In this episode of The Empowered Podcast (Invst Guru Edition), we sit down with Mak Grgic, Grammy-nominated guitarist and CEO & Co-Founder of Notey, the groundbreaking platform transforming how people learn music.

Notey combines AI, gaming, and education to turn traditional music practice into an immersive, game-like experience. With a mission to make music learning as engaging as playing Guitar Hero or Super Mario, Notey helps beginners stick with their instruments longer — solving one of the biggest challenges in music education today.

🎵 Topics Covered:

• How Notey gamifies music practice for beginners
• The role of generative AI in music learning
• Retention and engagement challenges in music education
• How Notey aims to become the “Duolingo for music”
• Lessons from Techstars and building a music-tech startup

🔥 Whether you’re a musician, educator, or startup founder, this episode dives deep into the future of music practice, gamification, and edtech innovation.

📊 A quick snapshot from Notey:

• $250K new commitments this week, bringing us close to 50% cash in the bank for our current raise

• New partnership with Devot, an award-winning software company, to fast-track parent/teacher dashboards and launch our Android build

📈 Key Metrics & Growth:

• 20K users and 40 school partnerships (+11% increase from past quarter)

• Engagement: 12 min/session

• Conversion: 7% install → SFT, 48% SFT → paid

• Retention: D1 88%, D90 67% (vs. industry avg ~2%)

• Unit economics: CAC ~$30 vs. $60 annual subscription

💰 Interested in speaking about Notey’s current raise or just have questions? Grab a time here: https://calendly.com/mak-grgic/30min?month=2025-10

📱 Try Notey on iOS: https://notey.co/

💬 Connect with Mak Grgic: https://www.makgrgic.com

#MusicTech #AIinMusic #Gamification #StartupPodcast #Notey #MakGrgic #MusicEducation #EdTech #DuolingoForMusic #AI #MusicLearning

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In this episode, Revo Zero co-founder Ruben Creus unveils how the company’s plug-in fuel cell (PFC) technology is redefining the automotive industry. By combining battery power with hydrogen fuel cells, Revo Zero is creating luxury zero-emission vehicles that can travel up to 700 miles and refuel in just 7 minutes.

Creus explains how Revo Zero’s hybrid energy system delivers the best of both worlds — the convenience of electric charging at home and the range of hydrogen fueling on the road. He also breaks down how the company plans to build a nationwide hydrogen refueling network, starting with airports, municipalities, and universities.

Learn how Revo Zero is challenging traditional EV models by pairing cutting-edge vehicle design with its own fueling infrastructure, and why Creus believes energy independence and clean air are the keys to the future of mobility.

🔹 Topics Covered:

• How Plug-in Fuel Cell (PFC) technology works
• Why hydrogen is the key to true clean energy
• Building a national refueling network
• Revo Zero’s luxury SUV “Energy” and upcoming models
• The economics of hydrogen vs. gas and EV charging
• Revo Zero’s investor movement and future vision

🎙️ Guest: Ruben Creus, Co-Founder of Revo Zero

💡 Host: The Empowered Podcast (Invst Guru Edition)

📍 Learn more at RevoZero.com

#RevoZero #HydrogenCars #CleanEnergy #SustainableMobility #EVRevolution #HydrogenFuelCell #LuxurySUV #GreenTech #RubenCreus #ElectricVehicles

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In this episode, we sit down with Doug Bertram, CEO and Founder of Structural Elements™️, to explore how his company is transforming the world of orthopedic wellness and redefining what it means to move, heal, and live pain-free.

With over 100,000 treatments delivered since 2015, Structural Elements™️ is on a mission to expand to 125 clinics nationwide, offering an integrative approach that combines physical therapy, chiropractic techniques, and advanced recovery modalities like red light therapy, cryotherapy, and fascia mapping.

Doug shares:

✅ How Structural Elements™️ built a cash-based franchise model that gives practitioners freedom and patients elite-level care.

✅ Why the fascia and autonomic nervous system connection is key to long-term health.

✅ How franchise partners can join this growing movement in orthopedic wellness and preventative care.

✅ Insights from their Reg CF crowdfunding campaign on Republic and the company’s expansion plans.

Whether you're an investor, wellness professional, or franchise operator, this conversation offers a front-row seat into a rapidly growing sector blending healthcare, science, and entrepreneurship.

📍 Learn more: https://structuralelements.com

💰 Invest: https://republic.com/structuralelements

🎙️ Subscribe for more episodes on equity crowdfunding, startup growth, and franchise innovation.

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In this episode, we sit down with John R. (Grizz) Deal, CEO of iX Water (ICS Water), to discuss how his company is addressing one of the world’s most pressing problems: industrial wastewater. iX Water has transformed cutting-edge research from Los Alamos National Laboratory into a scalable solution that helps industries recycle even the most contaminated water at a fraction of traditional costs.

Grizz shares the story behind iX Water’s origins, the challenges of bringing disruptive technology to market, and why credibility is often the most significant barrier to adoption. He explains how their systems deliver up to 98% water recovery—dramatically outperforming conventional methods—and why their “fit-for-purpose water” approach is a game-changer for industries ranging from oil and gas to chemical manufacturing and, eventually, farming.

