Found In The Rockies

In today’s episode, Les sits down with Sean Leahy and John Price from HighGround. the conversation delves into the founders’ unique backgrounds—from military service and government intelligence to data science and entrepreneurial ventures—and how these experiences inform their ambitious vision. HighGround seeks to create a centralized platform, similar to Bloomberg for equities, providing comprehensive market intelligence for defense and national security sectors. The episode highlights the challenges of navigating complex government systems, the evolving defense tech landscape, and the founders’ commitment to simplifying access to public data for transformative impact. Their mission underscores the potential for democratizing information to drive innovation and improve outcomes for both government and private entities.

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

John Price shares his background, including his upbringing in Colorado, his father's career on Wall Street, and his early fascination with technology.

Sean Leahy shares his upbringing in Northern Virginia, his experience at the Pentagon after 9/11, and his career as a government contractor.

Sean and John discuss the early days of HighGround, including their initial 12-slide pitch deck and their commitment to the venture.

High Ground's Vision and Market Transformation

Impact on Emerging Defense Tech Companies and Investors

Broader impact of High Ground on the defense industry, including potential reinvigoration and innovation in technology development.

Thoughts on dual-use technology, the future of the defense industry, and the potential impact of High Ground.

Resources:

Sean Leahy LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/seanleahyctg

John Price LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-a-p-b8a376b/

In today’s episode, Les talks with Kenny Scott, the founder of Paramify. Kenny shares his journey from initially disliking compliance and GRC work to eventually building a successful SaaS company that automates and streamlines these processes. He discusses his background in consulting and cybersecurity, his brief stint running a hedge fund, and the pivotal moment when he decided to create a solution to the pain points he experienced in the GRC space. Throughout the conversation, Kenny emphasizes the importance of relationships, prioritizing family, and leveraging technology to enable security professionals to focus on more strategic initiatives. Kenny talks about the importance of balancing work and family and predicts a future where AI will play a crucial role in enhancing cybersecurity.

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

Kenny’s background, mentioning his initial interest in finance and his transition to programming.

Kenny discusses his career progression, including roles at Google, American Express, and Adobe, where he worked on organizational risk management.

Kenny reflects on the challenges and rewards of his career, emphasizing the importance of solving real problems.

Kenny’s thoughts on the significance of governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) and the growing demand for security services.

Kenny dives into the complexities of FedRAMP, explaining its purpose and the rigorous process involved.

Kenny talks about the early days of Paramify, including the search for talented developers and the initial success with small startups.

Kenny highlights the importance of relationships and the support from early clients like Palo Alto Networks.

Kenny provides an update on Paramify's current status, including their FedRAMP High audit and the growth of their client base.

Resources:

Website: https://www.paramify.com/

Kenny LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenny-g-scott/

Paramify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/paramify/

Kenny Twitter: https://x.com/kenny_g_scott

Orlando Zambrano (Defense Innovation Unit) \\ How the DIU is Harnessing Commercial Tech for National Security

Summary:

In today’s episode, Les talks with Orlando Zambrano, a West Point graduate and former infantry officer, who discusses his journey from serving in the 1/73 Airborne Brigade to working at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). DIU, established in 2015, aims to integrate commercial technology into defense solutions. Orlando highlights DIU's three phases: 1.0 focused on building Silicon Valley links, 2.0 on rapid prototyping, and 3.0 on strategic impact at scale. Orlando discusses DIU's role in leveraging private investment and AI to enhance military capabilities, aiming for rapid adaptation in response to evolving threats.

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

Origins and Background of Orlando Zambrano

Orlando recounts his upbringing in Florida and Venezuela, influenced by his parents' immigrant backgrounds and his early interest in service and leadership.

Military Service and Early Career

Orlando’s years in management consulting at McKinsey before transitioning to roles in the startup ecosystem, focusing on autonomy companies.

Orlando’s decision to join the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) as a contractor, driven by the desire to contribute to national security and defense innovation.

The importance of DIU's dual-fluency team members who can engage effectively with both the DoD and the commercial technology sector.

DIU's history and mission, and the importance of harnessing commercial technology to solve warfighter problems.

Examples of DIU Projects and Successes

The role of DIU in creating pathways for private investment and supporting the growth of defense tech companies.

Future of Autonomy and AI in Defense

Orlando shares his admiration for the talented and patriotic people he works with at DIU, who are committed to maintaining the U.S. technological edge.

