Forging The Future with Chris Howard

AI for Good: How NVIDIA’s Thorsten Stremlau Is Transforming Life for People with Disabilities

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0000

NVIDIA systems architect Thorsten Stremlau sees “AI for good” as a way to restore core human abilities like communication, independence, and participation, especially for people with disabilities. Inspired by his work with Stephen Hawking and Peter Scott- Morgan, he’s helped build affordable, AI-powered tools from eye-gaze systems to personalized language models that run on everyday devices like smartphones. He contrasts these non-invasive solutions with brain-computer interfaces from companies like Neuralink, highlighting that while implants may unlock richer interaction in the future, today’s priority is scalable tech that already improves lives. He also explores how AI can support areas beyond ALS, including heart disease, PTSD, and mobility. At its core, his work is about using AI to create a more inclusive world where disability doesn’t mean disconnection.

🎧Episode Highlights

[01:24]: Thorsten’s early work with nonverbal disabled youth

[07:41]: AI restoring communication, autonomy, participation

[18:09]: Working with Stephen Hawking and Peter Scott-Morgan

[29:55]: Low-cost eye-gaze and circular-keyboard communication

[43:12]: Beyond ALS: speech, PTSD, AI prosthetics

🔑 Key Takeaways:

● AI for good is ultimately about restoring human agency, not just boosting efficiency. By focusing on communication, autonomy, and participation, AI systems can give people with disabilities the ability to express themselves, make choices, and engage with the world on their own terms, rather than being defined by their limitations.

● The most impactful assistive technologies are built on mainstream, affordable hardware instead of specialized, high-cost rigs. Eye-gaze interfaces, circular keyboards, personalized language models, and speech-decoding systems that run on laptops and smartphones dramatically expand access, making advanced assistive tech viable not just for a few patients in wealthy systems, but for millions of people worldwide.

● Non-invasive AI solutions are a powerful bridge to the future of human–computer interaction, even as brain–computer interfaces rapidly advance. By combining clever sensing (eyes, face, voice, heart rate, touch), behavior modeling, and personalized AI, we can already enable richer communication, calmer nervous systems, and more natural movement, laying the groundwork for a world where disability no longer means disconnection from work, creativity, or community.

👤 Guest Spotlight:

Thorsten Stremlau

Thorsten Stremlau is a Principal Systems Architect at NVIDIA and a technology leader focused on building next-generation computing platforms and customer-centered innovation. Previously with Lenovo and IBM, he holds 30+ patents and is widely recognized as a thought leader in platform security and advanced systems architecture, known for turning complex technical challenges into trusted, market-ready solutions.

Stay Connected:

● https://www.softeq.com

● https://www.linkedin.com/in/techris

● https://www.linkedin.com/in/thorsten-stremlau-247930

● https://www.nvidia.com

Stay inspired and ahead of the curve by subscribing to Forging the Future. Share your thoughts on this episode with the hashtag #ForgingTheFuture or tag us online!

The “SaaS-pocalypse” Is Here: Equipt.ai’s Amanpreet Kaur on How AI Is Rebuilding Software

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:02:00 -0000

Episode Summary:

Amanpreet Kaur, Chief AI and Technology Officer of Equipt.ai, breaks down the so-called “SaaS-pocalypse” and argues that SaaS isn’t dying, it’s evolving into smarter, AI-embedded systems of execution. Amanpreet explains how traditional SaaS created fragmentation and operational friction, and how Equipt.ai is rebuilding the stack by unifying workflows, data, and decision-making into a single AI-driven execution layer. Drawing from her experience in asset-heavy industries like energy, Aman shares how their platform replaces multiple disconnected tools while enabling real-time, guided operations from quote to cash. She also reflects on the early startup journey, from landing their first enterprise customer to navigating investor skepticism and refining their positioning. A key shift is undoubtedly taking place: the future belongs to agentic SaaS platforms that reduce human intervention and turn software into an active driver of business outcomes.

🎧 Episode Highlights

[02:09]: SaaS solved infrastructure but created fragmentation
[04:59]: “Dumb SaaS is dying:” AI-powered execution rises
[06:17]: Replacing 10-20 tools with one platform
[10:44]: AI as “steroids” for SaaS, not replacement
[14:38]: First enterprise client before having a product
[23:13]: Embedding AI across the full workflow

🔑 Key Takeaways:

The “SaaS-pocalypse” isn’t about SaaS disappearing, it’s about a shift from systems of record to systems of execution. Traditional SaaS created fragmented workflows and heavy reliance on human coordination, while AI-enabled platforms are now unifying data and driving real-time decisions directly within operations.
AI’s real value is not replacing software, but embedding intelligence into every layer of it. From automation and optimization to predictive insights, the winning approach is combining machine learning, simple automation, and context-aware AI to reduce manual work and enable more deterministic, reliable outcomes.
Startups that succeed in this shift will focus on solving real operational problems, not just adding AI for hype. Equipt.ai’s journey shows that deep industry understanding, clear pain points, and delivering immediate value to customers matter more than technology trends, especially when building trust and scaling from early enterprise clients.

👤 Guest Spotlight:
Amanpreet Kaur
Amanpreet Kaur is the co-founder as well as the Chief AI and Technology Officer of Equipt.ai, where she builds AI-powered operational platforms for asset-intensive industries. With a background in energy and industrial technology, she previously led the development and commercialization of digital solutions, including enterprise-scale platforms and digital twin systems. Kaur brings deep domain expertise and a product-first mindset to redefining how businesses move from fragmented SaaS tools to AI-driven systems of execution.

Stay Connected:

Stay inspired and ahead of the curve by subscribing to Forging the Future. Share your thoughts on this episode with the hashtag #ForgingTheFuture or tag us online!

What If AI Worked More Like the Human Brain? ft. Chris Eliasmith of Applied Brain Research

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0000

At CES 2026, we sat down with Chris Eliasmith, CTO of Applied Brain Research, to discuss how brain-inspired AI is enabling fast, low-power voice interfaces that run directly on edge devices. Drawing on research modeling the hippocampus, his team developed new neural network architectures that significantly improve efficiency and accuracy for tasks like speech recognition and text to speech. These advances allow devices such as AR glasses, robots, and wearables to respond to voice commands in under 300 milliseconds, creating interactions that feel natural and conversational. Eliasmith also explains the tradeoffs between model size, accuracy, and power consumption, and how running AI at the edge can reduce costs and reliance on the cloud. He ultimately envisions a future where complete AI agents run locally on small devices, making technology simpler and more accessible for everyday users.

🎧 Episode Highlights:

●[01:59]: Introducing ultra-low-power voice AI at the edge

●[03:27]: Why 300ms latency is critical for natural conversations

●[09:06]: Brain-inspired neural networks modeled after the hippocampus

●[15:02]: Tiny AI chips for AR glasses, robotics, and wearables

●[20:25]: Cutting cloud costs with local speech processing

●[27:54]: The future of full AI agents running at the edge

🔑 Key Takeaways:

● By modeling neural networks after how parts of the brain like the hippocampus process time-based information, researchers can build AI systems that achieve higher accuracy with far fewer parameters. This approach allows models to process speech and other signals more efficiently, making advanced AI practical even on small, resource-constrained devices.

● For voice interfaces to feel natural, responses must happen within roughly 300 milliseconds, the same timing humans expect in conversation. Designing AI systems that meet this latency requirement changes how models are built and deployed, pushing developers to prioritize real-time performance rather than relying on slower cloud-based processing.

● Low-power AI that operates directly on devices reduces reliance on internet connectivity, lowers operational costs, and improves responsiveness. As models become efficient enough to run locally, entire AI agents could operate on wearables, robotics platforms, and AR devices, simplifying technology and making intelligent interfaces accessible to more users.

👤 Guest Spotlight:

Chris Eliasmith

Chris Eliasmith is the Director of the Centre for Theoretical Neuroscience at the University of Waterloo and holds the Canada Research Chair in Theoretical Neuroscience. He is also the CTO and co-founder of Applied Brain Research, where he works on low-power AI technologies for machine learning, robotics, and edge

computing. Eliasmith is the co-inventor of the Neural Engineering Framework, the Nengo software platform, and the Semantic Pointer Architecture, and is the author of How to Build a Brain (Oxford University Press) and Neural Engineering (MIT Press).

Stay Connected:

●https://www.softeq.com/

●https://www.linkedin.com/in/techris/

●https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-eliasmith/

●https://www.linkedin.com/company/applied-brain-research/

The Race to Ultra-Efficient, Low-Power AI with Edge Impulse and Nordic Semiconductor

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 18:50:00 -0000

At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, Brandon Shibley of Edge Impulse and Thomas Soderholm of Nordic Semiconductor join Chris to explore the exciting shift of AI from the cloud to the edge. Brandon shares how streamlined, low power machine learning models are unlocking new possibilities in health wearables, industrial inspection, and agriculture by bringing fast, responsive intelligence directly onto devices. Thomas highlights how Nordic’s latest ultra low power chips with built-in neural processing are making this next wave of innovation possible. Together, they paint an optimistic picture of AI that is faster, smarter, and more accessible, running right where data is created.

🎧 Episode Highlights

●[01:02]: Why AI is moving from cloud to edge

●[08:08]: Wearables and health monitoring on-device

●[11:08]: Industrial and agricultural vision at the edge

●[22:25]: Bluetooth Low Energy and ultra low power design

●[28:02]: New Nordic chips with built-in neural processing

🔑 Key Takeaways:

●Edge AI is about efficiency, not scale for the sake of it. Smaller, purpose-built models running directly on devices can reduce latency, preserve privacy, and dramatically lower power consumption while still delivering high impact outcomes in health, agriculture, and industrial settings.

●Hardware innovation is unlocking the next wave of on-device intelligence. Ultra low power chips with integrated neural processing units and advanced Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity make it possible to run meaningful machine learning workloads on wearables and battery-driven products.

●The future of AI is distributed by design. Instead of relying entirely on massive cloud models, intelligence will live closer to where data is created, balancing performance, cost, and connectivity to create scalable and practical real world solutions.

👤 Guest Spotlight:

Brandon Shibley

Brandon Shibley is a Founder at Edge Delivery and Senior Staff Engineer at Edge Impulse, a Qualcomm company, where he helps developers and enterprises build and deploy machine learning models on edge devices. With a background spanning CTO, founder, and innovation leadership roles, he has led full-stack IoT and edge computing strategies across industrial, robotics, and embedded systems markets. Brandon specializes in bringing intelligent software closer to the physical world, enabling scalable, low power AI solutions that run directly on devices.

