Health Insurance is Rigged & Controlled by the Big Companies

w/ Donvan Ryckis of Ethos Benefits

 

- AZ TRT S06 EP10 (272) 6-15-2025           

 

What We Learned This Week

• Health Insurance is primarily run by the Big 4 - BUCA: Blue Cross United Healthcare, CIGNA, Aetna
• To Insurance Co’s – Premium = Revenue, and they are not going lower profits, so no incentive to lower costs
• Health insurance employer group plans can be broken down into 4 Parts
• Network PPO is what people typically think of when they think of health insurance
• There have been revisions to the Healthcare Act passed in 2021

 

Guest: Donovan Ryckis, Ethos Benefits

https://ethosbenefits.com/

 

https://ethosbenefits.com/documentary/

https://businessofbenefitspodcast.com/

 

Our Ethos is Simple: Fiduciary First.

Act in the best interest of those we serve—no matter the cost.

‘Ethos’ represents the guiding principle, character, or spirit of a person or organization. It’s the ‘why’ that drives decision-making and fuel’s purpose.

Our Ethos is deeply rooted in the story of our Founder, Donovan Ryckis.

Over a decade ago, Donovan, a fiduciary Series 65 securities advisor specializing in retirement and pension planning, was approached by a client facing a dire situation. The client’s publicly traded broker claimed there was no solution for a staggering 37.5% health insurance renewal increase—a cost that threatened the business and its employees.

With no prior experience in health insurance markets but guided by his unwavering fiduciary principles, Donovan took on the challenge. The result? He mitigated the risk entirely, delivering a solution 12% below the current rate. This allowed the business to thrive and ensured hundreds of employees wouldn’t have to choose between basic necessities and skyrocketing health premiums.

That moment sparked a revelation. The fraud, waste, and abuse Donovan had fought in retirement planning paled in comparison to the challenges in healthcare. He saw an opportunity to bring transparency and fiduciary principles to an industry in desperate need of change.

Donovan pivoted his career, becoming one of the first fee-based health insurance advisors in the nation. By removing all conflicts of interest in broker compensation, he laid the foundation for what is now the leading innovative employee benefits agency in the country, delivering higher quality care at a significantly lower cost to employers nationwide.

 

 

 

Notes:

 

Ethos Benefits deals with employee benefits, with a primary focus on group health insurance

 

Per Donovan ‘Employee benefits are rigged’

 

Insurance company premium equals revenue. There is no incentive to lower cost, as it would lower profits.

 

ACA Obamacare passed in 2010, and it capped profits for insurance companies at 20%

 

Insurance Co’s are working to expand their pool to make more profit

 

Health Insurance guarantees inflation keeps going up, so family of 4 could spend 35K a year

 

For a business, healthcare cost and employee benefits are a top 3 P&L expense

 

Ethos strategies can create a 30 to 40% reduction on premium impact to lower costs for a business

 

The HQ is in Florida, but they are a virtual office with agents and clients nationwide

 

Healthcare finance and delivery + Improving employee benefits

 

 

Seg 1

 

Donovan’s bio, he was a financial advisor with a Series 65 license before he got into health insurance. Around 2014 he moved into health insurance seeing an opportunity for better service.

 

Typically you see agents who are working for the health insurance company and not really working for the employer companies they are selling to.

 

Health insurance is primarily run by the Big 4 – BUCA: Blue Cross United Healthcare, CIGNA, Aetna.

 

Health insurance employer group plans can be broken down into 4 Parts:

 

1.    TPA or third-party administrator

2.    Network PPO or HMO

3.    Pharmacy benefit RX

4.    Insurance that covers the caps the limits on the stop loss

 

PPO is your primary network and open on using referrals

HMO is a non-preferred network typically has less offerings and tight on referrals

 

Ethos Benefits helps employers to break up the four parts of a group plan and customize

 

Network PPO is what people typically think of when they think of health insurance.

 

Network and the Big 4 health companies have a tighter deal with doctors and contract prices. A lot is pre-negotiated with a set of rates, which is the point of a PPO. This is where you get larger claims and they run in the system of healthcare.

 

 

Seg 2

 

Pay more for healthcare in the U.S. than the rest of the world

 

The biggest pharmaceutical companies are in the US

Pharmaceutical companies in flight prices, and also set the prices

They make money through spread pricing

 

Employers can actually pick up their own Pharma benefit and get the rebates that the big health insurance companies are not giving them

 

Healthcare system is a rigged game

The fraud waste and abuse extremely high in health

 

401(k) and retirement benefit industry is actually tighter with more disclosure than the healthcare industry

 

Regulated better since the creation of the Securities Act in the 1930s and updates that ran through the 1970s and beyond with things like ERISA

 

There have been revisions to the healthcare act passed in 2021 - started in Jan.2022

 

Actions had 3 disclosures:

·         Brokers comp and bonus

·         Data with gag, clauses, and full access to data upon request

·         Benchmarking for drug cost

 

 

Further Notes via Google:

 

The revisions you are likely referring to are part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA). While the CAA was passed in late 2020, many of its provisions, including those related to transparency in healthcare, became effective on January 1, 2022. 

The three key areas of disclosure you mentioned are directly addressed within these regulations:

1.            Broker's Compensation and Bonuses: The CAA amends ERISA Section 408(b)(2) and requires service providers, including brokers, to disclose specific information to group health plan fiduciaries.

2.            Data Transparency (Gag Clauses and Full Access to Data): The CAA prohibits gag clauses, which prevent plans from providing access to their data. It also requires health insurance carriers to attest annually to their compliance with this prohibition. Moreover, the Health DATA Act, a proposed bill, would further reinforce the right of employers to access their data and hold service providers accountable for non-compliance.

3.            Benchmarking for Drug Costs: The CAA includes provisions regarding pharmacy benefit and drug cost reporting, which aims to provide greater transparency and potentially lead to better benchmarking of drug costs. The Build Back Better Act, a separate piece of legislation, also included provisions for Medicare to negotiate drug prices, further impacting drug costs and potential benchmarking. 

These revisions aim to increase transparency in healthcare pricing and empower consumers and employers to make more informed decisions about their healthcare coverage. 

 

Seg 3

 

Ethos works with Employers to create business plans usually with a 3 to 5 year time horizon. The goal is long-term to lower healthcare cost.

 

Example would be a company with 100 employees with 50 to 80% of them on the health plan (does not include dependents).

 

Ethos wants to keep the demands of a company low, easy transition.

 

Ethos handles employee Qs and healthcare navigation. Ethos is full service.

 

Risk handled 1 of 4 ways -

Reduce, avoid, retain, transfer - Transfer to insurance

 

Broker wants to transfer risk

Company can control costs

Careful not to have too much disruption with a switch to a new company

 

Ex - start with pharmacy part

NDC National Drug Code

Run report vs costs

 

Pharmacy benefit mgr

 

Pre packaged health plan

Gets co approved pharmacy benefit

Save 5 - 15% on costs (30%)

 

Separate - parts of group plan

 

 

Seg 4

 

Brokers comp - incentives from big insurance companies

 

Opening move - edit pharmacy benefit piece

 

State by state - regulators and rules

 

Employers / employees

Know the network and PPO

 

Nationwide covers insurance part – Stop-loss Insurance

 

30-40 major stop loss companies

Ex: Allstate Met Life Sun Life

 

Stop-loss insurance for group health plans acts as a financial safety net for self-funded employers, protecting them from large, unpredictable medical claims. It is a form of additional insurance.

 

Healthcare risk is incredibly predictable on group basis

 

Overall predictable w stats, actuarial analysis

 

Gag clauses look at dataset from current carrier

 

Prescription database sets

 

3rd party admin are less of a concern, lots of claims

 

Average of 18 claims per employee per year, includes dependents

 

Data - review

AI Claims analytics software

 

AI claims analytics software is transforming how insurance companies handle claims by leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze data, automate tasks, and improve decision-making. 

 

30 - 40% reduction in premium w Ethos

 

 

Further Notes via Google:

Group Medical Plans

Breakdown of the common components of a comprehensive employer group health plan, particularly within the context of a self-funded model. 

Here's a more detailed explanation of each part:

1.            TPA (Third-Party Administrator): A TPA is a company that provides administrative services for self-funded health plans. This includes processing claims, handling enrollment, and managing other administrative tasks that would typically be done by an insurance company.

2.            Network (PPO or HMO): This refers to the group of doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers that the health plan contracts with to provide services to its members. The network defines where employees can go to receive care and often dictates the level of coverage they will receive (e.g., in-network vs. out-of-network benefits).

·                                             PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): Offers more flexibility, allowing members to see out-of-network providers, though with higher out-of-pocket costs.

·                                             HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): Typically requires members to stay within the network for covered services, except in emergencies.

                Pharmacy Benefit (RX): This component manages the prescription drug coverage for the plan. It includes negotiating drug prices, processing claims for prescriptions, and managing the plan's formulary (list of covered drugs).

                Stop-Loss Insurance: This is a crucial element for self-funded employers. It protects the employer from catastrophic claim costs. If an individual employee or the entire group's claims exceed a certain threshold (the "attachment point"), the stop-loss insurance kicks in to cover the excess costs, limiting the employer's financial liability. 

