Found In The Rockies

In today’s episode, Les sits down with Will Pearce and Brad Palm from Dreadnode, one of the nation’s most advanced offensive AI and cybersecurity companies. Based in the Rocky Mountain West, Dreadnode is redefining how we think about digital defense — by taking the offensive. Will and Brad share their experiences leading red teams at Microsoft, NVIDIA, and within the U.S. Marine Corps, and how those lessons now shape their mission to secure the future of artificial intelligence.From battlefield drones and AI-enabled cyberattacks to the regulatory frameworks that will define the next era of warfare, this conversation explores what happens when AI becomes both a weapon and a shield.Here’s a closer look at the episode:From Red Teams to FoundersWill Pearce, former leader of AI Red Teams at Microsoft and NVIDIA, discusses his journey from penetration testing and consulting to building Dreadnode.Describes how the offensive use of AI is a natural extension of red teaming — “offense leads defense.”Brad Palm’s Path from the BattlefieldBrad Palm, a Marine Corps veteran and former red team leader, shares how military principles of mobility, attack, and defense translate into cyber warfare.Offensive cyber as a transformational moment — comparing AI’s impact to the leap from muskets to machine guns.The Rise of Offensive AIWill breaks down the offensive AI landscape, from code scanning and model manipulation to adversarial attacks on computer vision systems.How more “eyes,” even artificial ones, find more vulnerabilities — accelerating both innovation and exposure.Building a Platform for Cyber ML OpsDreadnode’s platform enables organizations to build, evaluate, and deploy AI models and agents with security in mind.Unlike “AI-in-a-box” startups, their approach mirrors ML Ops infrastructure — prioritizing transparency, testing, and adaptability.Their mission: help clients build their own capabilities, rather than just buy black-box solutions.A Collaborative Cybersecurity CommunityWill and Brad note that in AI security, collaboration beats competition.“If you have confidence in your abilities, you don’t need to hide anything.”Despite growing investment and consolidation, the founders believe the industry is still expanding rapidly — with room for innovation and partnership.Human + AI: The Future of the BattlefieldBrad connects his defense background to current AI developments, pointing to autonomous drones in Ukraine as examples of real-time AI-driven warfare.Raises ethical and practical questions about “human-in-the-loop” systems and the urgency of explainable, auditable AI in combat environments.Will expands on how regulatory frameworks and rules of engagement must evolve to keep pace with privately developed AI systems.Offensive AI Conference & What’s NextHosting Offensive AI Con in San Diego — the first of its kind dedicated to offensive AI research and community building.The team continues to release state-of-the-art research drops, collaborating with cyber threat intel groups and enterprise partners.Above all, the founders share a deep appreciation for their team culture: detail-oriented, relentlessly curious, and dedicated to “winning every day.”Resources:Website: https://dreadnode.io/ Will Pearce - https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-pearce-a62331135/Brad Palm - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradpalm/Dreadnode LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dreadnode

In today’s episode, Les Craig speaks with Jim Lose, a Marine Corps veteran, longtime recruiter, and CEO of The Military Veteran (The MilVet). With over 25 years of experience helping thousands of service members transition into successful private sector roles, Jim shares his mission to place more veterans in executive leadership across high-growth, early-stage companies. Jim’s passion for service shines through as he talks about the importance of community, coaching, and aligning veterans with roles where they can have lasting impact. From his time in military intelligence to becoming the go-to resource for elite veteran talent, Jim’s journey is rooted in purpose, resilience, and servant leadership.Here’s a closer look at the episode:A Career Built on ServiceGrew up in rural Pennsylvania; early influences of service from family (teacher, minister, Marine).Commissioned into the Marine Corps, became an intelligence officer and Scout Sniper Platoon Commander.Served under leaders like General Mattis and General Neller before they were well known.Left active duty after 8 years and entered the recruiting world to continue serving—this time by supporting fellow veterans.20+ Years Recruiting and Championing VeteransBegan his recruiting career at Lucas Group during the late 1990s.Helped place over 3,000 veterans and transitioned to Korn Ferry after an acquisition in 2021.Known for a long-term, relationship-based approach: “Today’s candidate is tomorrow’s client.”Shifted focus to post-transition executive placements, filling a gap in veteran recruiting not served by other organizations.Leading The MilVetJoined The MilVet in 2023 to scale a mission-led, veteran-centric recruiting firm.Focus: place veterans in executive roles in VC/PE-backed and early-stage companies.Differentiators: customized search playbooks, interview scorecard development, and strategic advisory for clients.Firm belief: “The best indicator that a company will hire a veteran is having a veteran in the C-suite.”The Broader Vision & Future ImpactIdentifies high-opportunity sectors for veterans: defense tech, private equity operations, and AI-resistant industries like home services.Emphasizes “finding a tribe” and community-building through networking dinners, events, and office hours.Coaching is the next frontier for The MilVet—launching an executive coaching offering in 2026.Jim’s long-term vision: a national movement to elevate veterans into positions of influence and impact.Resources:Website: https://www.themilvet.org/Jim’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslose/The MilVet LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/themilvet/

Summary:In today’s episode, Les speaks with Chris Peterson, co-founder and CEO of Radicl, and a pioneer in cybersecurity innovation. Chris shares his inspiring journey from early days at Price Waterhouse to co-founding LogRhythm, and now leading Radicl - a company on a mission to bring military-grade cybersecurity to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), especially those in the defense industrial base (DIB). With humility, vision, and deep industry experience, Chris talks about the challenges of cybersecurity for SMBs, the promise of AI in threat detection, and the principles that drive Radicl’s product and culture.Here’s a closer look at the episode:1. Chris’s Cybersecurity RootsGrew up curious and mischievous - early hacking instincts emerged from pushing boundaries.First tech job at Price Waterhouse, where he was inspired by early internet penetration testing.Mentored by pioneers like George Kurtz (founder of CrowdStrike) and Ron Gula.Early work included database security assessments and automated audit tools.2. Building LogRhythmCo-founded LogRhythm after stints at Counterpane and Tenable.Bootstrapped early development by selling his home and self-funding the venture.Partnered with Phil Villella (nuclear physicist) and Andy Grolnick (CEO) to scale the company.Lessons from early days: founder commitment, frugality, focus on product-market fit.LogRhythm grew to 500 employees before exiting via private equity in 2018.3. The Genesis of RadiclFounded Radicl to address cybersecurity gaps in SMBs within the defense supply chain.Inspired by the SolarWinds hack and national security threats.Assembled a founding team including his brother Matt and a former fighter pilot.Mission: protect under-defended SMBs in DIB against industrial espionage.4. The Opportunity and Market NeedDIB SMBs are often unable to afford or operate traditional cybersecurity solutions.Barriers include tight margins, complex compliance (e.g. CMMC), and lack of in-house talent.Advances in cloud, automation, and AI now make affordable, scalable solutions viable.Radicl addresses both compliance operations and 24/7 security operations via software + human hybrid model.5. Radicl’s Product and PlatformDelivers “virtual SOC” capabilities—blending human expertise with AI and automation.Handles CMMC readiness, threat detection, incident response, and vulnerability management.Designed for transparency: customers can engage with Radicl’s ops team in-platform.AI-driven agents are increasingly being introduced to reduce cost and improve response times.6. Looking AheadPreparing for a Series A raise in the next 4–6 months to accelerate R&D investment.Focused on doubling down on AI innovation and expanding platform features.Vision: democratize advanced cybersecurity for SMBs while delivering elite protection to the DIB.Chris aims to balance company building with family, health, and meditation—striving for better life integration as a second-time founder.Resources:Website: RADICLhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/radicl-defense/ https://radicl.com/Chris Petersonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispetersen1/ https://radicl.com/bio-chris-petersen 

