Refinery VC

Today we're bringing you my conversation with Bruce Vojak, researcher, author, and managing director of Breakthrough Innovation Advisors. We're going to dive into some of Bruce's learnings that came out of his writing, Serial Innovators. Bruce and his coauthors immerse themselves in the problems of a people view of innovation, rather than a process and structure or cultural view of innovation. We're also going to dive into the concept of VUCA, V-U-C-A, which stands for volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous, a term that came out of the military. It's a concept that is invaluable to help you navigate and excel, even in the middle of chaos.

Bruce Vojak is an author researcher and consultant. He coauthored, Serial Innovators, How Individuals Create and Deliver Breakthrough Innovations in Mature Firms. Bruce also serves on the board of directors at Medtronics, the advisor board of JV Partners and on the board of Micron Industries. He consults with major corporations like Procter and Gamble, and is the founder of Breakthrough Innovation Advisors. Bruce has also served as associate dean and adjunct professor at the college of engineering at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. Early in his career he was director of advanced technology for Motorola's non-semiconductor component business, where he held research and business development positions. Bruce has a bachelor's of highest honors, master's, and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois and an MBA from University of Chicago.

Bruck Vojak 

Researcher, Author, and Managing Director of Breakthrough Innovation Advisors

S2 Ep 9: Bruce Vojak

Today we're bringing you my conversation with Kevin Maney, advisor of Category Design and co-author of Play Bigger. In this episode, we're going to dive into the learnings that came out of writing Play Bigger, a book that I recommend to all of our startups. Kevin talks about how to define and own a category, as well as the timeline of successful companies that ultimately go public. So what is category design? While most companies start out with a product idea, Kevin tells us successful companies start out by designing the need and the category. So this involves asking a really simple question. What problems do you really want to solve? Spend the time defining the problem, finding that category and defining it, and aligning your team to help drive the process. If you set that North Star early, you have a better chance of attracting customers and convincing others that your journey is worth it. Ultimately you can become a category king.

Kevin Maney is a journalist, author, and co-founder of Category Design Advisors. He has also been a contributor to Newsweek, Fortune, The Atlantic, Fast Company, Strategy and Business, Harvard Business Review, CNN, ABC News, and others.

Kevin Maney

Author, Columnist, Commentator, Advisor

S2 Ep 8: Kevin Maney

Today we're bringing you my conversation with Mackey Craven, partner at OpenView. In this episode, we'll dive into Mackey's exploration mindset and how his academic experience impacted his work in venture capital. And the biggest theme that I want you to take away from this today is the concept made famous by Jeff Bezos called disagree and commit. It's something that's used often among partners in venture firms. Not everybody agrees with an investment idea, but once the investment's made everybody is pulling in the same direction. This is a concept that is very useful and helpful in any organizational setting, so I hope you can find some things to take away from this discussion.

Mackey focuses on enterprise infrastructure and data-driven application software at OpenView. Prior to joining OpenView, Mackey was an associate at Bessemer Venture Partners focusing on investments in cloud computing, consumer internet, and data infrastructure. At Bessemer, Mackey was a board observer at Twitch, which was acquired by Amazon, Zapier, Xtime, acquired by Cox Automotive, and Apperian acquired by Arxan, and was involved with Bessemer's investments in Infinio, Liaison, and Antigua. Mackey began his career in research and teaching positions at the Sloan School of Management and in the departments of physics and biology at MIT where he co-founded BioVolt, a company focused on designing low cost microbial fuel cells for use in the developing world. He has also served as an independent scientific consultant to Continuum Energy Technologies and analyzed pipe and SPAC opportunities for Hudson Bay Capital Management. Mackey joined OpenView in 2013 and was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2017.

Mackey Craven

Partner at OpenView

S2 Ep 7: Mackey Craven

Today we're bringing you my conversation with Michelle McBane, managing director of StandUp Ventures in Toronto, Canada. In this episode, we're going to dive into the origin of StandUp Ventures, which was formed to address the issue that, without many female founders around, there's a belief that you can't be what you can't see. We're also going to talk about what makes the Toronto and Canadian ecosystems different and unique in terms of the economic benefits with R&D tax credits, and the growing density of talent and engagement among corporations and universities.

Michelle is passionate about working with amazing technology entrepreneurs. As the managing director of Standup Ventures, she leads investments in early stage technology companies led or co-led by women founders. Michelle is a skilled business professional with over 25 years of combined operational and venture capital experience. Her background includes 20 years of venture capital investing as well as sales and marketing roles in both engineering and scientific industries. 

Michelle McBane

Managing Director at StandUp Ventures

S2 Ep 6: Michelle McBane

Today we're bringing you my conversation with Baiju Shah, Senior Fellow for Innovation at the Cleveland Foundation, where he focuses on catalyzing strategic initiatives for the region, including serving as the leader of the Cleveland Innovation Project. We're going to dive into what Baiju sees as the gaps in the Midwest and how he's working to combat these through his work with the Cleveland Innovation Project, which includes setting expectations and identifying opportunities to bring high growth and innovation to the region through three sectors of focus, next-generation healthcare, smart manufacturing, and water technologies.

