The Bear Roars

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Dan Mosley—Partner at BDT & MSD Partners and head of Family Advisory Services—for a thoughtful conversation about wealth, purpose, and what it takes to build a legacy that lasts across generations.Dan Mosley shares lessons from decades spent advising founders, entrepreneurs, and multi-generational families on how to structure and steward wealth. The conversation explores why passing down wealth is often harder than building it and the risks of waiting too long to plan.They unpack the difference between traditional multi-generational wealth and today’s fast-moving tech fortunes, why purpose and principles must anchor any long-term wealth strategy, and how governance, trusted advisors, and family offices help ensure wealth strengthens rather than fractures families.Learn more about BDT & MSD Partners: https://bdtmsd.com/Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/bookListen to Dan's Song Stretch: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/dancaruso/stretchCheck out music by Jason Mendelson (Jace Allen): https://www.youtube.com/@jaceallen To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan Caruso sits down with Mike Conover, founder and CEO of Brightwave, for an in-depth conversation about artificial intelligence, investing, and the hidden structures that shape our world.Mike begins by sharing his academic roots in complexity and network science at Indiana University, where he studied how information, disease, and influence spread across interconnected systems. From modeling airline networks and pandemics to analyzing early social media polarization, he explains how understanding complex systems led him into machine learning and ultimately into building AI products.The conversation turns to the launch of ChatGPT and why it surprised even experts. Mike explains the breakthrough moments that made generative AI feel different from previous waves of technology, breaking down concepts like gradient descent, model training, and the emergence of autonomous AI agents in practical terms. He shares what it was like staying up late experimenting with early models and realizing the world had shifted.Dan and Mike then dive into Brightwave, the AI-powered research platform built for investment professionals. Mike explains how AI agents can analyze massive data rooms, connect details across documents, surface long-tail risks, and generate structured outputs such as financial models. They discuss how these systems augment human judgment rather than replace it, helping investors move faster and think more comprehensively while still relying on experience and context.Learn more about Brightwave: https://brightwave.ioOrder Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/bookListen to Dan's Song Stretch: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/dancaruso/stretchCheck out music by Jason Mendelson (Jace Allen): https://www.youtube.com/@jaceallen To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan Caruso sits down with Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty for a candid conversation about prosecuting serious crime, leading through public crises, and what the Attorney General’s job demands.Michael reflects on his path from prosecuting homicide and sex crimes in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office to leading Boulder County as DA. He shares how that experience shaped his approach to complex cases, including human trafficking, domestic violence, and public corruption, as well as his work launching Colorado’s first human trafficking unit.The conversation covers Michael’s hands-on role in responding to major events such as the King Soopers mass shooting and the Marshall Fire, and how prosecutors coordinate with law enforcement and federal partners during emergencies. Michael also explains Boulder County’s use of diversion, mental health programs, and risk assessment tools to reduce repeat offenses while improving public safety.Dan and Michael discuss crime trends in Colorado, why consistent enforcement of the rule of law matters, and the dangers of politicizing the justice system. Michael also explains what the Attorney General’s office does day to day and why experience, independence, and integrity matter when leading Colorado’s largest law office.Learn more about Michael Dougherty: https://www.michaelforag.com/Reach out to: hello@michaelforag.comOrder Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/bookListen to Dan's Song Stretch: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/dancaruso/stretchCheck out music by Jason Mendelson (Jace Allen): https://www.youtube.com/@jaceallen To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan Caruso sits down with Ebs Burnough, award-winning filmmaker, producer, and Chair of the Board of the Sundance Institute, for a wide-ranging conversation on storytelling, cultural impact, and the future of independent film.As Sundance prepares for its final year in Park City and its historic move to Boulder, Ebs reflects on the Institute’s mission, Robert Redford’s founding principles, and why nurturing artists rather than chasing commercial outcomes has always been at the heart of Sundance. Drawing on his experience as a documentary filmmaker, former White House communications leader during the Obama administration, and