In this episode of Found in the Rockies, Les Craig sits down with Arthur Karell, Partner at First In, a venture firm investing at the intersection of cybersecurity, defense tech, and data intelligence. Arthur shares his unconventional journey from international law to the Marine Corps to scaling startups and leading M&A at Anduril, before transitioning to early-stage investing. He unpacks the realities of venture returns in defense tech, the difference between strategic and tactical problems, and why First In aims to build enduring companies—not just chase flashy innovations. With sharp insight and mission-driven conviction, Arthur offers a candid, inspiring look at what it means to empower entrepreneurs who secure national freedom.Here’s a closer look at the episode:1. Arthur’s Career JourneyGrew up in Arlington, VA; studied at Harvard and earned a law degree from UVA.International corporate law with a focus on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.Service in the Marine Corps post-9/11.Transitioned to startups, joining FiscalNote post-seed as one of the first employees.2. Lessons from Operating and M&AHelped scale FiscalNote through aggressive M&A strategy—tucking in niche data companies.Applied similar playbook at Anduril, crafting their corporate development team and deals.How defense tech M&A must align with procurement timelines and gate reviews.Why successful acquisitions hinge on founder-engineer-product fit and integration.3. Investment Philosophy at First InThe focus on being truly “first in” to high-potential, early-stage defense tech startups.Strategic problems vs. tactical ones, to drive high-leverage outcomes.The importance of stage specificity and clear risk-reward underwriting.Is venture capital for every founder?4. Industry Insights & Emerging ThemesTailwinds in AI applications and industrial automation across defense sectors.Momentum in cybersecurity as go-to-market talent shifts to early stage.DoD’s structural challenges—startups must work with the system, not against it.Arthur’s belief that the U.S. has latent industrial capacity—what’s needed is political and contracting will.Resources:Website: https://wearefirstin.com/ Arthur LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthurkarell/ FirstIn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-in/ 

In this episode of Found in the Rockies, Les Craig sits down with Logan Selby and Kevin Larrabee of Datashapes AI—two veterans turned tech innovators who are redefining how artificial intelligence is applied to the electromagnetic spectrum. From battlefield-tested insights to real-world commercial applications, the conversation dives into drone detection, spectrum awareness, and what it means to build a dual-use defense tech company. With 21 patents and a mission-first mentality, Datashapes is arming the next generation of warfighters—and industries—with actionable signal intelligence.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Founders’ Backgrounds: Logan Selby and Kevin Larrabee share their journeys from military intelligence and operations research to leading a cutting-edge defense tech startup.Mission-Driven Innovation: Datashapes AI is revolutionizing how AI is applied to the electromagnetic spectrum, particularly in electronic warfare and signal intelligence.Unique AI Approach: Unlike traditional LLMs, Datashapes uses a proprietary, vector-based AI system focused on real-time waveform analysis—not text prediction.Dual-Use Technology: While rooted in defense, the company is expanding its signal detection and analysis tools into commercial sectors like public safety, sports venues, and infrastructure.Drone Detection & Threat Mitigation: The conversation explores the growing problem of drone-based threats and how Datashapes is providing early warning solutions through spectrum analysis.Product Evolution: The team explains their transition from software-only to launching Sentinel, a hardware solution designed for field use and rapid deployment.Iterative Development with End-Users: Engineers work side-by-side with warfighters during exercises to rapidly integrate user feedback into the product roadmap.Bridging the Government-Startup Gap: Insights on building trust with military users and navigating the challenge of defense procurement as a tech startup.Company Strategy & Culture: The team emphasizes their mission-first culture, recent HQ move to Charlottesville, and focus on real-world impact over Silicon Valley hype.Trust and Transparency: Emphasis on auditable AI decisions to foster user confidence, especially in high-stakes defense environments.Resources:Website: https://www.datashapesai.com/ Kevin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-larrabee/ Logan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/logan-d-selby-phd-a433ab35/ Datashapes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/datashapesai/ #FoundInTheRockies #NextFrontierCapital #DefenseTech #AIInnovation #GovTech #Datashapes 

In today’s episode, Les is joined by John and Levi, the co-founders of 4th State Communications, a Wyoming-based defense technology company. They delve into their backgrounds in the Marine Corps, experiences in the Warfighting Lab, and the inspiration behind their startup. The conversation explores the critical challenges of military communications in denied and austere environments and how their company is developing innovative solutions to improve battlefield connectivity. John and Levi emphasize the significance of dual-use technology, leveraging both military and commercial applications. They introduce "virtual satellite" technology, which allows for long-range, infrastructure-independent communication by manipulating the atmosphere—a capability that has potential benefits for both defense operations and the financial sector.Resources:Website: https://www.4thstatecomm.com/ John’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmedwardsii/ Levi’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levi-kunkel-997b0a56/ 4th State LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fourth-state-communications/ 

In today’s episode, Les sits down with Sean Leahy and John Price from HighGround.  the conversation delves into the founders’ unique backgrounds—from military service and government intelligence to data science and entrepreneurial ventures—and how these experiences inform their ambitious vision. HighGround seeks to create a centralized platform, similar to Bloomberg for equities, providing comprehensive market intelligence for defense and national security sectors. The episode highlights the challenges of navigating complex government systems, the evolving defense tech landscape, and the founders’ commitment to simplifying access to public data for transformative impact. Their mission underscores the potential for democratizing information to drive innovation and improve outcomes for both government and private entities.Here’s a closer look at the episode:John Price shares his background, including his upbringing in Colorado, his father's career on Wall Street, and his early fascination with technology.Sean Leahy shares his upbringing in Northern Virginia, his experience at the Pentagon after 9/11, and his career as a government contractor.Sean and John discuss the early days of HighGround, including their initial 12-slide pitch deck and their commitment to the venture.High Ground's Vision and Market Transformation Impact on Emerging Defense Tech Companies and InvestorsBroader impact of High Ground on the defense industry, including potential reinvigoration and innovation in technology development.Thoughts on dual-use technology, the future of the defense industry, and the potential impact of High Ground.Resources:Sean Leahy LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/seanleahyctg John Price LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-a-p-b8a376b/

In today’s episode, Les talks with Kenny Scott, the founder of Paramify. Kenny shares his journey from initially disliking compliance and GRC work to eventually building a successful SaaS company that automates and streamlines these processes. He discusses his background in consulting and cybersecurity, his brief stint running a hedge fund, and the pivotal moment when he decided to create a solution to the pain points he experienced in the GRC space. Throughout the conversation, Kenny emphasizes the importance of relationships, prioritizing family, and leveraging technology to enable security professionals to focus on more strategic initiatives. Kenny talks about the importance of balancing work and family and predicts a future where AI will play a crucial role in enhancing cybersecurity.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Kenny’s background, mentioning his initial interest in finance and his transition to programming.Kenny discusses his career progression, including roles at Google, American Express, and Adobe, where he worked on organizational risk management.Kenny reflects on the challenges and rewards of his career, emphasizing the importance of solving real problems.Kenny’s thoughts on the significance of governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) and the growing demand for security services.Kenny dives into the complexities of FedRAMP, explaining its purpose and the rigorous process involved.Kenny talks about the early days of Paramify, including the search for talented developers and the initial success with small startups.Kenny highlights the importance of relationships and the support from early clients like Palo Alto Networks.Kenny provides an update on Paramify's current status, including their FedRAMP High audit and the growth of their client base.Resources:Website: https://www.paramify.com/ Kenny LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenny-g-scott/ Paramify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/paramify/ Kenny Twitter: https://x.com/kenny_g_scott 

