In this episode of Startup Hustle, Matt and Lauren talk about Pittsburg's Top Startups! Tune in to hear what's happening in Steel City's startup scene and meet 10 emerging growth companies poised for a disruptive 2024. 
 
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
https://gigb.co/l/YEh5
 
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
https://fullscale.io
 
Learn more about InnovateHER KC:
https://www.innovateherkc.com
 
Meet all the Top Startups we’ve featured around the US:
https://gigb.co/l/x1fD
 
Episode Highlights: 

Intro to the Pttisburg Top Startups episode (0:31)
Koop Technologies - Insurance for all automation risks (2:58)
Mach9 - Automated geospatial production platform (4:53)
Mapless AI - One-stop, plug-in solution for remote car operation (7:56)
Netail - AI SaaS solutions for the retail and consumer industry (11:03)
OtterTune - AI-powered automatic PostgreSQL and MySQL tuning (16:38)
Resilient Lifescience - Wearable medical device to prevent opioid overdose deaths (21:31)
Stack AV - Autonomous trucking solutions (25:49)
Stratus Materials - Next-generation Lithium-Ion Cathode active materials (27:35)
Thoro.ai - Providing superior autonomy solutions (31:37)
TRAiNED - Harnessing the skills of a Neurodivergent Workforce (36:11)
Lauren’s favorite Pittsburg top startups: (43:24)
Matt’s favorite Pittsburg startup: (44:20)
AI is here to stay (47:50)

 
Read the feature on Inc.com:
https://www.inc.com/inc-masters/pittsburgh-startups-to-watch-in-2024.html
  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pittsburg Top Startups

Startup Hustle is a podcast for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs.&nbsp; With the mission of telling the real story of startups and entrepreneurs, topics range from funding to failure and beyond.&nbsp; If you want to start, own, or build a business then you're in the right place.&nbsp; &nbsp;

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Entrepreneurship

In this episode, Matt Watson interviews Rob Snyder, the founder and CEO of Reframe, about product market fit and the challenges of being an entrepreneur. They discuss the definition of product market fit, the importance of customer case studies, and the need to focus on solving specific problems for a target audience.
Rob shares insights from his program for founders and emphasizes the value of talking to customers and iterating on the sales pitch. They also touch on the difficulty of scaling and the limitations of traditional business education in teaching early-stage startup strategies.
The conversation explores the challenges of finding product-market fit and starting a business. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on customer needs and simplifying the process of building a startup. Matt and Rob discuss the common struggles of not knowing how to build the right product or sell it effectively. They highlight the need to listen to customers' problems rather than their proposed solutions and to frame everything in the context of a customer success story. The conversation also touches on the value of a Harvard degree in entrepreneurship and the ongoing desire to start new ventures.
Tune in to learn that product market fit is not all that complicated.
 
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
https://gigb.co/l/YEh5
 
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
https://fullscale.io
 
Visit the Reframe website:
https://www.robsnyder.org
 
Learn more about Rob Snyder:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rsnyder1
 
Highlighted Discussion Points

Product market fit, with a focus on repeatable customer success stories. 0:31
Helping startups find product-market fit through customer understanding and messaging. 3:47
Finding and serving early customers for startups. 9:18
Product market fit and scaling a business. 16:21
Product development and customer feedback. 22:02
Product development and customer success. 28:14
Product market fit and pivoting in startups. 31:22
Product development and scaling startups. 37:08

  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting to Product Market Fit, Harvard MBA vs Startup Experience

Feeling trapped on a workaholic hamster wheel?
This episode of Startup Hustle dives deep into the entrepreneur's struggle for work-life balance and that elusive thing called happiness.
Join serial entrepreneur and travel addict Michael Motamedi as he discusses aligning your company goals with your desire to, you know, not die alone. We'll crack the code on the "happiness threshold" (it's not about that third yacht) and explore why fixing your water heater might be more fulfilling than you think. Plus, Matt finally admits he might have a delegation problem. (Spoiler alert: he does.)
This episode is for you if:

You’ve ever dreamt of quitting your job and living on a beach in the Philippines (turns out happiness might be cheaper than you think)
You struggle to define success without a Scrooge McDuck money bin
You're tired of feeling guilty about not working 24/7 (hint: Mr. Beast takes breaks, too)
You secretly believe AI can plan your next vacation (spoiler alert: Michael tried it with AI travel assistant GuideGeek)

Get ready to laugh, learn, and maybe re-evaluate your life plan. Because, let's face it, chasing happiness on a hamster wheel is exhausting.
Tune in and buckle up for a thought-provoking ride!
 
