In this inaugural episode of The IVI Podcast, host Joe Phoenix sits down with Dave Blakelock, an accomplished aerospace engineer, professor, and angel investor.

Dave shares his journey from NASA to becoming an influential figure in the startup world. Delve into Dave's unique perspective on the crucial roles of visionaries and innovators in creating successful businesses, his remarkable fundraising campaign for Alzheimer's called '100 Days, 100 Courses', and the profound impact of his professional and personal endeavors. Don't miss this engaging conversation filled with insights, anecdotes, and practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators.

Resources Mentioned:

• Book "100 Days 100 Courses: Drive to End Alzheimer's" by David Blakelock - This is the book Dave wrote to chronicle his
• Launchpad Venture Group - During the podcast Dave and Joe discussed Launchpad at several points. Learn more about the group via this link.
• Book "The Real Heroes of Business" by Len Schlesinger - Dave mentioned that this the book that had the greatest impact on his life.
• Quote "They Can Conquer Who Believe They Can" by Virgil - Dave's favorite quote is from the the ancient Roman poet Virgil.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the IVI Podcast

00:38 Meet Dave Blakelock: A Triple Threat

02:54 Innovators vs Visionaries

03:14 The Role of Visionaries in Startup

10:00 Dave's Career Journey: From NASA to Entrepreneurship

11:18 Lessons from NASA and SpaceX

16:09 The Rise of Private Space Companies

18:48 Embracing Failure in Innovation

21:19 Dave's Transition to Business and Consulting

31:32 Joining Launchpad and Angel Investing

35:07 Navigating the Capital Market for Startups

35:33 The Pain and Gain of Raising Money

37:12 The Value of Investor Feedback

38:41 Balancing Investor and Customer Feedback

41:08 The Concept of Value Influencing Milestones

41:41 The 100 Days, 100 Courses Challenge

49:45 The Purple Ball Initiative

55:52 Defining Impact and Legacy

01:04:43 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Remarks