Thomas Soderholm

Thomas Soderholm is the Vice President of Business Development at Nordic Semiconductor, where he helps drive the company’s strategy in ultra low power wireless connectivity and edge AI. With deep roots in Bluetooth Low Energy innovation, he works at the intersection of hardware, software, and connectivity to enable smarter battery-driven devices. Thomas focuses on advancing integrated solutions that bring efficient machine learning and secure connectivity to wearables and connected products worldwide.

Stay Connected:

●https://www.softeq.com/

●https://www.linkedin.com/in/techris/

●https://www.linkedin.com/in/shibley

●https://www.linkedin.com/company/nordic-semiconductor/

Stay inspired and ahead of the curve by subscribing to Forging the Future. Share your thoughts on this episode with the hashtag #ForgingTheFuture or tag us online!

AI Beyond Chatbots: 3 Experts on Edge, Robotics, and Real Impact

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0000

This special CES 2026 episode brings together Pete Bernard (EDGE AI FOUNDATION), Pankaj Kedia (2468 Ventures), and Hank Crawford (Blue Collar Robotics) to explore how AI is moving from theory into everyday use. From cameraless sensing to edge-powered devices that listen, measure, and respond in real time, it’s clear that AI is becoming embedded in our everyday lives. Pete, Pankaj, and Hank all share one common goal: to have AI to solve real problems and simplify life at scale. For Pete, that means building collaborative edge AI ecosystems that work reliably outside the cloud. For Pankaj, it’s unlocking applied AI that delivers real ROI in the healthcare, education, and automotive industries. And for Hank, it’s rethinking grocery shopping by using virtually controlled robotics to tackle labor shortages without replacing people. The future of AI isn’t abstract or far off, it’s already at work in the real world.

🎧 Episode Highlights

● [01:15] Why Edge AI is bigger than TinyML and how physical, generative, and agentic AI are converging

● [04:36] Cameraless AI: using signals and radio waves to sense environments without cameras

● [16:52] Why AI shouldn’t just match human performance but exceed it in safety-critical systems like self-driving and robotics

● [27:47] Applied AI as the real ROI driver across healthcare, education, and mobility

●[39:38] How human-in-the-loop robotics for grocery fulfillment provides global labor opportunities

🔑 Key Takeaways:

● The most impactful AI isn’t happening in massive data centers, it’s happening where systems can sense, interpret, and act in real time. From cameraless perception to signal-based sensing, edge AI enables intelligence in environments where latency, privacy, and connectivity matter most.

● AI must outperform humans in safety-critical systems to matter. Matching human performance isn’t enough when lives, health, or infrastructure are at stake. Whether in autonomous driving, healthcare triage, or robotics, the bar for AI is being meaningfully safer, more consistent, and more reliable than human decision-making.

● The most scalable AI systems don’t replace people, they amplify them. Human-in-the-loop robotics and applied AI models solve labor shortages, unlock global talent, and improve productivity while preserving human judgment, accountability, and trust.

👤 Guest Spotlight:

Pete Bernard
Pete Bernard is Executive Director of the EDGE AI FOUNDATION, advancing the development and adoption of edge AI across industries. With a background in embedded systems and machine learning, he focuses on building collaborative ecosystems that bring physical, generative, and agentic AI out of the cloud and into real-world deployment. He is known for translating complex technical shifts into practical frameworks that enable reliable, scalable AI at the edge.

Pankaj Kedia
Pankaj Kedia is Managing Partner at 2468 Ventures, investing in AI, robotics, autonomy, and applied technology. He backs companies delivering measurable ROI across healthcare, education, mobility, and industrial sectors, with a focus on systems that outperform humans in safety-critical and high-impact environments.

Hank Crawford
Hank Crawford is Founder of Blue Collar Robotics, developing human-in-the-loop robotic systems to address labor shortages. His work centers on remotely operated, task-specific robots that augment workers, beginning with grocery fulfillment and expanding into broader physical industries.

Connect with Pete:

Connect with Pankaj:

Connect with Hank:

Connect with Chris:

Explore past episodes: ftf.show

Learn about Softeq: softeq.com

Stay inspired and ahead of the curve by subscribing to Forging the Future. Share your thoughts on this episode with the hashtag #ForgingTheFuture or tag us online!

Is The Smart Home Getting an Upgrade? Inside Amazon’s Push Toward Agentic AI

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 17:13:00 -0000

At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, Olivier Bernard of Amazon sits down with Chris to talk about how IoT has evolved from simple device connectivity into intelligent tools, essentially becoming our “second brains.” He breaks down why many companies walked away from the IoT space, pointing to thin margins and limited standalone value, while Amazon found success by embedding IoT into a broader cloud ecosystem that includes data storage, machine learning, and agentic AI. Olivier shares his vision of the “invisible home,” where AI-powered devices configure, automate, and optimize how we live. In the end, he explains how the convergence of IoT and agentic AI turns dormant device data into actionable insights, delivering real ROI for both consumers and enterprises.

🎧 Episode Highlights

● [01:25]: Olivier Bernard introduces AWS IoT and smart home ecosystem

● [04:00]: Why many companies exited the IoT market and how Amazon survived

● [9:59]: The plateau of smart devices becoming a plug-and-play feature for homes

● [13:55]: The future of the “invisible home” and automated routines

● [32:36]: AWS re:Invent: Announcing new smart and generative AI devices

🔑 Key Takeaways:

● IoT only matters when it’s connected to outcomes. On its own, device

connectivity produces cost and complexity, not value. When paired with AI and cloud infrastructure, IoT data becomes usable intelligence, driving better product decisions, operational efficiency, and customer experience.

● Agentic AI is the turning point for smart homes. Moving away from manual setup and rigid commands toward systems that understand context and adjust on their own removes the friction that held smart homes back. This kind of “invisible” automation is what finally makes smart homes accessible to everyone, not just early adopters.

● The real opportunity is distributed intelligence with measurable ROI. Placing AI across devices, edge, and cloud, while respecting latency, privacy, and trust, turns AI from experimentation into a durable business capability that scales across consumer and enterprise use cases.

👤 Guest Spotlight:

Olivier Bernard

Olivier Bernard is the Worldwide Go-To-Market Lead for AWS IoT Services at Amazon, where he connects customer needs, technology opportunity, and business strategy across the global IoT and edge ecosystem. He brings deep experience executing at scale across IoT, M2M, automotive, and connected-device platforms. Bernard blends engineering discipline with business leadership to turn emerging technologies into practical applications that open new markets and deliver measurable impact.

Connect with Oliver: ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/ojbernard⁠

Connect with Chris: ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/techris⁠

Explore past episodes: ⁠Forging the Future Episodes⁠

Learn about Softeq: ⁠softeq.com

Stay inspired and ahead of the curve by subscribing to Forging the Future. Share your thoughts on this episode with the hashtag #ForgingTheFuture or tag us online!

90% of Startups Fail… Hello Alice Aims to Help Startups Survive and Thrive

Thu, 22 May 2025 10:00:00 -0000

90% of startups fail. Not from lack of ideas, but lack of funding for small businesses. Access to capital can make or break success, yet traditional funding still favors the few. What if technology could level the playing field, giving every entrepreneur a fair shot at business readiness? Kelsey Ruger, Chief Product & Technology Officer, helped build Hello Alice, a free online platform that helps businesses launch and grow, to remove barriers and give small businesses the tools they need to not only survive, but thrive.

🎧 Episode Highlights

[00:00] Podcast Begins
[01:58] Struggles of a Small Business: Breaking down barriers to startup success
[07:26] Evolution of Business Readiness: Scaling business advising with AI expertise
[11:10] What About Data? How Hello Alice improves with business health data
[17:31] Lessons Learned in Scaling: Prioritizing the leadership gap in startups
[19:35] What’s Next for Hello Alice? Refining AI & understanding customer needs

🔑 Key Takeaways

All About Access: “It became very clear that access to funding really is about access to the entire network of things that you need as an entrepreneur.” Kelsey doesn’t shy away from the harsh reality of business and the barriers that keep entrepreneurs struggling; access to capital and lack of network support halts businesses in their tracks.
Approaching the Leadership Gap: “The main thing you need as a business owner is good leadership skill, because so much of it is influencing other people.” As Hello Alice has scaled, Kelsey has realized that capital access is one barrier, while strong leadership and culture is another barrier impacting small businesses.
AI Advice for Automated Tasks: “Honestly, my advice to our small business owners is to become really comfortable with AI because when you look at most of the time we spend in business, a lot of it could be automated.” When looking towards what’s next, Kelsey says Hello Alice will be refining AI tools to address increasing customer needs.

👤 Guest Spotlight

Kelsey Ruger:

Kelsey Ruger designs better businesses and experiences at the intersection of product, technology, marketing, and leadership. As Chief Product and Technology Officer at Hello Alice, Kelsey leads initiatives that connect small businesses with capital and opportunities, serving over 1.5 million entrepreneurs through our Business Health Engine and community platform.

Kelsey’s approach combines human-centered design with strategic thinking to create solutions that work for real people. This has shaped successful products and programs at Hello Alice, where they're focused on equitable access to capital and resources for diverse entrepreneurs.

Connect with Kelsey:

LinkedIn: Kelsey Ruger

Websites: Hello Alice | helloalice.com

🌟 Resources & Links

Explore past episodes: Forging the Future Episodes
Learn about Softeq: softeq.com

Stay inspired and ahead of the curve by subscribing to Forging the Future. Share your thoughts on this episode with the hashtag #ForgingTheFuture or tag us online!

Is The Metaverse Dead? Dauntless XR CEO Talks Extended Reality’s Next Big Break

Thu, 08 May 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Extended reality isn't just for gaming; it's changing how we train, fight and explore space. Tech buzzwords like XR and the Metaverse have left many skeptical, but while consumer hype fizzles, industries like defense and aerospace are pushing XR to the next level training soldiers, simulating missions and preparing for deep space travel. Working with NASA and the Air Force has shown us XR can solve real world problems, not just create digital playgrounds. Lori-Lee Elliot, Co-Founder and CEO of Dauntless XR, helps us explore a brand new reality.