Seasoned executive, entrepreneur, and investor with 20 years of experience in building life science technology companies, innovation platforms, and strategic alliances, from start-up phase through sustaining organizations and exits. Significant public company, private firm, and nonprofit organization board leadership and involvement through founding, growth, and turnaround situations, and substantial engagement with public agencies and officials. Frequent speaker and commentator on innovation models. Broadly networked in life sciences sector including venture capital firms, large companies, research institutions, disease foundations, and impact investors.

Baiju Shah

Senior Fellow for Innovation at the Cleveland Foundation

S2 Ep 5: Baiju Shah

Today we're bringing you my conversation with Noor Sweid, Founder and General Partner at Global Ventures in Dubai. Noor has a very impressive background having founded, scaled, exited, and taken a company public in various ventures. Her passion is solving big problems and opening up opportunities to venture capital for entrepreneurs throughout the Middle East region. Her fund, Global Ventures, was founded in 2018 and focuses on enterprise B2B and digital health. They closed their first fund in April 2020 of $50 million to invest in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Noor is passionate about enabling disruptive technology companies and their emerging market founders to solve real problems while changing the world with measurable impact. Noor is a founder, investor, and operator. Identified by Forbes magazine as one of the “World’s Top 50 Women in Tech”, Noor's previous roles include CIO at The Dubai Future Foundation, and founder of ZenYoga studio chain (acquired by Cedarbridge). Furthermore, Noor was the first Arab woman to scale, IPO and operate a public company in the MENA region, listing Depa on the NASDAQ Dubai and the London Stock Exchange (DEPA:DU) for US $1.1. billion in April 2008.

Noor Sweid

General Partner at Global Ventures

S2 Ep 4: Noor Sweid

Today we’re bringing you my conversation with Steve Walchek, Chief Innovation Officer at FIS. In this episode, we dive into his experience with technology and entrepreneurship in various capacities from founder to product manager, to business development and everything in between. Then we discuss the commitment to Innovation by FIS and the team Steve is leading as they look to meet the customer's needs of today and tomorrow and service both of them well. Finally, we take a fun look ahead to 20 years in the future at what Steve sees regarding frictionless payments and commerce.

Steve Walchek currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at FIS. In this role, he co-founded, co-designed, and leads the innovation and incubation organization at FIS.

Steve Walchek

Chief Innovation Officer at FIS

Steve Walchek and I talk about the commitment to innovation, and on the focus of meeting not just the needs of today’s customer but tomorrow’s too.

S2 Ep 3: Steve Walchek 

Today we're bringing you my conversation with Victor Gutwein, Founder and Managing Partner at M25 in Chicago, Illinois. In this episode, we're going to dive into three different areas. One is Victor's motivation for creating M25, which was really addressing a gap in the Midwest landscape regarding access to capital, particularly pre-seed, seed and later seed stages. Second, we'll look at their access and activity across the region, which includes investments in 24 cities and the snowball effect that happens once you make an investment in a city and a community and how that spreads. And finally, the many ways that M25 is fostering community with Midwest founders, with their summit conferences, their midweststartups.com for boomerang talent and Club 25.

Victor is the Founder and Managing Partner of M25 Ventures. Based in Chicago, it is the most active early-stage VC firm in the Midwest

Victor Gutwein

Founder and Managing Partner at M25

Victor Gutwein talks to us about addressing the gap in the Midwest re: capital in pre-seed, seed, and later seed stages, which led to the creation of M25.

S2 Ep 2: Victor Gutwein

Today's conversation is with friend, Wendy Lea, digital innovation strategist, ecosystem development guru, and currently the CEO of Energize Colorado. Wendy has a lot of learnings to share with us and unique experiences. These were formed by her intention and direction in life to be independent, self-reliant, and self-directed. Wendy shares her great stories of lessons she's learned working for, as she calls them, "Big CO's" and small businesses that experienced big growth, which led her to ultimately become startup CEO and eventually successful angel investor.

Wendy Lea is a leading expert in digital innovation strategy and ecosystem development. As an experienced CEO, board director, and strategist, she advises government, public/private partnerships, and global enterprises on growth through innovation. 

Wendy Lea

CEO, Board Director, Strategic Advisor

Wendy Lea’s conversation focuses on her drive to be independent, and self-directed, and how that led to her being a start-up CEO and angel investor.

S2 Ep 1: Wendy Lea

In this episode, we’re bringing you my conversation with Scott Dorsey, Co-founder and managing partner at High Alpha, a venture studio in Indianapolis, and Former CEO and co-founder of ExactTarget which was acquired by Salesforce in 2013 for over $2.5B

15 - Scott Dorsey

In this episode we’re bringing you my conversation with Jason Warner, CTO of GitHub.

