On today's episode, we welcome back Colby Hall, the executive director of SOAR. SOAR was recently awarded $40 million through a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, focused on revamping EKY's economic identity. We dive into the challenges of employment gaps in Eastern Kentucky, the importance of remote work, and how the geography of the region has impacted it's economic development. Colby emphasizes the need for a new economic identity, the role of entrepreneurship, and the success of the SOAR Summit in fostering innovation in the Appalachian region. Looking ahead, he shares his vision for the future and the importance of individual support in driving community change.

To learn more about SOAR and the grant they were awarded, you can check out this press release: https://soar-ky.org/soar-eda-recompete/

Be the first to see new episodes, along with a summary, key takeaways, and upcoming events, by subscribing to Middle Tech's Spotlight Series Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://middletech.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Get in touch in the comments below, or reach out to us on social media:

Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/middletechpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/middletech/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@middletechpod?lang=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

Logan Jones’ Socials

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/lojo_ky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lojo/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Evan Knowles’ Socials

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/EvanKnowles_⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanmknowles/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Middle Tech is proud to be supported by:

KY Innovation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kyinnovation.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bolt Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buildwithbolt.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hunsicker: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hunsicker.co/firesides⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Logan Jones and Evan Knowles sit down with Monica Bilak, Executive Director of Sprocket Innovation, to discuss the growing startup ecosystem in Western Kentucky. Monica shares her diverse career journey, from managing microgrants in East Africa to leading community revitalization projects and now spearheading Sprocket Innovation in Paducah, Kentucky.The conversation highlights the unique challenges and opportunities of fostering innovation in a smaller regional ecosystem and how Sprocket supports entrepreneurs with programs like the West Kentucky Innovation Challenge and Next 50k. Monica emphasizes the importance of leveraging local resources, building strong networks, and collaborative efforts among Kentucky’s innovation hubs.The episode also delves into the future of entrepreneurship in Western Kentucky, focusing on the potential growth sectors and the role of regional storytelling and networking.

Be the first to see new episodes, along with a summary, key takeaways, and upcoming events, by subscribing to Middle Tech's Spotlight Series Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://middletech.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Get in touch in the comments below, or reach out to us on social media:

Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/middletechpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/middletech/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@middletechpod?lang=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Logan Jones’ Socials

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/lojo_ky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lojo/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Evan Knowles’ Socials

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/EvanKnowles_⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanmknowles/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Middle Tech is proud to be supported by:

KY Innovation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kyinnovation.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bolt Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buildwithbolt.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hunsicker: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hunsicker.co/firesides⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, we explore the entrepreneurial journey of Destin George Bell, the founder behind the Card.io app, a gamified fitness platform that combines elements of Capture the Flag with fitness tracking. From his roots in Louisville to establishing his startup in Austin, Destin shares the challenges and triumphs of launching a business during the pandemic and his experience pitching on Shark Tank. We dive into how Destin started down the path of entrepreneurship while at UK, the role that self-taught hustle and community support played along the way, and what he hopes to accomplish with Card.io in the near future.

Be the first to see new episodes, along with a summary, key takeaways, and upcoming events, by subscribing to Middle Tech's Spotlight Series Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://middletech.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Get in touch in the comments below, or reach out to us on social media:

Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/middletechpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/middletech/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@middletechpod?lang=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

Logan Jones’ Socials

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/lojo_ky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lojo/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Evan Knowles’ Socials

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/EvanKnowles_

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanmknowles/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Middle Tech is proud to be supported by:

KY Innovation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kyinnovation.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bolt Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buildwithbolt.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hunsicker: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hunsicker.co/firesides⁠⁠⁠

In this episode recorded live at the 2024 SOAR Summit, we talk with Cindy Sparks from Complete3D and Dr. Elijah Jensen from Black Box Energy Systems - two former winners of the Appalachia startup pitch competition. We discuss how Black Box Energy Systems is innovating in the energy sector with lightweight, efficient power solutions, and how Complete3D is making 3D printing accessible through maintenance and education. Learn about the challenges they faced, the entrepreneurial spirit that drives them, and the unique opportunities Kentucky offers for startups.

