The Pair Program

hatch I.T.
  • 4.9 (33)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED DAILY

Welcome to the Pair Program from hatchpad, the podcast that gives you a front-row seat to candid conversations with tech leaders from the startup world. Join host Tim Winkler alongside co-host Mike Gruen as they bring together two guests to dissect topics at the intersection of technology, startups, and career growth.  Tim Winkler is a serial Entrepreneur and is the CEO of hatch I.T. a Software Recruiting Company focusing on newly emerging Startup companies. Mike Gruen is a Technologist & Engineering Leader with decades of experience in the field. He is currently the Director of Engineering at Cherre, the leader in real estate data and insight. Get Answers to your most pressing startup questions: 💡 Do I need a college degree to work as a Software Engineer? 💡 Should we build or buy software? 💡 How do startups get funded? 💡 How do I get into Product Management? All these questions and more will be answered for you by our experienced hosts and industry-leading guests. Make sure to catch each episode every other week and follow us on Social to stay up to date with hatchpad. 🐣 What is hatchpad? 🐣 Hatchpad is the community for startup technologists. Our members include Software Engineers, Product Managers, Data Scientists, and Tech Executives; all connected through their passion for startups and desire to create innovative technology. Every week we chat with startup technologists to provide you behind-the-scenes insights on technical skills, career advice, and industry trends. This community is for you if you want to learn from and grow alongside a curated group of startup technical professionals.   🚀 Sign-Up for Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/  🤖 Check Out the hatchpad: http://myhatchpad.com/  Follow us on Social Media!! LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hatchpadcommunity/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/my_hatchpad YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBy9WYJlx31R3QmbSlR85Dg

  1. 1D AGO

    How We Hatched: Luigi Lenguito, Founder & CEO of BforeAI

    How We Hatched: Luigi Lenguito, Founder & CEO of BforeAI In this How We Hatched episode, we sit down with Luigi Lenguito, Founder & CEO of BforeAI, to explore the thinking behind predictive cybersecurity. Luigi shares what convinced him the industry was too focused on reacting to attacks—and why stopping threats before they happen is the real challenge ahead. We talk about building a company around a contrarian idea, lessons from scaling inside big tech, and the mindset shift required to rethink security from the ground up. What you’ll hear in this episode: Why “detect and respond” isn’t enough anymoreHow predictive security changes the cyber playbookFounder lessons that don’t translate from big techThe growing impact of fraud and impersonation attacks About Luigi Lenguito: Luigi is the Founder & CEO of BforeAI, where he leads the company’s vision and strategy around predictive cybersecurity. With over 30 years of experience across IT operations, M&A, and cybersecurity, Luigi founded BforeAI after recognizing the need to move from reactive defense to preemptive security. Today, he is focused on advancing behavioral predictive analytics to help organizations stay ahead of cyber threats—before they happen. Exploring your next tech role? Get insider job advice and the latest startup & govtech openings – delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe here: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

    48 min

  2. DEC 16

    From Open Source to Open Skies: Why Sapphire Ventures Backed Defense Unicorns | The Pair Program Ep84

    From Open Source to Open Skies: Why Sapphire Ventures Backed Defense Unicorns | The Pair Program Ep84 In this episode of The Pair Program, we sit down with Rob Slaughter, CEO of Defense Unicorns, and Jai Das, President, Partner, and Co-Founder at Sapphire Ventures, for a deep dive into what it takes to modernize defense software—and why a leading enterprise VC made its first-ever bet in defense tech. The conversation explores how open source is reshaping national security, what scalable government software really requires, and why contrarian investment decisions often lead to the biggest breakthroughs. Key topics include: Rebuilding the U.S. military’s software backboneOpen source as a strategic advantage in defenseBootstrapping to scale before taking venture capitalWhy Sapphire Ventures invested in defense for the first timeThe future of defense tech and government software innovation About Rob Slaughter: Rob made a name for himself in the defense tech community leading a variety of software development teams within the Department of the Air Force and Department of Defense, including as director of the DOD’s DevSecOps platform team, Platform One. Now, since leaving the military, he’s CEO of Defense Unicorns, a company that delivers that same secure software development for mission-focused organizations. About Jai Das: Jai is President, Partner, and Co-Founder at Sapphire Ventures, investing in growth-stage startups building category-defining enterprise technology. With 15+ years of experience, he has backed companies like Glean, Cohesity, ThoughtSpot, CircleCI, and Defense Unicorns, with 15+ IPOs and 20+ acquisitions across his portfolio. He is a recognized voice in AI and enterprise tech, frequently featured in top media and speaking at major industry conferences. His focus areas include AI/ML, data, security, DevOps, open source, and crypto. Exploring your next tech role? Get insider job advice and the latest startup & govtech openings – delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe here: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