🎧 Episode Highlights

[00:00] Podcast Begins
[02:18] Technology Gaps & Too Much Paper: What inspired the launch of Dauntless XR?
[07:37] Hardware Headache? Complex headsets make mass adoption of XR hard
[11:12] Aerospace & Defense: Familiar training tools lead to increased tech interest
[18:52] Government Contract Essentials! How Dauntless XR entered the contract space
[23:32] Stall or Breakthrough? What’s next for the metaverse
[28:38] Immersive Tech’s Next 5 Years: Learn what’s on the horizon for XR, VR & AR

🔑 Key Takeaways

“We started off assuming that the technology we were building was going to be for oil and gas, industrial construction, engineering, but the universe had other plans,” Lori-Lee explains, talking about the construction engineering inspiration behind Dauntless XR. “If we could just see all of this technical data available to you hands free, we could do all this work so much faster.”
“I think the industry underestimated how comfortable and unobtrusive a headset is going to have to be to see mass adoption,” Lori-Lee admits, pointing out the barriers to virtual reality being used outside of certain industries. “We’re starting to see more and more smart glasses style headsets come around, but it’s not fully immersive virtual reality.”
“I don’t think the metaverse is dead, but I do think it’s growing in places people aren’t necessarily interested in looking,” Lori-Lee says, joking that the metaverse and related technology isn’t always as “sexy” as people think. “[We’re not] going to be living in this virtual world, it’s like, here’s how to do a training scenario with hyper realism.”

👤 Guest Spotlight

Lori-Lee Elliot

Lori-Lee Elliot is a tech founder, web3 advisor, futurist, speaker, former journalist and YouTuber building technology that allows people to unlock their full potential and solve problems that only humans can tackle.

As the co-founder & CEO of Dauntless XR, Lori-Lee leads a world class team to build and launch two XR apps - Katana XR and Aura. Dauntless XR has worked with companies like Magic Leap and Microsoft to serve customers, including the US Air Force, Navy and NASA, as well as private aviation and space companies.

Connect with Lori-Lee:

LinkedIn: Lori-Lee Elliot

Websites: Dauntless XR | dauntlessxr.com

🌟 Resources & Links

SBIR/STTR Proposal Resources: www.intrepidgovproposals.com
Explore past episodes: Forging the Future Episodes
Learn about Softeq: softeq.com

Stay inspired and ahead of the curve by subscribing to Forging the Future. Share your thoughts on this episode with the hashtag #ForgingTheFuture or tag us online!

Energy Transition is a Breeze: Aeromine Brings Wind Turbines to Urban Areas

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Wind energy has the potential to power the world, but only if we rethink how we harness it. Traditional wind turbines are massive, expensive and require vast open spaces. Cities, factories and commercial buildings have been left out of the clean energy revolution, but what if we could bring wind power directly to where it's needed without massive turbines? Dr. Carsten Westergaard, Founder and CTO of Aeromine Technologies, is ready to discuss a new future for wind energy.

🎧 Episode Highlights

[00:00] Podcast Begins
[01:02] Why is Wind Energy Struggling? Urban wind tackles size solutions
[06:03] Aeromine vs Traditional Wind: When wind energy meets commercial spaces
[10:50] What’s the ROI? Wind turbines prove their worth in the energy revolution
[13:15] Early Inspiration for Aeromine: A Texas Tech University origin story
[17:49] Wind & Solar Working Together? Coexisting in the energy transition space
[26:06] Wide Adoption for Energy Impact: What it takes to impact carbon emissions

🔑 Key Takeaways

Texas, a Wind Energy Capital? “Nobody knows Texas has a lot of wind energy, everybody thinks it’s in California,” Carsten jokes, poking holes in the misconception that Texas is only oil and gas powered. “[Texas] has the space for it, we have the need for more power, and it’s actually a cheap solution if you invest in the infrastructure.”
What Makes Aeromine Work? “We haven’t used any exotic parts or anything, we’re using an industrial fan that’s designed a little bit differently,” Carsten explains. Urban wind solutions require smaller moving parts to avoid excessive noise and movement.
Can Wind & Solar Coexist? “Space-wise, we can be there together, we can coexist,” Carsten says, explaining how wind and solar energy can be used in the same locations to impact energy. “Seasonally, they compliment each other. It balances out to two systems of equal energy provision.”

👤 Guest Spotlight

Carsten Westergaard:

Dr. Carsten H. Westergaard is the Founder and CTO of Aeromine Technologies. Dr. Westergaard has 30 years of international industrial experience in wind energy R&D and product development with some of the largest wind companies in the world including LM Wind Power and Vestas Wind Systems. He has participated in innovative projects building and testing utility scale wind turbines with leading companies as well as research projects with leading organizations, such as the Danish Technical University and Sandia National Laboratories.

Dr. Westergaard formulated Aeromine’s patented technology during his tenure as Professor of Practice at Texas Tech University, where he taught wind energy technology at a graduate level. He has served in numerous advisory board positions and chaired international reviews of large multi-year government research programs in several countries. He has been published in more than 100 publications and developed 30 patents/pending.

Connect with Carsten:

LinkedIn: Carsten Westergaard

Websites: Aeromine Technologies, Inc. | aerominetechnologies.com

🌟 Resources & Links

• Explore past episodes: https://www.ftf.show

• Learn about Softeq: https://www.softeq.com

Stay inspired and ahead of the curve by subscribing to Forging the Future. Share your thoughts on this episode with the hashtag #ForgingTheFuture or tag us online!

The Future of Heart Health is AI: Voythos Brings New Outcomes to Aortic Disease

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Every 36 seconds, someone in the United States dies from cardiovascular disease. Despite medical advancements, heart disease remains the leading cause of death. Traditional diagnostics react too late, and AI in healthcare often focuses on admin, not on life saving predictions. What if we could use AI to prevent complications before they happen? Enter Joe Makoid, Co-Founder and CEO at Voythos, who is using AI to predict life threatening complications for heart and aortic disease patients.

Your Brain on AI: DataJoint Uses Artificial Intelligence for Neuroscience Achievement with Dimitri Yatsenko

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 10:00:00 -0000

In neuroscience, the biggest bottleneck isn't discovery, it's data. Labs are drowning in massive data sets, yet most researchers still struggle with fragmented, outdated systems. What if there was a way to unify, simplify and accelerate breakthroughs? Crack the brain's data code and discover how AI and neuroscience collide with Dimitri Yatsenko, Chief Science and Technology Officer at DataJoint.

The Future of Humanoids: Could Robots Replace the Dwindling Industrial Workforce?

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 10:00:00 -0000

By 2030, robots could replace 20 million manufacturing jobs, from factories to undersea exploration. Robots aren’t replacing people, but are instead filling critical gaps in the workforce today. This week, Chris Howard sits down with Nicolaus Radford, Co-Founder and CEO of Persona AI. Persona AI is hiring talented engineers to help them put robot humanoids to work.

Tech in the New Energy Age: NOV’s David Reid Talks Robotics, AI, & Advanced Drilling

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 11:00:00 -0000

The energy industry is transforming faster than ever. Automation, AI, and advanced drilling technology are reshaping how we power the world, and leading this charge is David Reid, Chief Technology & Marketing Officer at NOV. For more than 150 years, NOV has delivered technology-driven solutions to empower the global energy industry.

High Risk Dive Into Deep Tech: Fathom Fund Breathes Life into Houston Tech Innovation

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Deep tech is getting a deeper diver in this week’s episode, when Chris Howard talks to Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Fathom Fund Paul Sheng. The risk of deep tech investments are high, but the potential to transform industries with this technology is even higher. Talking points include the good, bad and not-so-ugly of raising venture funds in Houston, the specific struggles of deep tech investing, and the future of Houston as a deep tech hub.

Chevron Technology Ventures: How Startups Catch Attention from Corporate Giants with Kemal Anbarci

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 11:00:00 -0000

What if the real key to solving global challenges isn't just about growing fast, but partnering smart? Chevron Technology Ventures is leading corporate innovation, investing in and collaborating with startups to drive lower carbon solutions, operational enhancement and digital transformation. But how does an early stage company catch the attention of a Fortune 100 giant? Kemal Anbarci, General Manager of Venture Capital at Chevron Technology Ventures, joins Chris Howard to break down how startups can successfully partner with corporations to drive innovation at scale.

Future of FinTech: Digital Wealth Innovations with Brassica & BitGo

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 23:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Chris Howard speaks with Youngro Lee, President of Brassica and Managing Director and Head of BitGo Asia. Talking points include democratizing capital, transitioning to digital wealth assets, and improving the quality of markets with increased access to investments and capital.

More Than Money: EQUILIBERTY Takes on Financial Inclusion & Capital Access with Phillip Yates

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 11:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Chris Howard speaks with Phillip Yates, CEO of EQUILIBERTY, about expanding financial inclusion and breaking down barriers to prosperity for innovators across industries. Talking points include focusing on key communities struggling with capital access, expanding impact as a convener of organizations, and looking ahead to increase EQUILIBERTY app usage.

Global Energy Transition: BP Ventures Principal Looks to the Future of Climate Tech

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Chris Howard meets with Grace Chan, Principal of BP Ventures, to discuss how to balance innovation, sustainability, and the demands of our climate during the global energy transition. Talking points include challenges in clean energy investment, geographic factors in climate technology, and the future of flex fuel and electric vehicles.

Can Tech Solve the Global Water Crisis? Feat. Steve Davis of GRUNDFOS

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Chris Howard talks about climate change and the global water crisis with Steve Davis, CTO of GRUNDFOS. Using energy efficient pumping technology, GRUNDFOS delivers drinking water, removes wastewater, or helps farmers water their crops all over the world. Talking points include sanitation and access in the water cycle, water scarcity and concerns in the Global South, and innovative technology solutions that could save our water sources.

Micro-Betting & Machine Learning: AI Meets Its Sports Tech Match at nVenue

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Chris Howard meets someone changing the game of live sports micro-betting. Introducing Kelly Pracht, Co-Founder and CEO of nVenue, an AI-powered micro-betting engine built for live sports. Talking points include leaving the corporate intrapreneurship world to take the startup red pill, the unique challenges and innovations of sports betting, and the future of AI and machine learning in sports tech.

AI on the Playing Field: Top AI Sports Tech Startup Weighs in with Scott Deans

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Chris Howard steps into a new world of sports technology with Scott Deans, Founder and CEO of BeONE Sports. At BeONE, Scott and his team are globalizing specialized AI training for athletes and coaches, offering real-time performance data and analysis. Talking points include AI-generated training insights, mobile devices versus wearable hardware, and the importance of BeONE’s winning team of former athletes.

Hiring, Networking, & Innovating: Navigating Startup Success with Gaurav Khandelwal,

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Chris Howard sits down with Gaurav Khandelwal, CEO of Velostics and Chairman of ChaiOne, to talk about being a multi-time founder and an instrumental member of the Houston startup ecosystem. Talking points include bootstrapping as a business owner in unlikely places, hiring practices for when top talent isn’t available, and innovating in the logistics industry.