Additional Considerations:

·                     Data Access: Self-funded plans often provide employers with greater access to claims data, which can be used to analyze healthcare costs, identify trends, and implement strategies to improve employee health and manage costs.

·                     Benchmarking: Employers can use claims data and industry benchmarks to compare their plan's performance to similar organizations and negotiate better rates with providers and other vendors.

·                     Wellness Programs: Some employers offer wellness programs to encourage employees to adopt healthy behaviors and potentially reduce healthcare costs.

·                     Essential Health Benefits (ACA Compliance): Group health plans must comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which requires them to cover a list of essential health benefits, such as outpatient care, emergency services, hospitalization, and prescription drugs.

·                     Other Benefits: Group plans can also include other benefits, such as dental, vision, life insurance, and long- and short-term disability insurance. 

Understanding these different parts is essential for employers to effectively manage their group health plan, control costs, and provide valuable benefits to their employees. 

 

 

Investing Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Investing-Stocks-Bonds-Retirement

 

 

 

‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

 

  

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Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

 

 

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business. 

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving. 

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more… 

 

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

‘Best Of’ AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here                   

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

 

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

 

 

5 Types of Income to Create Infinite Income

 

- AZ TRT S06 EP09 (271) 5-25-2025           

 

What We Learned This Week

• Multiple Streams of Income strategy
• 5 Types of Income – Career, Investment, Retirement Account, Pension, Tax Free
• Diversification of income provides you security and freedom
• Build Infinite Income thru initial investment, and profits pay off loans, then go on forever
• George Lucas created the Star Wars IP one time, and gets infinite returns from the movies & merchandise
• Real Estate, Business, and Insurance products are good assets for infinite income

 

 

Notes:

 

Segment 1: The 5 Types of Income – Why One Stream Isn't Enough

Opening: The Economic Shift

·         The economic landscape has changed dramatically over the last 50 years.

·         While business and technology have advanced, personal finance education and systems haven’t kept pace.

·         Inflation has significantly eroded purchasing power.

·         It’s no longer the 1950s where one income could support a family of four. Now, two incomes are often required—and even then, many people have a third gig.

The New Normal: Side Hustles & Financial Reality

·         According to recent stats, 70% of people need an additional income stream, often from a side business or freelance work.

·         30% of Americans hold a second job.

·         Among millennials, that number rises to 50%.

 

 

The Lesson from Robert Allen & Rich Dad, Poor Dad

·         Robert Allen’s Multiple Streams of Income advocated for income diversification to gain safety and freedom.

·         Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad emphasized acquiring income-producing assets—his favorite being real estate.

The 5 Types of Income

1.    Career or Business Income Your primary, day-to-day W-2 income—pays the bills and covers monthly expenses.

2.    Investment Income Comes from appreciating or income-producing assets like real estate, stocks, or Bitcoin.

3.    Retirement Accounts Tax-deferred income sources like IRAs or 401(k)s—subject to rules and penalties but critical for long-term planning.

4.    Guaranteed Income Comes from pensions, annuities, or Social Security. Designed for lifetime income and stability.

5.    Tax-Free Income Generated through Roth IRAs or cash value from life insurance. You pay tax on the seed, not the harvest.

Call to Action:

·         Make a list of which of the five types of income you currently have.

·         Strategize how to build the remaining ones for a balanced, resilient financial future.

Analogy: Just like a business has multiple products or a sports team has multiple ways to score, individuals should have diverse income sources to win financially.

Segment 2: Infinite Income – Building Streams That Never Run Dry

What Is Infinite Income?

·         Infinite income is ongoing, residual income that continues long after the original work or investment.

·         It’s the financial holy grail: put in work or money once, get paid over and over.

Key Assets That Can Generate Infinite Income:

·         Tangible Assets: Real estate, businesses, stocks

·         Intangible Assets: Skills, knowledge, intellectual property (IP), network

Examples of Infinite Income in Action 1. Real Estate

·         Buy a $250K property with 10% down ($25K).

·         Renters pay the mortgage; property appreciates.

·         Refinance later, pull out your original investment tax-free.

·         Continue collecting rental income even after loan is paid off.

·         Use refinance funds to buy more properties → Repeat → Scale.

2. Business Ownership

·         Start or buy a business using a loan.

·         Profits pay off the loan, then continue to generate revenue.

·         Later, use the business as collateral to expand or acquire another.

3. Life Insurance (IUL Strategy)

·         Fund a policy over time; cash value grows tax-deferred.

·         Take loans against the policy tax-free—used as supplemental retirement income.

·         Policy can also be a legacy tool, passing on wealth tax-free.

4. Intellectual Property (IP)

·         George Lucas with Star Wars—created once, profits for decades from merchandise and licensing.

·         Jeff Bezos still profits from Amazon stock, 30 years later.

·         Microsoft, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola—IP and systems built once, revenue continues for decades.

·         DC Comics still profiting off Superman IP created in the 1930s.

Key Principles for Building Infinite Income

·         Choose the Right Assets: Real estate, businesses, IULs—not just assets that appreciate, but ones that cash flow.

·         Leverage and Scale: Use debt wisely to scale income-producing assets. Wealthy individuals and private equity firms use this strategy constantly.

o    Example: PE firms acquire HVAC companies, funeral homes, rental properties—assets that provide consistent 10%+ returns.

·         Use Tax Strategy to Your Advantage:

o    Tax-free income is more efficient.

o    Lowering your tax burden increases your net income immediately.

o    Wealthy individuals use loans, Roths, and life insurance to optimize tax efficiency.

Mindset Shift:

·         Don’t chase just “buy low/sell high” assets. Instead, acquire harvestable assets—ones that generate regular income and can appreciate.

·         Build cash flow now, use it to reinvest in more assets—repeat the cycle.

Closing Thought:

·         Control three things: Assets, Income, Taxes.

·         Master those, and you create not just wealth—but infinite income.

 

 

Investing Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Investing-Stocks-Bonds-Retirement

 

 

 

‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

 

  

Thanks for Listening.

Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

 

 

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business. 

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving. 

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more… 

 

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

‘Best Of’ AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here                   

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

 

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) – how the Algorithm Connects Us All Revisited

AZ TRT 2.0 – S06 EP08 (270) 5-11-2025

 

What We Learned This Week:

• AI is inter-connected with so many technologies & you use AI often on a daily basis
• AI is a part of almost all industries from Healthcare, Finance to Defense
• Human in the Loop - humans will always be needed to Interpret the Data, but AI will assist
• Software Teams must be managed so the product is integrated properly in the bigger picture  
• Moore’s Law – Each year computing power grows 2x as fast, but cuts the cost in half

 

Guests: Naru (Narendran Muraleedharan), CEO / Founder of StaxAI

– formerly Inventives & Aptus AI

https://stax.ai/

 

linkedin.com/in/naru95

 

 

 

Bio:

At Stax.ai, we empower retirement plan TPAs to streamline operations, enhance productivity, and deliver exceptional client experiences. Our innovative platform automates census data collection, payroll integrations, trust accounting, and client communication, all while providing actionable insights through AI-driven tools. Trusted by TPAs managing thousands of plans, Stax.ai transforms administrative burdens into seamless workflows, enabling you to focus on what matters most—growing your business and strengthening client relationships.

 

Past Bio:

Inventives / Aptus AI is a software solutions and artificial intelligence development and consulting firm. They provide aerospace, mechanical, and software engineering services to companies around the world. The Team is strong, and well-rounded consisting of engineers, developers, and physicists that focus on solving problems at the root. They help take ideas or concepts and build prototypes and deployments in very short periods of time with tight budgets while maintaining the best quality and client satisfaction. The main fields of expertise are RPA, Web App Development, Solutions Architecture, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, and Simulation Systems.

 

Note**: This interview was recorded in Oct. 2021 (S02 EP 43 (90) 10-24-21), since then Naru has changed the company name. Also, the BRT podcast has changed to AZ Tech Roundtable.

 

Notes: Seg. 2 - 4

Naru returns to the show talking tech, software, and AI. His team is always developing new applications with AI in healthcare, finance, biotech, & aerospace. Naru shows how so many technologies are connected and what the future of business looks like.

Inventives is the new company, with the same core technology team, but focusing the business into a venture studio by creating new AI projects for companies not yet using AI. Inventives new projects can become spinoff companies with this new technology.  They work with B2B clients and also Investors for these types of companies.

 

Radiology is a current project to enhance the patient experience using AI – called SKIP. This project is on the Operations side to make the patient process of paperwork, payments, etc. to be automated (& efficient) with AI working with the patient. This will be stand alone, but if adopted by other medical offices over the long term can streamline the healthcare industry.

Naru and his team are working on document management, where their AI program will be able to read documents and determine what the info is. Rising Cloud is another project they are building that manages a company cloud usage to improve costs.

 

Moore’s Law – Each year computing power grows 2x as fast, but cuts the cost in half

Cloud Computing happens in the cloud and internet for your programming vs Edge Computing that happens right on your phone and does not need to go out to the cloud. Bigger the data request or process determines if Cloud or Edge is the best choice.

People interact with AI (Artificial Intelligence) daily on their phone, email, internet search and beyond. User Agreements in your phone or websites you use say they can take your search data and use it to enhance your experience.

