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For this week’s episode, we’re releasing a panel discussion recorded live at the 2023 SOAR Summit in Corbin, Kentucky. Moderated by Logan Jones, our panelists included Lincoln Brown, Geoff Marietta, Sabrina McWhorter, and JP Blevins. A primary theme of the discussion was diving into the differences between small business entrepreneurship and high-growth-startup entrepreneurship; exploring how we as a state should think of and support the different types of entrepreneurs and how they each comprise a part of the larger whole of our entrepreneurial ecosystem.
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In this episode, we're joined by Akhil Suresh Nair, the founder of Xena Intelligence, a remarkable company based right here in the heart of Kentucky. Xena Intelligence has pioneered an AI-powered eCommerce tool that's making a significant impact on businesses. We'll delve into Ankil's entrepreneurial journey, starting from what motivated him to create this tool, inspired by personal experiences, including his father's challenges in marketing life-saving products. We'll explore how this tool operates, sharing real success stories from small businesses that have harnessed its potential.
We'll also take a look behind the scenes at Xena Intelligence, discussing the global tech team Ankil has assembled, their current market presence, and their ambitious plans for future expansion. In addition, we'll uncover how the state of Kentucky has played a pivotal role in shaping Xena Intelligence's development and success. Finally, we'll touch on the key elements our startup ecosystem needs to continue thriving. Join us for a compelling conversation about entrepreneurship, tech innovation, and the future of our startup landscape.
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In this episode, Logan sat down with Becca Self and Wes Murry from Hunsicker, a Lexington-based Venture Studio. Our conversation covers the venture studio model, Hunsicker's "Kentucky Advantage", and their approach to social impact through their ventures.
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In this episode, Logan and Evan sit down with Koby Hastings and Chris Michelson from SalesRiver (formerly Leadrilla) in Lexington, Kentucky.
SalesRiver's software is transforming how insurance sales teams work, making them more efficient, transparent, and compliant. Today, we'll catch up with Koby and Chris, discussing their recent achievements:
We also introduce Chris Michelson and delve into his career journey to becoming SalesRiver's Chief Revenue Officer.
Learn why Leadrilla became SalesRiver and how the new name reflects their mission. SalesRiver signifies the dynamic nature of the sales process. They also unveil a new feature called "Teams."
Discover SalesRiver's vision for the future, including AI features, expansion strategies, and revenue goals. Join us for a candid conversation about the ins and outs of SalesRiver's remarkable journey.
https://salesriver.com/
Koby's LinkedIn
Chris's LinkedIn
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Middle Tech is proud to be supported by:
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On this week’s episode, we sat down with Nick Durham, one of the general partners at Shadow Ventures. Shadow Ventures focuses on investing in companies building technology for the “built world” (ie construction & real estate) and they recently established an office in Louisville, led by Nick.
Our conversation covered Shadow Venture’s investment thesis for investing in the built world, their approach to partnering with large firms in the construction & real estate space to give their portfolio companies access early customers, and Nick’s perspective on Kentucky’s startup ecosystem.
https://shadow.vc/
https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/inno/stories/news/2023/06/14/shadow-ventures-plants-roots-in-louisville.html
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On this week's Spotlight Series, caught up with Albert Lukonga, Founder and CEO of Albert Couture - Kentucky's First "Fashion House". We originally spoke with Albert back in 2020 for ep. 112, right when he was getting the business off the ground. Since then, Albert has been making waves not only in Kentucky, but in the fashion world as a whole. He's recently opened up his flagship store - The House of Albert Couture - in Lexington, Kentucky, as well as purchase the rights to "Kentucky Fashion Week"
We chat about Albert's early successes, the role of his Kentucky community and early supporters In getting him this far, and his vision for the continued growth of Albert Couture.
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In this episode, we're excited to sit down with Jennifer Mason, the driving force behind TitleWise, an innovative company that's making waves in Southern Indiana.
Jennifer Mason is no stranger to the world of entrepreneurship, and as the creative mind behind TitleWise, she's taken her own experiences and translated them into an inspiring solution. Facing the challenges of her own, she crafted an app that has become a game-changer in the real estate sector, especially during the tumultuous times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Join us as we delve into the story of how Jennifer's team managed to harness their unique insights to accommodate the unprecedented demand for their services.