longtime cultural strategist, Ebs shares how storytelling shapes politics, technology, and community alike.They explore Sundance’s artist labs, the power of convening creators in physical spaces, and why human connection matters more than ever in a post-COVID, AI-accelerated world. Ebs also weighs in on how artificial intelligence is transforming creative work, both the promise and the risk, and why better storytelling around new technology is essential to avoid fear-driven outcomes.The conversation touches on legacy, community-building, the evolving role of festivals, and why Boulder and Colorado more broadly offer a rare opportunity to reimagine what Sundance can be for the next 40 years.Learn more about the Sundance Institute: https://www.sundance.org/Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/bookListen to Dan's Song Stretch: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/dancaruso/stretchCheck out music by Jason Mendelson (Jace Allen): https://www.youtube.com/@jaceallen To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan Caruso sits down with Blake Scholl, Founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, for a one-year update on how the company has evolved since their last conversation.Blake explains how Boom’s original plan to outsource its engine nearly doomed the company—and why walking away from that forced a radical reset. Building a fully custom supersonic engine not only revived Boom’s technical roadmap, but unexpectedly enabled a breakthrough: breaking the sound barrier over land without a sonic boom, helping reopen the door to legal supersonic flight in the U.S. for the first time in 50 years.As the AI data center boom accelerated, Boom realized its engine was uniquely suited to serve as a high-performance power turbine. What began as a side insight quickly turned into a billion-dollar backlog, providing the funding, validation, and testbed needed to make supersonic passenger flight commercially viable.Along the way, Blake reflects on flying XB-1 for the first time with everything on the line, how small teams and fast iteration outperform legacy aerospace models, and why luck is often just information—if you’re willing to listen. Learn more about Boom Supersonic: https://boomsupersonic.com/Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/bookListen to Dan's Song Stretch: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/dancaruso/stretchCheck out music by Jason Mendelson (Jace Allen): https://www.youtube.com/@jaceallen To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan Caruso sits down with film producer Jason Berman, founder of A/Vantage Pictures, for an in-depth conversation on storytelling, persistence, and building a career across independent and studio filmmaking.Jason traces his journey from growing up with dyslexia in Baltimore—where movies became a powerful way to learn and connect—to producing films at USC, breaking into the industry as an assistant, and ultimately premiering his first feature at Sundance. He reflects on the risks and realities of independent filmmaking, raising capital for early projects, and what it takes to shepherd a film from script to screen.The conversation turns to Jason’s decision to launch A/Vantage Pictures, why Boulder has become a meaningful creative base for him, and how Sundance’s move to Colorado could shape the region’s future as a hub for film, technology, and entrepreneurship. Dan and Jason also discuss the evolving role of producers, the importance of authentic point of view, and how AI may improve efficiency in filmmaking without replacing human creativity.Learn more about A/Vantage Pictures: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-vantage-pictures/⁠Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/bookListen to Dan's Song Stretch: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/dancaruso/stretchCheck out music by Jason Mendelson (Jace Allen): https://www.youtube.com/@jaceallen To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

To ring in the New Year, we’re re-releasing this conversation with Blake as a timely look back at the origins of Boom Supersonic and the vision behind faster-than-sound travel. Since this episode first aired, Blake and the Boom team have continued to make major strides—and Dan recently sat down with Blake again for a brand-new conversation.In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Blake Scholl, Founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, who is designing a supersonic airliner. Blake founded Boom Supersonic in September 2014 with the goal of making high-speed travel mainstream and enabling a new world of human connection. Prior to founding Boom, Blake held leadership roles at Amazon and Groupon and co-founded mobile technology startup Kima Labs. At Groupon, Blake held multiple executive roles, culminating in responsibility for relevance, email, and search.In this episode, learn about the history of commercial flight, Blake’s experiences with Groupon and AWS, his past work with Boom Supersonic and the vision for the company's future. Find out when you can travel supersonic. Click here to learn more about Boom Supersonic: https://boomsupersonic.com/.To nominate a founder or to nominate yourself as a future guest speaker on our podcast, please send an email to contact@loudbearproductions.com.