 

AI Search uses past searches by you, vs what are the popular other searches by other people on the internet. It happens so fast and has the best / popular search options loading before you are even done typing. This is called a Recommendation Engine, just like Netflix or Amazon find shows or products you may like. These recs are similar to what you have watched or bought previously, or in similar genres.

The downside is you may not see different options, just more of the same. AI determines what you see daily on the internet, and can create a silo effect. Inventives uses a common solution, called Human in the Loop to review what the AI is doing. Then the searches or recommendations are reviewed to see how accurate they are. 

Healthcare AI is assisting doctors, and even finding issues that humans have missed in a radiology study. AI has no bias, and does not get tired. The computer can repeat processes and be consistent.

 

Key technologies of the day are constantly overlapping – AI, Big Data, Cloud, SaaS Software, etc. This tech can work with each other, and new software can build on top of these applications. Open AI created a product with AI that builds AI software.

Naru’s Software Teams have different backgrounds of math, engineering or physics who are self taught on software and think more about the solution vs thinking in terms of coding. There are small groups of 2 to 4 people in a team with a Solutions Architect running the small team and determining how the software interacts in the bigger picture.

Often some of the best software involved very small teams. Lot of testing and compliance control goes into to creating big software projects that can involve multiple teams. Same issue if building an upgrade to a software that merges with the previous version.

 

Rewind Clip (Seg. 1) – Replay of a segment from Naru’s last appearance on BRT in 11/2020

He talks AI and the morality of the technology. How can a programmer control their product, and what it will be used for in the real world. Naru chose the name Aptus because it is Latin for Apt or Appropriate – design products that works for the clients

Chaos Theory / Jurassic Park – Just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you should

Aptus gets defense contracts as sub-contractor of companies partnered with military. Aptus studies the end applications for what they are requested to build, to determine if they will take the project. Morality is considered, but not always applicable to see where a product may go until it is built.

AI software is programmed to build more software, AI building more AI. Per Naru there are companies trying to develop AI weapons that can kill on their own, and robots being controlled by AI already. Aptus has Liability Insurance to protect their projects.

 

 

 

‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

  

Thanks for Listening.

Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

 

 

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business. 

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving. 

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more… 

 

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

‘Best Of’ AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here                   

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

 

AI Arms Race from ChatGPT to Deepseek

- AZ TRT S06 EP08 (269) 4-20-2025           

 

What We Learned This Week

• AI Arms Race is real with the major tech co’s involved
• ChatGPT by OpenAI is considering the top chat AI program
• Google has Gemini (was Bard), Microsoft has CoPilot, Amazon has Claude / Alexa
• Deepseek is a startup from China that has disrupted AI landscape with a more cost effective AI model
• Costs and investment $ dollars into AI is being rethought as Deepseek spent millions $ vs Silicon Valley spending billions $

 

Notes:

Seg 1:

 

Major Tech Giants AI Programs -

Gemini (was Bard)

Developed by Google, Gemini is known for its multimodal capabilities and integration with Google Search. It can analyze images, understand verbal prompts, and engage in verbal conversations. 

ChatGPT

Developed by OpenAI, ChatGPT is known for its versatility and platform-agnostic solution for text generation and learning. It can write code in almost any language, and can also be used to provide research assistance, generate writing prompts, and answer questions. 

Microsoft Copilot

Developed by Microsoft, Copilot is known for its integration with applications like Word, Excel, and Power BI. It's particularly well-suited for document automation. 

 

Amazon Alexa w/ Claude - Improved AI Model:

Claude is a powerful AI model from Anthropic, known for its strengths in natural language processing and conversational AI, as noted in the video and other sources. 

 

 

 

Industry 3.0 (1969-2010):

The Third Industrial Revolution, or the Digital Revolution, was marked by the automation of production through the use of computers, information technology, and the internet. This era saw the widespread adoption of digital technologies, including programmable logic controllers and robots. 

Industry 4.0 (2010-present):

The Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, is characterized by the integration of digital technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and cyber-physical systems, into manufacturing and industrial processes. This era is focused on creating "smart factories" and "smart products" that can communicate and interact with each other, leading to increased efficiency, customization, and sustainability. 

 

Top AI programs include a range of software, platforms, and resources for learning and working with artificial intelligence. Some of the most popular AI software tools include Viso Suite, ChatGPT, Jupyter Notebooks, and Google Cloud AI Platform, while popular AI platforms include TensorFlow and PyTorch. Educational resources like Coursera's AI Professional Certificate and Fast.ai's practical deep learning course also offer valuable learning opportunities. 

 

ChatGPT is a generative artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI and launched in 2022. It is based on large language models (LLMs) such as GPT-4o. ChatGPT can generate human-like conversational responses and enables users to refine and steer a conversation towards a desired length, format, style, level of detail, and language.[2] It is credited with accelerating the AI boom, which has led to ongoing rapid investment in and public attention to the field of artificial intelligence (AI).[3] Some observers have raised concern about the potential of ChatGPT and similar programs to displace human intelligence, enable plagiarism, or fuel misinformation.[4][5]

OpenAI was founded in December 2015 by Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, Elon Musk, Ilya Sutskever, Wojciech Zaremba, and John Schulman. The founding team combined their diverse expertise in technology entrepreneurship, machine learning, and software engineering to create an organization focused on advancing artificial intelligence in a way that benefits humanity.

Elon Musk is no longer involved in OpenAI, and Sam Altman is the current CEO of the organization.

ChatGPT has had a profound influence on the evolution of AI, paving the way for advancements in natural language understanding and generation. It has demonstrated the effectiveness of transformer-based models for language tasks, which has encouraged other AI researchers to adopt and refine this architecture.

The model's success has also stimulated interest in LLMs, leading to a wave of research and development in this area.

 

Seg 2:

DeepSeek is a private Chinese company founded in July 2023 by Liang Wenfeng, a graduate of Zhejiang University, one of China's top universities, who funded the startup via his hedge fund, according to the MIT Technology Review. Liang has about $8 billion in assets, Ives wrote in a Jan. 27 research note.

Chinese startup DeepSeek's launch of its latest AI models, which it says are on a par or better than industry-leading models in the United States at a fraction of the cost, is threatening to upset the technology world order.

The company has attracted attention in global AI circles after writing in a paper last month that the training of DeepSeek-V3 required less than $6 million worth of computing power from Nvidia H800 chips.

DeepSeek's AI Assistant, powered by DeepSeek-V3, has overtaken rival ChatGPT to become the top-rated free application available on Apple's App Store in the United States.

This has raised doubts about the reasoning behind some U.S. tech companies' decision to pledge billions of dollars in AI investment and shares of several big tech players, including Nvidia, have been hit.

 

NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra Enables AI ReasoningThe NVIDIA GB300 NVL72 connects 72 Blackwell Ultra GPUs and 36 Arm Neoverse-based NVIDIA Grace™ CPUs in a rack-scale design, acting as a single massive GPU built for test-time scaling. With the NVIDIA GB300 NVL72, AI models can access the platform’s increased compute capacity to explore different solutions to problems and break down complex requests into multiple steps, resulting in higher-quality responses.

GB300 NVL72 is also expected to be available on NVIDIA DGX™ Cloud, an end-to-end, fully managed AI platform on leading clouds that optimizes performance with software, services and AI expertise for evolving workloads. NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD™ with DGX GB300 systems uses the GB300 NVL72 rack design to provide customers with a turnkey AI factory.

The NVIDIA HGX B300 NVL16 features 11x faster inference on large language models, 7x more compute and 4x larger memory compared with the Hopper generation to deliver breakthrough performance for the most complex workloads, such as AI reasoning.

 

 

AZ TRT Shows – related to AI Topic

Link: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=ai+

 

 

 

Biotech Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Biotech-Life+Sciences-Science

 

AZ Tech Council Shows: 

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=az+tech+council

*Includes Best of AZ Tech Council show from 2/12/2023

 

Tech Topic:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Tech-Startup-VC-Cybersecurity-Energy-Science 

Best of Tech: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=best+of+tech

 

‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

 

  

Thanks for Listening.

Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

 

 

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business. 

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving. 

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more… 

 

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

‘Best Of’ AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here                   

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

 

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

 Tech Productivity

- AZ TRT S06 EP06 (267) 3-23-2025           

 

What We Learned This Week

• ChatGPT is an AI chatbot, developed by OpenAI, that can engage in human-like conversations
• ChatGPT can read docs, edit docs, answer Qs, and transcribe
• Elevenreader – app that turns any document into audio
• Google Drive – office suite of tools for spreadsheets, docs, powerpoints, & more
• Todoist – task management program
• Pocket – web research tool that saves & organizes links

 

Guest: Denver Nowicz, President - Wealth For Lifehttp://wealthforlife.net/

Denver is an advisor with nearly 20 years experience working with clients in investments and insurance, designing retirement plans with a combo of both. He takes us through different strategies for clients to get the best allocations for their money over the long term. It is the Combo Strategy of both Offense and Defense, the synergy of the mix, not ‘All or Nothing’.

 

 

Notes:

Seg 1 

https://openai.com/index/chatgpt/

 

ChatGPT is an AI chatbot, developed by OpenAI, that can engage in human-like conversations and generate various text formats, including articles, emails, and code, based on the prompts it receives. 

