What do you do after helping grow a startup to 2,000 employees? For Jeff Erickson, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Forecastr, the answer was simple: help other founders do it better.

When Dr. Tatiana Fofanova made the leap from clinical research to entrepreneurship, she brought with her a personal understanding of the challenges faced by medical professionals and patients alike. Driven by her desire to solve those pain points, she and her co-founders started Koda Health. Koda empowers individuals to clearly express their healthcare wishes in a digital format that is integrated into their plan of care.

Join Aaron Barker, Partner at Michael Best, and Dr. Fofanova, CEO of Koda Health, for an inspiring conversation about the journey behind Koda’s creation. You’ll learn what it takes to turn vision into impact, combat stereotypes, raise funding, and be successful in the competitive world of entrepreneurship.

Deciding to retire from professional sports often comes with the question, “What’s next?” When Russell Shepard hung up his NFL jersey in 2020, his coach asked him about his plans. Shepard responded, “I’m about to go drive around a porta-potty truck.”

Fast forward to today, Shep Boys Waste Management has grown into a highly successful startup with a mission to provide clean restroom solutions for job sites, disaster relief, construction projects, festivals, and more.

When the businesses of the future are ready to take the next step in their growth, they often turn to venture capitalists or angel investors. On the coasts, eager investors may be just around the corner. For startups located in the Midwest, it can often be a little trickier to find support.

In this episode, we dive deep into the journeys of Mbiyimoh Ghogomu, co-founder and CEO of Tradeblock, and Chip Davis, Managing Partner of Ten X Labs. Discover how Mbiyimoh’s passion for sneakers led to the creation of Tradeblock, a revolutionary platform that allows collectors to trade their prized footwear and bond over collections, and to meeting Chip. Learn about the vision-turned-reality that makes Tradeblock a game-changer in the sneaker community. We also explore genesis of Ten X Labs, an Angel and pre-Seed fund dedicated to empowering first-time founders of color, with Chip. He shares how Ten X Labs is built on deep, trusting relationships with founders before they’re ready for investment, providing the expertise and capital needed to turn their visions into reality. Join us as Mbiyimoh and Chip discuss their backgrounds, the challenges overcome, and their commitment to fostering passion, innovation, and diversity in the startup ecosystem. Whether you’re a sneaker enthusiast, an aspiring entrepreneur, or someone interested in the world of venture capital, this episode is packed with inspiration.

Join us for an exciting deep dive into the world of AgTech in the seventh episode of our season, co-hosted by venture attorneys Galen Mason and Evan Lonergan. This week, we are thrilled to feature dynamic conversation with two pioneering voices in the AgTech space: Rob Schultz from Serra Ventures and Corbett Kull, founder of CamoAg.

Rob and Corbett share their unique perspectives as investor and startup founder, respectively. Rob delves into his journey into venture capital and the inspiration behind founding Serra Ventures, while Corbett discusses the genesis of CamoAg and his drive to innovate within the AgTech landscape. Together, they explore the latest trends in AgTech, highlighting the significance of this rapidly growing sector.

In this inspiring episode, venture attorneys David Morris and Evan Lonergan have an insightful dialogue with Keith Daniel and Tom Droege, founders of Resilient Ventures, a pioneering venture capital fund based in North Carolina, whom is dedicated to disrupting systemic economic injustice. We delve into their backgrounds and motivations, explore their unique investment thesis focused on African American founders, and discuss the significance of being selected as a North Carolina venture program partner by the U.S. Government. Discover the challenges and opportunities within the venture capital landscape for diverse entrepreneurs and fund managers as well as learn what makes North Carolina's entrepreneurial ecosystem stand out in comparison to other emerging markets. Join us for a compelling conversation about equity, opportunity, and transformative investments.

Dive into the heart of Wisconsin's burgeoning startup scene with Richelle Martin, the managing director of the Winnow Fund. In this episode, Richelle unveils the secrets behind the Winnow Fund's innovative strategy of empowering early-stage Wisconsin-based companies through a multitude of small investments .Join us as Richelle sheds light on the strengths and challenges of being a venture capitalist between the coasts, and how she leverages her network to catalyze the Wisconsin venture landscape.

In addition, Richelle shares invaluable insights that are bound to ignite your entrepreneurial spirit. Tune in to discover how a Wisconsin-based VC is reshaping the startup ecosystem and learn firsthand what it takes to thrive in the heart of America's heartland. Get ready to be inspired, informed, and empowered to seize the opportunities awaiting in Wisconsin's vibrant venture landscape!