Get IN. with Nate Spangle

Get Indiana.
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Nov 17, 2023 • 10min

Rallycast: Perfecting the Pitch: Using Pitch Competitions for Non-Dilutive Funding with Bronwyn Bridges

We've talked with hundreds if not thousands of startup founders that are either looking to raise or have raised funding. One common topic of discussion is equity. No founder wants to give up too much of their company too early on. Bronwyn Bridges, the CEO of PragmaClin, has raised over $500,000 in funding over the last 18 months by leveraging pitch competitions. In today's Rallycast, we explore her strategy for maximizing every pitch opportunity. Bronwyn Bridges is the CEO and Co-Founder of PragmaClin, a company that uses digital tools to manage Parkinson's assessments from home. PragmaClin was a Rally IN-Prize finalist in the MedTech category. Bronwyn came to Indianapolis to pitch at Rally in August of 2023. This conversation took place at Rally, the Largest Global Cross-Sector Innovation Conference. Rally forges and celebrates cross-sector connections between companies, entrepreneurs, investors and universities from across the globe and features a $5M cash IN-Prize pitch competition, 1:1 investor meetups, a demo arena, content sessions and more. Rally 2024 will take place from August 27-29, 2024 in downtown Indianapolis. Register now for early bird prices. Get IN. is the show focused on the unfolding stories and most extraordinary innovations happening in the heartland today. The show is hosted by Christopher (Toph) Day, CEO of Elevate Ventures and Matt Hunckler, CEO of Powderkeg. Get IN. is brought to you by Powderkeg and Elevate Ventures. If you have a chance, please leave an honest rating and review on Apple Podcasts by clicking here. It will help the show and its ranking on Apple Podcasts incredibly! Thank you so much! Want to get connected with other leaders in the Powderkeg community? Are you interested in joining the only private membership network focused on supporting tech companies and executives in communities beyond Silicon Valley? Apply for Powderkeg Premium Membership today. Interested in starting your own Podcast? Casted is THE first and only podcast and video marketing platform made SPECIFICALLY for B2B brands. The platform makes it possible to publish, syndicate, amplify, and measure the value of your podcast and video content And if you're a startup, Casted offers their for Startups program that might be for you — offering exclusive deep discounts of up to 82% off retail price for qualifying startups. Connect with Casted at Casted.us/powderkeg.
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Nov 15, 2023 • 47min

Scaling a Health Tech Startup: Fundraising, Tech Transfer, and Storytelling with Ray Fraser

Our latest "Get IN" podcast episode is live, and it's a rollercoaster ride into the heart of health tech innovation. We've got the mastermind behind VitalView, Ray Fraser, spilling the beans on transforming healthcare with some incredible sensor tech. Here's a sneak peek of the episode: 🌐 VitalView's Mission: Discover how Ray's company is shaking up the hospital-at-home experience. 🚀 Ray's Entrepreneurial Odyssey: Get the raw, unfiltered story of Ray's climb to the top. 🛠 The Tech Talk: Unravel the complexities of IoT in healthcare and why it's a big deal. 💸 The Art of the Fundraise: Ray breaks down the nuts and bolts of pulling in those investment dollars. In this episode, you're not just listening to another success story. You're getting an all-access pass to Ray's journey – from sweeping floors at a farmer's market to spearheading a game-changing health tech venture. Trust me, this is the kind of real, gritty entrepreneurship tale that you don't want to miss. Timestamps: 00:53 Understanding VitalView: The Health Tech IoT Platform 03:35 Ray Fraser's Entrepreneurial Journey 05:25 Insights from Ray's Experience at Lime Scooters 09:31 The Importance of Understanding Investors 15:51 Building the VitalView Team 18:33 Incubating VitalView at Notre Dame 25:50 The Future of Health Tech 26:51 Discussing the Impact of Tech Innovations 27:06 The Role of Notre Dame in Innovation 30:14 The Influence of Theater in Entrepreneurship 34:05 Fun Game Time: Fundraising Flashcards Ray gets real about the future of health tech, storytelling in business, and dishes out some solid gold advice in our Fundraising Flashcards game. So, why should you care? Because whether you're a budding entrepreneur, a tech enthusiast, or just curious about the future of healthcare, this episode is a goldmine of insights and inspiration. If you have a chance, please leave an honest rating and review on Apple Podcasts by clicking here. It will help the show and its ranking on Apple Podcasts incredibly! Thank you so much! Get IN. is the show focused on the unfolding stories and most extraordinary innovations happening in the heartland today. The show is hosted by Christopher (Toph) Day, CEO of Elevate Ventures and Matt Hunckler, CEO of Powderkeg. Get IN. is brought to you by Powderkeg and Elevate Ventures. Want to get connected with other leaders in the Powderkeg community? Are you interested in joining the only private membership network focused on supporting tech companies and executives in communities beyond Silicon Valley? Apply for Powderkeg Premium Membership today. Interested in starting your own Podcast? Casted is THE first and only podcast and video marketing platform made SPECIFICALLY for B2B brands. The platform makes it possible to publish, syndicate, amplify, and measure the value of your podcast and video content And if you're a startup, Casted offers their for Startups program that might be for you — offering exclusive deep discounts of up to 82% off retail price for qualifying startups. Connect with Casted at Casted.us/powderkeg.
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Nov 10, 2023 • 12min

