Podcasts about sbir

In this episode of BioTalk, Sam Tetlow, Founder and CEO of Grant Engine, joins the conversation to unpack how companies can successfully navigate the rapidly changing world of non-dilutive funding. With continued resolutions, shifting agency priorities, and evolving leadership at HHS and beyond, 2025 presents both new hurdles and new opportunities for biotech and health innovators. Sam shares actionable insights on what's changed under the current administration, where funding gaps exist, and how early-stage companies can align proposals with both individual program officers and federal leadership. He also offers proven strategies for building champions, writing competitive applications, and thinking differently about the grant process in today's environment.   Sam Tetlow is the Founder and CEO of Grant Engine, where he leads a team focused on securing funding for leading life science companies through SBIR, BARDA, ARPA-H, NIH, DoD, and NSF opportunities. A serial entrepreneur and experienced investor, Sam has contributed to the success of companies like EpiCypher, Gentris Corporation, and Tranzyme Pharma (IPO in 2011). With over two decades of experience and a 6.2x return on invested capital, he brings deep knowledge of the strategic, financial, and technical aspects of life science commercialization. Sam holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

A new MedTech Unboxed episode is out now with Christopher Haig, President of Efemoral Medical, a company developing bioresorbable scaffolds for treating peripheral arterial disease (PAD), affecting over 200 million globally. Here's a snapshot of our discussion: FlexStep Technology: A balloon-expandable, drug-eluting bioresorbable scaffold with inter-scaffold spaces for flexibility, made of PLLA with a co-polymer for ductility and rapid resorption (1-2 years), eluting sirolimus to prevent restenosis. Clinical Progress: The EFEMORAL I trial (33 patients enrolled across 4 sites in New Zealand/Australia) shows promise, with 20-patient results to be presented by Dr. Andrew Holden at @CXSymposium in London, April 23, 2025. Funding Update: Raised $10M+ in equity through angel investors and $2M+ in SBIR grants; targeting $20M Series B for IDE submission, including GLP animal studies and randomized trials for US PMA approval.

Connect to John Gilroy on LinkedIn   https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-gilroy/ Want to listen to other episodes? www.Federaltechpodcast.com In traditional commercial selling, a company seeks to understand its business problems and then presents a solution that would save time and money. Understanding federal requirements has a few more barriers than scheduling a meeting with the CIO.   The federal government has security requirements and considerations few commercial companies can even consider. There are no effortless ways to understand system requirements for a company trying to break into the federal marketplace. This has been understood for decades. In fact, Ron Reagan decided to help small businesses understand their needs and provide some assistance. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program was established in 1982. The concept was simple: an agency would post requirements and look for a small company to get a response. If the proposal was favorable, some steps allowed further development and funding. During today's interview, Tom Ruff updated us on the three phases of SBIR and provided specific examples of companies that have successfully navigated the process.

Shadi Azoum, the NAVWAR's program manager for the SBIR/STTR programs, said about 60% of their entire SBIR and STTR awards take advantage of Catapult. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shadi Azoum, the NAVWAR's program manager for the SBIR/STTR programs, said about 60% of their entire SBIR and STTR awards take advantage of Catapult. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fredric Schiffer is an assistant professor of psychiatry, part-time, at Harvard Medical School and a research associate at McLean Hospital. He has developed a theory of psychology that is the subject of his recent book Goodbye Anxiety, Depression, Addiction, & PTSD: The Life-Changing Science of Dual Brain Psychology. The theory has been studied extensively at Harvard and its support and applications have been articulated in multiple peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Schiffer is also the Founder and CEO of MindLight, LLC which has received 2 SBIR grants from the US National Institute on Drug Abuse. He has a private practice of psychiatry in Newton, Massachusetts, USA Social Media Handles:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.fredschiffer/ Dr.fredschiffer mindDoc7S!   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Fredric-Schiffer-MD/61560456878989/  Twitter: Drfredschiffer  Youtube: @Dr.FredSchiffer  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredric-schiffer/

On this episode of All Quiet on the Second Front, TJ Rowe (2F CRO) sits down with Samuel (Sammy) Semwangu, CEO of Bazze—a company redefining how commercial data is delivered into the national security enterprise. Sammy shares his journey from special operations to Silicon Valley, the tough lessons learned building in defense tech, and how Bazze evolved into the commercial data infrastructure behind some of today's most forward-leaning intel operations.What's Happening on the Second FrontThe shift from nation-state dominance to commercially driven intelligenceHow Bazze built a federated API to unlock insights from 20+ data vendors in secondsWhy aligning with primes and integrators is key to scale—and survivalThe incentive problem inside the building—and why smart software alone doesn't solve itPartner-led GTM, SBIR heartbreak, and why timing > everythingConnect with SammyLinkedIn: Samuel SemwanguConnect with TJLinkedIn: TJ Rowe

Produced by Foundersuite (for startups: www.foundersuite.com) and Fundingstack (for VCs: www.fundingstack.com), "How I Raised It" goes behind the scenes with startup founders and investors who have raised capital. This episode is with with Noah Helman of Industrial Microbes, a startup using programmable microbes to turn renewable feedstocks like ethanol and methane into eco-friendly chemicals and materials. More information at https://imicrobes.com/ In this episode, Noah talks about fermentation technology and the science behind metabolic engineering, how he got his initial funding from government grants in Canada, tips and procedures for applying for grants from the DoD, NSF, SBIR and other agencies, lessons learned from his time in Y Combinator, advice for raising an equity round of capital and finding investors who "get it" (meaning science and biology) and much more. iMicrobes most recently raised a seed round of funding, bringing the company's total investment to over $10M. The funding was led by First Bight Ventures, with participation from Universal Materials Incubator Co. (UMI). How I Raised It is produced by Foundersuite, makers of software to raise capital and manage investor relations. Foundersuite's customers have raised over $21 Billion since 2016. If you are a startup, create a free account at www.foundersuite.com. If you are a VC, venture studio or investment banker, check out our new platform, www.fundingstack.com

Are rules the biggest barrier to government procurement?In this replay episode, Jonathan Mostowski, a trailblazer in government procurement and co-author of the TechFAR Handbook, unpacks the truth about “hacking” bureaucracy in government contracting and how agile acquisition, strategic contracting, and responsible risk-taking can transform procurement into a driver of innovation.He also shares insights on creating culture change through contracting, his experiences authoring the TechFAR Handbook, navigating the pitfalls of SBIR, and tackling the dreaded “Valley of Death”.Learn why contracting should be a business advisory role, not just compliance, and how funding models can better reward innovation.Tune in now for a refreshing conversation on defense procurement!Key Takeaways:(00:00) Introduction (01:00) Meet Jonathan Mostowski(03:10) What is a Scaled Agile Framework?(04:08) Origins and intent of the TechFar Handbook(07:55) The biggest challenge contractors face(10:37) Why Jonathan doesn't “hack” bureaucracy?(14:07) The culture change needed in contracting(15:53) Jonathan's writing process(17:00) The purpose of Jonathan's book Leading Agile Acquisitions(19:46) What would Jonathan change if he were to be a king for a day?(22:44) How impact–not speed—should drive incentives(26:30) Are SBIRs sustainable?(34:14) The reality behind the Valley of DeathAdditional Resources:

In this Healthy, Wealthy, and Smart Podcast episode, host Dr. Karen Litzy welcomes Patrick Tarnowski, PT, MBA, a physical therapist and chief commercial officer at One Step, to discuss the gait analysis. Gait analysis is the study of how we walk, a crucial area of focus for physical therapists, especially regarding aging and overall health. Pat shares his extensive background in healthcare, spanning over two decades, and describes his journey from patient care to leading innovations in gait analysis and patient outcomes. Listeners will gain insights into the importance of gait analysis, how it changes with age, and what it means for improving health and mobility. Please tune in to learn more about this vital aspect of physical therapy and its impact on patient care.   Time Stamps:  [00:01:51] Gait analysis and biomechanics. [00:07:28] Gait analysis essentials. [00:08:35] Observational gait analysis effectiveness. [00:12:38] Correlating patient goals with analysis. [00:18:01] Functional assessment in treatment plans. [00:22:39] Patient confidence and gait analysis. [00:24:56] Gait speed as vital sign. [00:31:15] Gait analysis using smartphones. [00:34:40] Monitoring patients in real world. [00:38:45] Importance of mobility in health.   More About Patrick Tarnowski, PT, MBA: As Chief Commercial Officer at OneStep, Pat is accountable for the company's US market entry through strategic provider partnerships. His deep healthcare experience as a leader in health plans, health systems, medical devices, startups and digital care delivery support and enable OneStep's growth and scale. As an entrepreneur, Pat has successfully launched and scaled care delivery companies, digital solutions that focused on health and wellbeing, disease management and virtual care and worked with providers to achieve success in value-based payment models. He received his degree in physical therapy from Boston University and his master's in business administration from the University of St. Thomas. A lifelong learner, Pat has also held several academic appointments and is a grant reviewer for the National Science Foundation's SBIR seed fund and served as an Industry Mentor for their I-Corp Innovation program. He has been the principal investigator in numerous clinical studies and is the Vice President of Professional Practice of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association's and the Minnesota Cancer Alliance Steering Committee. Pat lives in Minneapolis with his family, dog Maizey and is a committed outdoors enthusiast and endurance athlete.   Resources from this Episode: One Step Website Pat on LinkedIn   Jane Sponsorship Information: Book a one-on-one demo here Front Desk @ Jane Mention the code LITZY1MO for a free month Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media: Karen's Twitter Karen's Instagram Karen's LinkedIn   Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart: YouTube Website Apple Podcast Spotify SoundCloud Stitcher iHeart Radio

Chandana Haque is the Executive Director of Altitude Lab, a healthcare startup accelerator building a community of diverse entrepreneurs in Utah. Altitude Lab was cofounded in 2020 by Chandana and Chris Gibson, the co-founder & CEO of Recursion in Salt Lake City. They recently announced the launch of a pre-seed venture fund aimed at supporting early-stage biotech startups impacted by recent federal funding policy shifts.   This pre-seed venture fund is dedicated to funding the highest impact ideas transitioning from basic research to industry. In partnership with Altitude Lab, they provide capital, lab space, and mentorship to high-potential SBIR reviewed companies, offering continuity for startups affected by recent funding policy changes while strengthening Salt Lake City's position as a national biotech hub.   We talk about the Altitude fund, Altitude lab, lessons learned from other ecosystems; support from Recursion, better ways to support healthcare founders and many other topics.   Shownotes Altitude lab fund: a pre-seed venture fund dedicated to funding the highest impact ideas transitioning from basic research to industry.  Fund announcement: https://ir.recursion.com/news-releases/news-release-details/altitude-lab-launches-pre-seed-venture-fund-anchored-recursion Altitude labs: a health care accelerator building a community of diverse entrepreneurs in Utah Lessons learned (and unlearned) from Boston and Bay Area startup ecosystems Criteria for selection: Technology vs market readiness Founder fit, connecting founders to the right resources Turning a scrappy startup to a fundable one Overhyped areas in biotech Finding winners and lost opportunities Support from Recursion Pharma  Supporting diversity: Anecdotes of diverse founders Support from the University of Utah

In this episode of The Daily Windup, we have expert guests talk about the SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) process. They discuss the challenges of turning an idea into a business and taking it to the commercial market, which is where most entrepreneurs fail. We explore how venture capitalists come in to fund commercialization, but if entrepreneurs do not know how to scale and enter into a business, the funding becomes pointless. We also talk about how the SBIR process is not just about technology transfer, as entrepreneurs are seeking to control their technology, sell it to the government, and then take it to the commercial marketplace. They caution against throwing ideas at the SBIR that do not match the needs of the agencies. SBIR helps entrepreneurs market themselves by providing a platform to build on their technology and expertise, so listen to this episode to know how.

In this episode, Jeremy Whittington shares his journey of building a startup without relying on traditional venture capital. Instead, he leveraged alternative funding paths, including government grants and accelerators. We dive deep into the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the I-Corps program, and how startups can secure non-dilutive funding to kickstart their business. If you're an entrepreneur looking for funding beyond VC, this episode is for you!Key Takeaways:

Approximately 99.5% of available data is unclassified. Yet, intelligence agencies often focus on the 0.5% that is classified. How can the U.S. government bridge this intelligence gap? In this week's episode, Ryan Connell speaks with Sammy Semwangu, CEO of Bazze, about how his startup is transforming intelligence with commercial data solutions.With over a decade of national security experience, Sammy shares his early entrepreneurial challenges and how he founded Bazze in 2019 to provide an efficient data query model for defense intelligence agencies.Today, we dive into Bazze's “super API”, the balance between privacy and security, and how shifting intelligence incentives can help close critical intelligence gaps using both classified and unclassified data.Let's dive in!Key Takeaways:(00:00) Introduction (00:50) Sammy Semwangu's entrepreneurial journey and lessons learned(04:44) How Bazze's platform queries commercial data(08:38) Challenges with the SBIR process and contracting(18:29) The future of intelligence sharing in government(22:47) Privacy and ethical concerns with data access(26:54) Incentivizing intel gaps with classified or unclassified data(29:59) The efficiency of unclassified data aggregationAdditional Resources:

Don't miss our newsletter! That's where we drop weekly knowledge bombs to help you make sense of defense!In this episode, Mike sits down with Brett “Snappy”Abbamonte, a former Marine Corps F-35 pilot now at Advanced Strategic Insight (ASI) Inc. Snappy is the program manager for ELITE (ExpendableLower-cost Integrated Training Emitter), a compact, cost-effective system designed to mimic high-end surface-to-air missile (SAM) threats.Dive into how this innovative tech is reshaping training,enhancing readiness, and solving a critical warfighter problem—offering a firsthand look at how operators are using ELITE in the field to sharpen their edge.If you're into military training, cutting-edge technology,and boosting warfighter readiness—this episode is a must-listen. Links• Sign up for the newsletter⁠! • Support us on ⁠Patreon⁠!• Mike Benitez on LinkedIn• Brett “Snappy” Abbamonte on LinkedIn• ASI company• ELITE product ----Follow us on... • LinkedIn• Instagram⁠• ⁠X⁠• ⁠Facebook⁠• ⁠Website⁠----00:00 start01:11 intro03:08 Snappy 04:49 F-35 magnifies a growing problem07:21 the 3-solution problem10:31 good-enough solution space12:12 ELITE13:51 size and power15:35 as a target17:45 customers20:27 remote controlled22:00 how to keep it low cost23:34 creative training25:09 how the training looks26:47 RAF Lakenheath31:19 SBIR experience38:02 valley of death38:34 end of year money40:27 squadron innovation funds42:14 expendable concept validated42:50 Marine Corps weapons school example44:40 expendable allocation46:14 tools for innovative training49:30 memory lane49:45 callsign story51:40 outro#military #nationaldefense #warfare #nationalsecurity#defense #nationaldefense #tech #technology #defensetech #army #navy #airforce #usmc#innovation #war #strategy #aerospace #china #airpower #f35 #training #readiness #electronicwarfare

In this episode of The Daily Windup, we discuss the key components of a successful SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) proposal pitch deck. The importance of including a graphic of your company or logo, providing an overview of your product or service, and showcasing your company's history, expertise, and qualifications are vital. In this episode, we also emphasize the significance of accurately identifying your technology readiness level (TRL) and explaining why your technology is better or different from your competitors. Tune in now as this episode offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs looking to secure SBIR funding by crafting the perfect pitch deck for their proposal.

