Best Triangle Tweener Fund Podcasts (2025)

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The Triangle Tweener Fund Strategy w/ Scot Wingo | Ep. 24 48:26

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3h ago48:26

48:26

We are joined by Scot Wingo, General Partner of the Triangle Tweener Fund, Co-Founder and CEO of ReFiBuy.ai, and longtime Podcaster. Having successfully started and exited multiple companies, he has become a champion of the Triangle’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, supporting founders and fueling growth in countless ways. In 2015, Scot created the Tria…

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Navigating the AI Tsunami: A Founder's Guide with Greg Boone 37:45

10h ago37:45

37:45

From the world of tech startups to the high-stakes world of sneakers, Walk West CEO and founder Greg Boone is a serial entrepreneur with a unique journey. With a background in computer science and a history of building and investing in companies, Greg brings a fresh perspective on how to navigate the current "AI tsunami." Tune in to hear: Greg's en…

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How He Won $125K from NC IDEA w/ Bernard Worthy | Ep. 23 43:07

3d ago43:07

43:07

If you’re an aspiring founder eager to understand how to leverage your local ecosystem, this episode is for you. Episode 23 of Ecosysteming features Bernard Worthy, Co-Founder and CEO of LoanWell. As both an NC IDEA SEED ($50K) and NC BEC Growth ($75K) grantee, Bernard offers a powerful perspective on how local resources and networks can shape entr…

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Dr. Doug Kaufman: The TransLoc Story, His Pivot to AI, and Why Every CEO Needs a Coach (part 2) 43:25

20d ago43:25

43:25

What happens after you sell a company you helped turn around? For Dr. Doug Kaufman, it’s a story of new ventures and hard-won lessons. In this second part of a two-part series, Doug discusses his time at TransLoc, a mass transit technology company he helped lead to a successful sale to Ford. He shares how he navigated a challenging acquisition proc…

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Startup Life, Crisis, and Chaos: Psychologist Turned Serial Entrepreneur Dr. Doug Kaufman (part 1) 54:37

27d ago54:37

54:37

What happens when a classically trained psychologist leaves the world of academia to shift careers? For Dr. Doug Kaufman, it was to become a serial entrepreneur (obviously). Doug's story is defined by a relentless curiosity about human behavior, a series of successful ventures, and some hard-won lessons in the chaotic world of startups. In this fir…

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America the Entrepreneurial w/ Victor W. Hwang | Ep. 22 42:44

23d ago42:44

42:44

Episode 22 of Ecosysteming is here! This week, host Thom Ruhe sits down with Victor W. Hwang, Founder & CEO of Right to Start, for a powerful conversation on entrepreneurship as a fundamental right and what it will take to level the playing field for everyone. Victor is a seasoned entrepreneur who has launched multiple companies, organizations, and…

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How to Build an Ecosystem that Builds Back w/ Nicola Corzine | Ep. 21 33:52

1M ago33:52

33:52

On this episode of Ecosysteming, we are thrilled to feature Nicola Corzine, CEO and Executive Director of the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center. As the founding leader of this nonprofit dedicated to expanding access and knowledge in entrepreneurship, Nicola brings over 18 years of experience in venture investment, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit leader…

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Written Word Media's Ricci Wolman on Immigrating to the US, Entrepreneurial Freedom, and the Paradox of Choice 1:24:46

2M ago1:24:46

1:24:46

From her upbringing in Johannesburg, South Africa, to a career spanning Wall Street, an Ivy League MBA, and the early days of e-commerce, Ricci Wolman’s journey is a all about problem solving, resilience, freedom, and...the paradox of choice? As the CEO and co-founder of Written Word Media, she has built a bootstrapped and profitable business by so…

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Why Society Values Diversity to Win, Not to Share w/ Farad Ali | Ep. 20 46:05

2M ago46:05

46:05

Our 20th episode of Ecosysteming is here! Join host Thom Ruhe for a thoughtful conversation with Farad Ali—business leader, executive consultant, community builder, and passionate advocate for equity. Farad has spent his career advancing the economic empowerment of underrepresented communities and currently serves on several influential boards. In …

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Taking Cutting-Edge Research to Market w/ Paul J. Corson | Ep. 19 49:35

