Builders Live

Епизоди

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  Can state-backed tech capital is fill the seed gap? 02.09.2026 25мин

  Over the past few years, traditional venture capital funds have increasingly moved up-market toward larger, later-stage rounds, leaving early-stage founders scrambling for initial checks. How are regional and public-private tech funds adapting to fill that widening seed-stage gap across the country? And how can ecosystem leaders balance the driving economic growth with the financial realities of early-stage tech investing?Technical.ly publisher and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Jonathon Beschen, Managing Director of the Tech Investment Group for Ben Franklin Technology Partners for a conversation about how regional tech ecosystems can build momentum.Recorded September 2, 2026.
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  Companies are getting smaller. What changes for economic development? 26.08.2026 49мин

  Companies are getting smaller. What does that mean for economic development? The median size of American firms has been declining for years, so are there better metrics to focus on than job growth? How do solopreneurs and "necessity entrepreneurs" fit into the picture? And how will AI impact this trend?Co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, venture investor Rae'Mah Henderson, Taylor Eubanks of BlendHQ and Technical.ly cofounder and publisher Christopher Wink discuss this and other trends in ecosystem building and entrepreneur-led economic development.Recorded August 26, 2026.
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  Why trust matters for regional economic growth 13.08.2026 21мин

  Imagine two communities with nearly identical physical assets, institutions, and tax incentives, but dramatically different economic outcomes. What causes the difference? Amy Holloway believes it's trust.Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Aha! Advisors president Amy Holloway for a conversation about how to build and measure trust in your ecosystem and the importance of social infrastructure in economic development.Recorded August 12, 2026.
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  How to build state-level systems for innovation 05.08.2026 24мин

  Nationally, we’re seeing variation in when states are driving tech, science and entrepreneurship economic development, and when it’s primarily taking place at the regional ecosystem level. How does a state leader balance multiple ecosystems and regions with distinct needs?Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Louisiana Economic Development CIO Josh Fleig for a conversation about the role for government and economic development at the state level.Recorded August 5, 2026.
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  State strategies to support local ecosystems 30.07.2026 24мин

  Ecosystem building is coalition work, and there can be benefits and challenges to having a larger group of stakeholders. When does it make sense to take a statewide strategy as opposed to a regional one?Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Arizona Technology Council president & CEO Steven Zylstra for a conversation about what's changing about the tech council model and what's most effective about different approaches to economic development.Recorded July 29, 2026.
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  Can you intentionally build an innovation ecosystem? Lessons from Research Triangle Park 28.07.2026 31мин

  Since joining the Research Triangle Foundation in 2017, Scott Levitan has overseen a transformation of the 7,000-acre Research Triangle Park including a mixed-use campus, coworking space and high-profile corporate investments. As the organization moves to implement its RTP 3.0 initiative, it announced a planned leadership transition, with Levitan set to retire in October. At this inflection point, what does the future hold for RTP, and what can other similar institutions learn from its evolution?Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Research Triangle Foundation president & CEO Scott Levitan for a conversation about reflections on his tenure leading the organization and lessons for place-based economic development.Recorded July 23, 2026.
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  What's happening to our entry-level workers? 23.07.2026 46мин

  What's really happening with entry-level workers? If it continues to get more difficult to start a career, that could create pipeline issues in the future with fewer experienced workers. Is a degree still worth it for young professionals, and what impacts are AI and remote work having on the employment landscape?Co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, venture investor Rae'Mah Henderson, and Technical.ly cofounder and publisher Christopher Wink discuss how regions can best support their students and new grads — and how entrepreneurship fits in the equation.Recorded July 22, 2026.
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  Greater Cleveland's "All In" plan for economic development 16.07.2026 22мин

  Greater Cleveland Partnership has an "All In" plan to help the region grow, bringing together private, public and philanthropic partners to achieve that goal. But what does real collaboration look like when you’re working with a variety of stakeholders who may all define success differently?Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Greater Cleveland Partnership president & CEO Baiju Shah for a conversation about the org's efforts to turn its vision into strategies, actions and outcomes — and what lessons other regions can apply to their own economic development.Recorded July 15, 2026.
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  The United States of Entrepreneurship 30.06.2026 45мин

  Ahead of the July 4th holiday and America's 250th anniversary, it's a special edition of our monthly podcast on ecosystem building and entrepreneur-led economic development where we examine the United States of Entrepreneurship.Our Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Taylor Eubanks of Midwest House and Christopher Wink, Technical.ly's cofounder and CEO, discuss what's notable about the startup and innovation economy in all 50 states — and how entrepreneurship is helping to shape the country's identity at this significant milestone.Recorded June 24, 2026.
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  How entrepreneurship funding is changing 18.06.2026 25мин

  A lot of startup advice still assumes the goal is venture capital, but the funding landscape is changing for companies that want to grow but may not be chasing a unicorn-style outcome. How should founders, investors, economic development groups and entrepreneur support organizations operate when the definition of success includes profitability, founder control, job creation and community impact — not just exits and valuations?Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Jeffrey Kaplan from Venture Asheville and Optimist Ventures for a conversation about what companies actually need if they're currently underserved by traditional venture capital.Recorded June 17, 2026.
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  Are entrepreneurs discovered or developed? 10.06.2026 21мин

  There's no shortage of great entrepreneurs out there, but not all of them will gain traction and break through. When it comes to successful founders, what traits feel innate, and what traits can actually be coached? Can a startup become more investable because of how the founder responds to feedback? And should regions be spending more energy identifying hidden talent, or building the systems that help more founders become fundable, revenue-generating companies?Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by GrowthX cofounder and CEO Andrew Goldner for a conversation about how founders can sell, listen and adapt to become stronger over time.Recorded June 3, 2026.
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  Is storytelling the missing piece in ecosystem building? 03.06.2026 16мин