On this episode of The Founder's Sandbox, Brenda speaks with Salvador Badillo Rios. Salvador is Founder and CEO of EquiTech Innovate, a strategic consulting and advisory firm aimed at helping underserved and overlooked founders bring innovative and disruptive technologies to market. He is also Senior Associate and Portfolio Manager at National Security Innovation Capital (NSIC), a component of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), aimed at accelerating early-stage dual-use deep tech startups toward commercialization At DIU and NSIC, Salvador supported 21 early-stage dual-use hardware startups across 12 states with ~$50M over three years leading to over $335M in total follow-on private capital (up to 20X funded amount at up to 11X prior to funding valuation). They speak about Sal's origin story; how despite being from a disadvantaged background, this has not deterred his purposefulness and positivity to make a difference particularly in underrepresented communities. Listen as Sal shares how he eventually settled on an engineering degree after choosing over music and English literature. What he does today as a senior portfolio manager in the DIU defense innovation unit's National security innovation capital is a long way from Rancho Cucamonga.  You can find out more about Sal at: Linked IN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvador-badillo-rios https://equitechinnovate.com/     Transcript: 00:04  Hi, I'm pleased to announce something very special to me, a new subscription-based service through Next Act Advisors that allows members exclusive access to personal industry insights and bespoke 00:32 corporate governance knowledge. This comes in the form of blogs, personal book recommendations, and early access to the founder's sandbox podcast episodes before they released to the public. If you want more white glove information on building your startup with information like what was in today's episode, sign up with the link in the show notes to enjoy being a special member of Next Act Advisors. 01:01 As a thank you to Founders Sandbox listeners, you can use code SANDBOX25 at checkout to enjoy 25% off your membership costs. Thank you. 01:19 Welcome back to the Founders Sandbox. I am Brenda McCabe, your host to this monthly podcast that reaches entrepreneurs and business owners who learn about building resilient, purpose-driven and scalable businesses with great corporate governance. Guests to this podcast are founders themselves, professional service providers, corporate board directors and investors. 01:47 who like me want to use the power of the enterprise, be it small, medium, and large, to create change for a better world. And I do storytelling with each one of my guests that starts with their origin story. And then we'll get into the contents of the podcast with each of my guests, and we touch upon topics around resilience, scalability, and purpose-driven. 02:15 initiatives or what drives the guest. So thank you for joining me. And I am absolutely delighted this month to have Salvador Badillo Rios, Sal, as my guest. So thank you for joining me, Sal. Thank you, Brenda. I'm very excited to be here. Excellent. So we met not too long ago. I am a member of Angel Capital Association and attended their national 02:44 Summit in Columbus, Ohio. And I'm from Columbus, Ohio. So I kind of killed two birds with one stone. And I was blown away. So I've been a member for three years. And this year they had for the first time a breakout session on deep tech and dual technologies. And Sal, you were one of the panel members. And I myself 03:11 love to work with deep tech companies. So we had a lot of synchronicities. And that's when I asked you to join me eventually here in the podcast. Yeah, yeah, no. Yeah, that's where we met. And I think it was an amazing opportunity to really connect with the angel community. I think oftentimes, you know, there's a lot of focus on VCs, but angels really drive that early start to these companies and to these technologies. And so 03:37 I wanted to make an effort to reach out to the angel community, educate, inform, you know, angels about deep tech and a lot of the DOD opportunities that there are for startups and potential collaborations and synergies. So yeah, I'm happy to have met you. So we're going to touch on a couple of those points because you do have a multifaceted career and background and diverse founder yourself of your own. 04:05 strategic consulting and advisory firm. So you are founder and CEO of Equitech Innovate. And it's really working towards serving underserved and overlooked founders that bring innovative and disruptive technologies to market. So kudos to you. That's amazing. Thank you. Thank you, yeah. And another hat you wear, and I don't know where you find the time in the day. Frankly. 04:33 And this was your speaking capacity when I met you earlier this year, your senior associate and portfolio manager at the national security innovation capital, a component of the defense innovation unit, DIU. So lots of acronyms in our department defense. So INSEC and DIU. And I was fascinated because that particular area, what you're involved in is it's accelerating early stage 05:02 dual use later on, you're going to tell us what dual use is. Yeah. Deep tech startups toward commercial commercialization. So, um, again, thank you, um, for joining me. We're going to talk about deep tech. We're going to get into also your own work that you're doing with, um, underserved founders. And I always like to have a title of our episodes. Um, and this one, I really think we're going to talk about scalable businesses. So what you're doing. 05:31 particularly with NSIC and the DIU is scaling, identifying early stage companies that truly have the promise of scaling. So scalable businesses. And you know, in a short period of time, you have scaled and then we'll get into the questions, but I was also very impressed with the focus of the work at the DIU and NSIC, you've used yourself have supported 21 early stage 06:00 dual use hardware, all right, not software, hardware startups across 12 states with over $50 million over the last three years. And that's led on to lead on it investments of 335 million of private capital and up to 20 times funded amount at up to 11 times prior to fund evaluation. Amazing, amazing, amazing. Thank you, yeah. All right. So can you... 06:30 describe for my, let's get into your origin story. Your PhD aerospace engineering, first generation Latino. LGBT, tell me what would be your tagline if anything. What I mean, this mashup of deep, tell me your origin story. How did you know what you're doing today? Yeah, thank you, yeah. 06:55 I mean, yeah, I mean, I was thinking through the tagline and I was like, well, I think maybe one could be, you know, life through punches, but I turned them into power and purpose. And so I think, you know, everyone, I'm sure has their own set of struggles, right? Everyone has dealt a different set of cards, right, in life. And it's really what you make of that, right? That really defines you. So for me, right, I grew up, 07:24 Here in Southern California. So I grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, about an hour East of LA without traffic. And so yeah, I grew up, my background is Mexican. So my parents are from Mexico. They met here and I'm the oldest of three. So I have two younger siblings. One is a year younger and then the youngest, seven years younger, but he has 07:53 down syndrome pretty severely. So I grew up in a disadvantaged background in a community where really I didn't know anyone that went to a four-year college, no one that went into any STEM field, right? And so, and my parents also, right, had never gone to college. So a lot of it was just learning and figuring things out along the way. 08:20 But I was lucky to have teachers that believed in me, that saw sort of something in me in school. And they would say, oh, yeah, you need to go to college. Or they would say, oh, you're good at math and science, things like that. And so they would reaffirm those things. But even once I got to high school, I really hadn't really planned for the future. I didn't really have thought about what major I wanted to go into or what college I wanted to go. 08:49 And so it was around being around other students that had thought about that a little bit better or had parents who were engineers or doctors that when they started asking me about it, I was like, oh, I don't know, but let me start thinking about it a little bit more. And so, yeah, so in my classroom, one of my teachers said, oh, the UC applications opened up. And so that's how I found out. 09:17 you know, that I should apply to college. There were several interests that I had, write music, English literature, and then STEM, right? And so I decided to go and try engineering and initially started with civil engineering, transitioned into mechanical and then added aerospace, just as, you know, being in college and taking different courses and being involved in different projects and clubs. 09:47 That's sort of how my interest kind of evolved. But even then, right, I didn't know about what a PhD was, or venture capital, or the field that I'm in now. So a lot of it has been a bit of a learning process. And I'm lucky to have had different organizations along the way geared towards underserved communities in STEM. 10:15 you know, PhD or things like that, that help create awareness for me about the different opportunities. My thing is you can't really go after something that you don't even know exists, right? So the more you're aware about different opportunities, the more you can sort of start to pave your path based on your own interests, so yeah. So you're a lifetime learner, although you're very young still. 10:41 Thank you for the interest in that. It's interesting because yesterday I was on a webinar with the National Association of Corporate Directors. It was about AI and workers, right? And interesting enough, the current generation, the largest generation that composes the workforce in the United States are Gen Xers. No, Gen Zers. 11:11 And the average retention, so the average period of time that they're in is 2.4 years. The next generation is the alpha, right? They're like 13, 14. They will have up to 17 careers, is what they're saying. And so the young, yes. You have so many opportunities. And again, I think people in your early 11:39 childhood, your neighborhood, your school, this professors that saw the, the, the ability for you with STEM related topics, they geared you those opportunities. So yeah, it's amazing the future of workforce and opportunities. So you yourself are going to get into in this podcast. Yeah. Some of that so you get out of college and what is your first gig? What'd you do? 12:08 Yeah, well, again, I went all the way to the PhD route. So one thing that was unique and what plugged me into DOD was, you know, going into my PhD, I had the opportunity to go to UCLA, but having a unique opportunity to work with the Department of Defense. And so whereas most students conduct research on campus, in my case, I had the opportunity to, after I take 12:37 a few of my, you know, some of my course requirements go to Edwards Air Force Research Lab, which is called the Rocket Lab, and really conduct research there. And so one, you get a lot more resources, right? Just because you're within DoD. And so you're able to really run, you know, and create projects and do these things that are at a higher level, right? This research is able to conduct at a higher level, and working on also 13:07 important problems to national security, you know, to the DOD that are more applicable than simply something that's just in a lab, right, that may be cool and interesting, but maybe there's not, you know, a huge focus on the application area. And so, yeah, I got to work alongside other military members and other researchers at DOD and really start to look things from a national security perspective. 13:34 And so how is certain technologies, whether more fundamental, more applied, how is that important to DOD and national security in general? As well as, you know, I got to see a lot of also the issues within traditional DOD and obstacles and sort of inefficiencies as well. And so it gave me sort of this unique perspective that 14:03 I would say most PhD students typically don't get, so I was very fortunate to have that. And so while being there, I also got interested in an entrepreneurship program. I was like, I wanted to get myself out of my comfort zone, out of the box and really interact with people from different backgrounds, not just from the STEM background. And... 14:28 And I loved it. I didn't know that I was going to love it. And I just decided to try it one day. And I just really loved speaking with customers. I got to be part of a student led startup. And so speaking to customers and that customer discovery phase, pitching to VCs, brainstorming with people from different backgrounds. I was like, this is where I want to be at. And so I thought I wanted to go into product development. 14:57 at a startup. And so that's what I was gearing towards. And so taking business courses online. And again, this is when the pandemic started to hit. So taking business courses online, learning more about emerging technologies like quantum and AI, that just interested me. And then DoD found me. And so they were like, okay, you have this unique 15:26 you know, technical background, background with DoD and some knowledge, right, regarding DoD and then interest in this startup and business, you know, business world. And so DoD was really starting, wanted to stand up and say National Security Innovation Capital, which, you know, focuses on early stage hardware technology. So as you may know, a lot of funding tends to go. 15:54 towards VC funding tends to go towards software and not enough towards hardware. And often hardware companies will resort to getting foreign capital, which at times may be considered adversarial and may compromise national security. And so DoD wanted to sort of get a hold of this a bit. And so stand up this program. And so, yeah, a few of my team members and I, we basically were hired on board to really stand up this program. 16:24 And this really involved developing the funding thesis, establishing the processes, eventually me running operations. Then because of my background, right? I got to do a lot more and help source these startups, evaluate these startups and help fund them and then support them. So I think naturally I just like wearing a lot of hats. It was very, it's been a very startup culture. 16:52 in a way just because we're a very small but mighty team. And so it's allowed me to do a lot as well as have a seat at the table and really sort of see things from that perspective. I love the that you were in the early stage of standing up the is it pronounced in sick. We usually refer it to as an insect. So what are 17:21 you know, these will be in the show notes, the we have a kind of infographic on NSIC. What are the I think there's seven key areas of investment within the DOD? Yeah. Yeah. So again, we're a component of the Defense Innovation Unit. And so 17:50 companies that are a little bit more mature that have some VC funding, that have commercial product. And the goal there is for them to find sort of the use cases and sort of pair those gaps with and look for specific solutions to address those gaps and transition that technology into DoD. 18:17 Again, we focus on the earlier stage, pre-seat to seat stage companies. And so, however, our technology areas are aligned with DIU's portfolios. So, you know, our technology areas are autonomy. And then sensors is weaved into that now. So advanced sensing would fall into autonomy. Energy technology. So this can involve energy storage. Advanced battery chemistries is a big thing under that one. 18:47 space technology. And so this is satellite stuff, as well as satellite communications, things like that. Telecommunications, so advanced communications technologies. And again, there's a lot of synergies with these different technologies. And then we have an emerging technologies area, which under that we've we've been edge computing hardware. 19:15 electronics, photonics, as well as hypersonics platforms. 19:25 Interesting. It's fascinating. Yeah. And then within that we have sort of funded as well companies that are in the sort of advanced manufacturing, advanced materials, but they usually align with one of the technology areas that I mentioned. 19:43 So for my listeners, I would absolutely love you to define deep tech and dual technologies, all right? Yeah. Because many, you know, I have quite a large audience now and it's a concept that we don't run into. You don't go to the grocery store and buy. Right, yeah. Yeah, I even had a friend, you know, just a close personal friend that is not in this field at all. 20:11 asked me about that too. So yeah, it's constantly educating, right, the audience, just because it is a crucial part of our society nowadays. So yeah, so I would say I would describe deep tech startups as sort of being distinguished by their intensive focus on sort of cutting edge technologies and scientific achievements. So they operate at the frontier of innovation. And so 20:40 I would say they're characterized by sort of novel solutions that are rooted in scientific breakthroughs or, you know, significant technological or scientific breakthroughs. And you know, I think where a lot of technologies, a lot of conventional startups leverage existing technologies to solve market needs, deep tech startups. 21:06 can often create entirely new markets or radically transform existing ones with their disruptive innovations. And so the reason I think there's probably a name for this set of technologies is because they also face unique challenges in commercializing their innovation. So one characteristic thing and challenge is long development cycles. 21:34 So, you know, they often require years, if not even decades, right, for research and development before you even have some viable prototype, right, that may become a product. High R&D costs, right, so, you know, very capital intensive, you know, and securing funding can be challenging, especially in the early stages for these sets of technologies that 22:01 are often unproven or the market potential is not quite fully understood. And so when it comes to going to market, it may be a little bit more challenging because it's not just a matter of finding product market fit, but it's also about educating potential customers about. 22:28 you know, educating the market right about your technology. Right. And the dual purpose? Yeah, so the dual use purpose really involves having both commercial and defense applications. So defense tech, you know, is sort of a focus on these DOD critical needs for national security to enhance military capabilities. 22:55 And so the dual use aspect means really developing a product or technology that can serve both, civilian and military purposes. And so I will say there are challenges with this though, just because the DOD aspect is mission focused, right? And so you have to worry about finding product mission fit in that sense. Whereas on the commercial side, you have to worry about finding 23:25 product market fit. And so, it can be competing at times, right? Where, the startups and VCs are naturally focused on revenue and increasing sort of their investment and DOD may be focused on the mission, right? And so, it's a matter of really finding where you can overlap both of those missions, right? To really make progress in society. 23:54 And then it's also as you're developing a technology, it's a matter of balancing as well, the different requirements and applications. So, yeah. So the startups that you have been involved with, have they come like a spin out as a technology transfer from a university or not? I mean, where did you? Yeah. 24:22 Where did these companies come from? Their original ideas. Yeah. Yeah, so a lot of the companies that we fund, some of the technologies have begun in a university research lab setting. However, they're usually a little bit further along before we see them and we fund them. So we have partnerships with different programs, including National Security Innovation Network, which is a part of DIU. 24:51 that really focuses more on really helping spin out these technologies out of a research setting and finding those DOD use cases. And again, we also look at companies from all over the US. So, our meetings are usually virtual, which makes it easy for companies to reach us. But yeah, they come from all sorts of settings, right? Some of them have spin out from the lab. 25:20 others from another company. But like I mentioned, by the time we see them and we fund them, they've already had some preliminary traction on the DOD side, whether that means some funding spoken to and, you know, DOD users to really develop the requirements, as well as some commercial preliminary traction, like obtaining letters of support and things like that. Yeah. 25:47 So about the time I met you, I'd also been working in deep tech. And I have heard that perhaps private investment VC money had been crowding out the traditional investment of Nandaluda funding that was under either the DOD or SBIR. 26:16 Right. And for like the last 20 years or so. And the Department of Defense, and actually under, I think it was the Obama administration, Ash Carter kind of flipped the model and said that we can actually do dilutive as well as non-dilutive funding in order to attract again, I don't know whether you're losing the game, but to really get back into the pipeline. 26:44 of potential new businesses and new technologies. Is that, and that's kind of what I've, you know, you perceive it. I also saw that SBIR grants, VCs were no longer allowed to participate probably about eight years ago. So what have your observations been on the public versus private investment in the strategic mission-driven 27:13 sectors is, is it true? What I'm saying is that I mean, there's no probably it's not black or white, right? So what is the transition between public and private investment in these strategic sectors evolve? Yeah, yeah. Yeah. So the way I would see it is, you know, a while back, there was really a lack of communication between sort of these public and private entities. 27:42 And so there wasn't much of a collaboration going on. And so, for example, with the establishment of DIU, the purpose was to really establish those public and private partnerships to really further innovation and especially deep tech innovation. And so that was just the first goal, right? Let's improve and establish these public and private partnerships and show that we can work together to fund companies. 28:11 that was a little bit rocky and figuring out, okay, how does that work and who does what? But I think over time, right, those relationships have really become established in some way and have been fortified. And now, DIU and NSIC and all these other DOD entities, we have strong relationships with different BCs and accelerators and other types of organizations. 28:41 they are aware of us and are interested in really knowing what our priorities are. And we are trying to always better communicate that to them. And we're going on funding companies together. So I would say that was sort of the first phase over time. Then, you know, I think you focused on, OK, let's let's let's see if we can if this model works, right? If we can fund companies. 29:10 using OTAs, for example, these prototype contracts, and helps to transition some of this technology into DoD. And I would say now where we're at is now we're really hyper-focused on the, you know, because we already proved we can do this, so now it's, okay, let's focus on the most impact for an urgent technologies to DoD, especially given 29:39 the current geopolitical climate. And so now we've sort of shifted into really a focus on these high impact, high, you know, at large scale and in high urgency technologies and startups. So it's a journey, right? It's an evolution. It's been a journey, yeah. And then on the hardware side, right, again, it's been a little bit different, but again, similar where, you know, there wasn't a lot of, I would say, 30:06 VC interests to really fund, especially hardware, early stage technologies. VCs were typically repelled by that, right, in some sense. And naturally so, right? But I think with standing up NSIC and these other organizations, there's been actually several VCs now in this pre-seed to seed stage, funding. 30:35 hardware companies. And so I would say now the hurdle is probably as we funded these companies, now they go on to series A, series B and now they need BCs at that stage, right? To really help them along and further their scaling, right? And so I would say more work is probably needed on that end now. Very exciting times. 31:05 Let's switch gears and let's go back to your consulting firm. Equitech innovate. Again, I don't know where you find the time, but I, you know, so can you showcase here what it is that you do in serving the underrepresented founders that are in these disruptive technologies? What was it that made you go out on your own? 31:32 Yeah, yeah, so just being in the deep tech space that I'm at, and, you know, dual use as well, you know, one thing that I started noticing, and it's something that I've noticed even from just my own background, right, in STEM, right, sort of one, a lack of diversity and representation, right, of, you know, different backgrounds, especially my backgrounds, right, whether it's 32:02 And so again, this is naturally found in a lot of the, deep tech spaces, right? Finding leadership and innovators in that space. And that, that's a whole nother conversation, right? But there's a lot of hurdles, just even for people getting to that space, right? And so naturally you find sort of a lack of talent there. 32:31 And then the other thing is, you know, once, you know, you have underserved communities in deep tech, right, then you have less of them that are aware or become deep tech founders, right? And so then once you are a deep tech founder, right, then you have these VC funding gaps, right, that you find, right, where 32:56 out of all the VC funding, 136 billion, only 1% goes to Black founders or even smaller to Latinx or Indigenous or to women. And especially being in the field that I am in, I would see very few, again, founders from understaffed communities even applying to our program. But then unfortunately, even those that did apply, sometimes the quality was just not up to par. 33:25 Okay. And so it does tear me a bit, you know, in the sense that, you know, I have compassion, but at the same time, there's a level of quality that we need to maintain and things like that. And that is because they often lack some of the resources and guidance, right? And so even to get to where they're at now has been such a huge feat. And so that's where I saw the opportunity 33:55 strategic consulting and advisory firm to really help underserved founders and give them a little bit more guidance and really help them get their technologies to market. Bringing in my DOD expertise, my deep tech expertise, and also in working with underserved communities throughout my career with different nonprofits and whatnot. All right. Yeah. 34:24 Yeah, being that person that looks like them, right? In the room, right? And you also have, you're a mentor for the Stanford Latino Business Action Network. And you're serving on the board of directors for Science is Elementary. And tell me, is that also part of kind of mission-driven? Speak to me a bit about those collaborations. Yeah, yeah, it is, yeah. So... 34:52 Again, just because I'm interested in helping underserved founders, you know, I must have gone, I think to an event at Stanford, and then that's how I got plugged in to that nonprofit organization. Okay. Yeah, so I became a mentor, that this was before starting Ecotech Innovate. And so again, that's where I also just got to focus on helping underserved founders and really guiding them, get them through that process. 35:22 And then in terms of the nonprofits that I'm a board of directors for, yeah, so one of them is Science is Elementary. And so that nonprofit, we focus on really providing inspiring, innovative, high quality science experiences to preschool and elementary school children from underserved communities. And. 35:48 you know, that involves, you know, teaching students, right, training teachers as well, to really build sustainable and quality sort of curriculum, and then engaging as well with different scientists and STEM professionals, and some of them may serve as role models and mentors and things like that. So again, I didn't have any sort of exposure to this. I wish I did when I was, you know, a young kid. But, you know, I think providing that 36:17 for the industry communities is very important because that's where it begins, right? Yes, but you get exposed to it. Yeah, you get exposed, so you learn about opportunities. And so you can dream to be a scientist or things like that. And also you get rid of those fears, right? That may intimidate you from going into STEM, right? Because now there's familiar. And then also it's important to know that 36:43 going to STEM doesn't necessarily mean you need to be a scientist, right? I've transitioned into this role, which is more business, right? But my science background, I'm able to leverage that and it's sort of a value add. So in the show notes, I would like to call out different ways by which my listeners can contact you. Can you speak to... 37:10 what you would like to have in the show notes? Is that your LinkedIn profile? Tell me a little bit about that. Yeah, so yeah, people can reach me on LinkedIn. I'm on there. Also, www.ancik.mil, you can find my LinkedIn there. And also, equi You can find my, you know. 37:37 LinkedIn information there as well as my email, salvador at equi Excellent. So that will be in the show notes as well as the infographic of NSIC. Thank you. So I am gonna move into the part of the podcast that I repeat with every single guest. I have my own consulting firm, NextAct Advisors, and I really work with 38:06 growth stage companies on being purpose driven, scalable and resilient. And I'd like to ask you, I guess, what does purpose driven mean to you? Yeah, I think to me, I've actually always been drawn to purpose driven work. And so for me, it's the so what, right? So there's a lot of cool things you can do, cool technologies. But to me, it's the why, right? And the so what behind it, that really 38:35 pushes me and motivates me to really do the work that I do because I know I'm making a difference in people's lives in one way or another, in a positive way. So whether it's through the nonprofits that I've been involved with, both at a volunteering level and then now on the board leadership or through NSIC and DIU, right? Helping the war fighter and helping with national security. 39:04 or now with my consulting firm and really focusing on helping underserved founders, I think that I'm just drawn to really purpose-driven work that creates a positive impact in people at scale, right? And maybe lead on to your next question, but that does it in a meaningful way. So that moves the needle. I love it. So you've chosen really in alignment with your own 39:33 Origin story. So scalable growth. What does that mean to you? And maybe wearing your INSEC hat or what was scalable? Yeah. So I think, you know, first in terms of like, you know, deep tech startups and going that route, the focus is first on finding product market fit and really getting there. But once you do, 40:02 I think scaling is really about growing, right? Growing not only your team, but expanding your product and really doing it in an impactful way. And I think along with that comes many challenges, right? That you have to make sure your manufacturing processes are in order and that can... 40:28 really accommodate for the volume and speed at which you need to do that. And so I think before scaling needs to come preparedness, right? Being prepared to grow before you do grow because one thing I find often is, you know, sometimes people are focused on growing and then as you're growing, you're really finding all these things that you can't keep up with, right? And then unfortunately, sometimes that's where startups fail, right? 40:55 And so, and it's sad because you've gone so far right along. And so, since you've worked so hard to get there, it's important to just take a beat and really prepare for the growth because I think that will set you up for success. You know, I'm gonna divert a little bit from the third question. I mean, product market fit. Yeah. And software, right? 41:23 Deep tech technologies, it's really about around technology readiness level, TRLs, right? Scaling right to that level where you are scalable, right? Can you for my listeners again, indulge us in technology readiness levels? Yeah. So, yeah. So there are different, you know, technology readiness levels that really describe sort of. 41:52 where your technology is in its development. With NSIC, for example, we have a minimum TRL three. And so that involves at least having sort of analytical and experimental critical function and or characteristic proof of concept. So we don't fund, you know, sort of paper studies or science projects. And so, that's a TRL level that we focus on. 42:21 And as that TRL advances, then you get into the testing phase and in-field environment testing and things like that. So then you can further refine your technology until it's really ready for a proper use case. And then I would say one thing we focus on now is also 42:48 just on the level of advancement in that TRL, right? So, you know, the more you can advance with the funding, the better and so that involves really having a very strong product development plan, right, in place. So that you get more bang for your buck in a way. Right, right. So the product roadmap. Yeah. Thank you. Let's get back to the sandbox and its resilience. 43:17 What does resilience mean to you? Yeah, thank you. Yeah. Yeah, it's one thing that someone told me, you know, they said, you're very resilient. And I was like, oh, really? Thank you. And so, yeah, reflecting back in my life, right? Again, as I mentioned before, you know, you'll be dealt different cards in life, you know, punches, right? And sometimes that will be things that you have no control over. And sometimes there'll be consequences because, you know, you're human and you're young and you make mistakes. And... 43:46 you're stubborn at times or things like that. And so I think resilience is, for me it involves a few things. One is not allowing that to define you. And so it means getting back up, but it also means getting back up stronger and wiser, at least for me, right? There's, I think something you can learn about yourself. 44:11 and about the situation and about others, right? In whatever circumstance you're in. And so it's really making sure you learn the most you can about that particular situation so that when you do stand up and move forward, you're able to do so in a more intentional and successful way, hopefully. Thank you. So last question, did you have fun in the sandbox today? Oh, I had a lot of fun. Yeah, thank you so much. Yeah. 44:41 It's been a unique experience. And so, I had a great time speaking to you when we first met and so today as well. So thank you so much for inviting me. Thank you, Sal. To my listeners, if you liked this episode with Sal Badiyurios, CEO and founder of Equitech Innovate, as well as advisor with Insic of the DIU, that's the Defense Innovation Unit. Please. 45:11 sign up for the Founder's Sandbox. It's released monthly. And business owners, corporate directors, and professional service providers are my guests and they help us learn about how to build with strong governance, resilient, scalable, and purpose-driven companies to make profits for good. So signing off for this month, thank you. And again, Sal, thank you for joining me. Thank you.  