2M ago49:35

49:35

This week on Ecosysteming we are joined by Paul Corson. With nearly three decades of experience pursuing entrepreneurial initiatives across the U.S., Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia, Paul’s work spans the public and private sectors, NGOs, and higher education. His journey has taken him from startups to shaping public policy at the …

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From Mebane to Ndustrial, Jason Massey is Building Sustainable Tech for the World’s Factories 1:16:56

3M ago1:16:56

1:16:56

What happens when a North Carolina native, seasoned by Silicon Valley and Wall Street, returns home to build a company that marries profit with purpose? For Jason Massey, co-founder and CEO of Ndustrial, it's led to a 14-year journey developing cutting-edge technology that makes industrial facilities more efficient and sustainable. In this episode,…

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Community Is the New Currency w/ Laura Smailes | Ep. 18 44:35

3M ago44:35

44:35

In Episode 18 of Ecosysteming, we are joined by Laura Smailes, Relationship Manager at Everblue and former Assistant Director of Charlotte’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI). A longtime NC IDEA MICRO reviewer, Laura has helped shape Charlotte’s entrepreneurial landscape by supporting students, faculty, and community partners in deve…

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Eric Boduch: Revcast, 24 and Up, and Building the Next Generation of Triangle Startups (Part 2) 54:12

3M ago54:12

54:12

In Part 2 of our conversation with Eric Boduch, Pendo co-founder and CEO of Revcast, we explore the world of venture studios. Having left Pendo to pursue his vision of parallel entrepreneurship, Eric shares how his studio, 24 and Up, identifies, builds, and funds new companies. This episode unravels the unique model of a venture studio, differentia…

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Eric Boduch: Pendo's Origin Story, Building a Brand, and Product in the Age of AI (Part 1) 52:51

3M ago52:51

52:51

From co-founding one of the Triangle's most successful tech companies, Pendo, to quietly building a new venture studio, Eric Boduch has a deep well of entrepreneurial experience. In this first of a two-part series, Eric sits down with Scot to reflect on his journey, the lessons learned from the dot-com bust, and the evolution of product management.…

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From Entrepreneur to a New Kind of Mayor w/ Mayor Leonardo Williams | Ep. 17 46:48

3M ago46:48

46:48

In this episode of Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe speaks with Mayor Leonardo Williams of Durham, North Carolina, about leadership, economic development, entrepreneurship, and the untold story behind his viral speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Mayor Williams reflects on his journey—from music teacher to entrepreneur to public office—a…

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Jason Widen: From Raleigh Founded to Blue Co., Building Community and Creative Coworking 1:10:11

4M ago1:10:11

1:10:11

What happens when a seasoned entrepreneur spots a gap in the market and decides to take a risk on something entirely new? For Jason Widen, it’s led him from founding Raleigh Founded, a cornerstone of the Triangle’s startup ecosystem, to creating Blue Co. – a flexible warehouse solution designed for service-based businesses. In this episode, Jason s…

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What Two Decades in the NC Ecosystem Taught Him w/ David Baxter | Ep. 16 33:49

4M ago33:49

33:49

We are thrilled to welcome David Baxter, Chief Pixel and Strategist at Big Pixel, to this week’s episode of Ecosysteming. Big Pixel is a fully US-based strategic design and development firm that specializes in UX, startups, and a little bit of magic. Their mission? Helping businesses get to the core of what they truly want to achieve. As the leader…

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Resilience, Recovery, and a Shot of Optimism w/ Jeffrey Kaplan | Ep. 15 43:28

4M ago43:28

43:28

Navigating a natural disaster is no easy feat — and our friends in Western North Carolina are still grappling with the lasting effects of Hurricane Helene. In this episode, we are joined by ECOSYSTEM partner Jeffrey Kaplan, CEO of Optimist Ventures and Director of Venture Asheville. With deep experience in the entrepreneurial landscape, Jeffrey and…

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Chris Heivly: MapQuest Co-Founder ($1.2B Exit), Triangle Startup Factory, Build the Fort, and More 1:39:07

4M ago1:39:07

1:39:07

Chris Heivly’s journey through the tech world is one for the books, literally - thanks to his deep-rooted love of maps. From his early days studying geography and computer mapping to shaping the future of internet navigation with MapQuest, Chris shares an inspiring story of innovation, risk, and community-building. In this episode, we explore Chris…

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Allstacks' Hersh Tapadia: Raising $20M+ and Redefining Productivity 1:31:34

