Tech Startup Network Podcast with Ashley DiBiase

Tech Startup Network
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Tech Startup Network is a weekly podcast where we dive into the real stories behind startups directly from the people building them to those backing them. Whether you're a founder, investor, operator, or advisor, Tech Startup Network is your inside look at startups today.

  1. 1d ago

    Automating Accounts Receivable with Joe Zhou

    Joe Zhou is Co-Founder and CTO of Monk. Prior to Monk, Joe was an engineer at Snap (top 30 contributor to the codebase), Google, and QuickBooks. Joe graduated from the University of Pennsylvania where he received his B.S. in Computer Science and M.S. in Engineering. During this episode, we discuss: The journey of Joe’s careerWhat Monk does and how the idea came aboutJoe's engineering philosophyHow the key to improving the product over time is a tight feedback loopWhat Monk plans to do in 2026Joe's top advice for technical founders And more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things accounts receivable and engineering!

    28 min

  2. 3d ago

    Landing Enterprise Customers with Kirsten Co

    Kirsten Co is a New York–based founder, operator, startup advisor, and venture scout. As the founder of K & Company LLC, her firm advises Seed to Series A founders and emerging technology companies. She helps early-stage companies win and keep enterprise customers through commercialization, strategic partnerships, customer growth, and scaling from founder-led execution to institutional adoption. She also actively scouts for VC firms in high-innovation early-stage companies across Physical AI, Infrastructure, cybersecurity and enterprise software. With over 15 years of global experience across Fortune 500 companies and high-growth startups, Kirsten has led transformation initiatives across HR operations, procurement, fulfillment, logistics, product launches, and go-to-market execution. Her work spans CPG, travel technology, e-commerce, and B2B AI SaaS, with leadership experience across companies including The Coca-Cola Company, Sea Group, and AfterShip. She holds an MBA from Sydney Business School and brings a global perspective shaped by living and working across the Philippines, Singapore, Australia, and now the United States. Beyond advisory work, Kirsten is deeply embedded in New York’s innovation, media, and cultural ecosystems. She contributes to Insider Monkey, a financial media and intelligence firm, covering private markets, startup intelligence, and emerging founder stories for an investor-focused audience. She co-produced and hosted responsible AI and emerging technology events at Microsoft Garage in NYC alongside NYU's Ethical Tech Co-lab, where she also recently completed her STEM master’s in Global Security, Conflict, and Cybercrime. A supporter of fashion and the arts, Kirsten Co was part of the core team behind FILIPINXT, the first all-Filipino fashion showcase officially featured on the New York Fashion Week calendar and recognized by the Council of Fashion Designers of America, in collaboration with the Philippine Consulate General in New York, helping elevate Filipino and Filipino-American designers, creatives, and cultural storytelling onto a global stage. During this episode, we discuss: Kirsten's 15-year career spanning CPG, operations, e-commerce, AI-based SaaS, and travel technology across Asia, Australia, Singapore, and now New YorkStarting K & Company LLC out of a desire to stop working 9-to-5, build her own brand, and stay embedded in the startup ecosystem on her own termsWhat her specialty isThe most important first step for landing an enterprise customerHow to retain enterprise customersHow Kirsten became a venture scout organicallyAdvice for founders seeking capitalWhat she recommends for aspiring venture scoutsWhy in-person events remain the most reliable way to build relationships in the startup and VC ecosystem And more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things enterprise sales and venture!

    36 min

  3. May 28

    Becoming a Super Connector in Tech with Pam Kavalam

    Pam Kavalam is a fractional Community Leader at The Pitch Fund as well as Not Another CEO. She is also the NYC Chapter Lead for Angel Squad and a Venture Fellow for Hustle Fund. She previously did product, customer success, and operations at ClassPass, Chief and Lucid Green as well as taught English on the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. She lives in Astoria, Queens. During this episode, we discuss: How Pam describes herself as a "super connector"The journey of her careerWhen she decided to pivot into venture and how she did itThe importance of never burning bridges with people who don't select you for a roleThe various roles she currently holdsHer advice for anyone looking to break into ventureWhy everyone needs to get hands-on with AI tools now rather than waitingHer networking advice for people just getting started And more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things venture and networking!