What Makes a Startup Great? Investment Insights from a Mercury VC Heath Butler

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Chris Howard sits down with Heath Butler, Partner at Mercury Fund and host of the “Grow Slow to Grow Fast” podcast, to discuss Houston’s unique venture ecosystem and how investors evaluate startup success. Additional talking points include the type of founders Mercury invests in, Houston’s growing number of tech investment options, and where Mercury has set its sights with machine learning and AI.

Creating the Next Tech Hub: Former Compaq CEO Gives Back to Houston [Part 2]

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Compaq co-founder and former CEO Rod Canion joins the pod again this week to look forward through his departure from Compaq and towards a future of forging the tech ecosystem in Houston and beyond. Since leaving Compaq in 1991, Rod has been an inspiration for Houston founders and a prolific member of numerous groups, boards and organizations that have helped Texas become a thriving place for tech. Talking points include transitioning from founder to board member, creating opportunities with GOOSE Capital and the Houston Technology Center, and the importance of startup ecosystem persistence.

Former Compaq CEO Rod Canion On the Roadmap of Company Success [Part 1]

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Compaq’s legendary Co-founder and former CEO Rod Canion joins the pod this week to talk about how an uncertain career risk led to one of the fastest growing tech companies of the 1980s. Rod discusses the company’s earliest days in part 1 of this insightful interview, including Compaq’s rapid growth from $100 million in sales in its first year and to its $1 billion milestone by year 5. Talking points include raising $10 million in venture and achieving $100 million in sales, finding compatibility with IBM software, and securing Compaq’s continued success after Canion’s exit in 1991.

Chief Transformation Officers: Problem Solvers Filling a Niche Needed Role with Tamara Shaw

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 11:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Chris Howard sits down with Tamara Shaw, former Chief Transformation Officer at C1, to discuss the evolving role of Chief Transformation Officers (CTOs) and the challenges of integrating company culture during acquisitions. Talking points include managing offshore and global initiatives, the necessity of operational technology investments, and Tamara’s advice for aspiring future Transformation Officers.

New Generation Geothermal: The Future of Energy with Sage Geosystems’ Cindy Taff

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 11:00:00 -0000

A new generation of geothermal energy is here, and guest Cindy Taff, CEO of Sage Geosystems, is at the forefront of energy innovation. Sage Geosystems has developed proprietary geothermal technologies targeting lower surface temperatures which could reduce the cost of geothermal electricity production and increase adoption of geothermal around the world. Talking points include transitioning from a career in oil to alternative energy, working with Meta on geothermal energy storage, and notable innovations in the energy space worth keeping an eye on.

10 Principles for a Better Company: Creating an Infallible Workplace Culture with Justin Segal

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 11:00:00 -0000

This week’s guest has a lot of irons in the fire; meet Justin Segal, Co-Founder of Stemmons Enterprise, President at Boxer Property, and Co-Founder of Relay Human Cloud, who joins host Chris Howard to talk about workplace culture, from job hopping to AI usage. In each of his roles, Justin oversees strategy and provides important workplace solutions without compromising culture and collaboration. Talking points include empowering employees with AI instead of replacing them, retaining employees even in remote work environments, and the 10 principles that Justin uses every day.

AI in Space? New Tech from Cognitive Space Changes the Final Frontier with Guy de Carufel

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Forging the Future goes out of this world and into the great beyond in today’s episode, guest starring Guy de Carufel, Founder and CEO of Cognitive Space. Based in Houston, Cognitive Space brings an AI-SaaS solution for intelligent satellite automation to empower and enable the use of space. Talking points include space utilization as a national security concern, competitive pressure from China to enhance space tech, and the unique role AI automations can play in bettering space exploration.

Edge AI & Embedded Tech: Should You Believe the Hype?

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Embedded World 2024’s Best in Show winner, Beacon EmbeddedWorks, brings VP of Products Russ Stebner to the show this week. Beacon EmbeddedWorks is a full-service provider of embedded products for regulated markets like medical and aerospace, providing in-house manufacturing and support for innovative System on Modules (SoMs). Talking points include custom solutions for assistive technology, challenges for designing for aerospace projects, and unique innovations in wearable technology from at-home to on the front lines.

Analog & AI: Advanced Technology Experts Take on Embedded World 2024 feat. Jason Griffin, Aleksandr Timofeev, Weier Wan, & Martin Unverdorben

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Forging the Future goes on the road to Embedded World 2024 in Austin, Texas, to talk with 4 tech experts on key topics like advanced AI technology and intelligent product development. Chris is joined by Jason Griffin from Analog Devices, POLYN Technology CEO Aleksandr Timofeev, Weier Wan of AIZIP, and Martin Unverdorben at Tria. Talking points include integrating analog data with digital technology, understanding NASP essentials, developing small AI models, and improving efficiency in embedded computing with AI.

Open Source at Embedded World: Industry Experts Weigh In feat. Kate Stewart, Frederic Desbiens, & Gulroz Singh

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Forging the Future goes on the road to Embedded World 2024 in Austin, Texas, to talk with 3 tech experts on open source, embedded systems, and safety and security. Chris is joined by Kate Stewart from the Linux Foundation, Frederic Desbiens from the Eclipse Foundation, and Gulroz Singh from NXP semiconductors. Talking points include the Zephyr project, open source community building, and the future of self-driving cars.

AI Meets Arduino: Breaking Down Barriers in Tech for All with Guneet Bedi

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Forging the Future talks to Guneet Bedi, Senior VP and General Manager at Arduino, at Embedded World 2024 in Austin, Texas, in this week’s AI and electronics-focused episode. Arduino designs, manufactures, and supports electronic devices and software, allowing people around the world to easily access advanced technologies that interact with the physical world. Talking points include supporting Arduino’s 40 million global users, expanding into emerging geographical markets, and democratizing AI knowledge.

AI, Ethics, & the Future of Edge Computing: Meet the tinyML Foundation

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Artificial intelligence takes the mainstage at Embedded World 2024 and in this week’s episode with Pete Bernard, edge AI computing expert and Executive Director at tinyML Foundation. At tinyML, Pete helps nurture a community focused on low-power machine learning technologies at the very edge of the cloud with the most cutting-edge AI technologies, deep ties to academia, and investments in AI for Good and Responsible AI. Talking points include the rapid pace of technological change, the need for secure, responsible AI and the importance of user-friendly interfaces for AI adoption.

Essential Legal Advice for Startups with Hunton Andrews Kurth

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Forging the Future gets some legal help this week from Jeff Dodd, a Partner at Hunton Andrews Kurth (current sponsor of Forging the Future). With over 900 lawyers in the United States and around the world, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP serves clients across a broad range of complex transactional, litigation and regulatory matters. Talking points include when startups should seek legal advice, how emerging technology like AI can add complexities to legal systems, and what protections and considerations should be on the mind of startup founders and business owners.

Texas’ First Vertical Farm: How Moonflower Farms Hydroponics Might Save Us All with Federico Marques

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Can flowers bloom in space? Founder and CEO Federico Marques wants to make this happen by 2030. Federico’s company, Moonflower Farms, created the first indoor vertical farm in Texas and continues to innovate hydroponic growing through partnerships with local universities and NASA. In this week’s episode, talking points include the technology and challenges of hydroponic farming, the crisis of nutrition security in the US, and the role of bioregenerative technology in colonizing the moon.

Embrace the GRIND: The First Portable Rebound Machine with Thomas Fields

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Forging the Future takes it to the court in this week’s episode, featuring GRIND Founder and CEO Thomas Fields. GRIND is a consumer brand developing the world's first smart ecosystem of sports equipment products, starting with a portable basketball rebounding machine, and is focused on empowering athletes, trainers and coaches with affordable and innovative products. Talking points include experiencing Shark Tank as a first-time entrepreneur, helping the community at Houston’s annual GRIND Day event, and balancing hardware and software development as a founder to deliver on customer needs and meet demand.

Disrupting Financial Technology Betting on the Future of Bitcoin with John T. Perrone

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Cryptocurrency expert John T. Perrone joins the pod to talk about the future of finance and technology, sharing insights from his experience as CEO and founder of BitWallet, a leading company in the digital currency space. With a unique twist on his entrepreneurial journey, John also owns BitWallet Bet, a sports book, and brings a fresh perspective to the conversation. Having successfully navigated the tech industry, John discusses innovative approaches to cryptocurrency, gaming, and more, offering a glimpse into the next generation of financial technology. Talking points include the evolution of digital currency, disruptions in the gaming industry, and John's vision for the future of finance and tech.

Liu Idea Lab: Rice Brings Entrepreneurship Directly to Students with Kyle Judah

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Kyle Judah, Executive Director of Rice University's Liu Idea Lab for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Lilie), joins the pod to talk about launching world-changing startups. With a background in fostering startup ecosystems, Kyle is passionate about offering career-altering opportunities for the Rice University campus community to learn about innovation and entrepreneurship. Talking points include the Liu Idea Lab origin story, higher education embracing entrepreneurship, and pitfalls to avoid as a first-time entrepreneur.

The Future of Corporate Finance with Complete Intelligence's CEO Tony Nash

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Host Chris Howard is joined by Tony Nash, CEO and Founder of pioneering AI-powered financial forecasting company Complete Intelligence. Originally started as a hypothesis, Complete Intelligence automates the financial forecasting process to limit time spent manually budgeting. Talking points include financial forecasting automations that save time and money, the biggest debates around corporate AI usage, and advice for entrepreneurs seeking success in the Texas Triangle.

Outdoor Adventure Meets Growing Venture Capital with Logan Meaux

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Tech finds a path to the great outdoors in today’s episode, featuring Co-Founder and CEO of Mallard Bay Outdoors, Logan Meaux. A participant in the Rice Business Plan Competition and a member of a cohort at the Softeq Venture Studio, Mallard Bay Outdoors an Airbnb-style marketplace where sportsmen and guides can connect, transact, and book hunting and fishing trips on a frictionless online platform. Talking points include networking and pitching to a variety of customers and investors, bringing tech solutions to a non-tech industry, and advertising and building community on social media.

The HR Secrets Every Leader Needs to Know with Andrew Bartlow

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Human resources expert Andrew Bartlow joins the pod to talk about all things management, especially when it comes to tech startups looking to scale and grow their management strategy and team. Working with corporations like Pepsi and GE, as well as gaining experience in every stage of startup growth, Andrew specializes in helping early stage companies adopt management and HR strategies that set them up for success. Talking points include effective PNL strategies at big name corporations, disruptions in HR at the startup level, and setting up the next generation for success at People Leader Accelerator.