5M ago1:31:34

1:31:34

If you ask someone what’s at the heart of a successful engineering team, the answer might involve tools, talent, or tech. But Hersh Tapadia, CEO and co-founder of Allstacks, believes it all starts with one thing: measurable productivity. While we all know engineering teams face unique challenges, Allstacks is tackling the toughest one—how to measur…

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The Blue Economy Boom w/ Heather McWhorter | Ep. 14 44:15

5M ago44:15

44:15

In this episode of Ecosysteming, we welcome our friend and #ECOSYSTEM partner Heather McWhorter, Director of the UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Host Thom Ruhe and Heather dive into her journey to Wilmington, NC, and the incredible growth of the region’s coastal startup ecosystem. They explore the rising tide of the Blue Economy—an…

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Engineering Entrepreneurs: NC State Eship and Triangle Legend Dr. Tom Miller 1:53:01

5M ago1:53:01

1:53:01

If you ask anyone about the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Triangle, one name that keeps coming up is Dr. Tom Miller. Known as the champion of engineering entrepreneurship at NC State, Tom has been pivotal in shaping the region’s startup culture for over 40 years. From his early days in eastern North Carolina to founding the Engineering Entrepren…

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Why Empathy Is the Most Valuable Currency w/ Liz S. Brigham | Ep. 13 47:07

5M ago47:07

47:07

It’s not every day you get a masterclass in leadership and team building. On this week’s episode of Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe is joined by Liz S. Brigham for an insightful conversation on leading with purpose. As the W. Spencer Mitchem Executive Director of The Hurt Hub@Davidson and an NC IDEA #ECOSYSTEM partner, Liz brings deep experience to No…

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Tweener Madness Championship! ZW vs InviteJet: Who Takes Home the $25K Tweener Fund Investment? 1:05:25

6M ago1:05:25

1:05:25

Who will be crowned champion of Tweener Madness and take home the $25K investment from the Triangle Tweener Fund? The championship features two radically different approaches to innovation: ZW (Robert Fu) – An AI-powered platform helping manufacturers optimize production and R&D in complex industries. InviteJet (Brian Watson & Paul Davis) – A calen…

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Is Your Startup Ready for a $50M Fund? w/ Tim McLoughlin | Ep. 12 43:37

6M ago43:37

43:37

On this week’s episode of Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe talks with Tim McLoughlin, Managing Partner at Cofounders Capital. Tim’s connection to NC IDEA dates back to 2015 when he served as a Young Entrepreneur in Residence—now known as a Startup Analyst Associate. Since then, he’s become an active investor and advisor to several companies across the …

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CivicReach or InviteJet? What Startup Advances to the Tweener Madness Championship? 52:09

6M ago52:09

52:09

Who’s Advancing from the Fabulous Four - CivicReach or InviteJet? Welcome back to Triangle Tweener Madness, the high-stakes startup tournament where eight companies go head-to-head for a $25,000 investment from the Triangle Tweener Fund! We’re down to the Fabulous Four, and this week’s semifinal is a clash between a calendar-powered marketing platf…

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Unlocking Leadership Potential: Katherine Krupka on Raleigh Durham Startup Week 14:40

6M ago14:40

14:40

What if the most powerful tool for success as an entrepreneur isn’t the latest strategy or tech hack—but the way you perceive and process every challenge you face? In this episode of Triangle Tweener Talks, guest host Rebecca Ross sits down with Katherine Krupka, a leadership strategist and executive coach, to dive into the powerful connection betw…

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Moxie or ZW? What Startup Advances to the Tweener Madness Championship? 48:52

6M ago48:52

48:52

Who’s Advancing from the Fabulous Four - Moxie or ZW? Welcome back to Triangle Tweener Madness, where four startups remain in the race for a $25K investment from the Triangle Tweener Fund! In this week’s matchup, we’ve got two very different companies: one’s building AI to protect the integrity of academic research, and the other’s helping manufact…

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Tweener Madness! Logistics Innovation (Deliveri) vs Bulk Marketing Invitations (InviteJet) 53:27

6M ago53:27

53:27

Welcome back to Triangle Tweener Madness, where 8 startups go head-to-head for a $25K investment from the Triangle Tweener Fund! This week, it’s a battle between a logistics platform built for scrappy e-commerce sellers and a surprising new marketing tool using your calendar. Only one can move on to the next round. Let’s meet the contenders. The Co…

