Founders in Focus

Plug and Play x BSM Partners
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We're taking you behind the scenes of startup innovation, acceleration, and investment in this new podcast from Plug and Play Tech Center and BSM Partners. Hear from visionary founders, including Barry McDonogh of Hinalea Imaging, Dr. Daphne Preuss and Francesca Gallucci of Nataur, and Sebastian Doyle of Medipups, as they traverse the Plug and Play Agtech & Animal Health accelerator program, learn how and why they became entrepreneurs, what keeps them up at night, and innovations that are poised to drive positive change for people, animals, and the planet.

Episodes

  1. 10/15/2025

    The Founder Mindset: Why Obsession, Flexibility, and Resilience Matter More Than You Think

    Meet the innovators behind Pointer Health, ChemCode, and Green-On—three startups currently involved in the Plug and Play AgTech and Animal Health accelerator program based out of Topeka, Kan. Anna Agnello of Pointer Health is building an AI platform that predicts over 170 diseases in dogs with 96% accuracy; Selçuk Uğurlu of ChemCode makes lab-quality mycotoxin testing as simple as brewing coffee; and Annette Graneli of Green-On is bypassing agriculture completely by making fats and oils from electricity, water, and CO2. From predicting disease in dogs to detecting toxins in food to creating sustainable ingredients from thin air, these founders are turning science fiction into commercial reality, using breakthrough technology to solve problems that affect millions of lives, both human and animal.   Helpful Links Learn more about each of the three startups featured in this episode: Pointer Health 🐶 https://pointerhealth.com/ChemCode 🔬 https://chemcode.com.tr/en/home/Green-On 🌱 https://www.green-on.se/ Connect with Alan Millan, Selçuk Uğurlu and Annette Graneli on LinkedIn. 🎧 Hear more about the Plug and Play global ecosystem from Founder Saeed Amidi and the Plug and Play Topeka team in this episode of Barking Mad: https://bsmpartners.net/barking-mad-podcast/from-seed-to-success-how-saeed-amidi-built-an-entrepreneurial-engine-in-silicon-valley 🚀 Learn more about the Plug and Play AgTech and Animal Health accelerator: https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/locations/topeka

    46 min

  2. 10/01/2025

    Building Longer, Healthier Lives for Dogs with Arterra Pet Science

    Joins us as we sit down with Jonathan Willbanks, Founder and CEO of Arterra Pet Science, to explore how one rescue dog inspired a movement to redefine pet supplements. Jonathan shares the science behind Arterra’s innovative approach, the hurdles of formulating a pet supplement, and the breakthroughs that made it all possible. Along the way, he offers candid insights on resilience, entrepreneurship, and why integrity is essential for long-term success. Whether you’re a pet owner, veterinary professional, or entrepreneur, this episode delivers practical lessons in science, longevity, and mission-driven leadership you won't want to miss. Helpful Links 🐶 Learn more about Arterra Pet Science here. 📖 Read more about the cutting edge of canine longevity in Pet Food Processing magazine: https://www.petfoodprocessing.net/articles/18191-canine-longevity-emerges-as-next-frontier-in-pet-supplements Check out Blockbuster, an award-winning podcast produced by Jonathan!

