Innovate or Evaporate

Elevate Ventures
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  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • EVERY TWO WEEKS

Welcome to "Innovate or Evaporate," the podcast where we explore the relentless pace of change and the innovators who drive it! Every episode, we dive deep into the world of cutting-edge ideas, breakthrough technologies, and the fearless pioneers pushing the boundaries of what's possible. From startups to industry giants, discover the secrets of those who adapt, evolve, and thrive in a rapidly changing landscape. If you're ready to stay ahead of the curve, transform your thinking, and ensure you don't get left behind, tune in and get inspired—because it's innovate or evaporate!

  1. Focus or Fail: Kevin O’Leary on the Mindset of Market Leaders

    1 OCT

    Focus or Fail: Kevin O’Leary on the Mindset of Market Leaders

    In this conversation, Kevin O'Leary shares his entrepreneurial journey, insights from Shark Tank, and thoughts on geopolitics and technology. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling in business, the American Dream, and the need for innovation in various sectors. O'Leary also discusses productivity strategies, particularly the significance of focusing on key tasks to maximize efficiency. Takeaways Storytelling is essential in business and entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs often start multiple ventures throughout their careers. The American Dream is America's number one export. Competition drives innovation and success in technology. Hiring should be a slow process to ensure the right fit. Financial hygiene is crucial for business success. AI will play a significant role in the future of business. Focusing on three key tasks each day enhances productivity. The balance of signal and noise is vital for effective execution. Investing in great entrepreneurs can lead to significant rewards.

    24 min
  2. The Art of Storytelling in Innovation

    17 SEPT

    The Art of Storytelling in Innovation

    What if imagination was your most underused business tool? In this episode, award-winning producer and bestselling author Dete Meserve joins us to explore how storytelling shapes innovation and why vulnerability, creativity, and play aren’t just for kids. From crafting billion-dollar hits to building new kinds of audience engagement, Dete shares how the future of storytelling is being written across platforms, industries, and generations. Takeaways The magic of innovation lies in cross-sector collaboration. Vulnerability fosters openness and collaboration in creative processes. Storytelling has evolved beyond traditional media to include various forms. Balancing structure and freedom is essential in the creative process. Adults can reclaim their creative genius through play and imagination. Technological advancements have transformed the nature of work in film. Remote collaboration has opened up new opportunities for talent. Storytelling can now span multiple platforms and formats. Engaging with audiences requires rethinking traditional storytelling methods. Creativity thrives in an environment of freedom and joy. Sound Bites "Creativity and innovation is play." Keywords storytelling, innovation, vulnerability, creativity, technology, film production, collaboration, imagination, children's media, cross-sector collaboration

    21 min
  3. Breaking Barriers, Building Legacy & Owning Your Story: Darryl McDaniels of RunDMC

    3 SEPT

    Breaking Barriers, Building Legacy & Owning Your Story: Darryl McDaniels of RunDMC

    In this milestone 20th episode of Innovate or Evaporate, we sit down with cultural icon and hip hop pioneer Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of RunDMC. But this isn’t just a story about music—it’s about reinvention, mental health, and the power of using your platform for purpose. From changing the sound of a generation to confronting his own internal battles, DMC opens up about staying relevant in a world that never stops moving. He shares how vulnerability became his superpower, why creativity is a business, and what drives his mission to empower the next generation through storytelling and service. Whether you’re a founder, artist, or changemaker—this episode is a raw, inspiring reminder that true innovation starts within. Takeaways Culture moves when people do. DMC broke more than records, he broke barriers. Reinvention is essential: what got you here won’t get you there. Mental health isn’t a side conversation. It’s central to leadership. Creativity is a business, and legacy is built with intention. Staying relevant requires purpose, courage, and evolution. Keywords Darryl McDaniels, RunDMC, DMC, hip hop, music industry, authenticity, adoption, therapy, pop culture, collaboration, sneakers, comic books

    36 min
  4. Vibe Coding, Disruption, and the Future of Software: Sean Hise of Crafted