Rallycast: Connection Capital: How Fellowships & Accelerators Can Change Your Startup's Trajectory with Tania Kottoor

We've all heard the old adage, "You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with." Some of the best entrepreneurs I know intentionally elevate their networks. One way to do this is by joining fellowships and accelerator programs. Tania Kottoor is a master of this. In this conversation, we dive into a few of the programs that have been vital to her success in launching West x East and how to take advantage of pitch competitions beyond just the funding. Tania Kottoor, is the Founder and CEO of WEST x EAST, an AI-powered design platform for custom-fit cultural clothing. Tania has been part of over 20 Fellowships, accelerators, and boot camps. She is a Tory Burch Entrepreneur, Luminary Fellow, Vital Voices Grow Fellow, and Ladies Who Launch Fellow, to name a few. West x East has been gaining tons of momentum since it's conception in 2023 and pitching at the IN-Prize competition at Rally is just one of the latest achievements. This conversation took place at Rally, the Largest Global Cross-Sector Innovation Conference. Rally forges and celebrates cross-sector connections between companies, entrepreneurs, investors and universities from across the globe and features a $5M cash IN-Prize pitch competition, 1:1 investor meetups, a demo arena, content sessions and more. Rally 2024 will take place from August 27-29, 2024 in downtown Indianapolis. Register now for early bird prices. Get IN. is the show focused on the unfolding stories and most extraordinary innovations happening in the heartland today. The show is hosted by Christopher (Toph) Day, CEO of Elevate Ventures and Matt Hunckler, CEO of Powderkeg. Get IN. is brought to you by Powderkeg and Elevate Ventures. If you have a chance, please leave an honest rating and review on Apple Podcasts by clicking here. It will help the show and its ranking on Apple Podcasts incredibly! Thank you so much! Want to get connected with other leaders in the Powderkeg community? Are you interested in joining the only private membership network focused on supporting tech companies and executives in communities beyond Silicon Valley? Apply for Powderkeg Premium Membership today. Interested in starting your own Podcast? Casted is THE first and only podcast and video marketing platform made SPECIFICALLY for B2B brands. The platform makes it possible to publish, syndicate, amplify, and measure the value of your podcast and video content And if you're a startup, Casted offers their for Startups program that might be for you — offering exclusive deep discounts of up to 82% off retail price for qualifying startups. Connect with Casted at Casted.us/powderkeg.
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Nov 8, 2023 • 1h 4min

Turning Mindset into Millions: Unlocking Untapped Potential with Mental Performance Training — Kevin Bailey & David DeRam

Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kobe Bryant all had something in common more than just basketball excellence. They all had the same mindset coach, George Mumford. Many people model their workouts, wardrobes, and wealthy aspirations off of professional athletes… why should mindset be any different? We recently sat down with Kevin Bailey, Co-Founder and CEO at Dreamfuel, and David DeRam, CEO at Greenlight Guru, to talk through the practical effects mindset coaching has had on David and his business. This is an episode full of actionable techniques you can use to increase mental performance in yourself as well as your team in order to achieve higher results and stay composed under pressure. Kevin Bailey is the Co-Founder and CEO of Dreamfuel, a mental performance platform that helps elite teams & individuals thrive under pressure. David DeRam is the CEO of Greenlight Guru, a dynamic MedTech company that provides software solutions for Med Device companies and clinical trial data collection. Both are incredible tech entrepreneurs and have accumulated many wins, losses, and lessons along the journey. Through all of the craziness that entrepreneurship brings, both of these leaders have found a competitive advantage by focusing on their personal mental performance as well as their teams'. Be sure to check out these great clips from the show: [6:18] The Effects of Breathwork [12:52] Mindset Coaching and Physical Challenge [19:18] The Power of Mindset Coaching [24:07] Transformation Through Mental Performance Work [34:55] Importance of Managing Emotions [36:40] The Threat of Emotional Reactions in Leadership [45:28] Flow State and its Characteristics [49:26] Motivation and Self-Rewarding Effort [52:07] The Power of Dopamine [53:31] Falling in Love With the Process [1:00:51] The Mirror Neuron Effect Get IN. is the show focused on the unfolding stories and most extraordinary innovations happening in the heartland today. Get IN. is brought to you by Powderkeg and Elevate Ventures. In our conversation with Kevin & David, you will learn about: The Impact of Mindset on Success: We explored the journey of Kevin and David, highlighting the role of mindset in overcoming challenges and achieving success. Kevin shared how mindset coaching can push individuals beyond their perceived limits and unlock their true potential. Emotional Intelligence in Leadership: We discussed the importance of managing emotional states and the role of mindfulness in doing so. We also touched on the threat of emotional reactions undermining leadership and the importance of regulating emotions in high-pressure situations. The Power of Visualization: David shared his experience using a visualization technique taught by Kevin, describing it as putting on an "Iron Man mask" that allows him to block out negative words and thoughts. If you have a chance, please leave an honest rating and review on Apple Podcasts by clicking here. It will help the show and its ranking on Apple Podcasts incredibly! Thank you so much! Get IN. is the show focused on the unfolding stories and most extraordinary innovations happening in the heartland today. The show is hosted by Christopher (Toph) Day, CEO of Elevate Ventures and Matt Hunckler, CEO of Powderkeg. Get IN. is brought to you by Powderkeg and Elevate Ventures. Want to get connected with other leaders in the Powderkeg community? Are you interested in joining the only private membership network focused on supporting tech companies and executives in communities beyond Silicon Valley? Apply for Powderkeg Premium Membership today. Interested in starting your own Podcast? Casted is THE first and only podcast and video marketing platform made SPECIFICALLY for B2B brands. The platform makes it possible to publish, syndicate, amplify, and measure the value of your podcast and video content And if you're a startup, Casted offers their for Startups program that might be for you — offering exclusive deep discounts of up to 82% off retail price for qualifying startups. Connect with Casted at Casted.us/powderkeg.
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Nov 1, 2023 • 48min

