Big Red Podcast 🐻🎙️

Building the Data Layer for AI Agents: Chris Pisarski ’11 is Founder of Crustdata, an AI startup that provides B2B data for AI agents!! we chatted about:- importance of B2B data in AI workflows, helping AI agents access data- how to think bigger and move faster, to build momentum in the startup- the future of AI agents buying from AI agents(0:00) what is B2B data (3:35) example recruiting website (5:05) more specialized data than foundation models (9:24) listen to customers when market changes rapidly (12:04) marketing to AI agents (18:46) how YC is helpful (22:39) fundraising from position of strength (16:29) co-founder matching (24:19) building momentum (28:04) starting multiple startups (31:01) entrepreneurship learnings at Cornell (32:54) finding the first startup job coming out of Cornell (36:32) where to build an AI startup (38:14) final question

Commercializing Cornell's Breakthroughs: Loren Busby is Director of Weill Cornell's BioVenture eLab!! we chatted about:- innovation at Weill Cornell, how the BioVenture eLab help researchers and clinicians- how to commercialize research, through licensing, startups, and more- how academic successes translates to commercialization successescome to the Weill Cornell BioInnovate Conference on 4/23!! (registration info in comments)!! the most amazing research and commercialization!!(0:00) what is the bioventure elab (4:18) regulatory pathways and go to market (8:22) founder-market fit in healthcare (11:07) specific example of starting startups (13:07) designing a new product (14:00) specific example #2 (15:33) balancing research and startups (18:35) pathway to commercialization depends on where the money comes from (21:25) understanding the biotech market (23:03) understanding the marketplace (27:05) building up a reputation in academia and commercialization (30:22) research and patents (33:40) come to the BioInnovate Conference on 4/23 starts at 3pm (36:02) successes from past BioInnovate Conferences (38:38) creating a culture of innovation (41:35) closing question

Rajni Aneja, MS ’85, helps Food Companies connect with Cornell Researchers, and organizes the Cornell Food Hackathon!! we chatted about:- how to start a startup in the food/beverage industry- the incredible resources at Cornell to help entrepreneurs- the amazing food hackathon, every student should participate(0:00) entrepreneurship in food industry (2:48) how to start a food business (7:00) financials of a food business (11:35) manufacturing and food safety (15:14) understanding the market (17:52) how it gets from manufacturing to customer (20:56) benchmarks to hit in a food business (23:13) build a portfolio of products (26:07) effect of glp-1s (28:56) the food hackathon is so amazing (32:35) students love the food hackathon (38:53) more entrepreneurship at Cornell (39:47) more professors become entrepreneurs (41:32) Rajni's path to food entrepreneurship (43:53) closing question

JD/MBA Law Firm Founders: Mehak Rashid, JD/MBA ’16, and Neil ODonnell, JD/MBA ’16, started the #1 boutique law firm in finance!! we chatted about:- what does the law firm do in fund formation and debt financing- how the law firm built financial expertise and help clients- writing airtight contracts and the importance of creativity(0:00) what does the law firm do (5:00) goal seek of clients (9:08) how to find the right fit between borrowers and lenders (12:36) how the law firm fits into the finance ecosystem (15:18) how to differentiate from other law firms (18:10) how the law firm uses AI (20:48) example of a specific issue (25:11) billable hours and transparency (29:46) client acquisition (32:00) the earliest clients (40:16) airtight contracts and stress testing (42:26) choosing to do JD/MBA (43:30) creativity in debt finance practice (48:01) closing question

How to Get a Job: Lisa Rangel ’92 is an expert at finding work!! we chatted about:- how to find a job, the importance of networking- how recruiters and hiring managers hire the best talent- importance of the resume in the job process(0:00) importance of networking (4:17) how to schedule your week (13:39) 1-1 conversations (17:47) networking at beginning of career (19:55) the recruiter's perspective (22:44) how managers find the best talent (26:00) importance of the resume (33:00) cultural fits (35:53) talking about your resume during the interview (43:34) entrepreneurship, starting a resume company (50:36) the right size of business to build (51:53) closing question