    1h 16m

  3. DEC 9

    Securing the Supply Web: From the Global Network to the Tactical Edge | The Pair Program Ep83

    Securing the Supply Web: From the Global Network to the Tactical Edge | The Pair Program Ep83 In Episode 83, Tim Winkler and Sean Leahy talk with Peter Goldsborough, Co-Founder and CTO of Rune Technologies, and Evan Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of Altana, about how AI and modern data systems are reshaping defense logistics. They explore the disconnect between global supply networks and frontline sustainment, the realities of operating in disconnected environments, and why visibility and trust are now core to readiness. A concise look at the technologies and decisions that keep missions moving. What we cover in this episode: Why logistics often determines mission successGlobal supply chain visibility through the Product NetworkThe spreadsheet reality of military logistics todayEdge-first software for contested, low-connectivity environmentsPublic–private collaboration to strengthen readinessUnderstanding both friendly and adversary supply chains About Evan Smith: Evan Smith is the Co-Founder and CEO of Altana, the world’s Product Network, an AI-powered network connecting global businesses, suppliers, logistics providers, and governments. He has founded and led companies across supply chain, clean tech, and data, and holds a degree in Economics from Yale University. About Peter Goldsborough: Peter Goldsborough is the Co-Founder and CTO of Rune Technologies. Before launching Rune, he served as a core developer on Facebook’s PyTorch team, worked on real-time data systems, and helped build Anduril’s machine learning platform while leading software engineering across key defense programs. Exploring your next tech role? Get insider job advice and the latest startup & govtech openings – delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe here: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

    1h 2m

  4. DEC 2

    Runtime Confidence Meets Real-World Adoption: How AI Is Transforming Traditional Industries | The Pair Program Ep82

    Runtime Confidence Meets Real-World Adoption: How AI Is Transforming Traditional Industries | The Pair Program Ep82 In this episode, Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen sit down with Kevin McGrath, Co-Founder and CEO of Meibel, and Rob Murray, Founder and CEO of SpecBooks, to unpack what it actually takes to move AI from impressive prototypes to dependable, production-ready systems. They dig into the challenges of unstructured data, the real meaning of runtime confidence, and why human-in-the-loop workflows lead to higher accuracy, not job displacement. Through the Meibel–SpecBooks case study, the group breaks down the results, the pitfalls, and the surprising upside of scaling AI in fast-moving, real-world environments. Here’s What We Get Into: Why most generative AI projects never make it to productionHow runtime confidence is measured and why it mattersTurning thousands of messy PDFs into structured, reliable outputsHuman-in-the-loop systems that boost performance instead of replacing teamsThe business impact: 250–300% win-rate lift + 75% faster workflowsWhat founders should know before scaling AI across their product About Kevin McGrath: Kevin brings over 25 years of experience across startups and enterprise technology, with deep expertise in infrastructure, cloud optimization, and developer platforms. Before founding Meibel, he served as Vice President and General Manager of Spot by NetApp, following his earlier role as CTO where he led engineering and product during a period of rapid growth in cloud automation. Throughout his career, he has held senior technical leadership roles focused on building scalable systems and high-performing teams. About Rob Murray: Rob Murray is the Founder and CEO of SpecBooks, a platform he has led since launching the company in 2011. He brings more than 14 years of experience building digital tools for the construction and design industry. Rob holds a degree in Marketing and Finance from the University of Florida and previously gained entrepreneurial experience as a part owner of Ezell’s Restaurant in Alabama. Exploring your next tech role? Get insider job advice and the latest startup & govtech openings – delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe here: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

    52 min

  5. NOV 25

    Supply Chain at Escape Velocity: How InnoFlight and Verigon Are Scaling Secure Space System for the SDA Era | The Pair Program Ep81