Denver uses ChatGPT daily for both business and personal use

You can have live interaction with ChatGPT where you can actually talk with the AI program using a microphone 

Example of this, Denver had to fix his boat motor and suspected something was wrong with the fuel line. Able to turn on the camera on his computer to show it to ChatGPT who helped diagnose the problem in real time.

Another example is you can use ChatGPT for cooking to help with recipes

It’s important to understand how you frame the questions to ChatGPT, to get the best answer as possible. ChatGPT can create work docs and summary docs.

Common use is as an editor to what you write. 

Denver uses ChatGPT to help with his weekly newsletter. He will voice text into his phone the Notes. Then he copies those notes into the AI program and it helps create and write the newsletter. Then Denver can make edits on it.

Can also upload previous docs that you have written, so the AI can figure out your writing style, and philosophy. Then the AI can write future docs in your style.

The speed of AI is amazing where it literally saves you time and makes you more efficient. 

AI program can even read PDFs and screenshots, or you can give it a link to a video and it can pull the audio transcript.

AI can be used as a teacher to discover new things, and even as a psychologist.

There is a tech arms race going on in AI with programs like Microsoft Copilot, Google Bard, ChatGPT, and now Deepseek.

 

Seg 2

Productivity apps recommended by Denver 

Many of the apps he uses are free or a very low cost, here are some he likes:

Elevenreader AI voice app

Turns any document into an audiobook. This can be time saving as you can listen to it vs reading it. App also has a library to store your audiobooks.

https://elevenlabs.io/blog/introducing-elevenlabs-reader-app

 

Google Drive

Has a number of programs you can use like docs, storage, PowerPoint, share forms, and folders with people, an easy to tag and organize

https://workspace.google.com/products/drive/

 

Todoist task management program

The program can also sync up with your Google calendar, so you can voice task, text a task and then categorize it

https://www.todoist.com/

 

Carl Pullen on time blocking – videos on LKIN 

YouTube link: HERE

 

Pocket - web research tool so you can save links of website websites you search

Also can organize your web, searches and links, and it saved in an app on your phone

Search features in categorize in a folder

Visual dashboard with links

Very good to use with work or especially if you’re saving notes for a newsletter

https://getpocket.com/home

 

 

Wealth for Life Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Wealth+For+Life+

  

Investing Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Investing-Stocks-Bonds-Retirement

 

‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

 

  

Thanks for Listening.

Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

 

 

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business. 

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving. 

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more… 

 

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

‘Best Of’ AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here                   

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

 

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

 

Palantir Technologies, CEO Alex Karp

& the New Era of Tech Defense Contractors

 

- AZ TRT S06 EP05 (266) 3-9-2025              

 

What We Learned This Week

• Palantir - AI powered automation for every decision
• Palantir is named after the all seeing stone in Lord of the Rings
• Software integrates with company software to allow for searching and use of big data
• Palantir mission is for more accountability within Government
• Palantir has contracts with the U.S. Government helping with security and fighting terrorism

 

Notes:

Palantir Technologies & CEO Alex Karp

Karp background in academics and philosophy, also Stanford law 

Palantir founders Karp & Joe Lonsdale worked together at PayPal, funded by Peter Thiel

Was not profitable for 3 years - one of the secrets of Silicon Valley, build around an idea, work on how you’re going to make money off of it later 

Passion project, so need people who are dedicated, not just money driven

Every text, email, business, it has all data and need to save somewhere

Big data and data centers are one of the fastest growing industries and along with machine learning affect so many aspects of our life, both business, and personal

Dataset and Data mining are thriving industries

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palantir_Technologies

Palantir Technologies Inc. is an American publicly traded company that specializes in software platforms[3] for big data analytics. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, it was founded by Peter Thiel,[4] Stephen Cohen, Joe Lonsdale,[5] and Alex Karp in 2003.

The company has four main projects: Palantir Gotham, Palantir Foundry, Palantir Apollo, and Palantir AIP. Palantir Gotham is an intelligence and defense tool used by militaries and counter-terrorism analysts. Its customers included the United States Intelligence Community (USIC) and United States Department of Defense.[6] Their software as a service (SaaS) is one of five offerings authorized for Mission Critical National Security Systems (IL5[7]) by the U.S. Department of Defense.[8][9] Palantir Foundry is used for data integration and analysis by corporate clients such as Morgan Stanley, Merck KGaA, Airbus, Wejo, Lilium, PG&E and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.[10] Palantir Apollo is a platform to facilitate continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) across all environments.[11][12]

Palantir's original clients were federal agencies of the USIC. It has since expanded its customer base to serve both international as well as state and local governments, and also to private companies.[13]

 

 

Palantir software connects data, analytics, and operations to help organizations make decisions and improve efficiency. Palantir's software is used by government agencies and commercial enterprises. 

How Palantir works

1.    Connects data: Palantir connects to data systems, data lakes, and platforms. 

2.    Analyzes data: Palantir analyzes data to find trends, relationships, and anomalies. 

3.    Visualizes data: Palantir visualizes data to help users understand insights. 

4.    Automates processes: Palantir automates processes to help users save time and improve efficiency. 

5.    Improves decision-making: Palantir helps users make better decisions by providing data-driven insights. 

 

Palantir has multiple platforms, including:

·         Palantir Gotham: Used by government agencies to detect patterns and derive insights from large amounts of data 

·         Palantir Foundry: Used by commercial enterprises to integrate data, perform simulations, and optimize workflows 

·         Palantir AIP: Used to deploy large language models and other AI within a private network 

 

Failure of 911 terrorist attacks where government organizations were not sharing information. Government has to be able to sift through large amounts of data, looking for a terrorist network, the old needle in a haystack. Software allows government to go thru data, and also share information.

In the past governments could run spy networks only, now with computer hackers, it could be run by anybody with a computer. Hard to search for terrorist, very creative. In carps view, you have to think like an entrepreneur and be tactical when going after them.

 

Cannot think in a static fashion, how did they do it in the past. When a terrorist is caught using a cell phone, they adapt to figure out how do they get caught and then use a different method. It’s like game theory, you have to think ahead of the terrorist and find their patterns before they even realize they are leaving pattern.

Terrorist may think in different terms that society deems as destructive, but it still may be very creative, almost like an entrepreneur. Per carp, you need creative and adaptive thinkers to go after the bad guys.

 

Cyber war is a real threat and not going anywhere. Need the government to combat it, but also must watch what the government is doing to not trample on civil liberties. Need to be able to track the data to see how the government went about things and did its targeting.

Data destruction & Tag data - Know where the data came from, so government can use it lawfully.

 

You do not want to share data with the government, and then have the government use it against you.

Because of technology and computers spying is democracized, a group of three teenagers at a coffee shop can launch a cyber attack. Systems can track down where these terrorists are, and show you the patterns of who they might be even if they can identify them directly.

 

Government and large health insurance companies already have a lot of data. The question is, how are they using it, is it being used in a lawful way?

With Palantir software, you cannot only look for the terrorist, but you can also watch how the government uses the data

 

Can use Palantir software on top of current software to work through data

Palantir and SpaceX companies – achieved $ Billion dollar valuation Unicorn status 

Funded at loss for years, took decade to get Govt contracts

 

Name comes from the seeing stone in Lord of the Rings

Powerful technology, that can help watch over the world, has massive, ethical implications

Software helps government and businesses look over data and watch on people, but can infringe on privacy - Paradox of security vs freedom

Also raises questions about privacy, verse convenience, a kin to the issue with current social media 

Solve terrorism problem in big way

Fight terrorism on a large scale, verse just smaller tactics with airport security

 

Fight terrorism at the high-level, verse low level tech with airport security and other measures that are very cumbersome and overbearing

Coordinate resources better

Hard to start in defense company, and this is the next generation

 

Palantir is coming up with a simple high-tech solution, to handle a serious and complicated problem

Pre-911, government not prepared or organized to handle global terrorist threat, and many of the solutions were over the top and heavy handed

 

Company provides targeted efficient reactions, verse broad wide solutions

There is both philosophical and technological debate on how this software can and should be used

They also believe they can be more transparent, show accountability, and actually prevent government overreach

Check NSA and FISA courts if used, it is not

Security and CIA type orgs need secrecy

Palantir could track actions of these orgs for review

 

Large organization, bureaucracy, often have outdated technology, and reporting, so hard to do oversight, can be very confusing

Often these organizations want plausible deniability, so they don’t want their accounting to be reviewed, and will list expenditures under different things, this could be seen as fraud

Technology is both disruptive and how it can go through data, but also disruptive that I can force accountability and bring stuff to light

 

Creative accounting and inefficiency could come to an end. This forces people to adapt and change their ways. Human nature is not always open to this.

Belief by CEO, how important it is to choose the right partner in person and business

You want to work with people who will challenge your ideas, so you have the discipline and rigor to think out and give evidence behind when while your idea is right, or at the very least not wrong

 

Scale to be plausibly right, and not wrong is very valuable in life 

People must be resilient enough to challenge, even their own ideas. Company, culture, fosters, and environment, where people are open to think, challenge, status quo, but also must defend their thoughts.