    32 min

  3. 09/17/2025

    Three Founders, Two Truths, One Lie: The Future You Didn't See Coming

    Meet the innovators behind Pointer Health, ChemCode, and Green-On—three startups currently involved in the Plug and Play AgTech and Animal Health accelerator program based out of Topeka, Kan. Anna Agnello of Pointer Health is building an AI platform that predicts over 170 diseases in dogs with 96% accuracy; Selçuk Uğurlu of ChemCode makes lab-quality mycotoxin testing as simple as brewing coffee; and Annette Graneli of Green-On is bypassing agriculture completely by making fats and oils from electricity, water, and CO2. From predicting disease in dogs to detecting toxins in food to creating sustainable ingredients from thin air, these founders are turning science fiction into commercial reality, using breakthrough technology to solve problems that affect millions of lives, both human and animal.   Helpful Links 🔸 Learn more about each of the three startups featured in this episode: Pointer Health 🐕 https://pointerhealth.com/ChemCode 🧪 https://chemcode.com.tr/en/home/Green-On 🌱 https://www.green-on.se/ 🤝 Connect with Selçuk Uğurlu and Annette Graneli on LinkedIn. 🎧 Hear more about the Plug and Play global ecosystem from Founder Saeed Amidi and the Plug and Play Topeka team in this episode of Barking Mad: https://bsmpartners.net/barking-mad-podcast/from-seed-to-success-how-saeed-amidi-built-an-entrepreneurial-engine-in-silicon-valley 🌐 Learn more about the Plug and Play AgTech and Animal Health accelerator: https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/locations/topeka Show Notes 00:18 – Welcome back to Season Two! 01:13 – Introducing our three founders and their startups 02:02 – Meet Anna Agnello of Pointer Health 06:49 – How Pointer Health works for pets and vets 10:06 – Building out the data with high accuracy 12:26 – Using data to support vets’ recommendations 14:59 – How to support Pointer Health 16:32 – Meet Selçuk Uğurlu of ChemCode 23:18 – Making mycotoxin detection accessible across the food chain 29:39 – Selçuk’s advice for other biotech entrepreneurs 31:06 – ChemCode’s priorities for support 33:26 – Meet Annette Graneli of Green-On 38:03 – Making food with water, CO2, and electricity 39:25 – Commercially validating this “power-to-X” tech 40:44 – Green-On’s primary target markets 42:15 – How a sustainable food startup measures success 44:23 – How Green-On has leverages Sweden’s startup ecosystem 46:06 – Annette’s advice for other founders 46:59 – How to support Green-On 47:47 – Today’s key takeaways 48:17 – Stay tuned for more startup stories!

    49 min

  4. 06/18/2025

    The Mentor Effect: Hard Truths and High Impact Advice for Founders

    In this episode of Founders in Focus, we pass the mic to three powerhouse mentors guiding the next generation of innovators in animal health, agtech, and pet nutrition. Recorded live at the Plug and Play Agtech and Animal Health June Expo in Topeka, Kansas, hear from Dr. Trish Jackson, Dr. Kevin Hahn, and Cole Ahlvers as they share candid advice on founder mindset, navigating regulation, understanding risk, and reading investor signals. From regenerative agriculture to veterinary care and pet food trends, their insights are as practical as they are thought-provoking. Whether you're building your first startup or mentoring one, this episode is packed with wisdom you won't find in a pitch deck! Helpful Links 🔗 Learn more about Link Innovation Labs, a multi-use innovation space designed to support agtech, animal health, and deep-tech entrepreneurs: https://www.gotopeka.com/link-innovation-labs/ 📺 Check out local news coverage of the Link Innovation Labs groundbreaking event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EmXSTbYpAY  🐱 Explore some of the cat food innovations mentioned by Cole Ahlvers: Made by Nacho, a cat food brand by Chef Bobby FlayPetlibro Smart FeederBistroCat Smart Feeder 🌱 Learn more about Soil Regen, a regenerative agriculture company mentioned by Dr. Trish Jackson in the episode: https://www.agsoilregen.com/ 🤝 Connect with Dr. Trish Jackson, Dr. Kevin Hahn, and Cole Ahlvers on LinkedIn. Show Notes 00:00 – Welcome back! 02:13 – Introducing the panel 04:21 – Ideas the needle in agtech and animal health 10:48 – True innovation vs chasing trends 13:11 – Balancing research needs with the breakneck pace of innovation 16:49 – What the industry has gotten wrong on sustainability 21:41 – Selling regenerative ag to farmers 23:52 – Hardest lessons learned in the startup ecosystem 29:29 – Common misconceptions for first-time founders 32:25 – Making data-driven decisions 34:11 – Strategic hiring tips 40:36 – The power of cross-industry collaboration 44:56 – If your career had a theme song… 47:10 – Wrap-up and stay tuned!