In today’s episode, Les talks with Orlando Zambrano, a West Point graduate and former infantry officer, who discusses his journey from serving in the 1/73 Airborne Brigade to working at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). DIU, established in 2015, aims to integrate commercial technology into defense solutions. Orlando highlights DIU's three phases: 1.0 focused on building Silicon Valley links, 2.0 on rapid prototyping, and 3.0 on strategic impact at scale. Orlando discusses DIU's role in leveraging private investment and AI to enhance military capabilities, aiming for rapid adaptation in response to evolving threats.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Origins and Background of Orlando Zambrano Orlando recounts his upbringing in Florida and Venezuela, influenced by his parents' immigrant backgrounds and his early interest in service and leadership.Military Service and Early Career Orlando’s years in management consulting at McKinsey before transitioning to roles in the startup ecosystem, focusing on autonomy companies.Orlando’s decision to join the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) as a contractor, driven by the desire to contribute to national security and defense innovation.The importance of DIU's dual-fluency team members who can engage effectively with both the DoD and the commercial technology sector.DIU's history and mission, and the importance of harnessing commercial technology to solve warfighter problems.Examples of DIU Projects and SuccessesThe role of DIU in creating pathways for private investment and supporting the growth of defense tech companies.Future of Autonomy and AI in Defense Orlando shares his admiration for the talented and patriotic people he works with at DIU, who are committed to maintaining the U.S. technological edge.Resources:DIU Website: https://www.diu.mil/Orlando LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orzambrano/ DIU LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diux/ 

In today’s episode, Garrett Smith, CEO of Reveal Technologies, discussed his journey from the Marine Corps to founding a defense tech startup in Bozeman, Montana. Garrett, a linguistics graduate with a background in Mandarin, transitioned from government service to Silicon Valley, where he focused on drone technology. Reveal Technologies developed Farsight, a software that creates 3D maps from drone video in real-time, enhancing situational awareness for warfighters. Here’s a closer look at the episode:Garrett Smith's Background and Early LifeEnlistment in the Marine Corps post-9/11 and his decision to pursue higher education at Stanford University.Garrett explains his undergraduate degree in linguistics with an emphasis on Mandarin, which he learned while serving as a Mormon missionary in Taiwan.Transition to Silicon Valley and Early CareerGarrett discusses the decision to leave government for the tech startup world, influenced by the potential for greater impact and ownership in tech startups.Inspiration for Reveal TechnologiesGarrett explains the concept of photogrammetry and how Reveal Technologies' software, Farsight, uses it to create 3D maps from drone video in real-time.Future of Defense Technology and Reveal's VisionGarrett reflects on the broader implications of defense technology innovation, drawing parallels to the Cold War era and the current geopolitical landscape.Community Building and Future of Tech HubsLes and Garrett discuss the future of defense technology and the potential for Reveal Technologies to continue innovating in the space.Resources:Website: https://www.revealtech.ai/ Garrett LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wgarrettsmith/ Reveal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reveal-technology/posts/?feedView=all 

In today’s episode of Found in the Rockies, Les spoke with France Hoang, co-founder of BoodleAI. France and Les shared their experiences and insights on optimizing AI models for efficient use in Boodle, an AI-powered chatbot. Les and France shared their experiences in the military and government, highlighting the differences in their paths and the lessons they learned about service, sacrifice, and debt. They also share their insights on entrepreneurship and investment, emphasizing the importance of culture, trust, and finding the right fit in the investment process.Here’s a closer look at the episode:France Wong shares his origin story and unique career path, from humble beginnings to co-founding Bucha Box.ai.France’s Military service before and after 9/11, including deployment to Bosnia and White House experience.France shares insights on entrepreneurship, highlighting the importance of a strong team and effective execution.France emphasized culture as a hiring advantage, interviewing candidates on why they wouldn't join the company.Entrepreneurship, fear of failure, and overcoming setbacks.Bootstrapping an aviation company, raising investment.Entrepreneurship, fundraising, and AI technology.Using AI for investment analysis, with emphasis on personalization and goal-oriented approach.AI language models and their applications in higher education.Resources:Website: https://boodle.ai/ France LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franceqhoang/ France Twitter: https://x.com/fqhoang 

In today’s episode, Les talks with Matt Puopolo from StageDotO and Travis Hawkes from Capital Eleven about the startup community in Idaho as well as the Seed to Growth Conference coming up in September. They discussed the growth and potential of Boise's startup ecosystem, highlighting favorable conditions such as a talented workforce and increased acceptance of distributed workforce. They emphasized the importance of supporting local founders and investing in the region to drive growth and innovation. They discuss the challenges faced by founders in accessing capital and building scalable businesses, and the need for founders to prioritize capital efficiency and pathway to profitability. Finally, they emphasized the importance of authentic networking in nurturing startup ecosystems, citing in-person events like the Seed to Growth conference as valuable opportunities for founders and investors to form meaningful connections.Resources:Matt Puopolo - StageDotOhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewpuopolo/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/stagedoto/ https://www.stagedoto.com/ Travis Hawkes - Capital Elevenhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-b-hawkes-76a8a13/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/capital-eleven/ https://capitaleleven.com/ Seed to Growth Conferencehttps://seedtogrowthconference.com/

In today’s episode, of "Found in the Rockies," Les Craig sits down with a dynamic guest from the Rocky Mountain region, Maggie Rodney, a principal at Massive Capital Partners. They dive into the unique and innovative investment strategies employed by Massive Capital, focusing on deep tech and climate tech ventures. Maggie shares her compelling journey from a finance career to joining the Peace Corps in Rwanda and ultimately transitioning into the venture capital world. Listeners will gain insights into Massive Capital's distinctive model, the importance of personal interactions in investment, and the exciting future of technology and innovation.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Career evolution: Peace Corps, litigation, to venture capital.Peace Corps in Rwanda.Understanding industry fundamentals and principles, despite differences in size and structure between firms.Hydros Ventures FellowshipUnique investment model with SPVs and pre-committed index fund.Benefits of the Massive model for founders, including reduced complexity and the potential for interaction with investors before the investment closes.Investment strategies and sectors, including climate tech and verticals with potential impact on the world.Climate tech and deep tech investments, including energy transformation, circular economy, and space technology. Colorado's lifestyle and people, finding them unique and engaging.Resources:Website: https://www.massive.vc/ Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-rodney/Massive LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/massive-vc/ 

In today’s episode, Les talks with Gabriel Wyner, the creator of the most funded app in Kickstarter history - Fluent Forever. Gabe details his fascinating journey from a science-focused student pursuing dual degrees in music and engineering, to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the language learning space. He shared experiences learning languages through immersion programs that led him to dream in foreign tongues. His story provides inspiration for those seeking to unlock their potential and open up new possibilities through perseverance.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Gabe’s dual passions for engineering and singing, with a focus on the Renaissance scholar prize and language learning for operaLanguage immersion programs and dreams in foreign languages. Cheating on a language test to gain admission to a program. Defining the pain point and the ways that resources were lackingLanguage learning and teaching methods.Gabe’s book that was deemed terrible by an editor, leading to financial struggles and a new perspective on writing.Memory retention and the effectiveness of spaced repetition.Gabe shares his story of overcoming self-doubt and pursuing his passion for language learning.Resources:Website: https://fluent-forever.com/ Gabriel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-wyner/ Fluent Forever LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fluent-forever/ Fluent Forever Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FluentForeverApp/ Fluent Forever Twitter: https://x.com/Fluent_Forever Fluent Forever Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluentforeverapp/ 

