In this episode of The Pair Program, we sit down with Darian Harris, Founding GP of Connected Capital and co-founder of Fuse Accelerator, and Drew Trojanowski, President and CEO of the Southwest Mission Acceleration Center (MAC), to unpack what it really takes to move innovation at mission speed. From navigating defense acquisition to scaling dual-use startups, they share how founders and operators can bridge the gap between commercial traction and government adoption.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Why “speed” in defense isn’t always about moving faster
• The real bottlenecks in DoD acquisition and innovation pipelines
• How dual-use startups can avoid the “valley of death”
• Building ecosystems that actually help technology reach the mission
• Why partnerships matter more than ever in scaling innovation

About Drew Trojanowski: Drew is President & CEO of the Southwest Mission Acceleration Center (MAC), where he leads mission-driven innovation across national security ecosystems. His background spans the White House, Capitol Hill, Arizona State University, and a decade in the U.S. Army as a scout/sniper.

About Darian Harris: Darian is Founding GP of Connected Capital and co-founder of Fuse Accelerator. A seasoned entrepreneur, he focuses on helping scale-stage startups grow across commercial and government markets, supporting founders in turning traction into long-term impact.

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In this episode of The Pair Program, we’re joined by Arthur Dubois, CEO of Grid Aero, and Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Leonard Kosinski, Chief Strategy Officer at Air Space Intelligence. From autonomous aircraft to AI-powered logistics, they break down how supply chains are being rethought for a world where speed, scale, and resilience are critical. The conversation dives into what’s broken today, and how founders and operators are building systems that can actually keep up.

In this conversation, we get into:

• Why logistics is becoming the limiting factor in modern operations
• How contested logistics is changing the way systems are designed
• The trade-offs between building advanced tech vs. building at scale
• What autonomy actually looks like in aviation today
• How AI is helping teams make faster, better decisions

About Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Leonard Kosinski: Leonard is a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant general and Chief Strategy Officer at Air Space Intelligence. Over a 30+ year career, he led global logistics and multinational operations, including his final role on the Joint Staff shaping logistics for the Department of Defense. He also serves as a Senior Fellow at the National Defense University.

About Arthur Dubois: Arthur is the CEO of Grid Aero and an aerospace engineer focused on autonomous aircraft and next-generation flight systems. He has led aircraft programs from concept through flight and helped scale teams at companies like Joby Aviation. He previously led engineering at Xwing, working on advanced autonomy systems.

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In this episode of The Pair Program, we sit down with Garrett Smith, Founder & CEO of Reveal Technology, and Les Craig, General Partner at Next Frontier Capital. Together, they explore how new technologies are reshaping the tactical edge and what it takes to build and fund defense startups that deliver real capability for operators in the field. From battlefield insight to venture investment strategy, the conversation highlights how founders and investors are working together to bring advanced tools into modern defense environments.

Key topics include:

1. How drone-based 3D mapping is improving situational awareness in real time
2. What it takes to build a defense startup that actually gets adopted by operators
3. The realities of scaling a venture-backed company in the defense ecosystem
4. Why capital efficiency and disciplined growth matter in defense tech
5. How founders and investors evaluate opportunities in the evolving defense market

About Garrett Smith: Garrett is the Founder and CEO of Reveal Technology, a defense technology company building software that transforms drone video into real-time 3D maps for operational environments. A Marine Corps Force Recon veteran and active reservist, Garrett combines frontline experience with Silicon Valley innovation to develop tools designed to improve situational awareness for teams operating in complex terrain.

About Les Craig: Les is a General Partner at Next Frontier Capital, where he focuses on early-stage technology investments. Prior to joining the firm, Les co-founded cybersecurity company RedOwl Analytics, later acquired by Forcepoint. His background also includes roles at the CIA, the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, and service as a U.S. Army officer supporting special operations missions.

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In this episode, we sit down with Michael Weigand, Founder & CEO at Aventra, and Joshua Stiefel, Vice President for Government Relations at Second Front, to explore what it really takes to move defense technology from idea to execution. The conversation centers on the practical challenges of building, scaling, and adopting new capabilities inside government systems, where speed, policy, and production all collide. From acquisition realities to the future of cyber warfare, this episode offers a grounded look at how innovation actually reaches the field.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

1. Transitioning defense tech from prototype to production
2. Manufacturing readiness and scaling under real constraints
3. Acquisition pathways that enable faster adoption
4. The role of policy in shaping innovation outcomes
5. Cyber warfare, force structure, and what comes next

About Michael Weigand: Michael is Founder & CEO at Aventra, focused on deploying next-generation defense technologies. He previously founded Shift5, scaling it into a venture-backed defense software company. He now supports emerging national security startups as an Entrepreneur in Residence.

About Joshua Stiefel: Joshua is Vice President for Government Relations at Second Front, a public benefit software company serving national security missions. He previously worked on cyber and defense policy for the House Armed Services Committee. Josh also served in the executive branch and the U.S. Navy Reserve.

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In today’s episode, we’re joined by Nathan Hall, Chief Technology Officer at Ledgebrook, and Mike Mansell, investor at American Family Ventures, for a deep dive into how modern technology is reshaping specialty insurance. The conversation explores how speed, automation, and broker-first design are redefining underwriting, where AI truly adds value, and why human judgment still matters in high-stakes, regulated industries. From infrastructure decisions to investor signals, this episode unpacks what it really takes to modernize insurance from the inside out.

Here’s what we get into:

1. Why legacy insurance workflows struggle to keep up with modern risk
2. Building for speed without sacrificing trust or compliance
3. How AI augments underwriters instead of replacing them
4. What investors look for in the next wave of insurtech platforms
5. Designing technology around real broker behavior, not ideal workflows

About Nathan Hall: Nathan is the CTO at Ledgebrook, where he leads platform architecture and engineering. With a background spanning SaaS, fintech, and healthcare, he specializes in scaling teams and building systems that prioritize speed, reliability, and real-world usability.

About Mike Mansell: Mike is an investor at American Family Ventures, an early-stage insurtech VC firm. He works closely with founders building the future of insurance, bringing an operator-focused perspective on product-market fit, traction, and long-term defensibility.

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On today’s episode of The Pair Program, we’re joined by Jake Stauch, Founder & CEO of Serval, and Patrick Chase, Managing Director at Redpoint Ventures, for a deep dive into the future of IT service management. The conversation explores why legacy ITSM tools are breaking under modern demands, how AI-native automation is changing the way work actually gets done, and what it takes to build and back a category-defining infrastructure company.

What we cover:

1. Why ITSM remains painfully manual, and where automation truly breaks through
2. Building AI agents that don’t just assist, but take action
3. Code generation as the next platform shift in enterprise software
4. What investors look for in next-gen infrastructure startups
5. How timing, models, and product vision intersect in AI adoption

About Patrick Chase: Patrick is a Managing Director at Redpoint Ventures, where he focuses on infrastructure, SaaS, and AI. He has been at Redpoint for over seven years and works closely with companies including Modal, Serval, LiveKit, Hex, Attio, MotherDuck, and Zed.

About Jake Stauch: Jake is the Founder and CEO of Serval, an AI-driven IT automation and service management platform. Before founding Serval, he spent more than five years at Verkada, leading products from early concept through launch and scaling efforts across hardware and software, operating at the intersection of product, operations, and AI-powered infrastructure.

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On today’s episode of The Pair Program, we’re joined by Sheetal Patel, former CIA Assistant Director for the Transnational and Technology Mission Center, and Bruce Frost, Vice President of Intelligence at Rhombus Power, to discuss how AI is reshaping modern intelligence. With decades of experience across government and industry, they break down what it really takes to modernize analysis, move faster in high-stakes environments, and build trust in emerging technologies.

What we cover in this episode:

1. How AI is transforming open-source intelligence
2. Predictive models and threat forecasting
3. Bias and transparency in AI systems
4. Public-to-private sector career transitions
5. Innovation inside national security missions

About Sheetal Patel: Sheetal is a former CIA senior executive with 28 years of service across national security and intelligence. She served as Assistant Director for the Transnational and Technology Mission Center, where she built and led a new team focused on emerging technologies. She also previously held the role of Assistant Director for CIA for Counterintelligence.

About Bruce Frost: Bruce joined Rhombus Power in September 2022, where he serves as Vice President of Intelligence. Prior to joining Rhombus Power, Bruce was a senior executive at CIA where he held a variety of leadership roles including Associate Deputy Director of CIA for Operations.

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In today’s episode, we’re joined by Adam Warmoth, Founder & CEO of Chariot Defense, and Michael LaFramboise, CEO & Co-Founder of Aurelius Systems, for a deep dive into one of the most overlooked constraints in modern warfare: power. Together, they explore how energy, autonomy, and cost collide at the tactical edge, and why rethinking power systems is critical for counter-UAS, directed energy weapons, and future defense stacks. The conversation blends real-world demos, lessons from commercial tech, and candid insights on what it actually takes to deploy hardware that works beyond day one.

We dive into:

1. Why power, not software, is the real bottleneck at the edge
2. The economics of lasers vs. missiles for counter-drone defense
3. Batteries as power, not just energy storage
4. Lessons defense can borrow from EVs, automotive, and industrial tech
5. Scaling hardware from demo to sustained deployment

About Adam Warmoth: Adam is Founder & CEO of Chariot Defense, building edge-deployable power systems for modern battlefields. Former engineering leader at Anduril Industries, with experience spanning counter-UAS, robotics, AI, and sensor fusion. Previously worked on advanced electric power systems at Archer Aviation, Uber Elevate, and Kitty Hawk. Stanford-trained engineer focused on bringing commercial-grade power tech into defense.

About Michael LaFramboise: Michael is CEO & Co-Founder of Aurelius Systems, developing autonomous laser platforms to defeat drones at radically lower cost. Brings a rare mix of experience across automotive manufacturing, high-power laser systems, and defense sales. His team’s flagship system, Archimedes, combines AI, sensors, and directed energy to neutralize drones in seconds—turning electricity into ammunition.

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In this How We Hatched episode, we sit down with Luigi Lenguito, Founder & CEO of BforeAI, to explore the thinking behind predictive cybersecurity. Luigi shares what convinced him the industry was too focused on reacting to attacks—and why stopping threats before they happen is the real challenge ahead. We talk about building a company around a contrarian idea, lessons from scaling inside big tech, and the mindset shift required to rethink security from the ground up.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

1. Why “detect and respond” isn’t enough anymore
2. How predictive security changes the cyber playbook
3. Founder lessons that don’t translate from big tech
4. The growing impact of fraud and impersonation attacks

About Luigi Lenguito: Luigi is the Founder & CEO of BforeAI, where he leads the company’s vision and strategy around predictive cybersecurity. With over 30 years of experience across IT operations, M&A, and cybersecurity, Luigi founded BforeAI after recognizing the need to move from reactive defense to preemptive security. Today, he is focused on advancing behavioral predictive analytics to help organizations stay ahead of cyber threats—before they happen. Exploring your next tech role? Get insider job advice and the latest startup & govtech openings – delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe here: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

In this episode of The Pair Program, we sit down with Rob Slaughter, CEO of Defense Unicorns, and Jai Das, President, Partner, and Co-Founder at Sapphire Ventures, for a deep dive into what it takes to modernize defense software—and why a leading enterprise VC made its first-ever bet in defense tech. The conversation explores how open source is reshaping national security, what scalable government software really requires, and why contrarian investment decisions often lead to the biggest breakthroughs.

Key topics include:

1. Rebuilding the U.S. military’s software backbone
2. Open source as a strategic advantage in defense
3. Bootstrapping to scale before taking venture capital
4. Why Sapphire Ventures invested in defense for the first time
5. The future of defense tech and government software innovation

About Rob Slaughter: Rob made a name for himself in the defense tech community leading a variety of software development teams within the Department of the Air Force and Department of Defense, including as director of the DOD’s DevSecOps platform team, Platform One. Now, since leaving the military, he’s CEO of Defense Unicorns, a company that delivers that same secure software development for mission-focused organizations.

About Jai Das: Jai is President, Partner, and Co-Founder at Sapphire Ventures, investing in growth-stage startups building category-defining enterprise technology. With 15+ years of experience, he has backed companies like Glean, Cohesity, ThoughtSpot, CircleCI, and Defense Unicorns, with 15+ IPOs and 20+ acquisitions across his portfolio. He is a recognized voice in AI and enterprise tech, frequently featured in top media and speaking at major industry conferences. His focus areas include AI/ML, data, security, DevOps, open source, and crypto.

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In Episode 83, Tim Winkler and Sean Leahy talk with Peter Goldsborough, Co-Founder and CTO of Rune Technologies, and Evan Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of Altana, about how AI and modern data systems are reshaping defense logistics. They explore the disconnect between global supply networks and frontline sustainment, the realities of operating in disconnected environments, and why visibility and trust are now core to readiness. A concise look at the technologies and decisions that keep missions moving.

What we cover in this episode:

1. Why logistics often determines mission success
2. Global supply chain visibility through the Product Network
3. The spreadsheet reality of military logistics today
4. Edge-first software for contested, low-connectivity environments
5. Public–private collaboration to strengthen readiness
6. Understanding both friendly and adversary supply chains

About Evan Smith: Evan Smith is the Co-Founder and CEO of Altana, the world’s Product Network, an AI-powered network connecting global businesses, suppliers, logistics providers, and governments. He has founded and led companies across supply chain, clean tech, and data, and holds a degree in Economics from Yale University.

About Peter Goldsborough: Peter Goldsborough is the Co-Founder and CTO of Rune Technologies. Before launching Rune, he served as a core developer on Facebook’s PyTorch team, worked on real-time data systems, and helped build Anduril’s machine learning platform while leading software engineering across key defense programs.

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In this episode, Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen sit down with Kevin McGrath, Co-Founder and CEO of Meibel, and Rob Murray, Founder and CEO of SpecBooks, to unpack what it actually takes to move AI from impressive prototypes to dependable, production-ready systems. They dig into the challenges of unstructured data, the real meaning of runtime confidence, and why human-in-the-loop workflows lead to higher accuracy, not job displacement. Through the Meibel–SpecBooks case study, the group breaks down the results, the pitfalls, and the surprising upside of scaling AI in fast-moving, real-world environments.

Here’s What We Get Into:

• Why most generative AI projects never make it to production
• How runtime confidence is measured and why it matters
• Turning thousands of messy PDFs into structured, reliable outputs
• Human-in-the-loop systems that boost performance instead of replacing teams
• The business impact: 250–300% win-rate lift + 75% faster workflows
• What founders should know before scaling AI across their product

About Kevin McGrath: Kevin brings over 25 years of experience across startups and enterprise technology, with deep expertise in infrastructure, cloud optimization, and developer platforms. Before founding Meibel, he served as Vice President and General Manager of Spot by NetApp, following his earlier role as CTO where he led engineering and product during a period of rapid growth in cloud automation. Throughout his career, he has held senior technical leadership roles focused on building scalable systems and high-performing teams.

About Rob Murray: Rob Murray is the Founder and CEO of SpecBooks, a platform he has led since launching the company in 2011. He brings more than 14 years of experience building digital tools for the construction and design industry. Rob holds a degree in Marketing and Finance from the University of Florida and previously gained entrepreneurial experience as a part owner of Ezell’s Restaurant in Alabama.

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In this episode, Tim Winkler and co-host Mike Gruen sit down with Jeffrey Janicik of Innoflight and Greg Davis of Verigon to explore what it really takes to scale secure space systems fast—and without sacrificing quality. They dive into the rise of small-sat architectures, the push for higher-volume production, and why cybersecurity must be designed into hardware from day one. Through the Innoflight–Verigon partnership, they unpack how trust, communication, and rigorous testing enable teams to deliver mission-critical electronics that are ready for orbit.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• How small, secure, low-SWaP electronics support modern satellite architectures
• Why proliferated constellations require speed, volume, and resiliency
• How Innoflight and Verigon scaled from boards to full system-level builds
• What makes a manufacturing partner truly “mission-ready”
• Why cyber protection must be built into hardware from the start

About Jeffrey Janicik: Mr. Jeffrey Janicik is the Founder of Innoflight, specializing in secure, high-performance space electronics. With decades of service in the Air Force, he helped pioneer unmanned X-vehicles and contributed to establishing the U.S. Space Force. He founded Innoflight after leading NASA’s first internet-based satellite mission and continues to drive innovation in small satellites, cyber, and space networking.

About Greg Davis: Greg Davis has 30+ years in electronic contract manufacturing across aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. As VP at Verigon, he has led major growth, expanded manufacturing capacity, and broadened the company’s customer base into top-tier defense and space programs. He previously held roles at Unisys, Litton, ITT Cannon, Sanmina-SCI, and NeoTech.

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In this episode of The Pair Program, host Tim Winkler is joined by Holly Bertrand, Founder and Chief Operating Officer of ExoAnalytic Solutions; Dan Ceperley, Chief Operating Officer and Founder of LeoLabs; and Lt. Col. Tim Trimailo, Director of the Commercial Space Office at Space Systems Command. Together, they unpack how the U.S. Space Force is partnering with leading commercial innovators to build a more resilient and responsive space architecture. From rapidly evolving threats to breakthrough sensing and radar technologies, this conversation reveals how government and industry can move faster, collaborate smarter, and rethink acquisition to stay ahead in orbit.

What we cover in this episode:

• Why Space Force is shifting to “buy before build”
• How commercial SDA, radar, and sensing capabilities are accelerating innovation
• Real examples of proximity ops, maneuvering satellites, and emerging threats
• New pathways for startups to work with DoD (Front Door, CASR, SpaceWERX)
• The biggest challenges in trust, data integration, and rapid acquisition
• What the future of government–commercial collaboration must look like

About Holly Bertrand: Holly is the Founder and Chief Operating Officer of ExoAnalytic Solutions, leading internal operations, financial strategy, and overall corporate execution. She helped establish the company’s core infrastructure and oversees Contracts, Facilities, Finance & Accounting, Security, and Program Management. Holly holds a B.S. and M.S. in Physics from Brigham Young University.

About Dan Ceperley: Dan is the Chief Operating Officer and a Founder of LeoLabs, leading engineering teams behind the company’s global radar network and real-time orbital intelligence platform. He previously worked at SRI International supporting DARPA and Air Force Space Command programs, and holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from UC Berkeley.

About Lt. Col. Tim Trimailo: Tim is Director of the Commercial Space Office (COMSO) at Space Systems Command, where he leads the integration of commercial capabilities across U.S. Space Force missions. His background includes overseeing SDA’s Missile Tracking Layer, pLEO prototyping, and earlier roles in SATCOM operations and NRO analytic programs.

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In this episode, host Tim Winkler sits down with Tyler Saltsman (Founder & CEO, EdgeRunner AI), Colton Malkerson (Co-Founder & COO, EdgeRunner AI), and TJ Rowe (Chief Revenue Officer, Second Front Systems)for a deep dive into how secure, on-device AI is transforming decision-making at the tactical edge. Together, they explore the rise of air-gapped, domain-specific AI and what it takes to scale dual-use technology across defense and enterprise markets.

We dive into:

• What “warfighter-centric design” looks like in practice
• Why edge and air-gapped AI are critical for modern missions
• Lessons from scaling a dual-use company across DoD & enterprise markets
• Challenges of security, compliance, and go-to-market in defense tech

About Colton Malkerson: Colton is Co-Founder & COO at EdgeRunner AI, a Series A dual-use defense technology company building domain-specific, air-gapped, on-device AI. He previously led Enterprise Sales at Stability AI and held roles at Amazon Web Services (AWS) and on Capitol Hill for Speakers Paul Ryan and John Boehner. He earned his MBA from Stanford University and his BA from Georgetown University.