The Switchless Smart Switch with Adis Lujinovic

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Forging the Future gets its first student entrepreneur guest, Adis Lujinovic, a Texas A&M Chemical Engineering senior and CEO of Switchless. Switchless, founded in 2022, is a startup pioneering the smart home industry with feature-rich and interconnected smart switches for commercial and residential use. Talking points include Adis’ early inspiration in entrepreneurship, Switchless’ origins with co-founder Nicho Naugle, and the challenges of juggling entrepreneurship with being a full-time college student.

AI in the Outfield: How Sports Tech will Change Professional Sports with Nate Thompson

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Nate Thompson, Managing Partner of HTX Sports Tech, joins the show to talk about his impact as a key player in the sports technology industry. Sports tech is an industry experiencing massive growth and incredible innovations in recent years, and Nate has been at the forefront, providing strategic guidance to sports organizations, innovation ecosystems, and startups. Talking points include Nate’s journey into the sports industry, cutting technology being worked on at HTX Sports Tech, and the much-anticipated HTX Sports Summit happening in July 2024.

Empowering Student Startups at Texas A&M with Shelly Brenckman

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Forging the Future finds itself in Aggieland with this week’s guest, 1876 Venture Director Shelly Brenckman. As a lifelong entrepreneur and learner, Shelly works with Texas A&M students on an independent, pro-bono startup and student accelerator. Talking points include gaining fundraising experience in unlikely places, catching the spark of entrepreneurship vs having a founder’s DNA, and how the Texas startup ecosystem compares to worldwide innovation.

Additive Manufacturing & the Future of Engineering with AmPd's Timothy Neal

Thu, 30 May 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Timothy Neal, CEO of AmPd Labs, joins the pod to talk about the future of manufacturing and the industry side of 3D printing. Standing for “additive manufacturing product design,” AmPd Labs is a Houston-based additive manufacturing startup with capabilities that span the entire product lifecycle, from design to production. As the first CEO of AmPd, Tim talks with Chris about his “make it or break it” questions for joining the company, additive manufacturing’s potential to smash supply chain issues, and the future of industry and entrepreneurship in major hub cities like Houston.

Equipping Today’s Entrepreneurs for Tomorrow’s Challenges with gBETA’s Muriel Foster

Thu, 16 May 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Muriel Foster, Director at gBETA Houston, joins Forging the Future in a conversation about equipping entrepreneurs with skills, networks, and mentors for the challenges of the future. gBETA is a part of a growing community of accelerators under the brand gener8tor, a platform that empowers programs like gBETA to provide incredible opportunities for local entrepreneurs and industry-specific founders. In this insightful interview, Muriel and Chris discuss the implementation of gBETA’s cost-free 7-week cohort in Houston, the importance of mentorship and network-building for startup founders, and the impact of keeping an open mind to new opportunities in the startup ecosystem.

Networks in Action: Driving Economic Growth Through Community Ecosystems

Thu, 02 May 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Forging the Future heads to Austin for the Texas Venture Forum & Gala to discuss community-driven innovation happening across the state and the impacts of the Texas triangle on the global economy. From Austin’s own backyard to Latin America, Chris talks with directors, CEOs, and futurists in this mashup episode about their respective projects and their hopeful aspirations for the future of venture capital. Talking points include pebble funds, curated networks, global portfolios, exponential technologies, and more.

Capital Connections: Bridging Family, Finance & Future with Denny Chared

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Denny Chared, Founder of DC Finance, joins Chris at the Texas Venture Gala & Forum in Austin to discuss the current trends and future potential of family office investments in tech and venture. With origins in Israel and a base in New York, DC Finance builds an international network of high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and investors for mutual growth and support through first-tier events worldwide. Talking points include building community amongst family offices and investors, encouraging family offices to become less risk-averse and more tech-oriented, and the future of family investments and upcoming trends.

The Billion-Dollar Path of People-Centric Leadership with Jay Steinfeld

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 10:09:00 -0000

Jay Steinfeld, Founder of Blinds.com and Entrepreneur in Residence at Rice Business School, presses rewind to take Chris to 2001 to discuss the founding, innovating, and selling his company. Originally started as Laura’s Draperies, Bedspreads, and More, Blinds.com was inspired by Jay’s desire to evolve continuously, and ended up being sold to Home Depot in 2014. Talking points include the four E’s of Blinds.com culture, Jay’s philosophy on hiring and training new employees, and how to make a smooth transition in company acquisition.

Dell for Startups: From Cowboy Boots to Startup Roots with YJ Lin

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 10:00:00 -0000

YJ Lin, Sr Program Manager at Dell for Startups, joins Chris at South by Southwest to celebrate 40 years of Dell and the company’s recent initiatives to make startups soar, both in Houston at The Cannon and around the world. Dell for Startups provides mentorship magic for innovative startups at every stage in their journey, offering tech support and corporate skill sets to make entrepreneurship dreams into a thriving reality. Talking points include building a thriving tech community, navigating the hustle of the startup world, and finding common ground between corporations and startup teams.

From Lone Star to Tech Star: Texas' Triangle Transforms the Techscape with Thom Singer

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Thom Singer, CEO of Austin Technology Center (ATC), meets up with Chris at SXSW to celebrate the past of Austin’s amazing tech accomplishments and look to the future of a more innovative Texas. Made up of 280 companies and over 60,000 employees, the ATC fosters innovation and growth within Austin’s technology ecosystem by connecting, promoting, and advocating for professionals, entrepreneurs, and businesses. Talking points include uniting the Texas triangle, putting Austin on a global stage, and collaborating with the state government.

Beyond Tomorrow: Futurism, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation at SXSW

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Chris takes Forging the Future on the road to Austin for 2024’s South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference, held from March 8 - 16. Speaking with special guests and subject matter experts Mike Courtney, Ilya Tabakh, and Ehab Gabr, this episode tackles a taste of South By and talks about some of the most innovative technologies on the (very) near horizon. Talking points include AI’s presence at South By, entrepreneurs working within corporations, and innovation opportunities spreading through the Texas triangle.

Reimagining Leadership Development in the Age of AI with Kim Bach

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Chris talks with Kim Bach, the SVP of Customer Success and CPO at Dailyhuman for an episode on groundbreaking AI technology as a tool for fostering and sustaining human skills in organizations. Kim helped pilot Dailyhuman in the NFL Combine through a readiness mindfulness lab and says that through AI, Dailyhuman makes lasting changes in qualities like grit, resilience, and curiosity. As a company, Kim says that working with a startup development organization (SDO), Softeq Venture Studio, has also been integral in rapidly accelerating Dailyhuman’s growth. Listen in to hear Kim’s story on pivoting into Dailyhuman and to hear valuable advice for founders on how to maximize utilizing an SDO.

Feeding Tomorrow: Revolutionizing the Future of Restaurant Technology with Aaron Knape

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Aaron Knape, CEO and Co-Founder of Rivalry Tech, joins the pod to talk about his journey to entrepreneurship and what it's like to scale a leading technology company in Houston. Rivalry Tech began with their mobile platform, sEATz, and has now expanded to revolutionize hospitality and convenience with their order fulfillment technology. Talking points include pivoting services during COVID lockdown, increasing automation in food service, and negotiating big deals with stadiums as a small startup.

Accenture's Approach to Corporate Innovation at Scale with Brian Richards

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Brian Richards, Managing Director at Accenture’s Houston Innovation Hub, joins the pod to talk about helping senior leaders at large corporations in greater innovation and spearheading projects in the Houston innovation community. Serving clients globally, Accenture is a professional services company with leading capabilities in digital, cloud, and security. Talking points include how to pitch internally as an intrapreneur, the creation of the Houston Innovation Hub, and the future of generative AI in Houston.

Corporations at the Forefront of Catalyzing Houston’s Startup Ecosystem with Scott Gale

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Scott Gale, Executive Director of Halliburton Labs, brings innovation and scale to center stage in this week’s episode. Founded in 2020, Halliburton Labs provides access to a unique industrial setting catered to the specific needs of tech startups who are changing the face of clean energy today and for the future. Talking points include forging his own innovative path to Houston, explaining Halliburton’s unique approach to startup IP, and planning for Houston’s horizon with a better ecosystem.

Investing in Houston Healthcare: Making a Global Impact in the World's Largest Medical Center with Jay Zeidman

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Jay Zeidman, Managing Partner of Altitude Ventures and Chairman of the Board for Houston First, talks about making impactful investments in the future of healthcare and the wellbeing of Houston. Based in Nashville, Altitude Ventures accelerates growth and provides early-stage venture capital financing for healthcare services and startups. Talking points include Jay’s journey from the White House to venture, startup experiences that shaped future investments, and investing in city projects at Houston First.

Activating Venture Capital Across Texas's $2.4 Trillion Dollar Economy with CS Freeland

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 11:00:00 -0000

CS Freeland, Founder of the Texas Venture Alliance and creator of the Texas Venture Crawl (now known as Texas Venture Fest), joins the pod to share her unique insights on the thriving innovation scene in Texas. Founded in 2022, the Texas Venture Alliance is a statewide venture capital network and ecosystem of startup support that aims to amplify venture stories across the state. Talking points include CS’s background in politics, the future of Texas Venture Crawl, and the planning of the Texas Venture Gala.

How Houston’s Impacting the Globe through Innovation with Steve Kean

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Steve Kean, President and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP), joins the pod to talk about the unique innovations and impact the city of Houston has already accomplished and can look forward to on the horizon. Formed in 1989, the Greater Houston Partnership has a mission to make Houston one of the best places to live, work and build a business. Talking points include AI opportunities in Houston, large scale partnerships with Rice and U of H, and the promise of industries like life sciences and energy.

Launching and Scaling Softeq Venture Studio with Texas Entrepreneur, Chris Howard

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Chris Howard, Founder and CEO of Softeq, switches places from host chair to the hot seat in this part two episode guest hosted by entrepreneur, angel investor, and COO of Softeq, Craig Ceccanti. Continuing their previous conversation from part one, Craig and Chris tackle Softeq’s present-day success with their venture studio and Chris’s journey as an angel investor. Talking points include learning the ropes of angel investing, tackling Softeq Venture Studio’s 5 cohorts, and forging the future through telling Houston’s stories.

Insights from a 30-Year Tech Founder with Chris Howard & Craig Ceccanti

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Chris Howard, Founder and CEO of Softeq, switches places from host chair to the hot seat in this episode guest hosted by entrepreneur and angel investor Craig Ceccanti. Inspired by feedback from his own interview on Forging the Future, Craig wants to reverse the roles with Chris and give the podcast audience an opportunity to learn the origin story of Softeq. Talking points include interning with IBM and NASA, taking the red pill for entrepreneurship, and learning how to pivot along the founder’s journey.

