What does it take for deep tech startups to move from idea to impact? How can innovation hubs like First Flight Venture Center provide the tools, mentorship, and support founders need to thrive?

In this episode of Siemens for Startups, host Jim Gernatt welcomes Krista Covey and Ben Provan from First Flight Venture Center, North Carolina’s leading business innovation hub. Krista, President of First Flight, and Ben, Director of Hangar 6, provide an in-depth look at how their organization fosters early-stage startups with mentorship, cutting-edge prototyping services, and a thriving ecosystem of support.

Discover how First Flight bridges the gap between groundbreaking science and market-ready solutions, and learn how their collaboration with Siemens empowers deep tech entrepreneurs to accelerate their innovation cycles. Gain insights into their unique programs, such as Hangar 6’s rapid prototyping resources, and hear inspiring success stories of startups that turned ambitious ideas into real-world impact.

Listeners will walk away with actionable takeaways for navigating the startup journey, including strategies for overcoming funding challenges, building strong teams, and creating scalable business models. Whether you’re a startup founder, an investor looking to better understand deep tech, or an innovation enthusiast, this episode offers valuable lessons for transforming bold visions into sustainable success.

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What are the foundational issues that often hold back growth, and how can they be resolved? How can startups achieve the brand clarity they need to scale successfully? 

In this episode of Pioneers, the Siemens Startup Podcast, host Jim Gernatt sits down with Josh and Zach Webber, the dynamic brother duo behind Big Red Jelly, an award-winning marketing agency. Josh and Zach share their expertise in helping startups unlock growth through a meticulously crafted process they call “Brand, Build, Grow.” They discuss their journey, their unique approach to branding, and how they assist startups in addressing foundational issues that hinder their growth.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the challenges startups face, the importance of understanding product-market fit, and how strategic branding can be the key to unlocking accelerated growth. From deep-tech startups to scalable service businesses, this episode offers practical advice for founders looking to refine their messaging, engage their ideal customers effectively, and improve the customer journey.

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Space travel is no longer reserved for astronauts only; it's on the verge of becoming an extraordinary experience within reach for everyone. As the boundaries of exploration expand, today's episode dives into innovations that are making space travel more accessible than ever.

In this captivating episode of Pioneers, the Siemens Startup Podcast, host Kevin Blevins sits down with Michael Savage, COO of Space Perspective. 

In this episode, you'll explore the latest innovations from Space Perspective, including their unique space balloon and advanced spaceship, Neptune. You'll also discover their significant achievements with the new capsule and cutting-edge marine spaceport, Voyager. Kevin Blevins provides insights into the growing space tourism industry and how companies like Space Perspective are working to make space travel more accessible and affordable for everyone.

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Incubators and accelerators serve as vital support systems, fostering early-stage ventures by offering essential resources, mentorship, and invaluable networking opportunities.

In this insightful episode of Pioneers, the Siemens Startup Podcast, host Kevin Blevins engages in a conversation with Caroline Winnett, Executive Director of Berkeley SkyDeck, and Craig Conlee, growth strategist at Siemens Digital Industries Software and key advisor at SkyDeck. 

Caroline shares her fascinating journey from a professional violinist to a successful entrepreneur and executive director, highlighting her experiences with startups and her pivotal role at SkyDeck. Craig discusses his transition from a political science major and a sales professional to a startup founder and advisor.

In this episode, you will gain valuable insights into the unique structure and mission of Berkeley SkyDeck, its impressive network of advisors, and its innovative partnership with Siemens. 

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Manufacturing in space leverages the unique conditions of microgravity to enhance processes that are challenging or impossible on Earth. 

In this exciting episode of Pioneers, the Siemens StartUp Podcast, host Kevin Blevins sits down with Will Bruey, CEO and co-founder of Varda Space Industries. Varda is not just any space company; they are pioneering the manufacturing of products in space and bringing them back to Earth for terrestrial use.

In this episode, you will gain insights into Varda Space Industries' unique business model, including their focus on pharmaceuticals and the benefits of microgravity in drug development. You will also get to hear details about their successful first mission and the future potential of space manufacturing. 

