Welcome to a special throwback episode of Tech Scenes, where we meet up with CEOs, founders, and investors to learn what makes cities in the startup tech ecosystem thrive. In this episode, we revisit our time in Chicago with Troy Henikoff of MATH Venture Partners.

Join us as we drop by the MATH Venture Partners office, stroll through the iconic 1871 coworking space, and take a ride through the city with Troy. As a prominent figure in Chicago's startup scene, Troy shares his journey from being an operator to becoming a venture capitalist. We delve into his investment philosophy of backing companies with an "unfair advantage" in customer acquisition and discuss the factors that make Chicago a unique and thriving hub for startups.

Troy highlights the importance of producing real revenue, achieving impressive investment ROI, and fostering diversity within the tech ecosystem. MATH Venture Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm, focuses on investing in founding teams that build digital technology companies with a distinct edge in customer acquisition.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or simply interested in the dynamics of Chicago's tech scene, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration from one of the city's leading venture capitalists.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with all our episodes, where we bring you the untold stories of innovation and leadership from the tech world, only on Tech Scenes Chicago.

Learn more about the book “Peak Teams - Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies” - https://geni.us/peak-teams Visit Collective Genius to Build your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System - www.collective-genius.com Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie #mathventures #brettqueener #collectivegenius #peakoperatingsystem #peakos #vbos #innovation #investing #venturecapital #startups #SaaS #entrepreneurshipceo #founder #cofounder

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, we connect with Daniel Liebeskind, the innovative founder and CEO of Topia. Topia is a cutting-edge platform-as-a-service technology that enables real-time social interaction and spatial video chat inside customizable virtual worlds. Serving enterprises across education, AAA game studios, financial services, and software, Topia helps customers and employees feel more connected as a community.

From Wall Street to Silicon Valley, Daniel’s mission is to foster human connection through technology. With a lifelong passion for building offline communities, Daniel became an entrepreneur to create software that helps people manage their personal communities. Over the past six years, he has coded nearly 30 applications, including community platforms, contact managers, slack bots, real estate systems, trading platforms, knowledge ecosystems, and browser, VR, and mobile games.

In this episode, Daniel discusses the revolutionary potential of spatial communication technology and how virtual worlds can break down geographic constraints. We delve into the importance of building flexible systems and tools that can scale effectively, and the crucial role of peer-to-peer encrypted communication in maintaining privacy and security.

Jeff and Daniel also shares insights on creating a cadence and operating system to scale, and the benefits of building in public. Join us as we explore how Topia is inspiring creativity, community, and connection through the real-time internet, making virtual interactions feel as engaging as in-person meetings.

Whether you're a tech enthusiast, an entrepreneur, or someone interested in the future of digital communication, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration from one of the leading voices in the field.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with all our episodes, where we bring you the untold stories of innovation and leadership from the tech world, only on Tech Scenes.

Learn more about the book “Peak Teams - Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies” - https://geni.us/peak-teams

Visit Collective Genius to Build your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System - www.collective-genius.com

Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

#bonfireventures #DanielLiebeskind #collectivegenius #peakoperatingsystem #peakos #vbos #innovation #investing #venturecapital #startups #SaaS #entrepreneurship #ceo #founder #cofounder #jeffjamesmartin #virtualworlds #virtualreality

Welcome to a special throwback episode of Tech Scenes, where we explore what makes tech founders and the cities they live in thrive. In this episode, originally aired on June 6th, 2018, we take a walk through Boulder, Colorado, with the legendary Brad Feld, Co-Founder of Foundry Group and Techstars.

Brad Feld is a well-known serial entrepreneur, investor, and author of several influential books, including "Startup Communities" and "Venture Deals." As a venture capitalist at Foundry Group, a firm he started with partners Seth Levine, Ryan McIntyre, and Jason Mendelson, Brad has been a pivotal figure in financing technology startups since the early 1990s. His journey began as an angel investor and evolved into becoming an institutional investor, helping shape the tech landscape in Boulder and beyond.

In this episode, Brad shares his insights on the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Boulder, the importance of community in fostering innovation, and his experiences and lessons learned from decades of investing in tech startups. We also delve into his role at Techstars, a global platform for investment and innovation, and how it has helped countless startups grow and succeed.

Join us as we revisit this inspiring conversation with Brad Feld, exploring the vibrant tech scene in Boulder and the factors that contribute to its success. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or tech enthusiast, this episode offers timeless wisdom and valuable takeaways from one of the most influential figures in the startup world.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with all our episodes, where we bring you the untold stories of innovation and leadership from the tech world, only on Tech Scenes .
Learn more about the book “Peak Teams - Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies” - https://geni.us/peak-teams Visit Collective Genius to Build your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System - www.collective-genius.com Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie #foundrygroup #bradfeld #techstars #collectivegenius #peakoperatingsystem #peakos #vbos #innovation #investing #venturecapital #venturedeals ##entrepreneurshipceo #founder #cofounder

Welcome to Part Two of our drive with Brett Queener, Partner at Bonfire Ventures, on Tech Scenes Santa Barbara. In this episode, we delve deeper into Brett’s extensive knowledge and experience, focusing on the transformative power of AI, the importance of AI UX as a cognitive layer, and the critical aspects of successful board collaboration.