Resources:

DIU Website: https://www.diu.mil/

Orlando LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orzambrano/

DIU LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diux/

Garrett Smith (Reveal) \\ Marine-Turned-Founder Revolutionizes Defense Technology

In today’s episode, Garrett Smith, CEO of Reveal Technologies, discussed his journey from the Marine Corps to founding a defense tech startup in Bozeman, Montana. Garrett, a linguistics graduate with a background in Mandarin, transitioned from government service to Silicon Valley, where he focused on drone technology. Reveal Technologies developed Farsight, a software that creates 3D maps from drone video in real-time, enhancing situational awareness for warfighters.

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

Garrett Smith's Background and Early Life

Enlistment in the Marine Corps post-9/11 and his decision to pursue higher education at Stanford University.

Garrett explains his undergraduate degree in linguistics with an emphasis on Mandarin, which he learned while serving as a Mormon missionary in Taiwan.

Transition to Silicon Valley and Early Career

Garrett discusses the decision to leave government for the tech startup world, influenced by the potential for greater impact and ownership in tech startups.

Inspiration for Reveal Technologies

Garrett explains the concept of photogrammetry and how Reveal Technologies' software, Farsight, uses it to create 3D maps from drone video in real-time.

Future of Defense Technology and Reveal's Vision

Garrett reflects on the broader implications of defense technology innovation, drawing parallels to the Cold War era and the current geopolitical landscape.

Community Building and Future of Tech Hubs

Les and Garrett discuss the future of defense technology and the potential for Reveal Technologies to continue innovating in the space.

Resources:

Website: https://www.revealtech.ai/

Garrett LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wgarrettsmith/

Reveal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reveal-technology/posts/?feedView=all

TITLE: France Hoang (Boodle.ai) \\ From the White House to the Battlefield

Summary:

In today’s episode of Found in the Rockies, Les spoke with France Hoang, co-founder of BoodleAI. France and Les shared their experiences and insights on optimizing AI models for efficient use in Boodle, an AI-powered chatbot. Les and France shared their experiences in the military and government, highlighting the differences in their paths and the lessons they learned about service, sacrifice, and debt. They also share their insights on entrepreneurship and investment, emphasizing the importance of culture, trust, and finding the right fit in the investment process.

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

France Wong shares his origin story and unique career path, from humble beginnings to co-founding Bucha Box.ai.

France’s Military service before and after 9/11, including deployment to Bosnia and White House experience.

France shares insights on entrepreneurship, highlighting the importance of a strong team and effective execution.

France emphasized culture as a hiring advantage, interviewing candidates on why they wouldn't join the company.

Entrepreneurship, fear of failure, and overcoming setbacks.

Bootstrapping an aviation company, raising investment.

Entrepreneurship, fundraising, and AI technology.

Using AI for investment analysis, with emphasis on personalization and goal-oriented approach.

AI language models and their applications in higher education.

Resources:

Website: https://boodle.ai/

France LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franceqhoang/

France Twitter: https://x.com/fqhoang

Matt Puopolo (StageDotO) & Travis Hawkes (Capital Eleven) \\ Idaho Investing and Seed to Growth Conference

Summary:

In today’s episode, Les talks with Matt Puopolo from StageDotO and Travis Hawkes from Capital Eleven about the startup community in Idaho as well as the Seed to Growth Conference coming up in September. They discussed the growth and potential of Boise's startup ecosystem, highlighting favorable conditions such as a talented workforce and increased acceptance of distributed workforce. They emphasized the importance of supporting local founders and investing in the region to drive growth and innovation. They discuss the challenges faced by founders in accessing capital and building scalable businesses, and the need for founders to prioritize capital efficiency and pathway to profitability. Finally, they emphasized the importance of authentic networking in nurturing startup ecosystems, citing in-person events like the Seed to Growth conference as valuable opportunities for founders and investors to form meaningful connections.

Resources:

Matt Puopolo - StageDotO

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

https://www.linkedin.com/company/stagedoto/

https://www.stagedoto.com/

Travis Hawkes - Capital Eleven

https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-b-hawkes-76a8a13/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/capital-eleven/

https://capitaleleven.com/

Seed to Growth Conference

https://seedtogrowthconference.com/

In today’s episode, of Found in the Rockies, Les Craig sits down with a dynamic guest from the Rocky Mountain region, Maggie Rodney, a principal at Massive Capital Partners. They dive into the unique and innovative investment strategies employed by Massive Capital, focusing on deep tech and climate tech ventures. Maggie shares her compelling journey from a finance career to joining the Peace Corps in Rwanda and ultimately transitioning into the venture capital world. Listeners will gain insights into Massive Capital's distinctive model, the importance of personal interactions in investment, and the exciting future of technology and innovation.