With exciting news on the horizon for Caruso Ventures’ portfolio company Agile Space Industries, we’re re-releasing this episode featuring CEO Chris Pearson. In this conversation on The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Chris to explore the future of propulsion, the evolving defense tech landscape, and Colorado’s emergence as a leading hub for space innovation.Chris explains how falling launch costs and the explosion of mega-constellations are transforming the space economy, why propulsion and mobility in orbit are critical to both national security and commercial growth, and how Agile is meeting the moment with thrusters built through advanced additive manufacturing.They dive into Agile’s roots in Durango as a propulsion test company, its expansion into full engine design and production, and the upcoming Tulsa facility that will help ease one of the industry’s biggest choke points. Learn more about Agile Space Industries: https://agilespaceindustries.com/Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/bookTo nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits back down with Seth Levine—Founding Partner at Foundry Group—for part two of their conversation, diving deep into the experiences that shaped his path from telecom dealmaker to one of Colorado’s most influential venture capitalists.Seth takes us back to his early days on Wall Street, grinding through 100-hour weeks at Morgan Stanley during the telecom boom. He recounts witnessing the rise and collapse of competitive carriers, navigating chaotic boardrooms, issuing high-yield debt in a market racing toward overcapacity, and learning the craft of business inside an industry on the brink.Dan and Seth also revisit the origins of Foundry Group, the unlikely formation of the four-person partnership, and how Brad Feld’s mentorship and generosity influenced Seth’s approach to founders, community-building, and leadership. They unpack what it really takes to be a founder, why comfort with the unknown is a superpower, and how Seth is now thinking about the next chapter of his career.Check out Seth Levine and Elizabeth MacBride's new book: Capital Evolution: https://www.amazon.com/Capital-Evolution-New-American-Economy/dp/1637747780Learn more about Foundry: https://foundry.vc/⁠Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/bookListen to Dan's Song Stretch: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/dancaruso/stretchCheck out music by Jason Mendelson (Jace Allen): https://www.youtube.com/@jaceallen To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Boulder artist Will Day, whose unlikely path from architecture to painting began in the middle of the 2008 financial collapse.Will talks about losing his job, moving his family to Boulder, and slowly building an art practice from a basement with no roadmap and no guarantee it would work. He shares the early challenges—financial strain, uncertainty at home, and the pressure of trying to build a creative career while raising two young kids.Dan and Will discuss how Boulder shaped his development as an artist, why Black Lab Studios became the right environment for his work, and what it means to create during times of disruption. Will breaks down his process of painting on raw canvas, working across multiple pieces at once, and allowing intuition rather than rigid planning to guide each piece.The conversation also touches on Boulder’s evolving arts scene, the impact of events like the Sundance Film Festival and Boulder Roots Music Fest, and the role of community in helping local artists gain visibility.Learn more about Will’s work: https://www.willdayart.comOrder Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/bookListen to Dan's Song Stretch: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/dancaruso/stretchCheck out music by Jason Mendelson (Jace Allen): https://www.youtube.com/@jaceallen To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan Caruso sits down with David Prichard — CEO of Denver Ventures — for a conversation about conviction, community, and the evolution of Colorado’s venture capital ecosystem.David shares how his unconventional path—from skipping college to leading sales teams before 25—set the stage for his work building one of Colorado’s most active investment platforms. He and Dan dig into how Denver Ventures grew out of the local Denver Angels network, why the best investors look beyond markets to the people behind them, and how “Founder DNA” traits like self-awareness, adaptability, and resilience determine who survives the toughest cycles.The two explore why 2025 could mark a defining vintage year for venture capital, how Colorado is emerging as a national leader in hard tech, quantum, and AI, and what happens when founders and investors truly align around long-term conviction. David also opens up about his early life, the lessons learned from failure, and his belief that great companies start with great people—not perfect plans.Learn more about Denver Ventures: https://denverventures.co/Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/bookListen to Dan's Song Stretch: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/dancaruso/stretchCheck out music by Jason Mendelson (Jace Allen): https://www.youtube.com/@jaceallen To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Dr. Bill Blanchet — a Boulder-based physician whose open-minded approach to medicine led him on an unlikely journey from Colorado to Cuba.Dr. Blanchet shares how a patient’s battle