Business Roundtable

Reinventing the Supply Chain with AI from Rail-to-Road w/ Kevin Damoa of GlidTech

AZ TRT S07 EP11 (293) 7-26-2026

What We Learned This Week The Biggest Supply Chain Problem Isn't Transportation—It's Handling Freight often changes hands multiple times before reaching its destination. Every transfer increases cost, delays, and complexity.

America Already Has the Infrastructure Rather than building new rail systems, Glid Tech's strategy is to better utilize the thousands of miles of existing railroad infrastructure that are currently underused.

AI Is Becoming a Logistics Manager Ezra 16 doesn't simply route vehicles—it evaluates weather, traffic, rail availability, and fleet positioning simultaneously to determine the most efficient route.

Military Innovation Often Creates Commercial Opportunity The company's technology originated from solving dangerous military logistics problems before expanding into commercial transportation, continuing a long history of defense-driven innovation.

The Future of Transportation Is Integration Instead of choosing between trucks or trains, the future may involve seamless transitions between both, allowing each mode to be used where it performs best.

Guest: Kevin Damoa

LKIN: HERE

Website: https://www.glidtech.us/

Founder and CEO Glīd Technologies

Kevin A. Damoa builds the systems that move what matters. Over two decades, he has carried mobility from the factory floor to the launch pad and onto the battlefield, advancing the hard logistics of rockets, aircraft, electric vehicles, and now autonomous road-to-rail freight. As Founder and CEO of Glīd Technologies, he is building the dual-mode autonomous infrastructure that connects the nation's roads and rails into a single logistics network.

His operating discipline was forged in military service. Damoa enlisted in the US Army at seventeen, served two years in South Korea, and completed two combat tours in Iraq with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, where he ran railhead logistics in a theater of war. He continued his service in the Air National Guard as a Logistics Officer and firefighter supporting California's Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System mission, retiring in 2018 after twelve years of concurrent service.

Damoa joined SpaceX in 2012 as Flight Module Logistics Manager, where he built the logistics systems and programs behind a maturing launch operation and designed and deployed the transport apparatus that carried rockets from production to the launch site. Following a tour at Northrop Grumman as an Integration Program Manager on the F-35 program, he moved into senior operating leadership across a generation of clean-mobility companies, holding executive roles at Romeo Power, Xos Trucks, Canoo, and Serial 1, a Harley-Davidson brand. In each, he owned the unglamorous work that decides whether a product reaches the market: industrialization, supply chain, manufacturing deployment, and launch.

In 2022, Damoa founded Glīd Technologies to solve a problem the freight system has carried for a century, the broken handoff between road and rail. Glīd designs and builds US-made autonomous dual-mode vehicles and the AI logistics orchestration software that directs them, serving commercial freight and national defense. The company is built on a granted dual-mode road-to-rail patent, is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, and won the 2025 TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield.

Damoa holds an MS in Mechanical Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and an MBA in Project Management from Keller Graduate School of Management. He leads Glīd as both its CEO and its Architect, a reflection of his conviction that the people who set a company's direction should understand, in detail, how the thing is built.

Notes:

Summary Technical logistics and supply chain challenges were discussed along with prototype development and potential military applications. Supply Chain Efficiency Challenges Excessive handling requirements create significant dwell time in global shipping. Current infrastructure heavily relies on road transport due to rail inaccessibility, resulting in massive maintenance costs. Startup Prototypes and Technology The startup developed 4 prototypes featuring human-operated and autonomous vehicles alongside AI orchestration software. This technology utilizes existing rail and road infrastructure to enable seamless transport transitions. Military and Market Outlook Applying rail logistics to defense sectors aims to improve safety for military personnel by reducing reliance on road convoys. Future strategy balances defense and commercial growth across various sectors.

Segment 1 · Definition of Supply Chain Challenges: Kevin Damoa identified that the core problem in the current supply chain is the inefficiency of moving goods due to excessive handling requirements. Noted that 72% of commercial freight is stuck on roads because rail is viewed as inaccessible, while the military faces similar issues, utilizing only 20% of their 44,000 miles of rail infrastructure.

· Company Status and Prototypes: Kevin Damoa confirmed that Glidech is a startup that raised a pre-seed round the previous year and currently has 14 full-time employees. The company has developed four prototypes: two human-operated vehicles named "Glider M" that function on road and rail, and two autonomous vehicles named "Raiden". They also have an AI orchestration software tool called "Ezra 16," which provides transportation management, fleet tracking, and autonomous coordination.

· Supply Chain Inefficiencies and "Touches": Kevin Damoa detailed the complexity of global shipping, describing how goods undergo numerous transfers between boats, "hustler" trucks, cranes, and trains. They explained that this leads to significant "detention time" or "dwell time," where goods sit idle for weeks, often resulting in increased costs and the need for expensive expedited shipping.

· Comparison of Road and Rail Infrastructure: Kevin Damoa highlighted that while trucks are more accessible, they contribute to congestion, pollution, and high road maintenance costs, citing that $105 billion is spent annually in the United States repairing roads damaged by 80,000-pound trucks. Conversely, they argued that rail infrastructure is simpler and cheaper to maintain using small crews, yet rail remains unattractive due to the difficulties in getting freight onto the system.

Segment 2

· GlidTech Solution and Ezra 16 Capabilities: Kevin Damoa described Glidec as a hardware and software company that leverages existing infrastructure rather than creating new fixed systems. The "Ezra 16" software creates a digital twin environment that incorporates weather, road congestion, and rail allocation to determine the most efficient, safe, and cost-effective transport mode for goods. The goal is to facilitate seamless transitions between road and rail, avoiding the necessity of staying exclusively on one mode for the entire journey.

· Origin of GliTech Technology: Kevin Damoa traced the origin of their technology to their personal military experience, specifically a process called "rail heading" while preparing for deployment in Iraq. They described the process as dangerous, slow, and cumbersome, requiring multiple pieces of heavy machinery and many people; Glidec was created to consolidate these steps into a single vehicle and one maneuver.

· Technical Operation of Vehicles: Kevin Damoa explained the mechanics of the Glider M and Raiden vehicles, which feature specialized rail gear, 360-degree cameras, and sensors that use "positive recognition" to identify datums on the track. Once identified, the rail gear deploys, the steering wheel locks, and the vehicle operates on the rail; upon exit, the system triggers a release notification to return to road operation.

· Safety and Integration with Rail Systems: Kevin Damoa noted that their technology patches into existing "positive train control" systems used by railroads. This allows their vehicles to receive time-slot allocations and operate dynamically, such as exiting the track to allow a train to pass before returning to the route.

· Utilization of Infrastructure: Kevin Damoa emphasized that their approach leverages "the best of both worlds" by using road networks to navigate traffic and rail networks for faster transit in less developed or woodsy areas. This strategy utilizes existing, underused tracks rather than requiring the construction of new infrastructure.

· Professional Background of Kevin Damoa: Kevin Damoa detailed their professional history, starting with military service in the Army and the Air Force National Guard, where they participated in firefighting operations. Their corporate background includes managing transportation and recovery operations for the first 17 SpaceX Falcon 9 vehicles, working as an engineer and program manager on the F-35 fighter jet program at Northrop Grumman, and holding roles in e-mobility at Romeo Power, Canoe, XOS Trucks, and Harley-Davidson's Serial 1.

Segment 3

· Historical and Defense Context: Historical overview, noting that President Eisenhower used the Defense Act in the 1950s to develop the US highway system based on models like the German Autobahn. Kevin Damoa discussed how the Department of Defense currently relies heavily on road convoys despite owning 44,000 miles of rail, and noted that they aim to make this existing rail infrastructure more accessible to the military.

· Military Safety and Operational Applications: Kevin Damoa highlighted that enabling rail transport could save soldiers' lives, citing that one out of ten logisticians in the military are casualties during combat supply operations. They further explained that their autonomous Raiden vehicles can operate in austere, desert, or underdeveloped locations, moving containerized supplies, weapons, or drone-manufacturing equipment without risking personnel.

· Future Market Outlook: Looking ahead, Kevin Damoa projected a balanced growth strategy between commercial and defense sectors, noting interest from municipalities, states, countries, and industrial parks. Framed the future of the company around bridging the gap in the logistical workforce and providing a new transport mode, which they branded with the slogan, "Don't ship it, glide it".

Segment 4

Clips from:

Efficiency in the Supply Chain by a New Container Invention

w/ Trevor Pan of BidBird

AZ TRT S04 EP41 (204) 10-15-2023

Things We Learned This Week

Malcolm McLean was the inventor of the shipping Container, and a key person in trade & globalization
BidBird invented a container skin, a smooth panel for the side to reduce wind resistance & improve fuel efficiency
Patent process and Patent Cooperation Treaty to register an invention in foreign countries
Building a Prototype and doing a road test with a Truck plus a Container on a race track

Show Link: HERE

**Preview clip of Trevor Pan

Malcolm McLean and the History of the Container

This leads to a new level of capitalism, modern globalization & wider trade

Malcolm Mclean is the inventor of one of the most major inventions in history that affects people daily. He is also not known by many people despite the impact he has had.

McLean owned a trucking company and he used to ship goods via boat. He'd be waiting on the docks with cotton in the 1940s in early 1950s for hours.

Ships would be docked for a month, as men were loading crates by hand. The same system was being done with global trade and sea trade for thousands of years.

Mclean got tired of this, and trying to figure out a solution to the problem like any entrepreneur. Find a need and fill it.

January 1956 - he debuted the box ship. McLean got a $22 million loan & bought 2 World War II tankers and converted them. In April 1956 the first one sailed from New Jersey to Houston. This cut cost from 5.86 per to $.16, a 95% drop or 36 fold savings.

Oct.1957 - the first real containership Gateway city launched. Trip went from New York to Florida to Texas and then on later to Puerto Rico. Per McLean, 'the ship makes money when at sea'.

In 1963, container ports had been created, by 1966 in Europe, 1967 Vietnam had container service, and 1969 Hong Kong and more Southeast Asia.

McLean got a patent which is shared, called – standardization, and the standardize size container for shipping.

He created a company, called Sealand Industries - which was then bought by RJ Reynolds. Eventually they were mergers and oil companies that bought out the line and today it's owned by MAERSK.

Goods are shipped today for pennies on the dollar, all because of McLean's invention. He changed global trade, shipping, oil exploration, and more. It's a multi trillion dollar invention. It also created port cities like Oakland. Every day it affects all sorts of goods and trades finance, big companies like Walmart and Apple.

Not sure if we would have globalization if not for Mclean. At least not as fast.

More Info on Malcolm McLean: HERE

Tech Topic:

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Predicting the Future: AI, Geopolitics & Better Decision Making

w/ Anthony Vinci of VICO

AZ TRT S07 EP10 (292) 6-28-2026

What We Learned This Week Think in Probabilities Great decision-makers don't predict one future.

They prepare for multiple possible futures.

Look for Leading Indicators Government budgets, regulations, elections, trade policy, and geopolitical developments often signal future trends before markets fully respond.

AI Is Becoming a Strategic Advisor AI is increasingly functioning as a research assistant, intelligence analyst, and scenario-planning tool—not just a content generator.

Everything Is Connected Politics, economics, technology, energy, and national security influence one another more than ever before.

Understanding those relationships creates a competitive advantage.

Focus on Second-Order Effects Many investors react to headlines.

The bigger opportunities often lie in anticipating the ripple effects that follow.

AZ TRT Podcast Predictive Forecasting: AI, Geopolitics & Better Decision Making Guest: Anthony Vinci Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-vinci/

https://www.anthonyvinci.com/

https://www.vico.io/

Anthony Vinci is the Founder and CEO of VICO, an AI-powered forecasting company that helps governments, financial institutions, and corporations assess political, geopolitical, and economic event risk. Rather than predicting a single outcome, VICO converts news, expert analysis, and real-world signals into probability-based forecasts to improve decision-making.

Before founding VICO, Anthony served as the first Chief Technology Officer of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), where he led the integration of artificial intelligence into U.S. intelligence operations. He also held senior leadership roles at Bridgewater Associates and Cerberus Capital Management, focusing on technology, national security, aerospace, and strategic investments.

Anthony is the author of The Fourth Intelligence Revolution, recognized by the Financial Times as one of the Best Books of 2025. His work focuses on the intersection of AI, intelligence, geopolitics, and global finance.

Theme Today's world moves faster than ever. Political events, wars, technological breakthroughs, trade policy, and artificial intelligence all create ripple effects throughout the economy and financial markets.

The question isn't simply:

"What will happen?"

Instead, it's:

"What are the most likely outcomes, and how should we prepare for them?"

That is the foundation of predictive forecasting.

Segment 1 The World Has Become an Event-Driven Economy One of the biggest themes discussed was how major events rarely stay isolated. Instead, they create ripple effects throughout politics, economics, and financial markets.

Examples from 2026 include:

The conflict involving Iran
Concerns over the Strait of Hormuz disrupting global shipping
Oil price volatility
Inflation concerns
AI adoption across industries
Global trade tensions

For example, if shipping through the Strait of Hormuz were disrupted, the effects could extend far beyond oil:

higher energy prices
increased transportation costs
higher inflation
pressure on consumer spending
lower corporate profits
political consequences during the 2026 midterm elections

One geopolitical event can trigger dozens of second- and third-order consequences.

Narrative Economics Markets increasingly react to information almost instantly.

News travels within seconds through:

X (Twitter)
social media
financial news
AI-generated analysis

Sometimes markets move more from the narrative than from the underlying facts.

The speed of information has increased volatility.

AI as an Intelligence Analyst AI is evolving beyond a simple chatbot.

Examples discussed:

Claude drafting emails in seconds
ChatGPT analyzing massive amounts of information
AI summarizing research
AI identifying patterns humans might overlook

Rather than replacing executives, AI increasingly acts like an executive assistant or intelligence analyst that can evaluate possible outcomes and estimate probabilities.

Segment 2 Forecasting Through Leading Indicators One of Anthony's core ideas is that forecasting begins with identifying early signals rather than reacting after events occur.

Examples include:

Government Spending Watching federal budgets provides clues about future economic priorities.

For example:

A proposal to increase defense spending from roughly $1 trillion toward $1.5 trillion could benefit industries such as:

aerospace
defense contractors
cybersecurity
satellite technology

Markets often recognize these trends before the spending actually occurs.

Elections Forecasting elections isn't just about polling.

Leading indicators include:

redistricting
economic conditions
inflation
employment
approval ratings
legislative trends

These become measurable inputs rather than opinions.

Tariffs and Trade Tariffs and sanctions affect:

supply chains
inflation
manufacturing
exports
corporate earnings

Rather than relying solely on headlines, investors can monitor government announcements and policy developments as early indicators.

VICO Anthony explained that VICO was created to help organizations answer questions like:

"What happens if tariffs increase?"

"What happens if a regional conflict expands?"

"What happens if inflation persists?"

Instead of producing opinions, the platform attempts to quantify probabilities so businesses can make better strategic decisions.

Current users include:

investment firms
hedge funds
insurance companies
corporations
government agencies

The platform is also available through Bloomberg Terminal.

Segment 3 Thinking Like an Intelligence Officer Anthony explained that investing and intelligence analysis are surprisingly similar.

Neither profession knows the future with certainty.

Instead, both attempt to improve decision-making through probabilities.

Questions include:

What's the upside?
What's the downside?
What scenarios exist?
What is the probability of each?

Instead of asking for certainty, professionals ask for better odds.

AI as a Thought Partner Rather than replacing human judgment, AI becomes another analyst at the table.

It helps:

challenge assumptions
compare scenarios
estimate probabilities
reduce emotional decision-making

The objective isn't perfect predictions.

It's consistently making better-informed decisions.

Indicators and Warnings (I&W) Government intelligence agencies constantly monitor "Indicators and Warnings."

Examples include:

military activity
cyber threats
terrorism
supply chain disruptions
political instability

The same thinking can apply to investors and business owners by identifying leading indicators before markets fully react.

Rare Earth Minerals A fascinating discussion centered on rare earth materials.

These minerals are essential for:

semiconductors
missiles
satellites
electric vehicles
MRI and CT scanners
advanced electronics

Although called "rare," many are relatively abundant. The challenge is that mining and processing are concentrated in a handful of countries, particularly China.

This explains why governments increasingly view domestic production as a national security issue.

Segment 4 Second- and Third-Order Effects One of the strongest concepts discussed was cascading consequences.

Instead of focusing only on one event, ask:

"What happens next?"

Example:

Conflict with Iran↓

Shipping disruptions↓

Higher oil prices↓

Higher transportation costs↓

Inflation↓

Reduced consumer spending↓

Lower corporate earnings↓

Market volatility↓

Political consequences↓

Policy changes

Understanding these chains of events helps improve forecasting.

AI Regulation AI is both part of the opportunity and part of the risk.

Potential future regulations may focus on:

cybersecurity
national security
privacy
export controls
access to advanced AI models
computing infrastructure

One challenge will be balancing innovation with security while remaining globally competitive.

Anthony noted that governments may have access to AI capabilities that are not immediately available to the private sector, highlighting the strategic importance of advanced AI systems.

Closing Thought One of the biggest lessons from this conversation is that forecasting isn't about predicting the future with certainty—it's about improving the quality of your decisions. The best investors, business leaders, and intelligence professionals don't rely on opinions alone. They gather data, monitor leading indicators, evaluate multiple scenarios, and assign probabilities to each possible outcome. In an increasingly interconnected world, those who think like forecasters rather than reactors will be better positioned to navigate uncertainty and identify opportunities before the crowd.

Tech Topic:

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Why Data Centers Are Becoming America's New Industrial Backbone w/ Tom Sullivan of Air2O

AZ TRT S07 EP09 (291) 6-14-2026

What We Learned This Week

AI Is Creating One of the Largest Infrastructure Booms in History

The AI revolution isn't just software. It requires:

physical buildings
massive electrical systems
cooling infrastructure
energy innovation

The data center buildout may become one of the biggest infrastructure projects ever undertaken.

Cooling Technology Is Becoming Just as Important as Computing Power

The future winners in AI may not only be software companies. Engineering and thermal management firms could become critical infrastructure players.

Cooling is no longer an afterthought:

it's now central to AI scalability.

Arizona Is Quietly Becoming a Strategic Technology Hub

Arizona's:

land
climate
business environment
power infrastructure are making it increasingly attractive for:
semiconductors
data centers
advanced manufacturing

Phoenix continues evolving into a major technology corridor.

Many Public Narratives Around Data Centers Are Outdated

The perception that modern data centers waste massive amounts of water may no longer reflect reality.

Modern facilities:

increasingly use closed-loop systems
focus on efficiency
consume more electricity than water

The real long-term challenge may actually be:

grid power generation.

Nuclear Energy May Return Through AI Demand

AI could accelerate adoption of:

SMRs
localized nuclear power
next-generation energy systems

Technology growth may revive public discussions around nuclear power in ways not seen in decades.

Guest: Tom Sullivan, CEO & Co-Founder of Air2o

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-sullivan-491706b4/

Bio:

Tom is a seasoned leader with a diverse background, rooted in military service and later refined in the civilian sector. Commencing his professional journey in 2007 with enlistment in the British Army. Graduating from the Military College of Leadership & Development in Harrogate, he went on to pursue advanced studies in Electrical Engineering at the Military College of Electronic & Aeronautical Engineering.

His operational deployments, spanning both peace and wartime roles, equipped him with invaluable experience. Tom served as a pivotal military liaison to civilian weapons development contractors, specializing in diverse missile platforms, including ground-to-air and ground-to-ground systems.

Recognition for his exceptional service came as he was awarded a Commander's Commendation for his work on a mission-critical system and process development project he led in Afghanistan. Beyond the battlefield, Tom further underlined his pursuit of excellence and commitment to professional development by achieving accreditation by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM).

In 2014, Tom brought his wealth of experience to the fledgling startup Air2O, joining the three-person company as the Operations and Project Management Lead. His role evolved, culminating in his appointment as Chief Operating Officer in 2020. In this capacity, Tom led a management team responsible for the development and implementation of foundational processes and routines, encompassing HR, recruitment, retention, IT management, Health and Safety, and Vendor management.

Under Tom's operational guidance, Air2O witnessed substantial growth, expanding from a modest three-person team in 2014 to a multinational workforce of over 100 employees across four countries today. His initiatives included implementing modern Quality Management Systems (QMS) and Project Management (PM) techniques, culminating in the recent ISO 9001 company accreditation with zero non-conformances reported during external assessment.

Website: https://air2o.com/

Air2O is a global leader in advanced thermal management solutions to the mission critical environments of Data Centers, Indoor Agriculture/Cultivation and large Industrial Facilities such as Lithium Battery and Semi-Conductor production globally. With custom build capabilities, a culture of creative engineers and an infrastructure to support the manufacture of the most innovative of solutions, Air2O aims to deliver the most efficient and optimal solutions for our clients globally.

Air2O is an Eren Groupe company, a multi billion organization based in Luxembourg whose mission is to support innovative technological solutions in the fields of renewable energy production, energy conservation and energy storage. Together, we deliver a unique solution for highly efficient, ecologically sound thermal management systems that can be deployed cost-effectively in the most demanding environments.

Our reach spans North America, EMEA, and Asia Pacific, emphasizing custom-engineered solutions prioritizing efficiency and sustainability. We stand proud as Arizona's exclusive low dew point HVACD system manufacturer.

About Air20

Company Focus

"Thermal Management Without Compromise"

Industries served:

data centers
semiconductors
pharmaceuticals
healthcare
lithium industry

Growth Story

3 employees in 2017
150+ employees today
rapid scaling after COVID
fueled by VC and private equity investment

Episode Theme

The future of data centers, cooling technology, AI infrastructure, and why Arizona has become a major hub for next-generation digital infrastructure.

Segment 1 — What Data Centers Really Are

Core Concepts

Data centers have existed for more than 30 years, but the explosion of:
the Internet
cloud computing
smartphones
AI has dramatically increased demand.
Society now depends on massive amounts of digital infrastructure to support:
computers
cell phones
cloud applications
AI processing
streaming
business systems
Tom Sullivan predicts that within a few years:

40–50% of the population may live within 5 miles of a data center.

What a Data Center Looks Like

Usually located in industrial areas
Large buildings with few or no windows
Inside are:
server racks
data halls
GPUs
backup batteries
power systems
cooling infrastructure

The Biggest Challenge: Heat

Servers consume enormous electricity and generate significant heat.
Cooling systems can account for:

roughly 30% of a data center's electricity usage.

Evolution of Cooling

Traditional Cooling

Similar to a computer fan system
Cool air pushed in, hot air pulled out
Older facilities maintained temperatures around 72°F

Modern Efficiency

Newer facilities can safely operate in the 90°F range.

Immersion Cooling

Servers submerged in special cooling fluid (not water)
Highly efficient but:
expensive
difficult to maintain
operationally complex

Direct-to-Chip Cooling

Emerging next-generation solution
Liquid cooling piped directly to processor chips
More efficient and scalable for AI workloads

Segment 2 — The AI Infrastructure Boom

Why Cooling Matters More Now

AI workloads require:

far more computing power
denser server environments
advanced thermal management

Cooling Technology Timeline

Immersion cooling gained momentum around 2020
Direct-to-chip cooling accelerated around 2023

Historic Infrastructure Buildout

Tom discussed the scale of current infrastructure spending:

Estimated global data center infrastructure investment:

$7 trillion

Comparisons:

12x the U.S. roadway network cost
23x the Apollo moon mission cost

Who Is Investing?

Major technology companies are driving this expansion:

Microsoft
Amazon
NVIDIA

Investment areas include:

data centers
utilities
energy
construction
AI infrastructure

Air20 Company Background

Origins

Started in 2012 as a part-time engineering company
Specialized in:
thermal management
data centers
semiconductor facilities
pharmaceuticals
healthcare engineering

Founder Background

Tom Sullivan:
former military electrical engineer
10 years military experience
entrepreneur with deep engineering expertise

Company Growth

In 2017:
connected with venture capital in Scottsdale
moved operations to Arizona
expanded manufacturing and engineering

Current Capabilities

Air20 now handles:

engineering
software
programming
manufacturing
construction coordination

Cooling systems can range from:

$50,000 units
to $1 million+ systems

Private Equity

Company was eventually acquired by private equity
Significant scaling followed VC and PE investment

Segment 3 — Why Arizona Became a Data Center Hub

Arizona Advantages

Tom explained why Arizona attracts major data center investment:

Business Climate

business-friendly environment
attractive economics
supportive infrastructure

Geography

flat land
affordable real estate
low natural disaster risk

Climate

predictable weather conditions
strong operational reliability

Debunking the "Water Usage" Myth

A major discussion centered around misconceptions about data centers and water consumption.

Historical Cooling

Older evaporative cooling systems:

used more water
used less electricity

Modern Systems

Current systems:

use more power
use significantly less water

Closed Loop Cooling

Modern cooling systems circulate water through:

sealed piping systems
closed-loop infrastructure

This minimizes water loss.

Bigger Water Users

Tom pointed out:

electric generation plants
steam turbines
nuclear facilities often use far more water than data centers themselves.

Massive Power Consumption

Data centers now operate at unprecedented scale.

Power progression:

homes → kilowatts
industrial → megawatts
hyperscale data centers → gigawatt-level demand

One comparison:

A large data center can equal the energy usage of 833,000 homes.

Future Energy Solutions

Potential future solution:

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

compact nuclear reactors
already proven in:
submarines
aircraft carriers

Potential advantages:

localized power generation
reduced grid strain
scalable infrastructure support

Segment 4 — Nuclear Energy & The Future

Nuclear Energy Perception

Tom discussed how technology industries often face negative PR cycles.

Modern Nuclear Technology

According to Tom:

nuclear technology has evolved significantly
safety standards are dramatically improved
waste is greatly reduced
efficiency is far higher

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

SMRs are now:

being tested
deployed experimentally
explored for powering data centers directly

Benefits:

smaller footprint
scalable deployment
less pressure on public grids
reliable energy generation

Key Point

"The water usage myth is dead."

Larger Theme

Modern society increasingly depends on:

digital infrastructure
electricity
AI computing
cloud services

The challenge is no longer whether we need data centers. The challenge is:

how to power and cool them efficiently.

Tech Topic:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Tech-Startup-VC-Cybersecurity-Energy-Science

Best of Tech: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=best+of+tech

'Best Of' Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

Thanks for Listening.

Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

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Flat-Fee Legal Services & the Rise of Fractional General Counsel w/ Ryan Hurley of Litix Legal

AZ TRT S07 EP08 (290) 5-28-2026

Things We Learned This Week Small businesses still need sophisticated legal strategy Even companies with only 5–10 employees need governance, operating agreements, cap tables, and employment structures built correctly from day one.

The traditional legal billing model is under pressure Hourly billing and massive retainers are frustrating both client & attorneys. Flat-fee legal services are emerging as a more predictable alternative.

Arizona is becoming a legal innovation hub Arizona's ABS laws now allow non-attorney ownership & outside investment. This could fundamentally reshape how legal services operate.