    41 min

  4. May 26

    Solving Contested Logistics with Brandon Florian

    Brandon Florian is the Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Grid Aero. Brandon is a seasoned aerospace and defense leader with experience spanning strategy, innovation, and growth across government and commercial sectors. He has led business development at top firms like Northrop Grumman, Starburst, and Mandala Space Ventures. Brandon combines technical depth with strategic vision and an unmatched network in global A&D and venture. During this episode, we discuss: Brandon’s career in aerospace and defenseWhat Grid Aero is building and how it’s solving contested logisticsThe amount of inbound interest Grid has receivedGrid's key differentiator: its clean-sheet aircraft designHow building trust in defense starts with having the right network already in placeThe biggest mistake defense tech founders makeWhy the team matters as much as product-market fit And more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things contested logistics!

    33 min

  5. May 21

    Breaking into VC with Aymbré Paige

    Aymbré Paige, MBA ‘25, is an Investor at Mendoza Ventures, where she focuses on early-stage investments across AI, fintech, and cybersecurity. She plays an active role in sourcing, diligence, and portfolio support. Aymbré earned her MBA from Babson College with concentrations in Finance and Marketing. During her time on campus, she was selected as a Babson Board Fellow and was a recipient of the Dean’s Leadership Award, recognizing her impact and leadership within the community. She was also recognized by Startup Boston as one of the 2026 Black Leaders Shaping the Greater Boston and New England Startup Scene. In addition to her work in venture, Aymbré is an active angel investor, committed to funding diverse founders across the tech landscape. She is passionate about diversifying the capital stack, ensuring underrepresented founders have access to the capital they need, and increasing the number of diverse capital allocators across the venture capital landscape. During this episode, we discuss: Aymbré’s journey into venture capital and her role as an investor at Mendoza VenturesWhat Mendoza Ventures specializes inAymbré’s unconventional path into VC, starting with studying neuroscienceWhy being open, visible, and vocal about your goals can create unexpected career opportunitiesThe common misconception that there’s only one path into venture capitalWhat Aymbré and her team look for when investing in a startupWhy Boston has a powerful tech ecosystemAymbré’s perspective on emerging tech trendsThe value of community, mentorship, and finding your people in tech, venture, and entrepreneurship And more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things venture capital!

    31 min

  6. May 19

    Turning Marketing into Traction with Geena Greguric

    Geena Greguric is a growth strategist, startup advisor, and founder with a track record of helping companies turn marketing into measurable revenue. With more than a decade of experience across startups and scaling businesses, she specializes in go-to-market strategy, brand positioning, demand generation, and growth marketing for companies navigating rapid growth. Previously, Geena led marketing at Idelic, a venture-backed B2B SaaS company recognized by Forbes, where she helped scale the company from Seed through Series B and continued advising through its eventual acquisition by Descartes Systems Group. During her tenure, she built integrated campaigns that drove a 60x increase in marketing-qualified leads and consistently generated more than $2.6M in quarterly pipeline value, later continuing to advise through the acquisition transition. Today, Geena advises startups, founders, and established brands through her consultancy, partnering with teams to refine messaging, accelerate customer acquisition, and build scalable marketing engines that drive long-term growth. Her strategic guidance has supported companies across fundraising, market expansion, and revenue acceleration initiatives. She is also the host of High-Key Growth, a podcast for founders, solopreneurs, and lean marketing teams focused on practical, tactical conversations around scaling businesses without bloated teams or budgets. Beyond her work with startups, Geena serves on the Board of Directors for GetWITit Pittsburgh as Co-Director of Marketing Communications, where she supports initiatives focused on empowering women in business and technology. As a mom of two daughters, she is especially passionate about helping women pursue ambitious careers while still prioritizing family, flexibility, and personal fulfillment. Her work and mentorship are rooted in the belief that professional success and meaningful family life should not be mutually exclusive. Named one of Pittsburgh’s “30 Under 30” honorees and holding an MBA in Entrepreneurship, Geena is known for blending analytical growth strategy with modern brand storytelling, bringing both tactical expertise and an authentic perspective on entrepreneurship, leadership, and growth. During this episode, we discuss: Geena’s marketing backgroundWhy early-stage founders shouldn't try to do everything at onceThe importance of talking to customers almost dailyWhat branding really isHow thought leadership content is one of the most powerful and accessible tools available to early-stage founders right nowWhy in-person events are hot right nowThe importance of founder-led marketingThe value in eventsUsing the traction framework to scaleMonitoring industry news with tools like Google Alerts and tie your messaging to emerging headlines quickly when relevant And more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things marketing!