    Supply Chain at Escape Velocity: How InnoFlight and Verigon Are Scaling Secure Space System for the SDA Era | The Pair Program Ep81 In this episode, Tim Winkler and co-host Mike Gruen sit down with Jeffrey Janicik of Innoflight and Greg Davis of Verigon to explore what it really takes to scale secure space systems fast—and without sacrificing quality. They dive into the rise of small-sat architectures, the push for higher-volume production, and why cybersecurity must be designed into hardware from day one. Through the Innoflight–Verigon partnership, they unpack how trust, communication, and rigorous testing enable teams to deliver mission-critical electronics that are ready for orbit. What you’ll hear in this episode: How small, secure, low-SWaP electronics support modern satellite architecturesWhy proliferated constellations require speed, volume, and resiliencyHow Innoflight and Verigon scaled from boards to full system-level buildsWhat makes a manufacturing partner truly “mission-ready”Why cyber protection must be built into hardware from the start About Jeffrey Janicik: Mr. Jeffrey Janicik is the Founder of Innoflight, specializing in secure, high-performance space electronics. With decades of service in the Air Force, he helped pioneer unmanned X-vehicles and contributed to establishing the U.S. Space Force. He founded Innoflight after leading NASA’s first internet-based satellite mission and continues to drive innovation in small satellites, cyber, and space networking. About Greg Davis: Greg Davis has 30+ years in electronic contract manufacturing across aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. As VP at Verigon, he has led major growth, expanded manufacturing capacity, and broadened the company’s customer base into top-tier defense and space programs. He previously held roles at Unisys, Litton, ITT Cannon, Sanmina-SCI, and NeoTech. Exploring your next tech role? Get insider job advice and the latest startup & govtech openings – delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe here: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

    1h 1m

  6. NOV 18

    Building Space Together: Inside the U.S. Space Force’s Push for Commercial Collaboration | The Pair Program Ep80

    Building Space Together: Inside the U.S. Space Force’s Push for Commercial Collaboration | The Pair Program Ep80 In this episode of The Pair Program, host Tim Winkler is joined by Holly Bertrand, Founder and Chief Operating Officer of ExoAnalytic Solutions; Dan Ceperley, Chief Operating Officer and Founder of LeoLabs; and Lt. Col. Tim Trimailo, Director of the Commercial Space Office at Space Systems Command. Together, they unpack how the U.S. Space Force is partnering with leading commercial innovators to build a more resilient and responsive space architecture. From rapidly evolving threats to breakthrough sensing and radar technologies, this conversation reveals how government and industry can move faster, collaborate smarter, and rethink acquisition to stay ahead in orbit. What we cover in this episode: Why Space Force is shifting to “buy before build”How commercial SDA, radar, and sensing capabilities are accelerating innovationReal examples of proximity ops, maneuvering satellites, and emerging threatsNew pathways for startups to work with DoD (Front Door, CASR, SpaceWERX)The biggest challenges in trust, data integration, and rapid acquisitionWhat the future of government–commercial collaboration must look like About Holly Bertrand: Holly is the Founder and Chief Operating Officer of ExoAnalytic Solutions, leading internal operations, financial strategy, and overall corporate execution. She helped establish the company’s core infrastructure and oversees Contracts, Facilities, Finance & Accounting, Security, and Program Management. Holly holds a B.S. and M.S. in Physics from Brigham Young University. About Dan Ceperley: Dan is the Chief Operating Officer and a Founder of LeoLabs, leading engineering teams behind the company’s global radar network and real-time orbital intelligence platform. He previously worked at SRI International supporting DARPA and Air Force Space Command programs, and holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from UC Berkeley. About Lt. Col. Tim Trimailo: Tim is Director of the Commercial Space Office (COMSO) at Space Systems Command, where he leads the integration of commercial capabilities across U.S. Space Force missions. His background includes overseeing SDA’s Missile Tracking Layer, pLEO prototyping, and earlier roles in SATCOM operations and NRO analytic programs. Exploring your next tech role? Get insider job advice and the latest startup & govtech openings – delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe here: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

    1h 10m

  7. NOV 11

    AI at the Tactical Edge: Scaling Secure, Warfighter-Centric Tech in Denied Environments | The Pair Program Ep79