They foster independent thought, and not just one way thinking in the company

Also ambition to work on bigger national projects

 

Future of defense contractors is in software, which they don’t have a good history with. A lot of the best defense contractors make hardware.

Palantir reviewed what the government was doing to fight terrorism, and how they were spending tens of billions of dollars on it. They were spending it in the wrong way, and the process needed to be rethought.

Took years to get in with government. Building software for spies and intelligence industry. Has both commercial private clients and government client.

 

A few different products that help big organizations analyze their data using AI, and make the data more understandable. This can help a company in many ways, be more efficient, cut cost, raise profits, understand their own company better

AI and data are the new languages of the modern world. There’s a lot of data and it is critical to keep it organized, but very hard. Their software goes beyond just storing and managing data. It helps them to utilize the data which is key.

 

Silicon Valley tree - Paypal to Palantir to Anduril

Anduril makes Roadrunner – takeoff software

**company seems like Stark Industries

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold.  

Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice, an AI software platform that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.  

For more information, visit www.anduril.com.

https://investors.palantir.com/news-details/2024/Anduril-and-Palantir-to-Accelerate-AI-Capabilities-for-National-Security/

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anduril_Industries

Anduril Industries, Inc. is an American defense technology company that specializes in autonomous systems. It was cofounded in 2017 by inventor and entrepreneur Palmer Luckey and others.[3][4] Anduril aims to sell to the U.S. Department of Defense, including artificial intelligence and robotics. Anduril's major products include unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter-UAS (CUAS), semi-portable autonomous surveillance systems, and networked command and control software.

 

 

Related Show:

Zero to One - Peter Thiel Contrarian Thinker + Disruption

AZ TRT S04 EP50 (213) 12-17-2023

 

What We Learned This Week

• Contrarian Thinking – think for yourself and differently than everyone else
• Innovation great companies have unique products that go from Zero to one, vertical
• Founders are important and challenge the Status Quo to change the world
• Competition is for losers, strive for a Monopoly
• Secrets – What Great Company is No One Building?
• Disruption in Business & Tech World - How to Handle The Innovator's Dilemma

  

Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future (c- 2014)

Full Show: Here

 

 

PayPal Mafia - The Founders Story & Their Battle w/ EBAY w/ Jimmy Soni 

- BRT S03 EP36 (135) 8-7-2022

What We Learned This Week

• PayPal Mafia – alumni created or involved many other co’s – Tesla, SpaceX, Palantir, Yelp, Yammer, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube & more
• PayPal had may contributors & a real long shot to happen during the DOTCOM Crash of 2000
• Claude Shannon – creator of Information Theory, predecessor to the modern computer age, & algorithms
• Bell Labs was a classic Tech Incubator like Fairfield Semiconductor, Xerox Parc, Menlo Park – Edison / GE, Manhattan Project, Tuxedo Park
• PayPal sold to EBAY in 2002 for $1.5 Billion, prior to this, the two companies were rivals as EBAY wanted a different payment system

 

Guest: Jimmy Soni, Author

https://jimmysoni.com/

https://twitter.com/jimmyasoni

 

Full Show: Here

 

AZ TRT 2.0 - Best of Tech Part 1 - Data Centers, IT, EV Charging, Minerals & AI Software

AZ TRT S05 EP21 (236) 5-26-2024 

 

What We Learned This Week:

• Host  Matt on Data Centers + Energy Usage
• Lucian Aguayo of Redgear on IT Infrastructure
• Broc TenHouten of Intrinsic Power on EV Charging
• Brian Stevens of Neural Magic on AI Software
• Dr. Nick Sakharav of Reclaimed Minerals on Energy

 

‘Best of’ Clips from previous Tech themed aired in the first half of 2024

 Full Show: Here

 

 

 

Biotech Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Biotech-Life+Sciences-Science

 

AZ Tech Council Shows: 

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=az+tech+council

*Includes Best of AZ Tech Council show from 2/12/2023

 

Tech Topic:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Tech-Startup-VC-Cybersecurity-Energy-Science 

Best of Tech: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=best+of+tech

 

‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

 

  

Thanks for Listening.

Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

 

 

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business. 

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving. 

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more… 

 

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

‘Best Of’ AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here                   

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

 

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

 

Kenmore is Home Electricity Made Easy - Modernize the Smart Home from Appliances to the Electric Grid – Revisited w/ CEO Sri Solur

 

- AZ TRT S06 EP04 (265) 2-23-2025     

 

 

What We Learned This Week

·         Kenmore is home electricity made easy.  Kenmore is on a mission to modernize the home. Live More & Live Better. Also need to make it Affordable.

·         Clean Tech goes w/ the smart home, smart appliances (that connect to the home) and the electrical power grid for better living

• Electrical Grid needs to be modernized – cannot handle the current & future power demands

·         Homes built Pre-1990 run on Electric Panels that are outdated – costs of $40K + to modernize to handle charging EVs at home

·         Design of the Future House would have a Battery in it that could recharge your appliances and electronics during down hours.

·         Solving problems in electricity and energy also have the same issues with working on better water and clean food. It is more than just an energy and electric issue.

 

 

Guest: Sri Solur, CEO, Kenmore / Brands 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/solur

https://www.kenmore.com/

 

Sri Solur is chief executive officer of brands for Kenmore at Transformco. An industry veteran with 25+ years of experience, Sri has a rich history of success leading high tech products and businesses. He previously served as CPO and GM at Berkshire Grey, a leader in industrial robotics, and was a member of the leadership team that took the company public. Sri also served as CPO at SharkNinja, and was instrumental in bringing the Shark IQ Robot vacuum and NinjaFoodi products to market, while also holding a leadership role to take the company public. Sri spent 20 years at Hewlett Packard, serving as founder and CPO of CloudPrint, the company’s wearables and IOT business. In his career, Sri has created products for world-renowned brands including Hugo Boss, Movado, Ferrari, Juicy Couture, and more. Sri holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering from NIT and an MBA from Boston University.

 

 

 

 

As Earth Day approaches (April), Kenmore is empowering greener homes and people. 

 

The trusted appliance maker recently unveiled a new “Home Electrification Made Easy” program that looks to simplify the electrification process and reduce overall costs in transitioning to electric appliances. 

 

Kenmore has set an ambitious goal with the program to electrify one million homes that will ultimately save homeowners one billion dollars over the next decade. 

 

Kenmore’s innovation and energy programs are driving a new generation of electrification for today’s home ecosystem. Some of the company’s core innovations include: 

 

• Expansion of electrification and smart products for every room in the home. 
• Addition of electrification enablers, such as smart electrical panels and dynamic Level 2 EV chargers, that help eliminate roadblocks many homeowners have in wanting to electrify their entire home. 
• Simplifying rebate and savings programs, such as Congress’ Inflation Reduction Act, to help customers cut costs by taking advantage of available local and national funding and discounts. 
• Building relationships with industry leaders in product, service and consumer education to supplement and amplify their mission to electrify American homes. 

 

This electric push comes as a new generation of homeowners seek to invest in smarter, greener home solutions and previous generations are coming up against new government standards making accessibility to like-for-like replacement equipment for their home obsolete. 

 

With Kenmore’s electrification program delivering a quick onramp to affordable green energy homes, homeowners of all backgrounds and budgets have a more attainable path to smart, green home adoption. 

 

 

 

 

Notes:

 

Kenmore CEO and Appliances

 

Seg. 1

 

Major appliances and clean tech and sustainability energy security is a big issue on the macro end. The effect on the electric grid and power lines.

 

There is lots of demand and potential blackouts. This is a fuel and demand issue. The government and utility companies are working on clean energy. Currently they use fossil fuels and working on using less.

 

Design of the future house would have a battery in it that could recharge your appliances and electronics storing down ours.

 

The electric layout of most homes, especially homes built pre-1990s has an 100 amp circuit. If you have modern tech like an EV charger in your house, an electrician cannot set it up because the EV charger will blow up your 100 amp circuit.

 

It would cost you between $20 and 60 K to upgrade a house for a modern electric set up. Kenmore will install electric panel with load balance for EV vehicles and in-home appliances.

 

Seg. 2

 

Electrical layout of a house as you install new appliances. There is a booster within the inflation reduction act. There are rebates for lower income people, where it pays you for getting new appliances. 10 K instant credit for new appliances.

 

The comparison of older appliances versus new appliances. Many older appliances may run on fossil fuels like a gas range oven or gas water heater. Older HVAC unit has more wear and tear.

 

On a hot days and really cold days appliances operate at peak and are putting demand on the electric red. Looking for new ways of sustainable clean energy and examples hydroelectric power.

 

You would have a back up in high demand times, where are you fire up a generator running on fossil fuels.

 

Do you want to protect the grid for maintenance but also things like cyber attacks. One way you could do this is make all homes standalone energy producers.

 

Peak rates for electricity or 6 to 10 PM at night. At these times electricity use taxes the grid and also taxes your wallet. Do you want to run your dishwasher post 10 PM.

 

Seg. 3

 

We are moving from a world of done by you to a world of done for you. The smart home of the future will help you.

 

The electrical panel would work with the grid and decide when to charge electronics in your house. Kenmore has electric appliances that works with the electric red. These appliances save you money and also save the grid.