AI will likely compress legal fees across the industry AI is helping firms automate admin, documents and research. That efficiency may lower costs for clients and increase competitive pressure on traditional firms.

AI legal tools still need human oversight Platforms like Legalzoom can help with basic setup work, but founders still need experienced legal counsel for fundraising, equity structure, governance, and long-term growth decisions.

Guest: Ryan Hurley, CEO - Principal Attorney & Co-Founder, Litix Legal

Website: https://www.litixlegal.com/

An experienced attorney with 20 years, Ryan Hurley is CEO and co-founder of Litix Legal, a new kind of law firm on a mission to make clients love their lawyers and lawyers love their law firm by replacing the outdated hourly billing model with flat fees whenever possible.

Hurley previously served as general counsel for Copperstate Farms, a vertically integrated cannabis company with 9 dispensaries under the Sol Flower brand name and one of the largest greenhouse cannabis production facilities in North America. Hurley was an instrumental player in Copperstate Farms' birth, growth, and development, positioning the company as a market leader through his strategic business advice, careful compliance and risk mitigation.

Referred to as Arizona's "Father of Cannabis Law," Hurley has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona and as one of the 20 Names to Know by Phoenix Business Journal. He has been a part of the Arizona cannabis industry from its inception and played a pivotal role in the initiatives to legalize medical and adult-use cannabis in Arizona. A founding member and former board member of the National Cannabis Industry Association, Hurley is deeply entrenched in all aspects of the cannabis industry and a sought-after expert on cannabis policy. Ryan Hurley was also a founding member of the Arizona Dispensaries Association and the organization's former vice president. Hurley was also a pioneer in the AZ solar energy and cryptocurrency/blockchain industries.

A dedicated, passionate, and knowledgeable attorney, innovator, and entrepreneur, Hurley has presented at several conferences and seminars throughout the country and has been featured in many interviews in television, print, and radio. His expansive background in policy has cemented his reputation as a reliable thought leader.

Hurley holds a B.S. in environmental science from the University of Arizona and a J.D. from the University of Arizona's James E. Rogers College of Law. Before emerging as a leader in the cannabis industry and co-founding Litix, Hurley was an associate attorney at Lewis and Roca LLP focusing on land use, zoning, water, and environmental issues and a named partner at Rose Law Group.

Podcast Notes Guest: Ryan Hurley Company: Litix Legal Episode Theme: How Arizona's new legal business model, flat-fee legal services, and AI are reshaping legal support for startups and small businesses.

Episode Notes Episode Overview Litix Legal was formed in 2025 using Arizona's new "alternative business structure" (ABS) law, which allows non-attorneys to own equity in law firms.

The firm is focused on:

Startups
Small businesses
Growth-stage companies
Fractional / outsourced general counsel services

Their mission is to modernize legal services through:

Flat-fee pricing
Technology and AI workflows
More accessible legal support
Strategic partnership models for founders

The firm does not handle:

Litigation
Criminal law

Segment 1 — The Legal Gap for Small Businesses Key Discussion Points Small businesses still need real legal infrastructure Many startups and smaller businesses are:

Too small for a full-time in-house attorney
Too large or complex for DIY legal templates

Most companies still need:

Corporate structure setup
Governance
Employment agreements
Operating agreements
Cap table strategy
Investor preparation
Equity and profit-sharing guidance

Startups need strategic legal guidance early Ryan discussed how founders preparing for:

fundraising,
seed rounds,
or Series A growth

need legal partners who understand:

ownership structure,
equity distribution,
governance,
and investor expectations.

Important startup legal topics include:

Number of company units/shares
Ownership percentages
Cap table organization
Equity incentives
Employment contracts

A poorly structured company early on can create major issues later.

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of pain later."

Traditional legal billing frustrates startups Traditional law firms often:

Charge large retainers ($10,000+)
Bill hourly ($650/hour+)
Create unpredictable costs

Litix Legal is attempting to solve this with:

predictable flat-fee pricing,
monthly packages,
and faster attorney access.

Example package:

Around $2,000/month
Includes meetings, calls, emails, and ongoing support

The model functions similarly to:

outsourced general counsel,
or a fractional legal department.

Segment 2 — Reinventing the Law Firm Business Model Ryan Hurley's Background Ryan has:

practiced law for 20 years,
worked at large corporate firms,
worked in zoning and politics,
advised cannabis and solar companies,
and served as in-house counsel for a fast-growing cannabis company.

That cannabis company reportedly grew to:

650 employees
$100M in revenue

Problems with the traditional legal industry Ryan explained how many attorneys dislike the traditional billable-hour system.

Large firms often require:

2,000+ billable hours annually
intense time tracking
constant pressure to maximize billing

According to Ryan:

clients dislike the unpredictability,
attorneys dislike the structure,
and the industry has resisted modernization for decades.

Arizona's Alternative Business Structure (ABS) Arizona changed legal industry rules through ABS reform.

Historically:

Only attorneys could own law firms
Non-lawyers could not receive equity or profit-sharing

The new Arizona model allows:

non-attorney ownership,
outside investment,
operational partners,
and more scalable business structures.

Example: Ryan's COO/cofounder has a technology background and is not an attorney.

Other regions experimenting with similar models:

Utah
Washington DC
Internationally: UK and Australia already use versions of this structure

Industry resistance Ryan noted that some traditional firms oppose these changes because:

legal firms have operated similarly for 100+ years,
entrenched firms fear competition,
and fee compression threatens legacy models.

States like:

California
Illinois

have reportedly pushed back on similar reforms.

Segment 3 — AI and the Future of Legal Services AI is changing law firm economics AI and automation tools are helping firms:

reduce administrative work,
improve workflow efficiency,
lower operating costs,
and potentially reduce client fees.

Ryan believes AI will contribute to:

industry-wide fee compression,
more efficient legal delivery,
and increased competition.

LegalZoom and AI still have limits Ryan noted that:

DIY legal platforms,
template systems,
and AI tools like Claude

can help with:

boilerplate documents,
simple entity setup,
and basic workflows.

However:

businesses should still seek professional legal review,
especially for growth-stage decisions or investor preparation.

The concern is:

founders may over-rely on generic AI outputs without understanding legal risks.

Fractional legal services are growing Litix Legal positions itself as:

an outsourced general counsel solution,
or a fractional legal department.

Monthly plans reportedly range from:

$1,000 to $4,500+ depending on complexity and communication needs.

The firm says early client feedback has been strong.

Legal Shows:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Legal-Asset+Protection-Estate+Planning

Investing Shows:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Investing-Stocks-Bonds-Retirement

'Best Of' Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

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Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

'Best Of' AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here

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KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

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High Growth, Higher Risk: The Business of Cannabis w/ Melissa Diaz of Highrock Accounting

AZ TRT S07 EP07 (289) 4-12-2026

What We Learned This Week Cannabis Companies Are Taxed on Gross Margin Because of 280E, they can't deduct ordinary business expenses — creating massive tax burdens.

Federal Classification Drives Everything Schedule I status impacts taxation, banking, regulation, and investor appetite.

Many Companies Are Playing Legal Offense Some are challenging 280E aggressively, treating unpaid taxes as a strategic risk.

Licensing Structure Determines Success Limited-license states create stronger economics. Unlimited states create margin compression.

Consolidation Is Coming Stronger, vertically integrated, mid-sized operators are likely to dominate by 2026.

Guest: Melissa Diaz

https://www.highrock.co/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-k-diaz-cpa-10215623/

Melissa Diaz is a powerhouse at the intersection of accounting, strategy, and tech. As Co-Owner and CRO of High Rock Accounting (and co-founder of Rebel Rock PC, now High Rock), she leads with precision on everything from cash flow and budgeting to due diligence and audit readiness. At High Rock she helps businesses harness cutting-edge technology to make smarter, faster, fully compliant financial decisions both day-to-day and long-term.

With an expertise in Cannabis and the Technology industry, Melissa's mission is clear: empower businesses to stay competitive, compliant, and efficient in high-pressure, high-growth environments. Whether she's solving complex reporting challenges or decoding 280E, Melissa brings charisma, clarity, and confidence to the table every time.

🎙 Podcast Notes Guest: Melissa DiazTopic: The Legal, Tax & Business Reality of the Cannabis Industry

Segment 1: The Federal Tax Problem (280E) The Core Issue: Federal Classification The cannabis industry's biggest challenge isn't demand — it's federal law.

Cannabis is still classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, meaning:

· No accepted medical use (federally)

· Same category as cocaine and methamphetamine

Other classifications:

· Schedule II – Highly controlled with medical use (e.g., oxycodone)

· Schedule III – Lower control (e.g., Tylenol with codeine)

· Over-the-counter drugs are not controlled substances.

Why This Matters: Section 280E Under Internal Revenue Code 280E:

· Cannabis businesses can only deduct Cost of Goods Sold (COGS).

· They cannot deduct normal operating expenses.

· This means they are effectively taxed on gross margin, not net income.

Result:

· Extremely high effective tax rates.

· Cash flow pressure.

· Structural workarounds.

Industry Workarounds To manage tax exposure, many cannabis companies:

Use Cost Segregation

o Categorize as many expenses as possible under COGS.

o Rarely challenged aggressively.

Create Management Companies

o A separate affiliated entity handles:

§ Admin

§ Marketing

§ HR

§ Operations

o Charges a management fee to the cannabis entity.

o Helps shift deductible expenses outside 280E limitations.

Possible Federal Rescheduling If cannabis moves to Schedule III:

· Businesses could deduct ordinary expenses.

· Massive financial impact.

· Immediate improvement in profitability.

Segment 2: Legal Challenges & Risk The Harborside Case · Legal challenge against 280E application.

· Many companies have followed similar strategies using management entities.

· Ongoing uncertainty.

Executive Order & Medical Cannabis · Medical cannabis revenue represents 10–15% of total revenue.

· 38 states allow legal medical or recreational cannabis.

· Federal inconsistency remains.

Protective Filings If companies owe significant taxes (e.g., $10K+ unpaid liabilities):

· Protective filings can preserve rights.

· Strategic legal positioning matters.

Big Question If the IRS loses major 280E challenges:

· Could owe interest refunds to companies.

· Significant fiscal impact.

But there's always:

· Litigation risk

· Opportunity cost

· Cash flow strain during disputes

Segment 3: State-Level Expansion & Industry Consolidation Florida Example · Recreational legalization pushed in 2024 but failed.

· Multi-state operators (MSOs) heavily lobby for expansion.

· Example: Trulieve and other large operators.

Tax Strategy Risk Some companies treat unpaid taxes as:

· A "loan" from the IRS

· Betting on favorable legal rulings

But risk:

· Potential clawbacks

· Penalties and interest

Many companies are aggressively challenging 280E.

Segment 4: Regulation, Licensing & Industry Structure State Regulation Differences · New Jersey & New England: Unified recreational frameworks.

· Unlimited license states = oversaturation.

· Limited license + lottery systems = high barriers to entry.

Zoning Restrictions Dispensaries:

· Cannot operate near schools or churches.

· Subject to strict local zoning rules.

· "Vice-style" regulation model.

Vertical Integration Matters Very difficult to survive with just one vertical.

Companies that control:

· Cultivation

· Processing

· Distribution

· Retail

…have stronger margins and operational control.

Operational Reality · No outdoor growing in high heat climates.

· Indoor, climate-controlled warehouses dominate.

· Highly regulated workforce (Facility Agent cards required).

Financing Landscape · Real estate lending

· Sale-leaseback arrangements

· Hard money loans (due to banking restrictions)

2026 Industry Predictions · Large operators buying smaller failing companies (trend slowing).

· Growth of mid-sized operators:

o 2 states → $20–50M revenue.

o 3–5 states → $100M+ revenue.

· Continued consolidation.

· Ongoing regulatory and tax uncertainty.

Melissa's Perspective: Being a service provider in cannabis means operating in constant uncertainty — but that's also where opportunity lives.

Cannabis 2025 in Review: Lessons Operators Can't Afford to Miss

If your client or employer is a cannabis operator who made it through 2025, congratulations. They survived a year that separated the strategists from the dreamers, the operators from the opportunists, and the businesses built on solid fundamentals from those riding on hype alone.

This wasn't the year of explosive growth and easy money. This was the year the cannabis industry got real.

Let's break down what happened in 2025 beyond the headlines. More importantly, let's break down what it means for the cannabis industry and you.

Article Link: HERE

Cannabis Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Cannabis-Hemp-Marijuana

Tech Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Tech

Best of Biotech from AZ Bio & Life Sciences to Jellatech: HERE

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Please Subscribe to the Podcast

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

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From Clinical Need to Market: How Medical Devices Are Built w/ Stuart Broyles of MDM2

AZ TRT S07 EP06 (288) 3-29-2026

What We Learned This Week: Medical devices can take a decade to reach patients Bringing a medical device to market isn't quick.

Phoenix is quietly becoming a major MedTech hub The Valley has a growing cluster of medical technology companies including:

The biggest risk in medical innovation is building something doctors don't need One of the most common failures in MedTech is creating technology without validating the clinical problem first.

Universities often invent the technology—but companies bring it to life Many medical device ideas originate in research labs.

The future of healthcare innovation depends on collaboration Successful medical device innovation requires an ecosystem

Guest: Stuart Broyles, PhD

LKIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-broyles-phd/

Stuart builds connections that move ideas forward—from university research to real-world MedTech solutions. He was at WL Gore & Assoc. for nearly 3 decades working in MedTech at various levels and helped bring 13 devices to market. Also includes, university advisory roles, early-stage venture coaching, and innovation ecosystem development.

Organization: MDM2 (Medical Device Manufacturing Multiplier)

Summary: Medical devices can take a decade to reach patients Bringing a medical device to market isn't quick.

While some devices can launch in six months to a year, many take five to ten years once clinical trials and regulatory approvals are involved.

That's why early testing and feedback are critical.

Phoenix is quietly becoming a major MedTech hub The Valley has a growing cluster of medical technology companies including:

· Medtronic

· Abbott Laboratories

· Dexcom

· West Pharmaceutical Services

Add in research from Arizona State University and University of Arizona and the region is building a strong bioscience ecosystem.

The biggest risk in medical innovation is building something doctors don't need One of the most common failures in MedTech is creating technology without validating the clinical problem first.

Organizations like MDM2 (Medical Device Manufacturing Multiplier) are working to connect startups directly with clinicians early in the process so companies can refine their products before investing millions.

Universities often invent the technology—but companies bring it to life Many medical device ideas originate in research labs.

Universities typically own the patents and license the technology to startups or companies that can develop and commercialize the product.

Programs like the ASU Skysong Innovation Center and Tech Launch Arizona help bridge the gap between research and business.

The future of healthcare innovation depends on collaboration Successful medical device innovation requires an ecosystem:

• clinicians who identify real problems • engineers who build solutions • investors who fund development • manufacturers who scale production

Arizona is building that ecosystem through groups like MDM2 (Medical Device Manufacturing Multiplier) and the Phoenix Bioscience Core.

Podcast Show Notes Guest: Stuart Broyles, PhD

LKIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-broyles-phd/

Stuart builds connections that move ideas forward—from university research to real-world MedTech solutions. He was at WL Gore & Assoc. for nearly 3 decades working in MedTech at various levels and helped bring 13 devices to market. Also includes, university advisory roles, early-stage venture coaching, and innovation ecosystem development.

Organization: MDM2 (Medical Device Manufacturing Multiplier) Episode Topic: How Medical Devices Move from Clinical Need to Market

Interview recorded: March 2026

Segment 1 – The Medical Device Industry What Are Medical Devices? Medical devices include a wide range of technologies used to diagnose, monitor, or treat patients.

Common examples include:

· Coronary stents used to treat blocked arteries in the heart

· Artificial limbs and prosthetics

· Implantable devices used in cardiology

· Monitoring technologies such as glucose sensors

A well-known example is the glucose monitoring technology produced by Dexcom, which operates in the Mesa, Arizona area.

Medical devices also include technologies used to treat circulation issues in arms and legs, along with remote monitoring tools used in modern healthcare.

History of the Industry Medical devices began emerging in the 1950s, but the real acceleration occurred between the late 1970s and the 1980s.

This era introduced breakthroughs such as:

· Coronary stents

· Artificial hearts

· Prosthetic limbs

Over time, the technologies have become:

· safer

· more durable

· more precise

Phoenix as a MedTech Hub The Phoenix metro area has developed into a significant medical device and bioscience ecosystem.

Major companies with a presence in the region include:

· Medtronic

· Abbott Laboratories

· Dexcom

· West Pharmaceutical Services

This sector is particularly important in the Phoenix Valley, which has a rapidly aging population, increasing demand for medical technology and healthcare innovation.

Importance of Clinical Partnerships Successful medical device development requires close collaboration with clinicians and hospitals.

In the Phoenix ecosystem, companies often partner with:

· HonorHealth

· Mayo Clinic

Universities also play a major role in research and collaboration, including:

· Arizona State University

· University of Arizona

Clinicians provide feedback during development, helping companies ensure devices actually solve real-world clinical problems.

How Long It Takes to Bring a Device to Market Development timelines vary widely:

Typical timelines:

· 6 months – fastest case observed

· 1 year – simple device pathways

· Up to 10 years – complex devices requiring clinical trials

Segment 2 – Stuart Broyles' Career Stuart Broyles spent nearly 30 years at W. L. Gore & Associates (1995–2024).

During that time he worked on multiple divisions developing cardiovascular and medical technologies.

Key accomplishments include:

· Participating in the commercialization of 13 medical devices

· Working at the team member and leadership levels

· Bringing complex devices through development and into the market

Transition to Mentoring and Innovation After retiring in 2024, Broyles:

· Did consulting and investing

· Returned to the startup ecosystem

· Became an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Arizona State University

He now works with startups through MDM2 (Medical Device Manufacturing Multiplier) helping early-stage companies navigate the development and commercialization process.

Many of the companies he works with range from:

· very early-stage startups

· teams of just two or three founders

· companies developing new medical manufacturing technologies

MDM2 also partners with HonorHealth to help startups engage with clinical partners.

Phoenix Innovation Infrastructure Several organizations contribute to the Valley's health technology ecosystem:

Research and innovation hubs

· Phoenix Bioscience Core

· Flinn Foundation

Startup programs

· WearTech Center

· ASU Skysong Innovation Center

Medical device and engineering companies

· PADT (3D printing and product development)

· BD (Becton Dickinson)

Wearable Technology Innovation The WearTech Center in central Phoenix supports startups building wearable medical technologies.

Examples include companies such as:

· Gravitrex

· Hemasense

One demonstration project includes a mock apartment designed to test monitoring systems for independent living seniors, helping companies validate technology in real-world environments.

WearTech also hosts quarterly demo days where startups present their technologies to investors and industry partners.

Segment 3 – Clinical Trials and Product Development The Need for a "Clinical Innovation Sandbox" A major challenge for startups is access to clinicians who can provide meaningful feedback during early development.

MDM2 is working to create a system where:

· startups can regularly meet clinicians

· products can be demonstrated in person

· real clinical feedback is gathered early

This helps companies determine whether a product actually solves a meaningful healthcare problem.

Continuing Medical Education (CME) Forums MDM2 is developing CME forums that allow clinicians to:

· learn about emerging medical technologies

· discuss product concepts

· provide guidance during early development

These sessions also create opportunities for honest feedback before expensive trials begin.

One of the first sessions included collaboration with:

· HonorHealth

· Hemasense

Clinical Trials Outside the United States Clinical trials in the U.S. can be complex and slow due to regulatory requirements.

As a result:

· many companies run trials in Europe or Asia

· approval processes may be faster

· testing costs may be lower

Improving regulatory efficiency in the U.S. remains a challenge for medical device innovators.

Intellectual Property and Universities Many medical technologies originate in universities.

In these cases:

· the university typically owns the intellectual property

· companies license the technology to commercialize it

Technology transfer organizations help bridge the gap between research and commercialization.

Programs supporting this in Arizona include:

· ASU Skysong Innovation Center

· Tech Launch Arizona

These programs help connect professors with entrepreneurs who have experience bringing products to market.

Segment 4 – The Future of Medical Device Innovation in Phoenix Phoenix and Arizona are increasingly positioned as a national hub for bioscience and medical device innovation.

Key advantages include:

· strong manufacturing capabilities across the state

· major university research centers

· growing healthcare systems

· startup accelerators and incubators

New startups frequently spin out of larger companies like:

· W. L. Gore & Associates

· Medtronic

These larger companies sometimes help fund and mentor new ventures.

Building a Strong Innovation Ecosystem A successful innovation ecosystem requires collaboration among:

· universities

· hospitals

· manufacturers

· investors

· startups

Arizona is actively building this network to support long-term growth in the medical technology sector.

Advice for Entrepreneurs For founders looking to build a medical device startup:

Work with clinicians early in development
Validate the problem you are solving
Understand the regulatory pathway
Build partnerships with universities and hospitals
De-risk the concept before large investments

Ultimately, success depends on proving value to three key stakeholders:

· clinicians

· investors

· patients

Organizations Mentioned Medical Device Manufacturing Multiplier

MDM2 (Medical Device Manufacturing Multiplier)https://www.mdm2.org/

MDM2 works to strengthen Arizona's medical device manufacturing ecosystem through partnerships with universities, hospitals, and startups.

WearTech Center

WearTech Centerhttps://www.azweartech.org/projects

Focus areas include:

· wearable health technologies

· remote monitoring systems

· aging-in-place innovations

If you want to learn more about the growing medical device ecosystem in Arizona, visit the website for the MDM2 (Medical Device Manufacturing Multiplier) and explore how they're helping startups move innovations from the lab to the patient.

Best of Biotech from AZ Bio & Life Sciences to Jellatech: HERE

Biotech Shows: HERE

Tech Topic:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Tech-Startup-VC-Cybersecurity-Energy-Science

Best of Tech: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=best+of+tech

'Best Of' Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

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Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

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Designing Disruption: Electric Motor Bikes for Your Lifestyle w/ Tim Seward of Onyx Motors

AZ TRT S07 EP05 (287) 3-15-2026

Things We Learned This Week Friction Creates Opportunity - Tim's parking problem in San Francisco sparked the entire company. Build the Prototype First - Instead of over-pitching, he built it, rode it, and let the market validate it. Disruption Requires Bold Engineering - If you want to be different, you must push boundaries — not make marginal upgrades. DIY Communities Are Innovation Labs - Study enthusiasts for insight — but build for the everyday consumer. Lifestyle Brands Sell Identity, Not Function - You don't market the commute. You market the freedom. Timothy Seward

https://timothykevinseward.com/

Tim Seward is dynamic design visionary. A lifelong tinkerer and moped enthusiast, he began experimenting with electric conversions in 2012, transforming gas mopeds into sleek, powerful prototypes. With a background in industrial design, his portfolio includes work for mobility innovators Bird, Scoot, UBCO and FREEBORD and consumer lifestyle brands with Sonos, Google, Nike, Samsung, LG, HP and Intel viewable attimothykevinseward.com and his current roles as the founder and chief design officer of ONYX Motors.

In 2017, Tim launched ONYX through a breakout Indiegogo campaign, introducing the RCR—bike that redefined the category with their raw performance and timeless design. He's redefining what electric mobility feels like through design, nostalgia, and emotion. Today, he leads the design of every ONYX bike, blending cyberpunk grit with California swagger. His vision is clear: create machines that are not just modes of transport, but vehicles of self-expression and rebellion. Under his guidance, ONYX continues to push the boundaries of electric two-wheeled design, giving riders around the world the freedom to unleash their restless alter ego. He is a frequent speaker and podcast guest on design and transformation.

🎙 Podcast Notes Tim Seward – Founder & Chief Designer of ONYX Motorbikes Segment 1 – The Product & The Vision Company Overview

· ONYX is an electric motorbike company based in Los Angeles.

· Small but focused team (15 employees).

· Tim Seward is the owner and chief designer.

· Positioned as both a product company and a lifestyle brand.

The Bike

· Flagship models: RCR (RCRA Vault) and ADV.

· High-speed electric motorbikes inspired by vintage gas-powered mopeds.

· Can travel up to 80 miles per day.

· Speeds reach 50–60 mph.

· Battery-powered, quiet, no gas required.

· Syncs with phone and headset while riding.

Primary Use Cases

· Daily commuting

· Weekend fun and excursions

· RV or camping "satellite vehicle"

· Light business use

· Easy parking and navigating traffic

Market Presence

· Ships nationwide across the U.S., including Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Alaska.

· One of the largest markets: New York City.

· Expansion plans: Canada, then the EU.

Origin Story Tim got the idea while living in San Francisco, where parking was nearly impossible. Even motorcycles were cumbersome in dense cities.

A smaller electric motorbike could:

· Park on sidewalks or near bike racks

· Navigate crowded urban areas easily

· Remove the friction of city commuting

Segment 2 – From Corporate Designer to Entrepreneur Corporate Background Tim previously worked at LG Electronics in product development and industrial design in the U.S.

Projects included:

· Smart appliances (early AI-connected products circa 2015)

· TVs for hotels (mass production)

· Connected devices

· Early smart-home integrations

Inspiration While visiting the Nike design studio, he began thinking about rideshare bikes and electric mobility.

He initially pitched a bike rideshare concept to LG — it was turned down. LG focused on mass production, not lifestyle brand creation.

So instead of pitching the electric motorbike idea, Tim:

· Built a prototype

· Rode it to work

· Generated organic interest (people constantly asked where to buy it)

Funding Journey

· Met an investor (deal fell through)

· Launched an Indiegogo campaign

· Officially launched ONYX in 2017

· Raised nearly $1 million

That's when it shifted from idea to full business.

Key Philosophy To be disruptive:

· You must push boundaries — not just improve something incrementally.

· Study the DIY community to see what enthusiasts want.

· Build better than DIY… but sell to everyday riders.

Ironically, the DIY crowd inspires innovation — but most buyers just want to ride.

Segment 3 – Brand Strategy & Lifestyle Marketing Design Challenges

· Re-imagined moped-style frames

· Combined inspiration from the Honda Hobbit and Austrian Magnum styling

· Engineered a stronger, modern electric frame

Tim intentionally avoided chasing approval from traditional gas-moped enthusiasts.

Lifestyle Over Utility

The Chrome bag analogy: People don't want to be bike messengers — they want the aspiration of that lifestyle.

ONYX follows the same model:

· You market the adventure

· The freedom

· The weekend escape

You don't sell:

· "Commuting to work" (boring)

You sell:

· The Saturday ride

· The outdoor escape

· The aspiration lifestyle people imagine 1–3 times per year

People are bored at work. They don't want to be reminded of their commute. They're waiting for the weekend.

ONYX markets the dream — not the routine.

Tech Topic:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Tech-Startup-VC-Cybersecurity-Energy-Science

Best of Tech: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=best+of+tech

'Best Of' Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

Thanks for Listening.

Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

'Best Of' AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

View Details

Aging in Place: Safety, Technology, & Dignity w/ Drew Siefried of TruBlue Ally

AZ TRT S07 EP04 (286) 3-1-2026

Things We Learned This Week · America is aging rapidly - By 2030, 1 in 5 Americans will be over 65.

· Most seniors want to stay in their homes - More than 80% of older adults prefer aging in place rather than moving to assisted living.

· Technology is transforming senior safety - Non-intrusive monitoring systems can detect falls and alert families without cameras or wearables.

· One fall can change everything - Falls are one of the leading causes of injury and loss of independence among seniors.

· Prevention is far cheaper than crisis care - Simple home safety upgrades can prevent accidents and help seniors maintain independence longer.

Guest: Drew Seifried

LKIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewseifried/

Company: TruBlue Home Service Ally

Website: https://www.trublueally.com/east-phoenix-north-scottsdale

With over 25 years of combined corporate and entrepreneurial experience, I currently own and operate TruBlue Home Service Ally, where we support seniors and busy families with home modifications and handyman services. In this role, we prioritize safety, reliability, and exceptional service, ensuring all personnel meet high professional standards.

As a Certified Franchise Executive, I also guide aspiring entrepreneurs, including corporate professionals, first responders, and military veterans, toward business ownership through franchising. Leveraging expertise in franchise agreements and processes, I simplify the path to ownership, aligning opportunities with individual goals. My mission is to empower others to achieve their aspirations through purpose-driven ventures.

TruBlue Home Service Ally® provides a unique and affordable approach to helping busy adults and seniors live a worry-free life by offering trustworthy handyman, home maintenance and senior modification services. Helping you maintain your home both inside and out, TruBlue's services include: handyman projects and to-do list chores, preventative home maintenance programs, seasonal work, and senior modification services, all handled by a professional, bonded and insured Tru-Pro® Technician.

Episode Overview America is entering a major demographic shift.

By 2030, 1 in 5 Americans will be over the age of 65, creating what many experts call the "Silver Tsunami." Families across the country will face new challenges as aging parents want to maintain independence while staying safe at home.

But aging at home safely requires planning.

In this episode, we sit down with Drew Seifried of TruBlue Home Service Ally to discuss how home safety modifications, emerging Age Tech, and non-intrusive monitoring technologies are helping seniors stay independent longer — while providing peace of mind for their families.

We also explore the unique needs of veterans and individuals with disabilities, and how communities and organizations can better support them.

Segment 1: Aging in Place & The Silver Tsunami Drew Seifried owns three territories with TruBlue, a national franchise focused on helping people safely remain in their homes.

The company works primarily with:

· Seniors and aging adults

· People with disabilities

· Veterans

· Adult children caring for aging parents

Their mission is simple: help people live independently and safely at home.

The Growing Senior Population America is rapidly aging.

Key statistics:

· 61 million Americans are age 65+

· By 2030, about 20% of the population will be seniors

· Phoenix and other Sun Belt cities are seeing rapid senior population growth as retirees relocate

This demographic shift will place new pressure on:

· Healthcare systems

· Caregiver workforce

· Family members caring for aging parents

The Hidden Risk: Falls in the Home One of the biggest threats to senior independence is falling.

Key statistics:

· 1 in 4 adults age 65+ falls each year

· Falls cause over 3 million emergency room visits annually

· More than 300,000 seniors are hospitalized each year for hip fractures

· Over 50% of falls occur inside the home

In many cases, one fall can change everything.

A serious fall can lead to:

· Hospitalization

· Loss of mobility

· Long-term disability

· Moving into assisted living

The Most Dangerous Areas in a Home According to home safety experts, the highest risk areas include:

· Bathrooms (tubs and showers)

· Entryways and stairs

· Poor lighting

· Cluttered hallways or walkways

Even small modifications can dramatically reduce fall risk.

Preventing Falls Before They Happen TruBlue helps families install preventative safety upgrades such as:

· Bathroom grab bars

· Non-slip shower treatments

· Improved lighting

· Handrails and stair supports

· Walkway hazard removal

The company also performs full home safety assessments to identify hidden risks.

As Drew explains, the goal is prevention — because once a fall happens, recovery can be much more difficult.

Aging at Home vs Assisted Living Another major challenge families face is cost.

Average assisted living costs in the U.S.:

· $5,000–$6,000 per month

· Often $60,000–$70,000 per year

By comparison, many safety upgrades or in-home services cost a fraction of that.

And most seniors prefer to stay home.

Surveys show:

· 84% of seniors want to age in place

· Independence and familiarity with their home environment matter deeply

Segment 2: Age Tech & Smart Monitoring One challenge facing families is the shrinking caregiver workforce.

With fewer caregivers available, technology is stepping in to help monitor safety.

Adult children want peace of mind that their parents are safe — especially when they live in another city.

But many seniors dislike traditional monitoring systems.

Common concerns include:

· Cameras in the home

· Wearable emergency devices

· Privacy issues

· Technology complexity

A New Approach: Radar-Based Monitoring A newer technology solution is radar-based monitoring systems like those from Pontosense.

These systems use small radar sensors placed throughout the home.

They can detect:

· Falls

· Movement patterns

· Breathing and vital signals

Unlike cameras, they are completely non-intrusive.

Features include:

· No cameras

· No wearable devices

· No audio recording

· No stored video data

The system can detect unusual events and send alerts.

Smart Alerts for Families If a fall occurs, the system can:

· Wait about 90 seconds to see if someone gets up (reducing false alerts)

· Send notifications to family members

· Contact caregivers

· Alert emergency services if necessary

Family members can also monitor activity patterns through a mobile app.

For adult children balancing careers, families, and aging parents, this technology provides peace of mind without invading privacy.

Segment 3: Disability Services & Veteran Support TruBlue also works with individuals living with disabilities and veterans who require specialized home modifications.

Organizations supporting the disability community include:

· Ability360

· Benevilla

These groups offer programs ranging from adaptive sports to community support services.

Health Challenges as We Age Many older adults face conditions that impact mobility or independence.

These can include:

· Arthritis

· Balance issues

· Progressive neurological diseases like ALS or MS

· Reduced strength and coordination

Simple tasks — getting into a bathtub, climbing stairs, or reaching shelves — can become difficult.

Home modifications can restore independence.

Importantly, these upgrades can be designed to blend into the home aesthetically, preserving both function and dignity.

Supporting Veterans Veterans represent another group that often needs home safety support.

Key statistics:

· Approximately 17 million veterans live in the United States

· Nearly 8 million veterans are age 65 or older

Despite available programs, many veterans do not utilize assistance.

Organizations working to support veterans include:

· Paralyzed Veterans of America

· Veterans of Foreign Wars

· Elks Lodge

Drew himself served in the military and is passionate about helping veterans access services and resources.

Additional Home Safety Monitoring Beyond fall prevention, modern smart homes can also monitor:

· Smoke and fire detection

· Water leaks and flooding

· Utility failures

· Entry and exit activity

These systems help families create a safer living environment for aging loved ones.

Final Takeaway Aging doesn't have to mean losing independence.

With the right combination of:

· Home safety modifications

· Smart technology

· Community resources

· Family planning

Millions of seniors can live longer, safer, and more confidently in their own homes.

'Best Of' Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

Thanks for Listening.

Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

'Best Of' AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

View Details

Reinventing Retirement: The Future of the 401(k)

w/ Ted Benna the Father of the 401k

AZ TRT S07 EP03 (285) 2-22-2026

Things We Learned This Week · The 401(k) Was Almost an Accident - A small 1978 tax provision turned into one of the most important financial innovations in modern history. · Regulation Built the Framework - The original law was only two pages. The real structure came later through Treasury rules and regulatory oversight. · Many Americans Still Aren't Financially Prepared - Nearly half the population lacks meaningful emergency savings — even with access to retirement plans. · Incentives Change Behavior - The Radish Plan ties savings to performance metrics, gamifies engagement, and may improve participation and retention. · Retirement Isn't Just About Growth — It's About Income - As you approach retirement, risk management and guaranteed income strategies become more important than aggressive growth. Guests: Ted Benna, Benna 401K

http://benna401k.com

Ted Benna, Father of the 401K, has worked in pension and retirement benefits industry for 60 years, and literally wrote the book on the 401K. He was a pioneer in the early 80s in designing the early 401K Plans, and then getting them approved by the IRS to be the model still used today.

Books:

401K Forty Years Later (2018) – history of the 401K

401K & IRA for Dummies Updated Version (2021)

https://radishplan.com/

An incentive-based model designed to help businesses retain top talent, increase profitability, and provide real financial security for employees.

Notes Guest: Ted Benna – Father of the 401(k) Topic: The Past, Present & Future of Retirement Savings

Segment One: The Birth of the 401(k) The Accidental Revolution (1978–1980) · In 1978, a small two-page provision was added to the IRS tax code.

· It allowed employees to defer compensation and receive tax advantages.

· By 1980, Ted Benna helped launch the first 401(k) plan.

· Designed for private companies (401k).

· Government employees received the 457.

· Nonprofits and schools had 403(b).

· Individuals had IRAs.

How It Changed America · Employees contribute directly from paychecks.

· Employers can match contributions.

· Pre-tax deductions reduce taxable income.

· Created a culture of saving.

· Today: Over $15 trillion saved in 401(k) plans.

Early Challenges · Legal ambiguity at first.

· Treasury had to create detailed regulations.

· Oversight from:

o Department of Labor

o Treasury

o SEC

· Subject to executive orders over the years.

· New York Times coverage in early 80s accelerated adoption.

· Ongoing class-action lawsuits and regulatory scrutiny.

The Evolution Continues · Private equity now entering 401(k) investment menus.

· Target-date funds continue to evolve.

Segment Two: The Radish Plan – A New Model for 401(k)s The Problem Today · 20–60% of Americans cannot access funds when needed.

· Nearly 50% have little to no emergency savings.

· Traditional 401(k)s are complex, costly, and burdened by red tape.

· Many small businesses avoid offering plans.

Introducing the Radish Plan · Employer-funded 401(k) model.

· Incentive-based contributions tied to KPIs.

· Similar to profit-sharing — not a flat percentage.

· Rewards employees for hitting performance metrics.

Real-World Example · Trucking company model:

o Custom incentives

o Performance-based rewards

o Visible progress tracked via mobile app

· Gamified experience increases engagement.

Why "Radish"? · The radish is one of the fastest-growing vegetables.

· Long roots = deep savings foundation.

· Visible incentives = motivation.

Benefits to Employers · Helps recruit and retain employees.

· Reduces turnover.

· Saves on FICA taxes.

· Tax credits available to set up plans.

· Adoption agreement: 2½ pages (vs. traditional 20+ pages).

· ~$1,500 setup cost.

· SaaS platform integrates with payroll (Finch aggregation).

· Lower software costs.

🔗 More info: radishplan.com

Segment Three: Retirement Planning in a Volatile World Market Risk Reality · Stocks and bonds are volatile.

· A 20% market drop near retirement can be devastating.

· Younger investors can recover from dips.

· Retirees cannot afford large drawdowns.

Cash vs. Inflation · Cash offers safety.

· But inflation erodes purchasing power.

· Bonds also carry volatility risk.

Income Annuities as a Hedge · Example: $1,000–$2,000 per month guaranteed income.

· Helps hedge longevity and market risk.

· Creates baseline security.

· Ted suggests possible legislation/tax incentives for annuities.

The Bigger Issue: Financial Education Gap · Lack of trust in advisors is common.

· Financial education is not properly taught.

· Schools and colleges should teach:

o Budgeting

o Credit

o Debt management

o Investing fundamentals

o Retirement planning

Investing Shows:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Investing-Stocks-Bonds-Retirement

'Best Of' Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

Thanks for Listening.

Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

'Best Of' AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

View Details

AZ TRT 2.0 - Solving the Worlds Problems through Design w/ Celeste Wilson of Form180

AZ TRT S07 EP02 (285) 2-8-2026

Things We Learned This Week · People Are Remodeling Instead of Moving With rising home and land prices, homeowners are choosing to invest in their current homes—upgrading, expanding, and modernizing rather than starting over somewhere new.

· Home Offices Are Now Permanent—and Must Be Designed Intentionally The best home offices allow for mental separation from work, often through physical barriers, visual breaks, or designing the space to flex back into daily living when the workday ends.

· Wellness Is Driving Modern Home Design From smart lighting and steam showers to home gyms and better airflow, wellness is no longer a "nice to have"—it's a core design principle.

· Lighting Directly Affects How a Home Feels Natural light, smart lighting systems, skylights, and color temperature all impact mood, energy, and subconscious comfort. Good lighting can completely transform older homes.

· Great Design Starts With How People Actually Live Understanding family habits, entertaining style, pets, physical needs, and daily routines allows designers to create homes that feel peaceful, functional, and truly lived-in—not just beautiful.

Guest: Celeste Wilson - Founder | Principal Designer

FORM180.com

FORM180 is a full-service boutique architectural interior design firm located in sunny Arizona. Striking the balance between meticulous detail and welcoming allure, every project is a curation of precision and unparalleled craftsmanship. From initial concept to completion, we specialize in transforming spaces into experiences. Designing interiors that tell a story, empowering the minds that reside there. Our passion lies in crafting interiors that are not only stunning but deeply reflective of our clients' unique tastes and aspirations. Every detail, every finish, every handpicked piece is chosen to elevate and inspire.

Notes:

In this episode, we sit down with Celeste Wilson of Form 180 Design, a residential-focused architecture and interior design firm known for modern, desert contemporary remodels. We explore why homeowners are choosing to remodel instead of move, how wellness and technology are shaping today's homes, and how Celeste's background in commercial design informs her approach to transforming older residential spaces.

Segment 1: Why Home Remodeling Is Booming Why people are staying put

· Rising housing and land prices have slowed moving activity

· Homeowners are choosing to invest in and enjoy their current homes and neighborhoods

· Remodels and additions are often more cost-effective than buying new

Reimagining older homes

· Common projects include ranch-style homes being reframed from dated layouts into clean, modern designs

· Focus on transforming older homes without losing their character

Post-COVID lifestyle shifts

· Home offices are now a permanent feature

· Demand for flexible workspaces that can transition back into living space

· Importance of separating work energy from home life

o Physical or visual barriers

o Thoughtful placement and flow

Wellness-driven design

· Growing interest in:

o Home gyms

o Steam showers

o Wellness-focused layouts

· Use of smart lighting and technology to enhance mood, circadian rhythm, and comfort

ADUs & additions

· Auxiliary Dwelling Units (ADUs) as:

o Detached home offices

o Guest houses or mother-in-law suites

· Design considerations for privacy, access, and energy separation

Kitchen remodel trends

· Creating efficient kitchen work zones

· Dedicated baking areas and improved storage

· Butler's pantries to keep messes hidden and entertaining seamless

Form 180 Design focus

· Residential design first

· Spec design, architectural design, and full-service interior design

· Integrating technology with design to support wellness and livability

Segment 2: Celeste Wilson's Design Philosophy & Background Professional background

· Architectural design blended with interior design

· 10 years in commercial design, including:

o Abercrombie & Fitch (retail store layouts)

o Restaurants such as The Melting Pot, Sushi Go, and North & Company

· 15 years focused on luxury residential design

Client-first design process

· Starts with understanding the client's:

o Family structure

o Daily habits and lifestyle

o Physical needs or limitations

o Pets (feeding stations, pet zones, practical layouts)

Designing for flow and peace

· Every item should have a place

· Homes should allow easy movement and freedom

· Design supports how families live, cook, entertain, and relax

· Goal: a symbiotic relationship between people and space

Lessons from commercial design

· Experience retrofitting modern layouts into historic buildings

· Applying those lessons to older homes:

o Working within constraints

o Preserving character while modernizing function

Upgrading older homes

· Common challenges:

o Lower ceilings

o Smaller rooms

· Solutions include:

o Lighter paint tones

o Strategic lighting

o Monochromatic palettes

o Vaulted ceilings (when budget allows)

Lighting as a design tool

· Door systems to open walls and increase natural light

· Smart lighting systems (e.g., Lutron)

o Match interior lighting to natural UV patterns

o Light impacts mood and subconscious behavior

· Skylights, larger windows, and creative daylight solutions

· Even recreating sunlight through advanced lighting systems

Floor plans & privacy

· Creating intentional separation within intimate spaces

· Split floor plans for primary bedrooms

· Secondary entrances for:

o Home offices

o Guest suites

o Mother-in-law units

Key Takeaway Great design isn't just about aesthetics—it's about how a space supports your life. From wellness and workflow to lighting and layout, Celeste Wilson's approach blends architecture, interior design, and human behavior to create homes that feel peaceful, functional, and timeless.

'Best Of' Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

Real Estate Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Real+Estate-Construction-Land-Farming

Thanks for Listening.

Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

'Best Of' AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

View Details

Cybersecurity, Ransomware, + AI Usage Guardrails

w/ Gary Perkins of CISO Global

AZ TRT S07 EP01 (284) 1-18-2026

What We Learned This Week:

· Most cyber attacks are preventable Basic controls, training, and awareness can stop the majority of threats.

· Humans are both the weakest link and the strongest defense Ongoing education and awareness turn employees into an effective "human firewall."

· AI will amplify cyber risk — for both attackers and defenders Organizations must adopt AI defensively to keep pace with bad actors.

· Reputation damage often outweighs financial loss Brand trust is hard to rebuild after a breach, even if customers don't immediately leave.

· Cybersecurity is no longer optional or technical-only It's a business risk, a leadership issue, and a shared responsibility across the organization.

Guest: Gary Perkins, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of CISO Global

https://www.linkedin.com/in/perkinsgary/

Gary Perkins is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for cybersecurity firm CISO Global. Prior to that he was the CISO for the Government of British Columbia in Canada for 10 years -- responsible for providing cybersecurity services in support of the province and taught undergrad and graduate students at the University of Victoria for years. He has over 25 years' experience in information technology, risk management, and cybersecurity. Prior to joining the BC Government, he worked in the private sector as chief of staff for security at TELUS and, earlier in his career, led teams responsible for incident response, operations, delivery, and architecture for both corporate and managed security services customers. A Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) since 2004, Perkins also holds an MBA from Simon Fraser University's Management of Technology program.

CISO Global Inc. (NASDAQ: CISO) operates as a cybersecurity, compliance, and software company in the United States, Chile, and internationally. The company offers security managed services, including compliance, secured managed, and cyber defense operation services; culture education and enablement; tools and technology provisioning; data, privacy, regulations, and compliance monitoring; remote infrastructure administration; and antivirus and patch management services. It also provides cybersecurity professional services, such as incident response and digital forensics; technical assessments; cybersecurity consulting; compliance auditing; vulnerability assessment and penetration testing; and disaster recovery and data backup solutions. The company was formerly known as Cerberus Cyber Sentinel Corporation and changed its name to CISO Global Inc. in May 2023. CISO Global Inc. was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Key leadership includes: Owner / CEO – David Jemmett

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-jemmett/

Website: https://www.ciso.inc/

Podcast Overview Guest: Gary Perkins Title/Role: Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Show Theme: Cybersecurity & IT Key Topics: Cyber breaches, human risk, AI, ransomware, training, OSINT (Open Source Intelligence), security planning

Organized Podcast Notes Segment 1: The Reality of Cyber Threats Today · Over the last several years, major corporations such as Target, Home Depot, and Wells Fargo have experienced high-profile cyber breaches.

· No company is immune — size and brand do not provide protection.

· Organizations must "find religion on security" and treat cybersecurity as a core business function.

· A company's brand, trust, and reputation are always on the line after a breach.

· The average cost of a cyber breach is often cited around $4.8 million.

· Cyber insurance is now common, but insurers require proof that companies are actively managing security risks.

· When a breach occurs, companies must notify customers and disclose what data was compromised.

· Consumers are becoming desensitized to breach notifications; switching providers can feel too costly or inconvenient.

· The good news: up to 80% of cyber threats are preventable with basic controls.

· Most attacks are not sophisticated:

o Simple phishing scams

o Credential theft

o Insider mistakes or manipulation

· Companies need:

o Internal security controls

o Point solutions for cybersecurity

o Regular employee alerts about phishing attempts

· The human firewall is the most critical defense

· Best practices include:

o Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

o Disconnected/offline backups to recover from ransomware

· Ransomware payments are common, but organizations should learn from past breaches and have a clear detection and response plan.

Segment 2: Gary Perkins' Background & the Role of Training · Gary spent:

o 9 years working for the British Columbia government

o 20+ years in the telecommunications industry

· Extensive experience in compliance, training, and risk management

· Strong advocate for mandatory cybersecurity training:

o Minimum: once per year

o Ideal: quarterly reminders

· Employees should receive clear manuals and guidance for:

o Email security

o Outlook usage

o Identifying suspicious links

· Many small and mid-sized businesses (20–50 employees) lack in-house IT teams and rely on outsourced IT/security providers.

· Cyber attacks persist because they work — attackers exploit human behavior.

Segment 3: AI, Phishing, and the Future of Cyber Attacks · Cyber attacks will remain simple as long as simplicity continues to succeed.

· Artificial Intelligence will increase both frequency and scale of attacks.

· AI systems can learn from every successful breach.

· Phishing emails are expected to:

o Become more convincing

o Eliminate spelling and grammar errors over time

· While AI still has flaws, generative AI will improve rapidly.

· Defensive teams must also adopt AI because bad actors already have.

· Society has traded convenience for risk:

o Online banking

o Social media

o Credit cards

o Email and mobile devices

· Most people underestimate how much personal data is publicly available.

· Recommendation:

o Google yourself using quotation marks

o Understand what information is visible

· Even more data may exist on the dark web without your knowledge.

· Threat actors often hijack accounts and use trusted contacts to spread scams.

· Use a secure password manager and rotate passwords regularly.

Segment 4: AI Guardrails & What's Coming Next · AI usage must have clear guardrails:

o Approved vs. unapproved tools

o Cloud-based AI services need governance

· AI platforms (including ChatGPT) are online and accessible, making data exposure a real concern.

· Companies should:

o Run AI searches on themselves

o See what public information is already available

· Technology advancement will continue at an accelerated pace:

o Artificial Intelligence

o Quantum computing

o Robotics

· Organizations must stay proactive and continuously update their cybersecurity strategies.

Biotech Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Biotech-Life+Sciences-Science

AZ Tech Council Shows:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=az+tech+council

Includes Best of AZ Tech Council* show from 2/12/2023

Tech Topic:

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AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

'Best Of' AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

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Pickleball & the Growth of Sports Enterprises & Investment w/ Evan Floersch of the Texas Ranchers Pickleball Team

AZ TRT S06 EP21 (283) 11-23-2025

What We Learned This Week:

Pickleball is now fully professionalized with a unified league structure.

The merger of PPA + MLP created a stable, closed league system with real team economics, structured seasons, and national distribution.

Media partnerships are accelerating the sport's visibility.

Pickleball now has a dedicated channel, plus national TV exposure on CBS and Fox—putting it in the same conversation as traditional sports.

Austin is becoming a major sports & tech hub fueling this growth.

With Meta, Apple, Oracle, UT Austin, F1, MLS, and huge tourism, Austin is the perfect environment for emerging sports franchises.

Sports franchises are now a serious investment class—not a vanity asset.

Private equity has poured $30B into sports recently. Firms like Permian aim to operate teams professionally, build value, and own multiple franchises across leagues.

The big opportunity is not just the sport—it's the stadium & real estate ecosystem.

Sports districts (like The Battery or Wrigleyville) generate tens of millions by combining sports, entertainment, dining, hotels, concerts, and tourism. Pickleball could follow this playbook.

Guest: Evan Floersch– co owner Texas Ranchers

Evan Floersch is on a mission to redefine sports, starting with the 2 billion dollar professional pickleball industry as an entrepreneur, investor, and champion of change leading with a dynamic and forward-thinking passion. As the founder and CEO of the premier Texas Ranchers Major League Pickleball Team, he is transforming the industry while positioning Austin as a major sports hub integrating his passion for the city's thriving cultural arts and future tech scene.

In 2022, at just 26 years old, he made history as the youngest principal owner in sports by acquiring a controlling interest in the Texas Ranchers Major League Pickleball Team. Partnering with high-profile investors such as Lil Wayne, Scottie Scheffler, Kendra Scott, and NBA owner Dennis Wong, Evan is on a mission to turn the Ranchers into a global sports powerhouse.

His long-term vision extends beyond pickleball—he has publicly committed the next phase of his career to elevating Austin, Texas, into one of the world's premier sports and entertainment markets. With its booming population, tech-driven economy, and untapped potential for championship-winning franchises, Evan sees Austin as the perfect city to build a lasting sports legacy.

A former All-American soccer player at Emory University, Evan's passion for competition and strategy extends to the pickleball court, where he plays regularly to better understand the game's evolution. While he grew up surrounded by Chicago sports, his true inspiration comes from those who have built or guided industry-defining companies, with books like Shoe Dog, The Innovator's Dilemma, The War of Art, and Relentless shaping his perspective on leadership, risk-taking, and disruption. Evan is an avid pickleball player and enjoys the fun and competitive aspect of America's fastest growing sport.

"Like great companies, a great sports organization isn't built by following the rules. It's built by questioning them, pushing past them, and creating something entirely new. The Texas Ranchers, and future sports franchises we helm in Texas, will win because we see beyond what sports are on the court or field." - Evan Floersch, Founder and CEO

Texas Ranchers | Official Home of the Major League Pickleball Team

Texas Ranchers: A New Era of Sports Ownership & Global Fan Engagement

Who is the most valued high grossing sports franchise? I bet you didn't guess professional pickleball did you?

With pickleball exploding into a $2 billion industry and viewership surpassing major professional leagues, the Texas Ranchers are at the forefront of this revolution. By leveraging their brand authority and expansive network, they are attracting exceptional opportunities, captivating fans worldwide, and redefining what it means to be part of a professional sports franchise.

The Texas Ranchers Major League Pickleball Team is proving that ownership isn't just for high wealth individual ownership—it's a collective force driven by business leaders, entertainment icons, and sports enthusiasts. By bringing together a powerhouse network of investors—including Lil Wayne, Scottie Scheffler, Kendra Scott, and NBA owner Dennis Wong—the Ranchers are revolutionizing franchise ownership, making it more dynamic, engaging, and accessible.

The Texas Ranchers aren't just the most followed franchise in Major League Pickleball—they're the highest-grossing and one of the most marketable brands in the sport. With top-tier talent, including men's and women's pro players like Christian Alshon and Tina Pisnik, the team is fueling a movement that extends far beyond the court.

"We are creating something bigger than a sports team. The Texas Ranchers represent a global brand, powered by diverse leaders in sports, business, and entertainment. Our goal is to redefine sports ownership and elevate pickleball as a premier professional sport." – Evan Floersch, Co-Founder & CEO

The Texas Ranchers' Pillars for Success

The Texas Ranchers are built on a foundation of excellence, innovation, and inclusivity—three pillars that drive the team's success both on and off the court:

Democratizing Ownership – Unlike traditional sports teams, the Ranchers have created a model where ownership is a shared vision, uniting top minds from sports, business, and entertainment to amplify reach and influence.