AI for Human Health: Chethan Sarabu ’09 is building Cornell's Health Tech Hub, led by the incredible Tanzeem Choudhury!! we chatted about:- what is health tech, healthcare tech, and all the exciting AI advances- come to the Cornell Health Tech Summit 3/2-3/3, the #1 Health Tech Summit- why Cornell is the best university, for health tech research and innovation(0:00) what is health tech (5:06) everyday applications of AI (11:01) health tech research at Cornell (15:35) healthy environments (22:21) collaboration at Cornell (25:51) patient care, saw wildfire and asthma (31:07) from policy to clinical best practices (35:42) come to the Cornell health tech summit (41:39) closing question

Buz Barstow, PhD ’09, is a Professor-Entrepreneur, researches synthetic biology for bio-mining rare earths!! we chatted about:- the exciting advances in synthetic biology- how to commercialize research into startups- the future of innovation and research funding(0:00) what is your research about (5:26) getting started in synthetic biology (13:16) what makes a research problem interesting (21:51) startup brings tech into the real world (28:06) staring a second startup (30:27) research funding and innovation framework (36:54) how to good at use-inspired research (42:41) applied and engineering physics (48:07) being open for business (54:28) closing question

The Engine of Democracy: Professor Alexandra Dufresne runs Cornell's State Policy Advocacy Clinic!! we chatted about:- how to pass legislation, through op-eds, white papers, legislator meetings, and more- the importance of the advocacy process, in a well-functioning democracy- scaling up the State Policy Advocacy Clinic, to more states around the countryplease reach out to Alexandra:- if you can guest lecture for the advocacy clinic or attend a advocacy training- if you're in another state, interested in starting a clinic, please reach out- Alexandra is starting an endowment, please reach out if you can support(0:00) state policy advocacy clinic (3:32) how to be a good advocate (6:19) example of farm worker housing (9:37) cost analysis and writing memos (16:13) Cornell is the only state policy advocacy clinic at the undergrad level (17:24) why state and local policy is important (20:30) long-term impact of the state policy advocacy clinic (23:29) share the knowledge of policy advocacy (27:56) how nonprofits can advocate (30:19) elected officials come visit the policy advocacy clinic (36:39) how Alexandra got into state policy advocacy (40:11) expanding to more states (45:49) closing question

From Research to Revenue: Tomer Joshua, MBA '25, transforms PhDs into Entrepreneurs at the Cornell Tech Runway Program!! we chatted about:- how PhDs can commercialize their research, and build a startup- the Runway Program, how PhDs benefit from the amazing curriculum and community- when to start thinking about entrepreneurship, how to first get started(0:00) what is the runway program? (4:36) who should apply (8:54) the curriculum (11:40) transforming from a PhD to an entrepreneur (15:11) funding sources (21:08) Tomer's personal journey to runway program (23:37) Executive MBA programs at Cornell (27:03) how PhDs first think about startups (29:46) how to sign up for I-Corps courses (32:16) success metrics (37:20) professors encourage entrepreneurship (38:53) closing question

Professor Meredith Silberstein started Cornell's Engineered Living Materials Institute!! we chatted about:- the power of biology in creating materials, to improve everyday life- interdisciplinary research, collaborating between different colleges- how to build a research institute, with an exciting research platform(0:00) what are engineered living materials (7:39) culture of scientific creativity (10:37) interdisciplinary collaboration at Cornell (17:25) how to think up new projects (21:38) commonality between projects (26:08) how biology builds a new house (31:57) how Cornell encourages collaboration (35:26) build up the reputation of institute (40:02) bronze age, iron age, biomaterial age (42:27) closing question

Kristin Hook, PhD '16, is a Scientist, Running for Congress, for a 2nd time!! we chatted about:- why it is important to run for Congress, how to be a good public servant- how to build grassroots support, and recruit the volunteers and staff- what is science policy, and how the government is important in science(0:00) Why it's important to run for Congress (7:55) Listening to constituents on the campaign trail (11:28) Benefits of running for a second time (16:14) How to run a campaign (21:49) Leading a campaign (27:21) What is special about her district (29:02) What is science policy (37:26) Closing question