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
https://gigb.co/l/YEh5
 
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
https://fullscale.io
 
Listen to the ‘No Fixed Address’ podcast: 
https://matadornetwork.com/podcasts/no-fixed-address
 
Learn more about Michael Motamedi:
https://www.michaelmotamedi.com
 
Try the AI travel assistant Michael uses:
https://guidegeek.com
Highlighted Discussion Points:

Entrepreneurship, work-life balance, and personal goals. 0:52
Finding happiness threshold through aligning personal and professional goals. 6:22
Defining happiness threshold and understanding why people work. 10:50
Finding purpose and happiness through creative hobbies and entrepreneurship. 15:40
Work-life balance, entrepreneurship, and happiness. 20:35
Delegating tasks and lowering expectations for entrepreneurs. 28:36
Work-life balance, travel with AI, and personal growth. 34:42

  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Founder Work-Life Balance

This episode of Startup Hustle is a goldmine for aspiring entrepreneurs!  Yaniv Bernstein, host of the StartUp podcast and founder of Funding Fit, joins the show to dish on the exciting and often messy world of startups.
Ever heard of "entrepreneurial ADHD"?  Yaniv, a former Google employee who freely admits to this condition, dives into the challenges founders face, including the pitfalls to avoid.  Learn from his experience to dodge common mistakes and build a venture that thrives, not dives.
Is venture capital the holy grail?  Not necessarily.  Matt Watson and Yaniv have a fascinating conversation about the VC game, unpacking the truths behind those astronomical return expectations.  They'll also explore the bootstrapping path and how to decide which route is right for you.
Hiring a killer dev team is crucial for any startup.  But how do you do it?  Yaniv, with his background in software engineering, offers insights on building the perfect tech squad for your dream venture.
This episode is packed with valuable takeaways, whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or a newbie with a million-dollar idea.  Tune in and learn how to navigate the startup world, avoid costly mistakes, and hire the A-team to make your business successful!
 
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
https://gigb.co/l/YEh5
 
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
https://fullscale.io
 
Visit The Startup Podcast website: 
https://www.tsp.show
 
Learn more about Yaniv Bernstein:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein
 
Highlighted Discussion Points

Entrepreneurship, startups, and hiring dev teams. 0:32
Entrepreneurship, startups, and avoidable mistakes. 1:31
Parenting and startup analogies. 3:36
Venture capital, scaling, and business criteria. 6:52
VC fund expectations and founder mindset. 12:01
Venture capital, founders' responsibilities, and control. 18:30
Venture capital, cost-savings, and VC value add. 22:03
Entrepreneurship, VC investment, and personal motivations. 25:34
Bootstrapping and high-growth businesses. 31:05
VC funding and bootstrapping for business growth. 36:59

  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People Engineering

Join us as Matt Watson chats with Greg Head about the power of in-person events like the SaaS Open. We're talking about ditching the Zoom fatigue and forging real connections with founders who GET IT.
They discuss the value of talking to other entrepreneurs and attending events. They highlight the power of community and the benefits of connecting with like-minded individuals. They also touch on the importance of in-person events and their impact on building relationships. The conversation emphasizes the practical aspects of running a SaaS business and the challenges founders face. 
In this episode, you will learn about:

Talking to other entrepreneurs and attending events can provide valuable insights and support.
Building a community of like-minded individuals can be energizing and help overcome challenges.
In-person events allow for deeper connections and a different level of understanding.
Practical founders focus on the nitty-gritty of growing a business without relying on big funding.
Networking and learning from others in the entrepreneurial community is essential for success.

Overall, the episode emphasizes the value of networking and learning from others in the entrepreneurial community.
 
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
https://gigb.co/l/YEh5
 
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
https://fullscale.io
 
Visit the Practical Founders website:
https://practicalfounders.com
 
Learn more about Greg Head:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregheadaz
 
Highlighted Discussion Points

Entrepreneurship, community, and networking. 0:31
Entrepreneurship, networking, and growth at SaaS open conference. 1:28
Entrepreneurship, business growth, and SaaS industry insights. 6:00
Business growth challenges and strategies. 9:43
The importance of networking for SaaS founders. 15:39

  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SaasOpen Review: The Value of In Person Meetups

Do you ever feel like you're the only one getting things done at your startup? This episode is for you! Matt Watson chats with Greg Schmedding, a problem-solver with a proven track record in the staffing industry, about the critical hires every startup needs to flourish.
In this episode, you'll learn:

Why delegating and letting go are essential for startup growth (and how to do it without losing control)
The biggest hiring mistakes founders make (think: promoting that talented developer to CTO way too soon!)
The importance of building a strong foundation before scaling your team
How to identify and hire talented individuals who might not have the experience on paper but have the potential to be superstars
Why Matt Watson says his best hire wasn't the most experienced, but the one who believed most in their approach
How to create a repeatable and scalable sales system (and the challenges of managing an offshore team)
The importance of self-awareness in key hires - building a team that complements your strengths and weaknesses

This episode is packed with practical advice to help you build the dream team your startup deserves. So, tune in and get ready to learn about making key hires for your company!
 
 
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
https://gigb.co/l/YEh5
 
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
https://fullscale.io/
 
Learn more about Gregg Schmedding:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gschmedding/ 
Highlighted Discussion Points

Key hires for startups with guest Greg Schmedding. 0:31
Sales experience and problem-solving in the staffing industry. 1:10
Key hires for startups and entrepreneurs. 3:25
Hiring and trust in leadership positions. 7:52
Entrepreneurship, leadership, and team building. 12:00
Hiring key personnel and playbooks for success. 19:24
Hiring and recognizing greatness in early-stage companies. 22:47
Hiring key personnel for a growing company. 27:01
Leadership, process, and culture in a sales team. 31:22
Key hires, focusing on root growth. 37:06
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pittsburg Top Startups

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