In today’s episode, Les talks with Quique Nagle, the founder and CEO of Advisr - a sales operating system that helps organizations maximize existing resources to increase revenue and market share. Quique shares his journey with Advisr, discussing the challenges and innovations in risk management technology. He emphasizes the importance of adapting to change and leveraging new tools to enhance decision-making and efficiency. Quique also reflects on the serendipitous moments that have influenced his career path, underscoring the unpredictable yet significant impact of chance encounters. The discussion highlights how technological advancements can transform traditional industries and personal trajectories.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Quique shares his experience growing up in a small town in upstate New York and how it influenced his decision to move to Bozeman.Career path in media and advertising industry. Quique talks about his luck and serendipity in getting a job in the ad industry without prior knowledge or experience.The evolution of the advertising industry, from traditional formats to digital platforms.Digital ad products and their impact on sales organizations.Creating an algorithm to help salespeople make better product recommendations. Entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and early stages of a startup.Lessons learned from early stage company growth. Remote work and funding challenges during COVID-19 pandemic.Leadership principles and cultural values with a tech CEO. Resources:Website: https://www.advisr.com/Quique LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quique-nagle-a609401/ Advisr LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/advisrio/ 

In today’s episode, we have Rebecca Clyde who is the founder and CEO of Botco.ai. Rebecca is going to share with us her journey to creating the fully-automated, AI-powered marketing chat solution that is a HIPAA-compliant platform enabling meaningful and intelligent conversations between providers and consumers.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Growing up in Central and South America.Landing a job at Intel right out of college.Growing up in an Intel environment.Getting her MBA while working at Intel.How she got started as a consultant.Meeting Anu Shukla and Chris Maeda.Landing their first customer.From consumer engagement to healthcare.How is this different from platforms like ChatGPT.Where does Rebecca think AI is going.What’s the downside to open AIWhat is next for the Botco team?Rebecca’s thoughts on the future of healthcare. Advice for other women/founders in the region.The welcoming culture in the Arizona startup community.Resources:Website: https://botco.ai/ Rebecca Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccaclyde/Rebecca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceorebeccaclyde/?hl=enBotco LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/botco.ai/Botco Twitter: https://twitter.com/botcoai

In today’s episode, Les talks with Blair Simpson, a Principal at Frontier Venture Capital. Blaire shares his journey from being a musician to entering the venture capital world, emphasizing non-traditional paths into VC and the music industry's influence on his career. Les and Blair talk about the impact of AI on creative fields, Blair's advice for aspiring VCs, and Blair's musical inspirations and how they relate to his work in venture capital.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Entrepreneurship and venture capital path.Music inspirations and teaching methods. Entrepreneurship, music, and technology.Non-traditional path to venture capital, with a music industry background. Networking, authentic connections, and personal branding.Early-stage B2B software investments in the US, ecosystem growth, and exit strategies. AI investment, creativity, and uncertainty. Investing, entrepreneurship, and personal growth Resources:Website: https://frontiervc.com/ Blair’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jblairsimpson/ Frontier Venture Capital LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dfj-frontier/

In today’s episode, Les talks with Travis Lowry, General Partner at Vinyl Capital. Travis shares his early background in Texas as the child of an entrepreneur and how that impacted his own decision to jump into the startup scene. Travis talks about his time in Syria, and how that impacted his world view. Travis shares how he transitioned from entrepreneur to investor.  His path illustrates the power of adaptability, strategic thinking, and the impact of a global perspective in the entrepreneurial world.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Travis Lowry shares his background, growing up in a household where his mother was an entrepreneur and his father was a salesman.Moving to Syria in 2010  and his startup in Syria using his Arabic language skills.Startup mistakes and lessons learned.Founding and working at a restaurant reservation platform.Entrepreneurship, venture capital, and business growth.Acquisitions, and company culture. Travis’s VC journey and approach with early-stage VC.Montana culture, travel, and entrepreneurship. Resources:Vinyl Captial Website: https://vinyl.vc/ Travis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-kirk-lowry-b00b8850/Vinyl Capital LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vinyl-capital/ 

In today’s episode, Les speaks with Pete Roos, CEO of Bridger Photonics, discussing the company's journey and its photonics technology used for precise methane emission detection and topographic mapping. The discussion covers Pete's background, the founding of Bridger Photonics, its early challenges, and the evolution of its technology from topographic to gas mapping LiDAR. Les and Pete also touch on the environmental impact of BP’s work, the oil and gas industry's response to their technology, and future opportunities for growth and expansion.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Pete Roos, CEO of Bridger Photonics, shares his background and academic path leading to his role in the Bozeman-based company.Pete Gallatin County, where Bozeman and MSU are located, has the most photonics companies per capita in the US.Career path and entrepreneurship in the field of photonics. Australia as a transformative time for Pete.Laser technology and its applications in topographic LiDAR.The split of the company and its subsequent success. Successful entrepreneurship and innovation in the energy industry.How Bridger Photonics uses proprietary sensors to detect leaks in natural gas infrastructure.Methane detection and emission reduction in the oil and gas industry. Why Pete thinks being based in Bozeman helps with his company mission and culture.Resources:Website: https://www.bridgerphotonics.com/ Pete LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-roos-66526510/ Bridger Photonics LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bridger-photonics-inc/ Bridger Phtonics Twitter: https://twitter.com/BridgerPhotonic 

In today’s episode, Les talks with John Cordier, the co-founder and CEO of Epistemix. They discuss Epistemix's unique approach to simulation, and how it could be seen as a blend of SimCity, Malcolm Gladwell's "The Tipping Point," and The Matrix. John shares his background, including his geospatial experiences, university choices, and his journey through public health, leading to co-founding Epistemic X. The discussion covers the company's simulation technology, its applications in public health, decision-making, and business, particularly in predictive modeling versus traditional analytics. They also explore the broader impact of simulation technology on society and public health.Here’s a closer look at the episode:John combines his geospatial experience from childhood with simulation and AI.Founding a company, simulation vs predictive analytics.Using simulations to model human behavior and predict outcomes.Using AI to predict population behavior. Using AI to analyze healthcare data and predict outcomes.Creating a new category of analytics with agent-based modeling.Using data simulations to tell better stories and connect with people.Personal side projects and education experience.Life paths and connections with a surprise twist.Where to find out more about John and EpistemixResources:Website: https://www.epistemix.com/John LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncordier/ Epistemix LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/epistemix/

In today’s episode, Les speaks with Jonathan Meyers, Co-Founder & CEO of DoneOps - which “designs, builds, secures, and maintains infrastructure so your devs don't have to.” Jonathan talks about his approach to balancing work and travel, his experiences in different countries, and his perspective on cultural diversity. He shares insights on adapting to various work environments as a digital nomad and the importance of flexibility and resilience in this lifestyle. Additionally, Jonathan discusses the evolution of his company, DoneOps, highlighting the challenges and successes in growing a business that supports digital infrastructure.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Jonathan’s experiences growing up in San Antonio, Texas and attending the United States Military Academy at West Point.Jonathan studied Information Technology at a school that was one of the first to offer a degree in the field, and they were heavily focused on computer networks and cybersecurity.Jonathan entering a hackathon in South Korea, winning it, and spending the next 6 months trying to raise money to start a business.Moving to Hawaii after Forcepoint acquired Red Owl Analytics, seeking a better work-life balance.What digital nomadism is, especially post-COVID.Jonathan describes their experience as a digital nomad, working from co-working spaces in various locations around the world, including Bali.Minimalism and digital nomadism. Challenges and adaptations of a digital nomad lifestyle.Connecting with old friends worldwide.Using SaaS apps (started by digital nomads) to find places with good WiFi to work.Traveling and working remotely with family.Cultural differences and meaningful connections created by living a nomadic lifestyle.Starting DoneOps and how it helps people to work and run their businesses from anywhere.Resources:Website: https://www.doneops.com/ Jonathan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanmeyers1/ DoneOps LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/doneops/ 

