Eugene, and Sashi for making this possible!

In episode 9 of “Post-Modern Living with Chris The Brain,” Chris and Kait talk about business transparency with guest host Doug Karr. They discuss the stuff no one tells young professionals, talking about failure, and the real definition of success. They wrap up the episode by talking about the things that still don’t work in 2018. There’s a lot of stuff about business that no one tells young professionals, and a lot of lies perpetuated. We’re under pressure to look like the perfect company or the perfect individual and not talk about the bad stuff all the time, but there’s almost a gasp of relief when someone shares that things are really tough. Because we don’t often hear about the failures and the hard times, we are don’t know what success really looks like. It’s not sexy; it takes a lot of hard work, time, and mistakes. Almost every company that seems like it had overnight success actually had years of drudgery first. Some of the biggest reasons that startups fail are scaling too fast and rushing to release product too quickly. They also often have the wrong investors. If you can get your company off the ground without investors, you’ll be happier because you’re still in charge of your own company, instead of having to answer to the people who lent you money. If you want investment, choose an investor that has had at least three different successful companies; having one successful company doesn’t mean you know what you’re doing. People tend to look at success as having money, being able to go on vacation wherever and whenever you want, and having luxury items, but wealthy people are often not successful - they’re miserable. The real definition should be taking pleasure in your work and having a purpose. Success is more about making the day-to-day great than sacrificing today in hopes of winning the lottery tomorrow. And if you crash and burn, it’s okay (and almost a necessity) to talk about it. We all have to fake it til we make it to some extent, but don’t buy your own hype, and whenever possible, help someone else know it’s hype. The episode wraps up with a discussion of stuff that still doesn’t work, even though it’s 2018. Chris’s biggest complaint is that cell phone batteries don’t last all day, and the phones break easily. Doug’s is that web conferencing software is all terrible and doesn’t have a solid or maintained connection. Other things on the list include rechargeable batteries, paper towel dispensers, automated bathrooms, non-automated trains, bluetooth, reading on tablets, haircuts, seats that don’t accommodate big people, products that clean off dogs’ and cats’ paws, wi-fi, printers, and forms. What do you think still sucks in 2018? Leave a comment below. Shout Outs To: Apprenace, a company creating meaningful internship programs that help businesses and careers grow DK New Media, guest host Doug’s digital marketing company that lets us use their podcast studio The Speak Easy, where DK New Media’s podcast studio is located Kelly Schwedland of Elevate Ventures, an investor that listens, is hands-off with the company, and operates as a coach and guide instead of a boss Streets of Compton, an A&E special about the city of Compton, where they gave gang members opportunity to work and the crime rate went down What to Do When You’re Getting Fired, a Forbes article by guest host Doug How Digital Marketing Will Change in 2018, a Forbes article Doug contributed to Shure, where Doug got his high-quality headphones Apple AirPods, which have significantly better quality than most headphones but are still without bass or depth Bose, where Doug got one of his pairs of bluetooth headphones Kindle Voyage, Chris’s e-reader of choice, the e-ink is much easier on the eyes Epson, where Doug got his printer that works most of the time

On this episode of The Point, Scott sits down with Mark Gramelspacher, Entrepreneur in Residence at Elevate Ventures, to talk about Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Elevate Ventures in a financial consultant that is part venture capital fund and part entrepreneurial development partner. They provide investment capital to Indiana entrepreneurs and investment opportunities to funders and make value-added services available to entrepreneurs and community leaders. As an Entrepreneur in Residence, Mark provides first-time entrepreneurs in central Indiana with business advisory services to help them start their business. In part one of the interview, Mark and Scott discuss Elevate Ventures’ goal of enhancing Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem (2:15). Mark’s role as an Entrepreneur in Residence and why Indiana is a great place for industry (4:45). More about Indiana’s ecosystem and Elevate Ventures’ hybrid approach (7:00). Apex Benefits, an Indianapolis-based benefits consulting firm, develops innovative strategies and programs to provide employers unique, cost-savings health benefits programs. With a dedicated market analysis staff, and exclusive ApexAnalytics™ tool for health and claims data, we deliver on our promises while assisting more than 250 organizations in making effective benefits decisions for their organizations and employees. For more information, please visit www.apexbg.com