Builders Live

When we look at emerging multi-city economic corridors across the US, is megaregional scale an automatic economic superpower — or an unmanageable governance challenge? The Austin-San Antonio area can provide lessons, with two distinct anchor metros merging into a unified megaregion, balancing rapid tech cluster formation with critical resource limits like water, power and transit. Technical.ly publisher and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Henry Cisneros, Founder & Senior Advisor at American Triple I and former Mayor of San Antonio, and Jon Roberts, Managing Partner at TIP Strategies, for a conversation about how neighboring metros can collaborate to grow their ecosystems together. Recorded October 20, 2026.

What are the challenges and opportunities of growing a company in a rural setting? What's different about an entrepreneurship economic development strategy in a lower population state as opposed to a denser one? Technical.ly publisher and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Rich Garman, Director of Economic Development & Finance for the North Dakota Department of Commerce for a conversation about what's unique about rural ecosystems and North Dakota's bets on its economic future. Recorded October 15, 2026.

Pittsburgh just completed its StartUp PGH event series, with fifteen partner organizations shifting their flagship annual events into a single coordinated week along with new programming. Since the 2010s, collaborative and distributed startup weeks like this have become one of the most prominent methods of ecosystem building — but are they still working? Technical.ly publisher and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Matt Smith, Chief Growth Officer of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development for a conversation about how the startup week model has evolved and lessons for other regions planning their own innovation festivals. Recorded October 7, 2026.

West Virginia recently established the nation’s first Office of Entrepreneurship operating directly under a statewide elected official, rather than an embedded sub-agency. Secretary of State Kris Warner now spearheads the WV Office of Entrepreneurship, with more than 35 years as a small business owner, real estate developer, incubator owner, and entrepreneur himself. What makes this new office different, and what should other states consider about this approach? Technical.ly publisher and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner for a conversation about how state governments can make entrepreneurship easier and why that matters for economic development. Recorded September 30, 2026.

What's actually working in supporting high-growth entrepreneurs today, and how can regions help create the next tech unicorn? (And is that even the right goal?) Co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, venture investor Rae'Mah Henderson, Taylor Eubanks of BlendHQ and Technical.ly cofounder and publisher Christopher Wink discuss this and other trends in ecosystem building and entrepreneur-led economic development. Recorded September 23, 2026.

Over the past few years, traditional venture capital funds have increasingly moved up-market toward larger, later-stage rounds, leaving early-stage founders scrambling for initial checks. How are regional and public-private tech funds adapting to fill that widening seed-stage gap across the country? And how can ecosystem leaders balance the driving economic growth with the financial realities of early-stage tech investing? Technical.ly publisher and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Jonathon Beschen, Managing Director of the Tech Investment Group for Ben Franklin Technology Partners for a conversation about how regional tech ecosystems can build momentum. Recorded September 2, 2026.

Companies are getting smaller. What does that mean for economic development? The median size of American firms has been declining for years, so are there better metrics to focus on than job growth? How do solopreneurs and "necessity entrepreneurs" fit into the picture? And how will AI impact this trend? Co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, venture investor Rae'Mah Henderson, Taylor Eubanks of BlendHQ and Technical.ly cofounder and publisher Christopher Wink discuss this and other trends in ecosystem building and entrepreneur-led economic development. Recorded August 26, 2026.

Imagine two communities with nearly identical physical assets, institutions, and tax incentives, but dramatically different economic outcomes. What causes the difference? Amy Holloway believes it's trust. Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Aha! Advisors president Amy Holloway for a conversation about how to build and measure trust in your ecosystem and the importance of social infrastructure in economic development. Recorded August 12, 2026.

Nationally, we’re seeing variation in when states are driving tech, science and entrepreneurship economic development, and when it’s primarily taking place at the regional ecosystem level. How does a state leader balance multiple ecosystems and regions with distinct needs? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Louisiana Economic Development CIO Josh Fleig for a conversation about the role for government and economic development at the state level. Recorded August 5, 2026.

Ecosystem building is coalition work, and there can be benefits and challenges to having a larger group of stakeholders. When does it make sense to take a statewide strategy as opposed to a regional one? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Arizona Technology Council president & CEO Steven Zylstra for a conversation about what's changing about the tech council model and what's most effective about different approaches to economic development. Recorded July 29, 2026.

