Boulder Tech Podcast

This is one of 20 interviews recorded in a popup backroom studio at dojo4 during the 10th annual Boulder Startup Week. When it started in 2009, Boulder Startup Week was the first event of its kind, anywhere. Now, Startup Weeks are held around the world. It’s a great example of Boulder’s position on the leading edge of tech — and the future.

Our guests for Episode 45 are Vanessa Clark, co-founder and CEO, and William Kowalski, co-founder and COO, of Atomos, a Denver-based company building the railroad of space with spacecraft that move satellites from low Earth orbit to anywhere beyond our atmosphere. In our conversation, we get into:

• the state of private space exploration
• what sets Atomos’ last-mile services apart from their competitors, and their plan to disrupt and revolutionize how we operate in space
• the space biz in Colorado 
• and how, for all its ambitious projects and high-flying goals, Atomos is, at heart, a family-run company

Follow Atomos on Twitter @AtomosSpace.

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The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Boulder StartUp Week platinum sponsors Honey, Matter and Zayo. 

We’re also supported by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Thanks to dojo4 for providing space for our podcast studio, and to KGNU Community Radio for recording gear and studio usage.

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com (that’s E-c-c-o-d-e-k).

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by me, Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms and comments are welcome. Reach me at [email protected]

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

This is one of 20 interviews recorded in a popup backroom studio at dojo4 during the 10th annual Boulder Startup Week. When it started in 2009, Boulder Startup Week was the first event of its kind, anywhere. Now, Startup Weeks are held around the world. It’s a great example of Boulder’s position on the leading edge of tech — and the future.

Our guest for Episode 44 is Jonathan Lamer, Founder and CEO of ThirdCo, a sustainable technology product manufacturer based in Montreal. During his first time in Boulder, Jonathan stopped by to talk about:

• How a French-Canadian found himself at Boulder Startup Week
• Why a founder should set out to fail big
• The challenge of finding the right people for your mission
• How the Montreal and Boulder entrepreneurial communities differ
• Why Jonathan loves “the no”

Follow Jonathan on Twitter @JonathanLamer.

Episode 44 of the Boulder Tech Podcast is presented by Boulder StartUp Week Social Impact track sponsor, Popsockets.

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Boulder StartUp Week platinum sponsors Honey, Matter and Zayo. 

We’re also supported by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Thanks to dojo4 for providing space for our podcast studio, and to KGNU Community Radio for recording gear and studio usage.

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com (that’s E-c-c-o-d-e-k).

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by me, Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms and comments are welcome. Reach me at [email protected]

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

Episode 43 of the Boulder Tech Podcast is part of a special “WILD” series of interviews recorded during the 10th annual Boulder Startup Week. 

WILD (Women Inspiring Leadership Development) is a new track at Boulder StartUp Week 2019, and features candid conversations celebrating women’s startup success, diversity, power, mentoring muscle and leadership impact. 

For the WILD series, I’m pleased to hand off interviewing duties to Stephanie Brady, Managing Director at iFG Studios and Board Member of The WILD Council. who chats in this episode with Shail Mehta, CEO and Co-Founder of The Last Gameboard about :

• How Shail started a tech venture without a tech background
• Her inspiration to fuse the physical game board experience into the digital gaming world. 
• And battling the bro-culture as a minority woman 

The WILD at Boulder Startup Week podcast series is supported by 1stBank, “banking for good” to help business customers achieve their goals and provide them the resources to succeed. 

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is presented by Boulder Startup Week 2019 Title sponsor, Techstars. At the core, Techstars is a company founded by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. With more than 300,000 alumni and 10,000 mentors across 150 countries, Techstars is a worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed. To learn more, go-to techstars.com. 

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Boulder StartUp Week platinum sponsors Honey, Matter and Zayo. 

We’re also supported by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Thanks to dojo4 for providing space for our podcast studio, and to KGNU Community Radio for recording gear and studio usage.

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com (that’s E-c-c-o-d-e-k).

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by me, Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms and comments are welcome. Reach me at [email protected]

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

This is one of 20 interviews recorded in a popup backroom studio at dojo4 during the 10th annual Boulder Startup Week. When it started in 2009, Boulder Startup Week was the first event of its kind, anywhere. Now, Startup Weeks are held around the world. It’s a great example of Boulder’s position on the leading edge of tech — and the future.

