Tech Optimist: An Alumni Ventures Podcast

In this Meet the Startup episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, host Ryan Musto sits down with Gregory Constantine, co-founder and CEO of AIRCO, a pioneering carbon technology company transforming captured CO₂ into valuable products like sustainable jet fuel, vodka, and fragrances. From early days in Brooklyn to groundbreaking collaborations with NASA and the U.S. Air Force, AIRCO is redefining what's possible in climate innovation. Gregory shares how AIRCO uses a proprietary process to convert carbon dioxide and hydrogen into high-value chemicals and fuels—offering scalable, drop-in solutions for both commercial and defense aviation sectors. This conversation highlights how AIRCO’s bold vision, dual-use strategy, and market-first approach are creating real impact and shaping a cleaner, more secure future.

To Learn More:

• Alumni Ventures (AV)
• AV LinkedIn
• Tech Optimist
• AIRCO

Legal Disclosure:

• https://av-funds.com/tech-optimist-disclosures

Creators & Guests

In this Meet the Startup episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, Meera Oak talks with Gokce Guven, CEO and Co-Founder of Kalder, about how her company is transforming loyalty programs into powerful, revenue-generating financial ecosystems. Drawing on her FinTech experience at Robinhood and OpenSea, Gokce explains how Kalder enables brands—from gas stations to sports teams—to build white-label rewards systems that work seamlessly across partners, creating deeper customer engagement without the complexity of traditional banking infrastructure. With innovative card-linking technology and a clear ROI for both brands and merchants, Kalder is redefining what loyalty can mean in today’s economy.

To Learn More:

• Alumni Ventures (AV)
• AV LinkedIn
• Tech Optimist
• Blog
• Kalder

Legal Disclosure:

• https://av-funds.com/tech-optimist-disclosures

Creators & Guests

In this special milestone episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, we celebrate 100 episodes of breakthroughs, bold predictions, and game-changing conversations. Join us as we take a look back at the defining moments that shaped the show—from the birth of Tech Notes to our deep dives into AI, space tech, energy solutions, and the shifting landscape of innovation. We revisit the most impactful discussions with visionary founders, industry leaders, and cutting-edge researchers, reflecting on how their insights continue to shape the future. Whether you’ve been with us since episode one or are just tuning in, this is the perfect moment to relive the breakthroughs that still have us talking—and to look ahead at what’s next.

To Learn More:

• Alumni Ventures (AV)
• AV LinkedIn
• Tech Optimist

Legal Disclosure:

• https://av-funds.com/tech-optimist-disclosures

Creators & Guests

In this Three Breakthroughs episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, Mike Collins and Lucas Pasch explore three major shifts shaping the future of technology. First, they discuss the rise of "OpenAI Mafia" startups, as top AI talent breaks away to launch competing ventures, driving innovation beyond the tech giants. Next, they examine the evolution of e-commerce, where interactive, social-driven shopping platforms like Whatnot are thriving while major players struggle to adapt. Finally, they dive into AI-driven online safety, highlighting Google’s new age estimation tools designed to protect younger users on digital platforms. Tune in for a deep dive into how these breakthroughs are redefining the tech landscape.

To Learn More:

• Alumni Ventures (AV)
• AV LinkedIn
• AV Deep Tech Fund
• Tech Optimist

Legal Disclosure:

• https://av-funds.com/tech-optimist-disclosures

Creators & Guests

In this Meet the Startup episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, Meera Oak speaks with Lizzie Matusov, co-founder and CEO of Quotient, about transforming developer productivity. Lizzie shares how Quotient leverages the SPACE framework to identify and resolve inefficiencies in engineering workflows, helping teams eliminate friction and collaborate more effectively. With her extensive experience at Red Hat and Invitae, Lizzie offers unique insights into creating smarter, more efficient engineering practices. This conversation highlights the future of developer efficiency and the tools shaping the next generation of software teams.

