![](/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
10 episodes
![](/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
Tech Optimist Alumni Ventures
-
- Business
-
-
5.0 • 7 Ratings
-
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.
-
#9 - Three Breakthroughs: Brain Computers, Ohalo, & Manipulating Weather
In this episode of the Tech Optimist podcast, Mike Collins and Drew Wandzilak (Senior Associate at AV) discuss three groundbreaking advancements. They cover Neuralink's progress with FDA approval for a second patient, innovations in food breeding by the company Ohalo, and climate modification techniques involving cloud seeding. Join them as they delve into these exciting technological breakthroughs and their potential global impacts.
To Learn More:
-- Alumni Ventures (AV): www.av.vc-- AV LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/alumniventures-- AV Deep Tech Fund: www.av.vc/DeepTech-- Tech Optimist: www.techoptimist.vc
Speakers:
-- Mike Collins - Host - www.linkedin.com/in/mike-collins-362100-- Drew Wandzilak - Guest - www.linkedin.com/in/drewwandzilak
Chapters:
(00:00) - Intro
(00:57) - Three Breakthroughs
(21:24) - Closing
Legal Disclosure:
-- https://av-funds.com/tech-optimist-disclosures -
#8 - One Startup to Know: UserHub
In this episode of the Tech Optimist podcast, Mike Collins sits down with Patrick Rafferty, Founder/CEO of UserHub, to discuss the innovative subscription management solutions UserHub provides for small and medium-sized businesses. They delve into the evolution of buying experiences, the challenges and surprises of building UserHub, and the future potential of AI in the space. Tune in to learn how UserHub is leveling the playing field for SaaS companies and how AI might shape the entrepreneurial landscape.
To Learn More:
-- Alumni Ventures (AV): www.av.vc-- AV LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/alumniventures-- AV Foundation Fund: www.av.vc/Foundation-- AV Deep Tech Fund: www.av.vc/DeepTech-- UserHub: www.userhub.com-- Tech Optimist: www.techoptimist.vc
Speakers:
-- Mike Collins - Host - www.linkedin.com/in/mike-collins-362100-- Patrick Rafferty - Guest - www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-rafferty-b927642b
Chapters:
(00:00) - Intro
(02:48) - UserHub
(21:06) - Closing
Legal Disclosure:
-- https://av-funds.com/tech-optimist-disclosures -
#7 - Future You is Begging for a Financial Plan
In this episode of the Tech Optimist podcast, host Mike Collins and AV Senior Associate Drew Wandzilak discuss three significant tech breakthroughs, including advancements in drug discovery and AI. The second segment features an insightful interview with Itamar Benedy, Co-Founder & CEO of Anzu.io, where he talks about the future of in-game advertising. Finally, Steve Chen, Founder & CEO of NewRetirement, shares how his company uses AI to create comprehensive financial planning models, making retirement planning more accessible. Join us to explore these transformative technologies and hear from the innovators behind them.
To Learn More:
-- Alumni Ventures (AV): www.av.vc-- AV LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/alumniventures-- AV Foundation Fund: www.av.vc/Foundation-- AV AI Fund: www.av.vc/AIRobotics -- AV Sports Fund: www.av.vc/Sports -- AV US Strategic Tech Fund: www.av.vc/funds/strategictech-- Anzu.io: www.anzu.io -- NewRetirement: www.newretirement.com -- Tech Optimist: www.techoptimist.vc
Speakers:
-- Mike Collins - Host - www.linkedin.com/in/mike-collins-362100-- Drew Wandzilak - Guest - www.linkedin.com/in/drewwandzilak-- Itamar Benedy - Guest - www.linkedin.com/in/itamarbenedy -- Steve Chen - Guest - www.linkedin.com/in/secventures
Chapters:
(00:00) - Intro
(04:08) - Three Breakthroughs
(31:52) - Anzu.io
(55:42) - NewRetirement
(01:20:34) - Closing
Legal Disclosure:
-- https://av-funds.com/tech-optimist-disclosures -
#6 - You're The Weak Link
In this episode, AV CEO Mike Collins interviews David DellaPelle about his experience building Dune Security, which addresses a staggeringly prevalent cause of cybersecurity breaches: employee error. Next, AV Partner Pete Mathias dives into Multitude Insights with its co-founder Matthew White, who is working to revolutionize information sharing between police departments. Finally, Collins and AV Senior Associate Drew Wandzilak discuss all things space: what's interesting, what's investable, and where are we headed?