Otter will collect information about defunct satellites, supporting NASA's goal to make space safer.

●YouTube影片● https://voh.psee.ly/6z6nr2 ●FB粉專影片 ● https://voh.pse.is/6z6nsb 本集主題：分好的垃圾去哪兒了 訪問審定：劉涵宇 內容簡介： 每到春夏，走廊上的屋簷下總有燕子築巢，隔了些時候，巢裡就會多了四、五隻的小燕子。你是否曾觀察過燕子的巢是用什麼築成的呢？一般來說，築巢的材料大都是以樹葉、植物的枝幹大自然的東西來廢物利用。想想看，小燕子都可以做到廢物利用了，我們該如何做到物盡其用呢？ 根據2024年3月的數據調查，在台灣，每天需要五千多輛的六公噸垃圾壓縮車來清運我們所製造出來的垃圾，是不是非常讓人吃驚！因此若能將垃圾分類做好，讓垃圾盡可能成為被運用的資源，不但節省了資源的消耗，還有機會把廢棄物成為有價值的商品或金錢。 本書將藉由小燕子然然的帶領，帶著大家去看看，在垃圾分類後，那些被分類後的垃圾到哪裡去了？經過分類後的垃圾，哪些可以重新變為別的產品使用，哪些則必須銷毀以避免汙染環境，又有哪些可以經過整理後，有被二手使用的機會。 本書將帶領小朋友知道如何做好垃圾分類，並讓小朋友發想，除了書中提到的方法，還有哪些方法可以做到廢物利用或是垃圾分類？ 讓小朋友從丟垃圾這種日常的簡單問題，引領他們去提問、去發想、去理解、去創造、去解決，讓他們從小就養成科學化探知的好習慣！ 審定者簡介：劉涵宇 • 晧揚環境科技股份有限公司　執行長／共同創辦人 • i Trash智慧收集服務系統創意提出人 執掌專業行銷企劃領域逾 26 年，其中以環境淨零推廣為主要志向，在鴻海環境科技擔任副總經理時，常以民眾個人需求為創新 目標，iTrash 的誕生為環境管理個人垃圾減量帶來莫大效益，目 前也以推動個人源頭減碳為志業，讓每個人可以在生活中為地球 減碳，讓人類生活變得更美好。 i Trash 簡介 • 2012 台北市 SBIR 產業創新技術研發計畫 • 2013 經濟部 SBIR 產業創新服務計畫 • 2014 行政院國家發展基金創業天使計畫 • 2016 台灣雲豹育成創新獎優勝 • 2020 Meet Taipei Neo Star& Demo Pitch 特別獎 • 2019 智慧城市〈智慧環保〉創新應用獎／ iTrash 為台北市智慧城市象徵代表 • 2019 國際工商經營研究社 （IMC）全國創新競賽第一名 • 2020 MeetTaipei 創新創業嘉年 華評審團大獎 • 2021 行政院環保署資源循環績優企業新創組一 星級獎 • 2022 智慧台北創新獎優選 • 2018 台北市政府智慧垃圾 桶第一階段試營運計畫 • 2020 台北市政府智慧垃圾桶第二階段 試營運計畫 • 2023 桃園市政府智慧垃圾桶試營運計畫。 粉絲頁： ITrash 智慧無人收集服務 出版社粉絲頁： 畢方文化 Be Fun #李基銘#李基銘主持人#fb新鮮事#生活有意思#快樂玩童軍 #廣播之神#廣播之神李基銘#漢聲廣播電台 YouTube頻道，可以收看 https://goo.gl/IQXvzd podcast平台，可以收聽 SoundOn　https://bit.ly/3oXSlmF Spotify　https://spoti.fi/2TXxH7V Apple　https://apple.co/2I7NYVc KKBOX　https://bit.ly/2JlI3wC Firstory　https://bit.ly/3lCHDPi 請支持粉絲頁 廣播之神：  / voh.god  李基銘主持人粉絲頁：  / voh.lee  李基銘的影音頻道粉絲頁：  / voh.video  -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Aerogels are lightweight materials that make good thermal insulators.

