In today’s episode, I talk to two of the visionaries behind the Global Accelerator Network and GAN ventures, Pat Riley and Reilly Flynn. We talk about the founders that they are funding, and the emerging venture ecosystem. We start by talking about what GAN is, and how it ended up in Colorado. We discuss how accelerators changed since 2005. We talk about the 4 traits they look for in founders they want to invest in. We discuss some interesting data on where to find ideas to invest in. We talk about the future of Venture in the Northern Rockies. We discuss some of the challenges that they face, as well as the founders they invest in. And we finally discuss GAN’s future and vision. 

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

• What is GAN?
• How did it end up in Colorado?
• How accelerators changed since 2005
• The 4 traits they look for in founders
• Interesting data on where to find ideas to invest in 
• The future of Venture in the Northern Rockies
• What are some of the challenges 
• What is GAN vision for the future?

Resources:
Websites:
https://www.gan.co/blog/
https://www.gan.co/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ganconnect

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/GANConnect

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ganconnect/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/reillyflynn/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rileypat/

In today’s episode, I talk with Jenni Graff, the executive director of Early Stage Montana, an accelerator program, helping tech entrepreneurs grow faster, and creating jobs to diversify and grow Montana's economy. We dive into Jenni’s background and Montana’s community. We talk about what exactly an accelerator is, and what is unique about Early Stage Montana. We talk about the evolution of entrepreneurship in Montana over the past decade. We discuss how they find mentors for their programs. Jenni shares with us the vision of Early Stage Montana. 

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

• Jenni’s background 
• What is bringing people to and keeping them in Montana?
• How did Montana evolve for entrepreneurs in the past decade?
• What is an accelerator program? 
•  What’s unique about Montana’s accelerator program? 
• How is this NOT like SharkTank?
• How do you find and match-make mentors and the entrepreneurs?
• Where is Early Stage Montana?
• ESMT regional showcases 
• Statewide Showcase on October 20th (tickets)
• The SBA's Growth Accelerator Fund Prize 
• The future of Early Stage Montana
• The future for tech startups in Montana

Resources:

Website:
https://www.earlystagemt.org/

Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/early-stage-montana/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennigraff/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/EarlyStageMT

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/earlystagemt/

In today’s episode, I talk with Michelle Huie. Michelle is the founder of VIM & VIGR. She also has another exciting new project in the works that we discuss. We talk about her startup journey, what got her started and where things are headed. We discuss her background and what led her to start her company. We talk about her transition from a side hustle to the main hustle. Michelle shares her takeaways from her journey. We discuss what’s next for VIM & VIGR and Michelle’s vision. We also discuss her second company ShopDot, and how she is taking her past experience to solve the problem in the retail space. We talk about bootstrapping vs fundraising for ShopDot. 

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

• Background 
• How the company started 
• From a side hustle to the main hustle 
• Takeaways from Michelle’s journey
• What’s next for VIM & VIGR
• What’s ShopDot 
• Taking her past experience to solve the problem in the retail space 
• Bootstrapping VS fundraising for ShopDot 

Resources:

Websites:
ShopDot: https://shopdotapp.com/
VIM & VIGR: https://vimvigr.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-huie/

Summary:

In today’s episode, I talk with Hanna Wu who is the Cofounder & CEO of Amplify, a life insurance company that allows its users to build wealth with their policy.  Hannah tells us her family’s inspiring story of immigrating to the United States and how her upbringing inspired her to an amazing path as a start-up founder. Hanna shares her challenges and the biggest lessons she has learned over the past two years fundraising and growing Amplify. She provides perspective, advice and encouragement for founders of all rocky mountain backgrounds and stages.

Here’s a closer look at the episode:

• What is Amplify? Why a Life Insurance company?
• How investing with your life insurance policy is different.
• How they handled proof of concept.
• How COVID has changed how they do business and how they fundraise. 
• Fundraising tips for first-round founders.
• How her life at home has impacted the path of Amplify
• Personal vision as a motivating factor.
• Developing your network. 
• Growth as a leader
• Where is Amplify going?

Resources:

Website: https://beamplify.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanna-wu-a6b094155/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beamplify/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/beamplify