In today’s episode, Les talks with David Lopez who is the Co-Founder and CEO of Gritly. David talks about his journey from a challenging childhood in an underserved Colorado community to a successful entrepreneur is remarkable. His mother played a pivotal role in his achievements, including being the first in his family to finish high school. David's entrepreneurial spirit manifested early, leading him to co-found Gritly while studying at CU Boulder. Gritly evolved from a tech sales bootcamp to a comprehensive data-driven platform, aiming to empower marginalized communities with tech skills and job opportunities. Despite facing hurdles like fundraising and business pivots, David's resilience and adaptability shone through. His dedication to social impact extends beyond business, as evident in his active participation in volunteer activities, including serving on the board of A Precious Child.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Overcoming challenges and finding success through hustle and determination. 0:09Growing up in a low-income, single-parent household and overcoming challenges through determination and support from family members.David’s entrepreneurial endeavor in high school set path for college and career goals.Entrepreneurship, grit, and family influenceCreating a tech sales bootcamp for underrepresented groups. Tech sales certification program and its impact on job placement. Developing a platform for upskilling and hiring. Entrepreneurship, fundraising, and product development. Fundraising challenges and lessons learned as a first-time founder. Workforce development and job placement. Entrepreneurship, grit, and perseverance. Resources:Website: https://www.gritly.us/David LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-g-lopez/Gritly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gritlyhq/

In today’s episode, Les talks with Brad Paz - the co-founder and CEO of Zoptic. The podcast episode features a conversation with Brad Paz, the co-founder and CEO of Zoptic, a sports tech and data analytics company. Brad discusses his personal journey, originating from a family with Mexican heritage in Nebraska, and his passion for sports, which led him to play junior college basketball in California. The focus then shifts to his professional endeavors, particularly the founding and development of Zoptic. Throughout the conversation, Brad sheds light on the intersection of sports, technology, and data analytics, highlighting the significance of these elements in enhancing athletic performance and the sports industry as a whole. The dialogue underscores the importance of innovation and technology in sports, while also reflecting on Brad's unique experiences and the impact of his cultural and athletic background on his career and business achievements.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Brad Pas, co-founder and CEO of Zoptic, grew up in Nebraska and played sports in high school before attending the University of Denver.The inspiration for Zoptic was sparked by the desire to help children in sports by creating a video recording device, which was originally intended for Brad's daughter's basketball games.Brad developed a wearable tag for athletes to track their movements, which was initially intended for consumer use but later pivoted to a B2B product for team sports.Brad explains how the company's technology can provide data-driven insights for coaches, parents, and athletes to improve performance and reduce injury risk.Co-founder Tanya's diverse background and experience bring credibility and valuable insights to the company.Brad shares that the company is pursuing military and first responder applications for their technology.“We're a software company, not a hardware one, but we have a great hardware partner.”Brad: Integrating with other wearables like Whoop, Apple Watch, and Fitbit is an excellent idea for data aggregation and privacy protection.Resources:Website: https://www.getzoptic.comBrad LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradpaz/ Zoptic Twitter: https://twitter.com/getzoptic 

In today’s episode, Les talks with Patsy Landaveri, the founder and CEO of Impacto - an enterprise risk management solution to the oil and gas industry.  The discussion focuses on Patsy's personal and professional journey, including her background, education, career progression, and her motivation to start Impacto.Patsy shares her story of moving from Peru to the United States for higher education and how her experiences shaped her career choices. She discusses her initial work in the energy sector, her involvement in community and business organizations, and her decision to start Impacto and develop the analytics platform called Litico, designed to help oil and gas companies reduce regulatory complexities, lower costs, and provide powerful analytics for better decision-making. Here’s a closer look at the episode:The decision to move from Peru to the US.Patsy’s experience growing up without reliable energy and how it shaped her perspective on energy access.Patsy discussed her interest in energy management and her decision to pursue a master's degree in Global Energy Management at CU, which led to a career in oil and gas with Noble Energy and later Chevron.Being named one of the top women in energy by the Denver Business Journal in 2017.Les and Patsy discuss their passion for innovation and community involvement, with Patsy highlighting their mother's influence on their philanthropic values.The importance of taking risks and trying new things, even if it means failing.Starting your own business after life in the corporate world.Focusing on creating product-market fit through customer feedback and resourcefulness.Upcoming regulations in the industry and how they will be expensive and complex for companies to meet, affecting many industries beyond oil and gas.Patsy emphasizes the interconnectedness of economic factors and their impact on business decisions.Resources:Website: https://www.impactostrategy.com/ Patsy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patsylandaveri/Impacto LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactostrategy/ 

In today’s episode, Les interviews Danielle Shoots, who is the Founding Partner and Managing Director of the New Community Transformation Fund, focusing on investments as a tool for economic equity.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Pivoting from corporate finance to starting a, with a focus on consumer behavior and financial discipline.Danielle has extensive experience in finance and strategy, having worked in various industries and held leadership roles at Comcast and the Colorado Trust.Danielle launched her own fund, Daily Boss Up, after recognizing a gap in the market for financial services tailored to young professionals and entrepreneurs.Les and Danielle discuss the potential for AI in scaling businesses, with Danielle sharing their personal experience as a TEDx speaker on leadership.Investing in BIPOC founders with a focus on the US market.Danielle launched a new fund, the Domestic Emerging Market Investment Fund, to invest in early-stage companies in the United States, with a focus on underleveraged groups and long-term growth.Danielle emphasizes the importance of valuation and growth, rather than just focusing on valuation for the sake of it.The fragility of the current venture capital (VC) model, which has not been diversified over time and is centered around a singular, non-diversified approach.Institutions must prioritize diversity and derisking in investment strategies to support founders and build healthy businesses.The importance of solving real-world problems and impacting people's lives, rather than just focusing on making money.The importance of self-awareness and accepting one's limitations to navigate feedback and criticism effectively.Feeling bored and how it can be an Achilles heel, leading to imposter syndrome and burnout.Resources:Website: https://www.demifund.com/ Danielle LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-shoots/ Danielle Twitter: https://twitter.com/danielleshoots?lang=enNew Community Transformation Fund LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-community-transformation-fund/ 

In today’s episode, I talk with Trent Mano. Trent is a General Partner at Utah-based Convoi Ventures. We dive into the Utah startup community, Convoi’s specific approach, and the growth of AI startups.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Growing up in the Bay Area and serving as a financial advisor to startup founders.Convoi’s Utah-focused venture capital fund and its unique approach.Why they want to be the first check.Diversifying investments across FinTech, consumer tech, and Utah-based companies, with a focus on early-stage companies and value-add beyond check writing.Investor-founder relationships and the importance of vulnerability.Founders struggle with fear of failure and loss of identity after shutting down their businesses.AI-powered pitch competition at Utah Startup Week. AI startups and their potential for success. Early-stage funding challenges in the current market. Fundraising environment and founder traits for successful startups. Authenticity and community in investing and life. Resources:Website: https://www.convoiventures.com/ Trent’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trentmano/ Trent Twitter: https://twitter.com/TrentMano Convoi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/convoi-ventures/ 

In today’s episode, I'm super excited to welcome my friend Russell Sprole, who is the Founder and Managing Partner of Virta Ventures, which is an early stage, climate tech venture capital firm.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Russell Sproul shares his journey as a founder and venture capitalist in the climate tech industry.Career pivot from sports TV to climate tech investing . 1:30Russell’s Emmy Awards, including three for Sunday Night Football and the Beijing Olympics.Reducing food waste in the agriculture industry. Investing in startups during the pandemic. Venture capital investing strategies and advice. Technology and innovation for environmental preservation. Resources:Website: https://www.virtaventures.co/Russell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russellsprole/Russell Twitter: https://twitter.com/RussellSproleVirta LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/virta-ventures/ 