How Private Equity is Investing in "Midwest Mavericks" with Susan Ford

We sat down with Susan Ford of Graham Allen Partners to talk about Private Equity. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Though private Equity traditionally has a bad reputation in the tech community, Susan does a good job of breaking down the signs of bad actor investors. Susan Ford is a Partner at Graham Allen Partners, a private investment firm focused on developing early-stage technology businesses into sustainable growth companies. This conversation is a masterclass in private equity. We cover PE vs VC, what investors are looking for in founders, and how to set your business up for a potential exit. Be sure to check out these great clips from the show: [2:03] Private Equity vs Venture Capital [4:26] Bridging the Gap between Tradition and Innovation [7:05] Data-Rich Asset Light Industries [8:02] Private Equity Firms and Manufacturing Data [11:18] Private Equity Firms in Secondary and Tertiary Markets [15:00] The Value of Data in Core Businesses [24:40] Considerations for founders/executives considering an exit [26:23] Preparing for a sale and aligning incentives [33:22] The importance of self-knowledge and awareness [37:05] The significance of effective communication and understanding in teams [40:44] Tough Conversations and Job Rejections [41:23] The Power of Vulnerability and Values Get IN. is the show focused on the unfolding stories and most extraordinary innovations happening in the heartland today. Get IN. is brought to you by Powderkeg and Elevate Ventures. In our conversation with Susan, you will learn about: Understanding Private Equity and Venture Capital: Susan explained the difference between these two investment strategies. While venture capital is high risk and high reward, private equity is more conservative, focusing on later-stage companies and larger investments. The Midwest Maverick: Susan introduced us to the concept of a "Midwest maverick," individuals who honor tradition and legacy while embracing transformation. These are the kind of people Graham Allen Partners look for when making investments. Harnessing Data in Business: We discussed the importance of understanding unit economics and leveraging data in traditional businesses. Susan shared an example of how data can be used to transform a business, emphasizing the importance of expanding margins and growing revenue. If you have a chance, please leave an honest rating and review on Apple Podcasts by clicking here. It will help the show and its ranking on Apple Podcasts incredibly! Thank you so much! Get IN. is the show focused on the unfolding stories and most extraordinary innovations happening in the heartland today. The show is hosted by Christopher (Toph) Day, CEO of Elevate Ventures and Matt Hunckler, CEO of Powderkeg. Get IN. is brought to you by Powderkeg and Elevate Ventures. Want to get connected with other leaders in the Powderkeg community? Are you interested in joining the only private membership network focused on supporting tech companies and executives in communities beyond Silicon Valley? Apply for Powderkeg Premium Membership today. Interested in starting your own Podcast? Casted is THE first and only podcast and video marketing platform made SPECIFICALLY for B2B brands. The platform makes it possible to publish, syndicate, amplify, and measure the value of your podcast and video content And if you're a startup, Casted offers their for Startups program that might be for you — offering exclusive deep discounts of up to 82% off retail price for qualifying startups. Connect with Casted at Casted.us/powderkeg.
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Oct 27, 2023 • 11min

Rallycast: How Edge Sound Research is Changing the Game with New SportsTech — Valtteri Salomaki

The average courtside ticket to an NBA game is priced at around $2,000, as reported by Sportskeeda. While this might not pose a significant hurdle for the typical celebrity or CEO, it often places that premium experience out of reach for the average sports fan. However, Valterri Salomaki and the innovative team at Edge Sound Research are using the power of vibrations and patent-pending technology to replicate that premium experience, regardless of where your seat may be. Valtteri Salomaki is the CEO and Co-Founder of Edge Sound Research, a company that's bringing realism to sound experiences via vibration. Edge Sound Research has been making some serious noise over the past couple of years. They've been a part of the Minnesota Twins Accelerator, powered by Techstars, participated in the NBA Launchpad program, and even secured a win at the Rally IN-Prize pitch competition. During Valtteri's visit to Indianapolis forat Rally, we had the opportunity to sit down and dive deeper into Edge's journey. We explored how plugging into the amateur sports capital of the world can take their business to the next level. Get IN. is the show focused on the unfolding stories and most extraordinary innovations happening in the heartland today. Get IN. is brought to you by Powderkeg and Elevate Ventures. In our conversation with Valtteri, you will learn about: Revolutionary SportsTech Advancements: Discover Edge Sound Research's breakthroughs in the world of SportsTech. Turning Research into Innovation: Explore how research at universities is transformed into real-world innovation. Indiana's Winning Play: Uncover the secrets of why Indiana is the ultimate hub for nurturing SportsTech companies' growth. This conversation took place at Rally, the Largest Global Cross-Sector Innovation Conference. Rally forges and celebrates cross-sector connections between companies, entrepreneurs, investors and universities from across the globe and features a $5M cash IN-Prize pitch competition, 1:1 investor meetups, a demo arena, content sessions and more. Rally 2024 will take place from August 27-29, 2024 in downtown Indianapolis. Register now for early bird prices. Get IN. is the show focused on the unfolding stories and most extraordinary innovations happening in the heartland today. The show is hosted by Christopher (Toph) Day, CEO of Elevate Ventures and Matt Hunckler, CEO of Powderkeg. Get IN. is brought to you by Powderkeg and Elevate Ventures. If you have a chance, please leave an honest rating and review on Apple Podcasts by clicking here. It will help the show and its ranking on Apple Podcasts incredibly! Thank you so much! Want to get connected with other leaders in the Powderkeg community? Are you interested in joining the only private membership network focused on supporting tech companies and executives in communities beyond Silicon Valley? Apply for Powderkeg Premium Membership today. Interested in starting your own Podcast? Casted is THE first and only podcast and video marketing platform made SPECIFICALLY for B2B brands. The platform makes it possible to publish, syndicate, amplify, and measure the value of your podcast and video content And if you're a startup, Casted offers their for Startups program that might be for you — offering exclusive deep discounts of up to 82% off retail price for qualifying startups. Connect with Casted at Casted.us/powderkeg.
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Oct 25, 2023 • 51min