Houston-Based SnapStream's Ascent to $7M in ARR with Rakesh Agrawal

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 11:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Forging the Future, Chris sits down with Rakesh Agrawal, founder and CEO of SnapStream, to discuss his journey of founding and scaling a technology business in Houston prior to the prevalence of the budding ecosystem that exists today. Rakesh shares his experience of founding SnapStream over 20 years ago and the importance of gleaning insights from customers to drive growth. They also delve into topics such as scaling operations and teams, as well as the impact of AI on product development.

Scaling Innovation Across a University of 47,000 Students with Dr. Ramanan Krishnamoorti

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Dr. Ramanan Krishnamoorti, Vice President of Energy and Innovation at University of Houston, takes the pod on a field trip to the UH Tech Bridge. With a unique blend of wet labs and office space, the UH Tech Bridge offers students and faculty the incredible opportunity to innovate alongside startups and companies. Talking points include efforts to improve education at U of H, connecting students to big picture problems in the Houston ecosystem, and unique partnerships taking place in the UH Tech Bridge.

How Houston Startup Liongard Scaled & Secured $30M in Funding with Joe Alapat

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Joe Alapat, CTO & Founder of Liongard, takes a journey through customer feedback and company pivots in this episode about his cybersecurity platform, Liongard. From rough beginnings of selling too wide of a product to customers, Liongard has grown and matured into a successful startup, securing $30 million in funding. Talking points include leaving Exxon to build a company, getting connected to the Houston ecosystem at Station Houston, and setting goals to give back to up-and-coming founders in the future.

Universities Propelling Entrepreneurs with Peter Rodriguez, Dean of Jones School of Business

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Peter Rodriguez, Dean of Jones School of Business at Rice University, brings his education expertise to the pod to talk about the future of entrepreneurship and business learning in Houston. Rice has put Houston on the map for having some of the best business and entrepreneurship undergraduate and graduate degrees in the country, but Peter believes that they’ve just getting started. Talking points include the Rice Alliance, the Clean Energy Accelerator, and the Rice Business Plan Competition.

Navigating the VC Landscape: Blair Garrou on Securing a $160 Million Round, the VC’s Role, and Crafting a Roadmap to Profitability with Blair Garrou

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Blair Garrou, Managing Director at Mercury, brings his leadership in Houston venture capital to the pod to discuss the origins of Mercury and the shift in investing perspectives from growth to profitability. Having just closed their fifth fund a couple months ago, Blair is hopeful about the timing of Mercury’s financial success and the future of software innovation in Houston. Talking points include AI as the next VC, venture in middle America, and financial trends moving forward into 2024.

Houston Startups Showcase a City on the Rise with Gustavo Suarez & Samra Nawaz

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Forging the Future is on the road this week at the Houston Startup Showcase at the Ion. Joined by guests Gustavo Suarez, Founder & CEO of Trez, and Samra Nawaz, CEO & Co-Founder of WellWorth, Chris takes the hot seat and walks through his own experiences as a multi-time successful founder in comparison to present-day startup founders in Houston’s bustling tech ecosystem. Talking points include managing stress, finding time for family, forging connections, and making the most of the Houston Startup Showcase.

Meet the Climate Tech Startup That Breaks the Mold with Mike Francis

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Mike Francis, CEO and Co-Founder of Nanotech, joins the pod to talk about his cutting edge climate conscious technology and the all-Texas round recently raised by NanoTech. Through an innovative roof coating, NanoTech can reduce lost heat and limit CO2 emissions from heating and HVAC in businesses and homes. Talking points include saving lives through climate tech patents, transitioning from intrapreneur to entrepreneur, and looking towards Houston’s bright startup future.

Building a $1.2 Billion Valuation Startup at Cart.com with Remington Tonar

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Remington Tonar, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer at Cart.com, brings his wide variety of skills and interests to the pod to chat about the extremely fast and incredibly impactful success of Cart.com. Having just closed a funding round of $60 million and have a valuation of $1.2 billion, Cart.com is a Houston-based startup making waves and garnering a ton of attention. Talking points in this interview include wearing many hats in a startup, Austin vs Houston startup experiences, and growing fast in a tumultuous economic environment.

Discovering in the Next Energy Transition Solution with Neal Dikeman

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Neal Dikeman, Partner at Energy Transition Ventures, joins the pod to talk about how he got into cleantech investing and where we’re headed as we bridge the gap between fossil fuels and the future. Working between Silicon Valley and Houston, Neal is tackling the tough questions in clean tech, such as: How can software and energy investors work together? Talking points include work-life balance, Silicon Valley vs Texas startups, and the daily grind vs the hardcore sprints for investors and entrepreneurs.

Spotlight on Latino Founders in Tech with Jesse Martinez

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Jesse Martinez, Founder of LSA Global and the Latinx Startup Alliance, four-time startup founder, and Venture Partner at Vamos and Resolve, brings his impressive resume to the pod to talk about his passion for investing in Latinx founders in tech. Born and raised in Houston, Jesse has traveled around the country founding startups, investing in opportunities, and participating in startup accelerators. Talking points include the Houston ecosystem, Tejano Tech Summit, and what’s next for Houston.

Empowering Houston’s Tech Ecosystem with Mitra Miller

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -0000

This week, Mitra Miller shares her remarkable journey in the tech industry, offering insights into her experiences as a woman navigating the field. Mitra is a managing member of Mill River Advisors and a board member at the Houston Angel Network. She is also a mentor at the Eagle Investor Program. Mitra highlights the importance of fostering diversity and inclusion in the tech ecosystem, sharing her vision for a more inclusive tech scene in Houston. Mitra and Chris explore the profound influence of mentorship on the next generation of entrepreneurs, providing valuable takeaways from Mitra Miller's inspiring career.

Exclusive Interviews with Innovators and Investing Leaders at TechCrunch Disrupt with Jeff Taylor, Hussein Yahfoufi, and Ray Fuentes

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -0000

In this exciting mashup from TechCrunch Disrupt, one of the largest tech events in the world, Chris interviews leaders in the investing space. Hussein Yahfoufi talks Chat GPT for business growth, Ray Fuentes on democratizing private equity investment, and Jeff Taylor on how TechCrunch serves both startups and established companies. You won’t want to miss this valuable episode.

Putting the Moon Back into Innovation Orbit with Stephen Altemus

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Stephen “Steve” Altemus, President and CEO of Intuitive Machines, joins the show to talk about space- investing in it, building new technology for it, and traveling through it. Sound waves might not be traveling through space, but Steve and his team are making their own waves on Earth as they prepare for their first lunar landing mission this November. Talking points in this episode include NASA’s past vs future, finding funding for space travel, and Intuitive Machine’s future physical workspace.

Unleashing Innovation and Wisdom at TechCrunch Disrupt with Nathaniel Harding, George Munguia, Michael Basch

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Forging the Future is on the road in San Francisco this week for TechCrunch Disrupt. In this information-packed episode, Chris interviews two VCs from Oklahoma, Nathaniel Harding and Michael Basch, and another investor that's recently relocated from San Fran to Texas, George Munguia. Topics include derisking tech investments, expanding venture in the mid-continent US, pushing back against negative economic narratives, mentoring founders with past operator experiences, and raising funds in a down market.

Stepping into the Venture Colosseum with Zach Coelius

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Zach Coelius, Managing Partner at Coelius Capital, joins the pod from TechCrunch Disrupt 2023, an annual tech conference held in San Francisco. As an entrepreneur turned early stage investor, Zach understands the non-stop stress of entrepreneurship and uses his connections from his innovative career to make impactful investments in B2B software. Talking points include Disrupt’s numerous AI presentations, network-driven investments, and Gladiator (2000), starring Russell Crowe.

How Plasmonics Changes the Clean Energy Landscape with Trevor Best

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 10:51:00 -0000

Trevor Best, CEO and Co-Founder of Syzygy Plasmonics, brings his energy expertise to the pod this week to talk about the science and strategy behind his startup. Alongside his co-founder Dr. Suman Khatiwada, Trevor is making a new form of chemical reactor that eliminates combustion and prevents CO2 emissions. Topics of discussion include early entrepreneurship failures and successes, developing a strong pitch for a technical startup, and helping the energy transition take hold in Houston.

Redefining Innovation for Today’s Entrepreneurs with Ashok Rao

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Ashok Rao, Board Director of GOOSE Capital and multi-time startup chairman, brings his financial and capital expertise to the show to talk about the “entrepreneurship virus” and his opinions on innovation. As someone who has been at the forefront of many interesting startups, Ashok lends some of his wisdom to topics like navigating today’s tumultuous market, mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs, and getting involved in community projects to make Houston a better place for everyone.

Transforming Students into Young Professionals at Ampersand with Allie Danziger

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Allie Danziger, CEO & Co-Founder of Ampersand Professionals, brings her unique entrepreneurial experience to the pod to talk about shortening the skills gap between education and employment. As someone who benefitted from early opportunities at internships and founded her first business at 24, Allie is passionate about helping students transform into thriving professionals. Talking points include Integrate Agency, Ampersand Professionals, and the new generation of professionals entering the workforce.

The Recipe for a Thriving Startup Ecosystem with Natara Holloway Branch

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 10:00:00 -0000

This week, Chris talks with Natara Holloway Branch about how she went from accounting in the NFL to being the CEO of Houston Exponential, which supports startups and founders to make entrepreneurship more accessible for Houstonians. They also touch on the emerging sports tech industry and break two big myths about Houston along the way. Houston already has all the ingredients for a thriving entrepreneurship ecosystem—Natara says that someone just needs to put them all together.

Big Problem Solving and Hypergrowth Startups with MassChallenge’s Jon Nordby

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 10:00:00 -0000

This week, Chris welcomes Jon Nordby Head of Ecosystem and Community at MassChallenge. After working in a variety of positions in Houston, Jon saw the need for a thriving startup ecosystem in the city. He worked for Houston Exponential and Startup Genome before hitting the ground running with MassChallenge. Their team connects thousands of experts to mentor promising startups through a global network. Jon and Chris discuss Houston’s evolving startup landscape, MassChallenge’s business model, and what Houston needs in order to foster a great startup ecosystem.

