10-Minute Tech Talks: How Tech Entrepreneurs Fail & How You Can Avoid It

Jonathan Kersting
  • 4.1 (7)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Are you an entrepreneur building a technology company and looking to grow fast? This show teaches and inspires entrepreneurs to build better companies by learning from the failures of other tech companies and entrepreneurs. If you're striving for rapid growth while avoiding the mistakes that have led others to failure, this podcast is designed to help you stay on track. Avoid the devastating mistakes that tech entrepreneurs have made, which led their businesses to collapse. Hear from tech, business, and entrepreneurial experts detailing what went wrong in famous tech busts and modern-day meltdowns so you don't follow the same path. Learn how to overcome adversity and make your tech company a long-term success. If you're ready to grow your tech venture quickly and avoid pitfalls, start with our fan-favorite episode: Don't Fall In Love With Your Technology.

  1. 6D AGO

    The AI Mistakes Tech Entrepreneurs Keep Making

    If AI is everywhere, why are so many companies still struggling to make it work? In Part One "Why Tech Entrepreneurs Can't Treat AI as an Experiment Anymore", we talked about how AI crossed into the business mainstream. Now it's time for the harder question: why do so many implementations stall, underperform, or quietly fail? In this episode of 10 Minute Tech Talks, we talk to Justine Kasznica and Chris Farmakis of Babst Calland to get into the real blockers, from data quality and security risks to leadership missteps and workforce anxiety — and what smart organizations are doing to overcome them. This is where AI strategy meets reality. AI doesn't fail because the technology isn't powerful enough. It fails when leadership treats it like a tool to buy instead of a capability to build. Produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, this is a podcast for tech and manufacturing  entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

    9 min

  2. 12/22/2025

    Why Tech Entrepreneurs Can't Treat AI as an Experiment Anymore

    When did AI stop being a fun experiment… and start becoming table stakes for running a business? In just a year, AI has gone from "interesting" to essential. But while nearly every company is talking about it, only a fraction are actually seeing real returns. In this episode of 10 Minute Tech Talks, you'll hear from Justine Kasznica and Chris Farmakis of Babst Calland on why AI adoption has exploded, what's driving CFOs a little crazy right now, and how the companies getting it right are separating themselves from the pack. This is the moment AI stopped being optional, and became core to how business gets done. So here's the takeaway: AI is officially mainstream, but success is far from guaranteed. Some companies are unlocking massive efficiency gains. Others are burning money and wondering what went wrong. In our next episode, we'll dig into why so many AI initiatives fail, and what leaders must do differently if they want real ROI instead of expensive experiments. If you're asking yourself, "Okay, so how do we actually do this right?" — you'll want to catch Part Two. Produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, this is a podcast for tech and manufacturing  entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

    9 min

  3. 12/18/2025

    Why Every Tech Entrepreneur Needs to Rethink 5G Connectivity in 2026

    What if the next breakout startup isn't powered by better software… but by better connectivity? Today's 10 Minute Tech Talk is all about removing the invisible limits that hold entrepreneurs back. We are joined by Jay Noschese from T-Mobile for Business, and this conversation flips the script on how founders should think about 5G. We're not talking faster phones. We're talking about new business models, new customer experiences, and entire industries being reshaped because connectivity can now be customized, optimized, and trusted for mission-critical work. Hit PLAY, and you'll hear how technologies like 5G Advanced and network slicing are already powering live sports broadcasts, massive events, and healthcare systems where failure isn't an option. And more importantly, you'll start to see what this unlocks for entrepreneurs building what's next. If you're a founder, operator, or innovator asking, "What can I build now that wasn't possible before?" You're in the right place. Let's jump in. Listen to the entire TechVibe interview here. This Pittsburgh Technology Council podcast is for tech and manufacturing  entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

    9 min

  4. 12/11/2025

    The Hard Truth Every Tech Entrepreneur Needs Before Building Anything

    What if the biggest threat to your startup isn't the competition, but the decisions you make in the first six months? In this episode of 10 Minute Tech Talks, we dive into a powerful segment from our TechVibe Radio interview with Juliana Keeling and Joe Swider of Terravive, the fast-growing company reinventing single-use products with American-made compostable materials. Their journey hasn't been driven by hype or shortcuts — it's been shaped by sharp strategic thinking, disciplined growth, and a relentless commitment to building a real business from the ground up. In this clip, Juliana and Joe open up about the lessons most founders learn too late: • Why a great idea means nothing without true product-market fit • How accelerators can accelerate the right things — including funding that doesn't cost you equity • The danger of jumping at the first investor check, and how early dilution can quietly sink a company • What authentic partnership looks like when the stakes get high • Why staying scrappy and in control ended up being their greatest advantage This is a candid, practical look at entrepreneurship from two people who have fought through the messy middle and come out stronger. Whether you're building something new or trying to course-correct something established, their insights land with uncommon clarity. Give it a listen — your future self will thank you. Click here for their full TechVibe interview. This is a Pittsburgh Technology Council podcast for tech and manufacturing  entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

