In this special episode, Give First host David Cohen and Talking Through It host Neal Sáles-Griffin take turns interviewing each other: it’s two Techstars podcasts in one. 

David discusses with Neal on how giving first grew the Chicago startup ecosystem, and then Neal talks through today’s hot issues with David. 

Today’s Topics:

Finding Unicorns

Crypto, NFTs, What’s Next? 

Dream Dinner Guest 

This Week’s Startup to Watch:

https://hey.com/. Plus, listen to Neal’s conversation with Hey and Basecamp founder Jason Fried here. 

If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the National Geographic documentary series City So Real, a portrait of contemporary Chicago, including Neal’s candidacy in the 2019 mayoral election.

Techstars personnel and/or guests who speak in this podcast express their own opinions, and not the opinion of either Techstars or any company discussed in this podcast. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities are for illustrative and/or informational purposes only and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Furthermore, this content is not directed at nor intended for use by any investor or prospective investor, and may not under any circumstances be relied upon when making a decision to invest in any fund managed by Techstars. Certain of Techstars funds own (or may own in the future) securities in some of the companies discussed in this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s special founder edition episode of Talking Through It, Neal Sáles-Griffin talks with alumni from his recent Techstars Chicago class: Whitney Gregory, CEO of Eemerg Roadside Assistance, and William Birdsong, CEO of Documentor.

Today’s Topics:

• Natural Disasters in Texas
• The Virtual Accelerator Experience
• Mentor Madness
• Application Tips for Founders
• The Techstars Chicago Demo Day Song, City So Real

This Week’s Startups To Watch:

• Eemerg Roadside Assistance
• Documentor

City So Real song by William Birdsong and Tyni Birdsong

Techstars personnel and/or guests who speak in this podcast express their own opinions, and not the opinion of either Techstars or any company discussed in this podcast. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities are for illustrative and/or informational purposes only and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Furthermore, this content is not directed at nor intended for use by any investor or prospective investor, and may not under any circumstances be relied upon when making a decision to invest in any fund managed by Techstars. Certain of Techstars funds own (or may own in the future) securities in some of the companies discussed in this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode of Talking Through It, Neal Sáles-Griffin talks with Claire Lew, CEO of Know Your Team. 

Today’s Topics:

• Hitting a pandemic wall
• Robinhood
• Clubhouse
• Addressing toxicity
• Positive workplaces

This Week’s Startups To Watch:

• Frank
• Rosecrans Ventures

Techstars personnel and/or guests who speak in this podcast express their own opinions, and not the opinion of either Techstars or any company discussed in this podcast. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities are for illustrative and/or informational purposes only and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Furthermore, this content is not directed at nor intended for use by any investor or prospective investor, and may not under any circumstances be relied upon when making a decision to invest in any fund managed by Techstars. Certain of Techstars funds own (or may own in the future) securities in some of the companies discussed in this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode of Talking Through It, Neal Sáles-Griffin catches up with Mike McGee, Director of Special Projects at AnitaB.org, and Jimmy Odom, Partner at Bit Capital Group. 

Today’s Topics:

• Impeachment & Insurrection
• Cryptocurrency
• Networks
• What’s Good

This Week’s Startups To Watch:

• Strike
• 21e8
• Ethel’s Club

Follow Mike on Twitter

Follow Jimmy on Twitter

Techstars personnel and/or guests who speak in this podcast express their own opinions, and not the opinion of either Techstars or any company discussed in this podcast. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities are for illustrative and/or informational purposes only and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Furthermore, this content is not directed at nor intended for use by any investor or prospective investor, and may not under any circumstances be relied upon when making a decision to invest in any fund managed by Techstars. Certain of Techstars funds own (or may own in the future) securities in some of the companies discussed in this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we wrap up 2020, Neal Sáles-Griffin talks with Jason Fried, Cofounder and CEO of Basecamp, on this episode of Talking Through It.

Today’s 5 Topics:

• The good of 2020
• Tech and disinformation
• From Silicon Valley to… Austin?
• The perfect pitch
• Predictions

Follow Jason on Twitter @jasonfried

Follow Neal on Twitter @nealsales

Techstars personnel and/or guests who speak in this podcast express their own opinions, and not the opinion of either Techstars or any company discussed in this podcast. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities are for illustrative and/or informational purposes only and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Furthermore, this content is not directed at nor intended for use by any investor or prospective investor, and may not under any circumstances be relied upon when making a decision to invest in any fund managed by Techstars. Certain of Techstars funds own (or may own in the future) securities in some of the companies discussed in this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s time to give thanks. On this episode of Talking Through It, Neal Sáles-Griffin talks with Taylor McLemore, Managing Director of the Techstars Workforce Development Accelerator, and Clement Cazalot, Managing Director of Techstars Boston.

Today’s 5 Topics:

• Virtual holidays
• Biden economy
• Venture capital and long-term success
• Vaccines and 2021
• Virtual Demo Days

Follow Taylor on Twitter @taylormclemore

Follow Clem on Twitter @clementc

Techstars personnel and/or guests who speak in this podcast express their own opinions, and not the opinion of either Techstars or any company discussed in this podcast. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities are for illustrative and/or informational purposes only and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Furthermore, this content is not directed at nor intended for use by any investor or prospective investor, and may not under any circumstances be relied upon when making a decision to invest in any fund managed by Techstars. Certain of Techstars funds own (or may own in the future) securities in some of the companies discussed in this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s 5 Topics:

• The U.S. election
• Tech and democracy
• The power of personal values
• Choosing great companies
• Giving thanks

This Week’s Founders To Watch:

Neal picks Havoc Shield, 2020 graduate of Techstars Chicago, which just raised $1.45 million.

Mert picks Documentor, another 2020 Techstars Chicago grad, which he mentors.

Meet Mert Iseri:

Mert Hilmi Iseri has the best job in the world as the CEO of SwipeSense, aiming to eliminate preventable medical errors in hospitals. His journey started off in Istanbul, Turkey and changed courses completely once he arrived at Northwestern University. Prior to fighting infections in hospitals, he co-founded Design for America, a national initiative amongst college students to use design thinking for social impact in their communities. In 2018, DFA was awarded the National Design Award by the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. Mert has presented at conferences such as TEDActive, TEDx, CUSP, Design:Chicago and has been recognized by Forbes in their 30 Under 30 list. He lives in Chicago, IL.

Follow Mert on Twitter @mhi

Follow Neal on Twitter @nealsales

Techstars personnel and/or guests who speak in this podcast express their own opinions, and not the opinion of either Techstars or any company discussed in this podcast. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities are for illustrative and/or informational purposes only and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Furthermore, this content is not directed at nor intended for use by any investor or prospective investor, and may not under any circumstances be relied upon when making a decision to invest in any fund managed by Techstars. Certain of Techstars funds own (or may own in the future) securities in some of the companies discussed in this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world of entrepreneurship moves fast. And nowhere does it move faster than inside a Techstars accelerator. With startups and mentors and investors all coming together, move fast or get left behind -- and that usually starts with candid conversations. 

Each week Neal Sales-Griffin, Managing Director of Techstars Chicago’s accelerator program, brings together a rotating cast of high-powered and provocative guests to talk through the most pressing topics of the moment, in a free-form and unscripted conversation. 

If you’re a founder, mentor or investor, or hope to be one day, this is a must-listen. It’s Talking Through It, first and fresh takes, from the Techstars Podcast Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.