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Why Brain Science is Critical for Entrepreneurs, with Phil Dixon (Raleigh Durham Startup Week Keynote) 10:14

6M ago10:14

10:14

Guest host Rebecca Ross sits down with Phil Dixon, CEO of the Oxford Brain Institute and expert on neuroscience in leadership. With years of experience working with top companies like Apple, Google, and Facebook, Phil is bringing his insights to Raleigh Durham Startup Week as a keynote speaker. You’ll hear Phil discuss: Why understanding brain scie…

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Valuable App vs CivicReach: The Battle of AI, Government, and Hidden Treasures 48:15

6M ago48:15

48:15

Welcome back to Triangle Tweener Madness, where 8 startups go head-to-head for a $25K investment from the Triangle Tweener Fund! This week, it’s a clash of categories—govtech vs. asset tech—as two AI-powered platforms pitch their visions for transforming outdated systems. One startup is helping local governments serve residents more efficiently. Th…

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Strengthening Trust in Our Communities w/ José Alvarez | Ep. 11 44:58

6M ago44:58

44:58

Another episode of Ecosysteming with our host, Thom Ruhe, featuring Prospera USA Vice President José Alvarez . In this special episode, we explore Prospera’s expansion to North Carolina and why they chose our state as their next hub for empowering Hispanic entrepreneurs. As an NC IDEA board member, #ECOSYSTEM partner, and #SEED core reviewer, José …

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Exclusive Interview: $45m financing for Inn-Flow with CEO John Erhart 28:35

6M ago28:35

28:35

Bootstrapped vertical SaaS software company, Inn-Flow, raised $45m from Mainsail. In this exclusive interview we hear from CEO and co-founder John Erhart the history of Inn-Flow, how they got the deal done and what this means going foraward. ------ Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by: Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/…

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Moxie (Jessica Parker) vs TutorSmith (Austin Ketola): Tweener Madness Battle of the EdTechs! 48:13

6M ago48:13

48:13

Who’s Moving On in the Battle of EdTech? Welcome back to Triangle Tweener Madness, where 8 startups go head-to-head for a $25K investment from the Triangle Tweener Fund! This week, two edtech startups take the stage in a battle of AI-driven learning solutions—but only one will move on to the next round. The Contenders 🔹 Moxie (Jessica Parker) – An …

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The Blueprint for a Thriving Entrepreneurial Ecosystem w/ Jim Roberts | Ep. 10 49:28

7M ago49:28

49:28

To mark ten episodes of Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe is joined by Jim Roberts, Founder of the Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington, the WALE Angel Network, and NC IDEA ECOSYSTEM partner. With years of experience as an ecosystem leader and NC IDEA reviewer, Jim has contributed to several entrepreneurial ecosystems and now focuses on supporting Wi…

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MyMatR (John Starke) vs ZW LLC (Robert Fu): Let the Tweener Madness Begin! 1:14:28

7M ago1:14:28

1:14:28

Welcome to the first-ever Triangle Tweener Madness, where 8 startups compete for a $25K investment from the Triangle Tweener Fund! We kick off the competition with two promising startups going head-to-head: John Starke from MyMatR and Robert Fu from ZW LLC. With a distinguished selection committee featuring David Jones (Bull City Venture Partners),…

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8 Startups Competing for $25K Prize: This is Tweener Madness! 1:42

7M ago1:42

1:42

Welcome to Tweener Madness, the high stakes startup showdown where 8 promising companies go head to head for a $25,000 investment prize from the Triangle Tweener Fund. Each round, 3 members of the selection committee will vote on which startups advance leading up to the finals in early April where one company will take home the top prize. About Twe…

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Tweener Madness! Meet the Selection Committee: Michael Jones 20:42

7M ago20:42

20:42

Welcome to Tweener Madness, the high stakes startup showdown where 8 promising companies go head to head for a $25,000 investment prize from the Triangle Tweener Fund. Each round, 3 members of the selection committee will vote on which startups advance leading up to the finals in early April where one company will take home the top prize. Before th…

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Tweener Madness! Meet the Selection Committee: Anthony Rotoli 23:10

7M ago23:10

23:10

Welcome to Tweener Madness, the high stakes startup showdown where 8 promising companies go head to head for a $25,000 investment prize from the Triangle Tweener Fund. Each round, 3 members of the selection committee will vote on which startups advance leading up to the finals in early April where one company will take home the top prize. Before th…