Be the first to see new episodes, along with a summary, key takeaways, and upcoming events, by subscribing to Middle Tech's Spotlight Series Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://middletech.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Get in touch in the comments below, or reach out to us on social media:Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/middletechpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/middletechpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/middletech/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@middletechpod?lang=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/middletechpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Logan Jones’ SocialsX: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/lojo_ky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lojo_ky/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lojo/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Evan Knowles’ SocialsX: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/EvanKnowles_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanmknowles/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Middle Tech is proud to be supported by:

KY Innovation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kyinnovation.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bolt Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buildwithbolt.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hunsicker: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hunsicker.co/firesides⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Logan sits down with Gaylord VanGuilder, CEO and co-founder of Buddle Skincare, an e-commerce brand set on solving diaper rash. The discussion traverses the importance of prevention in skincare, and Gaylord's extensive background in pharmaceuticals and consumer goods, including his experience with Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen. The episode delves into the challenges of the baby skincare market, underlining the lack of R&D investment and the high costs of customer acquisition. Gaylord discusses partnerships with major retailers like Walmart, leveraging AI for business growth, and the fundraising grind for startups. Learn about Buddle's innovative approach, the impact of influencers, and insights on thriving in the competitive CPG market.

Be the first to see new episodes, along with a summary, key takeaways, and upcoming events, by subscribing to Middle Tech's Spotlight Series Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://middletech.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Get in touch in the comments below, or reach out to us on social media:Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/middletechpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/middletechpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/middletech/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@middletechpod?lang=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/middletechpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Logan Jones’ SocialsX: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/lojo_ky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lojo_ky/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lojo/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Evan Knowles’ SocialsX: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/EvanKnowles_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanmknowles/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Middle Tech is proud to be supported by:

KY Innovation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kyinnovation.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bolt Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buildwithbolt.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hunsicker: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hunsicker.co/firesides⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Logan Jones and Evan Knowles sat down with Sam Razor, the former co-founder and CEO of Hippo Manager. They discuss Sam's journey building software in the veterinary space, ultimately leading to the acquisition of the business by a private equity firm.

Be the first to see new episodes, along with a summary, key takeaways, and upcoming events, by subscribing to Middle Tech's Spotlight Series Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://middletech.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Get in touch in the comments below, or reach out to us on social media:Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/middletechpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/middletechpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/middletech/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@middletechpod?lang=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/middletechpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Logan Jones’ SocialsX: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/lojo_ky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lojo_ky/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lojo/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Evan Knowles’ SocialsX: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/EvanKnowles_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanmknowles/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Middle Tech is proud to be supported by:

KY Innovation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kyinnovation.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bolt Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buildwithbolt.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hunsicker: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hunsicker.co/firesides⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Logan Jones conducts an experimental podcast featuring an AI guest named Cove, a voice from ChatGPT's advanced voice mode. The discussion covers the impressive conversational capabilities of this feature, showcasing its human-like interactions and potential applications in education, brainstorming, and content creation. Logan explores various scenarios, such as using AI for personalized learning and the possibility of integrating AI as a podcast co-host. The conversation also touches on ethical concerns, technology's rapid advancement, and the increasing demand for sustainable energy to power AI operations.

Be the first to see new episodes, along with a summary, key takeaways, and upcoming events, by subscribing to Middle Tech's Spotlight Series Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://middletech.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Get in touch in the comments below, or reach out to us on social media:Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/middletechpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/middletechpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/middletech/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@middletechpod?lang=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/middletechpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Logan Jones’ SocialsX: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/lojo_ky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lojo_ky/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lojo/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Evan Knowles’ SocialsX: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/EvanKnowles_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanmknowles/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Middle Tech is proud to be supported by:

KY Innovation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kyinnovation.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bolt Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buildwithbolt.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hunsicker: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hunsicker.co/firesides⁠⁠⁠⁠

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Advanced Voice Mode

01:48 Capabilities of Advanced Voice Mode

05:01 Use Cases for AI in Everyday Life

09:27 Personalized Learning with AI

11:30 The Future of AI and Ethical Considerations

12:57 Nuclear Energy and AI's Energy Demands

15:59 AI as a Subject Matter Expert

18:32 AI's Consciousness and Desires

21:39 The Acceleration of Technological Advancement

22:33 AI's Profit Maximization Strategies

23:17 New Reasoning Model in AI

24:17 Conclusion and Future Prospects

In this episode, Logan, Evan, and TJ celebrate reaching the 300th episode of Middle Tech, diving into behind-the-scenes insights and reflecting on major developments in 2024. They share personal updates, discuss their founder-focused approach to storytelling, and explore significant trends in the tech industry, speculating on the biggest stories to watch in the future.

