142 episodes

The Tech Leader Talk podcast brings together successful technology company leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts from around the technology industry to share successes, challenges, and examples of what’s working now to build strong tech companies.

Tune in each week as Steve Sponseller interviews a new leader in the tech world.

Tech Leader Talk Steve Sponseller

    • Technology
    • 4.8 • 25 Ratings

The Tech Leader Talk podcast brings together successful technology company leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts from around the technology industry to share successes, challenges, and examples of what’s working now to build strong tech companies.

Tune in each week as Steve Sponseller interviews a new leader in the tech world.

    Protect Your Inventions from Slipping Through the Cracks – Steve Sponseller

    Protect Your Inventions from Slipping Through the Cracks – Steve Sponseller

    In this episode, I talk about the importance of identifying all inventions created throughout your company.  Identifying every invention created by your team is more complicated than simply asking, “What have you invented lately?”
    Invention identification is critical because you can’t protect an invention if you don’t identify it in the first place.
    Listen to this episode so you understand how to identify every invention created by your team.
    “Solutions to difficult problems are a great place to look for inventions.” – Steve Sponseller
    Today on the Tech Leader Talk podcast:
    - Discovering hidden inventions with Invention Mining
    - Why many people fail to identify inventions
    - The importance (and value) of incremental inventions
    - A simple approach for capturing invention details
    - Be proactive and make inventing fun
    Questions?
    If you have any questions about identifying your critical inventions, contact me to schedule a complimentary strategy call at:  https://stevesponseller.com/call
    Thanks for listening!
    Be sure to get your free copy of my latest book, Cracking the Patent Code, and discover my proven system for identifying and protecting your most valuable inventions. Get the book at https://stevesponseller.com/book.

    • 19 min
    Navigating Revenue-Based Financing Strategies – Melissa Widner

    Navigating Revenue-Based Financing Strategies – Melissa Widner

    Are you confused about funding options for your tech company?
    On this episode of Tech Leader Talk, I am talking with Melissa Widner.  She is the CEO of Lighter Capital, which is a leader in revenue-based financing.
    Melissa has experience as a founder with multiple exits, an angel investor, and a VC investor.  This gives her an interesting perspective on how to fund startups.
    On this episode, Melissa and I discuss different types of funding options for tech startups – and the advantages & disadvantages of each option.
    We also talk about revenue-based financing and when that’s a good option to consider.
    And, Melissa shares her thoughts on when founders should consider bootstrapping their business.
    “Startup entrepreneurs are the most fascinating people on the planet.” – Melissa Widner
    Today on the Tech Leader Talk podcast:
    - Different funding options for tech startups – and how to choose the best option
    - Raising capital without giving up equity or control
    - How to raise capital in today’s business environment
    - When should you consider revenue-based financing
    - Bootstrapping your tech startup
    Connect with Melissa Widner:
    LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissawidner/
    Website:  https://www.lightercapital.com/
    Thanks for listening!
    Be sure to get your free copy of Steve’s latest book, Cracking the Patent Code, and discover his proven system for identifying and protecting your most valuable inventions. Get the book at https://stevesponseller.com/book.

    • 31 min
    Accelerating Data Analytics for Improved Insights – Tim Tutt

    Accelerating Data Analytics for Improved Insights – Tim Tutt

    Do you want to simplify your data analysis activities?  That’s what I’m talking about today with my guest, Tim Tutt.  Tim is CEO of Nightshift Development, which helps organizations make sense of their data.
    Tim and I discuss some of the common problems companies face trying to analyze large amounts of data.  And, Tim explains some of the problems that occur if companies cannot accurately understand their data.
    Tim also shares information about the constantly changing keywords and phrases used by consumers.  This requires data analysis systems to adapt to these changing keywords and phrases.
    Tim also talks about improving the efficiency of data analytics and machine learning systems through the use of automation and continuous learning.
    He also discusses the process for Innovation that he and his team use to identify new solutions and products for their company.  This innovation process led to a valuable feature related to automated insights.
    Today on the Tech Leader Talk podcast:
    - Process automation
    - The importance of user questions to identify relevant data
    - Continuous learning in data analytics
    - Customer-driven innovation
    - Focusing on the non-technical user
    Book Recommendation:
    The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz:  https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Thing-About-Things-Building/dp/0062273205
    Connect with Tim Tutt:
    LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/timtutt/
    Website:  https://www.clearquery.io/
    Thanks for listening!
    Be sure to get your free copy of Steve’s latest book, Cracking the Patent Code, and discover his proven system for identifying and protecting your most valuable inventions. Get the book at https://stevesponseller.com/book.
     