To Learn More:
-- Alumni Ventures (AV): www.av.vc-- AV LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/alumniventures-- AV Deep Tech Fund: www.av.vc/DeepTech -- AV US Strategic Tech Fund: www.av.vc/USStrategicTech -- AV Foundation Fund: www.av.vc/Foundation -- Dune Security: www.dunesecurity.io -- Multitude Insights: www.multitudeinsights.com -- Tech Optimist: www.techoptimist.vc
Speakers:
-- Mike Collins - Host - www.linkedin.com/in/mike-collins-362100-- David DellaPelle - Guest - www.linkedin.com/in/daviddellapelle -- Pete Mathias - Guest - www.linkedin.com/in/petemathias-- Matthew White - Guest - www.linkedin.com/in/matthewwhite- -- Drew Wandzilak - Guest - www.linkedin.com/in/drewwandzilak
Chapters:
(00:00) - Intro
(02:42) - Dune Security
(23:36) - Multitude Insights
(37:15) - New Innovations in Space Tech
(01:05:24) - Closing
Legal Disclosure:
-- https://av-funds.com/tech-optimist-disclosures -
#5 - Net Zero Heroes: CarbonCapture Insights
In this captivating episode of the Tech Optimist, host Mike Collins engages in insightful discussions with pioneers who are not just thinking about the future, but actively shaping it. The first segment features Adam Oliner, CEO of Graft, who shares how AI is transforming practical business solutions. The conversation continues with Adrian Corless, CEO of CarbonCapture, discussing the impactful work his company is doing to combat climate change by removing carbon from the atmosphere. Finally, we explore diversity in AI and venture capital with Sophia Zhao, highlighting the strides women are making in these fields.
To Learn More:
-- Alumni Ventures (AV): www.av.vc-- AV LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/alumniventures-- AV AI Fund: www.av.vc/AIRobotics -- AV Deep Tech Fund: www.av.vc/DeepTech -- AV Women's Fund: www.av.vc/Womens-- Graft: www.graft.com-- CarbonCapture: www.carboncapture.com-- Tech Optimist: www.techoptimist.vc
Speakers:
-- Mike Collins - Host - www.linkedin.com/in/mike-collins-362100-- Adam Oliner - Guest - www.linkedin.com/in/ajoliner-- Adrian Corless - Guest - www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-corless-674b0785 -- Sophia Zhao - Guest - www.linkedin.com/in/sophiazhao
Chapters:
(00:00) - Intro
(02:52) - Graft
(28:56) - Carbon Capture
(47:18) - Women in AI
(01:07:34) - Closing
Legal Disclosure:
-- https://av-funds.com/tech-optimist-disclosures -
#4 - Dad Dies, Now The Work Starts
In this Tech Optimist episode, we dive into three segments that explore innovative technologies shaping our future. The first features Mike Collins discussing silicon photonics in medical diagnostics with Michael Dubrovsky of SiPhox, highlighting advances in home medical testing. In the second, Alexandra Mysoor from Alix shares how her company is transforming estate settlement. The final segment brings insights from a conversation between Mike and Naren Ramaswamy, discussing the broader impacts of technology in the industry.
To Learn More:
-- Alumni Ventures (AV): www.av.vc-- AV LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/alumniventures-- AV Doctors Innovate Fund is now called AV Healthtech Fund: www.av.vc/HealthTech-- AV Women's Fund: www.av.vc/Womens-- AV Seed Fund: www.av.vc/Seed-- SiPhox Health: www.siphoxhealth.com-- Alix: www.meetalix.com-- Tech Optimist: www.techoptimist.vc
Speakers:
-- Mike Collins - Host - www.linkedin.com/in/mike-collins-362100-- Michael Dubrovsky - Guest - www.linkedin.com/in/michael-dubrovsky -- Alexandra Mysoor - Guest - www.linkedin.com/in/alexandramysoor -- Naren Ramaswamy - Guest - www.linkedin.com/in/narenramaswamy
Chapters:
(00:00) - Opening
(02:18) - SiPhox Health
(24:14) - Alix
(39:58) - Trending Topics in VC
(01:03:33) - Closing
Legal Disclosure:
-- https://av-funds.com/tech-optimist-disclosures
Customer Reviews
Upbeat brain stretcher podcast
Tech is changing the world. It’s so fun to listen to a podcast that is focused on positive trends. I learned something in each episode. Alumni Ventures invests in so many different tech areas! Not too techie. Just right.
Highly educational for anyone interested in innovation
This is the best innovation podcast I've ever heard. Highly informative, easy listening. Alumni Ventures making things smart and simple.