with stage-four cancer sparked his exploration into Cuba’s surprising leadership in biopharmaceutical innovation — from advanced cancer immunotherapies to a groundbreaking nasal treatment showing remarkable results against dementia.He and Dan discuss how decades of investment in Cuban medical research have produced world-class breakthroughs despite political isolation, and why these discoveries could reshape the global approach to diseases once thought untreatable. They also examine the obstacles created by U.S. embargo policies, the promise of new clinical trials now involving American patients, and the potential for collaboration between Cuban and U.S. researchers.Learn more about La Pradera International Health Center: https://www.cubameds.com/lappraderaOrder Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/bookListen to Dan's Song Stretch: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/dancaruso/stretchCheck out music by Jason Mendelson (Jace Allen): https://www.youtube.com/@jaceallen To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan Caruso sits down with Mike Wussow and Alina Nisenzon — the husband-and-wife team behind Poppins Payroll, a household payroll platform born from their own parenting frustrations.Mike and Alina share how a simple need to legally pay their nanny exposed a broken system — one that forced families into small-business-level compliance just to hire care help. What began as a side project quickly evolved into a nationwide solution, built from their living room while both maintained demanding careers. They walk through the realities of creating a tech-enabled service business from scratch, the 60-hour tax maze that inspired their mission, and how their legal backgrounds unexpectedly became their superpower.As COVID upended work and family life, Poppins found itself at the center of a new wave of household employment — tripling its user base as families sought reliable, compliant payroll tools. Mike and Alina reflect on scaling through that surge, maintaining white-glove customer service in a high-trust category, and building a culture that prized integrity as much as innovation.This conversation was recorded a year ago, just before that pivotal investment — and we’re thrilled to finally share the full story of how persistence, partnership, and purpose turned a household headache into a national success story.Learn more about Poppins Payroll: poppinspayroll.comOrder Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/bookTo nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Brad Feld—venture capitalist, author, and longtime Colorado ecosystem builder—for a candid conversation about innovation, acceleration, and the future that’s already here.They dive into the implications for leaders, educators, and policymakers, exploring why access and experiential learning will determine who thrives in the years ahead. Dan introduces his idea of the “super professional,” and Brad expands on how critical thinking and curiosity—not fear—will separate those who lead from those who get left behind.The conversation moves from macro to deeply personal as Brad shares how he’s applying these ideas in his own life and work. He reflects on the Give First philosophy that shaped Techstars and Foundry Group, the power of mentorship, and why giving without expectation remains his guiding principle in an age defined by exponential change.Learn more about Foundry: https://foundry.vc/Buy Brad's Book "Give First: The Power of Mentorship": https://a.co/d/jhC1JBKOrder Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/bookTo nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Pat Lynch—Executive Managing Director of CBRE Data Center Solutions—for a deep dive into the evolution of digital infrastructure and the lessons learned from three decades in the industry.Pat recounts his path from MFS Communications and Level 3 to leading CBRE’s global data center platform, reflecting on how real estate, fiber, and connectivity became the backbone of the modern economy. He and Dan revisit the bandwidth boom and bust—an era of massive ambition, market collapse, and gritty reinvention—and share stories from the front lines, including Level 3’s survival years, the “Mondo Condo” build-outs, and turning crisis into strategy.Now at the helm of CBRE’s worldwide data center business, Pat connects the dots between those early telecom battles and the AI-driven expansion reshaping infrastructure today. He and Dan explore how power constraints, quantum computing, and edge AI are redefining what it means to build for the future—and why discipline, trust, and curiosity still matter most.Learn more about CBRE: https://www.cbre.com/Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/bookTo nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan Caruso sits down with Dave Schaeffer—Founder and CEO of Cogent Communications—for Part Two of their conversation.This time, Dave takes us deep inside the chaos of the early 2000s telecom collapse—when companies were vanishing overnight and billions in fiber lay stranded underground. He reveals how Cogent turned crisis into opportunity, buying distressed networks like PSI Net and LambdaNet for pennies on the dollar and stitching them into one of the most efficient global backbones ever built.Dave and Dan unpack how Cogent’s “focus or fail” strategy defied industry dogma—selling only internet, targeting only high-density buildings, and rejecting the temptation to chase shiny new products. Dave