Founder of Homefield Apparel on How to Build a Multimillion-Dollar Brand with Social Media

Check out the incredible story of an entrepreneur who leveraged memes and hashtags to land licensing deals with some of the biggest athletic programs in the country like Alabama, Michigan, and the Indianapolis Colts. Homefield Apparel has done the seemingly impossible, piling up 50k+ engaged followers on Twitter and 40k+ followers on Instagram all around their D2C collegiate apparel brand based here in Speedway. Get ready to take notes as we break down the blueprint that transformed a small startup into a multimillion-dollar empire through the power of social media and community building. Connor Hitchcock is the Founder and CEO of Homefield. A direct-to-consumer brand that sells premium licensed college apparel for schools of all sizes. What started as a side project in Connor's college apartment has blossomed into one of the most dominant D2C brands in the collegiate athletic space. Connor is a whiz when it comes to building a strong brand, creating authentic social content, and people-first management. Be sure to check out these great clips from the show: [3:19] Starting a Business in the Basement [13:14] Building a Strong Brand in E-commerce [14:48] The Importance of Brand in Valuations [16:03] Investing in Brand and Word of Mouth Marketing [23:10] The Last Dance and the Impact of COVID [28:13] Creating Engaging Content [35:13] Building an Authentic Brand [39:41] The Brand Battle Get IN. is the show focused on the unfolding stories and most extraordinary innovations happening in the heartland today. Get IN. is brought to you by Powderkeg and Elevate Ventures. In our conversation with Connor, you will learn about: The Role of Branding: Homefield's heavy investment in building their brand has paid off. By focusing on brand, they've managed to lower customer acquisition costs while increasing the lifetime value of their customers. The Power of Social Media: Our conversation highlighted the importance of engaging with your audience on social media platforms. Homefield's relaxed and engaging approach on Twitter allowed them to connect with their audience and have fun with their brand. Building a Strong Community: Homefield has built a raving community that goes beyond just buying their products. Their customers even sent them food and drinks during a time when they were behind on orders! If you have a chance, please leave an honest rating and review on Apple Podcasts by clicking here. It will help the show and its ranking on Apple Podcasts incredibly! Thank you so much! Get IN. is the show focused on the unfolding stories and most extraordinary innovations happening in the heartland today. The show is hosted by Christopher (Toph) Day, CEO of Elevate Ventures and Matt Hunckler, CEO of Powderkeg. Get IN. is brought to you by Powderkeg and Elevate Ventures. Want to get connected with other leaders in the Powderkeg community? Are you interested in joining the only private membership network focused on supporting tech companies and executives in communities beyond Silicon Valley? Apply for Powderkeg Premium Membership today. Interested in starting your own Podcast? Casted is THE first and only podcast and video marketing platform made SPECIFICALLY for B2B brands. The platform makes it possible to publish, syndicate, amplify, and measure the value of your podcast and video content And if you're a startup, Casted offers their for Startups program that might be for you — offering exclusive deep discounts of up to 82% off retail price for qualifying startups. Connect with Casted at Casted.us/powderkeg.
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Oct 20, 2023 • 7min