About Tyler Saltsman: Tyler is the Founder & CEO of EdgeRunner AI, developing AI agents for defense applications that operate entirely offline and secure. His career spans leadership roles at Stability AI, AWS, and the U.S. Army, where he led logistics operations as a platoon leader. He’s passionate about building resilient, mission-ready AI systems for the modern battlefield.

About TJ Rowe: TJ is the Chief Revenue Officer at Second Front Systems, a company reimagining how commercial software is securely deployed across national security environments. Before this role, he led growth and sales initiatives that expanded Second Front’s partnerships across defense and enterprise sectors. A former U.S. Army officer, TJ served with elite units including the 75th Ranger Regiment and later worked in strategy at JLL Technologies.

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In this episode, hosts Tim Winkler and guest co-host Sean Leahy dive into the intersection of autonomy, AI, and defense acquisition with Austin Gray, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer at Bluewater Autonomy, and Alex Campbell, former Chief of Staff at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). Together, they explore how startups, private capital, and the Pentagon’s acquisition system collide in the race to modernize maritime operations.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• How Bluewater Autonomy is designing mass-producible unmanned ships for the U.S. Navy
• The friction between defense acquisition culture and startup speed
• Why trust is the key to bridging government–industry collaboration
• The growing role of private capital in scaling defense innovation
• How new legislation like the Speed and Forge Acts could reshape acquisition

About Austin Gray: Austin is Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Blue Water Autonomy, a VC-backed company building autonomous ships. Austin started his career in the U.S. Navy as an intelligence officer, worked in a drone factory in Ukraine, and holds degrees from Davidson, Harvard, and MIT.

About Alex Campbell: Alex is an engineer at Applied Intuition and former Chief of Staff at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). At DIU, he led efforts to accelerate commercial technology into Navy and Marine Corps programs, including initiatives focused on autonomy and maritime innovation. A former U.S. Navy officer, Alex has extensive experience in defense acquisition and emerging tech integration.

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In this episode of The Pair Program, hosts Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen are joined by Nathan Mintz, Co-founder & CEO of CX2, and Dr. William “Dollar” Young, Jr., Former U.S. Air Force Colonel & Spectrum Warfare Expert, for a deep dive into the future of electronic warfare. Together, they unpack how autonomy, distributed systems, and AI are reshaping the electromagnetic battlespace.

In this episode:

• How AI-enabled drones and sensor networks are transforming military operations
• Integrating autonomy across air, land, sea, and cyber domains
• Balancing risk, ethics, and trust in autonomous decision-making
• Lessons from Ukraine’s “drone crucible” and real-world spectrum warfare
• What true multi-domain integration could look like in the next five years

About Nathan Mintz: Nathan Mintz is a serial entrepreneur in sensors and electronic warfare and was founding CEO of three deep tech start ups: Epirus (EMP to kill drones), Spartan Radar (automotive radar) and now CX2. He has over 20 years experience in aerospace & defense and started his career at Raytheon and Boeing as a Radar and Electronic Warfare Systems Engineer. He has 9 US Patents in various electronics technologies.

About Dr. William “Dollar” Young, Jr.: retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and founder of the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing. He created the STPA-Sec and FMA-C cybersecurity frameworks used across the DoD. A PhD graduate from MIT, he’s now an Associate Research Professor at Syracuse University. In 2023, he received the Association of Old Crows Gold Medal, the top global award in Electronic Warfare.

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In this episode, hosts Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen chat with Harry Thomas, CTO of Frenos, and Colin Murphy, Chief Hacking Officer at Frenos, two cybersecurity experts redefining how we protect critical infrastructure. They unpack what it takes to defend operational technology (OT) environments that keep power grids, water systems, and manufacturing lines running safely.

We dive into:

• The origin of Frenos and its AI-powered “digital twin” for OT defense
• Bridging IT and OT security mindsets
• How their new tool, Optica, boosts visibility and resilience
• The rise of OT security posture management
• Balancing commercial growth with national-security applications

About Harry Thomas: Harry is an expert offensive penetration tester specializing in industrial and healthcare cybersecurity, with over a decade of experience. As CTO of Frenos, he leads innovation in protecting critical infrastructures. He has taught “Hacking PLCs” at DefCon and BSIDES Orlando, spoken at BSIDES NH, and been featured on the Secure Insights Podcast. Previously, he directed Product R&D at Dragos and led AI/ML-driven UBA development at AWS.

About Colin Murphy: Colin is a technology innovator and security practitioner with a passion for building and breaking systems to drive meaningful change. As a former CIO and ethical hacker, he focuses on offensive security and digital strategy to stay ahead in an evolving threat landscape. His mission: help organizations simulate and stop cyberattacks before they happen.

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In this episode of The Pair Program, hosts Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen sit down with two retired Army generals turned tech executives, LTG Eric Wesley, former CEO of Parasanti Inc, and LTG Ross Coffman, President of Forward Edge AI. They discuss how military leadership translates into startup success, what it takes to build culture from scratch, and how dual-use innovation can strengthen both national defense and commercial sectors.

Key Topics Covered:

• Leading teams through transition and uncertainty
• Building culture in early-stage startups
• The realities of defense-tech bureaucracy
• How military experience informs innovation

About LTG Eric Wesley (USA, Ret): Eric is the former CEO of Parasanti Inc, an edge compute company serving the Department of Defense. He previously served as Deputy Commander of Army Futures Command and led the development of the Army’s Multi-Domain Operations concept.

About LTG Ross Coffman (USA, Ret): Ross is the President of Forward Edge AI and a Board Member of The Federal Savings Bank. He served over 35 years in the U.S. Army, culminating as Deputy Commander of Army Futures Command, and now advises multiple companies on innovation and leadership.

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In this episode, hosts Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen explore how startups and strategic investors are strengthening America’s innovation infrastructure. Nicholas Myers of Phoenix Tailings and Dr. Yan Zheng of In-Q-Tel discuss the urgency of building resilient supply chains and re-imagining manufacturing for a new era of national security.

They dive into:

• How Phoenix Tailings turns toxic mining waste into rare-earth metals
• Why critical materials are the “new oil” of the modern economy
• In-Q-Tel’s model for aligning startups and national priorities
• Lessons on dual-use innovation and public-private collaboration

About Nicholas Myers: Nicholas is the CEO and Co-Founder of Phoenix Tailings. Before co-founding the company, he held executive roles at a genomics firm and an EV charging startup. He holds a B.S. in Physics from Saint Michael’s College and an MBA from Northeastern University.

About Dr. Yan Zheng: Dr. Yan is Chief of Staff at In-Q-Tel, where he aligns leadership priorities and oversees strategic investments in microelectronics, semiconductors, and quantum tech. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

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In this How We Hatched episode, we sit down with Nick Skytland, Director of Gloo Developer, to explore how values-aligned AI can shape a future where technology drives human flourishing. Drawing from his career at NASA and his leadership at Gloo, Nick shares insights on building open, transparent AI systems and the importance of grounding innovation in shared human values. From defining human flourishing to reimagining the role of hackathons, Nick offers a forward-looking perspective on how technologists can build with purpose.

Inside This Episode:

• Defining “human flourishing” in the age of AI
• The Flourishing AI Benchmark and why it matters
• Building values-aligned, open-source AI tools
• The role of trust, transparency, and shared values in tech
• How hackathons fuel innovation and community

About Nick Skytland: Nick is Director of Gloo Developer, leading initiatives to shape open, values-aligned AI that supports human flourishing. Before joining Gloo, he spent over two decades at NASA as Chief Technologist, advancing early-stage technologies and building some of the largest open innovation communities in history. He is also co-author of What Comes Next? Shaping the Future in an Ever-Changing World.

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On this episode of The Pair Program, hosts Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen sit down with Michelle Urben, Managing & General Partner at Synergos, and Edward McGinnis, CEO of Curio, to explore how deep tech innovation is reshaping energy and resilience. From the DMV to global markets, they discuss what it takes to build solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How local capital in the DMV is fueling global deep tech impact
• Reinventing nuclear through recycling and new reactor design
• The role of policy and perception in scaling nuclear innovation
• Investing in durable, mission-driven companies tackling energy, food, and health

About Michelle Urben: Michelle Urben is Managing and General Partner at the Synergos Fund, investing in transformative companies addressing critical challenges in energy, food, and health. Based in Washington D.C., she brings decades of experience as a founder, investor, and advisor, while also serving on boards that champion innovation and community development.

About Edward McGinnis: Ed McGinnis is CEO of Curio and a former senior U.S. government executive with 30+ years in nuclear energy, security, and policy. He previously led nuclear energy programs at the Department of Energy and the White House before taking on the challenge of reinventing nuclear innovation in the private sector.

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In this episode of The Pair Program, host Tim Winkler is joined by co-host Sean Leahy for a conversation with Andy Yakulis, CEO & Co-founder of Vector, and Larsen Jensen, Founder & General Partner at Harpoon Ventures and Co-Founder of Vector. Together, they dive into what it means to build mission-driven startups at the intersection of defense, technology, and national security.

They dive into:

• The founding story of Vector and its “modern warfare as a service” model
• Building a warfighter-led company culture in Utah’s Silicon Slopes
• Balancing special operations DNA with tech innovation and venture capital
• Core values: Relentless, Ethical, Professional, that shape the team
• Why timing and geopolitics matter in defense innovation

About Andy Yakulis: Andy Yakulis is the CEO and Co-founder of Vector, a modern warfare-as-a-service company. With 18 years of experience as an Army Officer and Special Operations Commander, he brings deep expertise at the intersection of defense, technology, and innovation, building solutions that serve U.S. national security.

About Larsen Jensen: Larsen Jensen is Founder & Managing General Partner at Harpoon Ventures, a $300M venture capital firm backing early-stage technology companies. He is also Co-Founder of defense-tech company Vector, focused on modern warfare-as-a-service solutions. A former U.S. Navy SEAL and two-time Olympic medalist, Larsen brings leadership, resilience, and mission-driven focus to his work with founders.

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In this episode of How We Hatched, we sit down with Jennifer Sample, Chief Technology Officer at Empower AI, to explore her journey from chemistry to cutting-edge AI leadership. Jennifer shares lessons from Johns Hopkins APL, Accenture Federal Services, and now her mission-driven role at Empower AI.

Key topics covered:

• From nanotechnology and space missions to AI innovation
• Balancing visionary research with mission-driven outcomes
• Transforming government through digital modernization
• Challenges and opportunities of deploying AI in federal agencies
• The role of relationships in driving innovation

About Jennifer Sample: Jennifer is CTO at Empower AI, leading technology vision, strategy, and execution for federal government customers. With 20+ years in AI, robotics, and advanced computing, she previously directed AI strategy at Accenture Federal Services and held leadership roles at Johns Hopkins APL, contributing to initiatives like Project Maven. She holds 10 patents, a B.S. from Penn State, a Ph.D. from UCLA, and an MBA from MIT.

On this week’s Pair Program, hosts Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen sit down with Topher Haddad, Co-founder/CEO of Albedo, and Arthur Grijalva, Director of SpaceWERX. They discuss how startups and the U.S. Space Force are working together to advance space innovation, touching on Albedo’s Clarity-1 satellite launch and the role of SpaceWERX’s STRATFI program in bridging commercial and defense priorities.

Key topics covered:

• How the STRATFI program accelerates dual-use innovation
• Albedo’s Clarity-1 launch and VLEO breakthroughs
• Challenges of securing government funding and partnerships
• The role of commercial viability in defense innovation
• Advice for founders entering the defense-tech ecosystem

About Topher Haddad: Topher is the Co-founder/CEO of Albedo, a company pioneering very low Earth orbit (VLEO) satellites. Albedo’s first satellite, Clarity-1, demonstrates imagery resolution once reserved for aircraft or billion-dollar government systems. Previously, Topher was an engineer at Lockheed Martin working on national security space programs.

About Arthur F. Grijalva: Arthur is the Director of SpaceWERX, where he leads strategy and innovation programs for the U.S. Space Force. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, he has held leadership roles in program management and test/evaluation across space control, satellite systems, responsive space, and advanced technology initiatives.

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In this episode of The Pair Program, we sit down with Mollie Martin, Director of GTM Strategy at Privateer, and Declan Lynch, Chief Revenue Officer and General Manager at Privateer, to explore what it takes to scale a dual-use business at the intersection of government and commercial markets. They share insights from Privateer’s journey, from Earth observation and space domain awareness to building a geospatial analytics platform that bridges mission-driven and market-driven needs.

Key Topics Covered:

• Navigating the dual-use challenge: government vs. commercial strategies
• Product roadmap design and pricing trade-offs
• Privateer’s acquisition of Orbital Insight and cultural integration
• Trends shaping the geospatial analytics market
• The “small batch” approach to testing commercial pilots
• Advice for founders breaking into dual-use tech

About Mollie Martin: Mollie leads go-to-market strategy at Privateer, helping to shape product positioning, pricing, and adoption across commercial markets. She previously built out Deloitte’s spacetech capability and advised governments and global enterprises on New Space opportunities.

About Declan Lynch: Declan is Chief Revenue Officer and General Manager at Privateer. With experience at Deloitte, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Anduril, he drives the company’s geospatial analytics strategy and growth, forging key partnerships across defense and commercial sectors.

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Today’s episode features Yaniv Mendelson, Director of Business Development at Echodyne, and Tom Adams, Director of Public Safety at DroneShield. Together, they explore the fast-evolving counter-UAS landscape and the growing threats drones pose to critical infrastructure.

We Dive Into:

• The shift from drones as novelty tech to national security threats
• Real-world incidents involving energy grids, airports, and military bases
• Radar and multi-sensor detection strategies for airspace awareness
• Public-private collaboration and the need for updated legislation
• How Echodyne and DroneShield are partnering to safeguard the skies

About Yaniv Mendelson: Yaniv is the Director of Business Development at Echodyne, a leader in advanced radar technologies. With over 20 years of experience in business development, sales, and system integration, he has driven the adoption of cutting-edge sensing solutions across critical industries.

About Tom Adams: Tom is the Director of Public Safety at DroneShield. He retired from the FBI after 20 years of service, including 14 as a Special Agent Bomb Technician and leader of the Bureau’s Counter-UAS program. Tom has supported counter-terrorism efforts worldwide and served on the FAA UAS Detection and Mitigation Committee.

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This episode of The Pair Program dives into how cutting-edge tools like AI can make federal service a more exciting, impactful career path. Dr. Jim Liew, Founder & President of SoKat, and Michael Frank, Deputy Chief Technology Officer for the Department of the Navy, discuss strategies to attract top tech talent, drive innovation, and break down barriers to change.

Here’s what we dive into:

• Using AI to boost public sector performance
• Inspiring the next wave of technologists
• Tackling culture and process challenges
• Building collaboration across agencies
• Harnessing digital twins and upskilling programs

About Dr. Jim Liew: Dr. Jim is Founder & President of SoKat, an AI solutions firm serving federal agencies and top financial clients. Associate Professor of Finance at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School.

About Michael Frank: Michael is Deputy Chief Technology Officer for the Department of the Navy, leading efforts to identify and assess emerging technology. Officer in the Marine Reserves, overseeing the Cybersecurity portfolio for the Marine Innovation Unit.

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Today on The Pair Program, we’re joined by Paul Lwin, CEO and co-founder of HavocAI, and Daniel Brunk, CEO of PacMar Technologies. These two leaders are teaming up to rethink how autonomous vessels are designed, built, and deployed at scale. From startup speed to shipyard expertise, they share how their partnership is accelerating the future of maritime innovation.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why building thousands of autonomous boats is a software challenge
• How they’re tapping into commercial boatbuilder networks to scale quickly
• The limitations of simulation vs. real-world testing
• The economics of “precision mass” in defense and surveillance
• Mission profiles for autonomous vessels, from ISR to logistics

About Paul Lwin: Paul is CEO and co-founder of HavocAI. A former naval flight officer and test pilot, Paul launched HavocAI to deliver fast, scalable autonomous vessel technology for defense and commercial use. His mission is shaped by his experience as a refugee and his drive to give back through innovation.

About Daniel Brunk: Daniel is CEO of PacMar Technologies. After a 30-year career in the U.S. Navy. including roles at DARPA and commanding the USS Helena, he now leads PacMar in building next-gen vessels ready for autonomy at sea. He brings deep experience in naval engineering, operations, and rapid prototyping.

 Exploring your next tech role? Get insider job advice and the latest startup & govtech openings – delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe here: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

In this bonus How We Hatched episode, we’re joined by Ryan Holmes, Founder & CEO of GreenT Climate Software, to explore how AI is reshaping sustainability in multifamily real estate. Ryan shares how GreenT is building smart, scalable solutions that help properties meet environmental goals, without sacrificing financial performance.

Key topics covered:

• How agentic AI simplifies complex sustainability workflows
• Using AI to extend startup runway and scale lean
• Lessons from user-led product development
• Why real estate is overdue for tech disruption
• Building with AI from day one, not retrofitting later
• Empowering ESG teams with smart copilots

About Ryan Holmes: Ryan is the Founder & CEO of GreenT Climate Software, an AI-powered platform that delivers property performance insights and retrofit recommendations for multifamily real estate portfolios. Prior to GreenT, he served as SVP of Sales at SmartRent and has held leadership roles across proptech and medtech industries.

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In this episode of The Pair Program, we dive deep into the real challenges facing cybersecurity teams today. Our guests: William Macmillan, Chief Product Officer at Andesite, and Lucas Moody, SVP & CISO at Alteryx, bring sharp insight and a human-first perspective to one of tech’s most pressing issues: burnout. They explore the urgent need to protect not just systems, but the people protecting them.

Topics we cover:

• Why burnout is skyrocketing in SOC teams, and how to reverse it
• How AI can support analysts instead of replacing them
• The role of curiosity and creativity in modern cybersecurity
• Why junior analyst roles are more essential than ever
• The shift toward decision-layer tech built around the human
• What’s next for cybersecurity talent and team building

Whether you’re a cybersecurity pro, tech leader, or just curious about how AI is reshaping critical infrastructure, this one’s worth a listen.

About William Macmillan: William is the Chief Product Officer at Andesite, where he sets the vision for building human-centric security tools. Previously, he served as SVP of Information Security at Salesforce and as CISO at the CIA, where he led a major transformation of the agency’s cybersecurity operations. A U.S. Air Force veteran, William brings experience across intelligence, counterintelligence, and supply chain risk.

About Lucas Moody: Lucas is SVP & CISO at Alteryx, where he leads global information security strategy and operations. With a track record of building and scaling cybersecurity programs, he has held senior security leadership roles at Twitter, Rubrik, and Palo Alto Networks. Lucas brings deep expertise in security engineering, threat intelligence, and incident response, and has led global security teams across North America, Europe, and Asia.

In this How We Hatched segment, we sit down with Trong Bui, Founder & CEO of Vidoori, to unpack his journey from immigrant engineer to tech leader. He shares insights on building a mission-driven company that prioritizes delivery, ethics, and long-term impact.

Key takeaways from our one-on-one:

• The unexpected path from Lockheed Martin to entrepreneurship
• Building a consulting firm focused on delivery over scale
• Ethical R&D and investing in internal product development
• Creating culture through in-person connection
• His outlook on AI and tech in government contracting

About Trong Khuong Bui: Trong is a pioneering Asian American entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Vidoori, Inc., a company delivering cutting-edge tech solutions to government and commercial clients. With a background in engineering, he’s known for his excellence in strategic planning and risk management, and for championing people-first leadership.

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Autonomous systems are no longer science fiction, they’re reshaping national security. But while technology moves fast, policy, infrastructure, and trust lag behind. In this episode, we dive into what it really takes to build resilient, distributed autonomy for contested environments. Joining us are Emma Bates, Founder & CEO of Cachai, and Dr. Kimberly Sablon, CTO at Riverside Research, who bring experience from startups and government.

