10-Minute Tech Talks: How Tech Entrepreneurs Fail & How You Can Avoid It

Are you exploring going global with your business, but don't the best way to really start? In this super-fast episode of 10 Minute Tech Talks, Host Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council walks you three three quick steps as you prepare to take your business overseas or across the border. He cites key info from the U.S. Commercial Services' latest article article in TEQ Magazine tha...

Are you an entrepreneur burning through cash without a clear financial roadmap? Most startup founders struggle to secure the right amount of funding, often sabotaging their own success by either asking for too little or overvaluing their company. This episode reveals the critical strategies for navigating startup financing that can make or break your business.  In this episode, we welcome Audrey R...

Are you building a product that nobody wants, thinking "if I build it, they will come"? Most entrepreneurs waste years and resources developing solutions that fail to solve real market problems, leading to startup failure! Host Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council details a new article from Tech Entrepreneur Chris Allison, who scaled Tollgrade to a $2 Billion valuation, about the...

Are you risking your million-dollar invention by using ChatGPT to draft your patent application? In today's rapidly evolving AI landscape, entrepreneurs and inventors are seeking cost-effective ways to protect their intellectual property, but using public AI tools could unknowingly expose your groundbreaking ideas to potential legal and security risks. In this episode, we welcome Jodie Spade a law...

2025 is proving to be a complex and tricky year for tech entrepreneurs looking to leverage technology trends to boos their ventures.  In this episode of 10 Minute Tech Talks, Jonathan Kersting from the Pittsburgh Technology Council looks at new tech trends to navigate the disruptions xand complexities of 2025. Drawing from PWC's article ' Next in Tech 2025 ,' Kersting highlights three focus areas:...

Are you risking your startup's future by chasing dollars without understanding the true cost of investor relationships? Many entrepreneurs get excited about securing funding, but few realize that taking the wrong investment can derail their vision, control, and company trajectory.  For this episode of 10 Minute Tech Talks, we welcome Pittsburgh Technology Council President and CEO Audrey Russo to...

Are you tired of your content getting lost in the AI-driven digital landscape? I: In today's rapidly evolving digital world, understanding how to optimize your content for AI platforms is crucial for staying visible and relevant to your target audience. In this episode, we welcome Patrick Schober, Founder of Poetica Marketing , to detail Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). Think of it as the wil...

Are foreign sellers secretly undermining your online business and stealing your market share? In today's rapidly changing e-commerce landscape, entrepreneurs face unprecedented challenges from international competitors who can flood the market with cheaper knockoff products, potentially decimating your hard-earned business revenue. In this episode of 10 Minute Tech Talks we welcome Pittsburgh's to...

Are you a tech entrepreneur struggling to stay competitive in an increasingly automated world? This episode explores how AI is transforming business operations and the key strategies you need to avoid being left behind.  Jonathan Kersting from the Pittsburgh Technology Council discusses the importance of AI in business to avoid failure as he highlights a recent TEQ magazine article by Birinder Sin...

Are you an entrepreneur struggling to successfully implement AI in your business?  As an entrepreneur, you can't afford to be part of the 85% of AI projects that fail to deploy. This episode of 10 Minute Tech Talks welcome Bill Elm, Founder of Resilient Cognitive Solutions (RCS) in Pittsburgh, to provide crucial insights on how to avoid common pitfalls and ensure your AI implementation is a succes...

In this episode of 10 Minute Tech Talks, host Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council delves into how tech companies can avoid failure, focusing on the importance of self-awareness in entrepreneurship.    Special guest Jennifer Honig, founder of Techstra Solutions, shares her journey of discovering her authentic self and leveraging that self-awareness for business success. With her...

Is chatbot optimization ready to become the new search engine optimization? In this episode of '10 Minute Tech Talks,' Jonathan Kersting from the Pittsburgh Technology Council discusses how tech entrepreneurs can avoid failure by diving into chatbot optimization. He highlights Dave Nelsen, a seasoned Pittsburgh entrepreneur and tech innovator, who draws parallels between early SEO and today's AI-d...