Revolutionizing Decarbonization at Venture Houston with Sandy Guitar & Aleece Hobson

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 10:00:00 -0000

HX Venture Fund takes over this episode as Managing Director Sandy Guitar and Venture Partner Aleece Hobson talk about their revolutionary fund of funds and the impact it’s having on the Houston tech ecosystem. Alongside their everyday work with investors and founders, Sandy and Aleece also help run the Venture Houston yearly event, happening this September. Talking points for this episode include speakers at Venture Houston, world class innovation in Texas, and connecting further at Engage VC events.

Propelling the University Innovation Equation with Paul Cherukuri

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Chris welcomes Paul Cherukuri, Professor, Chief Innovation Officer, and Vice President of Innovation at Rice University. Paul has integrated his experience and education in science and technology at Rice, spearheading the university’s innovation—all while still researching and teaching. Chris asks Paul about the key ingredients to getting universities’ innovation out into the world and how Houston has helped to foster this process. Paul also explains his real-life sci-fi research on “Teslaphoresis” and tells the story of meeting a Nobel Prize winner.

Revolutionizing the Wearable Tech Industry with AIM7’s Erik Korem

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Erik Korem, Sports Scientist and Founder of AIM7, joins the pod to talk about finding valuable recommendations and results from wearable devices like Apple Watches. With a passion for sports technology and a desire to make data analysis accessible for everyday people, Erik hopes his startup AIM7 will revolutionize the ways we interact with the watches on our wrists and the phones in our pockets. Talking points include the Houston Texans football team, sleep science, and the Softeq Venture Studio.

Finding Your Indestructible Startup Founder with Born Global’s Sunny Zhang

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Sunny Zhang, Founding Partner at Born Global Ventures, Marketing Professor, and Founder of TrueLeap, joins the pod to talk about the many professional hats she wears and how they help her contribute meaningfully at her venture studio. As a part of an emerging ecosystem of startup support in Houston, Born Global Ventures is excited to take on more diverse-led projects with a unique focus on marketing. Talking points include product market fit, education software, and finding “cockroaches” instead of unicorns.

Bridging the Gap for Female Founders with Artemis Fund’s Diana Murakhovskaya

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Diana Murakhovskaya, Co-Founder and General Partner at the Artemis Fund, joins the pod to talk about supporting women-led startups at her female-founded venture fund. Born in Ukraine and raised in New York, moving to Houston and starting Artemis Fund opened up new startup opportunities for Diana in the constantly innovating, continuously changing state of Texas. Talking points for this episode include care economy companies, women-led Houston startups, and where Texas has its largest gaps in funding.

Fueling Innovation in Houston’s Thriving Ecosystem with David Gow

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 10:00:00 -0000

David Gow, CEO of Gow Media and SportsMap Tech Acquisition Group, joins the pod to talk about telling the stories of Houston at CultureMap, SportsMap, and InnovationMap. With a background in sports radio and a passion for embracing Texas’ local culture, David isn’t afraid to engage with the newest subjects circling around the Houston ecosystem. Talking points for this episode include embracing the intersection of culture and sports, encouraging energy transition, and exploring brand innovation.

Debunking the Success of Spray & Pray Investing with Tenacity’s Ben Narasin

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 13:31:00 -0000

Ben Narasin, Founder and General Partner at Tenacity Venture Capital, joins the pod this week to talk about his journey from young entrepreneur to seasoned investor. Instead of a spray and pray investment approach, Ben takes pride in Tenacity’s strong investment vetting processes and dedication to the entrepreneurs they invest in. Talking points for this episode include last quarter metrics for Tenacity, advice for startups looking to get funded, and how Ben was involved in Softeq’s most recent Demo Day.

Discovering the Next Generation of Robotic Engineers with Logan Farrell, Greg Needel, & Andy Baker

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Forging the Future goes on the road to the FIRST Robotics Competition to meet 3 robotics professionals pioneering the industry and giving back to the next generation. Logan Farrell of Rugged Robotics, Greg Needel of Rev Robotics, and Andy Baker of AndyMark join the pod during this interview montage episode, lending their expertise and insight to a myriad of robotics topics. Talking points include taking the startup red pill, mentoring students at FIRST, and forging the future at their respective companies.

Walt Disney Imagineering Magic Comes to FIRST Robotics with Greg Johnson & Mark Mesko

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Greg Johnson and Mark Mesko, Imagineers at Walt Disney Imagineering, attend the FIRST Robotics Competition and talk about the important link between FIRST kids and future Imagineers. Combining creativity, technology, and collaboration, Greg and Mark appreciate the unique opportunity they have as both Imagineers and FIRST mentors to use robotics to tell stories and change lives. Talking points in this episode include STEM opportunities for kids, Disney’s history with FIRST, and the future of robotics.

Flying Helicopters on Mars with NASA’s Dave Lavery

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Dave Lavery, Program Executive for Solar System Exploration at NASA, takes listeners out of this world and on a journey across the surface of Mars. Dave is responsible for building one of the first flying robots on Mars, the Ingenuity Helicopter, which communicates directly with a rover on Mars to survey terrain on the red planet. In this episode, Dave not only talks about what it means to take flight on Mars, but also discusses NASA’s unique partnership with FIRST, an organization engaging kids in robotics.

Fueling the Future of STEM with FIRST's Barbara Gomez de Navarro

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Chris sits down with Barbara Gomez de Navarro who brought FIRST to Mexico and interviews competitors at the FIRST world tournament for this special episode. Barbara shares her and her family’s story bringing FIRST to Mexico, which provided hands-on STEM education to schools around the globe. Competitors from three different teams also give some insight into their robotics journeys.

Revolutionizing STEM Learning for Kids with FIRST’s Dean Kamen

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Dean Kamen, Inventor and Founder of FIRST, brings his STEM knowledge to the pod to talk about getting kids engaged in science, technology, engineering, and math. In a society that encourages and emphasizes sports and the arts, Dean wants to make sure that kids feel empowered and inspired to find the fun in learning about technology, too. Talking points in this insightful interview include how FIRST was founded, what the future of tech careers looks like, and how to get kids interested in robotics.

Revolutionizing Therapy for ALS and Alzheimer’s with Coya Therapeutics’ Howard Berman and Daniel Barvin

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Chris interviews the leaders of Coya Therapeutics, a pharmaceutical company based in Houston revolutionizing the push for effective neurodegenerative disease therapies. Coya went public with only five team members after working with world-renowned researcher and neurologist Stanley Appel to commercialize new therapies for neurological diseases in order to make them publically available. Dr. Howard Berman, the Founder and CEO of Coya, and Daniel Barvin, the Vice President of Operations and Patient Advocacy share the background of the company and where it’s heading.

Taking Houston’s Startup Ecosystem Skyward with James Phelan

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 10:00:00 -0000

This week, the pod welcomes James Phelan, Co-Founder and Chief Evangelist of the startup accelerator, Village Insights. James also owns his own product Budapop, is the CCO of Univrso, and serves as the Managing Director at Founder Institute Texas, among other things. Through his experiences, James has developed a feel for Houston’s startup ecosystem, what it needs more of, and what it needs less of. James also delves into his work at Univrso where he and his colleagues imagine a more human-centered future as we travel to Mars and beyond.

Telling Houston’s Innovation Story with The Ion’s Jan Odegard

Thu, 25 May 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Jan Odegard, Executive Director at The Ion, joins the show this week to take a deep dive into the innovation ecosystem of Houston, Texas. As the center and anchor, The Ion has changed the landscape of the Houston community, providing a unique 16-acre multi-use space for entrepreneurs, academics, accelerators, incubators, and corporations. Jan talks about his own journey from Norway to Houston, why he ended up at The Ion, and how he hopes to take this innovative space to the next level.

Teaching Entrepreneurship Early with Lemonade Day’s Bailey Kinney

Thu, 18 May 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Bailey Kinney, Executive Director of Lemonade Day, joins this week to talk lemonade stands, teaching entrepreneurship early, and making an impact on kids in the community. Since joining Lemonade Day, Bailey has helped reach tens of thousands of kids nationwide and beyond with hands-on experiential education. A highlight of Lemonade Day’s work is helping kids to realize that they have goals, teaching them how to reach them, and then helping them achieve their dreams; it’s more than just a lemonade stand. With Lemonade Day, kids gain confidence early on because, inevitably, life hands you lemons—and with the program, well, you know the rest.

Diversifying Your Portfolio & Learning to Speak Startup with Muema Lombe

Thu, 11 May 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Muema Lombe, angel investor and Softeq Venture Studio advisor, gets on the mic this episode to talk about setting yourself up for investment success and navigating the complicated, mistake-ridden environment of startups. With his upcoming book, The Ultimate Startup Dictionary, on the horizon, Muema shares his angel dos and don’ts, breaks down what makes the startup ecosystem in Houston so unique, and asks host Chris Howard about how his experience founding Softeq Venture Studio has shaped his investments.

Going Passwordless with Allthenticate Featuring Chad Spensky

Thu, 04 May 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Chad Spensky, Founder and CEO of Allthenticate, joins the pod today to talk about his path toward founding Allthenticate, building a Houston business, and why passwords are on their way out the door. On the business side, Chad talks on Houston as a hotspot for tech startups and why he is excited to grow a business in the city. The cybersecurity industry has failed society, Chad says, and now he’s doing his part in improving security and usability.

5 types of capital your business needs

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Flying solo this week, host Chris Howard tackles the 5 types of capital that you need in order to support your business. From relationships to finances, intellectual ideas to the people working in your business and supporting your endeavors, capital comes in many forms and is a necessary part of not only helping your business survive, but thrive. Using his own experiences as a founder, CEO, and venture partner, Chris gives his advice on what each type of capital looks like and how to best improve your capital to secure your business’ future success.

SXSW Part Three: Ecosystem Builders Mashup

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 22:00:00 -0000

SXSW tackles ecosystem innovation in this Forging the Future episode at SXSW in Austin, Texas. Hear from Murat Uralkan, Natalie Harms, and Paul O’Brien about the exciting advancements in medical tech (medtech), marketing communications (marcomm), and marketing tech (martech). Each bite-sized interview within this episode brings a new set of insights from the front lines of the constantly innovating tech world and looks towards a future where innovation in Houston reaches a level of global recognition.

SXSW Part Two: Start-up Mashup

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Chris Howard tackles the startup crowd at SXSW in Austin and encounters experts in the innovative fields of sportstech, biotech, healthtech, and pettech. In these fast-paced interviews with Lydia Davies, Taci Pereira, Blaine Killen, and Ken Ehrman, Forging the Future gets a peek behind the curtain of a few of the most innovative tech startups in Texas. From sports team hangouts to 3D human tissue, tech gym buddies to fido finders, hear from some of SXSW’s most interesting attendees in this short interview collection.