14 - Jason Warner

In this episode we cover:<ul><li>Yuval’s interesting path to his technology career</li><li>Starting TOA Technologies in Cleveland, OH </li><li>What he’s working on now. First Mezu and now, Alviere</li></ul>Resources & People Mentioned<ul><li>TOA Technologies <a href="https://www.oracle.com/corporate/pressrelease/oracle-buys-toa-technologies-073114.html">acquired by</a> Oracle in 2014</li><li><a href="https://www.crunchbase.com/person/irad-carmi">Irad Carmi</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-murray-6232662/">Jonathan Murray</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-stubler-3a5827/">Mike Stubler</a> at <a href="http://drapertriangle.com/">Draper Triangle</a> in Pittsburgh</li><li><a href="https://www.mezu.com/about/">Mezu</a></li></ul>Connect with Yuval<ul><li>Connect with Yuval on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuvalb/">LinkedIn</a></li><li><a href="https://alviere.com/">Alviere</a> Website</li></ul>Connect with Tim <ul><li>Follow Refinery Ventures on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/RefineryVC">@RefineryVC</a></li><li>Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/timschigel/">Tim on LinkedIn</a></li><li>Follow <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/refinery-ventures/?viewAsMember=true">Refinery Ventures on LinkedIn</a></li></ul><a href="http://eepurl.com/hbJORv">Subscribe to Fast Frontiers</a>

13 - Yuval Brisker

In this episode we cover:<ul><li>Building Renaissance and the great programming with UnDemo Day and HotList as ways to expose top VCs to the startup talent in the midwest</li><li>The Fund of Funds model and how every MSA could benefit, including the impact they can have on a city/state/region</li></ul> Resources & People Mentioned<ul><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Snyder">Rick Snyder</a> and <a href="https://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20080921/SUB01/809220333/ardesta-venture-capital-fund-folds">Avalon Investments</a></li><li><a href="https://www.soultracks.com/">SoulTracks</a></li><li>Exits: <a href="https://investors.accuray.com/news-releases/news-release-details/accuray-acquire-tomotherapy-approximately-277-million-cash-and">TomoTherapy</a> and <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2003/BUSINESS/12/21/us.pfizer.reut/">Esperion</a></li><li><a href="https://businessleadersformichigan.com/">Business Leaders for Michigan</a></li><li><a href="https://rvc.connect.space/2019-renaissance-venture-capital-undemo-day-and-strolling-dinner-october-2nd/details">UnDemo Day</a></li><li><a href="https://www.renvcf.com/hotlist/">HotList</a></li><li><a href="https://www.cintrifuse.com/">Cintrifuse</a></li><li><a href="https://hxventurefund.com/">HX Fund</a> in Houston</li><li><a href="https://duo.com/">Duo Security</a></li><li><a href="https://ece.engin.umich.edu/stories/g-is-for-google">Larry Page</a> graduated from the University of Michigan and started Google</li><li>Venture Funds: <a href="https://www.nea.com/">NEA</a>, <a href="https://www.revolution.com/">Revolution Ventures</a>, <a href="https://www.arboretumvc.com/">Arboretum Ventures</a>, <a href="https://plymouthgp.com/">Plymouth Ventures</a>, <a href="https://www.rpmvc.com/">RPM Ventures</a>, <a href="https://www.beringea.com/">Beringea Ventures</a>, <a href="http://elabvc.com/">eLab Ventures</a>, <a href="https://materialimpact.com/">Material Impact Fund</a></li><li><a href="https://techcrunch.com/2019/08/01/bloomscape-series-a/?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAF-obg_ai_FWiikHjxTZu2KGqr6DxIyaCWq4FQVf6Gk7oN9gKD3zlj5UC4jGHtqt1X160nJ6E3_lZxrl4glZ9aMPEdf3Lw5kdjWS0K9hGudDtylIrnL3_AqvyY6KuBaWDJMvj53Qvz-OVV8_gPOB_zSRtfnFc_mMG4Zf9B1l8_nO">Bloomscape</a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Gilbert">Dan Gilbert</a></li><li>NVCA (<a href="https://nvca.org/">National Venture Capital Association</a>) recent Chair of Board of Directors, <a href="https://www.arboretumvc.com/team/jan-garfinkle/">Jan Garfinkle</a></li><li><a href="https://techtowndetroit.org/about/">TechTown</a>, Wayne State University accelerator program</li><li>Orbion, <a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/2019/12/upper-peninsula-aerospace-company-skyrockets-with-groundbreaking-technology.html">spin up company</a> from Michigan Technological University</li></ul> Connect with Chris<ul><li>Connect with Chris on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-rizik-674300/">LinkedIn</a></li><li><a href="https://www.renvcf.com/">Renaissance Venture Capital Fund</a> Website</li></ul>  Connect with Tim<ul><li>Follow Refinery Ventures on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/RefineryVC">@RefineryVC</a></li><li>Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/timschigel/">Tim on LinkedIn</a></li><li>Follow <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/refinery-ventures/?viewAsMember=true">Refinery Ventures on LinkedIn</a></li></ul><a href="http://eepurl.com/hbJORv">Subscribe to Fast Frontiers</a>