276 Setting Sights High: Equity and Accessibility in Vision Care with Matthias Hofmann, Co-founder & CEO of Eyebot; Boston, MA, USA We love speaking with MedTech founders and so we were excited to have Matthias Hofmann, the co-founder and CEO of Eyebot join us to explain how his team is transforming the way we receive vision care. Before this interview, we had no idea that 25% of US counties lack a practicing eye care provider. We also hadn't thought about the increasing shortage of vision care providers or that our screen-obsessed society is generating a higher per capita need for corrective eye care. And for many, the cost of vision appointments and glasses are so expensive that they forgo this critical pillar of health care. Today, the Eyebot team is hoping to address the healthcare deserts in the U.S. and work with organizations like WHO and others, their technology can make a difference globally. Here are the highlights of our discussion: - Embrace Dynamism: Startups are incredibly dynamic. Project plans can quickly become obsolete, and flexibility is key to navigating this unpredictability. While the first vision care focused startup Matthias worked on had hurdles it could not overcome, that foundation led the way to take up the challenge again once the technology had advanced. - Overcoming Barriers and Scaling: Eyebot addresses the doctor shortage problem by integrating technology into eyeglass retailers and online stores, expanding first in the New England area, California, and other U.S. states. - Self-Serve Vision Centers: Eyebot's kiosks provide self-serve vision tests using infrared light, making it easy for anyone to check their eyes without prior knowledge or instructions. - Immediate Results and Doctor Referrals: The vision tests take about 90 seconds and can detect over 30 different eye disorders. Once an individual completes the vision test, they use a well-tested framework for telemedicine to ensure compliance and effectiveness and to deliver prescriptions and analysis. While technology can enhance accessibility, routine comprehensive eye exams by human doctors remain crucial. Matthias Hofmann is the Co-founder & CEO of Eyebot, an outcome-focused technology company where tech innovation meets vision care. Founded in 2021, Eyebot is on a mission to make eye care more accessible for everyone - at the touch of a button. What used to take days or weeks can now be accomplished in minutes. Eyebot has been backed by leading deep tech VCs and the U.S. government's National Science Foundation via the SBIR program and in 2024, raised $6M in a seed round to propel their expansion. Matthias holds significant experience in new technology development, Medtech, startups, and securing capital through prior leadership roles such as Director & Product Development at Lumicell, Team Lead at Formlabs, R&D Lead at EyeNetra, and postdoc work at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. Matthias attended Virginia Tech where he accentuated his engineering degree with a Ph.D. in philosophy. Connect with Matthias Website: https://www.eyebot.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mchofmann/ Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO #CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today you'll learn why over 100+ students in the GovClose certification are joining the elite profession of government contracting. They are working as consultants, sales executives and selling theior own products and services to the US government (in some cases all 3)! We'll share insights from our comprehensive certification program under GovClose, guiding you on how to start a profitable consulting business or land a high-paying sales executive job. If you're ready to take the next step in your career, visit GovClose Certification Program to learn more and schedule a call with one of our advisors. Have a question? Send to me directly at: Rick@GovClose.com   [00:01:14] Why Certification and Training Matter Title: The Importance of Certification Description: Explanation of why getting certified and trained in the process of selling to the US government can be highly lucrative for both consulting businesses and salaried positions. [00:03:33] Federal Spending and Small Business Opportunities Title: Federal Spending Insights Description: A look at federal spending trends, focusing on small business opportunities and the types of goods and services the government purchases. [00:06:33] The Certification Program: What You'll Learn Title: Certification Program Breakdown Description: Detailed overview of the certification program, including learning how the government makes purchases, building a federal sales roadmap, and developing a niche strategy. [00:09:42] Selling to the Government vs. B2B/B2C Title: Government Sales vs. Commercial Sales Description: The differences between selling to the government and commercial sectors, and why understanding these differences is crucial. [00:11:00] Starting Your Consulting Business Title: Launching a Consulting Business Description: How to start a consulting business focused on government contracts, including finding leads, establishing expertise, and generating recurring revenue. [00:15:00] Building a Sustainable Client Pipeline Title: Client Pipeline Strategies Description: Strategies for building and maintaining a pipeline of clients to ensure consistent and predictable income. [00:18:15] Effective Pitching and Proposal Writing Title: Mastering the Pitch Description: Tips on effective pitching, writing proposals, and invoicing clients for consulting services. [00:21:30] Real-Life Success Stories Title: Success Stories Description: Case studies and testimonials from individuals who have successfully leveraged the certification program to generate significant income. [00:23:00] Advanced Sales Strategies Title: Advanced Strategies Description: Advanced strategies for selling to the government and running a consulting business, including how to handle niche areas like cybersecurity and SBIR projects. [00:26:00] Salaried Positions in Government Sales Title: Lucrative Sales Jobs Description: Exploring high-paying sales positions within companies selling to the government, and how certification can help secure these roles. [00:28:00] Final Thoughts and Call to Action Title: Final Thoughts Description: Recap of the episode, the importance of investing in oneself through certification, and how to schedule an enrollment interview with an advisor.

Missile Defense Agency SBIR has $114M for SB InnovatorsThe US Missile Defense Agency has a $114M fund for small business innovation funding.Today Neil McDonnell chats with Candace Wright, Director of the SBIR / STTR Program Office for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), and a champion for small business innovation.✅ In this Training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell discusses:What kind of ‘innovation' MDA is looking forHow to access MDA's non-dilutive funds for traditional government contractors and those not yet supporting federal agenciesWhy SBIR dollars should be part of your overall growth strategyDifference between successful and unsuccessful applicants✅ Join us on LinkedIn to build your network and engaging other in the largest Government Contracting community online. https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/government-contracting-success-6895009566325907456/–––––––––––––––––––––––––

Renowned aging in place expert Louis Tenenbaum shares his thoughts on today's $150 billion remodeling industry to meet the needs of older adults. The author of the CAPS Certified Aging in Place course and Aging Place 2.0 white paper shares information on his SBIR grant and introduction of a bill to Congress that would provide incentives for making aging place home modifications. About Louis Louis Tenenbaum is the Founder and CEO of HomesRenewed Ventures. He is a multifaceted professional who has left an indelible mark on the intersections of building, aging, and policy. With a dynamic career spanning several decades, he is recognized as a leading figure in advocating for aging in place and home accessibility. Key Takeaways The CDC definition of aging in place is the ability to remain in your home throughout your life, regardless of your health or condition. Aging in place is carrying out your years with dignity in the home. People have changed and the built environment needs to change to catch up. “Hospital at home is a trend but there is no infrastructure. Family homes are not designed to provide medical care. Roughly 5% of homes in the U.S. meet three out of these five accessibility factors, according to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS). Five accessibility factors: 1. No-step entries, 2. Single-floor living, 3. Wide doorways and hallways, 4. Accessible bathrooms, 5. Lever-style door handles. Aging in Place 3.0 is about interconnected ROI—a seamless, systematic model for delivering aging in place services. Stakeholders need to understand that their ROI depends on other stakeholders. The interconnected return comes from the system. Fall prevention needs to move upstream. Once you've fallen, you have missed out on the value of prevention. Since most falls happen in the shower, why not have grab bars?

In this episode of Building the Base, Lauren Bedula and Hondo Geurts speak with Gina Sims, Director of the DoD's SBIR/STTR office, about revolutionizing defense innovation. Sims shares her journey from Air Force acquisition to leading the $3 billion small business innovation program, discussing how she's breaking down barriers for new entrants, streamlining processes, and fostering collaboration between government and industry. The conversation explores successful strategies for connecting small business technology with warfighter needs, the evolution of the SBIR program, and the critical role of human networking in defense innovation.Key Takeaways:1. The DoD's SBIR/STTR program provides $3 billion annually in non-dilutive funding for small businesses.2. SBIR Phase Three offers valuable sole-source contracting authority, allowing acquisition officers to bypass traditional competition. 3. Success in the SBIR program requires small businesses to clearly connect their technology solutions to specific DoD requirements.4. The Air Force's "open topic" approach has broadened the defense industrial base by allowing companies to propose innovative commercial technologies that could benefit the DoD in ways not yet identified.5. Effective program management requires breaking down silos through human networking and collaboration across DoD.

Artificial Intelligence is empowering the Small Business Innovation Research Development Center at the National Cancer Institute to save the lives of women who have been diagnosed with common cancers. Brittany Connors, SBIR director of investor relations at NCI, discussed how she is working with startups to develop the technology that better detects breast cancer and cervical cancer in their early stages. Connors also highlighted NCI's partnerships with biotech companies and the progress that is being made with the world's first AI-driven platform that uses an automated ultrasound to screen for breast cancer without radiation.

Missile Defense Agency SBIR has $114M for SB InnovatorsThe US Missile Defense Agency has a $114M fund for small business innovation funding.Today Neil McDonnell chats with Candace Wright, Director of the SBIR / STTR Program Office for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), and a champion for small business innovation. ✅ In this Training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell and Candace Wright, Director of the SBIR/STTR Program Office for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) discuss:What kind of ‘innovation' MDA is looking forHow to access MDA's non-dilutive funds for traditional government contractors and those not yet supporting federal agenciesWhy SBIR dollars should be part of your overall growth strategyDifference between successful and unsuccessful applicants✅ Join us on LinkedIn to build your network and engaging other in the largest Government Contracting community online.https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/government-contracting-success-6895009566325907456/–––––––––––––––––––––––––

This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. If you'd like to manage your Climate Capital Substack subscription, click here. Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Birch Biosciences is a portfolio company at Climate Capital where Kirthika Padmanabhan works as a Principal.CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.Don't miss an episode from Climate Capital!Catch our newest CC Pod episode where host Kirthika chats with Birch Biosciences co-founders Johan Kers and Emily Duncan. Hear how Birch Biosciences is driving solutions for plastic waste with advanced enzyme technology. Plastic pollution is pervasive, harming ecosystems and human health alike. The traditional recycling process is fraught with challenges, primarily due to the poor economics of recycling plastics. Many plastics can only be recycled a few times before degrading in quality, leading to a linear system where materials are used once and discarded. This inefficiency not only contributes to the growing plastic waste crisis but also perpetuates reliance on fossil fuels for new plastic production, which is responsible for a significant percentage of greenhouse gas emissions.Birch Biosciences is tackling these issues head-on with a mission to close the loop in plastic recycling. Their technology centers around the use of enzymes—biological catalysts that can break down plastic into its fundamental chemical building blocks. This process allows for the creation of 100% recycled plastic products that match the quality of virgin plastics derived from fossil fuels.Johan and Emily describe their enzymes as "molecular scissors" that effectively sever the chemical bonds within plastic polymers. By doing so, they can recover the essential building blocks needed to re-polymerize these materials into new, high-quality plastic products. This infinite closed-loop process not only enhances recycling rates but also significantly reduces the environmental impact associated with plastic production.Since its inception in 2021, Birch Biosciences has achieved several key milestones, including securing funding through SBIR grants and acceptance into Y Combinator. They have garnered significant interest from major plastic manufacturers, receiving letters of intent summing $80 million, indicating a strong market demand for their innovative solutions.Looking ahead, Birch is focused on scaling their technology through the establishment of a pilot plant that will allow them to demonstrate their process on a commercial scale. Their current emphasis is on recycling PET plastics, commonly found in beverage bottles and food containers. However, they are also exploring the potential of breaking down other types of plastics, such as polyurethanes, which are prevalent in durable goods and textiles.As the episode concluded, both Johan and Emily emphasized the importance of hope and collaboration in the fight against plastic pollution. They encourage listeners to remain engaged in sustainability efforts, whether by recycling, supporting innovative companies like Birch Biosciences, or simply staying informed about the challenges and solutions in the space.In a world where plastic waste continues to grow, Birch Biosciences stands out as a beacon of innovation and resilience. Their commitment to creating a sustainable future through enzyme technology not only addresses the pressing issue of plastic waste but also inspires a collective movement towards a circular economy. As we look to the future, the advancements made by Birch and similar companies could very well redefine our relationship with plastic and pave the way for a cleaner, more sustainable planet.For more insights into Birch Biosciences, visit https://www.birchbiosciences.com/. Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe

The NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) presents a "Virtual Technology Fair" featuring Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant recipients developing innovative solutions for lead (and other metals) in water. Speakers will give a "pitch", showcasing the work underway and its value-added to disrupt the market. We encourage participation by and questions from potential end-users, customers, and other stakeholders to accelerate technology transfer of these promising approaches. To learn more about the NIEHS SBIR program, please see the SRP Funding Opportunities webpage. To learn more about and register for other SRP events, please visit the SRP events website. Presentation Summaries: NIEHS SBIR Funding Opportunities: the NIEHS Superfund Research Program's Heather Henry, PhD, will provide an overview of the NIEHS SBIR program, including information for potential applicants. GlycoSurf, LLC: Chett Boxley, Ph.D., and Raina Maier, Ph.D., of GlycoSurf, LLC, will discuss technologies developed to remove uranium, lead, and rare earth elements from both groundwater and complex mining solutions. With funding from an SBIR grant, GlycoSurf researchers collaborated with scientists at the University of Arizona and Wayne State University to develop environmentally friendly glycolipid surfactants to remove metal from aqueous mining wastestreams. They have developed two approaches:  an ion flotation process in which surfactants complex with target metals and are removed from the solution with bubbles, and a functionalized resin technology that removes metals through a selective sorption process. ElectraMet: Lindsay Boehme, Ph.D., of PowerTech Water, Inc. (d/b/a/ ElectraMet), will discuss an electrochemical POU device designed to remove lead from water. Developed with funding from an SBIR grant, the device uses activated carbon electrodes and a small electrical current to induce reactions that remove lead from the water. The device will fit under a standard sink, have an attainable price point, and be able to process more water than current treatment options. Stemloop, Inc.: Khalid Alam, Ph.D., of Stemloop, Inc., will discuss an innovative monitoring technology that provides users with on-site and on-demand monitoring of lead in drinking water. Developed with funding from an SBIR grant, the team's paper-based devices use repurposed biological sensor proteins that produce detectable signals when lead is present. Adding water activates the device to produce a visual signal when lead is present. NanoAffix Science, LLC: James Hill, Ph.D., of NanoAffix Science, LLC, will discuss the NAFX Handheld Lead Tester. With funding from an SBIR grant, the device was developed in response to the lead laden drinking water crisis in Flint, Michigan. Relying on innovations in accurate particulate lead predictions, sensor device uniformity, and calibration accuracy, the NAFX Handheld Lead Tester is the first of its kind to offer users accurate, cheap, and fast detection of all three types of lead: total lead (indicative of overall toxicity), soluble lead (indicative of slow leaching of lead), and particulate lead (indicative of sporadic flaking of lead). To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/SRP-VTF-Pb_102824/

The NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) presents a "Virtual Technology Fair" featuring Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant recipients developing innovative solutions for lead (and other metals) in water. Speakers will give a "pitch", showcasing the work underway and its value-added to disrupt the market. We encourage participation by and questions from potential end-users, customers, and other stakeholders to accelerate technology transfer of these promising approaches. To learn more about the NIEHS SBIR program, please see the SRP Funding Opportunities webpage. To learn more about and register for other SRP events, please visit the SRP events website. Presentation Summaries: NIEHS SBIR Funding Opportunities: the NIEHS Superfund Research Program's Heather Henry, PhD, will provide an overview of the NIEHS SBIR program, including information for potential applicants. GlycoSurf, LLC: Chett Boxley, Ph.D., and Raina Maier, Ph.D., of GlycoSurf, LLC, will discuss technologies developed to remove uranium, lead, and rare earth elements from both groundwater and complex mining solutions. With funding from an SBIR grant, GlycoSurf researchers collaborated with scientists at the University of Arizona and Wayne State University to develop environmentally friendly glycolipid surfactants to remove metal from aqueous mining wastestreams. They have developed two approaches:  an ion flotation process in which surfactants complex with target metals and are removed from the solution with bubbles, and a functionalized resin technology that removes metals through a selective sorption process. ElectraMet: Lindsay Boehme, Ph.D., of PowerTech Water, Inc. (d/b/a/ ElectraMet), will discuss an electrochemical POU device designed to remove lead from water. Developed with funding from an SBIR grant, the device uses activated carbon electrodes and a small electrical current to induce reactions that remove lead from the water. The device will fit under a standard sink, have an attainable price point, and be able to process more water than current treatment options. Stemloop, Inc.: Khalid Alam, Ph.D., of Stemloop, Inc., will discuss an innovative monitoring technology that provides users with on-site and on-demand monitoring of lead in drinking water. Developed with funding from an SBIR grant, the team's paper-based devices use repurposed biological sensor proteins that produce detectable signals when lead is present. Adding water activates the device to produce a visual signal when lead is present. NanoAffix Science, LLC: James Hill, Ph.D., of NanoAffix Science, LLC, will discuss the NAFX Handheld Lead Tester. With funding from an SBIR grant, the device was developed in response to the lead laden drinking water crisis in Flint, Michigan. Relying on innovations in accurate particulate lead predictions, sensor device uniformity, and calibration accuracy, the NAFX Handheld Lead Tester is the first of its kind to offer users accurate, cheap, and fast detection of all three types of lead: total lead (indicative of overall toxicity), soluble lead (indicative of slow leaching of lead), and particulate lead (indicative of sporadic flaking of lead). To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/SRP-VTF-Pb_102824/

Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from tech's most innovative B2B founders. In today's episode, we're speaking with Matthew Kinsella, CEO of Infleqtion, a quantum technology company that's raised over $150 Million in funding. Here are the most interesting points from our conversation: Quantum technology's roots at CU Boulder: Infleqtion's journey started with foundational research from Nobel Prize-winning physicists at CU Boulder. They developed ways to control atoms using lasers, which unlocked the ability to isolate and exploit quantum properties for next-gen tech applications. The unexpected career shift: Matthew spent nearly two decades as an investor, never planning to run a company. His deep dive into quantum technology in 2017 led him to invest in Infleqtion, and ultimately to step in as CEO, driven by the technology's potential to be transformative for humanity and national security. Explaining quantum to grandma: When simplifying quantum technology, Matthew compares it to Newtonian physics but highlights that quantum operates with its own set of bizarre rules, where everything is governed by probabilities, and phenomena like superposition and entanglement defy everyday logic. Commercializing quantum tech: Infleqtion is already selling products like their quantum optical clock, which keeps time 1,000 times more accurately than anything currently available. This tech has wide-reaching implications, from improving GPS accuracy to enabling future quantum computers. The race to quantum supremacy: Quantum computing is still a few years away from reaching "quantum advantage," but Matthew believes that within five years, we'll see quantum computers outperform classical computers in specific tasks. Meanwhile, quantum sensors and clocks are already delivering commercial value today. Navigating government contracts: Matthew shares that breaking into government procurement is complex and involves building relationships through programs like SBIR grants. Success in this space can be transformative, with multi-year contracts that provide a consistent revenue stream.   //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.  www.GlobalTalent.co    

Satellites that are no longer in use can break apart or collide with one another, creating debris that poses a risk to spaceflight.

In this episode, Matt had the pleasure of chatting with Emil Runge from First Flight Venture Center in North Carolina. Emil is a fantastic guest who shared some really interesting insights on the vital role innovation hubs like First Flight play in growing regional manufacturing ecosystems. We talked about how First Flight helps startups get off the ground by offering resources like labs and funding opportunities, all aimed at helping them thrive.One of the big takeaways from our conversation was how important it is for regional leaders to really understand their area's unique strengths—or what Emil calls the "DNA" of the region. By tapping into those strengths and encouraging collaboration between government, schools, and private companies, regions can accelerate innovation and economic growth.Emil also highlighted how non-dilutive funding (think SBIR grants) is so important for startups that are working on risky but potentially game-changing ideas. Taking those calculated risks is key to long-term success. We touched on North Carolina's rich history in textiles and biotech, and how regions can successfully evolve from older industries to cutting-edge innovation. Emil wrapped up with a great message for regional leaders across the country: It's all about having a plan for capital access and workforce development if we want to keep America competitive on the global stage.AMCC's podcast is made possible in part by the expertise of Mike McAllen, founder of Podcasting4Associations. Are you part of an association also looking to produce a podcast? Let us get you in touch with Mike.Thank you to the Economic Development Administration for their partnership in producing this podcast. This podcast was prepared in part using Federal funds under award 3070145 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.Participants:Emil Runge: Director of Programs, First Flight Venture CenterMatt Bogoshian: Executive Director, American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative and host of the podcast.

The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs have attracted billions in federal spending. Known as SBIR and SBTT, these signature Small Business Administration programs are also rife with fraud. For why and how to reduce it we turn to the director of forensic audits at the Government Accountability Office, Rebecca Shea. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs have attracted billions in federal spending. Known as SBIR and SBTT, these signature Small Business Administration programs are also rife with fraud. For why and how to reduce it we turn to the director of forensic audits at the Government Accountability Office, Rebecca Shea. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

NASA awarded a 3 year, $15 million dollar SBIR phase 3 contract to Starfish Space to complete a Small Spacecraft Propulsion Inspection Capability mission (SSPICY). Slingshot Aerospace, ExoAnalytic Solutions, and COMSPOC have been selected to participate in the Office of Space Commerce's Improved Satellite Owner/Operator Ephemeris Pathfinder. Rocket Lab has completed testing and integration of its second Pioneer spacecraft for Varda Space Industries, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Miss an episode? Sign-up for our weekly intelligence roundup, Signals and Space, and you'll never miss a beat. And be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Jason Roberson, Industry Value Expert, Aerospace & Defense at Dassault Systèmes. You can connect with Jason on LinkedIn and learn more about Dassault Systèmes on their website. Selected Reading Getting SSPICY: NASA Funds Orbital Debris Inspection Mission (NASA) Office of Space Commerce Announces Commercial Partners for New TraCSS Pathfinder Project (NOAA) Rocket Lab Completes Second Spacecraft for Varda Space Industries, Advancing In-Space Manufacturing (Business Wire) Voyager Space Successfully Executes Bishop Airlock Operations in Starlab Preparation Mission (PR Newswire) BlackSky Wins U.S. Navy Research Contract for Gen-3 Advanced Optical Intersatellite Links (Business Wire) GITAI Expands Headquarters Office in LA (PR Newswire) Starfighters Space Expands To Midland With Support From Midland Development Corporation (Midland Development Corporation) China aerospace startup sets for rocket vertical recovery missions (CGTN) ESA Astronaut Reserve starts training in October (ESA) Space startup seeks to solve solar power's daylight problem (Axios) Longshot Space closes over $5M in new funding to build space gun in the desert (Tech Crunch) Arctic Sea Ice Near Historic Low; Antarctic Ice Continues Decline - NASA T-Minus Crew Survey We want to hear from you! Please complete our 4 question survey. It'll help us get better and deliver you the most mission-critical space intel every day. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DoD has $2.5B for Small Business Innovators ready to change the world.Join GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell in a fireside chat with Gina Sims, Director of SBIR / STTR Program Office for the US Department of Defense. ✅ In this live interview, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell and Gina Sims discuss:What kind of 'innovation' is DoD is looking for from Small BusinessesHow Small Businesses apply to get access to $2.5B in DoD #innovation fundingDoD's non-dilutive funds for traditional government contractors and those not yet supporting federal agenciesWhy #SBIR dollars should be part of government contractor total growth strategy Difference between successful and unsuccessful applicants ✅ Join us on LinkedIn to build your network and engaging other in the largest Government Contracting community online. https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/government-contracting-success-6895009566325907456/

Learn the realities of selling to the government and why it often takes longer than expected.   Discover effective strategies to expedite the process, such as leveraging existing government customers, understanding the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, and exploring the Other Transaction Authority (OTA) framework.   The discussion also covers traditional contracting timelines, the importance of building a robust sales pipeline, and the benefits of early involvement.   Rick Howard offers practical advice on navigating funding delays and making the most out of fallout funds to secure significant government contracts.     00:00 Introduction to Government Contracting 00:41 Understanding the Sales Timeline 01:32 Strategies for Fast Government Sales 03:31 Leveraging SBIR for Quick Wins 04:22 Exploring Other Transaction Authority (OTA) 06:07 Traditional Government Contracting Methods 12:25 Building a Successful Government Sales Pipeline 15:13 Conclusion and Resources   SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE Chanel! https://www.youtube.com/@dodcontractacademy/?sub_confirmation=1 GET CERTIFIED: Earn up to $400K a year as a freelance GOVERNMENT CONTRACT CONSULTANT: https://www.govclose.com/sales-certification SCHEDULE A BUSINESS GROWTH COACHING SESSION WITH Lt Col (Ret) Howard https://www.dodcontract.com/offers/icoUFuC2/checkout Order Today "The Government Contract Planner" https://a.co/d/7HCQFHy WATCH NEXT: The GovClose Certification https://youtu.be/S2UwMq6933Y How To Write Proposals: https://youtu.be/5GoJFzFrsSk 2024 Sam.gov Registration https://youtu.be/ahOJCDV4Q-E?si=e_fZxBuIrwkQaOtQ Follow me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickychoward/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