Betsy Lowe, MRP ’80, is Founder of the Wild Center, the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks!! we chatted about:- building grassroots support, political support, and raising $30m to build the Museum- how the museum grew over time, by adding more exhibits, and growing the membership- the NY Department of Environmental Conservation, and the importance of public service(0:00) NY State and Adirondacks (13:00) Starting the Wild Center (17:44) Building grassroots and political support (22:42) Wild Center experience (27:12) How to get good at fundraising (33:13) Building the initial team (35:29) Graduating from Cornell and career path (40:32) Closing question

Pam Marrone ’78 is a Serial Entrepreneur, she's sold 3 companies and took 1 public!! we chatted about:- how her new startup protects ecosystems from invasive species, by discovering microbes that kill the species!- the biologic pesticide industry trends, the distribution channels, sales processes!- her career trajectory, from PhD in entomology to serial entrepreneurship!!(0:00) What are invasive species? (6:16) The science behind discovering new products (11:34) How her startups get better each time she founds a new one (14:52) Pesticide industry trends (20:07) Distribution of the pesticides (28:31) Career trajectory (32:57) Investor dynamics (36:03) Taking a company public with IPO (38:34) Thought leadership in industry (39:45) Closing question

Deborah Muller ’87 is Founder and CEO of HR Acuity, the leading employee relations HR software!! we chatted about:- the exciting HR function of employee relations, how every F500 company has an employee relations function now- working with Private Equity firms, how growth equity can help grow the company!- how she started the software business, transforming from consulting services to a software business!(0:00) What is employee relations? and HR Acuity? (6:00) Employee relations best practices (13:11) Positioning the software business (15:16) How Deborah started the business (21:24) Transition from consulting to technology (26:59) Venture capital and private equity funding (33:00) Importance of capital in growing businesses (34:37) Leading the employee relations function (39:22) Closing question

Eli Lehrer ’98 is cofounder of a Think Tank in Washington, DC!! we chatted about:- what is a think tank? how to develop policy ideas- how to build expertise, and build credibility with policy makers- how to grow a think tank to 80 full-time staff(0:00) What is a think tank? (5:37) Policy areas to cover (10:31) How to build expertise (15:59) Expertise and influence (19:26) Example of influence on AI policy (26:42) How to grow a think tank (32:50) Financial side of a think tank (39:12) Closing question

Akhil Iyengar ’26 dropped out of Cornell, to go through YC, and start a Startup!! we talked about:- how his startup helps retailers and PE portcos with pricing/promotion strategies- the YC accelerator, how it made them more ambitious and think bigger- what it was like dropping out of Cornell in his junior yearStartup: https://www.operand.com/(0:00) What is his startup? What is pricing strategy? (8:28) How clients use their AI software (11:17) How the AI creates value (14:03) How to become the best in pricing strategy (18:10) Private equity firms are the ideal customers (20:57) Pricing for their own product (22:49) Journey from being a Cornell Junior to being a startup founder (26:02) Applying to Y Combinator (33:20) Startup fundraising process (35:17) Closing question

Prashanth Chandrasekar, MEM ’03, is CEO of Stack Overflow, the top software developer community!! we talked about:- transforming the company from a B2C to a B2B strategy- how to keep a pulse on new AI trends, and adapt to them- how Cornell prepares us well to become CEOsStack Overflow Internal: https://stackoverflow.co/teams/(0:00) What is Stack Overflow (8:14) Private Stack Overflow internally for Companies (15:44) How to use Stack Overflow Internal (22:35) Transformation from a B2C to B2B company (25:30) Strategy for the Stack Overflow public community (32:09) How to keep a pulse on new AI trends, and experimenting new features (36:35) Financing for the company (39:57) How to become a great CEO (43:47) Closing question

