10-Minute Tech Talks: How Tech Entrepreneurs Fail & How You Can Avoid It

Pittsburgh Technology Council
  • 4.1 (7)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Are you an entrepreneur building a technology company and looking to grow fast? This show teaches and inspires entrepreneurs to build better companies by learning from the failures of other tech companies and entrepreneurs. If you're striving for rapid growth while avoiding the mistakes that have led others to failure, this podcast is designed to help you stay on track. Avoid the devastating mistakes that tech entrepreneurs have made, which led their businesses to collapse. Hear from tech, business, and entrepreneurial experts detailing what went wrong in famous tech busts and modern-day meltdowns so you don't follow the same path. Learn how to overcome adversity and make your tech company a long-term success. If you’re ready to grow your tech venture quickly and avoid pitfalls, start with our fan-favorite episode: Don't Fall In Love With Your Technology.

  1. 5D AGO

    3 Key Steps to Transform Your Website Into a Conversion Powerhouse!

    Are you maximizing the potential of your website's search visibility to drive conversions? In today's digital age, we'll know that getting your business noticed online is crucial. 10 Minute Tech Talks welcomes Meesha Gerhart of RedTree Web Design to help make it easier for you. We're going to explore how search engine optimization (SEO), Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and user experience can work together to not only attract visitors but also lead them down the path to conversion. Hit PLAY to: Discover actionable strategies to enhance your website's visibility before the click. Learn how to create a seamless user journey that turns visitors into loyal customers. Gain insights into integrating thought leadership with SEO and GEO to build brand trust and recognition. Learn how to transform your website into a conversion powerhouse! And be sure to read Meesha's insightful whitepaper for more details. Produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, this is a podcast for tech and manufacturing  entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

    10 min

  2. AUG 18

    Ready For a Rebrand? How a Tech Entrepreneur Should Know When It's Time

    Has your market and technology evolved so much that it might make sense to rebrand your company? Maybe you acquired a company and the new services are just itching to grab a customer's attention! For security company Intertech CI this was the case on all three points. When Ron Petnuch, President and CEO of Intertech CI, stopped byTechVibe Radio, part of his conversation landed on the company's rebrand as direct reaction to the fast pace of technology evolution in the security industry. From AI-enabled cameras to advanced card readers, technology was not only advancing, but also had to be integrated. Intertech CI's recent rebrand highlights how businesses must adapt to shifts in technology and market demands. After merging with Fedora, a company focused on portable security units, Intertech CI expanded its capabilities to serve larger projects, including major global developers. The rebrand represented a return to their roots in "Comprehensive Integration" while showcasing their enhanced range of services. Hit PLAY to hear Ron detail how Intertech went through its rebrand and if you'd like to hear more from Ron and Intertech CI on TechVibe, click here.  Produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, this is a podcast for tech and manufacturing  entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

    5 min

  3. AUG 11

    The Best of Both Worlds: How a Tech Entrepreneur Pursues His Passion and a Profit

    Can an entrepreneur have his proverbial cake and eat it too? Mike Vindler, co-owner of Tronix 3D, a Pittsburgh-based 3D printer, seems to be doing just that. Hit PLAY to learn how Mike is growing Tronix3D while also having a ton of fun pursuing passion projects. In this episode of 10 Minute Tech Talks Mike reveals how TroniX3D's profitable bread and butter defense projects pave the way for projects that ignite his creative spark and opens ideas to potential new lines of business.  Let's get a taste of the Tronix3D cake and hear from Mike right now. To get his full TechVibe Radio interview click here. Produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, this is a podcast for tech and manufacturing  entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

    6 min

  4. AUG 4

    Making Tech Accessible: Ad Agency Entrepreneur Creates Simplified Geofencing Solution to Fill a Marketplace Need

    Ever see a glaring need in the marketplace not being met by a current service or technology and wanted to something about it? Entrepreneur/ad agency owner Jeff Swartz sure did when he saw an increasing interest from clients wanting to use geofencing as a marketing tool, but were scared away by the complexity and high cost. He got an idea for a tool that could be more accessible, efficient, and user-friendly. Something tailored for local businesses like a neighborhood pizza shop. With a successful financial year as a backdrop, Jeff decided to invest in this vision of simplifying geo-targeted advertising for users who might not possess specialized marketing know-how.  How he worked with a local app developer to leverage existing geofencing technology to create the QuJam. Not long after QuJam was acquired by advertising agency Blink to provide another arrow in its quiver of marketing solutions. Hit PLAY to learn how Jeff successfully launched QuJam and how it is now playing a driving role at Blink. Produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, this is a podcast for tech and manufacturing  entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

    7 min

  5. JUL 31

    Deep Dive: Meredith Grelli's Leap from Whiskey to Tech Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University