Elevating the Sport – The Ranchers are committed to advancing pickleball into a premier professional sport, with top-tier athletes, world-class coaching, and high-performance training.

Building a Fan-First Experience – Through innovative media partnerships, interactive events, and digital engagement, the Ranchers are revolutionizing how fans experience pickleball. This includes using the latest in online social and AI community building tools and brand curation.

Investing in Players and Women's Sports – With top shot male players Christian Alshon and Michael Lloyd and women pros Etta Wright and Tina Pisnik–the team is leading the charge in offering diversity and equity in the team. The Ranchers are ensuring that female athletes have the same spotlight as the male counterparts.

Expanding Global Reach – With a focus on international expansion, the Ranchers are growing pickleball's footprint worldwide, attracting new fans, players, and markets.

Lil Wayne — co-owner of the Texas Ranchers MLP pickleball team drops his first official fan-gear collection. From $14 to $85, the line delivers bold, game-day style for any pickleball lover. Great stocking-stuffers, everyday wear, and court-ready accessories.

"I've always believed creativity doesn't belong to one lane. I love the opportunity to express what I can create beyond music. I hope everyone sees the Wayne in this collection. And, I hope people in the pickleball community see the Ranchers in it, too. Together, we're evolving the game and working to bring new audiences into it. This collection represents that mindset." Lil Wayne

Shop the full collection at Lil Wayne Collection

Photos of Texas Ranchers MLPs and Texas Ranchers Juniors wearing collection

Show Notes:

SEGMENT 1 — Pickleball & League Structure

History & Origins

Pickleball began in 1965.
Modern league landscape:
Connor launched the PPA (Professional Pickleball Association)
Steve Kuhn launched MLP (Major League Pickleball)
PPA & MLP have since merged.

League Format

Team-based structure
23 teams total
Roster: 2 men, 2 women, plus 2 reserves
Premier level: 1 male + 1 female draft slot
7 teams in Challenger league
Closed league → No relegation or promotion like European soccer.

Season & Competition

HQ in Austin
2025 season: May → September
25 matches, 3 points per win
Playoffs: quarterfinals → semifinals → finals
Teams spread across U.S.: Dallas, NY, Brooklyn, NJ, Chicago, 2 in CA, 2 in FL

Operations

Hybrid expense structure
Auction-style draft
Teams bid on players
Player drops, trades
3-year rights retention
Allowed to drop one player per year

SEGMENT 2 — Media, Background, & Market Context

Media Distribution

Pickleball TV on Amazon Prime + YouTube
Matches also aired on CBS and Fox Sports

Guest Background

Former athlete (soccer player), originally from Chicago
Tech & e-commerce startup out of college → exited
Worked in men's health publishing
Later shifted to sports; settled in Austin, TX

Austin Market Advantages

Tech hub: Apple, Meta, Oracle HQ move
UT Austin, Austin FC MLS team
Strong tourism + events: F1, ACL, SXSW
Pickleball court basics: smaller than tennis, includes the Kitchen

Broader Vision

Cultural momentum for pickleball
Potential global expansion and Olympic inclusion someday

SEGMENT 3 — Sports as an Asset Class & Permian Sports Investments

Sports Ownership Trends

Private equity now active in major leagues including the NFL
$30 billion invested in pro sports in recent years
Sports teams seen as assets—not just trophies—now more professionalized

Permian Sports Investments

Focused in Texas
Operates as a holding company with investors (GP/LP structure)
Vision: own & operate teams; expand into:
NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL
MLS and Formula One
Goal: deliver equity appreciation + revitalize stale franchises
Early-stage, but attracting celebrity & athlete investors
Team facility: Austin Pickleball Ranch (2,000 seats)

SEGMENT 4 — Sports, Real Estate & Stadium Economics

Sports as an Economic Engine

Stadiums attract traffic, dining, entertainment, tourism
Sports = "event economy" → People come early, stay late (5–6 hours total)

Stadium & District Development

Vision to build 8–12k seat stadium
Sponsorships
Multi-purpose events to reduce costs
Real estate opportunity similar to:
Wrigleyville (Chicago)
The Battery (Atlanta) → $65M/year revenue

Sports Digital & Physical Ecosystem

Districts support:
Restaurants, hotels, rideshare
Entertainment venues (TopGolf, theaters, event spaces)
MLP Tour comes to Austin once per year
6 teams compete over a weekend
Draws meaningful tourism traffic

If you enjoyed this show, you may like:

BRT Sports: HERE

BRT Marketing: HERE

BRT Business: HERE

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AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

'Best Of' AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

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Startups from Funding to Community w/ Daniela Santagelo

of Freeway

AZ TRT S06 EP15 (277) 10-19-2025

What We Learned This Week:

Freeway - Helping Startups - Talent • Capital • Community
Talent Retention & Reinvestment are key to building a Flywheel
Phoenix Tech Ecosystem is growing, but not yet mature
Always need more VC Funding + Deal Flow
Government Partnership as enabler for Tech

Guest: Daniela Santagelo

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielaalpert/

I'm a founder, startup ecosystem builder, and civic innovation partner working at the intersection of tech, talent, and community. Through my work with Freeway Phx, I help cities, startups, and global partners co-create thriving innovation ecosystems, starting in Arizona and building bridges worldwide. I believe that opportunity doesn't just happen. It's designed. That's why I focus on activating communities, cultivating tech talent, and building connective infrastructure that turns vision into velocity. My journey spans founding multiple companies including scaling a venture-backed startup to $33M in funding and helping grow it to a $100M business. I've also spent 15 years in the Moving & Relocation industry, which gave me a unique lens on talent migration patterns and the infrastructure needed to build resilient, people-first startup communities. Like many founders, I've experienced both the highs of scaling and the lows of setback. That reinvention shaped my sharper mission: helping founders grow and give back. ⚡️ I lead Tech Talent Summits that connect employers, educators, and jobseekers🌍 I support global delegations and help founders expand across borders🧭 I advise founders on story, capital, and strategy with a human-first, results-driven approach Whether I'm building public-private partnerships, launching a new venture, or guiding a founder through their next chapter, I care about building with legacy, community, and courage. Let's co-create what's next!

daniela@founderfreeway.com

freewayphx.com

We're your community partner in building a modern workforce

Whether you're hiring, scaling, or making a career move, Freeway connects the dots that job boards and pipelines can't.

Here are 5 main ideas learned from the podcast:

Phoenix's Tech Ecosystem Is Growing but Not Yet Mature Phoenix is showing strong momentum with new funding, company relocations, and sector growth (microchips, AI, defense, and health tech), but it hasn't reached critical mass compared to cities like Austin or Miami. The region still needs more deal flow, successful exits, and reinvestment from local founders to sustain long-term growth.
Talent Retention and Reinvestment Are Key to Building a Flywheel A major challenge is the "brain drain" — founders and investors leaving after exits. For Phoenix to thrive, successful entrepreneurs must stay, mentor others, and reinvest profits locally. This recycled success (the "flywheel effect") is essential for building a lasting innovation community.
Public-Private Partnerships Strengthen the Ecosystem Collaboration between government, universities, investors, and entrepreneurs (through groups like ACA, GPEC, and Southwest MAC) is crucial. While government can enable infrastructure, real progress happens when private founders lead and public institutions act as supporters or "feeders."
Culture and Community Matter as Much as Capital Brad Feld's "Startup Communities" framework highlights that strong ecosystems are entrepreneur-led, mentorship-driven, and collaborative. A culture of "give first" — where leaders help others without expecting immediate returns — builds trust and long-term strength within the community.
Phoenix Has a Clear Opportunity to Become a Major Tech Hub by 2030 With major investments (like Hadrian's $200M AI factory) and an influx of talent from higher-cost states, Phoenix is positioned for rapid growth. If local leaders stay committed to developing talent, attracting capital, and telling the city's tech story effectively, it can emerge as a leading innovation center in the next decade.

Notes: Building a Thriving Tech Ecosystem in Phoenix Segment 1: The Phoenix Tech Landscape – Building a Community Key Theme Public and private partnerships are essential to growing a strong, sustainable tech ecosystem in Phoenix. The goal: build an environment that supports startups from funding to mentorship, attracts talent, and retains capital within Arizona.

Current Ecosystem Overview · Silicon Valley (CA) and Silicon Slopes (UT) serve as models for how regional tech ecosystems can evolve.

· Phoenix has growing momentum but lacks the critical mass seen in other markets.

· Total deal volume: $435 million — promising, but still behind Austin, Miami, and California.

· 2025 so far: 47 funding rounds, compared to 88 in 2024 and Miami's 241.

Challenges · Talent Drain: Founders and VCs often leave Phoenix after exits ("brain drain").

· Ecosystem Sophistication: Fewer investors and mentors compared to established hubs.

· Access: Limited connectivity between startups, capital, and mentorship networks.

· Diversity of Talent: Need for broader, more inclusive participation in the local startup scene.

Opportunities & Growth Areas · Industry Strengths:

o Microchips & semiconductors

o Health care (e.g., Mayo Clinic)

o Software & AI

o Defense innovation (e.g., Southwest Mission Acceleration Center)

· Key Local Organizations:

o ACA (Arizona Commerce Authority)

o GPEC (Greater Phoenix Economic Council)

o Southwest MAC – Center for defense innovation

o The Crown Room (Tempe) – Coworking and company-building hub

Leaders & Companies to Watch · Gregg Scoresby:

o Exited with CampusLogic (sold to Ellucian in 2022).

o Founder of PHX Ventures and PHX FWD to reinvest in local startups.

· Hadrian (CA):

o Investing $200M to build an AI-powered manufacturing hub in Mesa, AZ.

· Prickly Pear Health (Healthtech):

o Raised $350K pre-seed; founded by Imen Clark — focused on women's brain health and AI.

· Chris Fox: HR consulting leader – cfoxyaz.com

· Rob Vera: GCU professor teaching entrepreneurship frameworks, angel investor, and advisor.

· Joshua Siu: Connects tech talent to local opportunities.

Key Points · The illusion of exit: when successful founders sell and leave, rather than reinvesting locally.

· The flywheel effect: recycled profits and mentorship keep the ecosystem alive.

· Building a healthy innovation community means inspiring founders to stay, give back, and mentor others.

· Phoenix is at an inflection point — the story and narrative matter.

· The city must define why tech companies and talent should choose Phoenix over Austin or California.

· Need more local success stories to attract capital and credibility.

Segment 2: Events, Civic Engagement & Ecosystem Playbook Upcoming Event: Freeway Tech Summit 2025 · Dates: November 6–7, 2025

· Location: Downtown Phx - WebPT Building

· Day 1: Career Fair

· Day 2: Pitch Competition

· Partners: StartupAZ, 40 speakers & more….

· Focus: Talent • Capital • Community

· Website: freewayphx.com/tech-talent-summit-2025

Civic Entrepreneurship & Public Role · Brian Smith, City of Phoenix:

o Advocates for civic entrepreneurship—businesses stepping up to solve challenges government cannot move fast enough to address.

o Notes aging workforce and need to attract younger tech talent.

o Encourages investors and general partners to stay active locally.

o Spark Angels – local angel network supporting early-stage innovation.

Insights from "Startup Communities" by Brad Feld Core Principles for Building a Thriving Startup Ecosystem:

Entrepreneurs Lead:

o Founders, not government or universities, must drive the community.

Give First Mentality:

o Help others without expecting immediate returns—creates long-term strength.

Mentorship-Driven:

o Experienced leaders must guide and connect emerging entrepreneurs.

Long-Term Commitment:

o Building a community takes 20+ years of consistent effort.

Positive-Sum Game:

o One company's success lifts the entire ecosystem.

Feeders vs. Leaders:

o Universities, investors, and government are feeders—they support but don't lead.

Embrace Mobility:

o People will come and go; welcome returnees to keep fresh ideas circulating.

Complex Systems:

o Ecosystems evolve unpredictably; embrace experimentation and iteration.

Author Background:

· Brad Feld – VC, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Techstars and Foundry Group.

· Built the Boulder, CO startup scene, widely seen as a model for city-based innovation ecosystems.

The Vision for Phoenix 2030 · Competing head-to-head with Texas and California for tech leadership.

· Migration trends are favorable—more talent and capital moving into Arizona.

· The "Big Bet": Phoenix reaches full tech hub status by 2030, driven by collaboration between entrepreneurs, investors, and civic partners.

Biotech Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Biotech-Life+Sciences-Science

AZ Tech Council Shows:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=az+tech+council

Includes Best of AZ Tech Council* show from 2/12/2023

Tech Topic:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Tech-Startup-VC-Cybersecurity-Energy-Science

Best of Tech: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=best+of+tech

'Best Of' Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

Thanks for Listening.

Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

'Best Of' AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

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AZ Bio Week

& Life Sciences Innovation w/ Joan Koerber-Walker

AZ TRT S06 EP19 (281) 10-12-2025

Things We Learned This Week

AZ Bio mission to improve life and bioscience, & make AZ a Top Ten Bioscience state
AZ Bio Week 2025 - Oct. - 5 Days Talks, Events & Awards
AZ Advances - nonprofit donation to biotech startups
Aqualung Therapeutics is treating inflammation in the lungs, get people off ventilators & save lives
Calviri is working on a Vaccine to PREVENT Cancer, currently largest animal clinical trial
Anuncia Medical has a Re-Flow product to help drain fluid from the brain, treats Hydrocephalus

Guest: Joan Koerber-Walker President and CEO, AZBio - Arizona Bioindustry Association, Inc.

Chairman, Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation

LKIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joankoerberwalker

www.azbio.org

Bio:

As President and CEO of AZBio, Joan Koerber-Walker works on behalf of the Arizona Bioscience and Medical Technology Industry to support the growth of the industry, its members and our community on the local and national level. Ms. Koerber-Walker is also a life science investor and has served on the boards of numerous for-profit and non-profit organizations.

In the life science industry, Ms. Koerber-Walker serves as as Arizona’s representative to the State Medical Technology Alliance (SMTA), a consortium of state and regional trade associations representing their local medical technology companies which she chaired in 2015 and represents Arizona as a member of the Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) and the Coalition of State Bioscience Institutes (CSBI).

Active in the entrepreneurial and investment communities, she also serves as Chairman of the Board of the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation which provides entrepreneurial education, mentoring and support to at-risk members of the community, on the Board of Advisors to CellTrust, Inc. which provides secure communication technology to the healthcare industry, and as Chairman of CorePurpose, Inc. which she founded in 2002.

Ms. Koerber-Walker has been recognized as Executive of the Year by the Arizona Society of Association Executives, as a “Most Admired Leader” by the Phoenix Business Journal (2015), in the pages of AZ Business Leaders (2013 thru 2020), Most Influential Women in Arizona Business (2014) and is a 2 time National Finalist for the Stevie Award which recognizes the work of women in business.

Her past experience includes two years as the CEO of ASBA (the Arizona Small Business Association), service as a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Small Business Association in Washington D.C., President of the National Speakers Association/Arizona, Chair of the Board of Advisors to Parenting Arizona, the state’s largest child abuse prevention organization, & much more.

AZBio: Supporting Arizona’s Life Science Industry for 19 Years (2003 – 2022)

Learn more about Arizona's bioindustry: www.azbio.org

| Facebook: AZBIO |Twitter: @AZBio @AZBioCEO

We’re part of a movement to create sustainable funding for life science innovation in Arizona.

Learn more at www.AZAdvances.org

MOVING LIFE SCIENCE INNOVATIONS ALONG THE PATH FROM DISCOVERY TO DEVELOPMENT TO DELIVERY OUR VISION OF THE FUTURE: Arizona is a top-ten life science state. OUR MISSION: AZBio supports the needs of Arizona’s growing life science ecosystem. The Arizona Bioindustry Association (AZBio) is a not-for-profit, 501(c)6 trade association supporting the growth of Arizona’s life science sector.

AZBio Member Organizations in the fields of business, research and education, health care delivery, economic development, government, and other professions involved in the biosciences are the key drivers of the growth of Arizona’s life science sector. As the unified voice of our industry in Arizona, AZBio strives to make Arizona a place where bioscience organizations can grow and succeed.

AZBio works nationally and globally with the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), the Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA), the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), and leading patient advocacy organizations.

Through these relationships, AZBio has access to information, contacts, resources, cost saving programs, and the global bioscience and medtech community.

Arizona’s bioscience industry is growing rapidly and reached nearly 30,000 jobs spanning 2,160 business establishments in 2018. Industry employment has grown by 15 percent since 2016—twice the growth rate of the nation—with each of the five major subsectors adding jobs during the period. Arizona’s universities conducted nearly $580 million in R&D activities in bioscience-related fields in 2018, fueled in part by steadily increasing NIH awards to Arizona institutions since 2016. Venture capital investments in Arizona bioscience companies increased in 2019, and during the 2016-19 period totaled $349 million. Arizona inventors have been awarded 2,178 bioscience-related patents since 2016, among the second quintile of states in patent activity. Notes:

Seg 1

Biotech and life sciences industry in Arizona, has 3000 businesses and 36,000 employees. The economic impact in 2021 was $38.5 billion. AZ Bio would like to double, so by 2033, the impact would be $78 billion.

Examples of biotech companies in Arizona are Medtronic that makes medical devices, WL Gore, material sciences. Other companies in diagnostics, there are Sonoran Quest which does testing. This also Castle Bio Sciences, deals in cancer treatment. Some medicine companies are Bristol, Myers, and Calvari who deals in cancer drugs. Calvari is the bio science company of the year in 2024.

AZ Bio Science Week started in 2017. AZ Bio week starts Oct. 13 (2025) and has events daily from Monday to Friday.

Example of one of the many companies involved with AZ Bio week:

CND Life Sciences - CND’s Syn-One Test® offers physicians and patients an accurate, convenient, evidence-based tool to help diagnose a synucleinopathy. And our mission has just begun. NIH - National Institute of Health gives grants or funding to universities, hospitals and even companies for medical research.

Takes time to build a medical device type product, a few years to decades.

Government is an important partner, that provides financial support. Examples are Medicare research, workforce help, and tax breaks. Many organizations like this are publicly funded with government and university help.

$25 billion in funding over the last 20 years in Arizona in bio investment. Government funded $5 billion, that’s from state and federal sales tax at a penny per. $112 million funding to universities in 2022. Combination of industry, government and philanthropy.

Discovery phase - university helps develop the IP and research. Technology is spun out of the university to corporate development by companies. The AZ Board of Regents owns the patents. They license the patents to companies. Then you have regulatory.

Distribution of a product. Successful products are profitable. They have a royalty that pays to the company, the university and the government. Example of this was the University of Florida created Gatorade in the 1970s and still gets royalties today.

Process takes 10 to 15 years, with hundreds of people involved. Clinical trials of any type of drug takes years.

Creation of the Covid vaccine was an outlier, as many people had Covid at the time so it was very easy to put together big study groups

Seg 2

Examples of newer companies in biotech field –

Neo clinical stage company dealing in heart health with aortic artery for the abdomen.

Another new company is prim dealing in MCT deficiency, compound growth and they are in clinical and testing stages.

Drugs get tested through computer models, and then on animals. Always have to worry about safety and ethics. FDA has very strict rules. You do not put people at risk, after monitor, during test and post monitoring. There’s high-level quality control.

AZ Bio has members that are in the bioscience industry with current companies

AZ Advances is about bio startups in early stage companies

It’s a 501 C nonprofit charity that is funding, internships, and education

Patient is not only the client, but the purpose for why biotech companies exist

Neuralink Corp. is an American neurotechnology company that has developed as of 2024 implantable brain–computer interfaces. It was founded by Elon Musk and a team of eight scientists and engineers. Neuralink was launched in 2016 and first publicly reported in March 2017.

Neuralink's first human patient, Noland Arbaugh, is an Arizona native who received his implant in January 2024 at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix. He will appear at Arizona Bioscience Week 2025

https://www.azbio.org/azbw2025

Events Summary:

Monday - Women in Biotech

Leading Women: Biotech & Beyond

Join us for an evening of conversation and connections with our community's leading women as we kick off Arizona Bioscience Week in style!

Tuesday - Fundraising

Fundraising Strategies for Life Science Startups A compelling narrative is crucial when you are fundraising and communicating with life science investors.

This Life Science Nation (LSN) Global Fundraising Bootcamp covers topics related to executing a successful fundraise for your startup.

Wednesday – AZ Bio awards, philanthropy, entertainment, and AZ Advances

The 21st Annual AZBio Awards & AZAdvances After Party

Celebrate with the Educators, Researchers, and Organizations that are making life better for people in Arizona and around the world.

Join us at the Phoenix Convention Center as we honor the 2024 AZBio Award Winners.

Hundreds of health innovators and business leaders will be celebrating at the 20th Annual AZBio Awards.

Thursday - AZAdvances AZ Advances Health Innovation Summit This exclusive event will bring together health innovation leaders to share how are moving Arizona forward as we make life better for the people we serve.

AZ Advances:

Arizonans are advancing life changing and life saving innovations along the path from discovery to development to delivery.

AZAdvances is developing the funding that will help advance health innovations in Arizona today and for generations to come.

Charitable donations to the AZAdvances fund at the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation, an Arizona based 501c3 public charity, are a way to support the creation of tomorrow's medical innovations.

Friday - Voice of the Patient Patients are the reason we do what we do.

Join the conversation on life science innovation from the patient perspective.

Seg. 3

Best of AZ Bio clips:

AZ Bio & Life Sciences Innovation w/ Joan Koerber-Walker

BRT S04 EP10 (172) 3-5-2023

Guest: Joan Koerber-Walker President and CEO, AZBio - Arizona Bioindustry Association, Inc.

Chairman, Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation

Full Show: HERE

Guest: Stan Miele President & CBO Aqualung Therapeutics Corp

LKIN: HERE

www.aqualungtherapeutics.com

Stan Miele Bio:

A recognized global executive with success in sales, marketing and P&L leadership in the pharmaceutical/medical device and biotech industries. Mr. Miele was formally the Chief Commercial Officer at bioLytical Laboratories and Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc. He was also President of Sucampo Pharma Americas for 6 years. He was instrumental on some key licensing agreements for Sucampo, inclusive of the agreement with Abbott Japan, and also Takeda Pharmaceuticals (now Shire). He is actively part of the team ensuring proper execution of clinical development, manufacturing, licensing, capital funding, alliances, and ensuring Aqualung meets all critical milestones. He will be helping the company move toward accelerating the pipeline/platform technology and moving eNamptor™ toward commercialization.

Aqualung Therapeutics

Aqualung Therapeutics (ALT) is developing multi-pronged strategies to address the development of severe lung inflammation which is essential to the severity and outcomes of acute and chronic lung disorders such as acute lung injury, ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension. Effective FDA-approved drugs are either currently unavailable or extraordinarily modest in their ability to modify disease progression. No drug is currently available that is preventive or curative. Aqualung’s strategies, which include deployment of a human monoclonal antibody which targets a novel inflammatory mediator (nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase or NAMPT) will address the unmet need for novel, effective therapies for VILI, IPF, and pulmonary hypertension.

Full Show: HERE

Seg. 4 – Clips from:

Preventing Cancer with a Vaccine w/ Stephen Johnston of Calviri

BRT S04 EP17 (179) 4-23-2023

Guest: Stephen Johnston Founding CEO, Calviri Inc.

LKIN: HERE

https://calviri.com/

Bio:

Chief Executive Officer & Chairman of the Board Stephen Albert Johnston is the inventor of the Calviri’s central technologies. In addition to Calviri, he has been a founder of Eliance, Inc. (Macrogenics), Synbody Biotechnology and HealthTell, Inc. He is Director of the Arizona State University Biodesign Institute’s Center for Innovations in Medicine and Professor in the School of Life Sciences. He has published almost 200 peer-reviewed papers and holds 45 patents. Prior to his appointment at ASU he was Professor and Director of the Center for Biomedical Inventions at UT-Southwestern Medical Center and Professor of Biology and Biomedical Engineering at Duke University. He is a member of the National Academy of Inventors. Dr. Johnston received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Wisconsin.

Calviri Inc.

We are determined to offer humanity a better life, free from cancer. While our goal is hugely ambitious, we are intensely driven to rid the planet of worry from cancer.

Calviri’s mission is to provide affordable products worldwide that will end deaths from cancer. We are a fully integrated healthcare company developing a broad spectrum of vaccines and companion diagnostics that prevent and treat cancer for those either at risk or diagnosed. We focus on using frameshift neoantigens derived from errors in RNA processing to provide pioneering products against cancer. The company is a spin out of the Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, located in Phoenix, AZ. We have the largest dog vaccine trial in the world underway at three premier veterinary universities. The five-year trial will assess the performance of a preventative cancer vaccine.

Full Show: HERE

ReFlow to Help Treat Hydrocephalus w/ Elsa Abruzzo & Mark Geiger of Anuncia Medical

BRT S04 EP23 (186) 6-11-2023

Guest: Elsa Chi Abruzzo RAC, FRAPS – President

Elsa Chi Abruzzo is a medical device executive, entrepreneur, and a founding member of Anuncia, Inc., Alcyone Therapeutics, Arthromeda, Inc. and Cygnus Regulatory. Elsa has a 30+ year successful product development, operations, regulatory, quality, and clinical track record in med tech Industries. Her experience includes leadership positions at Baxter, Cordis JNJ, CryoLife, Percutaneous Valve Technologies, AtriCure, InnerPulse, Merlin MD, Sapheon, and PTS Diagnostics. Elsa earned a BS in engineering from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL and is regulatory affairs certified and a Regulatory Affairs Professional Society Fellow, recognized for her leadership in Regulatory and Quality by MDDI.

https://anunciamedical.com/the-anuncia-story/#team

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elsachiabruzzo/

https://anunciamedical.com/

About Anuncia Conceptualized in 2014 in collaboration with Boston Children’s Hospital and spun out of Alcyone Therapeutics in 2018, Anuncia’s patented portfolio of technologies are intended to provide peace-of-mind through innovation.

Our core ReFlow™ technology uses a simple finger depression of a soft silicone dome located under the patient’s scalp to produce a noninvasive, one-way flush of the patient’s own CSF directed toward the ReFlow™ catheter to restore or increase CSF flow through a non-flowing shunt and potentially avoid emergency surgery.

Learn More

The name Anuncia comes from Panthera Uncia, the species name of the snow leopard. These animals live in mountainous regions of Asia and have been called by the World Wildlife Foundation “Guardians of the Headwaters” as they roam the headwater areas of the western basins.

The origin of the word hydrocephalus comes from the Greek hudrokephalon, from hudro ‘water’+ kephalē ‘head’. The snow leopard, or Guardian of the Headwaters, is a symbol of Anuncia’s dedication to improve daily quality of life for the millions of underserved patients with hydrocephalus and other CSF disorders, as well as their families, who suffer from the clinical, economic, and emotional burden of repeat revision brain surgery due to VP shunt occlusions.