In today’s episode, we are excited to feature Jason O'Neill, founder and CEO, and Sharayah Clancy, the COO - dynamic duo of Sidecar, which is a co-working community with not one, not two, but three locations in Montana.Here’s a closer look at the episode:What brought Jason and Sharayah to MontanaThe first location in Helena - lessons learnedThe first location in Missoula.Finding a location in Bozeman. Importance of the look and feel of the space Evolution of remote work in general and the future of co-working in bozeman and Helena.Who is good for remote work? What is the future of co-working? Resources:Website: https://www.thesidecar.club/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasononeilmt/ Sharayah LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharayahclancy/ Sidecar LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-sidecar/ Sidecar Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sidecarclubmt Sidecar Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesidecarmt/ 

In today’s episode, we have Leah Pagnozzi who is the founder and CEO of RugDoc. RugDoc is is a website and platform that focuses on providing information and analysis about cryptocurrency projects, particularly within the decentralized finance (DeFi) space. The term "rug" in the name refers to a type of scam in the crypto world, often associated with "rug pulls," where a project's creators abandon the project after accumulating funds from investors. In these cases, investors are left with worthless or nearly worthless tokens.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Leah’s early career in biomedical engineeringJoining the militaryMicro mechanics of heart valve disease.The path to becoming a patent attorney.What home renovation taught LeahHow Leah got into crypto.Teaching herself to understand the crypto code.Founding RugDoc.ioThe intersection between crypto and real estate, and how people are using crypto to diversify in the opposite direction.Leah’s advice for young professionals.Resources:Website: https://rugdoc.io/ Leah LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahpagnozzi/ RugDoc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rugdoc-io/ RugDoc Twitter: https://twitter.com/RugDocIO RugDoc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rugdocio/?hl=en 

In today’s episode, we have Caroline Lewis from Rogue Women’s Fund. Caroline is sharing with us what got her into investing, why she thinks investing in women is so important, and what is unique about a venture fund from the Pacific Northwest.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Caroline’s early days teaching English in South Korea for a year and traveling around southeast asia for another year.How did you Caroline Starting in Angel InvestingInvesting in women in healthcare.The importance of family and work balance. The role of the Pacific NorthwestStarting Rogue Women’s FundHow do you build an enduring firm?Venture firm culture and succession planning. The importance of executive coaching and executive coaching. How to find more diverse foundersResources:Website: https://roguewmn.com/ Caroline LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinejlewis/ Caroline Twitter: https://twitter.com/carolinejlewis?lang=en Rouge Women VC Twitter: https://twitter.com/roguewomenvc 

In today’s episode, we have an incredible founder who is trying to change the way we think about meetings. And most importantly, how we make sure that everyone not only has a seat at the table, but a voice as well. Andres Sigcha, who is the CEO and founder of Tariy has build a way to tackle this problem.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Andres growing up in Ecuador and leaving to come to the U.S.Working/growing/learning at Pepsi.The ceiling that Andres believes kept him in middle-level management at Pepsi.Working in industrial sales.Working for a German company in Connecticut.The pivotal decision to move to Phoenix.Attending Thunderbird School of Global ManagementRunning a successful food truck business.Brainstorming a new venture with a friend from graduate school.Identifying meetings as the main cause of employee burnout. Founding and naming Tariy.Only 15% of managers know how to run a meeting.How to train people to change what is inherently wrong.The four step approach to Tariy.Pivoting from meeting efficiency to meeting inclusion.Meetings as a solution to diversity and inclusion.How Andres maintains balance in his life.Resources:Website: https://www.tariy.ai/Andres LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetingequity/Tariy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trytariy/ Tariy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trytariy

In today’s episode, And on today's episode, we have a story that is one of the most incredible trailblazing journeys, you will hear. Meet Lauren Fitzpatrick Shanks, who is the founder and CEO of KeepWOL, which is a gamified learning platform for teams that enables employee engagement and retention insights for employers.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Growing up in Kansas and MissouriGetting out of Kansas City to get to Maryland and work for BoeingFirst black woman to win the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Design competitionWhat got Lauren into aerospace engineeringAdvice to other entrepreneurs in a similar situation, breaking odds against diversity.Transition from aerospace to tech.What is behavioral management and why is it importantHow maternity leave lead to KeepWOLCreating human relationships with people during the pandemic.Building a digital platform for relationships.2022 as the Year of DiscoveryProviding actionable insight and people analyticsEarly pilot results proving the concept.Getting into TechStarsGrowing the KeepWOL teamWhat is exciting right nowThe KeepWOL facilitation training programWhat does the future look like for millennials in the job market?How KeepWOL relates to DEI initiativesAdvice for other founders and moms.Resources:Website: https://www.keepwol.com/ Lauren’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-fitzpatrick-shanks-pmp-csm-mba/KeepWOL LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepwol/ KeepWOL Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlayKeepWOL KeepWOL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playkeepwol/ 

In today’s episode, we have a whole different kid of tech. Dave McCarson is on the show. Dave is the founder of Alpine Greenhouses, which is a very unique company using proprietary technology to build greenhouses for extreme climates. We get into not only the science of his greenhouses, but the benefits of growing your own food. Here’s a closer look at the episode:Dave’s background and goals for a healthy lifestyleTomato DaveMoving to MontanaFounding Alpine Organic FarmsThe evolution of Alpine Greenhouses.The difference between growing food and building greenhouses in Montana.Dave traveling the Rockies building greenhousesAlpine Growing Institute and indoor growing skillsPassive solar technology in the greenhouse industry.Why growing food is important to Dave.When did the American diet go south?The Nova system and processed foods.Dave’s coolest projects.What Dave is working on now.What families should grow in their greenhouses.Resources:Website: https://alpinegh.com/Dave LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-david-mccarson-7a346216/Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alpinegreenhouses/

In today’s episode, we're talking all about the coming wave of IDTech. And we're so excited to welcome a founder with Montana family roots, who grew up in Idaho, and now lives in Utah, talk about the epitome of a rocky mountain founder, Riley Hughes, who is the co-founder and CEO of Trinsic. He is going to tell us how Trinsic can help enable you to use your identity to get access to all kinds of different products and services you wouldn't otherwise have been able to get.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs.How Riley became interested in tech.Making his mark at Sovrin FoundationThe mission of Sovrin FoundationThe notion of identity in the United StatesQuick learning in the Blockchain space.Meeting another co-founder - TomislavUsing blockchain as a tool.What is a self-sovereign identity platform?Why don’t we all already have self-sovereign identitiesRiley’s journey as a founder in the Rockies.What excites Riley about IDtech.What Riley would be doing if he wasn’t the founder of TrinsicResources:Trinsic Website: https://trinsic.id/Riley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rileyparkerhughes/Riley’s Podcast: https://trinsic.id/podcast/ Riley’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/rileyphughes Trinsic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trinsic-id/Trinsic Twitter: https://twitter.com/trinsic_id

In today’s episode, we're gonna get empathetic. We are welcoming Dr. Grin Lord, CEO and founder of mpathic, and Brian Williams, who is the VP of Engineering and mpathic. Grin and Brian are going to talk about how they are working to bring empathy into the world of AI throught their unique API. Here’s a closer look at the episode:Brian’s background and history with startups.Grin’s early life growing up in the midwest and ending up in Seattle.How Grin’s work in a trauma center inspired the idea for mpathic.The magic door in psychology.How chatbots can be trained to be more empathetic.Brian joining mpathic.Empathy rocks, the training game for therapists.The science of empathy.AI assisted fidelity monitoring to replace human doctors.Understanding how empathy works in the sales cycle.What excites Brian the most from the technology perspective.How mpathic is different from ChatGPTLooking forward to challenge ahead.What is something in the future that is excitingA vision for the future of empathy.Resources:Mpathic website: Mpathic.aiGrin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grinlord/Brain LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briw/Mpathic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mpathic-ai/

