Entrepreneurship

On this episode, Elio interviews Max Brickman, Managing Director at Heartland Ventures. Heartland Ventures is a value-add venture investor that connects high-growth startups with new customers in the Midwest. Max’s entrepreneurial endeavors began at a very young age with him starting his first company at 14 years old. From landscaping to real estate to education, Max has garnered a wealth of knowledge that has guided him in his journey into venture capital. He delves into why he initially decided to pursue venture capital and also details why Heartland Ventures chose to focus on the coast, although not limited to the coast, as well as how and why it raises funds the way it does. Max’s story is quite impressive thus far, and this is only the beginning.

On this episode, Elio interviews Matt Wyckhouse, Founder and CEO of Finite State. Finite State's platform detects IoT threats to networks to proactively mitigate risk. Matt takes us through his years at Battelle, coming straight out of Ohio State, where he started in software development, and then eventually helped to lead the company’s expansion into the cybersecurity space. He reveals what he discovered working with Battelle that emphasized his entrepreneurial itch and prompted him to found Finite State. The conversation evolves from “What is national security really?”, to taking on a giant multinational company, to “Is 5G out to get us?” Listen as Matt details the interesting world of cybersecurity.

On this episode, Elio interviews Mike Holt, Advisor and Investor in Nodis. Nodis TruTint uses color coated nanoparticles that act as small light shutters that are oriented when voltage is applied, transforming windows by giving people the ability to change the tint, color, and temperature characteristics of windows instantly. Mike discusses why Nodis decided to relocate their operations to Columbus, why buildings are the nonobvious frontier for fighting climate change, and how nanotechnology and Nodis' unique process gives glass manufacturers the flexibility to meet their customers' needs.

Sponsored by AWH

Written by Ryan Frederick

We’re experiencing a lot of bubbles right now as part of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many professional sports leagues have restarted in bubbles to protect the safety of the players, staff, and officials. Many of us are living in our own bubbles and have reduced the number of places we go and people we physically interact with. Bubbles provide protection and it started me thinking about how every startup community is its own bubble.

Sponsored Post by AWH

Written by Lucas La Tour

When we first start a company, there are many unanswered questions. It’s easy to look in the mirror and tell yourself that you aren’t fit to be a founder. You may look at your skills or technical expertise and think, “How it is possible for someone like me to create the type of thing that I have in my mind, especially when it requires a certain skill set that I don’t have?” This raises a number of questions including: How technical do you have to be to start a tech company?

On this episode, Elio interviews Shanna Dean, Co-Founder and Executive Chef of Lifestyle Cafe, a plant-based vegan restaurant located in the Olde Towne East neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio. Shanna discusses her journey to veganism, her family history of entrepreneurship, the hidden side of the American food industry, and how Lifestyle Cafe is changing the way vegan food is perceived and winning over hardcore omnivores.

By Elio Harmon, Founder of 614Startups

I have Netflix, Hulu, Prime TV, YouTube, and IGTV and sometimes I still struggle to find something to watch. Then came the pilot for Drunk Pitch and I may have found my new not-guilty pleasure. Drunk Pitch marries three things I love; business ideas, laughter, and that drank.

So I got tipsy and decided to reach out to Jacqueline Rinehardt, creator of Drunk Pitch for this interview. Let's get litty.

On this episode, Elio interviews LoLo Smith, Co-Founder of The Urban Accelerator X and The Black Project. LoLo shares her entrepreneurial journey from starting a successful FOREX trading company to watching it fail due to lack of proper legal protections. Not one to let failure stop her, LoLo's passion for helping black entrepreneurs succeed drove her to start The Black Project, a brand firm that helps all entrepreneurs but especially black entrepreneurs launch successful brands. Most recently, she and her co-founders launched The Urban Accelerator X, a support organization for urban businesses that provides education, co-working, and resourced for entrepreneurs of color. This episode is full of energy with plenty of laughs. Enjoy.

That’s what I want to focus on today. Now there are many things the region needs to do to reach the next level. We need more capital, more engineering talent, etc. These things are all improving progressively. We have more capital than ever before. Historically coastal investors are beginning to realize the potential of this region and place capital accordingly. Things have never been better for startups in cities like Columbus, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Chicago. If we keep executing, things will only improve further.

Columbus, Ohio, March 2, 2020 - NODIS, provider of the technology to transform glass into electrically switchable smart glass and displays, announced today that it has established operations in Columbus, Ohio as it begins production of its TruTintTM smart glass technology. TruTint transforms windows, giving people the ability to change the tint, color and temperature characteristics of windows instantly.