    • 29 min
    Innovative Engineering Processes and Team Structures – Steve Massey

    Innovative Engineering Processes and Team Structures – Steve Massey

    Are you looking for a successful approach to implementing engineering processes and building a culture of innovation?  That’s what my guest, Steve Massey, is discussing on this episode.
    Steve is the CEO and Co-Founder of Prewitt Ridge, which creates software tools for engineering.  He discusses what he and his team are doing to build new and creative approaches to engineering.
    Steve has previously worked for two Space Tech companies:  SpaceX and Slingshot Aerospace.  He shares his insights and lessons learned while working for those companies.
    Steve also talks about engineering processes that tackle difficult problems in deep tech.  For example, his team has created an engineering collaboration environment that eases friction when designing, assessing, and managing complex systems.
    You’re going to enjoy this discussion with Steve and get some valuable insights to implement in your own business.
    "The most important thing is to make sure you're sharing the right information with everyone so that they're able to make the best decision." – Steve Massey
    Today on the Tech Leader Talk podcast:
    - Innovative approaches to engineering
    - Managing difficult problems in deep tech
    - Mob programming and its effectiveness
    - Automating the approval process to streamline compliance and safety
    - Project ownership and sprint cycles
    Book Recommendations:
    Terminal World by Alastair Reynolds:  https://www.amazon.com/Terminal-World-Alastair-Reynolds/dp/0316362298
    The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber:  https://www.amazon.com/Dawn-Everything-New-History-Humanity/dp/0374157359
    Connect with Steve Massey:
    LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lostorbit/
    Website:  https://www.prewittridge.com/
    Thanks for listening!
    Be sure to get your free copy of Steve’s latest book, Cracking the Patent Code, and discover his proven system for identifying and protecting your most valuable inventions. Get the book at https://stevesponseller.com/book.
     

    • 35 min
    A Tribute to Dan Miller – Steve Sponseller

    A Tribute to Dan Miller – Steve Sponseller

    This is a special episode of the podcast – I’m celebrating the 3rd birthday of Tech Leader Talk.
    I’m also sharing my thoughts about a great mentor and friend, Dan Miller, who passed away recently.
    So, this episode is bittersweet:  celebrating a milestone for the podcast and grieving the loss of an important person in my life.
    It’s important to talk about Dan Miller when discussing the podcast’s birthday because Dan was one of my biggest supporters and encouraged me to launch the Tech Leader Talk podcast.  Without Dan’s encouragement, I don’t know if the podcast would have launched.
    Today I share some of the things I learned from Dan Miller and lessons that everyone can benefit from.
    I enjoyed racing Porsche 911s with Dan, valuable one-on-one conversations, reading his many books, and listening to most of his 950+ podcast episodes (48 Days to the Work you Love podcast) during 17 years.
    Dan was special.
    I encourage you to listen to this episode and pick up one or two tips that will help keep Dan’s legacy alive.
    Dan’s Podcast:
    https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/48-days-to-the-work-you-love-internet-radio-show/id178145160
    Dan’s Books (my three favorites):
    48 Days to the Work and Life you Love:  https://www.amazon.com/48-Days-Work-You-Love/dp/1642799785
    An Understanding Heart:  https://www.48days.com/product/an-understanding-heart
    No More Dreaded Mondays:  https://www.amazon.com/No-More-Dreaded-Mondays-Revolutionary/dp/0307588777
    Thanks for listening!

    • 11 min
    Critical Patent Filing Deadlines – Steve Sponseller

    Critical Patent Filing Deadlines – Steve Sponseller

    In this solo episode, I talk about patent filing deadlines that are important to tech companies and inventors.
    There are three important activities that automatically trigger a 12-month deadline in the United States for filing a patent application to protect your invention. In most situations, if you miss this deadline, you forfeit the ability to protect the invention. This often means your competitors can freely use that invention in their products because you can’t protect it with a patent.
    Unfortunately, many business leaders are unaware of this deadline and inadvertently lose patent rights to their inventions.
    Too often, I’ve had to tell company leaders, “It’s too late to protect your invention.”
    Listen to this episode so you understand the deadlines and make an informed business decision before forfeiting your patent rights.
    Today on the Tech Leader Talk podcast:
    The three activities that trigger a 12-month patent filing deadline in the United States:
    - Public disclosure of the invention
    - Sale of a product that contains the invention
    - An offer to sell a product that contains the invention
    Solution:
    - Identify all of the three triggering activities.
    - If the invention is valuable to your business, file a patent application BEFORE the 12 month deadline.
    Questions?
    If you have any questions about these deadlines, contact me to schedule a Free Introductory Call so you don’t forfeit any critical patent rights. 
    Schedule a call at:  https://stevesponseller.com/call
    Contact me via email:  Steve@SteveSponseller.com
    Thanks for listening!
    Be sure to get your free copy of my latest book, Cracking the Patent Code, and discover my proven system for identifying and protecting your most valuable inventions. Get the book at https://stevesponseller.com/book.

    • 14 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
25 Ratings

25 Ratings

cdmbdt ,

Amazing podcast

Great stuff

Dan1777999877 ,

Highly recommend!

Tech Leader Talk is one of my favorite podcasts! The conversations are engaging, insightful, and actionable. I truly learn something every time I listen!

Jbealsey6651 ,

Excellent Podcast

Enjoy listening to the interviews hearing from tech leaders about how they grow and what they are experiencing 👍

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