From Fermentation to Fundraising: How Startup Founders Are Scaling Smarter

Join co-hosts Jordan Tyler and Mark McAllister as they sit down with three visionary startup teams transforming the future of animal health, food innovation, and sustainability. Inside the episode, Barry McDonogh of Hinalea Imaging shares how his AI-powered hyperspectral imaging platform is finding unexpected applications; Dr. Daphne Preuss and Francesca Gallucci of Nataur reveal how microbial fermentation is unlocking cleaner, petroleum-free ingredients like taurine for pets, people, and beyond; and Sebastian Doyle of Medipups takes us inside the journey of building a transparent, human-grade supplement brand for dogs—balancing science, branding, and palatability. From resilience in the face of personal sacrifice to lessons in building the right partnerships, this episode captures the raw, real, and rewarding path of entrepreneurship.Helpful LinksLearn more about Hinalea Imaging: https://hinalea.ai/  Learn more about Nataur: https://www.nataur.com/Learn more about Medipups: https://medipups.com/about-us/Read more about the Plug and Play Topeka June Expo: https://www.gotopeka.com/plug-and-play-expo/Tune in to this Barking Mad episode about the Plug and Play Tech Center.Connect with Barry McDonogh on LinkedInConnect with Dr. Daphne Preuss and Francesca Gallucci on LinkedIn Show Notes00:00 – Welcome back!01:40 – Checking in with Barry McDonogh and Hinalea Imaging04:52 – Barry’s commercialization strategy06:43 – Getting Hinalea ready for the Plug and Play Topeka June Expo08:47 – On-shoring production10:30 – Family First13:54 – Checking in with Dr. Daphne Preuss and Francesca Gallucci of Nataur17:07 – Surprising applications for microbial taurine20:41 – Prioritizing consumer education22:15 – Recent business updates from Nataur26:10 – How Nataur is preparing for June Expo27:26 – Daphne’s personal passion for impactful innovation29:25 – Checking in with Sebastian Doyle and Medipups30:31 – How Medipups formulates its dog supplements32:07 – How Sebastian measures success beyond revenue34:48 – Maintaining a solid ingredient supply amid tariff threats36:00 – How to be an opportunistic entrepreneur37:56 – Recent updates from the Plug and Play program39:50 – Rehearsing for the big pitch at June Expo41:10 – If you could solve one current challenge with Medipups, what would it be?42:23 – Wrap-up and stay tuned!Show Notes