breaks down the math of return on invested capital, the brutal discipline behind saying no to most deals, and why keeping a pure network architecture was key to long-term dominance.It’s a front-row seat to the stories of the post-crash telecom—and a rare look at the mindset of one of the most relentless dealmakers in digital infrastructure.Learn more about Cogent Communications: https://cogentco.com/en/Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: ⁠dan-caruso.com/book⁠To nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan Caruso sits down with Nick Forster — Founder & Host of eTown — for an intimate look at how music, community, and purpose have intertwined throughout Colorado’s creative evolution.Nick recounts hitchhiking to Colorado as a teenager in the 1970s, stumbling into Boulder’s live music scene, and helping define it through his work at the Denver Folklore Center and the formation of the bluegrass band Hot Rize. From late-night gigs at the Colorado Coal Company to international tours and a Bluegrass Hall of Fame induction, Nick’s journey traces the heart of Boulder’s musical DNA.He shares how a tour through Europe ultimately inspired the creation of eTown, a nationally syndicated show built on connection, sustainability, and civic spirit. Nick and Dan discuss how eTown Hall became a solar-powered community hub, how the arts can revitalize local economies, and why Boulder must reinvest in its creative infrastructure.They also dig into the emerging Boulder Roots Music Festival, the impact of Sundance’s arrival, and how bringing artists, entrepreneurs, and audiences together can spark a new cultural renaissance on the Front Range.Learn more about eTown: https://www.etown.org/Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/bookTo nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan Caruso sits down with Bryan Dayton—award-winning bartender and restaurateur—for a conversation about cocktails, culture, and building Boulder’s dining scene.Bryan traces his start behind the bar at Juanita’s, how he sharpened his craft under Bobby Stuckey at Frasca, and the whirlwind that came with being named GQ’s Most Inspired Bartender. He shares stories from national cocktail competitions, including the drink that put him on the map, and how those experiences laid the groundwork for launching his own restaurants.They dive into the creation of Oak, Acorn’s role in shaping Denver’s RiNo neighborhood, and the vision behind Corrida, a Spanish-inspired rooftop chophouse with one of the best views in Boulder. Bryan also discusses the philosophy behind his cocktail programs and the opening of new concepts like C Bar and C Burger.Dan and Bryan explore how food and culture intersect in Boulder—from the mentorship ecosystem that grew out of Frasca, to the city’s evolving identity, and what the arrival of Sundance could mean for the local community.Learn more about Half-Eaten Cookie Hospitality: https://www.halfeatencookie.com/Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/bookTo nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Horace Zona—longtime investment banker and now Managing Director at DigitalBridge—for a wide-ranging conversation on dealmaking, discipline, and the evolution of digital infrastructure.Horace recounts his front-row seat to some of the industry’s most pivotal transactions, from AboveNet and RCN to Zayo’s rise, and the hard-earned lessons behind them. He shares why price discovery is both art and science, how curiosity shaped his career, and what really went down in boardrooms and dinners that nearly derailed deals.They dig into the financial chess match of buying fiber in the wake of the telecom crash, the strategic tensions with rival bidders, and how relationships with investors like Charlesbank and Providence shaped outcomes. Horace also opens up about career milestones and explains why today’s AI, quantum, and robotics revolutions remind him of the late ’90s infrastructure boom.Learn more about DigitalBridge: https://www.digitalbridge.com/Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/bookTo nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com

In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan Caruso sits down with Seth Levine—co-founder and Partner of Foundry and one of the architects behind Colorado’s modern venture landscape—for a special live recording.Seth shares his path from the telecom trenches of the 1990s into venture capital, and how mentors and early investors shaped his view of what community-driven entrepreneurship could look like. He recounts the shaky years after the dot-com bust, when many firms disappeared, and how a new wave of collaboration led to the birth of Foundry and Techstars.Seth also draws parallels between past downturns and today’s market reset, offering candid thoughts on valuations, timing, and the cycles that keep reshaping venture.Looking ahead, Dan and Seth explore where the next breakthroughs will come from: defense tech, advanced energy, quantum, and Colorado’s unique role in space. They examine the delicate balance between homegrown capital and outside investment, and how regulation could either fuel or hinder the state’s momentum in AI.Learn more about Foundry: https://foundry.vc/Order Dan’s Book – Bandwidth: The Untold Story of Ambition, Deception, and Innovation that Shaped the Internet Age and Dot-Com Boom: dan-caruso.com/bookTo nominate a founder or yourself as a future guest speaker, email: contact@loudbearproductions.com