Tech Optimist: An Alumni Ventures Podcast

Alumni Ventures
  • 5.0 (10)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Tech Optimist: An Alumni Ventures Podcast

The Tech Optimist podcast focuses on the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation. True to our name, we are passionate about technology and its potential to drive positive change. We explore our lane through interviews with startup founders, VCs, and futurists; discussions of new innovations; and reviews of trends in tech and venture. The show is produced by Alumni Ventures, which has been recognized as a "Top 20 Venture Firm" by CB Insights ('24) and as the "#1 Most Active Venture Firm in the US" by Pitchbook ('22 & '23). Alumni Ventures is a disruptive startup, founded in 2014 to democratize venture capital, and was built from the ground up to make this asset class more accessible for individual accredited investors. We have raised $1.25B+ from 10K+ individuals, invested in 1,300+ companies, and built a 625K network of supporters. Our community is our secret sauce. To learn more, visit us at www.av.vc.

  1. 12 HR. AGO

    #67 - Meet the Startup Unlocking Crypto-Backed Loans

    In this Meet the Startup episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, Mike Collins speaks with Dhruv Patel and Himanshu Sahay, the co-founders of Arch Lending, a New York-based FinTech startup revolutionizing crypto-backed loans. They discuss Arch’s mission to offer secure, regulated financial services for individuals and institutions holding alternative assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. The conversation explores the growing trend of crypto adoption, the future of decentralized finance, and how Arch differentiates itself through security, compliance, and seamless user experience. Tune in for insights on the next generation of wealth management and the evolution of financial services in the digital asset space. To Learn More: Alumni Ventures (AV)AV LinkedInAV Deep Tech FundTech OptimistArch LendingSpeakers: Mike Collins Dhruv PatelHimanshu SahayChapters: (00:00) - Intro (16:09) - Interview (26:03) - Dhruv's Ask (30:11) - Closing Legal Disclosure: https://av-funds.com/tech-optimist-disclosures

    33 min

  2. 13 HR. AGO

    #66 - Three Breakthroughs: Digitizing Smell Using AI

    In this Three Breakthroughs episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, host Mike Collins and Senior Principal Naren Ramaswamy explore three fascinating technological advancements poised to shape the future. They begin with a groundbreaking achievement in neuroscience: the first-ever complete map of a fruit fly’s brain, shedding light on brain function and offering potential insights for AI and medical innovations. Next, they discuss AI’s newfound ability to predict and create scents, opening up vast possibilities in health and environmental monitoring. Finally, they examine the societal implications of automation in industries like dock work and film, focusing on how technology-driven progress can spur both opportunity and disruption. Tune in to discover how these advancements are pushing the boundaries of innovation and what they mean for the future of society and technology. To Learn More: Alumni Ventures (AV)AV LinkedInAV Deep Tech FundTech OptimistSpeakers: Mike Collins Naren Ramaswamy  Chapters: (00:00) - Intro (02:04) - Fruit fly brain (11:21) - Digitizing smell using AI (20:45) - Longshoremen strike (32:16) - Closing Legal Disclosure: https://av-funds.com/tech-optimist-disclosures

    33 min

  3. 2 DAYS AGO

    #65 - Meet the Startup Bringing Lactation Suites to the Modern Office

    In this Meet the Startup episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, Ron Levin, Managing Partner at Alumni Ventures, sits down with Abbey Donnell, the founder and CEO of Work & Mother. They discuss how Work & Mother is reshaping the modern workplace by providing fully equipped lactation suites that help companies meet legal requirements while supporting working mothers. Abbey shares her journey of founding the company, driven by her desire to solve a problem many new mothers face when returning to work. The episode highlights the company's innovative approach, its national expansion, and its positive impact on both employee retention and workplace wellness. Listeners will gain insight into how Work & Mother is setting new standards for maternal support in corporate environments, creating private, dignified spaces that improve the work-life balance for new mothers. Abbey's Ask: She encourages listeners to raise awareness of Work & Mother by encouraging their employers or landlords to provide dedicated, well-equipped spaces that support new mothers in balancing breastfeeding and work. To Learn More: Alumni Ventures (AV)AV LinkedInAV Women's FundTech OptimistWork & MotherSpeakers: Ron LevinAbbey DonnellChapters: (00:00) - Intro (08:13) - Interview (41:14) - Abbey's Ask (42:55) - Closing Legal Disclosure: https://av-funds.com/tech-optimist-disclosures

    43 min

  4. OCT 18

    #64 - Meet the Startup Revolutionizing Carbon Capture

    In this Meet the Startup episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, we dive into the innovative world of carbon capture with Cameron Halliday, co-founder and CEO of Mantel. Joined by Alumni Ventures Managing Partner Chris Sklarin, Cameron discusses Mantel’s groundbreaking technology that leverages molten salt-based materials to capture CO2 emissions from industrial sources like cement and steel plants. This conversation covers how Mantel is drastically reducing carbon capture costs and making this essential climate solution more scalable and energy-efficient. They also explore the company's rapid progress, including a recent $30 million Series A funding round, and how Mantel is preparing for commercial-scale deployment. Listen in to discover how Mantel’s advancements are positioned to play a critical role in decarbonizing heavy industries. To Learn More: Alumni Ventures (AV)AV LinkedInAV Deep Tech FundTech OptimistMantelSpeakers: Chris SklarinCameron HallidayChapters: (00:00) - Intro (04:41) - Interview (31:06) - Cameron's Ask (32:02) - Closing Legal Disclosure: https://av-funds.com/tech-optimist-disclosures