U.S. Special Forces Command Small Business Innovation Research Program; it's unique among efforts around the government. Congress gave SOCOM a special authority back in 2021 to do business to business transitions through the Softworks organization. For more about how SOCOM is using this authority to meet service member needs more quickly, Federal News Network's Executive Editor Jason Miller spoke with Director of Science and Technology for Special Operations Forces, Lisa Sanders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of The Founder's Sandbox, our host Brenda McCabe speaks with Khalid Machchate; accomplished 3 x exit startup founder, operator of a startup studio, board of director positions and now in his “NEXT ACT,“ Khalid is a member of Morocco's Royal Advisory Committee by nomination from His Majesty King Mohammed 6th, for the development of the Kingdom. According to Brenda, "Khalid checks many boxes as a guest to the Founders Sandbox. The topic we settled upon is Purpose, when we met for the first time his remark to me about after he found the podcast and later on the website of Next Act Advisors, my consulting business,  “It strikes me that not many people are thinking about their Next Act in life.“ They walk through Khalid's origin story: growing up in a fishing village in Morrocco in a humble family; developing and selling his first software at the age of 11 years, and most recently;  Khalid joined as the youngest member of Morocco's Royal Advisory Committee for the Special Commission on the Development Model by nomination from His Majesty King Mohammed 6th, leading strategically the national development agenda through inclusive and sustainable public policies, technology and innovation.  In conversations they share on how they intentionally and proactively work to provide a roadmap through digital transformation and human capital skill-up with clients. You can find out more about Khalid at: Linked IN  https://www.linkedin.com/in/khalidmachchate/  https://khalidmachchate.com/ And view more of his content here : https://www.forbesafrica.com/under-30/2019/07/01/30under30-technology-category-2019/ https://www.bbc.com/afrique/region-41804783 Khalid Machchate: A Day in Our Digital Future | TED Talk A Revival of Fintech Funding in 2024 is Just a Pipe Dream... Or is it? | The Fintech Times Top 3 Digital Ways to Become the Best Leader Your Organization Deserves - The Good Men Project https://www.menabytes.com/startup-golden-rules/   Read an article by brenda on this topic at:  https://nextactadvisors.com/next-act-as-a-prelude-to-a-last-act/ You can read the article in full by subscribing to Next Act Advisors at https://nextactadvisors.com/product/subscriptions/ and be sure to use the special discount code "sandbox25" for friends of The Founder's Sandbox for 25% off your subscription. transcript: 00:04 Hi, I'm pleased to announce something very special to me, a new subscription-based service through Next Act Advisors that allows members exclusive access to personal industry insights and bespoke corporate governance knowledge. 00:33 This comes in the form of blogs, personal book recommendations, and early access to the Founder's Sandbox podcast episodes before they released to the public. If you want more white glove information on building your startup with information like what was in today's episode, sign up with the link in the show notes to enjoy being a special member of Next Act Advisors. As a thank you to Founder's Sandbox listeners. 01:03 you can use code sandbox25 at checkout to enjoy 25% off your membership costs. Thank you. 01:17 Welcome back to the Founder's Sandbox. The Founder's Sandbox podcast is now in its second season. I am Brenda McCabe, the host. This monthly podcast reaches entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs and business owners who learn about building resilient, purpose-driven and sustainable businesses with great corporate governance. My mission is really simple. 01:44 I bring guests to the podcast who themselves are founders, business owners, corporate directors, investors, and professional service providers, who like me want to use the power of the private enterprise, be it small, medium or large, to create change for a better world. Through storytelling with each of my guests, including topics around resilience, purpose-driven organizations, and sustainable growth, 02:11 My goal is to provide a fun sandbox environment where we can equip one startup founder at a time to build a better world through great corporate governance. Today, I'm absolutely delighted to have as my guest, Khalid Machateh. He's joining the podcast today as an accomplished three-time exit startup founder, operator of a startup studio, board of director positions, and now in his next act. 02:41 He is a member of Morocco's Royal Advisory Committee by nomination from His Majesty King Mohammed VI for the development of the kingdom. So thank you Khalid for joining me in the Founder's Sandbox today. Thank you for having me, Brenda. Great. Well, you check mini boxes as a guest to the Founder's Sandbox. And I talked about business owners, corporate board directors, professional service. But this topic we settled. 03:09 upon his purpose. You know, we met for the first time and you'd actually spent some time on some podcasts as well as Next Act Advisors consulting website. And you remarked to me, you know, I don't think there are a lot of people that are thinking about their next act, right? And so we're gonna talk about throughout the podcast today purpose, Kelly's purpose and designing for his next act. 03:38 Maybe for my listeners, we'll get a glimpse of some ideas of how one's journey, professional and personal, really informs what your next act might be. So through Khalid's origin story, he grew up in a small fishing village in Morocco in a humble family. He developed and sold his first software at the age of 11. 04:05 And most recently, after many, many years, he joined as the youngest member of Morocco's Royal Advisory Committee for the Special Commission on the Development Model by nomination from His Majesty King Mohammed VI, leading strategically the national development agenda through inclusive and sustainable public policies, technology, and innovation. We're going to hear a little bit more about a state visit that Khalid just had. 04:34 in the United States of America. No, in our conversations Khalid, we shared how we both in our businesses, we intentionally and proactively work to provide a roadmap through digital transformation and human capital skill up with our clients. There is more to discover with you today. You know, my journey of moving back to the United States after over 25 years in Europe really 05:03 became my why, became purpose-driven, scalable, and very resilient. And I took that into my business. What would be your tagline, Khalid, if you were to describe your journey? 05:19 My tagline would be probably the out of the box since we're talking about, you know, so we're in the Fambur sandbox. So it would probably be the most out of the box Moroccan. 05:49 has been, basically that is what I hear from everybody, from my family to people that I studied with back when I was in school, to people that know me now. It's the, you don't fit into any box that our kind of corporate world or business world has. And so, yeah, that would be my tagline. I love it. 06:18 out of the box. And again, on your journey, it was fascinating just to research not only your LinkedIn page, the many accolades that you've received over the years. But more importantly, you have your own website, Khalid Machate. And there I we hadn't touched upon it, but you are an active public speaker. And you have speak around different themes, technology, 06:46 business and entrepreneurship, policy and governance, and you also share your own story on the stage. So I'm gonna cut to the chase. I am most interested for my listeners at the Founder's Sandbox on your story. Of course. So my story can resonate with anybody that grew up in a very small town. So I grew up in a... 07:16 in a small fishing village in the south of Morocco. The reason why that is is that my father was a public school teacher. And within our schooling system, once you get a job as a public school teacher for the government, you get assigned to where you're gonna start your career. And so you don't get a say into where you're going. 07:42 And so while we were living in McNaas, which is the city I was born in, after a year of me being born, my father had his assignment and we got assigned about 2000 kilometers south. So in the village, everything is late. The event of internet is late. 08:11 News are late, opportunities are scarce, you don't get access to much. There are no associations for education or for children's activities. And so basically we always had to make up things ourselves. How to get entertained, how to find access to music, et cetera. 08:39 And so one thing that I kind of stumbled upon, because my father was interested in, was programming. So software programming. So my dad, again, public school teacher salary for to give you an idea is around $250 a month for, you know, when you're starting out your career. 09:07 And so he was trying to round up his end of months. And so he self-learned how to fix computers. And a few years into fixing computers, he started thinking, how can I add more to that service? And then started to learn how to program as he kind of fixed himself a makeshift computer at home from the pieces that he would get from each of the fixing jobs. 09:33 And so, and all of this, I mean, he had his job, he had his salary. So the self-starting and the initiative taking kind of came from there for me. It was definitely, you know, a C to learn in my case. My dad never told me to do anything, never taught me to code. 10:00 He was very clear on, you know, I do what I want with my time and I go and I enjoy myself how I want it. But the books would be left around the house, the coding books, and I got just curious and I started taking those books and using the software on my dad's computer and learning how to code. 10:26 And that was how I got to creating my first kind of accomplished software. Started around the age of nine and finished it at around 11, where I started sharing it with school buddies and then my teacher. And at first it was just a, you know, here you can burn the CD. 10:53 if you want to learn, it was a biology course, but made in an interactive gamified way. Because I got bored at biology classes. And so what happened was, I started giving it around, and a teacher of mine actually, not my father, told me, why aren't you like making any money out of this? And I was like, well, I just thought I could help out. 11:20 And I was like, yes, but that is a lot of value. You spend a lot of time working on that. And so, yeah. And so that's how I started selling the software. And then I ended up selling it to school to distribute to their students. And that's how my first- At 11 years of age. Our story. Yeah. Amazing. Yeah. Yeah. And also, you know, you're a- 11:49 a product of the public school system, humble origins, and in your public speaking, you are probably very influential in Moroccan youth today and other Middle Eastern environments, I would imagine. So- I hope though. That's your goal. So thank you. You then went on to- 12:20 create two other businesses, can you speak to them? And were they for profit or nonprofit? So to continue on the story, then around the end of middle school, that's where my dad was able to get reassigned to my my birth city, which was McNeist. And so I started high school there. Now, 12:46 going from where I was, again, where internet had only been introduced at that point, maybe a couple of years, three, four years before that. And so I started finding out that, oh, in the big city, there are a lot more opportunities. So there are associations for students that you can find internships and, you know, different opportunities to 13:14 learn more or to do kind of side jobs or to find also just potential clients because I was always still coding and still making little websites, little management software, etc. And so it just kind of made me aware that the world was a lot bigger than where I started. And at the same time 13:43 hanging out with my family and a cousin of mine introduced me to the culture of manga, which is the Japanese cartoons. Yeah, I was I think 14 at the time. And yeah, I loved it. And I started watching quite a lot of it while being fascinated by the culture. And so 14:10 At some point I started feeling that I was getting fluid and understanding what was happening on screen without having to read the subtitles. And I was like, oh, that would be interesting. You know, I already understand. Maybe let's try to learn also the grammatical aspects of the language so that I can, you know, say that I speak another language, which is Japanese. 14:35 And so yeah, I looked online, I found quite a few websites and quite a few forums where you could learn how to write, you could learn the grammar, etc. of Japanese language. And by the time I was in the end of high school, so the year of graduation from high school, I was fairly fluent and I could write well. 15:01 And so what I did was I got myself into an NGO, a nonprofit that was catering towards university students to have access to internships. And those, you know, you have local internships, but also international internships. This was an international NGO. And so I went to the NGO. I... 15:30 And please, guys, do not hold me up to this. I was 16 at the time. I lied my way through to tell them that I was a student at university while I was still in high school, just because I thought that it wasn't fair that I had the knowledge and I had the possibility of accessing this experience. But just because of my age, I wasn't able to. 15:58 to access it. And so that's what I did. I learned about a particular university and I started saying that I was from that university. Happily enough, they did not check any, you know, credentials and then didn't ask for my ID. I didn't have an ID at the time. Again, I was 16. 16:18 And so, yeah, I had my first interview in the space of like a few weeks after I was enrolled into the internship support program. I met with the CEO of the small company in shipping in Japan that were looking to hire an intern for to help them with their IT management system. 16:43 And five minutes from the beginning of the interview, the guy was trying to speak in English, and it was very hard for him. And so I said, you know what, we can switch to Japanese. Two hours later, the obviously I was hired. But not only that, the guy was saying, you know what, I cannot just hold you for myself. So I'm going to share your resume with all of my CEO friends. So basically, I became the 17:11 this monkey savant that's coming from the Orient, you know, speaking the language and having looking nothing like what they're used to. He shared my resume with I believe 20 of his friends and I ended up having I think five projects at the same time in the space of six months to do for all these folks. 17:39 in Japan. So that was my first international contract. But that's also that was the trigger for me to start hiring other people because well, I was overwhelmed by the amount of things that I had to do. And so I just tried to look for my friends that were you know, coders and hackers of time and people that could that could help me out and started paying them, you know, from from out of pocket. 18:07 And then thought, oh, you know what? This is not very comfortable. Maybe I can, you know, I need a structure to be able to do more, better invoicing or get paid better. And so that's how I created my first company, which ended up becoming my family office now, which is KNW technology group. And so just for reference, KNW technology group, now it's a, now it's a group. It's. 18:36 in five countries. I mean, we have offices in five countries, we have clients in almost 80 countries, we're present in Africa, Europe, Middle East, and APAC, Asia, and the US and covering the Americas. And so, you know, we have quite a large footprint. 19:00 But it started this way. It started by me. At the age of 16, although you fibbed your way through it, right? And learning a language. Amazing. Wow. So you've clearly owned businesses, scaled them not only nationally, but internationally, and at a very, very tender age. Fast forward. OK, we won't talk about your age here. 19:30 People can read them in the show notes. There's some articles for you to feature. So you can do the math and discover Khalid's age. You then struck out pretty recently and decided to obtain credentials as ESG leader with a certification that you pursued both with HSBC and KPMG. Can you? 19:59 What made you pivot to really going deep into ESG, which today it's like, at least in the United States, very front and center. You were a pioneer. So what made you pursue those credentials, Khalid? Thank you. 20:25 In my case, and this was part of the initial conversation, which was preparing my next act. So around, I believe 2018, 2019, particularly 2019, I started feeling that I was kind of ready to move on from managing the group. And so throughout... 20:51 kind of the 15 or something years that I was at the head of the group and developing it, you know, developing various startups under the startup studio within the group. And all of that was exciting and, you know, we were starting projects, but still the underlying structure that is that you're running a large company that answers to clients that, you know, does kind of major projects. 21:20 They all kind of start looking the same after a while. We've worked with over 20 industries. So we've done the rounds. And so now it became more repetitive and there's nothing new under the sun. They started feeling that disconnect. And I really wanted to, basically I had a succession plan in place and I was always thinking that 21:50 I needed to move on from this. This is now is a management play and I'm a creative person, not the best manager or I'm not just not as excited about managing an existing structure as I was starting things and building new things and tinkering with things. 22:16 And so even throughout the 15 years, I've had the great luck of having great COO. And so every now and then I would run away from my duties as a group manager. And I would go do something else. So I was the innovation director for the Abu Dhabi government for a while. I was the, you know, an expert with the G20 in Argentina. I was. 22:45 part of the World Economic Forum panel of experts in Davos. I did quite a few things here and there that mainly had to do with policy at the highest level, strategy and innovation and technology. And so that's kind of what put me on the track of thinking at the time. 23:13 in the early 2010s is the governance and the sustainability aspect is not as commonly talked about compared to profits and margins, top lines. 23:37 And that kind of made me think, oh, so people, when they think about, you know, companies and managing them, they're not thinking as much about the environments within which the companies are evolving, as much as they think about, you know, the ins and the outs of the company itself. So there. And that made me, you know, realize that, oh, I 24:06 do want to create impact here and how can I create impact here is by trying to integrate technology in a way that improves the relationship of a company to their environment and their impact on their environment. And so 24:27 in my next act planning was, okay, I'll transition out of managing the group and I will seek to understand better how to incorporate ESG principles into the board governance. And so the program, which was a full year program, 24:56 was a big kind of micro masters that was very heavily focused on use cases of actual businesses and that's kind of the specialty of KPMG and more on the financial integration from HSBC to 25:25 understands and become a well-qualified board director for publicly traded companies, foundations, family offices, but with a large emphasis on the ESG and on kind of changing the mindsets in boards. So our role as graduates of this program is not to be a regular board seat, 25:54 but to be the kind of change and impact board seat and to kind of negotiate our way into changing the strategy of the company or the foundation or the family office that we are in the board of towards more impactful environment. Excellent. So it started in the 2010s, you said, right? When you kind of cut out 26:23 left the business in charge of your COO, had the opportunity to influence policy, but technology related in the MENA region, and then got formal credentialing 2018, 2019. Still you were head of the wave, right? So you do think out of the box, right? So today you do sit on a few corporate boards. 26:51 for profit and not for profit. What I wanted you to share is some of the work you've done with charitable foundations, your family foundation is one of them, but also for the for profit. So can you speak to a few of the organizations where you have been sitting or you've turned out but you've been sitting as a board member, please? 27:21 role as board member was always, you know, my way of being involved within a particular organization where I can provide the maximum value for the minimum amount of time. So that's kind of how I approached my next act, which is I do want to have more of my time for myself. 27:50 But at the same time, I still want to have impact on a larger scale. And so that's how I both selected the organizations, whether for or nonprofit, that I joined, obviously, other than the fact that I, you know, my personal interests. But it was also my way of giving as much 28:18 impact and of my value and expertise as possible while respecting my own time and my own kind of personal engagements. So I'll talk a little bit about the first the nonprofits as I wanted to be able to touch upon you know all the 28:44 the mission related or my purpose related focus, which was always how do I improve the basic life services for citizens of my country and of Africa. This has been kind of a pulling. 29:11 a theme and mission for me for as long as I could remember. And so one of the activities that I've done is supporting Africa-based entrepreneurs to have access to international markets and to have access to international funding. And so I was on the board of Demo Africa, which was an initiative that 29:40 selected some of the best African startups. So what we mean by African startups is startups that are made by African entrepreneurs and founders and that are targeted towards a need within their market. So it's not a global company or FinTech right away. No, it's actually a company born out of a need that addresses an African market. 30:10 And so taking those, giving them all the tools, teaching them how to be presentable, how to be adapted towards the international market, all the while keeping their focus and their mission on improving the livelihoods of African, you know, of their country. 30:39 Yeah, and so I've done that for I believe three years. You know, in that in that time period, the organization has helped founders raise, I believe over 150 million US dollars. Yeah, my numbers are still I still correct. A lot of them have joined a major 31:06 uh, uh, renowned kind of accelerators like Y Combinator and plug and play. Um, and a lot of them have gone to, uh, uh, you know, establish in, in multiple countries in the world, but always having kind of this underlying mission of serving the continent. Um, so that's one, uh, second would be, uh, the tech green foundation of which I'm still on the, on the board. 31:31 This is a MENA-based foundation that is there to promote and celebrate impactful initiatives and people within the MENA region and supporting them into growing and having more impact across the region coming out of their particular country. 32:00 These are privately held, so there are a few NDAs involved. I'll share just a little bit of the underlying themes. So I'm on a family office board that has multiple holding kind of companies underneath the structure. And the reason why I joined is that because they wanted to 32:29 have a better way of quantifying their impact on the community and on also in bettering the way they track their different investments across the board. And so my role as an independent board member was to come in, both help them with understanding what the financial structures and governance models are that would best suit their multi-facility. 32:58 industry focus, but also how to integrate sustainable monitoring and evaluation practices within their strategic oversight and how to structure their long-term strategies with this in mind, with the sustainability aspect in mind. Another one is a scale-up, which is a larger startup. 