Chicago Techies Podcast

In this episode of Chicago Techies Podcast, I sat down with Shail Shah, founder of SkyPulse Connectivity, to talk about what it takes to build technology that keeps people and businesses connected in an increasingly digital world. We explored Shail’s journey as a founder and discussed the challenges of building a company in the connectivity space. He shared how SkyPulse Connectivity is helping bus...

In this episode of Chicago Techies Podcast, I sat down with Isabella Zhang, founder & CEO of KNOWN, to talk about how she’s building technology to help women better understand their hormonal health. We explored Bella’s journey as a founder and discussed why conversations around women’s health have too often been overlooked. Bella shared how KNOWN goes beyond cycle tracking, helping users bette...

In this episode of Chicago Techies Podcast, I sat down with Christine Devane, Co-Founder and CEO of Club Money, to talk about how she’s rethinking financial advice for a new generation. We got into Christine’s own path into fintech, she walked us through her non-traditional background and how eventually she became a tech founder, which is a great reminder that there’s no single background or bluep...

We’re kicking off Season 5 of the Chicago Techies Podcast with Maria Huertas, founder of MLToons—and this one’s a fun one. Maria is building at the intersection of music, storytelling, and language learning, helping kids pick up Spanish and English in a way that actually feels natural. Think songs, characters, and interactive experiences instead of worksheets and memorization. Her whole approach i...

In this season, we're focusing on Chicago founders who are building right here in the city. I'm your host, Cecilia Benitez, and together we'll hear the stories behind the startups, explore the real challenges of building in Chicago, and uncover what drives these founders to keep going. In this episode, we sit down with Sam Burke, the founder of Hale, a new men’s personal care and grooming brand fo...

In this season, we're focusing on Chicago founders who are building right here in the city. I'm your host, Cecilia Benitez, and together we'll hear the stories behind the startups, explore the real challenges of building in Chicago, and uncover what drives these founders to keep going. On this week’s episode, we welcome Malvina DeSalvo , CEO of Plateful , an AI-powered nutrition platform that gami...

In this season, we're focusing on Chicago founders who are building right here in the city. I'm your host, Cecilia Benitez, and together we'll hear the stories behind the startups, explore the real challenges of building in Chicago, and uncover what drives these founders to keep going. This week on the Chicago Techies Podcast, we pause our regular programming to focus on a critical issue: digital...

In this season, we're focusing on Chicago founders who are building right here in the city. I'm your host, Cecilia Benitez, and together we'll hear the stories behind the startups, explore the real challenges of building in Chicago, and uncover what drives these founders to keep going. On this week’s episode of the Chicago Techies Podcast, we sit down with Gavin Buckland, Founder of Voke Studio. G...

In this season, we're focusing on Chicago founders who are building right here in the city. I'm your host, Cecilia Benitez, and together we'll hear the stories behind the startups, explore the real challenges of building in Chicago, and uncover what drives these founders to keep going. On this week’s episode of the Chicago Techies Podcast, we meet Haydée Marino , Co-founder and CEO of ezbot AI . e...

In this season, we're focusing on Chicago founders who are building right here in the city. I'm your host, Cecilia Benitez, and together we'll hear the stories behind the startups, explore the real challenges of building in Chicago, and uncover what drives these founders to keep going. Tune in to the Chicago Techies Podcast as we sit down with Al Lagunas, founder and CEO of Levee. Al shares his jo...

In this season, we're focusing on Chicago founders who are building right here in the city. I'm your host, Cecilia Benitez, and together we'll hear the stories behind the startups, explore the real challenges of building in Chicago, and uncover what drives these founders to keep going. Join us for an inspiring conversation with Nisha Kishore, the visionary founder and CEO of FitKind, a holistic fi...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Manuela Zonenstein, Founder and CEO of Kadeya, the world’s first closed-loop beverage system and the only packaged solution that eliminates waste at a cost equal to or lower than single-use alternatives. We dive into how Manuela’s multilingual, bicultural background helped shape Kadeya’s distinct identity, and why embracing ecological constraints can spar...