Full Show: HERE

Best of Biotech from AZ Bio & Life Sciences to Jellatech: HERE

Biotech Shows: HERE

AZ Tech Council Shows:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=az+tech+council

Includes Best of AZ Tech Council* show from 2/12/2023

‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

Thanks for Listening.

Please Subscribe to the BRT Podcast.

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

‘Best Of’ AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

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Offense + Defense: The 90-Second Plan to Retire Without Fear - Balance growth and guaranteed income to protect your lifestyle — and never worry about running out of money.

AZ TRT S06 EP18 (280) 9-21-2025

What We Learned This Week

· Offense + Defense is the Key to Wealth Financial freedom isn’t just about hustling harder or chasing returns — it’s about balancing offense (growth, risk-taking) with defense (guaranteed cash flow, risk management).

· Appreciating Assets vs. Harvesting Assets Appreciating assets grow in value but only pay off when you sell. Harvesting assets pay you while you hold them (rent, dividends, interest). The wealthy own both — using harvesting assets to cover expenses and appreciating assets to build long-term wealth.

· Income is More Reliable Than Growth Steven Bavaria’s “Income Factory” mindset reminds us that income is fact, growth is hope. A steady stream of cash flow lets you survive downturns without selling assets and builds confidence in your plan.

· The 90-Second Retirement Plan Works Cover 80% of retirement expenses with guaranteed sources (Social Security + annuities). Use the remaining 20% of your portfolio for growth, fun, and legacy-building — no more withdrawal stress.

· The Goal is Infinite Income The ultimate destination is creating income streams that never run out — from real estate, businesses, life insurance, or even intellectual property. When income covers expenses for life, you gain true financial freedom.

Notes:

Segment 1: Offense & Defense – The Key to Becoming Financially Unbreakable · Quote: "In today's uncertain economy, the safest solution to be wealthy, be in total control and enjoy freedom for you and your family is to have multiple streams of income." – Robert Allen (2001)

· Tie to today: 20+ years later, most people still rely on one paycheck or one retirement plan.

Part 1: The Problem – The "One Thing" Retirement Plan · Traditional advice: just max your 401(k) and hope for the best.

· The flaw: market volatility, layoffs, health events → can wreck your plan.

· Analogy: one oxygen mask — if it fails, you’re out of air.

Part 2: Offense + Defense = True Financial Freedom · Offense:

o Growing income, scaling business, chasing higher returns.

· Defense:

o Creating steady cash flow, reducing risk, having a safety net.

· Too much offense = risk of wipeout.

· Too much defense = stagnation.

· The key: Balance both to become “financially unbreakable.”

Part 3: Appreciating vs. Harvesting Assets Introduce the concept that not all assets are created equal — some you wait to pay you, others pay you while you wait.

· Appreciating Assets:

o Goal: Buy low, sell high.

o Examples: stocks, gold, art, land, most crypto.

o Risk: You only “win” if you sell at the right time. Gains (or losses) are just on paper until then.

· Harvesting Assets:

o Produce income while you hold them.

o Examples:

§ Rental real estate → rent + depreciation + tax benefits

§ Bonds → interest

§ Dividend stocks / REITs → quarterly payouts

§ Staked crypto → interest

§ Covered call writing → option premiums

§ Cash-flowing businesses

§ Indexed life insurance → credited interest + loan access

o Best assets do both: appreciate and produce cash flow (rental real estate, dividend stocks, etc.).

Tie back to Offense-Defense:

· Defense loves harvesting assets (cash flow covers bills).

· Offense loves appreciating assets (bigger upside for growth).

· Most wealthy individuals own both and balance them strategically.

Part 4: Mental & Emotional Benefits of Defense · Cover 80%+ of expenses with steady income = less stress.

· Frees mental bandwidth for creativity and risk-taking.

· Allows you to play offense without fear.

Part 5: The 3-Step Offense-Defense Plan 1. Build the Defensive Base ("Sleep-at-Night Money")

o Rental properties, pensions, annuities, passive businesses, tax-free income plans.

Grow with Offensive Moves

o Invest in higher-growth assets after defense is solid.

o Use tax strategies and leverage wisely.

Think Like the Wealthy

o Control assets, income, and taxes.

o Hold appreciating and harvesting assets.

o Focus on cash flow first, price growth second.

Segment 1 Takeaway:

· Secure your financial oxygen mask first.

· Diversify with appreciating and harvesting assets.

· Build a system that covers your expenses so you can confidently grow your wealth.

Segment 2: The Five Types of Income to the 90 Second Retirement Plan · "Now that we’ve built your financial defense, let’s talk about stacking multiple income streams so you never run out of money."

Part 1: The 90-Second Retirement Plan · Reality Check: Markets, COVID, crypto crashes, trade wars → volatility isn’t going away.

· Biggest risk = relying only on investments for income.

· Old school solution: Social Security + pension = guaranteed monthly paycheck.

· Modern version:

Social Security (≈40% of expenses)
Guaranteed Income via annuities (≈40% of expenses)
Remaining portfolio → growth, fun, and legacy.

· Rule of Thumb: Allocate 15–20% of portfolio to lock in guaranteed lifetime income → cover 80% of your expenses.

Part 2: The 5 Types of Income 1. Business / Career Income – your day-to-day paycheck.

Investment Income – dividends, rent, crypto interest.
Retirement Income – 401(k), IRA distributions.
Guaranteed Income – pensions, annuities, Social Security.
Tax-Free Income – Roth IRA, life insurance cash value.

Call to action:

· List which ones you have today.

· Create a strategy to build all five over time.

Part 3: The Income Factory Mindset · Steven Bavaria’s mantra: "Income is fact, growth is hope."

· Focus on cash flow first — market value second.

· A portfolio producing 10% yield with no price growth = same total return as 0% yield + 10% growth.

· Income stream lets you survive downturns without selling assets.

Part 4: Infinite Income – Scaling Your Streams · Real Estate: Buy, rent, refinance, repeat. Use leverage + 1031 exchanges.

· Business: Build → pay off loans → profits keep coming. Use as collateral to expand.

· Life Insurance: Tax-free policy loans → fund retirement and leave a legacy.

· IP & Assets: Build once, get paid forever (Lucas/Star Wars, Bezos/Amazon, Microsoft/Windows, McDonald’s system).

Segment 2 Takeaway:

· The goal isn’t just retirement — it’s infinite income.

· Build multiple income streams that never run out.

· Focus on income-producing assets first → appreciation becomes a bonus.

· When your base income is covered, every market dip becomes an opportunity instead of a threat.

Investing Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Investing-Stocks-Bonds-Retirement

‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

Thanks for Listening.

Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

‘Best Of’ AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

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Inside Real Estate Syndication Investing: Returns, Risks, & Opportunity Zones w/ Adam Gower of GowerCrowd

AZ TRT S06 EP17 (279) 9-7-2025

What We Learned This Week:

Real estate syndications let accredited investors pool money with a sponsor to buy large properties.
Investors earn preferred returns, dividends, and tax perks like depreciation and 1031 exchanges.
These deals are illiquid, locking up money for years in exchange for long-term gains.
Adam Gower showed how trust and consistent marketing are key to raising capital.
High interest rates are squeezing deals, creating both challenges and distressed opportunities.

Guest: Adam Gower of GowerCrowd

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gowercrowd/

Per Adam:

I help real estate syndicators raise equity capital online. We integrate AI into everything we do so you have a competitive advantage. Our clients have raised $100’s of millions using our proprietary Investor Acquisition System. I share all our secrets in my free newsletter.

Bio:

Adam Gower is a bilingual, 30-year veteran in real estate, banking, and finance who earned his Ph.D. in banking history at the University College London. He has held senior management positions at some of the largest companies and institutions in the world and is recognized as an industry thought leader on the impact of crowdfunding on real estate.

During the 1990’s he lived in Japan, working as the President and CEO of a major Hollywood studio developing their real estate portfolio throughout the Asia Pacific Region. After the financial crisis of 2008 had taken hold, Dr. Gower was recruited to advise the largest regional bank in California on their asset disposition strategy, assisting them to divest of a large portfolio of real estate collateralized loans, and subsequently in doubling the institution’s size.

He subsequently went on to work at Colony Capital, one of the world’s largest private equity real estate firms, where he worked on assets acquired with the FDIC as a result of the global financial crisis.

When the JOBS Act of 2012 was passed, Dr. Gower had been actively engaged in tech startup angel investing. He quickly realized that commercial real estate finance would be transformed by the new regulations by permitting equity to be raised online. Seeing that this would bring about a revolution in the industry he formed GowerCrowd, an agency geared to assisting real estate developers raise money for their projects, and to educating investors how to invest online.

Dr. Gower lives and works in California and has taught the only fully accredited university course in the country that focuses on how to raise money by and invest in crowdfunded real estate syndications. The course was a ‘flipped course’ allowing students to study the primary curriculum online, while engaging in practical learn-by-doing exercises in class.

He is host of an internationally syndicated podcast focused exclusively on real estate crowdfunding, The Real Estate Crowdfunding Show, Syndication in the Digital Age, and publishes one of the most popular real estate investing blogs on the web. Dr. Gower is author of several books focused on the history of real estate crowdfunding, real estate investing, and risk mitigation, and his educational courses have been sold worldwide.

Books Link – HERE

https://gowercrowd.com/about

We help you find more high-net-worth investors so you can raise more equity, faster. GowerCrowd is a team of digital marketing professionals with deep, multi-cycle real estate syndication experience.

We build digital marketing systems (aka 'crowdfunding' platforms) for seasoned real estate sponsors so they can find more investors, raise more capital, and scale faster. Our clients handle in excess of $35bn in AUM and have raised upwards of $1bn using our systems with minimum investments as low as $25,000.

Reference Info: https://gowercrowd.com/real-estate-investing/guides

Segment 1: Real Estate Syndication Basics

Definition & Structure
Syndication: a real estate professional pools investor money to purchase assets (apartments, offices, car washes, medical buildings, etc.).
Typical structure: 70% financed with a bank loan, 30% down from investors.
Investors: Accredited investors (SEC-defined high-net-worth individuals).
Deals: Can involve dozens or even hundreds of private investors.
Returns & Profit Sources
Investors may receive:
Preferred return (commonly around 8% ROI).
Dividends from rental income (net operating profit).
Profit share from property appreciation and sale.
Liquidity: Funds are locked in for years—these are illiquid investments.
Tax Treatment
Investors receive a K-1 for pass-through tax benefits like depreciation.
Depreciation is recaptured upon sale.
Unearned income is taxed as normal income.
1031 Exchange: Allows deferral of capital gains taxes by rolling profits into another property (45-day identification rule, 180-day purchase rule).
Step-Up in Basis: Heirs inherit property at its appreciated value, avoiding taxes.
Opportunity Zones: Investments in designated areas can defer or eliminate capital gains taxes (deferred for 5 years, no tax after 10 years).

Segment 2: Guest – Adam Gower & GowerCrowd

Background
Started as an electrician in the 1980s.
Raised capital in California; lost money in the late-1980s Savings & Loan crisis.
Worked in Japan running a film division.
Later handled real estate deals and worked at a bank during the 2008 financial crisis, cleaning up distressed portfolios.
In 2012, launched GowerCrowd, a consulting and marketing platform for real estate syndicators.
GowerCrowd Approach
Helps sponsors raise capital by building marketing and investor trust.
Develops content-driven marketing strategies over ~6 months.
Leverages a network of real estate investors.
Breaks down industry silos—shares best practices across deals and sponsors who would normally compete.
Belief: Test strategies first, then scale proven best practices across clients.
Opportunity Zones
Defined on city or state real estate maps.
Require minimum investments (often starting at $25,000).
Provide tax incentives for investors.

Segment 3: Interest Rates & Real Estate Market Impact

Current Market Conditions
Interest rates in 2023–2024 remain higher than recent years.
Higher rates = higher debt service costs on properties.
Many past deals were underwritten with variable-rate loans, which have now reset higher.
Long-term fixed-rate investors are in stronger positions.
Consequences of High Rates
Refinancing challenges: Many deals no longer work financially at today’s higher rates.
Distressed deals: Properties may be foreclosed or sold at discounts (sometimes 30% lower).
Some properties, especially office buildings, are hardest hit.
Example: A deal structured with 85% debt at 3% interest doesn’t work if rates jump to 7%.
Market Outlook
Bond rates and interest rates remain uncertain.
Debt continues to be the central driver of real estate.
Investors with cash could benefit from discounted opportunities.
For deals to work, proper structure and capital stack are critical.

Real Estate Shows:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Real+Estate-Construction-Land-Farming

Investing Shows:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Investing-Stocks-Bonds-Retirement

‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

Thanks for Listening.

Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

‘Best Of’ AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

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The New Wave of AI-First SaaS Companies Serving SMBs w/ Cooper Simson of Martell Ventures

AZ TRT S06 EP16 (278) 8-24-2025

What We Learned This Week:

· Political & product risk can kill a business overnight.

· AI is lowering barriers to software creation while eliminating low-value roles.

· SMBs are ripe for AI adoption, especially in workflow automation & marketing.

· The best AI businesses solve real problems — not just add shiny features.

· Future-proofing means building where the “puck” is going, not where it’s been.

Guest: Cooper Simson

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cooper-simson-896957b1/

Website: https://martellventures.com

Contact Cooper - Instagram: @Coop_Doggy_Dog Dan Martell's portfolio manager and business partner at Martell Ventures. Cooper talks about what they're building around AI and SaaS software, companies they work with, and the products for SMBs.

Show Notes Guest: Cooper – Entrepreneur & AI Venture Builder Bio

· Started with a finance degree but never pursued traditional finance.

· First venture: lead-gen & marketing agency (failed when partner left).

· Pivoted through freelance work → launched a business helping people apply for government grants using AI.

· Business collapsed overnight due to political risk when U.S. policy changed.

· Backed by Dan Martel, who later brought Cooper into Martel Venture Studio AI.

· Lessons learned: Always maintain control of the product and build businesses that can withstand outside risks.

Segment 1: AI + SMB Software Companies · Martel Ventures works with AI-first SaaS companies solving real business problems for SMBs (0–100 employees, $1M–$50M+ in revenue).

· Examples of portfolio companies:

o Precision Connect – cleans and organizes business data dashboards.

o Atlas AI – AI voice agent that can call leads, nearly indistinguishable from a human caller.

o Hero – recruitment tool powered by AI.

· AI is the middleman killer → entry-level tech jobs (SDRs, data analysts) most at risk.

· Core question for any AI product: Does it solve a real problem, or is it just an AI feature?

Segment 2: Dan Martel & Martel Ventures · Dan Martel: 27+ years in tech, 3 major software exits, 5M+ followers.

· Founder of SaaS Academy (coached 6,000+ students).

· Author of Buy Back Your Time.

· Martel Ventures (founded 2024):

o Invests in and advises AI SaaS startups.

o Target: 10–12 portfolio companies per year.

o Provides equity, funding, and advisory services to accelerate growth & marketing.

· Martel Ventures’ niche: AI + SaaS companies with clear use cases and revenue potential.

· Cooper’s biggest takeaway: “Skate to where the puck is going” — build for future AI demand, not yesterday’s.

Segment 3: The AI Shift in Business · Cost transformation: AI drastically reduces software development and coding costs.

· AI enables SMBs to:

o Automate workflows & reduce repetitive tasks.

o Boost employee efficiency → turns “C players” into “B+ players.”

o Increase ROI per employee by shifting them to higher-value work.

· SMB Examples: Local service providers, agencies, or firms generating $1M–$50M annually with 5–200 employees.

· Key insight: If you can’t identify the customer and the problem solved in 5 seconds, the product likely won’t succeed.

AI Use Cases in Marketing & Ops · Lead research automation.

· Retargeting: AI can read your website, identify IPs, and find who visited.

· Ad research: analyze competitor ads with AI agents.

· Campaign automation: compresses timelines from weeks to days.

· Contact management: AI can segment and organize lists for sharper targeting.

Cooper Philosophy:

Frameworks & Systems

· The "Founding 50" framework walkthrough

· How to diagnose bottlenecks and build fast paths to MRR

· Distribution engine strategies that accelerate growth

Contrarian Takes

· "Distribution beats capital — especially when your offer hits"

· Why founders waste time perfecting products instead of selling

· Red flags he spots instantly in founders

AI Market Insights

· What makes AI-first companies different from traditional SaaS

· Why SMBs are the sweet spot for AI products right now

· How venture landscape is changing for AI companies

Leadership & Scaling

· "Lighthouse, not tugboat" guidance approach

· Speed over perfection in execution

· People-first, action-oriented leadership style

Dan Martell – Bio info

https://www.danmartell.com/ventures/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmartell/?originalSubdomain=ca

https://www.saasacademy.com/author-dan-martell

Dan Martell is a renowned coach and founder of SaaS Academy, celebrated for his expertise in scaling B2B SaaS businesses and significant contributions as an angel investor.

Dan Martell is a Canadian entrepreneur, angel investor, and coach known for his expertise in the SaaS (Software as a Service) industry. He's founded, scaled, and successfully exited three technology companies. He's also a prominent figure in the SaaS coaching space, having founded SaaS Academy. Additionally, Martell is an Ironman athlete, philanthropist, and author.

Book – Buy Back Your Time

Biotech Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Biotech-Life+Sciences-Science

AZ Tech Council Shows:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=az+tech+council

Includes Best of AZ Tech Council* show from 2/12/2023

Tech Topic:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Tech-Startup-VC-Cybersecurity-Energy-Science

Best of Tech: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=best+of+tech

‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

Thanks for Listening.

Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

‘Best Of’ AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

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Cybersecurity & Compliance w/ Paige Hanson of Secure Labs

AZ TRT S06 EP15 (277) 8-17-2025

What We Learned This Week:

A cybersecurity breach can cost more than just data—it can damage infrastructure and destroy client confidence.
Even smaller companies (50–100 employees) need structured safeguards, compliance, and often outside MSSPs to stay secure.
Secure Labs provides a roadmap for companies to meet regulatory standards like HIPAA, ISO 27001, and SOC 2, helping them win bigger clients.
AI-driven threats like voice cloning and deepfakes make personal and business digital security more important than ever.
Compliance isn’t cheap—outside audits can run $5,000–$50,000 annually, while Big Four audits may exceed $100,000.

Guest: Paige Hanson, Co-Founder of Secure Labs

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hello-paige-hanson

Speaker Info: https://speakerhub.com/speaker/paige-hanson

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PaigeonCyber

Secure Labs Website: https://securelabs.ai/

Fortify Your Company's Future: Expert GRC Solutions

SecureLabs empowers organizations to navigate the complex landscape of governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) with ease. Our cutting-edge platform and expert services simplify critical processes, helping you achieve and maintain compliance while effectively mitigating risks.

Podcast Notes:

Segment 1: The Reality of Cybersecurity Risks

What’s at stake in a breach?
Data loss
Infrastructure damage
Loss of client confidence
Common Cyber Terms: hack, breach, ransomware.
Compliance & Budgeting:
Every company must include cybersecurity and compliance in their budget.
Company Example (50–100 employees):
Usually 1 internal cybersecurity employee (legal + security).
Outsource parts of the process to MSSPs (Managed Security Service Providers).
Use SaaS tools to defend/alert against threats.
Cyber risk insurance often included.
Safeguards & Processes:
Passwords, mobile device policies, website usage, software downloads.
Security parameters for access and usage within the company.
Company-issued laptops/phones are common, but personal device use may create security risks.
Oversight:
Department manager responsible for implementation, oversight, and quality control.

Segment 2: Secure Labs & Paige’s Journey

About Secure Labs:
Provides an app/platform for companies to outsource cybersecurity.
Offers compliance, oversight, and process validation.
About Paige (Founder Bio):
Accidentally entered the cybersecurity industry.
17 years at LifeLock, building ID theft programs for law enforcement.
Co-founded Secure Labs with two partners.
Runs a remote global team.
Common Client Question: “Where do I start?”
Frameworks & Compliance:
NIST Protocols: Best practices baseline for cybersecurity.
GRC Platform (Secure Labs): Handles regulated industries (HIPAA, ISO 27001).
SOC 2 Reports: Validation for security compliance.
Why It Matters:
Businesses must prove strong cyber/data protocols to win bigger clients.
Medium/large companies demand strict security from partners.
Interconnected SaaS & cloud systems increase risk.
Validation & Auditing:
Small companies seeking larger clients often need validation.
Outside auditors review processes for compliance & insurance.
Secure Labs provides both the platform and the roadmap for this.

Segment 3: Budgets, Tips, and Best Practices

Key Practices:
GBLA compliance (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act).
Onboarding & offboarding client data securely.
Regular security team meetings (quarterly).
Ongoing record upkeep and compliance tracking.
Social Media Risks:
What info are you sharing?
Photos, posts, public/private profile settings.
Timing of posts – avoid real-time “check-ins.”
Businesses also need to monitor their public digital profile.
AI Threats:
Voice cloning & deepfakes possible with as little as 10 seconds of audio.
Reinforces importance of strict security protocols.
Ongoing Monitoring:
Secure Labs sends periodic alerts on major breaches (e.g., AWS, Microsoft, Amazon).
Budgets & Costs:
Outside auditors: $5,000 – $50,000/year.
Big Four audits: $100,000+.
Compliance budgeting is critical for long-term protection.
Where to Learn More:
Website: securelab.ai
LinkedIn: Paige’s profile
YouTube: Paige on Cyber

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AZ Tech Council Shows:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=az+tech+council

Includes Best of AZ Tech Council* show from 2/12/2023

Tech Topic:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Tech-Startup-VC-Cybersecurity-Energy-Science

Best of Tech: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=best+of+tech

‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

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AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

‘Best Of’ AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

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Voxify: AI Voice Assistant for Small Business w/ David Duguan

AZ TRT S06 EP14 (276) 8-3-2025

What We Learned This Week * AI Assistant software Aurora for phones * Small Business are overwhelmed with many aspects of business from sales to customer service * Bad Customer Service costs $ in lost revenue * AI Adoption by business is growing as they go from not knowing, to known * David is from Ghana in Africa, & tried Soccer, then a DR, to finally land a Tech career

Guest: David Duguan, CEO of Voxify,

https://hellovoxify.com/

About David Duguan

David Duguan is a Ghanaian born and raised entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Voxify. A human innovation company focused on automating and increasing business performance serving the 16 trillion dollar small to medium business market. He was formerly the CTO of a seven-figure tech startup, Visual Solution Nexus. With experience spanning technical leadership, product management, and team-building, he balances big-picture strategy with focused execution.

He attended Ball State University and Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis and studied science. He is also highly skilled in building scalable and efficient technology infrastructure and is a Certified AWS Cloud Architect. He is multilingual with fluency in English, Twi, Fanti and conversational in French, and has a passion for music, good African food, cars, golf, design, art, and cigars.

Voxify focused on empowering small business to accelerate growth with an AI Powered phone assistant, Aurora. The platform has proven to fuel new revenue streams for business. In fact, one of Voxify’s customers, a small window cleaning company recovered $90,000 in previously lost revenue within a few months.

The AI-powered voice automation company transforms how small and mid-sized businesses stay competitive in a fast-moving world. Ultimately the company is redefining business communications for small to medium business which is an addressable US$130billion dollar market opportunity.

Aurora Hub ensures businesses never miss a call, automatically handles customer inquiries, and helps owners focus on what matters most—growing their business. Whether it’s capturing leads after hours, streamlining

Respond to Customer Instantly: Keeps businesses connected 24/7 so every call, lead, or inquiry is captured—no more lost business.
Boosts Revenue and ROI: Converts missed calls into booked jobs, helping businesses grow without increasing overhead.
Personalized and Customizable AI: Aurora adapts to each business, acting as a seamless extension of staff—not just a tool, but a trusted liaison with real sentiment supporting 29 languages.
Delivers Confidence and Control: Owners gain peace of mind knowing communications are handled professionally, even outside of business hours with phone, SMS, web and email.
Data at your fingertips: Aurora real-time actionable insights to better understand your business opportunities.
Save Time and Money: By handling routine tasks and follow-ups automatically, Aurora reduces the need for extra staff, minimizes scheduling mistakes, and frees up owners to focus on what matters most
Keep your customers happy: Aurora ensures prompt, friendly, and accurate responses every time—no hold music, no missed calls. With human-like sentiment and multilingual support, customers feel heard and valued, increasing satisfaction and loyalty across every channel

Aurora AI Assistant - has proven to fuel new revenue streams for business and for one small window cleaning company

Notes:

Voxify

Segment 1

Sam Walton, who started Walmart, said the business has only one boss, the customer.

Every business needs good customer support, but it rarely gets the attention it needs. Many small businesses are overwhelmed, and allways need to make more revenue.

Solution to this problem, introduce Voxify, the AI assistant, that can also help with your internal data. In 2025, data is crucial to a business and helps keep you organized.

There is an adoption level in AI that Voxify needs to get their clients to. Part of the problem is just education and awareness. It’s not the fault of the business market. They’re overwhelmed and unaware of what solutions are out there.

Voxify product Aurora is easy to use, and gets over the gap of education.

Average business with a solo operator loses calls. They also do not have enough customer insight which creates gaps in their business. Voxify tool solves this. You get the best customer support and you eliminate things customers hate like back-and-forth or voicemail tag.

Clients see the outcome fast, and so to their customers.

Voxify’s real customers, are actually the customers of their customers.

Company size of a typical client could be an HVAC, home, plumbing or some type of consultant company.

Outcome from their service is an average ROI of 430%, you make more money and stem lost revenue.

Services is like a virtual employee that answers the phones and can book a meeting.

Educate businesses on the use of AI, need for better customer support and how not having this technology means lost revenue.

Segment 2

How Voxify got started:

David was working in an architecture startup firm on visuals. The firm had bad customer support. The way their projects worked for payment is half upfront and half at the end. Many payments were late and it was causing internal issues.

They had an assistant and a VA answering the phones. This particular architecture firm was a niche market, hard to train on the phones.

David had a thesis you could use AI and ChatGPT to build the technology for what they needed.

He did this and then validated it with a 200 customers pre-launch. They did lots of research to improve the product.

Voxify is a three-year-old company, and they created their main software Aurora in the spring of 2024.

David is an immigrant, originally from Ghana, West Africa. Had no formal training in technology or business and had to learn of money as he went. Originally thought about playing soccer, then started to train to be a heart surgeon. Neither of these happened so he went into business.

Segment 3

David joked that to succeed in life he was taught you had to be one of three careers, engineer, doctor, or attorney.

He spent time working in biotech, and there learned his love to work on things and do research.

Then he got the job as the CTO at the architecture visual startup, as a cloud architect.

Cloud Architects design technology architecture for virtual machines or databases or software.

“Invent our way out of the box, outside the box, outside the status quo.’

Ask questions based on intention.

Testing Software - Check the text spelling vs the Voice or phonetics.

Had to handle customer complaints, check in 24 hours, and provide good customer service. The data portion is very important.