    49 min

  5. 05/14/2025

    Getting a Gripp on Modern Agriculture with Tracey Wiedmeyer

    The last time you sat down for a meal, did you think about where that food came from? What about the farmers who tended those fruits and veggies, or raised that cow? Modern agriculture is facing an age-old problem—a lack of streamlined record-keeping to keep up with the expensive equipment and assets necessary to grow and raise our food. This is where Tracey Wiedmeyer, founder of Gripp, comes in. In this episode, we sit down with Tracey to explore how one deceptively simple platform is tackling the overlooked pain points of farm management. We’ll discuss how Gripp is helping bridge the generational knowledge gap with tools that are as intuitive for grandkids as they are for grandparents, as well as the underestimated power of solving “schlep work,” the role of professionalization in the future of farming, and why Gripp's simplicity is its greatest strength—and strategic moat. Helpful Links 🌱 Learn more about Gripp: https://www.gripp.ag/ 🤝 Connect with Tracey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wiedmeyer/ 📖 Read Paul Graham’s essay on “Schlep Blindness” here: https://www.paulgraham.com/schlep.html 💸 Check out C2 Venture’s fund for startups investing in jobs that are “dull, dirty and dangerous:” https://techcrunch.com/2022/07/12/c2-ventures-raises-new-fund-to-invest-in-the-dull-dirty-and-dangerous/ Show Notes 00:00 – Welcome back! 01:18 – Introducing Tracey Wiedmeyer 04:11 – Getting a Gripp 08:02 – Bringing digitalization to agriculture 11:03 – Solving the “schlep work” 16:02 – Keeping it simple 17:54 – Building a brand around those who need it 21:00 – The Plug and Play accelerator experience 22:56 – Taking good (and critical) feedback 25:18 – Balancing startup life with personal life 28:16 – Painting the future of agtech 30:24 – Gripp today, tomorrow, and beyond 33:28 – Where to learn more about Gripp 34:06 - Wrap-up and stay tuned!

    35 min

  6. 04/16/2025

    From Fermentation to Fundraising: How Startup Founders Are Scaling Smarter

    Join co-hosts Jordan Tyler and Mark McAllister as they sit down with three visionary startup teams transforming the future of animal health, food innovation, and sustainability. Inside the episode, Barry McDonogh of Hinalea Imaging shares how his AI-powered hyperspectral imaging platform is finding unexpected applications; Dr. Daphne Preuss and Francesca Gallucci of Nataur reveal how microbial fermentation is unlocking cleaner, petroleum-free ingredients like taurine for pets, people, and beyond; and Sebastian Doyle of Medipups takes us inside the journey of building a transparent, human-grade supplement brand for dogs—balancing science, branding, and palatability. From resilience in the face of personal sacrifice to lessons in building the right partnerships, this episode captures the raw, real, and rewarding path of entrepreneurship. Helpful Links Learn more about Hinalea Imaging: https://hinalea.ai/   Learn more about Nataur: https://www.nataur.com/ Learn more about Medipups: https://medipups.com/about-us/ Read more about the Plug and Play Topeka June Expo: https://www.gotopeka.com/plug-and-play-expo/ Tune in to this Barking Mad episode about the Plug and Play Tech Center. Connect with Barry McDonogh on LinkedIn Connect with Dr. Daphne Preuss and Francesca Gallucci on LinkedIn  Show Notes 00:00 – Welcome back! 01:40 – Checking in with Barry McDonogh and Hinalea Imaging 04:52 – Barry’s commercialization strategy 06:43 – Getting Hinalea ready for the Plug and Play Topeka June Expo 08:47 – On-shoring production 10:30 – Family First 13:54 – Checking in with Dr. Daphne Preuss and Francesca Gallucci of Nataur 17:07 – Surprising applications for microbial taurine 20:41 – Prioritizing consumer education 22:15 – Recent business updates from Nataur 26:10 – How Nataur is preparing for June Expo 27:26 – Daphne’s personal passion for impactful innovation 29:25 – Checking in with Sebastian Doyle and Medipups 30:31 – How Medipups formulates its dog supplements 32:07 – How Sebastian measures success beyond revenue 34:48 – Maintaining a solid ingredient supply amid tariff threats 36:00 – How to be an opportunistic entrepreneur 37:56 – Recent updates from the Plug and Play program 39:50 – Rehearsing for the big pitch at June Expo 41:10 – If you could solve one current challenge with Medipups, what would it be? 42:23 – Wrap-up and stay tuned! Show Notes