At TitleWise, they're more than just a company – they're a team that's empowering human researchers to wield technology as a tool for better decision-making. Collaborating closely with settlement companies, TitleWise leverages its prowess to gather and process property title information, effectively distinguishing between clear and cloudy titles. Our conversation with Jennifer takes us on a journey through the intricate process of marrying Sales and Marketing efforts with the development of new features, all while maintaining a hands-on, founder-led approach to sales, which often involves fostering high-touch interactions through phone calls.
In the funding realm, TitleWise has been supported by an array of notable investors, including the Awesome Inc Fund, Flywheel Fund, Midwest Fund, Double X Fund, and spearheaded by the renowned M25. With a nod to diversity and global reach, the Farout Fund also stepped in, underlining the universal appeal of their innovative venture. Jennifer also opens up about the trials and triumphs of scaling a startup after managing a small business, underlining the importance of leveraging local and regional resources along the way.
TitleWise Site
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-902b3913b/
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In this week's episode, Logan and Evan explore the world of fusion energy with groundbreaking news from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. For the second time, they've achieved net energy gain in a fusion reaction, pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery. We break down the significance of this achievement and its potential implications for the energy sector.
Next up, we delve into the acquisition of Louisville-based accounting tech startup Sentient Solutions. Recently acquired by Ascend, this move showcases the influence of AI-driven solutions on traditional industries. We discuss the motivations behind the acquisition and explore the role of technology in transforming the way CPA firms operate.
References
Scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory achieve net energy gain in a fusion reaction for a second time
Louisville accounting tech startup acquired
Neuralink raises $280m in funding led by Thiel’s Founders Fund
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In the latest episode of the Middle Tech Spotlight Series, we had an enlightening conversation with Adam VanWingerden, the co-founder and CEO of Silver Fern, a company that is simplifying the complex world of the horticulture industry.
Silver Fern offers modular ERP software designed to help growers make key changes for growth without the typical growing pains. From unlimited customer support to seamless integration, Silver Fern is perfect for growers looking to find simplicity, certainty, and efficiency.
Our conversation with Adam VanWingerden delved into the challenges and successes Silver Fern has experienced, how Adam approaches building a team and processes, and how they save time, money, and stress for their clients.
Learn More: https://silverfern.com/
Adam VanWingerden's LinkedIn
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This week, Logan and Evan start off by discussing Forecastr, a promising business-to-business, software-as-a-service company that recently raised an impressive $4.5 million in funding. With plans to allocate the capital to product development, sales, and finance, Forecastr aims to further expand its presence in the market. Join us as we explore Forecastr's impressive growth trajectory and the impact it could have on the tech startup landscape.
Next up, we dive into the world of cryptocurrencies with the intriguing launch of Worldcoin's crypto project. At the heart of this project lies the World ID, a "digital passport" designed to verify real humans and differentiate them from AI bots. We'll discuss the project's vision for combating income inequality through concepts like universal basic income (UBI) and the potential role of World IDs in this endeavor. Tune in to learn more about Worldcoin's ambitious mission and its potential implications for the future.
Lastly, we'll uncover the latest AI updates from tech giant Meta. With AI-powered personas becoming a focal point of their services, Meta aims to revolutionize experiences in platforms like Instagram, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp. We'll delve into the possibilities these AI personas offer, from enhanced recommendations to immersive multi-modal experiences. Additionally, we explore Meta's recent open-sourcing of AudioCraft, a suite of generative AI tools for creating music and audio from simple text prompts. Join us as we analyze the potential impact of Meta's AI advancements on the tech industry and beyond.
Reference Articles
EXCLUSIVE: How Forecastr got to $1M in annual recurring revenue:
https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/inno/stories/inno-insights/2022/09/07/forecastr-1m-arr.html
OpenAI's Sam Altman launches Worldcoin crypto project:
https://www.reuters.com/technology/openais-sam-altman-launches-worldcoin-crypto-project-2023-07-24/
Meta’s AI ‘personas’ might launch next month:
https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/1/23815287/meta-ai-persona-generative-llama-instagram-facebook
Meta releases open source AI audio tools, AudioCraft
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2023/08/open-source-audiocraft-can-make-dogs-bark-and-symphonies-soar-from-text-using-ai/?utm_source=tldrnewsletter
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