  So much of the work of ecosystem building can be invisible and intangible. Can storytelling help change that? What impact can storytelling have on economic development and how regional identities are shaped and evolve?Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Social Venturers founder Anika Horn for a conversation about her new book and lessons for founders and ecosystem builders.Recorded May 7, 2026 at the Technical.ly Builders Conference.Support 'It Takes a Valley' here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ittakesavalley/it-takes-a-valley
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  Philanthropy's role in economic development 28.05.2026 47мин

  What is philanthropy's role in economic development, and how can it make the most impact? Economic development has historically been government's job — incentives, tax policy, public investment. Where does philanthropy fit, and where does it overstep?Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, venture investor Rae'Mah Henderson, Taylor Eubanks of Midwest House and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Christopher Wink discuss when philanthropic investment in a region's economy makes sense, and what constitutes philanthropy versus government versus industry responsibilities.Recorded May 27, 2026.
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  Entrepreneurship is the start of the American economy 21.05.2026 25мин

  Entrepreneurship in America is at a pivotal moment. While more people are starting businesses, a small sliver are growing big and fast and far more are not growing at all, with the middle hollowing out. As AI decentralizes the ability to start a company, how can policymakers and ecosystem leaders encourage new business formation while ensuring the gains don't all go to the firms with the most data, compute and capital?Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Center for American Entrepreneurship founder & president John Dearie for a conversation about how to achieve a stronger, more resilient and inclusive U.S. economy through thriving entrepreneurship.Recorded May 20, 2026.
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  Gen Z, AI and the new geography of entrepreneurship 15.05.2026 20мин

  As entrepreneurship becomes more accessible, the geography of where founders start companies is expanding. New data from LinkedIn shows Gen Z founder growth accelerating across nearly every major U.S. metro, often fastest outside traditional startup hubs, reflecting a move toward flexible “portfolio careers,” where networks, personal branding and digital tools are key.Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by LinkedIn Director of Data Science and Research Sharat Raghavan for a conversation about how the use of AI, shifting career priorities and evolving definitions of success are reshaping how businesses are started and grow.Recorded May 13, 2026.
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  Can entrepreneurship save the American soul? Live at the Technical.ly Builders Conference 2026 14.05.2026 36мин

  As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, this live recording in Philadelphia takes up a big question: why does entrepreneurship remain such a powerful American ideal — and what would it take for that ideal to mean more than branding, politics or founder mythology? With voices from policy, ecosystem building and investment, this conversation explores entrepreneurship as a source of agency, ownership and civic renewal, while confronting the ways it is often diluted, co-opted or kept out of reach.Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Christopher Wink is joined by Victor Hwang of Right to Start, venture investor Rae'Mah Henderson and Hollie Mackey of the NSF AgTech Engine in North Dakota for this wide-ranging discussion.Recorded May 7, 2026 at the Technical.ly Builders Conference.
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  Inside Louisiana’s plan to build 1000 new high-growth startups 04.05.2026 22мин

  Nexus Louisiana has a goal to create 1000 new local tech startups by 2035 — but how is the org working to achieve that? What can those in Louisiana do to help, and what should other states and ecosystems learn from this start?Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Nexus president and CEO Tony Zanders for a conversation about what it takes to bolster entrepreneurship and when it makes sense to have local, regional and statewide goals.Recorded April 29, 2026.
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  Today's k-shaped economy of entrepreneurship 22.04.2026 45мин

  Is the American entrepreneurship economy becoming k-shaped? The current business incorporation boom does include many thriving companies, but also many "solopreneurs" who are earning less than their traditionally-employed peers. When we say entrepreneurship is booming, are we conflating two very different stories? Are we celebrating necessity entrepreneurship — people fleeing a broken labor market — as if it were opportunity entrepreneurship?Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, venture investor Rae'Mah Henderson, Taylor Eubanks of Midwest House and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Christopher Wink discuss how we can address the needs of these two groups to support economic development for all.Recorded April 22, 2026.
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  Civic tech and AI in state government: risks and opportunities with New Jersey's CIO 17.04.2026 39мин

  In 2018, New Jersey launched the State Office of Innovation, which this January became codified in law as the New Jersey Innovation Authority — the first state to create a permanent Cabinet-level digital services team. During his time as CIO over the past two years, Dave Cole has worked to improve the lives of New Jersey residents through the use of data, collective intelligence, agile technology and tools such as AI. As technology becomes increasingly important to delivering government services and solving public problems, what has the agency accomplished so far and what can other states learn from it?Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by New Jersey CIO Dave Cole for a conversation about what it means to have a codified and permanent state-level digital services team, how NJ is leveraging tech and AI to be more efficient and effective, what the private and public sectors can learn from each other, and more.Recorded April 15, 2026.
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  AI, workforce and economic development with Maryland's Lt. Governor 03.04.2026 46мин

  Since becoming Maryland's Lieutenant Governor, Aruna Miller has focused on matters including transportation, mental health, STEM equity and more. With a background as a civil and transportation engineer, she has a unique perspective on how the government can influence economic growth and remove systemic barriers to opportunity.Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Maryland Lt. Governor Aruna Miller for a conversation about how the state government is factoring AI into its workforce development strategy, autonomous vehicles' impacts on transportation infrastructure, how to make decisions around complex tech and economic issues, and more.Recorded April 1, 2026.