    33 min

  5. OCT 15

    #63 - Meet the Start-Up at the Center of the Voice-Computer Revolution

    In this Meet the Startup episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, Naren Ramaswamy hosts Tanay Kothari, CEO and co-founder of Wispr AI, to discuss the future of voice technology. Wispr’s breakthrough product, Flow, is an AI-powered voice dictation platform designed to transform how people interact with their devices, making communication faster and more intuitive. Tanay shares his vision for creating technology that fades into the background, allowing users to focus on being present. They explore the inefficiencies of traditional typing and how Flow, by leveraging natural speech, can significantly boost productivity. This episode offers an inspiring look at how voice interfaces are set to revolutionize human-computer interaction, pushing us toward a screenless future. To Learn More: Alumni Ventures (AV)AV LinkedInAV Deep Tech FundTech OptimistFlowSpeakers: Naren Ramaswamy  Tanay KothariChapters: (00:00) - Intro (02:00) - Interview (27:43) - How can users try Flow? (30:25) - Closing Legal Disclosure: https://av-funds.com/tech-optimist-disclosures

    31 min

  6. OCT 11

    #62 - Three Breakthroughs: Warfare Goes High-Tech

    In this Three Breakthroughs episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, Mike Collins and Naren Ramaswamy explore three pivotal technological advancements shaping our world. First, they dive into the evolving landscape of warfare, discussing the rise of cyber warfare, drone technology, and the growing influence of tech in defense strategies. Next, they tackle the democratization of AI as Alibaba releases 100 open-source models, making AI capabilities accessible worldwide and leveling the playing field for innovation. Lastly, they cover Meta’s latest AR technology—a futuristic prototype of smart glasses, poised to redefine how we interact with digital and physical spaces. Tune in to discover how these breakthroughs could reshape industries and everyday life, reinforcing the role of technology as a transformative and empowering force. To Learn More: Alumni Ventures (AV)AV LinkedInAV Deep Tech FundTech OptimistSpeakers: Mike Collins Naren Ramaswamy  Chapters: (00:00) - Intro (03:38) - Cyber Warfare Evolution (14:34) - Open-Source AI Models (00:21) - 44 Meta AR Glasses (32:58) - Closing Legal Disclosure: https://av-funds.com/tech-optimist-disclosures

    34 min

  7. OCT 10

    #61 - Meet the Startup Reinventing Aircraft

    In this Meet the Startup episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, we introduce Astro Mechanica, an aerospace startup revolutionizing air travel. Drew Wandzilak, Senior Associate at Alumni Ventures, sits down with Ian Brooke, Founder and CEO of Astro Mechanica, to explore the future of supersonic flight. Ian reveals his company’s groundbreaking turbo-electric adaptive engine that promises to make supersonic travel affordable and efficient at every speed. Listeners will gain insight into how these innovations could transform both commercial and defense aviation sectors, offering on-demand, low-cost flights that could replace traditional airliners. Tune in to discover how Astro Mechanica aims to become the "Tesla of aircraft travel," redefining the skies with an eye toward sustainable, rapid global connectivity. To Learn More: Alumni Ventures (AV)AV LinkedInTech OptimistAV US Strategic Tech FundAstro MechanicaSpeakers: Drew WandzilakIan BrookeChapters: (00:00) - Intro (02:44) - Interview (50:07) - Closing Legal Disclosure: https://av-funds.com/tech-optimist-disclosures

    51 min

  8. OCT 8

    #60 - Meet the Start-Up Focused on Microbe-Tech

    In this Meet the Startup episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, host Drew Wandzilak, Senior Associate at Alumni Ventures, introduces Cheri Ackerman, co-founder and CEO of Concerto Biosciences. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Concerto is transforming how we use microbes to develop innovative products for health, agriculture, and beyond. Cheri dives into their groundbreaking technology, kChip, which tests millions of microbial combinations to discover effective microbial ecosystems. She discusses their clinical trials focused on conditions like eczema and yeast infections, emphasizing Concerto’s long-term vision of leveraging microbes to create sustainable, biology-based solutions. The conversation explores how Concerto aims to shift our understanding of microbes—from adversaries to powerful allies—reshaping industries and improving lives with their advanced biotech solutions. Tune in to discover the future potential of microbial innovation. To Learn More: Alumni Ventures (AV)AV LinkedInTech OptimistAV US Strategic Tech FundConcerto BiosciencesSpeakers: Drew Wandzilak - Guest Cheri Ackerman - GuestChapters: (00:00) - Intro (02:43) - Interview (38:25) - Cheri's Ask (41:19) - Closing Legal Disclosure: https://av-funds.com/tech-optimist-disclosures

    42 min
See All (68)

Trailer

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

The Tech Optimist podcast focuses on the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation. True to our name, we are passionate about technology and its potential to drive positive change. We explore our lane through interviews with startup founders, VCs, and futurists; discussions of new innovations; and reviews of trends in tech and venture. The show is produced by Alumni Ventures, which has been recognized as a "Top 20 Venture Firm" by CB Insights ('24) and as the "#1 Most Active Venture Firm in the US" by Pitchbook ('22 & '23). Alumni Ventures is a disruptive startup, founded in 2014 to democratize venture capital, and was built from the ground up to make this asset class more accessible for individual accredited investors. We have raised $1.25B+ from 10K+ individuals, invested in 1,300+ companies, and built a 625K network of supporters. Our community is our secret sauce. To learn more, visit us at www.av.vc.

Information

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada