Builders Live

As AI becomes increasingly prominent, the backlash grows along with it. How can tech leaders distinguish between productive skepticism and reactionary distrust, and how can they demonstrate AI's value while acknowledging rational criticisms? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Kumar Garg of Renaissance Philanthropy for a conversation about how to balance AI-driven economic o...

If new businesses create most net new jobs, why isn’t entrepreneurship already the center of economic development? Is it really about economics — or more about politics and incentives? Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital, Rae'Mah Henderson of Techstars and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Chris Wink discuss entrepreneurship's place in ec...

How does building an entrepreneurship ecosystem look different in small states compared to large ones? Does a small state's size allow for faster innovation, or does it limit scale? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Delaware Governor Matt Meyer for a conversation about The First State's entrepreneurship strategy and lessons for economic development in communities of al...

What is the current state of blockchain beyond the hype? Where is it actually working today, and where is it still falling short? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Karla Ballard of HUMN for a conversation about how blockchain can provide real-world value outside of speculation, what critics get right, and where they’re missing the point. Recorded February 4, 2026.

With 2026 marking the US Semiquincentennial, what does this anniversary mean for entrepreneurship? Does this milestone matter, and how can ecosystem leaders around the country use it to refocus on enabling the American Dream? Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital, Rae'Mah Henderson of Techstars and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Chris Wink d...

What does 2026 have in store for entrepreneur ecosystems around the US? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Sherrod Davis of EcoMap for a conversation about trends and lessons from 2025 and predictions for the new year, informed by Technical.ly's newly updated Innovation Ecosystems Map. Recorded January 8, 2026.

Looking back on the year, what is the story of ecosystem building from 2025? What worked and what are the lessons for 2026? Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital, Rae'Mah Henderson of Techstars and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Chris Wink discuss the year in entrepreneur-led, place-based economic development across the country, and dive int...

Many founders would not have become successful without the support of other experienced founders, but are current entrepreneurs still interested in fueling the generation that follows them? How has founder behavior changed when it comes to mentoring, angel investing or staying connected locally? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Chris Heivly of Build the Fort for a conversatio...

Healthcare and life sciences are more highly regulated than other industries, and navigating that complex landscape can pose unique challenges for entrepreneurs and investors. Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Kathie Jordan of Ben Franklin Technology Partners for a conversation about how founding and investing in healthcare companies differs from other businesses, the tension...

Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital, Rae'Mah Henderson of Techstars and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Chris Wink discuss how artificial intelligence intersects with entrepreneurship — especially at the local and regional ecosystem level — and whether AI will empower a new generation of entrepreneurs or reinforce incumbent advantages. Reco...

The Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center just released its 2025 Advancing Regional Innovation Economies report, examining how policy, practice and markets expand access to venture capital and growth finance for entrepreneurs from emerging markets. Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Nicola Corzine of the NEC for a conversation about takeaways from the report and what entrepreneurs, pol...

Universities have long been involved in translating research into products and companies, and that's become a large part of regional innovation ecosystems. But what can schools do better to more effectively bring discoveries to market? Technical.ly editorial director Danya Henninger is joined by Ben Dibling of the Penn Center for Innovation and Karina Sotnik of WorldUpstart for a conversation...

Modern accelerator programs have used a variety of methods to support startups over the past two decades — but what's the most effective way to help entrepreneurs scale? How can founders know when they're getting real traction instead of innovation theater? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Heath Naquin of the University City Science Center for a conversation about how...

Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital, Rae'Mah Henderson of Techstars and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Chris Wink discuss how different regions are approaching data centers, the environmental and community implications of these massive projects and how ecosystem builders can navigate between welcoming innovation and avoiding exploitation....

How can a founder know they're ready to pursue capital, and how can they maximize their chances of successfully finding investors? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Anthony Millin of NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers for a conversation about what it actually means to be "investor-ready" — beyond the pitch deck. Recorded October 8, 2025.

When you hear the word "entrepreneur," what comes to mind? It can be a pretty broad term, meaning different things depending on who's using it and when. So how do orgs working to support entrepreneurs deal with those differences and how the concept has changed over time? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Maria Meyers of SourceLink for a conversation about the his...

What does it take to mobilize an ecosystem around a common goal? The Future Use of Energy in Louisiana (FUEL) coalition is doing just that, bringing together stakeholders from business, government, and education to drive Louisiana’s energy and economic future by powering innovation through research, workforce, policy, and technology development. Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined...

Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital, Rae'Mah Henderson of Techstars and and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Chris Wink discuss how rising housing costs affect workforce, entrepreneurship and startup ecosystems. Recorded September 24, 2025.

Post-pandemic, entrepreneurship is up by many measures. With recent changes in regulation and compliance, what's different now about how entrepreneurs are forming new businesses? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Kurt Simmons, Jr. and Daniel Krolikowski, partners at Withum, on how founders can navigate updates to QSBS, Section 83, accredited-investor rules and more. Record...

Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital, Maria Underwood of TechBirmingham and and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Chris Wink discuss the challenges and opportunities of being both an entrepreneur and a parent, how parenting responsibilities intersect with professional and startup life, and broader dynamics of how the U.S. workplace treats parents,...

The recently-released 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Report provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of startup ecosystems worldwide. What are the takeaways for entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and other stakeholders? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Jonathan Ortmans, Founder & President of Global Entrepreneurship Network, for a conversation on trends a...

We've seen an entrepreneurship boom post-pandemic, especially among women and people of color. How do we both acknowledge and celebrate that progress, while setting up our next goals for the economy? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Elizabeth Gore, cofounder and president of Hello Alice, for a conversation on trends in small business ownership, capital access and more. Re...

Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Geoff Webster of Pittsburgh Futures Collaborative and Jake Pawlak, Deputy Mayor & Director Office of Management and Budget for the City of Pittsburgh for a conversation on how civil servants and elected officials can improve outcomes through design thinking. Recorded June 11, 2025

What factors go into an entrepreneur's decision on where to live and work, and how can regions attract more founders and companies? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Ryan Touhill, director of Arlington Economic Development, to discuss how trends in remote work, geographically-tied industry specialization and more are affecting local economies and ecosystem growth. Recorded...

What do recent exits and tech job trends indicate about Philadelphia's economic development, and how does the city compare with other regions around the country? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Scott Nissenbaum of Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania for a conversation on what has and hasn't worked so far — and what Philadelphia needs to do n...