Are you an entrepreneur struggling to create effective video content that doesn't diminish your brand? As a business owner, you know the power of video marketing, but creating high-quality, engaging videos can be a challenge. This episode welcomes Christopher Evans of PMI Digital to provide practical advice to help you overcome common video production pitfalls and create content that resonates wit...

Are you leveraging AI as a strategic asset, or are you falling behind in the race for innovation? AI is reshaping business models and operations, but many tech entrepreneurs struggle to integrate it effectively. If you want to scale faster, boost productivity, and stay ahead of the competition, understanding AI's role in your core strategy is critical. Host Jonathan Kersting details a PWC's "In th...

What is the one piece of advice a successful tech entrepreneur would give to founders struggling to grow their startups? As an aspiring entrepreneur, you're likely facing challenges in building your business and connecting with customers. Hearing from an experienced tech founder like Chris Allison who scaled Tollgrade Communications to a $2 billion market cap could provide invaluable insights to h...

In this episode of 10 Minute Tech Talks, Jonathan Kersting from the Pittsburgh Technology Council discusses the critical ways tech entrepreneurs can avoid cyber failures. He highlights the increasing sophistication and frequency of cyber-attacks, referencing Comcast Business Security's latest threat report which observes a dramatic rise in phishing, ransomware, and public application exploitation....

Are you ready to unlock the power of being a 'Girl Boss' in the tech industry?  Discover how embracing your identity can be your greatest asset, not a barrier, in a male-dominated field.  Learn to leverage your unique strengths, build a supportive team, and create a legacy of mentoring future leaders. Explore these game-changing insights with Techstra Solutions Founder and CEO Jennifer Honig on th...

Are you a tech entrepreneur struggling to scale your venture and avoid the pitfalls of failure? In this episode, you'll discover key strategies to navigate the evolving tech landscape under the "Trump 2.0" era, including managing AI regulation, adapting to global trade impacts, and leveraging market openings for your brand. Host Jonathan Kersting details' Carlos Tribino's "Marketing in the Trump 2...

Are you an entrepreneur struggling to determine the right valuation for your startup? This episode has the insights you need. As a founder, properly valuing your company is crucial for securing investment, managing growth, and achieving your goals. But it's a complex challenge with many pitfalls. In this episode, we welcome Pittsburgh Technology Council CEO Audrey Russo to help you: Understand the...

 Are you a tech entrepreneur looking to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving market? In this episode, you'll discover the key tech trends and innovations from CES 2025 that can help you future-proof your business and gain a competitive edge. Host Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council was on the ground at the world's largest tech and innovation show bringing you back some key i...

Are you struggling to navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape and ensure your business is leveraging this technology responsibly? As an entrepreneur or business leader, it's critical to understand the importance of trust and verification when implementing AI solutions. Failing to do so can lead to disastrous consequences for your organization. We welcome Larry Gioia with PWC's  Emerging Tech R&...

Are you an entrepreneur looking for the newest tech trends to scale your business? Discover the transformative power of synthetic reality and how it can unlock new avenues for learning, training, and customer engagement. As a tech entrepreneur, you're constantly seeking innovative ways to grow your business and stay ahead of the curve. This episode explores the convergence of AI, avatars, and medi...

Are you struggling to build a high-performing team for your business? As an entrepreneur or business leader, you know that assembling the right team is crucial for success. This episode dives deep into the proven framework for developing cohesive, productive teams. We welcome Jennifer Honig, founder of Techstra Solutions , to discuss: The three essential stages of team development and how to navig...

Are you a tech entrepreneur struggling to avoid the pitfalls that cause tech companies to fail? As a tech entrepreneur, you're constantly navigating the challenges of building a successful business. This episode, host Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council explores crucial insights from PwC's 2025 AI Business Predictions that can help you strategically leverage AI to drive innovati...

Are you an entrepreneur struggling to avoid the common pitfalls that trip up so many startups? As a founder, you know the path to building a successful business is full of challenges. Avoiding critical missteps can mean the difference between thriving and failing.  In this episode, you'll discover: How to validate your market and ensure you're solving a real problem Strategies to accurately foreca...