Since joining the Research Triangle Foundation in 2017, Scott Levitan has overseen a transformation of the 7,000-acre Research Triangle Park including a mixed-use campus, coworking space and high-profile corporate investments. As the organization moves to implement its RTP 3.0 initiative, it announced a planned leadership transition, with Levitan set to retire in October. At this inflection point, what does the future hold for RTP, and what can other similar institutions learn from its evolution? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Research Triangle Foundation president & CEO Scott Levitan for a conversation about reflections on his tenure leading the organization and lessons for place-based economic development. Recorded July 23, 2026.

What's really happening with entry-level workers? If it continues to get more difficult to start a career, that could create pipeline issues in the future with fewer experienced workers. Is a degree still worth it for young professionals, and what impacts are AI and remote work having on the employment landscape? Co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, venture investor Rae'Mah Henderson, and Technical.ly cofounder and publisher Christopher Wink discuss how regions can best support their students and new grads — and how entrepreneurship fits in the equation. Recorded July 22, 2026.

Greater Cleveland Partnership has an "All In" plan to help the region grow, bringing together private, public and philanthropic partners to achieve that goal. But what does real collaboration look like when you’re working with a variety of stakeholders who may all define success differently? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Greater Cleveland Partnership president & CEO Baiju Shah for a conversation about the org's efforts to turn its vision into strategies, actions and outcomes — and what lessons other regions can apply to their own economic development. Recorded July 15, 2026.

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's notable about the startup and innovation economy in all 50 states — and how entrepreneurship is helping to shape the country's identity at this significant milestone. Recorded June 24, 2026.

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 — not just exits and valuations? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Jeffrey Kaplan from Venture Asheville and Optimist Ventures for a conversation about what companies actually need if they're currently underserved by traditional venture capital. Recorded June 17, 2026.

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 that help more founders become fundable, revenue-generating companies? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by GrowthX cofounder and CEO Andrew Goldner for a conversation about how founders can sell, listen and adapt to become stronger over time. Recorded June 3, 2026.

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. Recorded May 7, 2026 at the Technical.ly Builders Conference. Support 'It Takes a Valley' here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ittakesavalley/it-takes-a-valley

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.ly cofounder and CEO Christopher Wink discuss when philanthropic investment in a region's economy makes sense, and what constitutes philanthropy versus government versus industry responsibilities. Recorded May 27, 2026.

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 data, compute and capital? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Center for American Entrepreneurship founder & president John Dearie for a conversation about how to achieve a stronger, more resilient and inclusive U.S. economy through thriving entrepreneurship. Recorded May 20, 2026.

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 cofounder Chris Wink is joined by LinkedIn Director of Data Science and Research Sharat Raghavan for a conversation about how the use of AI, shifting career priorities and evolving definitions of success are reshaping how businesses are started and grow. Recorded May 13, 2026.

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 agency, ownership and civic renewal, while confronting the ways it is often diluted, co-opted or kept out of reach. Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Christopher Wink is joined by Victor Hwang of Right to Start, venture investor Rae'Mah Henderson and Hollie Mackey of the NSF AgTech Engine in North Dakota for this wide-ranging discussion. Recorded May 7, 2026 at the Technical.ly Builders Conference.

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 makes sense to have local, regional and statewide goals. Recorded April 29, 2026.

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 labor market — as if it were opportunity entrepreneurship? Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, venture investor Rae'Mah Henderson, Taylor Eubanks of Midwest House and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Christopher Wink discuss how we can address the needs of these two groups to support economic development for all. Recorded April 22, 2026.

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 and tools such as AI. As technology becomes increasingly important to delivering government services and solving public problems, what has the agency accomplished so far and what can other states learn from it? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by New Jersey CIO Dave Cole for a conversation about what it means to have a codified and permanent state-level digital services team, how NJ is leveraging tech and AI to be more efficient and effective, what the private and public sectors can learn from each other, and more. Recorded April 15, 2026.

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. Governor Aruna Miller for a conversation about how the state government is factoring AI into its workforce development strategy, autonomous vehicles' impacts on transportation infrastructure, how to make decisions around complex tech and economic issues, and more. Recorded April 1, 2026.

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, Taylor Eubanks of Midwest House, Hollie Mackey of the NSF AgTech Engine in North Dakota, and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Christopher Wink discuss if the "hero ecosystem" is a red flag or a green light, and how to build resilience without losing momentum. Recorded on March 25, 2026.

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 opportunity with public concern about job loss, bias and misinformation. Recorded March 18, 2026.