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

Career evolution: Peace Corps, litigation, to venture capital.

Peace Corps in Rwanda.

Understanding industry fundamentals and principles, despite differences in size and structure between firms.

Hydros Ventures Fellowship

Unique investment model with SPVs and pre-committed index fund.

Benefits of the Massive model for founders, including reduced complexity and the potential for interaction with investors before the investment closes.

Investment strategies and sectors, including climate tech and verticals with potential impact on the world.

Climate tech and deep tech investments, including energy transformation, circular economy, and space technology.

Colorado's lifestyle and people, finding them unique and engaging.

Resources:

Website: https://www.massive.vc/

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-rodney/

Massive LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/massive-vc/

In today’s episode, Les talks with Gabriel Wyner, the creator of the most funded app in Kickstarter history - Fluent Forever. Gabe details his fascinating journey from a science-focused student pursuing dual degrees in music and engineering, to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the language learning space. He shared experiences learning languages through immersion programs that led him to dream in foreign tongues. His story provides inspiration for those seeking to unlock their potential and open up new possibilities through perseverance.

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

Gabe’s dual passions for engineering and singing, with a focus on the Renaissance scholar prize and language learning for opera

Language immersion programs and dreams in foreign languages.

Cheating on a language test to gain admission to a program.

Defining the pain point and the ways that resources were lacking

Language learning and teaching methods.

Gabe’s book that was deemed terrible by an editor, leading to financial struggles and a new perspective on writing.

Memory retention and the effectiveness of spaced repetition.

Gabe shares his story of overcoming self-doubt and pursuing his passion for language learning.

Resources:

Website: https://fluent-forever.com/

Gabriel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-wyner/

Fluent Forever LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fluent-forever/

Fluent Forever Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FluentForeverApp/

Fluent Forever Twitter: https://x.com/Fluent_Forever

Fluent Forever Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluentforeverapp/

In today’s episode, Les talks with Quique Nagle, the founder and CEO of Advisr - a sales operating system that helps organizations maximize existing resources to increase revenue and market share. Quique shares his journey with Advisr, discussing the challenges and innovations in risk management technology. He emphasizes the importance of adapting to change and leveraging new tools to enhance decision-making and efficiency. Quique also reflects on the serendipitous moments that have influenced his career path, underscoring the unpredictable yet significant impact of chance encounters. The discussion highlights how technological advancements can transform traditional industries and personal trajectories.

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

Quique shares his experience growing up in a small town in upstate New York and how it influenced his decision to move to Bozeman.

Career path in media and advertising industry.

Quique talks about his luck and serendipity in getting a job in the ad industry without prior knowledge or experience.

The evolution of the advertising industry, from traditional formats to digital platforms.

Digital ad products and their impact on sales organizations.

Creating an algorithm to help salespeople make better product recommendations. Entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and early stages of a startup.

Lessons learned from early stage company growth.

Remote work and funding challenges during COVID-19 pandemic.

Leadership principles and cultural values with a tech CEO.

Resources:

Website: https://www.advisr.com/

Quique LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quique-nagle-a609401/

Advisr LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/advisrio/

In today’s episode, Les talks with Blair Simpson, a Principal at Frontier Venture Capital. Blaire shares his journey from being a musician to entering the venture capital world, emphasizing non-traditional paths into VC and the music industry's influence on his career. Les and Blair talk about the impact of AI on creative fields, Blair's advice for aspiring VCs, and Blair's musical inspirations and how they relate to his work in venture capital.

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

Entrepreneurship and venture capital path.

Music inspirations and teaching methods.

Entrepreneurship, music, and technology.

Non-traditional path to venture capital, with a music industry background.

Networking, authentic connections, and personal branding.

Early-stage B2B software investments in the US, ecosystem growth, and exit strategies.

AI investment, creativity, and uncertainty.

Investing, entrepreneurship, and personal growth

Resources:

Website: https://frontiervc.com/

Blair’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jblairsimpson/

Frontier Venture Capital LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dfj-frontier/