Our guest for Episode 42 is Dan Caruso, Chairman and CEO of Zayo Group, a leading global provider of Communications Infrastructure and a major supporter of the Front Range tech and startup community.  

In our short conversation, Dan:

• gives me a quick tutorial on communications infrastructure
• tells us why, in the early days of the tech age, big players like Level 3 chose to locate their headquarters on the Front Range 
• explains why ever-faster connectivity has more important applications than simply enjoying a better gaming or Netflix experience 
• speaks with obvious passion about why Zayo Group loves to invest in the local community

Follow Dan on Twitter @DanCaruso.

Episode #42 of the Boulder Tech Podcast is presented by Boulder StartUp Week Accelerator track sponsor, UpRamp.

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Boulder StartUp Week platinum sponsors Honey, Matter and Zayo. 

We’re also supported by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Thanks to dojo4 for providing space for our podcast studio, and to KGNU Community Radio for recording gear and studio usage.

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com (that’s E-c-c-o-d-e-k).

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by me, Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms, comments and guest suggestions are welcome. Reach me at [email protected]

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

Our guest for Episode 41 is Joe Minock, Founder of AthleteProgress – a company building software to help sports clubs, teams, and private coaches clarify and expedite athlete feedback, measure individual and team progress over time, and understand efficacy of teaching concepts.

Among many things, Joe and I get into:

• What your child’s sports team has in common with the 2002 Oakland A’s.
• The cultural changes Joe’s noticed through his lifelong involvement in sports
• Why a multi-sport athlete tends to be a healthier, happier, more well-rounded person than a single-sport athlete
• The payoffs that AthleteProgress delivers for players even when they’re off the field

Follow Joe on Twitter @JoeMinock.

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is presented by Boulder Startup Week 2019 Title sponsor, Techstars. At the core, Techstars is a company founded by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. With more than 300,000 alumni and 10,000 mentors across 150 countries, Techstars is a worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed. To learn more, go-to techstars.com. 

Episode #41 of the Boulder Tech Podcast is presented by Boulder StartUp Week Relationship track sponsor, Gloo.

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Boulder StartUp Week platinum sponsors Honey, Matter and Zayo. 

We’re also supported by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Thanks to dojo4 for providing space for our podcast studio, and to KGNU Community Radio for recording gear and studio usage.

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com (that’s E-c-c-o-d-e-k).

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by me, Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms, comments and guest suggestions are welcome. I’m here; reach out anytime.

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

Episode 40 of the Boulder Tech Podcast is part of a special “WILD” series of interviews recorded during the 10th annual Boulder Startup Week. 

WILD (Women Inspiring Leadership Development) is a new track at Boulder StartUp Week 2019, and features candid conversations celebrating women’s startup success, diversity, power, mentoring muscle and leadership impact. 

For the WILD series, I’m pleased to hand off interviewing duties to Stephanie Brady, Managing Director at iFG Studios and Board Member of The WILD Council. On today’s epsiode, Stephanie speaks with Megan Bent, Founder of Harbinger Ventures, about a number of things, including:

• Startup lessons she’s learned
• Megan’s passion for supporting female founders 
• Creating a new “shared-benefit” model of venture funding 

The WILD at Boulder Startup Week podcast series is supported by 1stBank, “banking for good” to help business customers achieve their goals and provide them the resources to succeed. 

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is presented by Boulder Startup Week 2019 Title sponsor, Techstars. At the core, Techstars is a company founded by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. With more than 300,000 alumni and 10,000 mentors across 150 countries, Techstars is a worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed. To learn more, go-to techstars.com. 

Episode #39 of the Boulder Tech Podcast is presented by Boulder StartUp Week Product Management track sponsor, SOVRN.

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Boulder StartUp Week platinum sponsors Honey, Matter and Zayo. 

We’re also supported by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Thanks to dojo4 for providing space for our podcast studio, and to KGNU Community Radio for recording gear and studio usage.

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com (that’s E-c-c-o-d-e-k).

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by me, Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms and comments are welcome. Reach me at [email protected]

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

This is one of 20 interviews recorded in a popup backroom studio at dojo4 during the 10th annual Boulder Startup Week. When it started in 2009, Boulder Startup Week was the first event of its kind, anywhere. Now, Startup Weeks are held around the world. It’s a great example of Boulder’s position on the leading edge of tech — and the future.