Example: window cleaning company.

AI assistant has to collect info and see what the customer wants. It’s hard for these companies to do a customer baseline price. But customers want an estimated service price, and also what expedient fees would cost to do it fast faster. AI service can help with all of this.

Voxify is chasing impact and change to bring down tech barriers.

Solve problems with small to medium business and service based companies. Small business is 50% of the GDP in the US.

Bring education on AI to the business community.

Adoption needs two things:

Going from you don’t know, to you know.

Once they know, and have been educated, easier to adopt the technology.

Voxify AI software is $99 a month to start.

Software can be trained very fast within a few minutes, just by scraping a client’s website and learning the business. Then over time you talk to the AI and you make changes to the info and answers said on the phone.

Create an SOP doc / standard operating procedure, outline the process of how the assistant needs to talk to your customers

Biotech Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Biotech-Life+Sciences-Science

AZ Tech Council Shows:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=az+tech+council

Includes Best of AZ Tech Council* show from 2/12/2023

Tech Topic:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Tech-Startup-VC-Cybersecurity-Energy-Science

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‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

Thanks for Listening.

Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

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The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

‘Best Of’ AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

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Business Lessons from the Movies - The Founder & the Start of McDonalds

AZ TRT S06 EP13 (275) 7-27-2025

What We Learned This Week:

Speedee Service System - assembly line approach invents the fast-food industry, replicated to this day
What Business Are You In? - McDonald’s is a Real Estate Company w/ an estimated $42B in Real Estate Holdings
It's the Name, McDonald’s - Branding - from The Founder
McDonald’s is the New American Church - Positioning

Notes:

Seg. 1

The Founder

What Business are you in? – McD in real estate biz, largest in US

Power of the Name – branding, McDonalds is New American Church

Systems – Speedee System, speed and lean, like a factory in the kitchen

Bonus * - Perseverance – Kroc was 52 when he met McDonalds brothers, selling milk shake machines

You’re not in the burger business you’re in the real estate business. You don’t build an empire selling $.15 hamburgers. You build an empire on the land that those hamburgers are made of.

Power of the name, branding, McDonald’s is the new American church on main street. A vision of a wholesome America, families go to eat share values. Branding see that name lit up on the sign. McDonald’s sounds like America.

Would you eat at a place named Crocs? Guy eats at McDonald’s he’s never going to get pushed around.

Great book on McDonald’s, and the industry called Fast Food Nation by Eric S

Speedee system, bring factory component to a kitchen.

Redesign a kitchen for speed and efficiency, orders in 30 seconds like a conveyor belt. No plates all paper throw it away when done. You have a service window people walk up and get their food immediately.

The idea of being is to go lean. Initially there was a learning curve with customers but soon it caught on and it was the model for all fast food restaurants. They did practice runs to test their system with no customers see it in action and let the data dictate how the plan should be.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=the+founder+movie+clips

** Clips from past show:

Moneyball, Boiler Room, Glengarry Glen Ross, The Founder

Business Lessons from the Movies
BRT S03 EP42 (141) 8-28-2022

Full Show: HERE

Seg. 2

The Founder, the story of Ray Kroc and McDonald’s.

What Business Are You In? - McDonalds is a Real Estate Company

Replay Clip from 2/9/20, where Matt talks about the biggest franchise of all, and what their real business model is. McDonalds has built a business empire thru Real Estate, not burgers.

The Dollar Menu is designed to get customers in the door. McDonalds loses $ when people purchase from the dollar menu, it is a Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC). This is also called a ‘Loss Leader’, selling a product at a low cost to get customers. McDonalds then makes money when people buy more, and off return business.

McDonalds is one of the biggest Real Estate companies in the world. The stock is valued on the $37 Billion in Real Estate they own. They make money as a landlord, because the franchisee is their tenant.

The Founder – business movie biography of Ray Kroc. Kroc started as a milk shake salesmen to the McDonalds brothers in California, then went on to create the franchise system we know today. The first President of McDonalds Franchise (Harry Sonneborn) helped Kroc create the real estate model that the franchise was base on, and used to scale to a billion $ company. Internally McDonalds used the Brother’s Speedee Service System created pre-Kroc.

The Question ‘What Business Are You In?’ comes from business consultant Peter Drucker. Business owners need to understand what problem or service they really offer their customers.

Ie – Starbucks is in the Customer Experience business, not coffee, but the atmosphere of drinking the coffee

** Clips from past show:

McDonalds, Apple, Disruption, 80/20 - Best of Host Matt on Business Topics

BRT S03 EP10 (109) 3-6-2022

Full Show: HERE

Investing Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Investing-Stocks-Bonds-Retirement

‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

Thanks for Listening.

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AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

‘Best Of’ AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

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Tech Productivity to AI to Cybersecurity to Sports Cars -

Best of Tech 1st half 2025

AZ TRT S06 EP12 (274) 7-6-2025

What We Learned This Week * ChatGPT is an AI chatbot, developed by OpenAI, that can engage in human-like conversations * Obvious Future is building Machine Learning (AI) programs to be used onsite for a business * Oilstain Lab creates high end retro futuristic designer sports car - in EV models * ACTRA - Cyber threats affect everyone from Gov’t to business to private and growing

Clips form podcasts focused on tech in the 1st Half of 2025 Notes: Segment 1: Tech Productivity - AZ TRT S06 EP06 (267) 3-23-2025

What We Learned This Week

ChatGPT is an AI chatbot, developed by OpenAI, that can engage in human-like conversations
ChatGPT can read docs, edit docs, answer Qs, and transcribe
Elevenreader – app that turns any document into audio
Google Drive – office suite of tools for spreadsheets, docs, powerpoints, & more
Todoist – task management program
Pocket – web research tool that saves & organizes links

Guest: Denver Nowicz, President - Wealth For Lifehttp://wealthforlife.net/

Denver is an advisor with nearly 20 years experience working with clients in investments and insurance, designing retirement plans with a combo of both. He takes us through different strategies for clients to get the best allocations for their money over the long term. It is the Combo Strategy of both Offense and Defense, the synergy of the mix, not ‘All or Nothing’.

Full Show: HERE

Segment 2:

Cybersecurity Response Plan w/ Frank Grimmelmann of ACTRA

AZ TRT S06 EP03 (264) 2-9-2025

What We Learned This Week

ACTRA Arizona Cyber Threat Response Alliance
Cyber threats affect everyone from Gov’t to business to private and growing
Companies need to be responsive with speed to be effective + share information of attacks
ACTRA has members from both government and private sector
ACTRA helped create a state cybersecurity response model that other states can use

Guest: Frank Grimmelmann

https://www.actraaz.org/actra/leadership

President & CEO/Intelligence Liaison Officer

Mr. Grimmelmann also serves as Co-Chair (together with Arizona's Chief Information Security Officer) for the Arizona Cybersecurity Team (‘ACT’), created through the Governor’s Executive Order signed in March 2018. He also serves as a Founding Member of the National Leadership Group for the Information Sharing & Analysis Organization Standards Organization (‘ISAO SO’) at the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA), created under the President’s Executive Order 13691 in February 2015. As ACTRA’s leader, Mr. Grimmelmann was invited as the first private sector representative in the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center (ACTIC) and served as its first private sector Executive Board representative from 2014-2019. He presently acts as ACTRA’s designated private sector liaison to ACTRA’s Key Agency and other non-Member Stakeholders.

Full Show: HERE

Segment 3:

Futuristic EV Designer Sports Car w/ Nikita Bridan of Oilstainlab

AZ TRT S06 EP02 (263) 1-26-2025

What We Learned This Week

Oilstain Lab creates high end retro futuristic designer sports car - in EV models
EV Car Designers for Gearheads who hate EVs
All the capabilities of a sports car, on a liteweight carbon fiber frame, + sound & an electric motor
Inspired by the race cars of Italy & classic 1960s sports cars

Guest: Nikita Bridan, Co-Founder, CEO

Nikita Bridan is co-founder & chief executive officer of Oilstainlab. A car design strategist with 15 years of OEM and startup experience, Nikita has worked with world-renowned brands including Lyft, Cruise, GM, Toyota, Genesis, ONE, and more on electrification, platforms, and strategy. In 2019, Nikita co-founded Oilstainlab with his twin brother, Iliya, as an automotive design consultancy service and playground, and developed it into a boundary-pushing, custom vehicle manufacturer. Nikita lives his life as fast as the cars he builds, once being pulled over at 140mph in Arizona and getting off with a warning. Nikita earned bachelor’s degrees in Transportation Design from the Istitudo Europeo di Design in Italy and the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California, where he now serves as an instructor to the next generation of designers.

Leading a New Generation of Automotive with Oilstainlab Co-Founder Nikita Bridan

The future of automotive design is in the hands of twin brothers, Nikita and Iliya Bridan.

The founders of Oilstainlab have turned heads worldwide with their automotive creations, most notably the Half-11, its half Porsche-half Formula 1 race car that pays homage to the golden age of motor racing.

Full Show: HERE

Segment 4

Machine Learning (AI) Onsite w/ Eddi Weinwurm of Obvious Future

AZ TRT S06 EP01 (262) 1-5-2025

What We Learned This Week

Obvious Future is building Machine Learning (AI) programs to be used onsite for a business
Corporate Data is too sensitive to be in the cloud / internet
Business cannot use cloud AI programs like ChatGPT, Google Cloud, etc because of IP and privacy concerns
Large Language Models are not necessary, have more data than needed, can have smaller AI programs tailored for business

Guest: Eddi Weinwurm

AI is top of mind for most enterprises…but most don’t know the risks especially in the cloud.

https://obviousfuture.com/#

Eddi Weinwurm is a co-founder and CEO of Obvious Future an AI company with a new approach to keeping AI local and secure.

Eddi Weinwurm has many years of experience in both the development of media management software and AI. As a visionary he formed the company to address critical enterprises in the growing AI market.

ObviousFuture Resident AI: Faster, Safer, and Transforming Enterprise AI

Eddi Weinwurm co-founder and CEO of ObviousFuture is on a mission to make AI safer and faster for enterprises.

ObviousFuture, a trailblazer in secure and private AI solutions, will be unveiling a disruptive AI solution for the enterprise on December 18—Resident AI.

This solution empowers enterprises to harness the full potential of AI while safeguarding their data locally, marking a critical evolution in the AI landscape.

ObviousFuture's Resident AI operates entirely on-premise, solving a $500 billion market problem by addressing vulnerabilities like data privacy risks, compliance challenges, and vendor lock-ins. The company is focused on key sectors such as government, defense, surveillance, medical, and media.

Early adopters, have achieved ROI within just two months of deployment of the Resident AI platform.

Full Show: HERE

Biotech Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Biotech-Life+Sciences-Science

AZ Tech Council Shows:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=az+tech+council

Includes Best of AZ Tech Council* show from 2/12/2023

Tech Topic:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Tech-Startup-VC-Cybersecurity-Energy-Science

Best of Tech: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=best+of+tech

‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

Thanks for Listening.

Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

‘Best Of’ AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

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LiquidTrust: A New Era of Cross-Border Payment Protection for Small Business w/ Saujin Yi

AZ TRT S06 EP11 (273) 6-29-2025

What We Learned This Week · SMBs Face Major Risk in Cross-Border Payments Small businesses are exposed to significant risk when dealing with international suppliers, lacking the same protections that consumers receive.

· Traditional Bank Wires Are Outdated for Global SMB Transactions Bank wires, SWIFT networks, and intermediary banks remain the default but are slow, costly, and offer limited recourse if something goes wrong.

· Digitized Escrow Can Level the Playing Field A modernized escrow system, like Liquid Trust, can serve as a trusted middle layer in transactions, enabling secure, conditional fund releases.

· Banks Are Adopting Fintech Tools for SMB Clients Liquid Trust is expanding by partnering with banks, offering them technology to better serve small businesses with secure payment processing.

· A Major Gap Exists for SMB Payment Protections There's a growing opportunity to provide insurance-style protections, dispute resolution, and cash flow tools for smaller, international transactions.

Guest: Saujin Yi, Founder - LiquidTrust

LKIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saujin/

Tech entrepreneur, investor, and advisor focused on fintech, future of work, and backing women/minorities. Personal mission is to create a #newplayingfield.

Saujin Yi has been talking to founders and bankers who are watching a payment crisis unfold in real time— small business owners wiring full payments to overseas suppliers, only to have their goods withheld or renegotiated because tariffs shifted mid-transaction. These aren’t hypothetical’s. Inventory is being held hostage, and most of these businesses have no recourse.

Saujin is the founder of LiquidTrust, a fintech platform helping SMBs protect themselves. She talks about:

· The tariff whiplash hitting cross-border supply chains

· Why small businesses are exposed to all the payment risk

· How new tools like LiquidTrust's Micro Escrow Pay are helping level the playing field

With LiquidTrust, small businesses can wire to 175 countries with built-in counterparty verification, or opt for a holding account that only releases funds when terms are met. It's a timely conversation and offering that I think SMBs would benefit from learning about.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/liquidtrust/

https://www.liquidtrust.io/

43% of US SMBs make global payments but 75% are unsatisfied with their current options. LiquidTrust is an innovative global pay solution tailored for the needs of small- and medium-sized businesses that also safeguards their transactions from fraud and loss.

We offer 2 global payment methods:

1) Direct Pay - Fast global payments to 175 countries within 1-2 days. Safer than traditional wires, with counterparty verification for enhanced security.

2) Pay by Trust ("micro-escrows") - Escrow-like protection against fraud and loss. Offers peace of mind without complexity and high costs of traditional escrows.

Of the $6.9T US import/export payment volume, 2/3 goes unprotected because current payment protection products like letters of credit are too complex and expensive. 9 out of 10 SMB owners constantly worry about fraud and loss because non-payment or non-delivery would be devastating to business survival.

We partner with banks to make our self-serve, white-label solution available to their current and potential customers and capture the $9B+ revenue opportunity and related deposits.

LiquidTrust builds on the foundation established by Liquid (est. 2019), evolving to meet new opportunities.

Notes: Segment 1: Solving Cross-Border Payment Risk for SMBs In early 2025, small businesses began feeling the pressure of rising tariffs and payment complications with overseas vendors. For many SMBs, cross-border transactions are a daily reality—but the tools available to them haven’t kept pace with the global nature of modern commerce.

The Traditional Payment Model Historically, payments to overseas partners have relied on the banking system as the intermediary. This means:

· Transactions typically occur via international wire transfers.

· These wires use the SWIFT network, involving multiple intermediate banks.

· Funds are converted between currencies, often with unpredictable fees or delays.

While this may work for large enterprises, small businesses often bear more risk in these transactions, lacking sufficient tools for protection or recourse. Many SMBs today operate a “borderless” business model—based in the U.S. but with 50% or more of their partnerships overseas.

The Need for Simplicity and Trust Small businesses need a solution that is:

· Reliable for both sides of the transaction

· Simple to use without requiring financial expertise

· Built on trust, with built-in mechanisms to reduce risk

Liquid Trust introduces a new payment model for SMBs—simplifying cross-border payments through a system built around "micro escrow."

Segment 2:

Micro Escrow: Modern Protection for Small Deals Much like real estate uses escrow accounts to protect both buyers and sellers, Liquid Trust applies the same principle to small business payments.

Traditionally, escrow has only been available for large deals. Liquid Trust brings this to small transactions by digitizing the process. Here's how it works:

· A buyer can invite and verify a vendor into the platform.

· Funds are held in escrow, not released until pre-set conditions are met.

· A built-in dispute resolution and arbitration system ensures fairness.

· The process is as simple as a "Buy Now, Pay Later" model.

This transforms the transaction dynamics. Instead of the buyer taking on 100% of the risk with a wire or upfront deposit, both parties share risk more equitably—improving trust, satisfaction, and cash flow for SMBs.

The Bigger Problem: Why Change the System? In the traditional system, there are “winners” and “losers”:

· Winners: Vendors who receive payment up front with little risk.

· Losers: Buyers who send money and hope everything works out.

But smart SMBs realize that keeping vendors happy is also good business. Building long-term trust and smoother cash flow on both sides of a deal can elevate all partners.

There's a clear gap in the market: SMBs have no access to tools like consumer credit protections, and banks often don’t want to get involved in smaller payments like a $20,000 invoice. It’s not profitable for them.

Liquid Trust fills this gap.

Segment 3:

Bank Partnerships: Scaling Trust and Access Initially, Liquid Trust served SMBs directly. But a strategic pivot is now enabling banks, attorneys, and accountants to offer Liquid Trust’s technology to their small business clients.

Why banks?

· They are already trusted advisors for SMBs.

· They need better digital tools to serve modern business clients.

· They lack solutions for smaller, international transactions.

With this new model, banks integrate Liquid Trust into their ecosystem, giving small businesses access to tools they never had before: protections, conditional payments, and streamlined digital processing.

The Vision Behind Liquid Trust Liquid Trust was founded by an engineer with a background in finance and technology startups. Originally designed as an accounts payable solution, the platform pivoted after identifying massive friction and risk in global SMB payments.

Key insights:

· SMBs struggle with payment protections across borders.

· Legal recourse is impractical—lawsuits are expensive and hard to enforce internationally.

· Many vendors are in regions where you simply can’t “go knock on the door.”

Liquid Trust, now evolving under the name Escrow Pay, has raised a seed round and is expanding into:

· Financial institutions and banks

· Online marketplaces

· Business-to-business platforms

The future of SMB payments lies in trust, transparency, and built-in protections—all delivered through easy-to-use financial technology.

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

View Details

Health Insurance is Rigged & Controlled by the Big Companies

w/ Donvan Ryckis of Ethos Benefits

AZ TRT S06 EP10 (272) 6-15-2025

What We Learned This Week

Health Insurance is primarily run by the Big 4 - BUCA: Blue Cross United Healthcare, CIGNA, Aetna
To Insurance Co’s – Premium = Revenue, and they are not going lower profits, so no incentive to lower costs
Health insurance employer group plans can be broken down into 4 Parts
Network PPO is what people typically think of when they think of health insurance
There have been revisions to the Healthcare Act passed in 2021

Guest: Donovan Ryckis, Ethos Benefits

https://ethosbenefits.com/

https://ethosbenefits.com/documentary/

https://businessofbenefitspodcast.com/

Our Ethos is Simple: Fiduciary First.

Act in the best interest of those we serve—no matter the cost.

‘Ethos’ represents the guiding principle, character, or spirit of a person or organization. It’s the ‘why’ that drives decision-making and fuel’s purpose.

Our Ethos is deeply rooted in the story of our Founder, Donovan Ryckis.

Over a decade ago, Donovan, a fiduciary Series 65 securities advisor specializing in retirement and pension planning, was approached by a client facing a dire situation. The client’s publicly traded broker claimed there was no solution for a staggering 37.5% health insurance renewal increase—a cost that threatened the business and its employees.

With no prior experience in health insurance markets but guided by his unwavering fiduciary principles, Donovan took on the challenge. The result? He mitigated the risk entirely, delivering a solution 12% below the current rate. This allowed the business to thrive and ensured hundreds of employees wouldn’t have to choose between basic necessities and skyrocketing health premiums.

That moment sparked a revelation. The fraud, waste, and abuse Donovan had fought in retirement planning paled in comparison to the challenges in healthcare. He saw an opportunity to bring transparency and fiduciary principles to an industry in desperate need of change.

Donovan pivoted his career, becoming one of the first fee-based health insurance advisors in the nation. By removing all conflicts of interest in broker compensation, he laid the foundation for what is now the leading innovative employee benefits agency in the country, delivering higher quality care at a significantly lower cost to employers nationwide.

Notes:

Ethos Benefits deals with employee benefits, with a primary focus on group health insurance

Per Donovan ‘Employee benefits are rigged’

Insurance company premium equals revenue. There is no incentive to lower cost, as it would lower profits.

ACA Obamacare passed in 2010, and it capped profits for insurance companies at 20%

Insurance Co’s are working to expand their pool to make more profit

Health Insurance guarantees inflation keeps going up, so family of 4 could spend 35K a year

For a business, healthcare cost and employee benefits are a top 3 P&L expense

Ethos strategies can create a 30 to 40% reduction on premium impact to lower costs for a business

The HQ is in Florida, but they are a virtual office with agents and clients nationwide

Healthcare finance and delivery + Improving employee benefits

Seg 1

Donovan’s bio, he was a financial advisor with a Series 65 license before he got into health insurance. Around 2014 he moved into health insurance seeing an opportunity for better service.

Typically you see agents who are working for the health insurance company and not really working for the employer companies they are selling to.

Health insurance is primarily run by the Big 4 – BUCA: Blue Cross United Healthcare, CIGNA, Aetna.

Health insurance employer group plans can be broken down into 4 Parts:

TPA or third-party administrator
Network PPO or HMO
Pharmacy benefit RX
Insurance that covers the caps the limits on the stop loss

PPO is your primary network and open on using referrals

HMO is a non-preferred network typically has less offerings and tight on referrals

Ethos Benefits helps employers to break up the four parts of a group plan and customize

Network PPO is what people typically think of when they think of health insurance.

Network and the Big 4 health companies have a tighter deal with doctors and contract prices. A lot is pre-negotiated with a set of rates, which is the point of a PPO. This is where you get larger claims and they run in the system of healthcare.

Seg 2

Pay more for healthcare in the U.S. than the rest of the world

The biggest pharmaceutical companies are in the US

Pharmaceutical companies in flight prices, and also set the prices

They make money through spread pricing

Employers can actually pick up their own Pharma benefit and get the rebates that the big health insurance companies are not giving them

Healthcare system is a rigged game

The fraud waste and abuse extremely high in health

401(k) and retirement benefit industry is actually tighter with more disclosure than the healthcare industry

Regulated better since the creation of the Securities Act in the 1930s and updates that ran through the 1970s and beyond with things like ERISA

There have been revisions to the healthcare act passed in 2021 - started in Jan.2022

Actions had 3 disclosures:

· Brokers comp and bonus

· Data with gag, clauses, and full access to data upon request

· Benchmarking for drug cost

Further Notes via Google:

The revisions you are likely referring to are part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA). While the CAA was passed in late 2020, many of its provisions, including those related to transparency in healthcare, became effective on January 1, 2022.

The three key areas of disclosure you mentioned are directly addressed within these regulations:

Broker's Compensation and Bonuses: The CAA amends ERISA Section 408(b)(2) and requires service providers, including brokers, to disclose specific information to group health plan fiduciaries.
Data Transparency (Gag Clauses and Full Access to Data): The CAA prohibits gag clauses, which prevent plans from providing access to their data. It also requires health insurance carriers to attest annually to their compliance with this prohibition. Moreover, the Health DATA Act, a proposed bill, would further reinforce the right of employers to access their data and hold service providers accountable for non-compliance.
Benchmarking for Drug Costs: The CAA includes provisions regarding pharmacy benefit and drug cost reporting, which aims to provide greater transparency and potentially lead to better benchmarking of drug costs. The Build Back Better Act, a separate piece of legislation, also included provisions for Medicare to negotiate drug prices, further impacting drug costs and potential benchmarking.

These revisions aim to increase transparency in healthcare pricing and empower consumers and employers to make more informed decisions about their healthcare coverage.

Seg 3

Ethos works with Employers to create business plans usually with a 3 to 5 year time horizon. The goal is long-term to lower healthcare cost.

Example would be a company with 100 employees with 50 to 80% of them on the health plan (does not include dependents).

Ethos wants to keep the demands of a company low, easy transition.

Ethos handles employee Qs and healthcare navigation. Ethos is full service.

Risk handled 1 of 4 ways -

Reduce, avoid, retain, transfer - Transfer to insurance

Broker wants to transfer risk

Company can control costs

Careful not to have too much disruption with a switch to a new company

Ex - start with pharmacy part

NDC National Drug Code

Run report vs costs

Pharmacy benefit mgr

Pre packaged health plan

Gets co approved pharmacy benefit

Save 5 - 15% on costs (30%)

Separate - parts of group plan

Seg 4

Brokers comp - incentives from big insurance companies

Opening move - edit pharmacy benefit piece

State by state - regulators and rules

Employers / employees

Know the network and PPO

Nationwide covers insurance part – Stop-loss Insurance

30-40 major stop loss companies

Ex: Allstate Met Life Sun Life

Stop-loss insurance for group health plans acts as a financial safety net for self-funded employers, protecting them from large, unpredictable medical claims. It is a form of additional insurance.

Healthcare risk is incredibly predictable on group basis

Overall predictable w stats, actuarial analysis

Gag clauses look at dataset from current carrier

Prescription database sets

3rd party admin are less of a concern, lots of claims

Average of 18 claims per employee per year, includes dependents

Data - review

AI Claims analytics software

AI claims analytics software is transforming how insurance companies handle claims by leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze data, automate tasks, and improve decision-making.

30 - 40% reduction in premium w Ethos

Further Notes via Google:

Group Medical Plans

Breakdown of the common components of a comprehensive employer group health plan, particularly within the context of a self-funded model.

Here's a more detailed explanation of each part:

TPA (Third-Party Administrator): A TPA is a company that provides administrative services for self-funded health plans. This includes processing claims, handling enrollment, and managing other administrative tasks that would typically be done by an insurance company.
Network (PPO or HMO): This refers to the group of doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers that the health plan contracts with to provide services to its members. The network defines where employees can go to receive care and often dictates the level of coverage they will receive (e.g., in-network vs. out-of-network benefits).

· PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): Offers more flexibility, allowing members to see out-of-network providers, though with higher out-of-pocket costs.

· HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): Typically requires members to stay within the network for covered services, except in emergencies.

Pharmacy Benefit (RX): This component manages the prescription drug coverage for the plan. It includes negotiating drug prices, processing claims for prescriptions, and managing the plan's formulary (list of covered drugs).

Stop-Loss Insurance: This is a crucial element for self-funded employers. It protects the employer from catastrophic claim costs. If an individual employee or the entire group's claims exceed a certain threshold (the "attachment point"), the stop-loss insurance kicks in to cover the excess costs, limiting the employer's financial liability.

Additional Considerations:

· Data Access: Self-funded plans often provide employers with greater access to claims data, which can be used to analyze healthcare costs, identify trends, and implement strategies to improve employee health and manage costs.

· Benchmarking: Employers can use claims data and industry benchmarks to compare their plan's performance to similar organizations and negotiate better rates with providers and other vendors.

· Wellness Programs: Some employers offer wellness programs to encourage employees to adopt healthy behaviors and potentially reduce healthcare costs.

· Essential Health Benefits (ACA Compliance): Group health plans must comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which requires them to cover a list of essential health benefits, such as outpatient care, emergency services, hospitalization, and prescription drugs.

· Other Benefits: Group plans can also include other benefits, such as dental, vision, life insurance, and long- and short-term disability insurance.

Understanding these different parts is essential for employers to effectively manage their group health plan, control costs, and provide valuable benefits to their employees.