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 economic development strategy, and how to get ecosystems to stop chasing big employers and focus on growing our own. Recorded on February 25, 2026.

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 all sizes. Recorded February 11, 2026.

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 discuss the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and how entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders can take this opportunity to gain momentum. Recorded January 28, 2026.

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 into highlights, takeaways and reactions. Recorded December 17, 2025.

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 conversation about the role of giving back in maintaining a healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem and the moral, economic and practical case for paying it forward. Recorded December 10, 2025.

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 between financial outcomes and health outcomes, and the industry's impact on the local economies. Recorded December 3, 2025.

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. Recorded November 26, 2025.

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, policymakers and economic development leaders should know about evaluating their ecosystems. See the full report here: https://nasdaqcenter.org/arie/ Recorded November 19, 2025.

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 about how tech transfer has evolved over the past few decades and the impact it has on entrepreneurship and local economies. Recorded November 5, 2025.

Modern accelerator programs have used a variety of methods to support startups over the past two decades — but what's the most effective way to help entrepreneurs scale? How can founders know when they're getting real traction instead of innovation theater? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Heath Naquin of the University City Science Center for a conversation about how accelerators can maximize their impact and what founders should look for when picking a program. Recorded October 29, 2025.

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 different regions are approaching data centers, the environmental and community implications of these massive projects and how ecosystem builders can navigate between welcoming innovation and avoiding exploitation. Recorded October 22, 2025.

How can a founder know they're ready to pursue capital, and how can they maximize their chances of successfully finding investors? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Anthony Millin of NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers for a conversation about what it actually means to be "investor-ready" — beyond the pitch deck. Recorded October 8, 2025.

When you hear the word "entrepreneur," what comes to mind? It can be a pretty broad term, meaning different things depending on who's using it and when. So how do orgs working to support entrepreneurs deal with those differences and how the concept has changed over time? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Maria Meyers of SourceLink for a conversation about the history and evolution of the term "entrepreneur," how to best serve entrepreneurs with varying needs, and the post-pandemic entrepreneurship boom. Recorded October 1, 2025.

What does it take to mobilize an ecosystem around a common goal? The Future Use of Energy in Louisiana (FUEL) coalition is doing just that, bringing together stakeholders from business, government, and education to drive Louisiana’s energy and economic future by powering innovation through research, workforce, policy, and technology development. Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Lacy McManus and Michael Mazzola of FUEL and Michael Butler of ExxonMobil for a conversation about the program's impact so far, how the group balances priorities, and lessons from this and other National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines. Recorded September 16, 2025.

Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital, Rae'Mah Henderson of Techstars and and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Chris Wink discuss how rising housing costs affect workforce, entrepreneurship and startup ecosystems. Recorded September 24, 2025.

Post-pandemic, entrepreneurship is up by many measures. With recent changes in regulation and compliance, what's different now about how entrepreneurs are forming new businesses? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Kurt Simmons, Jr. and Daniel Krolikowski, partners at Withum, on how founders can navigate updates to QSBS, Section 83, accredited-investor rules and more. Recorded September 3, 2025

Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital, Maria Underwood of TechBirmingham and and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Chris Wink discuss the challenges and opportunities of being both an entrepreneur and a parent, how parenting responsibilities intersect with professional and startup life, and broader dynamics of how the U.S. workplace treats parents, with attention to the need for supportive environments.

The recently-released 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Report provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of startup ecosystems worldwide. What are the takeaways for entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and other stakeholders?Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Jonathan Ortmans, Founder & President of Global Entrepreneurship Network, for a conversation on trends and insights from the report and what's in store for the future of entrepreneurship.Recorded August 20, 2024

We've seen an entrepreneurship boom post-pandemic, especially among women and people of color. How do we both acknowledge and celebrate that progress, while setting up our next goals for the economy? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Elizabeth Gore, cofounder and president of Hello Alice, for a conversation on trends in small business ownership, capital access and more. Recorded July 16, 2025

Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Geoff Webster of Pittsburgh Futures Collaborative and Jake Pawlak, Deputy Mayor & Director Office of Management and Budget for the City of Pittsburgh for a conversation on how civil servants and elected officials can improve outcomes through design thinking. Recorded June 11, 2025

What factors go into an entrepreneur's decision on where to live and work, and how can regions attract more founders and companies? Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Ryan Touhill, director of Arlington Economic Development, to discuss how trends in remote work, geographically-tied industry specialization and more are affecting local economies and ecosystem growth. Recorded July 30, 2025