Episode Title:  Episode 48 - Morgan Abraham - Co-Founder of Smoodi In this season, we're focusing on Chicago founders who are building right here in the city. I'm your host, Cecilia Benitez, and together we'll hear the stories behind the startups, explore the real challenges of building in Chicago, and uncover what drives these founders to keep going. This week’s guest is Morgan Abraham, co-f...

In this season, we're focusing on Chicago founders who are building right here in the city. I'm your host, Cecilia Benitez, and together we'll hear the stories behind the startups, explore the real challenges of building in Chicago, and uncover what drives these founders to keep going. Visionary entrepreneur Omar Hernandez takes us through his journey from McAllen, Texas to Chicago, where he launc...

In this season, we're focusing on Chicago founders who are building right here in the city. I'm your host, Cecilia Benitez, and together we'll hear the stories behind the startups, explore the real challenges of building in Chicago, and uncover what drives these founders to keep going. Join us as we explore the remarkable journey of Megan Doyle, the founder of Partum Health, whose personal journey...

In this season, we're focusing on Chicago founders who are building right here in the city. I'm your host, Cecilia Benitez, and together we'll hear the stories behind the startups, explore the real challenges of building in Chicago, and uncover what drives these founders to keep going. Join us for an insightful conversation with Craig Silver, CEO and co-founder of Sous, the platform connecting peo...

In this season, we're focusing on Chicago founders who are building right here in the city. I'm your host, Cecilia Benitez, and together we'll hear the stories behind the startups, explore the real challenges of building in Chicago, and uncover what drives these founders to keep going. Season 4 kicks off with a powerful conversation featuring Jill Miller , Founder and CEO of Lunum , a platform hel...

In this season, we're shining a spotlight on the trailblazers in the tech industry, both established veterans and emerging talents, who are pushing the boundaries of innovation. I'm your host, Ceci Fischer-Benitez, and together, we'll explore their successes, understand the challenges they've faced, and dive into the unique experiences that have guided their tech careers.  We are excited to b...

In this season, we're shining a spotlight on the trailblazers in the tech industry, both established veterans and emerging talents, who are pushing the boundaries of innovation. I'm your host, Ceci Fischer-Benitez, and together, we'll explore their successes, understand the challenges they've faced, and dive into the unique experiences that have guided their tech careers.  Join us in this epi...

In this season, we're shining a spotlight on the trailblazers in the tech industry, both established veterans and emerging talents, who are pushing the boundaries of innovation. I'm your host, Ceci Fischer-Benitez, and together, we'll explore their successes, understand the challenges they've faced, and dive into the unique experiences that have guided their tech careers.  On today’s episode...

In this season, we're shining a spotlight on the trailblazers in the tech industry, both established veterans and emerging talents, who are pushing the boundaries of innovation. I'm your host, Ceci Fischer-Benitez, and together, we'll explore their successes, understand the challenges they've faced, and dive into the unique experiences that have guided their tech careers.  This week on the Ch...

In this season, we're shining a spotlight on the trailblazers in the tech industry, both established veterans and emerging talents, who are pushing the boundaries of innovation. I'm your host, Ceci Fischer-Benitez, and together, we'll explore their successes, understand the challenges they've faced, and dive into the unique experiences that have guided their tech careers.  This week on the Ch...

In this season, we're shining a spotlight on the trailblazers in the tech industry, both established veterans and emerging talents, who are pushing the boundaries of innovation. I'm your host, Ceci Fischer-Benitez, and together, we'll explore their successes, understand the challenges they've faced, and dive into the unique experiences that have guided their tech careers.  On this week's epis...

In this season, we're shining a spotlight on the trailblazers in the tech industry, both established veterans and emerging talents, who are pushing the boundaries of innovation. I'm your host, Ceci Fischer-Benitez, and together, we'll explore their successes, understand the challenges they've faced, and dive into the unique experiences that have guided their tech careers.   It's not ever...

In this season, we're shining a spotlight on the trailblazers in the tech industry, both established veterans and emerging talents, who are pushing the boundaries of innovation. I'm your host, Ceci Fischer-Benitez, and together, we'll explore their successes, understand the challenges they've faced, and dive into the unique experiences that have guided their tech careers.  In this week’s epis...