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457 episodes
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Middle Tech Middle Tech
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A podcast network exploring startups, technology, and entrepreneurship in Kentucky and beyond.
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288. Awesome Inc: Brian Raney on Building Kentucky's Startup Ecosystem
Brian Raney is the CEO and Co-Founder of Awesome Inc - a company that exists to create and grow high tech startups through a variety of initiatives, such as hosting community events, leading technology education courses, and offering a shared workspace environment.This episode was part of a live recording event in collaboration with Awesome Inc and Chase Bank. Brian shared stories from the early days of Awesome Inc, how permission to fail was the advice that encouraged him to start the company, and how they’ve built the startup community that we know today.
Be the first to see new episodes, along with a summary, key takeaways, and upcoming events, by subscribing to Middle Tech's Spotlight Series Newsletter: https://middletech.beehiiv.com/
Get in touch in the comments below, or reach out to us on social media:Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/middletechpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/middletechpod/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/middletech/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@middletechpod?lang=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/middletechpod
Logan Jones’ SocialsX: https://x.com/lojo_kyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lojo_ky/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lojo/
Evan Knowles’ SocialsX: https://x.com/EvanKnowles_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanmknowles/
Middle Tech is proud to be supported by:KY Innovation: https://www.kyinnovation.com/Bolt Marketing: https://www.buildwithbolt.com/Hunsicker: https://www.hunsicker.co/firesides
00:00 Permission to Fail: Embracing Entrepreneurship
00:37 Introduction to Middle Tech Podcast
01:15 Sponsorship Acknowledgements
02:57 Brian Rainey's Journey: From College to Entrepreneurship
06:23 The Birth of Awesome Inc.
09:38 Challenges and Early Days of Awesome Inc.
15:13 The Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame
18:49 Common Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs
21:28 Personal Impact Stories
23:15 The Genesis of Fuji and Entrepreneurial Beginnings
23:48 The Role of Awesome Inc. in Entrepreneurial Growth
24:35 Community and Team Effort in Entrepreneurship
26:16 Teaching and Cultivating Entrepreneurship
29:09 The Awesome Fund and Addressing Capital Needs
32:00 Success Stories and Talent Retention in Kentucky
34:55 The Future of Kentucky's Startup Ecosystem
40:07 Engagement and the Entrepreneurial Life Cycle
45:03 Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts -
287. Cloverleaf: Darrin Murriner and Kirsten Moorefield on Transforming the way Teams Interact
Darrien Murriner and Kirsten Moorefield are the co-founders of Cloverleaf - a platform that enhances team performance through personalized coaching and behavioral insights. By integrating tools like strength-based assessments and continuous, automated coaching, Cloverleaf helps teams improve communication, collaboration, and overall effectiveness.
Cloverleaf was first featured on Middle Tech for episode 179 back in January of 2022. They've returned to share how generative AI has impacted the business, how they've tripled their revenue since 2022, and their plans for the $7.3m they just raised in a series A at the end of March.
Be the first to see new episodes, along with a summary, key takeaways, and upcoming events, by subscribing to Middle Tech's Spotlight Series Newsletter: https://middletech.beehiiv.com/
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00:00 Welcome to Middle Tech Podcast
01:07 Meet Darren Mariner and Kirsten Moore of Cloverleaf
04:52 Cloverleaf's Journey and Vision
11:29 How Teams Use Cloverleaf
17:15 Focusing on Enterprise Clients
22:31 Fundraising and Capital Efficiency
28:57 Post-Fundraise Growth Strategies
31:29 Sales and Channel Strategies
35:04 Leveraging AI in Professional Development
41:47 Founder Wisdom and Stress Management
51:50 Building a Company in the Midwest
55:30 How to Get Started with Cloverleaf
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Middle Tech is proud to be supported by:
KY Innovation
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286. borderless: Raffi Kayat on the Progress and Evolution of borderless Payments
In this episode of Middle Tech Podcast, Logan Jones and Evan Knowles welcome back Raffi Kayat, founder of borderless, a global payments platform. Rafi discusses the challenges and surprises of fundraising in Kentucky compared to the coastal tech hubs, emphasizing the need for determination and grit in the entrepreneurial journey. He also shares updates on Borderless, including new product offerings, significant partnerships, and the company's evolution over the past four years. The conversation highlights the unique benefits and challenges of building a tech company in Kentucky, focusing on community support and the need for better fundraising education.
Learn more about borderless at getborderless.com
Visit us at MiddleTech.com
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Middle Tech is proud to be supported by:
KY Innovation
Bolt Marketing
Hunsicker Venture Studio -
285. Endeavor: Jake Budler on the Positive Trend Line of Entrepreneurship in the Midwest
In this episode, Logan and Evan sit down with Jake Budler, the Director of Entrepreneur Experience at Endeavor Midwest. They discuss various topics, including Jake's experience as a founder of a small business, the Indy Tech Tour, the strengths of the Midwest startup ecosystem, and the importance of building relationships. Jake emphasizes the value of in-person connections, the unique opportunities in the Midwest, and the need for founders to ask for help and advice. In the second part of the conversation, Jake Budler discusses the impact of trust-based relationship building and social currency in the startup world. He highlights the growth and success of Endeavor Midwest over the past 10 years, with entrepreneurs generating millions of dollars in revenue and creating thousands of jobs. Jake also emphasizes the importance of big exits and loud failures in the ecosystem, as they contribute to the growth and learning of future entrepreneurs. He shares a story of making a connection between Rabbit Hole, a bourbon company in Kentucky, and Wicklow Wolf, a craft beer distillery in Ireland, showcasing the power of networking and collaboration. Looking ahead, Jake is excited about the positive trend line of entrepreneurship in the Midwest and the potential for more big exits and impactful solutions to be developed.
Learn more about Blue North at bluenorthky.com
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Logan's Twitter
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Middle Tech is proud to be supported by:
KY Innovation
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284. Blue North: Dave Knox on The Future of Northern Kentucky’s Startup Scene
In this episode of the Middle Tech Podcast, hosts Logan Jones and Evan Knowles sit down with Dave Knox, Executive Director of Blue North. They delve into the mission and impact of Blue North, part of the Kentucky Innovation Hub network, and explore how it serves as a vital connector for high-growth tech entrepreneurs in Northern Kentucky. Dave shares insights on the importance of creating supportive environments for entrepreneurs, the launch of SparkHouse, and the significance of mental health in the startup journey. Listen in to learn about the transformative initiatives driving Northern Kentucky’s entrepreneurial ecosystem forward.
Learn more about Blue North at bluenorthky.com
Visit us at MiddleTech.com
Follow Us
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Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
Logan's Twitter
Evan's Twitter
Middle Tech is proud to be supported by:
KY Innovation
Bolt Marketing
Hunsicker Venture Studio -
283. CleanSpace: Aram Street & Eric Griffin on Disrupting Traditional Cleaning
In this episode, Logan sits down with Aram Street and Eric Griffin from the CleanSpace team, winners of the recent Five Across pitch competition. They explore their entrepreneurial journey, the inception of CleanSpace, and how they are innovating the cleaning service industry. The duo shares insights on their transition from offering a traditional service to developing a comprehensive tech-driven solution that caters to on-demand cleaning needs, reshaping how cleaning services are delivered.
Learn more about CleanSpace at cleanspace.com
Visit us at MiddleTech.com
Follow Us
Twitter
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
Logan's Twitter
Evan's Twitter
Middle Tech is proud to be supported by:
KY Innovation
Bolt Marketing
Hunsicker Venture Studio