The Hardtech Podcast

In this episode of The Hardtech Podcast, we sit down with Andy Ording, former CEO of Zipp Wheels, now co-founder of Fundraiser Capital. Andy shares the wild ride of building Zipp into a world-class brand, navigating the brutal carbon wheel wars of the '90s, and bootstrapping through near-failure to a successful exit to SRAM in 2007. The conversation dives into the realities of hardtech entrepreneurship, what makes a founder truly coachable, and why people, not just ideas, are the foundation of any great company. Andy also offers insight into his current role investing in micromobility and what he looks for in founders building the next generation of physical products. Special Guest: Andy Ording.

In this episode, we dive into how AI is fundamentally changing the landscape of software and product development. From accelerating engineering workflows to raising the bar for junior developers, AI is both a powerful tool and a potential pitfall. Our guest shares hard-earned insights on why you still need to be the boss when working with AI, and how unchecked automation can lead to a flood of low-quality output. We explore the importance of human verification, the dynamics of high-performing teams, and why customer satisfaction still defines success in service businesses. As AI democratizes engineering and reshapes what’s possible, the conversation turns to navigating security challenges and finding the balance between speed, innovation, and quality. Whether you’re building with AI or just learning how to lead in this new era, this episode brings sharp takes and practical advice for staying ahead. Special Guest: Troy Kelly.

Eric, DeAndre, and Grant discuss the importance of social entrepreneurship, community impact, and the journey of building a sustainable business model. Eric shares insights on customer discovery, go-to-market strategies, and the role of conviction in entrepreneurship, emphasizing how genuine community involvement can lead to success in the startup world. Special Guest: Eric Roberson.

The discussion delves into the intricacies of investing in early-stage companies, highlighting the importance of having the right team, particularly separating scientific expertise from business leadership. It touches on the strategic decisions behind investment, including timing, regulatory de-risking, and product-market fit. The conversation emphasizes the importance of storytelling in early development and fundraising, understanding the specific needs of stakeholders, and aligning product development goals accordingly. Special Guest: Emily Atkinson.

In this episode, we explore the intricacies of custom development with experts from SEP (Software Engineering Professionals). Starting with a brief history of SEP, we delve into the challenges of hiring and retaining top talent, the evolution of project management methodologies, and the delicate balance of managing client expectations with project realities. We discuss innovative strategies for adapting to diverse client needs, the development of the "SEP Defaults" system, and the transition from pure engineering services to comprehensive product strategy. This episode provides valuable insights into handling unknowns, changing requirements, and future trends in the consulting industry. Special Guests: Raman Ohri and Zac Darnell.

0:00-1:08 - Intro 1:09-3:03 - The Start of Developertown 3:04-23:30 - Taking Equity for Services 23:31-32:05 - Pros and Cons of the Studio Model 32:06-36:44 - Sharing Risk as a Solution to Common Studio Pitfalls 36:45-39:11 - Software Development vs. Hardware Development 39:12-40:27 - Outro Special Guest: Mike Kelly.

In this episode of the Glasslab Podcast, we sit down with Dick Aderman of Boomerang Ventures to discuss his career path, his current role, and the differences between an accelerator and a venture studio. Special Guest: Dick Aderman.

On this episode of the Glasslab podcast, we speak with Dr. Patsy Brackin of Rose Hulman Institute of Technology about their unique and real-world-focused Engineering Design Program. Special Guests: Chase Strother and Dr. Patsy Brackin.

On this episode of Glasslabs, the Interns take over! Join Glassboard's Xtern Class of '23: Matthew Kane, Chase Strother and Alaina Wol as they talk about their experiences and what it's been like working with the team this summer. Special Guests: Alaina Wol, Chase Strother, and Matthew Kane.

On this episode of Glasslabs, we talk with Devon Campbell, Founder at Prodct Medical Device Advisory, about best practices early-stage founders can take when creating a new product and how companies like Product and Glassboard support their development. Special Guest: Devon Campbell.

On this episode of Glasslabs, we talk with Christie Johnson, Partner at Prodct Medical Device Advisory about the importance of quality, regulatory, and risk management when working in product development. Special Guest: Christie Johnson.

On this episode of Glasslabs, Elevate Ventures CEO Toph Day and Powderkeg CEO Matt Hunckler join us to discuss the convergence of innovation, community, and capital in the "Unvalley," aka the Midwest. Special Guests: Matt Hunckler and Toph Day.

In this episode, we talk to Mike Reynolds, the CEO of Innovatemap about how his career in SaaS allowed him to build a world-class digital design development company. Special Guest: Mike Reynolds.

In this episode, we talk with Nida Ansari from The Heritage Group and their Hard Tech Accelerator about how they support founders with resources and entrepreneurial mentors. Special Guest: Nida Ansari .

This week we talk with Emily Krueger, CEO of 16 Tech Innovation District about how Indianapolis is joining the growing innovation industry and the impact it will have on the city and businesses. Special Guest: Emily Krueger.

This week we talk with Cindy Belardo, CEO and Drew Jarvis, CMO of Sunny about how they went from a napkin sketch idea to launching Sunny Cup - a new period care product. Special Guests: Cindy Belardo and Drew Jarvis.

This week we talk with Nick Sturgeon, Founder and Executive Director of Indiana University Health's Medical Device Security Lab about the importance of cybersecurity and how to quantify your efforts against attacks. Special Guest: Nick Sturgeon .

This month we sat down with Mitch Gilbert, founder & CEO of OYA Femtech Apparel. We discuss the unique challenges of apparel product development and how transparency is helping OYA change the way people view athleisure clothing. Special Guest: Mitch Gilbert.

This month we sat down with Ben Wrightsman. Ben is the President & CEO of the Battery Innovation Center (BIC). We dive into the world of advanced battery technology and talk about the role competitive motorsports play in advancing battery technology. Special Guest: Ben Wrightsman.

This month we sat down with Jenny Fisher. Jenny is a Senior Innovation Guide at Roche Diagnostics, where she helps develop strategies to increase ideation and explore, evaluate, and introduce new innovation tools for early concept creation and prototyping. Special Guest: Jenny Fisher.