Listeners will also hear about iX Water’s unique business model, which combines a lean, expert-driven team with a plan to scale through partnerships with global leaders. With more than 2,600 investors already on board, Grizz outlines how iX Water delivers both strong financial potential and measurable environmental impact—what he calls the company’s dual mission.

Whether you’re an investor, an entrepreneur, or simply someone concerned about the future of water, this episode offers valuable insights into how innovation, business strategy, and sustainability can be aligned to create meaningful global change.

👉 Learn more about iX Water at their industrial site and explore their active crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine.

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Are retail investors at a disadvantage against Wall Street? 🤔

In this episode, George Kailas, CEO of Prospero.ai, shares how his company is helping everyday investors cut through the noise and make smarter financial decisions.

Prospero.ai combines AI technology with institutional-grade signals to show retail investors where the market is heading. With 10 simple yet powerful signals, their app and newsletter reveal what the “smart money” is doing—making investing more transparent and accessible.

✅ Topics we cover in this episode:

• How Prospero.ai helps retail investors beat the market
• The dangers of noise, misinformation, and meme stocks
• Why trust and education are core to successful investing
• Prospero.ai’s 67% average outperformance with newsletter picks
• The future of AI in finance: generative AI tutors, signals, and ETFs

🔗 Learn more about Prospero.ai: https://republic.com/prospero#

📈 If you’re interested in AI investing tools, stock market strategies, and financial education, this episode is for you.

#Investing #AI #StockMarket #RetailInvesting #ProsperoAI

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Episode Description:

Industrial wastewater is one of the world’s most expensive and overlooked challenges, costing companies hundreds of billions each year in disposal and compliance. IX Water, a Colorado-based startup, is developing modular reclamation systems designed to recycle up to 99.8% of contaminated water while cutting costs by up to 90%. In this episode, we delve into the scope of the wastewater crisis, the company’s patented approach, and the leadership team driving it forward. We also examine both the bullish and bearish perspectives on IX Water’s Regulation Crowdfunding campaign, giving listeners a balanced view of the risks and opportunities.

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In this episode of Invst Guru, host Jeff “Fuzzy” Wenzel sits down with Espartaco “Taco” Borga, founder of acclaimed restaurants like La Duni, and Joe Harburg, seasoned investor and co-CEO, to explore their latest venture: Venduni.

Venduni is transforming the dining landscape with a bold concept—“smart hospitality”. By blending robotics, AI, and premium food curation, they are creating 24/7 gourmet vending experiences that rival traditional restaurants. From induction-cooked chef-prepared meals to Amazon Go–style frictionless checkout, Venduni is tackling labor shortages, enhancing convenience, and giving consumers unprecedented access to artisanal food around the clock.

In this conversation, you’ll discover:

• Taco’s journey from early POS systems and fast-casual dining to robotic servers and AI-driven kitchens.
• How Joe’s experience scaling brands like The Sharper Image, Restoration Hardware, and Apple Stores is shaping Venduni’s growth strategy.
• Why chefs and operators are embracing smart vending as the future of food service.
• How crowdfunding is fueling the company’s expansion and turning everyday customers into brand ambassadors.

Whether you’re a food lover, a startup founder, or an investor looking for the next big innovation, this episode offers a first-hand look at how technology and hospitality are merging to redefine the way we eat.

👉 Follow Venduni on social media and their crowdfunding page to be part of the journey.

https://wefunder.com/venduni

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Today, we break down Prospero.ai, an AI-driven signals platform for stocks and ETFs raised through Regulation Crowdfunding. We cover what the product does, how the signals work, user growth and retention, and the plan for trade alerts. We also look at unit economics, the roadmap, and competitive pressure from large brokerages that ship their own AI features.

You will hear a balanced view. First, the bullish case, including reported 20 percent weekly retention, rising weekly actives near 14,000, improving newsletter conversion, and industry recognition. The bearish case involves small revenue against high operating costs, a short runway, unproven conversion rates for trade alerts, and market cycle sensitivity for active traders.

Listener resources

• Visit the official Reg CF page to review the Form C, financials, risk factors, and use of proceeds.

• Download the app and read the weekly letter to test the workflow for yourself.

Compliance note

This episode is for informational purposes only. It is not investment advice or a solicitation to invest. Past performance, whether simulated or actual, does not guarantee future results. Any investment must go through the company’s registered intermediary. Always review the Form C and your personal Reg CF limits.

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Episode Description:

In this episode, we break down Electric Bike Company’s ongoing Regulation Crowdfunding campaign. The California-based company has generated over $70 million in lifetime revenue and delivered bikes to more than 25,000 customers. Their model centers on U.S.-based assembly, online customization, and fully built delivery, which sets them apart from competitors that rely on imports.

We cover the company’s traction, leadership team, and recent moves, including a new acquisition expanding into cargo and family bikes. We also highlight both bullish and bearish considerations: from its strong gross margins and premium positioning to recent revenue declines, ongoing losses, and operational complexity.

This discussion is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Listeners interested in the deal should review Electric Bike Company’s official campaign on StartEngine for disclosures and risk factors.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.