33:26 for the lack of a better explanation. So a scale up, they've fundraised, I believe, four rounds till today. They're growing within emerging markets, which is one of the reasons why they've reached out. And so their expansion within emerging markets has found a few blockages with regards to 33:53 cultural contextualization and understanding the mechanics of emerging markets, which is one of the things that I've worked within. Again, the 80 countries that I'm operating, a lot of them are, actually most of them are within the emerging market category. And so, yeah. 34:16 My work was to support them, understand how to contextualize for emerging markets, understand that the regulatory aspects of each of these markets, and that they needed to account for that both from a risk management standpoint, but also from an operational dilution of culture and dilution of processes and principles. And so... 34:45 This might sound a little bit more technical, but obviously to our entrepreneurs and board director listeners, it might be kind of what they do on a regular basis. But I just wanted to give a little bit of insight on that. That is quite extensive. Thank you for that. And there is at least two common themes, either in both the nonprofit 35:14 for profit. It's all around contextualizing for emerging markets, the regulatory regimes around technology, right? And the environmental and impact and society, so ESG. So how it affects the livelihood of those people, stakeholders, be they employees, suppliers, 35:42 in the markets of these that these companies for profit serve. So there is a common, common theme there Khalid. You know, you've received many accolades. I'm going to name them off here, and they will be in the show notes. And I'll get to the question in a minute here. You've received the Forbes 30 under 30 in 2019. You've received 36:11 the United Nations 100 most influential people of African descent. And that was this year. The young Arab pioneer and 2023 Africa lion and entrepreneur of the year 2017. And I don't know whether I left any out. But are is there one that you felt was more rewarding than another in hindsight now? 36:43 Well, actually within the list, I mentioned mainly the ones that were a bit transformative for me in a way. I believe the tally now is about 30 international awards. 37:05 And so the ones I mentioned were mainly ones that came at a turning point in each case. So 2017 was kind of the one of the largest international expansion years for us. Okay. It was one where one of our startups was, you know, very, very well. 37:32 uh uh uh uh prized and and poised within the uh the the international scene um and you know we had accolades from europe from the u.s um uh but the fact that we've won the you know the the the the africa lion and entrepreneur of the year for me was um oh so um you know within my continent i am you know somebody sees what i'm doing 38:02 and I'm doing something right. Whenever you're in an international forum, you feel like sometimes you're the token piece of representation. That's either due to DI or whatever the case may be, right? And so I've come to appreciate 38:30 the fact that I would be the one opening the door perhaps for others. And so being the first on the G20 stage or at a World Economic Forum stage became a way for me to say, oh, so there, you know now that there's the possibility that you also as a Moroccan, as an African, um, become part of this, um, uh, you know, become also, um, uh, Forbes 30 under 30 or, um, uh, speak at a World Economic Forum. 39:00 But back then in 2017, again, I was like this, you know, company founder with all my focus being on how do I break my imposter syndrome? You know, as a 20 something year old, how do I get over the fact that I feel that everything is undeserved, whatever we receive. And so that was that that's why. 39:29 that is on the list that I shared with you because for me that was like, oh, so the, you know, the idea of you can't be a prophet in your own community. Well, we've broken through that. The United Nations one is just because that honors me as a person. 39:53 Instead of, you know, some of my companies or whatever the case may be, but that's not you actually made impact beyond the organizations that you've worked on that you've developed that you've made. And so it felt like a, you know, lifetime achievement award type thing, you know, it just happened on the year that I finally put the mantle of the manager of the group down. 40:23 And so it felt like a consecration and a validation of all the 15 years that I've worked towards and all the things that I've done. So it was like, for me as a person that I've done good. And the Forbes one was in 2019, which came at the time where I was thinking, oh, I want to leave soon. 40:51 And at the time, before that, we didn't have any fancy, you know, kind of world-renowned prizes. We had regionals, we had in Europe, we had in the US, but none of these kind of everybody knows it award. And at the same time, also, I was approaching 30. 41:17 And you know, the, the, the imposter syndrome part started kicking in again, saying, Oh, you, everybody that's anybody has had a 30 under 30 listing, you know? So for, for founders, uh, that's kind of the, the Holy grail that you, that once you get before 30, you're, you know, you're stamped in stone. And so, yeah. So it was, uh, it was really, uh, 41:45 a fun thing to think, oh, I've gotten it actually a little bit earlier than 30. But I got it and now I can relax and get over, you know, the fact that I get to the three zero, I got my Lister. A lot of these are actually imposter syndrome related but 42:14 and really putting yourself out there to be an example for aspiring entrepreneurs to see that you can think out of the box and become relevant in the business world, while also following some purpose, which is around sustainability, which is around human capital development, and providing opportunities for the livelihood of others. So. 42:44 there is that commonality. One, you know, when I was reflecting, reading your materials in Seneca, the Roman philosopher said, you know, luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. So for your last, it's not your last, it's your next and current involvement, you have been named the youngest member. 43:14 of the commission for the what is it called here? Yes, the Royal advisory committee, Royal Advisory Committee by nomination from His Majesty King Mohammed for the development of the kingdom. You recently did a State Department tour in several states here in the United States. And while not, you know, revealing state secrets. 43:43 know, what was what is that like? How does that fit into your next act, Khalid? Um, of course. So let's, you know, again, one of the one of the things that I've done, and that, you know, 44:06 And that I appreciate doing. And I've done again throughout my professional career, getting out of managing the company was public policy regarding like around technology and how can different countries and states collaborate with each other for the 44:32 of their people's societal situation or socioeconomic positioning. And so since putting down the mantle as a manager, two things came to mind. One is that I wanted to continue sharing my expertise. 44:59 And that's where speaking, sitting on boards comes in. So I don't want to let all of the experience and all the richness of the things that I've learned, that I've practiced go to waste. And so that's one. And two, I want to be an eternal learner. Like I have been throughout. 45:25 my work as an entrepreneur. I want to always learn and always improve myself. And so the program with KPMG and HSBC was the first one on this journey, but I've also set up a few learning journeys, let's call them. And this- 45:54 to the US was one of them. And so the learning is by meeting all sorts of actors within the United States, whether it's public or private, around an open, secure digital economy. So talking about the subjects like cybersecurity, regulation for AI, development of digital economy, 46:24 understanding emergency management and all the things surrounding how to regulate also blockchain and cryptocurrencies and all of these things. So in three weeks, we've met, I believe, above 50 organizations from state actors to 46:52 US attorneys offices to companies like Discord or Plug and Play to universities like Carnegie Mellon and their centers for research and development to organizations like NIST. And so we've had quite a large panel of organizations that we've collaborated with and kind of had these exchanges. 47:20 of experience and knowledge, both from the US standpoint, understanding how things function within the US and what those organizations are working on, but also from our side to give them a little bit of what the rest of the world, how we view regulation versus the US's view, how we view the research and development paradigms. 47:50 etc. So this was kind of it for me. It was a learning journey but also a formal exchange with these organizations as you know a way for both of us to develop a better understanding of the state of the world of best practices from both sides and it was definitely a great 48:21 Thank you. You know, we were talking about your, your, the State Department visit, and I shared with you the largest seed fund in the United States of America is the SPR, right? And it's different branches, you know, National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, etc. And I asked if they're, you weren't too familiar with that, right? Small business. 48:48 Innovation Research, SBIR, and early, early proof of concept, phase one and phase two with $250,000, typically non-dilutive. That's kind of how the US does it. And the equivalent in Morocco, what were you sharing with me? Because I thought it was fascinating. Yes. Can you share? Sounds good. 49:12 So akin to the SBIR, which you mentioned during our last conversation, in Morocco we have an organization called, previously called the CCG, but now it's called Temwilcom, which is kind of a state investment vehicle. It invests in a lot of traditional environments, 49:41 as the state investment vehicle. It has also an SME and startup support vertical. It started, I believe about seven years ago throughout a co-funding from World Bank. I believe it was a 50, $50 million co-investment, so $100 million in total. 50:09 And it is structured for Moroccan entrepreneurs as follows. You have up to... It started as up to $20,000, now it's $40,000 of grants. So, full grant. 50:28 Then there is an addition of, it was $70,000, now I believe it's $100,000, $120,000. And it's cumulative, so like if you start the first one and you are at the end of the funding, you can request the second one. 50:48 The second one is what we call an honor debt, which is basically non-dilutive, non-collateralized funding. So basically, if your company makes it, great. Then you have, they call it a couple of grace periods, so I believe three or four years where you don't have to pay back. 51:15 and then you start paying back in small installments. If your company makes it, if your company doesn't make it and closes, that's fine. And there's no pursuit of recuperation of fund from your person. 51:34 And so, above this, so between the two, I believe we're at $160,000 between the grants, at least in the current edition, which starts this year. And afterwards, you get, I believe, up to $350,000 or $400,000, and that's dilutive capital. But with no, like, where the collateral or the guarantee. 52:02 is not made by yourself or by your business. It is co-sponsored by the state, so co-sponsored by this fund. So the organism of investment actually co-invests in regular VC and PE investment funds. To allocate a guaranteed section of the funds, 52:31 for these companies. So while the money is not all from the state, but the state covers the percentage that allows the funds to kind of skip over the risk management aspect and not request collateral or not look at the companies existing infrastructure as collateral, but 52:59 the percentage that is coming from the state is what constitutes the collateral in that case. Wow, and you know, you, there are probably a lot of Moroccans that don't even know that this exists. It's my own experience and my consulting practice when founders, particularly in deep tech. Have you applied for an SBIR? What's that? It's a fabulous instrument for non-dilutive funding and to really test your ideas. 53:27 So out of the lab and to potentially commercialization. Well, we're coming to almost the end. Every single guest that joins the Founders Sandbox podcast, I ask you questions that are related to really what I'm passionate about, purpose-driven companies, resilient companies, and sustainable or scalable companies. 53:54 What does resilience mean to you? And not one guest has the same definition or meaning, and it's just a delight to hear what does resilience mean for you, Khalid? So because of the way I grew up and because of the way I, you know, I structured all my businesses with zero regard to any particular business book, just because 54:23 I wanted to go on everything by instinct. And my instinct was very risk averse, which is weird for an entrepreneur, because my objective was to basically take care of my family, take care and support the development of my country and young people that did. 54:50 that were in the same situation as I was, which is not having access to opportunities and struggling throughout their schooling, trying to find their way through to a better future. And so that's why from day one, I've never asked anybody that I've hired for a degree. 55:18 I've never asked them to speak a particular language unless it was really necessary. I structured my company in a way where people can work on what they really want and they can change what they want to work on at any point in time. I worked on the agile model way before it was as much of a trend as it is in the past few years. 55:46 We've had work from home since almost day one. The office is there just for client meetings if the rest of the teams are working from home. Yeah, I mean, again, everybody, whenever I install some different policy in the company or even when I started the startup studio. 56:15 model, it was really just to enable myself and people from my organization that wanted to be entrepreneurs and tell them, you know what, your family, if you want to start a venture, or if you have a great idea, let's do it here. Why do you have to like try to go unsupported anywhere else and try to make it on your own? And so resilience for me was a personal 56:43 like a big personal thing. I've had quite a few interesting kind of runnings with health issues, you know, with a lot of... So I was in a wheelchair for a year, as after, yeah, after an accident. I had typhoid fever coming out of nowhere and the... 57:10 antibacterial resistant one, so 60% chance of not making it. I've had quite a few things along the way that were that made it very hard to do what I wanted to do or to develop my my business or to even think straight. And so resilience is a strong word for me because that's the only thing I see as kind of a 57:39 uh theme on me building my business. It's how many challenges and how many difficulties I've had to to to come through to be able to access the opportunities that I've had or to be able to develop uh you know my company just a passport you know how hard it is to have a visa to Europe or the US or anywhere else with a Moroccan passport it's ridiculous. So try it like making it to 58:08 to your meetings and to sign like a big client to only find that you've been refused a visa for some very random, stupid reason. So again, resilience for me as a person that came from where I came from has a very, very kind of existential meaning. I can see that. And it ties probably into purpose-driven enterprise. So purpose-driven. 58:37 define that? Those startups that go through your accelerators? I mean, what is that strikes you? Curiosity. The startups that ran through my accelerator, one was in education, one was in healthcare, one was in emergency. 58:58 support for. So you can see the purpose going through right there. And the the the health care one was because, you know, my my my, my mom was was going out, trying to find, you know, some some medicines for for my cousin who was staying with us at the time and couldn't find a single it was a weekend. 59:28 And so to find a pharmacy on the weekend, you have to be able to like go and see on the ministry's website, what are the names of the pharmacies that are open at any particular weekend and because they switch. So every weekend, it's different pharmacies that you have to look for. And so it was very inconvenient, very difficult to access. And so I was like, why isn't there an app that can show you on a map what is this weekend, the active pharmacy? 59:58 And then I was like, okay, so not only that, but every time you want to go to the doctor, you have to look for the paperwork that you've gone through your tests and whatever that you've taken from your last visit. Why don't, why wouldn't you be able to have that on your phone? And so, yeah, all of that kind of culminated to a health personal assistant that had all these functionalities. 01:00:23 into one app. The emergency services, again, my mom and dad had an accident. It was in the middle of the city and still they've had to wait almost two hours for the emergency services to come in because it was in a darker alleyway and they just, you know, they avoided a dog, I believe, and hit 01:00:53 kind of bad, severe accidents. Yeah, sequels from that. And for me, it was like, how come that we don't have a system that can notify emergency services to where you are instead of, you know, a person that goes into an accident, even when they're awake enough to call for, you know, the emergency services. 01:01:20 They have to find where they are, even though they're in another town or they're disoriented. They have to describe where they are to the emergency person. It seemed so easily fixable with the basic technology. And so for me, that's what purpose is, is that we can't change the world all at once. 01:01:46 But we can change the things that we see in our lives. And if we changed it for us and for people that are around us, that impact can grow. Because if you have that issue, it's very likely that others do as well. And if you change what's around you, that change will resonate. 01:02:12 with everybody around you. The last point I will make is the platform that I've contributed or led the development of under the OCP Foundation came again from this very basic belief that people were going to university, going for things that they didn't really 01:02:42 understand or want, they weren't well oriented when they came out of high school. And then once that either that curriculum ends or doesn't even end or they drop out because they don't, you know, they don't feel that they can contribute through that, or simply don't find a job, it's, you know, in biology or philosophy or whatever the case it is. 01:03:11 economic opportunity market. They, you know, what are they going to work in with a philosophy degree other than, you know, in a mall or in a restaurant. And so, yes, there's a lot of content that's available online for them to learn a new skill, but they have to pay for most of the things that give you enough credibility or accreditation. 01:03:39 to have access to higher value economic opportunities. And so I was like, well, there is companies in the world that have a lot of these programs that enable you to have access to the certificated learning pathways within particularly within the digital economy for free. 01:04:05 You just need to be an organization that's affiliated with this company and you need to basically do a little bit of work to fundraise or to get that kind of support. And so I was like, why would my the young people from my country and from my continent not have access to these just because it's not usual? 01:04:30 for non-profits or organizations from our continent to have access to these things. And so that's why I developed the platform. And because of who I'm connected with and people that I've worked with throughout the years and my presence internationally, I knew who the director of IBM CSR was and we've worked together on a few things before. 01:04:54 I had a direct relationship with the director of partnerships of Coursera, so I was able to reach out to him as well, or the CEO of Microsoft Africa. So these connections enabled me to go say, hey, do you guys have any problems with accrediting a non-profit in Africa to be able to disperse those programs that you do? 01:05:21 And then taking those programs and putting them into a pedagogically better structured environment for students to go through one, two, and three to be able to be certified as a professional of software development or design or data or cybersecurity. And so this is again how I view purpose is that. 01:05:45 seeing something that is wrong or that is that you want to change within your environment and stopping to think that you can't change the whole world. But if you just, every one of us actually tries to change the things that they can throughout their means and if they can stretch just a little bit further to be able to impact. 01:06:11 the person next to them, I think that we'd have a much better planet to live on. It was the Dalai Lama that said, be the change you want to see in the world, right? Exactly. Fantastic. Sustainable or scalable growth, what does that mean to you? When you see it, you know it, right? Yeah. Sustainable for me is when everybody within the equation 01:06:41 of your stakeholder circle is happy with you being there. So if your company is in a town where you made that town better, if people that work for you don't want to leave unless they're forced to. 01:07:09 The organizations that represent people that work for you, your clients, your beneficiaries, whatever the case may be, are all going along or aligned with your vision because of your understanding of your presentation and you being amenable to supporting those. 01:07:38 elements of your stakeholder engagement circle. For me, that's what sustainability is. And I mean it, obviously, in a perfect world, right? So obviously, you know, some organizations or some people will have ulterior motives, some will have, you know, more personal things to go along. And as you know, you know, corporate politics and nonprofit politics are real. 01:08:05 thing that you need to be careful of when you're trying to engage with your stakeholder circle. But that's for me, I still view it as to what to strive for. And if you, you know, strive for the stars, the land on the moon kind of thing. So if, you know, if that's the best or the perfect situation, how do you try to approach or to get closer to that? 01:08:34 Scalability for me, and I don't see them as separate simply because I could have scaled my company to 10 times larger than it is today. But the reason why I've chosen to stop the growth at a certain level is that because that was the ideal size for me to be able to retain my sustainability. 01:09:03 goals and to retain the humanness of my organization, if that makes sense. Obviously, it's not a choice for everyone, but I believe in that growth for the sake of growth is no longer a sustainable trajectory for the world. We're thinking 01:09:30 infinite growth against finite resources. How do you marry those two? And so for me now, giving the understanding to organizations that you can actually be profitable without growing in that kind of unruly, unmanaged, unlimited growth. You can grow. 01:10:00 with your stakeholders, you can grow with your community. It will take a longer time, yes, but it will also enable you to grow in a more healthy environment, to be more solid and more resilient actually, which is why a lot of these kind of unicorns and hyper scalable, as we call them companies, 01:10:26 You find them, you know, going into the ground a couple of years later, it's because they stretched what hyper growth is, and they've broken the chain of both trust and resilience within their organization. Final question, Khalid. Did you have fun in the sandbox today? Yes, it was very, very fun. 01:10:51 Kind of, you know, you dug a lot out of me. I think the last point is something that I don't share as much just because it's not as, you know, I don't get questioned about it a lot, but it's definitely made me kind of re-remember how I view sustainability and scalability and purpose. So thank you so much for being such a... 01:11:19 both a graceful yet very investigative host. That would be great. And I thank you for the time. Again, we chose the title purpose designing for NextAct. You've taken us through a very fast paced and short period of time journey along the different 01:11:48 choices you've made personally and professionally. And I think you're well on your way to your next act and you've put the cornerstones in place. So thank you for sharing this. And I hope you achieved your purpose, which was for this podcast, which was not too many people are thinking about their next act. So I hope this podcast to my listeners, if you like this episode with Khalid Machate. 01:12:17 sign up for the monthly release. We gather founders, business owners, investors, corporate board directors, and professional service providers, and motivational speakers who checks a lot of the boxes like Khalid with his own journey, three-time exit founder, accelerator, sitting on corporate boards, and giving back through social impacts. 01:12:47 Thank you again Khalid and to my listeners, you can download and listen to the Founder's Sandbox. Again, there's a monthly release on any major streaming platform. So thank you, have a great rest of the day. Thank you, you too.  