Here’s what we cover:

• The myth of the “common operating picture”
• Why centralized autonomy breaks in contested environments
• Building resilient, distributed systems at the edge
• What startups need to succeed in defense
• Rethinking collaboration between humans and machines

About Emma Bates: Emma is the Founder & CEO of Cachai, a software company enabling collaborative autonomy for edge systems. She’s a former defense strategist with experience at the Department of Defense, Army Futures Command, CSIS, and a Texas-based supercomputing startup.

About Dr. Kimberly Sablon: Dr. Kimberly is Chief Technology Officer at Riverside Research. She previously served as Principal Director for Trusted AI & Autonomy at the DoD and has led Army-wide science and technology initiatives. She holds a PhD in Applied Physics and has authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications.

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In this bonus How We Hatched episode, we sit down with Dr. Jay Rozzi, Vice President, Principal Engineer, and Partner at Creare. With deep expertise in advanced manufacturing, cryogenics, and tech commercialization, Jay shares how his team develops breakthrough technologies that move from R&D to real-world deployment across defense, aerospace, and biomedical sectors.

Here’s what we get into:

• The fastener tool used in modern fighter jet production
• Creare’s model: small teams solving complex engineering problems
• How SBIR-funded research becomes commercial-ready tech
• The role of soft skills in technical careers
• What’s next in cryogenics, space systems, and beyond

About Dr. Jay Rozzi: Jay is Vice President and Principal Engineer & Partner at Creare LLC, and Vice President of Edare LLC, Creare’s product-focused affiliate. He leads Creare’s Advanced Manufacturing group and works in machining, laser processing, cryogenics, and biomedical systems, focusing on turning government-funded innovations into practical solutions.

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On this week’s episode of The Pair Program, we’re diving deep into defense innovation, mission-first data strategy, and the future of aerospace tech with Jake Dyal and Scott Dieckhaus, two leaders with decades of experience navigating high-stakes environments. Jake, a former military intelligence officer turned startup founder, and Scott, a longtime aerospace leader now at AWS, share hard-won lessons from both the front lines and the cloud.

We dive into:

• Building mission-ready AI for disconnected environments
• Why “data value is in the eye of the beholder”
• The challenge of connecting siloed defense and aerospace data
• The truth about compliance: when it helps and when it slows you down
• How early-stage defense startups can scale responsibly
• What the future of edge tech, drones, and predictive logistics might look like

About Jake Dyal: Jake is the CEO and Co-Founder of Certus Core, where he’s building AI and data tools tailored for the defense sector. He brings over 25 years of experience from special ops missions to Pentagon programs, now focused on enabling smarter, faster decisions in disconnected environments.

About Scott Dieckhaus: Scott leads Aerospace Solutions at AWS, helping defense and aerospace organizations modernize with cloud and edge technologies. He spent two decades at Boeing in program and analytics leadership and now applies that expertise to some of today’s most complex logistics and data challenges.

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What does the future of defense look like when the vehicles drive themselves? In this episode, we sit down with Paul Benfield (Head of Strategy at Forterra) and David Michelson (Director of Autonomy at DIU) to talk about the real-world deployment of autonomous ground systems and why it’s no longer science fiction.

Tune in for:

• How DIU and Forterra are building driverless combat vehicles (today, not someday)
• The inside story of the Ground Vehicle Autonomous Pathways (GVAP) program
• Why off-road autonomy might be harder than robo-taxis, and why it’s worth it
• What “dual-use” really means when your tech serves ports and platoons
• How trust, safety, and certification are being redefined in autonomous warfare

About David Michelson: David leads DIU’s autonomy portfolio, bringing over 15 years of experience in special operations, program management, and emerging tech. He’s behind key programs like Blue UAS and GVAP, and holds an MPP from Harvard and a B.S. from West Point.

About Paul Benfield: Paul is Head of Strategy at Forterra and a 20+ year Army veteran. He’s worked at the highest levels of the Pentagon and now helps bridge the gap between tech startups and national defense priorities.

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What happens when veterans take the lead in shaping the future of defense tech? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Casey Perley from the Army Applications Lab and Guy Filippelli of Squadra Ventures, two powerhouses driving change from within and beyond the DoD. They share stories from the frontlines of innovation, lessons learned in building startups, and advice for veterans stepping into tech.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• How military leaders are building the next wave of defense startups
• Why dual-use tech isn’t one-size-fits-all
• The hidden challenges of navigating DoD procurement
• What makes a great founder (it’s not what you think)
• The impact of community and mission after active duty

About Dr. Casey Perley: Dr. Casey leads the Army Applications Lab, helping the Army tap into the best of commercial innovation. With a PhD in genetics, experience designing DNA vaccines, and a secret life as a Grammy-nominated harpist, Casey blends science, strategy, and creativity like few others.

About Guy Filippelli: Guy is a former Army intel officer turned startup founder turned venture capitalist. He’s now Managing Partner at Squadra Ventures, backing early-stage companies in cyber and national security. From Baghdad to boardrooms, Guy’s journey is all about mission, impact, and building the next generation of leaders.

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Welcome to CTO Wisdom. In this series, we interview technical leaders who have stepped into executive positions.Today’s guest host, Eric Brooke, speaks with Freedom Dumlao, CTO at Vestmark, in this episode of CTO Wisdom. We sit down with Freedom to explore his unconventional journey into tech and the leadership lessons he’s learned along the way. From programming on a black-and-white TV as a kid to leading engineering teams at Zipcar and Wayfair, Freedom shares valuable insights on building high-performing teams and navigating executive responsibilities.

Together, they dive into topics such as:

• How a passion for making sparked a tech career
• Lessons from managing managers and scaling teams
• Navigating the CTO role with empathy and accountability
• The future of AI in engineering organizations
• Why shipping culture beats everything

About today’s guest: Freedom Dumlao is the CTO at Vestmark, with a background in leading engineering teams at companies like Flexcar, Zipcar, Wayfair, Drift, and Amazon. He brings deep experience in scaling technology organizations and driving innovation across both startups and large enterprises.

About today’s host: Eric Brooke has a rich and varied leadership career – leading up to 21,000 people and Billions in revenue, throughout 14 countries. In their career, they have been an Executive six times (e.g. President, CEO, CMO, and CTO) and a Board member of multiple organisations. Eric has been a CTO of scaling startups from 0 to 120 engineers. As an adviser and mentor, they have helped multiple other startups scale both in Canada and the US. As well as supporting multiple startup incubators such as 1871 in Chicago and TechStars.Exploring your next tech role? Get insider job advice and the latest startup & govtech openings – delivered straight to your inbox.

Subscribe here: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

In this episode of The Pair Program, we’re joined by Ben Colman (CEO and Co-Founder of Reality Defender) and Wes Blackwell (Managing Director at Booz Allen Hamilton) for a fascinating discussion on AI and national security. They dive into the dangers of deepfakes, the role of AI detection tools, and how public and private sectors can stay ahead of this evolving threat. Whether you’re curious about how deepfakes are disrupting banks or the ethics behind AI moderation, this one’s for you.

Here’s what we get into:

• Why deepfakes are the new cybersecurity threat
• Real-world fraud examples using AI-generated media
• The technical challenges of detecting synthetic content
• The ethics of AI detection and censorship
• How startups and government can work together to combat AI misuse

About Ben Colman: Ben is the CEO and Co-Founder of Reality Defender, a deepfake detection platform helping enterprises and governments identify AI-generated threats. With a background in cybersecurity and data science, he’s led innovation at Goldman Sachs and Google, and holds an MBA from NYU Stern.

About Wes Blackwell: Wes is Managing Director at Booz Allen Hamilton, where he invests in cutting-edge technologies that advance national security. His focus spans AI, quantum, cyber, and robotics – backing founders building high-impact, over-the-horizon solutions.

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In this episode of How We Hatched, we’re joined by Kevin Larrabee, the Head of Product at DataShapesAI. In our conversation, Kevin takes us through the transformative role AI plays in Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) applications. He also shares how DataShapesAI is using AI-driven solutions to enhance spectrum awareness and improve signal monitoring.

Here’s a glimpse of what we talked about:

• The fascinating intersection of military operations and AI-driven tech solutions
• How Kevin navigated the transition from Army officer to startup product lead
• Why DataShapesAI is focusing on EMS applications and what that means for the future
• The challenges and opportunities in developing dual-use technology for defense and commercial sectors

About Kevin Larrabee: Kevin Larrabee is the Head of Product at DataShapesAI, a leader in Artificial Intelligence for Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) applications. He leads the product strategy and execution, driving advancements in AI-driven spectrum awareness, signal monitoring, and automated frequency management. Kevin is a 21-year Army veteran who has led multiple analytical teams across USASOC, CENTCOM, and the Army Staff.

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Today on The Pair Program, we’re joined by Gene Kesselman, Director of Mission Innovation Experimentation at MIT, and Jake Chapman, Managing Director at Marque Ventures. Together, they dive into the evolving landscape of dual-use technology and the future of defense innovation. Gene and Jake explore opportunities, tough realities, and bold reforms shaping tech development for mission and market impact.

Some of what we dive into:

• Why dual-use strategy is more than just a category
• Common pitfalls startups face in defense tech
• How venture capital sees national security innovation
• The critical role of non-dilutive funding and SBIR programs
• Urgent reforms needed in government acquisition and budgeting processes

Tune in for real-world insights and sharp debate!

About Gene Keselman: Gene is a Lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management, Executive Director of MIT Mission Innovation Experimental (MIx), and Managing Director of MIT’s venture studio, Proto Ventures. A seasoned entrepreneur and Air Force Colonel, he brings extensive expertise in innovation, defense, and dual-use technology strategy.

About Jake Chapman: Jake is the Managing Director of Marque Ventures, an early-stage venture firm focused on national security capabilities. He previously led a turnaround of the Department of Defense’s internal venture arm and serves as an adjunct at RAND, where he works at the intersection of finance and national security.

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On today’s episode of How We Hatched, we sit down with Nicolas Chaillan, Founder & CEO of Ask Sage and former Chief Software Officer for the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. From launching startups at age 15 to transforming tech adoption in national defense, Nick shares lessons from his unconventional path and offers insights on building secure, scalable AI.

Key topics we cover:

• Ask Sage’s origin and mission to democratize generative AI
• Overcoming government tech barriers through agile innovation
• The cultural clash between startups and defense
• Scaling AI in the U.S. Army
• Advice for aspiring defense tech entrepreneurs

About Nicolas Chaillan:

Nicolas Chaillan is the Founder & CEO of Ask Sage, a generative AI platform helping government and enterprise teams work smarter with secure, scalable AI. As the former Chief Software Officer of the U.S. Air Force, he led major modernization efforts across defense. Today, he’s focused on accelerating innovation and productivity across the public sector.

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Dive into the future of defense technology with Chad McCoy of Firestorm Labs and Jeff Wright, military strategist and special ops veteran. Explore how 3D printing drones and new logistic strategies are paving the way for innovative solutions in the INDOPACOM theater. We’ll discuss everything from the myths of Pacific warfare to practical tech integration at the edge—where logistics meet frontline operations.

Key Topics Covered:

• Debunking Pacific Warfare Myths: Reassessing historical assumptions about INDOPACOM conflicts.
• 3D Drone Innovations: Highlighting rapid drone manufacturing and its impact on defense logistics.
• Logistics XCELL Solutions: Exploring its role in streamlining operations in contested regions.
• Tech Deployment at the Edge: Discussing the strategic importance of proximity and connectivity.

About Jeff Wright: Jeff is a technology-focused strategist, currently transitioning from a career in special operations to lead his drone startup full-time. As the former architect for autonomous systems employment at USINDOPACOM, his work directly contributed to the DoD’s “Replicator” initiative. He is the Founder & CEO of SplashOne Robotics, dedicated to developing small, purpose-built ‘fighter drones’ to redefine air superiority.

About Chad McCoy: Chad is a retired Senior SOCOM leader and former Pararescueman with 23 years of military experience. After serving as AFRL-RW Munitions Innovation Institute Director, he co-founded Firestorm to revolutionize defense technology. His company develops rapid-production unmanned aerial systems (UAS), reshaping tactical applications in national security.

About Rob Murtha: Rob is the CEO and Founder of Adjective, a company dedicated to product strategy and innovation. With extensive experience in product development and design, he specializes in building user-centric solutions that drive engagement and business growth. Rob is passionate about transforming ideas into impactful products through strategic thinking, data-driven decision-making, and a deep understanding of user needs.

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In this episode of The Pair Program, we’re joined by David Rothzeid (Principal at Shield Capital) and Bo Ryu (CEO of EpiSci) to unpack the challenges and opportunities in building and scaling dual-use technology. From startup funding paths to shifting dynamics in the defense sector, our guests dive into the future of autonomy, venture capital’s growing role in national security, and what it really takes to bridge commercial innovation with government adoption. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or just tech-curious. This one’s packed with insight!

Key topics covered:

• Why “dual-use” is an outdated term and what’s replacing it
• The shifting relationship between commercial tech and national security
• How venture capital is shaping the next wave of defense innovation
• Building scalable autonomy without owning the hardware
• Lessons from startup exits, fundraising, and navigating SBIR programs
• The value of focus and trust when entering complex markets

About Bo Ryu: Bo is the Founder and CEO of EpiSci, a technology startup specializing in Tactical AI and autonomy software for defense applications. With a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University, Bo brings nearly 30 years of experience across aerospace, communications, and AI systems. EpiSci was recently acquired by Applied Intuition, accelerating the company’s mission to deliver scalable, multi-domain autonomy for defense and commercial markets.

About David Rothzeid: David is a Principal at Shield Capital, a venture capital firm investing at the intersection of commercial innovation and national security. With over $300M in assets under management, David leads investments in frontier technology startups and brings deep insight into how founders can navigate the defense innovation ecosystem—from early-stage funding to long-term impact.

Exploring your next tech role? Get insider job advice and the latest startup & govtech openings – delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe here: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

How do we secure open-source software in a world where supply chain attacks are on the rise? In this episode of How We Hatched, we sit down with Feross Aboukhadijeh, founder & CEO of Socket, to discuss the growing security threats in open-source development and how Socket is helping companies stay protected. Feross shares his journey from open-source enthusiast to startup founder, lessons learned from early ventures, and insights into the evolving cybersecurity landscape.

They delve into:

• The rise of supply chain attacks in open-source software
• Lessons from Feross’ journey in open source and startup life
• The challenges of funding open-source projects
• How Socket is redefining developer-first security
• The future of open-source security and what’s next for Socket

About Feross:

Feross Aboukhadijeh is the founder and CEO of Socket, a developer-first security platform that protects companies from software supply chain attacks. With over a decade of experience in open source, Feross has written some of the most-downloaded JavaScript packages. He also teaches CS 253 Web Security at Stanford University. Thousands of organizations rely on Socket to safely discover, audit, and manage open-source software at scale.

Exploring your next tech role? Get insider job advice and the latest startup & govtech openings – delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe here: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

How do startups break into the market without a massive sales force? And what do Managed Service Providers (MSPs) really look for in vendor solutions, beyond the sales pitch? In this episode, Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen sit down with Brian Luckey (CIO at Integris) and Ian Y. Garrett (CEO & co-founder of Phalanx) to explore the high-stakes world of vendor-MSP relationships. They dive into how cybersecurity startups can leverage MSP partnerships to scale, the biggest pain points MSPs face, and what separates a winning product from one that never gets traction.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why Managed Service Provider (MSP) partnerships can be a startup’s secret weapon
• The must-have features MSPs demand from vendors
• How automation and AI are reshaping cybersecurity
• The biggest mistakes vendors make when pitching MSPs
• What the future holds for MSP services and security

If you’re in tech, you won’t want to miss this one!

About Brian Luckey: Brian Luckey is a transformational leader with 20+ years in IT, operations, and service delivery, Brian specializes in scaling businesses, optimizing performance, and driving innovation. As CIO at Integris, he enhances IT infrastructure, customer experience, and revenue growth for businesses of all sizes. With two MBAs and a Ph.D. in Management Information Systems, he blends strategic vision with hands-on expertise to implement cutting-edge technologies, streamline processes, and foster high-performing teams.

About Ian Y. Garrett: As CEO and co-founder of Phalanx, Ian is revolutionizing secure file sharing for startups and SMBs. A former US Army Cyber officer and defense sector data scientist, he has firsthand experience tackling cybersecurity challenges at scale. Combining his operational expertise with Ph.D.-level research in AI and cybersecurity, Ian is building automation-driven solutions that eliminate human error and simplify data protection in an increasingly complex digital world.

Exploring your next tech role? Get insider job advice and the latest startup & govtech openings – delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe here: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

In this episode, hosts Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen welcome two industry leaders: Greg Schaub, CFO of Anika Systems, and Rolf Holman, Chief Strategy Officer of Falconwood. Together, they explore the challenges and opportunities of transitioning from small business set-asides to competing in the full and open market.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Effective strategies for safeguarding revenue during transitions between federal contracts
• How to build and fund a successful business development team for scalable growth
• The role of joint ventures and partnerships in maintaining competitiveness
• Modernization in technology and its impact on company culture
• Finding the right balance between internal innovation and strategic mergers/acquisitions

About Greg Schaub: Greg Schaub is the Chief Financial Officer at Anika Systems, overseeing financial strategy and growth initiatives. With over 20 years of experience, he has excelled in driving efficiency, managing mergers and acquisitions, and leading strategic transformations across industries such as defense, government services, and technology. Greg’s leadership is backed by advanced degrees in finance and business administration.

About Rolf Holman: Rolf Holman currently serves as Chief Strategy Officer for Falconwood. Rolf leads the strategic planning and initiatives including business development, mergers & acquisitions, transformation, and the company’s partnerships. An accomplished executive with over 30 years of global IT experience, across Defense & Security, Government, Banking, High Tech, Communications, Media, and Entertainment industries.

Exploring your next tech role? Get insider job advice and the latest startup & govtech openings – delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe here: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

In this episode of The Pair Program, hosts Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen explore the future of cybersecurity in financial services with two distinguished experts: Jacques Boschung, CEO of Halborn and Sandip Wadje, Managing Director and Head of Emerging Technology Risks at BNP Paribas. Together, they unpack how blockchain, AI, and emerging technologies are reshaping cybersecurity and risk management in the financial sector.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The evolution of cybersecurity: From traditional IT to blockchain and AI.
• The role of quantum computing in reshaping encryption and security protocols.
• Why “Secure by Design” is a must-have for emerging technologies.
• Blockchain’s impact on risk management and settlement systems in finance.
• How AI is transforming threat detection and risk assessments in the banking world.

About Jacques Boschung: Jacques Boschung is the CEO of Halborn, a leader in Web2 and Web3 cybersecurity. Jacques has spent most of his career with prominent IT vendors such as HPE, IBM, and, more recently, Dell Technologies, where he served as SVP for EMEA Alliances and Telecom. Between 2020 and 2022, he was President and General Manager of Inovalon’s Payer business. Additionally, Jacques is a member of the board of Swiss Medical Network, the second-largest healthcare provider in Switzerland, and Chairman of Well Gesundheit AG, the leading medical app in that market.

About Sandip Wadje: Sandip Wadje is Managing Director and Head of Emerging Technology Risks at BNP Paribas. With over 23 years of experience in cybersecurity, IT risk, and compliance, Sandip specializes in Cloud, AI, and Digital Assets. He is recognized for simplifying complex risks, driving transformative change, and influencing Fortune 500 stakeholders to enhance technology and cybersecurity initiatives. Sandip has shaped regulatory guidelines, shared insights with industry forums and regulators, and led global teams. He has established Centers of Excellence and advanced cutting-edge technologies, earning a reputation for managing diverse, high-impact portfolios.

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Welcome to CTO Wisdom. In this series, we interview technical leaders who have stepped into executive positions.

