In this episode of the Iowa Tech Podcast, host Kaylee engages in an insightful conversation with Buddy Lyons and Dr. John Cromwell, the co-founders of ENTAC Medical. The discussion delves into the innovative journey of ENTAC Medical, a company that has pioneered the use of acoustic biomarkers and artificial intelligence to predict adverse medical events. Buddy and John share the fascinating origin story of their company, which began with the development of a predictive medical device aimed at addressing postoperative ileus. With a strong commitment to transforming healthcare from a reactive to a predictive model, the duo highlights the challenges and triumphs they've faced, including the financial hurdles and technological breakthroughs that have shaped their path.

As the conversation unfolds, listeners gain valuable insights into the potential of ENTAC Medical's groundbreaking technology, which extends beyond gastrointestinal applications to broader medical conditions such as asthma and congestive heart failure. The episode showcases the strategic partnerships and academic collaborations that have fueled the company's growth, emphasizing the pivotal role of Iowa's burgeoning med-tech ecosystem. Buddy and John candidly discuss the lessons learned and the importance of persistence and adaptability in the entrepreneurial journey. With plans to expand their innovative platform and a vision for the future of healthcare, ENTAC Medical is a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration in driving transformative change in the medical field.

Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/lyons-and-cromwell-acoustic-biomarkers-medtech

In the latest episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, host Kaylee Williams sits down with Ryan Gerhardy, the co-founder and CEO of Pitchly, a company revolutionizing the way content is created from data. Recorded in the vibrant Jethro's Barbecue Studio, the conversation explores the exciting new developments at Pitchly, including the introduction of a freemium model that allows users to experience the power of Pitchly's autonomous content agents. Ryan shares his journey from investment banking and venture capital to co-founding a startup, highlighting the strategic decisions and lessons learned along the way.

Listeners gain insight into the challenges and triumphs of building a tech company in Iowa, as Ryan discusses the importance of playing to one's strengths, the evolving landscape of venture capital, and the value of building strong relationships within the ecosystem. Emphasizing the need for a strategic approach to hiring and scaling, Ryan outlines Pitchly's future plans and the transformative potential of their content agent model. The episode offers a compelling narrative of innovation and growth, providing valuable advice for entrepreneurs navigating the dynamic tech landscape.

Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/ryan-gerhardy-pitchly-venture-investing 

In this episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, host Kaylee Williams welcomes Lana Fox, co-founder and CEO of ClinicNote, to discuss her entrepreneurial journey. Lana shares her story of how she became involved with ClinicNote, initially starting as an unpaid girlfriend helping her now-husband Tyler Fox with the business. She talks about her initial experience managing an exterior painting business and how those skills translated into her role at ClinicNote. The conversation delves into the challenges of taking over as CEO during a financially tough period for the company and how she navigated those challenges by focusing on customer discovery and identifying a specific product-market fit. Her efforts led to a pivot towards university teaching clinics, which has since become the primary focus of the company, serving over 230 universities across various therapy disciplines.

The discussion also highlights the growth and development of ClinicNote, including raising venture capital to hire a strong team and expand into new markets like private practice. Lana talks about the importance of building a culture and team that aligns with the company's mission and the challenges of managing a small, high-contributing team. She shares insights into her fundraising experience, emphasizing the importance of finding investors who support both the business goals and personal values. Lana also touches on the learning curve of managing financials and building relationships with investors and a board of directors. The episode concludes with Lana emphasizing the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive people, acknowledging that entrepreneurship is a long-term endeavor akin to an extreme sport, and offering advice to aspiring entrepreneurs on the significance of building relationships and learning from others.

Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/lana-fox-clinicnote-emr-tools

In this episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, host Kaylee Williams interviews Clayton Mooney, the Co-Founder and Chief Farmer at Clayton Farms, discussing his journey from a small family farm in Iowa to creating a successful indoor farming business. Clayton shares his experience with ultra-marathon training and compares the perseverance required in athletics to that of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of tenacity and grit. He details his career path, including his initial reluctance to return to agriculture and his subsequent ventures like Kinosol, which developed solar food dehydrators for farmers in developing regions. This experience led him to explore the potential of indoor farming as a solution to food security challenges, ultimately resulting in the establishment of Clayton Farms with Co-Founder Danen Pool.