 

On a bigger scale we need to modernize the electric road. Then in the future build better homes cars and appliances. Inflation reduction act has multiprong incentives for all of this.

 

When we saw the bull run of tech starting in 2010 it had three things working together. Social mobile and the cloud all came together to create this tech rise. Do you need electricity plus clean energy plus clean water.

 

A rising tide that can raise all. Do you want to solve problems, what are the pain killers?

 

Seg. 4

 

CEO was an engineer by trade. Worked in Boston went to business school and after that he built some products. Worked at Altavista on firewalls and search.

 

Cloud print on printing mobile with the HP e-print. Worked in wearables at Hugo boss and Ferrari.

 

Worked at Comcast on Xfinity digital security and high-speed Internet. Worked with shark and ninja on home robots. Worked at Bershire Gray, consumer robots which went public with an IPO.

 

Then at Brands / Kenmore (also Diehard batteries) - Building better and smarter appliances

 

Span that I/O build a smart electrical panel. Do you want your appliances to give you repair and maintenance updates.

 

Whole home electrification. A whole home dashboard controlling your smart home. An example would be your fridge would tell you when you need a new filter. Kenmore is a tech forward company.

 

Solving problems in electricity and energy also have the same issues with working on better water and clean food. It is more than just an energy and electric issue.

 

Live more and live better. Also need to make it affordable. Kenmore is home electricity made easy. rebates.kenmore.com they have the blue-collar work ethic with the idea of progress over perfection. Kenmore is a consumer centric team.

 

 

 

 

Biotech Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Biotech-Life+Sciences-Science

 

AZ Tech Council Shows: 

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=az+tech+council

*Includes Best of AZ Tech Council show from 2/12/2023

 

Tech Topic:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Tech-Startup-VC-Cybersecurity-Energy-Science 

Best of Tech: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=best+of+tech

 

‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

 

  

Thanks for Listening.

Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

 

 

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business. 

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving. 

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more… 

 

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

‘Best Of’ AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here                   

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

 

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

 

 

Cybersecurity Response Plan w/ Frank Grimmelmann of ACTRA

 

- AZ TRT S06 EP03 (264) 2-9-2025              

 

What We Learned This Week

• ACTRA Arizona Cyber Threat Response Alliance
• Cyber threats affect everyone from Gov’t to business to private and growing
• Companies need to be responsive with speed to be effective + share information of attacks
• ACTRA has members from both government and private sector
• ACTRA helped create a state cybersecurity response model that other states can use

 

 

Guest: Frank Grimmelmann

https://www.actraaz.org/actra/leadership

President & CEO/Intelligence Liaison Officer

 

Mr. Grimmelmann also serves as Co-Chair (together with Arizona's Chief Information Security Officer) for the Arizona Cybersecurity Team (‘ACT’), created through the Governor’s Executive Order signed in March 2018. He also serves as a Founding Member of the National Leadership Group for the Information Sharing & Analysis Organization Standards Organization (‘ISAO SO’) at the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA), created under the President’s Executive Order 13691 in February 2015. As ACTRA’s leader, Mr. Grimmelmann was invited as the first private sector representative in the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center (ACTIC) and served as its first private sector Executive Board representative from 2014-2019. He presently acts as ACTRA’s designated private sector liaison to ACTRA’s Key Agency and other non-Member Stakeholders. 

 

Mr. Grimmelmann served four terms as AZ InfraGard’s President from 2009-2012, serves today on numerous academic advisory boards, co-Chairs the Greater Phoenix Chamber's Cybersecurity Workforce Collaborative initiative, and is an engaged Member of the Arizona Technology Council’s Cybersecurity Advisory Board.  In 2019, Mr. Grimmelmann was honored by the FBI, and the Board of Directors of both ACTRA and Arizona InfraGard as the first recipient of Arizona InfraGard’s ‘Visionary Award’ for creating the ACTRA framework  over his last 2 terms as Arizona InfraGard’s President, and ACTRA's resulting collaboration between law enforcement/ intelligence agencies/USCYBERCOM, and its public, private and academic organizations over the past 7 years.   He was simultaneously recognized by the FBI’s then Deputy Director for his contribution over the years. He remains an active Member of InfraGard since 2003 and an active Lifetime Member of the FBI Citizens Academy since 2006.  

Since 2002 he has devoted his full-time attention to protecting our nation’s critical infrastructure and national security interests, through eliminating unnecessary silos that hinder communication, allowing  us to respond to today's increasing threat from our cyber adversaries, and in turn permitting ACTRA's Member Organizations to protect their critical infrastructure and our national security interests, while protecting their organization's assets .  

Educationally, he holds a dual MBA in International Business and Finance from the University of California at Berkeley and brings decades of experience as a senior executive in finance, healthcare and government, prior to focusing on Cybersecurity in response to 9/11.   

 

 

 

Notes:

 

Seg 2

 

Cyber threats affect everybody, business, personal, and government.

Cyber crime is a fact of life that we need to live with it, but stay ahead.

 

Criminals are on the offense and only have to be correct 1% of the time.

Everybody else is playing defense and has to be right 100% of the time.

 

AI is an advanced tool that is turned out to be a two edge sword, can help and hurt.

AI can only catch so much but can give a few of what is going on.

 

This is a matter of national security, dealing with homeland security and many other departments of the government.

 

You have threat intelligence to determine roles on how you’re going to handle hackers and ransom ware. Hackers can be local or foreign.

 

All companies need a cyber policy and some sort of rapid tactical response.

 

Cyber attacks are an ever growing threat to people and businesses, and continue to surge in 2024. There was 107% surge in malware attacks.

 

These are on corporate computers, computers at work or home computers or even Home devices like Ring. You get a text through devices, phishing attacks.

 

Company business email can be compromised in an attack, people’s passwords come out and it leads to millions of dollars in losses.

Elderly people are very vulnerable, 353,000 attacks.

 

You have supply chain threats by terrorist and nation state actors. There was a recent attack on United Healthcare for 100 million. People‘s information was exposed. This led to a $22 million ransom payment.

 

Cyber attacks cause $2.9 billion in damages. Companies are paying ransom to faceless criminals. Very tough for the FBI to be tracking down on these criminals and try to fend off the extortion of stolen data.

 

Payments for ransom could be made through Bitcoin, which is difficult to trace, though it leaves somewhat of a forensic trail. Constant need for regulation and oversight from the government.

 

Famous incident last year was not even an attack, but the Crowdstrike software update. ACTRA had a quick response that day. One that helps clients and partners recover fast. In a similar instant, Delta was down for weeks with computer problems.

 

When you think about what goes on with banks back to 2008 - what loans they have on balance sheet and then off balance sheet securitized - not regulated like normal loans.

 

Issues with underwriting standards on loans. Not even sure what can be affected in a Cyber attack. Off balance sheet loans and debt is similar to crypto or Bitcoin where it is not being regulated.

 

PPD-41 was a directive to show responsibilities of government agencies and dealing in cyber. You had homeland security as a defensive arm to protect the nation’s assets.

 

Enforcement is done in the US by the FBI. Overseas it’s done by US Cyber Command.

 

 

Seg 3

 

Frank background in the 1990s in private business, worked in healthcare. Then was the chief info officer and the only 2000s at clinical in Stanford. Healthcare is very vulnerable.

 

Post 9/11 he worked with FBI outreach program called InfraGuard on how to share intelligence with cyber threats. Needs to be treated like terrorism or criminal acts, though they’re taking stolen IP. Need to move to a more stable world.

 

2011 study was done by government organizations to review the process and make recommendations on how to deal with counterterrorism and cyber.

 

90% of the critical infrastructure in the US is in the private sector. They do need Fed level help, but have also have a local response. Cyber threat actors move quickly and act like a terrorist organization.

 

General Stanley McChrystal had a great quote,

‘It takes a network to defeat a network.’

Cybersecurity is everyone’s problem. You need education and organization.

This is a 5th generation problem and you have to be adaptive.

 

ACTRA is a nonprofit dealing with cyber security. They’ve got pillars of empowerment, trust technology and intelligence. Need for the private companies to develop to train and recruit to handle this threat.

 

They created a model which allows to bring the fight on offense - and all work together sharing information. Virtual response team, small and big with the private sector as a partner.

 

ACTRA is a hub for info, and keeps its member information private.

Some members are public like Arizona State. Actual model can be used for the rest of the nation. Government and private cannot do it alone.

Not all states have this type of organization, but probably need it.

 

 

Seg 4

 

ACTRA started in January 2013. Give U.S. states a model for cyber security.

Collective defense and share information with public and private organizations.

The goal is to breakdown silos between government and the corporate world.

 

Not just a thing tank, has an active model. Review of ACTRA model is best in the country and a good hub for response and info.

 

In 2015, they helped Wisconsin create their own state organization for cyber threats. Soon after, Maryland created one using ACTRA as a model. Needs to be an effort of collaboration, merge the construct of entrepreneur spirit to take action.

 

So the government cyber threats are handled nationally at a Fort Meade, where the NSA is.

 

Frank’s background in business in finance and healthcare fields.

 

Info is useless if not used for action. You need actionable intelligence that is current to take down a threat. You need more than continuing education and certificates for people, must go beyond this.

 

Virtual response team like a local militia who can help protect assets. Going after cyber criminals can be a little bit like a whack a mole.