Today’s guest host, Eric Brooke, speaks with Charity Majors, Co-founder and CTO of honeycomb.io

In today’s episode, they discuss:

• How Charity’s career started with a music scholarship and led to being a Founder, CEO and CTO.
• How a love of Command line and firefighting fueled a passion for infrastructure engineering.
• Navigating ADHD and its impact on building a successful career.
• The evolution from engineer to successful manager, director, and executive.
• The value of co-owned decisions and full board transparency at the executive level.
• And more!

About today’s guest: Charity Majors is the co-founder and CTO of honeycomb.io. She pioneered the concept of modern Observability, drawing on her years of experience building and managing massive distributed systems at Parse (acquired by Facebook), Facebook, and Linden Lab building Second Life. She is the co-author of Observability Engineering and Database Reliability Engineering (O'Reilly). She loves free speech, free software and single malt scotch.

About today’s host: Eric Brooke has a rich and varied leadership career - leading up to 21,000 people and Billions in revenue, throughout 14 countries. In their career, they have been an Executive six times (e.g. President, CEO, CMO, and CTO) and a Board member of multiple organisations. Eric has been a CTO of scaling startups from 0 to 120 engineers. As an adviser and mentor, they have helped multiple other startups scale both in Canada and the US. As well as supporting multiple startup incubators such as 1871 in Chicago and TechStars.

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In this episode, we dive deep into the transformative power of AI in the workforce with two thought leaders shaping the future of tech talent: Dr. Diana Gehlhaus, Director for Economy at the Special Competitive Studies Project, and Angela Cough, Special Advisor to the Department of Defense’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer.

Together, they explore:

• The evolution of tech roles as AI continues to redefine industries.
• The ripple effects of AI on hiring practices and workforce education.
• Key skill sets and industries poised for growth as AI evolves.
• How organizations can prepare for critical shifts in education and upskilling.

Dr. Gehlhaus and Cough bring their rich backgrounds in policy, defense, and innovation to discuss how AI is reshaping what it means to be "tech talent" and the opportunities it presents for professionals across various sectors.

Whether you're a tech leader, educator, or job seeker, this episode will inspire you to rethink how we approach the workforce in the age of AI.

About Diana Gehlhaus: Dr. Diana Gehlhaus is a Director for Economy at the Special Competitive Studies Project. She is also an adjunct policy researcher at the RAND Corporation. Diana was previously a senior advisor in the U.S. Department of Defense Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (DoD CDAO), as well as a research fellow at Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET).

About Angela Cough: Angela Cough serves as Special Advisor to the Department of Defense’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer (CDAO). She leads the Digital Talent Management Division, driving innovation and advancing the DoD’s data, analytics, and AI workforce. Previously, Angela spearheaded the AI and Data Accelerator Initiative (ADA), enhancing digital capabilities across the Department and promoting data literacy. Her experience includes serving as Deputy Director of Defense Digital Services, managing counter-small unmanned product development, and contributing to NATO C-sUAS policy. With over 20 years of experience in startups and small businesses, Angela is also an entrepreneur, investor, and holds a black belt in the Martial Art of Tang Soo.

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In this episode, we sit down with Romaine Buck, VP of Customer Success at Articulate, and Toni Ann Careccio, Chief Customer Officer at PortPro, to explore the evolving role of Customer Success (CS) in startups and beyond. Both Romaine and Toni bring a wealth of experience in building and scaling CS teams that drive real value for customers and businesses alike.

They discuss:

• The impact of Customer Success: How CS helps companies uncover the “why” behind customer needs
• Key differences between customer success and customer service teams, and why this newer discipline has become essential in tech
• The role that CS teams play, including managing renewals, upselling, and building strong customer relationships
• Fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptability within CS teams
• Where Romaine and Toni see this field heading for startups and beyond

If you’re scaling a startup, leading a CS team, or just curious about how Customer Success drives business impact, this episode is packed with actionable insights and strategies.

About Romaine Buck: Romaine is the VP of Customer Success at Articulate - an e-learning software company for creating workplace training. Before Articulate, Romaine was the Director of CS at Sprout Social and led CS for the central region of LinkedIn’s Sales Solutions product. Romaine transitioned into Customer Success after a sales career at LinkedIn and Monster.com. Prior to saas, Romaine also had careers in property management and journalism.

About Toni Ann Careccio: Toni is the Chief Customer Officer and Board Member at PortPro, a technology company with deep expertise in the global drayage industry. She has built an expert team of drayage and customer success experts to ensure that PortPro’s clients are taken care of from the minute they join the company by carefully listening to their needs and addressing their concerns. Before her role at PortPro, Toni worked as an Associate at Edison Partners where she was responsible for sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities in the Enterprise Solutions sector. Prior to this she co-founded and served as Chief Operating Officer for Axle Technologies, a robust ELD and Fleet Management Solution for trucking companies in the US and Mexico.

They delve into:

- Matt’s journey from a curious engineering student to pioneering entrepreneur.

- His venture with Virtustream, including the pursuit of raising venture capital.

- The origins of HyperSpectral.ai and the many use cases of their technology

- Interest from DARPA in solving secure supply chain issues and expanding HyperSpectral’s applications in government

Join us as Matt shares insights into balancing family, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of innovation in spectral technology.

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In this episode, we dive into the complex world of federal market consulting with Greg Buckis and Meghan DiAndrea, leaders at Deep Water Point & Associates. Deep Water is known for blending government and industry expertise, offering clients tailored guidance to navigate the intricacies of the federal space. Greg and Meghan share insights into their unique business model and the values that drive their work. Whether it's helping clients write winning proposals or guiding them through acquisitions, Deep Water is all about empowering growth and delivering results.

They discuss:

• Deep Water’s innovative business model and their talent-first approach.
• How Deep Water leverages a consultant-heavy model to drive growth.
• The types of projects they undertake, from government-wide contracts to transaction advisory.
• The qualities they look for in consultants and the unique backgrounds they attract.
• Industry trends and emerging opportunities in the government sector.

Tune in for an engaging conversation on how Deep Water Point & Associates is shaping the future of federal consulting!

About Meghan DiAndrea: Consultant with more than a decade of government contracting experience specializing in corporate operations. She is a proven leader focused on driving enterprise organizational performance and translating business strategy into powerful people strategy. Since joining Deep Water Point and Associates she has advised on and led client engagements across the federal business lifecycle with primary focus on pre- and post-merger integration.

About Greg Buckis: Greg is the CFO at Deep Water Point & Associates and has held senior financial roles in various GOV CON businesses to include public company corporat controllers and private company CFO. He also was at Nasdaq helping them go public. Much of his career has involved change management, business transformation and Mergers and Acquisitions.

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Welcome to CTO Wisdom, where we explore the journeys of technical leaders who have transitioned into executive roles. Today, guest host Eric Brooke sits down with Liming Zhao, a technology innovator transforming traditional industries.

In this episode, they cover:

• Liming’s journey from researcher to CTO, and the challenges along the way.
• The importance of staying current with emerging technologies.
• The need to delegate effectively to avoid bottlenecks and empower your team.
• How decision-making evolves as you rise to senior leadership, often with limited information.
• Embracing failure as a learning opportunity.
• The role of networking for mentorship and peer support.

About today’s guest: Liming Zhao, former CTO of Nomad Health and Compass, is a technology innovator transforming traditional industries. At Compass, he led the technology team and developed a comprehensive productivity suite for real estate agents, while at Nomad Health, he and his team created an AI-powered digital labor marketplace for healthcare professionals. With a Ph.D. in computer science and experience in supercomputing at D.E. Shaw Research, Liming applies his expertise to solve complex business challenges. He envisions a future where technological advancements optimize societal productivity, enabling humans to focus on their unique strengths while technology handles routine tasks efficiently.

About today’s host: Eric Brooke has a rich and varied leadership career - leading up to 21,000 people and Billions in revenue, throughout 14 countries. In their career, they have been an Executive six times (e.g. President, CEO, CMO, and CTO) and a Board member of multiple organisations. Eric has been a CTO of scaling startups from 0 to 120 engineers. As an adviser and mentor, they have helped multiple other startups scale both in Canada and the US. As well as supporting multiple startup incubators such as 1871 in Chicago and TechStars.

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

In this episode, we sit down with two incredible guests - Cameron Watts and John Sokol - who bring a wealth of experience from both military service and the civilian workforce. Together, they dive into the SkillBridge program, which connects transitioning service members with internship opportunities in the civilian world, offering a direct pathway to employment.Tune in to learn about the unique challenges veterans face in corporate transitions, the importance of programs like SkillBridge, and actionable advice for veterans and companies alike.Whether you’re a veteran planning your next move or a company eager to hire talented veterans, this episode is packed with insights you don’t want to miss!

About Cameron Watts: Special Operations veteran and experienced leader in venture capital with a strong track record in driving growth and innovation. Currently focused on product development at an AI company, blending technical expertise with strategic insight to shape the future of the industry.

About John Sokol: John is a retired (20 years) Naval Officer who worked as a Naval Flight Officer during his time in service. At the end of his Naval career, he did a SkillBridge internship with STIHL, Inc working in their E-commerce department. At the completion of the internship, John started working at 2 Circle, Inc, which is a small veteran-owned company, where he works as a Senior Warfare Analyst and a Business Development Manager.

References:

https://skillbridge.osd.mil/

https://www.hiringourheroes.org/

Welcome to our most recent episode of How We Hatched! In this episode, you’ll hear from Michael Hauser, Vice President and Managing Partner of SAIC Ventures. SAIC leverages IT and digital engineering to solve the government’s most pressing challenges while strategically investing in national security and commercial dual-use startups.Tune in to discover:

• How SAIC accelerates go-to-market for startups and aligns them with federal customers
• The defense tech ecosystem and key verticals SAIC focuses on
• What makes SAIC a strategic investor, not just a financial backer
• Insights into their investment process, including the horizons and industries they target
• Michael's take on the top defense tech trends, plus a fun discussion about his worst fashion choice!

If you’re a founder aiming to make an impact in the federal space, this episode is a must-listen!

In this compelling episode, we delve into the evolving landscape of defense technology and innovation with three experts leading the charge.

Join us as we speak with Justin Fanelli, Acting CTO for the Department of Navy and Technical Director of PEO Digital; Katie Wildman, Senior Business and Technology Strategist at PEO Digital and Enterprise Services; and Colin Gounden, CEO of VIA.

Together, they explore the critical intersection of defense missions and technological advancements, and how collaboration between the Navy and startups is driving significant progress.In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How the Department of the Navy’s mission is closely linked with advancements in technology and the need for ongoing innovation.
• The Navy’s collaboration with startups: Hear from Colin Gounden on how VIA aligns with the Navy’s mission and the importance of integrating commercial tech solutions within defense operations.
• How the Navy employs structured piloting and challenges to scale and evaluate new technologies.
• Insights on where commercial companies can identify opportunities to work with the Navy, and tips for contributing to defense innovation.

About Justin Fanelli: Justin is the Acting CTO for the Dept of Navy and the Technical Director (TD) of PEO Digital. As CTO, his office is laser focused on measurably improving technology-driven mission outcomes within the Dept of Navy. As TD, his Program Executive Office is expediting the performant, secure transformation of enterprise information technology infrastructure. He currently serves as an Advisor for Advanced Research Project Agency – Health (ARPA-H), the NIST AI Safety Institute and various S&T advisory boards. Outside of the office, he currently teaches graduate courses at Georgetown University. Justin has lectured at a dozen other universities including Harvard, Dartmouth and Penn. He advises on innovation and recently gave a TED talk on innovation adoption.

About Katie Wildman: Katie Wildman is a Senior Business and Technology Strategist supporting Program Executive Office Digital and Enterprise Services (PEO DES) at the Department of Navy (DON). She manages the PEO DES pilot program, accelerating adoption of modern technology and business processes at the DON. When not at work, she loves to run, travel, and volunteer at hospice facilities with her therapy dog, Maisey!

About Colin Gounden: As VIA’s CEO, Colin Gounden has led VIA’s Web3 technology roadmap and secured several of the world’s leading energy companies and the U.S. Department of Defense as customers. Colin is a Harvard University graduate with two previous successful startup exits and is a co-inventor on multiple VIA patents.

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In this episode of The Pair Program, we dive deep into the complexities of FedRAMP with two industry veterans who have navigated the process firsthand. Sara Mazer, Federal CTO at LaunchDarkly, and Nick Rundhaug, Managing Director at Schellman, join us to shed light on the FedRAMP authorization journey and offer valuable insights for companies seeking to achieve this prestigious certification.

FedRAMP, the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program, is a critical framework managed by the GSA’s Program Management Office that ensures cloud services meet stringent security requirements before working with the government. LaunchDarkly’s successful FedRAMP authorization is a testament to their commitment to security and compliance, and Sara Mazer, who led the charge from start to finish, shares her experience and the challenges faced along the way.

In this episode, Sara and Nick discuss:

• What FedRAMP is and why it's crucial for Cloud companies working with the government.
• LaunchDarkly’s journey through the FedRAMP process and Sara’s role as the first technical team member.
• Insights into Schellman’s role as a Third-Party Assessment Organization (3PAO) and their partnership with LaunchDarkly.
• Tips and advice for companies aiming to achieve FedRAMP certification, including common misconceptions and the importance of preparation.
• Strategies for successful FedRAMP navigation, including the need for agency sponsors and leveraging readiness assessments.

Tune in to gain a comprehensive understanding of FedRAMP, learn from the experts, and discover practical advice to help your organization achieve cloud security certification.

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

In this compelling episode of The Pair Program, we dive into the intersection of cutting-edge technology and clinical research with two distinguished guests: Dr. Lawrence Cheskin, a pioneer in obesity research, and Harsha Rajasimha, the innovative founder of Jeeva Clinical Trials. Join us as we explore how their unique expertise is transforming the landscape of clinical trials and healthcare.

Dr. Cheskin, a Professor at George Mason University and former Director of Clinical Research at the Global Obesity Prevention Center, shares his extensive experience in combating obesity through rigorous clinical investigation and public health initiatives. His work in mHealth and behavioral interventions has significantly advanced obesity treatment and self-management.

Harsha Rajasimha, CEO of Jeeva Clinical Trials, brings a fresh perspective to clinical trial execution with his company’s modern platform designed to streamline trials and enhance efficiency. Inspired by a personal tragedy involving a rare genetic disease, Harsha’s mission is to provide universal access to clinical trials, making a profound impact on both rare and common diseases.In this episode, we discuss:

• The journey from startup inception to practical healthcare solutions.
• How Harsha’s personal experiences shaped his mission and the development of Jeeva Clinical Trials.
• Dr. Cheskin’s commitment to obesity research and the intersection of his work with modern technology.
• The collaboration between Harsha and Lawrence to drive innovation in clinical trials.
• The challenges and strategies in integrating new technology into clinical settings and reaching target markets.

Tune in to hear how these leaders are working together to revolutionize clinical trials and make a significant impact on healthcare.

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In this episode, we hear from two guests: Shane Bigelow and Mike Nannizzi. Shane is the CEO of Champ, a Cleveland-based technology company that is changing the way that vehicle titles are created, managed, and transferred in the United States.

Mike runs the venture arm for W.R. Berkley with a specialty in early stage technology companies.

They discuss:

• The inspiring story behind Champ and the critical problems they’re solving in the vehicle title industry.
• W.R. Berkley's role in supporting Champ's mission.
• Insights into early-stage technology investments.
• The challenges of bringing innovation into the federal space.
• The future of government-collaborative technology solutions.

Whether you're interested in entrepreneurship, government technology, or strategic partnerships in tech, tune in to get practical insights from industry leaders at the forefront of innovation!

About Shane Bigelow: Shane McRann Bigelow is CEO of Champ Titles, a Cleveland-based technology company that is changing the way that vehicle titles are created, managed, and transferred in the United States. Prior to Champ Titles, Bigelow was a Senior Vice President and Managing Director at Bernstein, where he managed a part of that firm’s U.S. business and sat on the firm’s Responsible Investment Committee that focused on the United Nation’s Principles for Responsible Investment; Environmental, Social and Governance Issues (ESG); and Socially Responsible Investment matters. There, Shane developed a highly informed view of how emerging technologies can help society through reducing the costs of government, which informs the business at Champ Titles today.

About Michael Nannizzi: Mike runs the venture arm for WR Berkley with a specialty in early stage technology companies. Mike primarily focuses on companies within the fintech space, and his investments typically involve both a financial position and role in the respective companies' Board of Directors. Mike lives in Larchmont New York with his wife Kathy, children Sasha, Natalie, and Max, and dogs, Fergie and Malibu.

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Dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Will Wilson, Co-Founder of Antithesis, in this episode of "How We Hatched."

Host, Tim Winkler, interviews Will about:

• HIs journey into technology, including his inspiration to start his own company and the mentor who inspired him to take the leap.
• His career path to becoming the founder of Antithesis, including his time spent at Apple and Google.
• The problems Antithesis is solving and the impact they’re making in the tech industry.
• The decision to operate Antithesis in stealth mode for 5 years and the team’s experience transitioning out of stealth mode.
• The advantages and disadvantages of staying in stealth mode, including access to investors and capital without public exposure.

About Will Wilson: Will Wilson is a former mathematician who switched to software because it seemed easier. He built distributed databases at FoundationDB, Apple, and Google. Along the way, he realized that computers are actually the enemy, and founded Antithesis to put them in their place.

Check out Antithesis: https://antithesis.com/

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In this insightful episode, we dive into the evolving landscape of fractional tech leadership with two seasoned experts, Dan Maccarone and Matt Walnock. As co-founder of Charming Robot, Dan brings a wealth of experience as a fractional Chief Product Officer, while Matt, with nine years of mentoring and coaching cloud companies, offers invaluable insights as a fractional Chief Technology Officer.

Join us as we explore the nuances of fractional tech leadership roles, from aligning engineering and product with business objectives to integrating with teams and establishing trust. Our guests provide valuable perspectives on the market for fractional roles, the difference between fractional leaders and consultants, and the ideal stage of company seeking such expertise.Whether you're considering stepping into a fractional tech leadership role or seeking to understand its impact on organizational success, this episode offers practical advice and valuable insights from industry leaders at the forefront of innovation.

About Dan Maccarone: Dan is the co-founder of Charming Robot, a product design company based in NYC. For the past twenty years, he has been helping startups and media companies shape their online product strategy, including Foursquare, Rent The Runway, Jetsetter, The Block, Blade and Skift. His experience also includes television, music and print media, and he has worked with Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Gawker, Saturday Night Live, Universal Music and The Wall Street Journal. One of his most noted projects was creating the original strategy and user experience for Hulu. Prior to Charming Robot, Dan co-founded the design agency Hard Candy Shell.

About Matt Walnock: As a consulting technologist with 28 years in the tech industry, Matt has spent the last 9 years mentoring, coaching, and leading early-stage and scaling cloud companies. His focus is on empowering teams, offering personalized guidance to navigate challenges in technology development. His experience includes roles as CTO, VP of Engineering, and Software Architect at companies like Microsoft, Parature, MCI/Verizon Business, and IBM, where he’s earned seven patents. Matt has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Penn State University. He is the co-founder of Longitude 77, a company on a mission to elevate technology teams and optimize their strategic vision and engineering processes.

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Join us for an inspiring episode as we shine a spotlight on the crucial role of veterans in the workforce and the innovative solutions driving their successful transition into civilian life. Our guests, Steve Chang, founder of Headlamp, and Jeremy Hitchcock, co-founder of a venture firm backing Headlamp, share their insights and experiences in leveraging veteran talent to solve pressing challenges in the tech industry and beyond.

From Steve's personal journey as a former army recruiter turned startup founder to Jeremy's commitment to supporting Headlamp's mission, this episode explores the untapped potential of veterans and the imperative of optimizing their skillsets for the benefit of both businesses and national security.

