10-Minute Tech Talks: Business Insights and Growth Hacks for Time-Crunched Entrepreneurs

Why do so many promising business conversations quietly disappear after a handshake?

In this episode of 10 Minute Tech Talks, we explore a problem every tech entrepreneur knows too well. You meet the right people. You have great conversations. And somehow… nothing happens next.

ConfirmedApp.com Founder David Radin breaks down why networking isn't broken because of people, but because of systems. And how recognizing that gap led to him building Confirmed Meet & Greet to solve it.

If your business depends on relationships, sales, or partnerships, this insight could change how you think about in-person connections forever. Plus, provide a reminder that the most powerful startup ideas often come from everyday frustrations we've all learned to tolerate. Until someone decides not to. Just like David.

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.

What if the thing you're most proud of building… is the thing holding your business back?

Today on 10 Minute Tech Talks, we're digging into a moment every tech entrepreneur eventually faces. You've got momentum, a smart team, and something that looks polished and impressive, until you realize it doesn't actually solve the problem.

Host Jonathan Kersting interviewed serial entrepreneur David Radin of ConfirmedApp.com on the Pittsburgh Technology Council's TechVibe Radio Show to pull back the curtain on why David's team walked away from months of work, scrapped a "good" idea, and made the hard call most founders avoid.

If you've ever wondered whether you're building a real product or just a shiny feature, this episode is for you.

Here's the takeaway. The hardest part of being a tech entrepreneur isn't building. It's knowing what not to build.

In our next episode, David takes this lesson one step further and shows how a real-world frustration at networking events sparked an entirely new product idea. One rooted in human behavior, not hype.

Because once you kill the wrong idea, you finally make room for the right one. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.