This week, Ryan Connell is joined by Russ Long, founder and CEO of Long Capture, to talk about the different pathways to success a defense startup can take in the DoD. Russ shares his journey from his former Air Force contracting days to now helping tech startups bridge the gap to military adoption (a.k.a. surviving the Valley of Death.) They dive deep into the importance of impactful innovation, the evolving role of programs like SBIR, and how strategic and tactical financing are driving the second wave of defense innovation. Tune in to learn all about how to drive innovation in the defense acquisition process. TIMESTAMPS: (0:57) Russ's journey from contracting officer to CEO (1:55) What is “cool” technology? (2:55) The Benefits of SBIR and CSO Programs (5:47) How TACFI and STRATFI programs work (11:03) Do you have to be a commercial-first company to survive in DoD? (14:46) What is the second wave of defense Innovation? (19:49) Why sole source authority is critical (26:47) What Russ looks for in a startup (30:20) Free ways to learn from Long Capture LINKS: Follow Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-connell-8413a03a/ Follow Russ: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-long/ Long Capture: https://longcapture.com/ Project Mercury: https://projectmercury.us/ CDAO: https://www.ai.mil/ Tradewinds: https://www.tradewindai.com/

Get the GovClose Certification https://www.govclose.com/sales-certification  In this interview I talk with John Martin, CEO of BUNDLAR. John's augmented reality tech company has claimed multiple contracts with the DoD and things are really taking off for them! In this episode you can learn how a small team can win big government contracts using a step-by-step strategy, positive attitude, and most importantly --an amazing solution!   00:39 How does investment from the U.S. government through programs like the SBIR benefit technology startups? 01:15 Why are conferences valuable for understanding military needs and networking with prime contractors? 24:45 - What strategies are effective for finding and responding to government contract opportunities on sam.gov? 29:17 Why meeting with the government is so important to win contracts. 39:54 What is a winning sales philosophy, especially in terms of government contracting

Episode 342 of The VentureFizz Podcast features Matt Weinberg, Partner at Max Ventures. Did you know that there are a ton of resources available for startups from the government including non-dilutive funding? I'm talking billions of dollars are allocated to hundreds of startups every year. This is a topic that has never been discussed on The VentureFizz Podcast and Matt is uniquely qualified to speak about this topic based on his experience in the public sector, including his time at the Small Business Administration's Office of Investment and Innovation. Matt shares some very useful information about the pros and cons of exploring this potential funding path which includes information from organizations like the National Science Foundation's SBIR program. Today, Matt is in the private sector as a Partner at Max Ventures, an early-stage venture firm based in New York City with a global reach and a primary focus on digital health, SaaS, and digital commerce. The firm has also co-founded 8 venture backed companies. In this episode of our podcast, we cover: * Matt's background story and getting his career started in government under the Obama administration. * How his various positions in the public sector helped him take his career into venture capital. * Joining Max Ventures in the early days of the firm and how it differentiates from other VC firms in terms of both investing and incubating its own companies. * The details about The Post and Elion, two of the companies it has launched. * How to get on Matt's radar and what he expects to get out of a first meeting. * The benefits of small group dinners and some tips for success. * And so much more.

Welcome to this week's episode of the DoD Contract Academy! Today, we're diving into the world of government contracting, exploring why getting certified and trained in this field can open up incredibly lucrative opportunities. We'll share insights from our comprehensive certification program under GovClose, guiding you on how to start a profitable consulting business or land a high-paying sales executive job. If you're ready to take the next step in your career, visit GovClose Certification Program to learn more and schedule a call with one of our advisors.   [00:01:14] Why Certification and Training Matter Title: The Importance of Certification Description: Explanation of why getting certified and trained in the process of selling to the US government can be highly lucrative for both consulting businesses and salaried positions. [00:03:33] Federal Spending and Small Business Opportunities Title: Federal Spending Insights Description: A look at federal spending trends, focusing on small business opportunities and the types of goods and services the government purchases. [00:06:33] The Certification Program: What You'll Learn Title: Certification Program Breakdown Description: Detailed overview of the certification program, including learning how the government makes purchases, building a federal sales roadmap, and developing a niche strategy. [00:09:42] Selling to the Government vs. B2B/B2C Title: Government Sales vs. Commercial Sales Description: The differences between selling to the government and commercial sectors, and why understanding these differences is crucial. [00:11:00] Starting Your Consulting Business Title: Launching a Consulting Business Description: How to start a consulting business focused on government contracts, including finding leads, establishing expertise, and generating recurring revenue. [00:15:00] Building a Sustainable Client Pipeline Title: Client Pipeline Strategies Description: Strategies for building and maintaining a pipeline of clients to ensure consistent and predictable income. [00:18:15] Effective Pitching and Proposal Writing Title: Mastering the Pitch Description: Tips on effective pitching, writing proposals, and invoicing clients for consulting services. [00:21:30] Real-Life Success Stories Title: Success Stories Description: Case studies and testimonials from individuals who have successfully leveraged the certification program to generate significant income. [00:23:00] Advanced Sales Strategies Title: Advanced Strategies Description: Advanced strategies for selling to the government and running a consulting business, including how to handle niche areas like cybersecurity and SBIR projects. [00:26:00] Salaried Positions in Government Sales Title: Lucrative Sales Jobs Description: Exploring high-paying sales positions within companies selling to the government, and how certification can help secure these roles. [00:28:00] Final Thoughts and Call to Action Title: Final Thoughts Description: Recap of the episode, the importance of investing in oneself through certification, and how to schedule an enrollment interview with an advisor.

Free Government Contract Training at: https://www.govclose.com In this episode of the DoD Contract Academy podcast, host Richard C. Howard, a former government procurement officer, discusses the timelines and strategies for securing government contracts. Richard provides practical advice on how to navigate the process, emphasizing ways to expedite winning government contracts. This episode is particularly useful for businesses aiming to enhance their government contracting efforts. Time-Stamped Focus Areas: [00:42] Explanation of OTA (Other Transaction Authority) and how it can facilitate faster government contracting. [03:27] Overview of the expected timelines for different government contracts, ranging from quick 30-day turnarounds to longer 18-month processes. [08:15] Strategies for leveraging the SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) program to secure government investment for innovative projects. [10:33] Best practices for selling to existing government customers to secure repeat business. [15:24] Introduction to fallout funds and strategies for accessing these end-of-fiscal-year resources. [17:00] Discussion on how to use existing customer relationships to gain referrals within government agencies. Call to Action: Register for our free training session at GovClose.com to learn more about the government contracting process. This session is designed to provide you with practical steps and guidance to enhance your approach to securing government contracts.

Today, we have an exciting and enlightening conversation with Rick Jordan, a cybersecurity expert, bestselling author, and host of the "All In with Rick Jordan" podcast. In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of raising capital through Regulation A (Reg A+) and the strategic process that sets companies up for success.  Karen and Rick explore how Reg A+ can create momentum and garner investor trust even before a company goes public, serving as a fascinating alternative to traditional fundraising methods. Rick shares his own journey, from leveraging relationships built at Geek Squad to establishing his company ReachOut in 2010, and how he navigated the challenges and opportunities of Reg A+. They  discuss the importance of documentation, the shift from transactional to relational business approaches, and the critical role of audits in building credibility. Along the way, Rick recounts his personal entrepreneurial journey, the impactful lessons learned from early side hustles, and emphasizes the power of taking action, even when the path isn't perfectly clear. Listen as Karen and Rick explore the blend of passion, purpose, and strategic insight necessary for entrepreneurial success, and discover the intriguing world of Reg A+ fundraising from an insider's perspective. It's an episode filled with valuable lessons and real-world advice you won't want to miss Key takeaways in this episode Regulation A (Reg A) Process - Benefits of Reg A vs. traditional funding (angel investors, venture capitalists) - Raising momentum and awareness before going public - Importance of solid documentation for investor decisions - Establishing marketplace credibility (pink sheets or OTCB) - Credibility with investors through financial statement audits provides third-party validation 2. Strategic Market Building - Avoiding "dog and pony" shows - Genuine market interest and trading activity - Attraction of significant investment (pipe money) - Essence of sales in understanding and solving customer problems 3. Reg A+ as an Iterative Fundraising Strategy - Incrementally raising funds (rounds) to increase company value - A way for Angel Backed companies to raise capital when Angels, VCs, and PEs say NO and Banks won't loan enough - A Strategic way to avoid excessive early equity giveaways - Strategic adaptation and increased valuation through acquisition - Challenges in Reg A+ - Marketing and market creation costs - Reliance on accredited investors and institutional investors to reach capital goals 4. Original Intent of Reg A+ - Provision from the 2012 JOBS Act to make onramp to IPO easier - Democratizing investment in prio IPO companies - Accredited vs. Retail Investors - Primary targets for significant investments - Raising money from retail and institutional investors - Market Enthusiasts and Penny Stocks with Karen's personal anecdote about the allure of penny stocks - Using Reg A Plus to list on OTC market 5. Rick Jordan's Entrepreneurial Journey - Impact of focusing energy on projects - Importance of going "all in" for growth - The allure of multiple side hustles and the importance of full commitment - The journey of entrepreneurship compared to climbing Mount Everest - Importance of passion, purpose, and value creation in entrepreneurship - Positive mindset and avoiding distractions ("weeds") - Starting ReachOut in 2010 - Transitioning from direct client relationships to scalable business 6 Compassionate Capitalism - Investing in ventures aligning with personal passions - Positive societal impact -Karen Rands' Entrepreneurial Journey** - Applying for SBIR funding and facing setbacks and skepticism - Maintaining passion, purpose, and market focus Bio: Rick Jordan's journey into the world of technology began when he was just 10 years old in 1989. A family friend helped him build his very first computer, a Tandy, sparking a lifelong passion for tech. Reflecting on those early days, Rick realizes how pivotal that experience was, shaping his future in an industry that continues to fascinate him. Now, at 44, Rick acknowledges how those simple moments of assembling a Radio Shack Tandy computer paved the way for his career and love for technology. For more info and to connect with Rick Jordan:  https://reachoutit.com/about  WWW.RICKJORDAN.TV  Karen Rands is the President of Kugarand Capital Holdings where her extended team offers coaching and services to small business owners providing capital strategy and investor acquisition through the Launch Funding Network.  As a thought leader in Angel and Crowdfund Investing, Karen offers investors decision tools, education, screening, due diligence, and syndication services through the National Network of Angel Investors.   Karen wrote the best selling primer for new Angel Investors  - Inside Secrets to Angel Investing and now offers digital beginner and advanced courses covering  Angel and Crowdfunding Investing on the Compassionate Capitalist Academy financial education platform. More information can be found at http://karenrands.co   When you subscribe on the contact page you will receive her Compassionate Capitalist short video tips by email, her ebook 12 Secrets of Innovation and Wealth and have an opportunity to schedule time to chat with Karen directly. Please help us build the Compassionate Capitalist community by subscribing, liking, and sharing this podcast.    The Compassionate Capitalist Show is also on Youtube @angelinvesting with a library of over 280 episodes.  Keywords: Regulation A, Reg A+, fundraising, SEC-audited financials, retail investors, accredited investors, public company, pink sheets, OTCB, venture capital, angel investors, iterative fundraising, market building, shareholder awareness, documentation, investor trust, market enthusiasm, penny stocks, passion and purpose, entrepreneurial journey, cybersecurity, side hustles, reverse merger, capital acquisition, market creation, PCAOB audit, public listing, Rick Jordan, Karen Rands, Compassionate Capitalist, Nasdaq

Cafer's Psychopharmacology| Dr Jason Cafer is an assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at University of Missouri-Columbia. He is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and also the American Board of Preventive Medicine. In 2007 he founded Iconic Health, a medical informatics startup that obtained angel round funding. He was Principal Investigator for Phase I and II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants for "Online Rural Telepsychiatry Platform" that was funded by the United States Department of Agriculture. He is the inventor of United States Patent which was the subject of an SBIR grant awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services for "Medication IconoGraphs: Visualization of Complex Medication Regimens". Visit his website to learn more about Cafers' Psychopharmacology. https://www.cafermed.com/blog Behnaz Sarrami, MS, PharmD  Becky Winslow, PharmD  Dr. Jason Cafer, MD