Rallycast: Why Indiana is a Hotbed for Cross-Sector Innovation with Grant Chapman

What do you think of when you hear the word "technology?" Software? AI? The Cloud? If my hunch is correct, you thought of something that the computer can do… and not the physical computer itself. Glassboard and Grant Chapman are on a mission to reshape that thinking and get HardTech in the conversation. Grant Chapman is a mad scientist by trade. He and the team at Glassboard build physical products in their "laboratory" on the near west side of Indianapolis. The work at Glassboard lies at the core of cross-sector innovation. While their primary focus is on building HardTech physical products, many of these still incorporate elements of traditional software. From top engineering schools Purdue and Rose-Hulman, pharma giant Lilly, and software powerhouse Salesforce, Indiana forms the ideal breeding ground for genuine cross-sector innovation. We take a closer look at this movement during our conversation. Get IN. is the show focused on the unfolding stories and most extraordinary innovations happening in the heartland today. Get IN. is brought to you by Powderkeg and Elevate Ventures. In our conversation with Grant, you will learn about: Why attending Rally was a game changer for Glassboard What makes Indianapolis a hub for cross sector innovation How Glassboard helps bring physical products to market This conversation took place at Rally, the Largest Global Cross-Sector Innovation Conference. Rally forges and celebrates cross-sector connections between companies, entrepreneurs, investors and universities from across the globe and features a $5M cash IN-Prize pitch competition, 1:1 investor meetups, a demo arena, content sessions and more. Rally 2024 will take place from August 27-29, 2024 in downtown Indianapolis. Register now for early bird prices. Get IN. is the show focused on the unfolding stories and most extraordinary innovations happening in the heartland today. The show is hosted by Christopher (Toph) Day, CEO of Elevate Ventures and Matt Hunckler, CEO of Powderkeg. Get IN. is brought to you by Powderkeg and Elevate Ventures. If you have a chance, please leave an honest rating and review on Apple Podcasts by clicking here. It will help the show and its ranking on Apple Podcasts incredibly! Thank you so much! Want to get connected with other leaders in the Powderkeg community? Are you interested in joining the only private membership network focused on supporting tech companies and executives in communities beyond Silicon Valley? Apply for Powderkeg Premium Membership today. Interested in starting your own Podcast? Casted is THE first and only podcast and video marketing platform made SPECIFICALLY for B2B brands. The platform makes it possible to publish, syndicate, amplify, and measure the value of your podcast and video content And if you're a startup, Casted offers their for Startups program that might be for you — offering exclusive deep discounts of up to 82% off retail price for qualifying startups. Connect with Casted at Casted.us/powderkeg.
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Oct 18, 2023 • 42min