    44 min

  7. 03/19/2025

    Cracking the Code on Canine Cancer: ProPetDX’s Groundbreaking Approach to Early Disease Detection

    What if the secret to startup success was a 1986 Sony Walkman? In this episode, Preston Williams, Co-Founder and CEO of ProPetDX, will make the case for foolproof productivity fueled by cassette tapes—but of course, that’s just part of the story. Join us as we dive into how ProPetDX is leveraging multiple aspects of biology and AI-powered analysis to transform early cancer detection in dogs, cats, horses, and beyond. You’ll also hear about the unique challenges of launching a biotech startup in the veterinary space, and how Preston balances the joys and demands of entrepreneurship with the joys and demands of family life. Helpful Links Learn more about ProPetDX: https://www.propetdx.com/ Get in touch with Preston Williams at preston.williams@propetdx.com Connect with Preston on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/preston-williams-01616840/ Tune in to this Barking Mad episode about the Plug and Play Tech Center. Show Notes 00:00 – Welcome back! 02:00 – Introducing Preston Williams and ProPetDX 04:50 – Behind the technology 09:15 – Beyond early cancer detection 12:57 – Startup hurdles, scientific challenges, and key milestones 15:25 – The Plug and Play accelerator experience 18:11 – Balancing entrepreneurship and family 19:44 – Finding the right partners 22:20 – Preston’s advice for other founders 25:09 – A surprising productivity hack! 27:21 – The future of pet diagnostics 31:10 – How to keep up with Preston and ProPetDX 32:32 – Final thoughts and stay tuned!

    34 min

  8. 02/19/2025

    Entrepreneurship Unfiltered: The Realities of Balancing Business, Family, and Health

    What does it take to build and scale a startup while navigating personal challenges, industry shifts, and market volatility? In this episode of Founders in Focus, we catch up with three dynamic entrepreneurs—Sebastian Doyle of Medipups, Barry McDonough of Hinalea Imaging, and Daphne Preuss of Nataur—each of whom are pushing the boundaries of innovation in pet health, food safety, and sustainable nutrition. Inside the episode, hear how Sebastian balanced running two startup businesses while evacuating from devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, how Barry’s technology could reduce food recalls and how he juggles work with family life and personal health, and the complex nuances of bringing groundbreaking new sustainable ingredient to market. Tune in for unfiltered insights, hard-earned lessons, and a behind-the-scenes look at the Plug and Play Agtech & Animal Health accelerator program—where startups are redefining the future of agtech, animal health, and sustainability. Helpful Links Learn more about Hinalea Imaging: https://hinalea.ai/   Learn more about Nataur: https://www.nataur.com/ Learn more about Medipups: https://medipups.com/about-us/ Tune in to this Barking Mad episode about the Plug and Play Tech Center. Connect with Barry McDonogh on LinkedIn Connect with Dr. Daphne Preuss on LinkedIn Show Notes 00:00 – Welcome back! 01:40 – Entrepreneurship in the face of natural disaster with Sebastian Doyle 05:38 – Making headway with Medipups 08:59 – Producing viral content that resonates 10:45 – An update on the Plug and Play program 13:26 – Sebastian’s cannabis venture 15:20 – A natural brand-builder 17:47 – Recapping recent food safety snafus with Barry McDonogh 20:33 – Proactive versus reactive approaches to food safety 23:45 – What makes Hinalea’s technology unique 25:33 – Insights from the Plug and Play program 27:10 – Balancing work, family, and personal health 34:46 – The importance of price parity with Daphne Preuss of Nataur 37:14 – Daphne’s advice for other founders 41:38 – From downtown Chicago to a small town in Maine 43:02 – Other interesting applications for microbial taurine 46:23 – Wrap-up and stay tuned!