Discover how Headlamp's cutting-edge technology is accelerating veteran transition and fostering partnerships with companies eager to harness the unique capabilities of this valuable talent pool. Whether you're passionate about veteran empowerment or interested in the impact of mission-driven startups, this episode offers valuable insights into the intersection of talent, innovation, and social impact.

About Steve Chang. A distinguished former special forces officer and the founder of Headlamp. Steve’s team at Headlamp is on a mission to rebuild the backbone of American business, with veterans.

About Jeremy Hitchcock. Jeremy Hitchcock is a co-founder/partner of New North Ventures, an early stage venture fund investing at the intersection of national security and innovation. He was previously a co-founder of Dyn, an Internet infrastructure company acquired by Oracle and Minim, and IoT cybersecurity company.

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

Welcome to CTO Wisdom. In this series, we interview technical leaders who have stepped into executive positions.

Today’s guest host, Eric Brooke, speaks with Mike Grushin, Co-founder and CTO at Next League.

About today’s guest: Formerly a founding partner of OMNIGON and Chief Product Officer at InfrontX, Mike is a co-founder and CTO at Next League. He leads the global Technology team, working with partners to analyze their challenges and opportunities while designing the technical solutions to achieve their business objectives. Mike has extensive experience in executive-level positions, including COO, where he oversaw company operations, and CTO, where he was responsible for developing and managing technology and product services. Mike played a critical role in the commercialization of InfrontX products and services.

In addition to his role at Next League, Mike is also a co-founder of ProFolios.ai, a SaaS Platform that empowers students and seasoned professionals to create “a professional presence that they are proud to share”. Mike and his wife are grateful parents to their 3 sons and live in Boca Raton, FL.

About today’s host: Eric Brooke has a rich and varied leadership career - leading up to 21,000 people and Billions in revenue, throughout 14 countries. In their career, they have been an Executive six times (e.g. President, CEO, CMO, and CTO) and a Board member of multiple organisations. Eric has been a CTO of scaling startups from 0 to 120 engineers. As an adviser and mentor, they have helped multiple other startups scale both in Canada and the US. As well as supporting multiple startup incubators such as 1871 in Chicago and TechStars.

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

Join us for an insightful exploration into the intricate landscape of government technology modernization, as we delve into the daunting valley of death faced by startups in the defense sector.

Our guests, Warren Katz and Col Aneel Alvares, bring unparalleled expertise and firsthand experience in overcoming the regulatory, bureaucratic, and scalability hurdles that often impede innovation in government operations.

They offer invaluable insights into the funding gap, product-market fit challenges, and the transformative potential of government reform. From navigating long sales cycles to addressing scalability and integration issues, this episode paints a comprehensive picture of the current state of affairs and highlights the critical need for a healthier ecosystem for small businesses in government tech.

About Aneel Alvares. Col Aneel "Cramden" Alvares helps lead engagement with the DoD and is the Boston Lead at the Defense Innovation Unit. His military background includes experience as a B-1 pilot, terminal attack controller, and operational test and evaluation leader, with service in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In his current role, he leads a team that frames new projects by leveraging commercial sector technologies to address priority DoD problems, while also working to engage the greater Boston and east coast innovation ecosystems.

About Warren Katz. Warren is currently Chairman of The Board of The Alliance for Commercial Technology in Government. Previously, Warren was the Managing Director for Techstars’ Air Force Accelerator, helping AFWERX and the US Air Force become more attractive customers to startup companies. He is an angel investor and mentor to dozens of dual-use companies and was formerly the CEO of MAK Technologies. With Bachelor’s in both Mechanical and Electrical Engineering from MIT, Warren possesses deep technical and business acumen, with specific expertise in barriers to doing business with the government.

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Welcome to CTO Wisdom. In this series, we interview technical leaders who have stepped into executive positions.

Today’s guest host, Eric Brooke, speaks with Alexis Smirnov. Alexis is the CTO of Dialogue, Canada's premier virtual healthcare and wellness platform, providing affordable, on-demand access to quality care.

In today’s episode, they discuss:

• A career starting on a programmable calculator, to Russian Space Research Institute to Microsoft to Co-founding two tech companies
• Working in HealthTech and the Purpose it can give you
• Importance of promoting yourself into new roles
• Importance of building relationships through your career
• How you grow in your career and the importance of selling Vision and working with others to create the actions to achieve it
• As a co-founder how important to recognize when you hit a wall, or when your work as IC is less important than the co-ordination of others
• How much of your focus at C-suite is on the growing of a healthy and sustainable business

About today’s guest: Over his three decades in the software industry, Alexis has used transformational technologies to build products and services at startups and Fortune 100 companies. In 2016, he co-founded and is serving as the CTO of Dialogue, Canada's premier virtual healthcare and wellness platform, providing affordable, on-demand access to quality care. Before Dialogue, he led the design and development of the social analytics system, built an award-winning semantic search engine, and incubated a platform for conversational apps. Alexis has co-founded Pi Corp, a pioneering cloud startup and successfully sold it to EMC. An active member of Montreal's technology startup community, Alexis holds several software patents.

About today’s host: Eric Brooke has a rich and varied leadership career - leading up to 21,000 people and Billions in revenue, throughout 14 countries. In their career, they have been an Executive six times (e.g. President, CEO, CMO, and CTO) and a Board member of multiple organisations. Eric has been a CTO of scaling startups from 0 to 120 engineers. As an adviser and mentor, they have helped multiple other startups scale both in Canada and the US. As well as supporting multiple startup incubators such as 1871 in Chicago and TechStars.

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In this enlightening episode, we explore the groundbreaking work of Second Front Systems and AFWERX – both organizations that are driving technological advancements for our nation's warfighters. Join our guests, Donald 'Chee' Gansberg and Enrique Oti, as they share their remarkable journeys and insights at the intersection of software innovation and national security.

Chee, a former special operations forward air controller turned software evangelist at AFWERX, and Enrique, Chief Strategy Officer at Second Front Systems and retired Air Force Colonel, provide unparalleled perspectives on government tech modernization and the challenges of navigating the federal acquisition process. They delve into the mission of AFWERX to foster internal innovation within the Air Force and Second Front

Systems' quest to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and government utilization.

From overcoming bureaucratic barriers to building trust with the government, this episode offers invaluable insights for

anyone passionate about defense tech innovation and the transformative power of collaboration between startups and government agencies. Tune in to discover how these visionary leaders are reshaping the future of defense technology.

About Donald ‘Chee’ Gansberger:

Chee Gansberger was a computer programmer in the IndyCar series and the Silicon Valley who decided one day in September, 2001, that he'd rather jump out of airplanes and blow things up. After years as a special operations forward air controller including numerous deployments as a front-line operator, he ended up first in traditional acquisitions and then in the innovation scene. After helping usher in modern software reform while part of DIUx he then moved to AFWERX, as a software evangelist trying to bring innovative use of software to the warfighter.

About Enrique Oti:

Enrique Oti is the Chief Strategy Officer of Second Front Systems (2F), where he fast-tracks government access to disruptive, commercially-proven software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications for national security missions. Prior to joining 2F, Enrique had a 23-year career in the United States Air Force, during which he served in multiple assignments as a cyber warfare officer and China Foreign Area Officer. Enrique commanded an intelligence support squadron in Korea, and was a co-founder of the Defense Innovation Unit in Silicon Valley. He co-founded the Kessel Run software development program, and in his final assignment served as the Kessel Run commander, retiring as a Colonel. Enrique earned a BS in History from the U.S. Air Force Academy, an MS in Strategic Intelligence from the Joint Military Intelligence College, and an MA in International Relations from Zhejiang University in China, where he studied as an Olmsted Scholar.

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Welcome to CTO Wisdom. In this series, we interview technical leaders who have stepped into executive positions.

Today’s guest host, Eric Brooke, speaks with Sushma Nallapeta, CTO of Trusted Health.

About today’s guest: As CTO of Trusted Health, Sue Nallapeta leads an organization of over 100 technologists, reimagining healthcare staffing with a core mission of helping people find care. With a background in Computer Science, Sue has over a decade of experience across various consumer facing businesses, marketplaces and enterprise software. She has navigated the landscapes of both public companies and startups, weathering numerous acquisitions on both ends of the spectrum. She has built highly performant, vastly scalable engineering systems that have touched millions of customers and led product and technology innovations that have contributed to top line company growth.

About today’s host: Eric Brooke has a rich and varied leadership career - leading up to 21,000 people and Billions in revenue, throughout 14 countries. In their career, they have been an Executive six times (e.g. President, CEO, CMO, and CTO) and a Board member of multiple organisations. Eric has been a CTO of scaling startups from 0 to 120 engineers. As an adviser and mentor, they have helped multiple other startups scale both in Canada and the US. As well as supporting multiple startup incubators such as 1871 in Chicago and TechStars.

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In this captivating episode, we delve into the dynamic world of military defense and its profound impact on technological innovation. Join our guests, Sean Leahy and Les Craig, as they share their firsthand experiences and insights gained from their distinguished careers in the defense tech space.

Les, a Partner at Next Frontier Capital and a former Infantry Officer and Platoon Leader, brings a unique perspective shaped by his military service and subsequent roles in intelligence and cybersecurity startups. Sean, a seasoned defense and intelligence technologist, offers invaluable expertise cultivated through his diverse roles supporting defense agencies and startups alike.

Together, they explore the evolving landscape of defense technology, discussing emerging trends, the surge in the defense tech industry, and the pivotal role of the military in driving innovation.

About Les Craig

Les has been a Partner at Next Frontier Capital since 2017, where he has led 12 direct investments and serves on the boards of 7 portfolio companies. He is a 2003 graduate of the United State Military Academy at West Point, and served as an Infantry Officer and Platoon Leader in the 173rd Airborne Brigade and 1st Ranger Battalion, as well as an Aide on General Stan McChrystal's staff at Joint Special Operations Command. Post military commitment, Les served as a Technical Operations Officer at the Central Intelligence Agency. He co-founded two start-ups: The Twenty, a data science services company and RedOwl Analytics, a venture backed cyber security software company that was acquired by Forcepoint in August of 2017.

About Sean Leahy

Sean is a career defense and intelligence technologist, currently working as an independent advisor to defense technology startups and investors. He began his career supporting DARPA, JIEDDO, the U.S. Army, and multiple teams within the Intelligence Community. He was Director of Technical Services at Sayari Labs, a dual use technology company. In 2023, he served as a Defense and Technology Fellow in the Office of Senator Steve Daines of Montana. He is a graduate of Columbia University.

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Welcome to CTO Wisdom. In this series, we interview technical leaders who have stepped into executive positions.

Today’s guest host, Eric Brooke, speaks with Barnaby, Dorfman, a visionary technology executive with decades of leadership experience in the tech industry.

In today’s episode, they discuss:

• The importance of learning how to sell ideas in a way your audience understands
• How to lead through layers of abstraction
• The importance of considering the Product Lifecycle in the way you build the Team
• The toughest part of technical leadership
• And much more!

About today’s guest: Barnaby Dorfman is a visionary technology executive with decades of leadership experience in the tech industry. His career spans a broad spectrum of roles, including founding startups, leading innovative projects at Amazon.com, and driving growth as a CTO for several companies. He is currently supporting multiple CEOs with tech strategy and execution. His role at Go1 as CTO was marked by remarkable achievements in building a global team and securing investments from top-tier venture capital firms, contributing significantly to the eLearning platform's hyper-growth. Barnaby's tenure in technology leadership positions, such as his time at Payscale.com and his groundbreaking work at Amazon.com, reflects his passion for creating high-performance teams and innovative products. He is credited with launching the first version of Amazon Marketplace, developing IMDbPro.com, and inventing search technologies used globally. With a deep commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence, Barnaby continues to influence the tech industry through his advisory roles and speaking engagements, sharing insights drawn from a rich and diverse career. Barnaby graduated magna cum laude from San Francisco State University and has an MBA from the Tuck School at Dartmouth.

About today’s host: Eric Brooke has a rich and varied leadership career - leading up to 21,000 people and Billions in revenue, throughout 14 countries. In their career, they have been an Executive six times (e.g. President, CEO, CMO, and CTO) and a Board member of multiple organisations. Eric has been a CTO of scaling startups from 0 to 120 engineers. As an adviser and mentor, they have helped multiple other startups scale both in Canada and the US. As well as supporting multiple startup incubators such as 1871 in Chicago and TechStars.

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In this episode, join our hosts as they engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Rob Murtha, the visionary CEO and Founder of Adjective, and Ken Kato, Vice President of DevSecOps & AI at Omni Federal.

Together, they explore the intricate landscape of tech innovation across diverse government domains, sharing insights on how engineering and product experts are crafting tailored solutions to address the unique needs of government agencies. From discussing the imperatives of GovTech modernization to revealing the transformative work they're currently undertaking, our guests offer invaluable perspectives on identifying governmental challenges and building effective solutions.Don't miss out on this enlightening discussion with two leading voices shaping the future of GovTech!

About Rob Murtha:

Rob's the CEO and Founder of Adjective, a Human Factors Design Company. Rob founded Adjective because he was passionate about building the bridge between deep automation, human productivity, and system instrumentation. Rob takes a systematic approach to learn about systems, craft processes that accommodate evolving industries, to move quickly and constantly create as much value for those systems as possible.

About Ken Kato:

Ken has led a journey that’s anything but typical. The start-up scene in Boston, then a bit of good weirdness at MIT Lincoln Labs and Mitre, found himself in meetings for ‘AOC Pathfinder’ that became what we know better today as Kessel Run, joined a White House Presidential Innovation Fellowship where he regularly tells people that friends don’t let friends accidentally start a new DevOps program in the government.

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Welcome to CTO Wisdom. In this series, we interview technical leaders who have stepped into executive positions.

Today’s guest host, Eric Brooke, speaks with David Bachowski, CTO at Trusted Nurse Staffing where he is defining and executing the vision for all things digital.

About today’s guest: Dave Bachowski joined Trusted Nurse Staffing in 2022 to help define and execute the vision for all things digital. Prior to TNS, he built a 17 year technology career as CTO for a wide variety of startups and companies through sheer stubbornness, affinity for adventure, and a constant smile. When he’s not spending time with his family, you can find him night golfing, playing music, or geeking out on dungeons and dragons.

About today’s host: Eric Brooke has a rich and varied leadership career – leading up to 21,000 people and Billions in revenue, throughout 14 countries. In their career, they have been an Executive six times (e.g. President, CEO, CMO, and CTO) and a Board member of multiple organizations. Eric has been a CTO of scaling startups from 0 to 120 engineers. As an adviser and mentor, they have helped multiple other startups scale both in Canada and the US. As well as supporting multiple startup incubators such as 1871 in Chicago and TechStars.

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Join us in this illuminating episode as we explore the groundbreaking partnership between Instant Teams, a mission-driven startup, and Squadra Ventures, a venture capital fund. Liza Rodewald, CEO and Founder of Instant Teams, shares her journey and how her personal experience as a military spouse ignited her passion to tackle the alarming issue of military spouse unemployment. Margaret Falzon, COO at Squadra Ventures, delves into why their team chose to invest in Instant Teams and the transformative impact they foresee.

Discover the profound implications of military spouse unemployment on national security and how Instant Teams’ innovative customer experience marketplace is revolutionizing remote work opportunities for this remarkable and diverse workforce. Whether you're connected to the military or passionate about mission-driven startups, this episode offers invaluable insights into a pressing issue and the pioneering solutions driving change.Join us as we explore the intersection of purpose, innovation, and social impact.

About Margaret Falzon: Margaret is the COO at Squadra Ventures, a national security-focused venture capital fund founded on the belief that exceptional teams are the key to outsized success. Prior to this, Margaret was a co-founder and product leader at a dual-use data analytics company that operated in the learning and training technology space, built grassroots community networks that supported the development of women leaders, and served as a board member and advisor for multiple entrepreneur support organizations. In her work, she finds joy when she is increasing the leadership capacity of teams and individuals, working in dynamic environments on projects that tell and sell the stories of innovative products in service to the needs of customers, and helping early-stage entrepreneurs design the culture of their companies with intention.

About Liza Rodewald: Liza is a 4x entrepreneur and software engineer. She is currently the CEO and Founder of Instant Teams and Twelve Million Plus. She has scaled the company to over 500 employees, raised more than $16M in venture capital and landed at #13 on the Inc. 5000 list for Human Resources across the nation.

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In this episode our guest host, Jazmin Furtado, speaks with Ege Yurdagul, Director of Strategic Planning & Data Analysis at Revival Rugs, to explore how he leverages data to inform and make decisions in the artistic industry of Design.

They discuss:

• How Ege found himself in Design, coming from an M&A background.
• What he finds most exciting and unique working in the fast-paced, ever-changing world of Design.
• How he uses data while interacting with various teams to meet business needs without sacrificing creativity.
• And of course, some interesting facts to share!

Bio:

• Ege leads the data analytics and strategic planning team at Revival Rugs, a design-forward startup dedicated to connecting customers with authentic, well-made, and affordably-priced rugs sourced from artisans worldwide. With over 10 years of experience in M&A, due diligence, financial modeling, and valuation, Ege relies on his analytical prowess to drive informed decisions that propel Revival's success.
• As a director at Revival, Ege spearheads inventory management, demand planning, long-term forecasting, data visualization, and operational reporting. He not only utilizes the data he organizes but also works to democratize it, empowering every team to chart the optimal course of action in their daily operations.

In this episode, we dive into the world of commercial innovation within regulated industries, particularly defense and national security. Our guests, Jon Kondo, CEO of HEAVY.AI, and Rebecca Gevalt, Managing Partner at Dcode Capital, unpack the challenges and opportunities of navigating the federal sector.HEAVY.AI specializes in data analysis, offering an intelligence platform that empowers organizations to extract insights from vast datasets, crucial for making time-sensitive decisions. Jon shares insights into how their technology addresses the government's struggle with data analysis on a massive scale.

Rebecca sheds light on Dcode's role in helping startups enter the government market, facilitating their entry into the federal arena.Together, they discuss Dcode's pivotal assistance in HEAVY.AI's journey towards federal adoption, highlighting the importance of collaboration between innovative startups and established players in the government space.Tune in to discover how these trailblazers are reshaping the landscape of govtech and driving impactful change within regulated sectors.

About Jon Kondo: Jon is CEO of HEAVY.AI. Jon has 30 years of general management, sales, and marketing experience building both global enterprise software companies and SaaS-based start-ups. Prior to HEAVY.AI, Jon was SVP of global sales and marketing for Appen, an ASX company, providing data services and technology for AI/ML. Before that he was co-founder and CEO of OpsPanda, a leading application for sales resource management acquired by Xactly. Jon’s additional leadership roles include Chief Revenue Officer at Replicon, CEO of Host Analytics, Group Vice President at Oracle, and SVP & GM, Americas at Hyperion. Jon received his BA from UC Santa Barbara and his MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.

About Rebecca Gevalt: Rebecca Gevalt is Managing Partner at Dcode Capital where they invest alongside leading venture firms in commercially-successful, high-growth technology companies that can dramatically improve the federal government. Prior to Dcode Capital, Rebecca worked at the CIA for more than a decade, including with In-Q-Tel to bring novel tech startups into the national security space.

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Welcome to CTO Wisdom. In this series, we interview technical leaders who have stepped into executive positions.

Today’s guest host, Eric Brooke, speaks with Joel Schlundt, CTO at TextUs, a business texting software.