In today’s episode, we have Matt Hyde, who is a partner and the co-founder of Catalyst Law Group, which is a Colorado based venture and technology law firm. Matt is going to go through the ins-and-outs of being a lawyer working with startup founders as well as venture capital firms.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Matt’s Naval Academy and law school background.The challenge of starting over in law.Moving his family to Hong KongMoving back to Colorado to work directly with foundersThe impetus to start a law firm.When is the right time for a founder to engage a lawyer.Structural reasons why Delaware C Corp is the gold standard for startups.Things to plan for or decide early on.What to do before you start taking money from investors.SAFE, Convertible Notes, and priced roundsThe danger in raising multiple SAFE roundsSide Letters as part of a dealThe importance of having a good, organized data room.Why Matt thinks giving back is important.Resources:Catalyst: https://www.catalyst.law/Matt LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-hyde-bb79564/Catalyst LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/catalyst-law-group-llp/  Legal Disclaimer:The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials discussed here are for general informational purposes only.Listeners should contact their attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal matter.   Only your individual attorney can provide assurances that the information contained in this podcast– and your interpretation of it – is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation.  Access to this podcast do not create an attorney-client relationship between the listeners and Catalyst law group or their affiliates.The views expressed at, or through, this site are those of me and guests alone in my individual capacities.  All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the contents of this site are hereby expressly disclaimed.

In today’s episode, I am very excited to welcome a fellow investor and friend here in the Intermountain West, Serene Papenfus, who is a Principal at Kickstart Fund in Salt Lake City, Utah. Kickstart is a venture capital firm on a mission to help build great companies in the Wild West.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Growing up in Tokyo, Japan. And comparing the skiing in each. Transitioning from management consulting to Venture Capital.What brought Serene back to Utah.Kickstart Fund NOT KickstarterThe Kickstart mission and 6th FundWhat does Serene think about the macro environment in the Rocky Mountains?Why VC is the wrong product for most founders? - Bryce Roberts articleThe difference between growth equity and VC.What impact the current banking environment may have on startups.What’s in store for the future of Kickstart and Fund 6.What has Serene learned from being a VC.Resources:Website: https://kickstartfund.com/ Serene LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/serenepapenfuss/Kickstart LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kickstartfund/ Serene Twitter: https://twitter.com/serenepapenfuss Kickstart Twitter: https://twitter.com/KickstartFund 

In today’s episode, we explore a critical and relevant topic for all founders, optimizing personal and professional performance through coaching. We have Scott Walgren who is the founder and CEO of Credo Performance Coaching. He coaches founders and entrepreneurs through goal setting and through the startup process. And we also have Matt Maasdam, who is going to help us provide a founder perspective on coaching and on this subject. And Matt is an entrepreneur, who is the co-founder at PECOS Outdoor.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Matt’s background and introduction.What is coaching and what does it mean?How is a coach different from a mentor?The importance of self awareness as a startup founder.How and when to find a coach?What to expect from a coach.How to break down the sticker shock.What to expect in a coaching session.How Matt has benefited from coaching.Coaching and mental health. A call to action for finding a coach.Resources:Scott LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwalgren/Matt LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-maasdam-b994ab6/Credo Performance Coaching LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/credo-performance-coaching/PECOS Outdoor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pecosoutdoor/PECOS Outdoor website: https://pecosoutdoor.com/ 

In today’s episode, we are joined by Dr. Elliot Justin, who is the founder and CEO of FirmTech. FirmTech is a company whose slogan is think smarter, get harder and the main product is a wearable tech device for improving sexual health and performance for all men, not just those with erectile dysfunction.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Elliot’s life growing up in an Army family. Elliot’s experience in medical school.Why Elliot moved his family to Bozeman.Pegasus Emergency GroupHow an injury led Elliot back to aphrodisiacs.How did you become interested in neuromodulation?Erectile dysfunction and performance anxiety statistics.What Is penis leak syndrome?Nocturnal erections and sleep.How do you measure sexual health?Why has this not been done before?What the data is showing.Where to find Elliot online?Resources:FirmTech Website: https://myfirmtech.com/Elliot Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-justin-md/FirmTech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/myfirmtech/FirmTech Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfirmtech/

On today's episode, we are excited to share a powerful story of two founders who are on a bold mission to dent the universe by pioneering housing as an employment benefit. Jerryck Murrey and Aly Hollewijn, who are the co-founders of Annum. Here’s a closer look at the episode:Aly’s early experience watching her parents as entrepreneurs.Jerryck’s early entrepreneurial aspirations growing up.Learning the world of real estate and development.How Jerryck and Aly met.Identifying the connection between affordable housing and employee retention - especially during COVID. The value of having a partner that loves the process of building a company.From friends to partners. What is Annum?How does this work in practice.The difference between housing and other industries.Friction around new benefits.How the feelings of different generations have an impact on housing needs.What does the Annum universe look like?Leveling up society by meeting basic needs.How Aly and Jerryck would describe each other.Resources:Annum website: https://www.annumhousing.com/Aly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyh-shrmcp/Jerryck LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerryck-owens-murrey/Annum LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/annumhousing/

In today’s episode, have one of Next Frontier Capital's portfolio company founders on the podcast - Jeff Gibson, who is the CTO of MonetizeNow. Jeff and his co-founder Sandeep are revolutionizing billing systems and streamlining the process.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Jeff’s early days in Missoula, MT.Jeff’s start in tech with Advanced Technology Group.The transition from Montana to San Francisco.Learning data engineering on the fly at Atlassian.The challenges of building a product-lead growth platform.The problem with tech debt and tech debt.Deciding to team up with Sandeep to solve this problem.Definition of Quote to Cash.Deciding to leave Atlassian and start MonetizeNow.Raising capitalThe hiring process for the first hires - finding engineers who will do well in a startupExploring use cases for larger companies.Keeping ties to Montana.How Jeff met the team at Next Frontier.Jeff’s advice for a young software engineer from a small town.Resources:MonetizeNow Website: https://www.monetizenow.io/Jeff LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffgibsonsf/Jeff Twitter: https://twitter.com/gibbymtMonetizeNow Twitter: https://twitter.com/MonetizeNowIo

In today’s episode, we have a pioneer in change management. Kate DeGon is the founder and CEO of ChangeSync which is a platform working to enable companies to to make strategic decisions and improve change management practices. This practice will allow companies to see internally how they are dealing with changes, and help manage changes in th future.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Kate shares her background and how she found her way to Phoenix from Madison, Wisconsin.What she learned from her time as a PI that she applied to being a founder.The importance of asking why five times to get to the root of a problem.What is change management.What is change fatigue.What Kate learned from working with American Family Insurance.The pandemic had a silver lining in the change industry, because everyone experienced a massive amount of change.The need for enterprise reporting capabilities. AI’s impact on the change management industry. The pandemic and how it helped focus the product.Bootstrapping to success. Status of raising their first round of financing.How the Phoenix ecosystem is growing.The patience she has had in her journey to build something great over an entire career of experience.Resources:Website: https://changesync.com/ Kate LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-tripalin-degon-bbb64046/ ChangeSync LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/changesync/ ChangeSync Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/changesync 

