Startup Hustle

David Sinkinson, co-founder of AppArmor, shares his entrepreneurial journey and the lessons he learned along the way. He challenges startup myths and emphasizes the importance of finding the right co-founder. The conversation covers topics such as the need for funding, the psychology of being a founder, the evolution of AppArmor's product, the slow sales cycle in selling to colleges, and the impac...

In this episode, Matt Watson interviews Dan Kerr from Flyover Capital, discussing the evolving landscape of venture capital in the Midwest, particularly in Kansas City. They explore the importance of networking for founders, the structure of the upcoming Mid-by-Midwest event, and the changing dynamics of funding, including the rise of debt and royalty financing.  Dan shares insights on Flyover Cap...

In this episode, Matt Watson interviews Michelle Denogean, the Chief Marketing Officer of MindTrip and author of the book 'Grow Up.' They discuss the challenges that founders face when growing their companies and the importance of having a diverse team with different superpowers. Michelle introduces four superpowers: innovator, builder, connector, and persuader, and explains how each one contribut...

In this episode, Matt Watson interviews Markus Waite, the President of Empara and CIO of Goodroot, about healthcare technology. They discuss the challenges and complexities of the healthcare industry, the role of generative AI in simplifying healthcare processes, the high cost of healthcare in the United States, and the need for transparency and cost-saving solutions. Marcus also shares insights i...

In this episode, Matt Watson interviews Keith Harrington, the founder and COO of Novel Capital, about non-dilutive capital and alternative funding options for startups. They discuss the different types of capital available, such as revenue-based financing and venture debt, and the importance of understanding when and how to raise money. Keith emphasizes the need for entrepreneurs to have access to...

Christian Hammer, founder and CEO of Vala AI, joins Matt Watson on the Startup Hustle podcast to discuss AI for software development and the concept of technical debt. They explore the challenges of bridging the gap between business needs and technology, the different definitions of tech debt, and the importance of keeping up with the rate of change in the industry. Christian shares insights into...

In this episode, Matt Watson and Ryan Dowdy discuss the difference between professional service companies and SaaS companies. They explore the challenges and opportunities of scaling a service-based business and the importance of sales and distribution in entrepreneurship. They also touch on the significance of personal branding for founders and the role it plays in building trust and thought lead...

In this episode, Matt Watson and Brett Sears discuss the importance of customer onboarding and training in software companies. They highlight the need for software companies to focus on getting customers to see value and have an 'aha' moment as quickly as possible. They also emphasize the significance of understanding the perspective of new users and providing a seamless onboarding experience.  Th...

In this episode, Matt Watson and Ryan Dowdy discuss the importance and benefits of being recognized on the Inc 5000 list. They explore the motivations behind winning awards and the impact it has on company culture, employee morale, and recruiting. They also highlight the value of third-party validation and how it builds credibility and trust with customers and investors. The conversation emphasize...

Sim Desai, founder and CEO of Hive, discusses the creation of a secondary stock market for private companies. He explains the challenges of the current system, where selling private stock options is fragmented and opaque. Hive aims to centralize and automate the secondary market process, providing a platform for buyers and sellers to connect. The target market for Hive ranges from small companies...

In this episode, Matt Watson interviews Vijay Rajendran, the coach and CEO of Startup System, about startup resilience and fundraising in the current economic climate. They discuss the challenges faced by startups, the importance of being cashflow positive, and the need to adapt and refine value propositions. They also explore the role of marketing, the significance of communication and delegation...

In this episode, Matt Watson interviews Dale Walden, the founder of Njord & Co, a SaaS B2B marketing company. They discuss the importance of positioning in marketing and how it can help companies focus on their target audience. Dale shares his experiences in the B2C and B2B worlds and emphasizes the need for founders to niche down and focus on a specific customer profile. They also discuss the...

In this episode of the Startup Hustle podcast, Matt Watson interviews Rich Brooks, the president of Flight New Media, about digital marketing and the Remarkability Formula. They discuss the impact of AI on marketing, the importance of finding your uniqueness, and the benefits of niching down.  Rich explains the four lenses of remarkability: find, focus, frame, and forge. He also shares insights on...