    20 AUG

    Vibe Coding, Disruption, and the Future of Software: Sean Hise of Crafted

    What happens when an engineer-turned-founder decides to tear up the rulebook on how modern software gets built? In this episode, Toph Day sits down with Sean Hise, CEO of Crafted, to explore the rise of "vibe coding," the future of AI-assisted product development, and why building faster and scaling smarter is more critical than ever. Sean shares how he built Crafted from a hallway conversation into a national force in tech innovation, with clients ranging from USA Football to MISO and beyond. From flag football in the 2028 Olympics to modernizing the electric grid — this one is a masterclass in innovation, disruption, and letting it rip. Takeaways 💥 1. Vibe Coding is Real — and It’s Changing the Game AI-assisted coding is no longer theoretical. Sean walks through how tools like Cursor, Claude, and Lovable are enabling developers to build production-grade software faster than ever — and why the best engineers are embracing it, not resisting it. 🏗️ 2. Don’t Just Disrupt Your Tech — Disrupt Your Entire Business Model It’s not enough to modernize your stack. Sean challenges founders to rethink the entire concept of their SaaS platform. Could your product be delivered better as a workflow? An API? A services business? 🧠 3. The Real Moat? Distribution and Proprietary Data In an age where anyone can spin up an MVP overnight, the lasting advantages are increasingly tied to how you reach users and what unique data you own — not the tech itself. 🌎 4. Modern Innovation Requires Community & Context Whether you’re choosing a tech stack or launching an AI tool, Sean emphasizes the importance of leveraging the broader developer community and deploying proven tools already running in production. 🔥 5. From USA Football to MISO: Tech is Reshaping Every Sector Crafted is working on projects that span Olympic sports, national energy infrastructure, and collegiate athletics. The message? No matter your industry, the time to evolve is now — or evaporate. Keywords AI-assisted coding, vibe coding, Sean Hise, Crafted, tech innovation, software development, startup disruption, AI product strategy, Cursor, Claude, Lovable, micro-SaaS, API-first, USA Football, 2028 Olympics, MISO, NIL tech, data infrastructure, scaling smarter, modern tech stack, AI tools for founders, Elevate Ventures, Rally Innovation, Innovate or Evaporate. #VibeCoding #AI #Innovation #SoftwareDevelopment #TechLeadership #StartupGrowth #ProductStrategy #Founders #Crafted #AItools #Cursor #Claude #Lovable #Olympics2028 #USAFootball #NIL #MISO #ElevateVentures #InnovateOrEvaporate #Podcast

    59 min
  5. The Democratization of Venture: Gerry Hays and the Rise of Venture Staking

    6 AUG

    The Democratization of Venture: Gerry Hays and the Rise of Venture Staking

    What if startup investing wasn’t just for the 1%? In this episode of Innovate or Evaporate, Toph Day sits down with Gerry Hays — five‑time founder, venture professor at Indiana University’s Kelley School, and CEO of Doriot — to unpack a revolutionary idea: venture staking. Gerry’s been on a decades‑long mission to open access to early‑stage capital, and now with the launch of Doriot and his Qualified Accredited Investor (QAI) curriculum, he’s building a platform that could reshape who gets to play and win in startup investing. We explore: Gerry’s journey—from painting houses in college, through teaching 6,000 students, to scaling What venture staking is—and how it lets anyone buy an option to invest in promising startups late Why friends-and-family funding is a broken $60B problem How Bloomington, Indiana is emerging as a hub for financial innovation Whether you care about entrepreneurship, wealth-building, or financial inclusion, this episode offers a bold vision for the future of venture. Takeaways Startup Investing Needs a Rewrite: Traditional VC is inaccessible to most. Venture staking, a concept pioneered by Gerry Hays, offers a radically more inclusive model—letting everyday people buy the right to invest in startups later, rather than being priced out early. Personal Lessons, Real Stakes: Gerry lost his first $25K trying to invest in a hazardous waste company—and that "fool’s tax" informed everything he built after. From law to real estate tech, he’s experienced the full cycle of startup wins and losses. The QAI Curriculum: Gerry developed the Qualified Accredited Investor exam to help serious retail investors prove they understand venture mechanics. It’s like a Series 7 for startup investing—and it’s sitting at the SEC, waiting for approval. Venture Capital ≠ Venture Community: Family-and-friends rounds are often toxic. Venture staking aims to replace them with a community-driven system—funding founders early while creating future investment access for those who helped at the start. Small Dollar, Big Impact: With venture stakes starting at just $10, this model removes barriers to entry and aligns investors around long-term commitment—not quick flips. It's built for real people, not just professional financiers. From Bloomington to the World: Doriot and its venture staking model are being built in Indiana. Gerry believes the next era of capital innovation doesn’t need to come from Sand Hill Road—it can come from the heartland. The Future Is Option-Oriented: The big idea? In startup finance, the option to invest later is more valuable than making a blind bet early. Venture staking codifies that logic into a platform—and could change startup investing forever. #InnovateOrEvaporate #VentureStaking #StartupInvesting #FinancialInclusion #GerryHays #Doriot #VentureCapital #Entrepreneurship #QAI #DoriotUniversity #Crowdfunding #StartupFunding #AngelInvesting #DisruptVC #FutureOfFinance