12 - Chris Rizik

In this episode we’re bringing you my conversation with Joe Marks, Executive Director of the Center for Machine Learning and Healthcare at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh In this episode we cover:<ul><li>Growing up in Ireland and his path to coming to the US/Harvard for college</li><li>His work in applied computing and research labs in multiple industries</li><li>Joe’s work at CMU - at the intersection of big companies, university and government research to produce fast moving startups that can get venture investment </li></ul>Resources & People Mentioned<ul><li>Olympic event of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammer_throw">Hammer Throwing</a></li><li><a href="https://www.raytheon.com/sites/default/files/rtnwcm/groups/gallery/documents/digitalasset/rtn_221418.pdf">Bolt, Beranek and Newman</a> (BBN) where the <a href="https://www.darpa.mil/about-us/timeline/arpanet">ARPANET</a> was built that became the internet</li><li><a href="https://www.darpa.mil/">DARPA</a> (Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency)</li><li><a href="https://www.internethalloffame.org/official-biography-raymond-tomlinson">Ray Tomlinson</a>, put the @ sign in email addresses</li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Tank-Battles/dp/B07MG5T6R9">The Battle of 73 Easting</a></li><li>Bob Johansen, author of <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5375064-leaders-make-the-future">Leaders Make the Future</a></li><li><a href="https://www.computerhistory.org/brochures/d-f/com-42b9d67d9c350/">Digital Equipment Corporation</a></li><li><a href="https://www.mitsubishielectric.com/en/index.html">Mitsubishi Electric</a></li><li><a href="https://www.disneyresearch.com/">Disney Research</a></li><li>Center is funded by<ul><li><a href="https://www.upmchealthplan.com/">UPMC</a>, integrated healthcare provider and insurer in Pennsylvania</li><li><a href="https://aws.amazon.com/">Amazon Web Services</a></li><li><a href="https://www.roche.com/">Roche</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-kingsford-42b702a2/">Carl Kingsford</a> co-founder of <a href="https://oceangenomics.com/">Ocean Genomics</a></li><li><a href="https://www.moore.org/">Gordon Moore Foundation</a></li><li><a href="https://www.heinz.cmu.edu/">The Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy</a> at Carnegie Mellon University</li></ul>Connect with Joe<ul><li>Connect with Joe on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marksjoe/">LinkedIn</a></li><li><a href="https://www.cs.cmu.edu/cmlh-cfp">Center for Machine Learning and Health</a> at Carnegie Mellon University Website</li></ul>Connect with Tim <ul><li>Follow Refinery Ventures on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/RefineryVC">@RefineryVC</a></li><li>Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/timschigel/">Tim on LinkedIn</a></li><li>Follow <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/refinery-ventures/?viewAsMember=true">Refinery Ventures on LinkedIn</a></li></ul><a href="http://eepurl.com/hbJORv">Subscribe to Fast Frontiers</a>

11 - Joe Marks

In this episode we cover:<ul><li>Chad’s experience working at Quotient - a Silicon Valley based company with their largest office in Cincinnati</li><li>Supply Chain or “Supply Way” in the Cincinnati area - Chad’s work on the board of CVG airport and the potential that we can capitalize on in the area around supply chain, logistics and advanced manufacturing</li></ul>Resources & People Mentioned<ul><li><a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180601005270/en/Quotient-Technology-Signs-Definitive-Agreement-Acquire-Ahalogy">Acquisition</a> of <a href="https://www.ahalogy.com/">Ahalogy</a></li><li>Quotient won <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171115006294/en/Quotient-Wins-%E2%80%98Best-Place-to-Work%E2%80%99-Award">Best Places to Work</a> award in 2017</li><li><a href="https://www.cvgairport.com/about/lead">Board</a> of Northern Kentucky International Airport</li><li><a href="https://www.cvgairport.com/about/next/amazon-and-cvg">Amazon’s Prime Air hub</a> and <a href="https://www.cvgairport.com/about/next/dhl-and-cvg">DHL’s Americas hub</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/consumergeneratedmedia/">Pete Blackshaw</a> at <a href="https://www.cintrifuse.com/">Cintrifuse</a></li><li>Local Universities: <a href="https://www.miamioh.edu/">Miami</a>, <a href="https://www.nku.edu/">NKU</a> and <a href="https://www.uc.edu/">University of Cincinnati</a></li><li><a href="https://redicincinnati.com/">REDI</a> and <a href="https://www.cincinnatichamber.com/">Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce</a></li></ul> Connect with Chad<ul><li>Connect with Chad on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadsumme/">LinkedIn</a></li><li><a href="https://www.quotient.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwuL_8BRCXARIsAGiC51DEDo6verkC42zEbbv8DsNI4ZriCX3QP7v6bGTmv2aRKFi1A3h98tAaAvKTEALw_wcB">Quotient Technologies</a> Website</li></ul> Connect with Tim <ul><li>Follow Refinery Ventures on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/RefineryVC">@RefineryVC</a></li><li>Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/timschigel/">Tim on LinkedIn</a></li><li>Follow <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/refinery-ventures/?viewAsMember=true">Refinery Ventures on LinkedIn</a></li></ul><a href="http://eepurl.com/hbJORv">Subscribe to Fast Frontiers</a>