    10 min

  5. 12/04/2025

    Checkmate Thinking: How Chess Can Help Entrepreneurs Turn Strategy Into a Superpower

    What if the key to better leadership, sharper decisions, and next-level strategy was sitting on a chessboard? Host Jonathan Kersting with the Pittsburgh Technology Council and TechVibe Radio dives into a conversation that every founder, innovator, and builder needs to hear. We're featuring a powerful slice of his TechVibe Radio interview with Ashley Lynn Priore, the force behind Queens Gambit and Queenside Ventures. She launched her first nonprofit at just 14 years old. Today she's empowering thousands of kids each year, guiding CEOs, and—yes—working with NFL players looking to think three moves ahead. Hit PLAY, you'll learn how Ashley turns chess into a real-world strategy framework, why inclusive leadership matters, and how bold thinking—like cold-emailing NFL teams—can unlock huge opportunities. Plus TechVibe Cohost and Tech Council CEO Audrey Russo joins the conversation. Have more than 10 minutes? Listen to the entire interview here. This is a podcast for tech and manufacturing  entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

    10 min

  6. 11/24/2025

    Ramen-Fueled Beginnings to $3M Breakthrough: A Tech Entrepreneur's Journey

    What does it take for a small, bootstrapped tech company to leap from building dashboards… to designing AI-powered drones for the U.S. Army? Today on 10 Minute Tech Talks, dive into one of the most unlikely — and inspiring — pivots in tech as we welcome James Julius, founder and CEO of Visimo. James reveals how his team evolved from early-stage ramen budgets to landing a $3 million defense contract, why staying close to customers drove every major turning point, and how rapid prototyping and AI are transforming what small teams can build. From bootstrapping to battlefield-ready AI drones, Visimo's journey shows that when you stay curious, stay agile, and stay close to your customers, big opportunities follow. If you're an entrepreneur, innovator, or anyone navigating fast-moving technology, this is a segment you do not want to miss. Produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, this is a podcast for tech and manufacturing  entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

    8 min

  7. 11/17/2025

    Tech Entrepreneurs: Stop Reinventing the Wheel — Start Building Like Lego

    What if scaling your tech business was as simple—and as flexible—as snapping together a few Lego bricks? In this 10 Minute Tech Talks episode, we break down how modular, on-demand infrastructure is becoming a game-changing advantage for today's tech entrepreneurs. Dave Tomassoni of Megaport gives insights reveal why agility is no longer a luxury — it's a competitive necessity. Dave details: 1. How adopting a "Lego mindset" can reduce complexity and help you scale globally without slowing down. 2. The hidden ways your current network setup may be costing you money, time, and competitive advantage. 3. Why the most successful tech entrepreneurs build for flexibility first — and how you can, too. If you want the blueprint for faster scaling, leaner operations, and smarter tech decisions, press play and get the insight every modern entrepreneur needs. Produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, this is a podcast for tech and manufacturing  entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

    8 min

  8. 11/10/2025

    The Tech Entrepreneur's Edge: Agility, AI, and Always Staying Curious

    What if the secret to staying ahead in business isn't mastering every new technology — but learning how to adapt faster than it changes? In this episode, Jonathan Kersting's TechVibe Radio Cohost and Tech Council CEO Audrey Russo talk with Michelle O'Neill, Senior Director of Web Solutions and Delivery at Brunner — a marketing agency that's been fusing creativity and technology for decades. Michelle shares: How she carved her own path inside Brunner, What entrepreneurs can learn about agility and lifelong learning, and  Why she believes AI should be seen as a tool — never a replacement for human creativity and connection.  Dive into this conversation to find your entrepreneurial edge.. And if you have a few more minutes, be sure to listen to our entire Techvibe interview here. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces this podcast for tech and manufacturing  entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

    8 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.1
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Are you an entrepreneur building a technology company and looking to grow fast? This show teaches and inspires entrepreneurs to build better companies by learning from the failures of other tech companies and entrepreneurs. If you're striving for rapid growth while avoiding the mistakes that have led others to failure, this podcast is designed to help you stay on track. Avoid the devastating mistakes that tech entrepreneurs have made, which led their businesses to collapse. Hear from tech, business, and entrepreneurial experts detailing what went wrong in famous tech busts and modern-day meltdowns so you don't follow the same path. Learn how to overcome adversity and make your tech company a long-term success. If you're ready to grow your tech venture quickly and avoid pitfalls, start with our fan-favorite episode: Don't Fall In Love With Your Technology.

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