SXSW Part One: Trending Topics Mashup

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Forging the Future goes on the road to Austin for this special mash-up episode at South by Southwest. In short yet insightful interviews with Carrie Colbert, Rob Meadows, and Susan Davenport, host Chris Howard gets a taste of the hot tech topics making waves at this year’s event. From artificial intelligence to startup innovation, banking controversies to up-and-coming technology, this episode tackles big topics on a bite-sized scale and introduces a few of the movers and shakers at SXSW.

Investing in the Future of Health Science with TMC + Integr8d Capital's John (JR) Reale

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 11:00:00 -0000

John Reale, Managing Director at Integr8d Capital and Venture Lead at the TMC Venture Fund, joins the pod to tackle the Houston startup ecosystem from the medical tech perspective. After learning the ropes of the financial sector and trying his hand at his own entrepreneurial ventures, JR has channeled his energy into giving back to the future generation of startups-- so much so that he’s been named Investor of the Year. In this episode, JR talks Station Houston, Integra8d, TMC, and how you can get involved, too.

Embracing the Entrepreneurship Rollercoaster

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Chris goes solo today to share three entrepreneurship bits of advice that he has picked up throughout the highs and lows of his journey in the business. Entrepreneurship is like a rollercoaster. While you have to learn to enjoy the highs, you must also learn how to navigate the lows. Listen in to hear how to navigate potentially business-ending dilemmas, how to future-proof contracts, and how putting working relationships first can save your business. Throw your hands up, embark on the journey, and enjoy the ride.

Houston’s Community for Product Management with Improving’s Wade Pinder

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Wade Pinder, Principle Product Management Consultant at Improving and Co-Founder of the Houston Product Community, talks about Blinds.com, communities of practice, and product vs project in this week’s episode. With decades of experience in the product space, Wade currently spends his time giving back to the entrepreneur and startup community, as well as finding Houston solutions to Houston problems on Saturdays with the Houston Product Community.

Designing Space Gloves for Mars and Breaking through Burnout with Ntention’s Moina Tamuly

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Moina Tamuly, Co-Ceo of Ntention embarks on his tech journey, sharing his story of rising in the tech world and breaking through burnout along the way. Moina hails from Norway and has gotten to know both American and Norwegian tech ecosystems throughout the years. When he and his team unveiled their space glove concept and demo at a Norwegian energy conference, they started to get noticed. Although he’s found some success early on with Ntention and working with Pascal Lee, he shares how he is only at the advent of it all.

Live from Code Launch 2023

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Chris Howard takes FTF on the road as he interviews 3 of the individuals making an impact at Code Launch 2023 in Houston. This episode includes interviews with Brian Candido from Tech Elevator, a company bringing in-person and remote tech learning opportunities to Houston, Matt Bonasera from InTech Energy360, which aims to tackle the complex balance between energy efficiency and air quality, and Oleg Lysiak of Honeycomb Software, the development company working alongside Matt’s team that won Code Launch 2023.

B2B Software for the New Generation of Workers with Indrajit Datta

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 16:43:00 -0000

Indrajit Datta, Co-founder at Equipt, brings B2B software for industrials into the equation and emphasizes the importance of catering to the next generation of workers. With gas and oil primed for the fast, efficient approach Equipt promises, Indrajit is excited for the next steps in raising funds and becoming profitable with his co-founder. Indrajit walks through the unique position Equipt aims to take, the challenges of juggling family and entrepreneurship, and the victory of their first major customer.

A Women-Led Future in Venture Capital with Dream Big Ventures’ Staci Latoison

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Staci Latoison, Founder and CEO of Dream Big Ventures, tackles the disheartening statistic that only 2% of investment funds go to female founders and injects some serious girl power into the Softeq Venture Studio. As a former Chevron manager, Staci learned the importance of giving women of color the opportunity to speak up in business settings. Now, tackling the venture world, Staci aims to put women and BIPOC led startups on the map and to show what women can accomplish when they invest in themselves.

Hopping Freight Trains & Helping Future Entrepreneurs with Wolff Center’s Read Boles

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Read Boles, professor at Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship and multi-time business founder, joins the show to talk about his journey from hopping trains at Harvard Business School to helping future entrepreneurs gain real-life educational experience. Not only has Read created and founded his own businesses, he’s also specialized in turning around failing businesses. In this episode, Read explains how he’s helped businesses bounce back from bankruptcy and how he plans to save the world one student at a time.

Saving the Planet One Yard at a Time with Julie Moir Messervy

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Julie Moir Messervy, Founder and CEO of Home Outside, brings her green thumb to the pod to talk about how the key to climate change might be your own front yard. As a landscape architect whose credits include the Toronto Music Garden, Julie wanted to bring her skills and expertise to millions of homeowners with just a few clicks of a button. Enter Home Outside, an innovative app that promises to change how you view the potential of your home garden. Ready to get planting? Julie has the tool for you!

An Empathy-Driven Future for Fertility Clinics with Tiffany Lewis & Raika Djalali

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Tiffany Lewis and Raika Djalali, Co-founders of Allkind, forge the future of fertility this week with an innovative new app. Seeing the need to bring empathy back into the process of sperm and egg donation and surrogacy, Tiffany and Raika took to TikTok to build the Allkind brand from a dream into a startup reality. These two founders are birthing a business that puts the baby-making decisions back into the hands of the donors and parents that will be working together to bring the next generation to life.

GPS for Man’s Best Friend with Halo Collar’s Ken Ehrman

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Ken Ehrman, Founder and Managing Partner at Halo Collar, takes on the task of making the world safer for the family dog, and explains the technological limitations of the previously popular Invisible Fence in this week’s episode. From forklifts to fluffy dogs, Ken discusses the ups and downs of startup funding, GPS technology development, and taking a company public. Forging the future just got a whole furrier— thankfully, Ken has a collar that can help with that.

Wine, Cheese, & Franchisees with Craig Ceccanti

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Craig Ceccanti, CEO & President at T-Minus Solutions and Co-Founder of Pinot’s Palette and sEATz, brings his numerous entrepreneurial experiences and endless expertise to the pod. Craig and Chris talk about franchising, failing, and finding a way to give back to fellow entrepreneurs. Craig has taken a full-circle path in his career, from employee to founder to franchiser to investor, and now, he’s ready to share what he’s learned, what’s next, and what it really means to forge the future in Houston.

Investing in Digital Transformation with Royal Eagle’s Mark Valdez & Alejandro Mendez

Thu, 05 Jan 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Mark Valdez and Alejandro Mendez, Co-founders of Royal Eagle Capital Partners, talk about leaving the corporate world for the excitement of entrepreneurship. Royal Eagle, an investment company headquartered in Houston and partnering with Softeq, focuses a majority of their work in both the US and Latin America. Mark and Alejandro discuss the unique connections they’ve made personally and professionally on their journey to Royal Eagle, as well as explain their focus on financial technology.

Getting Uncomfortable & Giving First with Billy Grandy

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Billy Grandy, Director at Softeq Venture Studio, takes us on a journey from his hardworking childhood in Florida to the important personal connections that led him to Softeq. With a guiding philosophy of “giving first,” Billy has always been a generous supporter of startups and small businesses, moving to Houston to take advantage of the innovation and reinvention happening here. Billy covers past startup experiences, present work with startup founders, and his goal for forging a better future for Houston.

Gadget Guy Dave Mathews: Softeq CTO for Hire

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Dave Mathews, CTO Portfolio Advisor at Softeq Venture Studio, attempts to condense his incredibly varied experience into one jam-packed podcast episode. This week, Dave covers his childhood as a computer wiz, inventing the CueCat, and building an art car out of a 747 airplane. Alongside his extensive work as an inventor, Dave also talks about his inspiration for the work he does with the Softeq Venture Studio and his drive to help startups find that missing piece to go from zero to hero.

Building the Nation’s Top Entrepreneurship Grad Program with Rice Alliance’s Brad Burke

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Brad Burke, Managing Director at Rice Alliance for Technology & Entrepreneurship, comes on the pod to talk about innovations of all kinds happening in Houston. A massive energy transition is upon us, and the time is now for Houston investors to look toward the startups forging the future of tech. Brad discusses the many entrepreneurship and startup based programs through Rice Alliance and discusses the future tech of Houston, including batteries, electric vehicles, edible fruit coatings, and more.

A Piping Hot Cup of Innovation with The Ion’s Joey Sanchez

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Joey Sanchez, Senior Director of Ecosystems at The Ion Houston and Founder of Cup of Joey, brings a caffeinated boost to the pod as he talks about building an ecosystem of innovation in Houston. This week, Joey tackles his background at Houston Exponential, his inspiration for starting Cup of Joey, and his involvement with Houston Tech Rodeo. Additionally, Joey brews a fresh new vision for Houston by 2036, including a Space Cowboy State roast with notes of the number one startup ecosystem in the US.

Houston’s New Climate Tech Incubator with Greentown Labs’s Juliana Garaizar

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Juliana Garaizar, Head of Houston Incubator and VP of Innovation at Greentown Labs, builds something exciting in this week’s discussion on climate technology and the unique challenges of a climate tech incubator. Originally created in Boston, Greentown has expanded to Houston for their second location, offering a unique prototype space in midtown. Juliana explains the startup process for working with Greentown, the future of diverse investments, and the unique equity-free Greentown model.

An Artisan Niche in a Wonder Bread World with “Bread Man” Tasos Katsaounis

Thu, 24 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Tasos Katsaounis, Founder, President, & CEO of Bread Man Baking Co., whips up a tasty discussion in this episode about carving a niche in Houston’s breadmaking market. Originally started out of Tasos’ home, Bread Man Baking Co bakes and supplies artisan breads for restaurants and grocers, including at local Whole Foods. Tasos discusses taking the leap from consulting to baking, building unique business connections with neighborhood friends, and supporting his community with the bread he bakes.

VC Dollars for Female Founders with Curate Capital’s Carrie Colbert

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 17:00:00 -0000

Carrie Colbert, Founder and General Partner of Curate Capital, joins the pod to talk about her journey from the gas and oil industry to investing with her venture capitalist fund, Curate Capital. Curate Capital aims to invest in businesses by women for women, expanding the typical demographics of investors and the invested to include women like never before. This week, Carrie talks about leaving her comfort zone, unconscious investor biases, and de-risking investments through her collaboration with Softeq.

Forging The Future Trailer

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 18:04:00 -0000

Join Chris Howard, Founder and CEO of Softeq, as he interviews knowledgeable leaders in the innovation spectrum, including CEOs, CTOs, R&D professionals, and start-up founders. Real conversations, technology, and processes of bringing new ideas to market.