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The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

View Details

5 Types of Income to Create Infinite Income

AZ TRT S06 EP09 (271) 5-25-2025

What We Learned This Week

Multiple Streams of Income strategy
5 Types of Income – Career, Investment, Retirement Account, Pension, Tax Free
Diversification of income provides you security and freedom
Build Infinite Income thru initial investment, and profits pay off loans, then go on forever
George Lucas created the Star Wars IP one time, and gets infinite returns from the movies & merchandise
Real Estate, Business, and Insurance products are good assets for infinite income

Notes:

Segment 1: The 5 Types of Income – Why One Stream Isn't Enough Opening: The Economic Shift

· The economic landscape has changed dramatically over the last 50 years.

· While business and technology have advanced, personal finance education and systems haven’t kept pace.

· Inflation has significantly eroded purchasing power.

· It’s no longer the 1950s where one income could support a family of four. Now, two incomes are often required—and even then, many people have a third gig.

The New Normal: Side Hustles & Financial Reality

· According to recent stats, 70% of people need an additional income stream, often from a side business or freelance work.

· 30% of Americans hold a second job.

· Among millennials, that number rises to 50%.

The Lesson from Robert Allen & Rich Dad, Poor Dad

· Robert Allen’s Multiple Streams of Income advocated for income diversification to gain safety and freedom.

· Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad emphasized acquiring income-producing assets—his favorite being real estate.

The 5 Types of Income

Career or Business Income Your primary, day-to-day W-2 income—pays the bills and covers monthly expenses.
Investment Income Comes from appreciating or income-producing assets like real estate, stocks, or Bitcoin.
Retirement Accounts Tax-deferred income sources like IRAs or 401(k)s—subject to rules and penalties but critical for long-term planning.
Guaranteed Income Comes from pensions, annuities, or Social Security. Designed for lifetime income and stability.
Tax-Free Income Generated through Roth IRAs or cash value from life insurance. You pay tax on the seed, not the harvest.

Call to Action:

· Make a list of which of the five types of income you currently have.

· Strategize how to build the remaining ones for a balanced, resilient financial future.

Analogy: Just like a business has multiple products or a sports team has multiple ways to score, individuals should have diverse income sources to win financially.

Segment 2: Infinite Income – Building Streams That Never Run Dry What Is Infinite Income?

· Infinite income is ongoing, residual income that continues long after the original work or investment.

· It’s the financial holy grail: put in work or money once, get paid over and over.

Key Assets That Can Generate Infinite Income:

· Tangible Assets: Real estate, businesses, stocks

· Intangible Assets: Skills, knowledge, intellectual property (IP), network

Examples of Infinite Income in Action 1. Real Estate · Buy a $250K property with 10% down ($25K).

· Renters pay the mortgage; property appreciates.

· Refinance later, pull out your original investment tax-free.

· Continue collecting rental income even after loan is paid off.

· Use refinance funds to buy more properties → Repeat → Scale.

Business Ownership · Start or buy a business using a loan.

· Profits pay off the loan, then continue to generate revenue.

· Later, use the business as collateral to expand or acquire another.

Life Insurance (IUL Strategy) · Fund a policy over time; cash value grows tax-deferred.

· Take loans against the policy tax-free—used as supplemental retirement income.

· Policy can also be a legacy tool, passing on wealth tax-free.

Intellectual Property (IP) · George Lucas with Star Wars—created once, profits for decades from merchandise and licensing.

· Jeff Bezos still profits from Amazon stock, 30 years later.

· Microsoft, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola—IP and systems built once, revenue continues for decades.

· DC Comics still profiting off Superman IP created in the 1930s.

Key Principles for Building Infinite Income · Choose the Right Assets: Real estate, businesses, IULs—not just assets that appreciate, but ones that cash flow.

· Leverage and Scale: Use debt wisely to scale income-producing assets. Wealthy individuals and private equity firms use this strategy constantly.

o Example: PE firms acquire HVAC companies, funeral homes, rental properties—assets that provide consistent 10%+ returns.

· Use Tax Strategy to Your Advantage:

o Tax-free income is more efficient.

o Lowering your tax burden increases your net income immediately.

o Wealthy individuals use loans, Roths, and life insurance to optimize tax efficiency.

Mindset Shift:

· Don’t chase just “buy low/sell high” assets. Instead, acquire harvestable assets—ones that generate regular income and can appreciate.

· Build cash flow now, use it to reinvest in more assets—repeat the cycle.

Closing Thought:

· Control three things: Assets, Income, Taxes.

· Master those, and you create not just wealth—but infinite income.

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‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

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The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

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‘Best Of’ AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here

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KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

View Details

Artificial Intelligence (AI) – how the Algorithm Connects Us All Revisited

AZ TRT 2.0 – S06 EP08 (270) 5-11-2025

What We Learned This Week:

AI is inter-connected with so many technologies & you use AI often on a daily basis
AI is a part of almost all industries from Healthcare, Finance to Defense
Human in the Loop - humans will always be needed to Interpret the Data, but AI will assist
Software Teams must be managed so the product is integrated properly in the bigger picture
Moore’s Law – Each year computing power grows 2x as fast, but cuts the cost in half

Guests: Naru (Narendran Muraleedharan), CEO / Founder of StaxAI

– formerly Inventives & Aptus AI

https://stax.ai/

linkedin.com/in/naru95

Bio:

At Stax.ai, we empower retirement plan TPAs to streamline operations, enhance productivity, and deliver exceptional client experiences. Our innovative platform automates census data collection, payroll integrations, trust accounting, and client communication, all while providing actionable insights through AI-driven tools. Trusted by TPAs managing thousands of plans, Stax.ai transforms administrative burdens into seamless workflows, enabling you to focus on what matters most—growing your business and strengthening client relationships.

Past Bio:

Inventives / Aptus AI is a software solutions and artificial intelligence development and consulting firm. They provide aerospace, mechanical, and software engineering services to companies around the world. The Team is strong, and well-rounded consisting of engineers, developers, and physicists that focus on solving problems at the root. They help take ideas or concepts and build prototypes and deployments in very short periods of time with tight budgets while maintaining the best quality and client satisfaction. The main fields of expertise are RPA, Web App Development, Solutions Architecture, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, and Simulation Systems.

Note: This interview was recorded in Oct. 2021 (S02 EP 43 (90) 10-24-21), since then Naru has changed the company name. Also, the BRT podcast has changed to AZ Tech Roundtable.

Notes: Seg. 2 - 4

Naru returns to the show talking tech, software, and AI. His team is always developing new applications with AI in healthcare, finance, biotech, & aerospace. Naru shows how so many technologies are connected and what the future of business looks like.

Inventives is the new company, with the same core technology team, but focusing the business into a venture studio by creating new AI projects for companies not yet using AI. Inventives new projects can become spinoff companies with this new technology. They work with B2B clients and also Investors for these types of companies.

Radiology is a current project to enhance the patient experience using AI – called SKIP. This project is on the Operations side to make the patient process of paperwork, payments, etc. to be automated (& efficient) with AI working with the patient. This will be stand alone, but if adopted by other medical offices over the long term can streamline the healthcare industry.

Naru and his team are working on document management, where their AI program will be able to read documents and determine what the info is. Rising Cloud is another project they are building that manages a company cloud usage to improve costs.

Moore’s Law – Each year computing power grows 2x as fast, but cuts the cost in half

Cloud Computing happens in the cloud and internet for your programming vs Edge Computing that happens right on your phone and does not need to go out to the cloud. Bigger the data request or process determines if Cloud or Edge is the best choice.

People interact with AI (Artificial Intelligence) daily on their phone, email, internet search and beyond. User Agreements in your phone or websites you use say they can take your search data and use it to enhance your experience.

AI Search uses past searches by you, vs what are the popular other searches by other people on the internet. It happens so fast and has the best / popular search options loading before you are even done typing. This is called a Recommendation Engine, just like Netflix or Amazon find shows or products you may like. These recs are similar to what you have watched or bought previously, or in similar genres.

The downside is you may not see different options, just more of the same. AI determines what you see daily on the internet, and can create a silo effect. Inventives uses a common solution, called Human in the Loop to review what the AI is doing. Then the searches or recommendations are reviewed to see how accurate they are.

Healthcare AI is assisting doctors, and even finding issues that humans have missed in a radiology study. AI has no bias, and does not get tired. The computer can repeat processes and be consistent.

Key technologies of the day are constantly overlapping – AI, Big Data, Cloud, SaaS Software, etc. This tech can work with each other, and new software can build on top of these applications. Open AI created a product with AI that builds AI software.

Naru’s Software Teams have different backgrounds of math, engineering or physics who are self taught on software and think more about the solution vs thinking in terms of coding. There are small groups of 2 to 4 people in a team with a Solutions Architect running the small team and determining how the software interacts in the bigger picture.

Often some of the best software involved very small teams. Lot of testing and compliance control goes into to creating big software projects that can involve multiple teams. Same issue if building an upgrade to a software that merges with the previous version.

Rewind Clip (Seg. 1) – Replay of a segment from Naru’s last appearance on BRT in 11/2020

He talks AI and the morality of the technology. How can a programmer control their product, and what it will be used for in the real world. Naru chose the name Aptus because it is Latin for Apt or Appropriate – design products that works for the clients

Chaos Theory / Jurassic Park – Just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you should

Aptus gets defense contracts as sub-contractor of companies partnered with military. Aptus studies the end applications for what they are requested to build, to determine if they will take the project. Morality is considered, but not always applicable to see where a product may go until it is built.

AI software is programmed to build more software, AI building more AI. Per Naru there are companies trying to develop AI weapons that can kill on their own, and robots being controlled by AI already. Aptus has Liability Insurance to protect their projects.

‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

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Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

‘Best Of’ AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

View Details

AI Arms Race from ChatGPT to Deepseek

AZ TRT S06 EP08 (269) 4-20-2025

What We Learned This Week

AI Arms Race is real with the major tech co’s involved
ChatGPT by OpenAI is considering the top chat AI program
Google has Gemini (was Bard), Microsoft has CoPilot, Amazon has Claude / Alexa
Deepseek is a startup from China that has disrupted AI landscape with a more cost effective AI model
Costs and investment $ dollars into AI is being rethought as Deepseek spent millions $ vs Silicon Valley spending billions $

Notes:

Seg 1:

Major Tech Giants AI Programs -

Gemini (was Bard)

Developed by Google, Gemini is known for its multimodal capabilities and integration with Google Search. It can analyze images, understand verbal prompts, and engage in verbal conversations.

ChatGPT

Developed by OpenAI, ChatGPT is known for its versatility and platform-agnostic solution for text generation and learning. It can write code in almost any language, and can also be used to provide research assistance, generate writing prompts, and answer questions.

Microsoft Copilot

Developed by Microsoft, Copilot is known for its integration with applications like Word, Excel, and Power BI. It's particularly well-suited for document automation.

Amazon Alexa w/ Claude - Improved AI Model:

Claude is a powerful AI model from Anthropic, known for its strengths in natural language processing and conversational AI, as noted in the video and other sources.

Industry 3.0 (1969-2010):

The Third Industrial Revolution, or the Digital Revolution, was marked by the automation of production through the use of computers, information technology, and the internet. This era saw the widespread adoption of digital technologies, including programmable logic controllers and robots.

Industry 4.0 (2010-present):

The Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, is characterized by the integration of digital technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and cyber-physical systems, into manufacturing and industrial processes. This era is focused on creating "smart factories" and "smart products" that can communicate and interact with each other, leading to increased efficiency, customization, and sustainability.

Top AI programs include a range of software, platforms, and resources for learning and working with artificial intelligence. Some of the most popular AI software tools include Viso Suite, ChatGPT, Jupyter Notebooks, and Google Cloud AI Platform, while popular AI platforms include TensorFlow and PyTorch. Educational resources like Coursera's AI Professional Certificate and Fast.ai's practical deep learning course also offer valuable learning opportunities.

ChatGPT is a generative artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI and launched in 2022. It is based on large language models (LLMs) such as GPT-4o. ChatGPT can generate human-like conversational responses and enables users to refine and steer a conversation towards a desired length, format, style, level of detail, and language.[2] It is credited with accelerating the AI boom, which has led to ongoing rapid investment in and public attention to the field of artificial intelligence (AI).[3] Some observers have raised concern about the potential of ChatGPT and similar programs to displace human intelligence, enable plagiarism, or fuel misinformation.[4][5]

OpenAI was founded in December 2015 by Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, Elon Musk, Ilya Sutskever, Wojciech Zaremba, and John Schulman. The founding team combined their diverse expertise in technology entrepreneurship, machine learning, and software engineering to create an organization focused on advancing artificial intelligence in a way that benefits humanity.

Elon Musk is no longer involved in OpenAI, and Sam Altman is the current CEO of the organization.

ChatGPT has had a profound influence on the evolution of AI, paving the way for advancements in natural language understanding and generation. It has demonstrated the effectiveness of transformer-based models for language tasks, which has encouraged other AI researchers to adopt and refine this architecture.

The model's success has also stimulated interest in LLMs, leading to a wave of research and development in this area.

Seg 2:

DeepSeek is a private Chinese company founded in July 2023 by Liang Wenfeng, a graduate of Zhejiang University, one of China's top universities, who funded the startup via his hedge fund, according to the MIT Technology Review. Liang has about $8 billion in assets, Ives wrote in a Jan. 27 research note.

Chinese startup DeepSeek's launch of its latest AI models, which it says are on a par or better than industry-leading models in the United States at a fraction of the cost, is threatening to upset the technology world order.

The company has attracted attention in global AI circles after writing in a paper last month that the training of DeepSeek-V3 required less than $6 million worth of computing power from Nvidia H800 chips.

DeepSeek's AI Assistant, powered by DeepSeek-V3, has overtaken rival ChatGPT to become the top-rated free application available on Apple's App Store in the United States.

This has raised doubts about the reasoning behind some U.S. tech companies' decision to pledge billions of dollars in AI investment and shares of several big tech players, including Nvidia, have been hit.

NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra Enables AI ReasoningThe NVIDIA GB300 NVL72 connects 72 Blackwell Ultra GPUs and 36 Arm Neoverse-based NVIDIA Grace™ CPUs in a rack-scale design, acting as a single massive GPU built for test-time scaling. With the NVIDIA GB300 NVL72, AI models can access the platform’s increased compute capacity to explore different solutions to problems and break down complex requests into multiple steps, resulting in higher-quality responses.

GB300 NVL72 is also expected to be available on NVIDIA DGX™ Cloud, an end-to-end, fully managed AI platform on leading clouds that optimizes performance with software, services and AI expertise for evolving workloads. NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD™ with DGX GB300 systems uses the GB300 NVL72 rack design to provide customers with a turnkey AI factory.

The NVIDIA HGX B300 NVL16 features 11x faster inference on large language models, 7x more compute and 4x larger memory compared with the Hopper generation to deliver breakthrough performance for the most complex workloads, such as AI reasoning.

AZ TRT Shows – related to AI Topic

Link: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=ai+

Biotech Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Biotech-Life+Sciences-Science

AZ Tech Council Shows:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=az+tech+council

Includes Best of AZ Tech Council* show from 2/12/2023

Tech Topic:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Tech-Startup-VC-Cybersecurity-Energy-Science

Best of Tech: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=best+of+tech

‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

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AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

‘Best Of’ AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

View Details

Tech Productivity

AZ TRT S06 EP06 (267) 3-23-2025

What We Learned This Week

ChatGPT is an AI chatbot, developed by OpenAI, that can engage in human-like conversations
ChatGPT can read docs, edit docs, answer Qs, and transcribe
Elevenreader – app that turns any document into audio
Google Drive – office suite of tools for spreadsheets, docs, powerpoints, & more
Todoist – task management program
Pocket – web research tool that saves & organizes links

Guest: Denver Nowicz, President - Wealth For Lifehttp://wealthforlife.net/

Denver is an advisor with nearly 20 years experience working with clients in investments and insurance, designing retirement plans with a combo of both. He takes us through different strategies for clients to get the best allocations for their money over the long term. It is the Combo Strategy of both Offense and Defense, the synergy of the mix, not ‘All or Nothing’.

Notes:

Seg 1

https://openai.com/index/chatgpt/

ChatGPT is an AI chatbot, developed by OpenAI, that can engage in human-like conversations and generate various text formats, including articles, emails, and code, based on the prompts it receives.

Denver uses ChatGPT daily for both business and personal use

You can have live interaction with ChatGPT where you can actually talk with the AI program using a microphone

Example of this, Denver had to fix his boat motor and suspected something was wrong with the fuel line. Able to turn on the camera on his computer to show it to ChatGPT who helped diagnose the problem in real time.

Another example is you can use ChatGPT for cooking to help with recipes

It’s important to understand how you frame the questions to ChatGPT, to get the best answer as possible. ChatGPT can create work docs and summary docs.

Common use is as an editor to what you write.

Denver uses ChatGPT to help with his weekly newsletter. He will voice text into his phone the Notes. Then he copies those notes into the AI program and it helps create and write the newsletter. Then Denver can make edits on it.

Can also upload previous docs that you have written, so the AI can figure out your writing style, and philosophy. Then the AI can write future docs in your style.

The speed of AI is amazing where it literally saves you time and makes you more efficient.

AI program can even read PDFs and screenshots, or you can give it a link to a video and it can pull the audio transcript.

AI can be used as a teacher to discover new things, and even as a psychologist.

There is a tech arms race going on in AI with programs like Microsoft Copilot, Google Bard, ChatGPT, and now Deepseek.

Seg 2

Productivity apps recommended by Denver

Many of the apps he uses are free or a very low cost, here are some he likes:

Elevenreader AI voice app

Turns any document into an audiobook. This can be time saving as you can listen to it vs reading it. App also has a library to store your audiobooks.

https://elevenlabs.io/blog/introducing-elevenlabs-reader-app

Google Drive

Has a number of programs you can use like docs, storage, PowerPoint, share forms, and folders with people, an easy to tag and organize

https://workspace.google.com/products/drive/

Todoist task management program

The program can also sync up with your Google calendar, so you can voice task, text a task and then categorize it

https://www.todoist.com/

Carl Pullen on time blocking – videos on LKIN

YouTube link: HERE

Pocket - web research tool so you can save links of website websites you search

Also can organize your web, searches and links, and it saved in an app on your phone

Search features in categorize in a folder

Visual dashboard with links

Very good to use with work or especially if you’re saving notes for a newsletter

https://getpocket.com/home

Wealth for Life Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Wealth+For+Life+

Investing Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Investing-Stocks-Bonds-Retirement

‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

Thanks for Listening.

Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

‘Best Of’ AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

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Palantir Technologies, CEO Alex Karp

& the New Era of Tech Defense Contractors

AZ TRT S06 EP05 (266) 3-9-2025

What We Learned This Week

Palantir - AI powered automation for every decision
Palantir is named after the all seeing stone in Lord of the Rings
Software integrates with company software to allow for searching and use of big data
Palantir mission is for more accountability within Government
Palantir has contracts with the U.S. Government helping with security and fighting terrorism

Notes:

Palantir Technologies & CEO Alex Karp

Karp background in academics and philosophy, also Stanford law

Palantir founders Karp & Joe Lonsdale worked together at PayPal, funded by Peter Thiel

Was not profitable for 3 years - one of the secrets of Silicon Valley, build around an idea, work on how you’re going to make money off of it later

Passion project, so need people who are dedicated, not just money driven

Every text, email, business, it has all data and need to save somewhere

Big data and data centers are one of the fastest growing industries and along with machine learning affect so many aspects of our life, both business, and personal

Dataset and Data mining are thriving industries

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palantir_Technologies

Palantir Technologies Inc. is an American publicly traded company that specializes in software platforms[3] for big data analytics. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, it was founded by Peter Thiel,[4] Stephen Cohen, Joe Lonsdale,[5] and Alex Karp in 2003.

The company has four main projects: Palantir Gotham, Palantir Foundry, Palantir Apollo, and Palantir AIP. Palantir Gotham is an intelligence and defense tool used by militaries and counter-terrorism analysts. Its customers included the United States Intelligence Community (USIC) and United States Department of Defense.[6] Their software as a service (SaaS) is one of five offerings authorized for Mission Critical National Security Systems (IL5[7]) by the U.S. Department of Defense.[8][9] Palantir Foundry is used for data integration and analysis by corporate clients such as Morgan Stanley, Merck KGaA, Airbus, Wejo, Lilium, PG&E and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.[10] Palantir Apollo is a platform to facilitate continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) across all environments.[11][12]

Palantir's original clients were federal agencies of the USIC. It has since expanded its customer base to serve both international as well as state and local governments, and also to private companies.[13]

Palantir software connects data, analytics, and operations to help organizations make decisions and improve efficiency. Palantir's software is used by government agencies and commercial enterprises.

How Palantir works

Connects data: Palantir connects to data systems, data lakes, and platforms.
Analyzes data: Palantir analyzes data to find trends, relationships, and anomalies.
Visualizes data: Palantir visualizes data to help users understand insights.
Automates processes: Palantir automates processes to help users save time and improve efficiency.
Improves decision-making: Palantir helps users make better decisions by providing data-driven insights.

Palantir has multiple platforms, including:

· Palantir Gotham: Used by government agencies to detect patterns and derive insights from large amounts of data

· Palantir Foundry: Used by commercial enterprises to integrate data, perform simulations, and optimize workflows

· Palantir AIP: Used to deploy large language models and other AI within a private network

Failure of 911 terrorist attacks where government organizations were not sharing information. Government has to be able to sift through large amounts of data, looking for a terrorist network, the old needle in a haystack. Software allows government to go thru data, and also share information.

In the past governments could run spy networks only, now with computer hackers, it could be run by anybody with a computer. Hard to search for terrorist, very creative. In carps view, you have to think like an entrepreneur and be tactical when going after them.

Cannot think in a static fashion, how did they do it in the past. When a terrorist is caught using a cell phone, they adapt to figure out how do they get caught and then use a different method. It’s like game theory, you have to think ahead of the terrorist and find their patterns before they even realize they are leaving pattern.

Terrorist may think in different terms that society deems as destructive, but it still may be very creative, almost like an entrepreneur. Per carp, you need creative and adaptive thinkers to go after the bad guys.

Cyber war is a real threat and not going anywhere. Need the government to combat it, but also must watch what the government is doing to not trample on civil liberties. Need to be able to track the data to see how the government went about things and did its targeting.

Data destruction & Tag data - Know where the data came from, so government can use it lawfully.

You do not want to share data with the government, and then have the government use it against you.

Because of technology and computers spying is democracized, a group of three teenagers at a coffee shop can launch a cyber attack. Systems can track down where these terrorists are, and show you the patterns of who they might be even if they can identify them directly.

Government and large health insurance companies already have a lot of data. The question is, how are they using it, is it being used in a lawful way?

With Palantir software, you cannot only look for the terrorist, but you can also watch how the government uses the data

Can use Palantir software on top of current software to work through data

Palantir and SpaceX companies – achieved $ Billion dollar valuation Unicorn status

Funded at loss for years, took decade to get Govt contracts

Name comes from the seeing stone in Lord of the Rings

Powerful technology, that can help watch over the world, has massive, ethical implications

Software helps government and businesses look over data and watch on people, but can infringe on privacy - Paradox of security vs freedom

Also raises questions about privacy, verse convenience, a kin to the issue with current social media

Solve terrorism problem in big way

Fight terrorism on a large scale, verse just smaller tactics with airport security

Fight terrorism at the high-level, verse low level tech with airport security and other measures that are very cumbersome and overbearing

Coordinate resources better

Hard to start in defense company, and this is the next generation

Palantir is coming up with a simple high-tech solution, to handle a serious and complicated problem

Pre-911, government not prepared or organized to handle global terrorist threat, and many of the solutions were over the top and heavy handed

Company provides targeted efficient reactions, verse broad wide solutions

There is both philosophical and technological debate on how this software can and should be used

They also believe they can be more transparent, show accountability, and actually prevent government overreach

Check NSA and FISA courts if used, it is not

Security and CIA type orgs need secrecy

Palantir could track actions of these orgs for review

Large organization, bureaucracy, often have outdated technology, and reporting, so hard to do oversight, can be very confusing

Often these organizations want plausible deniability, so they don’t want their accounting to be reviewed, and will list expenditures under different things, this could be seen as fraud

Technology is both disruptive and how it can go through data, but also disruptive that I can force accountability and bring stuff to light

Creative accounting and inefficiency could come to an end. This forces people to adapt and change their ways. Human nature is not always open to this.

Belief by CEO, how important it is to choose the right partner in person and business

You want to work with people who will challenge your ideas, so you have the discipline and rigor to think out and give evidence behind when while your idea is right, or at the very least not wrong

Scale to be plausibly right, and not wrong is very valuable in life

People must be resilient enough to challenge, even their own ideas. Company, culture, fosters, and environment, where people are open to think, challenge, status quo, but also must defend their thoughts.

They foster independent thought, and not just one way thinking in the company

Also ambition to work on bigger national projects

Future of defense contractors is in software, which they don’t have a good history with. A lot of the best defense contractors make hardware.

Palantir reviewed what the government was doing to fight terrorism, and how they were spending tens of billions of dollars on it. They were spending it in the wrong way, and the process needed to be rethought.

Took years to get in with government. Building software for spies and intelligence industry. Has both commercial private clients and government client.

A few different products that help big organizations analyze their data using AI, and make the data more understandable. This can help a company in many ways, be more efficient, cut cost, raise profits, understand their own company better

AI and data are the new languages of the modern world. There’s a lot of data and it is critical to keep it organized, but very hard. Their software goes beyond just storing and managing data. It helps them to utilize the data which is key.

Silicon Valley tree - Paypal to Palantir to Anduril

Anduril makes Roadrunner – takeoff software

**company seems like Stark Industries

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold.

Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice, an AI software platform that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

For more information, visit www.anduril.com.

https://investors.palantir.com/news-details/2024/Anduril-and-Palantir-to-Accelerate-AI-Capabilities-for-National-Security/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anduril_Industries

Anduril Industries, Inc. is an American defense technology company that specializes in autonomous systems. It was cofounded in 2017 by inventor and entrepreneur Palmer Luckey and others.[3][4] Anduril aims to sell to the U.S. Department of Defense, including artificial intelligence and robotics. Anduril's major products include unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter-UAS (CUAS), semi-portable autonomous surveillance systems, and networked command and control software.