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As a startup venturing into the dynamic landscape of medical technology innovation, the road ahead may seem riddled with obstacles. From fierce competition to ever-evolving regulatory landscapes, the journey to success can be fraught with uncertainty.

I'm your host, Kevin Blevins. In the last episode, Jim Gernatt and I were speaking with Paul Grand founder and CEO of Med Tech Innovatory. We left off discussing Paul's background, the remarkable journey of Med Tech Innovator, and its pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare. Today, we continue this conversation with Paul diving into innovative initiatives driving this transformative organization. 

In this part, you will gain insights into the pivotal role of organizations like MedTech Innovator in guiding companies through the complexities of commercialization, including navigating investment challenges and addressing payment and coverage issues. By the end of this episode, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of the MedTech Innovator landscape and actionable advice for making a significant impact in healthcare.

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Accelerators provide essential coaching, resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to startups, enabling them to navigate challenges and scale effectively in the competitive landscape. 

I'm your host, Kevin Blevins, and I have a co-host, Jim Gernatt. He leads the Innovation Partnership ecosystem for Siemens, working with incubators and accelerators.  

Today, we're speaking with Paul Grand, founder and CEO of MedTech Innovator, one of the foremost MedTech accelerators globally, dedicated to fostering innovation in digital health, medical devices, and diagnostics.

In this part one of a two-part episode, you will gain valuable insights into the unique challenges and opportunities faced by startups in the MedTech space. From understanding the funding dynamics and investor sentiments to the genesis of MedTech Innovator as a platform to support and guide healthcare startups, this episode offers a deep dive into the world of medical technology entrepreneurship. 

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Often, entrepreneurs embark on their journey with a brilliant idea they believe addresses a pressing market need. But turning that idea into reality requires more than just ingenuity; it demands funding. Today, we'll delve into the world of startup funding, exploring the strategies and challenges entrepreneurs face as they seek the financial support necessary to bring their innovations to life. 

I'm your host, Kevin Blevins, and joining us today is Sanford Wollman, or Sandy, an ACA (Angel Capital Association) board member, Director of the Syndication Committee, and the co-founder and Managing Director of Westchester Angels.

In this episode, Sandy provides valuable insights into what startups need to know from the initial stages of pitching to navigating due diligence to attract angel investment. We will also explore the collaborative nature of the angel investing ecosystem, the importance of finding the right angel group, and the role of organizations like the ACA in facilitating connections and providing educational resources for entrepreneurs.

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If you're like many outside the launch industry, the concept of a company that is pushing the aerospace boundaries by developing the world's first commercial rocket powered by carbon-neutral biofuel might sound foreign to you.

I'm your host, Kevin Blevins, and today, I'm joined by David Hayrikyan, the Chief Technology Officer at BluShift Aerospace, a US-based startup company in Brunswick, Maine. BluShift Aerospace is a sustainable space launch service provider, offering dedicated, small 'taxi-ride' Space Launch Services, catering to the quickly growing market of sending nano-satellites and micro-satellites into space

In this episode, you will get a captivating glimpse into the world of space exploration, innovation, and sustainability, with BluShift Aerospace. You will also get to hear in-depth about BluShift's unique rocket technology, the use of carbon-neutral biofuels, and their plans for launching from Maine. 

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We live in a world where advancements in medical science have extended our lifespan and are transforming how we experience healthcare. However, one statistic shows one-third of the surveyed healthcare workers plan to leave their jobs in the next year due to experiencing exhaustion, anxiety, and depression. Many are looking for ways to make healthcare a bit easier by developing technologies that will help with the labor-intensive tasks they deal with every day.

In this episode Kevin Blevins and Jim Gernatt interview Jay Singh, the CEO and founder of Able Innovations, a healthcare technology company.  Able Innovations' ALTA platform is addressing a critical challenge in healthcare by making patient transfers safer and more efficient, benefiting both healthcare workers and patients

In this conversation with Jay, you will gain valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in healthcare innovation. You will also get to hear about a robotic device developed by Able Innovations, that allows a single caregiver to transfer a patient with the push of a button, providing a consistent and dignified experience for the patient.

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