10 - Chad Summe

In this episode we’re bringing you my conversation with Vic Gatto, CEO and Founder of Jumpstart in Nashville, TN. In this episode we cover:<ul><li>Vic and Tim’s parallel experiences of putting in the time and learning the venture business</li><li>Starting Jumpstart in Nashville, capitalizing on the healthcare hub and the advantage of being in middle America</li><li>Working together with his partner, Marcus Whitney to bring their different backgrounds and perspectives to the table and tackle systemic racism in the startup world</li></ul>Resources & People Mentioned<ul><li><a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/stories/2007/05/21/daily11.html">Massey Burch</a> and <a href="http://bcvc.com/">Blue Chip Venture Company</a></li><li>Vic’s partner at Jumpstart, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcuswhitney/">Marcus Whitney</a></li><li><a href="https://a16z.com/">Andreessen Horowitz</a></li><li><a href="https://scriptdrop.co/">ScriptDrop</a>, prescription delivery</li></ul>Connect with Vic<ul><li>Connect with Vic on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicgatto/">LinkedIn</a></li><li><a href="https://jsf.co/">Jumpstart Foundry</a> Website</li></ul>Connect with Tim <ul><li>Follow Refinery Ventures on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/RefineryVC">@RefineryVC</a></li><li>Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/timschigel/">Tim on LinkedIn</a></li><li>Follow <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/refinery-ventures/?viewAsMember=true">Refinery Ventures on LinkedIn</a></li></ul><a href="http://eepurl.com/hbJORv">Subscribe to Fast Frontiers</a>

09 - Vic Gatto

In this episode we cover:Resources & People Mentioned<ul><li>Duolingo Investors: <a href="https://www.kleinerperkins.com/">Kleiner Perkins</a>, <a href="https://www.usv.com/">Union Square</a>, <a href="https://www.nea.com/">NEA</a>, <a href="https://www.drivecapital.com/">Drive Capital</a>, <a href="https://www.generalatlantic.com/">General Atlantic</a>, Ashton Kutcher’s <a href="https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/a-grade-investments">A-Grade Investments</a>, <a href="https://tim.blog/">Tim Ferriss</a></li><li><a href="https://play.google.com/store">Google Play</a> - the App store for Android</li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/davemawhinney/">Dave Mahwinney</a>, Executive Director at Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship at CMU</li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Rubin">Andy Rubin</a>, co-founder and CEO of Android</li><li>Duolingo co-founders: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis_von_Ahn">Luis von Ahn</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/severinhacker/">Severin Hacker</a></li><li>Andrew Moore (CMU and google)</li><li>Luis previously founded <a href="https://www.google.com/recaptcha/about/">reCAPTCHA</a> that was acquired by Google in 2009</li><li><a href="https://www.cmu.edu/">Carnegie Mellon University</a></li><li><a href="https://englishtest.duolingo.com/">Duolingo English Test</a></li></ul> Connect with Bob<ul><li>Connect with Bob on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmeese/">LinkedIn</a></li><li><a href="https://www.duolingo.com/">Duolingo</a> Website</li></ul>Connect with Tim<ul><li>Follow Refinery Ventures on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/RefineryVC">@RefineryVC</a></li><li>Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/timschigel/">Tim on LinkedIn</a></li><li>Follow <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/refinery-ventures/?viewAsMember=true">Refinery Ventures on LinkedIn</a></li></ul><a href="http://eepurl.com/hbJORv">Subscribe to Fast Frontiers</a>