Clayton explains the evolution of Clayton Farms from a hydroponic equipment manufacturer and home delivery service to its current model: restaurants with integrated indoor farms, providing fresh salads, wraps, and smoothies. This business pivot not only increased profitability but also expanded their reach, serving over 100,000 people. The conversation delves into the company's future plans, including potential franchising and expansion beyond Iowa, as well as Clayton's personal commitment to mentoring young entrepreneurs and contributing to Iowa's startup ecosystem. Clayton's insights on perseverance, customer obsession, and the importance of mentorship provide valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs navigating their own journeys.

Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/clayton-mooney-vertical-farming-drive-thru

In this episode of the Iowa Tech Podcast, host Kaylee Williams interviews Russel Karim, CEO and Founder of SourceEazy, about his entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of his company. Originally from Bangladesh, Russel has been part of the Iowa startup ecosystem for 14 years, beginning with his first venture, Solver Iowa, during his time at the University of Northern Iowa. Russel's background in the clothing manufacturing industry in Bangladesh inspired him to create SourceEazy, a company that connects fashion design with global manufacturing, particularly focusing on the promotional and uniform product industry. The company, originally named Dhakai (after the capital city of Bangladesh), aimed to bring visibility to the origins of fashion production and has since evolved to SourceEazy, reflecting its broader global reach and supply chain solutions.

The podcast delves into the challenges and opportunities faced by SourceEazy amidst recent trade tariffs and shifts in global supply chains. Russel explains how the company has strategically positioned itself by offering non-China supply chain options, which has become increasingly attractive to clients seeking alternatives due to the tariffs. SourceEazy's technology streamlines the process of designing and sourcing promotional products, providing significant savings and efficiency by cutting out middlemen. The company leverages its AI-powered platform to offer a seamless experience for distributors and suppliers, enhancing competitiveness in a $173 billion market. Despite the volatility in trade policies, Russel remains optimistic about SourceEazy's growth and potential to scale, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and technological innovation in navigating the current economic landscape.

Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/russel-karim-custom-apparel-design

In the latest episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, host Kaylee interviews Curt Nelson, President and CEO of the Entrepreneurial Development Center (EDC), and Ben Clark, Entrepreneur in Residence at EDC. The discussion focuses on the role of EDC in supporting Iowa's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Curt, who founded EDC 22 years ago, explains the organization's mission to accelerate the formation and success of new companies, thereby generating economic impact in Iowa. He shares his passion for entrepreneurship, which stems from his lifelong desire to create and innovate. Curt also discusses his book, "Recipe for Business Success," which offers insights for aspiring entrepreneurs. The conversation highlights the importance of balancing talent and funding to ensure successful business ventures.

Ben Clark shares his role at EDC, which involves working with clients across various stages of development, from early-stage startups to established companies facing growth challenges. He emphasizes the significance of transferring accumulated knowledge from EDC's 1,500 business interactions to sustain and support the community. The podcast delves into the pressing needs of founders, particularly the necessity of financial resources and skilled talent. Both Curt and Ben stress the importance of professional investment and strategic planning in overcoming challenges. They discuss the unique entrepreneurial environment in Iowa, highlighting the state's supportive community and work ethic, while also acknowledging the current challenges in accessing sufficient capital to sustain business growth.

Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/curt-nelson-and-ben-clark-edc-cedar-rapids

The latest episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, hosted by Kaylee Williams, comes to life from the Jethro's Barbecue Studio in the East Village, where Kaylee chats with Clair Williams-Vavra, the Chief Operating Officer at SI Delivery Consulting. Clair, the recent winner of this year's Des Moines' Startup Weekend, shares her eclectic journey from hospitality to technology and entrepreneurship. She reflects on her past ventures, like the B2B mason jar salad company, Green Mason, and her deep-seated entrepreneurial spirit that traces back to childhood endeavors. The discussion takes a heartfelt turn as Clair opens up about her experiences with postpartum depression, which inspired her latest project pitched at Startup Weekend. 

Throughout the weekend, Clair and her team delved into extensive customer discovery, uncovering the critical need for better support systems for postpartum mothers. This led to the conceptualization of 'Held,' an app designed to offer both clinical and community support for those experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. The podcast highlights the challenges faced by Clair and her team, the emotional journey of creating Held, and the powerful validation they received from peers and judges. Clair's story is a testament to the strength of sharing vulnerable experiences and the potential for innovation to address deeply personal and widespread issues. As Clair continues to build Held, she remains committed to listening to the needs of her community, reinforcing the importance of empathy-driven entrepreneurship. 