    So what happens when a whiskey making entrepreneur takes the reins of one of the world's top university startup programs? If you're curious about how Pittsburgh is transforming into one of the best places in the world to launch a tech company, this episode delivers a firsthand look at the bold leadership and innovative programming driving that growth at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). Meredith Grelli was the founder of Wigle Whiskey and Thread Bear Cider. For her second act, she joined Carnegie Mellon to teach entrepreneurship. Meredith is now the director of Project Olympus, a startup incubator at CMU, focused specifically on tech startups. And if that's not enough, she was also just named the interim director of CMU's Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship. Whether you're a founder, investor, or ecosystem builder, you'll hear how cutting edge ideas are turning into real world startups right here in our backyard. Learn how Project Olympus and the Swartz Center are wrapping CMU founders and targeted support talent and capital. Discover how CMU's deep tech commercialization success is setting national benchmarks, and hear why Pittsburgh's future as a startup hub may depend on embracing unorthodox leadership and bold regional collaboration. Hit PLAY to hear how Meredith Grelli is shaking up the startup scene at CMU and why that's great news for Pittsburgh's innovation economy. Produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, this is a podcast for tech and manufacturing  entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

    26 min

  6. JUL 28

    Strange Bedfellows: How Wigle Whiskey Founder Meredith Grelli is Transforming CMU's Entrepreneurial Landscape

    What do whiskey, robotics, and AI startups have in common? At Carnegie Mellon, they all thrive under the same roof—and Meredith Grelli is helping lead the charge. If you’re a founder, innovator, or ecosystem builder looking to launch or grow a company, this episode reveals how one of the world’s top universities is turning bold ideas into real businesses—and why Pittsburgh might just be the best place to do it. Learn how Meredith’s journey from building Wiggle Whiskey to directing Project Olympus is reshaping tech entrepreneurship at CMU. Find out how CMU is supporting student, faculty, and alumni founders with funding, structure, and mentorship. Learn what makes CMU one of the top institutions for research commercialization and AI innovation. Get inspired by Meredith’s transition from successful entrepreneur to startup ecosystem leader—and what it means for the region. Hit play to hear how Meredith Grelli is fusing grit, research, and community to build the next wave of Pittsburgh startups. Her full interview drops this Wednesday! Produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, this is a podcast for tech and manufacturing  entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

    7 min

  7. JUL 21

    Can You Be a Good Human and a Great Entrepreneur? This Tech Founder Says Yes By Embracing Possibility, Accountability, Championship, Trust

    If you're building a team, growing a business, or simply trying to lead with more purpose, this episode will shift how you think about culture, leadership, and doing business "the right way"—even when it’s harder. We welcome Alex Reneman, Founder of Mountain Leverage. If you don't know mountain leverage, it makes hands-free technology for warehouse workers, end customers, and leaders in the supply chain. In this episode, you will: Discover how a clear set of values can shape company culture across 70+ remote employees. Learn how to lead a profitable tech company that still puts human flourishing at the center. Get inspired by the wisdom and resilience of a founder who’s proven the skeptics wrong for two decades. Let's check out Alex Reneman’s powerful story of building a values-driven, remote-first company that’s thriving far from Silicon Valley. Listen to his entire interview on TechVibe Radio here. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces this podcast for tech and manufacturing  entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

    6 min

  8. JUL 14

    Top Tips for Tech Entrepreneurs to Leverage AI in their Businesses

    Trying to figure out how integrate the power of AI into your business, but don't know where to start? There's a lot of hype, confusion and fear out there often paralyzing entrepreneurs from taking their first steps. But, in this episode of 10 Minute Tech Talks  we have insights from Anna Maria Berta and Joseph Giampapa of LindenAI to help you navigate the complexities of leveraging AI in your business. Get top takeaways from LindenAI's TechVibe interview with Ana Maria and Joseph so you can learn the importance of balancing technological advancements and safety guidelines, particularly through the lens of AI. They emphasize the need for basic knowledge to navigate AI options effectively. The conversation highlights the necessity of being adaptable to constantly changing technology and understanding AI as a form of digital knowledge. Plus this dynamic duo of AI also cautions against overenthusiasm and underscores the importance of discerning between genuine and fake information. They stress that adopting AI strategies requires minimizing maintenance burdens, understanding the knowledge lifecycle, and placing knowledge in appropriate contexts. Hit PLAY for the good stuff and if you have a few more minutes, click here for the entire interview. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces this podcast for tech and manufacturing  entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

    7 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.1
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Are you an entrepreneur building a technology company and looking to grow fast? This show teaches and inspires entrepreneurs to build better companies by learning from the failures of other tech companies and entrepreneurs. If you're striving for rapid growth while avoiding the mistakes that have led others to failure, this podcast is designed to help you stay on track. Avoid the devastating mistakes that tech entrepreneurs have made, which led their businesses to collapse. Hear from tech, business, and entrepreneurial experts detailing what went wrong in famous tech busts and modern-day meltdowns so you don't follow the same path. Learn how to overcome adversity and make your tech company a long-term success. If you’re ready to grow your tech venture quickly and avoid pitfalls, start with our fan-favorite episode: Don't Fall In Love With Your Technology.

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