CV Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with Jake Hoffberg, founder of Regenerative Industrial, to break down how biomass can be transformed into high value materials for batteries and advanced industrial applications. We talk about what it actually takes to scale climate and industrial tech, the challenges of moving from lab scale innovation to real world deployment, and why regenerative materials may be one...

Dan Roark is a serial entrepreneur, CEO, and active angel investor with decades of experience building, scaling, and leading technology companies across healthcare, life sciences, and industrial automation. In this episode of the Cowles Ventures Podcast, Dan shares his journey to becoming CEO of Gestalt Diagnostics, a digital pathology and AI diagnostics company improving cancer detection and clin...

Spokane has a hidden superpower for founders and today you are getting the full story from the person who built it. Mark Pond is the Business Research Librarian behind StartUp Spokane, the program that invests more than one hundred thousand dollars each year in top tier business tools and gives them to the community at no cost. In this episode we dive into how the Spokane Public Library created on...

Margie Bensching is the CEO and Founder of Golden Sherpa, a senior living technology platform built to remove confusion, misinformation, and hidden fees from one of the most painful decisions families ever face. After seeing how outdated referral systems and bad information leave people overwhelmed, Margie set out to build a transparent marketplace that puts real data and real choice back into the...

Brian Garvey is the Founder and CEO of VATA7, a safety technology company creating Smart LED helmets and gear to dramatically improve motorcycle rider visibility and reduce collisions. A former U.S. Navy Frogman turned entrepreneur, Brian has dedicated his career to solving one of the most overlooked problems in motorsports and everyday riding: riders are simply not seen. In this interview, Brian...

In this episode, we sit down with Graham Morehead, co-founder of Pangeon and a leading mind in AI. Graham has been pioneering ways to combine Neural Networks (AI Type 1) and Symbolic Reasoning (AI Type 2) to create more human-like intelligence. We talk about the evolution of AI, the intersection of physics and computer science, and how Graham’s work at Pangeon aims to bridge the gap between symbol...

In this episode, we sit down with Devin Miller, CEO and co-founder of SecureSave, the leading workplace emergency savings platform helping 60,000+ Americans save over $100 million. Devin shares how SecureSave partners with employers and financial institutions like Transamerica, Voya, Truist, and HSA Bank to make financial well-being accessible for every employee. We discuss his journey building fi...

Ever wondered how companies utilize water/power to improve their businesses? This episode features Tyson Schlect, a Senior Infrastructure Strategist at INFRA, where he’s helping shape the future of American water and power systems. Tyson approaches infrastructure challenges with a multi-generational mindset, developing solutions that enhance business value while strengthening water resiliency and...

This episode features Steve Strom, a seasoned entrepreneur & company builder who has founded multiple startups, led teams through high-growth phases, and delivered two $1B+ exits. Steve is also an advisor, investor, and product/organization builder with a deep passion for scaling businesses from zero to scale. LinkedInWe dig into Steve’s journey: how he built and exited companies, assembled pr...

This episode features Paul Wagner, CEO & Founder of GoLark, an AI-native communications platform built for revenue teams. Paul leads GoLark toward transforming how companies engage prospects and customers by putting branded video, deal rooms, asynchronous messaging, and insight tools directly on your website or inside your CRM.We dig into Paul’s path from early leadership and startup experienc...

This episode features Danny Porter, an experienced entrepreneur and leader with a strong background in building and scaling companies. We dive into his career journey, from early experiences shaping his perspective on business to leading ventures that push the boundaries of growth and innovation. Danny shares insights on product development, leadership, fundraising, and the realities of operating...

This episode features Daniel A. Garcia, Business Relationship Manager at JPMorgan Chase, ranked among the top business bankers nationally. We dive into his journey from Eastern Washington University to supporting entrepreneurs across the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene region, where he helps business owners unlock capital, manage cash flow, and scale with confidence. Daniel shares insights from his care...

This episode features Brandon Tanner, CEO of Omniscia AI, a company building practical AI solutions for real-world problems. We dive into his path from early product work to leading an AI venture, covering product development, fundraising, and the day-to-day realities of startup life. Stay connected with Brandon (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandontanner/Omniscia AI: https://www.omnisci...

This episode features Brynn MacLennan-Snyder, co-founder and CEO of Slate Dental, the company behind the Slate Electric Flosser. We dive into her journey from design school to building a purpose-driven oral-care brand, navigating product development, fundraising, and the realities of startup life. Brynn also shares what it takes to balance entrepreneurship with family while scaling a consumer heal...

This episode features Bill Kalivas, founder of LaunchPad INW, and a driving force behind Spokane’s startup and innovation ecosystem. We dive into his journey creating LaunchPad as a hub for entrepreneurs, investors, and community builders, and explore what it takes to foster collaboration and opportunity in a growing city. Along the way, we talk about the evolution of Spokane’s startup scene, less...

This episode features Darby McLean, CEO of Spiceology, whose journey blends science, entrepreneurship, and leadership, all rooted in Spokane, WA. We dive into her early work at GenPrime, the growth of her career at Spiceology, and what it takes to scale a bold, flavor-driven brand. Along the way, we talk about the challenges of building a business outside major tech hubs, what it means to lead wit...

This episode features John Munro, a multi-time founder and product leader with a career that spans medtech, fintech, industrial safety—and now, the world of entrepreneurship through acquisition. We explore the origin of TheraSpark, the fast-paced world of Chargeback, and John's more current role at Vimocity. We also touch on what John is learning through his search fund journey, and how it’s r...

Join us for an insightful conversation with David Ebel, Commercial Banking Officer at Spokane Teachers Credit Union (STCU). A U.S. Navy veteran with an MBA from Gonzaga University, David brings both strategic depth and community focus to his work with business clients across the Spokane–Coeur d’Alene region. In this episode we explore, how David's military service influences his role in commer...

In this episode, we sit down with Carter Bastian, CEO of Code Lexica, to dive into his entrepreneurial journey and the future of his startup, Code Lexica. Carter shares valuable insights on scaling a startup, tackling AI code generation from a new angle, and what it takes to build a company from the ground up. We also explore how Code Lexica is empowering teams to streamline development, improve s...