Brett shares his insights on the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and how integrating AI UX as a cognitive layer can enhance user experiences and drive innovation. We also discuss the strategic benefits of leveraging an operating system and maintaining a consistent cadence to ensure organizational efficiency, growth and scale.

Additionally, Brett emphasizes the importance of empowering your team, fostering a culture of trust, and providing the tools and autonomy they need to excel. His practical advice and real-world examples offer valuable lessons for entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders aiming to navigate the complexities of the tech industry and achieve sustainable success.

Join us for this episode as we continue our exploration of the key factors driving growth and innovation in the tech world. Whether you're an founder, a tech enthusiast, or simply interested in the dynamics of successful business leadership, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with all our episodes, where we bring you the untold stories of innovation and leadership from the tech world, only on Tech Scenes.

Learn more about the book “Peak Teams - Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies” - https://geni.us/peak-teams

Visit Collective Genius to Build your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System - www.collective-genius.com

Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

#bonfireventures #brettqueener #collectivegenius #peakoperatingsystem #peakos #vbos #innovation #investing #venturecapital #startups #healthtech #SaaS #entrepreneurshipceo #founder #cofounder

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, we connect with Ben Foster, the Co-Founder of Prodify. With a rich background as a Chief Product Officer at leading companies like WHOOP, GoCanvas, and Opower, Ben brings a wealth of experience and insights into the pivotal role of product management in driving tech company success. Ben's career highlights include expanding teams and company valuations significantly, establishing strong product visions, and championing customer-focused strategies. At WHOOP, Ben grew the team tenfold and the company valuation fifteenfold, hitting record-high retention rates and grooming new leaders. At GoCanvas, he fostered a product-led culture and led the company through hypergrowth, M&A activities, and pricing strategy development. At Opower, he built the product organization from the ground up, contributing to a tenfold revenue increase and taking the company public. In this episode, Ben shares his key learnings from these roles, such as balancing day-to-day operations with visionary leadership, expanding the definition of "Product" to include pricing and engagement services, and applying behavioral science to drive user engagement. He discusses the importance of vision-led product management, modeling the financial impact of product development, and organizing around customer outcomes to support hypergrowth. Ben also introduces Prodify, a company dedicated to making product management easier through advisory, coaching, and consulting services. Prodify helps entrepreneurs, startup founders, product executives, and product team leads make strategic product decisions, foster product-driven cultures, and build world-class product teams. During our conversation, we delve into the importance of product in tech companies, understanding and achieving product-market fit, playing offense in product development, leveraging Peak OS and the significance of a strong product vision. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a product executive, or someone passionate about product management, this episode is packed with actionable insights and valuable advice. Join us for a deep dive into the world of product management and learn how to drive success through a strong product focus. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with all our episodes, where we bring you the untold stories of innovation and leadership from the tech world, only on Tech Scenes. Learn more about the book “Peak Teams - Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies” - https://geni.us/peak-teams Visit Collective Genius to Build your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System - www.collective-genius.com Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie #prodify #benfoster #productmanagement #productleadership #productroadmap #productcouncil #collectivegenius #peakoperatingsystem #peakos #vbos #innovation #investing #venturecapital #startups #healthtech #SaaS ##entrepreneurshipceo #founder #cofounder #okrs #kpis

Join us for an episode of Tech Scenes Venice Beach, where we go for a ride with Edward Wilson, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Impulsum Ventures. Ed and his team at Impulsum are on a mission to solve high-value problems for people and companies, driving cultural shifts toward a more positive future. Impulsum Ventures excels in product innovation and actively investing in new business concepts, developing market-leading companies poised to become iconic household names.

Specializing in complex product experiences, Impulsum Ventures boasts deep expertise in areas such as social networks, eCommerce, digital consumer technologies, secure communication, payments and issuance, and blockchain. The team, spread across the globe, is united by a passion for design, problem-solving, and building companies that make the world smile.

Ed's unique background includes roles as an investor at Anthos Capital and a consultant at BlueRock Consultants. With a wealth of experience in investment and company building, Ed has honed his skills in identifying and nurturing high-potential ventures. He has played a significant role in supporting the resilience of founders and high performers, managing chaos with calm, and leveraging the power of a venture technical studio to bring ideas to fruition.

In this episode, Ed delves into the resilience required of founders and high-performing teams, sharing insights on managing calm within the storm and the importance of working within a flow of value. We explore how setting goals and providing context is crucial for success, and how having the right co-founder can make or break a firm. Ed also discusses what to look for in a founder and their team, the importance of being open, and the value of connecting with the right people through transparency.