In today’s episode, they discuss some of the key learnings from Joel’s career journey to becoming a CTO:

• Giving your managers room and space to take risks and be there to support them as they need it
• Creating empathy between you and your other partners throughout the business, to create strong business value
• Being a force multiplier for all parts of the business not just Engineering and Product
• Balancing the needs of product delivery, platform, and people

About today’s host: Eric Brooke has a rich and varied leadership career - leading up to 21,000 people and Billions in revenue, throughout 14 countries. In their career, they have been an Executive six times (e.g. President, CEO, CMO, and CTO) and a Board member of multiple organizations. Eric has been a CTO of scaling startups from 0 to 120 engineers. As an adviser and mentor, they have helped multiple other startups scale both in Canada and the US. As well as supporting multiple startup incubators such as 1871 in Chicago and TechStars.

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Dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Cam Doody, Co-founder and General Partner at Brickyard, in this episode of "How We Hatched."

Host Tim Winkler delves deep into Cam's experiences during the financial crisis of 2009, which sparked his entrepreneurial spirit. Cam shares insights into his first startup venture, Bellhop, a tech-powered moving & relocation company that has since raised over $100 million in venture capital and facilitated the relocation of over 350,000 U.S. households.

The conversation extends to Cam's founding of Brickyard, a groundbreaking venture fund and residency program emphasizing radical focus. Operating at the pre-seed/seed stage, Brickyard offers a supportive community and workspace in Chattanooga, TN, guiding founders to Series A. Cam and Tim explore the challenges within the venture capital landscape and Brickyard's mission to address these issues while nurturing a diverse portfolio of startups.

Check out Brickyard: https://www.justlaybrick.com/

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Welcome to CTO Wisdom. In this series, we interview technical leaders who have stepped into executive positions.

Today’s guest host, Eric Brooke, speaks with Asanka Jayasuriya, CTO at 8VC, where he works on their Build program, which incubates several new companies a year. In today’s episode, they discuss:

• Asanka’s career journey through big and medium tech
• Setting others up for success
• The importance of Developing Leaders and ideas (and how to do this!)
• The transition when your peers become stakeholders at the Executive level (and how to manage through the transition)
• The difference of a Private vs. Public board and its impact on technology
• What it’s like to be a portfolio CTO role

About today’s guest: As CTO at 8VC, Asanka Jayasuriya helps startups with product and engineering strategy, particularly as they scale. He also works extensively on 8VCs Build program that incubates several new companies a year. A software engineer by training, Asanka has nearly 25 years of experience building products across enterprise saas, e-commerce, collaboration software, and security products. He's worked for industry leading companies like Oracle, Amazon, Atlassian and SailPoint.

About today’s host: Eric Brooke has a rich and varied leadership career - leading up to 21,000 people and Billions in revenue, throughout 14 countries. In their career, they have been an Executive six times (e.g. President, CEO, CMO, and CTO) and a Board member of multiple organisations. Eric has been a CTO of scaling startups from 0 to 120 engineers. As an adviser and mentor, they have helped multiple other startups scale both in Canada and the US. As well as supporting multiple startup incubators such as 1871 in Chicago and TechStars.

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Join us for an exciting episode as we dive deep into the world of bootstrapped startups with guests Rand Fishkin, Co-founder of SparkToro & Snackbar Studio, and Liam Martin, Co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Time Doctor.

These two remarkable founders share their firsthand experiences, insights, and secrets to success in the world of bootstrapping.

They Discuss:

• What inspired them to choose the bootstrapping approach.
• The unique challenges and journey of bootstrapping a business.
• The fascinating stories behind the founding of their respective companies.
• Why the venture capital model isn't the right fit for every startup, despite common beliefs.
• Financial management and lean strategies during the early phases of their startups.
• How bootstrapping significantly improved their long-term financial standing.
• And much more!

About Rand Fishkin: Cofounder of SparkToro & Snackbar Studio. Founder and former CEO of Moz. Author of Lost and Founder: A Painfully Honest Field Guide to the Startup World.

About Liam Martin: Liam is the Co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Time Doctor, pioneers cutting-edge workforce management tools to enhance remote employee productivity. He co-organizes the annual Running Remote Conference, and co-authored the bestselling book "Running Remote," advocating for collaborative and agile remote-first organizations.

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In this episode our guest host, Jazmin Furtado, speaks with Emma Konet, Co-Founder and CTO of Tierra Climate, to learn more about how data is being harnessed to advance the Electric Power Industry.

They discuss:

• How Emma was inspired to get into Energy.
• The ways that she leverages the vast amounts of data at a national scale from the electric grid to make near-real-time decisions.
• The challenges that face the Electric Power Industry today and what we need to think about to ensure a greener future.
• And much more!

About today’s host: Jazmin Furtado has been a part of the software innovation realm for the Department of Defense where she has overseen large-scale Data and Artificial Intelligence programs in the Air Force and Space Force. She has also held various leadership and advisory roles with organizations such as Google, SpaceX, and Massachusetts General Hospital, where she designed and scaled AI, data, and education and training programs.

About today’s guest: Emma Konet is Co-Founder and CTO of Tierra Climate. Tierra Climate's mission is to accelerate grid-scale battery deployment by unlocking and monetizing grid decarbonization services. She is currently pursuing an MBA at Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business and previously worked three years at battery developer Key Capture Energy as Director of Market Strategy & Operations. Prior to Key Capture, Emma spent four years at Citibank as a power trader managing risk in East power markets. In addition, Emma graduated Summa Cum Laude from Tulane with a B.S. in Chemistry and Mathematics and was recently selected as a Forbes 30 under 30 honoree for Energy.

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Welcome to another enlightening episode of "How We Hatched." In this edition, our host, Tim Winkler, sits down with Emilie Schario, the CEO and Co-Founder of Turbine, for an engaging discussion on her remarkable startup journey.

They Discuss:

• Emilie’s career journey, from entering the startup world in a technical role to climbing the leadership ladder and eventually founding Turbine.
• The role of college and alternative paths like boot camps in preparing for success in the tech startup realm.
• Her transformative experience with Venture for America and its impact on her career path.
• The inspiration behind her decision to start her own business.
• The invaluable lessons she learned while working at startups and her passion for the dynamic startup environment.
• The exciting problems that Turbine is addressing and their promising future direction.

About today’s guest: Emilie is CEO & Co-Founder at Turbine, financial software for companies that manage physical inventories. She also writes a semi-regular Substack on the intersection of work, life, and working parenthood. She was previously Data-Strategist-in-Residence at Amplify Partners, Director of Data at Netlify, and in multiple roles at GitLab.

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Welcome to CTO Wisdom. In this series, we interview technical leaders who have stepped into executive positions.

Today’s guest host, Eric Brooke, speaks with Bohdan Zabawskyj, an experienced CTO and founder of TrueNorthCTO.

In today’s episode, they discuss:

• Bohdans’ career journey through many roles and sectors
• Why Values, Beliefs, and Behaviors are better Indicators than personality for success as a leader or Individual Contributor
• Measuring success as the growth of others
• A three-step approach to joining a company
• How to be successful as a C-Suite member both with the rest of the Executive and the Board

About today’s guest: Bohdan Zabawskyj has had over 20 years of experience as a CTO/CPO in leading engineering, product, and strategic planning initiatives in both start-ups and large enterprises across diverse domains such as Health Tech, Fintech, E-Commerce, Telecom, Media, Marketplaces, and HR Tech. Bohdan is also a named inventor in over 20 patents worldwide, a founder of Fortay.ai (a DEIB-centric People Experience platform), and a founder of TrueNorthCTO, a pan-Canadian, not-for-profit, and volunteer-driven initiative where over 2,100 senior technology leaders exchange insights in a supportive and collaborative environment.

About today’s host: Eric Brooke has a rich and varied leadership career - leading up to 21,000 people and Billions in revenue, throughout 14 countries. In their career, they have been an Executive six times (e.g. President, CEO, CMO, and CTO) and a Board member of multiple organisations. Eric has been a CTO of scaling startups from 0 to 120 engineers. As an adviser and mentor, they have helped multiple other startups scale both in Canada and the US. As well as supporting multiple startup incubators such as 1871 in Chicago and TechStars.

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

Join us in this episode as we dive deep into the world of artificial intelligence through the eyes of two industry leaders. In this episode, we're joined by Maggie Engler, a Technical Staff member at Inflection AI, and Andrew Gamino-Cheong, the CTO and Co-Founder of Trustible.

Maggie and Andrew share their first-hand experiences of working in the AI engineering space, offering insights into the challenges and innovations that shape their daily lives. They explore the critical question of whether AI engineers should strive to be jacks of all trades or masters of one specific skill, shedding light on the diverse skillsets demanded by this dynamic field.

But that's not all – this episode also delves into one of the hottest topics surrounding AI: ethics. Maggie and Andrew engage in a thought-provoking discussion about how AI should be used, the ethical dilemmas faced by engineers, and the inherent limitations in AI's application.

About the guests:

-Maggie Engler is a technologist and researcher focused on mitigating abuse in the online ecosystem. She currently works on safety for large language models at Inflection AI.

-Andrew has spent his career working at the intersection of policy and AI. Prior to founding Trustible, Andrew was a machine learning engineering tech led at FiscalNote. Now, at Trustible, he's flipped the script and is working to apply policy to the AI landscape.

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Today’s guest host, Becca Moran, speaks with Hunter Guerin about how he stepped into a new role as a Product Manager and where that career path led him.

They discuss:

• His background as a mechanical engineer in the defense contracting space, prior to stepping into product management
• Advice on how to get a job in product and ways to navigate into the field.
• How to create a balanced career by making time for sabbaticals.
• Ways that Product Managers can advocate for themselves in order to step into leadership positions and move forward in their career.
• How Hunter transitioned out of Product Management into the role of a startup founder.

About today’s host: With 5+ years of experience leading startup product teams and almost 10 years in the DC tech scene, Becca offers a wealth of valuable insights. She is currently the Vice President, Product & Engagement at Procurated, where she leads the product, design, and engineering functions for the company.

About today’s guest: Hunter Guerin is the founder of LLAMAWOOD, an on-demand firewood delivery platform. He has 15+ years of experience in engineering and product development, he loves local communities and is obsessed with wood fires. You can find him in Richmond, VA, where he lives with his wife and two kids, playing with fire.

Join us in this episode as we dive deep into the world of defense technology innovation with two exceptional leaders, Ian Kalin, CEO of TurbineOne, and Paul Benfield, Director of Pallas Advisors.

In this insightful conversation, our guests share the story of how they forged a dynamic partnership aimed at revolutionizing the defense and intelligence industry. Discover how they navigate the intricate landscape of government contracts and serving the U.S. military, offering firsthand accounts of the industry's inner workings.

About the guests:

Paul Benfield is the Director of Pallas Advisors, partnering with innovative companies developing break-through technology with compelling national security applications. His background includes 20 years of service in the U.S. Army in various Airborne, Special Operations, and Infantry units. His final assignment was as Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, focusing on Department of Defense innovation and modernization priorities. Paul is also an Adjunct Senior Fellow for the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS).

Ian Kalin is passionate about modernizing government technology. Career highlights include the Navy as a Counter Terrorism Officer and Nuclear Engineer, clean-tech entrepreneur, the first Chief Data Officer for the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the CTO of Medicare.com. His public service has been recognized through awards from the U.S. Secretary of Energy for responses to natural disasters and from Harvard for accomplishments at the intersection of technology and public policy.

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

Ever wondered how to step into the world of Product Management? Curious about what it takes to succeed and move up the ladder?

Today’s guest host, Becca Moran, speaks with Alex Gunter about how he stepped into a new role as a Product Manager.

They discuss:

• Why Alex chose to step into a Product Management career
• Advice for professionals who are interested in exploring a product career
• Tips on how to rock the interview process
• How his role has evolved over time and how he stepped into leadership
• And much more!

About today’s host: With 5+ years of experience leading startup product teams and almost 10 years in the DC tech scene, Becca offers a wealth of valuable insights. She is currently the Vice President, Product & Engagement at Procurated, where she leads the product, design, and engineering functions for the company.

About today’s guest: Alex Gunter (Staff Product Manager) manages the post-order product experience of customers, partners, and staff in the Xometry Marketplace. Alex joined Xometry in 2017 to manage the homegrown ERP, and has since launched products across the Supplier Job Board, Shop Finances, Supplies, Instant Quoting Engine, and Growth areas of the Xometry platform. In addition, Alex created and tends to Xompedia, the internal wiki knowledge base, does product demos, and runs monthly Investment Day hackathons. Prior to Xometry Alex worked in spot cable media, worked as a field organizer on the 2008 Obama for America presidential campaign, studied Economics and Public Policy at The University of Texas at Austin, and spent a summer studying Industrial Design at RISD.

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

Welcome to “How We Hatched". In this episode, you’ll hear from Lisa Rich, Founder and COO of space startup Xplore. Get ready to learn all about what it takes for a startup to make it in the industry… and how you could join!

Lisa shares about:

• The story behind Xplore’s founding.
• Navigating funding (including government contracts and pitching to VCs)
• The challenges of starting a new business and ways to overcome
• Industry trends (diversity, the demand for talent, and more!)

About today’s guest: Lisa Rich is a successful serial entrepreneur, investor, strategist and communicator and thought-leader who entered the space industry in 2014 to accelerate sustainable, strategy-driven businesses that positively impact the environment, STEM education, national security, and advance the $1T space economy. She is Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Xplore, a commercial space services company using its high-capability multi-sensor platform to store and transmit data, achieve data fusion, on orbit processing and edge compute and is also a top venture-backed dual use company on Silicon Valley Defense Group’s NatSec100 list. Ms. Rich is also Founder of Hemisphere Ventures, a top early stage space sector VC that has invested in 37 outstanding commercial space companies including Axiom Space, Umbra and Lynk. She frequently presents at space and technology conferences, engages Fortune 500 companies in think tank conversations on space strategy and the landscape for space investment with institutional investors and wealth management firms. In 2022, Ms. Rich was nominated to the National Space Council User Advisory Group led by Vice President Kamala Harris, and was listed as the Top 12 Connectivity Execs To Watch. She played a pivotal role in establishing the Redmond Space District in Washington State, recently submitted to the Congressional Record (H. Res. 646) by Rep Suzan DelBene. Her media appearances include Bloomberg and CNBC. Dedication to the space industry is evidenced by relationships she has built with members of the House and Senate, U.S. Commerce Department, U.S. State Department, AFWERX, OMB, National Space Council and customers at the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, DIU, NRO, NSIC, NGA and NASA.

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

Welcome to CTO Wisdom. In this series, we interview technical leaders who have stepped into executive positions.

Today’s guest host, Eric Brooke, speaks with Cat Miller, CTO of healthtech startup, Flatiron Health.

In today’s episode, they discuss:

• How Cat got into a technical career and her journey from junior software developer to CTO.
• The difference between a Director position and an Executive role (including the misconceptions around these positions)
• The importance of establishing success criteria as a CTO and how that has impacted her team.
• Her approach to problem solving and the resources that have helped her grow.

About today’s guest: As CTO of Flatiron Health, Cat Miller leads an organization of over 400 technologists, working to reimagine the infrastructure of cancer care. A software and data engineer by training, Cat has over a decade of experience in data-focused startups and nine years growing an engineering team at Flatiron, through acquisition and beyond.

About today’s host: Eric Brooke has a rich and varied leadership career - leading up to 21,000 people and Billions in revenue, throughout 14 countries. In their career, they have been an Executive six times (e.g. President, CEO, CMO, and CTO) and a Board member of multiple organisations. Eric has been a CTO of scaling startups from 0 to 120 engineers. As an adviser and mentor, they have helped multiple other startups scale both in Canada and the US. As well as supporting multiple startup incubators such as 1871 in Chicago and TechStars.

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

Join us as Matt and Dan share firsthand accounts of their companies' innovative technologies designed to counter drones, spanning applications in both military and public sector domains. Discover how these startups have joined forces to form a strategic partnership, unlocking synergies that drive innovation and growth.

If you're a technical professional seeking a deep dive into the DefenseTech sector or intrigued by the potential of strategic partnerships in startup growth, this episode is a must-listen.

About the Guests:

Matt McCrann is the US CEO of DroneShield, a defense tech company developing Counter-UAS solutions for military and public safety users worldwide. As an industry executive and US Navy veteran, Matt has built and led successful cross-functional teams in engineering, operations, and business development responsible for solving some of the toughest problems involving emerging technologies across the DoD, IC, and federal law enforcement community.

Dan Kultran is the CTO at Epirus, a startup on a mission to create innovative power solutions that solve complex national security problems. Prior to this role, he has worked at multiple defense and commercial companies, including Northrop Grumman and Raytheon.

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

In this episode our guest host, Jazmin Furtado, speaks with Alexis Bonnell, Chief Information Officer and Director of the Digital Capabilities Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory, the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force.

They discuss:

• The surprising story of how Alexis got into the public service sector.
• The ways that data enthusiasts can be used in this field.
• What it means to be an evidence-driven leader and why that approach to leadership is so crucial in public service.
• And much more!

About today’s guest: Alexis Bonnell is the Chief Information Officer and Director of the Digital Capabilities Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory, the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. She is responsible to develop and execute the AFRL Information Technology strategy, leading the strategic development of highly advanced next generation technologies and platforms for AFRL. Her focus includes catalyzing the discovery, development, and integration of warfighting technologies for air, space, and cyberspace forces via digital capabilities, IT infrastructure and technological innovation across the lab’s operations and culture.

About today’s host: Jazmin Furtado is currently a Technical Program Manager at Google where she leads a team of engineers and scientists to develop and deliver AI applications to federal agencies. Before Google, Jazmin was a part of the software innovation realm for the Department of Defense where she oversaw large-scale Data and Artificial Intelligence programs in the Air Force and Space Force. She has also held various leadership and advisory roles with organizations such as SpaceX, and Massachusetts General Hospital, where she designed and scaled AI, data, and education and training programs.

About the series: Our new series, “Frontiers: Exploring the World of Data”, dives into how people are using their data science minds to shape organizations and change the landscape outside of “Big Tech”. In each episode, we explore the far-reaching corners of the world of data. If you're curious about how data-minded individuals are making a difference in interesting, impactful and creative ways, then tune in!

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

In this episode, we dive into the world of SpaceTech startups in a candid conversation with two of the sector's brightest minds: Ben Reed, CTO and co-founder of Quantum Space, and Derek Strobel, the Lead Software Engineer and first employee of Kayhan Space.

Here’s what they discuss:

• The unique challenges that startups face in the SpaceTech industry (and how they’re solving those problems).
• Recent trends and changes that they’ve witnessed while working in the sector.
• What gets them excited about where they’re heading.
• How techies can step into this world and find a career at a SpaceTech startup.
• And much more!

About the Guests:

Ben Reed is the Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Quantum Space LLC, a commercial space company dedicated to advancing humanity’s journey to the stars - focused on safe, reliable and efficient space travel further from earth. Prior to Quantum, Ben served as Vice President Engineering for IBX - an innovation and investment firm. In 2018 he served as Director Civil Space Policy for the National Space Council, Executive Office of the President. Ben worked at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center for 22 years, his final role being Chief of Exploration and In-Space Services Division. He was lead materials engineer on the last three Hubble Servicing Missions.

Derek Strobel is a software engineer with over 5 years of experience in spaceflight safety systems. In 2019, Derek became the first employee of Kayhan Space, a commercial Space Situational Awareness (SSA) software startup founded by industry veteran Dr. Siamak Hesar and experienced tech founder Araz Feyzi. As Lead Software Engineer, Derek has helped build Kayhan into a team of over 20 employees, providing essential spaceflight safety services for hundreds of satellites.

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

In this episode, we hear from Ben Youngs and Kathryn Harris, leaders at Scale AI. Get an inside look into this startup’s mission of accelerating the development of AI applications, from the world’s largest tech companies to the federal government.

They discuss:

• The key problem that they’re trying to solve: how to augment workflows so humans produce higher quality, more effective work.
• The work their team is doing at Scale AI and how they’re bringing AI into the defense and intelligence sectors.
• How they hack bureaucracy by really knowing the customer and their specific needs.
• What they love about being part of the team at Scale AI!

