Builders Live

Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Chris Wink discuss the role of universities in innovation, legal and political challenges facing higher education institutions, and what the current climate means for scientific progress, especially at smaller or regional institutions. Recorded July 23, 2025

Is the ecosystem building community a passing trend or a lasting change, and what's different about the climate for entrepreneurship now? Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Chris Wink is joined by Rob Williams of SourceLink for a conversation on the past, present and future of ecosystem building and entrepreneurship-led economic development. Recorded May 14, 2025

Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Christopher Whitaker, executive director of the Alliance of Civic Technologists for a conversation about civic tech and benefiting the public good. Recorded April 14, 2025

Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Chris Wink is joined by Sherrod Davis, CEO of EcoMap Technologies, to discuss the evolution of the concept of "ecosystem building," how EcoMap's new tool can help, and what's next for economic development organizations. Recorded April 2, 2025.

Co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital, Maria Underwood of TechBirmingham and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Chris Wink discuss entrepreneurship and the American dream, including how local entrepreneurial ecosystems are shaped by regional culture, politics and resources, and the importance (and challenges) of maintaining optimism in community building and star...

Co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Chris Wink discuss government policies to support entrepreneurship, including guidance from Right to Start's Field Guides for Policymakers. Recorded May 28, 2025.

Co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Maria Underwood of Moxi, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Chris Wink debate whether regions should chase capital for their entrepreneurs and how to build momentum for regional innovation, plus the importance of local engagement and support networks to create opportunities for founders. Recorded April 23, 2025.

Co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Maria Underwood of Moxi, and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Chris Wink discuss challenges and opportunities in rural entrepreneurship, the impact of density and urban planning on business growth, and the role of community organizers in fostering startup culture. Recorded March 26, 2025.

Co-hosts Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital, Victor Hwang of Right to Start, and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Chris Wink discuss strategies in local ecosystem building for entrepreneurs and technologists, plus the impacts of federal funding freezes and attacks on DEI initiatives.

The first episode of our new monthly podcast features co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital, Maija Ehlinger of Hypepotamus and Chris Wink, Technical.ly's cofounder and CEO, discussing the intersection of entrepreneurship and economic development, and how national trends impact local communities. Recorded January 22, 2025.

Join us for the launch and first episode of our new monthly podcast on ecosystem building and entrepreneur-led economic development featuring co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital, Maija Ehlinger of Hypepotamus and our own Chris Wink, Technical.ly's cofounder and CEO.