08 - Bob Meese

In this episode we’re bringing you my conversation with Tim Holcomb, Professor and Director of the John W. Altman Institute for Entrepreneurship at Miami University.In this episode we cover:<ul><li>Tim’s first career as an entrepreneur and his path to Miami University</li><li>His work at the Center for Entrepreneurship at Miami</li><li>Capitalizing on their alumni base</li><li>His bet on the next Fast Frontier: Data</li></ul>Resources & People Mentioned<ul><li>John W. Altman Institute for <a href="https://miamioh.edu/fsb/academics/entrepreneurship/index.html">Entrepreneurship at Miami University</a></li><li><a href="https://jimmoraninstitute.fsu.edu/">Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship</a> at Florida State University</li><li>Telecom Global Solutions <a href="https://www.eetimes.com/flextronics-to-acquire-telcom-global-solutions/">acquired by</a> Flex (Flextronics)</li><li>Helping venture-funded companies: <a href="https://www.reliaquest.com/">ReliaQuest</a>, <a href="https://www.orosapparel.com/">Oros</a>, <a href="https://cerkl.com/">Cerkl</a></li><li>Miami Faculty member: <a href="https://miamioh.edu/fsb/directory/?up=/directory/friedmj2">Jim Friedman</a></li><li><a href="http://www.startupcincy.com/">StartupCincy</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-markesbery-32169088/">Michael Markesbery</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rithvikvenna/">Rithvik Venna</a> of Oros</li><li><a href="https://www.brandery.org/">The Brandery</a></li><li>In 2016, Money Magazine ranked Miami University <a href="http://www.miami.miamioh.edu/news/top-stories/2016/06/money-magazine.html">No. 3 for producing the most Fortune 500 CEOs</a> (behind Stanford and Princeton) </li><li><a href="https://pitchbook.com/">PitchBook</a></li><li><a href="https://www.redhawkventures.co/">RedHawk Ventures</a></li><li><a href="https://www.flywheelcincinnati.org/">Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub</a> and Bill Tucker</li><li>Art Collins, former CEO at Medtronic, made the <a href="https://www.miamioh.edu/fsb/news/2019/05/miami-university-and-flywheel-social-enterprise-hub-partnership-accelerates-impact-investments-in-social-entrepreneurs.html">social impact fund</a> possible</li><li><a href="https://www.drivecapital.com/">Drive Capital</a> in Columbus</li><li><a href="https://hydeparkvp.com/">Hyde Park Venture Partners</a> in Chicago</li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-frankel-aa63b6/">Stuart Frankel</a>, founder of Narrative Science</li><li><a href="https://www.afrl.af.mil/">Air Force Research Lab</a></li></ul>Connect with Tim Holcomb<ul><li>Follow Tim Holcomb on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/TimRayHolcomb?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">@TimRayHolcomb</a></li><li>Connect with Tim Holcomb on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/timrholcomb/">LinkedIn</a></li></ul>Connect with Tim Schigel<ul><li>Follow Refinery Ventures on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/RefineryVC">@RefineryVC</a></li><li>Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/timschigel/">Tim on LinkedIn</a></li><li>Follow <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/refinery-ventures/?viewAsMember=true">Refinery Ventures on LinkedIn</a></li></ul><a href="http://eepurl.com/hbJORv">Subscribe to Fast Frontiers</a>

07 - Tim Holcomb

In this episode, we’re bringing you my conversation Nick Moran, Founder and General Partner of New Stack Ventures and the Founder of the first venture capital podcast, The Full Ratchet.In this episode we cover:<ul><li>How New Stack approaches working with portfolio companies</li><li>The human element is super important, at the end of the day, it’s people that build businesses and build value</li><li>Investing in the middle of the country - with mission driven leaders</li></ul>Resources & People Mentioned<ul><li><a href="https://www.danaher.com/">Danaher Corporation</a></li><li><a href="https://m25vc.com/">M25</a></li><li><a href="https://sandalphoncapital.com/team/">Jonathan Ellis</a> at Sandalphon Capital</li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahtavel/">Sarah Tavel</a>, General Partner at Benchmark Capital </li><li><a href="https://www.cintrifuse.com/">Cintrifuse</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/epaley/">Eric Paley</a> at Founder Collective</li></ul>Connect with Nick<ul><li>Follow Nick on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/TheFullRatchet">@TheFullRatchet</a></li><li>Connect with Nick on<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-moran-a738503/"> LinkedIn</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newstack.vc/">New Stack Ventures</a> Website</li><li><a href="https://fullratchet.net/">The Full Ratchet</a> Website</li></ul>Connect with Tim <ul><li>Follow Refinery Ventures on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/RefineryVC">@RefineryVC</a></li><li>Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/timschigel/">Tim on LinkedIn</a></li><li>Follow <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/refinery-ventures/?viewAsMember=true">Refinery Ventures on LinkedIn</a></li></ul><a href="http://eepurl.com/hbJORv">Subscribe to Fast Frontiers</a>

06 - Nick Moran

In this episode, we’re bringing you my conversation Dr. Anant Madabhusi, Professor of biomedical engineering at Case Western Reserve University and Director for the center for computational imaging and personalized diagnosticsIn this episode we cover:<ul><li>Anant’s distinguished background - patents, peer-reviewed articles and the multidisciplinary lab he has created </li><li>The unique medical research ecosystem in Cleveland, OH</li><li>The collaboration across departments, working together towards a common goal and making a real impact on the future</li></ul>Resources & People Mentioned<ul><li><a href="https://www.uhhospitals.org/doctors/Montero-Alberto-1962510826">Dr. Alberto Montero</a>, Director of Breast Cancer Program at UH</li><li><a href="https://case.edu/medicine/pathology/faculty/joseph-willis">Dr. Joseph Willis</a>, Vice Chairman of Pathology at UH</li><li><a href="https://www.uhhospitals.org/doctors/Ponsky-Lee-1871511972">Dr. Lee Ponsky</a>, Chair of Urology and Director of Urologic Oncology Center at UH</li><li><a href="https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/radiology/vikas-gulani-md-phd">Dr. Vikas Gulani</a>, Chair of Radiology at Michigan institute of Imaging Technology and Translation </li><li><a href="https://tmc.gov.in/index.php/en/">Tata Memorial</a> Cancer Center in Mumbai</li><li><a href="https://www.accelevateventures.com/bio">Baiju Shah</a>, Senior Fellow for Innovation at the Cleveland Foundation</li><li>Cleveland Clinic <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/eye">Cole Eye Institute</a></li><li>Cleveland Clinic <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/urology-kidney/staff">Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute </a></li></ul>Connect with Anant <ul><li>Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/anant-madabhushi-9a75a21/">Anant on LinkedIn</a></li><li>Follow Anant on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/anantm">@anantm </a></li><li><a href="https://engineering.case.edu/centers/ccipd/">Center for Computational Imaging and Personalized Diagnostics</a> Website</li></ul>Connect with Tim <ul><li>Follow Refinery Ventures on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/RefineryVC">@RefineryVC</a></li><li>Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/timschigel/">Tim on LinkedIn</a></li><li>Follow <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/refinery-ventures/?viewAsMember=true">Refinery Ventures on LinkedIn</a></li></ul><a href="http://eepurl.com/hbJORv">Subscribe to Fast Frontiers</a>