About the Guests:

Ben Youngs is the Head of Solutions Engineering - Public Sector at Scale AI. Prior to Scale, Ben worked at In-Q-Tel, the strategic investor for the Intelligence Community. At IQT, Ben led investments in enterprise software. Prior to IQT, Ben supported multiple IC and DoD customers as a contractor designing, building and maintaining large-scale data and analytics platforms.

Kathryn Harris is the Head of Growth (Defense) at Scale AI. Kathryn is a strategist and growth executive advancing national competitiveness through defense and commercial technologies.

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

Ever wondered how to step into the world of Product Management? Curious about what it takes to succeed and move up the ladder?

In today’s episode our guest host, Becca Moran, speaks with Amy O’Callaghan about how she stepped into a career in Product.

They cover:

• How she transitioned from a marketing role into product management.
• Practical steps for others who want to navigate into the product space.
• Advice on how to use informational interviews to figure out whether a specific product role (or company) is the right fit.
• How she’s moved up in her career and succeeded in senior level roles (plus tips on how you can do the same!)
• And much more!

About today’s host: With 5+ years of experience leading startup product teams and almost 10 years in the DC tech scene, Becca offers a wealth of valuable insights. She is currently the Vice President, Product & Engagement at Procurated, where she leads the product, design, and engineering functions for the company.

About today’s guest: Amy O’Callaghan is a product veteran with over 10 years of experience. She started in product at snagajob. From there, she worked for Launch Media, CarMax, and was most recently the VP of Product at Vangst, a talent marketplace for the regulated Cannabis industry.

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

Welcome to our most recent episode of “How We Hatched"! In this episode, you’ll hear from Bryan Enriquez, one of the founders of prayer & meditation app, Hallow.

During this episode, Bryan shares the story his founder’s journey that led him to be part of the team behind Hallow.

Here are just a few of the topics discussed:

• The story behind the app and the impact it's made in the lives of people from age 18 to 80.
• How his career working for the Department of Justice surprisingly led him to become an entrepreneur.
• How the founding team established relationships with a strong lineup of investors (including Joe Montana and Mark Wahlberg, just to name a few!).
• How they’re solving the problem of busyness and stress by helping users establish routines of prayer, mindfulness, and meditation.

About today’s guest: Bryan Enriquez is a founding team member and the Head of Customer Operations at Hallow. In that role, he leads the Community team, the Customer Insights team, and the Customer Support team as well as planning official events for Hallow. Bryan is a 2015 graduate of the University of Notre Dame (B.A.) and a 2021 graduate of the Yale School of Management (MBA).

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

Today’s guest host, Becca Moran, speaks with Bryan Postelnek about how he stepped into a new role as a Product Manager.

They discuss:

• The interview process for product management roles.
• What companies look for in a PM (and how they structure the interview process to find the right person).
• The onboarding process that Bryan experienced and the responsibilities he was given.
• Tips for others looking to find a new role in product management.
• And much more!

About today’s host: With 5+ years of experience leading startup product teams and almost 10 years in the DC tech scene, Becca offers a wealth of valuable insights. She is currently the Vice President, Product & Engagement at Procurated, where she leads the product, design, and engineering functions for the company.

About today’s guest: Bryan Postelnek is a seasoned Product leader with over a decade of experience as a PM solving complex problems for companies and its users. On his off time, you may find him traveling, cooking, being an amateur ballroom dancer with his wife, learning to be a dad, asking his friends to play board games with him, or just trying to learn something new this week (currently it's juggling). You can find out about his latest professional ongoings on LinkedIn - feel free to reach out to him for help, advice, or a quick hello.

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

In this episode, we hear from startup founder and venture capital partner: Topher Haddad and Michael Brown. They delve into a key area of innovation in the defense space: dual-use startups. These startups straddle between the commercial space and the federal sector. And they’re making waves in the federal defense sector.

Get an inside look into the inner workings of VC–founder relations, including how they work together and what they’re looking for in the partnership.

About the guests:

Topher Haddad is the co-founder and CEO of Albedo, building a new platform for Earth Observation in very low earth orbit (VLEO). Albedo’s satellites will co-collect optical and thermal infrared imagery at the highest resolution commercially available, serving markets in agriculture, utilities, mapping, insurance, and defense. Topher previously worked as an engineer at Lockheed Martin on national security satellites.

Michael Brown is a partner at Shield Capital (a venture fund focused on defense technology—AI, cyber, space and autonomy) as well as a visiting scholar at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. Michael is the former Director of the Defense Innovation Unit for the U.S. Department of Defense where he worked for 7 years. Prior to that he was the CEO of Symantec, at the time the cybersecurity industry leader and before that CEO of Quantum, a computer storage maker.

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter:  https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

In this episode our guest host, Jazmin Furtado, speaks with Brian Beachkofski about his work with Rithmm, a company that provides predictive analytics for sports betting.

Brian shares about…

• How he got into this industry.
• How his team applies data and analytics to change the sports betting playing field.
• How they’ve tackled common industry problems, from handling proprietary data to maintaining a competitive advantage.
• The future of the field, including advice for people who are interested in entering the space.
• And much more!

About today’s host: Jazmin Furtado has been a part of the software innovation realm for the Department of Defense where she has overseen large-scale Data and Artificial Intelligence programs in the Air Force and Space Force. She has also held various leadership and advisory roles with organizations such as Google, SpaceX, and Massachusetts General Hospital, where she designed and scaled AI, data, and education and training programs.

About today’s guest: ...

About the series: Our new series, “Frontiers: Exploring the World of Data”, dives into how people are using their data science minds to shape organizations and change the landscape outside of “Big Tech”. In each episode, we explore the far-reaching corners of the world of data. If you're curious about how data-minded individuals are making a difference in interesting, impactful and creative ways, then tune in!

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

Interested in a career in govtech?

In this episode, we hear from Alissa Bookwalter and Bryon Kroger – two professionals who have made a huge impact in modernizing the federal space.

They discuss:

• The traits that they look for in employees who want to join the govtech space
• What it takes to truly bring modernization into the federal space
• Common misconceptions about working in the government space
• How they’ve successfully “hacked bureaucracy”

And much more!

About the guests:

Alissa Bookwalter currently serves as the Chief Talent Officer at the Griffiss Institute (GI), where her work seeks to impact and inspire the federal government’s next generation of technical talent. Prior to the GI, Alissa served as a Chief of Staff at Kessel Run, Deputy Director of Talent Management at the United States Digital Service, and supported military health programs for over 10 years.

Bryon Kroger is Founder and CEO of Rise8. Before that, he spent seven years as a targeteer using terrible software, which led him to cross-train to acquisitions and spend his first year building a transformation at AFLCMC, ultimately becoming one of three co-founders of Kessel Run. Bryon served as Kessel Run COO for two years, leading acquisitions, development, and operations for the enterprise-scale software lab that defined DoD DevSecOps. There he pioneered the first cATO alongside many other DoD "firsts". Bryon later launched Rise8 in 2019 to help change agents overcome bureaucracy and transform the way they build and deploy software to create outcomes in prod. He has built several cATOs from the ground up on both sides of the aisle and is a leading expert on the topic, as well as defense digital transformation and bureaucracy hacking more generally. 

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

Today’s guest host, Becca Moran, speaks with Rachel Rush about how she stepped into a career in Product.

They discuss:

• How Rachel overcame imposter syndrome and learned on the job
• Her experience of growing along with a startup (including acquisitions and going public)
• What the role of product manager entails and what it takes to succeed
• Practical tips on how to step into a product role
• And much more!

About today’s host: With 5+ years of experience leading startup product teams and almost 10 years in the DC tech scene, Becca offers a wealth of valuable insights. She is currently the Vice President, Product & Engagement at Procurated, where she leads the product, design, and engineering functions for the company

About today’s guest: Rachel Rush, Senior Product Manager at Xometry Inc working to make the sourcing of custom manufacturing easy. Based in the Washington DC area, she has worked in product management for five years. After trying a couple of different careers she settled into Product Management when she realized she would be empowered to solve problems, making a change in how people live and work. She believes that Product Managers are the voice of the user and are responsible for building the bridge between end users and top executives. This puts PMs in the unique position to challenge conventional thinking by demonstrating alternative workflows to overcome obstacles that users face every day.

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

Curious what it takes to be a startup founder?

In this episode, we hear from Ryan Rowe and Adam Meghji – successful entrepreneurs who have each spun out multiple successful startups.

They discuss:

• Their journeys into entrepreneurship.
• The challenges they faced as they took their startups from 0 to 1.
• Things that were a great success (and things that went wrong).
• The process of finding co-founders.
• How to know when its time to make an exit.

And much more!

About our guests:

Ryan Rowe is the CTO and Co-Founder of Archive. A three-time founder, he has over a decade of experience designing and developing innovative technology. Ryan began his career as a product designer, where he became obsessed with creating the best user experiences. After his first company was acquired by Palantir, he launched several new product initiatives for the renowned technology company. Since founding Archive, he is committed to building the best technology and UX experiences for fashion resale.

Adam Meghji is a seasoned CTO and technology executive, hiphop DJ, and father of two. He's helped launch and scale several startups from inception to exit, including his past venture Universe which sold to Ticketmaster / Live Nation in 2015. Currently, Adam is Co-founder & CTO at Peggy, the premier marketplace for buying and selling investment grade art, secured by AI artwork authentication.

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

“Frontiers: Exploring the World of Data” dives into how people are using their data science minds to shape organizations and change the landscape outside of “Big Tech”. In each episode, we explore the far-reaching corners of the world of data. So if you're curious about how data-minded individuals are making a difference in interesting, impactful and creative ways, then tune in!

In this episode, we delve into the world of startup technologists and the essential role that tech mentors play for these individuals.

Hear from seasoned tech mentors, Efe Ogolo and Greg Vincent, as they explore the key characteristics that define exceptional tech mentors.

They discuss:

• The challenges that tech professionals face at startups
• The traits of successful startup leaders
• How teams can establish mentorship programs at early stage startups
• Stories of successful mentors

And much more!

Welcome to our most recent episode of “How We Hatched"! In this episode, you’ll hear from a recognized leader in government technology and digital services, Greg Gershman.

Since founding Ad Hoc in 2014, Greg has led his team in growing from a startup to an organization of 600 people working in support of critical government digital services at the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and other government agencies. Greg’s leadership and vision has helped transform how government approaches serving the public through technology.

In this episode, he shares about:

• The story behind how Ad Hoc got started
• His personal journey into becoming a founder
• How his team at Ad Hoc is modernizing the federal space through web and mobile innovation

Join us for a conversation with two remarkable startup entrepreneurs who have successfully navigated the tumultuous world of startups and managed to bring order to the chaos. Our guests, Molly Hill Patten and Christian Duffus, share their inspiring stories and invaluable insights into how they’ve turned startups from a whirlwind of uncertainty into well-structured and thriving businesses.

Philanthropy

• Greyhound Welfare - https://greyhoundwelfare.org/
• New Literacy Project - https://newslit.org/
• Rock Creek Conservancy - https://www.rockcreekconservancy.org/

Welcome to our most recent episode of “How We Hatched"! In this episode, you’ll hear from the CTO of Opportunity@Work, Kelcey Reed. He shares about his team’s mission of rewiring the U.S. labor market so that all individuals Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs) can work, learn, and earn to their full potential.Kelcey is an Engineering and IT Executive with 20+ years of success building and delivering next-generation solutions and optimizing technical environments in the FinTech, FinServices, and EdTech industries.

In this episode, he shares about:

• His career background and how he transitioned out of the military into a technical career.
• The skills he gained that allowed him to step into engineering leadership.
• His transition into becoming an entrepreneur and how he joined Opportunity@Work.

Welcome to another episode of the Pair Program!In this episode, we delve into the essential role of People Operations in the startup world. Hear from Amy Forrester (Chief People Officer at FirstHand Health) and Jereme Holiman (VP of People at Shardeum) as they share valuable insights on how to navigate the unique challenges and opportunities that startups face in managing their employees.Whether you're a startup founder, HR professional, or simply intrigued by the startup world, you'll gain insights and inspiration to lean into the power of People Operations through each stage of a startup's growth.

Links to Charitable Organizations Discussed:

• https://www.aclu.org/
• https://www.amnesty.org/en/

Welcome to another episode of the Pair Program!

In this episode, we delve into the art of engineering leadership.

Our guests, Alan Deitch (Senior Director of Engineering at SpotHero) and John Barrile (CTO of Heartbeat Health) offer a wealth of wisdom on how to empower engineering teams by leading with a hands-off approach.

They discuss:

• How to be an engaged and involved leader, without becoming a micromanager.
• Which tasks should be delegated to the engineering team (and which tasks the manager should own).
• How to empower your team to make good decisions.
• And much more.

Thanks for tuning in to today's episode!

Welcome to today’s episode, where we discuss emerging technologies in the federal defense space – and how those coming from the commercial world can break into this exciting space.In this episode you’ll hear from Natalie Barrett and Jazmin Furtado. Natalie is currently assigned to the Warfighter Health and Readiness Program at Johns Hopkins’ Applied Physics Laboratory. Jazmin is part of the software innovation realm for the Department of Defense where she has overseen large-scale Data and AI programs in the Air Force and Space Force.They discuss:

• The tech problems that are top of mind in the federal defense sector.
• How innovative tech is being injected into the defense space.
• The role that commercial plays in the defense space – how commercial companies can break into this space (and how individual can too)

SOF Conference - https://www.sofweek.org/

Links to discussed Organizations

Vespere - https://www.vespere.org/

Beyond Rhetoric - https://beyondrhetoric.org/

SOCOM - https://www.socom.mil/

DARPA - https://www.darpa.mil/

IARPA - https://www.iarpa.gov/

Kessel Run - https://kesselrun.af.mil/

In-Q-Tel - https://www.iqt.org/

National Science Foundation - https://www.nsf.gov/

AFWERX - https://www.afwerx.af.mil/

Welcome to another episode of our series "How We Hatched" where we have candid conversations with tech founders and unveil their unique startup journeys.In this episode, our host Tim Winkler speaks with Bo Jiang, Co-founder and CEO of fintech startup, Lithic.During this episode, Bo shares the surprising story of how he entered the startup world.He discusses:

• How he found his co-founders (at the age of 14!)
• How his involvement in an incubator helped launch his startup career
• How his team has established healthy values and team culture

And much more!

Welcome to another episode of our series "How We Hatched" where we have candid conversations with tech founders and unveil their unique startup journeys.In this episode, our host Tim Winkler speaks with Brian Johnson, CEO of game studio startup, Loric Games. Previously the founder of DivvyCloud, this isn’t Brian’s first rodeo. And he has a wealth of knowledge to share with first-time founders and entrepreneurs.Brian takes us along an inspiring account of his professional journey and shares about the role of a startup CEO.He delves into:

• How to build a phenomenal team
• What it took to navigate several rounds of funding (and eventually a successful exit)
• How he merged his passions for gaming and coding into his current company: Loric Games

https://www.myhatchpad.com/startup/jdsat/

Welcome to Hatch Rolls, a new podcast Miniosode from the team at Hatchpad. In these new minisodes, we will highlight some of the roles that Hatch is currently sourcing for.

Today we will be talking about JDSAT!

JDSAT is a solutions company before anything else, and they believe that data, mathematics, and software are the most effective path to finding a solution that’s tailored to the organization’s needs.

JDSAT is looking to build out its engineering team and is looking for a Data Engineer, DevOps Engineer, and Full Stack Developer.

Apply Now!

https://www.myhatchpad.com/startup/jdsat/

Are you a technical professional who dreams of building your own business? Or maybe you're already on the journey to becoming a first-time founder?

Join us today to hear the stories of Chris Zhu from Primary.Health and Colby Harvey from Rizse about how they built their own startups. Our guests share why they decided to start their own businesses, how they navigated funding, the obstacles they faced along the way, and the key lessons they learned.

Thanks for tuning in to today's episode!

https://www.myhatchpad.com/startup/onda-ai/

Welcome to Hatch Rolls, a new podcast Miniosode from the team at Hatchpad. In these new minisodes, we will highlight some of the roles that Hatch is currently sourcing for.

Today we will be talking about Onda!

Onda offers a security and risk monitoring product and a cyber insurance platform to their enterprise customers. Their security technology aggregates cybersecurity data from external data feeds and cloud-based security tools to provide ongoing risk management. Their cyber insurance platform automates and streamlines quote, bind, issue, and policy administration for brokers, underwriters, and insurers.

Onda is looking to build out its engineering team and is currently looking for a Security Software Engineer.

Apply Now!

https://www.myhatchpad.com/startup/onda-ai/

Welcome to today's episode, where we discuss hiring specialists versus generalists in the tech startup world. Startups are known for their fast-paced, ever-changing environments, where engineers are often required to wear multiple hats and work on a variety of projects. So, which is better for a startup – a generalist or a specialist? Hear from startup leaders, Nick Peddy (CTO of CLEAR) and Haytham Abuelfutuh (co-founder and CTO of Union.ai) as they discuss:

• What it means for a software dev to be a generalist vs a specialist
• The pros and cons of hiring generalists vs specialists
• When and why startups might strategically choose to hire one vs the other.
• And much more!

Thanks for tuning in to today's episode!

https://www.myhatchpad.com/startup/racktop-systems/

Welcome to Hatch Rolls, a new podcast Miniosode from the team at Hatchpad. In these new minisodes, we will highlight some of the roles that Hatch is currently sourcing for.

Today we will be talking about Racktop Systems the leader in Cyber Storage. Racktop Systems is a data security startup and its core focus of business surrounds their flagship product BrickStor, which is an all-in-one data storage and management platform that protects sensitive data from cyber-attacks.

Racktop Systems is looking to build out its engineering team and is currently looking for a QA Engineer, Software Developer, Full Stack Developer and Senior Software Developer.

Apply Now!

https://www.myhatchpad.com/startup/racktop-systems/

In this episode, you’ll learn about a crucial decision that early-stage startups make: when to hire a full time CTO.You’ll learn about:

• The different approaches startups can take when scaling their technical teams.
• When is it best to hire a full-time CTO.
• The role of a fractional CTO.
• And much more!

Today we will be talking about Smerf. Smerf is using cutting-edge technology to build a platform that unites gaming communities of all kinds.

Smerf is building out its engineering team and they’re looking for Lead Engineers, as well as Mid/Sr Engineers, to join their small but quickly growing team. 

As a very early engineering hire, you’ll have the opportunity to own the delivery of major features and really make an impact. Joining the team at SMERF means you’ll get the chance to develop component-based user interfaces in React Native and build seamlessly integrated features with AAA game and platform APIs. Gaming experience is not required - just a passion for it!

In this episode, our host Tim Winkler speaks with Dr. Mingsheng Hong, co-founder and CEO of Bluesky, a startup on a mission to make data clouds cost efficient. Prior to this role, Mingsheng was head of engineering for Google’s ML runtime (e.g. TensorFlow). Mingsheng also had a decade of experience building and delivering Big Data products and solutions at Google, Hadapt, and Vertica.

During this episode, Mingsheng takes us along for an inspiring account of his professional journey, sharing the lessons he learned along the way.

He shares:

• How his time at Google and Microsoft equipped him to found Bluesky
• The pros and cons of working at a large corporation vs a startup
• The process of raising a first round of funding as a startup
• Open roles on Bluesky’s team and the qualities they’re looking for in a new hire

Join us as our hosts, Tim and Mike, talk to startup leaders Tomas Reimers and Yasyf Mohamedali. Tomas and Yasyf have both transitioned out of working at FAANG companies into founding their own businesses. Tomas is currently a co-founder at Graphite, a code review platform designed for engineers. Yasyf is currently a co-founder at Sym, an automation tool for engineering security teams.