In today’s episode, we have a self described “Startup Addict” - Joseph Haecker. Joseph is using his vast experience in entrepreneurship to mentor new startups, and work to create a vibrant community in the startup ecosystem of Denver, Colorado.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Joseph the Startup Addict.Losing $283K on his first venture.The big mistake founders make early on.Turning your customer into your marketer.Why Joseph doesn’t believe in formal mentorship.Three feet from gold. How Joseph ended up in Denver?How Tech Alley got started. Tech Alley is one of the most meaningful startup events.Free resources for startups.Where do you go to learn more about the startup ecosystem?Joseph’s prediction for the Colorado startup ecosystem.Resources:Website: https://www.techalleydenver.org/Joseph LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephhaecker/Tech Alley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-alley-denver/Tech Alley Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechAlleyDenverTech Alley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/techalleydenver/?hl=enTech Alley Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TechAlleyDenver

In today’s episode, we're headed for the first time to the Grand Canyon State. Last year in 2022, Arizona saw over 140 companies raise upwards of $1.1 billion, putting Arizona on the National Venture map as a strong emerging venture ecosystem. Here to tell us all about the Arizona venture scene is my friend David Paul, who is the CEO and founding member of DWP Capital.Here’s a closer look at the episode:David’s background and how he got into VC.What motivated David to start his own firm.DWP’s SPV strategy.What advice are you giving to founders in your portfolio?Thesis and strategy of DWP.The power of the quick decision.What is unique about the Arizona Tech environment.What does the future hold for the ecosystem?The startup community in Arizona.What’s the future of venture in Arizona?Major themes or industries in Arizona.What if you weren’t a VC? What would you do with your time?Resources:DWP Capital Website: https://dwpcapital.com/ David LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidpaulvc/ DWP Capital LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dwp-capital/ The Capital Stack Podcast: https://www.capitalstackpodcast.com/ 

In today’s episode, we are featuring an experienced startup founder who is on a mission to revolutionize communication and quality of life for families who are engaged with the entire continuum of senior care - Katherine Wells, who is the CEO and founder of Serenity.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Growing up in Colorado Springs.Working at Hewlett-Packard in California.Working with the “father of the help desk industry” - Ron MunsWhat was it like to be in a startup during the dot.com bust?The emotions of laying off employees.Getting acquired by larger companies.Katherine’s superpowerMoving to Denver.Starting a company with her husband about co-parenting.Serena’s journey into startup land.Starting work in AIWorking on AI with Rolls RoyceKatherine’s mother’s Alzheimer's diagnosisMoving her parents into care facilitiesThe problem of communication across caregiversKatherine’s husband Rob building her a prototypeDeciding to fundraise so Rob could focus on the businessThe cow in the ditchPost COVID growthMavericks of Senior Living video podcastTop Entrepreneur Finalist Colorado in 2022Partnership with World Cinema and the Thrive Innovation CenterKatherine’s advice to people who are dealing with the challenges of family needing senior care.Resources:Website: https://serenityconnect.com/Katherine LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathwells/ Serenity LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serenityconnect/ Company Twitter: https://twitter.com/serenityengage Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenityengage

In today’s episode, we have someone who has done it all founder, funder, and now contributor to our startup ecosystem. Excited to have Elle Bruno who is the managing director of TechStars Boulder.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Elle’s early days as an entrepreneurWhy Elle focuses her angel investing on female founders.What’s changed in the world of investing in female founders.Elle’s advice to founders that are struggling with challenges/disadvantages.Eliminate emotion and use data.The importance of the founder/VC relationshipThe quintessential element of investment is spending time with the founders.Power dynamic shift with founders and funders.Why investors and founders both need to do diligence.What brought Elle to TechStars and the imposter syndrome.The difficulty in choosing the companies for the cohorts.How TechStars has grown. What the TechStars Boulder program entails.Advice to founders thinking about applying to TechStars.What’s unique about being a founder in ColoradoWhy do TechStars as a founder.What are you looking forward to on the personal front?Resources:TechStars Boulder Website: https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/boulder Elle Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellebruno/ Techstars LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techstars/ Techstars Twitter: https://twitter.com/techstars Techstars Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/techstars/ Techstars Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/techstars Techstars YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/techstarstv 

In today’s episode, we have Sam Fonoimoana Sam is the founder and CEO of Datajoin, which is a b2b SaaS company based in Salt Lake City, Utah, that allows enterprise customers to connect their customer behavioral data across their marketing platforms to enable truly full funnel personalization, with Datajoin’s proprietary micro integrations.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Growing up in a Polynesian family in Hawaii.Moving to Salt Lake CityThe path that led him down solving data problems.What is mico-integration.Top of funnel focus.Customer data activation and marketing data activation is where the company is now.How Sam’s previous jobs highlighted the problem. Launching a social media marketing agency with Adobe.Moving from a service to a product. When COVID dried up the pipeline.How the network is needed to get the round done.Always take the potential investor meeting. Advice about being a trailblazer in your region.Sam’s message for investors in the region.Exciting things on the horizon.Resources:Datajoin Website: https://www.datajoin.com/Sam Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-fonoimoana/Sam Twitter: https://twitter.com/samfonoimoana Datajoin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/datajoin/Datajoin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DatajoinHQ 

In today’s episode, we have Wesley Eames, CEO and founder of after.com. Wesley is working to fix what is an antiquated and broken funeral system and he has the entrepreneur chops to do it. Here’s a closer look at the episode:Wesley’s early start in entrepreneurship at 12.Wesley’s background in business.Trace.com - genealogy - Wesley’s first VC backed companyDiving into dating apps by buying another startup - MeetMindfulFounding Tales.com with his wifeThe importance of memorializing stories.Why death tech?The death of big funeral - https://youtu.be/0hU1-kIGhJoNo one has tried this before. Why is that?The environmental impactHow death traditions have changedFinding a co-founder.The pre-planning servicesWhat are the locations?Adding the death insurance componentWesley’s thoughts on the future of the industry.Wesley’s thoughts on legacyResources:Website: https://www.after.com/Wes Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weames/Wes Twitter: https://twitter.com/WesleyEames After LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/after-com/

In today’s episode, we welcome back the original host of Found in the Rockies - Stef Sample. Stef now has a new company, FUNDID, which is empowering business owners on their growth journeys by simplifying business finance & access to capitalHere’s a closer look at the episode:Growing up in Billings, MTMoving to Missoula to study ChineseThe Insight Studio and supporting other entrepreneursHow The Insight Studio helped inspire FUNDID.Raising her Seed round.Thinking of fundraising like a competitive sportThe importance of having a good marketing plan in an ecosystem.If you ask for advice, you get money. If you don’t ask for money you get advice.How the VC world is broken.Closing the seed round.Getting business funding to small businesses - which account for 98% of all women owned businessesLaunching a business charge card direct to those who need it. A move to Salt Lake to grow FUNDIDFamily BalanceResources:Website: https://www.getfundid.com/ Stef LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefaniesample/FUNDID LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fundid/ 

In today’s episode, I speak with Zach Smith, who is the founder of the FinTech company, Align Tech, and also on a professional mission to improve financial literacy for young people. Zach's journey is underscored by his persistent commitment to create value respect and lead people from all backgrounds and walks of life.Here’s a closer look at the episode:Zach’s story and how it all began.Men of TomorrowGrowing up in Florida and having mentorship. How Zach’s life changed after he left the University of Florida and went to Nantucket.How did Zach end up in the RockiesThe endless beach vs. the humbling mountains of entrepreneurship.Working with Uber - creating Mobile Auto and DieselRelationship with Lincoln TechWhat was the inspiration for Best Mobile?Why you have to be humble enough to recognize your own expertise.Developing AlignTechZack’s background in crypto trading and crypto mining.Zach’s thoughts on entrepreneurship as a solo quest versus a family quest.Finding your purpose. What is next for Zach and his growth.Resources:Website: aligntech.ioZach LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharey-smith-itilv4-0aa014123/