05 - Anant Madabhushi

In this episode we cover:<ul><li>Finding early-stage companies across the country and being the bridge to Silicon Valley  </li><li>Having a great idea is different than building a successful company</li><li>Three things necessary to build a great company: the capital, the people, and the playbook</li></ul>Resources & People Mentioned<ul><li>Scopus Technologies, went public in 1995</li><li>Octane Software, <a href="http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/321151/Epiphany+Buys+Octane+Software+for+32+Billion.htm">aquired by</a> E.piphany</li><li>Two Sierra portfolio companies that went public under Tim, <a href="https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/services/acquisitions/sourcefire.html">Sourcefire</a> and <a href="https://www.makemytrip.com/?ccde=us">MakeMyTrip</a></li><li><a href="https://www.cintrifuse.com/">Cintrifuse</a> in Cincinnati, OH</li><li><a href="https://www.renvcf.com/">Renaissance Venture Capital</a> in Ann Arbor, Michigan</li><li>Shared portfolio company of Sierra and Refinery, <a href="https://www.astronomer.io/">Astronomer</a> in Cincinnati, OH</li><li><a href="https://www.treasuredata.com/">Treasure Data</a> in Tokyo, Founded by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kazukiohta/">Kaz</a>, sold to <a href="https://www.arm.com/company/news/2018/08/arm-acquires-treasure-data">SoftBank’s ARM group</a></li><li>VC research databases: <a href="https://pitchbook.com/">Pitchbook</a>, <a href="https://www.crunchbase.com/">Crunchbase</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/medriscoll/">Michael Driscoll</a>, CEO - known by Tim and Scott Yara from <a href="https://greenplum.org/">Greenplum</a></li><li>Sierra’s <a href="https://www.sierraventures.com/cxo-advisory-board/">CXO Advisory Board</a></li><li>Tim’s motoring adventure in <a href="https://www.endurorally.com/events/the-7th-peking-to-paris-motor-challenge/">Endurance Rally, 2019 - Peking to Paris</a></li></ul>Connect with Tim Guleri<ul><li>Follow Tim Guleri on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/timguleri">@timguleri</a></li><li>Connect with Tim Gueleri on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/timguleri/">LinkedIn</a></li><li><a href="https://www.sierraventures.com/">Sierra Ventures Website</a></li></ul>Connect with Tim Schigel<ul><li>Follow Refinery Ventures on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/RefineryVC">@RefineryVC</a></li><li>Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/timschigel/">Tim on LinkedIn</a></li><li>Follow <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/refinery-ventures/?viewAsMember=true">Refinery Ventures on LinkedIn</a></li></ul><a href="http://eepurl.com/hbJORv">Subscribe to Fast Frontiers</a>

04 - Tim Guleri

In this episode we cover:<ul><li>Personal connections to championing entrepreneurs</li><li>The role of city government and economic development in attracting and understanding what startups need to thrive and build an ecosystem</li><li>Understanding the stages and locations of VC funding across the country</li><li>The future of work post-COVID</li></ul>Resources & People Mentioned<ul><li>Ian’s new book - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Startup-Community-Way-Entrepreneurial-Ecosystem-ebook/dp/B085422QMC">The Startup Community Way: Evolving an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem</a></li><li><a href="https://www.techstars.com/">Techstars</a></li><li><a href="https://www.cintrifuse.com/">Cintrifuse</a></li><li><a href="http://creativeclass.com/richard_florida/">Richard Florida</a></li><li>Eric Ries’ book - <a href="http://theleanstartup.com/">The Lean Startup</a></li><li><a href="https://www.kauffman.org/entrepreneurship/research/">Kauffman Foundation</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-dorsey-096b393/">Scott Dorsey</a> started <a href="https://highalpha.com/">High Alpha</a> after <a href="https://www.salesforce.com/products/marketing-cloud/email-marketing/">ExactTarget</a> was acquired by Salesforce</li></ul>Connect with Ian<ul><li>Follow Ian on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/IanHathaway?ref_src=twsrc%255Egoogle%257Ctwcamp%255Eserp%257Ctwgr%255Eauthor">@IanHathaway</a></li><li>Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-hathaway/">Ian on LinkedIn</a></li><li><a href="http://www.ianhathaway.org/about">Ian Hathaway Website</a></li></ul>Connect with Tim<ul><li>Follow Refinery Ventures on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/RefineryVC">@RefineryVC</a></li><li>Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/timschigel/">Tim on LinkedIn</a></li><li>Follow <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/refinery-ventures/?viewAsMember=true">Refinery Ventures on LinkedIn</a></li></ul><a href="http://eepurl.com/hbJORv">Subscribe to Fast Frontiers</a>