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Tweener Madness! Meet the Selection Committee: Anil Chawla 18:23

7M ago18:23

18:23

Welcome to Tweener Madness, the high stakes startup showdown where 8 promising companies go head to head for a $25,000 investment prize from the Triangle Tweener Fund. Each round, 3 members of the selection committee will vote on which startups advance leading up to the finals in early April where one company will take home the top prize. Before th…

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Tweener Madness! Meet the Selection Committee: Dave Neal 22:49

7M ago22:49

22:49

Welcome to Tweener Madness, the high stakes startup showdown where 8 promising companies go head to head for a $25,000 investment prize from the Triangle Tweener Fund. Each round, 3 members of the selection committee will vote on which startups advance leading up to the finals in early April where one company will take home the top prize. Before th…

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Tweener Madness! Meet the Selection Committee: Jason Caplain 26:56

7M ago26:56

26:56

Welcome to Tweener Madness, the high stakes startup showdown where 8 promising companies go head to head for a $25,000 investment prize from the Triangle Tweener Fund. Each round, 3 members of the selection committee will vote on which startups advance leading up to the finals in early April where one company will take home the top prize. Before th…

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Tweener Madness! Meet the Selection Committee: Tobi Walter 22:53

7M ago22:53

22:53

Welcome to Tweener Madness, the high stakes startup showdown where 8 promising companies go head to head for a $25,000 investment prize from the Triangle Tweener Fund. Each round, 3 members of the selection committee will vote on which startups advance leading up to the finals in early April where one company will take home the top prize. Before th…

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Tweener Madness! Meet the Selection Committee: Randy Myer 22:08

7M ago22:08

22:08

Welcome to Tweener Madness, the high stakes startup showdown where 8 promising companies go head to head for a $25,000 investment prize from the Triangle Tweener Fund. Each round, 3 members of the selection committee will vote on which startups advance leading up to the finals in early April where one company will take home the top prize. Before th…

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The Fabric of Our Economy w/ Anne Wiper | Ep. 9 49:44

7M ago49:44

49:44

In this episode of Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe speaks with Anne Wiper, CEO of The Textile Engine: NSF Regional Innovation Engine. They discuss her accomplished career at Nike, Salomon, Pearl Izumi, Smartwool, and beyond, leading up to her work accelerating innovation in textile sustainability and circularity. Learn how rural North Carolina is uniq…

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Tweener Madness! Meet the Selection Committee: Kevin Mosley 15:52

7M ago15:52

15:52

Welcome to Tweener Madness, the high stakes startup showdown where 8 promising companies go head to head for a $25,000 investment prize from the Triangle Tweener Fund. Each round, 3 members of the selection committee will vote on which startups advance leading up to the finals in early April where one company will take home the top prize. Before th…

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Breaking News: Earfluence Walk West - Acquisition Chat with Jason Gillikin and Greg Boone 33:32

7M ago33:32

33:32

In this special edition of Triangle Tweener Talks, we’re breaking some big news: Walk West has acquired Earfluence! Jason Gillikin, founder of Earfluence (which produces this podcast), and Greg Boone, the incoming CEO of Walk West, join host Scot Wingo to discuss the details of the deal, what it means for the future of both companies, and how this …

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$6m Seed, Exclusive Deep Dive: Isaac Park @ Keebler Health. 27:41

7M ago27:41

27:41

In this episode, Keebler founder, Isaac Park, shares some great best practices for how to get a seed raise done in the current environment. ------ Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by: Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/By Triangle Tweener Fund

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Tweener Madness! Meet the Selection Committee: Jenn Summe 23:38

7M ago23:38

23:38

Welcome to Tweener Madness, the high stakes startup showdown where 8 promising companies go head to head for a $25,000 investment prize from the Triangle Tweener Fund. Each round, 3 members of the selection committee will vote on which startups advance leading up to the finals in early April where one company will take home the top prize. Before th…

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Tweener Madness! Meet the Selection Committee: Lister Delgado 20:48

7M ago20:48

20:48

Welcome to Tweener Madness, the high stakes startup showdown where 8 promising companies go head to head for a $25,000 investment prize from the Triangle Tweener Fund. Each round, 3 members of the selection committee will vote on which startups advance leading up to the finals in early April where one company will take home the top prize. Before th…