Related Show:

Zero to One - Peter Thiel Contrarian Thinker + Disruption

AZ TRT S04 EP50 (213) 12-17-2023

What We Learned This Week

Contrarian Thinking – think for yourself and differently than everyone else
Innovation great companies have unique products that go from Zero to one, vertical
Founders are important and challenge the Status Quo to change the world
Competition is for losers, strive for a Monopoly
Secrets – What Great Company is No One Building?
Disruption in Business & Tech World - How to Handle The Innovator's Dilemma

Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future (c- 2014)

Full Show: Here

PayPal Mafia - The Founders Story & Their Battle w/ EBAY w/ Jimmy Soni

BRT S03 EP36 (135) 8-7-2022

What We Learned This Week

PayPal Mafia – alumni created or involved many other co’s – Tesla, SpaceX, Palantir, Yelp, Yammer, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube & more
PayPal had may contributors & a real long shot to happen during the DOTCOM Crash of 2000
Claude Shannon – creator of Information Theory, predecessor to the modern computer age, & algorithms
Bell Labs was a classic Tech Incubator like Fairfield Semiconductor, Xerox Parc, Menlo Park – Edison / GE, Manhattan Project, Tuxedo Park
PayPal sold to EBAY in 2002 for $1.5 Billion, prior to this, the two companies were rivals as EBAY wanted a different payment system

Guest: Jimmy Soni, Author

https://jimmysoni.com/

https://twitter.com/jimmyasoni

Full Show: Here

AZ TRT 2.0 - Best of Tech Part 1 - Data Centers, IT, EV Charging, Minerals & AI Software

AZ TRT S05 EP21 (236) 5-26-2024

What We Learned This Week:

Host Matt on Data Centers + Energy Usage
Lucian Aguayo of Redgear on IT Infrastructure
Broc TenHouten of Intrinsic Power on EV Charging
Brian Stevens of Neural Magic on AI Software
Dr. Nick Sakharav of Reclaimed Minerals on Energy

‘Best of’ Clips from previous Tech themed aired in the first half of 2024

Full Show: Here

Biotech Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Biotech-Life+Sciences-Science

AZ Tech Council Shows:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=az+tech+council

Includes Best of AZ Tech Council* show from 2/12/2023

Tech Topic:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Tech-Startup-VC-Cybersecurity-Energy-Science

Best of Tech: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=best+of+tech

‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

Thanks for Listening.

Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

‘Best Of’ AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

View Details

Kenmore is Home Electricity Made Easy - Modernize the Smart Home from Appliances to the Electric Grid – Revisited w/ CEO Sri Solur

AZ TRT S06 EP04 (265) 2-23-2025

What We Learned This Week

· Kenmore is home electricity made easy. Kenmore is on a mission to modernize the home. Live More & Live Better. Also need to make it Affordable.

· Clean Tech goes w/ the smart home, smart appliances (that connect to the home) and the electrical power grid for better living

Electrical Grid needs to be modernized – cannot handle the current & future power demands

· Homes built Pre-1990 run on Electric Panels that are outdated – costs of $40K + to modernize to handle charging EVs at home

· Design of the Future House would have a Battery in it that could recharge your appliances and electronics during down hours.

· Solving problems in electricity and energy also have the same issues with working on better water and clean food. It is more than just an energy and electric issue.

Guest: Sri Solur, CEO, Kenmore / Brands

https://www.linkedin.com/in/solur

https://www.kenmore.com/

Sri Solur is chief executive officer of brands for Kenmore at Transformco. An industry veteran with 25+ years of experience, Sri has a rich history of success leading high tech products and businesses. He previously served as CPO and GM at Berkshire Grey, a leader in industrial robotics, and was a member of the leadership team that took the company public. Sri also served as CPO at SharkNinja, and was instrumental in bringing the Shark IQ Robot vacuum and NinjaFoodi products to market, while also holding a leadership role to take the company public. Sri spent 20 years at Hewlett Packard, serving as founder and CPO of CloudPrint, the company’s wearables and IOT business. In his career, Sri has created products for world-renowned brands including Hugo Boss, Movado, Ferrari, Juicy Couture, and more. Sri holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering from NIT and an MBA from Boston University.

As Earth Day approaches (April), Kenmore is empowering greener homes and people.

The trusted appliance maker recently unveiled a new “Home Electrification Made Easy” program that looks to simplify the electrification process and reduce overall costs in transitioning to electric appliances.

Kenmore has set an ambitious goal with the program to electrify one million homes that will ultimately save homeowners one billion dollars over the next decade.

Kenmore’s innovation and energy programs are driving a new generation of electrification for today’s home ecosystem. Some of the company’s core innovations include:

Expansion of electrification and smart products for every room in the home.
Addition of electrification enablers, such as smart electrical panels and dynamic Level 2 EV chargers, that help eliminate roadblocks many homeowners have in wanting to electrify their entire home.
Simplifying rebate and savings programs, such as Congress’ Inflation Reduction Act, to help customers cut costs by taking advantage of available local and national funding and discounts.
Building relationships with industry leaders in product, service and consumer education to supplement and amplify their mission to electrify American homes.

This electric push comes as a new generation of homeowners seek to invest in smarter, greener home solutions and previous generations are coming up against new government standards making accessibility to like-for-like replacement equipment for their home obsolete.

With Kenmore’s electrification program delivering a quick onramp to affordable green energy homes, homeowners of all backgrounds and budgets have a more attainable path to smart, green home adoption.

Notes:

Kenmore CEO and Appliances

Seg. 1

Major appliances and clean tech and sustainability energy security is a big issue on the macro end. The effect on the electric grid and power lines.

There is lots of demand and potential blackouts. This is a fuel and demand issue. The government and utility companies are working on clean energy. Currently they use fossil fuels and working on using less.

Design of the future house would have a battery in it that could recharge your appliances and electronics storing down ours.

The electric layout of most homes, especially homes built pre-1990s has an 100 amp circuit. If you have modern tech like an EV charger in your house, an electrician cannot set it up because the EV charger will blow up your 100 amp circuit.

It would cost you between $20 and 60 K to upgrade a house for a modern electric set up. Kenmore will install electric panel with load balance for EV vehicles and in-home appliances.

Seg. 2

Electrical layout of a house as you install new appliances. There is a booster within the inflation reduction act. There are rebates for lower income people, where it pays you for getting new appliances. 10 K instant credit for new appliances.

The comparison of older appliances versus new appliances. Many older appliances may run on fossil fuels like a gas range oven or gas water heater. Older HVAC unit has more wear and tear.

On a hot days and really cold days appliances operate at peak and are putting demand on the electric red. Looking for new ways of sustainable clean energy and examples hydroelectric power.

You would have a back up in high demand times, where are you fire up a generator running on fossil fuels.

Do you want to protect the grid for maintenance but also things like cyber attacks. One way you could do this is make all homes standalone energy producers.

Peak rates for electricity or 6 to 10 PM at night. At these times electricity use taxes the grid and also taxes your wallet. Do you want to run your dishwasher post 10 PM.

Seg. 3

We are moving from a world of done by you to a world of done for you. The smart home of the future will help you.

The electrical panel would work with the grid and decide when to charge electronics in your house. Kenmore has electric appliances that works with the electric red. These appliances save you money and also save the grid.

On a bigger scale we need to modernize the electric road. Then in the future build better homes cars and appliances. Inflation reduction act has multiprong incentives for all of this.

When we saw the bull run of tech starting in 2010 it had three things working together. Social mobile and the cloud all came together to create this tech rise. Do you need electricity plus clean energy plus clean water.

A rising tide that can raise all. Do you want to solve problems, what are the pain killers?

Seg. 4

CEO was an engineer by trade. Worked in Boston went to business school and after that he built some products. Worked at Altavista on firewalls and search.

Cloud print on printing mobile with the HP e-print. Worked in wearables at Hugo boss and Ferrari.

Worked at Comcast on Xfinity digital security and high-speed Internet. Worked with shark and ninja on home robots. Worked at Bershire Gray, consumer robots which went public with an IPO.

Then at Brands / Kenmore (also Diehard batteries) - Building better and smarter appliances

Span that I/O build a smart electrical panel. Do you want your appliances to give you repair and maintenance updates.

Whole home electrification. A whole home dashboard controlling your smart home. An example would be your fridge would tell you when you need a new filter. Kenmore is a tech forward company.

Solving problems in electricity and energy also have the same issues with working on better water and clean food. It is more than just an energy and electric issue.

Live more and live better. Also need to make it affordable. Kenmore is home electricity made easy. rebates.kenmore.com they have the blue-collar work ethic with the idea of progress over perfection. Kenmore is a consumer centric team.

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

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Cybersecurity Response Plan w/ Frank Grimmelmann of ACTRA

AZ TRT S06 EP03 (264) 2-9-2025

What We Learned This Week

ACTRA Arizona Cyber Threat Response Alliance
Cyber threats affect everyone from Gov’t to business to private and growing
Companies need to be responsive with speed to be effective + share information of attacks
ACTRA has members from both government and private sector
ACTRA helped create a state cybersecurity response model that other states can use

Guest: Frank Grimmelmann

https://www.actraaz.org/actra/leadership

President & CEO/Intelligence Liaison Officer

Mr. Grimmelmann also serves as Co-Chair (together with Arizona's Chief Information Security Officer) for the Arizona Cybersecurity Team (‘ACT’), created through the Governor’s Executive Order signed in March 2018. He also serves as a Founding Member of the National Leadership Group for the Information Sharing & Analysis Organization Standards Organization (‘ISAO SO’) at the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA), created under the President’s Executive Order 13691 in February 2015. As ACTRA’s leader, Mr. Grimmelmann was invited as the first private sector representative in the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center (ACTIC) and served as its first private sector Executive Board representative from 2014-2019. He presently acts as ACTRA’s designated private sector liaison to ACTRA’s Key Agency and other non-Member Stakeholders.

Mr. Grimmelmann served four terms as AZ InfraGard’s President from 2009-2012, serves today on numerous academic advisory boards, co-Chairs the Greater Phoenix Chamber's Cybersecurity Workforce Collaborative initiative, and is an engaged Member of the Arizona Technology Council’s Cybersecurity Advisory Board. In 2019, Mr. Grimmelmann was honored by the FBI, and the Board of Directors of both ACTRA and Arizona InfraGard as the first recipient of Arizona InfraGard’s ‘Visionary Award’ for creating the ACTRA framework over his last 2 terms as Arizona InfraGard’s President, and ACTRA's resulting collaboration between law enforcement/ intelligence agencies/USCYBERCOM, and its public, private and academic organizations over the past 7 years. He was simultaneously recognized by the FBI’s then Deputy Director for his contribution over the years. He remains an active Member of InfraGard since 2003 and an active Lifetime Member of the FBI Citizens Academy since 2006.

Since 2002 he has devoted his full-time attention to protecting our nation’s critical infrastructure and national security interests, through eliminating unnecessary silos that hinder communication, allowing us to respond to today's increasing threat from our cyber adversaries, and in turn permitting ACTRA's Member Organizations to protect their critical infrastructure and our national security interests, while protecting their organization's assets .

Educationally, he holds a dual MBA in International Business and Finance from the University of California at Berkeley and brings decades of experience as a senior executive in finance, healthcare and government, prior to focusing on Cybersecurity in response to 9/11.

Notes:

Seg 2

Cyber threats affect everybody, business, personal, and government.

Cyber crime is a fact of life that we need to live with it, but stay ahead.

Criminals are on the offense and only have to be correct 1% of the time.

Everybody else is playing defense and has to be right 100% of the time.

AI is an advanced tool that is turned out to be a two edge sword, can help and hurt.

AI can only catch so much but can give a few of what is going on.

This is a matter of national security, dealing with homeland security and many other departments of the government.

You have threat intelligence to determine roles on how you’re going to handle hackers and ransom ware. Hackers can be local or foreign.

All companies need a cyber policy and some sort of rapid tactical response.

Cyber attacks are an ever growing threat to people and businesses, and continue to surge in 2024. There was 107% surge in malware attacks.

These are on corporate computers, computers at work or home computers or even Home devices like Ring. You get a text through devices, phishing attacks.

Company business email can be compromised in an attack, people’s passwords come out and it leads to millions of dollars in losses.

Elderly people are very vulnerable, 353,000 attacks.

You have supply chain threats by terrorist and nation state actors. There was a recent attack on United Healthcare for 100 million. People‘s information was exposed. This led to a $22 million ransom payment.

Cyber attacks cause $2.9 billion in damages. Companies are paying ransom to faceless criminals. Very tough for the FBI to be tracking down on these criminals and try to fend off the extortion of stolen data.

Payments for ransom could be made through Bitcoin, which is difficult to trace, though it leaves somewhat of a forensic trail. Constant need for regulation and oversight from the government.

Famous incident last year was not even an attack, but the Crowdstrike software update. ACTRA had a quick response that day. One that helps clients and partners recover fast. In a similar instant, Delta was down for weeks with computer problems.

When you think about what goes on with banks back to 2008 - what loans they have on balance sheet and then off balance sheet securitized - not regulated like normal loans.

Issues with underwriting standards on loans. Not even sure what can be affected in a Cyber attack. Off balance sheet loans and debt is similar to crypto or Bitcoin where it is not being regulated.

PPD-41 was a directive to show responsibilities of government agencies and dealing in cyber. You had homeland security as a defensive arm to protect the nation’s assets.

Enforcement is done in the US by the FBI. Overseas it’s done by US Cyber Command.

Seg 3

Frank background in the 1990s in private business, worked in healthcare. Then was the chief info officer and the only 2000s at clinical in Stanford. Healthcare is very vulnerable.

Post 9/11 he worked with FBI outreach program called InfraGuard on how to share intelligence with cyber threats. Needs to be treated like terrorism or criminal acts, though they’re taking stolen IP. Need to move to a more stable world.

2011 study was done by government organizations to review the process and make recommendations on how to deal with counterterrorism and cyber.

90% of the critical infrastructure in the US is in the private sector. They do need Fed level help, but have also have a local response. Cyber threat actors move quickly and act like a terrorist organization.

General Stanley McChrystal had a great quote,

‘It takes a network to defeat a network.’

Cybersecurity is everyone’s problem. You need education and organization.

This is a 5th generation problem and you have to be adaptive.

ACTRA is a nonprofit dealing with cyber security. They’ve got pillars of empowerment, trust technology and intelligence. Need for the private companies to develop to train and recruit to handle this threat.

They created a model which allows to bring the fight on offense - and all work together sharing information. Virtual response team, small and big with the private sector as a partner.

ACTRA is a hub for info, and keeps its member information private.

Some members are public like Arizona State. Actual model can be used for the rest of the nation. Government and private cannot do it alone.

Not all states have this type of organization, but probably need it.

Seg 4

ACTRA started in January 2013. Give U.S. states a model for cyber security.

Collective defense and share information with public and private organizations.

The goal is to breakdown silos between government and the corporate world.

Not just a thing tank, has an active model. Review of ACTRA model is best in the country and a good hub for response and info.

In 2015, they helped Wisconsin create their own state organization for cyber threats. Soon after, Maryland created one using ACTRA as a model. Needs to be an effort of collaboration, merge the construct of entrepreneur spirit to take action.

So the government cyber threats are handled nationally at a Fort Meade, where the NSA is.

Frank’s background in business in finance and healthcare fields.

Info is useless if not used for action. You need actionable intelligence that is current to take down a threat. You need more than continuing education and certificates for people, must go beyond this.

Virtual response team like a local militia who can help protect assets. Going after cyber criminals can be a little bit like a whack a mole.

Overtime, hopefully there will be a national strategy for info sharing. A type of decentralized and local organization that work with government.

The private sector owns the vast amount of data so they have to determine who they’re going to share it with and how.

Defend vs Cyber fast while still working within the spirit of the law.

Seg. 1

Clips from Related Shows:

Cybersecurity, Disruption, Blockchain & Terrorism w Ari Redbord of TRM Labs

BRT S02 EP31 (78) 8-1-2021

What We Learned This Week

Cybersecurity is extremely important industry for national security
TRM Labs startup in cyber-security, monitors blockchain
OFAC - Gov’t administers economic and trade sanctions
Ransomeware – specific breach, takeover of a computer system, holds data hostage
Programatic Money Laundering – bad guys create new addresses, create ‘shell’ companies

Guest: Ari Redbord, Head of Legal and Government Affairs w/ TRM Labs

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ari-redbord-4054381b4/

https://www.trmlabs.com/post/trm-labs-appoints-ari-redbord-as-head-of-legal-government-affairs

Ari is formerly a US Attorney, and worked in the Treasury Department, now advises the Government on cybersecurity, and Blockchain.

Cybersecurity is a fast growing and extremely important industry for national security, and corporate interests. There are Nation States acting as bad players in the cyber realm and targeting the US Government and US business. We discuss the advancements in technology on cyber crime, blockchain, crypto, and online fraud.

How is the FBI dealing with Ransomware, and other cyber attacks on prime targets like the Colonial Pipeline, or other big corps. What Regulations are coming in banking, and Fintech, with KYC (Know Your Customer), plus the big banks like JP Morgan Chase and Goldman are on board.

What the blockchain ledger can help solve in security, to monitor criminal activity in real time with the help of crypto exchanges like Coinbase. Lastly, what TRM Labs does for clients, how they advise, operate, and who they work with.

Full Show: HERE

Phishing, Malware & Cybersecurity - Try Not to Get Pwned

BRT S02 EP47 (94) 11-21-2021

What We Learned This Week:

Have I been Pwned? Means have I been breached / hacked – did someone hack my email or website
Phishing – most common type of email threat, like when you receive a strange email with a link – Do Not Open – DELETE (and alert other office staff of the email)
Ramsonware – hack your website, or data – hold it hostage for an extortion ‘ransom’ payment
Dark Web – where stolen data, & info is being bought & sold
VPN Connections – direct and secure

Guests: Vince Matteo, Seven Layer Networks, Inc.

https://sevenlayers.com/

Vince Matteo is a certified penetration tester, a security researcher, and a senior consultant at Seven Layers (.com) where he focuses on securing small businesses. Vince is the author of "Hacking 101 – A Beginner’s Guide to Penetration Testing", he's a bug bounty hunter with 17 published critical vulnerabilities, and he's presented talks on offensive hacking at security conferences -- most recently GrrCON in Grand Rapids, MI and BSides in College Station, TX. Outside of work, Vince is an accomplished endurance athlete, an Ironman age group champion, and in his spare time, you can find him in the desert -- training for the next hundred-mile ultramarathon.

Full Show: HERE

Biotech Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Biotech-Life+Sciences-Science

AZ Tech Council Shows:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=az+tech+council

Includes Best of AZ Tech Council* show from 2/12/2023

Tech Topic:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Tech-Startup-VC-Cybersecurity-Energy-Science

Best of Tech: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=best+of+tech

‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

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Please Subscribe to the AZ TRT Podcast.

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The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

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Futuristic EV Designer Sports Car w/ Nikita Bridan of Oilstainlab

AZ TRT S06 EP02 (263) 1-26-2025

What We Learned This Week

Oilstain Lab creates high end retro futuristic designer sports car - in EV models
EV Car Designers for Gearheads who hate EVs
All the capabilities of a sports car, on a liteweight carbon fiber frame, + sound & an electric motor
Inspired by the race cars of Italy & classic 1960s sports cars

Guest: Nikita Bridan, Co-Founder, CEO

Nikita Bridan is co-founder & chief executive officer of Oilstainlab. A car design strategist with 15 years of OEM and startup experience, Nikita has worked with world-renowned brands including Lyft, Cruise, GM, Toyota, Genesis, ONE, and more on electrification, platforms, and strategy. In 2019, Nikita co-founded Oilstainlab with his twin brother, Iliya, as an automotive design consultancy service and playground, and developed it into a boundary-pushing, custom vehicle manufacturer. Nikita lives his life as fast as the cars he builds, once being pulled over at 140mph in Arizona and getting off with a warning. Nikita earned bachelor’s degrees in Transportation Design from the Istitudo Europeo di Design in Italy and the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California, where he now serves as an instructor to the next generation of designers.

Leading a New Generation of Automotive with Oilstainlab Co-Founder Nikita Bridan

The future of automotive design is in the hands of twin brothers, Nikita and Iliya Bridan.

The founders of Oilstainlab have turned heads worldwide with their automotive creations, most notably the Half-11, its half Porsche-half Formula 1 race car that pays homage to the golden age of motor racing.

The Bridan brothers are motor maniacs who credit to Gran Turismo for fueling their passion for car design from a young age. The brothers dropped out of high school at age 14 to pursue a design education and would eventually earn degrees in Transportation Design from the Istitudo Europeo di Design in Italy and the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena.

During their career they have worked for world-renowned car brands including Toyota, Scion, Lexus, General Motors, Honda, Acura and more, bringing 6.5M cars to the road, securing 13 patents, and winning multiple awards including Motor Trend “SUV of the Year.”

In 2019, the brothers went into business for themselves. They opened Oilstainlab as a design consultancy and playground with clients ranging from EV start-ups, space vehicles, movie vehicles, hydrogen start-ups, and more.

In 2024 the brothers unveiled their first car, the HF-11. The HF-11 is the perfect mix of speed, comfort and intelligence. It offers 650 horsepower 12000RPMs and a top speed over 200 mph. The all-carbon fiber bodywork forges a radical shape obsessively honed for extreme velocities, while the interior offers all the comforts of modern-day vehicles.

The company will keep turning heads with maniac design, world class advisory council going into 2025…and changing automotive landscape.

Notes:

Seg 2

Oil stain lab is a boutique, sports car designer, using an EV format.

They start their design with the driver in mind, then sketch it out and think with an inside out strategy. They wanted to build a high-end retro futuristic 1960s motorsports inspired type car. These cars are expensive with future tech.

1960s sports cars were dangerous and cool. The last era of sports cars before car regulations were changed in the early 1970s.

The second step is a computer design. The car body uses a light carbon fiber frame. They also enhance their car with the idea and sound of combustion in an electric EV car.

It has a flat skateboard type platform designed very different than an actual sports car. Normally EV battery is at the bottom, but Oilstainlab put the EV battery where the engine would be. Lightweight car of 2000 pounds.

Compact and efficient, using a 911 Porsche as a model.Power train is in the back of the car, which is challenging.

Comfortable EV sports car, two seater with a manual transmission.

Has an audio signature, which is very important, creates real sound of 110 decimals.

Oilstainlab is building cars for gear heads, not a traditional EV nerd type. Building EV cars for people who hate EVS.

Goes up to speeds of 200 mph, 0 to 100 in 5 seconds. Plus the driver can enjoy switching gears.

Seg 3

Twin brothers Nikita and Iliana created the company. Originally from Ukraine, then moved to Italy when they were teenagers. Eventually settled in California and created Oilstainlab.

Prior, they were auto designers for 10 years. Started Oilstainlab in 2019 with the design idea. In 2020 they started to actually manufacture cars. Fall of 2024 they came out with their HF 11 model.

Brothers were inspired by the 1960s motorsport cars and your famous Italian sports cars like Ferrari and Lamborghini.

They wanted to bring in the Hollywood flair of storytelling and branding. Think of Steve McQueen movies with the height of the sports car from 1967 through 1972.

1972 was the end of an era, with new emission standards that killed good designs.

The 1960 sports cars were a wild west of innovation. Collectors still want these cars with their combustion engines.

Oilstainlab is bringing back that spirit within the next generation of car design. Building an EV car with power. Building an EV car for the EV hater.

There are challenges in this, with how heavy the car is and where to put the battery.

Aspark Owl, a $3 million car, claims to be the fastest EV in the world. It weighs 5700 pounds. Also has no noise or vibration, so it does not catch the nostalgia of a sports car.

Oilstainlab has a light car, manual transmission, plus that classic combustion sound. They replicate the experience, creating a bridge to the past with a future style sports car.

Car cost $1 million and their typical clients age from 40 to 60 years old.

Using the 1960s car design, purity of a driving experience.

When they built the prototype, they were thinking about the driver first. They hired sports car drivers like JR Hildebrand, and Rick Noob to test. These guys were racecar drivers.

The 1960s cars were planned to be obsolete, the design will age out.

Post 1972 with the economic and fuel crisis, cars were mass produced.

No more exotic designs, no real soul, they all look the same.

Cars companies simply did not spend as much on research and development.

Seg 4

Thunderbolt has that combustion field type engine with their EV launch in April 2025

We will have a carbon fiber tub and re-create the excitement of the experience.

Oilstainlab is backed by an investor who has experience in Green tech and is an entrepreneur.

Oilstainlab is loved by the car maniacs, and they see themselves as maniacs too.

Cool EVS can help the entire EV market and change an image

Oil stain lab is making a halo product for the entire industry.

They have advisors who review and drive the car – who are surprised when the EV sounds like combustion for the gearheads, creating a shock when people drive it, not even realizing it’s an EV car.

Collectors want the sound of an original car, but also lightweight and manual driving for the unique experience.

Oilstainlab with their design is reconditioning the mind of what is possible with an EV car.

Their new Thunderbolt design will have swap ability, for the maniac ethos, with new engineering.

All goes back to how they were inspired with the famous sports cars of Italy, like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Pagani. Italy is the Mecca of auto passion, culture, and approach to how a sports car should be done.

Seg 1

Past Clips (2) from related shows on EVs:

Best of Clean Energy, EVs & Battery Power

AZ TRT S05 EP15 (230) 4-14-2024

What We Learned This Week

Steve Zylstra of AZ Tech Council on Clean Energy
Daniel Tonkopiy of Delfast Bikes on EV bikes
Praveen of Monarch Tractor on AI, EVs & Farming
Mark Hanchett of Atliss Motors on EV Trucks & Batteries
Clean Energy - many Tech Co's working on zero emission plan
Delfast E Bikes – smart bike, connects to E Bike, range of 220 miles on 1 charge, & speed of 50 mph, can drive on all different terrain
Monarch Tractor is AgTech working towards a future with Clean Farming
Atlis Motors is an Energy Company - Apple of energy – vehicle is their ‘I-Pod’
Revolutionizing the Electric Battery - Lithium, cobalt, copper w/ a Lifespan – 1 million miles or 10 years +

Full Show: HERE

EV Charging at Home w/ Broc TenHouten of Intrinsic Power

AZ TRT S05 EP05 (220) 2-4-2024

What We Learned This Week

Intrinsic Power - Next Gen EV Charger
EV Charging in your home will be standard
Electrical Panel upgrade to handle new tech
Electric Grid not prepared for consumer demand & EV charging needs
EV Infrastructure for charging stations as EV Cars w/ longer range are the Future

Full Show: HERE

Biotech Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Biotech-Life+Sciences-Science

AZ Tech Council Shows:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=az+tech+council

Includes Best of AZ Tech Council* show from 2/12/2023

Tech Topic:

https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Tech-Startup-VC-Cybersecurity-Energy-Science

Best of Tech: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=best+of+tech

‘Best Of’ Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT

Thanks for Listening.

Please Subscribe to the BRT Podcast.

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia

The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business.

AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving.

Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more…

AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/

‘Best Of’ AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here

Podcast on Google: Click Here

Podcast on Spotify: Click Here

More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/

KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.

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Machine Learning (AI) Onsite w/ Eddi Weinwurm of Obvious Future

AZ TRT S06 EP01 (262) 1-5-2025

What We Learned This Week

Obvious Future is building Machine Learning (AI) programs to be used onsite for a business
Corporate Data is too sensitive to be in the cloud / internet
Business cannot use cloud AI programs like ChatGPT, Google Cloud, etc because of IP and privacy concerns
Large Language Models are not necessary, have more data than needed, can have smaller AI programs tailored for business