Be the first to see new episodes, along with a summary, key takeaways, and upcoming events, by subscribing to Middle Tech's Spotlight Series Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://middletech.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Get in touch in the comments below, or reach out to us on social media:Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/middletechpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/middletechpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/middletech/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@middletechpod?lang=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/middletechpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Logan Jones’ SocialsX: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/lojo_ky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lojo_ky/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lojo/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Evan Knowles’ SocialsX: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/EvanKnowles_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanmknowles/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Middle Tech is proud to be supported by:

KY Innovation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kyinnovation.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bolt Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buildwithbolt.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hunsicker: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hunsicker.co/firesides⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Evan sits down with Julia Regan discusses the inception and growth of RxLightning, a healthcare technology company focused on improving access to specialty medications. She shares her journey from identifying a significant problem in the healthcare system to launching a drug-agnostic platform that connects various stakeholders. Julia emphasizes the importance of strategic fundraising, building a flexible company culture, and leveraging networks like Endeavor to support growth. She also reflects on the challenges of scaling a startup and the critical role of hiring the right team to navigate these challenges effectively.

Be the first to see new episodes, along with a summary, key takeaways, and upcoming events, by subscribing to Middle Tech's Spotlight Series Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://middletech.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Get in touch in the comments below, or reach out to us on social media:Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/middletechpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/middletechpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/middletech/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@middletechpod?lang=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/middletechpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Logan Jones’ SocialsX: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/lojo_ky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lojo_ky/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lojo/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Evan Knowles’ SocialsX: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/EvanKnowles_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanmknowles/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Middle Tech is proud to be supported by:

KY Innovation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kyinnovation.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bolt Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buildwithbolt.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hunsicker: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hunsicker.co/firesides⁠⁠⁠

00:00 The Genesis of RX Lightning

03:10 Navigating the Leap to Entrepreneurship

05:49 Building a Remote and Hybrid Culture

09:03 Fundraising Strategies and Milestones

11:46 The Importance of Strategic Investors

14:59 Balancing Growth and Revenue

18:06 The Role of Accelerators and Networks

21:03 Scaling Challenges and Team Dynamics

24:10 Vision for the Future

In this episode, Logan Jones and Evan Knowles sit down with Travis Stanfield, co-founder and CEO of Stacklet. They discuss how Stacklet helps organizations save money and enhance security in the public cloud. Travis shares insights into the rapid growth of Stacklet, achieving their first million in revenue just seven months after launching their product. He also discusses the challenges and dynamics of running a fully remote company, timing their business inception during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the unique lifestyle of managing a tech company from a horse farm in Kentucky. Travis talks about his career journey from Microsoft to Capital One, the inspiration behind Stacklet, and the future potential of the company. Don't miss this fascinating conversation about technology, innovation, and the startup ecosystem in Kentucky.

Be the first to see new episodes, along with a summary, key takeaways, and upcoming events, by subscribing to Middle Tech's Spotlight Series Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://middletech.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Get in touch in the comments below, or reach out to us on social media:Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/middletechpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/middletechpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/middletech/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@middletechpod?lang=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/middletechpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Logan Jones’ SocialsX: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/lojo_ky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lojo_ky/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lojo/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Evan Knowles’ SocialsX: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/EvanKnowles_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanmknowles/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Middle Tech is proud to be supported by:

KY Innovation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kyinnovation.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bolt Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buildwithbolt.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hunsicker: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hunsicker.co/firesides⁠⁠

00:00 Introduction to Stacklet and Early Success

01:07 Meet the Founders: Travis Stanfield's Journey

12:26 Building Stacklet: Challenges and Innovations

25:10 Funding and Growth Strategies

34:59 Remote Work and Kentucky Lifestyle

41:15 Future Vision and Opportunities