 

Overtime, hopefully there will be a national strategy for info sharing. A type of decentralized and local organization that work with government.

 

The private sector owns the vast amount of data so they have to determine who they’re going to share it with and how.

 

Defend vs Cyber fast while still working within the spirit of the law.

 

 

 

Seg. 1

Clips from Related Shows:

Cybersecurity, Disruption, Blockchain & Terrorism w Ari Redbord of TRM Labs

- BRT S02 EP31 (78) 8-1-2021

 

 

What We Learned This Week

• Cybersecurity is extremely important industry for national security
• TRM Labs startup in cyber-security, monitors blockchain
• OFAC - Gov’t administers economic and trade sanctions
• Ransomeware – specific breach, takeover of a computer system, holds data hostage

• Programatic Money Laundering – bad guys create new addresses, create ‘shell’ companies

 

Guest: Ari Redbord, Head of Legal and Government Affairs w/ TRM Labs

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ari-redbord-4054381b4/

https://www.trmlabs.com/post/trm-labs-appoints-ari-redbord-as-head-of-legal-government-affairs

 

Ari is formerly a US Attorney, and worked in the Treasury Department, now advises the Government on cybersecurity, and Blockchain.

Cybersecurity is a fast growing and extremely important industry for national security, and corporate interests. There are Nation States acting as bad players in the cyber realm and targeting the US Government and US business. We discuss the advancements in technology on cyber crime, blockchain, crypto, and online fraud.

How is the FBI dealing with Ransomware, and other cyber attacks on prime targets like the Colonial Pipeline, or other big corps. What Regulations are coming in banking, and Fintech, with KYC (Know Your Customer), plus the big banks like JP Morgan Chase and Goldman are on board. 

What the blockchain ledger can help solve in security, to monitor criminal activity in real time with the help of crypto exchanges like Coinbase.  Lastly, what TRM Labs does for clients, how they advise, operate, and who they work with.

 

Full Show: HERE

 

 

Phishing, Malware & Cybersecurity - Try Not to Get Pwned

- BRT S02 EP47 (94) 11-21-2021

 

What We Learned This Week:

 

• Have I been Pwned? Means have I been breached / hacked – did someone hack my email or website
• Phishing – most common type of email threat, like when you receive a strange email with a link – Do Not Open – DELETE (and alert other office staff of the email)
• Ramsonware – hack your website, or data – hold it hostage for an extortion ‘ransom’ payment
• Dark Web – where stolen data, & info is being bought & sold
• VPN Connections – direct and secure

 

Guests: Vince Matteo, Seven Layer Networks, Inc.

https://sevenlayers.com/

Vince Matteo is a certified penetration tester, a security researcher, and a senior consultant at Seven Layers (.com) where he focuses on securing small businesses.  Vince is the author of "Hacking 101 – A Beginner’s Guide to Penetration Testing", he's a bug bounty hunter with 17 published critical vulnerabilities, and he's presented talks on offensive hacking at security conferences -- most recently GrrCON in Grand Rapids, MI and BSides in College Station, TX.  Outside of work, Vince is an accomplished endurance athlete, an Ironman age group champion, and in his spare time, you can find him in the desert -- training for the next hundred-mile ultramarathon. 

 

Full Show: HERE

 

 

Biotech Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Biotech-Life+Sciences-Science

 

AZ Tech Council Shows: 

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=az+tech+council

*Includes Best of AZ Tech Council show from 2/12/2023

 

Tech Topic:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Tech-Startup-VC-Cybersecurity-Energy-Science 

Best of Tech: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=best+of+tech

 

‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

 

  

Thanks for Listening.

Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

 

 

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business. 

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving. 

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more… 

 

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

‘Best Of’ AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here                   

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

 

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

 

Futuristic EV Designer Sports Car w/ Nikita Bridan of Oilstainlab

 

- AZ TRT S06 EP02 (263) 1-26-2025           

 

What We Learned This Week

• Oilstain Lab creates high end retro futuristic designer sports car - in EV models
• EV Car Designers for Gearheads who hate EVs
• All the capabilities of a sports car, on a liteweight carbon fiber frame, + sound & an electric motor
• Inspired by the race cars of Italy & classic 1960s sports cars

 

 

Guest: Nikita Bridan, Co-Founder, CEO

Nikita Bridan is co-founder & chief executive officer of Oilstainlab. A car design strategist with 15 years of OEM and startup experience, Nikita has worked with world-renowned brands including Lyft, Cruise, GM, Toyota, Genesis, ONE, and more on electrification, platforms, and strategy. In 2019, Nikita co-founded Oilstainlab with his twin brother, Iliya, as an automotive design consultancy service and playground, and developed it into a boundary-pushing, custom vehicle manufacturer. Nikita lives his life as fast as the cars he builds, once being pulled over at 140mph in Arizona and getting off with a warning. Nikita earned bachelor’s degrees in Transportation Design from the Istitudo Europeo di Design in Italy and the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California, where he now serves as an instructor to the next generation of designers.

 

Leading a New Generation of Automotive with Oilstainlab Co-Founder Nikita Bridan

The future of automotive design is in the hands of twin brothers, Nikita and Iliya Bridan. 

The founders of Oilstainlab have turned heads worldwide with their automotive creations, most notably the Half-11, its half Porsche-half Formula 1 race car that pays homage to the golden age of motor racing. 

The Bridan  brothers are motor maniacs who credit to Gran Turismo for fueling their passion for car design from a young age. The brothers dropped out of high school at age 14 to pursue a design education and would eventually earn degrees in Transportation Design from the Istitudo Europeo di Design in Italy and the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena. 

During their career they have worked for world-renowned car brands including Toyota, Scion, Lexus, General Motors, Honda, Acura and more, bringing 6.5M cars to the road, securing 13 patents, and winning multiple awards including Motor Trend “SUV of the Year.” 

In 2019, the brothers went into business for themselves. They opened Oilstainlab as a design consultancy and playground with clients ranging from EV start-ups, space vehicles, movie vehicles, hydrogen start-ups, and more.  

In 2024 the brothers unveiled their first car, the HF-11. The HF-11 is the perfect mix of speed, comfort and intelligence. It offers 650 horsepower 12000RPMs and a top speed over 200 mph. The all-carbon fiber bodywork forges a radical shape obsessively honed for extreme velocities, while the interior offers all the comforts of modern-day vehicles.

The company will keep turning heads with maniac design, world class advisory council going into 2025…and changing automotive landscape.

 

 

 

 

Notes:

 

 

Seg 2

 

Oil stain lab is a boutique, sports car designer, using an EV format.

They start their design with the driver in mind, then sketch it out and think with an inside out strategy. They wanted to build a high-end retro futuristic 1960s motorsports inspired type car. These cars are expensive with future tech.

 

1960s sports cars were dangerous and cool. The last era of sports cars before car regulations were changed in the early 1970s.

 

The second step is a computer design. The car body uses a light carbon fiber frame. They also enhance their car with the idea and sound of combustion in an electric EV car.

 

It has a flat skateboard type platform designed very different than an actual sports car. Normally EV battery is at the bottom, but Oilstainlab put the EV battery where the engine would be. Lightweight car of 2000 pounds.

 

Compact and efficient, using a 911 Porsche as a model.Power train is in the back of the car, which is challenging.

 

Comfortable EV sports car, two seater with a manual transmission.

 

Has an audio signature, which is very important, creates real sound of 110 decimals.

Oilstainlab is building cars for gear heads, not a traditional EV nerd type. Building EV cars for people who hate EVS.

 

Goes up to speeds of 200 mph, 0 to 100 in 5 seconds. Plus the driver can enjoy switching gears.

 

 

Seg 3

 

Twin brothers Nikita and Iliana created the company. Originally from Ukraine, then moved to Italy when they were teenagers. Eventually settled in California and created Oilstainlab.

 

Prior, they were auto designers for 10 years. Started Oilstainlab in 2019 with the design idea. In 2020 they started to actually manufacture cars. Fall of 2024 they came out with their HF 11 model.

 

Brothers were inspired by the 1960s motorsport cars and your famous Italian sports cars like Ferrari and Lamborghini.

 

They wanted to bring in the Hollywood flair of storytelling and branding. Think of Steve McQueen movies with the height of the sports car from 1967 through 1972.

 

1972 was the end of an era, with new emission standards that killed good designs.

The 1960 sports cars were a wild west of innovation. Collectors still want these cars with their combustion engines.

 

Oilstainlab is bringing back that spirit within the next generation of car design. Building an EV car with power. Building an EV car for the EV hater.

 

There are challenges in this, with how heavy the car is and where to put the battery.

 

Aspark Owl, a $3 million car, claims to be the fastest EV in the world. It weighs 5700 pounds. Also has no noise or vibration, so it does not catch the nostalgia of a sports car.

 

Oilstainlab has a light car, manual transmission, plus that classic combustion sound. They replicate the experience, creating a bridge to the past with a future style sports car.

 

Car cost $1 million and their typical clients age from 40 to 60 years old.

Using the 1960s car design, purity of a driving experience.

 

When they built the prototype, they were thinking about the driver first. They hired sports car drivers like JR Hildebrand, and Rick Noob to test. These guys were racecar drivers.

