Builders Live

Nationally, we’re seeing variation in when states are driving tech, science and entrepreneurship economic development, and when it’s primarily taking place at the regional ecosystem level. How does a state leader balance multiple ecosystems and regions with distinct needs?

Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Louisiana Economic Development CIO Josh Fleig for a conversation about the role for government and economic development at the state level.

Recorded August 5, 2026.

Ecosystem building is coalition work, and there can be benefits and challenges to having a larger group of stakeholders. When does it make sense to take a statewide strategy as opposed to a regional one?

Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Arizona Technology Council president & CEO Steven Zylstra for a conversation about what's changing about the tech council model and what's most effective about different approaches to economic development.

Recorded July 29, 2026.

Since joining the Research Triangle Foundation in 2017, Scott Levitan has overseen a transformation of the 7,000-acre Research Triangle Park including a mixed-use campus, coworking space and high-profile corporate investments. As the organization moves to implement its RTP 3.0 initiative, it announced a planned leadership transition, with Levitan set to retire in October. At this inflection point, what does the future hold for RTP, and what can other similar institutions learn from its evolution?

Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Research Triangle Foundation president & CEO Scott Levitan for a conversation about reflections on his tenure leading the organization and lessons for place-based economic development.

Recorded July 23, 2026.

What's really happening with entry-level workers? If it continues to get more difficult to start a career, that could create pipeline issues in the future with fewer experienced workers. Is a degree still worth it for young professionals, and what impacts are AI and remote work having on the employment landscape?

Co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, venture investor Rae'Mah Henderson, and Technical.ly cofounder and publisher Christopher Wink discuss how regions can best support their students and new grads — and how entrepreneurship fits in the equation.

Recorded July 22, 2026.

Greater Cleveland Partnership has an "All In" plan to help the region grow, bringing together private, public and philanthropic partners to achieve that goal. But what does real collaboration look like when you’re working with a variety of stakeholders who may all define success differently?

Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Greater Cleveland Partnership president & CEO Baiju Shah for a conversation about the org's efforts to turn its vision into strategies, actions and outcomes — and what lessons other regions can apply to their own economic development.

Recorded July 15, 2026.

Ahead of the July 4th holiday and America's 250th anniversary, it's a special edition of our monthly podcast on ecosystem building and entrepreneur-led economic development where we examine the United States of Entrepreneurship.

Our Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Taylor Eubanks of Midwest House and Christopher Wink, Technical.ly's cofounder and CEO, discuss what's notable about the startup and innovation economy in all 50 states — and how entrepreneurship is helping to shape the country's identity at this significant milestone.

Recorded June 24, 2026.

A lot of startup advice still assumes the goal is venture capital, but the funding landscape is changing for companies that want to grow but may not be chasing a unicorn-style outcome. How should founders, investors, economic development groups and entrepreneur support organizations operate when the definition of success includes profitability, founder control, job creation and community impact — not just exits and valuations?

Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Jeffrey Kaplan from Venture Asheville and Optimist Ventures for a conversation about what companies actually need if they're currently underserved by traditional venture capital.

Recorded June 17, 2026.

There's no shortage of great entrepreneurs out there, but not all of them will gain traction and break through. When it comes to successful founders, what traits feel innate, and what traits can actually be coached? Can a startup become more investable because of how the founder responds to feedback? And should regions be spending more energy identifying hidden talent, or building the systems that help more founders become fundable, revenue-generating companies?

Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by GrowthX cofounder and CEO Andrew Goldner for a conversation about how founders can sell, listen and adapt to become stronger over time.

Recorded June 3, 2026.

So much of the work of ecosystem building can be invisible and intangible. Can storytelling help change that? What impact can storytelling have on economic development and how regional identities are shaped and evolve?

Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Social Venturers founder Anika Horn for a conversation about her new book and lessons for founders and ecosystem builders.

Recorded May 7, 2026 at the Technical.ly Builders Conference.

Support 'It Takes a Valley' here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ittakesavalley/it-takes-a-valley

What is philanthropy's role in economic development, and how can it make the most impact? Economic development has historically been government's job — incentives, tax policy, public investment. Where does philanthropy fit, and where does it overstep?

Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, venture investor Rae'Mah Henderson, Taylor Eubanks of Midwest House and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Christopher Wink discuss when philanthropic investment in a region's economy makes sense, and what constitutes philanthropy versus government versus industry responsibilities.

Recorded May 27, 2026.