To Learn More:

• Alumni Ventures (AV)
• AV LinkedIn
• AV Women's Fund
• Tech Optimist
• Quotient 

Legal Disclosure:

• https://av-funds.com/tech-optimist-disclosures

Creators & Guests

In this Three Breakthroughs episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, host Mike Collins and Lucas Pasch explore three transformative advancements shaping the future. First, they break down the AI arms race, where tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are pouring tens of billions into AI infrastructure, fueling competition and raising questions about market concentration and innovation. Next, they examine the unbundling of social media, with platforms like BlueSky gaining traction by offering decentralized, user-controlled experiences that challenge Big Tech’s dominance. Finally, they dive into a groundbreaking cancer vaccine trial from Dana-Farber, where personalized immunotherapy has delivered astonishing results—zero recurrences in advanced kidney cancer patients after three years. These breakthroughs are redefining industries and opening new possibilities for technology, medicine, and digital interaction. Tune in for a forward-looking discussion on where these shifts are headed next!

To Learn More:

• Alumni Ventures (AV)
• AV LinkedIn
• AV Deep Tech Fund
• Tech Optimist

Legal Disclosure:

• https://av-funds.com/tech-optimist-disclosures

Creators & Guests

In this Meet the Startup episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, we explore the rapidly growing challenge of telemetry data overload and the innovative solution from Sawmills, a startup redefining how companies manage observability. Host Wesley Yiu sits down with Ronit Belson, co-founder and CEO of Sawmills, to discuss why skyrocketing data costs are becoming unsustainable for engineering teams and how Sawmills' AI-powered smart telemetry platform is helping organizations cut waste, improve data quality, and take control of their observability pipelines. Ronit shares the journey behind launching Sawmills, the growing category of telemetry management, and how AI is shaping the future of the space. If you're in DevOps, engineering, or simply fascinated by the next wave of data innovation, this episode is a must-listen!

To Learn More:

• Alumni Ventures (AV)
• AV LinkedIn
• AV Deep Tech Fund
• Tech Optimist

Legal Disclosure:

• https://av-funds.com/tech-optimist-disclosures

Creators & Guests

In this Three Breakthroughs episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, we explore three game-changing advancements shaping the future. First, we examine how DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company, has built a ChatGPT rival for just $6 million, igniting conversations about the cost of innovation and global AI competition. Next, we take to the skies with Boom Supersonic, which has successfully tested its Mach 1.1 jet, marking a major step toward the return of commercial supersonic travel. Finally, we dive into synthetic biology, where scientists have engineered the first fully synthetic yeast genome—paving the way for breakthroughs in medicine, sustainable fuel, and food security. Join hosts Mike Collins and Lucas Pasch as they break down these pivotal innovations and what they mean for the future.

To Learn More:

• Alumni Ventures (AV)
• AV LinkedIn
• AV Deep Tech Fund
• Tech Optimist

Legal Disclosure:

• https://av-funds.com/tech-optimist-disclosures

Creators & Guests

In this Three Breakthroughs episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, Mike Collins and Naren Ramaswamy explore three groundbreaking innovations redefining AI and science. First, they discuss new AI models pushing boundaries in simulation, weather forecasting, and world-building—transforming industries from gaming to meteorology. Then, they analyze Amazon’s massive $8 billion investment in Anthropic, positioning AWS as a major force in the AI race. Finally, they dive into a stunning discovery: AI helping decode humpback whale communication, a breakthrough with implications for both marine biology and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Join Mike and Naren for an exciting deep dive into the future of AI-driven innovation.

To Learn More:

• Alumni Ventures (AV)
• AV LinkedIn
• AV Deep Tech Fund
• Tech Optimist

Legal Disclosure:

• https://av-funds.com/tech-optimist-disclosures

Creators & Guests

In this Meet the Startup episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, Wesley Yiu sits down with Ali Hussain, co-founder and CEO of Tabs, to explore how AI is transforming B2B accounts receivable. With trillions of dollars in overdue invoices clogging financial pipelines, Tabs is tackling this challenge head-on with AI-powered automation that helps companies collect payments faster, streamline cash flow, and optimize revenue operations. Ali shares insights from his journey scaling Latch from seed to IPO, the importance of simplicity in fundraising, and why AI-native finance tools are the future. Join Wesley and Ali for a deep dive into the intersection of AI, finance, and business efficiency.

To Learn More:

• Alumni Ventures (AV)
• AV LinkedIn
• AV Deep Tech Fund
• Tech Optimist
• Tabs

Legal Disclosure:

• https://av-funds.com/tech-optimist-disclosures

Creators & Guests