In this episode, we explore the journey of these technical leaders as they transitioned out of big tech into the role of startup founders.

They discuss:

• How their time at FAANG companies prepared them to found startups and how they transitioned into the startup world.
• Common mistakes that early founders make (and how to avoid them)
• How to build a culture of trust and transparency among employees of an early-stage startup
• And much more!

And much more!

Welcome to another episode of our series "How We Hatched" where we have candid conversations with tech founders and unveil their unique startup journeys.

In this episode, our host Tim Winkler speaks with Mike Brown, Co-Founder and CTO of Strider.

As a serial entrepreneur, Mike has had a front row seat in the world of data startups. He offers a unique perspective on what it’s like to be part of a startup at every career level – from junior engineer to being on the founding team. Mike has been awarded 28 patents for his work and is a frequent speaker on big data and its business applications. Today, Mike leads the technology development at Strider, a startup that empowers organizations with the data and tools to protect their innovations and compete for the long run.

During this episode, Mike shares an inspiring account of his professional journey and the lessons he learned along the way.

Join us as our hosts, Tim and Mike, talk to tech startup leaders Troy Crosby and Brian Retford. Troy is an engineering leader with experience from Series A through IPO and is currently the Director of Engineering at PatientIQ. He experienced a startup’s acquisition first-hand while working as an engineering manager in the real estate industry. Brian Retford is a serial entrepreneur. Prior to starting RISC Zero, he co-founded Vertex.AI which later sold to Intel in 2018. Prior to that, he worked at Google and Microsoft and was one of the first developers at mesh networking startup.

Being acquired can be stressful but is also a fascinating opportunity.

In this episode, you’ll hear the stories and wisdom of two startup professionals who have had a front row seat through the entire process.

You’ll learn about:

• Common outcomes for teams that get acquired
• The benefits of going through an acquisition and why it can be a huge win for startup teams
• How to find mentorship at your new company after getting acquired
• The challenges of acquisitions (plus, how to know if it’s time to move on)

And much more!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

12 Engineering Leadership Lessons for Success after an Acquisition by Troy Crosby

Interested in exploring a new startup career opportunity? Check out myhatchpad.com/jobs to browse startups by stage, tech stack, and salary.

Are you a startup founder or tech leader looking to grow your engineering or product teams? Check out hatchit.io/hire to learn more about how hatch I.T. can help your teams grow.

Start building for free at Interval.com today by going to interval.com/pairprogram! 

Join us as our hosts, Tim and Mike, talk to startup tech leaders Anusha Iyer and Ben Wilson. Anusha is the President, CTO and Co-Founder of Corsha. She is a technology leader with over 15 years of experience in security-minded software, analytics, and managed services. Ben is a passionate technologist and serial CTO who has been leading digital change across diverse industries for more than 20 years. Both Ben and Anusha are passionate about helping startup teams establish strong cultures that adapt through all stages of growth.

In this episode they discuss how technical leaders and teams can contribute to and establish their startup’s culture.

You’ll learn about:

• The difference between early-stage startup culture vs. the culture at a later stage company (And the challenges that come with building culture at these different stages).
• What traits to look for in technical team members who will grow with your company.
• How to build a team that is passionate about the company mission.
• How to adapt your tech strategy and processes as the startup scales.

And much more!

Interested in exploring a new startup career opportunity? Check out myhatchpad.com/jobs to browse startups by stage, tech stack, and salary.

Are you a startup founder or tech leader looking to grow your engineering or product teams? Check out hatchit.io/hire to learn more about how hatch I.T. can help your teams grow.

Start building for free at Interval.com today by going to interval.com/pairprogram! 

Join us as our hosts, Tim and Mike, talk to Product Managers Lauren Creedon and Shyvee Shi. Lauren is Head of Product at Goldcast, a B2B software platform for live video and digital events. Before that, she led the AI product org at Drift, and the smart camera product group at Hudl. Shyvee is a Product Manager at LinkedIn, an instructor at LinkedIn Learning, and host of the "Product Management Learning Series". Shyvee overcame many challenges while transitioning into the role of PM and is passionate about helping others navigate the transition.

In this episode you’ll hear about the unique journeys that our guests took into product management.

They discuss:

• The different career paths that can lead to becoming a product manager
• What it takes to break into the product management career track (and how to prove that you have what it takes to succeed)
• How to overcome imposter syndrome when you’re new to product management
• And much more!

And much more!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Product Management Learning Series by Shyvee Shi

Personal Productivity for Product Managers Course by Shyvee Shi

Shyvee's Post on How to Create a PM Career Roadmap

Positive Intelligence: Why Only 20% of Teams and Individuals Achieve Their True Potential AND HOW YOU CAN ACHIEVE YOURS by Shirzad Chamine

What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith

Chris Voss Teaches The Art of Negotiation - MasterClass

Never Split The Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss

The Manager's Path: A Guide for Tech Leaders Navigating Growth and Change by Camille Fournier

The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You by Julie Zhuo

The Dream Manager: Achieve Results Beyond Your Dreams by Helping Your Employees Fulfill Theirs by Matthew Kelly

MIT Sloan School of Management

Rands Leadership Slack

In this episode of "How We Hatched", our host Tim Winkler speaks with Vlad Eidelman, CTO and Chief Scientist of market intelligence startup FiscalNote. By joining FiscalNote, Vlad had the unique opportunity of bringing his data science expertise into the early stages of a product’s development.

You’ll learn about:

• How the journey of Vlad's family coming to the US as refugees sparked his interest in joining an entrepreneurial venture.
• 
  
• 
  
• Why Vlad chose to join FiscalNote and how he vetted the founder and early-stage team.
• 
  
• 
  
• The two key questions FiscalNote used to inspire their company’s mission.
• 
  
• 
  
• Why the company focused on building the BD and marketing teams first (and how that benefited the engineering team).
• 
  

Plus much more!

In this episode we explore the journey of these technical leaders as they transitioned out of big tech into the role of startup founders.

They discuss:

• The differences between FAANG companies and startups.
• 
  
• 
  
• The benefits of gaining experience in each environment (and how to figure out which one is best for you).
• 
  
• 
  
• The lessons they carried over from working in big tech, as well as the things they intentionally left behind.
• 
  
• 
  
• The challenges of hiring for a small startup.
• 
  

And much more!

In this episode we explore workplace cultures based on the company stage.

You’ll learn:

• What are some of the differences in culture for smaller stage environments vs. larger companies?
• 
  
• 
  
• How does the stage of a company impact the way they approach growth?
• 
  
• 
  
• What are some of the different ways that teams collaborate in these different stage companies?
• 
  

And much more!

Welcome to another episode of "How We Hatched" where we have candid conversations with tech founders and unveil their unique startup journeys.

In this episode, our host Tim Winkler speaks with Luca Antiga (CTO of Lightning AI and co-founder at both Orobix and Tensorwerk). Prior to his current role, Luca was an early contributor to PyTorch and co-author of Deep Learning with PyTorch at Manning.

During this episode Luca shares about his professional journey, from his initiation into the world of AI to becoming a startup founder and CTO.He shares about:

• How he established his career in AI and open source.
• The challenges he faced while learning how to apply Deep Learning in the real world.
• The team’s structure at Lightning AI and future growth plans.

And much more!

In this episode we discuss how technical leaders can empower their teams, encourage autonomy, and build a culture of “managing up."

You’ll learn:

• What it means to be a leader who empowers their team
• 
  
• 
  
• How to establish trust between employees and leadership
• 
  
• 
  
• How to strike the balance between giving your team autonomy, while maintaining accountability
• 
  
• 
  
• Tips on how to transition the responsibility of decision making to your employees
• 
  

Turn the Ship Around! | L. David Marquet: https://davidmarquet.com/turn-the-ship-around-book/

Welcome to the second episode of our series called "How We Hatched" where we have candid conversations with tech founders and unveil their unique startup journeys.

In this episode, our host Tim Winkler speaks with Chris White, the CTO of data startup, Prefect.

As the first hire at Prefect, Chris has had a front row seat as the company has grown to 80+ employees. He takes us along an inspiring account of Prefect’s founding, how he joined, and how they intentionally built a strong culture for future employees.

He shares about:

• The company’s vision for growth and how they scaled from the first 2 employees to the first 10 (and on)
• 
  
• 
  
• The 4 standards that all Prefect engineers commit to
• 
  
• 
  
• How Prefect built a culture where 90% of applicants accept their job offers 
• 
  

And much more!

In this episode we discuss how startup leaders can successfully communicate company vision to product and engineering.

You’ll learn:

• What is a company vision and why is it important to communicate it to the technical teams.
• 
  
• 
  
• How to recognize when different teams are aligned on the company vision.
• 
  
• 
  
• How to motivate employees at an early-stage company when the vision is still being formed.
• 
  
• 
  
• When it’s time to adjust the company’s vision.
• 
  
• 
  
• How to tell when a company’s vision is “working”
• 
  

In this episode we explore the role of Staff Engineer and break down why many technologists pursue this role.

You’ll learn:

• What is the role of Staff Engineer and how does it differ from other engineering positions?
• 
  
• 
  
• The responsibilities and growth opportunities of those in a Staff Engineering position
• 
  
• 
  
• How the role can differ in a startup environment vs a larger organization
• 
  

References:

• Staff Engineer: Leadership beyond the management track by Will Larson
• 
  
• 
  
• StaffEng Blog by Will Lars on
• 
  

Nick is the VP of Engineering at fintech startup, JustiFi. Nick is an experienced technology leader driving the creation and maintenance of complex software systems. He has progressed through leadership roles and intentionally mentors development teams through all stages of growth. Damien has worked in a variety of developer roles for over a decade and currently works at PwC Digital as a senior research software engineer. Damien joined PwC through an acquisition and has firsthand experience of the transition from small startup to global corporation. 

In this episode we discuss the direction your career can take, depending on your company’s stage, growth plans, and exit strategy. 

You’ll learn:

• The different environments that technologists experience, from startups to enterprise, and how they can influence your career.
• 
  
• 
  
• The different types of growth for a company (gradual organic growth vs. rapid growth through an acquisition).
• 
  
• 
  
• The challenges a technologist might face when going through an acquisition and the impact an acquisition can have on engineering teams.
• 
  
• 
  
• Strategies to determine whether a company’s future aligns with your career goals.
• 
  

In this episode, our hosts, Tim and Mike, talk to startup leaders Nate Jones and Ryan McQueeney. Nate Jones got his start in tech maintaining (and breaking) Oracle ecom databases. He went on from there to found his own company (coffee and coffee gear) before moving to Amazon and then Drift. Most recently, Nate has joined Palolo, where he stays busy building a bank that makes life easier for employees. Ryan McQueeney is a CFO with specific expertise in startup and venture-backed business. Currently, Ryan serves as the managing principal of MCQ Advisory, LLC, a management consulting firm focusing on finance and operations.

Nate and Ryan have each developed a deep understanding of startup equity (on both ends of the negotiating table) and are passionate about sharing what they’ve learned!

They discuss:

• What is startup equity?
• 
  
• 
  
• Tips for job seekers: How to gauge a company’s health and better understand what to expect from your equity offerings.
• 
  
• 
  
• Tips for startup leaders: How much equity should you give early-stage employees and how to leverage equity when building a dedicated team.
• 
  

In this episode, our hosts, Tim and Mike, talk to startup leaders Kim Merino and Sean McBride. Kim is a self-taught software engineering manager from Los Angeles, where she currently leads the Growth Front End team at Netlify. She thoroughly enjoys helping her team grow in their careers and mentoring women in tech. Sean heads up engineering at a healthcare startup, Wellty. Prior to this role, he worked for over 12 years in corporate and philanthropic backed startups. During this period he has been layered, brought in layers, and was recently brought in as a layer as a Director of Engineering.

They discuss:

• Tips for Individual Contributors (How to tactfully move forward after getting layered, transition to a new manager, and advocate for your own growth)
• 
  
• 
  
• Best practices for technical leaders (How to get buy-in from the people who are getting layered & ensure your team feels confident about their future at the company)
• 
  
• 
  
• Guidance for the new manager (How to respectfully step into your position and build trust with your new team)
• 
  

In this episode we discuss how startups can successfully build their product teams through the various stages of a startup’s growth. 

You’ll learn:

• Advice on how a product team should change and mature over a startup’s lifetime.
• 
  
• 
  
• When startup leadership should prioritize scaling the product department.
• 
  
• 
  
• Tips for hiring a startup’s first product manager.
• 
  
• 
  
• Advice for professionals who want to step into product management.
• 
  

In this episode we discuss how startup teams approach technical debt.

You’ll learn:

• Why tech debt occurs (and why some engineering leaders choose to take it on)
• 
  
• 
  
• The impact of too much tech debt and how to manage it
• 
  
• 
  
• How engineering leaders can communicate with other departments about tech debt
• 
  
• 
  
• And much more!
• 
  

Check out Leadership and Self-Deception here: https://arbinger.com/Landing/LeadershipAndSelfDeception.html 

In this episode we discuss stealth startups – companies that avoid public attention while building a product.

You’ll learn:

• The reasons startup founders choose to build in stealth mode and the benefits it offers to early-stage companies.
• 
  
• 
  
• How to grow a team and hire new employees when operating in stealth.
• 
  
• 
  
• How stealth startups find product-market fit and collect feedback from their target audience.
• 
  
• 
  
• How (and when) to transition out of stealth mode and into the public light.
• 
  

Padmashree has spent over 25 years building a career in tech, spanning Software Engineering, Product Management and Operations. Padmashree deeply believes that each person's career is a unique journey, more akin to rock climbing the face of a mountain than a linear progression on a well-defined path. Seth has been working on software in various forms for over 25 years now. He started as a software engineer in test and moved through various developer and architect roles before jumping over to delivery, then leadership, then to product management.

In this episode, our guests openly discuss their career journeys and lessons learned. You’ll come away inspired to explore your own career path with creativity and enthusiasm! 

Subscribe to the Pair Program from hatchpad, the podcast that gives you a front row seat to candid conversations with tech leaders from the startup world. Join host Tim Winkler (creator of hatchpad) alongside co-host Mike Gruen as they bring together two guests to dissect topics at the intersection of technology, startups, and career growth.   

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: - https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/ 

Get alerted about startup roles that match your unique profile: - https://www.myhatchpad.com/job/submit-your-profile/?source=YouTube+Description 

Follow us on Social!! ~https://twitter.com/my_hatchpad~https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hatchpadcommunity/

Welcome to the first episode of our series called "How We Hatched" where we have candid conversations with tech founders and unveil their unique startup journeys.

In this episode, our host Tim Winkler speaks with Igor Jablokov, the founder and CEO of AI startup Pryon.

Previously at IBM, Igor grew impatient with the gap between the invention and commercialization of AI and departed to establish cloud computing pioneer Yap. Five years later, Amazon acquired the company for its AI expertise and machine learning technology, now embedded in billions of Alexa-powered devices. Today, Igor is scaling Pryon, an AI company that transforms enterprise content into interactive experiences that improve the accuracy of chatbots and support agents.

During this episode, Igor takes us along an inspiring account of his professional journey, sharing the lessons he learned along the way. 

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: ~https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/ 

Get alerted about startup roles that match your unique profile: ~https://www.myhatchpad.com/job/submit-your-profile/?source=YouTube+Description 

Follow us on Social!!  

~https://twitter.com/my_hatchpad

~https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hatchpadcommunity/

Thank You for listening!

This episode sheds light on startup engineering and product teams as they scale from seed to Series A.

You’ll learn:

• The characteristics of technical professionals who fit in a seed stage startup, as opposed to a Series A startup
• 
  
• 
  
• Ways to build the engineering and product teams during each of these stages (including outsourcing vs growing internally)
• 
  
• 
  
• The greatest challenges facing product & engineering when scaling from seed to Series A.
• 
  

Join our hosts, Tim and Mike, alongside our guests Rebecca Moran and Johnny Ray Austin, as they discuss the unique relationship between product and engineering. 

With 5+ years of experience leading startup product teams, Rebecca offers a wealth of valuable insights. She is currently the Senior Director of Product Management at Procurated, where she leads the product, design, engineering, marketing, and community functions for the company. Johnny Ray Austin is a technologist, speaker, and thought leader offering over 15 years of experience in software engineering. He is currently the Chief Technology Officer at flexible rent payment startup, Till.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The role of startup engineering and product teams
• 
  
• 
  
• Tips on how product and engineering can collaborate effectively
• 
  
• 
  
• Common conflicts that arise between these teams (and how to resolve them)
• 
  

You’ll learn: 

- The reasons coding bootcamp grads shouldn’t be overlooked. 

- Practical tips on how to interview and onboard bootcamp grads. 

- How startups can create an environment for bootcampers to succeed. 

- Alternative academic options (beyond bootcamps and CS degrees)  

Subscribe to the Pair Program from hatchpad, the podcast that gives you a front row seat to candid conversations with tech leaders from the startup world. Join host Tim Winkler (creator of hatchpad) alongside co-host Mike Gruen as they bring together two guests to dissect topics at the intersection of technology, startups, and career growth.   

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter:  

- https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

Follow us on Social!!  

~https://twitter.com/my_hatchpad

~https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hatchpadcommunity/

In this episode, co-hosts Tim and Mike, alongside our guests Michael Grove and Spiro Roiniotis, dissect how the source of funding impacts the way startups scale. Michael is SVP of Engineering and Co-Founder at Stardog, where he manages their world-class engineering organization and helps shape the direction of the Stardog Enterprise Knowledge Graph. Spiro is CTO and co-founder of Decile, a premier e-commerce analytics platform that helps clients make insightful data-driven decisions about their business.   

You’ll learn: 

- The impact that funding has on a startup’s employee workforce and growth potential. 

- The pros and cons of getting funding from a Venture Capital vs a Holding Company. 

- How startups stabilize, mature, and become appealing companies to work for.   

Subscribe to the Pair Program from hatchpad, the podcast that gives you a front row seat to candid conversations with tech leaders from the startup world. Join host Tim Winkler (creator of hatchpad) alongside co-host Mike Gruen as they bring together two guests to dissect topics at the intersection of technology, startups, and career growth.   

 Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter:  

- https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/ 

Follow us on Social!!  

~https://twitter.com/my_hatchpad

~https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hatchpadcommunity/

Join us as our hosts, Tim and Mike, talk to startup engineering leaders Mike Garrett and Ian Lotinsky. Mike Garrett, an Engineering Manager at Caribou, is no stranger to startup life and has experienced the startup lifecycle from pre-money through acquisition. Ian is the VP of Product, Engineering, and Design at Imagine Learning. He’s been building web products since the mid-90s for organizations of all sizes. In this episode we take a deep dive into the build vs. buy software debate. 

You’ll learn: 

- How real tech leaders make the decision to build or buy software 

- The pros and cons of building vs. buying software 

- Practical tips on how you can make the right decision for your team  

Subscribe to the Pair Program from hatchpad, the podcast that gives you a front row seat to candid conversations with tech leaders from the startup world. Join host Tim Winkler (creator of hatchpad) alongside co-host Mike Gruen as they bring together two guests to dissect topics at the intersection of technology, startups, and career growth.   

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: - https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

Follow us on Social!! 

~https://twitter.com/my_hatchpad

~https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hatchpadcommunity/

You’ll learn: 

- How real tech leaders make the decision to build or buy software 

- The pros and cons of building vs. buying software 

- Practical tips on how you can make the right decision for your team  

Subscribe to the Pair Program from hatchpad, the podcast that gives you a front row seat to candid conversations with tech leaders from the startup world. Join host Tim Winkler (creator of hatchpad) alongside co-host Mike Gruen as they bring together two guests to dissect topics at the intersection of technology, startups, and career growth.   

Sign-Up for the Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: - https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

Follow us on Social!! 

 ~https://twitter.com/my_hatchpad

~https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hatchpadcommunity/