Building a Culture of Learning and Innovation with Iris Hammel

There is a long-standing debate on whether or not you can teach entrepreneurship. And though our consensus is that entrepreneurship can not be taught in a classroom, we do believe that beneficial principles, stories, and strategies can be learned and refined in an educational setting. This is where Iris Hammel and RISE come in. Iris Hammel is the Executive Director at RISE or Regional Innovation & Startup Education RISE is a leader in best practices for entrepreneurship education using entrepreneurial thought and immersion. Startup Moxie serves area high school students and their Applied Entrepreneurship program is offered to regional colleges and universities. Iris has been a lifelong educator. Working as a business teacher and college instructor before pursuing a career in entrepreneurial education. Be sure to check out these great clips from the show: [2:14] Developing an entrepreneurial mindset [12:15] Innovative approaches to education [21:51] Creating an entrepreneurial culture [28:35] The use of AI in education [38:08] The Impact of the Applied Entrepreneurship Program Get IN. is the show focused on the unfolding stories and most extraordinary innovations happening in the heartland today. Get IN. is brought to you by Powderkeg and Elevate Ventures. In our conversation with Iris, you will learn about: Entrepreneurship as a Vehicle for Change: Iris, a lifelong educator and entrepreneur, believes that entrepreneurship can revolutionize the education system. It's not just about starting businesses, but about fostering a mindset that encourages problem-solving, creativity, and resilience. Creating a Culture of Learning: We discussed the importance of creating a learning culture that prioritizes essential skills and experiences over grades. This involves transparent communication with parents and fostering a focus on mastery-based competencies. The Future of Education: Iris expressed excitement about the potential of AI in education. She envisions a shift where students take the lead in their own learning journeys, moving away from traditional measures like credits and hours. If you have a chance, please leave an honest rating and review on Apple Podcasts by clicking here. It will help the show and its ranking on Apple Podcasts incredibly! Thank you so much! Get IN. is the show focused on the unfolding stories and most extraordinary innovations happening in the heartland today. The show is hosted by Christopher (Toph) Day, CEO of Elevate Ventures and Matt Hunckler, CEO of Powderkeg. Get IN. is brought to you by Powderkeg and Elevate Ventures. Want to get connected with other leaders in the Powderkeg community? Are you interested in joining the only private membership network focused on supporting tech companies and executives in communities beyond Silicon Valley? Apply for Powderkeg Premium Membership today. Interested in starting your own Podcast? Casted is THE first and only podcast and video marketing platform made SPECIFICALLY for B2B brands. The platform makes it possible to publish, syndicate, amplify, and measure the value of your podcast and video content And if you're a startup, Casted offers their for Startups program that might be for you — offering exclusive deep discounts of up to 82% off retail price for qualifying startups. Connect with Casted at Casted.us/powderkeg.
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Oct 13, 2023 • 13min

Rallycast: Why the Midwest is the Ideal Home for D2C Companies with Mahsa Vazin

According to an article on Money.com, dog owners are also spending between $1,390 to $4,095 a year on nonessential items. This includes everything from the usual collars and heartworm medicine to personal trainers and pet insurance. It seems that in 2023, dog owners are really going all out Pair that with the rise of plant-based foods, and that is where Mahsa Vazin and the team at PawCo Foods come in. I sat down with the CEO of PawCo Foods, Mahsa Vazin, Ph.D. to dive into why the Midwest is the perfect breeding ground for D2C companies. She was an early scientist at Impossible Foods and is now building a company in a similar space Pawco Foods is a direct-to-consumer subscription brand for pet food made from plant-based meat. Pawco Foods was part of the IN-Prize pitch competition and was the winner for the Ag & Food category. Get IN. is the show focused on the unfolding stories and most extraordinary innovations happening in the heartland today. Get IN. is brought to you by Powderkeg and Elevate Ventures. In our conversation with Mahsa, you will learn about: Keys differences between The Bay Area and Indiana Benefits of growing a D2C brand in the Midwest. Why attending conferences like Rally can be a game changer for companies. This conversation took place at Rally, the Largest Global Cross-Sector Innovation Conference. Rally forges and celebrates cross-sector connections between companies, entrepreneurs, investors and universities from across the globe and features a $5M cash IN-Prize pitch competition, 1:1 investor meetups, a demo arena, content sessions and more. Rally 2024 will take place from August 27-29, 2024 in downtown Indianapolis. Register now for early bird prices. Get IN. is the show focused on the unfolding stories and most extraordinary innovations happening in the heartland today. The show is hosted by Christopher (Toph) Day, CEO of Elevate Ventures and Matt Hunckler, CEO of Powderkeg. Get IN. is brought to you by Powderkeg and Elevate Ventures. If you have a chance, please leave an honest rating and review on Apple Podcasts by clicking here. It will help the show and its ranking on Apple Podcasts incredibly! Thank you so much! Want to get connected with other leaders in the Powderkeg community? Are you interested in joining the only private membership network focused on supporting tech companies and executives in communities beyond Silicon Valley? Apply for Powderkeg Premium Membership today. Interested in starting your own Podcast? Casted is THE first and only podcast and video marketing platform made SPECIFICALLY for B2B brands. The platform makes it possible to publish, syndicate, amplify, and measure the value of your podcast and video content And if you're a startup, Casted offers their for Startups program that might be for you — offering exclusive deep discounts of up to 82% off retail price for qualifying startups. Connect with Casted at Casted.us/powderkeg.

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