 

The 1960s cars were planned to be obsolete, the design will age out.

 

Post 1972 with the economic and fuel crisis, cars were mass produced.

No more exotic designs, no real soul, they all look the same.

Cars companies simply did not spend as much on research and development.

 

 

Seg 4

 

Thunderbolt has that combustion field type engine with their EV launch in April 2025

 

We will have a carbon fiber tub and re-create the excitement of the experience.

 

Oilstainlab is backed by an investor who has experience in Green tech and is an entrepreneur.

 

Oilstainlab is loved by the car maniacs, and they see themselves as maniacs too.

 

Cool EVS can help the entire EV market and change an image

Oil stain lab is making a halo product for the entire industry.

 

They have advisors who review and drive the car – who are surprised when the EV sounds like combustion for the gearheads, creating a shock when people drive it, not even realizing it’s an EV car.

 

Collectors want the sound of an original car, but also lightweight and manual driving for the unique experience.

 

Oilstainlab with their design is reconditioning the mind of what is possible with an EV car.

 

Their new Thunderbolt design will have swap ability, for the maniac ethos, with new engineering.

 

All goes back to how they were inspired with the famous sports cars of Italy, like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Pagani. Italy is the Mecca of auto passion, culture, and approach to how a sports car should be done.

 

 

 

Seg 1

 

Past Clips (2) from related shows on EVs:

 

Best of Clean Energy, EVs & Battery Power

AZ TRT S05 EP15 (230) 4-14-2024 

 

What We Learned This Week

• Steve Zylstra of AZ Tech Council on Clean Energy
• Daniel Tonkopiy of Delfast Bikes on EV bikes
• Praveen of Monarch Tractor on AI, EVs & Farming
• Mark Hanchett of Atliss Motors on EV Trucks & Batteries
• Clean Energy - many Tech Co's working on zero emission plan
• Delfast E Bikes – smart bike, connects to E Bike, range of 220 miles on 1 charge, & speed of 50 mph, can drive on all different terrain 
• Monarch Tractor is AgTech working towards a future with Clean Farming
• Atlis Motors is an Energy Company - Apple of energy – vehicle is their ‘I-Pod’
• Revolutionizing the Electric Battery - Lithium, cobalt, copper w/ a Lifespan – 1 million miles or 10 years +

Full Show: HERE

 

 

 

 

EV Charging at Home w/ Broc TenHouten of Intrinsic Power

AZ TRT S05 EP05 (220) 2-4-2024 

What We Learned This Week

• Intrinsic Power - Next Gen EV Charger
• EV Charging in your home will be standard
• Electrical Panel upgrade to handle new tech
• Electric Grid not prepared for consumer demand & EV charging needs
• EV Infrastructure for charging stations as EV Cars w/ longer range are the Future

 

Full Show: HERE

 

 

 

 

Biotech Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Biotech-Life+Sciences-Science

 

 

AZ Tech Council Shows: 

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=az+tech+council

*Includes Best of AZ Tech Council show from 2/12/2023

 

Tech Topic:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Tech-Startup-VC-Cybersecurity-Energy-Science 

 

Best of Tech: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=best+of+tech

 

 

‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

 

  

Thanks for Listening.

Please Subscribe to the BRT Podcast.

 

 

 

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business. 

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving. 

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more… 

 

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

‘Best Of’ AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here                   

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

 

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

Machine Learning (AI) Onsite w/ Eddi Weinwurm of Obvious Future

 

- AZ TRT S06 EP01 (262) 1-5-2025              

 

What We Learned This Week

• Obvious Future is building Machine Learning (AI) programs to be used onsite for a business
• Corporate Data is too sensitive to be in the cloud / internet
• Business cannot use cloud AI programs like ChatGPT, Google Cloud, etc because of IP and privacy concerns
• Large Language Models are not necessary, have more data than needed, can have smaller AI programs tailored for business

 

 

Guest:  Eddi Weinwurm

AI is top of mind for most enterprises…but most don’t know the risks especially in the cloud.

 

https://obviousfuture.com/#

  

Eddi Weinwurm is a co-founder and CEO of Obvious Future an AI company with a new approach to keeping AI local and secure.

 

Eddi Weinwurm has many years of experience in both the development of media management software and AI.  As a visionary he formed the company to address critical enterprises in the growing AI market.

 

 

ObviousFuture Resident AI: Faster, Safer, and Transforming Enterprise AI

 

Eddi Weinwurm co-founder and CEO of ObviousFuture is on a mission to make AI safer and faster for enterprises.

 

ObviousFuture, a trailblazer in secure and private AI solutions, will be unveiling a disruptive AI solution for the enterprise on December 18—Resident AI. 

 

This solution empowers enterprises to harness the full potential of AI while safeguarding their data locally, marking a critical evolution in the AI landscape.

 

ObviousFuture's Resident AI operates entirely on-premise, solving a $500 billion market problem by addressing vulnerabilities like data privacy risks, compliance challenges, and vendor lock-ins. The company is focused on key sectors such as government, defense, surveillance, medical, and media.

 

Early adopters, have achieved ROI within just two months of deployment of the Resident AI platform.

 

 

 

 

 

Key benefits for Enterprises 

Local- Resident AI is an artificial system that resides directly on the enterprises infrastructure reducing risk and latency often associated with edge computing.  ObviousFuture’s approach is fully private and operates with very low latency. 

 

Offline Access- Resident AI allows for complete work productivity without a single point of failure and no third-party API reliance.  

 

Not Edge AI-Resident AI delivers full AI capabilities similar to big cloud models and doesn’t require a data center.

 

Reduces Cost-  Substantial lower deployment and operational costs means a higher ROI for businesses.  

 

Learn more about the company at ObviousFuture and sign up for a demo today.

 

 

 

 

Seg 1

 

 Obvious Future AI CEO, Eddi Weinwurm

 

Resident AI for companies, storage of sensitive data, not for use with 3rd parties

 

Predictive editing from media, has Search and use features

 

No open AI, search documents internally – onsite at your company

 

Use local servers and data center on site, nothing goes to the Internet or cloud

 

For business to use AI with sensitive data, it cannot be in the cloud, it must be on site

Business needs verticals with AI integration

 

Examples of companies with sensitive data that cannot be on the Internet, are media, banking, healthcare, companies doing research and development RND

 

Also dealing in Research, or math, like at universities

 

Eddie does not want to call this AI, prefers the term machine learning, using a lot of that now and it will grow

 

Standard cloud AI used in conjunction online with companies like Google or Microsoft,

 

You can connect to an API, example is chat GPT

The AI work is done in the cloud and over the Internet

This involves data centers and huge computer networks

Parameters of lots of neurons or brain power in computing

 

Obvious Future is a technology company, looking to engineer a smaller API with the same machine learning intelligence

 

History of technology, initially things are large and cost a lot of money

Over time, it should be smaller and cheaper and faster

 

How do you perform the same tasks and have great efficiency?

 

Lots of uses for artificial intelligence, just one example is checking email for spam

 

Currently, most AI is a large language model, tons of info or put into the machine learning. But a lot of it is not needed, lots of waste

 

Compounds and routing models can be the future

 

 

Seg 2

 

Chat GPT, is a supermodel, knows everything, but has wasted data

To Eddie, this does not make sense

 

For most AI tasks, you need a specialist, a form of expert knowledge

Need to be routed to the right model, compound the route and info

 

Network of smaller models – then Which expert model to ask a question

This will reduce resources and energy use, plus better use, and faster

 

Alan Tuning said, difficult work requires lots of engineering

 

Obvious Future has created a machine learning product called Cara One, used for media production and film

 

Runs on the premises of a business, local, not in the cloud

 

Not connected to the Internet, in-house, so you can protect your Intellectual Property (IP)

 

Air gapped setup with hardware, provide AI resources in house

 

Problem, how to keep data in house

Run in a server room on the premises

Cap X model for a business where they can own their own AI

 

Current AI Cloud set up as a subscription model, this a company would own

 

 

Seg 3

 

Set up a server or multiple servers in a closet in a business office on site, but not a super computer

 

AI hardware equals expensive cost

 

Math plus technology and you can shrink the tech

 

Companies cannot even use lots of AI services or ChatGPT right now, because it is open cloud, too much business risk, can’t have your IP or information in the cloud

 

Cloud options for business are limited, and typically a no go, plus regulations with data protection

 

Obvious Future has their Resident AI product, called Cara One

 

Even if the Internet is down, you can still use their resident AI product, and it cost less

 

Huge paradox in technology right now, we have the best AI products and software and yet many companies cannot use it

 

Resident AI resides on premises. This opens up the business environment for different verticals and markets that need resident AI

 

Engine for AI, small sized so companies can use

 

Rate of return will continue to go up as companies invest in this

 

Hardware, software, chips are all improving and incorporating AI. Like all things in technology. There is constant improvement, and enhancing AI.

 

Obvious Future dealing in financing rounds for a business opportunity

 

Verticals of financing include industries like: banks, medical, legal, research data, customer data

 

All can be potential customers

 

Obvious Future working on developing the next level of Cara One, Resident AI for all of these potential businesses

 

US Patent Office would be another example, they can only partially use cloud AI, need resident AI to sift through all the data

 

 

 

 

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