Our guest for Episode 39 is Susan Crouse, CEO of Traxart Toys – a company founded to get kids back on the ground and playing with toys.

Among many things, Susan and I chat about:

• What drew a long time, high-end product development manager to toys
• Why being a product developer is great prep for becoming a CEO
• Susan’s enthusiastic advocacy for rapid prototyping
• And the cruel irony underlying the fundraising challenges faced by women in tech 

Follow Susan on Twitter @CEOTraxartToys.

SPECIAL NOTE: Traxart Toys is running a Kickstarter campaign through June 19, 2019. Learn more here.

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is presented by Boulder Startup Week 2019 Title sponsor, Techstars. At the core, Techstars is a company founded by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. With more than 300,000 alumni and 10,000 mentors across 150 countries, Techstars is a worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed. To learn more, go-to techstars.com. 

Episode #39 of the Boulder Tech Podcast is presented by Boulder StartUp Week Product Management track sponsor, SOVRN.

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Boulder StartUp Week platinum sponsors Honey, Matter and Zayo. 

We’re also supported by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Thanks to dojo4 for providing space for our podcast studio, and to KGNU Community Radio for recording gear and studio usage.

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com (that’s E-c-c-o-d-e-k).

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by me, Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms and comments are welcome. Reach me at [email protected]

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

This is one of 20 interviews recorded in a popup backroom studio at dojo4 during the 10th annual Boulder Startup Week. When it started in 2009, Boulder Startup Week was the first event of its kind, anywhere. Now, Startup Weeks are held around the world. It’s a great example of Boulder’s position on the leading edge of tech — and the future.

Our guest for Episode 38 is Kristin Darga, Founder of Impact Founder – a multimedia conversation sharing real successes and failures of global entrepreneurs.  

Kristin and I get into a number of topics, including:

• Why entrepreneurs — even the successful ones — are 3 times as likely to suffer from depression as the average person.
• The personal experience that led her to create Impact Founder.
• How primitive human archetypes still contribute to our actions today.
• How impact founder serves as a bridge linking capitalism with art.

Follow Kristin on Twitter @ImpactFounder.

This is the first of 20 interviews recorded in a popup backroom studio at dojo4 during the 10th annual Boulder Startup Week. When it started in 2009, Boulder Startup Week was the first event of its kind, anywhere. Now, Startup Weeks are held around the world. It’s a great example of Boulder’s position on the leading edge of tech — and the future.

Our guest for Episode 37 is Marcie Tucker, CEO and founder of 99Agree – a company dedicated to helping college students live, share, and get along with each other at the highest potential possible. 

We talk about a number of issues, including:

• the growing need — and not just among college students — for roommate compatibility forecasting
• How agreements transform communities
• Marcie’s perspective on the gap between the rhetoric and the real in the Front Range tech and startup community
• what roommates and Mars Simulation have in common

Follow Marcie on Twitter @DrMSTucker.

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is presented by Boulder Startup Week 2019 Title sponsor, Techstars. At the core, Techstars is a company founded by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. With more than 300,000 alumni and 10,000 mentors across 150 countries, Techstars is a worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed. To learn more, go-to techstars.com. 

Episode #37 of the Boulder Tech Podcast is presented by Boulder StartUp Week Adventure track sponsor, Brandzooka.

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Boulder StartUp Week platinum sponsors Honey, Matter and Zayo. 

We’re also supported by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Thanks to dojo4 for providing space for our podcast studio, and to KGNU Community Radio for recording gear and studio usage.

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com (that’s E-c-c-o-d-e-k).

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by me, Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms and comments are welcome. Reach me at

Our guest for Episode #36 is Andrew Hyde. Andrew’s done a lot of things — written a book, launched three startups, hired as employee #1 at TechStars — including founding Boulder Startup Week — the first-ever Startup Week anywhere — the 10th annual edition of which runs from May 13-17th at many venues across Boulder.

Among several things, we discuss the genesis of Boulder Startup Week (and, tangentially, the Boulder Tech Podcast), and Andrew’s suggestions for how to approach the week and get the most out of your experience.

Follow Andrew on Twitter @unicorn.

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite  and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Thanks to dojo4 for providing space for the Boulder Tech Podcast HQ, and to KGNU Community Radio for studio usage.

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem.

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms and comments are welcome. Reach me at [email protected].

Thank you for listening.