    AI at the Tactical Edge: Scaling Secure, Warfighter-Centric Tech in Denied Environments | The Pair Program Ep79 In this episode, host Tim Winkler sits down with Tyler Saltsman (Founder & CEO, EdgeRunner AI), Colton Malkerson (Co-Founder & COO, EdgeRunner AI), and TJ Rowe (Chief Revenue Officer, Second Front Systems)for a deep dive into how secure, on-device AI is transforming decision-making at the tactical edge. Together, they explore the rise of air-gapped, domain-specific AI and what it takes to scale dual-use technology across defense and enterprise markets. We dive into: What “warfighter-centric design” looks like in practiceWhy edge and air-gapped AI are critical for modern missionsLessons from scaling a dual-use company across DoD & enterprise marketsChallenges of security, compliance, and go-to-market in defense tech About Colton Malkerson: Colton is Co-Founder & COO at EdgeRunner AI, a Series A dual-use defense technology company building domain-specific, air-gapped, on-device AI. He previously led Enterprise Sales at Stability AI and held roles at Amazon Web Services (AWS) and on Capitol Hill for Speakers Paul Ryan and John Boehner. He earned his MBA from Stanford University and his BA from Georgetown University. About Tyler Saltsman: Tyler is the Founder & CEO of EdgeRunner AI, developing AI agents for defense applications that operate entirely offline and secure. His career spans leadership roles at Stability AI, AWS, and the U.S. Army, where he led logistics operations as a platoon leader. He’s passionate about building resilient, mission-ready AI systems for the modern battlefield. About TJ Rowe: TJ is the Chief Revenue Officer at Second Front Systems, a company reimagining how commercial software is securely deployed across national security environments. Before this role, he led growth and sales initiatives that expanded Second Front’s partnerships across defense and enterprise sectors. A former U.S. Army officer, TJ served with elite units including the 75th Ranger Regiment and later worked in strategy at JLL Technologies. Exploring your next tech role? Get insider job advice and the latest startup & govtech openings – delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe here: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

    41 min

  8. NOV 4

    Sea Change: How Autonomy and Acquisition Will Shape the Future Fleet | The Pair Program Ep78

    Sea Change: How Autonomy and Acquisition Will Shape the Future Fleet | The Pair Program Ep78 In this episode, hosts Tim Winkler and guest co-host Sean Leahy dive into the intersection of autonomy, AI, and defense acquisition with Austin Gray, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer at Bluewater Autonomy, and Alex Campbell, former Chief of Staff at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). Together, they explore how startups, private capital, and the Pentagon’s acquisition system collide in the race to modernize maritime operations. What you’ll hear in this episode: How Bluewater Autonomy is designing mass-producible unmanned ships for the U.S. NavyThe friction between defense acquisition culture and startup speedWhy trust is the key to bridging government–industry collaborationThe growing role of private capital in scaling defense innovationHow new legislation like the Speed and Forge Acts could reshape acquisition About Austin Gray: Austin is Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Blue Water Autonomy, a VC-backed company building autonomous ships. Austin started his career in the U.S. Navy as an intelligence officer, worked in a drone factory in Ukraine, and holds degrees from Davidson, Harvard, and MIT. About Alex Campbell: Alex is an engineer at Applied Intuition and former Chief of Staff at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). At DIU, he led efforts to accelerate commercial technology into Navy and Marine Corps programs, including initiatives focused on autonomy and maritime innovation. A former U.S. Navy officer, Alex has extensive experience in defense acquisition and emerging tech integration. Exploring your next tech role? Get insider job advice and the latest startup & govtech openings – delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe here: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

    1h 10m
See All (138)

4.9
out of 5
33 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Pair Program from hatchpad, the podcast that gives you a front-row seat to candid conversations with tech leaders from the startup world. Join host Tim Winkler alongside co-host Mike Gruen as they bring together two guests to dissect topics at the intersection of technology, startups, and career growth.  Tim Winkler is a serial Entrepreneur and is the CEO of hatch I.T. a Software Recruiting Company focusing on newly emerging Startup companies. Mike Gruen is a Technologist & Engineering Leader with decades of experience in the field. He is currently the Director of Engineering at Cherre, the leader in real estate data and insight. Get Answers to your most pressing startup questions: 💡 Do I need a college degree to work as a Software Engineer? 💡 Should we build or buy software? 💡 How do startups get funded? 💡 How do I get into Product Management? All these questions and more will be answered for you by our experienced hosts and industry-leading guests. Make sure to catch each episode every other week and follow us on Social to stay up to date with hatchpad. 🐣 What is hatchpad? 🐣 Hatchpad is the community for startup technologists. Our members include Software Engineers, Product Managers, Data Scientists, and Tech Executives; all connected through their passion for startups and desire to create innovative technology. Every week we chat with startup technologists to provide you behind-the-scenes insights on technical skills, career advice, and industry trends. This community is for you if you want to learn from and grow alongside a curated group of startup technical professionals.   🚀 Sign-Up for Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/  🤖 Check Out the hatchpad: http://myhatchpad.com/  Follow us on Social Media!! LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hatchpadcommunity/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/my_hatchpad YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBy9WYJlx31R3QmbSlR85Dg

Information

  • Creator
    hatch I.T.
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    138
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Pair Program