    31 min

  7. May 14

    Using AI to Sell Your Home with Mike Chambers

    Mike Chambers is an entrepreneur and growth marketer who has built and sold ventures across tech and media. He is Founder and CEO of Ridley, a company redefining how people buy and sell homes using AI. Previously, he co-founded Moonbeam, a podcast discovery platform acquired by Audacy, and founded Bang Bang Media, a creative agency specializing in viral marketing campaigns for brands like Smashd, GoPuff, Athletic Brewing Company, and DoorDash. He also created, produced, and sold Beat Monday, an outdoor adventure series that aired for four seasons on Outside TV. An accomplished mountain athlete, Mike has led over 30 high-altitude expeditions worldwide, including two on Mount Everest, and regularly competes in ultra-endurance events. Beyond business, he has been deeply involved in education and social impact. He co-founded Summits Education, Haiti’s second-largest private school network, serving over 10,000 students, and Flying Kites, a school and teacher training center in Kenya. He lives in Boulder, Colorado with his wife, Leila, and their three children. During this episode, we discuss: Mike’s unconventional path from international education and nonprofit work to building software companiesHow his experience selling his home in Boulder exposed major friction in the traditional real estate modelThe viral Instagram journey that sparked the idea for Ridley, an AI-powered platform helping homeowners sell their homesHow AI can guide sellers through pricing, home prep, vendor coordination, listing creation, negotiation, and transaction managementThe future of real estate agentsHow inefficiencies like brokerage splits, MLS fees, association fees, and lead costs drive up expenses for agents and consumersMike’s advice for foundersThe connection between endurance athletes and entrepreneurship And more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things real estate!

    35 min

  8. May 12

    Building Pathways for Underrepresented Biotech & Life Sciences Talent with Dr. Carmen Banks

    Carmen Banks, PhD is the Founder & CEO of MelanInScience, an organization that’s reimagining the future of biotech and life sciences by building pathways for underrepresented talent. They connect academic training to industry opportunity through industry-backed programming, internships, and partnerships with leading biotech and biopharma companies. Since their founding in 2024, Carmen and her team have impacted hundreds of students across 15 states and 20 countries. During this episode, we discuss: An intro to Dr. Carmen Banks, founder and CEO of MelanInScience, a scientist and entrepreneur working to bridge the gap between academia and the biotech industryHow Carmen’s background as a cell and molecular biologist shaped her path through early-stage biotech startups, including lab-grown meat, drug discovery, and ag techWhy MelanInScience was createdThe importance of exposing life sciences students to career paths beyond healthcare and academiaHow MelanInScience’s STEM Connect program helps undergraduate and graduate students prepare for industry rolesCarmen’s approach to building a mission-driven community of more than 4,000 people in two yearsLessons on avoiding burnout, managing “shiny object syndrome,” and choosing intentional growthWhat’s next for MelanInScienceCarmen’s advice for founders and community builders And more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things biotech!

    32 min
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Tech Startup Network is a weekly podcast where we dive into the real stories behind startups directly from the people building them to those backing them. Whether you're a founder, investor, operator, or advisor, Tech Startup Network is your inside look at startups today.

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