If you, or a birthing mother you know, has experienced ANY symptoms typically associated with Postpartum Depression or Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder, please consider taking the anonymous survey here: https://shorturl.at/Tpb5J 

Hear the full show: https://iowapodcast.com/clair-williams-vavra-postpartum-depression-support

The Iowa Tech podcast, hosted by Kaylee, is a vibrant exploration of the startup ecosystem in Des Moines, Iowa. Recorded from the unique atmosphere of the Jethro's Barbecue Studio, Kaylee brings listeners into the heart of entrepreneurial innovation by featuring dynamic interviews with key figures, such as Colleen Kinsey, co-founder of SoftVoya and co-organizer of Startup Weekend Des Moines. This episode captures the essence of Startup Weekend, a transformative 52-hour event where individuals from diverse backgrounds unite to brainstorm, develop, and pitch viable business ideas. Listeners are taken on a journey through the experiences of participants who, driven by passion and creativity, turn initial concepts into tangible startups, such as Tumbleweed and Held.

The latest episode delves into the remarkable narratives emerging from Startup Weekend 2025. It highlights the collaborative spirit and resilience of teams who navigate challenges, from unexpected snowstorms to pivoting business models based on real-time customer feedback. The podcast not only celebrates the success stories like Clair Williams-Vavra's Held, which addresses postpartum mental health, but also underscores the supportive ecosystem in Des Moines that fosters innovation and mentorship. With insightful discussions and emotional reflections, this episode is a testament to the thriving entrepreneurial landscape in Iowa, encouraging more individuals to engage with and contribute to the community's growth and success.

Hear the full show: https://iowapodcast.com/colleen-kinsey-startup-weekend-des-moines 

This episode of the Iowa Tech podcast features Ehrich Pakala, co-founder and CEO of Emigrait, a software company based in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Join us as we delve into Ehrich's journey from being a pure math major to establishing a tech firm that leverages AI to predict real estate market behaviors. Emigrait initially started as a consulting company for mortgage lenders, aiming to forecast potential home buyers and sellers by analyzing various data metrics. Over time, the company expanded its clientele to include realtors, senior housing companies, and even home service providers. Ehrich explains how their AI model functions similarly to a FICO score, focusing on predicting market engagement rather than creditworthiness. Their innovative approach has positioned Emigrait as a leader in predictive modeling within the real estate sector.

Throughout the podcast, Ehrich shares insights into the challenges and successes of building a tech company in a volatile market. Emigrait's growth strategy involves automating customer onboarding and expanding its geographical reach beyond the Midwest. Despite the ups and downs of the mortgage industry, Ehrich credits the company's resilience to a strong team culture that values candor, freedom to make mistakes, and alignment of incentives. He emphasizes the importance of a supportive team in navigating the entrepreneurial journey, particularly when bootstrapping a startup. With a focus on continuous improvement and transparency, Emigrait aims to redefine how companies in the real estate market approach targeted marketing and customer engagement.

Hear the full show: https://iowapodcast.com/ehrich-pakala-mortgage-software-emigrait

In this episode of the Iowa Tech Podcast, host Kaylee Williams interviews Levi Cermak, the Vice President of Revenue at Elevator, a new co-warehousing space in town. Levi shares his journey from Hastings, Nebraska, through the entrepreneurship center at the University of Nebraska, to joining Elevator. He discusses Elevator's unique business model, which focuses on co-warehousing for small businesses dealing with physical goods, as opposed to traditional coworking spaces. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by small business owners who operate from home, such as storage and logistics, and how Elevator aims to provide a solution by offering flexible, community-focused spaces. Levi emphasizes the importance of community, collaboration, and learning opportunities that Elevator provides to its members, which extends beyond just logistics support.

Levi and Kaylee also discuss the expansion of Elevator from Omaha to Des Moines and Kansas City, and the positive reception and collaborative spirit they've encountered in the Des Moines startup ecosystem. Levi explains Elevator's approach to community building and how it aims to elevate small businesses by reducing barriers to growth. He describes the planned features of the Des Moines location, emphasizing the intentional design for fostering interactions and community engagement. The conversation wraps up with Levi inviting potential members to explore the space and consider joining their founding member community for additional benefits, while Kaylee reflects on the value of such innovative spaces in supporting entrepreneurial ventures.

Hear the full show: https://iowapodcast.com/levi-cermak-elevator-coworking-des-moines