Kim Bixler ’91 is making a new musical, featuring Brazilian body percussion!! we talked about:- what is Barba the Musical? how did you make the musical?- how did you navigate career changes? (going back to grad school at 52 years old!)- what is the networking and business side of musicals?Barba Musical: https://barbamusical.com/(0:00) What is Barba the Musical? (6:08) How does a musical make it onto Broadway (12:09) How to collaborate with people on creating a musical (23:03) History of the Barbatuques (31:25) What are the financing options for musicals (39:11) Switching careers over the decades (45:10) Closing question

Robyn Carter ’96 is a marketing trends and innovation expert, she helps the biggest brands understand their customers!! we talked about:- what are marketing trends, and how trends are manifested- how companies make new products, and adapt to new trends- how to start a consulting firm, and grow it over the decades(0:00) What is marketing trends and innovation? (5:33) Consumer insights departments and workflows (7:33) Examples of trends (15:48) How to figure out new trends, and How to apply that to brands (26:10) Starting her own firm, entrepreneurship!! (32:16) Scaling up the firm (38:22) Closing question

Hao Shi, PhD ’20, is founder of a Series A startup, Kanvas makes cancer therapy more effective, by improving the gut microbiome, we talked about:- the importance of the gut microbiome, the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy- scaling up the startup, from 2 cofounders to 30 employees, with clinical trials on the way- his personal journey from starting his PhD at Cornell and commercializing his research(00:00) What is the gut microbiome, and what is cancer immunotherapy (05:00) Gut microbiome is dynamic, important to have a stable therapeutic (07:50) How the pill affects the gut microbiome (10:00) Importance of the imaging platform (13:07) First clinical trial (18:56) Commercializing his PhD research (22:18) How he chose his PhD thesis (27:02) Growing the startup team (33:00) Closing question

Charles Stuppard ’82 is a Leader, in the military and in the Cornell community, we talked about:- building leadership skillsets, how anyone can become a leader!!- his personal journey to leadership, from Haiti to Cornell to the Navy and beyond!- how Cornell became the #1 university for veterans! the Cornell Military Network!- case studies on leadership, from Abraham Lincoln to leading 25 Cornell volunteershis new book "Sea Dog: A Seafaring Captain's Lessons in Leadership" is at https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Dog-Seafaring-Captains-Leadership/dp/1394248245(00:00) What is leadership, how to become a leader (07:44) How to find a good fit between leader and organization (14:18) What makes Abraham Lincoln a good leader (18:25) Charles talks about his personal journey (25:46) How the military teaches leadership (34:41) Career paths in the military (38:23) Cornell is the #1 university for veterans (45:59) Leadership in Cornell volunteering (60:29) Closing question

Laura Schoenle ’06 helps Cornell undergrads do research, we talked about:- the skillsets developed through undergraduate research!!- how her undergrad research experience influenced her career path, from high school teacher to PhD and beyond!!- how undergrads at Cornell can find research opportunities!!

Alex Martin ’89 is a biotech CEO, on a mission to cure a rare disease, we talked about:- building a biotech company, building the team (20 to 50 people!), fundraising (over $350 million!)- executive coaching, being a good sounding board, remove obstacles faced by team members- career path, from a government major at Cornell to a biotech CEO, 1st job, MBA, and more!

Debra Stern ’87 is the founder and executive director of Amani Public Charter School, a K-8 school in Mount Vernon, NY, we talked about:- importance of education, for equity and opportunities, and for bringing together the community- how her student leadership at Cornell led to a career in education administration- leadership opportunities as Cornell alumni, and service on the Cornell University Council!

Maria Fernandez, JD ’92, is New York State's Deputy Secretary for Education!! we talked about:- the importance of education and public service- benefits of going to law school, the skillset and the network- volunteering for Cornell (President's Council of Cornell Women!!)

Molly Morse ’03 is founder of Mango Materials, a Series B startup!! we talked about:- the science, sustainability, and business model of the startup- the process of commercializing research, the mindset changes- how to get more startups coming out of universities