Additionally, we dive into Ed's personal passion for skateboarding and his role in rejuvenating the Venice Beach skatepark, highlighting how his interests align with his professional pursuits in fostering community and innovation.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or just passionate about building meaningful connections and innovative companies, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Join us as we explore Edward Wilson’s journey and work at Impulsum Ventures, as we take a ride through iconic Venice Beach.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with all our episodes, where we bring you the untold stories of innovation and leadership from the tech world, only on Tech Scenes.

Learn more about the book “Peak Teams - Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies” - https://geni.us/peak-teams

Visit Collective Genius to Build your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System - www.collective-genius.com

Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

#edwardwilson #impulsumventures #venturecapital #jeffjamesmartin #collectivegenius #peakoperatingsystem #peakos #vbos #innovation #investing #venturecapital #startups #healthtech #SaaS ##entrepreneurshipceo #founder #cofounder #okrs #kpis

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, we connect online with Kevin Lindbergh, a seasoned leader in driving operational excellence and revenue growth for venture-backed companies. As the Chief Operating Officer of ThalamusGME, Kevin leverages his extensive expertise in leadership, strategy, innovation, business development, and product marketing to refine go-to-market strategies and create exceptional client satisfaction.

Founded in December 2013 and based in Santa Clara, California, ThalamusGME is the premier web-based digital interviewing software designed specifically for graduate medical education (GME) training programs. Created by an anesthesiology residency applicant and a residency program director, Thalamus offers a comprehensive online interview reservation and travel management system. With real-time scheduling capabilities accessible via both online and mobile platforms, residency and fellowship applicants can now manage their interview schedules seamlessly, reducing travel costs and enhancing their overall experience.

For program administrators, Thalamus streamlines the interview process by enabling applicants to self-schedule, thereby eliminating unnecessary phone calls and emails. This allows administrators to focus on personalizing the recruitment experience and optimizing their resident selection process.

In this episode, Kevin discusses the critical aspects of making strategic tradeoffs, the importance of cash flow and key metrics, and the role of transparency in building successful teams. We delve into the benefits of the Operators Guild, fostering alignment within organizations, and the implementation of the Peak Operating System to drive performance and growth.

Kevin’s insights are invaluable for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and healthcare, operational strategy, and innovative business models. Join us for a deep dive into the operational strategies that have positioned ThalamusGME as a leader in the digital transformation of medical education.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with all our episodes, where we bring you the untold stories of innovation and leadership from the tech world, only on Tech Scenes.

Learn more about the book “Peak Teams - Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies” - https://geni.us/peak-teams

Visit Collective Genius to Build your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System - www.collective-genius.com

Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

#thalamusgme #kevinlindbergh #healthtech #healthcarerecruitment #collectivegenius #peakoperatingsystem #PeakOS #VbOS #innovation #investing #venturecapital #startups #healthtech #SaaS ##entrepreneurshipceo #founder #cofounder #okrs #kpis

In this episode of Tech Scenes Beverly Hills, we take a ride with Winter Mead, the founder and managing member of Coolwater Capital, an investment firm specializing in emerging managers and technology investments. Winter is also the author of the insightful book, "How To Raise A Venture Capital Fund," and operates Coolwater, an academy dedicated to training, building, and scaling emerging managers. With over 240 emerging managers trained in the last four years, Winter brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Winter’s impressive career includes helping build and invest in an evergreen fund at SAP, where he co-founded the LP transparency movement #OpenLP. He has also worked as a private equity and venture capital investor at a large multi-family office in San Francisco, completing seventy-nine institutional investments and over twenty-five additional investments since leaving his institutional allocator role. As junior faculty at Stanford Graduate School of Business, Winter taught Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship, sharing his expertise with the next generation of investors and entrepreneurs. Coolwater Capital's mission is to create a new model for launching, building, and scaling emerging fund managers. Their programs include Coolwater Build, a virtual cohort program for emerging managers, and Coolwater Explore, a virtual program for angel investors to build and organize their portfolio investments. In this episode, Winter discusses the inspiration behind Coolwater, the challenges and opportunities for emerging fund managers, and the unique approach of Coolwater cohorts in building VC firms and growth companies. He shares insights from his book, which serves as a comprehensive guide on raising a venture capital fund, revealing the secrets of LP diligence, best practices in fundraising, and the intricate dynamics of the VC world. Whether you are an aspiring venture capitalist, an emerging fund manager, or simply interested in the venture capital ecosystem, this episode offers valuable insights from one of the industry's leading experts. Join us as we explore Winter’s journey, the evolution of Coolwater Capital, and the strategies that drive success in the world of venture capital. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with all our episodes, where we bring you the untold stories of innovation and leadership from the tech world, only on Tech Scenes. Learn more about the book “Peak Teams - Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies” - https://geni.us/peak-teams Visit Collective Genius to Build your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System - www.collective-genius.com Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie #prodify #benfoster #productmanagement #productleadership #productroadmap #productcouncil #collectivegenius #peakoperatingsystem #peakos #vbos #innovation #investing #venturecapital #startups #healthtech #SaaS ##entrepreneurshipceo #founder #cofounder #okrs #kpis