03 - Ian Hathaway

In this episode we cover:<ul><li>Building bridges and relationships not just for capital, but across the spectrum</li><li>Delevoping ecosystems in surprising places like Buffalo, NY</li><li>Long term view - developing an ecosystem takes time, which leaders and entrepreneurs in the community are going to be here in 20 years?</li><li>Launching companies and raising capital in a recession</li></ul>Resources & People Mentioned<ul><li><a href="https://www.techstars.com/">Techstars</a></li><li>Co-Founders of Techstars with David Cohen: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dbrown/">David Brown</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jared_Polis">Jared Polis</a> and <a href="https://foundrygroup.com/team/brad-feld/">Brad Feld</a></li><li><a href="https://givefirst.techstars.com/">Give First</a></li><li>Adam Grant’s book - <a href="https://www.adamgrant.net/give-and-take">Give and Take</a></li><li>Brad Feld’s book - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Startup-Communities-Building-Entrepreneurial-Ecosystem/dp/1531886035">Startup Communities: Building and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Your City</a></li><li>Jesse Marble - <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/834103">The Botchcast Podcast</a></li><li><a href="https://www.cintrifuse.com/">Cintrifuse</a></li><li><a href="https://sendgrid.com/">SendGrid</a> - started in LA, incubated in Boulder, grew offices in Denver and San Francisco (aquired by Twilio)</li><li><a href="https://wellapp.com/">WELL Health</a></li><li><a href="https://www.tassoinc.com/">Tasso</a></li><li><a href="https://www.chowbotics.com/">Chowbotics</a></li><li><a href="https://uwaterloo.ca/">University of Waterloo</a> outside Toronto, Canada</li><li><a href="https://connxus.com/procurement-solutions/">ConnXus</a> in Cincinnati (aquired by Coupa)</li></ul>Connect with David<ul><li>Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidgcohen/">David on LinkedIn</a></li><li>Follow David on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/davidcohen">@davidcohen</a></li><li><a href="https://davidgcohen.com/">David Cohen Website</a></li><li><a href="https://www.techstars.com/">Techstars Website</a></li></ul>Connect with Tim<ul><li>Follow Refinery Ventures on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/RefineryVC">@RefineryVC</a></li><li>Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/timschigel/">Tim on LinkedIn</a></li><li>Follow <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/refinery-ventures/?viewAsMember=true">Refinery Ventures on LinkedIn</a></li></ul><a href="http://eepurl.com/hbJORv">Subscribe to Fast Frontiers</a>

02 - David Cohen

In this episode we cover:<ul><li>Working at Kroger Digital</li><li>Founding VNDLY and raising capital</li><li>Understanding the market and simplifying the message</li><li>Are you earning or buying revenue?</li><li>Knowing your levers so you don’t burn out of runway</li><li>Location: Cincinnati, is that a disadvantage or an advantage?</li></ul>Resources & People Mentioned<ul><li><a href="https://www.thekrogerco.com/">Kroger</a></li><li><a href="https://www.battery.com/">Battery Ventures</a></li><li><a href="https://hydeparkvp.com/">Hyde Park Venture Partners</a></li><li><a href="https://epicvc.com/">EPIC Ventures</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insightpartners.com/">Insight Partners</a></li><li><a href="https://bowerycap.com/">Bowery Capital</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/narayana-surabhi-67664b18/">Narayana Surabhi</a></li><li><a href="https://www.workday.com/">Workday</a></li><li><a href="https://www.cintrifuse.com/">Cintrifuse</a> in Cincinnati</li><li><a href="https://duo.com/">Duo Security</a> in Ann Arbor (acquired by Cisco)</li><li><a href="https://www.salesforce.com/products/marketing-cloud/email-marketing/">Exact Target</a> in Indianapolis (acquired by Salesforces)</li></ul>Connect with Shashank<ul><li>Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shashank-saxena-659b497/">Shashank on LinkedIn</a></li><li><a href="https://vndly.com/">VNDLY Website</a></li></ul>Connect with Tim<ul><li>Follow Refinery Ventures on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/RefineryVC">@RefineryVC</a></li><li>Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/timschigel/">Tim on LinkedIn</a></li><li>Follow <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/refinery-ventures/?viewAsMember=true">Refinery Ventures on LinkedIn</a></li></ul><a href="http://eepurl.com/hbJORv">Subscribe to Fast Frontiers</a>

01 - Shashank Saxena

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