    48 min

  9. 01/15/2025

    Taurine, Traceability, and Tenacity: Inside the Minds of Visionary Entrepreneurs

    Join us for the first official episode of Founders in Focus, a podcast series showcasing the incredible journeys of entrepreneurs with big ideas to revolutionize the way we think about the global food system. Hear from visionary founders Barry McDonogh of Hinalea Imaging, Dr. Daphne Preuss and Francesca Gallucci of Nataur, and Sebastian Doyle of Medipups, as they traverse the Plug and Play Agtech & Animal Health accelerator program, learn how and why they became entrepreneurs, what keeps them up at night, and innovations that are poised to drive positive change for people, animals, and the planet. Helpful Links Learn more about Hinalea Imaging here and TruTag here Learn more about A Song for Charlie: https://www.songforcharlie.org/ Learn more about Nataur: https://www.nataur.com/ Read more about the melamine recall of 2007: https://animalwellnessmagazine.com/melamine-pet-food-recall/ Learn more about Medipups: https://medipups.com/about-us/ Tune in to this Barking Mad episode about the Plug and Play Tech Center. Connect with Barry McDonogh on LinkedIn Connect with Dr. Daphne Preuss and Francesca Gallucci on LinkedIn Show Notes 00:00 - Welcome to Founders in Focus! 02:38 - Introducing Dr. Daphne Preuss of Nataur 07:38 - Using Microbes as Bio-Based Taurine Factories 11:32 - Meet Francesca Gallucci of Nataur 13:40 - The Environmental & Business Cases for Bio-Based Taurine 19:11 - Not Just for Nutrition! 23:48 - Introducing Barry McDonogh of Hinalea Imaging 27:37 - Barry's Journey to Entrepreneurship 31:09 - The Surprising Story Behind TruTag 34:57 - Barry's Pitch at the 2024 Plug and Play Silicon Valley Summit 37:22 - More on Hinalea Imaging and the Risk of Recalls 40:54 - Innovating for The Greater Good 42:00 - Introducing Sebastian Doyle of Medipups 45:21 - Insights from a Former Rockstar 47:17 - More on Medipups 51:49 - Starting Young 55:25 - Wrap-Up and Stay Tuned!

    57 min

  10. SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Introducing Founders in Focus: Meet the Hosts and Hear What's In Store

    Join us as we pull back the curtain on the world of startups and innovation! In this trailer for Founders in Focus, co-hosts Jordan Tyler and Mark McAllister introduce themselves and chat about what you can expect from this inaugural season. Discover how visionary founders are leveraging their expertise and networks to tackle complex global problems in industries ranging from food safety and financial technology to animal welfare and beyond. And don’t miss the first official episode on January 15, 2025, featuring inspiring founders like Barry McDonough of Hinalea Imaging, Dr. Daphne Preuss and Francesca Gallucci of Nataur, and Sebastian Doyle of Medipups. Helpful Links Connect with Jordan Tyler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanctyler/ Connect with Mark McAllister on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mar-callister/ Learn more about BSM Partners: https://bsmpartners.net/ Learn more about Plug and Play Tech Center: https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/ Check out Barking Mad's deep-dive into the Plug and Play Ecosystem here! Show Notes 00:00 - Welcome and Introduction 01:32 - Meet Co-Host Mark McAllister 04:58 - Meet Co-Host Jordan Tyler 06:21 - About Plug and Play 08:42 - About BSM Partners 09:52 - Building Ecosystems and the Inspiration Behind This Podcast 10:50 - What to Expect 14:06 - More On the Founders Who Will Be Featured 15:23 - Unique Startups, Unique Stories 18:03 - Stay Tuned Through June!

    19 min

Trailer

About

We're taking you behind the scenes of startup innovation, acceleration, and investment in this new podcast from Plug and Play Tech Center and BSM Partners. Hear from visionary founders, including Barry McDonogh of Hinalea Imaging, Dr. Daphne Preuss and Francesca Gallucci of Nataur, and Sebastian Doyle of Medipups, as they traverse the Plug and Play Agtech & Animal Health accelerator program, learn how and why they became entrepreneurs, what keeps them up at night, and innovations that are poised to drive positive change for people, animals, and the planet.

Information

  • Creator
    Plug and Play x BSM Partners
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Plug and Play x BSM Partners
  • Show Website
    Founders in Focus