Builders Live

Ahead of the July 4th holiday and America's 250th anniversary, it's a special edition of our monthly podcast on ecosystem building and entrepreneur-led economic development where we examine the United States of Entrepreneurship. Our Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Taylor Eubanks of Midwest House and Christopher Wink, Technical.ly's cofounder and CEO, discuss what...

A lot of startup advice still assumes the goal is venture capital, but the funding landscape is changing for companies that want to grow but may not be chasing a unicorn-style outcome. How should founders, investors, economic development groups and entrepreneur support organizations operate when the definition of success includes profitability, founder control, job creation and community impact —...

There's no shortage of great entrepreneurs out there, but not all of them will gain traction and break through. When it comes to successful founders, what traits feel innate, and what traits can actually be coached? Can a startup become more investable because of how the founder responds to feedback? And should regions be spending more energy identifying hidden talent, or building the systems...

So much of the work of ecosystem building can be invisible and intangible. Can storytelling help change that? What impact can storytelling have on economic development and how regional identities are shaped and evolve? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Social Venturers founder Anika Horn for a conversation about her new book and lessons for founders and ecosystem builders. Rec...

What is philanthropy's role in economic development, and how can it make the most impact? Economic development has historically been government's job — incentives, tax policy, public investment. Where does philanthropy fit, and where does it overstep? Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, venture investor Rae'Mah Henderson, Taylor Eubanks of Midwest House and Technical...

Entrepreneurship in America is at a pivotal moment. While more people are starting businesses, a small sliver are growing big and fast and far more are not growing at all, with the middle hollowing out. As AI decentralizes the ability to start a company, how can policymakers and ecosystem leaders encourage new business formation while ensuring the gains don't all go to the firms with the most...

As entrepreneurship becomes more accessible, the geography of where founders start companies is expanding. New data from LinkedIn shows Gen Z founder growth accelerating across nearly every major U.S. metro, often fastest outside traditional startup hubs, reflecting a move toward flexible “portfolio careers,” where networks, personal branding and digital tools are key. Technical.ly CEO and cofound...

As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, this live recording in Philadelphia takes up a big question: why does entrepreneurship remain such a powerful American ideal — and what would it take for that ideal to mean more than branding, politics or founder mythology? With voices from policy, ecosystem building and investment, this conversation explores entrepreneurship as a source of agenc...

Nexus Louisiana has a goal to create 1000 new local tech startups by 2035 — but how is the org working to achieve that? What can those in Louisiana do to help, and what should other states and ecosystems learn from this start? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Nexus president and CEO Tony Zanders for a conversation about what it takes to bolster entrepreneurship and when it ma...

Is the American entrepreneurship economy becoming k-shaped? The current business incorporation boom does include many thriving companies, but also many "solopreneurs" who are earning less than their traditionally-employed peers. When we say entrepreneurship is booming, are we conflating two very different stories? Are we celebrating necessity entrepreneurship — people fleeing a broken la...

In 2018, New Jersey launched the State Office of Innovation, which this January became codified in law as the New Jersey Innovation Authority — the first state to create a permanent Cabinet-level digital services team. During his time as CIO over the past two years, Dave Cole has worked to improve the lives of New Jersey residents through the use of data, collective intelligence, agile technology...

Since becoming Maryland's Lieutenant Governor, Aruna Miller has focused on matters including transportation, mental health, STEM equity and more. With a background as a civil and transportation engineer, she has a unique perspective on how the government can influence economic growth and remove systemic barriers to opportunity. Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Maryland Lt...

Many thriving ecosystems have long had one name and face attached to them — the person everyone credits with "making it happen." But is that a feature or a bug? When we celebrate ecosystem heroes, are we building something sustainable, or just setting ourselves up for a crisis when they move on? Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, venture investor Rae'Mah Henderson...

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...