In this episode of the Startup Hustle podcast, Matt Watson interviews Ozan Unlu, the founder and CEO of Edge Delta, an observability company. They discuss the challenges of managing large amounts of data in complex production environments and the need for developers to have access to production data without compromising security.  Ozan shares his journey from being a software developer at Microsof...

Neelima Paraskar, founder and CEO of Snap IT, discusses her journey in the tech industry and the challenges of hiring and retaining talent in the IT field. She shares how Snap IT started as a training company to address the lack of affordable and skilled engineers in Kansas City. Neelima also talks about the impact of AI on software development and the changing skills required in the industry. She...

Maria Flynn, founder and CEO of AmbioLogix, discusses her background in healthcare technology, entrepreneurship, and the digital health industry. She shares insights from her book 'Make Opportunity Happen' and provides valuable advice for entrepreneurs. The conversation covers topics such as urgency, finding opportunities, and practical advice for business success. Urgency is a critical factor in...

Thinking of taking your software global but worried about navigating different markets and regulations? We've got you covered! Join Matt Watson as he explores the world of SaaS in Sweden with Nicholas Lilja, the founder and CEO of Younium, a billing and subscription management platform. In this episode, you'll discover: The unique challenges and opportunities of launching a SaaS company in Sweden...

Ever wonder why amazing entrepreneurs sometimes struggle to ask for what they want? This episode explores the surprising roadblocks that can hold even the most successful founders back. We'll be joined by Kenneth Berger, an executive coach who's seen it all—from Slack's explosive growth to the unique challenges faced by startup founders. Here's what you won't want to miss: Secrets from Slack's ear...

How does an experienced retail expert construct a cutting-edge financial platform? Prepare yourself because that's precisely the fascinating topic we're exploring in this episode! Our guest today, Brad Parker, takes us on a wild ride through his 20-year retail experience, growing a business from a single location to a multi-million dollar empire. But Brad's story doesn't end there. He saw a gap in...

Have you ever dreamt of launching a startup but worried about the dangers of scaling too quickly? Or maybe you're already running a business that feels stuck, unable to reach its full potential. This is the podcast for you. Join host Matt Watson as he explores the fascinating world of entrepreneurship with Dave Hirsch, a seasoned investor and turnaround specialist. Together, they'll crack the code...

Have you poured your heart and soul into building a game-changing SaaS product, only to find crickets chirping when it comes to sales? Fear not, fellow entrepreneur, because you're in the vast company of frustrated founders. This episode of  "Mastering Software Sales" dives deep into the trenches of selling software with industry expert Matt Wolach. Matt, a former technical founder who himself bat...

Do you feel like you're flying blind when it comes to your software? In today's episode, we dive deep into the world of observability - it's not just monitoring on steroids, and we'll explain why. Our guest, Charity Majors, co-founder and CTO of Honeycomb, will break down the concept and how it's changing the game for developers. Get ready to hear about: Observability 1.0 vs. 2.0: Is your toolkit...

Did you know traditional breast cancer screenings can miss early signs of the disease? In this episode, we get an exclusive look into MedCognetics, a company using AI to revolutionize breast cancer detection. Matt Watson chats with guest Tim Cogan, MedCognetics co-founder & CTO, about how AI can: Catch cancer earlier: Imagine AI spotting subtle abnormalities that might escape the human eye, le...

Are you tired of the same old outbound sales tactics that just don't work? In this episode, we'll be joined by entrepreneur Steve Claydon, founder of The Outbound Game, to chat about shaking things up with gamification and personalization. Steve used to be stuck in the trenches of sales, and let's face it, it can be a grind. But he realized there had to be a better way to motivate salespeople and...

Are robots about to take over your lawyer's job? Not quite, but Artificial Intelligence is poised to revolutionize the legal industry. In this episode, Matt Watson ventures into the world of immigration law with Josh Waddell, co-founder of VisaLaw.ai. Josh isn't just another lawyer; he's a legal tech pioneer who saw the limitations of traditional practice and decided to disrupt it from within. We'...