    47 min
  6. Power of the Pack: Shelley Zalis of The Female Quotient

    21 JUL

    Power of the Pack: Shelley Zalis of The Female Quotient

    In this conversation, Shelly Zalis, CEO and founder of The Female Quotient, shares her journey of building a global community and the importance of collective action in empowerment in the workplace. She discusses the challenges of leadership, the significance of emotional intelligence, and the need for cultural belonging in organizations. Shelly emphasizes the importance of education, kindness, and the power of collaboration in creating change. The conversation highlights the necessity of challenging the status quo and the role of women in shaping the future of leadership and innovation. Sound bites "Power the pack." "No risk, no regret." "Confidence is beautiful." Takeaways The Female Quotient started as a passion project, evolving into a global movement. Collective action among women can create significant change in the workplace. Empowerment should come from within, not from external validation. The importance of collaboration over competition in achieving success. Cultural belonging is essential for a thriving workplace environment. Education should include life lessons and kindness as core values. Women in leadership roles can inspire future generations. Emotional intelligence is a critical skill in leadership. Challenging the status quo is necessary for progress. Creating opportunities for women can lead to a more equitable society. Keywords women empowerment, leadership, community, collective action, gender equality, innovation, workplace culture, emotional intelligence, education, global perspectives

    59 min
  7. Africa, Strategy, and Startups: Former Ambassador Reuben Brigety II on Launching Busara Advisors

    9 JUL

    Africa, Strategy, and Startups: Former Ambassador Reuben Brigety II on Launching Busara Advisors

    Reuben Brigety II — former U.S. Ambassador to South Africa — joins Toph Day for a powerful conversation on leadership, diplomacy, and building in the global arena. From commanding missions abroad to launching Busara Advisors, Inc. with a Series A out of the gate, Brigety is redefining what commercial diplomacy looks like in the 21st century. They dig into why Africa — a $3 trillion economy poised to house 25% of humanity by 2050 — is the growth story every global business leader should be paying attention to. Reuben also shares lessons from war zones, ambassadorial pressure, and the strategic mindset that led him to create a firm purpose-built to help Fortune 100s and African enterprises alike go further, faster. Takeaways Africa is the Growth Story — By 2050, Africa will house 25% of the world’s population. It’s a $3T economy today and scaling fast — U.S. companies can’t afford to sit this out. Commercial Diplomacy Is the Future — With Busara Advisors, Inc., Brigety is bringing geopolitical strategy, local insight, and executional muscle to companies navigating African markets. Built Like a Startup — Unlike legacy advisory firms, Busara launched as a C-corp, raised a Series A in 10 weeks, and built a 14-person team across Atlanta, D.C., and five African capitals — all within months. Diplomatic Mindset, Founder Focus — From representing the U.S. abroad to solving complex business problems, Brigety shows how leadership and innovation are deeply linked. Do It With Integrity — “Grow jobs, add value, spread dignity” isn’t a slogan — it’s Busara’s internal compass. Purpose and profitability don’t have to be opposites. Keywords #AfricaBusiness #GlobalStrategy #CommercialDiplomacy #Innovation #Leadership #Startups #ForeignPolicy #Geopolitics #Entrepreneurship #BusaraAdvisors #EconomicGrowth #EmergingMarkets #ImpactBusiness #Diplomacy #UAE #Fortune100 #InvestInAfrica #InnovateOrEvaporate

    49 min
  8. From Wall Street to Watering Systems: Jeanna Q. Liu on Building Cowbell Plant Co.

    25 JUN

    From Wall Street to Watering Systems: Jeanna Q. Liu on Building Cowbell Plant Co.

    Jeanna Q. Liu didn’t just leave Wall Street — she reinvented what it means to grow something from the ground up. As founder and CEO of Cowbell Plant Co., Jeanna turned her background in global investment banking into a playbook for sustainable, capital-efficient entrepreneurship. In this episode of Innovate or Evaporate, we talk about: How she scaled a physical product from prototype to thousands of units — with zero outside funding The myths of the venture-backed model (and why most companies should skip it entirely) The emotional science of houseplants, and why her tech is quietly creating better lives at home Takeaways Most startups misunderstand the real math of venture capital — and over-raise too soon. Great consumer products often come from personal pain points, not flashy tech. Distribution — not perfection — is the true goal. The Cowbell story proves hardware isn’t dead. It’s just underserved. Plants are the new pets. And we’re only beginning to understand the emotional impact of biophilic design. Keywords #JeannaQLiu #CowbellPlantCo #InnovateOrEvaporate #VentureCapital #Bootstrapped #HardwareStartups #BiophilicDesign #PlantCare #SustainableLiving #StartupJourney #ProductDevelopment #FemaleFounder #MergersAndAcquisitions #DistributionStrategy #DTC #Entrepreneurship #StartupGrowth #ElevateVentures #TophDay #SelfWateringTech

    1h 7m
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About

Welcome to "Innovate or Evaporate," the podcast where we explore the relentless pace of change and the innovators who drive it! Every episode, we dive deep into the world of cutting-edge ideas, breakthrough technologies, and the fearless pioneers pushing the boundaries of what's possible. From startups to industry giants, discover the secrets of those who adapt, evolve, and thrive in a rapidly changing landscape. If you're ready to stay ahead of the curve, transform your thinking, and ensure you don't get left behind, tune in and get inspired—because it's innovate or evaporate!

Information

  • Creator
    Elevate Ventures
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All Rights Reserved

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