Techlandia

In this Techlandia episode, Skip Newberry interviews Olivia Diett, CEO and founder of Empathix, a New Zealand-based startup aiming at North American expansion. Olivia shares her journey from a tech-savvy childhood to her current role, focusing on innovative recruitment solutions. Empathix offers a human-centric CV sifter, saving companies up to 90% in time and costs. Olivia discusses the challenges of high-volume hiring, the rise of AI in recruitment, and the importance of maintaining genuine human connection in technology-driven processes.

EmpathiHR focuses on providing employers with tools to mitigate workplace risks. Co-founders Chris Jeans and Randy Barker discuss their combined expertise in HR and technology, leading to creating a SaaS platform that proactively identifies and addresses workplace issues. Their services include comprehensive policies, training, quarterly questionnaires, and a hotline for complaints. They stress the importance of preemptive measures, especially with the evolving legal landscape that increasingly favors employees. EmpathiHR's approach ensures that companies can demonstrate due diligence in preventing and resolving workplace misconduct, thus safeguarding against potential legal repercussions.

Courtney Lee of AWS joins the Techlandia podcast to highlight the differences between Amazon and Amazon Web Services, AWS's substantial investments in Oregon, and their commitment to renewable energy. She explains AWS's role in cloud computing and how it supports major clients like Netflix and Disney. Courtney also elaborates on AWS's local impact, including job creation and community projects in Eastern Oregon and their ambitious renewable energy goals. The discussion underscores the complexities of energy management and AWS's innovative approaches to ensuring sustainable operations.

In this episode of the Teclandia podcast, Diane Friaman of Voyager Capital shares her extensive background in tech and how it led her to a career in venture capital. Starting as a biomedical engineer, she transitioned to tech sales and held various marketing and business development posts at companies such as Digital Equipment Corporation and Informix. Now at Voyager, she focuses on local talent in Portland and disruptive technologies like AI and AgTech. Diane discusses the challenges and opportunities in the current funding environment, providing valuable insights for early-stage startups in the Pacific Northwest.

In this episode of Techlandia, Skip New Berry, President and CEO of TAO, interviews Will Their, CEO of Fundpilot, a product focused on solving the problems between real estate entrepreneurs, investment managers, and investors. They discuss Fundpilot's origin story, its evolution within Verivest, and the challenges of creating a new company from an existing business. Will shares insights into the real estate investment market, including the impact of the Jobs Act, challenges with commercial real estate loans, and the importance of deepening capital relationships. He also explains Fundpilot's value offering and how it de-risks the acquisition process and facilitates investor relations. Will discusses the competition in the market and how Fundpilot aims to become the single operating system for real estate investment managers. He shares plans for integrating AI technologies, implementing self-serve features, and the company's seed stage round and future growth in the Portland area.

In this episode of the Techlandia podcast, John Stephens and Hank Hathaway from Convergence Networks join the discussion to shed light on their company's footprint in Oregon and the range of IT services and cybersecurity offerings they provide. They emphasize the importance of prioritizing cybersecurity, especially for SMBs, and offer insights into the current threats and challenges businesses face in the ever-evolving technological landscape. The experts highlight the need for multifactor authentication, employee training, and proactive vulnerability management. They also emphasize the significance of compliance and the NIST cybersecurity framework in guiding organizations to implement adequate security measures. With the rising risks of phishing, smishing, and social engineering, John and Hank emphasize the importance of ongoing education and defense in depth. They urge businesses to partner with trusted cybersecurity providers like Convergence Networks to stay informed, implement best practices, and ensure their organizations' long-term security and resilience.

In this podcast episode, Skip Newberry, the president and CEO of Tao, sits down with Jim Hayden and Marcus Kent from Board Developer to discuss the latest trends in board selection and management. Board developer specializes in advisory boards, focusing on non-fiduciary boards in both for-profit and nonprofit spaces. Jim and Marcus share their professional journeys and how they ended up at Board Developer, a company that solves the problem of dysfunctional boards. They discuss the importance of finding the right board members who can effectively move the organization forward and how advisory boards can supercharge companies by filling gaps in the executive team and inspiring new ideas. They emphasize the role of the CEO in running the business and not the board, allowing for focused and strategic decision-making. The podcast also highlights the announcement of Marcus taking over as CEO, marking an evolutionary step for Board Developer's growth and expansion.

This podcast episode delves into the challenges of maintaining election integrity amidst the proliferation of new technologies and the impact of misinformation and disinformation campaigns. Ben Morris, Chief of Staff for the Oregon Secretary of State's Office, and Greg Miller, COO of the OSet Institute, discuss the importance of transparency and effective communication in countering false narratives. They highlight the need to pre-bunk misinformation and debunk false claims to prevent their spread. The conversation also explores the potential of AI and conversational AI as tools to engage voters and provide accurate information. The guests stress the significance of public trust in the electoral process and the role of innovative technology solutions in building that trust. The podcast concludes with an emphasis on the collaborative efforts between election officials, researchers, and policymakers to safeguard elections and democracy.

John Higgins, an experienced executive in the technology industry, is the guest on this episode of the Techlandia podcast. The conversation covers a range of topics related to technology, sports, and digital media. Higgins shares his insights on navigating the tech industry and the importance of adaptability and resilience for professionals in the field. He also discusses his decision to leave established companies like Roku and launch his own startup, Tech Pitch Strategies, which supports sports and technology startups. Higgins provides practical advice for startups to thrive in today's volatile market, including focusing on niche markets, leveraging data analysis, and maintaining flexibility. The conversation also delves into the role of technology in transforming the sports and media industries, with a focus on trends such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence. Higgins shares his thoughts on the future of live sporting events and the potential for technology to enhance the fan experience. Additionally, the conversation touches on building a culture of innovation and collaboration within teams, drawing on Higgins' experiences working with effective leaders like Bob Iger.