Innovators + Entrepreneurs

Jersey Tech + Innovation Media
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This podcast illuminates insights from leaders across the spectrum of industries and sectors.

  1. 19 MAR

    Why AI security can’t be ignored as the technology advances at lightning speed with Jonathan Dambrot, CEO of Cranium AI

    Jonathon Dambrot, cofounder and CEO of Cranium AI, shares his journey from teenage magician and chocolatier to cybersecurity entrepreneur. He explains how Cranium secures enterprise AI systems, why AI security is now a top priority, and why he’s bullish on AI’s future, new jobs, and founders building meaningful, scalable ventures today.

    31 min

  2. 28 JAN

    From Hubs to Grants to Growth: The State of Startups and Innovation in New Jersey with Judith Sheft, Medina Citi and David Stengle

    This episode brings together Judith Sheft (NJ Commissionon Science, Innovation & Technology), Medina Citi (Equal Space), and David Stengle (Startup Grind Princeton) to take stock of New Jersey’s rapidly maturing startup ecosystem—from non-dilutive R&D grants and growing innovation hubs to stronger statewide collaboration. They discuss wins(strategic innovation centers, AI momentum, policy tailwinds like tax credits), ongoing challenges (uneven access to capital, federal funding uncertainty), and 2026 predictions with Jim Barrood.

    34 min

  3. 5 JAN

    Funding Trends: AI, Capital Crunch + New Funding Playbook with Carta's Hamza Shad and VC Mellie Chow

    Mellie Chow and Hamza Shad trace their winding paths into venture capital. Talking to Jim Barrood, they unpack today’s funding reality: AI-driven “haves vs. have-nots,” concentrated capital, longer fund cycles, booming secondaries, and offer founders practical fundraising advice on targeting the right investors and leading with curiosity, data, and relationships.

    34 min

  4. 5 JAN

    Building an AI-first future with humans at the center of it with Udayan Bose and Jim Samuel

    NetElixir founder and CEO Udayan Bose and Rutgers professor Jim Samuel join host Jim Barrood to discuss AI’s transformative impact on business and society. They explore NetElixir’s evolution into an AI-first e-commerce agency, Rutgers’ pioneering public informatics program, and their joint research on how generative AI can create economic value while enhancing - not replacing - human potential.

    37 min

  5. 09/12/2025

    The Hard Road to Autonomy: Lessons from Two AV Innovators Paul Lam and Ali Arab

    Entrepreneurs Paul Lam (Bot Auto) and Ali Arab (General Autonomy) discuss building safer, more practical autonomous vehicles—Bot Auto focusing on full-service L4 autonomoustrucking and General Autonomy advancing AI safety systems for edge-case control. They share with Jim Barrood candid startup lessons on responsibility, capital discipline, and the balance between innovation, commercialization, and safety in real-world autonomy.

    34 min

  6. 25/11/2025

    Entrepreneurship, responsible AI content, brands, bias, marketing trends with Steve Jones and DeSean Brown

    Founders Steve Jones and DeSean Brown explain pocstock, acontent and responsible-AI data company delivering inclusive, culturally accurate visuals and datasets. They talk to Jim Barrood about their careers bridging tech, agencies, and entrepreneurship; clients across brands and agencies; worldwide guidance/production services; and efforts to fix AI bias via better metadata and global datasets.

    29 min

  7. 12/11/2025

    The Merck venture investing playbook with Bill Taranto and Joel Krikston

    Merck’s Global Health Innovation Fund leaders Bill Taranto and Joel Krikston trace nontraditional careers into CVC, explain GHI’s shift to pharma-services and “enterprise coverage,” and spotlight global IDEA Studios plus wins like Livongo and Preventice. They share a bullish outlook on data-driven digital health, and advise entrepreneurs to focus on specific pharma use cases with validated results.

    48 min

  8. 12/11/2025

    Uniting Science, Policy and Innovation Across the Ecosystem with Andrew Zwicker and Kim Case

    R&D Council of NJ Executive Director Kim Case and NJ State Senator/physicist Andrew Zwicker join host Jim Barrood to explore New Jersey’s thriving innovation ecosystem. From building STEM talent pipelines to advancing fusion energy and strategic innovation centers, they reveal how academia, government, and industry are collaborating to shape the state’s future as a global innovation leader.

    34 min
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About

This podcast illuminates insights from leaders across the spectrum of industries and sectors.

Information

  • Creator
    Jersey Tech + Innovation Media
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jersey Tech + Innovation Media
  • Show Website
    Innovators + Entrepreneurs